The Jealousy of Jalice

A Disaster of Dokojin #1

by Jesse Nolan Bailey

The Realms have split apart, the Stones of Elation have been hidden, and warnings of dokojin drift among the tribes.

The land and its people are corrupted. The Sachem, chief of the Unified Tribes, is to blame.

It is this conviction that drives Annilasia and Delilee to risk their lives. Afraid of the aether magic he wields, they enact a subtler scheme: kidnap his wife. In her place, Delilee will pretend to be the chieftess and spy on the Sachem.

Unaware of this plot against her husband, Jalice is whisked away by Annilasia. Pleading with her captor proves futile, and she rejects Annilasia’s delusional accusations against the chief. After all, the Sachem has brought peace to the land.

Yet a dangerous truth hides in Jalice’s past. As she and Annilasia flee through a forest of insidious threats, they must confront the evil plaguing the tribes and the events that unleashed it.

What Reviewers are saying:

“…a wonderful debut from an author with a nefarious mind and an epic story to tell.” - Zack Argyle, author of SPFBO finalist VOICE OF WAR

“If you’re looking for a book that breathes new life into the genre, then look no further.” -- Sarah Chorn, author of OF HONEY AND WILDFIRES

"A suspenseful, intriguing, and highly original fantasy tale from a promising new author." - Kirkus Reviews

"With slick original plotting and high octane action, there's much to keep the most ardent of fantasy fans on tenterhooks with Bailey's The Jealousy Of Jalice." - Book Viral Review

"A riveting and brilliantly penned novel...This is an electric debut, and newborn fans of Jesse Nolan Bailey will eagerly await the sequel, as The Jealousy of Jalice is an imaginative and impressive start to a new fantasy series." Self-Publishing Review, ★★★★½

Genres: Fantasy, Mystery, LGBT, Fiction, Adventure, High Fantasy

366 pages, Paperback

First published May 19, 2020

About the author

Enthralled by the magic that written stories contain, Jesse Nolan Bailey has always wanted to be an author. With his debut novel, THE JEALOUSY OF JALICE, and his shorter fiction, AMETHYST, released to the masses, he can now claim such title with relief. He lives in Durham, North Carolina, where he has embraced the equally-gratifying lifework of hosting a trio of spoiled cats and two mini-aussies.

Reviews

[Nick Borrelli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review coming May 28th as par

[Justine · Rating 4 out of 5]

No star dies without a burst of final light. No constellation forms without a future meaning. Sahrumm steps into the tomorrows of the faithful and protects those that hold to infinite wisdom.

The Jealousy of Jalice is a gritty and imaginative Dark Fantasy debut from author Jesse Nolan Bailey. At its heart, it's a cautionary tale of the ugliness and indecency jealousy brings upon the world, and how acting on such feelings must be avoided at all costs. The narrative focuses on the concept that no matter how deep one tucks away the pains of the past, there's truly no escape, but instead that crippling trauma should be utilized to learn and grow. Part fantasy, part surrealism, part horror, this story is an artistic, yet terrifying journey to exhume the truth, brimming with revelations every step of the way.

The opulent worldbuilding is where The Jealousy of Jalice genuinely shines. The world Bailey has crafted is really quite unconventional in the best of ways; an almost primitive, tribal setting infused with enigmatic, advanced technology from the cosmos. Lush forests lay claim to forgotten secrets, diverse humanoid species populate the lands, wisps of magic binding different planes of existence travel on the winds, everything is eerie and enchanting in equal measure. Readers are introduced to a nation being choked by a savage tyrant and haunted by demon-like beings lying in wait in the darkness, its citizens left to fend for themselves as they wade through the horrors of reality. Richly detailed, new discoveries await with turn of the page. I did, however, find some of the story-specific terminology to be distracting at times, injuring the flow of the narrative.

There exists a link between the world and its people, a breathtaking and otherworldly element I wasn't expecting when I first began making my way through this book. Aether exists as a bridge between various realms, and translating between them is akin to shifting through stages of consciousness. The dreamlike details, such as the body reflecting a star-speckled night sky and corporeal chains were simply gorgeous, and surely propose profound philosophical meaning. I only wish we could've spent more time drifting through this unknown.

The story is led by a small cast, each very distinct, each with conflicting goals, each so tragically flawed. Jalice, chieftess of the people, is a woman who is blind to the atrocities committed by her husband. Initially appearing naive, her venture to discover the devastating secrets locked away is transformative in more ways than one. Annilasia is a trained assassin in service to a despot she abhors, and her campaign to rid the world of corruption forces her to contend with the evil within herself. I personally found it difficult to connect with these characters, their behavior both erratic and inconsistent, but it's clear their environment plays a large role in deciding their actions. Alluring secondary characters serve to flesh out this yarn, and they do so perfectly.

The story itself is told with straightforward prose, and while it begins rather slow, it picks up as new truths come to light. Readers are submerged in a world already in motion without so much as a preamble, leaving them to unearth much on their own, which could be beneficial or detrimental depending on the audience's tastes. Bailey's creativity and ability to vividly portray concepts that fall outside the norm is incredible, painting the wondrous in a chilling manner. He crafts a crusade ripe with tension and urgency, a race to the finish line as lives hang in the balance. My one critique would be the need for more fluid transitions between points of views. Though there are few, I found them to be jarring.

The Jealousy of Jalice is a solid, atmospheric debut and initial installment of A Disaster of Dokojin, a series that has a bright future ahead of itself. So very different from the stories that seem to saturate the genre, it's overflowing with fresh ideas and concepts that I have yet to come across in my literary adventures. Readers are delivered back to ground level after a crushing climax, but this tale is far from finished. There are so many veiled truths, and I'm very much looking forward to seeing what happens next.

My Rating: 3.5, but let's round up!

--

See this review and others at Whispers & Wonder
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[MissBecka Gee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a difficult one to rate.
While the world created and the story revealed are amazing, there is too much missing.
What exactly is a mirajin? What is a dokojin?
What the hell is aether magic? Where did the flayers come from?
I got the gist of these things, but it would have been nice to have a clearer picture painted.
I think a prologue with the whole backstory of this world would have made a huge difference.
It's the start of a series so maybe the author will delve into all this further?
Thanks goes to Jesse Nolan Bailey for my DRC.

[Phil Parker · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm grateful to Jesse Nolan Bailey for his ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Jealousy of Jalice is set in a highly complex world where aether is a form of magic which connects different realms. The Stones of Elation can reconnect these places but they're hidden and the means to bring back harmony is impeded by the all-powerful Sachem. A demon-like creature is at the heart of the darkness which pervades these realms and its domination of the Sachem leads to some truly dark and unpleasant acts being visited on the population.

The female protagonists in this story lead the attack. Annilasia is the assassin who instigates the deceit of abducting the titular character, Jalice from her husband, the Sachem. Annilasia is strong, a warrior and someone who doesn't suffer fools gladly. She is often impatient, unwilling to trust others. Jalice is the character who undergoes the greatest change in many ways. Her jealousy, as the title suggests, is at the root of the problem they face. To say any more would be to give away too many spoilers.

The worldbuilding in this book was its greatest strength. The premise of differing realms which employed differing forms of magic and truly terrible demons made this a distinctly dark fantasy. The author's imagination has forged a landscape that is vivid and dangerous and intolerant. This means that the threats and challenges to our protagonists is ever-present, ensuring an exciting plot full of unexpected twists and turns. Plotting really is good.

I struggled with the characters though. I didn't find any to be particularly sympathetic, they were too ready to distrust, accuse, betray or dislike. This was true for the two female protagonists, I really wanted to like them too.

The second drawback for me, was the richness of the language, which may sound like a strange disadvantage. As I said, the worldbuilding is vivid but everything is always so detailed, so much description is applied that is can rob the story of pace.

However, I'm sure readers will enjoy the darkness of this fantasy, its original central premise and the imagination of a world filled with danger.

[Mahima · Rating 4 out of 5]

*ARC received in exchange of an honest review*
I really liked the whole concept of the book. The story was somewhat different from what we have been reading about the mediaeval period. The detailing helped me to realise the seriousness of the situation Jalice was in.
Story' main focus was on Jalice who was initially kidnapped and the journey of how she discovered the truth behind the lies she has been told.
Amazing story✨

[Sheila G · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm excited to be a part of THE JEALOUSY OF JALICE blog tour with Storytellers On Tour from May 24th - May 30th, 2020!

I received a copy of this book from the author and Storytellers On Tour in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! In no way does this affect my rating or review.



All included quotes have been taken from an ARC and may not match the finished publication.

Content Warning: Gore, Death, Kidnapping, Genocide

"A man who condemns his ally tribes to downfall, as well as his own, isn't a man worth following."

The Jealousy of Jalice is a dark fantasy debut packed full of original content. Told from the perspective of two characters, Annilasia and Jalice, the reader gets a look into different and opposing perspectives of the narrative. Told mostly from Annilasia's perspective, as a trained tillishu assassin, there is no ease into her purpose. Immediately, and with the help of the Tecalica's decoy Delilee, Annilasia successfully kidnaps the chieftess of the Unified Tribes---their former friend, Jalice. Wanting to make the Sachem and ruler of the land pay for his atrocities against his people, Annilasia is determined to do whatever it takes to restore peace.

"Let us kill this darkness by any means. The end of the Sachem's tyranny begins now."

Jalice first comes across as aloof and almost childlike in her naivety. As the plot unfolds, she is anything but that. Locked away in the recesses of her mind is a terrible truth about the past.

More nefarious creatures are at work to alter the memory of and influence others. Parasitical demons and other threats rule the wilderness, providing a thrilling "angel vs. demon" element at each turn. What was supposed to be a relatively simple task to wisk Jalice away manifests into a complicated scheme of events.

The Jealousy of Jalice is a tale about how terrible jealousy truly is, and the havoc it is capable of. Immensely diverse, imaginative, and darkly atmospheric, this modern fantasy is a great start to this series.

"A disease, a curse, a possession--that's what we're up against."

Vulgarity: Moderate.
Sexual content: Minimal.
Violence: Markedly.

My Rating: ★★★1/2

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[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

http://www.bookwormblues.net/2020/09/...

I’ve been wanting to read The Jealousy of Jalice for a while. I love the cover art. The plot sounded interesting. Jesse Nolan Bailey is a good online personality, the kind that makes me want him to succeed. Plus, I know what it’s like, being an indie author and trying to be seen and heard. I want to do what I can to improve the plight of others.

So here we are.

Now, first things first, what I noticed about this book first, was the writing. That’s just how I roll. I can enjoy just about any style of prose, but I tend to like deliberate writing. I love it when I can tell the author put every single word in its place for a specific reason. Bailey’s writing is just that. It cuts like a knife. It’s direct and to the point, occasionally veering into beautiful at the most shocking times, which just makes the moments when he dips a toe into lyrical that much more impactful. More, though, there is nothing wasted here. Bailey is an author who has honed his craft and wastes nothing.

“Silence. That was the source of her distress. Even amongst the grisly scene, the absence of sound festered.”

The Jealousy of Jalice throws you into the deep end. There’s no warmup, no flirtation. You either sink or you swim. It took me a little time to fully understand what was going on, but I think it was supposed to. I enjoyed how Bailey managed to drop me into the mess of it and kept me wanting more. There’s a lot to juggle when you start out a book with a bang. You’ve got to build the world, give the reader characters they care about, and present this plot and confusion in a way where the reader will want to push through to learn more. He does it quite well, and I will say that for readers who keep going, you will be well rewarded.

The pace of the book is… almost aggressive. I’m not sure if that’s the right word, but it’s the one I’m settling on. There’s always something happening, whether it is wham-bam action, battles, fight scenes and the like, or something else. Something… other. There are a whole lot of intimate moments that drive things along as well, plumbing the depths of his characters, as well as furthering the plot. The juxtaposition of these louder-than-life pulse-pounding moments, mixed with these personal reflections, or quite pauses between all the action was, quite honestly, one of my favorite parts of the book. And somehow, in some way, Bailey has managed to craft a book that relentlessly moves forward, and somehow make it both riveting and action-packed, as well as a slow-burn.

One thing I get kind of sick of, which I run into a lot with how much I read, are stories told in the typical fashion. Everything flows along a timeline in a certain way, and every voice fills a predictable role. I mean, I respect that, don’t get me wrong, but if you really want to wow me and put my butt in the chair, you’ll need to write a book that does something that most other books haven’t dared to do. Bailey bucks a lot of tradition in the Jealousy of Jalice.

For one thing, let me talk about the diversity, because it is so incredibly important and I think Bailey did a great job with portraying it. This book is LGBTQ+ friendly. There are people of all orientations and identities here. Numerous races, and a core cast of strong female leads. Furthermore, there is a wide range of personal opinion and perspective here as well, which I appreciated. Lots of different people climbing up the proverbial mountain in different ways. It’s a fantasy that strives to make sure everyone has a voice and a presence and I really want to stand up and acknowledge that. Diversity is so important in the books we read.

No star dies without a burst of final light. No constellation forms without a future meaning. Sahrumm steps into the tomorrows of the faithful and protects those that hold to infinite wisdom.

The worldbuilding is superb, an interesting blend of fantasy and SciFi. There’s a relationship between the world and the people, and magic abounds everywhere. The somewhat tribal way of life stands alongside some interesting elements like other realms, and magic that is used as a bridge between them. Everything has meaning, and while sometimes the language got a little heavy, I enjoyed flitting through the world, and trying to pick apart the many layers of meaning to what Bailey was creating here. It was, honestly, one of the most interestingly crafted worlds I’ve read in a long time, and I genuinely hope for more, because there is a ton of room for him to expand in some really unique, unpredictable ways.

You don’t get all the answers here. A lot of things are presented that you just don’t fully grasp, and that’s fine. Not every book needs to answer every question. I do realize, however, that this has the potential to not satisfy some readers, so I feel the need to mention it. You will have questions. You will not get all the answers. That’s just the way it goes.

There are so many small moments here that make huge, shocking differences in what happens. It’s the details that matter, and there are a lot of details. Things that don’t seem that important, end up making a world of difference. Emotions, memories, fleeting thoughts all matter, and I love that. This focus on small moments, on subtle choices, on a turn of phrase, or a memory that might mean nothing but ends up meaning everything, is something that I love so much I try to insert it into all of the books I write. I was thrilled to see Bailey’s focus on that sort of thing. It makes all the difference. Literally.

“Darkness covered the forest like a spider’s web–insignificant at a casual glance, but fatal to anything trapped within.”

There are a whole lot of new ideas in this book, characters that are fantastically flawed, with believable blind spots to their own shortcomings, each with their own goals and aims. Fantasy seems to always involve a few predictable things: a tragic story, an army, and a play for power. And while these things are all present in The Jealousy of Jalice, they are presented in a different way than I’d ever anticipated. Bailey isn’t afraid to turn left where everyone else would turn right. He flirts with new ideas, and experiments with new ways to tell a story. He writes aggressively, and yet has these moments of beauty that just floored me. Atmospheric, almost dovetailing into dreamlike, The Jealousy of Jalice was basically everything I’ve been looking for in my fantasy right now.

If you’re sick of the standard story with a few subtle variations and you’re looking for a book that breathes new life into the genre, then look no further. I honestly cannot wait to see what Bailey comes up with next.

This is the kind of book I’m after.

[Inkslinger · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC provided by Jesse Nolan Bailey via Storytellers On Tour. All opinions are mine and freely given.

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"Darkness covered the forest like a spider's web--insignificant at a casual glance, but fatal to anything trapped within."


05-28: 'The Jealousy of Jalice' by Jesse Nolan Bailey is a somewhat complex fantasy story about a plot hatched by Annilasia.. an enslaved assassin.. and Delilee.. the royal decoy for the Chieftess of the Unified Tribes.. to spirit the Chieftess away in an attempt to right the wrongs plaguing their people.

Citizens of the Ikaul and Vekuuv tribes and their lands are compromised. Their Chief, The Sachem is at fault. The Realms have been split apart, throwing them all out of alignment. Magic wielders utilize a form of it called aether, but it leaves behind remnants that corrupt and mass genocides have been committed in an effort to stamp out something called The Delirium.


"There was something in the darkness. It dripped of death and violence, two elements permeating the bunker's space. Whatever it was, it wanted her. Needed her."


Bailey wastes no time jumping right into a tense situation. The opening pages see Annilasia sneaking and bluffing her way into The Fortress to meet with Delilee so the pair can begin to carry out their plan. The decoy, intending to stay behind and attempt to keep anyone from discovering the Chieftess has been kidnapped, walks a very fine line indeed. It's apparent from early on that things are so dire for their people, the two are willing to do anything to affect a change.

Delilee is probably the most likable character, as her motivations seem rooted in goodness. She hopes to spare not only their people the suffering they already endure, but also to save the Chieftess.. even if she doesn't realize she needs to be saved.

Annilasia is a bit harder. She has been spared nothing. Enslaved and taught the ways of the tillishu, elite assassins that move like shadows who carry out orders for The Sachem, though she and Delilee were childhood friends with the Chieftess, they've lived through very different experiences. She's brutally efficient, decisive, and not prone to letting her emotions rule her decision making.

I'm going to be honest. I absolutely detested Jalice. I'm pretty sure I was supposed to, but it also never changed for me. I'm relatively sure that was supposed to happen though. I didn't like her whining, pampered behavior and I certainly didn't like who she was as a person. In fact, by the end, I was decidedly rooting for the antagonists and everything else was pretty much upside down anyway.


"Silence. That was the source of her distress. Even amongst the grisly scene, the absence of sound festered."


I can definitely say the plot feels very robust. There are no squandered words and the journey is long. Every moment there is something happening.. a battle, an unexpected ripple in the plan, a soul crushing memory, or a life or death struggle. It's perpetual motion. The story is a machine bearing down on you from behind at all times.

Through dreams and trancelike flashback memories, it's told along a non-linear path by a shifting narrative which moves primarily between the three women and occasionally Hydrim, The Sachem.

There's plenty of gore and violence to keep the fight scenes interesting and lead to some truly gruesome discoveries as we follow their progress. And Bailey definitely isn't afraid to make some hard decisions for his characters.

Certainly, for me.. there didn't need to be quite so much hope, but it was a well told tale that moved at a steady pace and never got dull. I sincerely enjoyed it and look forward to the next book in the series.


PURCHASE LINKS: AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE

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05-27: Quite the whirlwind adventure! Review to come tomorrow!

05-26: Started this today for a blog tour on 5/28.. this author does not waste time.. whoo!

[Kelsi Kramer · Rating 4 out of 5]

So I thoroughly enjoyed this book. So often in fantasy books, the world is modeled after medieval Europe. There is nothing wrong with that but it's nice to pick up a fantasy book and find something different. This book was dark and atmospheric which I ALWAYS love. The world building and magic system was fantastic. I could praise those things all day.

I will say that you're kind of dropped into this world without a lot explanation, which I personally enjoy, but if you are someone who doesn't enjoy having to figure some things out along the way this isn't the book for you.

The characters are definitely flawed which in my opinion most of the time is a good thing but I definitely didn't get too attached to them which was kind of sad but I have hope that will change as the series continues.

Overall, I think if you're a fantasy fan looking for something different that you should definitely give this book a shot. You won't be sorry.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Marlana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Got to read this thanks to Netgalley..The ending....ummmm I hope there’s a sequel. You can’t leave me wondering what happens!! I must say the friendship between Mygo and Vowt reminded me of a Laurel and Hardy or Ralph and Norton bond. Definitely loved their interactions. Jalice’s kharma came right back to her. She wanted someone so badly that she ruined everything to have him. I’m hoping Kerothan is alive. Poor boy did nothing to deserve his fate. I need a book 2 now!

[Jayne Murray · Rating 4 out of 5]

I Received a free ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.


The Jealousy of Jalice was an entertaining read. Focusing on Jalice, her relationship with Hydrim and her friendship (loose term) with Annilasia, we follow the story through to a natural conclusion which leaves enough open for the second book. About half way through the story, I understood the title of the book, which didn’t make sense until enough pieces of the puzzle fell into place. This is a slow burn book, weaving snippets throughout the story. It certainly kept my attention and I will look out for the second book when it is released.

[Monika · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a sci-fi dark fantasy that revolves around three women. Jalice, the wife of a tribe’s chief is kidnapped by Annilasia and Delilee. These two women, attempt to purify the corrupt tribe grounds. The story gets really interesting when Jalice discovers her own past and realises her true self. The story is a great treat for fantasy lovers and has magic almost everywhere. Some parts seems slow, because of the dialogues, but overall the story flow is well suited for scifi fantasy. Its a woman against man story thats very well written. The language is easy to understand and this book is definitely going in my re-read pile!
Thank you NetGalley, the author Jesse Nolan Bailey for a reader’s copy of the book.

[Branwen Sedai *of the Brown Ajah* · Rating 5 out of 5]

The world that we are presented with here in this novel is dark indeed. The Realms have been torn apart, and the powerful artifacts known as the Stones of Elation are missing. The political system is corrupt and the chief, the Sachem, has let the people down and because of this, darkness has spread across the land. The people are growing desperate. Annilasia and Delilee have concocted a harrowing plan to heal the rift in the Tribes by having Annilasia kidnap the Sachem’s wife, Jalice, and leaving Delilee in her place as impersonator and spy. Jalice is, obviously, less than happy about this arrangement as she believes the false trumpeting of her husband. But there are secrets in Jalice’s past. Secrets that once brought to light could turn the tide of darkness once and for all.
Easily one of the best aspects of this book is its diversity. Within this story there are characters representing not only various genders and sexualities, but the cultures are representatively diverse as well. Fantasy novels sometimes have a tendency to focus on the ‘medieval Europe’ area of history, so it is indeed really refreshing to read a book where we get to experience a wide variety of different types of characters and their cultures. There was a perfect amount of description in this story as well. Rather than info-dumping too much information in too short a period of time, the author instead gives us a little at a time; enough to make sure the readers understand what is happening and enough to keep us very interested as well. It is a great blend of give and take that I found immensely satisfying. I also really enjoyed the characters, character interactions, and dialogue, particularly between Annilasia and Jalice. If you are a fan of strong female protagonists (and anti-heroes) in fantasy novels than I highly recommend you check this one out.
I found that this book was a fantastic addition to the fantasy genre. It contained many of the tried and true tropes that exist within the genre already, as well as providing fresh and unique twists and discoveries that would, in my opinion, impress even the most hardened of critics. I would recommend this book to old time fans of epic fantasy (particularly dark fantasy) as well as those new to the genre who are looking for something different.

I received a free copy of this book as a professional reviewer on Reedsy Discovery. The link to the review on that site can be found here:
https://reedsy.com/discovery/book/the...

[Natalia · Rating 5 out of 5]

* I received a digital RC of this book in exchange for an honest review*

Let's begin by appreciating the cadence of the debut's title: The Jealousy of Jalice. Alliteration is held high in my regard and it sounds like it's a stamp of the series with it being titled A Disaster of the Dokojin. It's melody to my ears. <3 This in itself intrigued me to read the debut and trust me when I say, it's all you need to pick up the book. I did not feel like I read a debut at all.

This Dark Fantasy checks all the boxes for its genre. Daemons, beasts, sorcery and carnage are a staple in the story. However, it's contrasted with beautiful imagery and exudes Spirituality. Jesse Nolan Bailey's narrative comes close to poetic with its evocative depiction and symbolism.

"The sea of lights in the night sky presented an endless string of information to study. The intricate patterns of the celestial bodies provided both revelations and ominous mysteries. [...] With the end of Thrive Season, various sets of stars and planets had begun to shift. She’d spent months noting the arrival of these new constellations as they ushered in Wither Season. The orchestra of drifting stars and planets promised potential wisdom or warning—a rich mining of knowledge for the trained eye."

This devotion to Astrology is another reason why the story pulled me in. The way they revere the Stars and Planets resonated with me entirely and is a enlightened relief to the darkness of events. The colloquialism representing the Astrology is mystical and makes for a more indulging experience when reading the dialogue!

The detail in the narration is inflated through the depiction of the Vekuuv and Ikaul tribe's wardrobe, vestment and skin marks. The culture of the tribes is so rich in tradition and ritual that it gives an anthropological atmosphere. The Ikaul temple's architecture has aspects from the ancient Mayans, Incas and Aztecan temples. I found myself wanting to experience more of this but the story doesn't allow for that. I hope it's something that the author will be able to expand more on in the sequel!

The story's setting is during Wither season with Jalice and Annilasia being the main two POVs and Hydrim's and Delilee's POV appearing at fundamental moments of the story. The world is in a post-apocalyptic time and the characters are at their worst; meaning they are quite unlikable. Jalice and Annilasia's bashing and banter against each other is incessant but well comprehended through the canny rhythmic flashbacks we get from Jalice as the story develops and the fact that Jalice is being held captive by Annialsia. Hydrim and Jalice have a complexity to their characters that is heart-wrenching! Throughout the story I managed to be annoyed, infuriated and empathetic towards them. It's difficult to pick who is my favorite character yet, but I can say who I feel for the most and that is Delilee (Jalice's cousin), Hydrim (Jalice's husband) and Elothel (a Mirajin).

The result of the apocalyptic event is the segregation of the world's Three Realms- The Terrestrial Realm, The Apparition Realm and Ethereal Realm -which assimilate levels of consciousness. The Realms share a force called aether that has been corrupted in the Terrestrial Realm by the practice of aetherwielding. Dokojins and Mirajin are the Ying and Yang creatures of these Realms. They carry aether as their essence while their intention of its use is absolutely polar. Mirajin are referred to with gender neutral pronouns, among another character, Korcsha who is an aetherwielder. The LGTBQ element is another aspect that expands the already immense pool of reasons why this book is amazing!

I'm really looking forward to learning more about the Mirajin and the behavior of aether in the sequel. It left me wanting to have a full understanding of how this Spiritual force works and what are its limitations. Splendid teasing by the author! Jesse Nolan Bailey has done a fantastic job with this debut and I await the sequel anxiously!

[Katie P. · Rating 4 out of 5]

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Two women, fed up with the corrupt regime, set out on an adventure to unseat the Sachem by kidnapping his wife and installing someone to spy on him. Annilasia takes the Sachem's wife, Jalice, on a wild journey to confront the evil that plagues their land, but things do not go according to plan!

First blush: I really enjoyed this book and am very glad that I had a chance to review it. I'll be pre-ordering a print copy, great cover and fun book that needs to be on my shelf.

I firmly believe there is a fine line between detail and believability. This book is very detailed, but it just edges over to unbelievable, even in a world with alternate realms, magic. It's a delicate balance that is almost achieved here. This doesn't detract from the book, it's still fabulous, just a little too complicated at some points in the story. I certainly do think that with more novels in this series, this view will not apply as much.

That said, the pacing is tremendous! The harrowing journey, action, and quick dialogue drive the story forward at a clip that was honestly surprising. I finished the book and couldn't believe it was over because it felt like I'd just picked the book up. Another strength here is the narrative and plot. There are some people who play video games, not so much for the mechanics, but for the story. This is a book that thrives on it's lore and worldbuilding. It's a masterfully done show not tell building of the world of the story and I was left wanting so, so much more! I love that I was dropped into a world that I had to learn about through the interactions with the culture that the characters had. It made this even more of an intellectual journey, something I really cherish here.

The character interactions were very interesting, given that Annilasia and Delilee hatch a plan to kidnap a woman with which neither of them were familiar. I felt really, like other reviewers did, that this wasn't a book in which I had to like the main characters. I didn't need to like them, but I needed to follow them, almost like I'm watching this story unfold from behind glass. But, it isn't a bad thing! I'm glad it wasn't a point that I had to like the characters, I've read too many novels where the main character wasn't relatable, but it felt like the author was forcing me to like them. This wasn't that novel.

I did notice that other reviews noted that they felt as if they were just scratching the surface of this world. I wholeheartedly agree, but I view that as a good thing. That means there is more to learn, more books to read, and more world to explore!

I really did enjoy this book and I can't wait for the next installment!

Thank you to BookSirens and Jesse Nolan Bailey for the opportunity to provide an honest review in exchange for a galley copy of this title!

[Becca ConsumesBooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

The Jealousy of Jalice is a dark fantasy with an inventive world. I enjoyed reading but it didn’t quite reach its full potential.

The plot went in an unexpected direction, but in a good way. The world is much more dangerous and, frankly, terrifying than it initially seems and I really enjoyed that! This isn’t a book that’s afraid of serious consequences and it doesn’t hold back. There were times when I asked myself ’is this actually happening right now!?’. The gravity of events was really refreshing and ended up being my favorite part.

The world is also very intricate. This is one of those books that drops you in headfirst and lets you figure things out for yourself. Clearly a lot of thought went into the world and it is very interesting. Sometimes I wasn’t given enough information to make heads or tails of certain world elements. This book could have benefitted from even more detail on the other realms, aether, and about the origin of dokojin/mirajin. Hopefully these things will be addressed in the next book. Another thing is that the writing was occasionally too detailed. It made the book feel a bit slower than it should have even though the plot was rarely stagnant.

Character-wise, I didn’t really find myself getting attached. I wanted to like them but they never quite clicked with me. Delilee is the exception here, she seems like a sweet person in a bad situation. Unfortunately, she isn’t in too much of the book. Nearly everyone else is prideful, prickly, and mistrustful. The circumstances justify it to some extent, but that doesn’t make them more enjoyable to read. It might have been nice to see some more endearing, positive moments between these characters. I do, however, appreciate how Jalice develops over the book.

Overall, a solid dark fantasy read. I think more likable characters and more world details would have elevated this book for me.

I received an ARC through NetGally in return for honest feedback, all opinions expressed here are my own.

[Zack Argyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

TL;DR Great first book in a promising series.

Jealousy of Jalice is a twisted, epic fantasy medley of Horizon Zero Dawn and Alien. In a dystopian, tribal future, an assassin must kidnap her old friend in order to save the world from a tribal despot. The creatures are foul, the world is tainted both physically and spiritually, and missing memories lead to painful twists.

Spoiler-free Review: Jealousy of Jalice is a wonderful debut from an author with a nefarious mind and an epic story to tell. The world is intricate and beautifully crafted, the monsters are dark and fascinating, and the pacing is great (I blew through the back half). The characters are unique and well-thought-out, though none are particularly likeable and Annilasia doesn't always act like a deadly assassin. I hope that future installments show more character growth and opportunities for redemption. Overall, I'm definitely looking forward to the next book, and seeing how the events of the ending effect the world and how the characters will move forward.

Spoilery comments

Part of me was hoping that Annilasia (with her new-found dokojin buddy) was going to be the villain for book 2, but then Hydrin/Dardajah didn't actually die. I also, for some reason, really wanted Vowt to be Jalice's brother with a broken mind, and Mygo knew all along (good reason for him to go out of his way to help Jalice the whole time). That's all. 😆

[E.G. Radcliff · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Jealousy of Jalice is a supremely visceral story that brings the reader directly into the experience of the characters… in a place that doesn’t exist on earth, space, or any place else you can think of on your own. For me, a stream of associations came to mind as I read; Dante’s Inferno (seriously, Dante has competition in Jesse Bailey!), Invasion of the Body Snatchers, the insane cruelty of Caligula, bad acid trips, the healing power of ET… it was quite a ride.

I ended up rooting for a character I wasn’t expecting to deserve my support, which is a nice surprise, and being frustrated with the character I thought was going to be the hero—this character was excellently flawed and I hope to see them learn and grow in the next books. And I really loved Elothel, who brought a beautiful, otherworldly serenity to an otherwise painful world.

The unique story and descriptions definitely deserve 5 stars. I definitely wanted to understand more about the provenance of the mirajin and dokojin—also, those forest creatures! Tell me more!

Read that as me craving more of this splendid debut novel.

[Gregg Buford · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thanks to netvalley for this arc. I thought there was some interesting ideas in this story but at some point I lost interest and it became a slog to finish. I am sure there are people that will this book though. The characters were not unlikable and the writing overall was decent.

[AresKamotho · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was just brilliant!! I loved the writing and how it drew me into the scenes. It was atmospheric and very refreshing. The story read really fast. The characters weren't necessarily likeable, and it worked out great.
I was hooked from start to finish. I highly recommend this book.

[DEGEN Psychonaut · Rating 5 out of 5]

To begin with, the cover is a doozy. That was what initially piqued my interest. The lone figure, ominously walking toward some sort of entrance, inside an almost futuristic ancient pyramid, or structure. It just begged me to read it to find out who Jalice was, and why she is so jealous?
I was able to see, enjoy, and appreciate the darkness underlying the writing. There are aspects of horror, fantasy, and a layered twisting of genres that could not have been written even a few years ago, that shape the unveiling that was “The Jealousy Of Jalice.”

As the story gets going, we are seeing from the perspective of Annilasia. She is on a personal mission to abduct the “Tecalica” (Jalice) who is essentially the ruler of the realm’s wife.
In order to abduct her, she enlists the Tecalica’s body double, Delilee, who has agreed to have magical wards placed on her, and to partake of very dangerous, and addictive substance to ensure the plan succeeds. The substances, magically speaking, help her appear as Jalice, but being addictive, also have almost horrifying withdrawal symptoms. By doing this, Annilasia hopes to take Jalice away from her protective bubble, to get her far enough away, to find out why the ruler has done the  aweful things he has done, and how Jalice has remained by his side through all of these atrocities. There is more to this story as all the main players share history from their childhood.

The story from there mainly follows Annilasia and Jalice as they escape and then attempt to work out, and resolve the big “why” of the world’s situation. There are so many interesting things happening…There are hidden “aethertwisters” residing in the forest. I loved the Magic used in the book, without giving too much more away, magic that separates you from this reality, and plunges you into a deeper reality that at times was completely freaking scary. Beasts in the forest clothed in – actually, you don’t want to know what. Just do what the end of this next quote says to do:

“Drain that parasite until it crackles with black!” the dokojin screeched. “Pollution to the chaos. Get the book. Read the book. Get the book. Read the book.””

One aspect I thought was really cool was how some of the characters were neither fully male, or female, at least from the other characters perspective. The writer used terms for he/she that were extremely creative and fit the story so well for those characters. The writing was fantastic and even poetic at times, which was unexpected for a dark fantasy with frightening moments that made me think of some of those cult horror films.  This was the first time I kept track of  quotes along the way that I really loved. Heres one while we’re at it:

“I miss my Realm, starborn,” Elothel said softly. “It’s too quiet here. I listen for the Music, but the rocks and fires that hover in the sky are lifeless in your Realm and out of reach.”

The last quarter of the book was on freakin’ fire. There are dropped revelations, a new character called a “Mirijin” with total control of this aether magic joins them on the quest. Maniacal craziness ensues inside their minds, a magical book driving Annilasia insane, as well as other facets coming together.

The story really comes together in the end, it’s tense, unexpected, scary, and left me in awe, with the hope for a book 2, which I believe will happen. The book also made me a bit introspective as well. It is a great example, to the extreme, of what jealousy can do to someone, and the impact a selfish attitude and actions can have not only on those close to you, but on the world as a whole.

I’m hoping for a little more detail about this world in the next book. Talk of the great war, and these tribal peoples being able to seek out the stars really left me excited to hear more about this world’s past and history. As well as answers to other questions that were intentionally left unanswered, I’ll be excited to get answers to in the next boom.
9 out of 10 stars!! Great book.

For this to be a first novel is surprising. I hope that Jesse keeps his drive to write in his own way and that this book ends up in the hands of other lovers of dark fantasy. Speaking of, below is a giveaway, so make

[Natyreadsbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want to start off by saying thank you to Expresso tours for allowing me to be a part of The jealousy of Jalice tour. I’ve been very excited to read this book for the longest time and I can finally say “I’m done”.

When I started reading The jealousy of Jalice I was a little confused. Everything slowly started coming together and the story started to progress in a cinematic approach in which I tend to enjoy in certain books. The story starts off with a bit of action. At first, your not really sure what’s going on but like I said earlier; it slowly progresses. I think the author did a great job in grasping the readers attention with his writing. The story is quite dark but I tend to enjoy darkness.

The jealousy of Jalice has an interesting set of characters. At the very beginning, we’re introduced to Annilasia and Dalilee. Both who are working together. Later, we’re introduced to Jalice also known as the Chieftess. This is where I became confused because I didn’t read the synopsis at first (haha). Dalilee took her place as Chieftess in order to give Annilasia the opportunity to kidnap Jalice. My mind was blown shortly after when I saw that Dalilee stayed behind. Annilasia is one tough cookie. She really is a strong character and I like her sass. Jalice was a bit on the annoying side and extremely hard headed. I totally understand that it was all part of her character but it really took me some time to like her. One really cool character I liked was Korcsha. I don’t know what it was about that character that I liked so much but I’m thinking it’s because she gave me some Russian folklore vibes and I really like Russian folklore. I think it’s important to like at least one character in a story and I’m glad that this book has a few. There are others, but I’d be here forever going through all of them.

The world is very dark. When I say dark, it’s DARK. Dark, creepy forest with creepy creatures and montsers running about. It really was a dream come true for me. I mean, I didn’t even know what was human or monster anymore, it was all a mystery. I admire unique monsters and I love to read extreme detail about them to better picture them in my mind. I also enjoyed the eeriness of the forest. Even the magic was unique.

Overall, I really enjoyed the story. I think this would be perfect for people that like The Witcher series. I think that people who enjoy a good fight or two and a lot of blood and monsters would love it even more. It’s fast pace and easy to read. I rated it 4 out of 5 Nat Stars
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.

I really enjoyed this one. In truth, I give it 4.5/5.

There were things I loved - the three main characters are interesting, complex, and realistic; all are flawed in different ways. The supporting characters are also interesting and I wanted to know more about them. The villains are fantastic - the menace they manage to exude is palpable in its horror aspects but never felt hyperbolic. I do wish we’d gotten a bit more downtime with Annalisia and the others on her quest, though that might have affected the pacing.

I didn’t expect the horror bits of this novel, but they caught me off guard in a good way. The novel can get a bit gruesome, but it never went too far for me.

There was so much about this novel I loved. The setting was awesome - a favourite concept of mine is when a world is built on long-dead, technologically-advanced civilizations that have left their remnants behind - Halo, She-Ra and the Princesses of Power, AdventureTime, etc). I loved the “Venom” aspects of the dokojin (these were so well-done). And the tension builds to a fantastic pitch, especially for Delilee.

The “jealousy” plot turn wasn’t a surprise at all, but the journey to get there was fun, exciting, and complete with small twists and turns - other than where it ends up, the novel doesn’t take the paths you expect.

There were two small things that brought the rating “down” for me. The first is more of a pet peeve - I don’t like when we’re not told that a novel is not self-contained. An open-ended conclusion is fine (and sometimes preferable), but this novel doesn’t stand on its own - there are facets that aren’t resolved at the end, forcing a sequel.

The second is that the novel could have used a bit more exposition in terms of how the aether “magic” worked. While I understood the concepts enough to follow the story, and I loved how we were left to postulate on how the past (with its hint of technology) contributed to the present, there were more intricate details I was a little confused about at the end. We’re given a short explanation from one of the characters, but I would have liked a little more background on how the tribes functioned, what the population was like (how many people were in a tribe - hundreds? thousands?), what the realms were, and whether magical aspects are a normal part of society or whether it was something on the fringe that regular people never interacted with. Basically I wanted a little more from an anthropological standpoint.

Overall, I really really enjoyed this novel and look forward to the second.

[DebbieDoesBooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

This is a pretty solid read especially when I think about this being the author's debut. It's a dark fantasy so I was excited to get into this new world. And the world is pretty complex. That was easily my favorite thing about this book. It gives off the feeling that only the surface was scratched in between all the realms and magic.

What stopped me from giving it more stars is that I had trouble connecting or caring about any of the characters. I didn't hate them. So that detachment took me out of the world a bit. I'm not trying to scare you off the book with that. Sometimes you just don't connect but if you like dark fantasy then this is definitely worth the read.

[Elizabeth Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jealousy of Jalice was a fantastic ride. This dark fantasy/horror throws you into a world that you can’t entirely predict. I enjoy a fantasy book that doesn’t info-dump on you, but expands on your knowledge of the world as you read. The characters are thrown into dire straights immediately and the author keeps the storyline moving along quickly. There is hardly a dull moment!

In the words of Inzerious, “Get the book. Read the book. Get the book. Read the Book.”

[Seanchalant · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Jealousy of Jalice is horror-fantasy at it’s absolute best. I was a horror fan before I was a fantasy reader and this was the best marriage I’ve read outside Stephen King.

TJoJ is horror first, fantasy second. It’s setting is a secondary world, but the lens of the story is very tightly focused. The conflicts are internal, and terrifying. Reading TJoJ felt like finding an amazing indie horror flick, maybe something from A24 or RLJE.

What makes the story work so well and the horror so palpable is that Jesse Nolan Bailey understands that true horror comes from within ourselves. Every character is plagued by demons, both literal and emotional.

The pacing and building of the story was perfect. We start off in the thick of things, mid-kidnapping to be exact. What unfolds is a series of reveals the explores the past of our three protagonists as well as a few antagonists. The more we learn, the blurrier the lines become, as jealousy, love and hate bring out the worst in everyone.

Not for the faint of heart, TJoJ will chill you to the bone and keep you turning the pages. Fast-paced, brutal and emotional Jesse Nolan Bailey has sky-rocketed onto my “authors to watch” list. If you like your fantasy laced with a healthy dose of horror, read this book ASAP.

[Rowena Andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

It has been a little while since I’ve felt this smitten (and that’s the only word for it) with a book. The Jealousy of Jalice, already had my attention with that fantastic cover and the premise, and the writing sealed the deal because it is pretty much as close to perfection as you can get, especially for a debut. There’s no wasted words, and this is a book that has been crafted without losing any of it’s flow or impact for being so deliberately written, and those moments where the writing does veer into the more lyrical are all the more vivid because of it, especially as they were expertly timed to create moments where the writing, combined with the narrative just took your breath away (just writing this is already making me want to reread it). As much as I love worldbuilding and great characters, prose like this is what will get me every time, and Bailey’s writing had therefore already propelled this book to being one of my favourites, but even better it’s a package deal, because the worldbuilding was excellent, the characters were superb (if not always likeable) and it had a wonderful range of diversity.

Now, a fair warning, The Jealousy of Jalice is incredibly brutal in places, and deliciously dark throughout, riding the line of horror and fantasy perfectly, with a healthy dose of gore. It will not be for everyone, but that places it firmly in the kind of fantasy that I enjoy.

This book also isn’t one to show mercy to the reader. This is one of those books where you are thrown in the deep end from the start, and as such there’s a space towards the start where you won’t understand everything that is going on, but it felt very much deliberate and well done in this case. You’re not supposed to have all the answers at the start, and while that could be frustrating for some, it left me wanting more and I had to keep reading to discover more about the world, the characters and the plot, until I forgot any confusion or questions and was completely lost in the book. Even better – while there are some areas that I would love to see expanded on in future books – you are rewarded for that effort, with a fantastic, non-traditional story and a world that you will want to spend a lot longer in.

In addition to this sink or swim beginning, the pacing throughout the Jealousy of Jalice is largely breakneck – in the sense of a rollercoaster that you can’t get off, but also don’t want to get off. A lot happens in this book, and there are layers upon layers in every aspect of the narrative, and that makes for a complex but immersive read, because I wanted to unravel the web and find the answers. At no point did the pacing feel too overwhelming though, because for all the action there was plenty of quiet moments to catch your breath, and just revel in the characters, writing and atmosphere.

In terms of characters, I don’t think there was a single character that didn’t have a unique voice. As mentioned above this was a diverse book which is something I am looking for more and more in fantasy these days, and this book had it all – LGBTQIA+, different races and identities and strong female characters, that were well written and added another layer to this world by offering a wide range of experiences and perspectives. I adored Annilasia and Jalice, even if I didn’t always like them, they were well written, with very individual voices, who reflected the world that had produced them and are excellent examples of how dislikeable characters can still be utterly enthralling.

The worldbuilding reflected the rest of the book, in that it was complex, well written with some truly beautiful writing. It is also the area that I would like to see expanded most, because it is such an interesting world with magic, other realms, being balanced with the world and the people that live there, and I do have some unanswered questions, although I am happy to wait (albeit impatiently) for the next book so that I can delve in and continue exploring the world.

I loved this book, and would recommend it to anyone who loves stellar prose, dark fantasy at its best, with a story that takes the mold, breaks it and turns it into something that takes your breath away.

Full review also available: https://beneathathousandskies.com/202...

[Flavia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book didn’t really hook me until about the end of chapter 6, but once it did, it really did. Beyond that, a good, very unusual read. I would have liked a glossary of some sort — while it’s not impossible to keep up with the world–specific vocab, there is rather a lot of it thrown out early on, and something to refer back to might have freed up my attention to focus more on the action. Anyway, a very interesting book and a universe definitely worth exploring further!

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5 Stars

Book Review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tfmB...

The Jealousy of Jalice is a dark fantasy/sci-fi book.

"The Realms have split apart, the Stones of Elation have been hidden, and warnings of dokojin drift among the tribes. The land and its people are corrupted. The Sachem, chief of the Unified Tribes, is to blame."

Firstly, I loved this book. From the moment I read the first line until the ending. Not only was the writing easy to read, but it had a flow that kept the story moving. It balanced on a fine line between telling my what I needed to know and not telling me enough in order to peak my curiosity.

The next thing that pulled me into the story was the representation. Not only were the people diverse representing different sexualities and genders but also the cultures. This is not your average fantasy story that is based off of Medieval Europe. The book enthralled me into learning about all of the customs in this story that I could have ignored the plot entirely and enjoyed it.

And yet... the plot held up too. I felt like I couldn't predict what was coming next, but was not surprised to the point of disinterest. The story mostly follows two females as one kidnaps the other, who just so happens to be the "queen" of this land (the quotes are because she is never referred to as a queen but instead the Tecalica). They used to be friends as children, but something happened and now one is a ruler and the other an assassin. Shortly you learn that one of them has lost many of their memories, and the story turns to helping them solve their pasts in order to protect the kingdom's future.

I didn't necessarily like these woman, but I never felt like I should. The idea that I could read a book about two woman and not love either of them but not be annoyed by them is a breath of fresh air. They were well rounded with faults and strengths, allowing them to feel more real than many other characters I get to read about today.

The ONLY thing keeping this book from being a five star review is the ending. I was loving the twists and turns of the plot up until the last 5%. At that point I felt a though I should have known more about the world than I did. Since the author blessedly never did an info dump, I had to learn about the culture as the characters interacted with it. This opened up a great way for my to be slowly introduced to new things, but also meant that right up until the end I was still learning. So not a necessarily bad thing, just a small matter of preference on my part.

Also I didn't realize this was going to be a series until the last page... All I can say now is, sign me up for the sequel!


I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Richie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a promising debut for this fantasy author. Jealousy of Jalice really hits a lot of sweet notes. Many fantasy series mire you in exposition in the first novel. This novel does the opposite. It places you right in the middle of the action. Jesse does a wonderful job of doling out exposition while keeping you ensconced in action. He keeps you interested throughout. Interesting, full, fleshed-out characters keep you tapped in. I will definitely be looking out and picking up Jesse's next novel! Fantastic book!