An epic fantasy adventure that can stand alongside the greatest love stories ever told.
Ah, true love! It’s what princes and paupers alike have been dreaming of from time immemorial. And bard extraordinaire, Wigfith Foreverbloom, has a unique love story to share. No stranger to exploiting dramatic escapades and the purse strings of love-starved patrons, this charismatic gnome and his latest tale can be heard at The Stag and Hound tavern. Here, witty Wigfifth spins a yarn about a cast-off pixie princess who wants to experience true love, but instead finds herself the object of vengeance in two different realms. Naive and ill-equipped to survive, Escala is set on a rehabilitation quest she is unable to comprehend or undertake on her own. But she isn’t alone for long. The girl might be wild at heart, but that heart is made of solid gold, so she makes an impression on everyone she meets. As she makes her way through the mortal realm, she gains unexpected companions who leave their mark on both her quest and her heart. She uncovers devastating truths about her past, learns the difference between intention and outcome, and solves sticky riddles about her destiny. Every step of the way, Escala’s adventure is fraught with twists and turns, heartache and peril, but also with courage, loyalty, humor, and love in all its forms.
What do you get when you combine a vindictive stepmother, an enchanted kiss, and an angry sorcerer? That’s only the opening note to the addictive chaos and magical mayhem that plays out in Escala’s Wish. As the archetypal storyteller, lovable bard Wigfith recounts the princess’s tale with sly humor and snappy dialogue that never outshines her journey. Instead, this clever story‑within‑a‑story format keeps a tight, confident rein on the narration, drawing audiences so deeply into Escala’s world that they lose themselves in it without ever feeling lost. The sprawling cast unfolds at just the right pace, giving readers time to connect with each new character and see how their stories weave into the larger plot and emotional core. A prime example is the emergence of the novel’s antagonists, whose gradual reveal transforms them from purpose‑driven threats into fully realized forces who shape Escala’s physical and symbolic journey. Though romance colors the pages, this sweeping saga is truly about love in its broadest, purest, most enduring sense. Employing a rich array of dragons, incantations, shapeshifters, magical relics, and every trapping of a wondrous hero’s quest, David James has crafted an epic fantasy adventure that can stand alongside the greatest love stories ever told. If you love intricate, timeworn worlds that fondly echo classic fantasy tropes while building something singularly spellbinding and deceptively deep, the gorgeous fairytale Escala’s Wish should top your reading list.
