Most fantasy books provide magic and monsters, but few touch the heart like One Beginning. Robin Song’s first book doesn’t merely recount an excellent tale; it speaks to higher realities concerning faith, calling, and strength in solidarity.
The world of Aruein is shattered. Once full of magic, community, and the guidance of the gods, it has become isolated and dark. Yet in this darkness, people hold on to faith in something larger, Almaga, a god who provides strength, wisdom, and healing.
What’s so powerful is the way that faith isn’t imposed in this tale, it’s practiced. Whether it’s Nani whispering prayers, Dasan fighting through agony to save his friends, or Ulric the Watcher calling out what’s true with conviction, every expression of faith in Almaga is intimate and meaningful.
The book does not flinch from difficulty. There are moments of genuine loss, fear, and bewilderment. But throughout, the message is always this: you are never alone. There is hope, even in the darkest night. There is purpose, even in pain. And there is light, always ready to rise once more.
For readers seeking a book that can both entertain and ennoble, One Beginning provides a welcome synthesis of suspenseful adventure and subtle spiritual wisdom. It reminds us that in the world of fantasy, as in the world of reality, faith may be our most powerful resource and our ultimate solace.
