A Fable of Blood

Legend of Tal #0.5

by J.D.L. Rosell

The hunt for a god's secret begins in blood...

Tal Harrenfel, infamous adventurer and living legend, has gone where none have dared before.

He has ventured into the deadly East, where beasts and lawless headhunters roam the mountainous lands, in service of a mission: to discover the secret to defying - and perhaps even defeating - the all-powerful sorcerer Yuldor.

Now he's near the tower where he suspects the truth is buried. With the help of the tower's mysterious caretaker, he'll ascend to claim its secrets - but what lies ahead is far deadlier than he could have anticipated...

Genres: Fantasy, Short Stories, Fiction

32 pages, ebook

About the author

***ANNOUNCEMENT: Shadow of Legends, Book 1 in the Dragonforged Saga, is funding now on Kickstarter! Look it up to read more about your favorite characters from Legend of Tal.***

J.D.L. Rosell was swept away on a journey when he stepped foot outside his door and into The Hobbit. He hasn't stopped wandering since.

In his writing, he tries to recapture the wonder, adventure, and poignancy that captivated him as a child. His explorations have taken him to worlds set in over twenty novels and six series, which include Dragonforged, Ranger of the Titan Wilds, Legend of Tal, The Runewar Saga, and The Famine Cycle.

When he's not off on a quest, Rosell enjoys his newfound hobby of archery and older pastimes of hiking and landscape photography. But every hobbit returns home, and if you step softly and mind the potatoes, you may glimpse him curled up with his wife and two cats, Zelda and Abenthy, reading a good book or replaying his favorite video games.

* * * * *

Books by J.D.L. Rosell:

DRAGONFORGED
1. Shadow of Legends (Late 2026 release)

RANGER OF THE TITAN WILDS
1. The Last Ranger
2. The First Ancestor
3. The Hidden Guardian
4. The Wilds Exile
5. The Titan Revenant (March 2026 release)

LEGEND OF TAL
1. A King's Bargain
2. A Queen's Command
3. An Emperor's Gamble
4. A God's Plea
A Battle Between Blood (Novella)

THE RUNEWAR SAGA
1. The Throne of Ice & Ash
2. The Crown of Fire & Fury
3. The Stone of Iron & Omen
Book 4 TBA

THE FAMINE CYCLE - Available as a complete box set
1. Whispers of Ruin
2. Echoes of Chaos
3. Requiem of Silence
Secret Seller (Prequel)
The Phantom Heist (Novella)

GODSLAYER RISING - Available as a complete box set
1. Catalyst
2. Champion
3. Heretic

Reviews

[♥Milica♥ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was alright, a bit too short to say if I'll like the main series though.

[Todd · Rating 2 out of 5]

An uninspiring prequel for the Legend of Tal series

[Ross Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m about to listen to Rosell’s Legend of Tal series so thought i would squeeze this prequel in first.
I never know what to do with short prequels like this - read it before the main series or if it’s better to read it once you’re familiar with the series.
Books like this will never give you enough background or insight into the world to really give you a flavour for it, but it does serve as a nice taster. But sometimes I think you get neat little Easter eggs reading these once you’ve read the main stories. I don’t know.
This little book (32 pages) tells the story of Tal sneaking his way into a mysterious Obelisk and he ends up gaining a magical tome that he can’t read. He seems like a complicated character whose certainly had a few experiences in his life and is mildly amusing. I’m looking forward to listening to the main book next.
I got this book free by signing up to Rosell’s mailing list on his website.

[Alan Behan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant tale from the Legend Of Tal series, Tal has been scoping out an obelisk for three days, while being pursued by a group of Ravagers, the only occupant an old nightelf, he is looking to enter and can only by magical means, but there is a legend inside that could help him defeat the Yuldor, Hellexa Yoreseers Legacy, I've had this Trilogy in my library for a while now, after reading this, I shall be moving it up my to the top of my tbr pile, highly recommend...😁

[Cair-Paravel Emyth Brenn De Luney Morrow · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is only a brief adventure to open the door to the adventures of Tal. However, the breakneck pace at which it hurdles along is extremely exciting and is a good indication of what to expect from the next book. It was very good.

I am volunteering a review for the author.

[Mark Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice short story of tal and the keeper, sets up nice imagination and keeps it interesting. Look forward to looking at the series. 4/5 for me.

[John Croak · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is just a short story but has me hooked. I want to know more about Tal.

[OldBird · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short story/prequel about a man, a cursed tower and a grim history. I did feel a little like I was missing something though, as if I should already know something about this once-great warrior Tal and the political situation of the lands (quite a few references to gods and the like went over my head). Consequently the story didn't drawn me in quite as well as I'd look for in a new series prequel and I found it hard to care for Tal and the events. I think I would have liked it more if I were already familiar with the series.

2.5 stars rounded up because the writing is really strong and fluid, which makes me think the author is worth checking out.

-I received a free copy of this e-book in a giveaway. This does not influence my review-

[Roger · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Fable of Blood (Legend of Tal #0.5), my sixth read from author J.D.L. Rosell, an author I'd wanted to read for since I got The Throne of Ice and Ash (Book 1 of The Runewar Saga, An Epic Fantasy Series) back in October of 2021. Well written & enjoyable. “I received a free Kindle copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review." The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).

[Oana · Rating 2 out of 5]

A fable of blood is a prequel to the Legend of Tal series, a short story that shows readers how Tal came to have the book written by Helexa.
It really wasn't my favorite read but it was ok. There is plenty of action for a short red, there are only 2 main characters that the author choose to write and a trouble finding book hidden in a cursed tower.
Definitely read this before the main series.

[R.M. Schultz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read a dozen of the better selling indie fantasy prequels, and while most were straight action fighting, this one stood out as my favorite. It had a twisting plot and underlying mystery and a conflicted if not supposedly legendary character in the vein of Name of the Wind.

[Garth Mailman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Legend of Tal #0.5
A Fable of Blood
J.D.L. Rosell

A Sword and Sorcery Short given as a freebie to spark interest in the series that follows. Assume Tal is short for Talmage a name I know due to the Bachman family. To say that the story is violent would be an understatement.

[MGB · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very short non-stop action. We find magic and sword work with mysteries. Yes we still know almost nothing about the protagonist - Tal.

[Miriam Michalak · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up this novella as an intro the JDL Rosell and very much enjoyed the taster. Will be picking up more of this series.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this short prequel and I'm interested in reading more about Tal and his quest.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

To learn who Tal became and knowing he hopefully will be going down the right path was great. If you enjoy magic, creatures, and unique warriors you will enjoy this book on how it all began.