Title: Iseris: House of Power
Author: A. A. Smith
Publisher: Independently Published
ISBN: 9798330544332
Pages: 278
Genre: Fiction / Coming of Age Fantasy
Reviewer: Lily Amanda
Read Book Review

Iseris: House of Power by A. A. Smith takes you on a wild and emotional ride which pulls you in from the very first page. You’re thrown into the life of Mora Hytich, a teenage girl just trying to stay alive as her world falls apart. It’s fast, it’s strange, and it grabs you in a way that’s hard to explain. At first, you might feel a little confused, but that just makes you want to keep reading.

At the beginning, Mora is in her peaceful little village called Wheyn. But everything changes when bombs fall from the sky and her whole world explodes – literally. Her home is gone, and she’s hurt and all alone. Her mom and best friend, Cassel Varek, are missing. She ends up in a cart with a bunch of other villagers, and no one knows where they’re going.

Later, Mora finds herself in Alia City, the biggest and busiest place in the country of Augstia. It’s loud, full of tall buildings, strange people, and way too much going on. Sadly for her, she begins to deeply feel she doesn’t fit in, as people begin treating her like she doesn’t belong. She, however, keeps moving, from town to town, from forests to palaces, always trying to figure out who she is and where she’s supposed to go. She meets new people, like Somnus Halucen, who’s super powerful and kind of scary, and Caterin, a woman who helps Mora when no one else will as well as magical beings – like a glowing animal that talks to her.

One thing that makes this story really interesting is how it uses magic. In this world, people have powers that are sorted by colors, and Mora’s magic is pretty weak… or at least, that’s what people think, in a place where being powerful matters so much. It features a lot of what other fantasy books have – big magical families, hidden secrets, and a girl who might be more special than anyone expected, but remarkably manages to stay different – less about heroes and more about surviving and finding your place.

The story asks some big questions too such as “who am I really?” and “where do I belong?” through the protagonist who is always trying to find answers, even when people lie to her or shut her out. She’s not perfect and sometimes she messes up. But what is admirable about her is that she doesn’t give up. You’ll really root for her the whole time.

The way Iseris: House of Power is written feels real and close, like someone is telling you the story in person. The writing is quick and full of emotion and doesn’t spend forever describing every little thing, which makes it easier to picture the world in your own way. It smoothly mixes action, scary moments, sad parts, and quiet times really well. If you enjoy stories that are strange, dramatic, and full of intriguing fantasy elements, Iseris: House of Power by A. A. Smith is absolutely worth reading. It’s messy, exciting, and totally unforgettable – just like Mora.  With thrilling intrigue and unforgettable characters, this is fantasy at its most electrifying.