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The Call
The heroes of old are disappearing, victims of kidnapping, murder, even falling to their own despair. But their work is not done. The gods call forth the next generation...and a storm is rising. In a city once hailed as a natural wonder, now corrupted and sullied, the Spring Market has just begun. Elves are bought and sold wholesale, destined for an unholy ceremony: a decrepit king seeks immortality. Among the elves is one of royal blood, carrying an artifact of untold power. When it falls into the hands of a young rogue, the brooch seems his ticket to a new life, but instead draws him into an insidious web of danger. Pursued by a huntress seeking vengeance for her sister’s kidnapping, and a pair of half-bloods seeking a father gone missing, he soon finds their paths are hopelessly entangled. Drawn together by amulets handed down through generations, they soon uncover a legacy of betrayal and loss. Along with a cursed mage who walks with the wicked, they must unite the amulets, rescue the elves, and stop the dark priesthood. If they fail, the High King will rise again, and Urgrithka the Hollow will enter the world of the living. Cyrradon will know an eternity of undeath. The Call is the first book of the Storm’s Rising’s series, beginning the epic tale of a world created in the image of beauty and balance, and rent asunder by wars among gods and mortals.
424 pages, Paperback
Published May 19, 2020
About the author
Jason Bishop
6 books8 followers Jason is a long-time native of California with roots in the US mid-West and Western Europe. He’s lived in all three and has had diverse exposure to cultures around the world. He’s a lifelong fan of epic fantasy and scifi, listening to audiobooks, watching movies and series, and especially narrating.
Jason has six kids, mostly grown now, and is insanely proud of them all. Throughout their upbringing, he has shared his love for voices with them, mostly through their fondness for movies and animated films. Rare is the day when their saucy banter would not draw classic lines from the characters of Treasure Planet, Finding Nemo, Shrek, Despicable Me, Atlantis: The Lost Empire, Up, Kung-Fu Panda, Home, The Princess Bride (a Bishop favorite), and more.
In addition to voice work, Jason is an accomplished independent author of epic fantasy stories. Working together with his wife, Rose, he has published five books in an ongoing series, and is planning the release of a sixth in 2023!
Retired from a 28-year in law enforcement, Jason now frequently enjoys grilling and smoking meats, brewing (and drinking) West Coast-style craft beers, golf, fly fishing and fly tying, and even picks up a guitar now and then. Enjoying all that Southern California has to offer is his greatest reward now.
Jason has six kids, mostly grown now, and is insanely proud of them all. Throughout their upbringing, he has shared his love for voices with them, mostly through their fondness for movies and animated films. Rare is the day when their saucy banter would not draw classic lines from the characters of Treasure Planet, Finding Nemo, Shrek, Despicable Me, Atlantis: The Lost Empire, Up, Kung-Fu Panda, Home, The Princess Bride (a Bishop favorite), and more.
In addition to voice work, Jason is an accomplished independent author of epic fantasy stories. Working together with his wife, Rose, he has published five books in an ongoing series, and is planning the release of a sixth in 2023!
Retired from a 28-year in law enforcement, Jason now frequently enjoys grilling and smoking meats, brewing (and drinking) West Coast-style craft beers, golf, fly fishing and fly tying, and even picks up a guitar now and then. Enjoying all that Southern California has to offer is his greatest reward now.
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June 8, 2022Sometimes I want to read a big fantasy book, one with epic quests, high stakes, and a large world. Well, The Call more than fit the bill. It was full of adventure and fun.
This book feels very much like a throwback to the “older” fantasy that I read when I was younger. It’s obvious that there were influences from some of the classic fantasy books, but The Call was still its own thing, creative and unique.
Each character has their own background and motivation, from an elven princess desperate to find her sister to Lendil, who has had to watch his father’s addiction to drinking and wants a new lease on life. While I liked some of them better than others (roguish Lendil stole the show for me), each character was interesting in their own way. I enjoyed the multiple points of view. Sometimes this doesn’t work for me, but each character was unique enough that I was never bored or disinterested.
The world was well developed everything was revealed naturally throughout the story, avoiding the dreaded info dump. While the story started out a little bit slowly, it soon found an excellent pace. The series has incredible potential, and the authors are weaving a great adventure in a fascinating world that begs to be explored.
For readers who are looking for a new fantasy with a throwback feel, look no further than The Call.
https://wittyandsarcasticbookclub.hom...
This book feels very much like a throwback to the “older” fantasy that I read when I was younger. It’s obvious that there were influences from some of the classic fantasy books, but The Call was still its own thing, creative and unique.
Each character has their own background and motivation, from an elven princess desperate to find her sister to Lendil, who has had to watch his father’s addiction to drinking and wants a new lease on life. While I liked some of them better than others (roguish Lendil stole the show for me), each character was interesting in their own way. I enjoyed the multiple points of view. Sometimes this doesn’t work for me, but each character was unique enough that I was never bored or disinterested.
The world was well developed everything was revealed naturally throughout the story, avoiding the dreaded info dump. While the story started out a little bit slowly, it soon found an excellent pace. The series has incredible potential, and the authors are weaving a great adventure in a fascinating world that begs to be explored.
For readers who are looking for a new fantasy with a throwback feel, look no further than The Call.
https://wittyandsarcasticbookclub.hom...
October 18, 2021
Originally published at Risingshadow.
Jason and Rose Bishop's The Call is a compelling and highly enjoyable first novel in the Legends of Cyrradon: Storm's Rising epic fantasy series.
Before I write more about this novel, I'll mention that I'll try to keep this review as spoiler-free as possible so that I won't spoil anybody's reading pleasure with too many revelations about the story.
When I began to read The Call, I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but I quickly found myself enjoying the unfolding story. At first, the story moved slowly, but it gradually became increasingly captivating and immersive as the events began to unfold and I got to know the characters. I found this novel to be a charmingly old-fashioned fantasy story.
The story begins with Mea, an elf princess, coming across humans in the forest called Yeoman's Wood. Soon she is captured by one of the humans. Her sister, Dia, notices that she has been captured and begins to search for her... In a city called Granite Hedge, Lendil becomes upset with his father's behaviour and their family life, which is anything but cozy and warm, and decides to leave his home. When Mea's brooch falls into his hands, it seems to be a ticket to his new life, but it leads him to danger... A bit later, Dia meets two half-elves - Antonio and Derek - who tell her that they've seen her sister at the slave market... Meanwhile, in the City of Granite Port, King Drakken and the Royal Inquisitor are preparing themselves for a ceremony that will restore the dying king back to health and give him immortality... Soon, the lives and paths of Dia, Antonio, Derek and Lendil become entwined...
The story unfolds gradually in a natural way and the protagonists and their points of view increase the story's immersiveness. There's never a dull in this story, because there's always something happening.
I find the worldbuilding and characterisation fluent. The world is a vast place and it is inhabited by different races and cultures. The authors don't reveal everything at once, but take their time to introduce new places to readers. They also take time to introduce the characters to their readers, which is good, because this kind of storytelling adds depth to the story.
The characters are well-created and it's a pleasure to read about their adventures and lives. The conversations between them are surprisingly enjoyable and realistic. I was also impressed by how the authors write about humans, elves, half-elves and other races, because there are tensions between them.
Dia's character is intriguing, because she's an elf who feels superior to humans and half-elves, but learns that not all of them are bad or worthless. The authors write exceptionally well about Lendil's family and what it is like for Lendil to witness how his once proud father has become a drunk. He wants to start a new life and the brooch may just be his ticket to a better life, but he has no idea in what kind of a situation it leads him to.
If there are readers out there who like ghosts and ghostly tales, I can mention that there's a ghost in this story. I enjoyed reading about the ghost and was captivated by the story arc, because it was a nice surprise. I'm sure that readers will also be fascinated by the characters' subterranean adventures, for I sure did.
It's been a while since I've read classic epic fantasy that is as good and enjoyable as this novel. The authors seem to have understood what classic epic fantasy is and pay homage to the genre with their story. Their writing echoes the kind of magic that only good old-fashioned and traditional fantasy novels have in them.
I think that The Call will most likely be of special interest to readers who are familiar with the novels by Dennis L. McKiernan, Marc Turner and Terry Brooks, because it is slightly similar to certain aspects found in their novels. It will definitely strike a chord among those who love traditional fantasy novels, because it's well written fantasy fiction with a strong focus on classic fantasy elements. I personally look forward to reading the next novel, The Ascension, because I find this novel satisfyingly entertaining.
Excellent fantasy escapism!
Jason and Rose Bishop's The Call is a compelling and highly enjoyable first novel in the Legends of Cyrradon: Storm's Rising epic fantasy series.
Before I write more about this novel, I'll mention that I'll try to keep this review as spoiler-free as possible so that I won't spoil anybody's reading pleasure with too many revelations about the story.
When I began to read The Call, I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but I quickly found myself enjoying the unfolding story. At first, the story moved slowly, but it gradually became increasingly captivating and immersive as the events began to unfold and I got to know the characters. I found this novel to be a charmingly old-fashioned fantasy story.
The story begins with Mea, an elf princess, coming across humans in the forest called Yeoman's Wood. Soon she is captured by one of the humans. Her sister, Dia, notices that she has been captured and begins to search for her... In a city called Granite Hedge, Lendil becomes upset with his father's behaviour and their family life, which is anything but cozy and warm, and decides to leave his home. When Mea's brooch falls into his hands, it seems to be a ticket to his new life, but it leads him to danger... A bit later, Dia meets two half-elves - Antonio and Derek - who tell her that they've seen her sister at the slave market... Meanwhile, in the City of Granite Port, King Drakken and the Royal Inquisitor are preparing themselves for a ceremony that will restore the dying king back to health and give him immortality... Soon, the lives and paths of Dia, Antonio, Derek and Lendil become entwined...
The story unfolds gradually in a natural way and the protagonists and their points of view increase the story's immersiveness. There's never a dull in this story, because there's always something happening.
I find the worldbuilding and characterisation fluent. The world is a vast place and it is inhabited by different races and cultures. The authors don't reveal everything at once, but take their time to introduce new places to readers. They also take time to introduce the characters to their readers, which is good, because this kind of storytelling adds depth to the story.
The characters are well-created and it's a pleasure to read about their adventures and lives. The conversations between them are surprisingly enjoyable and realistic. I was also impressed by how the authors write about humans, elves, half-elves and other races, because there are tensions between them.
Dia's character is intriguing, because she's an elf who feels superior to humans and half-elves, but learns that not all of them are bad or worthless. The authors write exceptionally well about Lendil's family and what it is like for Lendil to witness how his once proud father has become a drunk. He wants to start a new life and the brooch may just be his ticket to a better life, but he has no idea in what kind of a situation it leads him to.
If there are readers out there who like ghosts and ghostly tales, I can mention that there's a ghost in this story. I enjoyed reading about the ghost and was captivated by the story arc, because it was a nice surprise. I'm sure that readers will also be fascinated by the characters' subterranean adventures, for I sure did.
It's been a while since I've read classic epic fantasy that is as good and enjoyable as this novel. The authors seem to have understood what classic epic fantasy is and pay homage to the genre with their story. Their writing echoes the kind of magic that only good old-fashioned and traditional fantasy novels have in them.
I think that The Call will most likely be of special interest to readers who are familiar with the novels by Dennis L. McKiernan, Marc Turner and Terry Brooks, because it is slightly similar to certain aspects found in their novels. It will definitely strike a chord among those who love traditional fantasy novels, because it's well written fantasy fiction with a strong focus on classic fantasy elements. I personally look forward to reading the next novel, The Ascension, because I find this novel satisfyingly entertaining.
Excellent fantasy escapism!
May 18, 2021
For this an more reviews, check out my blog.
I received a copy of this book by the authors in exchange for an honest review.
When her sister, the Elven Princess, gets caught and sold to a decrepit king seeking immortality, Dia is willing to do anything to get her back. Even work together with two half-elves. Meanwhile, Lendil, a young rogue, gets his hands on the brooch that was carried by Dia's sister. Little does he know that it’s an ancient and powerful artifact. He also didn’t expect it to draw him into an insidious web of danger. It doesn’t take long before the paths of the four are entangled, drawn together by the magical amulets that have been handed down through generations. A legacy of betrayal and loss. They have been called, and it’s their task to reunite the five, rescue the elves, and stop the king from receiving his immortality.
The Call was a highly entertaining story and a great first introduction to the vast world that Jason and Rose created. We spend most of the story in Granite Hedge, getting to know the characters and learning about the world. That doesn’t mean nothing happens, though; there’s plenty of action, from fights between thieves and siblings to Ogres and ghosts. I wasn’t bored for even a moment while reading.
Overall, the plot unfolds naturally, going in the expected direction as the characters get closer to their destiny and task. There was one point in the plot that still confuses me, though. I don’t want to spoil anything, but it involves a certain ghost and a task that was supposed to be fulfilled. I was waiting for that to happen, but it never came. I suppose it might still happen in the sequels, but I felt it wasn’t really addressed much after it happened, nor what it all means.
I enjoyed the characters, especially the half-elven cousins. Their banter creates some lightness even if the events aren’t. Dia was a more typical Elf, who feels superior to humans and feels disgusted by them, but learns that not all humans are bad. Lendil was also the more typical thief with morals, but I quite enjoyed reading his chapters. He’s witty and skilled, and when it comes down to it, he does the right thing.
The writing is omniscient, which means you get multiple viewpoints and are told thoughts and feelings from several characters at different points in the story. I’m not always a fan of this, but it was done well; the shifts between viewpoints occurred naturally and didn’t feel forced. Only on occasion did I find myself reading someone’s thoughts without being entirely sure who they belonged to. I always find that I feel less attached to the main characters with this kind of writing, so I often prefer more focused viewpoints (so, basically, fewer viewpoints). But that’s just my preference.
If you’re looking to start a new epic fantasy journey with good world-building, interesting characters, plenty of action, and a solid plot, I’d highly suggest giving ‘The Call’ a try.
For this an more reviews, check out my blog.
I received a copy of this book by the authors in exchange for an honest review.
When her sister, the Elven Princess, gets caught and sold to a decrepit king seeking immortality, Dia is willing to do anything to get her back. Even work together with two half-elves. Meanwhile, Lendil, a young rogue, gets his hands on the brooch that was carried by Dia's sister. Little does he know that it’s an ancient and powerful artifact. He also didn’t expect it to draw him into an insidious web of danger. It doesn’t take long before the paths of the four are entangled, drawn together by the magical amulets that have been handed down through generations. A legacy of betrayal and loss. They have been called, and it’s their task to reunite the five, rescue the elves, and stop the king from receiving his immortality.
The Call was a highly entertaining story and a great first introduction to the vast world that Jason and Rose created. We spend most of the story in Granite Hedge, getting to know the characters and learning about the world. That doesn’t mean nothing happens, though; there’s plenty of action, from fights between thieves and siblings to Ogres and ghosts. I wasn’t bored for even a moment while reading.
Overall, the plot unfolds naturally, going in the expected direction as the characters get closer to their destiny and task. There was one point in the plot that still confuses me, though. I don’t want to spoil anything, but it involves a certain ghost and a task that was supposed to be fulfilled. I was waiting for that to happen, but it never came. I suppose it might still happen in the sequels, but I felt it wasn’t really addressed much after it happened, nor what it all means.
I enjoyed the characters, especially the half-elven cousins. Their banter creates some lightness even if the events aren’t. Dia was a more typical Elf, who feels superior to humans and feels disgusted by them, but learns that not all humans are bad. Lendil was also the more typical thief with morals, but I quite enjoyed reading his chapters. He’s witty and skilled, and when it comes down to it, he does the right thing.
The writing is omniscient, which means you get multiple viewpoints and are told thoughts and feelings from several characters at different points in the story. I’m not always a fan of this, but it was done well; the shifts between viewpoints occurred naturally and didn’t feel forced. Only on occasion did I find myself reading someone’s thoughts without being entirely sure who they belonged to. I always find that I feel less attached to the main characters with this kind of writing, so I often prefer more focused viewpoints (so, basically, fewer viewpoints). But that’s just my preference.
If you’re looking to start a new epic fantasy journey with good world-building, interesting characters, plenty of action, and a solid plot, I’d highly suggest giving ‘The Call’ a try.
For this an more reviews, check out my blog.
July 31, 2022
This was my first fantasy book, and boy! What a ride! The Call is the first book in the series, Storm’s Rising from Legends of Cyrradon. I caught myself on the edge several times while reading the story. The book is written from an omniscient point of view, and I loved it. I felt as if I had control of what was unfolding on each page, knowing what was happening inside the characters’ head.
The adventure begins when Mea, an Elven Princess, is kidnapped, and her twin sister Dia does everything she can to bring her sister back. In her quest to rescue Mea, she stumbles across Antonio and Derek, a pair of two half-elves cousins, and also Lendil, a thief, who left his family for being disappointed in his father for becoming a drunkard. Once the four are together, their adventure begins, but what they thought was only a rescue mission, they discover their journey was much greater than that. The four must reunite The Five, a new generation of saviors, and make sure the king doesn’t become immortal.
The world building left me speechless. And if you have questions about it, there is a full glossary in the back of the book about Cyrradon World. It’s perfectly crafted, and I wonder how long it took the authors to come up with everything. The details of all places, the new races and species to the point of creating languages, and they present this universe beautifully on each page without dragging the story. The background of each character is well designed and leads to their evolution throughout their journey. I grew fond of all the characters, but Antonio and Derek won my heart. Their interaction with each other was amusing and meaningful. Aside from being cousins, they teach a lot about friendship.
It is a dense book with a lot of things happening. The pace is slower in the first chapters, but it picks up. I had a great time reading The Call. It was fun and interesting and I hardly put it down. It’s a new genre for me, and I enjoyed this epic fantasy world. If you like Fantasy, this book is for you, and if you’re willing to try something new, just like I did, this book is also for you. No regrets! The Ascension is already on my TBR box! 😍
The adventure begins when Mea, an Elven Princess, is kidnapped, and her twin sister Dia does everything she can to bring her sister back. In her quest to rescue Mea, she stumbles across Antonio and Derek, a pair of two half-elves cousins, and also Lendil, a thief, who left his family for being disappointed in his father for becoming a drunkard. Once the four are together, their adventure begins, but what they thought was only a rescue mission, they discover their journey was much greater than that. The four must reunite The Five, a new generation of saviors, and make sure the king doesn’t become immortal.
The world building left me speechless. And if you have questions about it, there is a full glossary in the back of the book about Cyrradon World. It’s perfectly crafted, and I wonder how long it took the authors to come up with everything. The details of all places, the new races and species to the point of creating languages, and they present this universe beautifully on each page without dragging the story. The background of each character is well designed and leads to their evolution throughout their journey. I grew fond of all the characters, but Antonio and Derek won my heart. Their interaction with each other was amusing and meaningful. Aside from being cousins, they teach a lot about friendship.
It is a dense book with a lot of things happening. The pace is slower in the first chapters, but it picks up. I had a great time reading The Call. It was fun and interesting and I hardly put it down. It’s a new genre for me, and I enjoyed this epic fantasy world. If you like Fantasy, this book is for you, and if you’re willing to try something new, just like I did, this book is also for you. No regrets! The Ascension is already on my TBR box! 😍
December 20, 2022
THe CALL
WHAT THIS BOOK IS ALL ABOUT ?!
♡ Mea, the elven princess is abducted in the Yeonman's woods by some mortals. Dia makes her journey to Granite Hedge determined to find her sister Mea.
♡ The Half - elf cousins Antonia and Derek, comes to Granite Hedge in search of Anotonio's father.
♡ Lendil, sets out on a journey after a fight with his parents and vow never to return.
♡ Fate plays, and the four of them comes together, when Lendil ends up with a precious elven heirloom.
♡ Little did they know, that there is something bigger in play and myths may end up being real.
♡ They have been called. Called for some major important roles they've only heard in stories and thought to be a myth.
♡ With a King and his Royal Inquisitor preparing for a ceremony, that will give Immortality to the king, the four gets to know what roles they play in this bigger game.
♡ Did Dia find Mea? What happened to Antonio's father? Why have they been called?
WHAT I THINK OF THIS BOOK !
♡ This book is the First in The Storm's Raising Series. The story started in a slow pace, introduced every single character with an amazing character building. It was so exciting to know more about them, and interesting to read. I was so curious as to what happens next and there were a trillion questions in my mind.
♡ The world was just amazing. It was easy to picture everything, the authors made it easy. And Tbh, the world was soo good. Every places they described, each and every intricacies, I was able to picture it and I really am impressed.
♡ There were many characters I connected with and I loved each one of them. The storyline is amazing and I couldn't wait to get into the next book!!
♡ I was able to connect with each one's feelings. From how would Dia feel when her twin sister is abducted, Antonio's responsibility, Derek's playfulness, and Lendil, being LENDIL!! Omg I liked everyone!!!
♡ Adventure, magic, love, pain, guilt, strength, fear, and what not!? This book made me feel everything and it felt real. I travelled through Granite Hedge, Granite Port, Red Willow Grove and everything felt real!
♡ If you love Fantasy and Adventure, You must read this book!!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
WHAT THIS BOOK IS ALL ABOUT ?!
♡ Mea, the elven princess is abducted in the Yeonman's woods by some mortals. Dia makes her journey to Granite Hedge determined to find her sister Mea.
♡ The Half - elf cousins Antonia and Derek, comes to Granite Hedge in search of Anotonio's father.
♡ Lendil, sets out on a journey after a fight with his parents and vow never to return.
♡ Fate plays, and the four of them comes together, when Lendil ends up with a precious elven heirloom.
♡ Little did they know, that there is something bigger in play and myths may end up being real.
♡ They have been called. Called for some major important roles they've only heard in stories and thought to be a myth.
♡ With a King and his Royal Inquisitor preparing for a ceremony, that will give Immortality to the king, the four gets to know what roles they play in this bigger game.
♡ Did Dia find Mea? What happened to Antonio's father? Why have they been called?
WHAT I THINK OF THIS BOOK !
♡ This book is the First in The Storm's Raising Series. The story started in a slow pace, introduced every single character with an amazing character building. It was so exciting to know more about them, and interesting to read. I was so curious as to what happens next and there were a trillion questions in my mind.
♡ The world was just amazing. It was easy to picture everything, the authors made it easy. And Tbh, the world was soo good. Every places they described, each and every intricacies, I was able to picture it and I really am impressed.
♡ There were many characters I connected with and I loved each one of them. The storyline is amazing and I couldn't wait to get into the next book!!
♡ I was able to connect with each one's feelings. From how would Dia feel when her twin sister is abducted, Antonio's responsibility, Derek's playfulness, and Lendil, being LENDIL!! Omg I liked everyone!!!
♡ Adventure, magic, love, pain, guilt, strength, fear, and what not!? This book made me feel everything and it felt real. I travelled through Granite Hedge, Granite Port, Red Willow Grove and everything felt real!
♡ If you love Fantasy and Adventure, You must read this book!!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
June 8, 2020
Enjoyable Escape, Realistic Fantasy
Rarely do I find sci fi or fantastic tales so well grounded in thoughtful reflections as this artfully written tale. Here is a world with a few additional human-like species including elves, ogres and magicians. Jason and Rose Bishop's alternative universe features witty, brave characters with snappy dialogue and exciting action. Don't wait to explore Storm's world in some future video game or movie. Start your adventure by reading this book now.
Rarely do I find sci fi or fantastic tales so well grounded in thoughtful reflections as this artfully written tale. Here is a world with a few additional human-like species including elves, ogres and magicians. Jason and Rose Bishop's alternative universe features witty, brave characters with snappy dialogue and exciting action. Don't wait to explore Storm's world in some future video game or movie. Start your adventure by reading this book now.
October 20, 2020
Wow!
Great read! Really enjoyed the character development and storyline! So great to see a couple pursuing their passion together. Bravo!
Great read! Really enjoyed the character development and storyline! So great to see a couple pursuing their passion together. Bravo!
January 23, 2023
Not bad. This was my second try in the Fantasy genre.
Much more thoughtful and good story with creativity and uniqueness.
I’ll get the second book.
Much more thoughtful and good story with creativity and uniqueness.
I’ll get the second book.
November 26, 2022
Such a fun story! I can’t wait to see where this is going! The characters are well-developed and the setting is fantastic.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews