Category: Adult Fiction (18 yrs +), 472 pages
Genre: Fantasy
Publisher: Indie
Release date: Oct 28, 2021
Content Rating: PG-13 +M: 1) contains mild profanity, 2) contains occasional non-explicit sex scenes, but Book 4 has a rape scene, hence the rating, 3) contains battle violence but it's not gory or explicit
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About the Book
Taliesin, desperate to gain the skills required to defend his loved ones against the ancient powers that stalk them, commits to an apprenticeship under Amergin the Bard. His journey takes him far from Caer Leon, leaving Igerna to bear the heavy secret of Morgen’s parentage alone.
Igerna shoulders her responsibility well, at first, raising Morgen as twin sister to her only son, Arthur. A twin birth is auspicious, and the people of Caer Leon rejoice that their king and queen have been so blessed. As the years pass, however, Morgen’s birthright becomes more apparent, inciting gossip among the house servants. Morgen is, as expected, an enchanting and special child, gifted with supernatural abilities in spades. Unable to reach Taliesin and fearful that Morgen may soon become the object of ridicule—or worse, persecution—Igerna takes matters into her own hands. She journeys home with her children to seek the advice of the one other person in the world she feels might be able to help her daughter.
The wheel of fate turns as Morgen and Arthur come of age, sending them in separate directions. Once outside the safety of Caer Leon, those seeking to influence the two promising youths close in quickly, some well-intentioned, others ruthless and opportunistic.
Arthur is catapulted into the position he was born to fulfill, though perhaps not in the way anyone expected. Morgen, too, finds herself pulled toward an expected destiny, but conversely, one marked by efforts to prevent it, rather than facilitate it.
Both stand poised on the precipice of immense power, pulling everyone around them into their wake as they step into the roles that will be sung of for centuries to follow.
My Review
Character Growth Continued. One of the best parts of this book is seeing how far these characters have come. The growth feels earned. There’s maturity there, but also vulnerability. The relationships carry real emotional weight, and you continue to feel what’s at stake in every decision. It’s rewarding to see their arcs come full circle in a way that feels natural and true to who the characters have become over the course of the series.
The author offers a well-done novel. The stakes are high from the start, as they have been throughout the series, and the tension builds steadily as everything moves toward finality. There’s action, political tension, and emotional payoff woven together in a way that keeps the pages turning. The resolution is satisfying and fitting. It answers the big questions, delivers closure where necessary, and wraps up the series in a way that feels complete.
Would I recommend The Young Stag? If you’ve followed this series, this finale absolutely delivers. It balances action with heart and gives readers the kind of ending that feels earned rather than rushed. Even if you’re new to J.M. Hofer’s work, this series as a whole is worth a spot on your reading list. I enjoyed this novel, as well as the whole series, and will definitely look for more from this author in the future.
The Other Books in the Series
Learn about Islands in the Mist: Book 1 in my book review spotlight.
Read my Review of Across the Sea, Book 2.
Read my Review of Rise of the Pendragon.
Read my Review of Into the Shadows
Meet the Author
As a child, whenever anyone would ask me, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” I would answer, “I want to write books!” That enthusiasm has never wavered. Fifty years later, I still feel most fulfilled when I'm writing.As a reader, I regularly devour books on mythology, folklore and fairy tales. I believe the stories we choose to tell generation after generation are doorways into the heart of humanity. These are the stories that assure us we're not the first to doubt ourselves or face what seems an impossible challenge; the stories that help us realize we're not alone in our struggles. Most importantly, they inspire us to summon the courage to leave behind the familiar and find out what we're made of--to face the dragon, resist the trickster, and heed the advice the village elder gives us.
My aim as a storyteller is to transport you to a world that feels ancient yet somehow familiar, where the veil between realms is thin and magic is very, very much alive.
connect with the author: website ~ X ~ facebook ~ instagram ~ goodreads
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