The Befallen by Cambria Williams
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Breathtaking introductory novel. This is only her first book and I feel she will have a wonderful career ahead. The talent Cambria Williams brings into the imagination was inspiring, and original. Dual perspectives Sloane and Tolvar.
Sloane is like every kid growing up that helps their father, looking forward to the day they are “old” enough to do it on their own. We meet Sloane on that day, she is to walk to the next village, Asana, to the market to sell her father’s leatherwork and return home for the Prodigal Moon Celebration. Enjoying a night in the next town filling her belly before the fasting for the moon goddess, she waits to return the next morning. Sloane is not just any girl but one with physical limitations, a nine-mile walk requires a great deal more time than the average person. She’s never dissuaded and happily allows herself time for safe travels only when she reaches her village, Mohn, it is only remnants of people she knew. The Befallen had attacked in the night while she was away sucking the life out of everyone in the village. The next day she settles to return to the neighboring village to start a life for herself only to be robbed on the way and then find Asana had been devoid of life as well while she was gone. Tolvar is from Capella Realm and only on the island of Deogol in search of the “mythical” savoir from the Befallen, The Unsung. Only his scars run deep, and he is happier at the bottom of a barrel of ale than keeping faith in his “redemption”. Many in the land have forgotten the words of Edan Lore, Sloane, being from a very devoted village has not wavered in her faith but struggles with being seen only for her physical appearance and truly being seen. She has something powerful within her, waiting to be seen.
What will happen when Sloane and Tolvar come face to face? Will her faith be enough to save her island from darkness and ruin? Everything about this world the author creates pulls you deeper into its realm. The language, the descriptions, the emotions. The characters are everyday people, at least to a point, Tolvar is a knight, but I digress. Sloane is a common girl from a tiny mostly unknown village, with a disability, and the faith to keep her fighting with all that she has even after she has lost everything she ever known. Tolvar has suffered the loss of everything he once held as important and now struggles with his own guilt and hunger for redemption that he no longer holds faith in until he finds Sloane. I truly cannot wait to see what this incredible new author has in store next.

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