Paths of Prophecy

Chronicles of Torgeir, Book 1

By: J. C. Eyler

Narrated by: Grace Noble

Set in a world plagued by oppression and greed, this dark epic fantasy follows Makayla, a young slave girl granted the powers of a god after a brutal attack, and Kael, a devoted citizen with vast magical abilities.

With her new powers, Makayla believes herself the Light, prophesied to liberate her enslaved people, end the empire’s oppressive reign, and save the world from eternal darkness. Her massive army of freed slaves threatens the empire’s hold on the West, but her divine powers didn’t come from a benevolent god, and her thirst for vengeance risks unleashing cataclysmic destruction.

On the other side of the empire, Kael is headed to finish his training as an imperial assassin when his caravan is attacked by a horde of undead. Nurtured to health by a people he once despised, he finds friendship, love, and a new idyllic life outside the empire. When the empire discovers his hidden village, he must flee his newfound life. On the run, he discovers he is bound to Makayla by a prophecy he’d never believed, but now cannot ignore. Can he change her Path of Prophecy before her dark powers consume not only her but all life on Yrsa?

©2024 J. C. Eyler (P)2024 J. C. Eyler

I’m hooked… when is the next book coming out?

I did an immersive read of this. Read on KU while I listened on audible. This narrator is phenomenal by the way. I did listen on double speed, but I thought she did a really good job - I could hear all the distinct voices! The story is incredible! The prologue and first couple of chapters are intense - where you think is this story going to be Game of Thrones Red Wedding level carnage throughout? But there is a reprieve from death and destruction, and while we are in the little village of Headwater, it almost feels like you’re reading a cozy fantasy - obviously before the inevitable return to chaos. There is heavy world building early on, with introduction to the various people, the magic systems, and the oppression and set up for the rebellion that has been prophecized (I mean it’s called paths of prophecy so…) and while world building is a little confusing initially it shapes the story. The author takes the time to introduce you to the world and characters, and you fall in love with Pendric, Jouler, and Kale - who are the golden trio in this story. But there are others who come and go, and I’m really hoping to get to know some better in the next books. Without giving too much away, the prologue opens with Makayla waking up after being brutally tortured and left for dead, she broken and enraged craving revenge and then she is visited by a deity who gifts her supreme power. As the story goes, she gathers a following who view her as The Light - prophesied to end the suffering of the Phaerians (but if you’ve read comic books - you know this typically not a hero origin story). Anyway, the book mostly follows Kale who was born to the oppressive class in this realm (called a Citizen and has what sounds like a tattoo on his forehead announcing his station as a Potential) and is about to become a super powerful ‘shaper’ (which is what the mages in this universe are called) but on his way to claim his new title, he and all his other shaper friends are attacked by a creature called a headless and left for dead. Kale survives because he is taken in by Phaerians in the village of Headwater who nurse him back to health and welcome him into their homes and hearts and he starts to question everything he has been thought to believe about Phaerians. But while Kale is making a new life in Headwater, he is also having nightmares of a girl with incredible power amounting a following and feels a deep connection with another Phaerian in Headwater which he can’t explain. Anyway, this story is full of twists and turns and whimsical moments, and incredibly fun to read. Highly recommend!

An Amazing Journey!!

Emperor's ass that was an amazing listen!! The book came out swinging within the first few minutes, demanded my attention, and then kept it every step of the way. The story telling was well done, and the pacing of the book was perfect!

I highly recommend this book! Very happy to have met the author at Phoenix Fan Fusion.

More of this please!!

Strong start to a an epic fantasy saga

The story of a young man discovering everything he knew of the world was wrong, lied to him by the overbearing and insidious Empire. Kael and his friends travel across a vibrant world, discovering their true talents and places within the prophecy of light.

Amazing

Great story building. Relatable characters and surprising twists. This book is a great start for an amazing story. I’m glad that I’m able to be apart of this journey. I can’t wait for book 2.