From deep within the ring of fire, burning logs, and smoldering ash, grows a tale of an adventurous boy and a magical discovery.
Nat is a young boy who lives with his family in Sutter, a small village in the Kingdom of Westerford. Like all children his age, Nat loves to play “knights” with his friends. He dreams of one day becoming a knight himself and serving the noble King Edgar. Nat’s other favorite activity is exploring the nearby forest where, one day, he, quite literally, stumbles upon a giant egg.
When the egg finally hatches, so does a series of events that leads to the fulfillment of Nat’s wildest dreams. This is the story of two young friends who take on adventures to save the kingdom. With his best friend, Danby, by his side what could possibly go wrong?

I think that readers of Young Adult (YA) fantasy will fall in love with this epic tale. It delves into subjects like friendship, loyalty, kindness, and how to think for one’s self. Tales of Westerford also reminds readers of the importance of dreaming big. The Author spins his campfire tale with the expertise of a master storyteller. This story is perfect for anything from family reading time to a bed time story for younger children.

​Discover a lost magic, long buried and forgotten…Without a rune marking his role in society, Brock is doomed to an existence below the lowest rung of the social ladder. Unwilling to accept his fate, the teen risks his life to obtain a fake rune that marks him as a member of the Empire's ruling class. He then embarks on a quest to join an institution where the Empire’s future leaders are trained. 

As a student of the Academy, he soon uncovers a chain of secrets kept hidden for centuries, secrets that expose cracks in the foundation of Empire society. Among his discoveries is a powerful magic, long buried and forgotten.

Brock’s compassion and sense of justice are seeds that sprout tight friendships and a blossoming romance. An unwillingness to be bullied earns him a dangerous enemy, becoming a feud that escalates to a climactic showdown.

​The Buried Symbol is the debut novel of Jeffrey L. Kohanek. It is a Young Adult high fantasy novel. Jeffrey Kohanek creates a world of wonder and magic in his new novel. The Buried Symbol is the first of three books in his new series The Runes of Issalia. The first book made its debut today in print version and will officially become available on ebook May 19!
The Buried Symbol is about a young man as he struggles to live as an Unchosen, the lowest class of society. The hero of the story is Brock. He is a young thief who strives to help others. Despite being an outcast he remains kind and brave. Brock unlike those around him never received a rune to determine his role in society. Due to this Brock is incapable of getting a job and is looked down upon by others.
I have come to really enjoy books that don’t rely purely on romance or magic to engage the reader. The Buried Symbols perfectly incorporates friendship, magic and a hint of romance. Readers will find themselves entranced in a world of fantasy and mystery. The majority of this book has a very light fun theme that revolves around self-discovery as well as bravery and triumph. Older reader will appreciate the darker elements to this story. Elements such as death, disease, drugs, and pain are things that everyone has experienced. Readers will find that they can easily relate to some of the challenges Brock faces. I was very impressed with the world building throughout this novel. It is creative and vivid. Fans of the high fantasy genre will love the first book in the The Runes of Isssalia series.