This was a really fascinating read. The world-building was expertly done and I really enoyed how the book threw you into the narrative and then expected you to keep up - it left me not knowing where the book was going to go next and I found that really engaging. The multiple character points of view were really well done, but I did find them a little bit overwhelming at times, although this is just a personal preference. All the characters drew you into their stories and I found that I had to keep reading to see where the story was going next.

Thank you to the author for putting content warnings at the start - this is sometimes overlooked but is incredibly helpful in preparing the reader for what's going to happen. Overall, a really gripping read.

Thank you to the author who provided me with an Arc copy through NetGalley!

While I rated this a 5, I would say that if I could provide ratings in decimals, I'd likely give this a 4.7 or 4.8. It was so close to being perfect for me. This may contain vague spoilers.

Summarized Pros:
• Breathes life back into old and overdone tropes with unexpected twists; feels fresh and new
• Extremely well written characters; reader feels a full spectrum of emotions without feeling forced
• Good character development
• Immersive world-building
• Gives content warnings
• Challenges the concepts of good vs evil, contrasting social & cultural expectations, and more
• Pacing is good; the parts that had less action or weren't as dialogue heavy still felt compelling
• Not your typical "Chosen One" or "Prophecy" story

Unlike many people who review books, I am not an avid reader. It's not that I dislike books, but rather that with my inability to create images in my head, it is very easy for me to become bored or distracted when trying to read a book. I almost never finish books, and if I do it's over the course of months or the better part of a year. Not days.

Such was not the case with Legend of the Quill. I actually found myself trying to sneak in further reading during times when I should have been doing anything but.

The MC, Sasharr, isn't your typical protagonist and that's part of what makes me like him so much. He's believable and real. Instead of being the kind of character a lot of people wish they could BE—someone bold, daring, edgy, seductive, etc—Sasharr is instead someone many of us can already see a piece of ourselves in. He is anxious and uncertain; resilient and brave; at times awkward and naive. He feels the injustices of the world deeply and is dismayed by complacency. He cares about others, and he gives so much of himself. Certainly far more than he ought to, even though he knows the cost is his own well-being.

The two biggest things I like about this book is that it's self-aware, but also the writing is done in such a way that any confusion or mixed feelings we have about what's happening is mirrored by the characters. This is very much a story about "the journey", and in a world where everyone wants swift gratification constant action, this book finds a way to slow things down without becoming boring.

When the MC has been travelling for the better part of a year, you feel as though you have been travelling with him. When you feel like you're not getting where you want to go fast enough, the MC is lamenting the same frustrations. The author has managed to achieve, rather artfully, a shared expression between reader and author (at least for me). I am not bothered by the slightly slower pace of the journey because it doesn't READ like a slow story with how it enraptures you like a spell. Every moment has a purpose. You feel and experience things with the characters instead of simply being told what you should be feeling.

My biggest pet peeve in books is staying in the POV of someone I disagree with strongly and dislike as a character. It happens a lot. The way many characters are written these days inevitably leads to me disengaging or being thrown out of the story. It leaves me feeling frustrated with the protagonist more often than not. While I understand some people dislike multi-POV books, with how different each character is and how well-rounded the cast is, I think this is probably one of the biggest strengths of the book. I enjoy seeing inside their heads, to see the motivations, how they are perceived by the rest of the cast. Because I am not trapped inside one POV the entire time, I have the freedom to agree or disagree with the choices being made by the individuals we're following in that moment without fear of things becoming stale or tiresome.

Alongside Sasharr I grieve for the life he can never have, feel empathy for all the things he must give up, and can appreciate the urgency and fraying temper as the timer begins to run out. With Kigäli—our main antagonist—I can feel his drive, experience the focused and strategic nature with which he operates, but I am also given the chance to see inside his mind to find that maybe, just maybe, there is hope for him yet. I suppose we'll find out in the books ahead.

I can't express enough how refreshingly different this story reads. All other books lately have felt very formulaic, but I genuinely never knew what would happen next or what twists might occur. Everything felt organic and exciting. I so often guess what will happen next, usually right from the outset. But this isn't your typical prophecy story, and I'm glad for it.

I can't way for the Battle of Heroes, and I hope many other readers will take a chance on this book and learn to love the world the same way I came to love it.

Thank you to Astra Crompton and Victory Editing for providing me with an ARC of this fantastic book!

This book was absolutely stunning. Crompton had me gripped from the very first page, wanting to get further into the story and explore more of the world.
It was a seamless blend of fantasy and adventure, balanced out with heartwarming and relatable characters.

Crompton's writing style is immersive and enchanting. The vivid descriptions of landscapes and magic really bring the story to life and make it easy for the reader to feel involved.

The story has multiple POVs following a diverse selection of characters. This means that not only do we get a very comprehensive insight into the main character Sasharr's reasonings and beliefs, we also get this understanding for the antagonist, Kigäli, as well.
Whilst I found it very easy to relate to Sasharr and his struggle with embracing his destiny, I also really loved having the insight and understanding of the antagonists actions and interpretations as well!
The multiple POVs is such a great addition to the story as it enables the reader to truly appreciate the thoughts, feelings and intentions behind the actions of the characters.

Sasharr in particular was relatable in a very real way. He didn't have conviction or believe in himself. He questioned himself; his choices; the world around him and the prophecy in general. When Sasharr was frustrated, it was easy to see why. When he acted bravely, we were treated to a very realistic "could I have approached that differently" processing period afterwords.

Crompton also, thoughtfully, provided a list of trigger warnings at the start of the book which is always so appreciated as it allows readers to be aware of what to expect going in.

Legend of the Quill beautifully conveys powerful themes of friendship; loyalty; and self-discovery. It's a tale that I know will leave a lasting impact until the next installment. Crompton has done marvellously with this novel, and I cannot recommend it highly enough. Whether you're a longtime fan of fantasy or new to the genre, Legend of the Quill is a must-read that promises an unforgettable journey.

This would appeal to YA fantasy readers, who enjoy deep world building and multiple POV stories.

I had a little difficult understanding what was going on at some points, but honestly the writing was so beautiful I didn't care. I was kept entranced by the complex characters, and their POVs each showed their own voices. I appreciated that very much, because it is difficult to attain.

Astra does a great job with this first book in the prophet series. Even hlaf way through i was enamored & hoping that the story lasted longer. I felt like I had a 1st person seat to all characters with multiple points of view.

The immersive & enchanting writing style brings the vivid landscapes and magic to life, making it easy for you to feel involved in the story.

This fantasy adventure will leave you excited to continue journeys in this world. Recommended!

This epic adventure fantasy follows Sasharr, a young man chosen to go on a quest to prepare for the Battle of Heroes against a conqueror come from across the sea. To succeed, he must assemble a team of Heroes as well as resurrect the long-dead Great Mage. The themes of choice, destiny, entropy and prophecy are very present throughout.

This book does full immersion so well! I was thrilled to find maps, translations, glossaries and a dramatis personae within. The world-building is done quite slowly and organically, which means that as a reader, the above-mentioned resources are needed to find your footing at the start. This is the kind of world-building that I adore, as it stimulates my puzzle-loving brain; however, I know that it is not for everyone and therefore it is important to know about before jumping in. I would recommend this book to experienced fantasy readers.

It is also obvious that a lot of care was put into this book. The world is fully original: humanoid races and cultures, fauna and flora, gods, and a magic system, all of which don’t feel like they were plucked from another story. As an added bonus, each chapter has unique header illustrations.

I really felt for Sasharr and his journey of self-discovery and confidence. I also truly loved to hate the villain. The ensemble cast was very unique and enjoyable, and I look forward to continuing their adventure in the sequel!

I sometimes struggled with the passing of time; it wasn’t always clear to me how long a certain part of the journey had taken. The story covers a few years, but it felt more like a few months. I also would have liked for the female and non-binary characters to have bigger roles.

Overall, I really enjoyed discovering this carefully built, complex and original world. The writing was quite good, the plot was interesting and the intrigue made it difficult to put down my e-reader.

This is a true epic adventure, great for readers that love Terry Brooks, Goodkind, and Samantha Shannon but are looking for a twist on the classic genre. Crompton has built a very full and complex world, with ensemble and character development to match. As epic goes, and epic is, expect to work around puzzles and mine-bending concepts, root for the villain at times, and want to scream at the main character, Sasharr. While not my typical genre, I recognize the true depth in this novel, and believe this author will be one to watch.

I enjoy Astra’s imagination.

This book was full of details that made the story so much more colourful. At times I wondered what it would be like to have this made into a movie but realized that the visual would disappoint. From clothing to movement to the physical world there were so many details that it kept me engaged. I often felt I was in the middle of the scene.

The transitions between POV was well done and did not feel jerky. The different POV allowed me to see the good and bad in each character as well as their belief in Sasharr or Kigali and why they would want to join the journey. Understanding the reasons for good and evil allow us to see that things are not always as clear as we think.

At times the story was difficult to follow due to the level of detail and introduction of new language, people or places but once understood the story was enriched.

I look forward to the next two books.

Well done.

From the moment I started reading, I was drawn to the world and the intricate plot. The protagonist, Bimear is a compelling character whose journey to save his homeland is inspiriting as well as heartbreaking. I loved how this was written with multiple points of view allowing me to connect with various characters and their personal struggles.
The world building is exceptional, allowing me to immersive myself into this world. The twists and turns in the plot were unexpected and kept me guessing until the very end.
Overall, this is a must-read for fantasy lovers who enjoy complex characters and a well-crafted story. I can't wait to dive into the next book in the series!

You start reading Legend of the Quill with exactly 0% knowledge about this universe. The animals and people might remind you of others, but the world is quite unique. It gives you about 3 chapters to settle in, until you're whisked away on the adventure of a lifetime.
This reader wasn't expecting the amount of character depth each character would be given, or the kind of lush and deep lore the author seamlessly integrates into the chapters. By Chapter 7 or 8, I thought I knew where the story was going, and then it took a turn and the character I thought was going to be a staple in the book ended up... not being there anymore. This is when I just couldn't put the book down.
The antagonist has his own chapters, and the reader is given quite a deep dive into their intentions and exactly what victory means to him. The conflicts he has are akin to that of the main protagonist and that just adds fuel to the fire of needing to see where this whole thing is going. He's brutal, but it makes sense that he doesn't like the people of that land, they aren't his people. His entire fleet was destroyed and he's the only one who can carry out his King's decree.
The protagonist is quite a complex character, especially given his prophetic nature. Just when you think you understand his gifts, they betray him or leave him stranded. Just when you think he's learned, he's taken by surprise by something. His personality comes off as a bit bland, but it's easily outweighed by how his path is constantly interrupted by one thing or another. You start realizing if he was anyone else, he wouldn't be as composed as he was, you start believing in him as slowly as he starts believing in himself.
The author takes careful measure to include the classic "Yes, but" and "No, and" formula of fantasy to their story's advantage. You're always left guessing how a conflict or part of the book will go, only to be surprisingly sobered by just how different in ends up being, or how much more screwed over Sasharr ends up. Parts of the story, or conclusions to character arcs end up being quite satisfying, despite the emotional rollercoaster they might have endured.
I found it a breath of fresh air in this day and age of countless general YA adventure stories out there. Astra Crompton has a bright future in this field, and I can't wait to get my grubby eyes on more of their books and the sequel!
Thank you for reading.

The main word I can say is WOW.

This book was amazing. The writing was beautifully done. The way it flowed, and the wording used. It felt elegant.

The characters felt so real and well-rounded. They were believable. Especially the main character. The depth given to him was wonderful.

The world building in this book is also really well-done. It's a different take on some of the more common things I see in fantasy, and I really enjoyed that. It's a nice break from the regular fantasy novels I read, and it was refreshing to read something different.

I enjoyed the switching of POV, and I really liked getting to see things from the antagonist's POV as well. It made it more interesting to me.

I also adored the little illustrations at each chapter heading. It felt like it really added something to it, and I found myself looking forward to seeing them.

Overall, a really fascinating and enjoyable read.

An absolutely fantastic read! The worldbuilding was so well done and the story was so enthralling. The different POVs were done very well, you really get drawn into their stories very easily. It was such a good fantasy book. This book really throws you into the deep end,so it may not be for everyone, but I loved it. Incredibly immersive writing with intriguing characters and beautiful imagery.