I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

A man with a hidden past he has no memory of must go on a journey to save his partner after she is abducted by the all-powerful Empire in author Quill Holland’s “Forgotten Evil”, the first book in The Forgotten Saga.

The Synopsis

If you had the power to rewrite people’s thoughts… would you?

As a thirty-five-year-old farmer on a colony world, Raith is a kind and simple man, with a catch – he’s only existed for two years. His previous life is a mystery; the only clue to his past is a dark, ominous voice inside his head.

When the Empire executes its triennial ‘Soul Harvest’, Raith’s partner, Amorina, is amongst the abducted colonists. Stowing away aboard one of the departing ships, Raith must navigate strange yet familiar territory in an attempt to save her. Haunted by his inner demon, the rescue becomes increasingly complex, as Raith finds himself caught between the Empire, the Insurgency, and the United Earth Republic, with new friends and enemies knowing more about Raith’s history than he does.

Finally, as his past catches up with him, Raith discovers the dark truth about his former life and the powerful technology responsible for erasing it. With the burden of his disturbing past weighing upon him, Raith is forced into wielding that power once more; and the fate of humanity hangs on his decision.

The Review

This was a masterful and exhilarating sci-fi read. The author did a remarkable job of finding a way of balancing the story with epic mythos and intimate character development. The world-building was so above par, with a vast network of planets and divided allegiances that speak to a long and storied universe that the protagonist finds himself hurtling through. The imagery really brought this narrative to life in a fresh and engaging way.

To me, the combination of powerful character growth and strong themes of morality, and the fine line between good and evil made this such a standout novella. The way the protagonist embodied both good and evil with his past and present constantly colliding, and the morality of what it means to change worlds “for the better” made this a compelling story, as did the rich character arcs that showcased the romance, the drama, and the sci-fi action that fans of the genre have come to know and love. 

The Verdict

Memorable, captivating, and entertaining, author Quill Holland’s “Forgotten Evil” is a fantastic sci-fi novella and the perfect first book in The Forgotten Saga. The twists and turns in the narrative and the shocking mysterious ending shows a wealth of backstory and world-building still left to discover, and the fast pace of the narrative itself will keep readers coming back to this story time and time again. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

About the Author

Quill Holland has previously published two short stories, The Last of Her Kind and What Mattered Most, and has now published his first novella: Forgotten Evil!

Growing up, Quill could always be found with his nose in a book, or watching the latest science-fiction movie. As a result, he’s developed an imagination that never stops, and naturally, sci-fi and fantasy is largely the domain that Quill’s own work inhabits.

Whether it was typing code or writing fiction, Quill has been creating content for years; now as a recent creative writing graduate from the New Zealand Institute of Business Studies and a member of the New Zealand Society of Authors, Quill has taken the plunge by self-publishing his first work.

When he’s not debugging code or creating worlds, Quill likes to dabble in illustration and photography, as well as exploring the natural beauty of New Zealand with his partner.

• https://quillholland.nz/
• https://twitter.com/quill_holland
• https://www.instagram.com/quillholland/
• https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20851287.Quill_Holland
• https://www.facebook.com/QuillHolland