The Heart-Tree

The Shadow of the Heart-Tree, Book 1

By: M J Bradley

Narrated by: Sam Gabriel

The Heart-Tree stands guard over Olisolamon, the world fragment she protects, but beyond the reach of the great shrine to the goddess of life, darkness stirs. Anastagus the Truthseeker, once among the noblest of the Heart-Tree's guardians, has fallen to the sway of the Spider, and, in her name, seeks the ruination of all he once espoused and defended. For Azaki, outcast and orphan of the Webbed Pit, this brings the chance to prove himself worthy of a spider-silk cloak and the mantle of warrior, to finally achieve the recognition that will see them free from scraping by on the fringes of the Clan of the Webbed Pit. Under the command of Kogodakus, Anastagus's mad companion, he and his sworn friends will seize their moment and burn their way south through the groves of the Heart-Tree. But cast adrift among his clan's ancient foes by misfortune, and now wielding their same strange power, Azaki finds there is less to hate in soft, southern lands than he dreamt there'd be. Yet, Anastagus comes south regardless. And Azaki is still sworn to the service.

©2018 Matthew James Bradley (P)2018 Matthew James Bradley

Great Characters & Voice Acting!

The writing is superb, the descriptions are vivid and the word choices are playful. Playful not in the sense of unserious but clearly a writer that delights in writing which makes the prose a delight to read.

The nature of the magic system being wrapped around the Hearttree was large and entwined in the culture. It took me the book to wrap my head around it, but the mystery of understanding the world keeps you turning the page.

The action and magic scenes are riveting. Well paced and intense.

Aside from the beauty of the prose, the characters are incredibly well-written and developed. The convictions, self-determination, and even the doubts they hold are believable and true to themselves even as they change throughout the story.

This book explores how you can write characters with complex motives, that tread the line between the dark and the light. Nothing is what it seems, and yet nothing in the characters or story was absurd. Each chapter adds more to each character and makes you question any assumption you might make.

The dialogue is top-notch, and as a fan of witty characters when it fits with the story, the characters do not miss a beat.
The voice actress, Sam Gabriel, adds so much to the experience. The different accents, tones, and voices is immersive and I would highly recommend the audiobook.

This book is meant for the fantasy reader who is looking for a character driven story and badass magic scenes with a side of the mysterious arcane. The Heart Tree by MJ Bradley will not disappoint!