Meet Fiadh Reilly: A New Druid Rises in the Druidverse
If you’ve been a Druidverse® reader for any length of time, you know I can’t resist a hero who’s been through the wringer. The more damaged, the better.
So let me introduce you to Fiadh Reilly.
Fiadh is the heart of my brand-new series, The Druid Apprentice, starting with Druid Forge — and she’s not your typical urban fantasy protagonist. There’s no prophecy naming her as the chosen one. No fabled destiny. In fact, she doesn’t even start the series with a clean slate.
Instead, she has a criminal record, a traumatic past, and a family curse that’s already cost four lives. Fresh out of prison and trying to hold herself together, she’s slinging coffee at Colin’s junkyard café and doing her best to keep her magic locked down tight.
As you might’ve guessed, that last part isn’t going so well for this young druid apprentice…
A Return to Street-Level Magic
When I started building this series, I wanted to return to street-level magic. Colin’s stories are fun to write, as he’s grown considerably and the stakes are always high where he’s concerned. But, I missed the days of writing that sort of “monster of the week” style of urban fantasy that got me reading the genre in the first place.
I couldn’t depower Colin; at least, not without a considerable reader backlash. Besides, I hate retcons in popular fiction, and I believe canon should remain consistent. So, starting a series featuring a brand-new druid training under Colin felt like the best way to return to writing urban fantasy novels with more personal stakes.
Colin knows what it’s like to be an outcast and to live with deep-seated guilt, and that empathy informs their mentor-student relationship. Both Colin and Fiadh are making mistakes along the way, and that ratchets up the tension and conflict in fun and entertaining ways.
About The Setting and Some New Players
As for the setting, The Druid Apprentice Series sits squarely inside the Druidverse you already know. All the supernatural politics are still there, and various factions are moving their pieces around on the board in Austin, Texas.
Yet, Fiadh sees all this through fresh eyes, and that changes things. She’s not coming in as a powerful druid. She starts the series as someone who’s still trying to decide whether she’s the hero or a cautionary tale.
There’s also a new wrinkle I think you’re going to enjoy, Agent Lucas Caruso, a federal agent with a very personal stake in monitoring supernatural threats. Due to her past, he and Fiadh do not start off on friendly terms.
Their slow, friction-filled dynamic isn’t yet a romance — it’s more like two people who need each other and really wish they didn’t. If you love that kind of charged, complicated push-and-pull layered under a solid urban fantasy story, you’re going to enjoy spending time with these two.
Finally, the Cold Iron Circle makes a comeback in this series. I don’t want to reveal too much regarding how, but suffice it to say that they’re back and out for blood.
Early Reader Feedback
The early feedback from ARC readers has been very positive:
“Loved it! This book is an excellent start to the continuation of the Druidverse. Enjoyed every minute of it and every character involved…” ~Cindy B. 5-Star Arc Reader Review
“I really liked it. The story was intriguing. Looking forward to seeing where this one goes.” ~Tami C. 5-Star Arc Reader Review
“Overall good story… Definitely hooked.” ~John F. 5-Star ARC Reader Review
One reader went so far as to say they’d buy and read every sequel — which, I’ll be honest, is exactly the kind of thing that keeps a writer going. And Colin McCool voice actor Steven Barnett called it “a GREAT read” and said he’s already in love with Fiadh.
In short, this is the beginning of a series I’m genuinely excited to write. Fiadh’s story has a long way to go, and the choices she makes in this first book are going to echo through the Druidverse in ways I’m still mapping out.
Grab Your Copy Now
Druid Forge drops this Friday, March 27th, on Kindle and Kindle Unlimited. Paperbacks should be available to order on March 24th.
Will this be offered as an audible book?
Yes. I just found a narrator, and she’s starting production this week.