2021-08-16
When the Citadel is invaded, your journey to save Elaria begins.
You are Krishi, living in the Citadel as a student Whisperer, soon to join the secret order known for their diplomacy, stealth, learning, and magic. The Whisperers have kept the peace between the Narbolin Empire and Eastern Elaria, recruiting new students from across the land. Along with your friends, Zara and Saeed, your days are filled with lessons, training, and chores, leading up to the final test to become a Whisperer. As mysterious new student Arjun arrives, the Citadel is attacked by a fleet of Narbolin soldiers, and all your decisions will change the fate of Elaria. While the supporting cast members are interesting, the choose-your-own-adventure format emphasizes Krishi’s actions rather than interactions between characters, resulting in limited character growth and development. Similarly, the decisions and story paths are often haphazard, with weighty decisions that lack contextual information and abrupt, disjointed endings that could have continued. The writing style is often jarring, with stilted dialogue, modern word choices that feel anachronistic, and clunky infodumps. While lightly developed, the magic system and political machinations are intriguing, as are the themes of leadership skills, power, and strategies to attain peace during times of upheaval. Elaria is racially diverse, with some names suggesting Indian influences.
Despite an intriguing premise, the interactive format frustrates rather than entertains. (map, list of characters) (Fantasy. 10-13)
