The Bell Tolling

by Amena Jamali

The Blood-soaked Sorcerer tyrannizes the land of Icilia with every form of cruelty imaginable, dying his armor red in the blood of innocents. Crushed to pieces under such savagery, the people of Icilia abandon hope and begin to forget the gifts of civilization that had once been their dearest blessings.

In Amena Jamali’s The Bell Tolling, Book One of the The Lord of Freedom series, we meet Lucian, the divinely-appointed hero of Icilia and Leader of the Quest of Freedom. Educated in all of the ancient arts, Lucian has the virtue and power necessary to cleanse evil from the land. But not alone—answering the call of his sacred destiny, Lucian gathers his four divinely-chosen companions and embarks on a journey to free his world. He is determined to restore the forgotten laws, heal the tormented, and unite the land behind his banner.

But how can it be possible for him to succeed? His companions seem too shattered to save anyone, while his people might be too blind to see the light...

Amena Jamali embarks on her literary career with a haunting new adult fantasy tale of found family, strong heroines, and gentle heroes that ponders the meaning of freedom amid a clash of absolute good and absolute evil. Fans of The Lord of the Rings, The Chronicles of Narnia, and Eragon will savor this story of light springing forth from dark places.

Genres: Fantasy

628 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 15, 2021

About the author

Amena Jamali lives a life animated by the coolness of shrewd logic, the vibrancy of ambitious passion, and the exaltedness of deep morals and philosophy. Her lenses of choice for viewing the world are faith, gratitude, empathy, love, and clear-sighted rationale and strategy. She is many things: devout Muslim, dutiful daughter, patriotic American, thoughtful political activist in the making, blossoming cybersecurity professional, and—not least of all—a writer of epic fantasy.
That last, her epic fantasy writings, holds the essence of all of her hopes, ponderings, and dreams, the substance of her musings about philosophy, and the explorations of her ideas about politics. As her writing evidences, she cares deeply about the power of truth, respectful and reverent discourse, and the formation of a truly inclusive and empowering society that values free choice and the pursuit of virtue for all.
Because of what this story means to her, it is her wish that her books are found to be a source of hope and enlightenment. She prays that every reader falls in love with her characters, as she has, and that their story sets her readers free.
To learn more about Amena’s books and to connect with her, please visit www.amenajamali.com. There one may find links to the social media platforms that Amena uses, a form for subscribing to her newsletter, and bonus chapters!

Reviews

[Natasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is based in Icilia, a fantasy world currently in despair due to a blood-soaked sorcerer who has cursed the people and enslaved them. There is pain and sadness everywhere and the people have lost all hopes of getting any help to save themselves until a divinely appointed saviour, Lucian, arrives and chooses four companions to get rid of the evil and provide freedom to the people.

I liked the world building and character development. The story is written in multiple POVs which I loved because getting inside the head of the characters to see how they experience a situation intrigues me. Philosophy and spirituality form the centre of this story. There are multiple twists and turns which make this a page turner. One of my favourite tropes, found family, is also present here. The story is filled with action and adventure.

The main theme of this story is faith in the almighty. If you're interested in a "Good V/S Evil" story with perfect heroes and even more perfect villains, pick this up.

[24016v335 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a vivid fantasy world is painted by the author's flowing prose. I read the companion, second book in this series first -- The Resonant Bell -- and found the writing to be just as strong in this one. At times I felt a bit too much in the characters' heads and thoughts, but the quality of writing and attention to detail in this story kept everything moving. For me, this wasn't something that some might call a "beach read," rather it requires some thoughtfulness by the reader, which I think is what the author intended. It is a high concept fantasy with multiple POVs that brims with spiritual and philosophical themes:

"With a deep inhale, I filled my mind with thoughts of how the Almighty had given everything meaning and purpose, that no part of creation was superfluous or valueless."

I greatly enjoyed moments like this in the book and kept the highlighting feature on my kindle at work. Looking forward to seeing more from this author.

[Jorma Kansanen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first book in this series is cerebral and spiritual, creating a deep base for the narrative to unfold. This approach is needed as the characters and their respective story lines are complex yet intriguing.

[FatimasBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great beginning to an epic religious fantasy!!! 4.5 stars.

[Natasha Borah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lucian is the prophesied saviour of the land of Icilia, tormented by the Blood-soaked Sorcerer. He chooses four pillars to his quest, Malika, Elian, Kyros and Arista, all of their families crushed and destroyed by the tyrant sorcerer. Lucian rescues the four of them, teaches them to believe in themselves and trains them to fulfill their destinies. Together they set out in a military and spritual quest to free the land of Icilia.

This book has all the elements of a good fantasy novel. Even though the genre is fantasy, but the themes are very much adult, ranging from oppression, brutality, genocide, exodus to politics, exploitation and abuse. It is also about self-doubt, courage, bravery at the face of odds, loyalty but mostly about having faith and belief.

The young author has done a fantastic job with her debut novel. The characters are well perceived and the plot is well planned. With her vivid imagination, detailed scenes and engaging storytelling, and characters with realistic personalities, this ambitious debut novel is truly commendable. She reminds us of real-time issues of the world through her imaginative world. She has also published a complement anthology to this series titled "The Resonant Bell" recently. 🔔

I love to watch fantasy movies and series, especially the ones adapted from books. But this the first adult fantasy book that I actually read! But if I can enjoy this book, the real fantasy novel fans will appreciate it immensely.🪄

(Honest review in exchange of an ARC)

[M.H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Diving into this book on the heels of the prequel, I knew I’d be in for rich world-building, excellent battles, and beautiful portraits of faith under constant barrage. The Bell Tolling has all of these—and so much more!

The leading cast, Lucian, Malika, Elian, Arista, Kyros, and even dear Elacir, are indeed special. (I can’t pick a favorite!) They struggle, they grieve, they grow—yet they inspire, and bolster, and fight fiercely for right and freedom in a broken, tainted world. The heroes of this story are a healing balm to the ailing.

The author juggles hope and despair with expert care. Handling difficult subjects such as rape, torture, and other atrocities with delicacy is no easy task, but Jamali pulls it off with the punch needed for high stakes and realism without crushing hope and light. (It is implied but never explicitly described.)

This book—the first volume of what promises to be a profound journey—will remain with me for a long time, calling me back to troughs of suffering and carrying me aloft on wings of hope. The writing is lyrical and intelligent. Highly recommended for readers who enjoy noblebright fantasy that digs deep into faith and the human condition. Fellow fans of Tolkien and classic fantasy will relish this beautiful story.

[MJ James · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Bell Tolling is an indie published religious fantasy. The story follows a religious leader and his followers tasked with saving the people. It is an interesting combination of purity of self and very violent actions. The book is full of killing and all sorts of violence but the characters are so pure in thought that it is almost hard to believe.

I am not an extraordinarily religious person so I had difficulty grasping the instant obedience and unwavering faith that the characters had. However, that is exactly who they are supposed to be and they were portrayed well.

The story did start off a little slow but picked up quickly. I think it was more a matter of being oriented into the world and meeting all the characters. Once that is done then the plot takes off.

If you enjoy religious or faith centered fantasy then I believe you will adore The Bell Tolling.

[Blaire White · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book very much! I loved how Lucian who was the quest leader, assembled a whole team to help him free Icilia from the Blood- soaked Sorcerer's control. I loved how the point of view flowed from one character to another character, picking up right where the story left off. Each of the characters had abilities which made them unique from one another. Their abilities also helped to aid the quest and help to protect the people of Icilia. The world development of this book was nicely laid out and described as well as the character development. At some parts the book was lengthy but overall I really enjoyed this book and am excited to see what the sequel has in store for Lucian and his companions.

Overall Rating: 3.8 stars

[D.L. Lewellyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jamali’s beautiful prose is what grabs you first, then each character is introduced through that prose with amazing depth and intricacy. The relationships form one to the next as the story unfolds in more rich layers while you’re taken on a journey with each member of the quest as they find their way to a higher purpose. All the while a vividly painted menace grows.

[Gloria Peavey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was heart-wrenching. Several times throughout the book I was sobbing. Amena is amazing at writing fantasy books that are real and heartbreaking. The themes in this book inspired my faith and reminded me of God’s love for all of us. If you like inspiring books that give you a hangover this book is for you.

[Andrew GottWorth · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much of fantasy is set in sort of a medieval, European, white, Christian tradition. While some of those are still quite good, it is so refreshing to see a fantasy series set with different types of characters, religion, and traditions, while still being a multi-POV epic fantasy exploring good vs evil. Give it a go!

[Marie Reed · Rating 3 out of 5]

DNF at chapter 38

I think my mood is just off for this right now, because I loved the prequel. It’s a very heavy epic fantasy and I've been struggling to get into it, and I'm worried that forcing myself to read is skewing my opinion. I will try this again later.

[Dawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A riveting story that addresses some important underlying themes, like oppression, abuse, and genocide

[Krysta · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Bell Tolling is an engaging fantasy adventure that addresses a lot of important themes and subjects that are very much relevant to our world today. Told through a spiritual journey, it is essentially a story of hope with loveable and worthy heros faced with evil villains. It contained intriguing world building and the interesting characters. The end of the book contains a pronunciation guide and glossary that are extremely resourceful.

[Amena · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Disclaimer: I am the author of this book.*

The Bell Tolling is my debut book and so holds a special place in my heart. In it, for the first time, I expressed my thoughts and beliefs on freedom, choice, virtue, faith, and feminism -- and, in it, for the first time, I began to share the story that has been my solace and my hope for the majority of my life.

The Bell Tolling is not like other books. It is a book of action, adventure, battles, magic, and blood -- yet it speaks to some of the deepest insecurities a person can have. It is a fantasy in the tone of the Lord of the Rings and the Chronicles of Narnia -- yet it puts forward the viewpoints and the characters that most fantasy books ignore through its diversity representations. It is a modern book with thoughts on contemporary issues -- yet it reads like a timeless story. It is a story of faith, yet that faith feels both familiar and strange because the faith presented challenges certain commonly-held notions about what faith can be. It is a feminist book but in subtle ways. The Chosen One (or, rather, Ones) in this story embrace their calling, and that makes all the difference. All of this together makes for a story that is meant to be savored instead of binged. An intentional difference, one essential to my hope to contribute to the tradition of great literature.

With such deep representation of my thoughts, hopes, beliefs, and dreams, The Bell Tolling is, in many ways, one of the great accomplishments of my life, and I invite every potential reader to share in the journey and the story with me.

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've greatly enjoyed reading The Bell Tolling. I was sold as of the author note at the start of the book, which provided a good framework for the story and an introduction to the main character. This might be a fantasy tale, it addresses a lot of important themes and subjects that are very much relevant to our world today. It's a spiritual journey and its essence is a story of hope. I appreciated both the world building and the interesting characters. The pronunciation guide and glossary at the end of the tale were also useful resources.

[Rudrashree Makwana · Rating 5 out of 5]

•Good Vs Evil
•Quest
•Found Family
•Strong Heroines
•Gentle Heroes

Lucian is on a quest of freedom or he is prophesied saviour of the land of Icillia. The blood soaked sorcerer has not only cursed the people of Icillia but also enslaved them. People have lost their hope and forgotten the gift they have received from the almighty. The tragic story of the fall of Icillia has deeply touched me and tormented my heart. I felt too much for Malika and it was touching how Lucian comforted her and through mind-linking gave voice to her words. It was heartbreaking what happened with Malika and her family. As to fulfil the quest of freedom and save the people of Icillia from Savagery, Lucian gathers four divinely chosen companions and ventures on a quest of freedom.

He is determined to heal the tormented souls, rejuvenate their Hope and unite the land by restoring the peace. Will they succeed in saving people, destroying the blood and reviving their ancestors customs?

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is complex and compelling fantasy.

The Bell Tolling has a well-imagined world, lovable and worthy heroes, and truly evil villains.
It is a rich story that is thoughtful as well as entertaining.

I highly recommend it!

[Sophie Johannis · Rating 5 out of 5]

(This review contains some very mild spoilers.)


A sweeping tale of found family and the triumph of integrity in the face of depravity, The Bell Tolling swept me off my feet (and onto the couch, where I proceeded to blaze through this 650ish-page brick of a book within less than a week, despite several overnight guests and a mischievous toddler). It will resonate with those looking for heroes they can root for without reservation (read: without having to fear that, the second you like someone, their secret enjoyment of kitten throwing will be revealed), and it will delight those who wished to join the Knights of the Round Table as kids.
The world building is creative and beautifully intentional, which is all I have to say about this aspect of the story because it’s not my priority as a reader. The same is true for the battle scenes — I found them understandable and easy to follow, but I just honestly can’t be bothered to give them any more attention in any of the books I read. As a character-centric reader, I found The Bell Tolling an incredibly rewarding read.
Lucian, the Quest Leader, accepts his role and responsibility whole-heartedly, which goes against the familiar pattern of the hero’s journey. The choice of centering a character who embraces his role didn’t make the story boring, though. It actually freed up so much page time for unusual conflicts, such as Lucian’s strategic but complicated decision to keep some very important secrets from his family.
Similarly, the other members of Lucian’s Quest readily accept their responsibilities, but because of all the suffering they have endured at the hands of the antagonist and his henchmen over the course of their lives, they struggle with their perceived physical, mental, and emotional deficits — however, in defiance of all their suffering and their lack of self-worth, they hold each other dear and hold each other close. It is the genuine, platonic affection between Lucian and his found family that makes this an unforgettable novel in my eyes. It serves as an important example of the nature of true love — as gentle as it is protective, as self-sacrificing as it is self-affirming.

Besides the characters, it is the writing style of this book that I thoroughly enjoyed. The bond between those chosen by the Quest reminded me of Arthurian legends while the description of Lucian’s feats struck me as remarkably similar to hagiographic tales (which makes sense, of course, as he is essentially a prophet). 

I don’t usually read noble bright fantasy, but I’m sure that the heroes of this novel will stick with me for a long time. 

Content notice: Please be advised that this novel both alludes to and explicitly describes extreme abuse of all kinds, as well as massacres.

[Emlynn McDermott · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Bell Tolling by Amena Jamali is the first book in her Lord of Freedom series. I had enjoyed the prequel, The Way It Would Become, which I believe is why Jamali invited me to join a Read Along of The Bell Tolling. Alas, The Bell Tolling is lengthy, and my time was short. After about 30 chapters, I had fallen so far behind the other readers that stopped trying to keep up and instead read for pure enjoyment. And what an excellent decision that turned out to be! The Bell Tolling is a fiercely magnificent noblebright fantasy, with meticulous world-building, unforgettable characters, and epic battles, told in Jamali’s unique, lyrical writing style. Because the story includes torture, rape, and annihilation, it is not for the squeamish, but it is also deeply spiritual and hopeful, largely because of the sanctity of the main character, Lucian, who leads a quest to save his beloved Icilia from the heinous Blood-Soaked Sorcerer. Normally, I dislike books where the characters are entirely good or bad. I find such characterizations so unrealistic they detract from the story. But Jamali has managed the impossible. Her characters are pure virtue or unadulterated evil, yet it works! You will just have to read The Bell Tolling to understand why.

[Sarah Festa · Rating 3 out of 5]

The world building in this was just on point! I can only imagine how many hours this author spent building the world with the religions and powers and villages. It was very easy to emerse myself in the world they built.

I do this could be edited down as it is a hefty piece of literature that had quite a lot of information given to the reader and even repeated to the reader.

If you are a person of faith and religion, then this book will really resonate with you, even though the religion within the pages is fictitious, it will draw you in. I have my own beliefs, but I am not religious and therefore this did not quite resonate with me in the same way, but I could appreciate the writing.

I found it hard to follow all the characters as we focus on quite a few with similar back stories, but when they work together as a team, they are strong and fierce. They could take on anything, as I think we will see in book 2.

I am excited to see this author progress further and read more from her!

[Luna Mabini · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the strengths of “The Bell Tolling: Lord of Freedom” by Amena Jamali is its engaging blend of magic, adventure and deep reflection on social and political issues with an exploration of spirituality. The motley crew, led by the charismatic Lord Lucian, embarks on a quest to reclaim their war-torn country from the clutches of a brutal sorcerer. Fans of the genre will likely appreciate the adventurous and high-stakes nature of the quest.

I will preface that fantasy is not my preferred genre.Nonetheless, I still enjoyed the writing style which I can only describe as lyrical and emotive, effectively drawing me into the story. The world-building is commendable, with vivid descriptions that allow readers to envision the fantastical landscapes and characters. The author’s ability to paint a picture with words is praiseworthy, enhancing the immersive reading experience.

[Sarah W · Rating 4 out of 5]

loved that this fantasy revolved around a quest. What really pulled me in was the magic system and worldbuilding. I liked the multiple POV and that some were people not in the quest but related to it. It was beautifully written, and each member of the quest had something unique to bring to the team. The character I connected the most to was Arista, I loved her strength and quick learning, but Kyros’ had my favorite magic to read about. I loved the bond the group formed, and I liked that we got to learn about their past traumas. There were a couple of slower parts but there was a good amount of action to kind of balance it. The ending left a little cliffhanger for what is to come in the next book, but I also felt like it gave me more closure than other fantasy cliffhangers. With a strong theme of spirituality, faith, and family I think this would be a good option for someone who likes fantasy with no romance.

Thank you @icilia_archivist for gifted copy.

[Marcy Mahoney · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Bell Tolling is a captivating read! Amena Jamali’s epic fantasy is equal parts heartfelt, character-driven storytelling and bold, cinematic action sequences, all captured in the author’s richly-written prose. You feel for the characters and the struggles and tragedies they’ve all faced, and the hope that this new Quest of Freedom brings to their world, their lives, and their souls. This book captures magic, found family, faith, and the struggle of good versus evil and weaves these threads into a beautiful tapestry.

[Louise · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story introduces the four divine companions as well as their prophecy, following the character Lucian. This is not a casual read as this is a lengthy and complex book exploring various themes such as religion and civilisation. There are also various character perspectives. This is aimed for particular readers, able to appreciate the story.


I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.