I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A rebellious cleric must face his past as he is forced to confront the cult he escaped from two years earlier in authors Dorian & Talia Ravenwood’s “Thread of Souls Book V: The Deep Hollows”.
The Synopsis
In the fifth installment of this gripping series, rebellious cleric Taliesin is captured by a ruthless bounty hunter and forced back to the cult he escaped two years ago. Now serving a new goddess, he’s deemed a heretic among his people.
Stripped of his allies and separated from his beloved, Taliesin’s survival hinges on his wits and magic. His destination: the heart of the cult, the underground city of Berenzia. Here, secrets lurk that could unravel the cult’s plans. But to uncover them, Taliesin must confront not only the expectations of the disappointed family he left behind, but also the sinister ruling priestesses. If Taliesin cannot overcome the ghosts of his past, he will never escape the cult’s clutches.
In the Thread of Souls “Spider Octology”, ten adventurers are caught in a web of deadly secrets, warring cults, and untrusting alliances when they meet a cult runaway seeking freedom. They must overcome their differences in order to stop a god’s release from an abyssal prison.
Thread of Souls is an award-winning eight-book epic fantasy series. These stories weave a world of deep history, cultures, and lore with a fascinating pantheon of good and evil gods. Adventure across the vast world of Corventos while diving right into the heart and soul of a diverse and colorful cast of characters whose passions, strengths, and failures drive the story.
Thread of Souls is a must-read fantasy epic that blends swords and sorcery, dragons and mythical creatures, and fully realized locations that take your breath away. From the desert wastelands of the Expanse, down the twisting caverns of the Deep Hollows, through the beautiful streets of the lakeside capital city, and all the way to the icy tundra home of the Citadel.
The books in Thread of Souls’ “Spider Octology” currently include:
Book 1 – Phantom Five
Book 2 – Ash & Thunder
Book 3 – Path of the Spiders
Book 4 – Asunder
Book 5 – The Deep Hollows
Book 6 – Coming Soon!
And more to come!
The Review
The authors return to this epic fantasy series with a vengeance, expanding upon the vast world with a look into the complex cult from which one of the main protagonists hailed. Exploring the aftermath of the great dragon’s battle over the citadel, readers see Taliesin’s singular journey as war threatens the other realms of the land. The detail and depth of world-building the authors poured into this narrative, including expanding on Taliesin’s backstory and history in even greater detail, was a welcome return to this epic fantasy series.
The authors’ balance between expanding on the mythos of this world and action-driven storytelling was incredible to see come to life on the page. The vastness of this world and the imagery in their writing style allowed the author’s writing to bring readers into the narrative much like fantasy-driven role-playing games do, giving the reader a sense of voice and inclusion in the narrative as it develops around them.
The Verdict
Thoughtful, adrenaline-fueled, and entertaining authors Dorian and Talia Ravenwood’s “Thread of Souls Book V: The Deep Hollows” is a must-read epic fantasy novel and a great return to the Thread of Souls universe. The world-building layering, the engaging nature of the world and various cultures the authors developed across the different realms, and the shocking fates of some of these now classic characters will keep readers invested as the series progresses. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab the next entry of this amazing fantasy series today!
Rating: 10/10
About the Authors
Dorian is an executive producer and professional writer. His work is featured in tv shows, video games, in-print magazines, and websites. He’s also the co-founder and creative director for Game Sandwich. He can typically be found playing video games, but when he isn’t, he’s editing the books and loves playing with their two cats.
Talia is a professional writer for websites and video games, often on a freelance basis. She also is a professor teaching courses for a university focused on writing. When not writing for Thread of Souls, she loves drawing, interior decorating, and hiking.
