I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
When the new home Elior and his allies find themselves in is under threat, they must determine who is a friend and who is their enemy in author Zachary Hagen’s “Eternity’s Refuge”, the third book in the Eternal Chronicles series.
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The Synopsis
Blindness isn’t the only thing that keeps you from seeing.
Elior and his friends have been through a lot together. They journeyed through trials with Michael to reach the Well of Eternity and drink from it. They gained new powers and went through the Mirror of Eternity to the other side of the world to rescue Elior’s brother from a dragon and restored light to Nox Terra in the process. Now they’ve returned to Lux Terra, but the adventure is far from over.
When an ominous warning finds them in Gabrielle’s beach house, they have no choice but to join Michael’s followers in the underground, Eternity’s Refuge. They are welcomed with open arms and the promise of a place to belong away from a world gone mad. But when they find out that Taariq’s right hand man, Iblis, has infiltrated Eternity’s Refuge in every major city, they have to find a way to protect their new friends and their new home from the inside.
Now they must determine who their friends are and who their enemies are, and almost nothing is as it seems. Will Taariq and his minions be successful in bringing Eternity’s Refuge down from the inside? Or will Elior, Opal, Nyx, and Nereza be able to stop him and bring even more people to the cause?
Eternity’s Refuge is the thrilling continuation of the Eternal Chronicles series following Eternity’s Mirror. The magic leaping off the page and deepening the mystery will hook you from cover to cover and leave you breathless.
The Review
The world-building continues to amaze in this third entry in the Eternal Chronicles. The author infuses a great deal of intrigue and mystery into the story, as the question of loyalties and who the protagonists can trust is tested. The imagery and use of magical and mythical world-building allow the reader to feel transported into the story.
What made this story shine was the robust character development in this story. The protagonist, Elior, is tested in this book, exploring his call to lead their people and how to rise above the hardships and struggles their journey has thrown in their path. The story of redemption some characters take, especially one who has been on the wrong side of the battle thus far, draws the reader into the story and keeps them emotionally invested as the losses pile on in this story.
The Verdict
Adventurous, thrilling, and entertaining author Zachary Hagen’s “Eternity’s Refuge” is a must-read fantasy-driven narrative. The shocking twists in this story and the emotional ending will keep readers on the edge of their seats and eager to get the next book in this series. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
Zachary Hagen is a fantasy author and editor. He lives his wife, Claudia, and their dog, Flynn. When he isn’t busy writing his next book or teaching, you can often find him walking around his neighbor hood or up hiking in Hanging Rock Park with his wife and their friends.
From a young age he was enthralled with the world of story. From the stories his parents read to him from his blue bedtime story books (if you know, you know) to the first two series that he read, The Chronicles of Narnia and A Series of Unfortunate Events, Zachary’s tastes continued to develop throughout his years of reading.
The influences for his first series, The Eternal Chronicles, include Christopher Paolini, J. R. R. Tolkien, C. S. Lewis, and others.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A young man must fight to gain his father’s crown and give the kingdom back to the peasants who helped make it while an ancient evil seeks to take advantage of the infighting causing chaos amongst the realm in author Ryan Schuette’s “An End to Kings”, the second book in the A King Without a Crown series.
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The Synopsis
In the highly anticipated conclusion to A Seat for the Rabble, former NPR reporter Ryan Schuette returns to Odma, a richly detailed world not unlike our own. Riven by social injustice, wealth inequality, and ancient magic, the Kingdom of Loran stands on the brink of war . . . and the bastard prince, Jason Warchild, means to save it.
With an army of Cloudlanders at his back, Jason marches to the Kingstrials, where he must kill his rivals—including his zealot uncle, Shaddon—to claim his father’s crown and return peasants to power. But winning this deadly game will take more than martial skill and an army. If he fails to win all three Trials, he’ll need the fractious Worthy Assembly to crown him directly—or he’ll lose the kingdom, along with his head.
As class anger festers, Jason’s allies find themselves embattled. At the capital, Princess Lorana Eddenhold navigates her realm’s troubled politics to stamp out plots against her half-brother, even as she dreads Prieslenne Edenia’s return. In the west, Rathos Robswell risks his life to persuade the Loyal Company’s firebrands to cease their infighting and see the bastard prince—along with the dream of a just realm—through a crucible of swords, dragons, and griffons.
Only supernatural forces seem to see all ends. Accompanied by a sorcerer, Zuran races against time to confront the real evil . . . the one exploiting chaos in a kingless land.
The Review
Instantly, readers can see the chaos and conflict that stems from a monarchy without a clear line of succession, along with political moves and corruption at work, that made fantasy series like George R.R. Martin’s Game of Thrones so beloved in author Ryan Schuette’s incredible sequel. The world-building continues to expand and grow as the action infuses a sense of adrenaline and wonder into this realm. The author’s intense and heavy atmosphere makes the reader feel connected and engaged with the characters throughout this story.
As with the first book of this series, I loved the rich themes of politics, absolute power corrupts absolutely, and the impact chaos has on a society being infused into the narrative in such a natural way. The way this supernatural evil infuses itself into the fighting and uses it to fuel its own needs speaks to the power behind many political movements today that similarly use chaos. The breathtaking character development kept the reader engaged with the narrative, overwhelming the reader with incredible emotional connections and creating complex and thought-provoking characters.
The Verdict
Memorable, heartfelt, and compelling author Ryan Schuette’s “An End to Kings” is a must-read epic fantasy novel that will set this summer ablaze. The story’s shocking twists, the harrowing dangers the cast of characters face, and the open ending that leaves readers satisfied yet wanting more from this growing series will keep readers on the edge of their seats. The wealth of world-building the author crafts, including historical events of the realm and the decisive moments showcasing the need for inclusion and representation amongst those in power, make this a fantastic novel to get lost in. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today.
Before returning to fantasy fiction and art, Ryan wore a few hats. He’s both illustrated and reported for National Public Radio and various trade publications, including DS News and MReport. He’s also freelanced for Al Jazeera America. He lived and worked in Uganda as a 2008-2009 Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar and holds a master’s degree from American University in Washington, D.C.
Somewhere along the way, he also started a nonprofit and fair-trade lingerie company that operated in West and Central Africa, respectively. Many of his friends still wear safari-print boxers.
Ryan lives in Texas, where he looks after his cat, Rusty.
To learn more about Ryan or his epic fantasy series, A King Without a Crown, visit RyanSchuette.com.
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Interview with Ryan Schuette
1) Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?
I fell in love with fantasy and sci-fi fiction when I began reading the Dragonlance series and, soon after, the Star Wars Expanded Universe (now Star Wars Legacy) series. The vastness and immersiveness of these fictional worlds staggered me and made me want to replicate them in a world of my own. I authored a few books before A Seat for the Rabble, but this one is the culmination of a lifelong quest. in A Seat for the Rabble, I hope readers will find many of the same things that we saw in Game of Thrones and The Lord of the Rings: honor, betrayal, lore, forbidden love, moral grayness, and lessons we should all heed about those who pursue power.
2) What inspired you to write your book?
I’ve always wanted to write and publish a work of epic fantasy, but it wasn’t until the Game of Thrones television series that I awakened to something that, to me, was novel: political fantasy. I’ve always had an interest in politics — in how people worked together for society, or didn’t — and had worked in Washington, D.C. I enrolled in a master’s program at American University at the same time my ideas for this novel began to solidify. Reporting from outside the White House, inside the halls of Congress, and on the sidelines of protests, I began to realize that the United States stood on the precipice of a full-fledged constitutional crisis. Wealth inequality, racism, perceptions of corruption in our government, and rancorous partisanship were leading this country down the path to hell. A Seat for the Rabble sprang from a desire to write about a society on the edge of falling apart, one populated by merpeople, elves, gryphons, and dragons.
3) What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?
That society is a fragile thing, and it shatters if we push people to the margins and overlook inequality. Worse, tyrants often climb to power on the backs of angry, miserable people, especially those misled by conspiracy theories. It’s far better for a society’s leaders to do everything in their power to provide a debt-free, wealthy, and healthy existence for everyone. In A Seat for the Rabble, peasants lack representation in the Worthy Assembly, a congress of classes comparable to pre-revolutionary France’s Estates-General. The protagonists want to restore their seats in this parliament, not only to deliver justice but also to prevent a violent reckoning. Ultimately, the series asks a bigger question: Is man capable of ruling himself without destroying everyone else — and his own planet?
4) What drew you into this particular genre?
I’ve always loved the transportive nature of fantasy. I credit Dragonlance, The Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, Tigana, and the Kingkiller Chronicle with feeding my ambition to create a world of my own.
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5) If you could sit down with any character in your book, what would you ask them and why?
Great question, Anthony! One of the characters I relished writing, Evan Sinclair, is a noble lord who’s bent on reform for the sake of a united, peaceful realm. A man of peace for the longest time, Evan takes a Machiavellian turn when he realizes that a corrupt system of government won’t make concessions, even for its own self-preservation. While other characters, like his nephew, consider themselves men of honor, Evan isn’t above deceit, bribery, or even murder in the name of justice. He’s an ends-justifies-the-means kinda guy. If I sat down with him, I’d probably argue with him! I’d want to know why he thinks empowering peasants will lead to peace, when his kingdom’s complicated history suggests otherwise.
6) What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?
I’d say Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Facebook helped me update fans and friends about the progress on A Seat for the Rabble for years, while Instagram provided me with a platform to share Ted Nasmith’s exquisite cover art and the chapter illustrations I created. More recently, I partnered with Storygram Tours’ micro-influencers to create videos and posts across Instagram and TikTok. I’m also planning to advertise A Seat for the Rabble and its sequel, An End to Kings, through Facebook’s paid advertising program.
7) What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?
Know your genre, read widely in that genre, and familiarize yourself with the publishing industry and what agents want. I benefited enormously from online workshops through Writer’s Digest University, which gave me the chance to ask questions of agents and submit my work to them for review. I’d also encourage aspiring writers to practice their craft and read The Hero’s Journey by Joseph Campbell. Last but certainly not least, anyone trying to write a book should start with the idea, then develop a chapter-by-chapter plot synopsis. I rewrote A Seat for the Rabble three times over six years, and I owed a large part of that to the plot I revisited endlessly.
8) What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?
I’m a fantasy illustrator as well as an author, and I was thrilled to learn that A Seat for the Rabble’s chapter illustrations recently placed in the Honorable Mention category of the L. Ron Hubbard Illustrators of the Future Contest, a global competition open to aspiring fantasy and sci-fi artists. I plan to continue creating fantasy art as I embark on another fantasy novel — one that, like A Seat for the Rabble, will touch on pressing contemporary issues with a heavy sprinkling of magic and mythical creatures. And, of course, I plan to release A Seat for the Rabble’s sequel, An End to Kings, this coming year, with more chapter illustrations and another glorious cover by Ted Nasmith. I invite anyone interested in following me to follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
Author Marissa Carter shares classic fairy tales with a modern twist in the book “Grimmer Revisionist and Fairytales, Fables, and Nursery Rhymes”.
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The Synopsis
Remember when you were a kid, listening to bedtime stories full of classic fairy tales, fables, or nursery rhymes? Maybe you’ve even read those same stories to your kids. But what if you took those familiar tales, tossed out the rulebook, and filled them with modern twists, witty jokes, and a bit of cheeky irreverence? Welcome to the world of Grimmer Revisionist Fairy Tales, Fables, and Nursery Rhymes—where nothing is sacred, everything is funny, and adults get to enjoy the ride.
This first compendium is a delightful mix of styles. You’ve got fairy tales and fables, sure, but there’s a twist. The nursery rhymes might start off sweet but could suddenly veer into snarky commentary or morph into a completely different story. Along the way, you’ll encounter nods to pop culture, movies, books, politics, and even a little quantum physics (because, why not?). It’s like someone turned your grandma’s storybook inside out and sprinkled it with a generous dose of mischief. Get ready for a laugh, because this isn’t your childhood fairy tale collection—and that’s exactly what makes it so much fun.
The Review
This new take on the fable/fairy tale genre was entertaining. The author provides unique commentary as each story is told, giving readers some insights into how we as a society view and absorb the themes of these iconic stories. The fast-paced pace of each fable and the unique modern-day story elements, such as the internet or television, allowed the reader to gobble up these stories.
The imaginative use of imagery in the author’s writing allowed these stories to come to life on the page. The three little pigs stood out to me, as the social interactions between the Wolf and each of the pigs were so fun and humorous. The wealth of modern themes, speaking on everything from parenting techniques and anger management to higher education, allowed these classic stories to breathe fresh air into the narrative overall.
The Verdict
Imaginative, heartfelt, and entertaining author Marissa Carter’s “Grimmer Revisionist and Fairytales, Fables, and Nursery Rhymes” is a must-read story collection that brings a remarkable modern twist. The humor and wit that the author pours into each story and how it allows the reader to examine these classics from a fresh perspective gives a unique twist that readers won’t be able to put down. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
Marissa Carter PhD is a biostatistician, epidemiologist, EBM practitioner, and a health economist, spending a lot of her time designing, monitoring, and analyzing clinical studies in the fields of wound care, orthopedics, epidemiology, ophthalmology, and quality of life. Dr Carter’s strengths lie in the many scientific disciplines in which she worked that she brings to bear on medical problems. She is a peer reviewer for many medical journals and has served on medical-committees, been a leader of an international WHO project, and frequently interacts with the FDA and Medicare. She holds an MA in biochemistry from Oxford University and a PhD in chemistry from Brandeis University. She is the author or coauthor of more than 150 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters in medicine and chemistry and her studies have won several awards.
Marissa’s hobbies include international travel, reading, simple hiking, and military history. She also says her sense of humor could be listed as a hobby. Though born in London, UK, she has spent most of her life in the States and currently resides in western Montana.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
Two survivors of a Great War between Atlantis and Rama must lead their people and stay ahead of the rivals chasing after them in author James Grimm’s “The Power of Water”, the first book in the Doom of the Gods series.
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The Synopsis
The war raged for ten years…
Now, Atlantis wants to use WMDs…
But can civilization survive it?
During the last Ice Age, the clash of steel and the roar of aircraft echo through the land as the empires of Atlantis and Rama wage a desperate war.
There are many stories to tell the tale.
Risor sees the trap closing. But Jana, the mission commander, refuses to withdraw. She fears the consequences of failure. Threatening mutiny, he forces her to order the retreat. That Risor is right makes matters only worse, turning the rivalry personal.
Rogat is not sure what he did to offend the gods. Because the demi-god hero constantly chasing him doesn’t seem fair.
With Atlantis suffering, the empire falls apart.
Fleeing from a vengeful Jana, Risor must lead his people to freedom. Meanwhile, leading another band of survivors, Rogat tries to stay one step ahead of his nemesis. Read about Risor and Rogat in a gripping tale of war and survival that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Because revenge is such a satisfying reason to destroy a civilization.
Get your copy now!
The Review
This is such a powerful blend of sci-fi, fantasy, and mythology. The author does an incredible job of world-building, delving into the civilizations of Atlantis and Rama and the cultures that brought these two civilizations to war. The author’s imagery and atmosphere allow the tension to build enormously, allowing the characters to explore their internal and external struggles naturally.
The character development and action drive this narrative home. The complex rivalry and animosity each protagonist endures from their pasts and how these characters tie into the world’s mythos show these ancient mythological cities and powerhouses balanced with the advancement of humanity and technology. The action driven by this decisive war and the wrath of the gods in the face of this war all speak to mankind’s unquenchable thirst for power and control and how often that led to the downfall of so many civilizations in the past.
The Verdict
Memorable, action-driven, and entertaining author James Grimm’s “The Power of Water” is a must-read sci-fi and fantasy narrative. The twists and turns the author gives readers as the plot develops and the open ending will have readers eager to devour more from this emerging series. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
Instead of just daydreaming of my fantasy worlds and people, why not write about them. At least that is what I told myself when I started this journey in 2014.
Living in Japan, the land of Anime, the Samurai, the ultra modern and extremely old seems to fuel my worlds. Both the ancient and new meld together into worlds where superpowered school kids defeat evil, forest spirits help or fight humans or giant, futuristic robots battle to save the world. Where else to live for inspiration!
In the land of the rising sun, I create my worlds, that I hope entertain you.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A rebellious cleric must face his past as he is forced to confront the cult he escaped from two years earlier in authors Dorian & Talia Ravenwood’s “Thread of Souls Book V: The Deep Hollows”.
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The Synopsis
In the fifth installment of this gripping series, rebellious cleric Taliesin is captured by a ruthless bounty hunter and forced back to the cult he escaped two years ago. Now serving a new goddess, he’s deemed a heretic among his people.
Stripped of his allies and separated from his beloved, Taliesin’s survival hinges on his wits and magic. His destination: the heart of the cult, the underground city of Berenzia. Here, secrets lurk that could unravel the cult’s plans. But to uncover them, Taliesin must confront not only the expectations of the disappointed family he left behind, but also the sinister ruling priestesses. If Taliesin cannot overcome the ghosts of his past, he will never escape the cult’s clutches.
In the Thread of Souls “Spider Octology”, ten adventurers are caught in a web of deadly secrets, warring cults, and untrusting alliances when they meet a cult runaway seeking freedom. They must overcome their differences in order to stop a god’s release from an abyssal prison.
Thread of Souls is an award-winning eight-book epic fantasy series. These stories weave a world of deep history, cultures, and lore with a fascinating pantheon of good and evil gods. Adventure across the vast world of Corventos while diving right into the heart and soul of a diverse and colorful cast of characters whose passions, strengths, and failures drive the story.
Thread of Souls is a must-read fantasy epic that blends swords and sorcery, dragons and mythical creatures, and fully realized locations that take your breath away. From the desert wastelands of the Expanse, down the twisting caverns of the Deep Hollows, through the beautiful streets of the lakeside capital city, and all the way to the icy tundra home of the Citadel.
The books in Thread of Souls’ “Spider Octology” currently include:
Book 1 – Phantom Five
Book 2 – Ash & Thunder
Book 3 – Path of the Spiders
Book 4 – Asunder
Book 5 – The Deep Hollows
Book 6 – Coming Soon!
And more to come!
The Review
The authors return to this epic fantasy series with a vengeance, expanding upon the vast world with a look into the complex cult from which one of the main protagonists hailed. Exploring the aftermath of the great dragon’s battle over the citadel, readers see Taliesin’s singular journey as war threatens the other realms of the land. The detail and depth of world-building the authors poured into this narrative, including expanding on Taliesin’s backstory and history in even greater detail, was a welcome return to this epic fantasy series.
The authors’ balance between expanding on the mythos of this world and action-driven storytelling was incredible to see come to life on the page. The vastness of this world and the imagery in their writing style allowed the author’s writing to bring readers into the narrative much like fantasy-driven role-playing games do, giving the reader a sense of voice and inclusion in the narrative as it develops around them.
The Verdict
Thoughtful, adrenaline-fueled, and entertaining authors Dorian and Talia Ravenwood’s “Thread of Souls Book V: The Deep Hollows” is a must-read epic fantasy novel and a great return to the Thread of Souls universe. The world-building layering, the engaging nature of the world and various cultures the authors developed across the different realms, and the shocking fates of some of these now classic characters will keep readers invested as the series progresses. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab the next entry of this amazing fantasy series today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Authors
Dorian is an executive producer and professional writer. His work is featured in tv shows, video games, in-print magazines, and websites. He’s also the co-founder and creative director for Game Sandwich. He can typically be found playing video games, but when he isn’t, he’s editing the books and loves playing with their two cats.
Talia is a professional writer for websites and video games, often on a freelance basis. She also is a professor teaching courses for a university focused on writing. When not writing for Thread of Souls, she loves drawing, interior decorating, and hiking.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A young woman stands between her mentor’s legacy and her father’s evil plans as she must discover the true extent of her own power to save her world in author T.C. Marti’s “The Last Sentrys”, the second book in the Sentrys of Terrene series.
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The Synopsis
A time of turmoil engulfs the Lost World of Terrene…
Sabre Kjaergaard stands at the heart of the conflict, torn between the legacy of her late mentors and the sinister designs of her biological father, a leader in the imperial Venn Order. With her powers evolving and the stakes higher than ever, she must seek the legendary Minch Ware, the last known Spirit Elysian Master, to unlock the secrets of her rare abilities to control both Earth and Spirit.
But the path is fraught with danger. As her father’s forces close in, the ultimate fate of Terrene hangs in the balance, with Sabre’s choices pivotal in an intensifying war that threatens to engulf their reality.
Join Sabre as she navigates through betrayal, love, and the trials of destiny. The battle to restore liberty is heating up, and every page in this post-apocalyptic dystopian science fantasy promises an adventure where only the strongest will survive.
The Review
This was a wonderfully written and compelling read. The author does a fantastic job of expanding upon the mythos and heart of the first novel and the overall series. The theme of legacy and identity runs through this novel beautifully, highlighting the need for balance and control in one’s life. The tension and atmosphere are perfectly on display throughout this book.
Yet, the character’s growth and action drew the reader into the narrative. The relationships that protagonist Sabre develops throughout the narrative, from her brother and the people she works with against her father to the growing romance in her life and the growing need to better herself to prevent her world from collapsing in on itself, gave the readers an honest look into the feelings and thoughts of this character so brilliantly.
The Verdict
Action-packed, thrilling, and entertaining author TC Marti’s “The Lat Sentrys” is a must-read and a grand entry into the Sentrys of Terrene series. This novel’s world-building and character development were outstanding, and the cliffhanger final scenes will keep readers hooked as they anticipate the next book in the series. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
TC Marti has been an avid reader/writer for over three decades. He is the author of the Elementals Universe, a shared speculative fiction universe spanning multiple series. He is also a workout fanatic, and a fan of Arizona sports teams.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A Norse woman in the Viking Age must face her supernatural destiny and her status as a legendary warrior in author Bjorn Leesson’s “Runes of the Dokkrsdottir”, the first book in the Outside The Thalsparr Series.
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The Synopsis
The Dokkrsdottir is not your ordinary Norse woman of the Viking age. One of the great warriors of her time, she soon learns that the hardest battles are not always those fought with a sword and shield. Through countless trials and tests, she is led by visions and omens on numerous adventures with the help of steadfast friends and family to discover her mysterious supernatural destiny, one more extraordinary than anyone could ever have imagined.
RUNES OF THE DOKKRSDOTTIR (Book 1)
The story of Myrgjol the Dokkrsdottir begins with her birth in 800s Scandinavia where it becomes immediately obvious that she is very different in so many ways.
After adventures abroad and continuously making friends and loyal allies, and after suffering many losses and setbacks, she bravely travels the many winding paths of her destiny – facing and defeating a dark foe she never expected to face.
The Review
This was such a compelling and gripping read. The rich blend of historical fiction meets fantasy and the immersive way the author uses imagery draws the reader into the sea-faring settings of this novel, making the world-building feel larger than life on the page. The author’s use of mythology and detail in the narrative allows the reader to feel transported back to the Viking age, keeping the reader invested in the story.
Yet, it was the dynamic development of the protagonist that fueled this story. The rich and thoughtful detail that went into the protagonist’s backstory, from the tragic circumstances that brought her father over to live amongst the Norse people as a child to the tragedies she faces and the supernatural prophecy that hung over her head as she spent her life struggling to balance the light and darkness within her, made her character arc and journey so much more impactful and engaging.
The Verdict
Remarkable, thoughtful, and entertaining author Bjorn Leesson’s “Runes of the Dokkrsdottir” is a must-read historical fantasy. The shocking events, significant narrative twists, and open ending leave readers wanting more from the author’s “Outside the Thalsparr” series. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
Bjorn was born in the Lowcountry of South Carolina a long, long time ago. He has worked in manufacturing all his working life to feed himself but has nourished his mind with the study of many topics; history of all eras, the paranormal, astronomy, writing of different types, photography, archeology, genealogy, vexillology, some other -ologies, even stock car racing for a couple of years, and on and on. Bjorn finds just about everything fascinating in some way and has been accused of being too easily entertained. A blend of a few of his interests led to the creation of the Thalsparr Universe. The first installment of the series will be “Runes of the Dokkrsdottir,” with a release date to be determined. He currently lives in the Midlands of South Carolina with his wife of 25 years on their hobby farm.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A young explorer with a shocking past and an immortal warrior must temper their growing attraction in the face of a growing threat in author Eden Robins’s “Gold: Heart of a Warrior”.
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The Synopsis
It’s just gonna be one of those days…
Empathic healer and business owner, Dora Alexander decided to celebrate her 25th birthday by exploring the stalagmites and stalactites in Kartchner Caverns. Kinda nerdy? Maybe, but you do you, right? Things take a nasty turn when an earthquake rocks the cave, leaving her alone in complete darkness. Searching for a way out, she accidently awakens an immortal warrior who’s kind of cranky after his 100-year nap. Wouldn’t you be?
Philoctetes, one of Demeter’s immortal Gold warriors wakes up to the disturbing sound of a female sobbing. Thinking she’s one of the Silver demons he’s sworn to hunt down and destroy, he almost kills her before realizing she’s human. Correction. Turns out she’s not just human. She’s also the woman responsible for sending his kind to hell and causing woe and misery for the entire human race.
Dora never asked to be Pandora reborn. And she certainly didn’t ask to be paired up with an insanely hot immortal demon hunter on a mission to save the world and redeem them both. But The Fates seem to have their own quirky ideas. One of them being if she and said hot demon hunter consummate the inferno like attraction blazing between them, they’ll simply cease to exist, with any memory of their time on earth erased forever.
Oh goody, the day just got worse.
The Review
This was such an engaging and impressive blend of mythology and modern fantasy. The author masterfully brought the mindset and morality of the Ancient Greek gods and goddesses to life in the more modern-day setting of Arizona, with its blistering heat, technology, and desert environment. This allowed the reader to get lost in the rich atmosphere that was developed.
The narrative did a great job of bringing out those epic, destiny-fueled adventures to life on the page, and the action and dangers the villainous Silvers represented allowed the reader to feel the stakes of this story. Yet the dynamic between the two protagonists and their back-and-forth chemistry that evolved and grew over time brought the heart of this narrative to life. Their singular evolution throughout the narrative and how they embraced their journey was unique. Yet, the growth they shared and the romantic tension were an immediate draw into the story.
The Verdict
Author Eden Robins’s “Gold: Heart of a Warrior” is a heartfelt, compelling, and entertaining novel. The narrative’s twists and turns, the emotional pull of the protagonists’ shared goals, and the shocking cliffhanger will keep readers eager for more of this incredible story. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
About the Author
Eden Robins believes in second chances. Eden’s journey as an author started in 2000 with the release of her first book, a time travel romance entitled, Never Until Tomorrow. Over the course of the next eleven years, Eden wrote and shared nine stories from her heart with her readers. After a divorce and big changes to her personal life, Eden’s writing came to a crashing halt and her path took a different direction.
Twelve years after her last romantic tale was published, Eden found a home for her latest novel, Gold: Heart of A Warrior with Champagne Book Group. A magical, modern-day romantic romp into Greek myths come to life, this story gave her a second chance to do what she loves. Write. Connect with Eden Robins and check out her blog, Living the Path.
Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?
I’m a creatress at heart. Always have been. Creativity has been my companion and guide since I was little. I love to create through writing, gardening, cooking, crocheting, and playing piano. I’m an avid reader who loves to get lost in a great book. I also love to move my body, whether that’s through dance, or hiking or running or jumping or working out at the gym. Moving my body on a regular basis keeps me happy. What I eat matters a lot to me as well. I switched to a mostly whole food plant-based diet several years ago, and like how that makes me feel. I enjoy being outdoors, but also can spend a lot of time writing, reading, and daydreaming inside my home. My home is my sanctuary, my respite from the rest of the world. I often interact in group settings and like to be social, but I always need to balance that with alone time to decompress for a bit afterward. I can be, at times, very “hermit-like.”
I got into writing after I finished my first book. Seriously, that’s exactly how it happened. Growing up, I journaled, penned poetry, and wrote some articles for my high school newspaper, but I never pictured writing as a career path rather than a hobby until I finished my first novel. Both of my parents were in the medical/science field, and I was (and still am) fascinated by many aspects of science. The catalyst for my dive into writing was the death of my paternal grandfather. After he died, I had regrets about not spending more time with him. I kept wishing I could go back in time to get to know him better. I felt the urge to sit down and write about it, and that’s how my first book, a time travel romance entitled, Never Until Tomorrow, was born. It was as I typed the words “The End” that I knew I was hooked, and realized writing was something I wanted to take seriously for the rest of my life.
From that point forward, I was lucky enough to find publishers interested in my work and have had the privilege of sharing ten of my published novels with the world.
What inspired you to write your book?
Each book has its own inspiration. My current release, a modern-day romantic romp into Greek mythology entitled, Gold: Heart of A Warrior, was inspired by a children’s book on Greek myths I had bought for my kids. I read a lot to my children while they were growing up and was always looking for literature that would stimulate their minds and inspire their imagination. I picked up Usborne Illustrated Guide to Greek Myths and Legends by Cheryl Evans, and the complex and juicy lives of the characters in these myths caught not only my children’s attention, but mine as well. Particularly, reading about Pandora opening the Jug of Woes and releasing evil and misery into the world pulled at something inside of me. I felt like this was a woman who had been used by the Gods (Zeus) as a pawn, and then forever punished and maligned after she had done the deed she was manipulated to accomplish. I began thinking about how her story could go in a different direction. I started wondering what would happen if Pandora was offered a second chance at life. What would she do? How would she live? Who would she become if she were no longer a pawn of the Gods, or at least less of a pawn than before?
What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?
The path to empowerment is always through the self, and second chances are possible at any age.
What drew you into this particular genre?
Love and hope. Although romantic fiction isn’t the only genre I write (I also write mainstream fiction and nonfiction), that feeling of falling in love is so magical. I enjoy creating that for my readers. I also like writing stories that have a happily ever after that leaves the sweet taste of optimism in my readers’ mouths. Those two reasons keep me excited about writing in the romance genre.
What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?
At this point, I’d have to say it’s Instagram. The reader community is very supportive, engaged, and interactive.
What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?
Just pick up the pen and write. It’s not about perfection or getting the grammar just right. There’s a magic in the process of simply putting your story on the page that can transform a writer’s thoughts into a masterpiece. As Michelangelo once said, “Every block of stone has a statue inside it, and it is the task of the sculptor to discover it.” That blank page offers a writer the opportunity to unlock the story of their heart. Just start writing. The rest will come together.
What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?
The future feels so bright. Especially in light of the past. After my initial foray into my writing journey, with nine of my novels getting published, I hit a wall. I got a divorce, and for more than a decade after, I just couldn’t write. I came to believe my creativity had dried up. I didn’t put a book out into the world during that time. It was a frightening period in my writing, but looking back, I know that “ten years of drought” taught me so much and provided an evolution and a deepening for me that I needed. I understand now that while I wasn’t creating stories for my novels during that time, I was creating the story of my life. A story I needed to establish before I could continue my book writing journey.
Now, more than a decade with no books published, I’ve begun this second chance chapter of my life with the release of Gold: Heart of a Warrior. I’m forever grateful to my publisher, Champagne Book Group, for providing me with this opportunity to share my writing with the world once more. I’m excited to announce that editing has begun on A Warrior’s Peace, book two in my Gold series! I’m also working on a short story holiday collection of modern-day fairytales, a fallen angel romantic suspense, a magical realism retelling of Little Red Riding Hood, and a nonfiction book about the creative path. I’m so thankful to have my creatress back as my companion and look forward to her guiding me for years to come.
Eden Robins believes in second chances. She’s been lucky enough to have a few in her life and knows there’s a magic in seizing the moment to try again. As a mentor, her heart’s purpose is to guide people into living as their full, innate, creative potential. As a writer, her heart leads her to inspire readers through her tales. Creating stories about people courageously living, loving, and experiencing life true to themselves, no matter how messy it gets, are the ones Eden wants to write and will keep writing for you…and for her. Connect with Eden at https://linktr.ee/edenrobins and check out her blog, Living the Path, https://awholeheartedme.com/blog
1) Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?
As a child, I grew up reading books by Tolkien, Hobbs etc. and developed a strong interest in fantasy. In school, I found history to be a difficult subject and a trick I grew fond of was to substitute real events with more fantastical versions of them incorporating elements of magic and sorcery to make them more interesting and thus easier to remember. Even long after school, I’d look back at important historical moments and altered variations I had cooked up in my mind. Even to this date, I find these altered histories more interesting than novels that have clear demarcation of good and bad characters and ones featuring happily-ever-after endings.
For the last decade my focus has been on software and cloud infrastructure consulting. While architecting software systems, I have often wondered what if the real world was programmable like a computer. What if there was a system in place to enable us to define precise contracts and this system was freely and fairly accessible to all of mankind. I wondered if this would lead to betterment of humanity or bad actors would just find more creative ways to exploit it. The concept of runecraft in my books embodies this concept.
For many years, I built up adhoc storylines along these ideas and for a long time they were just disconnected fragments in my mind. But a year ago during a career break due to illness I decided to put my thoughts into words. To my surprise, I did manage to mash them together into a coherent storyline and the emerging result looked like something that at least one reader would enjoy – me.
So now I am taking the chance and putting in a bit more effort into transforming this into something that others may also find enjoyable. Whether or not that actually happens, remains to be seen.
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2) What inspired you to write your book?
The primary inspiration is the observation that evil lurks in every corner and every heart. I am not a nihilist but one historical theme that has been very close to my heart is that cost of small mistakes and wrongdoings by many individuals add up over time, often catastrophically.
The atrocities committed by East India company in India, the brutalities by Mughal invaders before that, the injustices against lower castes by Brahmins, were all possible not because of a grand master plan by an evil genius but due to many many individuals making separate wrong decisions in self interest. Same holds for global events like rise of Nazis & fascists in the west or the bombing of Japan in the east.
We only realize the true impact of these decisions after catastrophic events like the genocide of ’71 (একাত্তরের গণহত্যা) in Bangladesh (where part of my family originally hails from), the Bengal famine of ’43, Massacre of Jallianwala Bagh etc. but by then the chain of misdemeanors is so long that there is no realistic way to serve justice meaningfully.
The storyline for The Revenge of the Wraith Paladin stems from a question I asked myself as a child – what if the Mughal invaders of India were an alien race from beyond this world.
3) What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?
I hope to inspire to inspire people to look beyond broad categorizations of good and evil and focus more on nuances and to question all they see and hear.
4) What drew you into this particular genre?
I was inspired by many many authors whose great works I have had the pleasure of reading over the years. In particular, I’d like to thank:
1. Michael Moorcock: For demonstrating that flawless elegance and mind-numbing horror can be blended together seamlessly
2. John Bierce, Stephen King and Sanderson: For demonstrating that complex plots and intricate systems of magic can and do work well for fast paced fantasy
3. Tower curator: For demonstrating that blood sorcery can be elegant.
4. Will Wight: For demonstrating that the concepts of authority and ascension can be such amazing plot drivers.
5) If you could sit down with any character in your book, what would you ask them and why?
I’d sit down with Nazaar, the grandmaster. I’d try to understand how, despite of all the obstacles that he continues to face at every turn, he finds the courage to keep plodding forward with ever more ambitious plans.
He was the only character in my book who seemed to evolve on their own during my writing. Most of what we read about the grandmaster in The Revenge of the Wraith Paladin series, was just not present in my original plot plan.
6) What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?
Primarily twitter, discord and to some extent Reddit, where I have had some really nice interactions with people who love books & fantasy. I’d like to thank them all for the valuable advice and criticism that they took out the time to share with me.
I also remain very optimistic about the future of federated social networks like Bluesky and mastodon – they have small but rapidly growing community of book lovers. I’d encourage more people to be a part of these networks.
7) What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?
Bit too early for me to answer this, but I’d like to advise folks to write things that at least they themselves would enjoy as a reader. But if you do have something interesting to say, modern technology has made it easier than ever to put your thoughts forward and connect to a global community. Don’t wait too long – YOLO.
8) What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?
I am currently working on a parallel series titled “The Grandmaster’s Gamble” that explores Nazaar’s past. It has some overlap in characters with Revenge of the Wraith Paladin, but can be read independently. The second book of this series is also planned to be released later this year.
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About the Author
Avid fiction aficionado and fantasy author dabbling in the grimdark, arcane and all things forbidden and forgotten.
