Reviewed by Francine Zane for Readers' Favorite

In Sehmah's Truth (Beneath the Willow Book 1) by A.J. Culey, Samantha is lost in this world when her twin Jonathan dies. When she disappears into the imaginary world of Luica that they had created together, she is not prepared for the sheer destruction she finds there. While she works with the man destined to be king to repair the damage she helped create, she cannot help but seek out her twin, praying that even in death he still lives in their private empire.

With Sehmah's Truth (Beneath the Willow Book 1), A.J. Culey does something few others can do as well. Culey has created a dream world that retains the dreamlike quality while developing into something that feels very real and familiar. When combined with the sorrow of loss, the fear of the unknown, and the undying devotion to the lives of those around them, the journey through the history and the future of Lucia draws the reader in and makes the story something personal and enthralling. Culey also does an amazing job with the action scenes. I could feel the tension, hear the screams, and smell the fear. I particularly loved the inclusion of the willow trees, which are known as the Shrouded Ones within Lucia. The trees are as much characters of the book as story elements. They provide peace, hope, and comfort to those who take shelter beneath their branches. They symbolize life and wisdom, and are as vital to the success of the story as any human.