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Ashyer
The last Immortal King of Ashyer has fallen, bringing down the wrath of the fiery horrors from the sky who have subjugated the races of Ashyer for a thousand years. But there is a new way to cast off the shackles of dragon rule and free Ashyer from the terror of Dragonshade forever. Young Prince Frost possesses a forbidden weapon his father forged in secret, in violation of centuries-old treaties, and he is willing to wield it to free his people. To do so, he will have to unearth ancient secrets in lost kingdoms, fight his way through countless foes, and even travel to the world of the dragons, which circles Ashyer like a diseased moon.Frost will first have to unite unlikely allies from across the known world into a team of brave rebels—* A childhood friend who also happens to be the kingdom’s finest thief,* An apprentice wizard who will soon command the fury of the storm,* A strange woman who assumes the guise of a Black Knight,* A wizened general whose sword can cut through space and whose ferociousness in battle belies his age,* A waif with striped hair who commands more power than most adult wizards,* A vigilante woman slinking in alleyways who harbors the greatest secret of all.Ghosts from the past and even nature herself will rise up to aid Frost in his quest.But will it be enough?Here be dragons! You should never, ever cross a dragon unless you are very sure you won’t get burned.
298 pages, Paperback
Published November 28, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 4, 2020
3 stars
Ashyer is set in the world of Ashyer that has a moon where dragons that oppresses the people of Ashyer lived. The dragons arrive annually when the moon gets near to Ashyer and demands tithe from the people. The story revolves around a group of heroic characters that decides to rebel against the tyranny of the dragons and their adventures in the name their rebellion before and after they meet.
Ashyer has strong somber themes of typical (or classical) high-fantasy media such as D&D and Tolkien books. This includes camaraderie or fellowship which also involves the typical characters in fantasy such as wizard, knights, dragons, healers, thieves and royalty, chosen one trope, and light magic system (meaning the magic system is vague and have no actual extent of the limitations). If you’re into fantasy that tackles more about politics, society, inter-kingdom wars, revolutions, romance, and heavy dose of magic systems, Ashyer isn’t a book for you because it’s more of adventure/epic fantasy.
Fantasy often rely in world-building first then to characters, and sometimes both, but they always go hand-in-hand in providing interest to the readers.
The world-building is a typical north-western medieval Europe; there’s no societal and cultural diversity all across the setting—no east or south European nor oriental societies. The structure of the plot reminds me of ‘The Witcher’ series’ early books (they're a collection of short-stories) because of the adventure-centered plots and because of the pervading ‘tell not show’ writing style of Petrillo. The writing style is also probably because or the result of the very fast-pacing of the story. Probably because or the result of the very fast-pacing of the story that the characters are not deeply explored and therefore harder to connect with. There is also the amount of central characters of the story which is more than eight. However, Petrillo’s chronicler-like writing style and language is nice and neat.
Personally, if Ashyer was more slow-paced and longer, contains more darker themes such as gore, grit, and crimes (this includes rape and murder, etc.) and cruel social system (like ‘Mistborn’ by Brandon Sanderson), explores more of the characters, it would have been more interesting to adult readers. However, since Ashyer has a mystical but lighter tone, it would have no problem selling to younger audiences, but the characters veer off to the adult spectrum, and the plot elements didn’t fit well with the YA and NA modern high-fantasy—with its heavy magic system and romance such as ‘Grishaverse’ series by Leigh Bardugo—that younger audience reads nowadays, considering that they had their own genre. On that note, Ashyer is recommendable for all audiences. Personally, it’s a story that I’d read when I was younger. I recommend Ashyer to anyone who likes epic fantasy like ‘The Hobbit,’ and ‘Lord of the Rings.’
Ashyer is set in the world of Ashyer that has a moon where dragons that oppresses the people of Ashyer lived. The dragons arrive annually when the moon gets near to Ashyer and demands tithe from the people. The story revolves around a group of heroic characters that decides to rebel against the tyranny of the dragons and their adventures in the name their rebellion before and after they meet.
Ashyer has strong somber themes of typical (or classical) high-fantasy media such as D&D and Tolkien books. This includes camaraderie or fellowship which also involves the typical characters in fantasy such as wizard, knights, dragons, healers, thieves and royalty, chosen one trope, and light magic system (meaning the magic system is vague and have no actual extent of the limitations). If you’re into fantasy that tackles more about politics, society, inter-kingdom wars, revolutions, romance, and heavy dose of magic systems, Ashyer isn’t a book for you because it’s more of adventure/epic fantasy.
Fantasy often rely in world-building first then to characters, and sometimes both, but they always go hand-in-hand in providing interest to the readers.
The world-building is a typical north-western medieval Europe; there’s no societal and cultural diversity all across the setting—no east or south European nor oriental societies. The structure of the plot reminds me of ‘The Witcher’ series’ early books (they're a collection of short-stories) because of the adventure-centered plots and because of the pervading ‘tell not show’ writing style of Petrillo. The writing style is also probably because or the result of the very fast-pacing of the story. Probably because or the result of the very fast-pacing of the story that the characters are not deeply explored and therefore harder to connect with. There is also the amount of central characters of the story which is more than eight. However, Petrillo’s chronicler-like writing style and language is nice and neat.
Personally, if Ashyer was more slow-paced and longer, contains more darker themes such as gore, grit, and crimes (this includes rape and murder, etc.) and cruel social system (like ‘Mistborn’ by Brandon Sanderson), explores more of the characters, it would have been more interesting to adult readers. However, since Ashyer has a mystical but lighter tone, it would have no problem selling to younger audiences, but the characters veer off to the adult spectrum, and the plot elements didn’t fit well with the YA and NA modern high-fantasy—with its heavy magic system and romance such as ‘Grishaverse’ series by Leigh Bardugo—that younger audience reads nowadays, considering that they had their own genre. On that note, Ashyer is recommendable for all audiences. Personally, it’s a story that I’d read when I was younger. I recommend Ashyer to anyone who likes epic fantasy like ‘The Hobbit,’ and ‘Lord of the Rings.’
January 23, 2020
Este es un libro que me ha dado Booktasters a cambio de una reseña honesta 😊
Es un libro muy entretenido peeeeeero, me hubiese gustado que fuese más largo!!! De verdad que quería más de todo, más batallas, más desarrollo de personajes (que fue lo que más me faltó), más de todo!
Muchas veces me pasó que las cosas pasaban muy rápido y muy convenientes, creo que solo se buscaba la solución fácil.
No sé si es parte de una saga pero espero que no sea así, porque como libro autoconclusivo funciona perfecto! Y como dije antes, más largo, más desarrollado y como libro autoconclusivo habría sido el libro perfecto ❤
Es un libro muy entretenido peeeeeero, me hubiese gustado que fuese más largo!!! De verdad que quería más de todo, más batallas, más desarrollo de personajes (que fue lo que más me faltó), más de todo!
Muchas veces me pasó que las cosas pasaban muy rápido y muy convenientes, creo que solo se buscaba la solución fácil.
No sé si es parte de una saga pero espero que no sea así, porque como libro autoconclusivo funciona perfecto! Y como dije antes, más largo, más desarrollado y como libro autoconclusivo habría sido el libro perfecto ❤
December 28, 2019
I enjoyed the book. I liked the detailing of the characters and the world around them. The story is very fast paced at times a little too fast. I would have wished for Xan Olan to have more time.
I would have given a 5 star if not for some cliques I found like the friendship of the prince and thief, the stubborn but good hearted Nightshade. This could be because I have a read a lot of books with a hero who has to rise to an occasion, a strong and slightly patronizing girl and a slightly goofy friend and all of them led by a wise teacher. (Eg:-Harry Potter).
But I would love to read sequels of this for the sheer fun the book is.
I would have given a 5 star if not for some cliques I found like the friendship of the prince and thief, the stubborn but good hearted Nightshade. This could be because I have a read a lot of books with a hero who has to rise to an occasion, a strong and slightly patronizing girl and a slightly goofy friend and all of them led by a wise teacher. (Eg:-Harry Potter).
But I would love to read sequels of this for the sheer fun the book is.
December 16, 2019
This is the story of a group of friends, led by the new young king Frost, in order to put warr against the dragons, which have been tyrannising and impoverishing Ashyer for centuries, dominating its population through violence. As our friend take on the mission to get rid of the dragons dominance, they have to pass several adventures in preparation for this event.
This is an entertaining read, the thread is well developed as well as the characters.
This is an entertaining read, the thread is well developed as well as the characters.
December 18, 2019
If possible I would give this book more than five stars, this book is exquisitely written, it is very detailed it has fantasy, adventure, magic, mystery romance, action and so much more, it took me a while to finish this book because I wanted to finish it and not finish it at the same time..it is that fantastic. Dont wait any further get a copy of this book you will love it just like I did, I am going to re-read it.
December 27, 2019
Wonderfully exciting book filled with magic, kindoms,wizardry and dragons. Everything a good fantasy should be! An absolute must read!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 1, 2019
Number of stars 4.5 out of 5.
I really enjoy this book, the writing was beautiful and fast paced. I really like this kingdom Ashyer plus the author really make me feel that I was there.
I really do recommend this book to all who enjoy fantasy, mystery.
I really enjoy this book, the writing was beautiful and fast paced. I really like this kingdom Ashyer plus the author really make me feel that I was there.
I really do recommend this book to all who enjoy fantasy, mystery.
February 9, 2020
I loved this adventure story.! I adored these friends so much but my favourite had to be the villain wizard! I mean I want to get inside his mind after he joined the dragons! There was so much magic and life in these characters. From vampires to wizards, angels, giants, dragons and more... The details the author put in made me feel as if I was actually there with them. Simply put, this book is a masterpiece!
....is there a part two?
....is there a part two?
June 26, 2020
#beautifullywritten #fantasy #war #dragons #thirdpointofview
Ashyer written by James Petrillo has to have one of the most beautifully written narrative that draws you in and immerses your imaginative senses all through the course of reading the novel.
I'm not a fan of the fantasy genre but I loved each part of it most especially the mentions of Goblins tossing Ty through the air because in my head, it was as if had one of those scenes in Elder Scrolls (actually a movie) was being played out in front of me. Reading Frost's father get killed created emphathy in me for the character but as I read further, I really didn't feel for his father since he had to be so greedy to lock Lorrid with the five ancient blades from five ancient kingdoms to seal the door on him.
I also love when the King of Olan made Victoria fist knight of the king's court. He wanted to show her off that women could actually be in power and I admired every part of that. Now, there's this whole two decades thing between Virgo and Victoria which made me kind of uninterested but the dragons, the world at war with itself made me read on. The ending was quite beautiful. I don't know what's going on in Miraph's head and I was left with questions.
For all lovers of action, adventure, dragons, wars and fantasy world that grips, I'd definitely recommend this.
Ashyer written by James Petrillo has to have one of the most beautifully written narrative that draws you in and immerses your imaginative senses all through the course of reading the novel.
I'm not a fan of the fantasy genre but I loved each part of it most especially the mentions of Goblins tossing Ty through the air because in my head, it was as if had one of those scenes in Elder Scrolls (actually a movie) was being played out in front of me. Reading Frost's father get killed created emphathy in me for the character but as I read further, I really didn't feel for his father since he had to be so greedy to lock Lorrid with the five ancient blades from five ancient kingdoms to seal the door on him.
I also love when the King of Olan made Victoria fist knight of the king's court. He wanted to show her off that women could actually be in power and I admired every part of that. Now, there's this whole two decades thing between Virgo and Victoria which made me kind of uninterested but the dragons, the world at war with itself made me read on. The ending was quite beautiful. I don't know what's going on in Miraph's head and I was left with questions.
For all lovers of action, adventure, dragons, wars and fantasy world that grips, I'd definitely recommend this.
March 14, 2020
Took me a long time to finish it; probably due to my reading slump.
I was a little confused at first, the plot was fast paced so it was hard to keep up. I like the details in the book; the way the characters and places are described here, it's easier for me to imagine the story. It was magical and felt really fun. The ending was pretty good too.
I was a little confused at first, the plot was fast paced so it was hard to keep up. I like the details in the book; the way the characters and places are described here, it's easier for me to imagine the story. It was magical and felt really fun. The ending was pretty good too.
October 28, 2020
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
What I liked:
The story started strong, already with some action. I found myself inmersed in the world right away. The descriptions were concise and on point, and the writing was easy to read, which is always nice, especially in fantasy words where there's a lot to digest as worldbuilding tends to be more dense. I liked the explanations behind the long-blood and common-blood types of descendence, the various races, and how we have characters fitting into each category with different abilities. It's great reading a "classic" fantasy setting with dragons, giants, goblings, vampires, angels, etc., that is well written.
Regarding the various journeys of the different characters, I especially enjoyed Vigo and Victoria's up to the point where they get mixed up with the rest of the characters and afterwards, but especially at the beginning, as I was interested in the mystery of Vigo's magic and how far he'd go using it. Victoria's development and how her feelings for Vigo evolved towards the end was also very satisfying to read. Nighshade was also a specially appealing character for me as well.
Another aspect I enjoyed were dialogues. I think most characters were charismatic on their own, but the more characters joined the adventure, the more charismatic the team became and the more they brought out of from each other. It was also nice the way new characters were introduced gradually (Nightshade, Cidric, Krenn, Omegas, Kyr, etc.) and how each of them had a clear purpose. Same thing for the diversity in sceneries and how we discovered more of the land as we traveled with the characters through the forests, skies, seas, villages, ect.
What I didn't like:
To be honest, there's not a lot I didn't like? The only thing I could say off the top of my head could be maybe the magic system? As I see it, it's a semi-soft system, but I'd have liked to have more explanations of it. I did feel like some of the magic was "convenient", but it was barely a bother. Maybe the story could have also benefited from a couple extra chapters to develop some moments/relationships better, but, again, this is just my personal opinion, and I think it's pretty good as it is.
All in all, I think it was a fantastic read. It had all the ingredients for a great fantasy read with variety, plot twists, and good character development that felt real. I'd definitely recommend it, as i's also very easy to read!
What I liked:
The story started strong, already with some action. I found myself inmersed in the world right away. The descriptions were concise and on point, and the writing was easy to read, which is always nice, especially in fantasy words where there's a lot to digest as worldbuilding tends to be more dense. I liked the explanations behind the long-blood and common-blood types of descendence, the various races, and how we have characters fitting into each category with different abilities. It's great reading a "classic" fantasy setting with dragons, giants, goblings, vampires, angels, etc., that is well written.
Regarding the various journeys of the different characters, I especially enjoyed Vigo and Victoria's up to the point where they get mixed up with the rest of the characters and afterwards, but especially at the beginning, as I was interested in the mystery of Vigo's magic and how far he'd go using it. Victoria's development and how her feelings for Vigo evolved towards the end was also very satisfying to read. Nighshade was also a specially appealing character for me as well.
Another aspect I enjoyed were dialogues. I think most characters were charismatic on their own, but the more characters joined the adventure, the more charismatic the team became and the more they brought out of from each other. It was also nice the way new characters were introduced gradually (Nightshade, Cidric, Krenn, Omegas, Kyr, etc.) and how each of them had a clear purpose. Same thing for the diversity in sceneries and how we discovered more of the land as we traveled with the characters through the forests, skies, seas, villages, ect.
What I didn't like:
To be honest, there's not a lot I didn't like? The only thing I could say off the top of my head could be maybe the magic system? As I see it, it's a semi-soft system, but I'd have liked to have more explanations of it. I did feel like some of the magic was "convenient", but it was barely a bother. Maybe the story could have also benefited from a couple extra chapters to develop some moments/relationships better, but, again, this is just my personal opinion, and I think it's pretty good as it is.
All in all, I think it was a fantastic read. It had all the ingredients for a great fantasy read with variety, plot twists, and good character development that felt real. I'd definitely recommend it, as i's also very easy to read!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews