The magic within will set you free... Spread your wings through the fire and fly... Powerless and weak, humans and dwarves have suffered under the whip and wand of giants and witches for centuries. Built upon the blood of slaves, the Nine Lands is a world of unimaginable wealth and power, but something is shifting on the mythical continent. An ancient, forgotten magic stirs in the veins of those bound by its evil chains. Brought together by fate, an unlikely trio holds the key to release the Nine Lands from the shadows. Theo, a young, rebellious human slave, searches for courage to free the ones he loves. When the cruel taskmaster harbours a sinister affection for his best friend, they must find a way to escape the prison they have always called home. Ash , a palace servant, finds her mere thoughts can kill those who hurt her. She only wished the apple was poisoned. So how did the prince die? Exiluk , a horned keradin, should return home. But the Nine Lands call to him for one last adventure that threatens to darken his destiny. Abandoning his humble upbringing, he is entranced by the treasures of the Nine Lands. On separate journeys connected by destiny, the three must face their inner shadows and draw on their deepest powers to spread their wings and fly... Drawing on the rich tapestries of classic fantasy, J. K. F. Sandham's A Tale of the Nine Lands reimagines the genre with a fresh and dark contemporary twist, focusing on the emotional struggles of oppressed characters trying to navigate a moral landscape of impossible choices and the fine line between selflessness and selfishness. The novel takes the wonderful elements of epic fantasy: forgotten ancient magic, mystical prophecies, rich and powerful empires, mythical creatures, deep lore, and political intricacies, and combines them with complex characters discovering their inner demons and searching for answers within themselves and across the empires of the Nine Lands. In this dark and magical tale , discover the uprising that could topple the empires of witches and giants once and for all. Read J. K. F. Sandham's debut novel in the Elderworld series.