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The Ballad Of The Borag-I
An Orc unlike any other, caught between his clan’s tradition and the strings of his heart...
Bo, an Orc unlike any other within the fierce ranks of the Fire Tusk Clan, stands at a crossroads. As he nears the age of initiation, the expectation to embrace the clan's ruthless warrior spirit weighs heavily upon him. But Bo harbours a secret passion that sets him apart—a deep-seated love for music and storytelling.
You see, Bo doesn't want to be a warrior, he wants to be a bard.
When his moment of truth arrives, Bo's refusal to conform to the violent rites of passage leads to disaster. Branded a pariah and cast out from the only home he's ever known, Bo finds himself wandering the harsh, sprawling wastelands, his broken guitar the only thing left of his past.
Follow Bo as he sets about forming his own epic tale, one that people will sing across the lands. Bo may have been forged in the embers of The Fire Tusk Clan but he was destined to become the legend behind The Ballad Of The Borag-I.
“The Ballad Of The Borag-I” Is a cozy fantasy novella set in A.P Beswick’s best selling world of Levanthria. If you love tales of resilience, friendship, and the relentless pursuit of one's true calling then this story promises to resinate with your own heart strings.
A Cozy fantasy set in the world Of Levanthria, this book also contains a BONUS five chapters from A.P Beswick's upcoming book A War Of Chaos And Fury - Part 1.
Bo, an Orc unlike any other within the fierce ranks of the Fire Tusk Clan, stands at a crossroads. As he nears the age of initiation, the expectation to embrace the clan's ruthless warrior spirit weighs heavily upon him. But Bo harbours a secret passion that sets him apart—a deep-seated love for music and storytelling.
You see, Bo doesn't want to be a warrior, he wants to be a bard.
When his moment of truth arrives, Bo's refusal to conform to the violent rites of passage leads to disaster. Branded a pariah and cast out from the only home he's ever known, Bo finds himself wandering the harsh, sprawling wastelands, his broken guitar the only thing left of his past.
Follow Bo as he sets about forming his own epic tale, one that people will sing across the lands. Bo may have been forged in the embers of The Fire Tusk Clan but he was destined to become the legend behind The Ballad Of The Borag-I.
“The Ballad Of The Borag-I” Is a cozy fantasy novella set in A.P Beswick’s best selling world of Levanthria. If you love tales of resilience, friendship, and the relentless pursuit of one's true calling then this story promises to resinate with your own heart strings.
A Cozy fantasy set in the world Of Levanthria, this book also contains a BONUS five chapters from A.P Beswick's upcoming book A War Of Chaos And Fury - Part 1.
152 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 12, 2024
24 people are currently reading
668 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
December 26, 2024
Awww! Four melodic paws 🐾🐾🐾🐾 for this adorable, too-short, novella. ♫⋆｡♪ ₊˚♬ ﾟ.
I really enjoyed listening to this audiobook. The narrator--Aaron Smith--did an AMAZING job singing, and walking us through the adventures of our angelic, recently exiled, best boy Borag-I (Bo).
I would have liked MORE content, exploration, world building, relationship building, etc. in this novella! I understand that it is intended to be a short and sweet story, but I was left with a craving that will likely never be sated.
I would highly recommend this novella to anyone looking for a cute, quick, fantastic read. ʕ ꈍᴥꈍʔ
⊹☾⋆⁺₊✩°｡ ʕ•ᴥ•ʔ🎧 ⊹☾⋆⁺₊✩°｡
I really enjoyed listening to this audiobook. The narrator--Aaron Smith--did an AMAZING job singing, and walking us through the adventures of our angelic, recently exiled, best boy Borag-I (Bo).
I would have liked MORE content, exploration, world building, relationship building, etc. in this novella! I understand that it is intended to be a short and sweet story, but I was left with a craving that will likely never be sated.
I would highly recommend this novella to anyone looking for a cute, quick, fantastic read. ʕ ꈍᴥꈍʔ
⊹☾⋆⁺₊✩°｡ ʕ•ᴥ•ʔ🎧 ⊹☾⋆⁺₊✩°｡
April 27, 2024
This was an ADORABLE story! I really loved the concept of an orc breaking the “barbarian” stereotypes and pursuing his (quite unconventional) dreams of becoming a bard. SO fun!
My only qualm is that the writing was clunky and would have benefited from another round of line edits. Also, the story is REALLY short (it takes up only about 2/3 of the entire book) and I wish it had been fleshed out more, as there wasn’t much of a growth arc for the main character.
Overall tho, it’s a quick and fun read if you’re looking for more unique stories about orcs!
My only qualm is that the writing was clunky and would have benefited from another round of line edits. Also, the story is REALLY short (it takes up only about 2/3 of the entire book) and I wish it had been fleshed out more, as there wasn’t much of a growth arc for the main character.
Overall tho, it’s a quick and fun read if you’re looking for more unique stories about orcs!
May 5, 2024
I've read many a book set in fantasy settings. To the one of them, when the author has songs, sung by a bard, I've oddly (?) tuned them out. Bo, the character, is a concept I love. We could live to see more, in fact. But the songs and the plotting...
More bo. More plot. Less songs? Wait. He's a bard.
But an orc bard.
Keep writing, author guy. Thus may not have been my favorite of your work, but I'll keep reading.
More bo. More plot. Less songs? Wait. He's a bard.
But an orc bard.
Keep writing, author guy. Thus may not have been my favorite of your work, but I'll keep reading.
March 1, 2024
A short, but packed story about an orc that wants to be a bard, not a warrior. This novella has it all, action, adventure, character development and a good back story.
If you like orcs with a heart of gold, this is the story for you :)
If you like orcs with a heart of gold, this is the story for you :)
April 5, 2024
I didn’t realize it was a short story when I purchased it. The story was ok, a bit formulaic. Given it is a side story from the main world it was still satisfying.
At least there was a sneak peak at part 5 at the end, even if was a rough draft of a few chapters.
At least there was a sneak peak at part 5 at the end, even if was a rough draft of a few chapters.
February 21, 2026
The Ballad of the Borag‑I by A.P. Beswick
The Ballad of the Borag‑I is one of those rare stories that feels both timeless and startlingly fresh — a folk‑tale hero’s journey wrapped in music, myth, and the aching loneliness of being born into the wrong world. Beswick steps away from the grand wars and divine catastrophes of Levanthria to tell a quieter, more intimate tale: the rise of an orc who chose art over violence, and in doing so, became a legend.
Borag‑I is an orc unlike any other. In a clan where worth is measured in scars, kills, and the weight of your axe arm, he is a misfit — a dreamer with a drum instead of a blade, a singer instead of a warrior. His love of stories, rhythm, and melody makes him an embarrassment to his people, and his exile is as cruel as it is inevitable. But what begins as a tale of rejection quickly transforms into something far more powerful.
Once cast out, Borag‑I steps into the wider world of Levanthria with nothing but his voice and an unshakable belief that there is more to life than bloodshed. What follows is a beautifully crafted journey of self‑discovery as he wanders from village to village, collecting tales, learning songs, and slowly becoming the keeper of stories that would otherwise be lost to time. Along the way, he meets heroes, monsters, and ordinary people whose lives are changed simply by being seen — truly seen — by someone who listens.
Beswick excels at writing characters who defy their own narratives, and Borag‑I is no exception. His rise to greatness is not marked by battles won or enemies slain, but by the hearts he touches and the histories he preserves. He becomes the first orc bard, the first orc historian, the first orc whose name is sung rather than feared. His legend grows not through violence, but through compassion, courage, and the radical act of choosing creation over destruction.
The prose is lyrical and warm, carrying the cadence of a story meant to be spoken aloud. You can almost hear the drumbeats beneath the words, feel the campfire glow, and sense the hush that falls when a tale begins. This book reads like a myth that has always existed — the kind of story parents tell their children to remind them that strength comes in many forms, and that the world has room for those who refuse to fit the mold.
The ending is perfect: hopeful, resonant, and steeped in the promise of a future where Borag‑I’s name will echo through generations. It’s the beginning of a legend, not the end of one — the first verse in a ballad that will shape the cultural memory of Levanthria.
The Ballad of the Borag‑I is a triumph of heart and storytelling. A tale for the outcasts, the dreamers, the gentle souls in violent worlds. A reminder that sometimes the bravest thing you can do is sing your own song.
The Ballad of the Borag‑I is one of those rare stories that feels both timeless and startlingly fresh — a folk‑tale hero’s journey wrapped in music, myth, and the aching loneliness of being born into the wrong world. Beswick steps away from the grand wars and divine catastrophes of Levanthria to tell a quieter, more intimate tale: the rise of an orc who chose art over violence, and in doing so, became a legend.
Borag‑I is an orc unlike any other. In a clan where worth is measured in scars, kills, and the weight of your axe arm, he is a misfit — a dreamer with a drum instead of a blade, a singer instead of a warrior. His love of stories, rhythm, and melody makes him an embarrassment to his people, and his exile is as cruel as it is inevitable. But what begins as a tale of rejection quickly transforms into something far more powerful.
Once cast out, Borag‑I steps into the wider world of Levanthria with nothing but his voice and an unshakable belief that there is more to life than bloodshed. What follows is a beautifully crafted journey of self‑discovery as he wanders from village to village, collecting tales, learning songs, and slowly becoming the keeper of stories that would otherwise be lost to time. Along the way, he meets heroes, monsters, and ordinary people whose lives are changed simply by being seen — truly seen — by someone who listens.
Beswick excels at writing characters who defy their own narratives, and Borag‑I is no exception. His rise to greatness is not marked by battles won or enemies slain, but by the hearts he touches and the histories he preserves. He becomes the first orc bard, the first orc historian, the first orc whose name is sung rather than feared. His legend grows not through violence, but through compassion, courage, and the radical act of choosing creation over destruction.
The prose is lyrical and warm, carrying the cadence of a story meant to be spoken aloud. You can almost hear the drumbeats beneath the words, feel the campfire glow, and sense the hush that falls when a tale begins. This book reads like a myth that has always existed — the kind of story parents tell their children to remind them that strength comes in many forms, and that the world has room for those who refuse to fit the mold.
The ending is perfect: hopeful, resonant, and steeped in the promise of a future where Borag‑I’s name will echo through generations. It’s the beginning of a legend, not the end of one — the first verse in a ballad that will shape the cultural memory of Levanthria.
The Ballad of the Borag‑I is a triumph of heart and storytelling. A tale for the outcasts, the dreamers, the gentle souls in violent worlds. A reminder that sometimes the bravest thing you can do is sing your own song.
March 18, 2025
Bo, an orc of the Fire Tusk Clan, dreams of becoming a bard instead of a warrior. Defying tradition, he sets off to craft his own legendary tale. But forging a new path is never easy.
This is a little departure from what if come to expect from the Levanthria series. No dark fantasy retelling here, this is a cozy fantasy novella of self discovery and resilience when one finds the courage to follow ones dreams which go against the social norms.
Bo is such an endearing character and you can't help but love him as he forgets his own path.
A much more lighthearted tone, which is refreshing change from the darker themes of the Levanthria series.
Overall I really enjoyed this one and would recommend to fans of the serial as those who like a cozy fantasy tale.
This is a little departure from what if come to expect from the Levanthria series. No dark fantasy retelling here, this is a cozy fantasy novella of self discovery and resilience when one finds the courage to follow ones dreams which go against the social norms.
Bo is such an endearing character and you can't help but love him as he forgets his own path.
A much more lighthearted tone, which is refreshing change from the darker themes of the Levanthria series.
Overall I really enjoyed this one and would recommend to fans of the serial as those who like a cozy fantasy tale.
March 14, 2026
I opened up the short story with a, if I am honest, very low expectation. I was surprised how much I enjoyed it.
AP Beswick takes us on a short journey with Bo, an unlikely orc who, rather than battle and mayhem, just wants to follow his own path of becoming a Bard.
While the story is almost devoid of action, its crafter so well that you come to really feel for Bo and his predicament. The basis is simple, do you follow your own dreams or do what is expected of you, a conundrum that most of us will have faced at some point.
While there is no genuine tie in with the other books, this was a heartwarming tale, great characters & delivers a message in a relatable way without ever feeling forced.
AP Beswick takes us on a short journey with Bo, an unlikely orc who, rather than battle and mayhem, just wants to follow his own path of becoming a Bard.
While the story is almost devoid of action, its crafter so well that you come to really feel for Bo and his predicament. The basis is simple, do you follow your own dreams or do what is expected of you, a conundrum that most of us will have faced at some point.
While there is no genuine tie in with the other books, this was a heartwarming tale, great characters & delivers a message in a relatable way without ever feeling forced.
August 21, 2025
Bo is an unconventional orc, wanting to be a bard, but his village demands him to be brutish. After yet another failed trial, he gets exiled by his mother and cast into the wastelands. I felt like this story was low stakes which is a big change from the other Beswick books I've read. I quite enjoyed this change of pace, but the book still wasn't long enough. I hope there will be a continuation of Bo's story.
April 13, 2025
Definitely completely different than the rest of the series. Which I suppose reflects the fact that this is the only not white book. Overall, unsure how to feel. There wasn't really anything that stood out. There wasn't really any excitement. It was just kind of a short, chill read. Still decent, but definitely more of just a palette cleanser than anything.
March 6, 2024
A charming and wonderful story. Bo is a character worth getting to know. A quick read but full of detail. The scenes are created so well it’s easy to picture yourself amongst them. I really hope we get more of Bo one day. He’s easy to love!
March 7, 2024
You cant help but smile as you read this awesome heartwarming tale about an orc that wants to walk a different path in life. Follow his highs and lows it was very hard to put this one down. I hope we see more of bo.
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August 24, 2024Good
This story blends fantasy and music in a compelling tale of redemption. Following an orc bard’s journey from exile to self-discovery, the novel weaves an enchanting story of resilience and the transformative power of art, rich with both humor and heart.
This story blends fantasy and music in a compelling tale of redemption. Following an orc bard’s journey from exile to self-discovery, the novel weaves an enchanting story of resilience and the transformative power of art, rich with both humor and heart.
January 2, 2026
What a fantastic start to my year! This was such a warm, cosy read!
I bought this to test out the waters to see if I would vibe with Beswick’s writing style, and yes absolutely. Already looking at buying his more complex fantasy series.
I bought this to test out the waters to see if I would vibe with Beswick’s writing style, and yes absolutely. Already looking at buying his more complex fantasy series.
January 17, 2026
I know this was a short-story, but it just didn’t have enough behind the plot for me. Lots of time was spent describing very little and because of that I found it hard to stay engaged with the story.
February 28, 2024
This book was a really great read I couldn’t put it down five stars
February 28, 2024
AP does it again with his cosy fantasy!
If you loved legend's and lattes you'll love this promise!
If you loved legend's and lattes you'll love this promise!
February 28, 2024
Excellent story!
March 4, 2024
A different type of book to the rest of the levanthria series but a welcome addition. It is a feel-good book and leaves you feeling happy and content with how it plays out.
March 7, 2024
A nice cozy read, while waiting for the next book in the Levanthria series.
March 13, 2024
A.P. Berwick has done it again. Another great adventure. One of my favorite authors.
May 13, 2024
While cute, it was VERY repetitive.
August 30, 2024
Sometimes we are lucky enough to be born into the place we belong, sometimes we have to go someplace else and carve a place to call home.
September 10, 2024
Short, sweet, not much substance.
September 22, 2024
Really good but very short! Would love to read more of his adventures!
December 26, 2024
Very cute, quick story, with a happy ending.
February 4, 2025
Good little stand alone.
Different but also a lot of fun to read.
Different but also a lot of fun to read.
March 4, 2026
Nice quick cozy read set in the Levanthrian world.
July 31, 2024
A complete miss by Beswick. I really enjoyed the main story line of his other books and even didn't mind the Gregor side stories. But this one...
He over describes everything, repeats himself several times, and there are errors throughout (blame the editor). Eight chapters for three events is easy to many. Love his other stuff, but this one didn't work.
He over describes everything, repeats himself several times, and there are errors throughout (blame the editor). Eight chapters for three events is easy to many. Love his other stuff, but this one didn't work.
February 28, 2024
Borag-I or Bo wants to be more than a warrior of his clan. After failing the trials things change for him. He sets out to find something more in his life and gains friendships and respect that he didn't think could happen. A great book with lots of interesting characters.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews