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The Black Caladrius
A mysterious bird haunts Zakolor’s dreams, but that is the least of his problems.
Recently rescued from the Consortium, his best friend Kalbick’s strange affliction left him twisted and ill. Then there was Jolsu—the bitter dragon living in Zakolor’s head—who would do anything to torment him, like cursing Olivia to a slow and painful death.
Now Zakolor is desperate to cure them both. But with the war escalating, juggling political machinations within the League of Kingdoms, deciphering unreliable visions of a bird, and struggling against Jolsu’s overwhelming power, he is burdened by monstrous and all-consuming tasks.
And with the goddess Cerevita making herself known—which should have been impossible with the Contract barring gods from Valecium—Zakolor must grapple with his identity as Nacusti, the bridge between divine and mortal, if he hopes to save his friends and survive the impending clash with the sinister Consortium.
Recently rescued from the Consortium, his best friend Kalbick’s strange affliction left him twisted and ill. Then there was Jolsu—the bitter dragon living in Zakolor’s head—who would do anything to torment him, like cursing Olivia to a slow and painful death.
Now Zakolor is desperate to cure them both. But with the war escalating, juggling political machinations within the League of Kingdoms, deciphering unreliable visions of a bird, and struggling against Jolsu’s overwhelming power, he is burdened by monstrous and all-consuming tasks.
And with the goddess Cerevita making herself known—which should have been impossible with the Contract barring gods from Valecium—Zakolor must grapple with his identity as Nacusti, the bridge between divine and mortal, if he hopes to save his friends and survive the impending clash with the sinister Consortium.
372 pages, Paperback
Published November 5, 2024
1 person is currently reading
2677 people want to read
About the author
J.R. Douglas
2 books26 followersJ. R. Douglas loves all things fantasy. Combine said love with two psychology degrees and a lifelong devotion to the written word, and the output is an indie author. When he isn't typing the adventures of Zakolor & friends, he works in adult education, stays healthy-ish with yoga, and lives in upstate New York with his husband and their dog Samson.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 4, 2024
If you have not read the first book in the series Zakolor and don't want any spoilers from book one, please don't read this review.
The Black Caladrius continues the story of Zakolor a nacusti tasked with eliminating the rot created by Zandorn. He hasn't forgiven his guardian for what he did to Olivia, and he will stop at nothing to find a cure. Kal is the worst for wear, fighting the dark magic he siphoned from Renna while strapped to a hospital bed due to his continuous fits.
Sorwin has taken Zakolor on as his apprentice, teaching him elemental magic. He has excelled at fire, but earth magic eludes him. During a meeting to help two cities agree on fishing in each other's territories. The league is ambushed during the meeting resulting in a high official being murdered. After speaking with Cerevita, Tansil, Olivia, and Zakolor are sent to find a cure for Olivia and bond Zak and Jolsu (his guardian). While trying to complete their near-impossible tasks, the dark magic wielders decide to visit them. The problem with fighting dark magic? The wielders always seem to be one step ahead.
The title "The Black Caladrius" is clever. I was halfway through the book before the dots connected. It's a fitting title for the last mission Zakolor takes on in the book. I couldn't stop reading once I started; it took me around 4 hours to finish. The author created a beautiful world when he introduced Valecium. Each character introduced fit well with each other, and every character placed was methodical. They were thought out, each at a pivotal moment in the story that needed them. The Black Caladrius is an originally well-written story that tells of magic, secrets, mysteries, darkness, dark magic, friendship, greed, & ancient lore. J.R. Douglas has done a phenomenal job writing the Nacusti Chronicles series and I can't wait for more.
The Black Caladrius continues the story of Zakolor a nacusti tasked with eliminating the rot created by Zandorn. He hasn't forgiven his guardian for what he did to Olivia, and he will stop at nothing to find a cure. Kal is the worst for wear, fighting the dark magic he siphoned from Renna while strapped to a hospital bed due to his continuous fits.
Sorwin has taken Zakolor on as his apprentice, teaching him elemental magic. He has excelled at fire, but earth magic eludes him. During a meeting to help two cities agree on fishing in each other's territories. The league is ambushed during the meeting resulting in a high official being murdered. After speaking with Cerevita, Tansil, Olivia, and Zakolor are sent to find a cure for Olivia and bond Zak and Jolsu (his guardian). While trying to complete their near-impossible tasks, the dark magic wielders decide to visit them. The problem with fighting dark magic? The wielders always seem to be one step ahead.
The title "The Black Caladrius" is clever. I was halfway through the book before the dots connected. It's a fitting title for the last mission Zakolor takes on in the book. I couldn't stop reading once I started; it took me around 4 hours to finish. The author created a beautiful world when he introduced Valecium. Each character introduced fit well with each other, and every character placed was methodical. They were thought out, each at a pivotal moment in the story that needed them. The Black Caladrius is an originally well-written story that tells of magic, secrets, mysteries, darkness, dark magic, friendship, greed, & ancient lore. J.R. Douglas has done a phenomenal job writing the Nacusti Chronicles series and I can't wait for more.
November 5, 2024
Lots of things I loved about the next edition of the series:
- Olivia chapters!!! Renna chapters I also always looked forward to
- the character dynamics were DYNAMIC this round. Zak and Joslu had my heart 💜 so many fun characters and their interactions
- the ending???? What?!
Things I wanted more from:
- Kal. For being such an integral part of book 1 (and the end of book 2), their relationship felt absent for most of the book.
- Sorwin!! He was sprinkled in here and there, but had a much smaller role. I'm grateful for the intro and focus on other characters, but I couldn't help but miss the OGs
Overall, was never awed with the prose but felt captivated in the story and seeing how it unfolded.
3.5 🌟
Thanks to booksprout for the ARC!
- Olivia chapters!!! Renna chapters I also always looked forward to
- the character dynamics were DYNAMIC this round. Zak and Joslu had my heart 💜 so many fun characters and their interactions
- the ending???? What?!
Things I wanted more from:
- Kal. For being such an integral part of book 1 (and the end of book 2), their relationship felt absent for most of the book.
- Sorwin!! He was sprinkled in here and there, but had a much smaller role. I'm grateful for the intro and focus on other characters, but I couldn't help but miss the OGs
Overall, was never awed with the prose but felt captivated in the story and seeing how it unfolded.
3.5 🌟
Thanks to booksprout for the ARC!
December 22, 2024
A great book from start to finish! If you haven't read Zakolor, you definitely should! J.R. Douglas does an amazing job of creating the world of Valecium, and the ground work he laid in that novel continues beautifully in the second book of The Nacusti Chronicles. There is a lot of character development in this book with all of being well paced (as in not rushed) throughout the book. I'm excited to see where Book Three takes Zak, Olivia, Sorwin, and our many other friends!!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews