Sometimes you pick up a fantasy book and immediately know you’re in for something special. The Coward by Stephen Aryan gave me that feeling from the very first page. This is the kind of fantasy that reminds you why you fell in love with the genre in the first place. It’s got everything that made those classic quest stories so compelling, but with a modern twist that makes it feel fresh and relevant.
This review may contain spoilers, read at your own risk.
The Return of a Reluctant Hero
Kell Kressia is a legend, a celebrity, a hero. Ten years ago, at just seventeen, he set out on an epic quest with a band of seasoned warriors to slay the Ice Lich and save the Five Kingdoms from eternal winter. The problem? He was the only one who came back alive. Now, a decade later, the weather is turning cold again, and everyone expects their legendary hero to save them once more.
But Kell doesn’t want to be a hero anymore. He’s perfectly content living as a farmer, tending his land with only his horse for company. The book shows how myth can be used to show the story in a different light, ignoring the real truth and idealising people who perhaps should not be. The stories told about Kell’s first quest have been romanticised beyond recognition, and only he knows the brutal truth of what really happened.
The Coward: Good Ol’ Fantasy at Its Best
What I absolutely loved about The Coward is how it captures that nostalgic feeling of classic fantasy adventures. You know the ones: a ragtag band of misfits comes together to face an impossible evil, and somehow, against all odds, they triumph. Gerren, our youngest member, Vahli the mysterious bard, feisty Bronwyn of Kinnan, boastful Malormir, and Willow the Alfar, formed quite the entertaining ragtag crew.
This is exactly what Kell and his new companions do! The book gave me serious nostalgic vibes, reminding me of those beloved fantasy epics where friendship, courage, and determination could overcome any darkness. There’s something deeply satisfying about watching this group come together, each with their own skills and personalities, working toward a common goal.
I couldn’t help but notice the political undercurrents running through the story. Kell’s journey to the castle of the Lich in the North complicates politics for everyone. Kings rival each other against King. The religious elements, with the Shepard and his followers, add another layer of complexity that reminded me of the intricate plotting in Game of Thrones.
The Shepard, who is our monotheistic God of this world shall we say, now has followers who are devout and fanatical, trying to spread the word of the true God. The way Stephen Aryan weaves these political and religious tensions into the main quest storyline shows real skill in world-building.
Character Development
One of the strongest aspects of The Coward is how Stephen Aryan writes his characters. Stephen paints a vivid picture of a man, scarred by battle and living with PTSD. Kell isn’t your typical fantasy hero. He’s dealing with genuine trauma from his first quest, and it shows in every interaction.
The addition of Gerren, a headstrong character who mirrors Kell’s younger self is brilliant. Especially from Kell’s point of view. He could see a shadow of his past self and with every step he took, he wondered how things would be different if he didn’t take that journey. Watching Kell see his former idealism and determination reflected in Gerren creates some of the most poignant moments in the book.
The way each character is written makes you genuinely care about them. They’re not just plot devices. They feel like real people with their own motivations, fears, and dreams. When they’re in danger, you worry. When they succeed, you cheer. That’s the mark of excellent character work.
If I have one criticism of The Coward, it’s the storyline involving Reverend Mother Britak. Stephen uses the POV of another character, Reverend Mother Britak. She is the ageing matriarch of the religion of the world, dominated by the Shepard. While I understand that Aryan needed to establish the broader world and its politics, this particular thread felt somewhat disconnected from the main story.
It would have read better if it felt like she was woven more into the story more as an unrelenting active villain rather than a side character who mostly felt like she provided unnecessary backstory. The political tensions between the kingdoms that her storyline introduces don’t really shine through in the main plot, though I suspect they’ll become more important in the sequel.
It’s clear that Aryan is setting up larger conflicts for future books, but in this first instalment, the Reverend Mother sections sometimes felt like they were slowing down the momentum of Kell’s journey.
Read The Coward here:
Final Thoughts
The Coward is a mashup of everything that is good about modern fantasy and everything that is good about traditional fantasy. It is an enjoyable read with likeable characters and an interesting world that perfectly balances nostalgia with innovation. It’s the kind of fantasy that reminds you why you love the genre while pushing it in new directions.
Stephen Aryan has crafted something special here, a story that honours the traditions of epic fantasy while examining the real costs of heroism. The characters feel genuine, the world is richly detailed, and the central question of what it means to be brave in the face of overwhelming trauma resonates throughout.
I’m definitely reading book #2 as soon as I can get my hands on it. This is exactly the kind of fantasy I want more of: thoughtful, character-driven, and deeply satisfying.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 muse points
About the Author
Stephen Aryan is the author of the Age of Darkness and Age of Dread trilogies. His first novel, Battlemage, was a finalist for the David Gemmell Morningstar Award for best debut fantasy novel and won the inaugural Hellfest Inferno Award in France. The Coward is the first book in the Quest for Heroes duology.
