It is clear very early on that there is going to be a lot of world building and characters that are introduced. At first I was confused as the prologue seemed a bit lengthy and then the first chapter, we don't get a clear explanation as to why things have changed for Adrian until later in the chapter. I think with a bit of refinement, this transition could be a bit smoother.

Once the story picks up and we get a better grasp on the three main characters, it was fun to read and watch how each on develops and how everything ultimate intertwines with one another. One of the things I found most interesting was Abdalla's writing about death and how those who are dead are seen as unworthy, regardless of how they died. The nuances of death and how it is handled by an individual and a group of people is carried on throughout the story, and we watch the main characters deal with their feelings and struggles with it (and the hypocrisy that surrounds it) throughout the novel.

Overall, this was an interesting read. For a debut novel, it certainly was very well thought out and had a lot of complex worldbuilding elements explained to make some of the overall setting make more sense to the reader. There were some things that I thought needed to be fleshed out a bit more (won't say what so I don't run the risk of spoilers for anyone), but overall it was a solid 3 star read for me.

As always, thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this galley in exchange for an honest review.

Rich world building and a large cast of characters will 9/10 get a fantasy reader’s attention. Add in an interesting plot line with zombie-ish creatures and I fell in love. Definitely worth the read

I would like to thank The Alterian Press, Thiago Abdalla and NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC free for an honest review. This was a fantasy based around the stories of three characters, Prince Adrian, Lynn and Nasha. There is a lot going on in this story about the spreading of a madness disease. Actually, TOO MUCH going on for me. There are several topics – Death and the rituals and beliefs regarding it, religion, war, bonds and betrayal, among others. I enjoy reading fantasy and really wanted to like this story, but there was so much going on that I was on page 200 before I started figuring things out. What really bothered me that there were titles such as Root, Sentinel and Warden and others such as Oringo, Tivezzi and Xakhar, none of which were explained. It seemed like a new character was introduced in every chapter. Besides the three main characters, there were at least forty-three other characters (with names like Mansa, Bahar and Gotzon). There was lots of mention of the Seraph and the Seraph’s Mark, but no explanation. People seemed to be looking at the sky when those were mentioned, but I didn’t know whether the Mark was a comet, a moon or what it was. There were lots of priests and abbots. Lots of locations mentioned (at least nineteen. I wrote them down). And what the heck is The First Tree and its importance? Also, Nasha has a bond with a griffin, Vedyr, but it doesn’t show up until the last forty pages. I just felt it all to be confusing and somewhat overwhelming. It got to the point where I almost just gave up reading it a couple of times, but I persevered by writing things down so that I could keep them straight. I’ve read several fantasy series and never had to do that. I would suggest a glossary of people, places and things at the end of the book. I won’t be continuing with this series even though this was a good story and well-written. It just made me too frustrated reading it.

This is an awesome book! Started out a bit slow, but picked up the pace. With an intriguing plot it got easier to read about Prince Adrian, Nasha from the clans, Lynn the warrior; and their fight against the Madness.
I’m looking forward to the next part of this story.

This is an awesome book! Started out a bit slow, but picked up the pace. With an intriguing plot it got easier to read about Prince Adrian, Nasha from the clans, Lynn the warrior; and their fight against the Madness.
I’m looking forward to the next part of this story.

This represents a promising introduction to a new world. Not one of trite over used images but it is one of good and evil battling against each other often within a single person. The characters are well developed and memorable. Right actions for wrong reasons wrong actions for right reasons. Nothing is simple or comprised of a single layer. A very interesting read which I look forward to continuing.

First I would like to say I appreciate being given this book. Also, I really do like the author's style of writing. He is very descriptive which I like.

Unfortunately I could not finish the book. I read 40% of it waiting for something to happen and it didn't. I tried and tried to get interested in it and finish but I finally simply gave up.

I am not a person to quit books, maybe 1 per year of the 50 or so books I read.

Thank you Netgalley for an eARC for an honest review.

It took me a while to actually get into reading this book, but note that is the first in the series.

This is a story in the world of Avarin where there are several different groups. And we are introduced to people within these groups. Prince Adrian from the Domain, Nasha a member of the southern clan of Ronar, and Lynn, a warrior. These are the three main characters we are introduced to, and we follow their life throughout the beginning of this series.

While I found the storyline very interesting, as mentioned above, it took me a while to actually get into the book to finish, and I understand that this is the first in the series, but found for me that it was very slow-moving.

While this book wasn’t for me, it does not mean that others will not enjoy it.

This book starts with royalty steeped in their religion that allows their conquests of others for their gain.
The kings favored son, Jovu now dead [but not allowed mourned] from attempting to get something for the King & slaughtering villages of innocents until killed. His brother Adrian with more ethics is supposed to fill Jovus place but never his shoes. His foreign princess bride to be, Myrra, his sole rock & balm, though his father does not care for her. Their religion is dedicated to a Seraph [angel] & part of their take is to treat the dead as unclean & enemy, there is no allowance to talk of the dead & this is hard on Adrian to behave like this towards thoughts of his brother. He wants to know why his brother attacked the clans & what he was sent to find by his father who is a regular papa Lannister type. This is a fast paced and each chapter so far of three throws you with another group rollercoaster ride where you have to accept soon they will merge but each intriguing with what information you can glean From the first three until it toggles back to the first characters then next chapter on things start to merge. Telling a tale from three different characters & perspectives & areas. A plight of madness that creates possessed homicidal lunatics from average citizens that massacre innocent people has arisen in the areas controlled by those of the Seraph religion striking fear in all. The thought basis of the religion is exemplified in this " man had tainted the Seraph’s perfect world with death, driving Her away, and now had to prove their faith, remove the unworthy, cleanse Immeria, and expand Her Domain so that She may return, bringing the Promised Dawn." which no doubt was bastardized into something else by the followers. Certain noble families in particular & the highest level being the King shave been granted long life. Adrian's father has lived for centuries, though considered young Adrian for at least two centuries & the same or more of Jovu before he was killed. There is something in his blood line that makes that so. This book is more of a thriller than most high fantasy & extremely good at that with a touch of GOT like intrigue. Definitely am waiting for the next to come out

~ Interesting Premise ~

I had a lot of mixed feelings about this one. The premise seemed very interesting and from what I read, the plot seemed to be entertaining and like it contained a good mystery. However, I just couldn't get into the story due to the intense amount of worldbuilding and info-dumping.
*
Before I complain too much, first know that I had no problem with the actual writing, characters, or plot, all were pretty well done and good! The action scenes were tight and fast-paced, the character work was in a good place from what I read, and the writing was very easy to read.
*
Which makes it disappointing that I just couldn't get farther than 40 or so pages into the novel. The world wasn't bad or poorly explained, rather the opposite. There was so much thrown at me that seemed somewhat unnecessary or that could have been better explained that I just couldn't figure out any of the world, magic system, or social classes. It just was confusing, for lack of a better word.
*
I don't want to trash on the author as most of this book was very good, just maybe not my cup of tea. I wouldn't be turned off from reading another story from the author, I just couldn't get into this one!

I was given the opportunity to get an early read of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

First, I have to give credit to the author for this debut novel. Abdalla has gone to great efforts on the worldbuilding, creating a rich tapestry upon which to tell his stories. The concepts and cultures and factions are critical to the narrative; they provide a constant backdrop that influences the characters' actions and motivations. This is key to fantasy stories. Those that are loosely built can cause a story to fall apart very quickly.

The cast is large and varied which gives readers a number of opportunities to connect to protagonist. For me, there are quite a few of them with the story switching back and forth in focus. While I recognize that is important to tell an interweaved tale, I find myself losing any momentum I have with one character when the next chapter switches to another and then I do not get back to the one I was building interest until two or three more down the road. A tighter concentration on just one or two main characters would have kept me more engaged.

For folks who like their fantasy sprawling and multifaceted, this is one they might wish to check out.

I really enjoyed the detailed world-building and I can see how the author put a lot of effort into crafting this book. There's political intrigue too which I absolutely LOVE in fantasy books. There's not much to be said for other aspects of the story. I'm a bit picky with the writing style when it comes to books but this one didn't bother me as much and I don't really have much to criticize so overall this book is a good 4/5.

Review of Uncorrected Digital Galley

In the world of Avarin, the Domain worships life; the Seraph blesses the faithful with countless years. Death is shameful and not discussed; the dead, never mourned. Instead, by keeping Death away, the faithful hope for the Seraph’s return.

But others, apart from the Domain, hold that it is important to remember the dead. The southern clans believe life must return to the Earth in order to keep it alive. Now, a deadly Madness continues its relentless spread throughout the land, bringing darkness to the mind and cruelty to the heart.

And only Death can release a victim from the Madness.

Nasha, desperate for recognition as a member of the southern clan of Ronar, is a gifted hunter keeping a dark secret hidden. Elite warrior Lynn seeks to escape her past. Adrian, prince of the Domain nation of Othonea, holds a secret desire to return those he loved to worthiness.

With war threatening, what role will each of them play in saving Avarin? Will their secrets betray them? What . . . or who . . . is the foe responsible for the Madness, the one they must now face to save their world?

=========

Worldbuilding highlights the telling of the tale in this, the first book in a new series. Avarin, a place of many lands, clans, and beliefs, seems on the verge of falling to a strange sort of Madness that comes over the people as they succumb to the frightening malady. With this book establishing the background, identifying the characters, and defining the lands and people that are Avarin, it’s more of a setting of the scene, an esablishing of what is to come in future volumes. There are no resolutions to any of the plot points presented here.

Several interesting characters make an appearance throughout the narrative, but it’s not clear which of them will remain central as the story unfolds in future volumes. Some, which seem to be central to the telling of the tale, die in this first book, but with death holding a significant place in their religious beliefs and with the religious leaders serving as the political leaders, the future books in this fantasy series promise readers some unexpected surprises.

I received a free copy of this eBook from Alterian Press and NetGalley
#ATouchofLight #NetGalley

DNF @ 17%

While I found the concept of the book to be unique and interesting, it overall just was not for me. There are a large number of characters; I had a hard time remembering who was who. There are also very complex belief systems and societies. I was very confused when I had to remember not only who was who, but what society they were a part of but as well as what religious beliefs they held.

While this book wasn’t for me, it does not mean that others will not enjoy it.

This fantasy world was difficult for me to follow in regards to terms and customs at first, but it drew me in and I began to identify with the main characters. There are actually many main characters, though, and I still do not know how they all relate to each other. There will clearly be more to follow, but I'm not certain that the characters I have been cheering on are even the good guys. I have a sneaking suspicion that at least one is going to be the villain in the next book. Even so, there is an incredibly rich world created, with beautiful imagery, unique cultures and quirky customs. There is so much wonderful imagination come to life within this story!