Myracles in the Void

By: Atiya Irvin-Mitchell

Growing up is never easy. In Wes Dyson’s debut novel Myracles in the Void, siblings Gai and Lynd would trade the magic and chaos that engulfs every aspect of their lives for book reports and crushes in a heartbeat, especially if that meant being able to put their family back together without the world from self-destructing. Myracles in the Void is a story about adventure, family, magic and the ability of every person to define oneself.

The story begins in a place called Hop, a floating port that’s bereft and isolated from the rest of the world. It’s also home to a brother and sister with diametrically opposed gifts whose family never recovered from their father’s disappearance five years earlier.  As if their father’s absence wasn’t painful enough, there’s an even bigger problem on the homefront. While Gai’s gift is to put things back together, Lynd is cursed with the power to tear things apart. And try as he might, Gai can only do so much to save his little sister from herself. This becomes painfully clear on the day her magic threatens the safety of the world. But, with a lot of luck and some assistance from a very large turtle, if the siblings find their equally cursed father on an epic journey, they might be able to save the world and their family.

Although it errs on the side of the fantastical, Myracles in the Void is a story centered on family. If not for the profound love the siblings have for one another they wouldn’t set across the world to try and find their father. Through a use of altering point-of-view Dyson creates a beautiful sibling bond and distinctive characters that readers will find it impossible not to root for as they endure trials and develop as individuals.

One of the things that sets this novel apart is the distinctive world and magic system Dyson set in place. It’s clear that the author put a great deal of care into world-building, but every so often it can present the potential for confusion. Much like viewing an action film, readers must pay close attention to every page or risk losing the plot. The action-packed chapters that follow should more than make up for the slow start for fantasy lovers.

Myracles in the Void, although fantastical, is not for the faint of heart with its share of dark moments. Still, due to the characters and impressive world-building the novel and any books that follow have the potential to become as beloved as The Chronicles of Narnia and the works of J.R.R Tolkien. Be ready for this one to be big!