Escape from Wheel

Escape from Wheel is a journey through a magical land, with an array of indigenous creatures, as well as characters who are at the far ends of the good versus evil spectrum. Some of the magic is very potent, and some of the creatures are very deadly. However, all combine to make this a very compelling YA fantasy read.

The story follows the plight of Alexandria – Alex to her friends – who is the Duke of Wheel’s daughter. Fleeing a frightening engagement to Lord Rodric Regret, arranged by her evil step-mother, Alex escapes Wheel with the help of a friend. Thus begins her journey.

The world-building employed by Michael Scott Clifton is top notch. Although forests of thick vegetation yielding to hills and valleys may not at first seem that significant, a closer look will find a pregnant Cyclops named Forest Mother, a colony of deadly Emperor wasps, a band of very hungry Night Walkers (vampires), as well as creatures individually melded by the evil queen.

My personal favorites of all the creatures were the flying horses, commandeered by the good forces. The more hideous creatures, such as the gargoyles, rode squarks – filthy carrion birds with rat-like tails, mottled skin, and beady, black eyes.

The magic came in a number of flavors, depending on who had it and what it was used for. There are magical gems and artifacts. There is a network of magical mirrors. Unhindered, some magic can flatten a forest like a bomb that goes off. Sometimes the magic has a healing effect.

Since I did not read the first book in this series, I struggled for a while in the beginning of the story. The adventure was continuing, and I was still trying to understand how everything came to be. There was very little backstory. I would have preferred more detail. However, once I managed to catch up, I was completely enthralled with the remainder of the story.

There is a long chase, told over a number of chapters, and the chase drives the pace to the climax. The chapters flip between the characters being chased and those doing the chasing. However, the climax – and the end of the story – is nothing like I thought they would be.

This is a wonderful story. I will go back and read the first book, and I will wait with heightened anticipation until the next book in The Conquest of the Veil series is released.