Thank you to Netgalley, the publishers and of course the author for gifting me this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

What an incredible and enjoyable read. Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to read this.

Halvi wanders a world like that of Elizabeth H Boyer, a Norseland of warriors and elves, dragons, and dwarfs. Yes, I did say dragons, though they sometimes walk around looking like men. THE GATES OF ERYAD is suitable for young readers who want a more remote, formal tone in a fantasy story.

Having lost his parents and farm to marauders, young boy Halvi makes for a cobbled street where he lives on the sufferance of the townsfolk. I am sure someone could do with an extra pair of hands in return for a bread roll and a pallet, but nobody offers. In fact, the castle youngsters come to jeer and torment Halvi. This ends when a stern stranger arrives and hands Halvi a necklet with a glowing stone. He follows the pull on the stone, to the north, the land of dancing lights in the night sky. Because a dragon can’t make itself known in a town, near guards with bows and pikes.

I feel the landscape descriptions are a strong feature in this adventure, with various shaggy beasts fitting into the natural environment of forest or snow. Where I feel the story is weak, is that almost every speaking character is a man. The bullying girl gets two lines, and there’s a dwarf woman who doesn’t even get a line. We constantly are told about ‘the land of man,’ ‘the forest of man,’ and so on, which just reinforces the absence of women. Halvi remembers his mother fondly, but does not find a mother figure. He does gain the Odin-archetype, wandering mage-dragon Valza the Small.

As I said, the tone is formal, and this seems like a mismatch when the young protagonist is preteen. Halvi also has things happen to him or around him, which is similar to the life of children, but not necessarily what children want to read. By the end, he does start to play an active part in a battle, the outcome of which again depends on others. Another unusual factor is that no high stakes are provided, so Halvi is not on a traditional heroic quest. He’s just trying to grow up somewhere that doesn’t allow bullies. That’s a fine aspiration, and maybe this is the lesson to take from Christopher John Storm’s debut book. Bullying is wrong. THE GATES OF ERYAD is a short novel, full of wonder, ice, and a dragon.

Really great world building and the descriptive prose was beautiful. Story centres around a young boy and a dragon searching for a new home.
Due to the level of description in this book at times it was difficult to remain interested. A beautifully written book, however it lacked some of my preferences in a fantasy novel - plot based, unique magic system, detailed background of characters and detailed world building.

Book Review 📚

The Gates of Eryad by Christopher John Storm - 4/5 ⭐

Wow. What a journey this book has taken me on. I was sold simply by the cover, I saw it and wanted it. (Yes, I know. I should never judge a book my it's cover). The story takes you on a journey of self-discovery filled with magic and mythology! So many mythologies, including Norse and Finnish (again, sold with mythology).

The story of Halvi, an orphaned child stuck in a AWFUL world, and his dragon exploring Eryad. His character is on a journey of self-discovery and it's so unbelievably relatable and genuine. Christopher went through such detail in his writing that it really wasn't hard to imagine the landscapes building around you. It's phenomenal.

It's a must read for all you fantasy loving fans, the books never gets dull and it keeps you wanting to read until it's done. A fantastic story line, fast-paced writing and out of this world description.

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC - this is an HONEST review from my own personal opinion.

A wonderful epic fantasy that had me hooked from the very beginning and delivered on all fronts. The story follows Halvi, an orphaned child burdened by a cruel world, as he rides a dragon and ventures into the enchanting continent of Eryad. The author's vivid descriptions bring the landscapes of Garða to life, and the mythical creatures encountered along the way are beyond cool. But it's not just the world-building that shines in this book; it's the characters too. Halvi's journey from despair to self-discovery is relatable and genuine. The pacing is perfect, keeping the excitement and tension just right. It's a must-read for fans of epic fantasy craving a captivating world and a compelling story.

An epic fantasy that takes readers on a mesmerizing journey filled with magic, mythology, and self-discovery. Set in the captivating world of Garða, inspired by Celtic, Norse, Slavic, and Finnish mythologies, the author weaves a rich tapestry of enchanting landscapes, fascinating creatures, and deep-rooted legends. The protagonist, Halvi, is a relatable character whose journey of self-discovery and finding purpose resonates with readers on a profound level. The world-building is exceptional, with intricate descriptions that bring to life the breathtaking beauty of nature intertwined with magic. From mystical forests to majestic castles, every setting is meticulously detailed, making you feel like you're walking alongside Halvi on his awe-inspiring adventure. If you're a fan of epic fantasy that transports you to another world and leaves you longing for more, this is a must-read.

The Gates of Eryad is written in a unique style, one that reminds the reader someone telling an epic tale to a captive audience about legends from cultures gone by. As a book that is READ, however, it is very difficult to get through and be engaged in. This novella is supposed to be about a young boy's journey to finding a new home, but with the wide range of side characters and lack of obviously key scenes for a reader to really feel for the main character's struggle it seemed very muddled.

This would be great as an audio-series or a longer novel for my taste.