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Seth Skorkowsky gravitated to the darker sides of fantasy, preferring horror and pulp heroes over knights in shining armor. When not writing, he enjoys cheesy movies, tabletop role-playing games, making YouTube videos, and traveling the world with his wife.
Reviewed by K S Marsden for Readers' Favorite
Kate Rossdale was once a powerful witch, but after a terrible accident that was her fault, she is a shell of her former self. Craving a taste of the magic she once had, she agrees to work with a mysterious man who promises the real answers behind the tragedy. In Ashes of Onyx, enemies become allies, and different realms come together, to face the real threat to all worlds.
This is the first book I’ve read by Seth Skorkowsky, and I really enjoyed the worlds he has created. This is much more than just your usual Urban Fantasy, restricted to the world around us. There are different realms that can only be traveled to with magic. I thought this was the strongest part of the book; the different realities felt solid and believable, whilst also exotic and full of opportunity. Of course, the plot tied to our world was also very interesting. Those who train in magic join covens or ‘towers’, which have their own secrets and motives. To add more pressure, they have to hide from the witch hunters.
I felt that the pace of the story was sacrificed a little, perhaps for the book’s focus on creating a strong multi-level background. There was a lot of waiting for spells to be ready, for troops to gather. The momentum does build back up for the final battle, which did hook me in until the end. Ashes of Onyx is an impressive standalone novel, which neatly wraps everything up. I think there is room for a series, and it would be a shame if the author didn’t revisit the world he has created.
