Reviewed by Maria Ashford for book-shelfie.com
Nathanael Bazzell’s “The Binding of the Twelve” opens not with an epic battle or a chosen one discovering hidden powers, but with Fife, a world-weary Keeper, meeting a mysterious nobleman in a filthy tavern that “reeked of unwashed bodies” and looked like it would be “easier to burn the whole thing down and start over.” This debut fantasy novel explores traditional fantasy territory but through a lens of realism, landing somewhere between the political intrigue of Brandon Sanderson’s Stormlight Archive and the epic mythic scope of Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time.
The story follows four protagonists with otherworldly names like Cael and Liana across the Three Lands, as ancient threats resurface and political tensions reach a breaking point. Fife investigates rumors of corrupted magical artifacts called Pieces, while young Cael a’Leora dreams of adventure beyond his shepherd’s life. Meanwhile, delv’ar prince Baine ru’Badoc faces the reality of impending war, and alv’ar heir Liana Elskar navigates dangerous political waters as mysterious emissaries from the Ang Empire arrive bearing gifts that may be curses in disguise.
Bazzell constructs a genuinely immersive fantasy world where the primary races—men’ar (humans), delv’ar (dwarves), and alv’ar (elves)—feel culturally distinct rather than simply cosmetically different. The alv’ar capital of Louthas particularly stands out: “not a city of stifling stacked stones such as the men’ar built, nor was it one carved deep in the cold bowels of the earth as the delv’ar preferred,” but buildings that “mingle with the trees in an intimate dance.” This attention to detail makes each location feel like a place that could really exist, while the underlying tensions between the races drive much of the political complexity of the novel.
The magic system is fairly unique. It centers on Pieces of Virtue—fragments of an ancient Core that “burst” when the legendary Builders sent their vices into it, scattering “molten pieces of the Core across the continent. The good along with the bad!” This premise evoking themes of gnosticism adds complexity that elevates the fantasy elements beyond a simple fight for political power. When corrupted Pieces begin appearing, the implications ripple through every level of the novel’s world. Magic is wielded by focusing one’s will through these Pieces, allowing the user to manipulate the physical world in several ways.
What makes Bazzell’s worldbuilding particularly effective is how he subtly teaches the reader about the world without loads of info drops. The characters largely feel relatable despite their fantastical setting. The mysterious warning that “All twelve must be found. All twelve must come together. All twelve must be bound to one another or else all is lost” emerges naturally from the world’s mythology, and evokes the White Walker threat from Game of Thrones. In other aspects too such as the POV style, comparisons with A Song of Ice and Fire seem obvious.
Multiple POV fantasy is hard to pull off without feeling jarring, but it largely works well here, with each character bringing a distinct voice and perspective. Baine’s chapters provide welcome comic relief without undermining the story’s serious stakes. Cael’s restless yearning for adventure comes through clearly in his interactions with his practical father, who warns that “Right is right and wrong is wrong. Don’t go tryin’ to put things between or things will go amiss.” There are some minor stumbles—particularly with the long length (674 pages), some might wonder if something could have been cut. A few secondary characters could be more fully developed, though the main quartet feels well-rounded and rootable. The setup-heavy nature of this first book in the “Chronicles of the Oprhan King” series means several plot threads remain unresolved, which may frustrate readers seeking more closure.
Still, Bazzell demonstrates considerable skill in hooking the reader and making them want to see what will happen next. His descriptive passages evoke the settings, while character dialogue feels natural and distinctive, such as the use of da to refer to his dad in Cael’s perspective. The writing reaches lyrical heights without sacrificing accessibility, and his use of internal monologue in italics effectively differentiates the various viewpoints.
Overall, “The Binding of the Twelve” is a gripping and solid achievement that honors fantasy traditions while bringing enough originality to feel fresh. The book’s greatest strength lies in its character development and world-building, creating a foundation that should serve the series well. While it largely operates within familiar fantasy territory, Bazzell executes the core elements with skill and heart. Readers hungry for traditional epic fantasy with political complexity—fans of Sanderson’s earlier works or Jordan’s expansive world-building—will find plenty to enjoy here.
Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers’ Favorite
The Binding of the Twelve: The Chronicles of the Orphan King by Nathanael Bazzell is a sweeping epic fantasy that plunges readers into a realm haunted by silence, shaped by myth, and ripe for renewal. We find ourselves living alongside the characters in the wake of a long-ago Cataclysm, where Keeper of Wisdom Fife receives a message that upends everything: the Twelve must rise again. These individuals are the stuff of prophecy and legend, scattered across the fractured Three Lands. Empires begin to awaken with conquest in mind, but there’s a slumbering evil stirring beneath the surface of the world. Fife sets out on a quest not only to locate the chosen but to confront the long-buried truths that might destroy or redeem them all.
Author Nathanael Bazzell has such a sense of scale and gravitas in the way he writes, and this depth gives fantasy fans all the grandeur of Tolkien, but with a special kind of philosophical curiosity that gives us a world as textured as it is immense. I was particularly drawn to how each of the Twelve felt distinctly real, not just archetypes of fantasy characters, but fully realized individuals that are pulled in all directions by faith, fear, and fate. The lore is intricate without being overwhelming, and the themes of unity, destiny, and the burden of leadership carry emotional resonance throughout. Overall, The Binding of the Twelve is an ambitious, atmospheric fantasy that delivers both scope and soul. I’d highly recommend it to readers who long for epic storytelling grounded in rich characters and deeper meaning.
Reviewed by BookBelow
Nathanael Bazzell’s The Binding of the Twelve, the opening chapter of The Chronicles of the Orphan King series, is a captivating fantasy epic that pulls you into a world of magic, prophecy, and high stakes. This thrilling tale, set across 36 chapters, weaves a rich tapestry of adventure and intrigue, making it a must-read for fantasy fans eager for a fresh saga.
The story unfolds in the Three Lands—men’ar, alv’ar, and delv’ar—each with its own vibrant culture and history. At its heart is an ancient prophecy tied to mystical artifacts called Pieces, some corrupted into red, orange, and yellow hues, unlike their pure blue, green, and white counterparts. The narrative kicks off with Fife, a Keeper haunted by his parents’ death, meeting the refined Olan in the gritty Squealing Pig tavern, where whispers of corrupted Pieces and looming war set the quest in motion. The prophecy centres on a group of twelve chosen individuals destined to save the Three Lands, with perspectives shifting between characters like Cael, a shepherd craving adventure, and Liana, an alv’ar princess fighting for her people. Others, like Deglan, Cearbhal, Cait, and Baine, a bold delv’ar prince, emerge as key figures, while Cleary, Fife’s wise mentor, and King Iomhar, a steadfast leader, add depth to the unfolding tale.
Bazzell’s writing is vivid, painting scenes so immersive you can almost taste the ale in The Squealing Pig. The Three Lands feel alive, with their clashing cultures and tangled histories. The Pieces aren’t just magical trinkets—they spark questions about power and corruption. A shadowy Order tied to the prophecy adds a delicious layer of mystery, keeping you glued to the pages.
The characters shine brightly. Fife’s sharp wit and burdened heart make him a compelling lead. Cael’s journey from humble herder to prophesied hero feels authentic, while Liana’s resolve is inspiring. Cleary’s warmth and Iomhar’s gravitas ground the story, though early chapters give less focus to figures like Deglan and Cearbhal, whose roles grow later. The book explores themes of unity, sacrifice, and the perils of power, with tensions between the Three Lands echoing real-world divides.
That said, the story can feel dense at first, juggling multiple characters and threads, and the pacing dips when world-building takes centre stage. Some arcs remain open-ended, likely for future books. Still, The Binding of the Twelve is a stellar launch to a promising series, blending rich world-building with characters you’ll root for. Dive into the Three Lands—you won’t regret it.
Reviewed by The Feathered Quill
Reviewed by: Diana Coyle
Review Date: July 15, 2025
In The Binding of the Twelve by Nathanael Bazzell, we are introduced to Fife, a world traveling Keeper, who meets up with an unkempt nobleman claiming that he has urgent information that must be shared with Fife. Fife is extremely interested in what this man has to tell him. The man, Olan, explains that the news he has can change the fate of all that live in the Three Lands. He explains he has heard that the Alv’ar (elves) and Delv’ar (dwarves) are plotting a war against the Men’ar (humans). This will be cataclysmic for everyone involved. Although Fife is leery of this man, he knows deep down that the prophecy is clear. A new band of Twelve must be found and he is the one to fulfill this mission within the Three Lands. Is Fife able to find the new
Twelve that will make things right again? If so, are they successful in their mission to save the Three Lands or will the results be catastrophic?
Right from the start, readers are immersed in an epic world that consists of the Three Lands, the Men’ar Kingdoms, the Delv’ar Holds and the Alv’ar Realms. Each kingdom has their important role and must work in tandem with each other to be a successful world. Fife becomes troubled once he finds outthat the Men’ar people will be attacked by the Alv’ar and Delv’ar people. Being the Keeper of Wisdom, he knows he is the chosen one who must right this injustice before it begins.
The characters Nathanael Bazzell has created will keep readers eagerly wanting to learn about each person and how they will form a new team of Twelve to thwart this potential injustice. Each character introduced is so believable that you will forget this is a work of fiction and instead become completely engrossed in the story. This author outdid himself with the level of creativity with the development of the Three Lands. Each is its own unique kingdom with its own class of people. The inventiveness it took for Bazzell to craft these Three Lands and wrap the entire story around these lands is truly amazing. Just as the characters are believable, so too are the lands he created for these people in which to live.
This is the first installment in an ongoing series and it will have readers eagerly awaiting the next story’s release to see where this book ends and the next one picks up. This book is so intelligently assembled that it could easily be made into a motion picture like some other well-known fantasy stories, such as the Lord of the Rings series and works by J.R.R. Tolkien.
Quill says: The Binding of the Twelve by Nathanael Bazzell is an epic book that readers should enjoy uninterrupted so as to allow themselves to become fully immersed in the captivating story. With the well-developed storyline, the believable characters and the uniquely crafted lands, readers will be transported to a faraway land while reading this novel.