Review: Of Myths and Portals by Jenn Lees

I received an advanced review copy of this book for free via Reedsy Discovery. This did not affect my opinion of the book in any way.

Series: Arlan’s Pledge #1
Published: November 2022
Pages: 243

Synopsis

A warrior fighting his destiny.
A woman desperately seeking hers.
A magic portal that joins them both.

Arlan, warrior son of the High King, lives in Dál Gaedhle, a world of warriors, magic and recently reawakened dragons. He is certain to become the war chief of his clan. Destiny seems to ignore Arlan’s desire to forge his own path in life.

Adopted as a baby and orphaned as a young adult, Scottish librarian, Rhiannon, is now adrift after losing her job due to economic cuts and lives a second-rate life, feeling more out of place than ever in our world. Destiny seems to ignore Rhiannon’s dream to find her true purpose.

When Arlan bursts into her world through a portal, an awesome warrior on his war horse and brandishing weapons, he turns her existence up-side-down.

With his world on the brink of war, and Rhiannon challenging his attitudes, Arlan struggles to choose between his growing feelings for Rhiannon and his responsibilities to his people.

Rhiannon doesn’t want Arlan to leave. He understands her on a level no one else ever has. But is her desire to fight beside him in his world even possible?

Will destiny be on their side?

My Thoughts…

Dál Cruinne is a land of warriors, mages and dragons, connected to our world through well-hidden portals which occasionally let a traveller pass. As happens to Arlan, second son of the high sovereign of Dál Gaedhle, thrown into modern Scotland mid-battle just in time to meet Rhiannon as she fights off a creep. Brought together by chance – or destiny – Arlan and Rhiannon will need to work out how to get Arlan back where he is needed to save his world from a terrible fate, and what that will mean for their future.

Of Myths and Portals is a well-built clean romance fantasy, combining classic elements of the genre with time travel and reflections on war, peace and finding one’s way. The world building is rich and well constructed, giving Dál Cruinne a medieval Scotland feel while incorporating the fantastical elements. It is also interesting to see the modern world seen through Arlan’s eyes, though he seems to adapt to it awfully quickly, avoiding the “fish out of water” effect. Though off to a rocky start, the budding romance between him and Rhiannon is sweet and believable, adding an extra layer to the story.

What I struggled with slightly from a style point of view was the alternating between Rhiannon’s POV in the first person and Arlan’s POV in the third person, which often felt unnecessary as both character’s thoughts and feelings were presented all the same by a seemingly omniscient narrator, which rendered the occasional sudden switch to first-person narration somewhat confusing.

Still, this is a captivating read and after that ending I’m really glad to already have the second book ready to start!