Title: March of the Mystics
Author: David Schweitzer
Publisher: AuthorHouse
ISBN: 979-8823027137
Pages: 324
Genre: Action & Adventure
Reviewer: Liz Konkel

Read Book Review

Gala Goda is a treasure hunter but despite the excitement of adventure, he still feels
alone and is still searching for something meaningful in his life. He has high hopes that
his next heist will change everything for him. After years of adventures alongside Isra,
he finally sees an opportunity to tell her how he feels about her. She has spoken fondly
about the Diamond of Farrokh for years, so he has developed a plan to steal it and
confess how he feels by presenting it to her at the Third Island Festival. However, his
plans are delayed when he encounters a group of Mystics who he charms into helping
him with his heist. To accomplish this task, this unlikely partnership treks through the
Forest of Light where they will face many obstacles on their way to the Hidden Castle,
including a Sauros, the elements, and the dastardly plan of a Lord.

The adventure begins with a single focus with Gala determined to confess his feelings
to his friend Isra with a grand gesture. This is a fun basis for the plot to start and then
quickly dismantle the trek to focus on Lord Fascio’s ploy to destroy the kingdom. The
turn of events creates an interesting shift in priorities for Gala who goes from wanting to
declare his feelings to thinking about how to save the day. While the goal of the
adventure changes, the fun tone never wavers as the action builds and the danger
increases. The stakes are high as Gala finds himself in the middle of this fight with the
Mystics where the right or wrong move can cause great harm. This twist has a delightful
‘be careful what you wish for’ element which keeps you engaged as you wonder if this
unlikely partnership is capable of saving the day or if Fascio will succeed. The story
begins with Gala in a place where he wants more out of life and feels unfulfilled, which
is the catalyst for the heist as he feels telling Isra the truth is the key to his happiness.

The structure of the book opens with Gala telling a story in a tavern that creates a
sensation of a ‘tall tale’ which is used to set up the world. Different characters share
information that will go into the adventure that will follow and help establish what to
expect. The language supports the concept of the fantasy setting with some terms
original to the world and successfully immerses you in the adventure. The lore is rich
and intricately woven throughout the story, providing support to what makes the Mystics
significant and creating this otherworldly perspective of them. Adding to the lore are
various myths that are referenced – such as the diamond of Farrokh – which David
Schweitzer includes a few at the end. These provide a well-rounded understanding of
the references which helps to ground the reality of the world. The illustrations are
stunning with black and white images that have intricate details and give an extra treat
to the adventure.

Teamwork is an essential theme with Gala getting to know the questing Mystics and
learning to work with them which allows you to get to know each of the characters more
fully. The way the team subtly supports each other – whether it’s encouragement or
preventing falling – helps make them feel more realistic. Schweitzer gives each one a
relatable characteristic such as anxiety, feeling like something’s missing, and using
meditation to feel balanced. The dialogue and dynamics help craft humor in the story
which is done in a way subtle and clever. March of the Mystics is a fun adventure that
has humor, action, and magic that takes you into another world with heists, mystics,
lore, dangerous creatures, and a fight against a Lord.