Visions of Zarua

by Suzanne Rogerson

An ancient darkness haunts the realm of Paltria.
Apprentice wizard Paddren is plagued by visions of a city on the brink of annihilation. When his master Kalesh dies in mysterious circumstances, the Royal Order of Wizards refuses to investigate.
Helped by his childhood friend, the skilled tracker Varnia, and her lover Leyoch, Paddren vows to find the killer.
The investigation leads Paddren down a sinister path of assassins, secret sects and creatures conjured by blood magic. But he is guided by a connection with a wizard from centuries ago - a wizard whose history holds the key to the horror at the heart of the abandoned city of Zarua. Can Paddren decipher his visions in time to save the Paltrian people from the dark menace of Zarua’s past?

Genres: Fantasy, Magic, Fiction, Romance

420 pages, Paperback

First published December 14, 2015

About the author

Suzanne lives in Middlesex, England with her husband, two children, a crazy cocker spaniel and a rather aloof cat.

Her writing journey began at the age of twelve when she completed her first novel. She discovered the fantasy genre in her late teens and has never looked back. Giving up work to raise a family gave Suzanne the impetus to take her attempts at novel writing beyond the first draft, and she is lucky enough to have a husband who supports her dream - even if he does occasionally hint that she might think about getting a proper job one day.

Now an author of four fantasy novels and three short story collections, Suzanne hopes the dreaded ‘W’ word will never rear its ugly head again!

She loves gardening and has a Hebe (shrub) fetish. She enjoys cooking with ingredients from the garden and regularly feeds unsuspecting guests vegetable-based cakes.

Suzanne collects books, is interested in history and enjoys wandering around castles and old ruins whilst being immersed in the past. She loves to escape with a great film, binge watch TV shows, or soak in a hot bubble bath with an ice cream and a book.

Reviews

[Sissy Lu {Book Savvy Reviews} · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, let me begin by saying - CONGRATULATIONS female writers, for showing the boys that Fantasy writers aren't just males and women can write well-formed fantasy novels, too. So thank you, Suzanne Rogerson, for being part of this.

Paddren is an apprentice wizard to Kalesh and when tragedy befalls him the Royal Order of Wizards turn a blind eye to the dead wizard. It's up to Paddren and his friends to figure out what is going on. Varnia is an orphan who became a skilled huntress and tracker, she begins to experience things that leave questions in her mind. Leyoch is her lover, fellow orphan, and friend as well as the servant to Paddren, tension begins to grow between him and his friend as their stations in life are vastly different.

Paddren suffers from horrible visions, but he soon begins to use them as a tool to figure things out. A lot occurs and swiftly! The chapters alternate from present to the past and it is done masterfully, it doesn't leave the reader confused, it adds more depth to the story,the much-needed background to help fill in some potential plot holes that might be there had that information not been provided. This just adds a richer quality, I find, to the overall development of Paltria.

This novel is quite interesting and as I was reading it I was trying to put my finger on what it felt like to me, then as I continued to read on it struck me. Visions of Zarua reminds me of a mystery novel set in a fantasy world, with wizards, lords, and kings. It reads like a mystery novel. Suzanne Rogerson keeps the characters as well as you in the dark so that you're experiencing things first hand just like the characters. It is just enough to keep you interested but not enough to keep you frustrated.

The world she built was fantastic, even the creatures inside it breathed additional life into this fantasy world of Wizards and the like.

Definitely recommended to those who both enjoy fantasy as well as mystery.

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[Zuzka · Rating 3 out of 5]

Zarua se u mě zařadí mezi ty "meh" knihy, co neurazí ani nenadchnou. Popravdě mě to dost mrzí, po té hromadě skvělých hodnocení, 4.2 hvězdiček na goodreads a názorech lidí, o kterých vím, že se nám líbí podobné knihy, jenže...

Tohle je prostě děsně rychlý. Akce přichází naprosto neočekávaně a bez úvodu a než stačíte mrknout, je zase pryč, všechno je vyřešeno a postavy se s tím vším smíří pokrčením ramen. Protože je kladen takový důraz na děj (já vím, já vím, je to "meč a magie", ale stejně!) a postavy jsou maximálně popsány, ale jejich emoce tak nějak kostrbatě zprostředkovány čtenáři, nevytvořila jsem si k nim prakticky žádný vztah. Ok, Leyoch měl potenciál, ale pořád si tak nějak nejsem jistá, jestli se mi nakonec pozdával nebo ne, spíš v porovnání s ostatními nebyl tolik na facku.

Asi nejvíc mě mrzelo, že autorka nijak nevysvětlila nebo aspoň nenaznačila, jak vlastně v jejím světě funguje magie. A přitom k tomu byla skvělá příležitost, když se ji učila používat Varnia. Místo toho je řešení na všechno vrhnout na to ohnivou kouli a to mě nebaví.

Líbil se mi nápad s tajnými kouzelnickými sektami a vyšetřováním vraždy, odhalováním spiknutí včetně toho, že se autorka nebojí zranit/zmrzačit/zabít svoje vlastní postavy, ale co musím vyzdvihnout nejvíc, je prolínání časových linií. Většinou si na dvě dějové linie zasazené do odlišných dob moc nepotrpím, ale tady mi vyhovovala změna er-formy na ich-formu a vůbec mě to střídání a naznačování bavilo.

Sečteno podtrženo, pokud máte rádi rychlé knihy s důrazem na děj a ne na postavy, tohle by mohlo být pro vás. Já si radši počkám na něco hutnějšího.

[Elaine - Splashes Into Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great mix of fantasy, magic and mystery this proved to be! The talented author has built a unique version of a medieval style world where there are barons, Kings, wizards, magic and monsters. You can never be certain just who you can trust, especially if you are Paddren, Varnia or Leyoch. Together these three will need to work together to save their land being taken over by evil wizards and will have unexpected assistance from Paddren's visions if only he can learn to interpret them accurately!

This is told from two time lines, 350 years apart. The historic events are impacting on the present and give an insight into what happened then that is impacting on current events. I'm trying not to give away any spoilers, I'd hate to ruin the story for any other readers! Enough to say it is an enthralling read, with vivid descriptions bringing the scenarios and events to life in the imagination of the reader. There's plenty of intrigue and mystery to keep you guessing, a forbidden romance and a spectacular finale to resolve it all. 

The characters are well developed, their angst and turmoil emotively portrayed. The choices, secrets, magic, plots and schemes keep the reader guessing and turning the pages. If you enjoy fantasy or mysteries this is a story that may well appeal to you, too!

I requested and was gifted a copy of this book and this is my honest opinion after choosing to read it.

[K.S. Marsden · Rating 3 out of 5]

Paddren's visions might be the key to stopping a dark wizard taking over Paltria. No matter what course he chooses, it will be a dark and dangerous path.

I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

This story follows two wizards that are separated by 350 years, but are trying to uncover the source of the same dark magic.
Jago is a young man who was close with his brother, before he set out to travel the world and see all it had to offer. He returns to Paltria to find his brother has been murdered - although it has been ruled suicide, and the murderer has gotten away. He now has to work to uncover what secrets got his brother killed.

Paddren has been having increasing visions of Jago, as he hunts down those using dark magic to kill the good wizards of Paltria; and to discover what their final plan is.
With the help of his childhood friend, Varnia, and her lover Leyoch; they have to uncover the truth and avoid detection by the dark wizards.

Despite this starting off with the murder of Paddren's teacher, and the bombardment of dark magic, this story was slow-paced from the very beginning.
There is magic, and danger, and assassins, and intrigue on every level; but I found the narration slowed down with lots of contemplation. None of the characters had any real agency, they just drift along with the current of what is going on, which sapped any potential excitement.

The plot itself was great, with secret sects of wizards, political intrigue and danger at every turn.
It's just a shame I never really warmed to the characters.
The male characters aren't particularly distinct, with Paddren and Jago being almost interchangeable. To be fair, that might have been what the author was going for - after all, how can you have visions of a man, without taking after him a little.

Varnia started off great, a girl with a mysterious past and humble beginnings, that has made a life for herself. She is now the heir to a minor noble, a highly-skilled huntsmaster, and she has found love with Leyoch: a commoner, who is intelligent and loyal.
Unfortunately she ~minor spoiler~ discovers that she also has magic, and everything went downhill from there. She turns into a mardy little thing, who lashes out at everyone who cares for her, and I couldn't feel a scrap of pity for her situation.

Overall, there were some really good ideas, but not the book for me.

[Shelley Clarke · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed Visions of Zarua. I first read the Silent Sea Chronicles which made me a fan of Suzanne Rogerson's writing. There are two stories running 350 years apart and their link becomes evident at a later stage. It took me a little while to get into the story but once I did I couldn't put the book down and read faster as I got to the exciting end. The author created such a believable, magical world with wonderful characters that I didn't want it to end. There's everything in this story, good v evil, romance, crime, mystery, passion & fabulous magic, all put together in a wonderful writing style. I hope Ms Rogerson writes more ... I will definitely be buying her work.

[Bookaholic F · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a marvelous young adult fantasy in a magic world!

I loved this book set in a world full of imagination and amazing characters. The audiobook with the wonderful storyteller is amazing and gives the mystery set a special touch.

Like mostly fantasy novels this story has intriguing creatures and complex protagonists with powers.In fact it is a great story, but I especially loved the dual line tale and the importance and effect of the past on the present. The most interesting thing is indeed the path the friends have to follow and the mix of their connection to save their world.
The characters have dark and white sides, are interesting and mysterious and the exciting writing style with lot of details and the supsence factor are the reason you have to discover this book.

If you love audiobooks, just like me, then this one is impressive and a fantastic book to listen.

Visions of Zarzuela is a lovely ya book with a mix of fantasy and mystery and it is an intelligent and surprising story.

I am looking forward to next tales of this author and audiobooks narrated by the fantastic voice Guy Barnes.

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[Rebecca L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I grew up reading fantasy novels so I've always had a huge soft spot for works of epic fantasy. It's been ages since I had the chance to read a good old fashioned "sword and sorcery novel," and Visions of Zarua was so much fun to read. The author's writing reminded me of one of my favorite authors, Ursula K. Le Guin. In many ways, this book reminded me particularly of The Wizard of Earthsea. It follows the adventures of a wizard as he fights to save his home from an ever growing threat of darkness. 

I found this book to be fresh and unique because the author combines my favorite elements of fantasy with an engaging and suspenseful mystery. I was on the edge of my seat and I couldn't stop listening as I waited for Padren and his friends to unravel the suspenseful plot that involved murder most foul in the wizarding world. 

The narrator was excellent. I have low vision, so I do a lot of my reading in audio format. Guy Barnes had distinct voices for every character and his reading helped to bring the book to life. I particularly enjoyed hearing him narrate the three main characters. His voice acting made their friendship feel vivid and real.

My only gentle criticism is that I found the book to be a little bit slow in the beginning; however, i understand that is par for the course in epic fantasy. Once the world building and characters were established, the narrative took off at a ferocious pace. and involved a mystery that I couldn't wait to see solved. If you are in the mood for an epic fantasy with a a great underlying mystery, I strongly recommend Visions of Zarua! 

*Note: I received this book from Rachel at Rachel's Random Resources. in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Visions of Zarua is set in the magical world of Paltria, where there are Wizards, mythical creatures and enemies around every corner. This is a dark fantasy novel, that I loved from the very first page. It has to be said that fantasy novels are not my usual genre, but I was surprised by just how much this book spoke to me. Even though it is set in the mythical world of Paltria, and the ancient and abandoned city of Zarua, the book echoed the emotions of everyday, normal life. This is why I connected so much with this book and the characters within it.

The story is really that of two separate journeys. One that is set in present day Paltria, which involves the Wizard, Paddren, and his friends Varnia and Leyoch. Together they set out on a journey to find out who killed Paddren's master, Kalesh. Their journey is aided by the visions that Paddren has, formed from a connection with Jago, a Wizard from a time that spans back 350 years ago. Although you may think that it would be difficult to follow two very different and epic stories, the journey of Paddren and his friends is told in third person, while that of Jago is in first person narrative. This is one of the reasons that the two stories are so very easy to follow. Each has their very own distinctive voice and style. The use of the first person for Jago's voice is also very clever, as it makes the story come to life.

What is also so very refreshing about this book is that the characters are not perfect, but are flawed and 'human', in that they all have their weaknesses, but are bound together for the better good. Paddren has a shocking temper and at times acts very much liked a spoilt little boy. This reminds us of how very young he is, although he has the weight of the world on his shoulders. His quest is very much supported by the talents of Varnia and Leyoch, who are so much more than supporting characters. They both play a vital role in the story, and I have to say that I found Varnia to be one of the most exciting characters, and by far my favourite.

Visions of Zarua is very much a mystery stroke who dunit kind of a read, that just happens to be set in a mythical fantasy world with Wizards. But the two genres blend so beautifully together. This book really is an exquisite slow burner of a read, that needs to be savoured, there is no rushing this novel. Sit back, relax and enjoy the ride.

With thanks to the author who provided a review copy of the book.

Visions of Zarua is available to buy from Amazon here.

[moonlit reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Visions of Zarua is one of those Fantasy books that can work even for readers who don’t usually read Fantasy. The world is well built, but it doesn’t throw everything at you at once. Instead, the author slowly reveals important details as the plot moves forward, and we’re kept at the same level of knowledge as the main characters. That creates a really nice suspense, because I kept thinking: What happened here? Who should I trust? I need to know more!

The fantasy elements are balanced just right. It still feels epic, but not in a way that’s overwhelming or difficult to follow. The pace is slow, yes, but not boring, it just adds to the suspense.

What I really liked was how the descriptions were tied into the action (also known as "active setting"). The author doesn’t waste time with long, unnecessary details. Everything she describes has a purpose, so even though the story takes its time, it’s still easy to read and follow.

Same thing with the characters: they’re introduced slowly, one at a time, only when they’re important. No info dumps or long scenes packed with names. You get just enough time with each character to get a clear image of who they are and what they’re going through. The main characters felt very human to me (afraid, unsure, trying their best) and that made them easy to connect with.

The story is told through limited POVs that shift naturally, and we also get a second timeline told through diary-like entries from a different character 350 years earlier. At first I wasn’t sure about these parts, since they did slow down the pace a bit and sometimes interrupted the action. In the end though, I understood why they mattered.

The writing is clean and consistent, and clearly well-edited. The mix between shallower, classic Fantasy tone and deeper POV worked really well. Overall, very solid writing that fit the genre perfectly.

Overall, a slow-burn Fantasy that kept me hooked with great characters, good pacing, and solid writing.

[Mirjana Inalman]

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Reading “Visions of Zarua”, by Suzanne Rogerson, was a refreshing reading experience for me and it is incredibly hard to write a review and not squeak out all the spoilers that made this book a highly recommendable read to all fantasy lovers from me.
The book, with the vibe and style of writing, reminded me of my favorite writers, like Robert Jordan and Zelazny. What I most enjoyed about this book is definitely that atmosphere. The book is a work of classic fantasy, as opposed to the scheme of modern fantasy. The language of the book is simple, yet engaging, and the reading feeling is both descriptive and most of all, highly sensory.
I think the author did parallel storytelling in a masterful way, that did not for a second feel burdening or hard to follow.
The characters are rounded and I got tied to them and what I would specifically point out, I liked the character of Varnia the most. It is difficult for me to connect with female characters in fantasy settings, but “Visions o Zarua” did that for me. All the characters are unique, creative and never for a second feel like tools and disposables.
Another thing that makes this book above the rest I see nowadays in the fantasy sections is the way the author handled romance. I loved the way love and relationships were handled in the book, again, a striking contrast to what you would nowadays read. Original feelings, felt as you read, not just blend shock value, and overcrowding with reality feelings. A fantasy book should read and feel like fantasy, after all, depict something we dream of and strive for, something to work out in our thoughts and transcribe and assign to our realities – and this book does it.
I will definitely re-read the book again in the future and experience “Visions of Zarua” once again, while I wait and heartfelt hope for more books from the author. I recommend this book to every fantasy reader who had their fill of cliché and desires an original, serious, deep and thoughtful story.

[Susan Hampson · Rating 5 out of 5]

How I love the fantasy genre that always makes me think back to childhood and reading fairy tales. It is where anything and everything is possible a place of wizards and witches. This is Suzanne Rogerson’s debut novel and oh my does she deliver the goods. Set back in medieval times the story is shrouded in mystery, spells and  deadly mystical creatures. When a powerful wizard Kalesh dies his apprentice Paddren and his two friends Varnia and Leyoch set out on a quest to discover the truth and what an incredible journey it turns out to be. As Paddren begins to have visions of events 350 years ago he has to work out how it affects their present day situation. Both stories work brilliantly together.
The characters in the novel are gradually introduced into the story making it easy to follow. Then Suzanne Rogerson conjures up some wicked imagery.  I particularly  liked the Nagra, which are very sinister creatures produced through magic, very evil. You don’t want to hang around where they are, oh no sir. There is also a bit of a love story going on too, but will it be strong enough to survive when it is forbidden?
When I first got this novel my thought was this is quite a large book, but I just loved this story and as I read I just didn’t want it to end. A gripping story that has to be solved with brain and brawn. I so hope there is another novel being written. A super book.
I wish to thank Suzanne Rogerson for an Arc of this novel. It has been such a pleasure to write this review.

[Aisling O'Rourke · Rating 4 out of 5]

----Spoiler Free----

Visions of Zarua is a standalone epic fantasy by Suzanne Rogerson. This book was kindly sent to me by the author in exchange for an honest review. It is a story filled with magic, wizards and a race against time to stop an evil wizard in his 350 year long quest to seize control of the wizarding world. The death of Paddren’s mentor sparks concern that old tensions are beginning to resurface.

I liked how the author told this story through the use of the present and past tense. Paddren, one of the main characters, received visions of what Zarua was like in the past. This gives the reader an insight into the past of the world of the novel, and how devious a certain evil wizard was. I also liked how the story is told from the point of view of a range of different characters in the third person. I often prefer reading books in the first person point of view, but I felt that the third person worked quite well for this book.

I admired the strength of each of the characters, and how far they were willing to go to save their friends. Paddren in particular was a very selfless character who I felt always did his best to put the needs of others before his own. I also admired Varnia’s character as she has characteristics such as strength and bravery that I feel are not represented enough in female characters in fantasy novels.

One aspect of the novel that I didn’t enjoy as much was how quickly one of the characters developed their magical abilities. I felt it was a bit rushed and could have used more development. However, I understand that since this is a standalone novel it would have been difficult to develop this process further without making the book into a duology.

Overall, this book is ideal for anyone that is looking to begin reading fantasy books as the world of the novel is introduced gradually and there is more emphasis on a smaller number of main characters, rather than a wide range of minor characters. This was an enjoyable read and I give this book a rating of four out of five stars.

[Jéssica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I'm reading of Suzanne and it was a good introduction to her work because I saw her writing style and got to know a 'new-to-me' author. I was captivated about this book as soon as I saw the cover, it had that vibe that said this would be an intriguing, epic, spooky, mysterious novel. And that's what I got.

This book had a great concept since it's told from two different time periods, 350 years apart. And that's different and I wasn't confused about that because it was like reading a book with different POVs. after getting it and understanding the novel in that perspective, I get use to it and understand where the characters were, and who they are, and what time was.

Speaking of the characters, it was a great group with well developed characters, that have flaws, issues, dreams, ideas, beliefs, needs, and you could feel their emotions and feel empathy for them, get curious about their secrets and thoughts, and want to know more about what they are going to do next. In the end I felt connected to them.

The author created an amazing world with relatable characters, secrets, magic and a touch of romance in a great recipe for a wonderful fantasy standalone novel. Besides the magical aspect of this story, there is mystery and action and that's always something I like in fantasy books because it makes it dynamic and intriguing.

Overall, I loved the book. It was a refreshing fantasy novel with the right elements that made the plot interesting, and the author's writing style was what connected everything and made it amazing.

[I want to thank Rachel, at Rachel’s Random Resources, and Suzanne for the eCopy of this book and for allowing me to join in the fun and by being a part of the blog tour with my honest review of the book.]

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The world building is captivating, the characters engaging, and the plot full of suspense. There was quite a bit I enjoyed about this book. Paddren is our main character and he’s the glue that holds everyone together. As a wizard, he feels a strong sense of responsibility to protect the kingdom and the innocent. Both Leyoch and Varnia are his friends but also kind of his mentorees. While he isn’t much older then them, he often provides them with guidance and protection.

Varnia is an accomplished hunter. In fact, she so talented that she’s elevated to the Kingdom’s Huntsmaster when the old huntsmaster is indisposed. She’s got her own life and a set of valuable skills that she worked hard to earn. I really liked her character…. until she turned into a bit of a witch. At that point, she was selfish and single-minded and, quite frankly, became the most annoying character. I tried to cut her some slack because I know she’s dealing with some serious personal revelations, but she just couldn’t get back to awesome. Meanwhile, Leyoch, who starts off pretty interesting, ends up being the main comforter to Varnia instead of continuing his own awesome character arc.

The world building is solid. There’s magic with a set of rules and the world keeps adding dimension. There’s more talents and more monsters! Yay! Now there is several flashbacks. Sometimes these are recent flashbacks and sometimes we’re jumping further back in time. I liked this for the most part but I have to admit there were a few times where I lost track of who was doing what and why. Most of the flashbacks are told in the first person and since much of these are shown through some magical memory of events at a certain place, you can go from Paddren or Varnia dealing with their day to begin swept back in time with new characters doing things unrelated to what our main characters are currently doing. Still, this aspect of the story kept me entertained for the most part.

There are very few female characters in this tale and Varnia is the only one that has real page time. While Varnia starts off worthy, she spirals into grumpy, witchy annoyance and pretty much stays there. The lack of a variety of page-worthy female characters is the biggest drawback to this story.

All said, it’s an engaging story with Paddren holding it all together. 4/5 stars.

The Narration: Guy Barnes has a great gravelly voice for Paddren. It really drew me in, making me listen all the harder. I also really liked his voice and accent for Leyoch. His female characters voices were feminine, and his voice for Varnia was well done indeed. The pacing was perfect and there were no tech issues with the recording. Even though I grew to find Varnia annoying, I truly appreciated how Barnes captured the myriad of emotions this character was going through. 5/5 stars.

I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Suzanne Rogerson. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.

[Jessica Bronder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paddron is the apprentice to the wizard Kalesh. When Kalesh dies Paddron wants the Royal Order of Wizards in investigate but they ignore him. Paddron and his friends then take it upon themselves to find out what happened. During this time Paddron is suffering from visons that are disturbing until he realizes they are events from the wizard Jago. Jago lived 350 year in the past and it looks like he has the key to the city of Zarua and can help stop the coming evil.

I loved this story. It has the feel of high fantasy with the king, royals, and wizards. Yet you have a great mystery as to what Jago went through. I loved how the narration bounces back and forth between the present time and Jago’s time. This really helped the story to glide along and keep me interested.

All of the characters had their own perks and quirks but they all worked together to figure out what was going on and to stop the evil. I really liked Varnia. She’s an orphan but trained to become this skilled hunter. I love when women are giving tough, strong roles. But at the same time you have Paddron and with his behavior you can see how young and inexperienced he is at times.

This is an amazing read and one that I strongly recommend checking out. Fantasy might not be your thing but definitely try this book. I think it will become a fast favorite.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book for free. I am voluntarily posting this review and any opinions expressed herein are my own.

This is a mystery book set in a fantasy world. The author also alternates the narrative between present day and 350 years ago - to provide backstory and context for some of the events. I enjoyed the complexity of the world with the political intrigue and the secret sects of wizards. Varnia, a female, was initially my favorite character. She was a strong, assertive woman who was an accomplished tracker and hunter and ultimately elevated to the King's Huntsmaster. But then, she discovered that she had magical powers and her character changed - becoming selfish, annoying, and, at times, overwhelmingly dark. While I understood the reasons for some of the changes with the character, I, at times, would roll my eyes at her behavior. My other quibble - to me, it seemed that the characters didn't have the urgency they needed with danger lurking around every corner. They seemed to just kind of drift along in a reactionary state, which, to me, dampened some of the potential excitement.

The narrator, Guy Barnes, was excellent. He created distinct voices for every character, which brought the book to life.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved everything about Visions of Zarua! From the flawed, relatable characters to the intricately planned out world of Paltria, and the ancient abandoned city of Zarua…this book had everything I want to see in a fantasy novel.

Suzanne Rogerson has crafted a novel with a mix of fantasy, mystery, and magic. The story is told from two timelines, 350 years apart. There wasn’t any point in the story where I felt confused. I knew where we were in the story the entire time, and I couldn’t put it down.

This is full of choices and secrets, with flawed and well-developed characters. The magic system is unique, the world building is top notch and the mystery is intriguing. I highly recommend checking Visions of Zarua out!

*I received a copy of this book as part of a blog tour. All opinions are my own.*

[Sarina Langer]

I'm sad to say this didn't work for me. I really wanted to enjoy it since I'd only heard good things, but I just didn't look forward to reading more.

I liked the world-building, but I was disappointed that no map was included, especially because several important maps were mentioned in the book.

I also liked the chapters written in the past because unlike the chapters in the present, they actually moved the plot along and were paced well. However, the chapters in the present outnumbered the ones in the past by a lot, and they dragged.

I know a lot of people loved this, but after roughly 40% I just wasn't excited to come back to it so I decided to move on.

[Cristal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this. It’s an intriguing mix of fantasy and mystery. The sections set in the past were especially vivid, but I also wanted to find out what was happening in the present, because I liked the characters. The tense battle between the wizards, set in the dangerous ruined city, drew both stories together in a satisfying, exciting finale.

I’ll be reading more of this author’s books.

[Nicole Dunton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paddren finds himself cursed with random visions of a city long forgotten. If the visions aren't enough, his master died. It would seem that he was murdered. Somehow, everybody is content to think that he killed himself. Padden requests the help of a good friend, Varnia, and her lover Leyoch. They work together to uncover what has happened to cause the visions and why many wizards are dying so mysteriously.
This book was a little weird to me at first. I didn't think I would really adapt to it. I thought it would be a book that I would set aside after a while. Once I got used to the characters and the world the book was set in, I was fine. I actually started to enjoy the series very much. I was rooting for everybody and cringing when something bad happened. It's a very fast-paced book once the story has been laid out fully.
There were a few things I didn't really care for in the book were the character inconsistencies. One of the characters has a drastic mood change. It's blamed on their magic being released. I just find this a very flimsy reason. Also, I don't care about the lack of progression in that change. It just happened all at once with no warning. Add that to the fact that a few of the characters in this book were very robotic and not really there.
This book is narrated by Guy Barnes. This narrator knows how to tell a story full of adventure and intrigue. I'm highly impressed. He knows how to pact a lot of intensity in his voice. He speeds up during intense moments as well. It's quite impressive. I will definitely look to listening to other books narrated by him.
I really did enjoy this book. I thought some things weren't as consistent as they should be. I also felt some of the characters could have been humanized a bit more. Other than that, it was a great read. I loved the action and adventure. I also loved the underlying mystery and lure. I would have read this book in a day if I could have.

[Thehappymeerkat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free digital copy of this book from the author in return for a review. The following is my honest opinion on this book:

This is a dark and thrilling fantasy book that really keeps you gripped from beginning to end. Set in the world of Paltria, where there is magic, wizards and dark creatures, Paddren and his friends begin their journey by trying to save his master Kalesh. But when Kalesh is found dead they must find out why and their search reveals the dark and sinister past haunting Paltria.

This book is one of the best fantasy books I've read to date! From the very first chapter I was hooked to read more and it isn't many books that truly keep you reading from the very beginning to the very end. Although set in Paltria, Visions of Zarua has two stories that slowly unfold as you read through this book.
The first story follows Paddren, Varnia and Leyoch as they find out what happened to Kalesh and uncover the sinister truth of what is happening in Paltria. This story is told from the third person perspective.
Set 350 years in Paltria's past, the story of Zarua plays out in alternate chapters. This story is told from the first person perspective and although there's no initial link between the two stories, as you progress through the chapters you learn how both are connected.
Having two seemingly separate stories that run together may seem confusing, but it really isn't. The stories are so well told that you never get lost for too long in one, to forget what has happened in the other and the different perspective makes it easier to follow.

The descriptive passages are longer than in some books and although some people may not like this longer text, me included, it really does make you feel the atmosphere, smell the smells, feel the darkness. It didn't take long to get used to this style of writing and I have to admit that if it wasn't for the author, Suzanne Rogerson's, wonderful descriptions, this book just wouldn't be as good as it is.

A lot happens in this book, in both the past and present, but you never get confused or lost in the plot. In fact the story just becomes more and more exciting as you get closer to the end. The ending is a satisfying one but not really predictable which just makes this an even better read.

As far as swearing, the book has two uses of the s word and several uses of the b word, but these are used in conversation and to great effect and not out of place as with some novels. There is no sex but there are some very dark descriptions that would be too chilling for younger teens to read.

Overall I just love this book, I love it so much I already feel like reading it again after I've just finished it - the mark of a truly great novel. I'd recommend this book to anyone who loves to read fantasy, the characters are good and complex, the whole tone is dark and the story really holds your attention right to the end, you even get the final satisfaction of understanding the character on the front cover. Visions of Zarua is a wonderful and thrilling read and I can't wait to read more of this author's work.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every fantasy lover should be reading this book! Paddren, Varnia, and Leyoch have been friends since childhood. Paddren has been training to be a wizard under the tutelage of Kalesh. Varnia is the huntmistress for Baron Harkai, having been trained by Reaun, who took her in after her parents’ death. Leyoch is an assistant to Paddren and Kalesh, and madly in love with Varnia. But the day the Nagra appears will change everything….

Suddenly Kalesh is dead and Paddren is appointed to replace him as the Baron’s wizard. Reaun loses an arm in the battle with the Nagra and Varnia must take over all his duties. And Leyoch embarks on the secret mission that Kalesh had been preparing him for. After Leyoch successfully uncovers a secret organization of evil wizards, all 3 find themselves running for their lives while using all their skills to take down the organization and destroy Fetter Cairn, the mastermind behind it all.

There are so many things to love about this story. First, the characters: I found each of them to be beautifully crafted. The reader gets to know them gradually as the story moves with grace from one to another. Second, the relationships: Here too, the author has been expert at portraying not only the affection between them but the intensity that bonds them together even when they feel they have been betrayed by each other. Each one seems to sense that their destiny is tied to the others and to overcoming the evil threatening to destroy their world. Third, the setting: the world is which the story takes place is brilliantly described even as the action moves from one location to another. When I was reading I felt like this author’s imagination knew no limits, whether she was describing the real world or the spirit world, it was easy to feel like I was there watching it all unfold. Fourth, the villain: Fetter Cairn is as evil as wizards can be and the author makes no effort to whitewash his character. This guy puts Satan to shame in my opinion, but I loved the contrast between him and our trio, who are not painted as a bunch of goody-two-shoes types but as individuals trying to bring good to the world while at the same time working to overcome their own flaws.

Overall, I found this story to be crafted to perfection. This may very well be the best fantasy genre book I have ever read. A brilliant debut novel!

[Anita Dawes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Visions of Zarua, a magical story of wizards and sorcery set in two ancient worlds. Zarua, 350 years in the past, and Paltria, the land the heroes in this book inhabit. A land that grows ever darker as the despair of war takes hold.
Paddren, a young apprentice wizard, is not yet powerful enough to save his people from the peril he knows will come from the disturbing visions that plague him.
When unseen forces kill his master, Paddren searches desperately for anything that could help, and his visions seem to connect him to a wizard from centuries past. A past remarkably similar to Paddren’s own, where a similar fate is unfolding. Can this other wizard help him to save his world?
The author sets the atmosphere right from the beginning, infusing the story with magical visions and beautiful description, and although the pace is sometimes slow, it only serves to increase the tension.
I couldn’t decide which of the characters I liked best, for they quickly became like family to me. I loved the relationship between Paddren and Leyoch, and Varnia, the female lead, with her wonderful sense of humour and magical powers. Paddren’s visions are beautifully woven into the storyline of this fantasy detective story, with all the mystery, sorcery and romance you could wish for in a fantasy.
Fantasy is one of the hardest genres to get right, but Visions of Zarua has a well-crafted and believable plot and I enjoyed reading it. The explosive and dramatic conclusion literally blew my socks off!

[Rosie Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Visions of Zarua is a fantasy tale in a medieval style setting with wizards and a quest to end a war which began 350 years ago. In the land of Paltria a wizard called Paddren has been having visions. His master, Kalesh has been encouraging him to fully describe all that he can remember, but before he can reveal his secrets Kalesh is murdered by a dark presence.

Paddren is left to solve the mystery. Together with friends Varnia, a witch with latent magical skills and Leyoch, they must seek out the killer and stop the darkness rising to power. Their journey is peppered with visions which help to bring the 350 year gap closer and Paddren must seek out those who can help him and discover who cannot be trusted.

This is a slow paced book allowing a build up of the fantasy world and an understanding of the current situation. Paddren's visions and meditation take the reader into the spirit realms and beyond which I found interesting.

A good book for those new to fantasy to begin their reading adventure with.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book introduces you to Paddren, a wizard in Paltria, and to Jago, a wizard in Zarua - 350 years ago.

With Visions of Zarua, Suzanne Rogerson has created a quite intriguing fantasy story. It is a compelling read, combining the well-known 'good vs evil', reluctant hero, and unusual twists. The reader is drawn into the worlds of Paddren and Jago, feeling the sinister forces first-hand - as invisible ally. Suzanne Rogerson paints a crystal clear picture of Paddren’s mind while the story evolves. Paddren is very likeable, he is complex, the other main characters are of sufficient depth - depending on their relevance. The story begins slowly to provide the reader with a solid background; it soon takes on a faster pace, comprises interesting turns, and has a really good flow.

This is a book for you if you like fantasy and adventure, reluctant heroes gaining confidence, stubborn female characters, interesting and unanticipated turns.

Recommended!

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.


Fantasy books are not my normal reading material. The few that I have read have for the most part disappointed me, but I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed this one. It was well written with great characters that developed throughout the story. If you love fantasy you will love this one and if you are not normally into fantasy please give this one a try.

[Kim Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! Wow! Wow! What can I say?! This is an epic standalone fantasy. The world building Suzanne did for this book is incredible! Makes me want to visit! Go and get my wellies on and who is coming with me?
I was drawn to this book by the cover, it gives nothing away apart from there's a bit of a spooky, edgy, death like person/creature/thing/being. Once I read the blurb that was it, I was hooked and had to read the whole book. Boy did it not disappoint. The writing style was flawless and just goes to show that a woman can make it in a male dominated fantasy world! Well done Suzanne!
Paddren is a wizard in the care and learning from Kalesh, but soon has to take over the role that Kalesh had of Barony Wizard. Sometimes, Paddren does come across as a spoilt child. But you can't help feel sorry for him. He's in love with a woman that doesn't reciprocate his feelings.
In comes Varnia, an orphan that was rescued by Kalesh and brought to Reaun to grow up and become Hunt Mistress. She truly does strike me as just a normal woman with feelings that breaks down every now and then. She has a lot on her plate and to me she is relatable and I quite liked her. She portrays as just a normal woman trying to make her way in the world and falling in love with Leyoch.
Leyoch really does sound like the ruggedly handsome lads lad. He did kind of steal my heart a bit. But he constantly kept trying to please everyone and as we all know it just doesn't happen.
So a quick round up, if you like fantasy, mystery, wizards, a bit of romance, the bad dude and monsters! I cannot recommend this book highly enough! It's fantastic and has a bit of everything. I'm giving this book a rating of 4/5. The only part I didn't like was it kept mentioning maps and I would of given anything  to see these maps.

[Barb Taub · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not only do I enjoy tropes, but I especially like it when people play with them. Joss Whedon is a master of this one. (Need to kill the evil undead? Use a blonde teenager.) Or take Suzanne Rogerson’s refreshing version of the sword & sorcery genre in her Visions of Zarua.

On one level, this is a standard hero quest. But just wait for those twists! The first comes when you realize there are actually two reluctant heroes, Paddren and Jago, separated by centuries but bound by a common enemy. Another twist is that they don’t even get to have sex as a motivator. The bravest, smartest, and most capable character is actually Paddren’s best friend, Varnia, and she’s already in a committed relationship. In fact, the only possible virgin is Paddren, and that doesn’t seem to have any particular effect on the unfolding plot.

Despite truly horrific and escalating visions, Paddren isn’t particularly interested in saving the world from those predictions. (Of course, if I saw murdered babies and severed heads on poles every time I closed my eyes, I’m guessing I might not feel like singing Kumbaya either…) And Paddren’s friends Varnia and Leyoich are just in it for the chance to get married. But as events unfold, the trio are caught up in escalating events which make it impossible for any of them to step away.

This is an almost flawless epic. Kind-of… While paying loving and careful homage to the genre, author Suzanne Rogerson delicately gives many of its most revered tropes a decided twist. Consider how she applies the staples of the genre:

1. The quest. (Be named the Chosen One, recover the macguffin, fulfill The Prophecy, save the world. True love optional.)
—Only in Visions of Zarua, it’s not so much a prophecy as a chance meeting for four-year-old Paddren (who literally bumps into the guy who’s been waiting to tap a Chosen One for 350 years) that gets him the Universe-Saving gig. And the hero? It’s his best friend Varnia, an orphan (of course) and total badass.

2. Will they or won’t they? (If it’s season one/book one of the series? They won’t.)
—But this book is an epic standalone, and that question is answered the first time we meet Varnia in the post-coital arms of Paddren’s servant Leyoch.

3. One order of super-stud hero to go? The hero is probably somewhat barbaric but definitely larger than life, an honest to gosh evil-bashing machine until his last manly breath.
—Except this time it’s a girl who unlocks her magical abilities, turns into the badass (and bad tempered) fighter who has to keep rescuing the others.

4. What’s in it for me? Despite the hero’s knee-jerk evil-fighting ways, s/he is mainly motivated by self-interest.
—I have to say that this book nails this one. Varnia and Leyoch just want to stop having to sneak around for sex, Paddren wants to avenge his mentor’s murder and get back to his studies, and nobody wants to face the ultimate bad guy.

5. Attractive people are good. Unattractive ones are either bad or funny. No fat, ugly appearance-challenged hero will ever stick it to the man/stop evil. Or get laid/rescue the maiden. Or even make the last-second winning run/basket/goal/WTF that cricket-thing is/save the universe.
—Author Suzanne Rogerson doesn’t touch this one. (Hey, don’t judge—even Buffy and her posse were cute.)

6. If you kill the leader of the bad guys, their minions will close up shop and go away. No way will they say to themselves, “Hey! We’ve got this terrific org and now there’s upward mobility. Evil rocks!”
—This book’s structure, with parallel tales of two wizards separated by centuries but united by their enemies also allows for new evil leaders to emerge. But it goes even one step beyond that by asking whether evil deeds and actions can ever be truly repented, or if an evil soul can achieve redemption. These are certainly not issues that troubled Zena, Conan, or Buffy.

7. The government/suits/or maybe organized religion did it. (Duh)
—I’m not touching this one because of spoilers, but it’s NOT what you think…[clamps hands over mouth]

8. Bad guys, outlaws, and imperial stormtroopers can’t shoot worth sh*t. Unless they are nameless extras, preferably wearing a red shirt, and it’s before the second commercial break. (Double duh)
—In the very best Thud & Blunder** fashion, Paddren’s team manages to counter everything sent against them, often by the skin of their teeth, but with a maximum amount of carnage all around. [**Check out Poul Anderson’s 1977 essay or at least the early paragraph with the hilarious sendup of the genre at http://www.sfwa.org/2005/01/on-thud-a...]

9. Horses.
—Horses.

The pace of this book is slow, epic, building gradually and escalating to the inevitable final conflict. If you’re looking for a quick read, it’s not the book for you. But if you’re ready to spend a lot of time getting to know these characters as they face the twists of their huge story, I think you’ll enjoy Visions of Zarua. As a reviewer, I can also say how much I appreciate the careful and meticulous editing that goes back for every clue planted along the way and slips them into the denouement. This is a big book, a truly epic story, but the small and large threads of telling two parallel stories and bringing them together to a common conclusion is beautifully done.

There were a few things that weren’t favorites for me. Paddren’s unrelieved bad temper and overall crabby outlook on life, while perhaps understandable, just got old quickly. I’d have liked to see something happen to change the incessantly dour self-pity. Okay, so your foster-dad is killed and you’ve got a crush on your best friend—who is in love with your only other friend—and you’ve got to face terrible evil to save the world. No job is perfect… Another small annoyance is the timely arrival of new magical talents which seem to materialize in the nick of time just as the stakes ramp up.

But set against the epic scope of the story, the characters’ three-dimensional development and growth, and the meticulously thought-out plot, these are minor points. Overall, Visions of Zarua is a terrific achievement and Suzanne Rogerson is obviously a writer to watch.


*I received this book for free from the publisher or author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.*

[Ari Meghlen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great fantasy book with magic and wizards and I loved the parallel stories.

It follows, mainly three characters Paddren (wizard) Varnia (tracker) and Leyoch. They are all friends with different roles in the land but when the wizard Kalesh, Paddren's master is killed it throws the three of them into a hunt for who killed him and why.

There is also a second story set in the past that runs through the book, these are given as Paddren suffers visions of this history. The second story is regarding a wizard dealing with the death of his brother and the change of a childhood friend, in a city that has been abandoned for centuries.

The inciting incident happens quickly and then the story slows a little but this works as you are introduced to the characters and the world it is set in. It gives a nice grounding for the plot.

There are lots of characters but each is clearly defined and the pov moves between the main three characters and the wizard from the past. I always like multiple POV and Suzanne Rogerson does an excellent job giving each character a strong distinct personality.

The plot builds well and the intrigue on what is happening and how it's connected to the past really keeps the pages turning. I loved the concept of the Nagras, as well as the dynamic of the three main characters and how their relationship shifted throughout the story.

It was hard to choose a favourite but I think Paddren was my fave character, as well as Jago the wizard from the past.

A great read if you like fantasy.

[Jennifer Leigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Visions of Zarua is a fantasy story that you should read. It perfectly mixes past and present timelines into one unique story that will have you enjoying each moment. And who doesn’t like some magic and magical beasts? Guy Barnes does a great job narrating this book. He gives a voice and personality to every character, crafting a wonderful listening experience. Although, the characters are intriguing, there are some actions and events that I think hinder their overall development as characters.

Read my full review on Bound to Writing at https://www.boundtowriting.com/wicked...