Riven Earth

The Book of Astea #1

by Zammar Ahmer

The world has stopped turning.

Burned by a blazing sun. Thrust into eternal winter.

Life survives only in the Sunset Forest.

For untold millennia, mankind lived subservient to the dryads, forced into worship of the Earth-Mother, Astea. Then one man ventured into the Scorched Desert and returned with the secret of fire. His rebellion brought the dryad empire to ash. In its place, he founded the Kingdom of Heartsong.

Twelve years later, the new king is missing. The earth trembles. Famine ravages the land, and a mysterious illness creeps through the capital.

Plots of treason and revenge abound, but as the mistakes of the past bear fruit, men will reap what they have sown.

Open now the Book of Astea and learn what has been forgotten.

Riven Earth is the story of a king who has lost his nerve, of his advisor tempted by the throne, of a politician plotting revolt, and of a dying soldier who finds new reasons to live. It is a character-focused epic fantasy adventure perfect for fans of Brandon Sanderson’s Stormlight Archive and Joe Abercrombie’s First Law.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Epic Fantasy

404 pages, Paperback

First published June 11, 2024

Reviews

[Khalid Abdul-Mumin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riven Earth is the first installment in a new duology titled The Book of Astea, and as a debut, the story is quite remarkable with an amazing cover art to boot. My profound thanks goes to the author and BookSirens for the eArc.

Preamble
The prose is reminiscent of the masters in the Epic Fantasy genre while painting emotionally complex characters. The details within and the method of writing, in describing his world, is to be applauded. I would love to read more of this.

But still...I would have wished the world-building to have been more explicit in the sense that when an author is introducing fantastic creatures both sentient and otherwise, leaving the bulk of the necessary explanation trickling through slowly can be a bit taxing. After all, beauty and its comprehension lies in the details. I did notice it got much better after the halfway mark though and the ride was smoother thence.

Synopsis/Plot
Zammar weaves a tale about a harsh world in which humanity has been enslaved and kept at the level of stone age technologies with the aid of powerful magic wielded by fantastically realized creatures called Dryads.

Then King Isaiah comes along and discovers the secret of fire, becoming a literal prometheus to his people, unshackling and freeing humanity from the abhorrent enslavement and worship of the Earth-Mother, Astea.

I am drawn to this book. A thousand reports to sign yet my pen once again finds this faded paper.

Years ago, I fancied myself a historian. The True History. Or so I named my vain creation. Now I am shamed such words were ever put to page. And that, by me. For I am too close to the history of things to tell the true tale. My feeble attempt did little more than turn the story of our kingdom into a chronicle of my own pain.

I should burn this book.

And yet, near every day, I find myself reading those words written with a younger man’s memory. I cling to them. For the days pass, and they are all I have left of a life long gone.

I should not be so weak.

- Reflections by King Isaiah
But...The world isn't as it seems and the variables unaccounted for by the savior comes into play destabilizing the fledgling empire.

Thoughts and End Notes
Employing unique magic systems blended with the familiar, and the whole kept as simple as possible, a tale is told about values firstly and perspectives next.

The value of a human life, whether touched by magic or not; the lengths people will go for the love of another or even material trappings. The complexity inherent in a situation when two or more distinct and diverse sociological and cultural values clash and merge...

I absolutely enjoyed reading this book and I think it can only get better from this one. Highly recommended for all Fantasy enthusiasts looking for something unique and new, in a genre filled with tropes. Also, there's a touch of literary fiction around making it feel quite deep and introspective.

[Esmay Rosalyne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review was originally published on Grimdark Magazine

4.5 stars (rounded up)

Nature and humanity clash in Zammar Ahmer’s Riven Earth, a breathtakingly epic yet intimately character-driven grimdark fantasy that will sink its roots into the hearts of everyone who loves a good dose of heavy emotional destruction with their fantastical adventures.

Twelve years ago, the unconquerable dryad empire was brought to ash to make place for the Kingdom of Heartsong. But a kingdom forged in blood will have to pay the price of its brutal creation, and now nature is demanding its due. The earth is trembling, famine razes through the lands, and a mysterious blood sickness is threatening all of humanity. But as treason thrives and war looms ever closer, the most dangerous tempests might just be the ones ravaging everyone’s minds from within.

Now, I challenge you to read the prologue to Riven Earth and try to put the book down after that. Spoiler alert, you won’t be able to. This story is honestly straight-up fire from the very first page (pun intended, iykyk), and Ahmer’s wild imagination and mesmerising prose just continues to amaze and spark wonder all the way through.

We are transported into a world not dissimilar to the one in Mark Lawrence’s Book of the Ancestor, where only one strip of land is still somewhat habitable, though not without risk. In a way, the world almost feels like a character in its own, which I personally really loved. The entire flora and fauna of this world was just so incredibly imaginative and fascinating, brimming with malicious earthly forces, diverse races and fantastical creatures, dryad and sun-based magic, and a plethora of immersive settings that are brought to life through the most breathtaking descriptions.

Though while Riven Earth shines in many aspects, it was Ahmer’s terrifyingly realistic and intimate character work that captivated me the most. We follow a diverse and dynamic cast of characters who are scattered all across the spectrum of gray morality, and they each just leap off the page with personality, for better or worse. A young king crippled by depression and his desperate yet supportive wife, an advisor burdened by her duties and fed up with everyone’s bullshit, a ruthless politician who is way too conniving and ambitious for his own good, and a grieving, terminally ill soldier who stumbles into becoming a reluctant hero in his final days; each of these characters is established with an Abercromie-like skill of characterisation, bringing them to life through their uniquely distinct inner voices and dangerously sharp dialogue.

And not only does this epic and sprawling story remain rooted through the intimate narration of these characters, but the themes and conflicts are also presented with so much nuance and ambiguity through their opposing perspectives. Riven Earth can definitely be a mentally and emotionally challenging read at times, especially when being in the heads of the more prejudiced and depraved characters, but I personally think Ahmer handled the darker and more disturbing content with exceptional skill.

Broader themes of racism, genocide, religious zealotry, corruption, and rewriting of history are beautifully balanced with the more intimately vulnerable themes of mental health (in men), depression, suicidal ideation, grief, and the dangerously thin line between hate and love, which is exactly what makes this story so rich and emotionally impactful. Moreover, I was pleasantly surprised to see some powerful women and casually queer people represented here, especially in a world where prejudice runs rampant in other regards.

Every aspect of Riven Earth is just beautifully in harmony with each other, and each new revelation helps build tension as it recontextualizes everything you thought you knew about this world and its characters in the most satisfying way imaginable. I do have to say that the unpredictable inclusion of sudden flashbacks made for a slightly rocky pacing and somewhat unclear chronology of events, but at the same time I loved how those insights into the history of the world and backstory of these characters only made everything feel more fleshed out and complex.

Safe to say, Riven Earth kicks off The Book of Astea duology with an absolute bang, and the brutal yet enticing ending practically demands the reader to come back for the sequel. Which, fortunately for all of us, is already written and is scheduled to be released within a month (July 2024); that’s indie winning the game for you, just saying.

With a debut that is this astonishingly strong, Ahmer immediately proves that he is absolutely an author to be watched. Fans of Joe Abercrombie, Mark Lawrence, and Thiago Abdalla will find much to love in this gritty yet emotional grimdark fantasy, though it also offers an altogether more unique reading experience that will surprise and thrill with each new imaginative concept and shocking twist and turn. I simply can’t recommend Riven Earth highly enough, not only because it is a truly exceptional story, but also because I selfishly need more people in my fanclub/emotional support group, thank you very much!

Thank you to the author for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Zammar Ahmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book, but then, I wrote it.

This story was vaguely inspired by a historical figure from Indian antiquity (Ashoka the Great). I really liked the idea of a king haunted by the repercussions of his decisions, and his journey to find redemption for his mistakes.

From that small seed, the rest of the tale sprawled out. I thought of the characters around the young king, and somehow, I built a world for them to live in. They barged their way into my life and soon felt more real than anyone.

Their story was my obsession for a year and a half. I did my best to do it justice.

In so many ways, this book is full of the authors I love. I think it inevitably has a lot of Sanderson in it. Not so much in the magic system, but more so in the plot structure and characterization. It also has a lot of Joe Abercrombie, who is my favourite author. I so admire his powers of character voice, and I tried my best to write with a similarly close narrative.

This is the first book in a duology. If you ask me, book 2 is my favourite of the two. But this is where the story started, and I'll always love Riven Earth for it.

[Christopher Navo · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Fear has no place in the mind of a warrior. I silenced it. I was the rock the river could not break. I was the tree the storm could not splinter.”

Riven Earth is a dynamic fantasy debut that ignites the theme of man versus nature ablaze. Zammar intertwines the reader in a grimdark world of emotional depth, unexpected twists, and complex characters.

Character:
Zammar creates a diverse cast of morally grey characters to follow each distinctively different. We follow four primary characters each with realistic struggles - From depression and being terminally ill to heavy emotional burdens and ruthless ambition, each character has more to deal with than just driving the main story thread. The reader will be treated to many internal dialogue moments that strike those emotional connections with the characters.

World-Building:
One of Riven Earth’s shining parts, the world is rife with history, starting right out the gate with the action-packed prologue. Zammar presents the world through the character’s interactions and information is never dumped on the reader. Instead, we are treated to interludes by a fifth character’s journal beautifully describing his journeys, while our main POVs breathe life to the rest. There is plenty of author-imagined flora and fauna, and other diverse biomes of life, including chapter-break illustrations of several of these that flesh out this world to make it an even more unique reading experience. Magic exists going along with the nature theme d where the sun is the prominent force of that power.

Writing Style:
There are times I think Zammar utilizes a more poetic voice. That often came through in the flashback scenes and journal entries of one of the characters. Otherwise, you will find a more direct but still beautifully descriptive approach to the writing, which kept me invested even at times when maybe the pace slowed, but the rewards for getting through those moments were well rewarding.

Summary:
Riven Earth is a grimdark fantasy dealing with themes of corruption, environmental destruction, grief, depression, and suicidal tendencies. So, for some readers, these themes might be challenging if you are not expecting them. That being said, Zammar handles these topics well and maturely through the rich complexity of his well-crafted characters presented in a wide range of representations. I cannot recommend this book enough. It was a fantastic start to an incredible duology with Volume II of The Book of Astea which is also planned for release in July 2024.

Please Note: The author Zammar Ahmer provided me with an ARC of Riven Earth in exchange for an honest review.

[Benghis Kahn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a creatively rich epic fantasy debut that doesn't hold the reader's hand to help you easily find your footing. There's an ensemble POV cast along with epistolary chapters from the deceased king, and it's put together in a non-linear way with lots of flashbacks and no exposition-filled info dumps to help situate the reader. There's a ton of fresh cultural and setting worldbuilding that's presented organically through the POVs, so it took me most of the book to wrap my head around it all.

This series starts in medias res (not unlike Malazan), with a crumbling empire in a world on the verge of ecological disaster. I think the handling of the ecological themes is one of the great strengths of the duology, and while this first book hints at the causes, you won't get full reveals until the climax of the series in the next book. Those lore and history reveals recontextualize everything in an impactful way, so just know that if things are a bit obscured here that it won't be long before you'll learn everything you need to understand what's fully going on.

While the worldbuilding might have been a bit tough to get a hold on, the characters were easy to distinguish and get a feel for with Ahmer's strong writing of character voice. There are a handful of POVs, and I definitely connected more to certain ones who felt more rounded and vivid. I think Ahmer is eloquent and efficient with his internal monologues in not overdoing the introspection -- I wasn't as in love with the dialogue, which sometimes felt forced and too informal for me, and I think this could be a place for him to improve going forward to help keep the sophistication level of the text more uniformly high. The relatable modern-feeling dialogue might be a feature and not a bug for some readers, so that might be more of a me thing.

I must shout out the wonderful set of animal companions of various levels of sapience, and you can't help but come out of this book and series without registering Ahmer's passion for the natural world and concern for how we relate to it.

This is an incredibly ambitious debut that shows immense promise for what's to come!

[P.L. Stuart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Please see below the link to my YouTube interview (SIX ELEMENTALS INTERVIEWS) with the author where we discuss the duology including RIVEN EARTH & SUNDERED MOON and how much I loved both books!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doVFL...

[Kayla Kay's Hidden Shelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 Stars

An insightful exploration of mental health, zealotry, the burden of succession and the shortsighted nature of mortals. Zammar Ahmer delves into relationships, a struggling kingdom and builds a fascinating world through this grimdark fantasy epic that will leave you wanting more.

As humans and nature collide we follow multiple povs including Raiariya, Otto, Kaido, Nail, Jaswyn and Maisades. While the cast is large, their paths cross and connect throughout the story making each character feel realized as individuals while impacting the overall circumstances seamlessly. Each character had their own struggles, personality and conflicts to tackle which gave me plenty of characters to cheer for and some that I loved to hate. Their struggles and goals are also unique to one another, giving the cast diversity through mental health, terminal illness, ambition, and self sacrifice being some examples.

That being said, some characters took time for me to get invested in. Some came across as cold, or frustrating but by the time I finished the book, the reveals helped it all fall into place. Reflecting on their journey’s, these characters were intriguing, their arcs thoughtfully done and believable.

As for the story, the prologue starts off with a bang! I found myself amid the chaos of war and immediately felt for the characters. That being said the tone does shift as chapter one begins twelve years later and continues to follow that timeline with flashbacks and glimpses into journal entries throughout the rest of the book. The pacing begins with a slow build and takes off around 60% into a whirlwind of an ending. As this is the first book in The Book of Astea duology, Riven Earth left off in a way that made me eager to continue with Sundered Moon yet took some time to settle into.

Now, the worldbuilding is something to remember. It’s filled with mesmerizing magic and creatures (accompanied by artwork throughout the book) making it easy to get lost in the world and its history. The world is rich and full of mystery! I also appreciate that the author took care in creating an immersive world while using several elements of it to build suspense. Part of what made this work so well was the combination of individual struggles in a broken world where the sun doesn’t move across the sky and hope is in short supply.

I also listened to the audiobook performed by Adriel Brandt, who gave a wonderful performance and did the characters justice.

Overall, an epic beginning to this duology and I can’t wait to see what Zammar Amher has in store for the conclusion.

*I received a physical copy in exchange for an honest review and purchased the audiobook personally to immersion read.

[Tori Tecken · Rating 3 out of 5]

We made peace, but only because we were strong enough to make war.

The prologue to this book is absolutely beautiful, tense, and sets up a rich world of elemental earth magic, dryads, and world-trees, all under the attack of humans once oppressed by them.

I was instantly swept into the story, the unique aspects of the magic system and the dryads were told in a sweepingly beautiful prose style. The trees burn, the dryads succumb to fire, and the future seems to rest on the infant shoulders of a tiny dryad child.

Once the prologue ended and we moved into the rest of the story, which takes place 12 years later, the tone of the story shifted dramatically from what was established in the opening. We now follow the human society that has risen from the ashes of the world of the dryads, and are introduced to a fairly large cast of POV characters.

The timelines jump erratically from there, following both present day and also a series of flashback scenes from one to five years in the past. These were jarring and difficult to follow.

The society was difficult for me to place, as 12 years prior, the human characters had just discovered fire and were worshipping the trees and struggling as rock haulers and carpenters for the dryads. In this present day timeline, they now have a plethora of what felt like strongly modern amenities and concepts. The language also shifted away from descriptive and eloquent prose often to accommodate anachronisms and modern dialogue.

There were so many intriguing concepts in the worldbuilding. The fantastical creatures connected to the earth magic, from tortoises with mini-forests atop their shells, to ashfang “lions”, to the dryads themselves, all added so much vibrance to the world and the presence of elemental magic. The magic system itself hints at a deep well of lore and complexity, but is never really explained, rather set up for expansion in the second book.

There is also no lack of conflict, both on macro and micro scale. One or two of the main conflicts interested me the most, and I do feel as if there were far too many conflicting threads introduced, adding a bit to the jarring effect as I read.

This book is filled with morally ambiguous and flawed characters. Ahmer doesn’t shy away from showing us the broken, the ugly, and the misled. One of the major themes of this novel is the consequences of actions and how far out those ripples reach through time. An idealistic young man comes face to face with the responsibility of the crown he wears. Veterans of the war struggle to find peace amidst their legacy of ashes.

Overall, this is an ambitious epic fantasy full of elements that suggest a haunting and intense tale of consequence and belief. There are phenomenal moments in the story that really captured my imagination and attention. I think some of the content, the modern language/era, and the jarring storylines were ultimately what lessened my enjoyment and ability to follow the story. I would have liked to see more in the style of the prologue.

2.5

[James Harwood-Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

A kingdom forged through a dark past. Dissension lies beneath newfound direction. The very earth seems turned against them.

Rich prose. Haunting history & filled with emotion. Mesmerizing depictions. Leaves one yearning for the upcoming sequel!

Much thanks to the author for this ARC.

[Karen ⚜Mess⚜ · Rating 4 out of 5]

The last 3% got me right in the feelers.

Is this a debut book? Because it was really, really good for a debut. Especially if the author can make me choke up a bit.

Wonderful world building and my favorite character was Raia. I hope the next book is all about her, because she's got all the things I love in a character. King Kadio and (everyone's favorite) Queen Jaswyn were a bit too sappy and annoying for me. I hope this means character growth for them. The other characters were done so well, I'd hate to see Kadio and Jaz put a bummer in the story.

If you bought this book for the cover, you won't be disappointed.

[Karin (book_scent) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I knew from the first time I saw the epic cover that I would enjoy this story - and Riven Earth did not disappoint. The action-packed prologue had me instantly intrigued and provided a fascinating insight into Astea. The world building felt very unique with its rich history and interesting flora & fauna, and unlike anything I've come across so far. Add to that a diverse cast of morally grey characters and my interest is more than piqued.

Ahmer shines with his characterizations of flawed and multi-layered people, all struggling with things from the past that haunt them, trying to find a way forward - for better or worse. I especially liked Raia and Kaido (though I hope to see more development with Kaido's character in book 2), but Otto (in an unexpected turn of events) ended up being my favorite. I found myself looking forward to his chapters, feeling & rooting for him - which I would not have guessed from the very start. He actually reminded me a bit of Abercrombie's characters, giving me strong Sand dan Glokta vibes, and sending me on a similar journey of "no way I'm gonna like him" to arrive at "damn, I can't not like him". ^^

In Riven Earth, Ahmer explores an array of themes, such as religion, zealotry, racism, corruption, environmental destruction, and climate issues, but also touches on mental health, grief, depression, and suicidal ideation. All these topics are seamlessly incorporated into the plot and give the world and its characters a lot of depth and tangibility.

Riven Earth is a very strong debut and a great start to The Book of Astea duology that sets up (what I believe will be) an exciting conclusion in Sundered Moon. I have already purchased book 2 and can't wait to get to it!

*Thanks again to the author for providing me with the audiobook in exchange for an honest review. I'd already had the e-book waiting on my Kindle, so I used the audio to immersion read.

[Usman Zunnoor · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

A grimdark fantasy unlike any I’ve read. My hat’s off to Zammar Ahmer for crafting such a unique and compelling tale full of intrigue and emotion.

I’m truly impressed with the prose, featuring a seamless blend of exposition and narrative flow. It makes for well-paced and impactful reading.
The addition of a certain POV character was the cherry on top for me, as a big grimdark fan.

There were many twists and heart-dropping moments in this first instalment of The Book of Astea. What sticks with me most is the unique approach to what makes grimdark what it is. The heavy weight of politics and economics is brought forth through unexpected motivations, and I can’t wait to see where the story goes in the next volume!

[Brian McCullar · Rating 5 out of 5]

DISCLAIMER: My copy of this book was provided to me by the author, Zammar Ahmer, in exchange for a fair and honest review. Please note that all of my thoughts are entirely my own.

The first thing I have to say about this book is, wow. Just freaking wow. I went into this unsure exactly of what to expect from it, but when I first discovered it I was immediately drawn to it by the cover art, featuring a man with a flaming sword, who I now know to be Kaido, facing off against a giant sylvan-like sabertoothed cat, which I now know to be an Ashfang, and all I could think was "Wow, this seems like it'll be a cool story."

Well, that initial gut feeling was absolutely correct, in fact, it may have been a massive understatement. Riven Earth wasn't just "cool", it was excellent. Entirely unique from any other fantasy book I've personally enjoyed so far, and what fascinated me most was how it managed to both subvert tropes common to the genre, but also utilize them in ways I never expected. Let's make something clear, this book is Grimdark Fantasy, so if that's a genre you don't particularly enjoy, you should be aware of that here and now. However, it's a Grimdark that also somehow manages to capture an air of whimsy, reminiscent of childhood fairy tales. I never thought I'd say the words "whimsy Grimdark", but at times, that's exactly what this book is, and it's such a breath of fresh air.

From the prologue, this book HOOKED me. Zammar is incredible at descriptive wording, to a level I found painted a perfect image in my head at every turn. The depictions of war, the human uprising against their Dryad overlords, their discovery of steel and fire, all of it left me desperately wanting to know more. What's the history of this world? How did these humans discover these things to rebel? How had they gained such incredible advancements in technology so quickly? And to my absolute delight, every single question was answered beautifully in the book. Sometimes through reflections of the first king Isiah at the end of each chapter in Part 1, and other times through flashbacks and dialogue, with very little dry exposition.

The book jumps between a few different POVs, like many fantasy stories do, and I'm also happy to say that by the end of the book, every single POV character's chapters and sections were very well realized and entertaining.

My favorites undoubtedly King Kaido's chapters, because I genuinely felt for him, I loved how he tries so hard to do good in a world that's harsh, and I felt his emotions when things went well or went poorly.

Raia's chapters were a little dry but so is she by design, and I felt that decision really helped me to see inside her head and feel the world as she does.

Otto's were easily the most emotional for me, because reading about this once great war hero who now struggles with his age and sickness, which essentially are robbing him of everything he is and who he was, is painful to see, and anyone who's watched relatives wither away and lose themselves can relate heavily to the vivid imagery depicted of his condition.

Maisades' were admittedly my least favorite early on, and I thought would be the weak point dragging the book down. Not just because he's a pathetic, extremely hateable little man, but because I felt his motivations were a little mustache twirly for a while, but he comes into his own quite well towards the last 1/3rd of the book, and wondering if his schemes would unfold became heavy on my mind by the end, making his POVs some of my favorites, to my surprise.

The plot itself is damn engaging and the world is fascinating. Essentially, there are three gods/celestial bodies, depending on how you want to see them, with each of the three major races being aligned, loosely or strongly, with one of them. Astea the Earth to the dryads/Asteine. Hecata the moon to the feline nightlings/Hecatites. And Mithras the sun the humans, but more specifically, to the Suntouched.

Speaking of the Suntouched, I want to praise how well they were handled here. They're defined by being humans with dark black skin, golden eyes and access to unique magic, sun magic. And the world treats them very poorly, due to the danger their magic represents, especially when not controlled. They don't seem to be a separate race from the other humans, since Suntouched babies are sometimes born to non-Suntouched parents, but nevertheless, the world treats them with disdain, and usually just for the crime of being born Suntouched, AKA, being born black. This kind of racism is VERY touchy and uncomfortable to read, and it should be. Racism and bigotry SHOULD be uncomfortable to read, that's how you know it's being portrayed accurately and realistically.

While I'm touching on race, I should point out that the book does have quite a range of racial diversity, with people's skintones ranging from pink/white, to various shades of brown, to black as we touched on earlier, so if you are looking for a fantasy book that's inclusive, you'll find it here!

Honestly there's so much I want to get into, ranging from the mysteries of the world beyond the desert, to the currency system of wooden chips, to the political unrest between different cities of the kingdom, but if I did so, I would end up basically spoiling the entire book, and I don't want to do that because this book is FANTASTIC.

I'll make this as plain as I can, this is a 5 out of 5 star book. I have practically nothing to complain about, because the few minor issues I had that I thought would be weaknesses of the story, were dissolved by the end of the book, and I was left hungry for more. This is, as of the writing of this review, my favorite indie fantasy book so far. Buy it, read it, love it.

[James Lackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Masterful fantasy - for all true fantasy fans.

I was hopeful diving into the Book of Astea duology, and the author didn't disappoint.

These two books, Riven Earth and Sundered Moon, were satisfying in a way I wasn't expecting. You know that moment when you start a new book, series, or game, and you are so into it that everything fades... and then you are disappointed when it's done so soon? These books are exactly that.

If you haven't already added them to your TBR, do it now. You won't regret it.

They were a privilege to read!

[Sahim · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing fantasy story. A really well made world and characters that feel like they truly live there. This first part builds an amazing world and better characters with their twists leaving me wanting for the next part.

Thanks to the author for the advanced review copy.

[iSamwise · Rating 4 out of 5]

So I’ve got a couple of feelings about this book to share. Let’s start with the good.

Mr. Ahmer has a way with words!! When you read indie fantasy you can tell within a page whether or not the author has done their due diligence to ensure that their writing is up to the standard of trad publishing. It’s just something that you know it when you see it. Ahmer has it. Within pages I could tell his writing would be a highlight of this book. Very well written, and very compelling prose.

Also the worldbuilding here is excellent. To me it seemed to have bits of influence from Sanderson and Martin but it truly had its own feeling as well. The concepts of belief, faith, and power were interesting and well explored. One character of prominence deals with self harm and suicidal tendencies. It’s probably the best I’ve seen this portrayed in fantasy. Visceral and not glamorized at all. Very true to life.
The backstory to the world and a lot of the history is good too, and Ahmer does a good job exploring it gradually.

Also the characters in the book are mostly fantastic! (Reasons for some of the negative aspects will be covered later) The dialogue is realistic and sounds great and many characters have distinctive voices! I especially loved the character of Raya and the King character (who’s name I’m blanking on randomly)

Also I said it before but when I say that Ahmer portrays faith well, I mean it. As a person of faith I’m particularly alert to its portrayal in fantasy. (Not looking to be affirmed just looking for a realistic portrayal) Many praised fantasy religions I don’t find realistic or compelling (looking at you Mistborn) However that’s not a problem here. The integration of myth and history is excellent, as well as some truly pagan feeling elements.

The opening 20% is some of the best I’ve read, certainly in indie fantasy, but maybe in general. Killer opening with a really interesting structure.

Here’s where we get to the not so good.
Ahmer messes with the structure as it goes along. It takes to about the 50% mark before we get a clear grasp of who the main characters are because of how they’re introduced and how he jumps between POVs. In theory this shouldn’t be a problem necessarily, but the six or seven POVs combined with at least three layers of flashbacks, all of which get combined with each other leave us with a bit of an emotional muddle. I had a hard time feeling a strong emotional attachment to some main players because of how lopsided their POVs felt.

Also the general plot is very unclear for much of the book (once again because of that structure issue). I’m sure the plot becomes more clear after book two, but because of the way we jump around it’s hard to track what threads are tying into other parts.

That first 20% of the book has basically one consistent structure that it goes with combining a few POVs with a chronicled flashback, and that excited me. As POVs and layers of flashbacks got added it felt like it stalled some of the momentum.

To some this is a mountain out of a molehill, but for me it really knocked the book down a star. I expect to read book 2, but I’m not sure when. I do recommend this book for the reasons I list above, and it’s likely that the wonky structure threw me more than it will for most. It may be that the odd structure is just sloppy, but Ahmer’s excellence in so many other areas make me think it’s more a product of his ambition as a writer. (That’s much better btw. Haha) Check it out if you get a chance!

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a great find! I haven't heard of this duology before but I'm glad I came across it. The cover caught my attention but it was the writing that kept me hooked.

"You are the fastest, and her best chance. Never feel guilty about it."

This is an emotionally gripping story. There are some tough themes throughout this story. Death, sickness, prejudice, depression. This story is centred around a human rebellion as they've been continually oppressed and mistreated by the dryads of the forest. It was heart wrenching to read the experiences and what life looked like for them. With that you might think that this is a very clear cut story of good vs evil but that is not the case. This is not so simple as on both sides there is good and evil. We don't get everything all at once but instead its trickled to us throughout the story as we get more and more information. I felt so challenged to form an opinion as my head was all over the place - it was brilliantly done!

My body became a separate entity, a world of pain, thirst, and hunger that seemed far and distant. My mind was trapped in its own cage. I had not the capacity for thought. All I could muster was a faint idea. To keep going.

Although the humans rebelled there is a big theme in this story about the value and purpose of history. The lasting consequences that come from historical events and how that passes through the generations in the new way of living. Do the younger generation appreciate or understand the significance of their history, and why or why not? Has that insight gone with those that lived through it but are no longer here? How to keep humans learning from their mistakes if they no longer remember? It was so fascinating to explore that and I think we can take that onboard with how our own reality is shaping up.

If we forget where we come from, it will not be long before we are back where we started.

The characters a brilliantly written with many sides to them. You could say they are morally grey but I would say they are desperate people who only want the best for their people. It just happens that what is best for one could come at the expense of another. Mixed with their own personal challenges and motivations there was a lot to unpick and they made for an interesting bunch that kept my attention. What they do have in common is an emotional and religious burden which make these characters more relatable and compelling.

We made peace, but only because we were strong enough to make war.

"Death came and it held fire"

The world building detailed a harsh, gritty world with different species that have their own strong religious beliefs. It set the stage for a complex exploration of power, religion, and revolution. The writing was very detailed and I could definitely picture it in my mind and follow the journey alongside our characters. What really gripped me was the lyrical style, it was provocative and as mentioned earlier, I was completely torn with my sense of right and wrong as this is a story with complexity and it isn't so clear cut. I especially liked the cut scenes to the past through diary entries which helped pull the story together.

The pacing was a little bit off at times, some scenes felt very slow compared to others which moved on quickly. But I enjoyed the story so much that it didn't fuss me very much!

Amongst the larger themes at play this book delicately addresses depression and anxiety. How it feels for a person going through that and the impacts it can have for their loved ones. I felt it was handled with grace but realistic of how it can hit a person. The author has done his research well in this aspect and it came across very well.

[The Nerd Book Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

10/10
This one took me a little bit to start because I’ve been so busy and I was reading it as opposed to an audiobook. I started it and read about half last Monday and then read all but the last 10% on Sunday.

This book is Grimdark and it’s honestly been a bit since I’ve really read a true Grimdark because it’s just not been what my mood calls for but this book reminded me what drew me to the genre for so long. Grimdark done well really hits you in the feels and this one definitely hit me in the feels.

We have a kingdom that only a generation before had fought a war for their freedom against the tyranny of the Dryads who controlled their lives. It turns out that freedom has come at a high cost and it’s one that could spell the doom of all of humanity. As the story unfolds we see the backstory of how the world came to be in the position it is and we see how the power brokers of the new kingdom are trying to figure out what to do about it.

This is kind of a terrible review but I just finished and I don’t like writing reviews on my phone in my tractor haha. I’ll put together something much better here shortly and I’ll have a YT episode out here shortly before the book is released.

[G.J. Terral · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ROUNDED UP. LRTC But a unique setting, magic, and a cast of very real feeling characters made this novel/series one to keep up with. Competent, confident prose set the stage for the characters to live upon.

Flashbacks interrupted the pacing a touch for my taste but paid off in the end. It would've been a straight 5* if there had been more resolution in this novel, but it was understandably a setup/priming for what's to come in the follow-up.

A flaming debut that while grim, never feels entirely hopeless.

[LambchoP]

I haven't heard anything about this book or author, but based on the premise and gorgeous cover art I am totally intrigued!

[Attila Balázs Warza · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a journey… I came back from the verge of DNF-ing it a couple of times when I called upon the mighty ChatGPT to help me in my despair. But let’s kick off this review on a more positive note to show my gratitude towards BookSirens for the EARC and towards the author who actually did a good job, given that this book is his debut novel.

The world created has unique and stunning elements. There are even some interesting characters and storylines with great potential. Probably, if I would delve deeper into this world after a couple of more installments in the series, it might even achieve greatness in my eyes.

Unfortunately, we are not there yet, and I have only the first book available based on which I have to decide whether I like it or not. So, let’s see the not-so-nice parts.

The prose: In the eyes of most readers, I guess it would be mentioned among the positive things, but I found it to be too much. It was not as much to make me stop reading, but it certainly was distracting from time to time. Especially in the first like 20%, I was struggling a lot. After that, I am not sure if I just got used to it or the style changed, but it got better, less flamboyant. Of course, there were some chapters later on with exuberant descriptions, but in small doses, it was manageable.

POV, timeline, and consistency: From chapter to chapter, the POV changes often/most of the time, even inside a chapter we jump not only POV but also the timeline. I was trying to create a linear thread so that I could follow the characters and events, but it was really difficult. Sometimes I got frustrated because a chapter started out by describing the actions of a character or the POV of a character but in such a way that I had no clue to whom that POV belonged to, only when names were brought up later in the chapter.

Plot holes: There are quite a few, but by far my biggest pet peeve is with the era that the narrative is set in. We start out in the prologue in an era of God worship, stone carving, not even having access to fire (the base of all human civilization). 12 years later we have castles medieval era style, book printing, semi-industrialized construction projects, make-up. Let's say even if there would be some magical artifact or whatnot in the background that provides the world with this kind of leap in culture and civilization, it would still take a couple of generations for humans to be able to handle that kind of change. I didn’t find any explanation for this in the book, so it ruined the whole picture for me.

Conflict/lack of it: In a fantasy novel, usually, there is a warm-up phase, with world-building and getting to know the characters. Then a conflict with a resolution at the end or at least some kind of events that leave us with a cliffhanger. In this novel, we have three timelines: 12 years ago, 1 year ago, and the present. We spend most of the time in the present and get background information on events and on characters from past events, mostly from the 1 year ago timeline. That timeline has a conflict that holds no weight because we already know from the present timeline how things ended up. The present unfortunately has no real conflict, just some build-up that might burst in one of the future installments of the series.

Characters: The villain (of a future book in the series because in this one he didn’t contribute to the plot or to other characters in any way) is being presented as cunning and scheming, ruthless, mastermind, but his actions barely live up to the way he and his actions are described. If he would have been killed off in the middle, GOT style so that someone else could emerge from the shadows, I could have at least given some credit to the author for that.

Raia – starts out great, but right when her character gets some nuance, she gets benched, and her character development and overall role in the plot gets to a complete halt.

Kaido – he has potential, but right when his issues get solved, and I thought that he would start stepping up his game, the author pulls him back down, in order for the plot to catch up to him so that his character could stay on the same level and show the growth only in the next book (maybe). I can’t really explain this part without spoilers.

Otto – I have left the best for last, to leave on a positive note. He is hands down my favorite character in the whole novel and one of the main reasons I pushed myself to finish the book. Unfortunately, his character was left hanging in the air without foreshadowing any future plans for him, but still, he is the main character of this story in my eyes. He is masterfully written, with the perfect amount of grittiness, pain, and hardship. I would easily put him on the same level with Sand dan Glokta (if you know you know).

I could go on, but I think I said enough. The world has potential in my eyes, so has the creative mind behind it in the fantasy genre. Overall, it is a 2.5/5 stars for me.

[Gregory Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was gifted an ARC of this book and I am grateful to the author Zammar Ahmer for the opportunity to read this book.. possibly spoilers..
The prologue set such a beautiful tone and pace for the story and this book started off with a bang and hooked me in right away. An epic battle raging, things burning, soldiers screaming. That beginning alone was crisp.Ahmers writing was absolutely a 4.5. His ability to hook you in and keep you there was definitely his greatest asset. He set up a world in which nature was the tyrant and the humans were the subservient beings beholden dryads, the rulers of the ‘nature’ realm. One human rose up and discovered an ancient magic that was going to end natures rule, but later discovered at a cost.

More backstory, similar to feast for crows, some action, interesting magic systems ( not discussed enough), a marginalized group of people hated for reasons briefly discussed. I was looking a for a little more cohesion in the back story of Astea and the Sun cursed. I loved the Hecata. The watchers as they are called and enjoyed the brief introductions of this group, but then they were dismissed right after that chapter.. I wanted more.. a little more magic, a little more fighting, a little more backstory. I felt the prologue set the story up for one direction, but the rest of the book went somewhere different.
This book is set to release June 11th 2024

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

***I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.***

3.5/5 (rounded up to 4 because authoring is hard and noble.)

There is a great deal to like about this book, but it is not without flaws.

I thought the author did a really good job creating a good, overall story.

I liked many of the characters- go Otto, you poor old man- and I liked the general plotline. The story introduces some unique concepts of magic and some unique groups of people.

The devil is in the details.

In a general sense, I had trouble connecting to the world. I firmly believe the author has a fabulously complete world in his mind, but I don't feel as if he expressed it fully enough in words to let the reader see the same vision. The world seemed as if we are on the set of a soap opera; a spot for this scene, a different spot for that scene, but I could never really get a sense of the world itself on a meta-scale. Just disjointed set pieces that allow the story to be told but give no real sense of connection to one another. There were references to east, west, etc., or this town and then that town, but much of the journey different characters were involved with just seemed to be hand-waved in: he left, he arrived here, next scene. She was here, then she was there, next scene. They went here and this thing happened, next scene. Like a soap opera, the scene is well lit, but the background is dark. And it might be that the setting/world was different enough from the traditional fantasy setting- not a bad thing at all, btw- that I missed some detail whilst puzzling through some of the basics. I'm fully willing to admit this might just be a "me" thing.

I'm also not sure I am completely aware of the religious aspects/figures/deities in the story, and how they played a role in events. Maybe that info is there subtly, and I just didn't get it, but I'm still sitting here wondering, "Okay, which god is the evil one? Who was the good one? Did I miss that part?"

I will use an analogy I heard many years ago on a different topic that sums up my opinion on this book well: it's got all six cans of the 6-Pack, but it lacks the little plastic thing that holds them all together.

[Irem · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zammar Ahmer's debut fantasy novel, Riven Earth, is a masterclass in world-building, offering readers an intricately detailed and compellingly rich world. From the very first chapters, Ahmer immerses us in a world teetering on the brink of collapse, where the lines between good and evil blur into shades of gray. Ahmer's world-building stands out as a major strength of the novel, presenting a vividly realized setting that is as much a character as the people who inhabit it.

The novel employs multiple points of view, each distinct and deeply flawed. Ahmer does not shy away from portraying the complexities of human nature, and none of the characters can be easily classified as purely good or evil. Except one weasel. I hate that guy like I hate Jael and that's saying something. Anyway, this gray morality adds depth and realism to the narrative, as we follow characters who navigate their crumbling world.

Riven Earth tackles an array of significant themes, including the impact of climate change, the fragility of political structures, and the clash of cultural ideologies. The crises depicted are not only external but also internal, reflecting the turmoil within the characters themselves. Ahmer weaves these themes seamlessly into the story, making them integral to both the plot and the characters' development.

Riven Earth is a standout debut that promises much for Zammar Ahmer's future as a fantasy author. Its complex characters, multifaceted crises, and exceptional world-building make it a must-read for fans of the genre. Ahmer's ability to blend beauty with brutality, and hope with despair, creates a compelling narrative that stays with you long after the final page is turned. I can't wait for the second book.

[Arham Riaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic read. I was gripped by the end of the first chapter and before I knew it my sleep schedule had been upended by my desire to continue reading.

First time authors tend to have an abundance of ideas that they try to cram into their debut, so I was pleasantly surprised to see how focused Ahmer's story was. Ahmer has a clear vision of what he wants his story to be, as we switch between multiple POV's throughout the book that help to canvas the vast world we've been thrust into.

The characters and worldbuilding standout here, as we have a plethora of interesting characters that when thrown into the crucible of this world make it feel lived in with a rich history. My favourites included Raia and Otto, but I can't wait to see how Kaido's character progresses in the sequel.

The geography, animal life and magic system work incredibly well together to breath life into a set of challenges unique to this world - I felt myself completely immersed into the world as I dreaded the characters I had become attached to go through any more anguish.

Riven Earth reads as a book made by an author with great familiarity and love for fantasy - I would gladly recommend it.

5 stars.

[Yar Gul · Rating 5 out of 5]

For thousands of years, the sun had been static but troubled times and blasphemous ideologies are now taking over the kingdom that was founded by King Isiah. His son Kaido rules the kingdom from the shadows while the words and wisdom of his father is twisted into heresy and is turned into everything his father had fought against.

A rebellion is intensifying led by the exiled master of money Maisades and general Raia is struggling to keep the fragmenting kingdom together with the king refusing to come into the light. But when an adventure calls the young king to the eastern regions, a clock starts ticking in which secrets are revealed, bonds are formed, people manipulated, and the countdown to the end begins.

I'm very picky when it comes to epic fantasies but I was fully immersed in the world of Astea for its wonderful concept of a static sun with sunblessed people having awesome powers. A moon that the wolves follow while the green land of Astea worshipped by the people called Dryads. Dryads ruled the world ruthlessly for millennia but when a nobody among the humans discovered fire, the tables turned. Isiah found the kingdom of Heartstone on the land once ruled by the hated Dryads.


I love how it shifted across multiple point of views effortlessly. The backstory of Isiah told through diary quotes was really interesting to read. I was fully immersed in the narrative of Raia and I really felt for her when she cared for people she loved but is not rewarded properly. I think she was such a strong character. The lone adventures of the young king to find the meaning of what he had done, what he needs to know about his people, and what he needs to do to make it right were great aspects of his arc.

I would recommend it highly to anyone looking to read an epic fantasy adventure having a rebellion, great world building, brilliant characters, and a very unique concept. Preorder it as it will be released on June 11th.

[Blaise · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story is vast and epic but not without its flaws. The characters drive the story but I was never really immersed in the story apart from the prologue. From then on out it never clicked for me again. Of the two story lines in the past and present day I was much more enticed with the past. Ends where I need to see where the story goes with the finale volume.

[Jay Rogers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unique worldbuilding, nuanced characters, interesting plot, and a beautiful cover to boot. What is not to love?

Zammar Ahmer has created something that feels unique, and I can't wait to continue on to book 2.

[Bearded Book Beast · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an incredibly fun, dark, and inventive book! I adored Riven Earth from start to finish! Cool world, check. Inventive and creative magic system, check. Fantastic characters, check. Beautiful writing, check. Yeah, it's that good! I am pumped to continue on with this duology and I can't wait to see what Zammar Ahmer does next!!!

[Rachel P · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5🌟

I was so glad to randomly stumble across this book in my recommendations from Kindle unlimited. I was hooked from the prologue!