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The Crimson League: The Fight for Hope
“In the darkest of times, the realm will be saved by a hero known as the Marked One.”
Haunted by the coup that slaughtered the royal family, the people of Herezoth have been praying for the legendary Marked One to rise up and remove the boot from the neck of their nation.
Enforced through sword and sorcery, the terror, forced allegiance, and crushing two-thirds taxes sanctioned by dictator Zalski Forzythe seem never-ending.
For Kora Porteg, a beautiful village girl just coming of age in this dystopian nightmare, her father’s story of the Marked One offers little hope, until a predestined meeting with the rebellious Crimson League.
Will Kora live to see the Marked One defeat Zalski’s wicked sorcery or will the Marked One simply take his place?
Find out in The Crimson The Fight for Hope, book one in the Herezoth Trilogy.
Haunted by the coup that slaughtered the royal family, the people of Herezoth have been praying for the legendary Marked One to rise up and remove the boot from the neck of their nation.
Enforced through sword and sorcery, the terror, forced allegiance, and crushing two-thirds taxes sanctioned by dictator Zalski Forzythe seem never-ending.
For Kora Porteg, a beautiful village girl just coming of age in this dystopian nightmare, her father’s story of the Marked One offers little hope, until a predestined meeting with the rebellious Crimson League.
Will Kora live to see the Marked One defeat Zalski’s wicked sorcery or will the Marked One simply take his place?
Find out in The Crimson The Fight for Hope, book one in the Herezoth Trilogy.
484 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 7, 2023
32 people are currently reading
168 people want to read
About the author
Victoria Grefer
8 books37 followersVictoria is a New Orleans girl, born and raised, with an appreciation for the charm of the Deep South. She has a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and English and a master’s degree in Spanish literature, all from the University of Alabama. She started college as a journalism major and worked a year as a staff reporter for the Alabama student newspaper, “The Crimson White.” That experience that helped her realize, once and for all, that her love for writing lay with fiction. She started enrolling in creative writing classes the following semester.
From the age of six, Victoria dreamed of becoming a novelist, and her writing career began in the third grade with a series of stories about herself and her friends solving mysteries. In high school she fell in love with the fantasy genre, and started writing fantasy as an undergraduate student. She currently resides in Chicago, IL, where she spends her free time promoting “The Crimson League.” She is a doctoral student at the University of Chicago, where she teaches Spanish and hopes to write a dissertation that links contemporary fantasy literature with the picaresque novel of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.
From the age of six, Victoria dreamed of becoming a novelist, and her writing career began in the third grade with a series of stories about herself and her friends solving mysteries. In high school she fell in love with the fantasy genre, and started writing fantasy as an undergraduate student. She currently resides in Chicago, IL, where she spends her free time promoting “The Crimson League.” She is a doctoral student at the University of Chicago, where she teaches Spanish and hopes to write a dissertation that links contemporary fantasy literature with the picaresque novel of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
November 5, 2023
Wow. This was a wonderful book. It grabs you early and takes you along for an amazing ride. The author does a really nice job balancing out the action versus build-up and background building. The main character Kora is immediately likable and relatable. You're immediately immersed into a pretty frightening world ruled by a powerful sorcerer-tyrant. It makes for good tension and unease -- there are a bunch of times that I can really feel the desperation and fear of the heroes as they perform dangerous missions against what feels like an insurmountable enemy.
But there's hope (it's in the title!) and I was rooting for Kora every step of the way because she's such a great, real character. And those around her a strong supporting cast...like real life, they have their flaws, secrets, and in-fighting.
In short, this is excellent fantasy in a unique world. The magic system feels fresh, which is no small feat given how many books and movies about magic are out there. I'm on board for the rest of this trilogy and can't wait for it!
But there's hope (it's in the title!) and I was rooting for Kora every step of the way because she's such a great, real character. And those around her a strong supporting cast...like real life, they have their flaws, secrets, and in-fighting.
In short, this is excellent fantasy in a unique world. The magic system feels fresh, which is no small feat given how many books and movies about magic are out there. I'm on board for the rest of this trilogy and can't wait for it!
September 18, 2025
Rebellion and struggle
I struggled between a 3 or 4 star review for this one. So I rounded up and went with 4.
I feel the story is really amazing. I love Kora and her growth. The magic system is really fascinating with limitations and family ties.
I feel the novel could use another round of edits. Mainly the scene breaks. Some places just have an extra space where others have a graphic. But it doesn't subtract from the story just a little distracting.
I'm going to pick up book two because I'm curious as to where this trilogy is going. As the way the book ended I can only guess at what might be coming.
I struggled between a 3 or 4 star review for this one. So I rounded up and went with 4.
I feel the story is really amazing. I love Kora and her growth. The magic system is really fascinating with limitations and family ties.
I feel the novel could use another round of edits. Mainly the scene breaks. Some places just have an extra space where others have a graphic. But it doesn't subtract from the story just a little distracting.
I'm going to pick up book two because I'm curious as to where this trilogy is going. As the way the book ended I can only guess at what might be coming.
February 6, 2024
I enjoyed The Crimson League: The Fight for Hope very much. I was impressed with the relatable characters and their development throughout the story. The dialogue was well done and so natural. I also enjoyed the way magic was utilized, it felt real and organic to the story. The emotional journeys of each character carry the reader along the ups and downs and pull you in. I felt like I was a part of the League and keenly felt the anticipation leading up to, and the aftermath of, the final conflict. I look forward to the next installment!
April 30, 2024
This is the kind of book that will make you stay up later than you should, shirk house chores and sleep, and finish the necessities of life as fast as possible so that you can keep reading it. It’s going right next to my Harry Potter set as I’m sure I’ll read it again. I look forward to when my son is older, and we can read it together. The twists are unexpected and novel and a testament to the author’s creativity.
August 21, 2023
Great Read!
This book is remarkable. On the surface it's a simple "chosen one" quest to overthrow the tyrant. Once you start reading it takes you on a more incredible journey.
Gritty, realistic but the thread of hope running through the whole thing. I can't wait to see where the author takes this next
This book is remarkable. On the surface it's a simple "chosen one" quest to overthrow the tyrant. Once you start reading it takes you on a more incredible journey.
Gritty, realistic but the thread of hope running through the whole thing. I can't wait to see where the author takes this next
October 13, 2023
This book haunted me enough that I had to spend a few days digesting it in my brain before I could write a review.
I enjoyed this book and simultaneously wanted to stop reading it at the same time. It reminded me of the dystopia of The Hunger Games while also being wrapped up in magical fantasy. I'm not the biggest fan of dystopian novels, but this did check off all of my fantasy loving boxes. There were times I had to put this book down for a bit, especially during a few scenes with the antagonist.
The ending is what haunted me. It was, of course, the best ending for the plot given the dystopian nature of the storyline. But part of me wished for something more.
I enjoyed this book and simultaneously wanted to stop reading it at the same time. It reminded me of the dystopia of The Hunger Games while also being wrapped up in magical fantasy. I'm not the biggest fan of dystopian novels, but this did check off all of my fantasy loving boxes. There were times I had to put this book down for a bit, especially during a few scenes with the antagonist.
The ending is what haunted me. It was, of course, the best ending for the plot given the dystopian nature of the storyline. But part of me wished for something more.
July 11, 2023
I absolutely loved this story. The character development is amazing. I love the way certain scenes are punctuated with a quote or statement so powerful that it captures the emotions perfectly. Highly recommend to any and all fantasy fans!
August 11, 2023
The Fight For Hope
Although the beginning of the book had me confused quite often with the vast cast of characters, I soon found myself wishing I was in this battle of good versus evil. This does say book 1 in a trilogy and I am anxious to read the remaining books.
Although the beginning of the book had me confused quite often with the vast cast of characters, I soon found myself wishing I was in this battle of good versus evil. This does say book 1 in a trilogy and I am anxious to read the remaining books.
December 15, 2023
It was the stunning cover that initially pulled me to this book, and then I found myself invested in the characters. I was bummed when the book was over and can't wait till the next in the series! 10/10 would recommend!
December 15, 2023
Characters you’ll love and a story that will stick with you!
I am kind of sad that I finished the book because now I’ll have to wait until book 2 becomes published, which, according to the author’s FB page, may happen as early as the summer of 2024. I guess I can wait that long.
I enjoy Victoria Grefer’s writing style. It’s an easy read and becomes a real page-turner after the initial setup. There’s elements in the book that are comfortably familiar, (i.e., sorcery, an unwitting “chosen one”, a rebellion against a powerful tyrant), and there’s elements that are wonderfully fresh and unique to The Crimson League (i.e., the world, the characters, the magical theory, the feeling of unexpectedness, the will they-won’t they budding romance between some key characters… I won’t spoil it for you).
I’ve read that this book is recommended for readers of Harry Potter and the Hunger Games, and I agree! I also relate it to The Six of Crows (Leigh Bardugo) and even Les Miserables for its back-door-plotting-and-sneaking-around-to-overthrow-The-Man vibe.
The Epilogues (there’s 2 of them) at the end have me so excited for Book 2. This is a great first book to set the scene for a whole world of magic, and I’m totally here for it!
I am kind of sad that I finished the book because now I’ll have to wait until book 2 becomes published, which, according to the author’s FB page, may happen as early as the summer of 2024. I guess I can wait that long.
I enjoy Victoria Grefer’s writing style. It’s an easy read and becomes a real page-turner after the initial setup. There’s elements in the book that are comfortably familiar, (i.e., sorcery, an unwitting “chosen one”, a rebellion against a powerful tyrant), and there’s elements that are wonderfully fresh and unique to The Crimson League (i.e., the world, the characters, the magical theory, the feeling of unexpectedness, the will they-won’t they budding romance between some key characters… I won’t spoil it for you).
I’ve read that this book is recommended for readers of Harry Potter and the Hunger Games, and I agree! I also relate it to The Six of Crows (Leigh Bardugo) and even Les Miserables for its back-door-plotting-and-sneaking-around-to-overthrow-The-Man vibe.
The Epilogues (there’s 2 of them) at the end have me so excited for Book 2. This is a great first book to set the scene for a whole world of magic, and I’m totally here for it!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews