Synopsis
The world has stopped turning.
Burned by a blazing sun. Thrust into eternal winter.
Life survives only in the Sunset Forest.
For untold millennia, mankind lived subservient to the dryads, forced into worship of the Earth-Mother, Astea. Then one man ventured into the Scorched Desert and returned with the secret of fire. His rebellion brought the dryad empire to ash. In its place, he founded the Kingdom of Heartsong.
Twelve years later, the new king is missing. The earth trembles. Famine ravages the land, and a mysterious illness creeps through the capital.
Plots of treason and revenge abound, but as the mistakes of the past bear fruit, men will reap what they have sown.
Open now the Book of Astea and learn what has been forgotten.
Review
Epic fantasy is my favourite genre. It’s full of incredible immersion, descriptive landscapes, relatable characters and so much more.
Riven Earth by Zammar Ahmer, and the world of Astea, is no different.
The cover art by Maleski Art is as epic as it gets and really compliments this story. For a debut, I was impressed with Ahmers writing and how engrossed I was throughout. Astea is so mysteriously yet openly described and it’s amazing how Ahmer has drawn me in and left me wanting more from Astea. I enjoyed how descriptive Ahmers landscapes were and how those details envisioned in my head. Not only do we have the visual aspects of Ahmer, but we have great creatures introduced that fill the world and add to its suspense. Ahmer has created a harsh environment that reads like a history book.
The magic system may be a tad familiar, but it is accurate in its simplicity and so interesting to watch it unfold. The characters themselves were written brilliant. Especially when told through different methods such as diary quotes which I thought was a unique touch. Raia is a fantastic addition to fantasy and Ahmer created someone relatable in their actions with such strong resolve. Other POVs have such strong story arcs that make for a page-turning read. Ahmers strongly written complex characters that will stick with you throughout.
This is a duology that has a strong start and I hope this continues in its conclusion. Ahmer has poured their heart and soul into this, used their influences and added their own personal touch to create a brilliant new voice in this genre. This is a unique and enthusiastic epic story and Zammar Ahmer deserves your attention.
The post is absolutely fantastic!