The Quest for Freedom by Matthew Devitt

A bloody mix of fantasy action and snarky fellowship, The Quest for Freedom (The Conquest Trilogy Book 1) by Matthew Devitt follows one man’s impossible struggle to change the world. Armed with the singular goal of liberating humanity from interspecies oppression, Fletcher Rush is a spitfire leader battling the demons, angels, elves, and hybrids who rule the divided realm of Affer. From plotting the takeover of elvish cities and surviving soul-sucking nightmares to threatening murderous queens and handily defeating an endless stream of NPC-like enemies, this novel careens from one intense battle to the next. While the story arc is accessible and quick-moving, the protagonist can often seem superhuman in his abilities and physical resilience, which lowers the stakes overall. The prose could use an additional polish to inject more layered emotion into the story, but the premise of a heroic struggle for liberation is timeless and well-conveyed, providing a thoughtful thematic exploration of prejudice in the quest for power.