Review: King of the Forgotten Darkness: A Raven's Tale Fantasy

King of the Forgotten Darkness: A Raven's Tale Fantasy by Erik D. Goodwyn
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Erik D. Goodwyn's King of the Forgotten Darkness: A Raven's Tale Fantasy has, without question, an intriguing premise: a traumatized warrior living in the peaceful Midworld, yearning to escape the shadows of his past in Erentyr, a terrifying parallel world filled with darkness and magical creatures.

The story begins with Liam, a twenty-four-year-old warrior who has managed to carve out a comfortable life in a futuristic world, free from the chaos of his homeland, Erentyr. For fifteen years, the portals to this brutal and magical realm have been sealed, allowing Liam to live a life devoid of suffering in Midworld. However, when he discovers that a family member may still be alive in Erentyr, he is compelled to return, driven by a mix of terror and hope. This journey back to his roots is where the story truly begins, but it also reveals some of the book's weaknesses.

Goodwyn's writing style is quite straightforward, which can be both a strength and a limitation. While it effortlessly describes the wonders and terrors of both worlds, I found myself longing for more depth and lyrical prose that could have elevated the emotional stakes. The world-building, although rooted in intriguing and classic concepts, felt somewhat superficial and left me wanting more detail and complexity in its magical elements, creatures and the cultures of Erentyr.

In terms of themes, the book touches on trauma, identity, and the quest for belonging, which are all compelling topics, and make clear the author's background as a psychiatrist.

One very positive aspect is the author's capacity to draw the main character's pain and struggle through the exploration of the remnants of his past. It was easy to connect with Liam on a visceral level and to root for his success. However, even though the dialogues had a constant touch of humour, most characters, especially Damien, were drawn in bold lines and were hard to connect with.

Ultimately, while it has a promising premise, a great start and some engaging moments, it didn't fully meet my expectations as a fantasy reader who enjoys complex world-building and deep character exploration. I would consider this to be a Young Adult fantasy book. If you're looking for a light fantasy read with a unique premise, this book is worth a try, and will be out in April 2025.

Thanks to Collective Ink Limited, Roundfire Books, and Netgalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

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