Author C.M. Evergreene’s writing debut, "Echoes of Descent" is an impressive and memorable effort exploring the adventures of Miranok Danse, the heiress to the kingdom of Corticia, and how her first journey outside the royal confines becomes a formative and transcendental experience. Evergreene’s prose is vivid and her characters are enchanting resulting in a consistent and engaging narrative.

Miranok was born with the burden of expectation weighing on her as she is the only child of Queen Phoebe and Solune Danse of Corticia. At 24 years old, she is beset by shyness and has never ventured outside the royal grounds. She has lived a sheltered existence for most of her life and previous battles with illnesses have royal staff treating her as a fragile invalid. The night Miranok sees the two wounded men outside the castle and attempts to give aid to them is an initial indication that she is coming out of her shell.

When Miranok first meets wounded traveler Arcius Sharpe, she sees a commoner who has lived a cultivated existence. Arcius is a person who can make Miranok laugh one minute and make her blood boil the next minute. Arcius possesses the temperament and experience to accompany Miranok on a covert journey with ramifications for nearby kingdoms as well as Corticia. Word has spread about the appearance of a necromancer whose machinations hint at war and destruction in the near future. Miranok believes she must be the messenger who can alert Corticia’s allies before destruction.

Despite her mother’s refusal to allow Miranok to embark on a dangerous mission, Miranok disobeys the Queen’s orders with a wink and a nod from her father. As Miranok and Arcius travel through the woods, they encounter former Captain Corinthia Kenlin who joins the pair on their quest while teaching Miranok the ways of the warrior. As the trip continues, Miranok’s nights are fraught with nightmares featuring the presence of the necromancer known as “Commander”.

Miranok’s undertaking brings her into contact with a variety of dangers, from deadly banshees to violent minions of the Commander. As her time away from home grows longer, Miranok learns how war is a part of her destiny and how she must fight to keep her people safe.

Miranok’s diplomatic mission is her attempt at proving herself to her mother along with a skeptical kingdom. Yet, the narrative is as much about Miranok’s humanity as it is her evolving leadership qualities. Miranok begins the story as a shrinking violet, but author C.M. Evergreene deftly proceeds to transform her protagonist into a complex yet credible heroine. The relationship dynamic between Miranok and Arcius becomes a terrific subplot as the feelings grow from strangers to friends to something deeper.

"Echoes of Descent" is a dramatic fantasy novel that proves beguiling from start to finish. Author C.M. Evergreene has created a world replete with fascinating characters and riveting action that will leave readers yearning for Evergreene’s next book. Evergreene’s nuanced take on the hero’s journey is sublime and inspiring.