Okay, can we start by just talking about that cover for a second? I had the honor of being made privy to some parts of the design process, and it’s such a treat to see the finished product in all of its glory. Not only is it absolutely gorgeous, but as you’ll find out when you read the book, it encapsulates so many elements from the story itself.
I have a confession: for some reason that I can’t really explain, I’ve always had a hard time getting into fantasy. I’ve never read Harry Potter nor seen any of the movies. I’ve always preferred Star Wars to Lord of the Rings, and Fallout to Skyrim. It’s weird because when it comes down to it, sci-fi is just fantasy in space (or a futuristic environment of some sort), but for some reason, I gravitate toward sci-fi so much more than fantasy.
Having not consumed much fantasy material—much less YA fantasy—because of that, I’m by no means an expert on magic systems, fantasy lore, etc., so I went into this book determined to at least focus on the plot and its major players, even if I didn’t have a solid grasp on or wasn’t engaged by some of the genre elements. And what I found was a solid cast of characters and a well-crafted story that had obviously had a lot of time and care put into it (I’m admittedly a tad biased because I know a lot of time and care was put into it, but this was also very evident in the writing).
Tethered Spirits follows three primary characters—Amar, Kesari, and Aleida—as they each struggle to solve a personal problem. Amar has been cursed and can’t die. Kesari can use magic but doesn’t want to anymore. Aleida is trying to cure her dying brother’s illness. Naturally, each of these individual struggles sends them on a collision course with each other. Aleida is the epitome of an antagonist, a character who is only doing what she perceives to be the right thing, and her goal is truly a noble one. She’s simply trying to save her brother, but unfortunately the things that entails don’t bode so well for Amar and company. I love characters like that. You can’t even call her the “bad guy” because you want to spend half the book rooting for her, while simultaneously wanting to see the other characters succeed as well. This leaves you wondering, “Okay, how can everything get resolved in a way where everyone wins?”
Amar and Kesari are compelling as well, each with a unique backstory and attributes. By helping the other with their problems, each of them is given the opportunity for personal growth. Amar’s setup was particularly interesting to me—he’s had this curse since he was a young man, so he’s got years and years’ worth of life experience and is therefore essentially an old man stuck in a teenager’s body. His companions, Saya and Mitul, also have a strong presence on the page, so much so that I often forget they’re not actually POV characters. Both have their shining moments and make meaningful contributions to the story; sometimes they help directly advance the plot, and sometimes their backgrounds simply help enrich the worldbuilding.
Speaking of, there’s also a very nicely-done map of the story’s world included at the start of the book. I found this immensely useful, partially because I’m a giant map nerd in general and partially because it helped me visualize where things were taking place and understand some of the details of the backstory. Be sure to check it out!
So, was this book for me? I can’t say for sure (hence the 4-star rating). But it is objectively a high-quality story, so if you’re someone who enjoys magic and mystery and rich fantasy worlds, I think you’ll really like it. Tethered Spirits releases ONE MONTH FROM TODAY. You can preorder it now in ebook or hardcover formats (I truly can’t wait to get my hands on a hardcover copy just so I can fawn over all the formatting, you guys). There are also some fun preorder perks to check out. Not convinced yet? Read the first 2 chapters HERE. Already sold? Request an ARC HERE.
Check out T.A. Hernandez’s other work, including the thrilling Secrets of PEACE series, the fantastic Calico Thunder Rides Again (which I also reviewed here), and some of her short stories!
ABOUT T.A. HERNANDEZ
T. A. Hernandez is a science fiction and fantasy author and long-time fan of speculative fiction. She grew up with her nose habitually stuck in a book and her mind constantly wandering to make-believe worlds full of magic and adventure. She began writing after reading J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings many years ago and is now happily engaged in an exciting and lifelong quest to tell captivating stories.
She is a clinical social worker and the proud mother of two girls. She also enjoys drawing, reading, graphic design, playing video games, and making happy memories with her family and friends.
