Earth on Fire Ocean of Blood

Far Forest Scrolls #4

by Alpha Four

Book four of the Far Forest Scrolls series.

The prophecy quest is finally set, but can the fragile League maneuver between an earth on fire and oceans of blood as tectonic battles thunder across the land?

402 pages, Hardcover

Published September 1, 2021

About the author

Alpha Four, or A4, is an enigmatic figure from the turn of the first millennium of the Common Era (C.E.). Although the formality of his education is uncertain, we know he studied military history, martial skills, languages, history, philosophy, mathematics, religion, and wrote extensively. Evidence suggests he was a ranking courtier and military advisor in the turbulent environment that was England one thousand years ago. He likely served in Æthelred II’s court (and possibly Sweyn I, the Danish sovereign who briefly sat on the English throne in 1013 C.E.).

Reviews

[Athena (OneReadingNurse) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so happy to see this one released! It picks right up with the prior cliffhanger ... and ... ends on another one 😭

I am pretty anxious for Bellae and the League now that the prophecy clearly says she will end this whole thing alone. She got absolutely brutalized in this one and it was so sad!

On that note, it only took four books but the quest finally started, and they are off after the crystals now!

The battles were long, but well thought out with maps and icons that were awesome, as well as was the rest of the artwork that really highlights these books.

There is so much gore though, its hard to recommend for middle grade but I think 16+ will be fine!

I want to parcel out a few of my favorite quotes too but there are so many pearls of wisdom

I suppose now I'll be waiting for next summer and the fifth book!

[Oliver Shelton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Story is definitely getting better (and longer numerically) with each book in the series. There definitely is battle violence but I love the search for the crystals and the League members (especially Arend and Sankari are by far my favorite). I love the Valo lights (wish they were in the books more).

[Faline Abel · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the coolest covers I have seen (no pun intended) in awhile. The back is gorgeous. There are many fewer illustrations in this book, which I like, because they are all high quality. There are a few squeamish, stomach turn moments in the battles which were not my fav. The pace and the action really picks up however and I love Bellae and Arend (the Eaglian). The hunt for the crystals is going now and as a total nerd I enjoyed them. There is a heartbreaking death but other than that I loved the time the League spent in the desert as I was in my youth obsessed with Egypt.

[Andreas Koch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Their trip into the Dark Forest and encounter with the creatures there was one of the cooler things I have read. Loved Cappadocia as well. As with previous books well written. I did get a little confused a few times with some of the battles but the illustrations helped and I do enjoy military history (also was grateful of the switch between the battle and the quest). Love ancient Egyptian things so happy to see that was the inspiration for the first quest.

[Henrik Evjen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The cover art on this is stunning! Worth looking at and having just for that! The quotes on the inside cover are thought provoking (as is the entire book/series). This is book four of the series and the action was intense. Loved the fight scenes. I don't normally mark up books but I did underline a lot of quotes from this book for later review. Intense and intriguing.

[Nox Young-Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have to admit, I had kind of forgotten about the series, then, when I found out book five was out (apparently the last) it prompted me to pick the series back up. Definitely 4 is my favorite so far. The whole world seemed to just explode/expand/open up and meeting the Fairies and the Sprites was awesome (the back cover illustration for the hardcover at least has a picture of the League looking out of their world). FYI: I think this is my favorite of the back cover art. As another reviewer mentioned-not for the blood and gore averse but I it did not bother me. The quest challenges? questions? hurdles? are fascinating. If you don't mind the gore, lot's of amazing bits in between the blood.

[Tiffany Mollis · Rating 5 out of 5]

The characters are amazing and vivid, the quest and the amazing creatures within are awesome. The battles were very intense but that was made better by going back and forth between the gruesome battles and the quest. Loved the fairies, loved the desert sections.

[Radek Novotny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Happy to see Book five is out already! I am moving on to that. Quickly becoming my favorite series. I love the adventure of the search for magic and the battles. Cannot praise this enough, strongest endorsement.

[JJ Husk · Rating 5 out of 5]

The quest has some of the most unique characters of the book. Love the personalities of the League. As others point out there is some realistic violence so beware but the cover and the story are amazing.

[Isaiah James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loving the prophecy and the battles. Illustrations are fantastic (especially the battles to keep track of them). Love that there are air battles and ground battles.

[Matus Novotny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the massive battles and battle figures alternating with the quest which is finally going. Love the riddles and tests. I couldn't believe when I had finished it, seems like I just started!

[Rong Quinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book a lot and the cover art was sensational-front and back. Fair warning there are a lot of battle scenes but alternating between those and the quest was very exciting.

[Eliza Gautam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read my full spoiler-free review here: https://savoryourreads.com/2023/02/fa...

[Neville Young-Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had stepped away from the series but so happy to have found it again. Absolutely love this fourth edition. Immersive and love the two threads of the quest and the battles.