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The Scarring of the Roshanra
Survive. Evade. Resist. Escape.
“The wind whispers through the trees.
It hits the Roshanra, on their knees.
Through pain and sorrow, they must ride,
to find the truth of what’s inside.”
The Qazanat have taken over Derowa by stealing souls of the most powerful sorcerers. Held as POWs, three Earth veterans with PTSD are plunged back into the nightmare they thought they had escaped. To break free from the camp and save others, they must first break free from the cages in their minds. Before the Qazanat take their souls, as well.
“The wind whispers through the trees.
It hits the Roshanra, on their knees.
Through pain and sorrow, they must ride,
to find the truth of what’s inside.”
The Qazanat have taken over Derowa by stealing souls of the most powerful sorcerers. Held as POWs, three Earth veterans with PTSD are plunged back into the nightmare they thought they had escaped. To break free from the camp and save others, they must first break free from the cages in their minds. Before the Qazanat take their souls, as well.
387 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 6, 2021
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6 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 13, 2021
*This was a 3.5 for me, but I rounded up to 4 stars.
The Scarring of the Roshanra by Kara S.B. Brown is a psychological fantasy novel with very dark elements. This book is not for all readers as it deals with torture, rape, and PTSD, which draws on experiences from the author’s life. This gives the book a very raw, real feeling for the intricately built world, and I think that really works for this heavily character-driven novel.
Brown has some well-written sentences, which I valued, but sometimes I felt certain sentences or words were a little redundant or unnecessary, sometimes causing the pacing to be a little too slow or too quick. But outside of that, I feel like this was a beautifully intense book about how characters can overcome the most heinous torture and difficulty.
Here are my favorite quotes:
“Daniel’s peace was fire under the surface, raging with the heartfelt passion and obsession for his well-being.”
“The lack of clarity sent thorns deep into her mind, and she felt the bile rising.”
For a first-time author, I can’t wait to see what else she has in store for us!
Not for everyone, but if you enjoy intense and graphic content, you may like this.
*I was given a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
The Scarring of the Roshanra by Kara S.B. Brown is a psychological fantasy novel with very dark elements. This book is not for all readers as it deals with torture, rape, and PTSD, which draws on experiences from the author’s life. This gives the book a very raw, real feeling for the intricately built world, and I think that really works for this heavily character-driven novel.
Brown has some well-written sentences, which I valued, but sometimes I felt certain sentences or words were a little redundant or unnecessary, sometimes causing the pacing to be a little too slow or too quick. But outside of that, I feel like this was a beautifully intense book about how characters can overcome the most heinous torture and difficulty.
Here are my favorite quotes:
“Daniel’s peace was fire under the surface, raging with the heartfelt passion and obsession for his well-being.”
“The lack of clarity sent thorns deep into her mind, and she felt the bile rising.”
For a first-time author, I can’t wait to see what else she has in store for us!
Not for everyone, but if you enjoy intense and graphic content, you may like this.
*I was given a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
July 13, 2021
I can’t wait for more!
It was dark, graphic, and had such an intensity to the writing. The MC was completely endearing with great balance between her faults and strengths. A wonderful reminder that you can still be a heroine, no matter how battered and broken you’ve been. I highly suggest this be added to any TBR list for those who love dark fantasy. I’ll be impatiently awaiting book 2!
It was dark, graphic, and had such an intensity to the writing. The MC was completely endearing with great balance between her faults and strengths. A wonderful reminder that you can still be a heroine, no matter how battered and broken you’ve been. I highly suggest this be added to any TBR list for those who love dark fantasy. I’ll be impatiently awaiting book 2!
June 9, 2021
The Scarring of the Roshanra by Kara S.B. Brown is a beautifully deep dive into personal trauma through a journey in fantasy.
As a preface, it should be mentioned that this book will not be a fit for everyone. While some readers have suffered their own personal traumas, the story elements could provide some catharsis; others may find them hard to handle. While wonderfully written, some of the scenes can be very difficult to read or let go of, even for those who have not experienced traumas of their own.
Overall, however, the book was well-written with great world-building that was engaging and left me thinking about the ways we deal with or absorb emotions and pain in our own lives. Definitely worth the read for fantasy lovers looking for something inventive with a more serious subject matter.
As a preface, it should be mentioned that this book will not be a fit for everyone. While some readers have suffered their own personal traumas, the story elements could provide some catharsis; others may find them hard to handle. While wonderfully written, some of the scenes can be very difficult to read or let go of, even for those who have not experienced traumas of their own.
Overall, however, the book was well-written with great world-building that was engaging and left me thinking about the ways we deal with or absorb emotions and pain in our own lives. Definitely worth the read for fantasy lovers looking for something inventive with a more serious subject matter.
April 7, 2021
Three veterans with PTSD are kidnapped by a group and taken to a magical world in another dimension, where they are held as prisoners as war. The trio are known as the Roshanra to the people, Empaths who absorb the pains and sorrows from the world around them, prophesied to heal the land with a breath.
I am a big fantasy reader, so I enjoyed the world building in this book. It was very imaginative—descriptions well written, for I could see the scenery before my eyes the entire time I read. I found it fascinating how the characters are empaths, since I do not see this trait used much in novels. It is one of my favorite traits. It was also interesting to read about a character that has a power through music. I loved the magical abilities every character had! Kara puts a lot of work and her soul into her writing. You can feel it even when you’re reading whatever she has written.
I am a big fantasy reader, so I enjoyed the world building in this book. It was very imaginative—descriptions well written, for I could see the scenery before my eyes the entire time I read. I found it fascinating how the characters are empaths, since I do not see this trait used much in novels. It is one of my favorite traits. It was also interesting to read about a character that has a power through music. I loved the magical abilities every character had! Kara puts a lot of work and her soul into her writing. You can feel it even when you’re reading whatever she has written.
October 27, 2022
Kara is a friend of mine and a very talented writer as well, so I was excited to read a book that she wrote (and self-published!). I feel honored that we were in a fiction writing class together, and that through there I was able to read snippets of her work from this world.
Brown's writing is so beautiful and unique, and there were so many moments I went back and reread because of the beauty in the word choice that crafted them. I can't say I'd ever read a psychological fantasy before this one, but I enjoyed it. I must warn you that while this book is phenomenal, it explicitly shows and talks about triggering topics such as abuse, torture, and rape. I found it to be so graphic yet well-written that I teared up a couple of times, it's heartbreakingly haunting and horrific, especially if you know Brown and her story. Mental health is key to this book, and while it did its job provoking an emotional response from me, I admit I couldn't binge-read it due to the heavy emotions. Character-wise, Kala and her crew are personable, perseverant, and worth rooting for. Kala is brave, self-aware, clever, and a representation of how being broken doesn't have to define you. I admired how Daniel was always there to support her but still allowed her to be independent and take time alone to process, it was refreshing to see. There is a balance throughout the novel, especially so near the middle and end, between the aftermath of relentless abuse and growth toward a new future.
While I am slightly biased, even if you don't know Kara personally, it shows that she put her heart and soul into this book to help heal herself and others. She is an extremely hard worker and this is proof of that and a way of learning to cope from your traumas. If you like books with intense emotional aspects, representations of strong bonds with loved ones, and the journey of healing from traumas, this is the perfect book for you! I'm excited to read the upcoming books in this series and hope that you are willing to give them a try as well.
Brown's writing is so beautiful and unique, and there were so many moments I went back and reread because of the beauty in the word choice that crafted them. I can't say I'd ever read a psychological fantasy before this one, but I enjoyed it. I must warn you that while this book is phenomenal, it explicitly shows and talks about triggering topics such as abuse, torture, and rape. I found it to be so graphic yet well-written that I teared up a couple of times, it's heartbreakingly haunting and horrific, especially if you know Brown and her story. Mental health is key to this book, and while it did its job provoking an emotional response from me, I admit I couldn't binge-read it due to the heavy emotions. Character-wise, Kala and her crew are personable, perseverant, and worth rooting for. Kala is brave, self-aware, clever, and a representation of how being broken doesn't have to define you. I admired how Daniel was always there to support her but still allowed her to be independent and take time alone to process, it was refreshing to see. There is a balance throughout the novel, especially so near the middle and end, between the aftermath of relentless abuse and growth toward a new future.
While I am slightly biased, even if you don't know Kara personally, it shows that she put her heart and soul into this book to help heal herself and others. She is an extremely hard worker and this is proof of that and a way of learning to cope from your traumas. If you like books with intense emotional aspects, representations of strong bonds with loved ones, and the journey of healing from traumas, this is the perfect book for you! I'm excited to read the upcoming books in this series and hope that you are willing to give them a try as well.
April 22, 2021
Where do I start with this book is beautifully dark. Brown Doesn't shy away from the darker topic of trama. Now I Will say this book can be triggering for some I'll have a full list on my blog. I did receive this as a free book in exchange for an honest review. So on to the review, this is dark, but beautifully written to me. Kala Is broken but not helpless and I love this probably my fave thing along with Daniel and James. I also love that even though Kala has a love interest it is not the main focus and even though Daniel helps her out she doesn't need him to be strong it helps but not needed. There so many things I love about this story even though it 4 stars I still recommend it for those who can handle the topics within this book. It four stars for me because I had to step away at times for my own mental health, but i still read it I'm not sure how to end that statement without sounding crazy so that a sign i need to wrap this review up.
August 14, 2021
Finding strength when you least expect it
Kara poured her heart and soul into this heartwrenching story. The courage and strength to overcome unbelievable obstacles, circumstances and horrific events, through fantasy and magic was brilliant. I cried reading it, because she truly made me feel every single act that was being done. (I don't want to divulge too much) It is a powerful story though.
Kara poured her heart and soul into this heartwrenching story. The courage and strength to overcome unbelievable obstacles, circumstances and horrific events, through fantasy and magic was brilliant. I cried reading it, because she truly made me feel every single act that was being done. (I don't want to divulge too much) It is a powerful story though.
Currently reading
March 16, 2021My own book, inspired by the traumas in my life and how I've healed as much as I have. I spent five years writing and editing, wanting it to be worth putting it out in the world. I'm happy with my baby, this 110K word+ book. :)
June 5, 2021
Kala faces a horrifying incident that brings her back together with her old love Daniel. They move on together and seemingly live a peaceful life until Kala’s dead father James returns under mysterious circumstances, begging for her help. Kala and Daniel join James as they cross a portal into a devastated parallel magical world of Derowa, a planet the size of Earth. Kala, Daniel, and James become prisoners of war as the Qazanat takeover, driven by pure evil. Kala, Daniel, and James learn they have special powers, which they must harness. Only then they can save those they love and the tortured and enslaved people of Derowa. If the Qazanat destroy Derowa, Earth will be destroyed as well.
Brown masterfully lifts the darker elements of the story with poetic hopeful offerings that shine like a bright torch throughout the novel.
Maple seeds helicoptered in her belly until they hit bottom and hope emerged as if the tree grew inside her.
We will fight to change the world, not through anger but through love.
Only empathy and compassion will get us through these times.
This is a dark fantasy that deals with heavy emotional issues, possibly triggering some readers. Brown balances the darkness with more than enough light, focusing on the mental health of her characters, which is inspiring to read in a novel. The characters are well fleshed out and easy to root for as they each come into their own powers. I can’t wait for the next book to see where the imaginative journey will take the trio of Roshanra next!
Brown masterfully lifts the darker elements of the story with poetic hopeful offerings that shine like a bright torch throughout the novel.
Maple seeds helicoptered in her belly until they hit bottom and hope emerged as if the tree grew inside her.
We will fight to change the world, not through anger but through love.
Only empathy and compassion will get us through these times.
This is a dark fantasy that deals with heavy emotional issues, possibly triggering some readers. Brown balances the darkness with more than enough light, focusing on the mental health of her characters, which is inspiring to read in a novel. The characters are well fleshed out and easy to root for as they each come into their own powers. I can’t wait for the next book to see where the imaginative journey will take the trio of Roshanra next!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews