Skullsworn

Most magic systems have a single source. In Earthsea, it’s words, Mistborn has metals, and so on. With his worldseries, Stavely does things a little differently. Magic users, known as leeches, pull from their well, warping reality. However, the well of each leech is exclusive. For one it could be a boot, for another, the wind, metal, or even emotions. Though this makes it less regimented than some, it works heavily to the book’s advantage. Stavely is often secretive about character’s wells, making for a consistent guessing game. Depending on the scenario, allies of enemies could be powerful or useless. It also makes them an unknown, and this means they’re feared. Leeches are treated like freaks and persecuted, often having to hide their abilities. Together, these elements create a natural tension, but there are also hints of other, more accepted oddities. As well as deities, there are huge birds, riddenby elite soldiers known as the Kettral. With an elegant hand, Stavely weaves all of this into the epic story, crafting a cohesive whole with plenty of magical sub-plots.

Books in Chronicle Of The Unhewn Throne Series (5)

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Skullsworn

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Chronicles Of The Unhewn Throne

Staveley's Unhewn Throne series presents an intelligent mash-up of three simultaneous coming of age stories. Separated for eight years, three royal children must face the fallout of the Emperor's assassination... Read more