Tyson Gill’s Where Spectres Dwell
is a fantasy adventure that simply loves fantasy fiction. Not in a parody way, in way that offers deep lore and adventure to readers who also love fantasy fiction.
Our protag, Ramille, begins life as an orphan with more abilities than the other kids being raised by the Sisters. But just when you think this is going to be a typical Chosen-One fantasy, Ramille is involved in an strange accident that changes the course of the world. (I’m trying not to spoil the event, because you really need to experience it, but there’s a mysterious accident, supernatural trickery, and huge destruction.)
With the rise of these dark spectres after the accident, Ramille’s life and path are upended, and the rest of the world is dramatically affected. There’s an epic scale here, which powers the novel as Ramille tries to right his mistake and learns more about the world around him and the unseen forces. Since Ramille is responsible for the world’s problems, even accidentally, he must put them to rights. This gives him a heroic journey and a wild adventure, and it doesn’t land as a typical world-saving fantasy story because Ramille has known grief, loss, and deep regret. He was responsible, even inadvertently, for the disaster around him.
Because there’s a wide cast of characters in Where Spectres Dwell, I spent more than a few moments asking myself, wait, who is that guy? Who’s he with again? What’s his connection here? It took me a while to sort out the different goals and relationships in this complex world, especially in the main city. This scale is often found in fantasy fiction, and I think most fantasy fans enjoy this kind of detailed society and layered worldbuilding, even with moments flipping back to check on someone.
This is a world of magic, religion, and politics, with complex systems around them. Ramille’s early life, growing up in the orphanage and training in martial arts and meditation, sets up a great background for a character now faced with huge conflicts and discovering the loyalties and conflicts of the wider world. He can draw on this inner strength and safe upbringing, as he faces regret and danger. I felt at times that Ramille and his traveling companions were an RPG party setting out on an adventure. Readers will want them to work together and succeed, even as the novel throws obstacles into their path.
Where Spectres Dwell introduces a terrifying antagonist and very real damage. This creates a strong tension that powers the story, and brings the reader on Ramille’s mission. Without too much of a spoiler, the novel’s conclusion includes a clear set-up for the next book, as well as a couple side characters I’d hope to see again next time.
For more indie fiction with a real love of the genre, I recently read a scifi release, Star Lore: Sorcerer Sleuth, by Kris Powers, which has a wildly different plot, setting, characters, everything, but which still gave me that same feeling of an absolute love for the genre.