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Azriel Dancer
Twenty-five year-old Azriel doesn’t know much of the world beyond Shiva Puri, the village where she and two hundred other farmers live in the foothills of California. Dreams of becoming a professional dancer have been dashed by injury, and it seems her marriage to Daniel, the village manager, is the crowning achievement of her young life. Azriel’s rural existence is pleasant, if not exhilarating, and so the world goes on.
Until it doesn’t.
The sages of ancient India tell of a terrifying being that will come forth from the underworld to end the reign of humankind. Shhhh. It’s just folklore, a superstition, a tale to frighten children.
Until it isn’t.
When the apocalypse comes, waves of unearthly pulsations crush everything in their path and fast-moving firestorms sweep North America. The survivors of Shiva Puri need a leader if they’re to make it through the devastation. Factions splinter and tensions escalate, but no one is aware of the real danger lurking. The demon Kali, Lord of Rakshasa, Tiger of Lanka, circles the last remnants of humanity.
People disappear, and Azriel realizes she must perform her most delicate dance, defeating the vilest creature humankind has ever known, and preserving her humanity in the process.
Azriel Dancer is the first of four novels in the Daughters of the Apocalypse quartet, in which author Bob Jenkins takes the reader from the first seconds of a mysterious global catastrophe, to the birth of a new civilization fifty years later.
Until it doesn’t.
The sages of ancient India tell of a terrifying being that will come forth from the underworld to end the reign of humankind. Shhhh. It’s just folklore, a superstition, a tale to frighten children.
Until it isn’t.
When the apocalypse comes, waves of unearthly pulsations crush everything in their path and fast-moving firestorms sweep North America. The survivors of Shiva Puri need a leader if they’re to make it through the devastation. Factions splinter and tensions escalate, but no one is aware of the real danger lurking. The demon Kali, Lord of Rakshasa, Tiger of Lanka, circles the last remnants of humanity.
People disappear, and Azriel realizes she must perform her most delicate dance, defeating the vilest creature humankind has ever known, and preserving her humanity in the process.
Azriel Dancer is the first of four novels in the Daughters of the Apocalypse quartet, in which author Bob Jenkins takes the reader from the first seconds of a mysterious global catastrophe, to the birth of a new civilization fifty years later.
407 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 1, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
October 5, 2016
When I picked up Azriel Dancer, Book One in the Daughters of Kali Yuga series by Bob Jenkins, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I understood it to be a quirky apocalyptic survival story set in the granola-crunching world of a Shivite commune in California. I was concerned that I might not connect with the story, as I am not a particularly spiritual person and I eat a lot of beef. But I do love a good adventure with strong female role models, and in this year of elections, I am somewhat longing for a cataclysmic end of this world followed by a fresh new beginning. So I snuggled down and opened my reader.
What I found was something completely unexpected. Wrapped in a delightfully warped sense of humor and irony is a story of how life-changing, paradigm-shifting, mind-blowing events can spawn and empower the most unlikely and indelible friendships.
Azriel is a bit of a lost soul. Having her dream of becoming a professional dancer dashed by an injury, she finds solace in communal life, spiritual dance, and a loving, if somewhat ordinary marriage. That is, until the day the world, as she knows it, comes to an end. Azriel is now faced with leading her people, and goats, and dog to safety in a new world of their own creating. She is not quite equipped for the job.
Fortunately, as a phoenix rises from the ashes, so does a feisty beer-swilling, gun-toting, foul-mouthed lesbian Marine named Max (short for Maxine – but I wouldn't call her that if I were you).
Two more unlikely friends there never were. Yet, each one gives to the other the tools they need to not just survive in this new iteration of the world and beat back the evil that threatens human existence, but to blossom into the very best version of themselves and the very best chance for humanity.
The antagonist is a demon named Kali, who is hell-bent on the destruction of the world, but is frankly just not very good at it. A cannibalistic collector of human heads and all around bad dude, Demon Kali finds worthy adversaries in Azriel and Max and the forces beyond that protect them.
This story is unique, sexy, and imaginative, moves swiftly and steadily, and is well told. Knowing nothing of Shivite culture or Dharma or Hinduism or any of it, I was pleased with how the author sort of walks the reader through the terminology and ideology without patronizing or pandering. I would have liked the transition at the end of the first book to be just little longer and meatier before wrapping up and preparing me for the next volume. Still, I am sitting on the edge of my seat waiting to find out what lies in store for both our heroines and their nemesis, the devilish Kali, in Book Two of The Daughters of Kali Yuga.
What I found was something completely unexpected. Wrapped in a delightfully warped sense of humor and irony is a story of how life-changing, paradigm-shifting, mind-blowing events can spawn and empower the most unlikely and indelible friendships.
Azriel is a bit of a lost soul. Having her dream of becoming a professional dancer dashed by an injury, she finds solace in communal life, spiritual dance, and a loving, if somewhat ordinary marriage. That is, until the day the world, as she knows it, comes to an end. Azriel is now faced with leading her people, and goats, and dog to safety in a new world of their own creating. She is not quite equipped for the job.
Fortunately, as a phoenix rises from the ashes, so does a feisty beer-swilling, gun-toting, foul-mouthed lesbian Marine named Max (short for Maxine – but I wouldn't call her that if I were you).
Two more unlikely friends there never were. Yet, each one gives to the other the tools they need to not just survive in this new iteration of the world and beat back the evil that threatens human existence, but to blossom into the very best version of themselves and the very best chance for humanity.
The antagonist is a demon named Kali, who is hell-bent on the destruction of the world, but is frankly just not very good at it. A cannibalistic collector of human heads and all around bad dude, Demon Kali finds worthy adversaries in Azriel and Max and the forces beyond that protect them.
This story is unique, sexy, and imaginative, moves swiftly and steadily, and is well told. Knowing nothing of Shivite culture or Dharma or Hinduism or any of it, I was pleased with how the author sort of walks the reader through the terminology and ideology without patronizing or pandering. I would have liked the transition at the end of the first book to be just little longer and meatier before wrapping up and preparing me for the next volume. Still, I am sitting on the edge of my seat waiting to find out what lies in store for both our heroines and their nemesis, the devilish Kali, in Book Two of The Daughters of Kali Yuga.
October 4, 2016
Better than hand dipped ice cream cones...3 scoops
The author of this ambrosial work introduced me to The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings when I was but a 13 year old know it all. It was when I would begin to open my mind and imagination to characters, their surroundings with such intensity I could smell the grass. Even if he was not my Big brother, (what gave it away) this novel was one of the most compelling writes I've had the pleasure to devour. As the last morsel, last word enters my mind, it is much like feeling a drop of the ice cream drip off my chin. Realizing I'd slipped into pure enjoyment, at moments frozen in suspense, where time and the world slipped away, rewarded by the devine journey of Azriel Dancer. I will read it again no doubt with a bit more ease....as I await the next section. Can you write a little faster bro. You know I'm the impatient one.
The author of this ambrosial work introduced me to The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings when I was but a 13 year old know it all. It was when I would begin to open my mind and imagination to characters, their surroundings with such intensity I could smell the grass. Even if he was not my Big brother, (what gave it away) this novel was one of the most compelling writes I've had the pleasure to devour. As the last morsel, last word enters my mind, it is much like feeling a drop of the ice cream drip off my chin. Realizing I'd slipped into pure enjoyment, at moments frozen in suspense, where time and the world slipped away, rewarded by the devine journey of Azriel Dancer. I will read it again no doubt with a bit more ease....as I await the next section. Can you write a little faster bro. You know I'm the impatient one.
August 28, 2017
This book is different. Special. It stays with you for days. It's practical and mystical, involving and surreal - the characters are well-rounded and appealing, and the storyline is more than satisfying. Apocalyptic tales seem all the more relevant these days. Loved the idea of a gentle village needing to toughen up with the times. Their spirituality gets them where they need to go, despite dire circumstances and a demon stalker. There's even a wandering marine to help guide them. Well worth a read. And it's one of four volumes, so more to come! I liked Azriel's combination of tough, practical, vulnerable feminism. Great heroine. And her loyal marine friend Max is delightful. Can't wait to read what these goddesses do next.
September 11, 2017
This is not my usual genre, but knowing the Author, I decided to give it a go. THIS IS NOT A BOOK FOR MINORS, FAINT OF HEART, OR INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE OFFENDED BY LANGUAGE. Having said that, I was hooked from the get go. I loved the characters and the fact that the story is set in my home area . I will be purchasing the second book of the trilogy.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews