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Forest Deep: An Epic Romantic Fantasy
“All magic is a choice.”
Ancient curses, hidden artifacts, and forbidden magic pull against the tides of destiny in the fourth installment of the Age of Azuria high fantasy series. With so much at stake, found families and star-crossed lovers face the ultimate test. Do our heroes have what it takes to seize hold of the threads of fate, choose one another, and survive the trials before them?
Impossible choices await Iellieth within an ancient elven forest, where the stakes for her friends and her world grow ever more dire. But soon enough, she finds that the ancients hid more than the final piece of the planar seal within the woods. The implications of their long-buried secrets may alter not only her fate, but Azuria’s as well.
For Teodric, the threat against his father presses ever more strongly upon his mind. He knows what torments the pirate queen Syleste is capable of inflicting. Genevieve, too, prepares to fulfill the next stage of her quest to aid the daimon of the Brightlands. A great many dangers and multiple realms stand between her and the pack.
Further north, Persephonie hides an injured Rennear and Jez within a strange muster, breaking the saudad’s long-standing rule that no one besides themselves should travel the threads of fate. The route itself is only the beginning of the dangers they face.
In another plane altogether, Briseras continues her search for her quarry, finding instead a wounded nobleman wandering in the woods. Is he bait sent from the vampire to lure her into a trap, or is he part of her destiny in Steymhorod, a thread woven long ago?
Over all of this, Yvayne plots her next move, ready, finally, to take her place upon the world stage as the leader of the lorekeeper rebels. But the fae may be too late—strange monsters teem within the forests of the Elven Realms and creatures of shadow invade the Brightlands. Her enemies have not been dormant while waiting for the chosen one to reappear. When Lucien spies his chance, he takes it—hoping for the ruin of all.
In the face of impossible choices, who will ascend to the heights of their destiny? And who, in failing to rise, will condemn themselves and their loved ones to a darkness unimaginable?
Ancient curses, hidden artifacts, and forbidden magic pull against the tides of destiny in the fourth installment of the Age of Azuria high fantasy series. With so much at stake, found families and star-crossed lovers face the ultimate test. Do our heroes have what it takes to seize hold of the threads of fate, choose one another, and survive the trials before them?
Impossible choices await Iellieth within an ancient elven forest, where the stakes for her friends and her world grow ever more dire. But soon enough, she finds that the ancients hid more than the final piece of the planar seal within the woods. The implications of their long-buried secrets may alter not only her fate, but Azuria’s as well.
For Teodric, the threat against his father presses ever more strongly upon his mind. He knows what torments the pirate queen Syleste is capable of inflicting. Genevieve, too, prepares to fulfill the next stage of her quest to aid the daimon of the Brightlands. A great many dangers and multiple realms stand between her and the pack.
Further north, Persephonie hides an injured Rennear and Jez within a strange muster, breaking the saudad’s long-standing rule that no one besides themselves should travel the threads of fate. The route itself is only the beginning of the dangers they face.
In another plane altogether, Briseras continues her search for her quarry, finding instead a wounded nobleman wandering in the woods. Is he bait sent from the vampire to lure her into a trap, or is he part of her destiny in Steymhorod, a thread woven long ago?
Over all of this, Yvayne plots her next move, ready, finally, to take her place upon the world stage as the leader of the lorekeeper rebels. But the fae may be too late—strange monsters teem within the forests of the Elven Realms and creatures of shadow invade the Brightlands. Her enemies have not been dormant while waiting for the chosen one to reappear. When Lucien spies his chance, he takes it—hoping for the ruin of all.
In the face of impossible choices, who will ascend to the heights of their destiny? And who, in failing to rise, will condemn themselves and their loved ones to a darkness unimaginable?
591 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 11, 2025
3 people are currently reading
14 people want to read
About the author
Beth Ball
18 books71 followersBeth Ball is a weaver of words and worlds spinning stories of druidic magic and the power of nature that span the epic fantasy realms of Azuria and Eldura. If you enjoy lyrical tales of action and adventure, dragons, werewolves, fae, wily foxes, and more, then grab your enchanted amulet, flaming longsword, poisoned dagger, or other mystical accessory of choice, and let’s start our adventure!
When she’s not writing fantasy fiction, Beth is a tabletop RPG designer creating adventures and campaigns with her husband Jonathan as part of their work at Grove Guardian Press. She’s also working on her first foray into the LitRPG space with an epic story based on their home duet game. As you might imagine, her ttRPG adventures incorporate lots of druids.
You can find more of Beth’s work and the legends of Azuria and Eldura at bethballbooks.com. And if you’re looking for playable, immersive adventures in Azuria, visit groveguardianpress.com.
When she’s not writing fantasy fiction, Beth is a tabletop RPG designer creating adventures and campaigns with her husband Jonathan as part of their work at Grove Guardian Press. She’s also working on her first foray into the LitRPG space with an epic story based on their home duet game. As you might imagine, her ttRPG adventures incorporate lots of druids.
You can find more of Beth’s work and the legends of Azuria and Eldura at bethballbooks.com. And if you’re looking for playable, immersive adventures in Azuria, visit groveguardianpress.com.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
January 13, 2025
Forest Deep is the fourth book in the Age of Azuria series and it is a great entry in what is becoming one of my very favorite fantasy series.
This book continues the connected story of the main characters across timelines masterfully with no loose threads fraying the plot or character development!
All of the characters we have met over the last three books central to the story get their moment to shine and we get more of a villain I love to hate, Lucien. He is here in all his evil, almost but not quite sympathetic, dark glory. And he is so much fun as an antagonist.
I enjoy all of the MCs and their POVs but Briseras’ storyline has me so enthralled. All of the characters have depth and bring something unique to the story. There is not one that I didn’t thoroughly enjoy! I love the Druidic magic of several of the other MCs but she is the badass monster hunter that I could not get enough of.
If you are fan of this series you owe it to yourself to pick up Forest Deep! It is a perfect continuation of the story! If you haven’t read the first three books yet, well, I highly, highly recommend picking them up. This is dark, epic, high fantasy at its very best!
This book continues the connected story of the main characters across timelines masterfully with no loose threads fraying the plot or character development!
All of the characters we have met over the last three books central to the story get their moment to shine and we get more of a villain I love to hate, Lucien. He is here in all his evil, almost but not quite sympathetic, dark glory. And he is so much fun as an antagonist.
I enjoy all of the MCs and their POVs but Briseras’ storyline has me so enthralled. All of the characters have depth and bring something unique to the story. There is not one that I didn’t thoroughly enjoy! I love the Druidic magic of several of the other MCs but she is the badass monster hunter that I could not get enough of.
If you are fan of this series you owe it to yourself to pick up Forest Deep! It is a perfect continuation of the story! If you haven’t read the first three books yet, well, I highly, highly recommend picking them up. This is dark, epic, high fantasy at its very best!
August 25, 2025
In Forest Deep, the fourth book of the Age of Azuria series, Beth Ball delivers the kind of fantasy I crave: rich world-building, interwoven plots, and a balance of emotional depth with high-stakes adventure.
The story drops us deep into an ancient elven forest, a place where magic is as dangerous as it is beautiful. Ball doesn’t just paint a backdrop — she immerses you in it. I could almost feel the damp moss under my feet, smell the rain-soaked bark, and sense the thrum of power in the air. The elven woods aren’t just a setting; they’re a living, breathing part of the narrative.
Multiple POVs keep the momentum electric. Iellieth’s journey is the beating heart of the book — her impossible choices and growing awareness of the stakes make her arc both compelling and heart-wrenching. Teodric’s personal mission adds a layer of urgency, particularly with the looming threat of the pirate queen Syleste (a villain I loved to hate). Genevieve’s quest to aid the daimon takes us across realms, showing the full scale of Azuria’s magical geography without losing intimacy.
Persephonie’s storyline is one of my favorites, precisely because it breaks the rules. Her choice to shelter Rennear and Jez in a forbidden muster adds tension and showcases the complexity of loyalty in a world where the wrong decision can doom you. Briseras’s encounter with the wounded nobleman keeps you guessing — is he salvation, trap, or both? And Yvayne’s rise to leadership is perfectly timed against the encroaching chaos, giving us the sense that the board is set for an epic clash.
What impresses me most is Ball’s ability to balance a large cast without losing emotional connection. Even in the midst of war, rebellion, and magical catastrophe, Forest Deep reminds us that the heart of the story is found family, loyalty, and the choices that define us.
Romance threads run like silver veins through the narrative. They’re not rushed — they’re earned through shared trials, lingering glances, and moments where trust is tested and proven. The “spice” is subtle, making the emotional pay-off even stronger.
The antagonists are written with care. Syleste isn’t just a mustache-twirling villain; she’s dangerous because her motives make sense in her world. Lucien’s opportunism adds a different kind of threat — one that thrives in the cracks left by distraction and chaos.
By the final chapters, the tension is nearly unbearable. The choices the characters make feel organic yet surprising — the perfect combination in high fantasy. The ending doesn’t just set up the next book; it cements Forest Deep as a pivotal turning point in the series.
Verdict: If you love sprawling high fantasy with emotional stakes, layered characters, political intrigue, and lush settings, you need to read Forest Deep. Ball has created a world that demands you return to it — and I, for one, can’t wait for the next installment.
🌶️ Spice Level: 1/5 – slow-burn, emotional, and rooted in connection over explicit scenes.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – A masterclass in fantasy storytelling.
The story drops us deep into an ancient elven forest, a place where magic is as dangerous as it is beautiful. Ball doesn’t just paint a backdrop — she immerses you in it. I could almost feel the damp moss under my feet, smell the rain-soaked bark, and sense the thrum of power in the air. The elven woods aren’t just a setting; they’re a living, breathing part of the narrative.
Multiple POVs keep the momentum electric. Iellieth’s journey is the beating heart of the book — her impossible choices and growing awareness of the stakes make her arc both compelling and heart-wrenching. Teodric’s personal mission adds a layer of urgency, particularly with the looming threat of the pirate queen Syleste (a villain I loved to hate). Genevieve’s quest to aid the daimon takes us across realms, showing the full scale of Azuria’s magical geography without losing intimacy.
Persephonie’s storyline is one of my favorites, precisely because it breaks the rules. Her choice to shelter Rennear and Jez in a forbidden muster adds tension and showcases the complexity of loyalty in a world where the wrong decision can doom you. Briseras’s encounter with the wounded nobleman keeps you guessing — is he salvation, trap, or both? And Yvayne’s rise to leadership is perfectly timed against the encroaching chaos, giving us the sense that the board is set for an epic clash.
What impresses me most is Ball’s ability to balance a large cast without losing emotional connection. Even in the midst of war, rebellion, and magical catastrophe, Forest Deep reminds us that the heart of the story is found family, loyalty, and the choices that define us.
Romance threads run like silver veins through the narrative. They’re not rushed — they’re earned through shared trials, lingering glances, and moments where trust is tested and proven. The “spice” is subtle, making the emotional pay-off even stronger.
The antagonists are written with care. Syleste isn’t just a mustache-twirling villain; she’s dangerous because her motives make sense in her world. Lucien’s opportunism adds a different kind of threat — one that thrives in the cracks left by distraction and chaos.
By the final chapters, the tension is nearly unbearable. The choices the characters make feel organic yet surprising — the perfect combination in high fantasy. The ending doesn’t just set up the next book; it cements Forest Deep as a pivotal turning point in the series.
Verdict: If you love sprawling high fantasy with emotional stakes, layered characters, political intrigue, and lush settings, you need to read Forest Deep. Ball has created a world that demands you return to it — and I, for one, can’t wait for the next installment.
🌶️ Spice Level: 1/5 – slow-burn, emotional, and rooted in connection over explicit scenes.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – A masterclass in fantasy storytelling.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews