A precisely innovative novel that focuses on character-driven immersion set against a brutal landscape. There is so much action and complexity filled within these pages but expectations were not met.

I revived this arc in exchange for an honest review.
Boy, was I excited to get my hands on this after hearing about it on the smaller BookTube community and I was not let down!

“I was informed before I was dragged all the way across the Jagged Peak Mountains that I was going to witness legendary greatness. That this Hero of Prophecy, Champion of the Five Under Heaven, was a once-in-a-lifetime sight.
So far, all I've seen is a bunch of wounded throwaway soldiers and eight fools teaching an arrogant and spoiled boy to fight like a fool."

This is such a thought-provoking, character-driven book whilst also having a driving plot pivotal to the thematic moods.

The art of prophecy, indeed.
It speaks to what people believe in, what we based and justify our values on and how society functions on a level only achievable through an immersive fantasy book.
By taking a common, overused troupe and subverting it as the driving plot, the character’s motivations and the politics, the book acts as an excellent study of the fantasy genre and expectations, as readers, society and those in the fantasy world.

“…when finally given the holy blessing of meeting the legendary saviour of his people, instead of a mighty warrior god, he is delivered someone so utterly and completely ordinary."

However, it never once felt too heavy or philosophical to the point of being snobbishly superior. There were jabs, bantering, jokes and found family; endearing, emerging friendships and engaging, vivid action scenes.

This is a stunning debut and I can’t wait to see where the next books takes us, especially as so much foundation has been laid for a truly epic fantasy.
I would recommend this to fans of Dandelion Dynasty and even a more adult version of The Mortal Engines.