The Warden
Daniel M. Ford
Publisher: Tor Books
Release Date: March 26, 2024 (Paperback Release)
Publisher’s Summary: For fans who have always wanted their Twin Peaks to have some wizards, THE WARDEN is a nonstop action adventure story from author Daniel M. Ford.
There was a plan.
She had the money, the connections, even the brains. It was simple: become one of the only female necromancers, pass as many certifications as she could, get a post near the capital, then… profit. The funny thing about plans is that they are seldom under your control.
Now Aelis, a daughter of a noble house and a trained Magister of the Lyceum, finds herself in the far-removed village of Lone Pine. Mending fences and delivering baby goats, serving people who want nothing to do with her. But, not all is well in Lone Pine, and as the villagers Aelis is reluctantly getting to know start to behave strangely, Aelis begins to suspect that there is far greater need for a warden of her talents than she previously thought.
Old magics are restless, and an insignificant village on the farthest border of the kingdom might hold secrets far beyond what anyone expected. Aelis might be the only person standing between one of the greatest evils ever known and the rest of the free world.
Our story opens with a young necromancer standing in front of a crumbling tower on the border of a vast wilderness. None of her privilege, power, or family connections will help her, and if she is to fulfill her Warden’s oath and serve the mysterious community of Lone Pine, she must do it with her wits and determination. Now, if only she can get that pesky goat to stop breaking into her tower…
The Warden is a gem of a book, and a perfect example character-driven fantasy at its finest. Aelis de Lenti, a noblewoman who turned her back on her heritage to pursue the study of magic at the highest level, strode onto the page and straight into this reader’s heart within the first chapter. A woman more comfortable laying the dead to rest than fixing fences and nursing injured children, Aelis chafes at the loss of prestige that comes from an assignment she considers little more than a punishment. But it’s not long before strange things begin happening, and Aelis realizes that her assignment as Warden in a frontier town might have more perils than she first expected.
The first half of The Warden is primarily character-driven as Aelis struggles to make her crumbling tower habitable, comes to terms with the loss of the privilege and comforts she’s used to, and finds herself in an amusing rivalry with a goat. Aelis’ determination to win their trust and protect the people of Lone Pine is one of the novel’s major strengths, and her relationships with them form the backbone of the story. Orphaned Pippa, an outspoken child with a latent magical talent, the calm and steady tavernkeeper Rus, who is the first to extend the hand of friendship, and the strange, reclusive woodsman Tun, whose taciturn nature conceals a mighty secret comes alive on these pages and give the novel a sense of lived-in vibrancy. Although the superstitious locals need the support of a Warden, the war has left them wary of outsiders, and their gradual embrace of Aelis is the result of her hard-won efforts to fulfill her oath to Lone Pine.
Proud, lonely Aelis is the beating heart of this story, and the tale that unfolds truly belongs to her. The reader’s enjoyment of the novel hinges on how much the reader is invested in her struggles and successes. As she confronts her own prejudices and assumptions about the townsfolk, Aelis begins to make friendships and alliances that help her in her quest to help the people she is sworn to protect. Not only does she begin to heal her loneliness, but she also embarks on a romance with the potential to deepen into something truly transformative. The gorgeous, slow-burn romance with half-elf mercenary Maurenia adds a tender element to the story, and their blossoming relationship, which is hindered by their responsibilities to those they’ve made promises to, is a standout element of the novel.
The novel’s atmosphere and world-building are top notch, and anyone who has played a tabletop role-playing game will feel right at home, with the threat of marauding orcs, enchanted forests, and wandering bands of mercenaries who are willing to brave even the most dangerous frontiers in search of treasure. The magic present in this world is clever and inventive, and the glimpses into Aelis’ necromantic studies are fascinating, as told through memories of her time at the Magister’s Lyceum. The tidbits of history that are shared paint the portrait of a realm teetering on the edge of war, with the townsfolk of Lone Pine already bearing the trauma of a nation that has known conflict, and suffered for it.
Something The Warden does a truly excellent job of is offering a nuanced portrayal of those who have been deeply affected by war. Ford lays bare the physical and psychological scars that afflict these characters, and how they try to heal from its pernicious influence. The novel also explores the way in which conflicts from the past reach into the present, and what it means to swear an oath to use one’s power in service of those who need protection. It also challenges assumptions about the nature of good and evil, and how good men and women can be led astray.
There were only a handful of elements that may be considered drawbacks to some readers. The beginning of the novel sets a relatively sedate pace compared to the intense second half, at which time, the slow-burn mysteries converge into a more ominous threat. Aelis and Maurenia’s relationship, which is a major highlight of the story, could have used more exploration, and the novel ends on a major cliffhanger. Fortunately, many of these elements are set to be explored in greater depth with the impending publication of Necrobane.
For those looking for a character-driven, slice of life fantasy with an exciting mystery, The Warden, and upcoming sequel, Necrobane, are an excellent choices. Featuring gorgeous new cover art from Sachin Teng, there’s never been a better time to preorder. If you want to embark on a journey with a cranky, foul-mouthed necromancer with an iron-clad sense of responsibility, this series is highly recommended.
