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Tales of Arvia #4
Arvia: Wings of the Wild
It’s easy to stand up for your friends. What about for anonymous creatures nobody else cares about?
With their homes apparently safe from the magical storms, Darin and Rinloh venture to an isolated elven village and another ancient mystery: ruins of an imperial city whose entire population vanished centuries ago.
The duo befriend a host of eccentric new characters, from a chipper ogress and hipster troll to a deadpan griffin. Yet the Forest of Nightmares challenges them as never before. Merciless carnivorous trees, subterranean horrors, ethereal creatures no mortal weapon can slay… and most sinister of all, the greed and ambition lurking within the human heart.
Darin and Rinloh’s empathic connection grows stronger the deeper into the wilderness they go, but will it be enough to stop a dark conspiracy from ravaging the land?
Arvia: Wings of the Wild challenges the harpy-human duo with their grandest adventure yet. They must balance their deepening relationship as they sharpen their skills and work together as never before to unravel a deadly new plot.
With their homes apparently safe from the magical storms, Darin and Rinloh venture to an isolated elven village and another ancient mystery: ruins of an imperial city whose entire population vanished centuries ago.
The duo befriend a host of eccentric new characters, from a chipper ogress and hipster troll to a deadpan griffin. Yet the Forest of Nightmares challenges them as never before. Merciless carnivorous trees, subterranean horrors, ethereal creatures no mortal weapon can slay… and most sinister of all, the greed and ambition lurking within the human heart.
Darin and Rinloh’s empathic connection grows stronger the deeper into the wilderness they go, but will it be enough to stop a dark conspiracy from ravaging the land?
Arvia: Wings of the Wild challenges the harpy-human duo with their grandest adventure yet. They must balance their deepening relationship as they sharpen their skills and work together as never before to unravel a deadly new plot.
- GenresFantasy
584 pages, Hardcover
Published November 22, 2023
1 person is currently reading
6 people want to read
About the author
D.H. Willison
11 books28 followersD.H. Willison is a reader, writer, game enthusiast and developer, engineer, and history buff. He’s lived or worked in over a dozen countries, learning different cultures, viewpoints, and attitudes, which have influenced his writing, contributing to one of his major themes: alternate and creative conflict resolution. The same situations can be viewed by different cultures quite differently. Sometimes it leads to conflict, sometimes to hilarity. Both make for a great story.
He’s also never missed a chance to visit historic sites, from castle dungeons, to catacombs, to the holds of tall ships, to the tunnels of the Maginot Line. It might be considered research, except for the minor fact that his tales are all set on the whimsical and terrifying world of Arvia. Where giant mythic monsters are often more easily overcome with empathy than explosions.
Subscribe to his newsletter for art, stories, and humorous articles (some of which are actually intended to be humorous).
He’s also never missed a chance to visit historic sites, from castle dungeons, to catacombs, to the holds of tall ships, to the tunnels of the Maginot Line. It might be considered research, except for the minor fact that his tales are all set on the whimsical and terrifying world of Arvia. Where giant mythic monsters are often more easily overcome with empathy than explosions.
Subscribe to his newsletter for art, stories, and humorous articles (some of which are actually intended to be humorous).
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
November 23, 2023
Going back to Arvia in book 4 feels like seeing old friends and getting a big warm hug.
Darin and Rinloh have another adventure with Oolandra and Fogmort in tow who have grown closer. Darin and Rinloh's relationship deepens as their connection grows stronger.
Their way to the Elven village is fraught with danger but things only get more dangerous when they reach their destination. Someone keeps trying to kill them and magical storms cause havoc. It is all quite tense and exciting.
Both Rinloh and Darin make friends with a range of different beings that we would call monsters; e.g. a troll, an ogress and a griffin. Even Oolandra's real identity and her transformation are terrifying but her cheeky humour makes her very likable.
I loved the diverse nature of the group and that everyone brought their own unique skills and experiences that benefited the group as a whole. As Darin would say 'We are stronger together' and the little group certainly demonstrated that.
In their attempt to smoke out the bad guys Darin and Rinloh partner up in a race. I love it when these two are together as they both seem to come alive more when they are flying and interacting in harmony. The race is extremely dangerous but nerve-tinglingly exciting. I felt like I was actually there witnessing it and watching it with one hand covering my eyes.
Darin and Rinloh's trust in each other is cemented at this stage and they can take risks safe in the knowledge that the other will be there. They can speak telepathically which is a great skill in the middle of a deadly race where Daring has to jump off her back to land on her again shortly later from a height.
Wings of the Wild is a much longer book than the rest of the series but it didn't seem like a long read when I was absorbed in all the adventure and excitement. The humour also kept me laughing and entertained.
Darin and Rinloh have another adventure with Oolandra and Fogmort in tow who have grown closer. Darin and Rinloh's relationship deepens as their connection grows stronger.
Their way to the Elven village is fraught with danger but things only get more dangerous when they reach their destination. Someone keeps trying to kill them and magical storms cause havoc. It is all quite tense and exciting.
Both Rinloh and Darin make friends with a range of different beings that we would call monsters; e.g. a troll, an ogress and a griffin. Even Oolandra's real identity and her transformation are terrifying but her cheeky humour makes her very likable.
I loved the diverse nature of the group and that everyone brought their own unique skills and experiences that benefited the group as a whole. As Darin would say 'We are stronger together' and the little group certainly demonstrated that.
In their attempt to smoke out the bad guys Darin and Rinloh partner up in a race. I love it when these two are together as they both seem to come alive more when they are flying and interacting in harmony. The race is extremely dangerous but nerve-tinglingly exciting. I felt like I was actually there witnessing it and watching it with one hand covering my eyes.
Darin and Rinloh's trust in each other is cemented at this stage and they can take risks safe in the knowledge that the other will be there. They can speak telepathically which is a great skill in the middle of a deadly race where Daring has to jump off her back to land on her again shortly later from a height.
Wings of the Wild is a much longer book than the rest of the series but it didn't seem like a long read when I was absorbed in all the adventure and excitement. The humour also kept me laughing and entertained.
November 28, 2023
Darin and Rinloh are back and this time they have an even bigger and more mysterious challenge!
This book has a lot more in it than the previous ones. It’s A LOT longer (a bit too much so). We get more time spent developing the characters and are introduced to even more of the creatures that roam Arvia.
Overall its a good read. I certainly enjoyed it, but I don’t know did it ever have me on the edge of my seat. I felt it was a little too long. Its still good though, it just not quite exciting enough to get a top score. The strengths of the previous books are still there though, so don't worry, if you liked them the odds are you will like this too.
This book has a lot more in it than the previous ones. It’s A LOT longer (a bit too much so). We get more time spent developing the characters and are introduced to even more of the creatures that roam Arvia.
Overall its a good read. I certainly enjoyed it, but I don’t know did it ever have me on the edge of my seat. I felt it was a little too long. Its still good though, it just not quite exciting enough to get a top score. The strengths of the previous books are still there though, so don't worry, if you liked them the odds are you will like this too.
Read
December 1, 2023Arvia: Wings of the Wild is the fourth book in the Tales of Arvia series, but you can read it as a standalone. Not only is it easy to follow along with the story, but there’s a handy-dandy recap at the beginning of the book. That being said, why not grab the whole series?
Darin is a human, an unexpected guest from earth, who finds himself living in a very different world, one where he is not top of the food chain. In fact, he’s closer to the bottom. Over the course of the series, he has gotten to know and love a harpy. That’s right, this book has harpies! It also features a myriad of other strange and delightful fantasy creatures, each with their own special twist.
I love seeing fantasy creatures being done differently, especially fantasy creatures that don’t show up too often. And author D.H. Willison put his own unique stamp of all of them! Oolanda’s “secret” had me grinning. She’s my favorite character, although Darin is a pretty close second.
While Arvia: Wings of the Wild is chock full of wonder and adventure, this is a lens through which author D.H. Willison explores themes of acceptance and friendship. There is a progression in respect and trust, not only over the course of this book, but throughout the series as well. It’s fantastic to see.
The book is a bit of a chonker, but it is somehow also a quick read. I credit that to the author’s engaging writing. Arvia: Wings of the Wild has that great combination of excitement, humor and heart. Highly recommended.
Darin is a human, an unexpected guest from earth, who finds himself living in a very different world, one where he is not top of the food chain. In fact, he’s closer to the bottom. Over the course of the series, he has gotten to know and love a harpy. That’s right, this book has harpies! It also features a myriad of other strange and delightful fantasy creatures, each with their own special twist.
I love seeing fantasy creatures being done differently, especially fantasy creatures that don’t show up too often. And author D.H. Willison put his own unique stamp of all of them! Oolanda’s “secret” had me grinning. She’s my favorite character, although Darin is a pretty close second.
While Arvia: Wings of the Wild is chock full of wonder and adventure, this is a lens through which author D.H. Willison explores themes of acceptance and friendship. There is a progression in respect and trust, not only over the course of this book, but throughout the series as well. It’s fantastic to see.
The book is a bit of a chonker, but it is somehow also a quick read. I credit that to the author’s engaging writing. Arvia: Wings of the Wild has that great combination of excitement, humor and heart. Highly recommended.
November 28, 2023
This is book 4 in this series. I wish I had read the others as I felt a bit lost in this story. However, I quickly fell in love with the characters, especially Oolandra! Her cheeky wit and humour were brilliant and lightened the mood when things got tense. Once again Darin, a human and Rinloh, a harpy are at the Center of the action. Their journey to an eleven village is fraught with danger, however, the danger gets even more intense when they arrive in the village. Together with an eclectic cast of monsters and fantastical creatures, the story is action packed, well written and thoroughly enjoyable. I need to go back now and read the rest of the series to get completely clues up in the background of this series.
July 15, 2025
Another wonderful entry in the Tales of Arvia series. I love it when Rinloh and Darin get to go on adventures with their friends and flock. This time Darin’s world gets to collide with Rinloh’s and Fogmort finally learns about the mysterious girlfriend Darin’s been hiding (for good reason).
Darin seems to prefer the company of Arvia’s predator population since they play by straightforward rules and no funny business. At the same time, I don’t think Jenolen would blink twice if one of Darin’s little friends ended up on the menu (I think at this point most of Rinloh’s flock would be upset if it were Darin who got eaten).
What makes this installment fun is the new location (an abandoned city), new friends (elven, troll, ogre, and griffin alike), and the big reveal that was the mystery of Oolandra (shhh no spoilers for that).
I’m not usually big on romance in my books, but Rinloh and Darin make a really cute and solid couple. Their empathic connection is perfect. I also enjoy Oolandra teasing Fogmort.
This book is for adventures who like a bit of mystery, exploration, and romance between unlikely people.
Can’t wait for the next one!
Darin seems to prefer the company of Arvia’s predator population since they play by straightforward rules and no funny business. At the same time, I don’t think Jenolen would blink twice if one of Darin’s little friends ended up on the menu (I think at this point most of Rinloh’s flock would be upset if it were Darin who got eaten).
What makes this installment fun is the new location (an abandoned city), new friends (elven, troll, ogre, and griffin alike), and the big reveal that was the mystery of Oolandra (shhh no spoilers for that).
I’m not usually big on romance in my books, but Rinloh and Darin make a really cute and solid couple. Their empathic connection is perfect. I also enjoy Oolandra teasing Fogmort.
This book is for adventures who like a bit of mystery, exploration, and romance between unlikely people.
Can’t wait for the next one!
December 1, 2023
This is a fantasy novel with a difference! The highly imaginative world, cool characters and otherworldly creatures completely sweep us up in the chaos unfolding. The skilful writing seamlessly blends the ordinary with the extraordinary for an exciting tale brimming with adventure, mystery and humour.
There’s never a dull moment as we follow Darin and Rinloh on their separate yet converging quests. Their deep bond and connection can be felt and it’s beautiful to see this grow as they develop an intriguing new way to communicate. I loved the way they are always thinking of the other; their dialogue and inner voices made for some entertaining reading.
The rich and vibrant surroundings put the reader in the centre of the action as we explore the perilous wilderness right alongside our main characters. We see the different customs as our human character mixes with the fantastical world, some of them quite terrifying! I also really enjoyed seeing all the different magic in play which piques our curiosity.
There’s a wide range of unique characters with their own skills and knowledge to bring to the adventure. Fogmort and Oolandra were great side characters and I enjoyed the team spirit and togetherness that radiated from the travelling party.
As hijinks and schemes ensue, they meet new friends and foes along the way. It’s tense and a bit of a puzzle to unravel as we wonder how they will make it out of the dangerous situation they find themselves in.
Arvia: Wings of the Wild is a fun and amusing story about friendship, believing in yourself, overcoming prejudice, and making a difference. It’s wonderfully creative and full of colour – looking forward to joining the gang on their next mission!
With thanks to @TheWrite_Reads, @WriteReadsTour and @dhwillison for my copy and place on the tour.
There’s never a dull moment as we follow Darin and Rinloh on their separate yet converging quests. Their deep bond and connection can be felt and it’s beautiful to see this grow as they develop an intriguing new way to communicate. I loved the way they are always thinking of the other; their dialogue and inner voices made for some entertaining reading.
The rich and vibrant surroundings put the reader in the centre of the action as we explore the perilous wilderness right alongside our main characters. We see the different customs as our human character mixes with the fantastical world, some of them quite terrifying! I also really enjoyed seeing all the different magic in play which piques our curiosity.
There’s a wide range of unique characters with their own skills and knowledge to bring to the adventure. Fogmort and Oolandra were great side characters and I enjoyed the team spirit and togetherness that radiated from the travelling party.
As hijinks and schemes ensue, they meet new friends and foes along the way. It’s tense and a bit of a puzzle to unravel as we wonder how they will make it out of the dangerous situation they find themselves in.
Arvia: Wings of the Wild is a fun and amusing story about friendship, believing in yourself, overcoming prejudice, and making a difference. It’s wonderfully creative and full of colour – looking forward to joining the gang on their next mission!
With thanks to @TheWrite_Reads, @WriteReadsTour and @dhwillison for my copy and place on the tour.
November 24, 2023
The thing that stands out most about this book and indeed others from DH Willison is the author’s imagination. There is always a new creature or surprise around every corner. Some are good, some are bad, but all are different.
The author has a light, fun and dialogue heavy style of writing. Despite the expansive world with diverse set of creatures and monsters it is this dialogue that really sucks you in and keeps you turning the page. Darin and Rinloh have great, at times funny and at times deep and emotional interactions and their relationship really is the axle around which the novel rotates.
Its not a short read but it is a highly enjoyable one and if you give it the time and like something a bit different than the normal run of the mill fantasies that are a dime dozen these days I’d recommend you give it a shot!
The author has a light, fun and dialogue heavy style of writing. Despite the expansive world with diverse set of creatures and monsters it is this dialogue that really sucks you in and keeps you turning the page. Darin and Rinloh have great, at times funny and at times deep and emotional interactions and their relationship really is the axle around which the novel rotates.
Its not a short read but it is a highly enjoyable one and if you give it the time and like something a bit different than the normal run of the mill fantasies that are a dime dozen these days I’d recommend you give it a shot!
November 27, 2023
At its core Wings of the Wild is a lovely fantasy story about friendship the face of mystery, challenge and adversity. The two main characters are Darin and Rinloh and theirs is the relationship about which the story revolves.
Darin is a human who had been living an average human existence on earth until he found himself transported to Arvia. And what a difference. Arvia is a world of magic, mystery and danger where humans really are at the bottom of the food chain.
Rinloh is a Harpy. Who if things had been different may well have eaten Darin for breakfast rather than become his best friend.
Together with a host of bizarre and eccentric friends and creatures they embark on a journey to an eleven village and uncover a mysterious and ancient mystery!
The book is super fun, emotional and well written! Really enjoyed it!
Darin is a human who had been living an average human existence on earth until he found himself transported to Arvia. And what a difference. Arvia is a world of magic, mystery and danger where humans really are at the bottom of the food chain.
Rinloh is a Harpy. Who if things had been different may well have eaten Darin for breakfast rather than become his best friend.
Together with a host of bizarre and eccentric friends and creatures they embark on a journey to an eleven village and uncover a mysterious and ancient mystery!
The book is super fun, emotional and well written! Really enjoyed it!
November 29, 2023
I jumped in to this having not read the previous books in the series. It took me a little while to get to grips with things but within a few pages, really I began to feel at home in the world of Arvia that DH Willison has created. Its a bizarre fantasy land like something that comes straight out of the imagination of CS Lewis or perhaps more accurately Lewis Carroll. Only unlike both the above Arvia really does feel like humans are at the bottom the food chain.
I think my favourite part was the relationship between the two main characters, Darin and Rinloh, but the fantastic creatures and mysteries of Arvia certainly make for a fun read. Its a pretty long book, coif you want thread it you will have to dedicate sometime it. But if you area. fan of wacky, character driven fantasies then you will like it!
I think my favourite part was the relationship between the two main characters, Darin and Rinloh, but the fantastic creatures and mysteries of Arvia certainly make for a fun read. Its a pretty long book, coif you want thread it you will have to dedicate sometime it. But if you area. fan of wacky, character driven fantasies then you will like it!
December 12, 2023
A book that has a map is off to a cracking start, in my opinion.
This series, of which this is the fourth book, is mainly character/relationship driven, but the adventurous story is not compromised by this.
Darin has been transported from his mundane earthly existence, via a meeting with an extraterrestrial of questionable character, to a hew life on Arvia, a world full of magic as well as many different species, some friendly, some not so friendly and some downright deadly. On Arvia, humans are the smallest, weakest and generally most vulnerable so he has to use his very limited life skills to stay alive, which causes him problems. He manages to persuade a harpy not to eat him and they become the unlikeliest of friends.
The themes in the story explore friendship, differences, relationships and trust, which becomes more interesting when your life may be in danger at any point. As the characters get to know each other and decide whether their preconceptions were correct or not, we find that many myths about them are blown out the water.
Rinloh (a harpy) has grown up being told about the evils of elves, ogres, trolls and fairies…but is what she has been told the real story?
Despite their differences and preconceptions of each other, each of the different species brings their own skills and knowledge to the group, and this makes them stronger.
In amongst the adventure and peril, there are some side stories. As anyone who follows me on Twitter will know, I have a soft spot for herons so was particularly invested in the small part involving the pet heron one of the conclave visitors had brought with them. It was concerning when it got caught up in one of the attempts on Darin’s life.
My favourite character in this story was Maurice, the griffin (definitely not a flying cat). He turned out to be the fount of knowledge where the ruined city was concerned, whilst remaining aloof/grumpy and uncompromising, although could be persuaded to go against his better judgement for a pampering brush.
I also loved the author’s nod to one of my favourite films in some of Darin’s sarcastic responses … inconceivable.
Thank you to D.H. Willison ( @dhwillison ) and @The_WriteReads for an advance copy of this book for the purposes of this review
This series, of which this is the fourth book, is mainly character/relationship driven, but the adventurous story is not compromised by this.
Darin has been transported from his mundane earthly existence, via a meeting with an extraterrestrial of questionable character, to a hew life on Arvia, a world full of magic as well as many different species, some friendly, some not so friendly and some downright deadly. On Arvia, humans are the smallest, weakest and generally most vulnerable so he has to use his very limited life skills to stay alive, which causes him problems. He manages to persuade a harpy not to eat him and they become the unlikeliest of friends.
The themes in the story explore friendship, differences, relationships and trust, which becomes more interesting when your life may be in danger at any point. As the characters get to know each other and decide whether their preconceptions were correct or not, we find that many myths about them are blown out the water.
Rinloh (a harpy) has grown up being told about the evils of elves, ogres, trolls and fairies…but is what she has been told the real story?
Despite their differences and preconceptions of each other, each of the different species brings their own skills and knowledge to the group, and this makes them stronger.
In amongst the adventure and peril, there are some side stories. As anyone who follows me on Twitter will know, I have a soft spot for herons so was particularly invested in the small part involving the pet heron one of the conclave visitors had brought with them. It was concerning when it got caught up in one of the attempts on Darin’s life.
My favourite character in this story was Maurice, the griffin (definitely not a flying cat). He turned out to be the fount of knowledge where the ruined city was concerned, whilst remaining aloof/grumpy and uncompromising, although could be persuaded to go against his better judgement for a pampering brush.
I also loved the author’s nod to one of my favourite films in some of Darin’s sarcastic responses … inconceivable.
Thank you to D.H. Willison ( @dhwillison ) and @The_WriteReads for an advance copy of this book for the purposes of this review
October 28, 2024
4.5
Magic is going all wonky, so Darin (human) and Rinloh (harpy) travel with others to a far away city to find some answers.
This is a grand adventure for characters and readers alike! The world of Arvia is rich and full of great creatures. Plus Darin, who is a human originally from Earth. I haven’t had a chance to read the beginning books to see how he got to Arvia, but I’ll get there eventually. There’s plenty of action, danger, mystery, humor, and romance. I guess it’s romance? I mean, how do a human and a harpy, well, you know. *wink wink nudge nudge* Rinloh is so much larger than Darin and she’s a harpy. A harpy! Well, anyway, they do love each other. And they work great together.
There’s a mystery to solve and danger to avert. There are many new friends to the pair and enemies, too. If you like your Fantasy action-packed and filled with interesting creatures and humor then I suggest you pick this up.
Magic is going all wonky, so Darin (human) and Rinloh (harpy) travel with others to a far away city to find some answers.
This is a grand adventure for characters and readers alike! The world of Arvia is rich and full of great creatures. Plus Darin, who is a human originally from Earth. I haven’t had a chance to read the beginning books to see how he got to Arvia, but I’ll get there eventually. There’s plenty of action, danger, mystery, humor, and romance. I guess it’s romance? I mean, how do a human and a harpy, well, you know. *wink wink nudge nudge* Rinloh is so much larger than Darin and she’s a harpy. A harpy! Well, anyway, they do love each other. And they work great together.
There’s a mystery to solve and danger to avert. There are many new friends to the pair and enemies, too. If you like your Fantasy action-packed and filled with interesting creatures and humor then I suggest you pick this up.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews