No one has left Sacred Valley in a hundred generations, and it is here than Lindon is born within the Wei clan, one of three clans to call the valley home. All natural things in Sacred Valley exude vital aura, and Lindon's people are sacred artists capable of cycling that aura into madra within their bodies. There are many aspects of madra and a sacred artist will typically use only one or two of them, depending on the Path that they follow. Twice a year the elders of Sacred Valley test their children, starting as early as age six, using a bowl of pure madra, the material from which souls are made. If the madra clings to a child, that child has the soul of an enforcer and will become a warrior, if the madra retreats away from a child, that child will be a striker, if the madra rises then that child will be a ruler, and finally if it freezes, that child will be a forger. Lindon begs for the madra to freeze as he puts he his hand in the bowl, hoping to follow in the path of his mother and create wondrous items of pure madra. He eagerly places his hand in the bowl and........nothing happens. Lindon is unsouled.

This is an embarrassment not just for Lindon, but also for his family and his clan. Lindon will receive no training from the Elders and he is destined to never practice the sacred arts. Other children will progress, with some reaching Copper as early as age 9, and eventually the more talented will move on to Iron, and eventually Jade. A life no longer eligible to Lindon. It also means that Lindon will forever be stuck competing against the children of other clans in the 7 year festival, all more talented in the sacred arts than he.

This elaborate system of magical progress is detailed enough for a solid fantasy series, but it is quickly revealed that Sacred Valley is a rather sheltered place in a much larger universe. One inhabited by beings of much greater power then the Elders of Sacred Valley, and of course, it turns out that Lindon has a role to play in stakes much larger than his standing in his clan. This is a long series, and for many it starts a little slow, but there is enough here to see the promise of what is to come and I definitely plan to continue.

Travis Baldree is the narrator of the audiobook version of Unsouled and he is very highly lauded for his work. To me, he was just ok, but I suspect his style will grow on me over time.