Heart of a Bowman

Author: Jil Koller
Genre: Romantic Fantasy
Series: Vertical Horizon #1
Pages: 389
Release Date: January 15, 2026
Publisher: Mountain Brook Fire

RISING FROM THE ENDLESS SEA is the Vertical Horizon, a massive rock spire holding four tiers of kingdoms. Four Truth Stones, one for each of the spire’s interdependent tierdoms, help maintain a delicate power balance. But when a stone is stolen, the Spire is plunged into war.

Seventeen-year-old Princess Aratess of Ardenia is destined for the shallow life of the royal court—and an arranged marriage to a selfish prince—but she longs to serve her people in a different way. For years, she’s practiced archery in secret, and when the chance arrives, she matches her talents against Colt, an elite King’s Bowman.

Fiercely loyal to the crown, twenty-year-old Colt questions how his mother’s people, the Reyjik, could betray the Realm. He also questions the judgment—though not the skills—of the fiery young woman who has inserted herself into his mission. Tess keeps her identity a secret, knowing Colt would forbid his princess from risking her life. Colt, meanwhile, strives to keep a secret of his own: his growing feelings for Tess.

As Reyjik overrun Costair’s capital, Colt and Tess escape skyward to warn the King of Ardenia and mount a counterattack. Desperate, they enlist the help of Deacon, Colt’s estranged childhood friend and a lighter-than-aircraft pirate. Will Colt, Tess, Deacon, and a motley crew of pirates prove enough to stave off invasion and turn the tide of war?

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Reviewer: Trinity Caver

Heart of a Bowman by Jil Koller was a great book as a first in the series. I really enjoyed reading this book. It has a lot of adventure, a good bit of action and a hint of romance. The gospel is definitely present in the many mentions of faith in this book.

Captain Colt Hawthorne is the main male character in this book. He is one of the King’s elite bowmen who has put everything into his training to be the best of the best. His faith is shaky, he believes in a higher power, but he is just not sure that who everyone else thinks it is, is Him.

Princess Artess is a Princess of Ardenia she wishes she could leave the life of royalty behind and become one of the elite bowmen, but she is a Princess, and she is a girl. There are no women among the king’s elite bowmen. When an invasion happens as she is attending an event, she and Captain Hawthorne will have to get help as they escape skyward as their world is made up of different tiers.

Along the way Colt and Tess will begin to see things a little differently. Things may not be as they appear. They have one destination in mind, but then Colt realizes he cannot go to the king based on the bare information he has about what is going on. Colt decides he is going to enlist help from his childhood friend Deacon. Colt would take Tess to safety, but she insists on continuing the journey. Colt and Tess will be tested on this journey, individually and as a team while both holding onto secrets.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book; it was a fun read. There was just the right amount of humor and seriousness. The world building was great too, especially the pictures of the tiers of nations.

I received a complimentary copy from Mountain Brook Ink through Interviews & Reviews, for my honest opinion.

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