Archer's Moon

Archer’s Moon: Dawn of Legends by J.W. Webb is a wide-angled prequel to the fantastic universe of Legends of Ansu, delving into the creation of its mythical environment many years before the main story begins. The tale of the young goddess Argonwui “Aggy” and her relationship with the mortal Eltayn Elafan, a young hunter who finds himself embroiled in divine schemes, ancient rivalries, and cosmic forces. As Aggy yearns to be free and have an adventure in the mortal world, she struggles to understand her divine blood. She is constantly thwarted by the treacherous games of her family, particularly her mother, the Emerald Queen Elanion, and her unknown father. But at the same time, Eltayn moves from an ignorant boy in a village to a major player in an impending war against evil forces, and the lengthening shadow of gods, dark sorcerers, and cosmic foes. Their encounters, discoveries, betrayals, and rebellions create threads of an impending epic battle.

Webb’s characters are boldly sketched, and I enjoyed Aggy’s mischievous inquisitiveness and godly hubris as well as Eltayn’s strengths and humanity. I was fascinated by the setting, with landscapes that shift between lush, reverent realms of tree boughs and vast expanse—a natural world of Ansu in forest and ocean, and the gritty, political city-states like Zorne with specifics that recall a multiplicity of cultural currents and ancient mythologies. The conflict is one of divine vs mortal tension, with dark gods such as Nemrod and even more ancient entities ready to start a new war for freedom! Meanwhile, characters fight to define themselves in a universe of changing allegiances and cosmic destinies. Webb skillfully crafts a tale of epic proportions that explores the nature of heroism, divine intervention, and the eternal conflict between order and chaos. Archer’s Moon has crisp and exquisite prose, terrific descriptions, and larger-than-life characters that are as solidly strong as they are elaborately explored.