The Rising of the Moon Clann by Cal Macseoin

The Rising of the Moon Clann

Cal Macseoin

Independently published (2024)

97-98264813733

Reviewed by Jordan Waterwash for Reader Views (10/25)

https://readerviews.com/reviews/the-rising-of-the-moon-clann-macseoin/

4/5

The Rising of the Moon Clann by Cal Macseoin, a story akin to traditional fantasy epics, follows a cast of characters through their journey to save their community and themselves. Kailrey, the dutiful nephew of Oastee (who acts as the historical pillar of their community), finds himself at the center of a great adventure and mystery. We see the halfling Moon Clann through his eyes, and learn about its history through his interactions with his friends and uncle.

Alongside Kailrey’s journey, we see the rise of Zargyle and his captive, Mielgrid. Zargyle, a power hungry sorcerer, plots to overtake the halflings and steal their magic for himself. His evil plots propel the main cast of characters forward; they must constantly dodge his attempts to capture and dispatch their clan. Though Mielgrid must do Zargyle’s bidding, she wishes she could escape from the madman’s clutches.

On the whole, the cast of characters felt like a group straight from The Lord of the Rings trilogy. While some head-hopping occurred, and it sometimes felt as though narratives mingled too much, the relationships were complex and provided a rich reading experience. Kailrey’s point of view grounded the reading experience in an interesting, sympathetic way. One of the main themes centered on his anxiety. I found the inclusion of this theme incredibly important. In fantasy, we often see an unlikely hero who may feel some trepidation about saving the world but the actual ins and outs of that trepidation are glossed over. In The Rising of the Moon Clann, it’s clear Kailrey’s anxiety is a point of contention throughout the narrative; it brings a sense of realness to the story, and gives Kailrey complex motivations.

The way the story was told also reminded me of The Lord of the Rings trilogy. It’s clear Tolkien was an inspiration to Macseoin. While the prose could have used a copy edit, the language used felt aligned with the overall tone and atmosphere of traditional fantasy narratives. In particular, I really enjoyed the scenes between Kailrey and Oastee. Their conversations reminded me of Frodo speaking to Gandalf.

Those who enjoy traditional fantasy stories will enjoy The Rising of the Moon Clann because of the clear inspiration it takes from the greats of the genre.