Book Review: Beneath Far Skiesby F.C. Filips

This is a delightfully amusing quest fantasy that follows an unlikely company of adventurers who find themselves thrown together in a desperate bid to protect their small, vulnerable village. From the very beginning, it’s clear that the task before them is far greater than anything they have the experience or skills to handle, yet the group’s determination and loyalty give the story its heart. What begins as a seemingly straightforward mission quickly turns into an unpredictable journey where every new challenge pushes the characters far beyond their comfort zones.

Through a series of accidental, and often very funny, circumstances, the company ends up including a goblin who feels as though he’s stepped straight out of a Dungeons & Dragons campaign. His presence adds both comic relief and a surprising depth to the group dynamic. The interplay between the different personalities – human, goblin and otherwise – creates a lively cast whose relationships evolve naturally as the stakes rise.

Their task carries them across a string of adventures where the odds are stacked heavily against them, yet somehow, against all logic, they manage to persevere. This ongoing tension between impossible odds and unexpected successes keeps the narrative engaging and gives readers reason to cheer the party on.

Although this appears to be a debut novel, the quality of the writing is impressively high. The characters are particularly well developed, each with their own quirks, motivations and backstories that are revealed without slowing the plot. The world-building is imaginative and full of rich description, but never to the point where it drags or overwhelms the action.

Overall, this is a highly entertaining and creative fantasy adventure. The variety of challenges faced by the company ensures the reader’s interest never wavers. It’s a confident, charming debut that’s definitely worth a read.