Review of THE RISE OF NAZIL by Aaron-Michael Hall

See full issue for 2016 08-15
 

The Rundown

The Nazilians rule over the world of humans with brutal tyranny, slaving and conquering those they deem inferior. But not all of Nazil are consumed by cruelty, and Pentamimir, First Chosen, is quietly horrified by the ingrained cruelty of his countrymen. When he aids in the escape of a human woman, Brahanu, he finds himself drawn away from his noble responsibilities, torn between treachery and love.

 


The Recommendation

The Rise of Nazil: Secret of The Seven is an epic heroic fantasy that combines the romantic with the brutal. Though filled with the sincerity you’d expect from a world of might and magic, the book is also filled with graphically described scenes of rape and torture. It is a tale certainly not for the faint of heart, and while fans of darker fantasy may be well inoculated, more casual dwellers may question the taste and necessity of the more disturbing scenes.

That being said, the tale is a good one, and you’ll be drawn in by the darkly fascinating court intrigue of the Nazil, and the steamy forbidden-love romance that serves as the stories catalyst.

Aaron-Michael Hall builds an involved fantasy world, populated by richly drawn characters with conflicting desires and complex relationships. Much of the story focuses on these relationships , and there’s a lot more drama and dialogue than swords and sorcery. That being said, the book builds to an epic final battle, where all the wrongs and doubts of the tale come to a satisfying and brilliant crescendo.

With great dialogue and characters you can’t help but feel drawn to, Rise of the Nazil will prove a satisfying page turner for those with a love romantic fantasy fiction, and offers up a few grizzly surprises for those comfortable in Game of Thrones territory.


The Rating Reviewer Rating: 3.5 Stars

3.5 Stars (out of 5): Pretty good. For the right audience, this could be great. Sure, there were some issues, but it was still worth the read.

The Pros & Cons

Pros: Characterization, Emotional, Strong World-Building
Cons: Graphic Sex Scenes

The Comparisons

For readers who liked these books and authors: A Game of Thrones, G.R.R Martin

The Links

More about The Rise of Nazil on UBR

The Reviewer

Steve Wetherell

Visit Steve Wetherell‘s website.
 

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