Rise of Dresca

by Tim McKay

From the pits of an ancient darkness, a new power is rising.

Action-packed and filled with a healthy dose of magic, mayhem, and fantastical lore, Rise of Dresca is a phenomenal start to what promises to be a riveting epic fantasy series.
– Pikasho Deka from Readers’ Favorite

In Rise of Dresca , a lone survivor from a terrible battle finds himself trapped in ruins haunted by a vile creature and secrets from eons past. His quest to survive will shape the fate of worlds. Meanwhile, a lord’s daughter sets off on her own journey to fight an evil corruption that’s taken hold of those she loves, one by one. And a young girl, oblivious to the wars raging around her and the terrible power building within her jumbled mind, discovers family, friends, and hope in the unlikeliest of places. Witness the dawn of a new age, and learn if what evil intended to harm you …

… can become something far more terrible.

Rise of Dresca is the first book of the Draemeir Chronicle. IF you are looking for a relentless, action, rage-filled dark fantasy book, then look no further than “Rise of Dresca”. WOW! This is bestselling material right here!
– Julio Carlos at Scribble’s Worth Book Reviews Rise of Dresca by Tim McKay is a spellbinding journey into the heart of a mesmerizing monster-filled fantasy realm. Seamlessly blending captivating storytelling with vivid world-building, this teen and YA monster fantasy will have readers utterly entranced from the very first page.
– Demetria Head for A Look Inside Book Reviews

283 pages, Paperback

Published August 15, 2023

About the author

Tim McKay is an author, editor, and part-time writing professor from Ottawa, Canada. A lifelong pursuer of meaning and joy through the written word — with a small helping of thrills and adventure on the side.

He has degrees in history and public policy, along with a diploma in professional writing, but likes nothing more than hiking in the woods, running along the Rideau Canal, and connecting with the people he loves.

Oh, and reading a good book.

Reviews

[A Look Inside: Reviews and Interviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Rise of Dresca" by Tim McKay is a spellbinding journey into the heart of a mesmerizing monster-filled fantasy realm. Seamlessly blending captivating storytelling with vivid world-building, this teen and YA monster fantasy will have readers utterly entranced from the very first page.

In a world shadowed by ancient darkness and a new rising power, Ceremai has fallen, and an unlikely group of allies find themselves drawn together by the strings of destiny. As an orphan girl discovers her hidden power, a lord's daughter takes a dangerous path, and the last soldier of Ceremai embarks on a perilous quest. McKay skillfully weaves the threads of their fates, leading readers on a breathtaking adventure fraught with intrigue and danger.

The writing effortlessly transports readers into the heart of Naevoroth, a land where evil creeps even into the meek and the arrogant. McKay's vivid descriptions and meticulous attention to detail paint a world both enchanting and perilous, where limitless power comes at a price, and where the battle between light and darkness takes center stage.

The characters in "Rise of Dresca" are compelling and multifaceted, each with their own struggles and motivations. Rhynwhen's spirited escapades and Valdaris Drascar's harrowing journey add depth to the narrative, making it easy for readers to become emotionally invested in their stories. The supporting cast, including the enigmatic Kanna and the gruff Jedda, further enrich the tale, creating a tapestry of personalities that keep readers engaged.

McKay masterfully builds suspense throughout the novel, delivering twists and turns that will leave readers on the edge of their seats. The pacing is expertly balanced, allowing for moments of introspection and character development while keeping the momentum of the plot moving forward.

The world-building in "Rise of Dresca" is truly a standout feature. McKay's ability to craft a rich and immersive setting is nothing short of impressive. From the bustling streets of the capital to the mysterious enclave in the Daemori mountains, every location is vividly depicted, inviting readers to explore the landscapes alongside the characters.

At its core, "Rise of Dresca" is a tale of destiny, courage, and the eternal struggle between light and darkness. McKay's exploration of these themes is both thought-provoking and resonant, reminding readers that even in the face of insurmountable odds, the power of the human spirit can prevail.

In conclusion, "Rise of Dresca" is a must-read for fans of fantasy and adventure. Tim McKay's exceptional storytelling and imaginative world-building create an enthralling reading experience that will capture the hearts and minds of readers young and old. Prepare to be swept away on a captivating journey that will leave you eagerly anticipating the next installment of the Draemeir Chronicle.

[Gabriella Batel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Reedsy Discovery and Tim McKay Tim McKay for a free E-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

https://reedsy.com/discovery/book/ris...

Rise of Dresca is an incredibly fast-paced, plot-driven book with an entrancing magic system and a main character worth more exploration.

[Annarella · Rating 4 out of 5]

a good fantasy, full of potential. I enjoyed it and had fun. Good world building and character development
I'm curious about the rest of the series
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

[Damien Francis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rise of Dresca – Tim Mckay 4/5.

Music Recommendation: Pendulum – Immersion

Rise of Dresca is the debut novel by Tim Mckay and the first in the Draemier Chronicles.

It follows initially Valdaris Drascar, but then incorporates other characters perspectives as they all band together on a journey across the world of Naevoroth to destroy an evil that is growing.
What I felt as I read it was a bit like How To Train Your Dragon, but its darker, much darker. And packed with so much more action. But then it takes on another aspect entirely as we are joined by other characters like Sevora, Elaryn, Mella, and the odd child Rhynwhen.

My absolute favourite character was Valdaris Drascar or Vald. He gets such an awesome start in the book that sets the pace off on this wild fight for survival which really sets the stage for some cool action sequences.
Where I also found this book to shine was the action. It’s just so awesome, with some really cool moments of people with serious skill and power tearing through opponents. Several times I could see this play out as an awesome action film moment. Its fast and fun pulling you along for this thrilling ride.
The magic and the dragons in the book are also spellbindingly entertaining. The dragons are super cool and when they appear they take over the whole scene. Everyone has to stop and deal with the dragons. There’s some cool moments with the magic
And when Vald uses his magical abilities, or when the magic is used by anyone its always something wickedly cool. I could easily see the colours and light in my head as he uses it to destroy evil.

Now as I’m honest with my reviews, there were only a couple of things I struggled with. The first one is a connection with characters. I had a hard time connecting to some characters as we kind of shift between others halfway through and the love I had with Vald kind of dwindled a little as he sort of faded a bit. While we still se Vald, his cool scenes and moments are seen through the eyes of others and it feels kind of distant.
I also felt like the direction of the novel was a little haphazard at times and while the plot was fast-paced, the story didn’t feel as engaging as I wanted.
The other thing is the size of the novel. I liked that it was fast-paced and I could blitz read many pages in such a short space of time, but it was a little bit shorter than I wanted and felt like a bit more story and time with the characters might have helped it along.

I will admit that Tim is already making changes and adding chapters to something he has planned so I feel like those points are a bit redundant (although that’s how I felt reading the edition I had).

Ultimately though I had such a fun time with Rise of Dresca. A few standout scenes were the kossa fight, Vald’s fight with the Selvar sharpshooters, and the creature chase. (You’ll know what I mean).

If you want action, dragons, a darker edge, and a wild fantasy novel then Rise of Dresca should be on your next list to read! If there’s one book you should start your year by reading, it’s this one!

I’m already excited to read Book 2: The Seas of the Zovah!
It’s on my list of books to read in 2024!

[Scribble's Worth Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever read a book that the first impression you had about the author was: “ He’s a FUCKING SAVAGE!!!!” ? No, then grab this book and feel it first hand, ahahhaha. I will let you find out why. That disclaimer was priceless! You will never find this stuff in the BIG 5 publishers, ahahhahahaha.

If you think that the author let up when the book started, oh well, think again because he stepped on the throttle and said: “Let’s burn some rubber” on the first paragraph and things only get harder from there. IF you are looking for a relentless, action, rage-filled dark fantasy book, then look no further than “Rise of Dresca”. WOW! This is bestselling material right here! Damn!

No hellos, no “my name is”, no characters getting to know each other, just someone hell bent on killing, blood, throats being split and an attempt on mercy for like, half a second, and then, more death. Wow... this might be paradise. HAHAHAHHAHA.

I love that the author took time to research about volcanic rocks and their properties, it showed on the book. Little things like this make a huge difference when it comes to the quality of the overall book.

Tim McKay knows how to keep readers engaged, that’s for sure, and uses great tricks we all love and appreciate, like old men with hoods that live in caves made of stone buildings, magic, dragon blood shots, assassins, killing your main character for no reason, raptors, and things like that, you know.

The book can go from action packed, to mysterious, to dangerous to silly and dumb, and then to mysterious and dangerous in an instant, and you cannot help but be taken away from wave after wave of incredible scenes.  This is very well written and cool!

One Word: “Descriptions”! The descriptions of the scenes and elements on this story, the details, the colours, the intentions. the reactions and the thoughts of the characters and the scenery are complex , detailed and breath-taking! And if you think that it will just stop there, well, you have to think a again because the action scenes have freaking replay! That’s right! Some action scenes have replay and fast forwards and backwards motions, angle changes and plot divergences on scenes with different outcomes each time. WOW! Like WOW. This feels like a movie.

How hardcore are the fight scenes on this book? How brutal are these characters? Well, I want you to imagine an elite sharpshooter team, trying to hunt you, but, there are so elite, but soooo elite, that even in panic, even in desperation and confusion they will shoot , “recklessly”, and not miss! Like WTF?!

“They reminded Drascar of ornate handguards he’d seen on some officers’ rapiers, those impossibly fast dueling blades reserved for fools who thought war was fought one opponent at a time.”

This book is so crazy with action and little explanation that for the first 100 ish pages you will be thrown with questions and just be in complete awe while asking “what the heck is happening?!!!! “ but loving every minute of it, and not wanting to stop reading.

Magic swords, dragons and epic fights will be scattered at every other page along with intrigue, conspiracies and a dilemma: The mind control force that is higher than the main character, (that refuses, or dislikes being controlled), is used towards the main character in order to defeat the forces of evil that use the same power. That will leave you questioning: “Who is really guiding this character, and why? Is it a good force, or a brutally selvatic one without reason, as it many times appears to be?”

A novel so well planned that you will feel that the author threw a plot line and then forgot about it, just to pick it up several chapter later and connect the dots. This approach will keep you HOOKED to the book as the plot gives little to nothing away.

This novel never stops and never gives you a break! Seriously! You can trust no-one, not even old men, nor women with keys having a stroll. Damn!

One of the funniest things about "Rise of Dresca" is that the most powerful (and when I say powerful, I say, overpowered) character and the centre of the book is literally a highly impressionable child that has no breaks, and the fact that she can’t yet fully control her abilities makes her even more dangerous, as you will see.

A warning, as you will read this book, and do heed by this advice: just read the book and do your best to blink and keep your head out of the water of this adventure, because you are going on a reading ride that will have you at a loss of words.

The Rise of Dresca, is a book so intense, so filled with mystery, action and magic, that you can only read. Yes, you will only be able to read the book as you desperately try to understand and keep searching for the answers that the author gives you sparsely, while you see the plot advance to a future that one entity wants to avoid, and you realize by the end of the book the intentions of the author and you say: “DAMN, this is going to be a heck of fantasy series!”.



One of the most breath-taking fantasy books written by an indie author. Oh my god. Wau. If you like dark fantasy filled with action, magic and dragons, you don’t want to miss out on this title, grab your copy now, because this is bestselling material.

Pros:

Ultra-fast pace
Excellent and gripping narrative
Excellent descriptions and fight scenes
Dragons, lots of dragons
Mystery in every corner
The magic is very cool
Breath-taking story line that is very original
Unpredictable plot from start to finish

Cons:
The "change" and abbreviations of the names makes it at times confusing to get who is who.

Lesson of the book: Trust no-one and do not underestimate the power of corruption

Favourite character: Dresca

Cover score: 9.0/10

Book score: 9.2/10

[Akansha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rise of Dresca takes place in a world where there is a struggle for independence and a powerful invasion leads to the collision of a nation. This book had me hooked from the first page itself. The first fifty pages reminded me of one of my favorite scenes of Harry Potter, where Harry is stuck in the chamber of secrets fighting a deadly creature to save himself.

Drascar can’t seem to catch himself a break. There is always someone or something trying to kill him, as a reader this is the kind of plotline that I love. The story is told in the third person pov following multiple characters in a sort of military alliance, for lack of a better word. We follow Drascar (later called Vald by his friends), Sevora, Seth, and others as we get deeper into this world.

The world-building is amazing. There are magical creatures like Dragons, and magical caves used to trap people. There are alliances as stated above but I didn’t see any deep bonds or relationships between the characters which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. If you consider the plot, it sort of makes sense why they didn’t trust each other a lot. But as someone who loves found family tropes in books I won’t mind seeing some real friendships formed among our characters. This is based on the theme of visions where you see the future (or past?) and revenge. It’s a chase against time to stop another invasion, to prevent the corrupt from getting the power and revenge.

I liked Drascar, since the beginning when he was struggling so much to survive, I connected to his character, and even though the story splits because of the narration he is still in the center of it all. There is still so much left for us to discover as the story moves forward, Drascar or Vald is likely going to be my favorite at the end. I also liked Seth, he has a better role in the second half of the book after certain things happen, but I did like him. Initially, he looked like another arrogant leader commanding people left and right, not caring about their emotions but his chapters prove you wrong. From all characters I only had a snag with Sevora due to her impulsiveness at times, so I am excited to see where Tim Mckay’s character go from here.

The author provided little background knowledge about characters and their stories on this part of the series, something that would have aid the book further, and allowed new readers to settle in more easily.

If we talk about the ending without spoiling much, it’s worth it with a smooth and soft cliffhanger that won’t leave you too anxious while waiting for the next book on the series.

Rise of Dresca has everything I love in fantasy, dragons, good characters, and a good plotline. Some books get you craving for more and Rise of Dresca is the perfect start to a series and will leave you just like that.

[Carly Rheilan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Rise of Dresca is an unexpected, original start to The Draemeir Chronicle, a fantasy epic set in a world inhabited by warring alliances under the shadow of a spiraling evil.

Tim MacKay sets out his stall from the first words of the first pages. Opening in medias res, we are at once thrust into the darkness of this world, and without further introduction into the violence that characterises it. It is a world where startling new powers are making themselves felt, where nothing is quite as it seems and where it is never clear who can be trusted. The writing is powerful. The world building is luscious.

The narrative is full of action, as rival military and imperial groups struggle for dominance, as strange, dragonlike creatures circle the land, as each character discovers or deploys natural or supernatural powers in their struggle to survive. Some won’t. Some will survive, but not as we expect.

The third person narrative jumps between points of view and there are multiple threads of plot and narrative to follow and weave together. At times this may leave the reader rather dizzy, not helped by some fluidities of naming, that require the reader to work very hard to keep the thread. Hold on. Hang on in there. It does become clearer.

The book is preoccupied by the problem of evil. It depicts an evil that is seeping through the seams of the known world, hinting at yet darker worlds beyond it, an evil that is growing. Who will be the tool of that evil and who will fight it? What will the consequences be? There is a quasi religious mood to these questions, but the book does not answer them. Instead, it introduces a cast of characters, sets out its premise, and asks the reader to come further for the ride.

It is very much the opening chapter of a longer epic, and its ending is no kind of resolution. Even the title of the book – The Rise of Dresca – is a question that is left unanswered. “Dresca” is not in fact mentioned at any point in the book, outside of its title. Who or what is Dresca? What is it that is rising? To make real sense of the first book, you will need to read those that are to follow. For any reader coming to this book looking for a standalone, this will be a problem.

However, the book is seductive, and there is much here for lovers of sword and sorcery, and for anyone interested in starting a new journey into an alternate world.

[Piper · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fascinating introduction to the Chronicles of Draemeir series, offering readers an exciting journey into a richly crafted fantasy world. From captivating characters to a complex plot, this book has all the elements that fans of epic fantasy novels dream of. I also found it to have a surprisingly nice creature design.
The story takes place in a meticulously designed kingdom where magic and mysticism combine perfectly with politics and the struggle for power. Impressive world-building immerses readers in a place filled with monsters, cultures, and unique magic systems. The author's attention to detail is evident, making the scene vivid and tangible.
One of the outstanding aspects of this book is the beautifully drawn characters. From determined and relatable protagonists to morally complex villains, the cast is diverse and multidimensional. Readers will find themselves drawn to the fates of these characters, each of whom contributes to the depth and complexity of the story.
The plot of “Rise of Dresca” is a roller coaster of emotions, filled with unexpected twists and turns. The pace keeps you hooked and the stakes increase as the story progresses. The themes explored, including revenge, fate, survival, and the consequences of one's actions, add depth and substance to the story.
The prose is expertly crafted, with evocative descriptions that bring the world and its inhabitants to life. The dialogue is lively and engaging, helping the characters' personalities shine through.
Although this book can be enjoyed as a standalone story, it is part of a larger story. Readers who have followed the Chronicles of Draemeir series will find "Rise of Dresca" a satisfying introduction to the overall plot, and new readers will have enough interest to explore future episodes. In short, “The Rise of Dresca (The Draemeir Chronicles)” is an excellent addition to fantasy literature. It offers an imaginative world, complex characters, and an engaging plot that will keep readers eagerly awaiting the next installment. It is highly recommended for fans of epic fantasy and those who enjoy a rich, carefully crafted reading experience.
#hyggebooktours #bookreview

[Mark Snoad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tim McKay has created a compelling and mysterious fantasy world that is filled with intrigue, magic, and danger. The pace is frenetic and I was often left scrambling to try and fit the mystery together, which is, at times, a highly challenging endeavour. The payoff is totally worthwhile, but some readers may have to hang in there, especially at the start.

An issue that some fantasy books grapple with in terms of info-dumping is completely obliterated in the Rise of Dresca. The action starts almost immediately and we are not given a lot of context to help make sense of the story. Tim's writing is exceptional, creating such rich and evocative scenes. It is the writing that compels us to keep reading, even though we may not completely understand what it is we are reading. For lovers of mystery, especially mystery of the fantastical kind, this is exactly the book they will love. Others may struggle to push past the sense of bewilderment they may find in the opening pages. Again, it is definitely worth persevering, but it is good to identify that the challenge exists.

Adding to the complexity is the fascinating, but often alien-sounded character names, and the multiple-point-of-view storytelling. Both facets are very skilfully employed and are hallmarks of epic fantasy, but again can add to the sense of confusion. Of course, for many readers, these are much-loved elements which make this book an exciting and unputdownable read.

Overall, this is a riveting, enthralling and exciting fantasy epic, masterfully told.

[Karolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here is my review for The Rise Of Dresca :
I got into this book straight away and really enjoyed it. The plot is an intriguing one and there is a lot going on in this book. We meet Valdaris Drescar, a former artillery captain, who is left over from his home nation after it falls. He is left fighting until he finds himself trapped in ruins that have evil creatures living in them. He comes up against the draemeir who want a host who is compos mentis so they saturate him with their knowledge. It’s a really interesting read and I look forward to the next one as this was book one in the series.
Blurb
In Rise of Dresca, a lone survivor from a terrible battle finds himself trapped in ruins haunted by a vile creature and secrets from eons past. His quest to survive will shape the fate of worlds.
Meanwhile, a lord’s daughter sets off on her own journey to fight an evil corruption that’s taken hold of those she loves, one by one.
And a young girl, oblivious to the wars raging around her and the terrible power building within her jumbled mind, discovers family, friends, and hope in the unlikeliest of places.
Witness the dawn of a new age, and learn if what evil intended to harm you…

… can become something far more terrible.

Rise of Dresca is the first book of the Draemeir Chronicle

[Rebecca Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great beginning to a fantasy series, and I'm interested to see what comes next for the characters. It took me a couple of chapters to get into it because the beginning started by introducing a fair few characters and I had a lot of questions, only some of which got answered, but I'm hoping the others will be answered in the rest of the series. There was excitement right from the start though and and after the first couple of chapters it does follow one storyline so doesn't get confusing. I love the characters! Some of them I still can't work out if they're good or evil (or at least it took a while to work out for some) but I think that's the point and regardless which side they're on you're still invested in their story and rooting for them.
I've said before that when it comes to endings in series I like them to still be rounded off, but with possibility for future books. But I do think it's quite a common thing in fantasy (one of my lesser-read genres so I'm not an expert) for them to end almost mid-journey between the books. So I wouldn't say this ended on an awful cliff-hanger, but it was definitely unfinished and I need to read the rest. I have a lot of unanswered questions still and I'm excited to find out more about the world and characters in the next book(s)!

[INFAMOUS REVIEWER GIO · Rating 3 out of 5]

A beautiful maze

This was a very difficult book to review due to opposite forces leading my final criteria. On one hand, this is gorgeous, dark, and compelling. But on the other, it is mind-boggling due to the way the author throws his reader into the midst of things.
I found it difficult at times to find my footing but at the same time there was this beauty and mystery in every chapter that I just had to go on and stick with it. The who, what, why, and how of this story is mostly foggy and we don't have a glossary or note from the author to help us out of the weeds either.
But I must say, McKay uses fantastic prose and even though he created a maze here it is a beautiful maze and as he himself admitted, book 1 serves more as an initial introduction to this world and characters. That's why I will continue following this saga because depending on what direction it will go, this could become either one of my most favorite stories... or one of the most frustrating ones. I want to remain optimistic.

[Mallory Waayenberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you want a book at starts off in the middle of absolute action-packed chaos and a hero in the middle of battle, this book is for you. I felt like I had walked into a movie in the midst of an epic battle, I didn't care that I was thrown in the deep end. this guy means business, and nothing will stop them. The world building is next level to where you feel like you are on this adventure with each character. And the characters themselves are deeply thought out and each has their own motivations to work together. Its not quite the team you would imagine in this dark and twisted world, but together they make it work and form an alliance. The story is both suspenseful, funny and one of self-discovery. It is unique in its intensity and in its world building and it was a pleasure to be able to read this arc and I am excited to see how the rest of the series unfolds.

[Sharon Rimmelzwaan · Rating 4 out of 5]

 I am partial to fantasy books. I have only fallen in love with the genre about 4 years ago, and reading Rise Of Dresca, I am so glad I did! This is the first book in The Draemeir Chronicle, and it's an excellent start as well. 

 McKay's world building is so good. His descriptions are so vivid and detailed it immerses you in this world, with the characters. His characters are multi-layered with such depth that I became invested in them so quickly. Every one of them unique and with their personal issues and struggles. 

 It is a fantasy story that is paced perfectly. I was never jolted out of this world that McKay had woven for me. The suspense, the richness of the detail, and everything came together perfectly to create an amazing read for me. I am looking forward to Book 2 at some point!  Thanks to Hygge Book Tours for the gifted ebook to write my honest review.

[Nimalee Ravi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rise of Dresca is a must-read, dark fantasy that will get you hooked from the very first sentence. The story is filled with magic, dragons, actions, and characters you'll fall in love with.

I was blown away by the world building. Absolutely loved it. A major plus point for McKay's writing is the level of descriptive language used. Loved all the unlikely characters forming an alliance to win. I'm still trying to figure out a couple of characters, and I'm really looking forward to the second instalment.

If you are a hard fantasy addict like me, then this book is definitely for you. Highly recommend Rise of Dresca.

[Claire Ball · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would describe this book as a ‘proper’ fantasy book. It was full of wonderful description with a touch of mystery. I really enjoyed that you felt like you were living the experience with the characters especially all their different emotions. I was desperate to read on to see how the plot unfolded and developed and what happened to the characters. I felt some parts could have been quicker to develop but that’s just my preference. A great read for all fantasy fans!

[Tami Wylie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a mesmerising YA read set in a world full of monsters and where evil lurks in everything. The characters are quite complex. Each one has their own battles and demons to fight. The world building is fabulous in this book, showcasing the author’s excellent writing skills. The action is fast paced and exciting, making this a brilliant read. I can’t wait to find out what happens in the rest of the story and how the characters and the story develop throughout the series.

[Jan Miklaszewicz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very entertaining story with wonderful world-building that picks up pace to a thrilling finale. The author has an excellent command of language and his prose is very tight, with not a word wasted. While this is mostly a good thing, I wouldn't have minded him loitering here and there to give a lull in the action and let me catch my breath. That said, I immediately bought the second book on finishing this one and am intrigued to find out what happens next. Highly recommended.

[Sonja Charters · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I've read by this author a d also the first in an exciting new series, The Draemeir Chronicle.

This was actually a super quick read given its fantasy genre - the world building didn't overpower the story but passages were descriptive and vivid.

I liked the idea that the evil was due to a parasitic organism - this meant that I actually couldn't hate our main antagonist. The evil had implanted itself in them rather than them being inherintly evil themselves, making then somewhat relatable still.

With multiple strands to the story, this one started off a little confusing, but having the multiple pov's helped to explain each strand clearly as the stories weaved together.

This was quite a dark read - but I really liked that for a change - I'm keen to see where book 2 takes the story.

[Kindlelover 1220 · Rating 5 out of 5]

The premise of the book is very interesting and the reader doesn’t know what is really in store for them. It’s a mixture of different genres that are whipped together to make an enchanting story. The characters are well written and the overall story is fantastic.

Disclaimer: I received a review copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Hanna Belle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this fantasy book, filled with a great set of characters, interesting story, and perfect fantasy elements.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Abemmelek Ermeyes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rise of Dresca draws you in from the first line, and I could not put it down. I'm definitely looking forward to the rest of the series!

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Rise of Dresca is a book packed full and bursting to the seams with action! The last year or so I've been delving into the fantasy world and I'm so glad I dove into this one. The book is written well and is so descriptive. One of the things I loved about this book is the opening chapter goes straight into a battle scene. I dislike it when books take ages world building and then ,especially in a series, don't get to any action until the end of the actual book. This was the complete opposite! So many tense scenes, not knowing who was going to turn against eachother next and then lots of dragons !!! I actually felt so bad for the dragon that got impaled by Drascar's crystal towards the beginning of the book and I loved seeing that they came to a (sort of) amicable relationship! I totally wasn't expecting that ending when we came to read that who killed Dain and it definitely makes you want to pick up the sequel immediately. Overall, a really enjoyable, action-packed book and I would definitely recommend for any fantasy fanatics!