An Archer's Awakening

Of Crowns & Quills, Book 1

De: Casey Morales

Narrado por: Kenn Peterson, Carmen Rose

A 2024 Global Book Awards Gold Medal Winner

A new love awakens. Dark forces stir. The world stands on the brink of war.

In a world where everyone wields magic, I'm the odd one out—ungifted and unsure. My lack of magic gnaws at my confidence, but amid this struggle, I find unexpected solace in Ayden, a fellow Ranger cadet. Our budding romance becomes the one bright spot in my life.

Then everything changes.

A shadowy threat emerges, and an ancient cult aims to resurrect a long-forgotten queen, plunging our world into chaos. Kidnappings and whispers of disaster force Ayden and me into a dangerous journey, one where trust is scarce, and betrayal lurks around every corner.

As Keelan investigates, Ayden and I must navigate this treacherous path together, uncovering secrets of the past and within ourselves.

Through it all, I will learn that true courage isn't only found on the battlefield but also lives in the quiet moments shared between two souls.

An Archer's Awakening promises a heartwarming, slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers tale for fans of contemporary and fantasy mm romance alike. There is beautiful world-building, a sexual awakening, brothers fighting to save those they love, and so much more. Join this grand adventure today.

©2025 Casey Morales (P)2025 Podium Audio

Captivating start to the Of Crowns & Quills series

Casey Morales' An Archer's Awakening is a captivating start to the Of Crowns & Quills series, blending complex characters, intricate world-building, and the challenges of self-discovery against a crumbling world.

Set three years after Brothers of the Guild, this epic fantasy introduces readers to Declan Rea, a ranger cadet who struggles with being magic-less in a society where magical ability is a defining trait. As he forms a slow yet meaningful bond with fellow cadet Ayden, their growing connection unfolds amidst a world teetering on the edge of chaos. Meanwhile, Keelan Rea, now a Lieutenant in the Guardsmen, seems settled into his life with healer Tiana—until her sudden kidnapping thrusts him into a dangerous mission to save her, relying on his magical abilities.

Morales excels in creating a richly detailed world that feels both expansive and deeply personal. The stakes are high, and the evolving relationships between the characters give the narrative emotional weight. Although I came into this book having read Brothers of the Guild, which gave me some foundational understanding of the world and characters, I found the introduction of new faces and perspectives captivating enough to keep my attention.

However, the novel's multiple POVs can occasionally feel overwhelming, especially since Declan's voice isn't always at the forefront, despite being the main character. While this may offer depth to the story, it can also dilute the focus, particularly for readers invested in his journey. This shifting narrative style might be disorienting for fans who prefer a more direct, single-character perspective.

A key point I want to highlight is how the “MM” label often attached to Morales’ work is limiting. While the romance elements in his novels are undeniable, they are only one part of the story. His books go beyond romantic plots, incorporating layered world-building, political intrigue, and emotional complexity that appeals to a broad audience. The inclusion of gay characters in Morales’ books doesn’t reduce the scope of his storytelling. Instead, it enriches the narrative and broadens its appeal, making these novels perfect for anyone who enjoys epic fantasy with multifaceted characters and themes.

Lastly, I listened to the audiobook version of An Archer's Awakening, and the performances by Kenn Peterson and Carmen Rose were exceptional. Their duet narration brought the characters to life in ways that deepened my engagement with the world Morales has so carefully crafted. The vibrant voices added emotional depth and color, making the story all the more immersive.

An Archer’s Awakening is a strong start to what promises to be an exciting series, and I highly recommend it to fans of epic fantasy who crave complex characters and a richly constructed world.

Not What I Expected

The writing is technically competent and even occasionally good. But 6 hours into this audio book, and there are already 8 different first person perspectives, 3 major plotlines, and 4 different significant relationships. Only 1 of those plotlines and 1 of those relationships involve the titular Archer. Three of the relationships are standard M/F relationships, and the M/M relationship and plotline featuring the Archer are the least and most poorly developed so far. Perhaps because of the rather extreme fragmentation of perspective and plot, the characters in this book are all incredibly underdeveloped. Their motivations, behaviors, and actions are irrational and unexplained.
I purchased this book expecting a first person close perspective M/M romantasy, and that is not what this book is.