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Redemption & Ruin
The follow up to "The Forbidden Scrolls". Pick up the next chapter in this epic fantasy trilogy!
Disaster has struck! Frost Dirvent has used the legendary scroll of fire to murder thousands of innocents. Now the vile sorcerer has continued his quest to collect all of the forbidden scrolls scattered throughout Teren'vei.
It's a race against time for Juliya and her friends. They'll need to cross the entire continent and bring two desperate groups of paladins together to have any chance of stopping Frost before he can use the scrolls again.
United with the champions of the gods, Juliya must stand against a threat unlike any seen in thousands of years: an army of the dead and a necromancer who can bend the elements themselves. Can they stop Frost from recovering all of the scrolls and rebuilding his family's once glorious empire? And even if they succeed, what will be the cost?
Review Highlights:
"[Cesca's] style is reminiscent of Terry Brooks, with a variety of interesting and heroic characters, a world of magic, and a quest to save the world from evil."
-Amazon Review
"Mr. Cesca pulls you into this land and its characters and landscapes and engages the reader with the numerous dangers faced, obstacles overcome, and relationships deepened, until you realize you really care about what happens. I couldn't put this story down!"
-Amazon Review
Disaster has struck! Frost Dirvent has used the legendary scroll of fire to murder thousands of innocents. Now the vile sorcerer has continued his quest to collect all of the forbidden scrolls scattered throughout Teren'vei.
It's a race against time for Juliya and her friends. They'll need to cross the entire continent and bring two desperate groups of paladins together to have any chance of stopping Frost before he can use the scrolls again.
United with the champions of the gods, Juliya must stand against a threat unlike any seen in thousands of years: an army of the dead and a necromancer who can bend the elements themselves. Can they stop Frost from recovering all of the scrolls and rebuilding his family's once glorious empire? And even if they succeed, what will be the cost?
Review Highlights:
"[Cesca's] style is reminiscent of Terry Brooks, with a variety of interesting and heroic characters, a world of magic, and a quest to save the world from evil."
-Amazon Review
"Mr. Cesca pulls you into this land and its characters and landscapes and engages the reader with the numerous dangers faced, obstacles overcome, and relationships deepened, until you realize you really care about what happens. I couldn't put this story down!"
-Amazon Review
529 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 23, 2020
1 person is currently reading
22 people want to read
About the author
Matthew Cesca
7 books145 followersOriginally from a small New England town shrouded in mystery, Matthew Cesca currently resides in the unforgiving deserts of Arizona. He has a teenage son and is surrounded by an assortment of cats.
Matt is a fantasy, science fiction, and horror author with multiple published works and just as many works in progress. He asks that you not get too attached to any of his characters. It rarely ends well for anyone involved.
To learn more about the author, you can check out his personal website. You can also interact with him as @AuthorMattCesca on Instagram, Threads, TikTok, and YouTube.
Matt is a fantasy, science fiction, and horror author with multiple published works and just as many works in progress. He asks that you not get too attached to any of his characters. It rarely ends well for anyone involved.
To learn more about the author, you can check out his personal website. You can also interact with him as @AuthorMattCesca on Instagram, Threads, TikTok, and YouTube.
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 28, 2020
Super second entry in this high fantasy series that follows master thief Juliya and a disparate band of heroes on a quest to stop an increasingly powerful sorcerer from wreaking havoc on the lands they have sworn to protect. The first book was more leisurely paced as it naturally had to spend time introducing the reader to the setting and all of the characters who would be caught up in the adventure. This book jumps right back into the story with the author doing a fantastic job of reminding us who the characters are, what they've been through, and their part in the quest without slowing down the action. In the first book, our champions, some of whom have been chosen by the gods, are far-flung and experiencing their own journeys. It was very rewarding to see them all finally come together and join forces in this book. There is wonderful world-building here and great set pieces, from a perilous trek across a a scalding desert to the exciting exploration of an eerie fortress encased in ice. The stakes, already high, are raised throughout as the sorcerer gathers more and more power and unnatural forces to his side. Frost Dirvent is one of those smug, self-satisfied villains you love to hate. The odds against the small band battling him are high and as such, not all survive unscathed. I appreciate the realistic approach to battles and the cost of war laid out in this tale, but it does mean you need to be prepared for some "oh, no!" moments along the way. The ending is bittersweet but satisfying and left me eager to know what happens next in this grand adventure. Recommend for readers who enjoy smart fantasy, magic, adventure, and surprisingly realistic characters given the fantastical setting and events. Really enjoyed!
January 28, 2023
This book was incredible, I couldn’t put it down! I am starting the next one right away.
I am so invested in this story and the characters and what is going to happen next! Matthew Cesca has done a fantastic job of completely enchanting me in this world and with these people I have fallen in love with or completely loathe and their destiny in this fabulous tale. I absolutely recommend this series to anyone!
I am so invested in this story and the characters and what is going to happen next! Matthew Cesca has done a fantastic job of completely enchanting me in this world and with these people I have fallen in love with or completely loathe and their destiny in this fabulous tale. I absolutely recommend this series to anyone!
July 1, 2020
A Respite for the World-Weary (and anyone who likes a good story)
After reading The Forbidden Scrolls last year, I was looking forward to reading Redemption and Ruin, the second installment of The Forbidden Scrolls Trilogy. Although it is meant to be read consecutively, Redemption stands on its own, allowing the reader to lose themselves in the fantasy world of Teren'vei.
Frost Dirvent is the nemesis threatening Teren'vei, working to obtain all three of the forbidden scrolls and gain ultimate power.
Juliya, a thief and society outcast, is working with three diverse groups of paladins to stop Frost Dirvent and save their world. United in unlikely friendships, romantic partnerships, and most probably their deaths, Juliya, the Paladins, and others in the unlikely group must come together to defeat the threat.
Mr. Cesca pulls you into this land and its characters and landscapes and engages the reader with the numerous dangers faced, obstacles overcome, and relationships deepened, until you realize you really care about what happens. I couldn't put this story down!
With all the craziness in the world, this story takes you away to a place where good overcoming evil is far from assured. But you know that it won't be because the flawed proponents of good, Juliya and her friends, aren't going down without a fight.
After reading The Forbidden Scrolls last year, I was looking forward to reading Redemption and Ruin, the second installment of The Forbidden Scrolls Trilogy. Although it is meant to be read consecutively, Redemption stands on its own, allowing the reader to lose themselves in the fantasy world of Teren'vei.
Frost Dirvent is the nemesis threatening Teren'vei, working to obtain all three of the forbidden scrolls and gain ultimate power.
Juliya, a thief and society outcast, is working with three diverse groups of paladins to stop Frost Dirvent and save their world. United in unlikely friendships, romantic partnerships, and most probably their deaths, Juliya, the Paladins, and others in the unlikely group must come together to defeat the threat.
Mr. Cesca pulls you into this land and its characters and landscapes and engages the reader with the numerous dangers faced, obstacles overcome, and relationships deepened, until you realize you really care about what happens. I couldn't put this story down!
With all the craziness in the world, this story takes you away to a place where good overcoming evil is far from assured. But you know that it won't be because the flawed proponents of good, Juliya and her friends, aren't going down without a fight.
May 30, 2021
Couldn’t put it down
This is the second book in the Forbidden Scrolls trilogy. Juliya and her companions have come together with all of the paladins and are in a race to stop Frost Dirvent from retrieving more scrolls of power. The stakes are higher now. They must trust in their training, experiences, and each other if they are to succeed.
While the first book draws us in with the strong character and world building, this book builds on that and dives so much deeper into this enthralling world. We get in the mind of these warriors as they get to know each other and develop friendships, struggle with moral decisions, face fears of upcoming battles, and cope with loss of the homes they left behind, possibly to never return. There was action from the first page, my heart was racing and my emotions got the best of me more than once.
This was a captivating part 2 and I cannot wait to experience the finale of this trilogy.
This is the second book in the Forbidden Scrolls trilogy. Juliya and her companions have come together with all of the paladins and are in a race to stop Frost Dirvent from retrieving more scrolls of power. The stakes are higher now. They must trust in their training, experiences, and each other if they are to succeed.
While the first book draws us in with the strong character and world building, this book builds on that and dives so much deeper into this enthralling world. We get in the mind of these warriors as they get to know each other and develop friendships, struggle with moral decisions, face fears of upcoming battles, and cope with loss of the homes they left behind, possibly to never return. There was action from the first page, my heart was racing and my emotions got the best of me more than once.
This was a captivating part 2 and I cannot wait to experience the finale of this trilogy.
May 21, 2022
Continuing the adventure that began with the Forbidden Scrolls. This second installment takes us deeper into the World Matt Cesca created. Please Enjoy
July 6, 2020
Fantasy, Magic, and a Thief
Indie author, Matt Cesca has continued his excellent story with part two of the Forbidden Scrolls. His style is reminiscent of Terry Brooks, with a variety of interesting and heroic characters, a world of magic, and a quest to save the world from evil. Our group of dwarves, elves and humans come together to fight and learn about each other in the process. A wonderful flawed but intense thief gets us started on the journey.
Cesca's characters are believable, troubled, but resilient and courageous. We come to care about them and hold our breath as they race into danger. As a writer, Cesca's naming conventions are excellent and there is hardly a false note in his narrative. Personally, his world building is so good that modern profanity feels a little out of place. Otherwise, this book and the first in this series will transport you. Pick up both and you will not be disappointed.
Indie author, Matt Cesca has continued his excellent story with part two of the Forbidden Scrolls. His style is reminiscent of Terry Brooks, with a variety of interesting and heroic characters, a world of magic, and a quest to save the world from evil. Our group of dwarves, elves and humans come together to fight and learn about each other in the process. A wonderful flawed but intense thief gets us started on the journey.
Cesca's characters are believable, troubled, but resilient and courageous. We come to care about them and hold our breath as they race into danger. As a writer, Cesca's naming conventions are excellent and there is hardly a false note in his narrative. Personally, his world building is so good that modern profanity feels a little out of place. Otherwise, this book and the first in this series will transport you. Pick up both and you will not be disappointed.
August 24, 2020
Juliya, our intrepid thief from The Forbidden Scrolls, and her companions continue their journey to find the remaining scrolls before Frost Dirvent acquires them. He's already ahead of them and they must race across the continent to arrive first.
The world of the Forbidden Scrolls is varied, from deserts to frozen wastes, but Mr. Cesca has managed to create a unique landscape for his story. The characters are somewhat familiar but have their own diverse characteristics that set them apart and intrigue the reader. The author is especially good at pacing the story, moving it along and adding tidbits to keep the reader interested. As others have noted, the world-building is good, fantastical yet realistic.
I look forward to the next (and final) book in the series, anxious to see where Juliya's journey ends.
The world of the Forbidden Scrolls is varied, from deserts to frozen wastes, but Mr. Cesca has managed to create a unique landscape for his story. The characters are somewhat familiar but have their own diverse characteristics that set them apart and intrigue the reader. The author is especially good at pacing the story, moving it along and adding tidbits to keep the reader interested. As others have noted, the world-building is good, fantastical yet realistic.
I look forward to the next (and final) book in the series, anxious to see where Juliya's journey ends.
May 10, 2021
Excited for conclusion!!
I am not one to retell the story in my reviews, so I’ll simply convey as a reader that I went straight into this book excited about where it was going to lead Juliya. The characterisation in book 2 of this trilogy enforces the links already built in book one and builds out on the world already created. Flawed characters, who have believable dilemmas are so much more interesting and believable - and therefore engaging. As a reader, I respect and appreciate the time and thought taken into world building, and the focus on religion. How characters interact with those core fundamental elements are what make a story real. Recognising the author's skill with world building, the only thing that brought me out of that realm was some modern language which seemed (only at times) at odds with the entire world that had been created. I absolutely cannot wait for the third book in the series.
I am not one to retell the story in my reviews, so I’ll simply convey as a reader that I went straight into this book excited about where it was going to lead Juliya. The characterisation in book 2 of this trilogy enforces the links already built in book one and builds out on the world already created. Flawed characters, who have believable dilemmas are so much more interesting and believable - and therefore engaging. As a reader, I respect and appreciate the time and thought taken into world building, and the focus on religion. How characters interact with those core fundamental elements are what make a story real. Recognising the author's skill with world building, the only thing that brought me out of that realm was some modern language which seemed (only at times) at odds with the entire world that had been created. I absolutely cannot wait for the third book in the series.
October 28, 2020
By far the this is the best book so far in the series. Juliya feels as if it is her duty to go after the other four scrolls before Frost can obtain them. She must stop him at all costs because her and her friends’ world depends upon their race to defeat them. Their journey takes them to many places where they endure many hardships. However, they also encounter deep relationships with one another as they work together fluidly to be ahead of Frost. I really loved the scenes where the characters manifested their magic together, in an attempt to beat the Necromancer. I loved how well developed the characters are, with each contributing something different to the story. I loved the pacing and the action as well as the visual descriptions. I’m excited to read the next book in the trilogy.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews