Dennis Vanderkerken, Dakota Krout are both very good writers but spending half of the book on his experience with the wood elves and cultivating minutia was torture, even given the welcomed introduction of Ember. The 2nd half of the book brought the story back on the mainline pursuit of Artorian’s quest to rescue his enslaved Fringe children. Still, he only rescues one child and saves a friend cultivator who had fallen into despair. The story arc of the mountain and Academy was revealing and enjoyable but the intended cliff-hanger at the end was disappointing for not completing the boss battle.
Props to Travis Baldree’s wonderful performance in narrating the novel.