Rift in the Deep

The Steward Saga, Book 1

By: Janelle Garrett

Narrated by: Winter Johnson

Length: 11 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

A darkness lurks beneath the surface, brooding, waiting. The Deep writhes in currents of power, holding the Rift at bay. But the Stewards, accessors of the Deep, have not walked the lands in 300 years. Their legend lives on, but it is just that. Legend. No one living remembers. And the witches wait for their return, when all four Stewards can unite to bring about the downfall of the Rift.

Brate Hightower knows of such legends, but it has little to do with his daily life. He toils on his farm, alone and wondering when he will be able to travel to the Forest City and sing in the halls of the Triumphant King.

Malok Mountain Keeper lives in isolation, studying as an acolyte and longing for the day he can become a Brother and spend the rest of his life gleaning as much knowledge as he can. Graissa del’Blyth lives in discontent amongst the wealthy, longing for a life of purpose and justice. Priva Car’abel is a bladeweilder, at the beck and call of the Flatland King and searching for a missing princess. All of their lives change in an instant, and none of them can predict where their paths lead. Will they step up to the challenge and embrace their destiny? Or will the lure of power or the challenge of a new, rising foe be their undoing?

The sphere hangs in the balance. They must succeed, or all will be lost in darkness and shadow. And if they are to embrace the call, they will need the help of the Covenwitches.

©2018 Janelle Garrett (P)2020 Janelle Garrett

Give it a little while.

I am going to recommend that you read past chapter 7 before you judge the book. It took me longer to get into the book because the first couple of chapters seem disjointed and unconnected. They really aren't and the pieces fall into place quickly after about chapter 6 or 7. Once I got past that point in the book I started to get much more engaged with the book.

The world-building in this book was good. While the book can't be treated as a stand-alone book I was pleased to see that the story-line seems to move along and the author brings a lot of elements together quite quickly. The magic system is unique. There is a fairly large cast of characters but I didn't have a problem telling them apart. While I have my favorites I was still interested in the other characters and what they were doing. I am interested in see how the magical abilities of many of these characters play out through the rest of the series. I would like to see the character mature over the course of the series.

The narrator is a good job. He reads slightly faster than the average reader but I felt that it wasn't a big deal. I started this series because the author was kind enough to give me a code for the first book. I will be keeping my eye out for the rest of the series and will be purchasing them when they comes out.