I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A researcher hoping to have a second chance at redemption finds herself thrust into a life or death adventure filled with dangerous secrets and powerful demonic portals that will rewrite the history of Corventos in authors Scott & Ashley Roepel’s “Asunder”, the fourth book in their acclaimed Thread of Souls fantasy series.
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The Synopsis
In the fourth book of this enchanting series, crystalmancer Jasita wants redemption. Shamed from losing the valuable fugitives Taliesin and Ruuda, her career aspirations are on the line. That all changes when she receives a message that her runaways have been re-captured. She finally has a chance to redeem herself before one of the most powerful people in all of Corventos, her boss, the Magistrate of the Citadel.
But things do not go as planned. Dangerous artifacts brought in with the prisoners wreak havoc on the once-orderly Citadel. Jasita is pulled from the safety of her office and thrust into a life-or-death adventure. A situation the clean and tidy researcher is not at all prepared for. On her journey she uncovers dangerous secrets, demonic portals, and a startling realization. That Taliesin and Ruuda are not just research subjects to her anymore, but companions. And what she has learned about them and their people will re-write Corventos history. That is, if they live long enough to tell it.
In the Thread of Souls “Spider Octology”, ten adventurers find themselves in a web of deadly secrets, warring cults, and untrusting alliances when they meet a cultist outcast seeking redemption. They must overcome their differences in order to stop a god from being freed from her prison.
Thread of Souls is an award-winning eight-book epic fantasy series based off a TTRPG campaign. These stories weave a world of deep history, cultures, and lore with a fascinating pantheon of good and evil gods. Adventure across the vast world of Corventos while diving right into the heart and soul of a diverse and colorful cast of characters whose passions, strengths, and failures drive the story.
Thread of Souls is a must-read fantasy epic that blends swords and sorcery, dragons and mythical creatures, and fully realized locations that take your breath away. From the desert wastelands of the Expanse, down the twisting caverns of the Deep Hollows, through the beautiful streets of the lakeside capital city, and all the way to the icy tundra home of the Citadel.
The books in Thread of Souls’ “Spider Octology” currently include:
Book 1 – Phantom Five
Book 2 – Ash & Thunder
Book 3 – Path of the Spiders
Book 4 – Asunder
Book 5 – Coming 2023
And more to come!
The Review
The thing I love most about this series is the sheer volume of world-building the authors have done. The exploration of this realm of Corventos felt so rich and alive on the page, bringing the settings to life effortlessly through dynamic imagery being used in the writing style the authors utilized. The tension in the atmosphere of this narrative helped flesh out the mythos thoroughly.
Yet as with many of these books in the series, the heart of the narrative rested in the character’s relationships with one another and their evolution as a group. The way the group is pulled into this book’s adventure through harrowing circumstances, and how they navigate the new areas of exploration in this world add more levels to each of their character growths, and the emotional journey they go on together as they face even more shocking threats to their mission made this such a well-rounded journey in the series.
The Verdict
Haunting, action-packed, and entertaining, authors Scott & Ashley Roepel’s “Asunder” is a fantastic entry in the Thread of Souls universe and an engaging story overall. The shocking twists and turns this story takes, including the heartbreaking loss of an OG character, keep the reader invested in this narrative and the reader gasping as the shock of the loss sets in, making the reader eager for the next entry into this magical series. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Authors
Scott and Ashley Roepel are a husband and wife team of writers, creators, and travelers. They are co-founders of Tal & Ru Travels LLC which is focused on entertaining and engaging content. Deep lovers of fantasy, the two of them are avid D&D players and content creators.
Hello there everyone! Wow, what a year of books it has been. I am so honored to be sharing my top reads of the year. There have been so many amazing books published this year, and with the pandemic having kept us all indoors far more than ever before, there has been a surplus of books being published from indie authors and publishers alike. Now I want to mention that although the books are numbered here in the last post, this is not an indicator of ranking of any kind. This is more about organizing the books, not ranking. So with that in mind, here are my top choices for the year, each with a snippet from the original review.
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10: Below Torrential Hill by Jonathan Koven
What really stood out to me was the incredible way the author matched the atmosphere and setting to the protagonist’s journey, almost as if the character’s surroundings became a reflection of their own inner turmoil and the ups and downs they went through. I also was really impressed with the fine line the narrative played with magical realism, as it allowed enough room for the reader to kind of draw their own conclusions from this aspect of the story, and kind of put a whole-new modern-day, coming-of-age twist on the classic Christmas Carol narrative.
This was one of the last books I reviewed this year, and the author’s amazingly poetic writing style and imagery were just so breathtaking to behold. A definite must-read!
9: Traveller Manifesto by Rob Shackleford
What always strikes me about this series and the author is the vast amount of detail the author puts into the series. From both a historical and a narrative standpoint, the author explores not only the sci-fi side of the series from the use of the Traveller technology, but the historical fiction side of each period of time these missions take on with an attention to detail that creates a sense of imagery and tone that bursts with life and vibrancy. The exploration of history’s impact on our world and the means by which the direction that history takes is often dictated by those who emerge victorious from a situation made this story feel so thought-provoking, and readers won’t be able to help being drawn down the rabbit hole that is this heart-pounding historical fiction thriller.
I am a huge fan of this author and this historical fiction/sci-fi series. The third and final book in the Traveller series, the narrative was just so engaging and thought-provoking that I wasn’t able to put it down.
8: The Matzah Ball by Jean Meltzer
The characters were the show stealers of this read to be sure. What was so interesting, and something I always enjoy is when a writer crafts a narrative that features such a diverse cast of characters that we could find someone in the narrative to identify with for one reason or another. As someone with several chronic diseases, seeing protagonist Rachel’s struggle with chronic fatigue syndrome and the struggle with how she is perceived by others is a struggle I am all too familiar with, and it was great to see that representation in the book. The chemistry and heated moments, both good and bad, between Rachel and Jacob, were truly memorable and allowed the story to feel very cinematic in its approach.
As far as holiday romances go, this was definitely one of the most unique, creative, and heartwarming to read. It was so original, and I related to the protagonist so much with her struggle with chronic illness. (More holiday reads are coming soon).
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7: A Cry in the Moon’s Light by Alan McGill
I was hooked immediately with this book. The author did such an amazing job of crafting a narrative that was both emotionally investing and chilling at the same time. The story was written in a way that felt like historical fiction meets Brother’s Grimm meets folklore all at once. The nods and homages to classic fairy tale style storytelling elements and themes were felt immediately, but then did such a great job of taking readers immediately into a right turn that held gruesome mayhem and terrifying creatures, and then made a completely new turn into heartbreaking and heartfelt romance and drama.
I am an absolute fan of gothic horror, and this was pretty amazing. Great atmospheric haunt and an absolute pleasure to dive into.
6: Blood Mark by J.P. McLean
This was a refreshing new take on the paranormal thriller genre. The integration of Inca mythology into a modern-day thriller was engaging and thought-provoking, giving readers a wonderful blend of mythology and gritty crime thriller. The author’s own writing was outstanding, delivering a very descriptive and creative balance of imagery and character growth that felt very cinematic as a whole.
A gritty and captivating new fantasy thriller that I just couldn’t put down!
5: Unearthed: A Jessica Cruz Story by Lilliam Rivera (Illustrated by Steph C.)
What a powerful and engaging new take on the iconic Green Lantern character. This was a fantastic story that really captured the struggle and strength of the Latino community, especially when the debate over immigration has never been higher in recent years. Jessica Cruz is the perfect character to bring this fight for justice and equality to light, as her DC Comics history played into the battle between fear and hope that her character has embodied since her introduction. As a half-Latino man whose late grandfather came to this country as a young child and built a family of his own through dedication and hard work, the cultural element and the familial bonds that Jessica had not only with her parents but her community as a whole really spoke to me, as these core values are something I was taught at an early age.
As a fan of this character and a proud Hispanic man, I was so enthralled with this story. As a fan of DC Comics, I loved this original take on the characters.
4: The Marionettes Book 1 by Katie Wismer
I can honestly say this was one of the best New Adult and Dark Fantasy reads I’ve read not only this year but in a long time. The amount of world-building and mythos the author was able to fit into the narrative was not only entertaining but made the world within this book feel seamless and immersive. The freedom with which the author incorporates not only the two main classifications of supernatural beings, (vampires and witches), but other powerful beings as well that don’t always fit into the typical supernatural fantasy read helped elevate this narrative to new heights.
The dark and edgy fantasy horror read was so captivating and entertaining, and left on a massive cliffhanger that will keep readers on the edge of their seats for the sequel!
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3: The Thicket by Noelle Ihli
What a truly amazing and inviting horror read! Horror fans everywhere will love this intricately detailed and plotted thriller. The author does a great job of painting an image of the narrative in the reader’s mind, delving into our modern world’s obsession and love of all things terrifying and macabre. As a fan of haunts myself and with friends who run a haunted attraction, I could relate to the life and atmosphere of these attractions clearly.
I am a sucker for classic slasher horror flicks, and so the atmosphere and characters the author crafted in this narrative felt right at home in this genre and did an amazing job of painting an image of the novel’s plot in my mind.
2: Thread of Souls Book 1- Phantom Five by Scott & Ashley Roepel
The balance of dark fantasy and character growth really elevates the narrative here. The danger and stakes of this fantasy world are made apparent early on in the story, as one of the main characters watches her sister taken right before her eyes by a large flying creature out of a nightmare. Yet it is the bond between the characters that really steal this story, as the blend of humor, charm, and heroism mixes with the personal problems each of these characters faces with their pasts and futures. It speaks of the classic swords and daggers, hero’s journey elements of adult fantasy novels that fans have come to know and love over the years.
I am a sucker for epic fantasy, and I loved the world-building and mythology the authors crafted in this original tale. I was able to devour the first 3 books in this series, and I absolutely cannot wait to read the next chapter in the coming year.
1. Beyond the Stars and Shadows by Kristen Martin
This was such a compelling and engaging read right from the start. As anyone who knows me can attest, I love a wide variety of books. As such, I was so thrilled when the story I thought I was reading took off in such an exciting new direction. The author’s writing is so inviting and draws the reader into the narrative and the lives of the protagonist with ease. Elara is a truly fantastic character, well-rounded and while many books take their characters through a total evolution in their story, it was refreshing to see the narrative really hinged on the growth of the characters, making her story so much more interesting.
When I think of books that really moved or inspired me this year, I cannot leave off one of my all-time favorite authors, Kristen Martin. The imagery and emotions this narrative brought out as I read it, along with the real-life interest I hold for metaphysical studies and the paranormal really sold me on this novel, and I was so honored to have been able to read this amazing story.
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Well, that does it for me. These were some of my favorite reads of the year, but certainly not the only favorites. What was your favorite book to read this year? Let me know in the comments, and be sure to like and follow my website if you aren’t already. Also, be sure to subscribe to my newsletter, and if you are in the market for some custom writing projects, ranging from poetry to short stories and more, then be sure to order something from my Etsy shop, Cosmic Writing Studios. Everyone have an amazing New Year’s Eve, and I look forward to seeing you in the coming New Year!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
Torn apart between two worlds, the Phantom Five find themselves facing new dangers, as one group moves through a war-torn land, while the others find themselves trapped in a foreign world, where all of the spiders have disappeared in authors Scott and Ashley Roepel’s “Path of the Spiders”, the third book in the Thread of Souls series.
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The Synopsis
The adventuring group known as the Phantom Five is torn apart. While one group ventures through Artemis’ war-torn homeland, Unolé is flung across the planes with healer Taliesin, warrior Ruuda, and soldier Wash. All the four of them want is to go home. But this new world has its own dangers, and its own mysteries. They are forced to make dubious alliances to survive, and every escape attempt is blocked with a new threat. The shadow of the eerie ziggurat looms over the land, as do rumors of its growing army inside.
But within ancient temples, slave auctions, and blood rituals lie answers. Answers about Unolé’s stolen sister, Wash’s fugitive past, and the question that Taliesin ran away from home for. Where have all the spiders gone? Now they must ask themselves one final question. How much are they willing to risk for these answers?
The Review
I absolutely loved this novel. Having read the first two books in the series, I keep finding myself enthralled with this vast world and universe the authors have crafted here with descriptive imagery and unique history to this world, the writing takes on an almost cinematic quality, as if these scenes should be playing out in a brand new game series. The balance of the world’s history and the mythology that the authors have crafted for each race that this book brings to life is just incredible.
Yet the characters really stole the show, so to speak. The way the heroes face their own personal demons and grand threats are greatly balanced and controlled here. From Unole having to look for traces of her sister in a different world to the other members of the Phantom Five dealing with the loss of their unique gifts after defeating their doppelgängers, this novel raises the stakes and delves deeper into the universe as a whole, including the development of those with Celestial blood and ancient gods and their guardians.
The Verdict
Exhilarating, entertaining, and thrilling, authors Scott and Ashley Roepel’s “Thread of Souls Book III: Path of the Spiders” is a must-read fantasy novel of 2021, and a fantastic new addition to the Thread of Souls universe. The endless world-building and character growth are superb, and the twists and turns that leave the group split apart once more and facing new and old threats alike make this a fantastic cliffhanger of a book. With an ever-expanding landscape that will have readers engaged on every level, this narrative is not to be missed. Be sure to grab your copy today!
Scott and Ashley Roepel are a husband and wife team of writers, creators, and travelers. They are co-founders of Tal & Ru Travels LLC which is focused on entertaining and engaging content. Deep lovers of fantasy, the two of them are avid D&D players and content creators.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A deadly new threat to Soleia rises in the cover of a massive storm, and the Phantom Five find themselves questioning one another’s loyalty as they seek refuge and help within the empire’s capital in authors Scott and Ashley Roepel’s “Thread of Souls: Book II – Ash & Thunder”.
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The Synopsis
The adventuring group known as the Phantom Five journey to the empire’s capital to warn of the threat against it. But instead of a welcome reception, they find a city wrought with deception. The royal children are missing, murders happen overnight, and the group’s own loyalties are questioned. Worse, their one contact in the capital, Unol’s Shadow Guild, has marked her as a traitor. All the while, rumors spread of a great storm over Soleia hiding a monster within. And as their attention is divided in a world crumbling into chaos around them, Jade knows the clock is ticking on her visions. If she doesn’t make it to Oceala soon, everyone in her city will die.
The Review
A fantastic new chapter in this growing fantasy saga, the authors have brilliantly given readers a lengthy epic fantasy that balances intricate character development with big-time mythology. The protagonists of this series, the Phantom Five, once more take center stage, and their evolution throughout this narrative is engaging to say the least. It was fascinating to witness the twists and turns the authors took their heroes, from the noble Zok to Unole and Jade, and even took the time to give each protagonist their own chapters and time to explore their motivations clearly.
The mythos is what always drives me and my passion for epic fantasy series like this. I loved the inclusion of so many known supernatural creatures, but the created mythology that the authors put together of this new land and the world overall was fantastic to see come to life on the page. Imagery played a major role in this story, the writing doing an excellent job of crafting the narrative in such a way that the characters and world came to life in my mind.
A thrilling, haunting, and entertaining new chapter in this growing fantasy world, authors Scott and Ashley Roepel’s “Thread of Souls: Book II – Ash & Thunder” is a must-read fantasy book. The perfect second chapter of this growing universe, the twists and turns the author takes readers on, including the identity of the book’s latest threats, makes this story so engaging for fans of this genre, and a cliff-hanger ending will leave fans breathlessly awaiting the next chapter of the series. Be sure to grab your copy today!
Scott and Ashley Roepel are a husband and wife team of writers, creators, and travelers. They are co-founders of Tal & Ru Travels LLC which is focused on entertaining and engaging content. Deep lovers of fantasy, the two of them are avid D&D players and content creators.
Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?
Ashley has been writing stories her entire life. In her late teen and early adult years she published a lot of fanfiction that won community awards. It’s always been a passion for her and she has been able to write for some websites prior to publishing her books. For Scott, he was a local journalist for many years before writing for pop culture and car websites. We both mesh well in writing a book series together!
This book series is based off our D&D campaign. We both love the game so much and it has inspired so much creativity in our lives. It felt only right to turn these adventures into a book series. We had developed a world rich in lore and history with complex characters. Since our entire campaign was homebrewed, it made it really easy to translate into a book series.
What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?
Many of the characters come from places or situations where they were told they have no value. We hope readers that struggle with the same message may find inspiration in these characters. Characters that find their own worth internally, and are able to discover their own strengths and confidence despite others telling them to the contrary.
What drew you into this particular genre?
We both have always loved fantasy. Especially from our early experiences with the Fellowship of the Ring film. What we like best is there are no limits. You can create your own world and put what you want in it. It is full creativity.
If you could sit down with any character in your book, what would you ask them and why?
Actually, we can! One of the best things about having this story start as a D&D game is we get to roleplay these characters. We get to do a deep dive into each character and learn all about them. All about their childhood and memories, and all about their future hopes and dreams. We get to explore their motivation and pain and what keeps them going each day. It’s one of the purest ways to learn a character.
What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?
Twitter for sure. It’s so much more social and we are able to connect with other writers and D&D players and indie creators. Being able to have many conversations and post multiple times a day has been helpful. Our Twitter is @TalAndRu
What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?
Write the story you want to tell. Don’t worry about what other people say you should be writing or doing with your book. Don’t worry about a big following, that will come in time. Just tell the story that is inside you and that is important to you. At the end of the day, you should write something you want to read.
What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?
Book III of Thread of Souls is currently undergoing its final edits and will be published on August 27th this year! It’s part of an eight-book series, so we have a release planned for each year. As we are currently playing the story’s D&D campaign at the table, we are playing through what will end being book seven and having a blast!
Scott and Ashley Roepel are a husband and wife team of writers, creators, and travelers. They are co-founders of Tal & Ru Travels LLC which is focused on entertaining and engaging content. Deep lovers of fantasy, the two of them are avid D&D players and content creators.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A group of adventurers must overcome their differences to face a world of deadly magic, monsters and the undead as they seek answers to the shocking murder of a high priest in authors Scott & Ashley Roepel’s “Thread of Souls: Book One: Phantom Five”.
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The Synopsis
The sudden death of a high priest in a sleepy coastal village has rocked aspiring Paladin Zok’s world. Finding evidence of murder, he can trust no one in the temple as a dark plot unravels itself. Zok teams up with a group of adventurers to seek answers deep within the desert.
He’s joined by a nomadic Druid who is haunted by visions of a calamity, and an orphan thief who is chasing her kidnapped sister across the planes. And by a boisterous pirate, an enigmatic Wizard, and a Ranger fugitive of war. If they cannot put aside their differences, they will not survive the world of occult magic, interplanar monsters, and hungry undead that await them.
And halfway across the land, Taliesin and Ruuda are two fugitives from their oppressive homes. They venture out in a world where they must hide their identity or risk execution.
The Review
This was such a fun and engaging fantasy read. Detailed with both character backstory and mythology, the authors have done a masterful job crafting a story with both magical and larger-than-life action that blends with personal narratives that really connect the cast of characters with the reader.
The balance of dark fantasy and character growth really elevates the narrative here. The danger and stakes of this fantasy world are made apparent early on in the story, as one of the main characters watches her sister taken right before her eyes by a large flying creature out of a nightmare. Yet it is the bond between the characters that really steals this story, as the blend of humor, charm, and heroism mixes with the personal problems each of these characters faces with their pasts and futures. It speaks of the classic swords and daggers, hero’s journey elements of adult fantasy novels that fans have come to know and love over the years.
The Verdict
An exhilarating, thrilling, and breathtaking fantasy-driven story, authors Scott and Ashley Roepel’s “Thread of Souls” is a must-read novel for fantasy fans of 2021! The first in an exciting 8-part fantasy series, the authors have created a brilliant and engaging story that hosts the magic and wonder that so many fans of the fantasy genre have always loved, and fans will not want to miss out on this series for themselves. Be sure to grab your copy today!
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About the Authors
Scott and Ashley Roepel are a husband and wife team of writers, creators, and travelers. They are co-founders of Tal & Ru Travels LLC which is focused on entertaining and engaging content. Deep lovers of fantasy, the two of them are avid D&D players and content creators.
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