This is the first publication by Alex Evans (https://thousandtales.substack.com) (aka A. Evans, L. Evans, & L. Ahossou). The Forsaken Road (previously published as I am a Barbarian) was first published in 2023. It is the 41st book I completed reading in 2024.

Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own! Due to scenes of violence, I categorize this novel as R.

The primary character is 14-year-old Delta. She is on her way to the sorcery academy in distant Samarzal. She is traveling with the Crescent Moon Caravan, accompanied by her uncle and cousin. The caravan’s usual path has been flooded. It has to talk an alternate route which crosses a rope bridge.

The caravan is attacked just as it crosses the bridge. Because of the attack, the bridge is destroyed. Some of the caravan makes it over, but the rear part with Delta is stranded. To reach their destination, the stranded portion of the caravan retraces their recent steps and takes the little-used Forsaken Road. They hope to rejoin the caravan in a few days at Shambasha.

The group struggles through an attack by the Stonehead outlaws. After escaping the Stoneheads, they cross a treacherous swamp, travel through isolated villages, and survive an earthquake. The group faces various demons, necromancers, and dangerous locals.

Delta makes friends along the arduous journey. She finds that many in her small party are hiding secrets. Will she survive to reach the academy?

I enjoyed the 6 hours I spent reading this 217-page fantasy. The original cover art (used at the top of this post) is not very engaging. The new cover for the edition available through NetGalley (just above) is much better. I give this novel a rating of 4.3 (rounded to 4) out of 5.

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Delta is traveling from her home and away from her family to attend school with her cousin and uncle. While on the road they are suddenly attacked by be in a windship and while they attack was brief it also knocks out the bridge they need to cross. The Caravan has no choice but to backtrack and head down the Forsaken Road, an old trade route that has not been used for years. Their journey was perilous already but traveling down this road ups the danger ten fold and everyone in the caravan knows that this may be their last journey.

This wasn't bad and it was great either. The world building through the telling of creation myths and folklore was neat, and Delta is an interesting character but other than that there wasn't really anything that kept me engaged. And I wasn't really sure what the point of the book was pretty much throughout the book. I mean obviously they need to get to their destination but other than that I didn't really get the feeling of an overall big picture.

Overall, this is one of those book where I don't really have an opinion either way in terms of recommending it as it was just kinda meh.

As always thanks to L. Evans and NetGalley for the eArc!

At fourteen, Delta has crossed half the continent with her nomadic family. But her toughest journey still lies ahead. Tasked with attending a sorcery academy in the far-flung city of Samarzal, she must first reach it alive.

With her uncle and cousin, she joins a caravan that ventures onto the notorious Forsaken Road — a treacherous path plagued by hungry demons, evil necromancers, and murderous locals.

Delta is no princess or kickass heroine with flowing skirts. Just a girl from the plains, coming of age in a brutal, fascinating world. This is a story of grit, resilience, and growing up under unforgiving stars.

The Forsaken Road beckons. Walk it if you dare.

A special note for readers: this gritty book contains a lot of different characters and a lot of worldbuilding. If you prefer medieval fantasy focused on a few characters, you probably won't enjoy this story.

A pretty good nomadic fantasy story that reminded me of Devin Madsons We Are the Dead. A little predictable, but plenty of action and character development. Military fantasy and epic fantasy fans alike will find plenty to lovehere as I have!

I really enjoyed the forsaken road and how this fantasy follows a little different route than most fantasy.

The Forsaken Road by L. Evans is a compelling fantasy novel that transports readers to a richly imagined world filled with magic, intrigue, and adventure. The story follows the journey of a young protagonist who discovers that they are the chosen one destined to save the realm from darkness.

Evans' writing is vivid and immersive, drawing readers into the story from the very first page. The world-building is exceptional, with intricate details that bring the setting to life. From the bustling streets of the capital city to the mysterious forests of the wildlands, each location feels vibrant and real.

The characters in The Forsaken Road are well-developed and relatable, each with their own strengths, weaknesses, and motivations. The protagonist's journey is a captivating one, filled with challenges and obstacles that test their courage and determination.

One of the standout aspects of the novel is its exploration of themes such as friendship, loyalty, and the nature of power. Through the protagonist's eyes, readers are able to see the complexities of the world and the choices that must be made in order to bring about change.

Overall, The Forsaken Road is a gripping fantasy novel that will appeal to fans of the genre. With its engaging plot, well-rounded characters, and immersive world-building, it is a must-read for anyone looking for an exciting adventure.