Escala's Wish

Tales of Valla, Book 1

By: David James

Narrated by: Tom Garland

Take a seat by the fire, order a flagon of ale, and settle in as self-proclaimed Bard Extraordinaire Wigfrith Foreverbloom regales the patrons of the Stag & Hound with the tale of Escala Winter—a mischievous faerie princess banished for breaking the most sacred law of the fey.

Born with mortal blood that made her curious where her kind was cautious, Escala was never a typical pixie princess. In the starlit Court of Dreams, she has always been treated like a mistake—too human, too restless, too drawn to a world she was forbidden to touch. When her impulsive attempt to understand human love shatters the balance between realms, the Court demands the ultimate price. Stripped of her wings, her title, and even her fey form, Escala is cast into the harsh mortal world of Valla and bound to a cryptic quest meant to repair the damage she has done.

But the greatest danger awaiting her isn't the ancient grudge she has awakened. It's love.

Roedyn is a quiet, guarded scout, bound to a solitary life deep in the woods, when he and his business partner, Harper, meet a cold, scared Escala. Escorting her to the city was the right thing to do—just a task to see finished. But when he learns that her mistake threatens the end of everything, he swears an oath to help her… even knowing she is destined to walk out of his life forever.

She wasn't allowed to fall for him, and he wasn't supposed to let her matter. Love was never part of the bargain. Now it's forbidden—and heartbreak is inevitable.

Escala never meant to cause the end of everything, but can she stop it before it's too late?

A sweeping, emotionally rich romantasy perfect for fans of Uprooted by Naomi Novik and The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison.

©2025 David James (P)2026 David James

Critic reviews

• Mom's Choice Awards® GOLD Recipient
• Winner, PenCraft Best Book Award (Fantasy) Winter 2026
• Kirkus "GET IT" Award - 2nd Place Fantasy - International Firebird Book Award (January 2026)
• Runner-Up, Readers' Choice Awards – Romantasy (February 2026)

Enter a magical realm!

I read this book about two months ago and I just finished listening to it. It's a magical tale, and it kind of feels like a lullaby!

The presenter's tone and cadence of his delivery of the book was excellent, and since I already knew the story, I found things I missed the first time.

Highly recommend either way!

Good, clean, fun book about the power of love

Escala’s Wish is the type of book 13 year old me would have obsessed over! Fairies, realms, dragons, warlocks, true love - and all of it clean! Parents - you have nothing to worry about here - this is PERFECT for your YA reader. The audiobook makes it so much more fun.

Like Listening to a Legendary Tavern Campaign Come to Life

This audiobook felt less like a traditional story and more like sitting at a table during an incredible Dungeons and Dragons campaign while the party bard retells the adventure afterward. From the moment the narrator introduces Wigfrith Foreverbloom in the Stag and Hound tavern, it immediately sets the tone that you are not just hearing a story, you are being entertained by a larger than life storyteller who knows exactly how to hold a crowd.
The framing device works beautifully in audio form. Wigfrith’s dramatic personality, playful arrogance, and constant flair make the narration feel like a performance rather than simple reading. It truly feels like you are sitting in a bustling tavern with a mug of ale while a bard spins the tale of Escala Winter’s disastrous and emotional adventure.
Escala herself is a fantastic main character. She is mischievous, curious, and deeply flawed in ways that make her easy to root for. Being a faerie princess with mortal blood already sets her apart, and her banishment to the mortal world creates the perfect starting point for what feels like a classic tabletop campaign. You can almost imagine the moment the dungeon master says, “Your wings are gone. You wake up in the world of Valla. What do you do?”
The journey through Valla feels exactly like the unfolding of a campaign arc. There are quests, mysteries, looming magical consequences, and a growing sense that the stakes are much bigger than anyone first realized. Along the way we meet Roedyn, the quiet scout who feels like the party ranger, steady and cautious but slowly pulled into Escala’s chaotic orbit. His growing bond with her adds emotional depth that balances the adventure perfectly.
What really makes this audiobook shine is how alive the world feels. Between Wigfrith’s colorful commentary and the unfolding story itself, Valla becomes vivid and immersive. The humor, the danger, the romance, and the looming threat to the realms all blend together in a way that feels both epic and intimate.
By the end, I genuinely felt like I had just listened to someone recount an unforgettable campaign full of bad decisions, heroic choices, forbidden romance, and consequences that changed the world. If you enjoy fantasy that feels character driven, immersive, and a little bit theatrical, this audiobook is an absolute delight.
Pull up a chair at the tavern and let the bard tell his tale. You will be glad you did.