Orb and Arrow: Exploration Book 1

by V. L. Stuart

She was raised to be a healer, but does her true destiny lie in the battle against Darkness?
 
Brillar was expected to follow in her mother’s footsteps and become a healer, but she had other plans. Now a highly skilled archer, she has been forced to kill to release a bound mage. It may have been self-defense, but that is no excuse for a healer.
 
Releasing such a skilled War mage from bondage could get you killed . . . or apprenticed. When she chooses the latter, Brillar finds herself on a desperate journey to stop the rising tide of Darkness.
 
Her decision to apprentice herself to Elden, the man she rescued, sets her further from the healer’s calling. Still, her healing spells serve them both well as they face the dangers of a world often torn between the Light and Darkness . . .

279 pages, Paperback

Published May 16, 2022

Reviews

[Shelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

*Source* Kindle Unlimited
*Genre* Magic Realism / Fantasy
*Rating* 3.5

*Thoughts*

Orb and Arrow, by author V.L. Stuart, is the first installment in the authors Exploration series. Brillar of Laurenfell, a student of life, daughter of Lady Darwallen of Life Sisterhood and Sir Prenda, a trained healer and also who has far sight that allows her to see ahead of her, has chosen to go on a walk about to explore the world instead of sticking around a stagnant life. She goes nowhere without her trusty Bow, Quiver and Arrows. She also carries a foldbox which doesn't look like much from the outside, but can carry more than her weight in necessities like more arrows, medicine, and herbs.

*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*

https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

An engaging Tolkien-influenced fantasy adventure. A kind of typical headstrong young woman archer who’s also a healer mage, and an older man, an experienced mage she rescues, are the main characters. The dialogue is fresh and engaging, and helps elevate the story above just being a typical fantasy.
I met the author at world fantasy 2024 and had a nice chat with her. I have not heard of her work before! Glad I read this, and will probably read the sequels.

[V.L. Stuart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Orb and Arrow by V.L. Stuart
What's It About? (Review by Booktrib)
Brillar was expected to follow in her mother's footsteps and become a healer but she had other plans. Now a highly skilled archer, she has been forced to kill to release a bound mage.
Looking for a classic example of the primordial battle between good and evil? A lush fantasy world where heroes fight against the forces of darkness? Then look no further than the first installment of V. L. Stuart’s epic fantasy series, Orb and Arrow (Book I: Exploration).

A Tale of Heroism and Dark Forces
The evocative Tolkienesque world of Orb and Arrow immediately draws you in, and the epic fantasy adventures of Brillar and Elden keep you hooked until the very end.

Briller is a headstrong healer and expert archer who left the Sisterhood in search of adventure in the Wild. But she gets a little more than she bargained for when she runs into an imprisoned war mage.

Wrongfully — and painfully — imprisoned by a magical collar, Master War Mage Garnelden (Elden to his friends) is rescued by the compassionate healer. In return for her aid, he offers to take her on as his apprentice.

While each initially finds the other to be stubborn and unreasonable, their apprenticeship quickly turns into an endearing — and perhaps a bit flirtatious? — friendship.

Together their travels take them to a brutal confrontation with a master mage, then to Brillar’s hometown — where readers are introduced to the ways of the Sisterhood and Brotherhood — and ultimately to the magical forests called the Wild.

Magic, Battles, and Unforgettable Journeys
On their journey into the Wild, Brillar’s training really begins. Author V. L. Stuart’s unique magic system shines here as Brillar, already skilled in the magic of Life, learns spells for Items and Creatures — and adamantly refuses to learn those of War. (Readers are sure to find themselves wanting their own foldbox!)

Along their journey, they meet friends and enemies alike among the Wild’s inhabitants, the Rovers. Readers might sometimes feel overwhelmed by the Rovers’ cruelty, but will ultimately be left satisfied with the impact Brillar leaves behind.

Just when it seems Brillar and Elden’s troubles are past, they encounter the Ǣlfain: elf-like people of the southern forests. Together the master mage and his apprentice aid the Ǣlfain in their epic battle against the undead and the mysterious K’ish and Savic — evil forces who seek power and control.

Enchanting World and Intriguing Characters
Readers are bound to find themselves enamored with the lush world and characters of Orb and Arrow. The creatures and magic are unique and I, for one, am excited to see what else the author has up her sleeve in the future books.

Speaking of which: you might notice hints of a potential budding romance between our stubborn protagonists. Maybe that’s just the romance-lover in me, but Brillar and Elden’s witty banter and growing friendship leave me hopeful.

Even if the future books don’t go that way, I’m already hooked on our main characters. Brillar is strong yet compassionate, and I foresee there’s still more room for her power to grow. Maybe she’ll even surpass her teacher? And Elden, despite his tortured past, possesses a good heart and aches to help those in need.

I can’t wait to read about more of Brillar and Elden’s adventures.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Special thanks to NetGalley for providing me an e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

Actual rating is 2.5 stars.

Brillar was expected to become a healer, but instead she decided to take of the bow and forge her own path. In her travels, and shortly after the book starts, she comes across a mage bound in magical chains and decides to free him. Turns out his name is Elden and he is quite powerful. A type of master. Together they travel into wild lands, which tests Brillar, and slowly these two become something of friends while facing challenges...

So what did I think?

I think this book was a bit slow at times. I struggled to power through some areas. It could do with a little bit of trimming when it comes to their travels and, honestly, I think that would help even out the pacing a little. I also felt like we were introduced to the villain just over a quarter of the way into the book, only the have the main conflict solved probably halfway through. Yet the book keeps going.

The world building was pretty decent for a first book of a series and once the adventures actually started, it was decently entertaining, minus all the detail in the travel bits. Tt did feel like it was written for a younger audience then I was expecting though. I usually read Teen/YA, and this felt a bit more like a middle school read. Also, it very much reminded my of reading the resulting script of a DnD campaign. Which is fine.

Brillar is a good lead/main character. She's strong in many ways, including headstrong. She has a good set of morals that she sticks to and a brave streak that helps she do so. It's not really fully explained why she decided the life she did, but seeing how this is the first book in a series, the answer may be revealed further down the line.

And for anyone who is tired of characters immediately falling in love in the first book, I have good news! No romance to be seen in this book. Just the development of a friendship, which is nice AND believable. It might turn into something later, but for now, romance free! (and hopefully it stays that way because she seems to view Elden as something of an older authority figure. Like a teacher.)

Conclusion?

Bit slow in places. Feels like it's angled a little more to a pre-teen read level, but on the whole it was a good read. Not bad!

[Kyndal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Synopsis:
Brillar - a young woman with an adventurous spirit - quite literally stumbles upon one of the greatest mages of her time. Thrown together out of necessity, the two embark on an adventure that will take them through quaint villages, a dark but enchanting forest, and into the Wild. Their budding friendship provides each of them the opportunity to learn and grow as they face challenge after challenge.

Target Audience:
I would recommend this book for upper elementary and junior high readers who want to get into fantasy. It has a tinge of “Robin Hood” with ample contextual descriptions, straightforward character dynamics, and little foreshadowing. The overarching story reads more like a series of vignettes than a sweeping narrative (e.g. a major plot point is essentially solved 44% of the way through), but it would lend itself to imaginative activities such as D&D or other fantasy role play games.

[Cherie Waggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really wanted to give this a 5 star rating. it is the author's first delve into fantasy. The characters had potential, but I couldn't seem to fathom real connection for them to each other. In my humble opinion, and it is just that, nothing much really happened other than a journey that seemed to hold no goal. The build up for what should have been two huge confrontations sort of fizzled out. There was huge potential for this to explode with action, bonding, and growth. It didn't quite get there.

[↬Noor ❂↫ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay so the world building and the characters were all pretty decent, I mean the book had a lot of potential definitely but it's just that I have read this kind of Trope so much in YA that I am kinda done with it and I was expecting something new. So it's basically our FMC Brillar who was forced to follow into her mother's footsteps and become a healer but she craves more adventure and action and so she becomes a hunter instead and now she has to kill our MMC Elden, which she can't and then she becomes his apprentice. I think this book could you a little more editing.