This is an epic YA fantasy filled with mystery, adventure, deception, magic and dangerous quests.
Max stumbles upon a chest filled with mysterious objects left behind by his lost father, and he tries to find answers from his uncle. 
When a harbinger visits their town and seeks out Max, it starts off a chain of events that see Max on the run from the King's Police, pursued by assassins, and unsure who to trust as he tries to make sense of the path he is now on. 
Alongside his best friend Jain, his uncle and other allies they find along on their journey, they try to escape all the threats that come their way.
I loved the vivid descriptions and intrigue that's building throughout the plot. There is forbidden magic, hidden identities, monsters, magical forests, and constant danger. 
It's a world you can easily immerse yourself in, with a range of intriguing characters, unclear loyalties, and a deep sense of foreboding.
I loved the tension in the final chapters and the twists and deception. Looking forward to book 2.