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Archaic Deception: The Guardian of Emblems
Welcome to Diveria – rich in folklore, adventure and mystery
Long after the War of Kings, the regions of Diveria thrive, blissfully unaware of an ancient being’s presence. As an influential individual manipulates their position, the lives of those across the land unravels.
- Two stout creatures, presumed extinct, fear for their lives as they try to evade capture in a foreign land.
- A devious tyrant’s actions cause turmoil and strife in a region meant to be a safe haven for the exiled and lost.
- Plagued by startling visions, Jacob Emmerson combats anxiety and danger when he is unknowingly summoned into a sacred kingdom.
Immerse yourself into the cryptic and perilous world of Diveria with the first novel from the realm of archaic deception.
Long after the War of Kings, the regions of Diveria thrive, blissfully unaware of an ancient being’s presence. As an influential individual manipulates their position, the lives of those across the land unravels.
- Two stout creatures, presumed extinct, fear for their lives as they try to evade capture in a foreign land.
- A devious tyrant’s actions cause turmoil and strife in a region meant to be a safe haven for the exiled and lost.
- Plagued by startling visions, Jacob Emmerson combats anxiety and danger when he is unknowingly summoned into a sacred kingdom.
Immerse yourself into the cryptic and perilous world of Diveria with the first novel from the realm of archaic deception.
556 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 2022
3 people are currently reading
40 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 1, 2022
Calling all urban/modern fantasy lovers! Joe Dayvie has written an epic first novel full of well-developed characters and a storyline that really draws you in quickly. Told in an easily consumable style, Dayvie builds a world that is rich and complex.
This isn’t a story full of high fae and warlocks but one steeped in folklore and myth but with everyday, modern activities like family BBQs and deep friendships.
I’m interested to see where the story goes as the series progresses. Dayvie has built a unique world here and it’s hard not to grow attached to some of our main characters - especially Jacob - our anxious and potentially reluctant hero.
Solid opening move. Excited to see what comes next!
This isn’t a story full of high fae and warlocks but one steeped in folklore and myth but with everyday, modern activities like family BBQs and deep friendships.
I’m interested to see where the story goes as the series progresses. Dayvie has built a unique world here and it’s hard not to grow attached to some of our main characters - especially Jacob - our anxious and potentially reluctant hero.
Solid opening move. Excited to see what comes next!
February 16, 2022
I was insanely lucky to be offered a review copy of Joe's fantastic book "The Guardian of Emblems". This epic fantasy (epic in genre style AND in length!) is a masterful lesson in world-building, storytelling, and managing to tie it all in to very human emotions and desires.
The Guardian of Emblems is set in the world of Diveria, a fantasy realm like few others I've read. Dayvie's worldbuilding just hooked me in, and although I felt familiar with the world after a chapter or two, the author kept surprising me with new detail. Although this is firmly planted in fantasy, don't come to this book expecting dragons, elves and the like. This story is an epic fantasy in length and story scope, but would be more of an urban fantasy. This world includes magic, cars, summoning, and family barbeques. I loved it!
The characters were as fascinating as they were varied, but the main characters would be Promit, Lady Vixa and Jacob Emmerson. I personally liked Lady Vixa the best, but Jacob was a very close second.
I'm really looking forward to the rest of the Archaic Deception series, and Dayvie brought us on a great first look into the world of his creation!
The Guardian of Emblems is set in the world of Diveria, a fantasy realm like few others I've read. Dayvie's worldbuilding just hooked me in, and although I felt familiar with the world after a chapter or two, the author kept surprising me with new detail. Although this is firmly planted in fantasy, don't come to this book expecting dragons, elves and the like. This story is an epic fantasy in length and story scope, but would be more of an urban fantasy. This world includes magic, cars, summoning, and family barbeques. I loved it!
The characters were as fascinating as they were varied, but the main characters would be Promit, Lady Vixa and Jacob Emmerson. I personally liked Lady Vixa the best, but Jacob was a very close second.
I'm really looking forward to the rest of the Archaic Deception series, and Dayvie brought us on a great first look into the world of his creation!
November 19, 2024
Diveria is a thriving place steeped in folklore and traditions. The land residents are happily going about their lives, unaware there is someone behind the scenes pulling the strings that will have a ripple effect across the regions.
Archaic Deceptions the Guardian of Emblems is the debut fantasy novel by Joe Dayvie. This is not your typical fantasy book. If you are looking for dragons, elves, witches, the fae, etc., this is not the book for you. I would classify Archaic Deception more as urban fantasy. Dayvie does a beautiful job with world-building and setting the stage for future books within this universe.
Archaic Deceptions the Guardian of Emblems is told from the point of view of numerous characters whose stories all eventually align. The story revolves around two main events the capture of a young quorian named Promit and, ultimately, his rescue. The other storyline would be Jacob Emmerson, who becomes plagued by visions and is eventually summoned into another realm, a sacred kingdom. where he soon learns he is part of a long line of guardians. While I loved the storyline of finding and rescuing Promit, I couldn't connect with Jacob as much as I would have liked. Because the story is told from so many points of view, I sometimes found it slightly challenging to keep everyone straight and their purpose in the tale. It is a long story with overlapping characters, but you are rewarded with an HFN ending and excellent world-building.
Archaic Deceptions the Guardian of Emblems is the debut fantasy novel by Joe Dayvie. This is not your typical fantasy book. If you are looking for dragons, elves, witches, the fae, etc., this is not the book for you. I would classify Archaic Deception more as urban fantasy. Dayvie does a beautiful job with world-building and setting the stage for future books within this universe.
Archaic Deceptions the Guardian of Emblems is told from the point of view of numerous characters whose stories all eventually align. The story revolves around two main events the capture of a young quorian named Promit and, ultimately, his rescue. The other storyline would be Jacob Emmerson, who becomes plagued by visions and is eventually summoned into another realm, a sacred kingdom. where he soon learns he is part of a long line of guardians. While I loved the storyline of finding and rescuing Promit, I couldn't connect with Jacob as much as I would have liked. Because the story is told from so many points of view, I sometimes found it slightly challenging to keep everyone straight and their purpose in the tale. It is a long story with overlapping characters, but you are rewarded with an HFN ending and excellent world-building.
February 23, 2022
I had the honor of receiving an advanced reader copy of Joe Dayvie’s debut novel. I thoroughly enjoyed every moment from the first to the last page. The novel is told from multiple POVs but was done in a way you were never lost or confused as to what was going on in the other character story lines. Dayvie’s characters were all unique, complex and relatable. Dayvie’s world building was top notch, he was able to paint a picture of the worlds and scenery in the reader’s mind without unnecessary drawn-out descriptions that so commonly take away from the storyline. There were so many great elements to the story including friendship, family, deceit, magic, propaganda, mystery and adventures. I cannot wait for the next installment of this series and to see where Dayvie takes the world of Diveria and his characters next! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
February 20, 2022
This epic fantasy is a wonderful, immersive story that drags you head first into adventure and characters you never stop rooting for. Set in the world of Diveria after the War of Kings, you follow fascinating and unique characters face adversity in a world that feels vast, magical but rooted in real life which I loved. With all fantasy novels, I spend the first few pages trying to wrap my head around the world and the characters, but Dayvie easily introduces you to the world and consistently drip feeds more magic and nuances throughout – always keeping you guessing!
All of the characters were very likeable and realistic, with Jacob Emmerson providing a strong hero to root for.
This is certainly an epic fantasy, in the grandness of the story and the length of the book. It took me on a wild ride and I loved every second. Go get your copy!
All of the characters were very likeable and realistic, with Jacob Emmerson providing a strong hero to root for.
This is certainly an epic fantasy, in the grandness of the story and the length of the book. It took me on a wild ride and I loved every second. Go get your copy!
February 16, 2022
Joe Dayvie kindly sent me an advance copy of his soon-to-be released debut book - Archaic Deception: The Guardian of Emblems. By the end of the first chapter I realized that Joe Dayvie has a unique writing style that immerses you, body and soul, into the worlds he creates. This book took me on an amazing journey to vivid new worlds, visually stunning places and incredibly tangible dimensions, including Sartica, The Quo and Diveria. I experienced some very cool magic, discovered some ancient relics and made some good friends along the way - Jacob, Smolar, Fravia, Osvita, Rexhia and a furry friend named Chowder, just to name a few. #ArchaicDeception #GuardianofEmblems
January 10, 2022
Archaic Deceptions the Guardian of Emblems was a great magical read. It is told through many different point of views, but I felt as if I connected with the quorians’ perspective a lot more.
Two quorians named Smolar and Fravia ended up being my favorite characters. I loved reading about these creatures and found them highly intriguing.
Being a fan of fantasy, I enjoyed this book. Dayvie’s world-building was well done, and his descriptions were beautiful. Many times I felt as if the scenery was right before my very eyes. I was fascinated with the world, Diveria, that Dayvie created.
Two quorians named Smolar and Fravia ended up being my favorite characters. I loved reading about these creatures and found them highly intriguing.
Being a fan of fantasy, I enjoyed this book. Dayvie’s world-building was well done, and his descriptions were beautiful. Many times I felt as if the scenery was right before my very eyes. I was fascinated with the world, Diveria, that Dayvie created.
February 21, 2022
This is one of the best entries I've read in the fantasy genre recently, and I can't wait to get more of this series in the years to come. It balances fantasy traditions with originality, and even though it's epic in its scope and scale, it still feels deeply intimate and personal. The world of Diveria is richly complex, well constructed, and detailed in a way that makes it seem real. Dayvie's style is straightforward, easily consumable, full of vivid imagery and believable dialogue. Here's a debut that fantasy readers won't want to miss!
October 22, 2022
I enjoy books with multiple points of view and different storylines that blend well together. The characters are profound. Well developed. The writing style is perfect. I fell in love and hated(some) characters. The world-building is exemplary. I read this any chance I had. I stayed up late reading until my eyes could no longer stay open. 😆 I'm enthusiastic about the second one. I can't wait to read it. If I could give a book more than 5 stars this would be one of them.
February 7, 2022
Dayvie makes an excellent debut with his book Archaic Deception.
The most important thing you need to know about this book is that its world building is superb. I bathed in the detail and attention Dayvie gave to his world, Diveria, and his characters. The multiple POVs and locations explored give a real sense of believability to his universe, and the way they link together is both well executed and compelling reading.
Each character has their own voice, with a range of unique names and personalities which made for a beautifully diverse cast to follow on their adventures. I was particularly taken with the quorians and their little slice of Diveria, and Jacob with his dreams.
I've thoroughly enjoyed this and will be eagerly awaiting the next instalment of this new fantasy series!
The most important thing you need to know about this book is that its world building is superb. I bathed in the detail and attention Dayvie gave to his world, Diveria, and his characters. The multiple POVs and locations explored give a real sense of believability to his universe, and the way they link together is both well executed and compelling reading.
Each character has their own voice, with a range of unique names and personalities which made for a beautifully diverse cast to follow on their adventures. I was particularly taken with the quorians and their little slice of Diveria, and Jacob with his dreams.
I've thoroughly enjoyed this and will be eagerly awaiting the next instalment of this new fantasy series!
March 7, 2022
I received a copy of this wonderful book as an arc (advanced readers copy) from my friend and fellow author @joedayvie
The characters he crafted are just so real, it's like you're going through the story with them. The places so beautifully described it like you're actually there and the attention to detail he puts into this is just tip notch! Absolutely loved this!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Keep up the great work my friend!
The characters he crafted are just so real, it's like you're going through the story with them. The places so beautifully described it like you're actually there and the attention to detail he puts into this is just tip notch! Absolutely loved this!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Keep up the great work my friend!
March 2, 2022
A day filled with adventure and exploration, turns tragic as Promit is kidnapped by two hired assailants - Mortimer and Vanilor. It takes Smolar every bit of energy and capability to escape the assailants and to return to his home in the Quo. Luckily he is not alone, and soon enlists the help of his best friend Fravia and Lady Vixa in hopes or bringing Promit safely back home.
Meanwhile, in another world, Jacob begins having disturbing visions of a mysterious man. His life is soon spinning out of control as he struggles to decipher his prophetic dreams.
As the story progresses the two worlds collide, and age old lies, propaganda and deceit begin to unravel as the protagonists struggle to prevail in a race against time and fate.
Favourite character: Mortimer🖤
The world created by Joe Dayvie in his debut novel is elaborate, rich and complicated. He weaves the story taking place in between realms effortlessly and takes the reader on an epic adventure.
Meanwhile, in another world, Jacob begins having disturbing visions of a mysterious man. His life is soon spinning out of control as he struggles to decipher his prophetic dreams.
As the story progresses the two worlds collide, and age old lies, propaganda and deceit begin to unravel as the protagonists struggle to prevail in a race against time and fate.
Favourite character: Mortimer🖤
The world created by Joe Dayvie in his debut novel is elaborate, rich and complicated. He weaves the story taking place in between realms effortlessly and takes the reader on an epic adventure.
February 2, 2024
It was very well written with amazing world building. It was written so you could really envision what the author was thinking about. I'll give it 5 stars (when/if) the second book comes out since it didn't finish the second storyline the book followed.
July 8, 2022
“Archaic Deception #1: The Guardian of Emblems” is quite the sprawling epic, featuring an abundance of characters from all over the vast fictional world of Diveria. The primary inciting incident is the capture of Promit, a near-mythical quorian captured by two mercenaries, Mortimer and Vanilor, for the brutish Brugōr, ruler of the Barren Land. During their journey back to Brugōr, Mortimer comes to regret his shameful actions and eventually winds up falling in with a group of rebels seeking to end Brugōr’s rule, but Promit’s kidnapping has far reaching ramifications.
His friend, Smolar, is wracked with guilt at having endangered his companion by recklessly leaving the safety of their hidden city and is determined to rescue him. His dreams of exploring beyond the magical barrier protecting the quorians are fulfilled when he’s charged by the quorian leader to embark on a rescue mission alongside his lifelong friend Fravia and the hulking Rhugor. The quorians are the stuff of legend to the outside world and are capable of all kinds of magical feats thanks to potions, remedies, and ancient relics; though most are content to stay hidden, Fravia has thirst for knowledge and Smolar seeks to venture into the outside world, and a brief love triangle even arises between the three of them during their journey.
Alongside this, there’s the struggles of Jacob Emmerson, a young man suffering from anxiety and plagued by confusing visions who discovers his dreams are the doorway to another realm and a destiny as the latest “Guardian of the Relics”. These Guardians have safeguarded the many ancient relics scattered across the world and Jacob, often ruled by self-doubt, faces a moral quandary when he’s forbidden from discussing his new duties with anyone and living up to this new destiny.
The author has certainly created a vast world full of characters; new characters, concepts, and lore are introduced in almost every chapter, which can get a little daunting. However, the author definitely creates some well-rounded characters, with his many protagonists undergoing changes and revelations as their story progress.
Diveria’s locations are numerous and all very different, though the focus is more on the characters and their exploration of magical or ancient artefacts and, overall, “Archaic Deception” was quite the complex fantasy tale. It seemed to evoke the criss-crossed narrative and epic scope so widely popularised by J. R. R. Tolkien and, while it was sometimes difficult to reconcile the longer, densely-packed chapters and the sheer multitude of characters and converging plot points, the author has laid the foundations for what will surely become quite the epic fantasy saga. Though a little overwhelming at times due to the sheer length and how intricate the narrative and its many, many characters can become, I think fans of fantasy epics will certainly find a lot to sink their teeth into here, and I had a good time with many aspects of it.
His friend, Smolar, is wracked with guilt at having endangered his companion by recklessly leaving the safety of their hidden city and is determined to rescue him. His dreams of exploring beyond the magical barrier protecting the quorians are fulfilled when he’s charged by the quorian leader to embark on a rescue mission alongside his lifelong friend Fravia and the hulking Rhugor. The quorians are the stuff of legend to the outside world and are capable of all kinds of magical feats thanks to potions, remedies, and ancient relics; though most are content to stay hidden, Fravia has thirst for knowledge and Smolar seeks to venture into the outside world, and a brief love triangle even arises between the three of them during their journey.
Alongside this, there’s the struggles of Jacob Emmerson, a young man suffering from anxiety and plagued by confusing visions who discovers his dreams are the doorway to another realm and a destiny as the latest “Guardian of the Relics”. These Guardians have safeguarded the many ancient relics scattered across the world and Jacob, often ruled by self-doubt, faces a moral quandary when he’s forbidden from discussing his new duties with anyone and living up to this new destiny.
The author has certainly created a vast world full of characters; new characters, concepts, and lore are introduced in almost every chapter, which can get a little daunting. However, the author definitely creates some well-rounded characters, with his many protagonists undergoing changes and revelations as their story progress.
Diveria’s locations are numerous and all very different, though the focus is more on the characters and their exploration of magical or ancient artefacts and, overall, “Archaic Deception” was quite the complex fantasy tale. It seemed to evoke the criss-crossed narrative and epic scope so widely popularised by J. R. R. Tolkien and, while it was sometimes difficult to reconcile the longer, densely-packed chapters and the sheer multitude of characters and converging plot points, the author has laid the foundations for what will surely become quite the epic fantasy saga. Though a little overwhelming at times due to the sheer length and how intricate the narrative and its many, many characters can become, I think fans of fantasy epics will certainly find a lot to sink their teeth into here, and I had a good time with many aspects of it.
February 26, 2022
🔥𝕊𝕡𝕠𝕚𝕝 𝔽𝕣𝕖𝕖 ℝ𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕖𝕨🔥
I'll never give a spoiler, no matter how much I might 😏
This is an incredible debut fantasy book by Joe Dayvie. Layers upon layers of world building were brought to life through each chapter. Multiple character point of views with all their own plot, but as the story grows larger, all the character plots come together. It was extremely well done 😏
This is one of those stories that builds and leaves the reader anxious for the next book. It's an epic start to the series and woven with a lot of care in terms of world building and scope. It isn't your normal dragons, elves, and fae story, but rather a fantasy that introduces both the familiar and unique-- magic, cars, and some good BBQ 😉
I'll never give a spoiler, no matter how much I might 😏
This is an incredible debut fantasy book by Joe Dayvie. Layers upon layers of world building were brought to life through each chapter. Multiple character point of views with all their own plot, but as the story grows larger, all the character plots come together. It was extremely well done 😏
This is one of those stories that builds and leaves the reader anxious for the next book. It's an epic start to the series and woven with a lot of care in terms of world building and scope. It isn't your normal dragons, elves, and fae story, but rather a fantasy that introduces both the familiar and unique-- magic, cars, and some good BBQ 😉
December 20, 2022
A refreshing and unique take on an urban fantasy that combines medieval fantasy elements with very modern life. It's like both concepts are intertwined giving you magical artifacts, and spells (sorry: "incantations") mixed with cars and losing your job. It's a story with a lot of characters, (which I love the more the merrier). There are three distinct cultures and the characters start their adventure with one mindset but many evolve, grow up, change their hearts, and redeem themselves in their journey.
Weird in a good way and sometimes verges on silly but silly good injecting some humor.
"Why the hell would a secret group make flyers?"
Weird in a good way and sometimes verges on silly but silly good injecting some humor.
"Why the hell would a secret group make flyers?"
January 23, 2023
We are proud to announce that ARCHAIC DECEPTION: The Guardian of Emblems by Joe Dayvie has been honored with the B.R.A.G.Medallion (Book Readers Appreciation Group). It now joins the very select award-winning, reader-recommended books at indieBRAG.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews