Review: The Journey to Oclesedor (The Legacy of King Jasteroth Vol. 2) by S. L. Wyllie

The second installment of S. L. Wyllie’s Legacy of King Jasteroth series, The Journey to Oclesedor is a high-fantasy feast for the senses and a thrilling adventure to boot. Following on strong from Volume 1, Princess Ariella and other familiar faces are back with an epic quest before them, a desperate bid to outrun the insidious evil of King Jasteroth and live to fight another day. Overflowing with descriptive passages, vivid battle scenes, mythical monsters and innovative magic, this sophomore release from Wyllie delivers a classic, but visceral thrill.

The first part of the King Jasteroth saga set a wonderful stage for an expansive series, allowing readers to dive headfirst into the continuing action in The Journey to Oclesedor. With Emily and Austin at her side, along with Casp and Damien, a fellowship is born with a seemingly impossible task – staying one step ahead of the Black Magic Sorcerers to deliver a dire message to a doomed kingdom.

Each character has their own part to play, as well as a personal investment in defeating Jasteroth’s evil spreading through the land. As an unseasonable winter closes in, these young heroes throw caution to the wind and depart the shattered safety of their home. Family ties, youthful romance, old loyalties and nascent powers create a strong character base with plenty of tangled motivations. There is also a delicate tension that builds throughout this book as trust is bent and broken, and suspicion creeps in at the edges. Having this dark element within the story captures interest immediately, as though we can see the twist coming, but have no idea when.

As a piece of fantasy fiction, the novel ticks every conceivable box, with a unique set of magical rules, a nebulous and terrifying villain, and a heroic ingenue coming into her own abilities as she overcomes self-doubt. Despite fitting into plenty of classic genre tropes, this book also stands out through solid storytelling and excellent pacing, as well as exposition and backstory. In the series’ first volume, there were a number of information dumps that quickly immersed readers in this world, but Wyllie displays more patience in this second slice, making the world more tangible and believable, allowing readers to discover new sights and wonders right alongside the memorable characters.

This series clearly targets the YA demographic, but there are also some appealing aspects for older readers. The characters may be young, and the dialogue may often come across as simplistic, but there are also powerful moments of growth and worthwhile musings on universal topics from these daring adventurers. The fight scenes are generally straightforward, although some action sequences are a bit too unbelievable, even considering the powers some characters possess. More attention to detail in these moments could help sell the story better and retain the reader’s suspension of disbelief. Some of the less eloquent narration tools – such as characters asking themselves questions inside their own heads – could be used less frequently, allowing more chances for readers to draw their own conclusions and read between the lines.

As a whole, this book is packed with twisting plot lines and unexpected disasters on the road to youthful adventure. Borrowing from adult themes that won’t alienate younger readers, and more gripping than your average YA novel, The Journey to Oclesedor is a wild ride for fantasy fans of all ages.