Eric Smith (Reedsy Discovery) 3 Stars
The Oracle Stone is a sweeping epic fantasy by William TD Feeley, set in a world shaped by deep, ancient magic and teetering on the edge of chaos. At the heart of the novel is William Carelock, a half-elven knight guided by the mysterious Oracle Stone, who sets out to stop the malevolent Empress of Sal before her spreading corruption permanently damages the magical fabric that holds the realm together. What begins as a journey of duty quickly transforms into a powerful tale of identity, sacrifice, and redemption.
Feeley’s strength lies in his ability to craft a richly textured world. His settings are vivid and atmospheric, from war-ravaged battlefields to haunted ruins and the ominous Vale of Shadows. The history of the realm, layered with forgotten wars, fractured alliances, and whispered legends, adds an immersive depth. The Oracle Stone itself is a fascinating magical artifact, shrouded in mysticism and central to the plot’s unfolding tension.
William Carelock is a compelling protagonist, burdened with self-doubt, haunted by past decisions, and driven by a powerful sense of responsibility. His inner transformation is one of the novel’s greatest triumphs. Through moments of emotional reflection and moral reckoning, we see him evolve into the hero the world desperately needs. However, while William’s arc is satisfying and well-developed, some secondary characters lack the same depth, occasionally feeling like tools for the plot rather than fully realized individuals.
Though the pacing can be uneven, the narrative features a strong balance of action and introspection. Extended emotional beats and exposition-heavy segments sometimes slow the momentum between high-stakes scenes. Still, readers who enjoy character-driven fantasy with intense conflict, ancient magic, and a touch of romance will find much to appreciate.
The Oracle Stone is a promising start to a larger saga that blends the familiar rhythms of classic fantasy with fresh emotional stakes and an engaging central hero.
Loved it! 😍 4 Stars
An empire rises, cultures fall, and one hero's bloodline holds the key in this breathtaking fantasy
Synopsis
The last of a forgotten Elven bloodline, William Carelock carries a burden heavier than any sword: the Oracle Stone.
Guided by the wise mage Matrum Tanarum and joined by loyal companions, he embarks on a desperate quest to find the lost Vales—ancient sites of power that are the world's only hope against a rising tide of darkness. That darkness has a name: Empress Telgress. Forging an empire from the ashes of her hatred, she seeks to eradicate Elven culture and twist the world's Deep Magic to her will. But even her immense power is just a shadow of the ancient evil that guides her hand: a malevolent entity named Aesthalis.
Their journey takes them across treacherous seas and into the unforgiving Sands of Morgran, a desert that hides one vale Telgress has pointed them toward. But in a world where alliances are as shifting as the desert sands, a devastating betrayal that leaves their fellowship broken shatters their quest. William and the fierce ranger Altanie must flee, leaving their friends to an unknown, brutal fate.
The balance of the world is breaking. One hero must rise, or everything will fall.
The Oracle Stone: The Valley of Glass by William T.D. Feeley is an epic fantasy tale that blends mythic resonance with modern storytelling flair. From the opening chapters, Feeley's writing style strikes a balance between lyrical description and brisk pacing. Feeley's new novel is the second book in his Oracle Stone series. Characters and events make more sense when viewed in the context of his first novel. Feeley's rich prose paints a vivid landscape without being overly embellished or flashy. Readers who appreciate immersive detail, but dislike meandering exposition will find his style both accessible and evocative.
Feeley's world-building is expansive yet coherent. From the striking descriptions of the landscape to an ancient and chaotic magical system, this book sends the reader into a fantastical realm like no other. Feeley's creation recalls the mythic earnestness of Tolkien's Middle-earth and the moral complexity of Jordan's Wheel of Time. Yet, it retains its own identity by focusing on cultural erasure and the preservation of magic. Character development is one of the novel's strongest assets. Feeley's hero, while in a war against evil, also must battle the burden of heritage and destiny. On the other side, Feeley's foes are more than stock villains; they represent ideological and cosmic threats, making the conflict feel layered and urgent. Feeley ensures that even secondary characters contribute meaningfully to William's journey, adding emotional depth to the epic stakes.
Feeley's fantasy world dramatizes themes we see daily. The clash between authoritarian power and cultural survival, the tension between fear and hope, and the role of individuals in resisting systemic oppression. Reading The Valley of Glass feels like stepping into an allegory for today's world, only with magic and myth amplifying the stakes.
Readers looking for a fantasy novel that combines epic adventure, nuanced characters, and a world brimming with danger and wonder, The Oracle Stone: The Valley of Glass deserves a place on your bookshelf.
Reviewed by
Eric Smith
Starting in 2020I have been reading writing reviews published by Capital Books and The Halo-Halo Review, a blog that focuses on highlighting works by Filipino authors. This year I volunteered with Colorado Humanities as a genre selector for the Colorado Book Awards.
Dad V.S. Evil
VMust read 🏆
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Book 1 of a series. A great blend of Lit/RPG and Paranormal, character driven.
Synopsis
Dad vs. Evil is a gritty, darkly funny urban fantasy about a divorced, broke, emotionally wrecked father who stumbles into a supernatural war he is wildly unqualified for.
Rick Sweet isn't a chosen one or a hero, he's a mess trying to keep custody of his daughter while his life collapses around him. When monsters attack him in a Detroit alley, Rick is unwillingly bonded to an illegal, fairy-powered defense system that turns his worst night into the start of something far worse. Now hunted by supernatural predators, betrayed by family, and guided by a cold, hyper-logical voice in his head, Rick must survive a hidden world of magic and monsters without losing the only thing he still loves.
This is the first book in a Paranormal/Sci-Fi/LitRPG series. There are a lot of books coming out in this style, but this one stands head and shoulders above the rest. Many of them are written for gamers, and the results read like a play-by-play announcer from a hockey game.
Mr. Feeley goes in the other direction. He takes first person point of view one step further, playing a self-conscious author who breaks the fourth wall and talks directly to the readers, making us aware of the games he is playing with our heads. What makes it all work is that Mr. Feeley knows his priorities. Novel first: characters, emotions, conflict, suspense. Then — a long way down the list — paranormal and sci-fi in the background where they belong.
Rick, the main character, is a normal guy: likeable, charismatic...well, sort of a loser, but too capable to be in this sort of trouble. Rather suspicious... Many of the other players are portrayed in a stereotypical way, but we gradually realize the reason for that.
There is a general rule in Sci-Fi and Fantasy that you don't mix genres, but somehow this author makes it work, having the paranormal features function like video game characters and the people like people. The world building does not contain creative physical setting, depending rather on the social, legal, and scientific background to support the plot.
There is less violence than you would expect from this sort of book, although we are treated to a few over-the-top fight scenes. The conflict is more strategy than action, like a chess game in which Rick is definitely a pawn. The main story arc is his growth from Plain Old Dad to Hero Dad.
There are a few plot glitches in the MS I was sent. You don't drop to one knee to hug a sixteen-year-old. There was one page that appears twice, and some confusion whether he has to do one or three jobs to fulfill his legal responsibilities.
As Rick tells us, it's not a "happily ever after" ending. But this first book has fulfilled its purpose; it has created a hero for the rest of the series.
This story will appeal to a wide audience. It is unfortunate that the graphic language puts it into the PG-13 range of readers. Highly recommended.
Reviewed by
Gordon A. Long
Brought up in a logging camp with no electricity, Gordon Long learned his storytelling in the traditional way: at his father's knee. He now spends his time editing, publishing, travelling, blogging and writing Fantasy, Sci-Fi and Social Commentary, although sometimes the boundaries blur