An epic fantasy, first in a series. Set in Navernum, a city in the canopy of magically enhanced trees. When Arlechs Fakes manifesting magic to protect his friend, he thinks his worst problem will be the truth being discovered. However his lie makes him the focus of the rival factions vying for control of Navernum. As the competition intensifies the gods begin to take an unhealthy interest as well. Guided by the mysterious Arbouretor, he struggles to keep those he cares about out of the growing dangers that swirl around him, while trying to thwart those willing to destroy the city rather than yield control of it to others. Only in the final showdown will he realise, he can neither trust nor save everyone he loves.

Requirements & Requests

At this stage I'm looking particularly for feedback on the balance between the amount of world building ​/​ setting description and action ​/​ dialogue ​/​ introspection. My characters complain they see all this stuff everyday, so why do I keep stopping to talk about it. I suspect the result is that in places the reader will have too many blanks to fill in.

Comparable Stories:

Stephen Erikson's Malazan series, for its multi-layered history and interplay between gods and mortals; John Gwynne's Malice, Valour, Ruin, Wrath series, for its multiple character POVs; The Rook and the Rose series, for the ethnographic quality to the world building.

Trigger Warnings:

Battles including descriptions of injuries and death; implied sex scenes and references to sexual acts; consumption of alcohol and substances for recreation; invented gods, religions and religious intolerance; mild bad language.