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Far Forest Scrolls #3
Far Forest Scrolls Rise Above the Storm
Book three for the Far Forest Scrolls series. The world tips into a barbarous conflict that threatens to drown the world in agony and bloodshed. The Chosen One is designated, but before the first quest is revealed the fragile League is already on shaky ground.
392 pages, Hardcover
Published August 4, 2020
About the author
Alpha Four
5 books210 followersAlpha 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.).
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
November 24, 2020
4.5 rounded up for our purposes 😁
Thank you so much to the author for my finished copy in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own!
The Plot: The Far Forest Scrolls books have been an overall slow burn for sure, but this book finally takes off running. All the major plot points and story lines from the prior books are connected and coming together in this installment. The elves have buried their dead in a most magical way (and I would have been bawling if I wasn’t already emotionally numb), and Bellae’s quest is finally underway. Now that the seeds of mistrust were sown in book 2, the initial skirmishes have begun in Verngaurd’s unavoidable civil war. I was impressed at how the White Wizard and dark warriors managed to completely break apart the alliances formed, giving the Proliates time to firm up their army and declare war. The political alliances and scheming were huge leading up to this, and despite Friar’s best efforts there seems to be no way to avoid war. The pacing in this book is excellent too, there wasn’t much downtime at all.
“If we keep our heart and stand together despite our fear, that is a victory”
-Friar
The Characters: The dwarves and eaglians are in the spotlight too now. I really liked Kainen and Arend and the other members of the League of Truth, which is now revealed to escort the chosen one on their quest. Or at least to the beginning of it. Despite gryphons in the sky and magicians trying to beat them off the path, I thought it was awesome that the dwarves and dragons and Eaglians were risking everything to protect Bellae and clear her way. Seeing her come into her maturity a bit (for a 7 year old) but also be appropriately vulnerable for her age made her seem very real. I think Lontas has a great character arc too finally. It was also nice to give Scelto some chapters and his own personality, which I enjoyed a lot. Jumeaux too. The other main part of Rise Above the Storm was allowing the side characters and other squires to experience the opposition and choose their heart’s alliance. Ritari and Luchar and the knights finally turned into real humans too and I feel a lot more invested in everyone’s outcome now.
“The future has the impressive ability of coming whether you want it to or not”
-Friar
The World: There isn’t much more I can say about the world, it is just absolutely amazing. Fully immersive. Terrain, temperature, weather, food, drawings and artwork of magical creatures and people, architecture, religion, politics, history, it’s all there. All of it. The forest of Creber was probably my favorite part as we got to see some of the traditions of the elves, including the burial rites. I mean even the smell of the dead. What does a blood spiral look like as a dragon rider falls? What about a flesh eating log or an eagle that just ripped apart a gryphon? A4 has you covered.
“There are many definitions of courage, but the greatest one I have heard? Marching forward, even full of fear, headlong into the darkness of the future”
-Vlug, the blue dragon
Continuing with much humor and wit, plus the trademark philosophical elements and more stunning artwork… and, darn it, another cliffhanger – I will be excited for news of the next book, I imagine next year. This is easily and by far my favorite of the series so far and I fully recommend the series to fantasy fans over the age of 14, due to some overly descriptive gore and death. Otherwise the books are fully appropriate with no foul language or romantic elements.
Thank you so much to the author for my finished copy in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own!
The Plot: The Far Forest Scrolls books have been an overall slow burn for sure, but this book finally takes off running. All the major plot points and story lines from the prior books are connected and coming together in this installment. The elves have buried their dead in a most magical way (and I would have been bawling if I wasn’t already emotionally numb), and Bellae’s quest is finally underway. Now that the seeds of mistrust were sown in book 2, the initial skirmishes have begun in Verngaurd’s unavoidable civil war. I was impressed at how the White Wizard and dark warriors managed to completely break apart the alliances formed, giving the Proliates time to firm up their army and declare war. The political alliances and scheming were huge leading up to this, and despite Friar’s best efforts there seems to be no way to avoid war. The pacing in this book is excellent too, there wasn’t much downtime at all.
“If we keep our heart and stand together despite our fear, that is a victory”
-Friar
The Characters: The dwarves and eaglians are in the spotlight too now. I really liked Kainen and Arend and the other members of the League of Truth, which is now revealed to escort the chosen one on their quest. Or at least to the beginning of it. Despite gryphons in the sky and magicians trying to beat them off the path, I thought it was awesome that the dwarves and dragons and Eaglians were risking everything to protect Bellae and clear her way. Seeing her come into her maturity a bit (for a 7 year old) but also be appropriately vulnerable for her age made her seem very real. I think Lontas has a great character arc too finally. It was also nice to give Scelto some chapters and his own personality, which I enjoyed a lot. Jumeaux too. The other main part of Rise Above the Storm was allowing the side characters and other squires to experience the opposition and choose their heart’s alliance. Ritari and Luchar and the knights finally turned into real humans too and I feel a lot more invested in everyone’s outcome now.
“The future has the impressive ability of coming whether you want it to or not”
-Friar
The World: There isn’t much more I can say about the world, it is just absolutely amazing. Fully immersive. Terrain, temperature, weather, food, drawings and artwork of magical creatures and people, architecture, religion, politics, history, it’s all there. All of it. The forest of Creber was probably my favorite part as we got to see some of the traditions of the elves, including the burial rites. I mean even the smell of the dead. What does a blood spiral look like as a dragon rider falls? What about a flesh eating log or an eagle that just ripped apart a gryphon? A4 has you covered.
“There are many definitions of courage, but the greatest one I have heard? Marching forward, even full of fear, headlong into the darkness of the future”
-Vlug, the blue dragon
Continuing with much humor and wit, plus the trademark philosophical elements and more stunning artwork… and, darn it, another cliffhanger – I will be excited for news of the next book, I imagine next year. This is easily and by far my favorite of the series so far and I fully recommend the series to fantasy fans over the age of 14, due to some overly descriptive gore and death. Otherwise the books are fully appropriate with no foul language or romantic elements.
September 22, 2020
Enjoyed book three a great deal. There was a lot more text in three than the first two, but I liked it. Battle scenes were awesome! Only complaint: a super cliff hanger to end book three!
September 6, 2020
Once again, this is a return to the world of Verngaurd, home to knights, wizards, elves, squires, dragons and an assortment of otherworldly creatures – great fun! And once again, the author has found a way to infuse this mystical world with real-life philosophy and timely lessons for today.
Beginning exactly where Book 2 left off, Book 3 opens at the Tournament of Flags. But instead of this being a powerful test of skills, it is marred by death, not only of Finn, young Bellae’s beloved mentor and knight, who was killed in Book 2 and must now be buried, but the deaths of children and old people, too. The festivities are stopped, and the elves are blamed for the tragedy. Infighting begins, with blame falling all around. In this book, we find out for sure whether Bellae, who has the gift of communicating with animals, or her brother Jumeaux, is the Chosen One who can lead Vernguard out of war and into the light. The search is on for the Power Crystals which hold the key.
What makes this book (and the earlier ones in the series) special is the theme and message it conveys. Book 3 focuses on friendship, jealousy, loyalty and betrayal. There’s even a bit of “racial profiling” – against elves, but the impact is the same! I found myself, as I did when reading Books 1 and 2, jotting down meaningful observations such as “What you love, you should love now, in the moment. Nothing is eternal.” Or – “The future has the impressive ability of coming whether you want it to or not.” Fortunately, in the literary future, there will be a Book Four in this series. I’m ready!
Beginning exactly where Book 2 left off, Book 3 opens at the Tournament of Flags. But instead of this being a powerful test of skills, it is marred by death, not only of Finn, young Bellae’s beloved mentor and knight, who was killed in Book 2 and must now be buried, but the deaths of children and old people, too. The festivities are stopped, and the elves are blamed for the tragedy. Infighting begins, with blame falling all around. In this book, we find out for sure whether Bellae, who has the gift of communicating with animals, or her brother Jumeaux, is the Chosen One who can lead Vernguard out of war and into the light. The search is on for the Power Crystals which hold the key.
What makes this book (and the earlier ones in the series) special is the theme and message it conveys. Book 3 focuses on friendship, jealousy, loyalty and betrayal. There’s even a bit of “racial profiling” – against elves, but the impact is the same! I found myself, as I did when reading Books 1 and 2, jotting down meaningful observations such as “What you love, you should love now, in the moment. Nothing is eternal.” Or – “The future has the impressive ability of coming whether you want it to or not.” Fortunately, in the literary future, there will be a Book Four in this series. I’m ready!
April 25, 2026
The Review
This was an incredibly engaging and narrative-driven read. Getting to explore the foundations of a Civil War in real time through this fantasy. Lens was powerful to read, and it highlighted how dark forces could manipulate very fractured political alliances. It is often said that we are our own worst enemies, and this novel embraced that idea as it began, forcing the heroes of this journey to rely on one another even more so.
The magic in world-building is top-notch as always in the series, and the action seems to pick up in pace as alliances crumble and war becomes inevitable. Yet it is the emotional depth of the characters themselves and their individual arcs that make this such a powerful story. As one character finally takes steps toward becoming their own hero and playing into a powerful prophecy, the entire cast has its own standout moments, even the squires who had to choose whom to be loyal to as these looming battles hung over their heads.
The Verdict
Enthralling, thrilling, and powerfully written, Author Alpha Four’s “Rise Above the Storm” is an epic fantasy and a magic-driven action and adventure story. A story of twists and turns, the rise of heroes, and fantastic characters for both the knights, Squires, and the dwarves, who all banded together, with their dragons, to take on powerful threats as their kingdom fractured, and all alliances face an ever-consuming war.
This was an incredibly engaging and narrative-driven read. Getting to explore the foundations of a Civil War in real time through this fantasy. Lens was powerful to read, and it highlighted how dark forces could manipulate very fractured political alliances. It is often said that we are our own worst enemies, and this novel embraced that idea as it began, forcing the heroes of this journey to rely on one another even more so.
The magic in world-building is top-notch as always in the series, and the action seems to pick up in pace as alliances crumble and war becomes inevitable. Yet it is the emotional depth of the characters themselves and their individual arcs that make this such a powerful story. As one character finally takes steps toward becoming their own hero and playing into a powerful prophecy, the entire cast has its own standout moments, even the squires who had to choose whom to be loyal to as these looming battles hung over their heads.
The Verdict
Enthralling, thrilling, and powerfully written, Author Alpha Four’s “Rise Above the Storm” is an epic fantasy and a magic-driven action and adventure story. A story of twists and turns, the rise of heroes, and fantastic characters for both the knights, Squires, and the dwarves, who all banded together, with their dragons, to take on powerful threats as their kingdom fractured, and all alliances face an ever-consuming war.
October 19, 2020
Interestingly, much longer than the first two-likely this is as big as first two in terms of pages. Not a really a negative. Liked the battle scenes especially dragons taking on griffins and the ending characters were interesting. Lots of good quotes that make you think. Not usually a huge fan of cliff hangers but the books are coming out fairly fast. There definitely is some gore if you are squeamish.
November 14, 2020
This book is definitely picking up the speed of the series. Enjoyed the "aerial" battles with dragons, eaglians, griffins. I have studied fighter pilot warfare (as a student-not an actual pilot) and enjoyed the fights in the sky-actually realistic. We get to meet the dark warriors and see them in battle and the characters continue to mature. Appreciate starting to get a better vision of the world, especially the elves forest life.
October 6, 2020
Much longer than the first two books with way fewer illustrations (but the ones there are amazing). I really enjoyed it, I actually read this book as quickly or quicker than the shorter first two. Really loving the characters as they develop.
March 7, 2021
Amazingly rich world-feel like you are totally immersed. Love the phenomenal characters-I am really getting attached. I enjoyed that the book was longer than the first two. More violent than the first two as well if that bothers you.
March 29, 2022
You can feel the lands of Verngaurd starting to be pulled apart as sides are drawn and war is rising. Like getting to know the different parts of the world like the dwarves and dragons home and some of the Proliate and how they live. The ending with the mostly-dead was great.
March 7, 2021
Battles, great world, great characters.
January 21, 2022
The series is starting to flesh itself out and gaining momentum-hope it continues.
January 21, 2022
Appreciating the characters more. The riddles that go along with the prophecy are super cool. Some good action sequences.
July 16, 2022
Series has so much heart! Love the writing, love the prophecy and quest, the pacing is great. If you are a history of military buff you will love it! Lots of battles!
January 9, 2023
Read my full spoiler-free review here: https://savoryourreads.com/2023/01/fa...
October 19, 2023
By far my favorite of the series. The quest is starting to get going, love the characters, especially Lontas and Scelto.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews