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Sarah K. Balstrup
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The Way of Unity (Velspar - Elegies) Paperback – February 6, 2023

by Sarah K. Balstrup (Author)
4.4 out of 5 stars 11 ratings
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The Seven Lands of Velspar put their faith in the Intercessors, a psychic priesthood responsible for the purification of the spirit. Where passion flares, they soothe its intent. Those who cannot be soothed, are cast out, their spirits destroyed by fire.

The Intercessors are mystics of the highest order, but Velspar’s ruling Skalens believe their power has grown too great.

Surviving the Intercessor’s murder plot against her family, Sybilla Ladain rises to power. The Skalens come together under the banner of her grief, bringing the practice of Intercession to its brutal, bloody end.

Yet victory brings Sybilla no peace. In time, she will have to face the people of Velspar, forced to live in a psychically alienated world, and a band of rebels led by an escaped Intercessor set on her annihilation.
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  1. Book 1 of 2
    Velspar - Elegies
  2. Print length
    450 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publication date
    February 6, 2023
  5. Dimensions
    6 x 1.13 x 9 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0645474703
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0645474701
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The Amazon Book Review
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"An enveloping epic in a strikingly harsh world." KIRKUS REVIEW

"Gorgeous, vivid, enchanting; and dark. A troubled woman rises to power to avenge her family in this impressive fantasy by Balstrup. The Seven Lands of Velspar, ruled by an elite class called the Skalens, have always put their faith in the Intercessors, the mystics of the highest order responsible for purification of the spirit. But with the Intercessors gradually gaining in power, the Skalens begin to feel threatened. When an unsettling event initiated by the Intercessors brings a great tragedy in the fierce Sybilla Ladain's life, she knows she must gather her strength and fight the priesthood. This absorbing fantasy builds tension and suspense by alternating among the perspectives of several characters, with Sybilla at the center. Told in present tense with the hypnotic cadence of fairy tales, the carefully impersonal third-person narrative in alternating voices keeps readers invested. Establishing from the beginning that something tragic happened in Sybilla's life elevates the overarching plot from a straightforward revenge tale into a complex intrigue about motivation and belief. Balstrup treats Sybilla's troubled journey sincerely and sensitively. Though the fantastical elements remain vague, Balstrup ably conjures a magical world of rituals and traditions immersed in magic and her characters, among them the righteous but draconian Skalens, the ruler class, and the psychic priesthood, are skillfully sketched. There are many conflicts that shape the story but the most significant one is religion, with the relentless power game between the Skalens and the rebels at play. Foreshadowing sets up the heart-wrenching episodes later in the narrative along with the satisfying ending. Heartbreaking and yet heartening, this is a lush fantasy rooted in personal belief versus religion."
THE PRAIRIES BOOK REVIEW

"Balstrup's ambitious, accomplished debut brings rare imaginative power and rigor to religion, ritual, and holy war in fantasy, introducing a fascinating world of faith and fire while continually challenging—and rewarding—genre expectations. The story builds early to conflagration and revolution, with the holy order of Intercessors attacking a ruling family after its ruling head, who holds the position of Skalen, commits pointed heresy by urging rejection of the Intercessors' authority. In one of Balstrup's many bursts of rousing and inventive language, Reyan Terech thunders that the visions of the First Diviner said nothing about Intercessors, white-robed psychics who "purify" spirits through fire.
Taking on the fervent and psychically gifted, though, comes with a cost, and soon holy fire rains down. In the aftermath, it's daughter Sybilla who is Skalen. Readers might expect that her efforts to avenge her family and end the rule of the Intercessors will drive the book, but Balstrup's interest isn't the usual heroic violence of epic fantasy—instead, it's in rich questions of power and belief, the weight of leadership, and what comes after a hard-won victory that tears a civilization apart. The narrative vaults ahead in time as Sybilla faces hard choices, rebellion, and a faith that will not die.
The seriousness with which Balstrup presents that faith sets this singular series-starter apart just as surely as its polished prose, mature themes, and unconventional structure. Balstrup has conjured up gorgeous, creepy holy texts, chants, rituals, and prayers, the depiction attentive to how faiths adapt over time, how they draw from and distort older belief systems, and—crucially—what they mean in the lives of adherents. The Way of Unity boasts weird magic, original creatures, flights of horror and beauty, and a thirty-year sweep that builds to an enticing promise of more. The book's long and sometimes demanding, but readers who favor fantasy of literary ambition with fully imagined lives and beliefs will find this a feast.
Takeaway: This standout dark fantasy debut takes on rich questions of faith, fire, rebellion, and power.
Great for fans of: Tamsyn Muir, Christopher Buehlman's Between Two Fires."
BOOKLIFE [Editor's Pick]

About the Author

Sarah K. Balstrup is an author of dark fantasy and former Religious Studies academic. Her work gravitates toward the liminal and surreal, blending dark romanticism with an obsessive interest in religion (ritual, existentialism, mysticism, religion & creative practice, and altered states of consciousness).

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Burning Mirror Press (February 6, 2023)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 450 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0645474703
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0645474701
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.44 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 1.13 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 11 ratings

About the author

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Sarah K. Balstrup

Sarah K. Balstrup

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Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Sarah K. Balstrup is an author of dark fantasy and former Religious Studies academic. Her work gravitates toward the liminal and surreal, blending dark romanticism with an obsessive interest in religion (ritual, existentialism, mysticism, religion & creative practice, and altered states of consciousness).

Website: www.sarahkbalstrup.com

Academic Publications: https://sydney.academia.edu/SarahKBalstrup

Twitter: @SKBalstrup

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
11 global ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

  • Raxivort
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Vivid and Visceral Experience in a Totally Unique World
    Reviewed in the United States on April 16, 2025
    Sarah K. Balstrup's The Way of Unity is like stumbling upon a cult classic for the first time – you have no idea what a wild and mind-blowing ride you've signed-up for. The book plunges you into a vivid world where psychic priests (Intercessors) draw out people’s red thoughts (violent or other upsetting feelings), and where the gods (Kshidol and Siatka) are monstrous carrion birds and sea serpents. Everyone has a touch of telepathy, and only Meridians (headbands made with blinding stones) can shelter your thoughts from the prying minds of others.

    The marriage of deep and unique worldbuilding with Balstrup’s vivid and visceral prose marks her as one of the most impressive writers I’ve been fortunate enough to read. Every scene is a vibrant play upon the reader’s five senses, and the intensity of every action is felt within one’s mind. Combined with the short and breezy chapters, The Way of Unity is an effortless, smooth read with a myriad of scenes that will continue to be memorable for years to come.

    Two of the novel’s themes particularly resonated with me: cognitive dissonance and “what to do about red thoughts.” Regarding cognitive dissonance, Balstrup plays with the concept not only on the page but also with the reader’s own expectations all the way through to the end. This is not a story about villains and heroes; it’s about two philosophical approaches warring with each in a bid to reorganize the entirety of society.

    On one hand, you have Sybilla who fights for people to keep their red thoughts to themselves and to keep them private. While red thoughts may lead people to horrendous acts of rape and violence, they also are the fire that gives way to love, passion, righteous anger, and more. They bring color and action into the world. On the hand, you have the philosophical approach of the Intercessors who seek to keep the populace dulled with Alma (essentially a very potent version of marijuana) and in a happy, neutral state free of red thoughts. In many ways, the Intercessor’s approach reminds me of Buddhism’s desire to shun attachments in order to achieve inner peace.

    Given that religion forms the basis of governance in this realm, only one of these approaches may dominate. Balstrup does a fabulous job in showing us how this conflict plays out and how each side is forced to learn from the other. We are left guessing through to the end who is truly right – if anyone at all.

    Overall, this novel is a great intellectual read for curious minds. It explores religious and political themes without ever drawing real world quibbles into its pages. It’s vivid, purposeful, and a spellbinding read. I highly recommend it, and I am looking forward to diving into it squeal (The Black Stream)!
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  • Ashley Brennan
    4.0 out of 5 stars Unsettling world, dream-like sequences, and faithful followers are the center of this dark fantasy
    Reviewed in the United States on March 24, 2023
    The Way of Unity was an excellent and compelling tale delivered from a variety of points of view that advanced the plot. Told through a mix of storytelling with great prose, Balstrup created an unsettling and bleak world that deals with beliefs, tradition, rebellion, and faith.

    I liked the way the story was told, with a handful of the same points of view telling the story. I thought this fleshed out the characters and gave us direct insight into the faith and belief of these folks. The various settings felt vastly different in what I was imagining, and some locations emitted a tension that could be felt.

    As a reader, I always find that when scenes are balanced with tension and risk, it’s much easier for me to become absorbed in the story. The pages fly by and next thing I know, I’m almost finished. That’s exactly how I felt reading this story. Whether it was the plotting or rebellion, or a ritual of faith, the risks could be felt and I was wrapped up inside.

    I don’t want to say much about the plot because it would give away a lot of what I loved. I will say that if you read the synopsis then you’ll have a good idea. The pacing was done well. There was much originality here. Stories tend to end once the rebellion has been won. I loved that we see what happens afterwards to those who are still clinging to their faith. If you loved Between Two Fires‘s unsettling world, dream-like sequences, and its faithful followers, then pick up this dark fantasy. Having recently finished both, I think this story will fulfill that need.

    For fans of 'Between Two Fires‘ unsettling world, dream-like sequences, and its faithful followers.

    I received a reading copy for review and this did not influence my thoughts or opinions. I did end up reading the story using kindle unlimited however.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • James Harwood-Jones
    4.0 out of 5 stars Stong themes!
    Reviewed in Canada on December 26, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Rigid belief & ideology fuel a deepening chasm. Spirituality darkens as animosity grows. Its ramifications spiralling suffering to those caught within self righteous fury.

    Deep & thought provoking. A constant shift of perspective throughout. Engrossing! #spfbo9 semi finalist!
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