Editorial Reviews
Thomas Anderson - Literary Titan
"Kindred of the Unseen is an expansive fantasy novel that ventures into a richly imagined spiritual world. It opens with grand celestial assemblies and mysterious councils of powerful beings that oversee various realms. The central plot weaves together the awakening of spiritually gifted individuals, known as the Yahtlév’yah, and their journey through realms of light and darkness. Through atmospheric descriptions and intricate world-building, the novel spans multiple characters and settings, including the vast forest of Auburntungle, magical citadels, and the celestial realm itself, offering an epic exploration of light versus dark, ancient legacies, and spiritual quests.
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Beardsley dives deep into the lore and spiritual dimensions of his world, sometimes layering details so thickly that it can feel like walking through dense fog. The opening chapter is brimming with metaphors and atmospheric descriptions, which make the story captivating. At times, I found myself re-reading certain passages just to fully grasp the weight of the descriptions. The sheer effort put into world-building is impressive. For readers who love to get lost in complex universes, this book delivers that experience fully.
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Character development is also intriguing. Some characters, like Edyndor, the hunter from Auburntungle, are very interesting. Edyndor’s struggle with his own destiny, especially after years of giving up on it, adds a relatable layer to this high-concept story. His hesitance, despite having vivid dreams and spiritual callings, brought a sense of humanity into this otherwise grand and ethereal tale. While many of the celestial beings have incredible descriptions, I found myself more invested in the characters who walked the natural realm than those presiding over cosmic councils.
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What really shines are the moments where the spiritual battles mirror internal struggles. The book drifts into philosophical and spiritual territory, discussing truth, light, and revelation. It is in these moments that I think Beardsley’s writing becomes more than just a story. The story is almost like a conversation on spirituality, the hidden potential in individuals, and the nature of belief. Beardsley captures how inner battles can be just as significant as the physical ones which adds depth to the narrative and makes it feel like more than just a fantasy adventure.
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Kindred of the Unseen is for readers who enjoy their fantasy with layers upon layers of world-building and spiritual reflection. The book shines in its ability to draw readers into a universe where light and dark, truth and doubt, constantly vie for dominance. If you are someone who loves deep spiritual metaphors wrapped in a fantastical setting then this book will definitely speak to you."
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K.C. Finn - Reader's Favourite
"Kindred of the Unseen: The New Temple by Micah Beardsley is a captivating fantasy novel set in the fourth age of mankind. The story follows four diverse characters, from traveling musicians, a prince at a crossroads, a sorcerer-hunter, to an unassuming hunter. They each receive a mysterious summons that leads them to discover hidden realms and powers beyond their senses. On a journey that explores these unseen worlds more, each character must confront their own destiny and the nature of their true potential. Beardsley’s imaginative storytelling offers a world filled with rich fantasy elements that are so well developed and cinematically described that I felt I was right there in the fourth age experiencing everything in multisensory detail.
I loved the premise of the different voyages of discovery going on, and the novel’s biggest strength was definitely its commitment to deep character exploration. The narrative lets us into the psyche of each character and brings them to life with realistic dialogue and attitudes, showing how they come from different parts of life with different experiences, yet have so many relatable desires, fears, and emotions in common. This develops into a poignant exploration of what commonalities we all have as people in our search for purpose. Micah Beardsley’s writing invites readers to ponder the nature of reality and destiny in an accessible fantasy setting, which makes for a compelling emotional storyline that keeps you thinking long after you’ve set the novel down. Overall, Kindred of the Unseen: The New Temple is an enthralling and thought-provoking read that I would certainly recommend to fantasy fans everywhere, especially those who love a vivid ensemble cast of fun and interesting characters."
Anthony Avina - authoranthonyavinablog.com
"What an engaging and marvelous read! The author immediately distinguishes their narrative, playing with spirituality and destiny through the introduction pages with the Council of Thunders and the Lords of Light that come forth when this fourth age arrives. The world-building and mythos that come to life on the page instantly draw the reader in and keep the narrative flowing at a great rate.
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The balance of action and storytelling with fantastic character arcs was outstanding to see come to life on the page. The ideas and themes the author introduces, from finding spirituality amongst the epic tales and legends of fantasy storytelling to the concept of music having its kind of power and so much more, allowed the reader to feel more connected to this fictional world and the narrative itself.
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Memorable, thought-provoking, and entertaining author Micah Beardsley’s “Kindred of the Unseen: The New Temple” is a must-read fantasy novel with a spiritual twist. With the compelling character dynamics at play here, the multiple points of view the story is told from, and the immersive mythology, the author has created a thrilling tale that readers will instantly fall in love with. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!"