The Eye of the Moon: Tenebria, Book 1

By: A.K. Bryce
Publisher: Bryce Novels
Publication Date: August 30, 2024
ISBN: 979-8-9898525-5-0
Reviewed by: Kathy Stickles
Review Date: August 24, 2024

The Eye of the Moon: Tenebria, Book 1, by A.K. Bryce, is an excellent fantasy novel that I would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys the genre. It is a fascinating story based on the theme of light versus dark or, if you prefer, good versus evil. While this theme has been around forever, this presentation is one that is quite different. Filled with plenty of action and very interesting characters, I am sure it will be loved by many.

In the small city of Gorovetrov in the Dominion of Light we meet Makar, a 10-year-old boy who is about to be tested, as all children are, to see if there is any dark magic in him. A long time ago the sun god defeated the moon god and now all children must be tested to see if they are safe or if they were born with the magic of the moon god, who everyone sees as a demon. Those who are found to have the dark magic are removed from the family’s home and sent to live in exile on frozen islands to suffer for the rest of their lives. When Makar is tested, he fails and is taken away from his family immediately.

As Makar tries to survive, we jump ahead 40 years when he receives a visit from the moon god in person. She gives Makar the power of shadow magic, the ability to use his own shadow to touch and even kill those around him. As he tries to understand this new power, which others consider the worst evil imaginable, his thoughts turn to saving others who are in his position. Back home in the Dominion, we are introduced to Faina, an investigator who is attempting to uncover the sudden growth of Shadebinding in townspeople who have no magical ability. Until she can figure out what is going on, and where all of this evil is actually coming from, no one will be safe from the war that is about to begin. With the moon demon attempting to take back her power through Makar and others, Faina might be the only one who can save the Dominion of Light.

While the plot of The Eye of the Moon: Tenebria, Book 1 is excellent, it is the extremely well-developed characters that really make the story. While Makar is presented as the evil force in the book, the reader is able to relate to him and the question builds quickly as to whether it is true evil or if he is being used. Watching as he tries to accept this power and use it to save others like him presents him as a character we can come to understand and actually root for. On the other hand, there is Faina who believes that all Shadebinding is the most dangerous thing in this world and it must be destroyed immediately or the Dominion will not survive. As she moves forward in her investigation, we can see the conflict between what she has always believed and whether or not some of these people who are inflicted with the power are actually as bad as everyone thinks. All of the characters, including the secondary ones, are extremely appealing in one way or another and you cannot help but see both sides of the coin as you read.

With such an imaginative storyline and interesting characters, I believe that The Eye of the Moon: Tenebria, Book 1 will be a huge hit with fantasy readers. I loved it and highly recommend it. In addition, with the ending of the story, there is definitely a lot of room for more and I cannot wait to see what the author might do with a second book.

Quill says: So many fantasy novels out there seem to be the “same-old thing” at times but The Eye of the Moon: Tenebria, Book 1 is one that takes the “same-old” theme and changes it into something very new and exciting. No reader can ask for more than that.

For more information on The Eye of the Moon: Tenebria, Book 1, please visit the author’s website at: www.brycenovels.com/.