Embark on a journey into the brilliantly brutal worldbuilding of "Illyadra," the first book of the Archeodon Series—an epic fantasy masterpiece that seamlessly weaves together humor, trauma, and philosophy to navigate the intricate realms of oppression and systems of value.
 
“Illyadra” is set in the realm of Zoë, a divided land that encompasses five distinct countries, each governed by a unique magic system personified in the Archeodon crowns. These crowns bestow their wearers and subjects with the power of influence, ranging from Destruction and Illusion to Alteration, Conjuration, and Restoration. In this enchanting universe, those wielding powerful magic, known as "vuu," reign supreme.
 
Drawing inspiration from the likes of Avatar: The Last Airbender for its premise, “Eragon” for style, the Bible Project for theology, and the “Genealogy of Morality” for themes, "Illyadra" introduces a tale that transcends genres. It skillfully crafts a worldview that dances on the edge of convention, whose subtle undertones are an invitation for those who seek novels with Christian themes while remaining unobtrusive to those who don't.
 
Renovia, once the strongest nation in the world, has collapsed. Siblings Kairo and Aterah are thrust into the future during their escape and lose the crown of restoration in the process. They reemerge generations later, amidst the remnants of their people—a society reduced to a primitive, stone age militia through war and oppression, struggling to survive without vuu in a world that revolves around it.
 
The Sigu Nii, a barbaric society with a bloodlust social hierarchy, learn of Aterah's oracle ability to see the future in her dreams and unleash their most devastating magical forces and steal her away. Fatally injured during the raid, Kairo faces a monumental dilemma—abandon his post and plunge into foreign and hostile lands to save his sister before infection kills him, or else the Sigu Nii will exploit her dreams for Renovia's ultimate destruction.
 
Other life-like characters include: Eidhin, a stuttering young farm boy in a culture that values the façade of knowledge above all else. While devoting his life to a church that pretends to stand for truth, he gets wrapped up in a global conspiracy, brainwashed, and sold into the slave trade system.
 
Ayrah Veligreen, a girl prodigy in the destructive Sigu Nii arts, embarks on a relentless quest to unveil the truth behind her father's execution by the immortal god-king, Ash.
 
And then there's Wesken—a kid with a staff, white hair, and a day-long memory.
 
"Illyadra" masterfully encapsulates a diverse array of timeless story tropes—from evil empires and the echoes of Arthurian legends to the damsel in distress—even though it is a narrative that puts strong female main characters at the forefront.
 
Beneath the surface, "Illyadra" alludes to profound themes of oppression, caste systems, and free will. The story bites deep, evoking both laughter and tears, as it invites readers to go soul searching and think deep about the choices that shape destinies.