Title: Rogues of the Crosslands: Azoria’s Blade
Author: John Daze
Genre: Fantasy
Book Blurb:
Azoria Dash is an elven child whose village was ferociously raided by orcs. As the sole survivor, she takes the oath to hunt down the beasts that committed these atrocities. Soon, she discovers a more sinister hand is at play. Her innocence crushed, Azoria must quickly learn to survive in the hostile world outside her village, known as the Crosslands.
The journey begins when Azoria discovers the mythical Klarion Blade, and that her ancestral blood activates the blade's true potential. New friendships are forged, enemies abound, and danger lurks in the bowels of darkness. With the blade and an oath, Azoria vows to destroy the evil that plagues the Crosslands.
My Review:
Can Azoria rid the Crosslands of the scourge or is it too much for just one young person? I’m a big fan of destined heroines facing insurmountable odds. Rogue of the Crosslands: Azoria’s Blade is a masterpiece in the fantasy genre. It centers around Azoria and what she must overcome. Her strength, her willingness to do what others cannot, makes this book an incredible read. The world-building is strong. The descriptive narration is immersive. The characters leap from the page. I couldn’t put it down and neither will you.
It starts and ends with the characters, mainly Azoria. She is a tour de force and steals every scene. Her grief turns to strength which then turns her into an avenging angel of sorts. What makes her so wonderful, though, is how relatable she is. Even though she’s part of the elven race, I connected with her and her plight. By the time I finished reading, I wanted her for my best friend.
The world-building and descriptive narration work together to create an immersive reading experience. The world John Daze creates is seeped in fantasy yet totally believable. The narration is detailed and emotional. The reader has no choice but to become part of the story. It’s quite the experience.
The writing is sophisticated using classic Tolkienesque techniques. John Daze’s use of storytelling is impressive. This is my first book by him, and I look forward to reading more.
My Rating: 5 stars
Buy it Now:
Free to read on Kindle Unlimited!
Amazon US https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CJ7XC2FM
Amazon CA https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0CJ7XC2FM
Amazon UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CJ7XC2FM
Author Biography:
John is an avid tabletop gamer, comic collector, and fantasy fiction fan. Aside from his worldly travels, he's lived in Spain, Japan, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Guam, South Korea, and the United States. His writing influences include Stephen King, David William Ross, R. A. Salvatore, and Louis L'Amour. John earned two master's degrees and is a Ph.D. candidate. When he's not creating literary adventures, he's enjoying real-life ones with his family.
Social Media Links:
Facebook & Instagram @johndazebooks
Reviewed by: Nancy