Into the Undercastle
Book 1 of The Shadow Arcanist series
A young fisherman, an archer, a kingdom on its knees — can this unexpected duo save their people?

For Aedan, life as a fisherman by the Lunenshall River was dull. Alone with his father in the failing kingdom of Talidith, his only excitement was the occasional torn net, weekly trips to Castle Shieldarrow for market, and the ever present threat of attack by the local monster tribes, the vornuks.

For Savanah, life as a member of the Sovereign Guard, the first and only line of defense against the vornuks, was routine. She kept herself busy with patrols, teaching archery, and teasing her fellow soldiers.

Both their lives explode into chaos when an army of vornuks march on Shieldarrow, threatening to wipe out Talidith and her citizens once and for all.

Their only hope is the Undercastle, a subterranean fortress built long ago to protect the people during an invasion. But it has been sealed by a mad king, and entry is punishable by death.

Facing an impossible choice, Aedan, Savanah, and the rest of the kingdom flee into darkness, unsure of what they will find but unable to remain in their home.

But they aren’t alone. Something else has been trapped there for centuries. Something evil.

When the population’s presence unleashes the tentacled monstrosity, Savanah and Aedan find themselves thrust into a battle not just for their kingdom and people, but for the safety of the entire world.


Blogs & Media
Reviews & Praise
Into the Undercastle is Book 1 of the Shadow Arcanist by Alexander Dawnrider. I will say right off the bat that 572 pages is a little bit long. But, this epic story is absolutely 100% worth the time and effort to read. Into the Undercastle is one of the best stories I have read in awhile. The characters are authentic and very realistic. The fantasy has good humans and evil, the creatures are scary and evil. This book would make an amazing movie (in my opinion). I received an arc for free and am leaving my review voluntarily.
- Kindle Customer DVH (Amazon Reviewer)
I absolutely loved this book; right from brilliant concept and great plotting to amazing characterisation and heart-thumping tension, this book had everything that I had expected from it and more! The storyline is superb and keeps one engaged with its various twists and turns the whole time. I am now eagerly awaiting the release of the second book in this series (and then the next one!) as I cannot wait to see what happens after the ending!
I will strongly recommend this book to all fantasy readers as this book has so much going for it. This amazing book will definitely entertain and engage you right from the beginning to the very end!
- Heena Rathore-Pardeshi (The Reading Bud)
This book is riveting. I read the book in a single day. Alexander Dawnrider’s descriptions are vivid and his imagery illuminating as he plunges the reader into a world of both wonder and terror. His diverse characters are well developed with strong personalities, and we quickly learn to care about them, although in come cases we just want to swat them. The plot is immediately engaging and it’s easy to become immersed in the spell that Dawnrider weaves. The only downside I found was when the book ended—it’s one of those tales you want to go on and on. The upside is that I know there’s another book in the works.
- Mary Shifman (Amazon Reviewer)
The Shadow Arcanist series
Into the Undercastle The Monster's Army
When the people of Talidith flee underground, they unleash an evil worse than the one they left behind and must contain it before it gets loose upon the world With a psychic monstrosity loose on the continent, building an army of undead, Talidith’s heroes must find a way to destroy it and rescue their friend
Learn more Learn more