The Stalwart Link Series by B.T. Narro, Simon Vance

Strong-willed and full of hope, Leo strives to learn more of the magic he has read so much about. He's heard of invisible links in his world, and hidden rifts to other realms filled with creatures and stones of power. But Leo's family is stuck in an impoverished city. He performs backbreaking farm work beside his older brother, a rebellious and cunning thief, but nonetheless a brother whom Leo would trust with his life... moreStrong-willed and full of hope, Leo strives to learn more of the magic he has read so much about. He's heard of invisible links in his world, and hidden rifts to other realms filled with creatures and stones of power. But Leo's family is stuck in an impoverished city. He performs backbreaking farm work beside his older brother, a rebellious and cunning thief, but nonetheless a brother whom Leo would trust with his life. Their father takes care of them as best he can, but a dangerous secret has weighed heavily on him for years. He won't be able to keep it hidden much longer.Leo believes everything will change for the better when he begins work as a bookbinder and finally leaves the dreadful farm. He can apply for apprenticeship to the Bookbinding Guild upon his soon-approaching birthday.Everything will change, but in ways their family would never expect. It all begins when Leo's brother steals something that he should've left alone. less

There is no calm after the storm. But there is perseverance, ingenuity, and a whole lot of courage. Leo's life has been dismantled. Now with his father missing, he must rely on himself more than ever, but he's still young. His older brother does what he can to help, but soon even Andar will rely on Leo to free them from this nightmare. The king's army is taking over the city, against the wishes of every citizen, but there's something special about Leo that might change everything... moreThere is no calm after the storm. But there is perseverance, ingenuity, and a whole lot of courage. Leo's life has been dismantled. Now with his father missing, he must rely on himself more than ever, but he's still young. His older brother does what he can to help, but soon even Andar will rely on Leo to free them from this nightmare. The king's army is taking over the city, against the wishes of every citizen, but there's something special about Leo that might change everything. Leo must grow up quickly to achieve his potential, but at a cost. He must join the very people who could destroy everything he cares about. less

Mankind has failed to stop a growing rift for more than a decade. It will destroy all life on Aathon if nothing changes. But when Leo arrives with half of the human army, it seems that every leader is finally intent on stopping this growing rift together. What Leo will find out, however, is that some of these very powerful people don’t see the rift as a problem. They intend to use it as an opportunity... moreMankind has failed to stop a growing rift for more than a decade. It will destroy all life on Aathon if nothing changes. But when Leo arrives with half of the human army, it seems that every leader is finally intent on stopping this growing rift together. What Leo will find out, however, is that some of these very powerful people don’t see the rift as a problem. They intend to use it as an opportunity. Leo faces many obstacles that stand in the way of destroying the rift, while Andar and Rygen encounter their own issues. Assistance comes in the form an expert mage who has reappeared after his disappearance many years ago, but some believe it was this mage who created the rift in the first place. There are strange things about him, but the strangest of all is that he appears to be the same age as when he disappeared twenty-three years ago. As this mage involves himself with Leo and the plot to destroy the rift, Leo must quickly figure out how much he can trust this mage and how much he must rely on himself. less