Return to Edan, book cover
Return to Edan by Philip Chase Book Review
February 5, 2025

This is such an awesome story. Philip Chase should be a household name by now when it comes to authors who truly excel at prose. Return to Edan is not just another fantasy novel; it is a masterpiece of writing that grips you from the first page and doesn’t let go. Every single line is crafted with such precision and care that it feels like each word is chosen with purpose, and yet, the prose flows so effortlessly that it’s easy to get lost in it. It’s one of those books where you finish a chapter and want to immediately read it again because you’re sure you missed something. You didn’t—because it’s all there, just waiting for you to experience it again.

But what truly makes this book stand out isn’t just the quality of the writing—it’s the sheer breadth of the world Philip Chase has created. The world-building in Return to Edan is absolutely breathtaking. The setting feels both familiar and unique at the same time, like you’re visiting a place that’s ancient and full of secrets, but also discovering something entirely new. Every corner of this world is alive with history, magic, and people who feel real. The landscapes are vibrant and full of detail, making it feel like you can step right into them, whether you're standing on a windswept hill or wandering through a bustling city.

The magic, too, is wonderfully intricate and original. It’s not just a backdrop to the plot but a force that shapes the characters and the world itself. Every spell feels grounded in the world’s laws and history. There’s a richness to the magic that makes it feel like it has a purpose beyond simply being a tool to solve problems or get out of tight spots. And it’s not all shiny and clean, it is brutal and awesome!

The history behind this world is just as complex and fascinating. Chase doesn’t just drop a few lines of backstory here and there. He weaves it throughout the narrative, giving us glimpses of an ancient past that shapes everything happening in the present. The history isn’t just something that exists in the background, it’s part of the characters’ very identities and motivations.

Speaking of characters—their depth is astonishing. Each one feels fully realized, with their own motivations, desires, flaws, and growth arcs. These aren’t just people on a page—they’re people you get to know, love, and sometimes even hate. And yet, even the antagonists have a complexity that makes them compelling. They make mistakes, they struggle, they grow. Some of them are tragic figures, and some are heroic. As you have in typical fantasies, but Philip brings his characters to life.

And let’s talk about the battles. Wow. If you’re a fan of epic fantasy, you’re going to love how Chase handles the action. The battles are intense and visceral, with just enough detail to make you feel like you’re right there, experiencing the chaos and the adrenaline. There’s no glorification of violence, no over-the-top heroics. Instead, the battles are gritty and real. There’s a sense of strategy and stakes that makes every fight feel significant, even when the outcome is uncertain.

But here’s the thing that really makes Return to Edan special: it’s not just a great story with incredible world-building, magic, and characters. It’s also a book that makes you feel something. It’s emotional, raw, and honest.

The highs are thrilling, but it’s the lows—the moments of heartbreak and loss—that really stick with you. Some scenes in this book are downright brutal, and they hit hard. But that’s what makes the triumphs and victories all the more satisfying.

This is a series that doesn’t shy away from the ugly parts of life, and it doesn’t always give you the happy ending you might expect, maybe. There’s a realism to the way it handles conflict, relationships, and consequences. But even in the darkest moments, there’s a sense of hope that threads through the story. It’s the kind of hope that comes not from escaping the world’s troubles, but from facing them head-on.

And as a conclusion to this trilogy, Return to Edan delivers everything I could have asked for and more. It ties up loose ends, answers questions, and provides a satisfying closure. You can tell that Philip Chase has put everything into this series, and he’s not just wrapping up a story, he’s crafting something that feels like a monumental achievement.

But it’s not just the conclusion that makes this book so satisfying—it’s the journey that got us here. Every twist, every turn, every moment of growth and discovery has been building toward this point. And when you reach the end, it feels like you’ve truly experienced something special. You can look back at the beginning of the series and see just how far the characters and the world have come, and it’s incredibly rewarding. And done all in a trilogy of books! I love it.

It’s hard to put into words just how much I’ve enjoyed this book, this series, this world. It’s one of those rare gems that make you feel something deep down in your soul. You don’t just read it, you live it. And that’s what makes Return to Edan so incredibly special. It’s a book that stays with you long after you’ve turned the last page. I will be happy to come back and pick a random page just to re-immerse myself in the world and the prose again. Beautiful.

I don’t care if you’re a fantasy fan or not—this is a series everyone should read. It’s that good. And if you haven’t read the first two books yet, do yourself a favor and start. You won’t regret it. Return to Edan is everything a great fantasy book should be: it’s thrilling, emotional, beautifully written, and above all, unforgettable. Philip Chase has created something truly magical, and I can’t wait to see where he takes us next.