Pariah's Lament by Richie Billing

Pariah’s Lament by Richie Billing

Release: 17th March 2021
Format: Ebook
Publisher: ‎ Of Metal And Magic Publishing

Source: Zooloos Book Tours
Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N

When an attempt is made on the life of Ashara, Keeper of Yurr, his young, hapless advisor Edvar must uncover and stop those behind it.

With enemies in the capital city and the belligerent Tesh, Keeper of neighbouring nation Karrabar stirring trouble in the Borderlands, can Edvar hold together Ashara’s brittle reign?

The troubles ripple throughout Yurr, affecting an ancient race of people known as the Amast, who in their time of utmost need, turn to pariah Isy for salvation. Rejected by society, kith and kin, can Isy guide the Amast to safety during the greatest turmoil Yurr has known since the War of the Damned?

Pariah’s Lament will take you on a rollercoaster of an adventure ‘that will keep you spellbound as you traverse the world alongside Isy and Edvar’ (Books Behind The Title). And along the way you’ll experience ‘intense fighting scenes, a little romance and flawed characters’ (Sarah Lillian Books).

If you love to explore fantasy worlds, this book won’t disappoint. Part of a shared universe populated by other authors, the setting in Pariah’s Lament has proven a huge hit with readers, with some praising the ‘insane level of detail’ (The Book Suite) and vividness of its descriptions.

About the Author:

Richie Billing writes all kinds of stories, but mostly fantasy fiction. His tales often explore real-world issues, zooming in on his characters and their troubles.

His short fiction has been widely published, with one story adapted for BBC radio. And his debut novel, an epic fantasy called Pariah’s Lament, was published by Of Metal and Magic Publishing in March 2021.

Richie also hosts the podcast The Fantasy Writers’ Toolshed, a venture inspired by the requests of readers of his acclaimed craft book, A Fantasy Writers’ Handbook.

When not writing, Richie works as an editor and digital marketer and teaches creative writing both online and in his home city of Liverpool.

Most nights you can find him up into the early hours scribbling away or watching the NBA.

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Pariah’s Lament Review:

I thoroughly enjoyed following Edvar and Isy on their adventurous journey that eventually led to an epic showdown. The author skillfully breathed life into both characters. Edvar’s struggle with living up to his late father’s legacy and his yearning to discover his identity added depth. At the same time, Isy’s transformation into a formidable warrior kept me engaged. It was fascinating to witness these two distinct individuals bring their unique essence to the story, and it was exciting to see how their paths converged.

The supporting characters played their part beautifully, and some of my personal favorites included Vil, whose portrayal by the author was simply fantastic, and Ashara, who pleasantly surprised me by becoming a more prominent figure in the narrative than I had expected.

The author’s masterful storytelling raised the stakes, particularly in the intense battle between Ashara and Tesh. The episodic format was a great choice, keeping me glued to the book, especially in the final episode, where the thrilling showdown between the Karrabans and the Yurrish unfolded. This allowed me to get a closer look at the tense and challenging circumstances faced by the characters. Moreover, the author delved into the emotional and psychological toll that warfare took on Isy and Edvar, making their character development all the more captivating.

The book wrapped up nicely, leaving room for the possibility of a sequel, which I’m eagerly looking forward to. It would be wonderful to reunite with these characters in another adventure.

If I were to point out a minor drawback, it would be the Jem and Gundar storyline. Although it picked up in the middle of the narrative, it didn’t contribute significantly to the plot.

Apart from that, “Pariah’s Lament” was a gripping fantasy that I thoroughly enjoyed reading.