Riven Earth

The Book of Astea, Book 1

De: Zammar Ahmer

Narrado por: Adriel Brandt

The world has stopped turning.

Burned by a blazing sun. Thrust into eternal winter.

Life survives only in the Sunset Forest.

For untold millennia, mankind lived subservient to the dryads, forced into worship of the Earth-Mother, Astea. Then one man ventured into the Scorched Desert and returned with the secret of fire. His rebellion brought the dryad empire to ash. In its place, he founded the Kingdom of Heartsong.

Twelve years later, the new king is missing. The earth trembles. Famine ravages the land, and a mysterious illness creeps through the capital.

Plots of treason and revenge abound, but as the mistakes of the past bear fruit, men will reap what they have sown.

Riven Earth is the story of a king who has lost his nerve, of his advisor tempted by the throne, of a politician plotting revolt, and of a dying soldier who finds new reasons to live. It is a character-focused epic fantasy adventure perfect for fans of Brandon Sanderson’s Stormlight Archive and Joe Abercrombie’s First Law.

©2024 Zammar Ahmer (P)2024 Zammar Ahmer

What a world.

I love it when a world and the magic system are like an old married couple and the characters are their children. The balance between deep personal relationships and broader political themes is really well executed. Looking forward to part two.

The narration is exceptional.

Starts off with a bang

I’d never heard of the author but won it in a contest. Really loved it. The characters weren’t all the same. The world was unique and I was hooked. Already bought book 2

Excellent Blend of Magic and Politics

Riven Earth by Zammar Ahmer is an incredibl blend of high fantasy and politics that immerses readers in a gritty, morally complex world. The novel's greatest strength lies in its rich and immersive world-building, where heroes and heroines are forced to make dark, often troubling choices that blur the lines between good and evil.

The story's structure is particularly compelling, as it shifts between multiple timelines to provide a fully fleshed-out history for the cast of characters. This narrative style adds layers of depth, giving readers insight into how past events shape the present conflicts. The exploration of religion and fanaticism is fascinating, highlighting how belief systems can divide societies and perpetuate cycles of oppression.

Ahmer crafts a vivid backstory where humans were once practically enslaved by dryads, forced to worship the Earth-Mother, Astea. The rebellion that followed led to the near-extermination of the dryads and the establishment of human rule under the victorious king. However, the king's ban on religion ironically turned him into an unofficial religious figure after his death, adding layers of irony and tension to the story. Meanwhile, his emotionally scarred son struggles to maintain power in the wake of a failed rebellion by human supporters of the dryads.

The novel also tackles issues of discrimination and prejudice, particularly against those with sun magic—once targeted by the dryads and still marginalized under human rule. This nuanced exploration of societal hierarchies adds further complexity to the world.

While the novel's middle section drags at times, the strong opening and powerful ending more than make up for this minor flaw. Riven Earth is a compelling read for fans of dark fantasy who enjoy stories where politics, human flaws, and magic intertwine.