Reviewed: January 8th, 2026 Released: October 5th, 2017 Genre: Grimdark Fantasy
Sometimes, coin isn’t enough.
Sometimes, blood is the only payment worth taking.
The Downs, the poor district of the city of Avarest, is home to cutthroats and thieves, pickpockets and prostitutes, all of whom pay tribute to one of two powerful crime bosses. It is also home to Aaron Envelar, a disillusioned sellsword known as the Silent Blade, who cares nothing for the criminal overlords or their schemes, who only wants to survive and make a little coin in the process.
But when a group of unwitting thugs steal his mother’s necklace, the only link he has to his murdered parents, and leave him for dead, Aaron decides that sometimes, surviving isn’t enough. Sometimes, vengeance is the only answer.
After all, when you take everything from a man… What else does he have to lose?
Have you read Sentinals Origins Part Two yet? The eighth book in the award winning Sentinal Series.
The Wishing Shelf Book Awards has given it a Five Star review.
Birler, Tagerill and Serill have accepted the Lady’s invitation to become her personal guards, her Sentinals. They roam the territories of Remargaren in the name of the Lady, protecting those who can’t protect themselves.
But the threat against Lady Leyandrii is growing and Captain Guerlaire is in the Ascendants sights. He has been too successful in disrupting their plans and now time is running out, for him and the Sentinals. The Ascendants are determined to kill them all and show Leyandrii, once and for all, that they hold the power in Remargaren.
Birlerion’s discovery of his innate magic, offers Leyandrii an alternate path, but it’s a last resort and as Leyandrii teaches him how to control it, she is desperate to find another solution.
As the final confrontation looms and the natural world buckles under the backlash from the reckless use of magic, Leyandrii has one last throw to try and save their world from ruin and destruction, but will any of them live to tell the tale?
“A superbly plotted fantasy adventure with a strong cast of memorable characters. Highly recommended!” The Wishing Shelf www.thewsa.co.uk
REVIEW
A good book this! But I’m a fantasy fan ; ‘epic’ is my middle name, so a magical saga like this is perfect for me. It’s the second part of SENTINALS ORIGINS and I have to say, I was enjoying this book so much, I stopped reading it, grabbed a copy of the first, read that – also excellent – then went back to part two! My next job will be to start the other ‘Sentinals’ novels, six in all – I’m going to be busy!
So, why did I enjoy it so much? Well, to be perfectly honest, it’s the planning. You see, a lot of epic fantasy is badly planned and, as a result, it all gets very complicated and confusing, often in the last third of the book when the author can’t work out how to end things. But Helen Garraway hasn’t fallen into this trap. Using alternative POVs, she’s constructed a complex – but never too complex – fantasy adventure with a strong LOTR feel to it.
So, if you happen to be on the lookout for a smartly plotted, character-driven adventure with clever twists and populated with the sort of characters you can enjoy rooting for, then this book is for you. Saying that, I would recommend reading part one first. You don’t have to – part two works as a standalone – but why wouldn’t you? The first book’s a gem too!
Now, I need to go and buy a copy of Sentinals Awaken; let’s see if that’s just as good.
If you enjoy fantasy books then you will love my epic fantasy Sentinal series or the Romantic Fantasy SoulMist series. Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and also Sentinals Discovery, the first few chapters of Sentinals Awaken from Birlerion’s POV and get notified when my next books are published.
By clicking the sign up button above, you agree to share your email address with the site owner and the newsletter platform provider to receive marketing, updates, and other emails from the site owner. Use the unsubscribe link in those emails to opt out at any time.
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The excitement is rising as I announce that Sentinals Origins Part One is a FINALIST in the Chanticleer International Book Award’s (CIBA) 2025 for OZMA Fantasy.
The Ozma Book Awards recognize emerging new talent and outstanding works in the genre of Magic, Steampunk and Fantasy Fiction. The Ozma Awards is a genre division of Chanticleer International Book Awards and Novel Competitions (The CIBAs). These titles have moved forward in the second round from all 2025 OZMA Fantasy Fiction entries to the 2025 Ozma Book Awards Short List.
These titles have moved forward from the 2025 OZMA Fantasy Fiction Semi-Finalists to the 2025 Ozma Book Awards Finalists. Finalists will be recognized at the Chanticleer Authors Conference, CAC26.
CIBA will announce the 1st Place Category winners and Grand Prize Division Winners at the CIBAs Banquet and Ceremony on Saturday April 18th, 2026 in beautiful Bellingham, WA.
Congratulations to all the Finalists:
Abigail O’Bryan – Iron Rose
B.L. Mostyn – Heroes of Another Age
David Nos – The Final War of Wizards and Dragons
C.R. Ware – All We Have to Remember: Volume One of the Seventh Layer Saga
Crystal D. Grant – Lightshed
Evette Davis – The Gift
Helen Garraway – Sentinals Origins Part One
J.A. Nielsen – The Winter Heir (Fractured Kingdoms, Book 2)
J.C. Wade – Summer’s Reaping
Jason P. Crawford – The Trials of Poseidon
Jeffrey L. Kohanek – The First Wizard
Nikhil Prabala – The Duchess of Kokora
Nikki Mccormack – Child of Vanris (The Warden’s Son Book 1)
Palmer Pickering – Dark Town
R. M. Krogman – Sundering
Richard M Wagner – The Chronicles of Amerista: Griefold
Wild magic is rife in the world of Remargaren and a shadowy group of dissidents have discovered how to exploit the power for their own purposes.
The goddess, Leyandrii, and her Captain, Guerlaire, must face down this new threat and protect the people from unseen dangers. As Guerlaire learns to wield his own power, three new cadets with the potential to change the world are beginning their journey to become Lady’s Rangers.
Drawn from the back streets of Vespers, a young boy is thrust into a world beyond his comprehension. Battling bigotry and violence, Birler will need to navigate the Rangers’ Academy while grappling with unexpected ties of friendship, a tantalising found family, and embrace ancient magical powers.
A heartwarming tale of friendship and family is set against a backdrop of bigotry and violence in a world where wild magic can precariously tip the balance. Birler and his new friends will have to fight their own battles, not only to earn the right to become rangers but to help Leyandrii and Guerlaire restore the natural balance and defend their world.
This is the first part of the prequel to the award winning Sentinal series.
If you enjoy fantasy books then you will love my epic fantasy Sentinal series or the Romantic Fantasy SoulMist series. Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and also Sentinals Discovery, the first few chapters of Sentinals Awaken from Birlerion’s POV and get notified when my next books are published.
By clicking the sign up button above, you agree to share your email address with the site owner and the newsletter platform provider to receive marketing, updates, and other emails from the site owner. Use the unsubscribe link in those emails to opt out at any time.
By signing up to my newsletter, you agree to receive commercial information from Helen Garraway, located at 61 Bridge St, Kingston, Hertfordshire, UK (Data Administrator).
Reviewed: January 5th, 2026 Released: April 13th, 2021 Genre: YA/Epic Fantasy
Aletheia was born a heresy: a girl with a man’s magic, in a city where monks and witches are mortal enemies. Training in her powers only under her father’s protection, head of the monastery, she shocks everyone by becoming the best seer in generations.
Until her father is murdered. A suicide, they call it, but she knows the truth: he was murdered for his heresy. For her. Now she must make a harrowing choice: disown everything her father stood for to stay alive, or flee the temple and seek to expose his killers, even as they hunt her down.
Another year has passed, and it’s that time of year when you look back at what you achieved last year and plan for the next. This year we reached the five year anniversary of publishing my debut novel, and now I have 13 books published, 6 audiobooks, been a contributing author to four anthologies, one kickstarter, and written four novellas for my newsletter subscribers.
I hope you downloaded the bonus free novella, Sentinals of Stoneford, set in the world of the Sentinals series which I wrote as thankyou to all my newsletter subscribers. Your support makes writing so fulfilling, and your enthusiam for my characters makes me want to write more!
Anyhow, back to what I achieved in 2025, and what’s in store for 2026?
I published two books, one novella, and one short story
Book Two: Celestial Throne series: Release date TBC
Sentinals Series Collection 1 : Anthology of novellas originally released to newsletter subscribers only.
Sentinals Discovery (Novella 1.5)
Sentinals and Guardians (Novella 2.5)
Sentinals of Stoneford (Novella 4.5)
Other goals:
More formal Marketing plan to grow sales
Open a Tiktok shop
Create a Sentinals Wiki site (still a stretch goal!!)
So plenty to keep me busy outside of the day job!
Work continues to take up most of my brain power as I was promoted and took on more responsibility. Which meant it was more difficult to focus on writing in the evenings and weekends.
I am very proud that I still managed to write and release two books, both of which hit the number one new release spot on Amazon Classic Fantasy, wrote the first draft of a book in a brand new epic fantasy series, participated in a kickstarter, and wrote a 35k word novella for my newsletter subscribers. In total that was over 400,000 words in 2025!
I know 2026 will be just as productive. I look forward to sharing the results with you throughout the year. Once again – Thank you for all your support, I hope you stay with me as we continue this amazing journey. Follow my blog or sign up to my newsletter to get the news first!
If you enjoy fantasy books then you will love my epic fantasy Sentinal series or the Romantic Fantasy SoulMist series. Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and also Sentinals Discovery, the first few chapters of Sentinals Awaken from Birlerion’s POV and get notified when my next books are published.
By clicking the sign up button above, you agree to share your email address with the site owner and the newsletter platform provider to receive marketing, updates, and other emails from the site owner. Use the unsubscribe link in those emails to opt out at any time.
By signing up to my newsletter, you agree to receive commercial information from Helen Garraway, located at 61 Bridge St, Kingston, Hertfordshire, UK (Data Administrator
Reviewed: December 12th, 2025 Released: June 5th, 2020 Genre: Urban Fantasy
The sword chooses its wielder.
I never asked to be Blade Mage. My fellow wizards weren’t thrilled, either. Unfortunately, those weird old druids have a strict no returns policy.
So I left, and for the past few years, I’ve hidden from my responsibilities. But I always knew one day the Cabal would come looking for its precious sword.
And so they have, but only because a heinous crime has occurred…
A sorcerer has used forbidden magic to slay a fellow wizard. It’s an open and shut case. The killer admitted it. He also stands accused of kidnapping a child, who is still missing, but they say that isn’t my problem. No, as Blade Mage, I’m not supposed to play paranormal detective. The Cabal only expects one thing of me—they want me to play executioner.
Problem is…
The accused is my best friend.
And before I chop off his head, I want to know the truth. But the path is filled with shifty wizards, fearsome witches, insidious demons, and supernatural conspirators at every turn.
Where: Newbury Methodist Church, located at the junction of Northbrook Street and Albert Road.
FREE Entry
Last in person event before Christmas. Have a booklover in the family?
I’ll have my latest release, Sentinals Origins Part Two, in paperback, and you can get the Sentinals Origins duology at a special show offer price.
Do your booklovers love dragons? Then I will have a limited number of the most amazing fantasy anthology with foiled cover, sprayed edges, beautiful artwork and 18 dragon-themed stories. The ideal present for your bookdragon hoarder!
Come and peruse the variety of stalls in this vibrant market and find some christmas gifts and a new book to read. Everyone welcome.
Already bought my book and want it signed? Then I’m happy to sign your book for you.
If there is a specific book you want, then please let me know, so I make sure I bring enough copies and can reserve one for you, as now I have 15 books, I am limited by the number of books I can fit in my car!
Hope to see you there.
If you enjoy fantasy books then you will love my epic fantasy Sentinal series or the Romantic Fantasy SoulMist series. Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and also Sentinals Discovery, the first few chapters of Sentinals Awaken from Birlerion’s POV and get notified when my next books are published.
By clicking the sign up button above, you agree to share your email address with the site owner and the newsletter platform provider to receive marketing, updates, and other emails from the site owner. Use the unsubscribe link in those emails to opt out at any time.
By signing up to my newsletter, you agree to receive commercial information from Helen Garraway, located at 61 Bridge St, Kingston, Hertfordshire, UK (Data Administrator
The final part of the prequel to the award winning epic fantasy Sentinal Series, Sentinals Origins Part Two, launched today, December 1st, 2025.
I am thrilled to announce that it is also a #1 new release in the Amazon Top 100 Classic Fantasy new releases!
More reviews are coming in from my ARC readers and I am so happy they loved it.
‘Sentinals Origins Part Two is the powerful and exciting conclusion to the Sentinals origin story and completed an excellent prequel series. The author has a knack for drawing you into the story quickly, taking you on an emotional roller coaster at times, and pacing the story extremely well. As I read this book, I was able to recall events in the main series that were made richer by the background story. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and I was very deeply involved with the story until the end.’ Bob 5* Amazon review.
Birler, Tagerill and Serill have accepted the Lady’s invitation to become her personal guards, her Sentinals. They roam the territories of Remargaren in the name of the Lady, protecting those who can’t protect themselves.
But the threat against Lady Leyandrii is growing and Captain Guerlaire is in the Ascendants sights. He has been too successful in disrupting their plans and now time is running out, for him and the Sentinals. The Ascendants are determined to kill them all and show Leyandrii, once and for all, that they hold the power in Remargaren.
Birlerion’s discovery of his innate magic, offers Leyandrii an alternate path, but it’s a last resort and as Leyandrii teaches him how to control it, she is desperate to find another solution.
As the final confrontation looms and the natural world buckles under the backlash from the reckless use of magic, Leyandrii has one last throw to try and save their world from ruin and destruction, but will any of them live to tell the tale?
The prequel duology is now complete and available to read on Kindle Unlimited.
If you enjoy fantasy books then you will love my epic fantasy Sentinal series or the Romantic Fantasy SoulMist series. Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and also Sentinals Discovery, the first few chapters of Sentinals Awaken from Birlerion’s POV and get notified when my next books are published.
By clicking the sign up button above, you agree to share your email address with the site owner and the newsletter platform provider to receive marketing, updates, and other emails from the site owner. Use the unsubscribe link in those emails to opt out at any time.
By signing up to my newsletter, you agree to receive commercial information from Helen Garraway, located at 61 Bridge St, Kingston, Hertfordshire, UK (Data Administrator).
Very excited at the enthusiasm my ARC readers have had for this book, calling it an emotional rollercoster and all of them hotfooting it to start the series again!
‘WOW!! Once again I am blown away by master storyteller Helen Garraway! I could not put this book down! The outstanding world building is beautifully and magically captivating. There is plenty of action, adventure, twists and turns and a few surprises you don’t see coming. Her characters are written with so much depth. You feel all the emotions the characters go through. They are engaging and you really feel like you know them. I absolutely enjoyed this book and absolutely highly recommend reading it.’ Raelene, 5* Goodreads Review
‘With ‘Sentinals Origin Part Two,’ Helen Garraway has created the grand showdown, or should I say, the story now comes to a close?
Birlerion and his sentinal friends are asked to protect not only the Lady, but also Remargeren and its inhabitants from the Ascendants. The threat posed by the Ascendants gives them reason to strive and remain strong in the face of all dangers and adversities. But will they be able to prevail and have the faith to remain strong until the end?
A breathtaking story with many unexpected twists and turns. The end of the story gives reason to immediately continue the series with ‘Sentinals Awaken’, the first book in the series.’ C Goodreads 5* Review.
Book Description
Birler, Tagerill and Serill have accepted the Lady’s invitation to become her personal guards, her Sentinals. They roam the territories of Remargaren in the name of the Lady, protecting those who can’t protect themselves.
But the threat against Lady Leyandrii is growing and Captain Guerlaire is in the Ascendants sights. He has been too successful in disrupting their plans and now time is running out, for him and the Sentinals. The Ascendants are determined to kill them all and show Leyandrii, once and for all, that they hold the power in Remargaren.
Birlerion’s discovery of his innate magic, offers Leyandrii an alternate path, but it’s a last resort and as Leyandrii teaches him how to control it, she is desperate to find another solution.
As the final confrontation looms and the natural world buckles under the backlash from the reckless use of magic, Leyandrii has one last throw to try and save their world from ruin and destruction, but will any of them live to tell the tale?
If you enjoy fantasy books then you will love my epic fantasy Sentinal series or the Romantic Fantasy SoulMist series. Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and also Sentinals Discovery, the first few chapters of Sentinals Awaken from Birlerion’s POV and get notified when my next books are published.
By clicking the sign up button above, you agree to share your email address with the site owner and the newsletter platform provider to receive marketing, updates, and other emails from the site owner. Use the unsubscribe link in those emails to opt out at any time.
By signing up to my newsletter, you agree to receive commercial information from Helen Garraway, located at 61 Bridge St, Kingston, Hertfordshire, UK (Data Administrator).
Celebrating the forthcoming launch of Sentinals Origins Part Two on December 1st, 2025. Haven’t started the Sentinal series yet? Then now is the chance to get your copy of book one, Sentinals Awaken. Kindle countdown offer on Amazon US and UK until December 2nd, 2025.
When a long-forgotten threat starts to reemerge, one man stands as the last defense against darkness…
Jerrol Haven serves his king without question. When he finds evidence of corruption and is attacked, the loyal soldier’s mind spins after his touch of a sacred tree awakens the dormant spirit of a three-thousand-year-old protector. But he fears he has failed after the crown prince accuses him of treason and orders his execution…
Fleeing the city, Jerrol is stunned when the goddess appears to him, appoints him captain of her warriors, and charges him with a quest to find artifacts that can save the realm. And as he runs into danger and more betrayals, the steadfast hero discovers a rare gift that may be the world’s only hope…
Can Jerrol rally the forces of good to stop a rising evil?
Sentinals Awaken is the first book in the Sentinal epic fantasy series. If you like endearing characters, immersive world-building, and gritty conflict, then you’ll love Helen Garraway’s award-winning tale.
Buy Sentinals Awaken to restore the guardians today!
If you enjoy fantasy books then you will love my epic fantasy Sentinal series or the Romantic Fantasy SoulMist series. Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and also Sentinals Discovery, the first few chapters of Sentinals Awaken from Birlerion’s POV and get notified when my next books are published.
By clicking the sign up button above, you agree to share your email address with the site owner and the newsletter platform provider to receive marketing, updates, and other emails from the site owner. Use the unsubscribe link in those emails to opt out at any time.
By signing up to my newsletter, you agree to receive commercial information from Helen Garraway, located at 61 Bridge St, Kingston, Hertfordshire, UK (Data Administrator).
Helen Garraway 