​Book Title: MANCALA MOON by Asa Bowers
Category:  Adult Fiction (18 +),  242 pages
Genre: Literary fiction with magical realism
Publisher:  Asa Bowers
Release date:  December 2025
Content Rating: PG -13 +M: however there is one F - word in the book. So I rated it PG-13.

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

Enter the Giveaway

My Review

The Characters Drive the Story. Initially, in the first book, I was daunted by the number of characters and relationships. Now, that is the part of the series that I enjoy the most. As characters grow and change, their responses to the storyline change as well--some characters are growing older, some are growing up. There’s hesitation in some characters. There's a clear sense that every choice is going to cost something. The characters do not feel out of place or out-of sync--but, more like the natural progression of someone being pushed into responsibility (or out of it) whether he’s ready or not.

This book definitely slows down in places. There’s more focus on clan politics, strategy, and leadership decisions than on quests and constant action. It’s not a fast-moving fantasy with some chapters falling much heavier on discussion than adventure. For me, this actually made the world feel more solid. The stakes feel earned because we see the buildup. When conflict comes, it doesn’t feel random.

The audiobook performance continues to be a strong point. John Keating keeps his narration steady. He doesn’t try to over-perform the emotional moments, which works in the story’s favor. The tone feels consistent with the historical setting, and I never felt pulled out of the experience. 

Would I recommend Rise of the Pendragon? Absolutely — especially to readers who appreciate layered historical fantasy. This isn’t flashy storytelling. It builds. It takes its time. And by the end, I realized how invested I’d become in where all of this is heading. The pace was slower, but if anything, this novel made me more eager to see how the larger storyline unfolds. 

Set in Iron Age Britain and steeped in Welsh legend, the Islands in the Mist series brings to life the magic and mystery of the Arthurian Age.

In Islands in the Mist, we meet the great warrior, Bran, called home from the battlefield to his mother's deathbed. He honors her final wish by vowing to solve the mystery of what fatally attacked her in the night. Though many have dismissed it as a wolf attack, she insists it was not, and encourages him to seek the counsel of Talhaiarn, druid advisor to their clan.

On his journey, Bran encounters the fiery Lucia, widow to a Roman centurion, and her strangely-gifted stable boy, Gwion--an enigmatic child graced with understanding beyond his years. Lucia possesses "the Sight," an ability that has plagued her from the time she was a small girl, tormenting her with disturbing visions of events that invariably come to pass. Fate leads her to discover many of her maternal ancestors were masterful women gifted with similar psychic abilities and that some of them have been watching her from the shadows for years.

Upon returning to his village, Bran finds himself at odds with the hot-tempered Aelhaearn, who is determined to become their clan's next chieftain. To Aelhaearn's disappointment, Bran's sister, now priestess in her mother's place, convinces the clan to choose Bran for the honor instead. In the aftermath of their conflict, Bran discovers something shocking about his rival that causes him to rue his sister's decision.

As everyone strives to unravel the mystery surrounding their nocturnal enemies, their creator patiently carries out her plan, woven from the exploited weaknesses of her opponents. Slowly, all but one are pulled into the seductive maelstrom of her power.

My Review

The author’s writing offers a blend of action-packed scenes and character-driven dialogue. A great deal of attention is given to building the world and establishing its rules, which helps the story feel believable by the end. Magic and myth are present, but they are woven in carefully rather than overwhelming the reader. That said, readers will need some patience as the fantasy world develops. The pacing occasionally slows when the story pauses to explain background details, and a few of these moments feel a bit awkward in how they are introduced. Still, there is a steady sense of mystery that keeps the pages turning, especially as hints of greater danger begin to surface.

The novel introduces a lot of characters. While each serves a purpose, keeping track of how everyone is connected can occasionally feel complicated, particularly during more complex scenes. Readers may need a little extra focus to remember names and relationships as the story progresses. However, these connections ultimately help move the plot forward and add depth as the story grows.

Would I recommend Islands in the Mist? I would. It’s a strong start to the series and does a good job mixing action with mystery as the story unfolds. The world feels well thought out, even if the pacing slows now and then while details are being explained. Readers who don’t mind a slower build and enjoy stories with layered plots and mythic elements will find this one worth a spot on their reading list.