Chris Bennett Reignites Myth and Magic: Through Windslash, he revives the lost world of Atlantis with heart, heroism, and elemental wonder.

Chris Bennett is a British fantasy author whose imagination bridges myth and modern storytelling. A lifelong admirer of world mythology and trading card games, Bennett began shaping the world of Windslash: The Last Elemental years ago, drawing inspiration from his fascination with Greek legends, particularly the enduring myth of Atlantis. What started as a creative idea during his gaming days evolved into a sweeping elemental saga that explores courage, destiny, and the balance between emotion and power.

After losing much of his early manuscript to a damaged laptop, Bennett set the story aside for years before returning  to it with renewed purpose. That persistence gives Windslash its pulse, a sense of rebirth and resilience that mirrors its author’s own journey. His writing blends cinematic action with mythic depth, transforming ancient legends into human stories of growth and transformation.

Rooted in passion and imagination, Bennett’s debut marks the rise of a distinctive new voice in fantasy. Beyond his writing, he continues to draw creative energy from his hometown, his lifelong love of games, and the timeless symbols of myth that remind him that every ending is, in truth, a beginning.

Author Chris Bennett

BOOK REVIEW BY AOTM WINDSLASH: THE LAST ELEMENTAL

Chris Bennett’s Windslash: The Last Elemental is an epic fusion of myth, magic, and emotional depth, transporting readers to the lost world of Atlantis with cinematic imagination. From the very first page, Bennett immerses us in a realm where elemental warriors guard ancient powers, and one young Wind Student, Timaeus, uncovers a destiny that defies everything ever known.

What sets Windslash apart is its masterful balance of fantasy worldbuilding and emotional realism. Bennett doesn’t just craft battles of fire, wind, and stone, he delves into inner storms of doubt, rage, and courage. Every spell, duel, and discovery resonates with the timeless conflict between power and purpose. The writing is vivid, visual, and electric, echoing the grandeur of anime epics and mythic sagas.

Bennett’s imagination feels limitless, yet every scene carries a human heartbeat. Themes of loyalty, friendship, and the burden of destiny elevate this debut from a fantasy adventure to a story of growth, resilience, and identity.

A must-read for fans of elemental magic, Atlantean legends, and immersive high-stakes storytelling. Windslash: The Last Elemental announces Chris Bennett as a formidable new voice in fantasy, powerful, visual, and unforgettable.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR CHRIS BENNETT

What first inspired you to create the world of Windslash: The Last Elemental?

The Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game. Or to be more precise, the Elemental Hero Archetype of the game. This particular Archetype’s main strategy is Fusion. Many Elemental Heroes fuse to create stronger ones, but there were certain Elemental Heroes that couldn’t fuse with each other. So, my friends and I used to like coming up with Fusion ideas. One in particular struck me that inspired me to write my book: Elemental Hero Avian + Elemental Hero Bladedge = Elemental Hero Windslash.

How did the idea of blending Atlantis mythology with elemental magic come to you?

Quite easily. Most trading card games incorporate various mythologies. However, the trading cards that inspired me have nothing to do with Greek mythology, whereas Atlantis is my favourite Greek myth. Although in the Yu-Gi-Oh! Anime franchise, Atlantis plays a part in one of the filler arcs, but in my book, it’s my own story. In all honesty, the idea of using Atlantis as the setting of the story just came to me at the time because it’s my favourite Greek myth.

What does the character of Timaeus represent to you personally?

Timaeus represents to me what other readers have found he represents. Timaeus is a character of sacrifice, destiny, and hope.

How did you design the unique magic system and spell structure in the story?

The Elemental Heroes. I took a leaf out of J.K. Rowling’s books because the spells in her books are Latin, so I went with Greek, seeing as how the story uses Greek Mythology. This was just to cover basic stuff. However, for advanced magic, I used the Elemental Heroes for magic that is created by uniting two or more elements, e.g., Elemental Hero Flame Wingman, who is the inspiration for the spell, Flame Wind. For some other advanced magic, I had a little help from the Final Fantasy franchise, using the summons as inspiration.

Which character was the most challenging or rewarding to write?

All of them. Each character was challenging and rewarding to write because they’re not all the same. Each character has a name, but it was coming up with who those characters are as a person that was challenging and rewarding. How has your love for trading card games influenced your storytelling style?

To be honest, it didn’t. My love of Trading Card Games was the initial inspiration for the story. As I mentioned in an earlier question, I used the Elemental Heroes from the Yu-Gi-Oh! Franchise to create certain forms of magic in the story. Despite there being various forms of inspiration, everything is my own original story.

What message or emotion do you hope readers take away from Windslash?

I hope that readers will see themselves in Timaeus’ journey: uncertain, unready, but willing to fight anyway.

How long did the writing and world-building process for Windslash take?

Technically, 13 years. I started writing the book when I was 21. However, the laptop I was writing it on got damaged, and I was only able to salvage so much of it, which put me off writing it, and it got put aside for many years. Last February, my coach/instructor gave me one of those pep talks: “Where do you see yourself in years?” So I decided to finish it.

Can readers expect a sequel or continuation of the Elemental universe?

Definitely. The Last Elemental was originally meant to be in two halves: one set in Ancient Atlantis, the other set in the modern world. On April 27th last year, I was telling a woman I know about my book. Her face lit up with excitement. I offered her and her dog a place in the story. I couldn’t believe how my head then started flooding with new ideas. So the second half will be my next book: Windslash: The Rose Corps.

What advice would you give to aspiring fantasy authors building their own worlds?

We’ve all had imaginations ever since we were kids. I’m always coming up with stories, making side stories for different franchises, and finding ways to improve different franchises. It just took me time to find my own story. So, the best advice I can give aspiring authors is: once you've found your story, make it your own. Use other stories and franchises for inspiration, there's always something old in something new. So, after finding your story, make it your own original story.