Review: Spirit Quest by Tim McRae

The first book in the Shadow World universe, Spirit Quest by Tim McRae is a dramatic, romantic, and adventurous introduction to a gripping new fantasy series.

Suspended in a timeless and legendary past, the prodigious fighter and magician Niri must confront once again the terrible dark magic of the Witch. Niri is sworn to protect her world from evil, a promise that has sustained her through unimaginable danger and pain. Cooped up in her house in the Old Forest, and still recovering from a fight with the evil Witch that almost cost her life, she perceives a certain unrest in the wind that something terrible is afoot.

Somehow, the Witch has found out where the most powerful magic book known to man is located, and she will do anything to obtain it. With such knowledge in her possession, she could destroy everything good in this and all worlds, and Niri knows she is the only one who can stop her. But she doesn’t have to do it alone…

A classic fantasy taking place in a universe of kings, queens, witches, and magical creatures, the novel presents a unique world-building effort. In Shadow World, demons and spirits can inhabit and manipulate objects. The spirit inhabiting Niri’s emerald necklace does not only communicate with her – the spirit sings softly, and Niri hums to her tune; conversely, the spirits in the trees don’t speak at all, or they use a language that’s too ancient for Niri to understand. Trees and plants are truly alive, and spells move in and out of natural elements, reinvigorating or maiming the spell caster. Although spells and incantations sometimes follow prescriptive rules, which follow the logic akin to a fantasy video game, the story is always able to pull readers back into its convincing reality, allowing the reader to participate in a kind of magic that is both articulate and mysterious, palpable and symbolic.

In a genre that has already covered a lot of ground, the narrative also provides a more intimate window into the lead character’s emotions and motivations than you find in most fantasy fiction. Lonesome and brave, Niri travels through this dreamlike and otherworldly landscape asking herself questions that are both fantastical and deeply human; her mission is to save the world, and all that is dear to her, but during this arduous and dangerous journey, she will also learn a lot about love, grief, and herself. As Niri’s quest moves forward, so does her journey towards self-discovery, with a nuanced exploration of self-doubt, companionship, and the meaning of redemption, alongside a satisfying battle of good versus evil. Her chain of thoughts and inner universe are at times intense and personal, and at others animated by the dynamics of chase and battle, for a truly rounded fantasy lead.

While the narrative takes a fair time to set up this intricate world, there is a lot to establish in the first book in a series, and the mighty forests, mysterious mountains, and ancient lore of Spirit Quest are all well-drawn and absorbing, resulting in a brilliant tapestry of character-driven drama and fantasy epic.