Title: Gates of Hope
Author: J.E. Hannaford
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Fantasy / Epic
Format: Paperback / Hardcover / Ebook
Release Date: April 12, 2023
Star Rating: 6,5/10
Disclaimer:
Everyone is different and likes and dislikes different things. Reading is no exception. One person’s all-time favorite might seem too bland or too high stakes for another. That being said, the opinions of our judges in this contest are just that, opinions. Just because we let a book go, doesn’t mean it isn’t good. It could be your next favorite, who knows?
If you have no idea what I’m talking about, you can learn more about the contest here.
Today we are reviewing Gates of Hope, which was BeforeWeGoBlogs pick for this year’s Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off.
You can see the finalist spreadsheet here.
The Watcher shattered the gates. Now hope must arise from the shards.
Five hundred cycles ago, the Watcher closed the gates between the world of Lieus and its moons to end a war. Since then magic has been hidden, relegated to childhood tales. On the outer moon of Tebein, any human showing magically aligned traits would sentence their entire community to death at the hands of the native awldrin overlords.
For awldrin are immortal and their memories long.
Even peace is transient, and on Lieus, invasive monsters are encroaching on Caldera, leaving Darin and his bonded moonhound to face nightmares made real. As the creatures spread their wings, Suriin’s father is injured, and she must delve deep into the secrets of the Black Palace to try and save him.
Elissa’s magic could not have bloomed a a worse time on Tebein, as the awldrin are roused, and now she must run to save everyone she loves.Far more than the fate of their loved ones is at stake, but will any of them see it in time?
Our thoughts:
Julia: Gates of Hope offers an exciting adventure through interconnected worlds, with dragons, unique species, and creative magic systems. Hannaford blends familiar fantasy elements with imaginative worldbuilding, including clever communication between humans and animal companions.
The plot starts with a classic fantasy trope but quickly deepens into something more complex, balancing humor, action, and reflective moments. Multiple character perspectives add depth, and the exploration of societal issues makes the world feel real. The characters are well-developed, with strong relationships driving the story.
The satisfying ending sets up bigger stakes for the sequel, leaving me eager for more.
Patrick: Sometimes books just aren’t for you. Unfortunately, for me, this is one of them. Nothing about the story gripped me, the plot felt forced, and I wasn’t interested in any of the characters. Everything seemed to happen too easily for them. It’s not that it’s a bad book, but I am not the right reader for it. It’s an unavoidable hazard with a contest like SPFBO that you have to rate books you would normally put aside knowing they are not for you.
Max: An adequate mix of fantasy tropes, wrapped in an enjoyable package. The traditional 3 heroes go on their traditional adventure, mixing fantasy and sci-fi. My use of words like ‘traditional’ and ‘adequate’ are admittedly backhanded compliments, as there isn’t much unique about the story either. But if you’re enjoying it, what’s it matter?
Kerry: Gates of Hope is a book I would have enjoyed as a teenager, (many years ago) either as a gateway to the fantasy genre or purely for escapism and dragons. These days it is rare that the trials of teenagers or young adults fill me with excitement as they once did; and this is by no means the fault of the author. I am just not the right audience for this book but I can see this book being enjoyed by many readers; especially if they love animal companions, developing friendships, magic and of course… dragons.
