Paragon Exordium

by Mikel Melwasul, David Tullius (Editor)

Paragon Exordium is an easy-to-read character-driven fantasy novel that combines classic magical elements with a modern-day setting full of non-stop action, world-building, and high stakes.
-In Paragon, Georgia, the battle for survival has begun. 
After the Shattering, everything changes. When technology falters, the remnants of humanity must unite against an onslaught of creatures beyond their wildest imaginings. Basilisk, orcs, elves, dwarves, and other terrifying creatures now populate the planet.   With the creatures causing havoc, strangers are forced to join forces. Private military officer Peter Blair grapples with enigmatic dreams brought on by a black sword, and his inability to save everyone. While journalism student Sarah Young discovers newfound magical powers and the responsibility they bring. With refugees flooding in and danger on the rise, Peter and Sarah must embrace their new reality or risk surrendering Earth to the Fae - losing everything they hold dear.   Fans of The Walking Dead and Lord of the Rings will be enticed by this genre-bending epic that rings with themes of survival, sacrifice, and self-discovery.  After 6 years of writing/editing, Mikel and David have completed the first installment in their Apcoylptic Epic Military Rural Fantasy. A story like no other.

Genres: Fantasy, Epic Fantasy

561 pages, Paperback

Published May 20, 2023

Reviews

[Booksblabbering || Cait❣️ · Rating 3 out of 5]

The end of the world brings more than anyone thought.
Set in modern-day Georgia, one day the earth shook and the sky shattered, leaving the citizens ruined after explosions, debris, injured, and dead. As if things weren’t bad enough, there are mysterious, talking predators roaming the city of Paragon. There is no power and no means of communication.

Captain Peter from a private military organisation is the one to take control, unbelievably killing a basilisk with a strange sword gifted by Dr. Walker, an old lady and family friend. As it turns out, she is an ancient dwarf thousands of years old.

This follows an adventurous story of good vs evil where dwarves, elves, orks, vampires, and tree people suddenly exist, armed by their own form of magic, spells, and traditions. The humans must learn to adapt and learn to navigate the new world.

The book combines classic magical elements with a modern-day setting full of non-stop action and more touching, primal, humane character moments.

I did find the military expeditions sometimes dragged on too long and certain explanations were delivered in information dumps with the wise old dwarf educating the new mage. However, there is light humour throughout which keeps it more engaging.

I do think the first 2/3 felt a lot tighter than the last 1/3.

I preferred the quieter moments where characters had to envision their future, or connect to others, or learn to use the new world to their advantage such as in weapon making, healing, agriculture, etc.

The narrator does a phenomenal job giving accents, personality, and distinct voice to each character!

Thank you to the author for providing me the audiobook in exchange for a review!

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[MikeLikesBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can I give this more than 5 stars? Where has this gem of a fantasy novel been hiding? I enjoyed it so much. The shattering has occurred which has collided our known world with that of fantastical creatures. Humankind is in danger and this rag-tag team battles back to save the people. The story is centered around a place we use to call Georgia and humans are gathering in Paragon for safety. You have elf’s, dwarfs, orcs, dragons, witches and a lot of tension as some groups ally with humans and some don’t. I connected to the characters and cared about what happened to them. The author put in action, tear producing scenes and lots of laughter too. I’ll keep shouting from the roof tops : IF YOU LOVE EPIC FANTASY YOU HAVE TO READ THIS BOOK!

I listened to the audiobook as I was reading the book and holy smokes!, the narration was also more than five stars. The narrator took the words on the page to the next level. I couldn’t believe how many voices he could do and keep track of them all. It gave each character a unique personality. Loved it!

[Tam tam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Massive book. I did the audio which was very well read. I do have adhd and tend to zone out at times with any book so with a book this size I feel like I may have missed something’s and need to relisten. The world building and prose are incredible. The characters are vibrant and well fleshed out. The magic system is a lot of fun.

[I.D. Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve never played DnD in my life but I have a very strong feeling this book is exactly how you would feel if you were playing it. The world building is vast, the creatures you meet always keep you on your toes, and you’re left with so many interesting questions every time the book graces you with a small answer. This was certainly a fun read to dive into.

I think the only reason I docked a star was from the fact that I sometimes felt scenes were too long or unnecessary in some places. This sometimes took me out of the action of the book as I waited to get back to whatever fantastical cliffhanger the story left me in the chapter before.

[Alison Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I heard about Paragon Exordium by Mikel Melwasul on Book Tok and was immediately intrigued by it premise. In a Post-Apocalyptic setting, an event know as The Shattering has found our modern world merged with the world of myth and fantasy. Technology no longer works, or only sporadically, even weapons have limited effect as monsters like Basilisks and orcs roam the land. The town of Paragon, Georgia has managed to survive and create a haven of sorts for those that survive. They're protected by Captain Peter Blair and his private security forces of SNW. Armed with a mysterious black sword, Peter fights the many threatening forces in a quest to locate and rescue survivors of the Shattering. However, the price to his heart and mind may be more than he can bear. Elves, dwarves, magic-users, both orc and human, all make an appearance in this epically entertaining read. It's a hefty read but doesn't feel that way as Melwasul's story unfolds in a manner compelling the reader along and turning the page. The best kind of story. Highly recommend for anyone who might like a cross between The Walking Dead and Lord of the Rings.

[Kiley · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐.5 / 5 rounded up!

This book was a lot of fun and keeps you thoroughly interested and engaged the whole way through. It's also super accessible/readable while still incorporating lots of fantasy elements. The author wove the fantasy details in a way where you learn things along the way with the characters and are never overwhelmed (despite the many different creatures and large cast of characters). I loved the ensemble cast and each character felt pretty well-rounded. I also loved how it truly felt like a fantasy world was dropped right into our own. I'm definitely interested in reading the sequel!

The voice actor for the audiobook is incredible! This book has so many different characters of varying accents and even species, and everything was embodied SO well. I felt like I was watching a movie and even got scared by the voices at parts.

My main piece of criticism is the last 1/3 of the book or so seemed to lack the quality of editing of the first 2/3. There was a lot of repetition of words and names in consecutive sentences (instead of using similes or other terms to make the language flow a bit better) that distracted me. Otherwise, I think this book is a great time and definitely worth the read!

[Aleese Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

So Unique!

What a unique book! Paragon Exordium takes an interesting take on both the dystopian and fantasy genres, and it did not disappoint! The book’s description boasts that it is a good read for fans of The Walking Dead and Lord of the Rings. And let me say that statement is correct!

An event called The Shattering changes the world as people know it, revealing a world of magical creatures and newfound powers. The book follows Peter and Sarah as they learn to navigate an existence beyond anything they could have imagined.

With loads of detail and fantastic world-building, I found it hard to put the book down. My only complaint is that many sentences could have been more straightforward and shorter. The length and occasional clunkiness of these sentences sometimes made it hard to stay in the moment of the magical world Paragon Exordium is. But I’m still giving this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars!

[Kimberlee Kite · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book, overall WOW! Swords, Dwarfs, Magic, Elves and Monsters what more could you want in a fantasy story! The fantasy world, colliding with the world as we know it now, made my imagination go wild.

The story has so much detail, with each character having such complex emotions and view points, I couldn’t help but become emotionally attached to them.
The world build has such detail and openness to it, you are left thinking ‘what’s next’, ‘what do they do now’.

Overall, I really enjoyed this fantasy book! I’m recommending this to all my fantasy reading friends rn.

[Kelvin Pitlik · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️

First, thank you to the author for sending me a review audiobook copy of this book, I had so much fun with this!

A modern take on classic epic fantasy tropes, Paragon Exordium tells the story of a group of survivors in modern-day Georgia following a magical apocalypse known as The Shattering. After the sky broke into pieces, technology all but died, and magical creatures straight out of the fairy tales began to appear: orcs, dwarves, elves, dryad, basilisks, and much, much more. Suddenly faced with a frightening new world, rife with magic and beings beyond their comprehension, our main characters must find a way to survive while also trying to discover their places and their destinies as they suddenly find themselves living in a classic epic fantasy story made real.

I genuinely had a lot of fun with this world, this story, and these characters. I loved the modern take on the classic epic fantasy story, loved the magic and the mystery, and loved the different POVs that we followed throughout. This book also gave me major The Walking Dead vibes in the best way: an apocalypse, a group of survivors in Georgia, a character that reminded me of The Governor, a journey to some important HQ building in Atlanta. The characters were well written, the pacing was wonderful, the plot was intriguing, and the battle scenes just got more and more epic. I laughed, I cried, I was anxious, happy and mad: all the marks of an enjoyable epic fantasy. To me, the modern aspect was weaved in with the epic fantasy feel quite well, and I enjoyed this unique take on the genre. A fun quest, some political intrigue, plenty of magic, the potential beginnings of a prophecy, ancient, mysterious beings, epic, bloody battles, THE WORKS: if you want it in an epic fantasy, this book has it.

As for the audiobook, I think that the production was quite well done. The characters all had their own unique voices, things were dramatic, serious, or humorous at the correct times, and the narrator easily kept my interest throughout. There were only a few moments (certain characters' laughs for example) that took my out of the story, but overall I really enjoyed the audiobook experience and would definitely recommend it to those interested in checking this book out.

Now for some areas that didn't quite sit so well with me. To nobody's fault but my own, I thought that this book was a standalone, not the beginning of a series. Because of that I felt myself becoming increasingly frustrated with the lack of answers as I neared the end of the book, but that's just my own fault. As the first book in a series, this was well done. The writing significantly improved as the story continued, but at the beginning it felt a little too predictable and easy. There's one character in particular (a character I love by the way) who was far too conveniently placed and knew all the right answers too often for my liking. I wanted the characters to struggle a little more to discover things rather than just have the answers handed to them at no expense right off the bat. That is necessary in some capacity with a story like this, I understand, but the worldbuilding felt a little too "in your face" for my liking at times. There were also a few times where things felt a little too metaphorical/mysterious for my liking. This may have been intentional as we may get answers later in the series, but this is something I struggle with in other books too. All in all though, my gripes with this are minimal and didn't significantly hinder my enjoyment of this book!

I had a lot of fun with this story and talking about it with the author was a lot of fun! I immediately ordered myself a shelf trophy and look forward to continuing this series in the future! Fans of epic fantasy will definitely enjoy this modern take on the typical epic fantasy story.

[Michael Vadney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Paragon Exordium is a story with tremendous ambition and a sprawling, end-of-the-world energy that feels right at home alongside shows like Falling Skies or Revolution. From the very first chapters, there’s a clear sense that everything familiar has already crumbled, and the survivors are scrambling to piece together what remains. The book thrives on that atmosphere of urgent chaos, where desperate alliances, hidden betrayals, and bursts of violence all tumble together in a rush toward something enormous and unknowable.

Stylistically, this is a novel that often reads like an anime brought to the page. The narration leans heavily into characters thinking aloud, narrating their every realization and reaction—especially during high-stakes moments. It’s the kind of internal monologue you see in shounen anime battles: “How did my enemy escape? I must have underestimated them!” While this approach can sometimes feel like it’s telling the reader how to feel rather than letting the events speak for themselves, it also gives the story a distinctive, almost theatrical tone. If you go in expecting anime logic—characters accepting impossible truths instantly, rewinds to show the same scene from another angle, big declarations of resolve—the storytelling makes a lot more sense and becomes much easier to enjoy.

The characters themselves often feel more like archetypes or heightened caricatures than fully developed people. They rarely need much convincing to accept that magic is real, and the narrative doesn’t always slow down to explore their emotional transformations. At times, it feels like the book is racing so fast toward its next revelation that it forgets to let the characters (and the reader) fully inhabit the moment.

That said, the worldbuilding is impressively creative. The looming magical cataclysm at the heart of the mystery is compelling enough to keep you turning the pages, even through stretches of heavy exposition and internal monologue. And while the prose could benefit from tighter editing—especially to smooth out character consistency and reduce the over-explanation—there’s no denying how much raw energy and vision pulses through these chapters.

Despite its flaws, Paragon Exordium is often fun, and sometimes even moving. One scene near the end, in particular, surprised me by welling up real emotion. It’s clear this story has good bones: an imaginative premise, a vividly realized world, and the conviction to swing big. With another round of polish to refine the characters and sharpen the plot, this could have been something truly special. As it stands, it’s an imperfect but entertaining ride—especially if you read it with the same mindset you’d bring to watching your favorite apocalyptic anime.

[Sibil · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars
I read this book for the Indie Ink Awards

I had a really good time with this one, even if I was expecting a standalone, and this is not the case. This is just the first book of a series, but without the sequels.
Anyway, the book is intriguing and quite compelling.
Something happened to our world, and now the internet and phones don't work, cities were destroyed, and a lot of people died. Roads disappeared or collapsed, and there is no easy way to move from the places that survived, albeit not unscathed, from this calamity.
And that's not all. Monsters that weren't real before are now alive and pretty much intent on killing humanity.
But not everything is so bad, it seems that elves and dwarves are real too, and they, at least, seem quite friendly (and they are not the only ones who have somehow good intentions towards humans), and some humans start to develop the ability to use magic.
And so we follow a group of humans who try their best to survive and to help others survive, too.

I particularly enjoyed Peter; he is a leading figure, and he is quite determined to see humanity survive. And the majority of his people is pretty good. Steven is another big favorite, and Shawn, too. He is an honorary member, but he is adaptable and he is resourceful.
I wasn't so keen on the women in there, to be honest. Jenni is my favorite, but it is not saying much. But I have to admit that I enjoyed the mentor/student relationship between Sarah and Doctor Walker. I didn't particularly care about them as characters, but this relationship was well developed and I appreciated it.

All in all, it is intriguing and full of action. It's not the shortest book but it managed to keep my attention engaged, and I am quite happy to have read it.

[Matt (Geaux Read Books) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Imagine setting in your home, minding your own business when all of a sudden the world breaks and the reality that you know completely changes. The world as you know it is merged with something that looks and feels like it came straight out of a D&D campaign. On top of that you are now having to survive in a world filled with orcs and fantasy monsters. That’s what happens to the characters in Paragon Exordium.

This was over all a fun and very unique read. The author does a good job building this world and giving us both a sense of dread and adventure at the same time. The two main characters in our story, Sarah Young and Peter Blair will find themselves thrown into a world where the unexpected is to be expected. Both set out on journeys of their own, whether actual or metaphorical, in which they are to find out what they are truly made of and how they can survive and help others survive in their new reality.

I found the pacing in the first half of the book to be a bit slow. This made it difficult for me to fully immerse myself into the story. However, it picks up a good bit when we get some direction for our characters. So I would say that I enjoyed the back half more than the front half. That being said, I would encourage anyone who might feel the same as I did in the front half to keep reading as the reader will be well rewarded for continuing on.

If you are looking for a Post apocalyptic fantasy set in our world with a dash of horror thrown in there for good measure, this might be something to try. This was a genre bending good time.

[Atlas Creed · Rating 4 out of 5]

SPOILER FREE


A chaotic ride through a unique post-apocalyptic (ish) setting with fun, surprising twists. The story is hefty and densely packed with character depth, worldbuilding, familiar (and unfamiliar) creatures, and monsters.


There was a surprising amount of diversity in the cast of characters and I enjoyed this book across ebook and audiobook. The performance of the audiobook was phenomenal, but I'll stay focused on the story itself rather than a format specific review. I had a few minor moments of confusion regarding how the magic system works, but received explanation a little further along in the story (or looking back as I found I overlooked some details at times) and a few minor gripes about character consistency. Despite having such a diverse cast, it was easy to stay on track with who's who and only on a few occasions did I lose track when characters revealed that they went by a different name (or a few) and their various names were substituted interchangeably.


The overarching plot took a minute to flesh itself out, but was interspersed with objectives to carry the characters and bolster their growth in an engaging enough way as to not leaving you wanting. There are a lot of layers and subplots working together to create a realistic atmosphere, where each character has their own focus that all feeds into and intersects with the larger story.


It was absolutely an enjoyable read and am curious to see what the next entry in the story brings.

[J.M. Gokey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have heard many, many great things about this book and have followed the authors journey for a while now. I was very intimidated by the sheer size of the book, but I was still intrigued. Given the opportunity to listen to the audiobook (way better for my adhd brain), I jumped at the opportunity.

In Paragon, Georgia an event known as the shattering occurs, quite literally turning their world upside down. Terrifying creatures now populate the planet, and surviving strangers must join forces.

I’ve seen the author state that it is an easy read, and boy was he right. Despite the large size of the book which normally would bore me after a while, I was captivated by the characters and the story itself from the first few pages.

The magic system was unique and captivating, and overall this was a refreshing world to jump into. The characters were genuine and pulled on your heartstrings, and were very easy in general to relate to and feel for.

Paragon Exordium is definitely worth the hype, which I haven’t been able to say for many other fantasy books out there.

Don’t let the size scare you like it did me for so long, definitely give this one a read, you won’t regret it!

I look forward to reading more from the author in the future

[A.B. Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a long book, but don't let that put you off. Hours will pass like minutes as you read this post-magical-apocalyptic fantasy.

The basic premise is that our world and the world of the fey collide in an event called "the shattering." Set in the fictitious town of Paragon, Georgia, Peter Blair must figure out how to navigate this new world. He struggles with the question of, "how far is too far" when it comes to protecting his people.

With new dangers to face, like a basilisk, orks, and Russian dwarves, that all seem impervious to our modern weapons, Peter must use a strange sword that...I'll say "gives him visions of a questionable nature."

While Peter's story is the main one, there are a few other POV's. Sarah is a young college-age woman who discovers her connection to the arcane, and Shawn, who would still be in high school if that were still a thing, wants nothing more than to prove himself.

A great read for anyone looking for a complex story that keeps you on your toes!

[Jessica McPherson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Non stop action, so hard to put down and just work! Stupid life for getting in the mix.

Listen, I am a sucker for anything fantasy genre, and this definitely didn't disappoint!

This was a great dynamic read to really get back into the genre again with so many different aspects.

This like walking dead, the last of us meets Lord of the Rings vibes.

Very rarely does a book have me just disappointed in having a real life that forces me to put it down. Would definitely recommend reading for fantasy lovers and dystopian genre lovers alike!

[S. Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book starts out with the suspense of War of the Worlds and then takes you on an epic adventure which will have you wondering how you never thought of Lord of the Rings being written as an urban fantasy.

This book is a league of its own. The action keeps you on the edge of your seat, the characters are complex and build as the story goes, and the ending leaves you wanting more!

Go. Buy. And while you're at it, get the audiobook because it's amazing!

[Jordan Fitch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enthralling adventure! The premise of a classic fantasy world existing on a plane adjacent to ours, then having those world collide in an apocalyptic “shattering,” is fascinating. The characters, human and otherwise, were well developed and moved through the story with clear motivations. I feel the book could have been trimmed to keep the pace up and wouldn’t have lost much. Looking forward to the next!

[Alfred Muller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scifi style fantasy

This is a great combination between the Witcher and Starship Troopers. An intriguing concept of man trying to survive in the apocalypse. The action scenes play like a war movie and exposition pulls you along as the story unfolds.

[Anna Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!! I really enjoyed the military aspects in a fantasy novel. It is so action packed, that is doesn’t feel like an almost 600 page book because you have to know what happens next! Looking forward to reading the 2nd!!

[Jordan Encee · Rating 4 out of 5]

What could I say about the book other than that it was epic. With the utilization of magic and modern weaponry it created a unique world that you don’t see often. Maybe in urban fantasy but this doesn’t feel like that. This truly feels like the world of fantasy was just dropped on the modern world. But seriously, the world having a cracked sky is cool.
The characters were so well rounded. So many times I can feel what the characters were feeling. I can’t really say I hated the characters other than the characters that are meant to be hated.
And the action, my lord the action! With the mix of both guns and swords fighting in an epic battle field was nothing less than epic. Seriously, the battles were EPIC!
But, the only thing I don’t like is more my taste. I don’t like when they have to travel and talk. I know it’s a fantasy troupe to walk and talk until the next destination but I always find those annoying, and drags the story. So nothing against the author I just never liked these, and it’s mostly because I don’t read fantasy often.
But this is book is for those who loves fantasy, swords, magic, and guns! And overall and epic story.
Truly remarkable.

[Ciara Hartman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not finish this book, simply because it’s not my fave genre. But I’m giving 4 stars because what I did read was very well written!

[Patrick Leitzen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Buckle in: this is a long read (or listen), but it really flies by once the momentum starts to carry it. The storyline manages to meld the modern and the mythical in a way that many other mediums have failed to do, and accordingly creates a world that is both intrinsically familiar and shockingly foreign. Beats come naturally and un-forced, and the plot progresses in a fluid, driven manner. Characters-- both protagonists and antagonists alike-- are unique and make decisions logical to their own backgrounds and experiences. Even side characters can easily grow on the reader, and their fates (both positive and negative) can really tug at your emotions.

Without a doubt, if you're looking for a blend of fantasy and the modern world, check this out.

[E.L. Montague · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summary: Who knew I wanted an ensemble story of an epic fantasy adventure set in near future Georgia, USA? Not me. Peter was a leader at SNW, an elite paramilitary security force operating in Paragon, GA when the world broke. Or more precisely, an ancient spell broke and released all the fantastic people and creatures found in our stories. Turns out they were locked away by all the races to protect the world from a great evil. And suddenly we're faced with magic, dwarves, elves, orcs, goblins and all the rest. Peter and his band are sent on a mission to discover what's out there and they open the doors to a whole new world filled with violence, risk, politics, and more.

The Good: The number one measure of a good book for me is my desire to give it extra time. I gave this one extra time. I listened on audiobook and found myself going just a little longer, every time I did. I didn't binge it, but I did burn through.

Character development became a hallmark of this story. I genuinely found myself interested in the unique outcomes of a half-dozen characters, maybe more. Each of them had personal stories that created a logical flow for their actions. The ways they interacted with and changed each other just fit; they worked. And I am looking forward to seeing more.

Much to my surprise, the integration of a classic fantasy world with a dystopian future worked as well. It was easy for me to conjure this world. I had strong sense of place. Melwasul put me right in the action. Past a hundred pages, I never once tried to imagine where I was, I just was.

The Bad: Though I never worried much about it in context, the antagonists were relatively thin. Orcs and goblins were bad. Selfish humans were bad, or at the very least irritating - we got both. The scary creation of the Orcs was really bad. But hey, no one ever promised a deep consideration of the evils in the world that create monsters. Melwasul did tease at some humanity in the orcs before promptly murdering them (separate occasions), but it wasn't that kind of story.

Any number of characters were slow to realize the subtext. Magic is real. Scary things are scary. That girl likes you. He likes you back. I'm not actually crazy. I know I didn't believe you about that impossible thing which turned out to be true, but there's not chance this crazy thing is actually true too.

And finally, I want the underhanded actors to suffer more when their time comes. I can think of two I'm expecting a painful comeuppance for. If you cheat me of my catharsis, Melwalsul, I will cry about it publicly. Don't fail me. That's a warning.

Overall: I'm lying to you if I say this is the best thing ever written, but I really liked it. I didn't expect to like it. The general idea sounded kind of juvenile to me. I was wrong. It didn't take long and I was invested. The story is ably set up and brought home. Melwasul successfully threads a rope of parallel stories that combine to a greater whole. He makes you care about quite a few characters. I didn't learn anything, but I was entertained. This is exactly the kind of thing fantasy is supposed to do. Good job, sir.

This was a 4.6 out of 5.0 for me.

[Alecia Conkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I heard about this book on Booktok. Elves on a tank kinda sold me on reading it. This book is extremely thick, but full of some amazing things. My favorite characters were Dr Walker and Hannah. I loved the Mikel writing style. But the audiobook narrator was phenomenal. Kept me engaged and wanting more.

[Apollo Gaunt · Rating 3 out of 5]

My prior review came off rather harshly. I enjoyed it! it was a good listen/read.

I enjoyed the world building, namely how dwarvish and elvish culture in this setting displayed itself.

I wasn't a big fan of the ending. specifically when the crew finally made it to the main city, the writing felt almost rushed from this point to the ending.

Overall, definitely worth reading.

[Megan Mossgrove · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic clash of the modern world with fantasy. There’s a basilisk, and in my opinion he’s one of the MVPs. The writing had a lot of good moments, sometimes intense, sometimes hilarious. Definitely recommend to fantasy fans- even if urban isn’t your thing. It kind of felt like a fantasy war movie!

Favorite quotes:

"Death," Peter answered, his voice cold as steel, matching Almurë's critical stare.  Almurë raised an eyebrow a hairsbreadth. "Whose death?" Peter frowned. "My people’s, my enemies, and in due time my own."

“too weak to save yourself is too weak to save others.”

“Besides, people can give you all the funny looks they want — you’re the one with a sword.”

[Nathan Helm · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went into this story really excited because I knew it was a genre bending book. Well... I was never let down once. I listened to the audiobook and was floored by the performance from the narrator. It brought this story to life 10 fold. I haven't enjoyed a book quite this much in a while. After the epilogue... Well, haha... I'm ready for book 2! Go give this book a shot if you like unique fantasy!

[warywolf3 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Darn good book

Very much worth the read. Worth buying an ex copy and a physical copy and hopefully an audio copy. I cried, laughed, worried. I think I need some duct tape to put my heart back together. If you get it you vet it.

[Sarah crouch · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Shadowfang is dead. To let him haunt you is to give him victory in death where you bested him in life. You are safe, Sarah. Be at peace."

Paragon Exordium is a thrilling adventure that kept my attention the entire time! The story is intentionally crafted to teach you the “need to know” information in fun, moving, and engaging scenes. I felt like I could really connect with the vivid creatures and understand the cultural nuances that the author introduced.

I appreciated the complex emotional arcs portrayed in this book and the discussions the characters have in regard to trauma, mental health, and surviving as a team.

The story itself is very rich, enjoyable and would be the perfect read for any sci-fi/fantasy reader.

If you are a fan of things like:

Walking Dead
Last of Us
Lord of the Rings
Classic Fantasy

Then you will love Paragon Exordium

I loved the characters, prose/imagery, and pacing! Especially for the length of this book, it is a very digestible plot and didn’t feel “bulky” at any point.

I am eagerly awaiting book two!