Bunny's Reviews: Heroes of the Empire: The Cavalier Review Spotlight

We're thrilled to share the first novel in the Heroes of the Empire series, The Cavalier by Israh Azizi! Read on for more details!

The epic fantasy novel that you’re not going to want to miss is HERE!!! Heroes of the Empire is the must read fantasy novel that when you get to the end, you’re going to need a support group while you wait for the next book in this series. Trust me. I’d know and I’ll be here for you. LOL!

Heroes of the Empire is the first book in Israh Azizi’s fantasy series. Book One: The Cavalier is going to grip you and keep you page-turning to the end. As you read this detailed epic you will be drawn into this story as plans are spun, alliances are made, and secrets are revealed. Brace yourself for characters that will draw you in. Some will have you rooting for them, and others will have you cringing in dread as you see them paving the way to disaster that could destroy them all.

This book will start you off with one of the characters who has a pivotal part to play in this epic novel. A young boy found in an area recently torn apart by war. He is taken in by one of the individuals who has brought the war to his doorstep. Moving forward his life will be dedicated to this man, and the path that he will choose for him. His true name? No one knows, but his new name will be – Velamir.

Heroes of the Empire details the story of multiple characters that you will follow along with in alternating chapters and moments. Each has their part to play in this epic and be what builds or destroys the empire that they are seeking to be a part of. Velamir is one of those focal characters, and he desires more than anything to make the man he calls “father” proud of him. He is on one side of the war and is fighting to bring about a change that he has been told and believes is necessary. To him, Prolus will bring about the change for a better world, a better life in comparison to what the Emperor forces upon the people under his rule. Then there is Natassa. She is the Emperor’s daughter, but she holds a secret that her father desires to keep buried. Her father wishes to marry her off to a man who is cruel, and death follows in his wake. While some may turn a blind eye to the things that he has done, Natassa has pieced together his dark puzzle and knows the truth. She wishes for a better life for the people around her, but what can she do in the face of her father’s cruelty? If she is patient and acts when the time is right, her moment will come.

This epic fantasy novel is packed with drama and situations that will catch you by surprise. The author weaves a story that keeps you on your toes as the dangers are all around our characters. You really don’t know who you can trust. You will see that some that you should be able to trust are the very ones that you should fear the most. There will be assassinations, assassination attempts, betrayals, and situations of near death.

The Cavalier will pull you into it’s pages with each word that you read. You will find yourself rooting for certain characters, and then fearing for others as certain plans are laid out. Of course, you’ll have to remind yourself that there are more than just the characters that you are aware of and settle in to see where the author intends to take you on this journey.

The story goes back and forth primarily between Velamir and Natassa. Velamir is an engaging character, and he really shines throughout this story. He has ambitions, but when loss strikes at his heart he vows revenge. Interestingly enough though he doesn’t become consumed by his desire. You will see him grow and really grow up. Most characters are driven by their emotions, and while there will be moments of where he is he is never fully consumed by them. He strives to be more and to be something better.

Natassa is another such character. The author will throw you back into memories of her past, but there is something to be learned from those moments. Secrets buried in her past that will point to what her future could potentially hold. She is expected to be the “quiet” and “demure” princess, but inside of her a fire burns. She has a good heart and a strong spirit. She’s determined, but unfortunately she has her moments of naivety. Those moments, while few, will put her onto a more dangerous path that she could have ever imagined for herself. But it could be that it turns out to be a blessing in disguise.

Israh Azizi will keep you spellbound as you read this book. When you start reading this book, the characters will be quick to engage you. You will be drawn to their secrets, and wanting to know more about them. Should you be forced to put this book down, it will haunt you. You’ll be eager to want to know what happens next. Is a particular character going to be okay? How is a particular scene going to play out? Will this character survive or will they lose their life behind another’s choices?

This novel is packed with twists, turns, drama, hints of romance, and so much more. When you get to the end of this book...brace yourself. The author saves some seriously twisted moments for the end of this novel that will have your jaw on the floor and you on the brink of raging. LOL! Whatever you it is that you are reading – a book or an e-book...try not to throw it in frustration. It will be okay. I promise. Trust me. I went nuts when I reached the end of this book. I immediately went to the author’s Amazon page in the hopes of seeing that book two is on the way. Unfortunately...it is NOT! But! It’s okay. We’ll all be okay. Because I know it’s out there, and when it’s ready I will POUNCE and devour it! I just hope we don’t have to wait too long. LOL!

Anyways, looking for a great epic fantasy that will absolutely keep you coming back for more? Heroes of the Empire is that book.

I am rating this book 5 out of 5 stars.

Pros:

- Dynamic storytelling.

- Engaging characters

- Twists & turns

- Hard to put down

- Cliffhanger ending

Cons:

- The CLIFFHANGER ENDING!!! I need to know what happens next!!! LOL! (Seriously, a cliffhanger ending is only bad for those who absolutely hate them.)

Thank you to the author, Israh Azizi, and R&R Book Tours for the opportunity to read and review this book. I look forward to what comes next!

Heroes of the Empire: The Cavalier #1

Publication Date: November 22, 2022

Genre: YA Fantasy

She calls the Empire home. He pledges to bring its downfall.

Death is Velamir’s close acquaintance. As a student in the Chishman academy, he cannot escape the brutal war. When he’s sent on a mission with three fellow academy cadets, Velamir returns to the Empire, the land of his birth. Calamity befalls the group as they trek through enemy territory, and Velamir learns a part of his past that makes the mission far more personal. Burdened with the deaths of the unavenged and the chance of losing his own life, Velamir must decide if revenge is worth the cost.

Natassa knows her role well: The silent and obedient girl. The one who looks away from the torture her father, the emperor, inflicts on the Empire’s inhabitants. The princess. But she’s a shackled prisoner, and somewhere under the mask is a spark of rebellion. When she learns of her father’s intention to marry her to a man she loathes, Natassa crafts a risky plan of her own—one dangerous enough to get her killed.

Two searching hearts. Two perilous paths. Velamir must find the courage to face his past and Natassa must find the strength to face herself before the war consumes them both.

Available at Barnes & Noble and on Amazon

About the Author

Israh Azizi resides in the land of ten thousand lakes with her family and five cats. Since she was a little girl, she has been a lover of words and fanciful tales. It was her dream to one day share a story of her own with the world. With sheer determination, lots of love, and a decent amount of caffeine, she managed to make that dream come true. Besides reading and writing, she has a dizzying number of hobbies, some of which include bossing around her younger siblings, experimenting with new baking recipes, and playing board games with her family and close friends. When life’s plot twists don’t cross her path and her fingers aren’t dancing across the keyboard building a fantastical adventure, she can usually be found in a quiet corner with a good book and a steaming cup of coffee.

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