Thursday, September 26, 2013

Book Review: The Rise Of Xosha by S. Cu'Anam Policar

The Rise of Xosha
Legend of Xosha 0.5
S Cu'Anam Polica


 

A tale of epic proportions.
The Rise of Xosha tells the tale of Xosha's beginnings.
Where Anjyls are mortal pawns,
Dragons rule the skies,
Wolves and elves roam the forests,
and demons lurk below the surface.

 

Oceanus, the leader of the last hord of dragons in the realms must find his people a new home.

Going only on the word of the odd colored white dragon, Rose, he leads the horde far from their home, over waters that seem to have no end.

Pyre, Oceanus' younger, rebellious brother must come to terms with the fact that Oceanus will never see him as anything more than a welp too young to be of any use.

Jade the youngest of the three has her own thoughts and inner demons to contend with.

Then there's Rose, The dragon with an amazing gift no one will acknowledge. The outcast of her people simply because she's the only one of her color.

Will these four ever come to terms with why they had to leave their home?

And what strange new beings will they encounter in their new territory?

Find out when you read The Rise of Xosha; The story that started the legend.

 

One to lead...One to see...One to protect...One to Deceive.
The Rise of Xosha; The story that started the legend.

"not all allies are friends, not all friends are true, and some enemies will in turn be your greatest allies."

 

***ADVISORY***

This book contains mild to moderate violence, the concept of death, insinuated sexual contact... Not Recommended for Readers under the age of 16.


B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-rise-of-xosha-s-cuanam-policar/1116351959?ean=2940045194785&itm=1&usri=rise+of+xosha
Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/344232
Good Reads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18052139-the-rise-of-xosha?ac=1

The Review:

There are some books you fall in love with as soon as you read the very first paragraph and The Rise of Xosha was one of those books. I can’t pinpoint what it was that made me fall head over heels in love with the book because there was so much done right. The world was vivid and I could see it. I connected with all the characters because they were all three-dimensional. They had rhyme and reason for everything that they did. The romance, oh my gawd, the romance. I fell totally in love with Pyre. I admit it he had me at “Oceanus, how long before we reach our destination?” I enjoyed how Pyre and Rose fell for one another. I also enjoyed how Pyre and Oceanus had a typical sibling relationship…meaning Pyre drove his big brother insane with blatant disrespect. I cracked up over it. Oceanus demanded Pyre call him Oni and I was all, yeah okay. I know I would never do that for my big brothers or sister!

I want to tell you the parts I loved about the story but I fear it would get too spoilery. Just know it will absorb you entirely even after you read the last word. All the elements congealed together at the right time and created magic. Cu’Anam Policar weaves a story that is enchanting and at some parts, it gave me chills. There was one scene while they were creating Xosha that I held my breath and didn’t realize it. I saw it being formed before my eyes and I was enthralled. Policar is some sort of word wizard is the only conclusion that can be made.

Cover Whore:
It is magical.


Excerpt

                 Obsidian's reverie was cut short as she realized her own grave error. “Pyre watch out!” She yelled.

                 Pyre snapped his head in the direction of Obsidian's frantic yell, but indeed he had been too late. A flurry of white feathers slammed into his right flank sending him spiraling out of the sky.

                 His talons ripped into the side of the feathered beast, which returned the gesture in kind as their forms, a ball of red scale and white feather continued their less than graceful dive.

                  “This ends now dragon!” the feathered one hissed in a feminine voice as her talons dug into Pyre's flank.

                 Pyre growled low in his throat as he finally shook the Anjyl off. “Why are you doing this?! Your kind and mine are practically cousins. Why turn on us like this?”

                 A laugh akin to the tinkling of bells left the feathered dragon, her gray depths burned into the dragon's with malice.

                 “Your kind is thorn in our sides. We cannot fully control the 'God' fearing creatures with you around.”

                 Pyre had heard enough, he flew at the Anjyl and gripped her left wing in with his front taloned paws, his back ones came to land on the feathered female's underside where his talons dug deeply in.  His back legs gave a sharp kick outward as his front legs pulled the wing toward his own body.

                 The Anjyl's eyes widened. Her sleek feathered head shook vigorously back and forth causing the thick standalone whiskers on either side of her muzzle to dance in the wind. Then, she gave out of a blood curdling screech of pain as the sound of popping bone, tissue, and feathered flesh broke through the howl of the rushing wind.

                  A smirk crossed Pyre's maw as he released the now useless wing. “Your kind will never be better than us Anjyl. If you survive, tell your Oni we will not fall prey to you... Hunt us again and it will be the Anjyl's that become the prey!”

                  He kicked out once more letting his wings unfurl to catch the upward current of the wind. His talons mucked with feathers, flesh, and gore, he gave a shrug knowing he had wasted his breath. Even as he watched, his wings giving the occasional flap to keep himself aloft, The Anjyl was falling. When she hit the water head first and did not resurface he knew it had been an wasted effort.

                   Above him, where the rest of the fighting sectors of the horde were, he heard growls and the clash of talons. Angling himself he began his ascent back to his brother's side, dodging the many breaths of acid, and the falling of Anjyls.

                  “I'm glad you're okay Pyre.” Oceanus grunted as Pyre came up beside him.

                 Pyre latched his maw on the neck of the large Anjyl male that was trying very much in vain to knock Oceanus from the sky. “I told you I can take care of myself.”  Was the muffled reply as the male went limp in Pyre's jaw.

                 Pyre let the Anjyl drop to join his kin in the bottom of the ocean. Pyre's amber depths noted the purple hue to the once blue water and had to wonder to himself if it would ever return to normal after this fight.

     As the last Anjyl fell to its final resting place, Oceanus let out a strong bellow. The children, Rose, and the others lifted from the small island to rejoin the ranks of the horde. Oceanus knew the browns were a bit miffed at being left out of the fight, He also knew that Rose's Xosha required every brown dragon there to be found.

                 “We no longer have time and distance on our side. I'm sure that horde were not the only ones. Their leader was not among their numbers. We must make haste to our new home now. We cannot afford another battle. Many of you are injured now and the will to carry on is diminished, but you must continue forward! We all seek the freedom and peace of Rose's Xosha, we must stay together to achieve it!” Oceanus' voice was strong, though as he looked over his small band of dragons his heart grew heavy. They had lost at least three in that fight., they could not afford to lose any more.

 Character Bios:

Pyre is Oceanus’ younger brother, born to the second clutch their parents had. While age wise, he is considered an adult, his actions deem him an adolescent in Oceanus’ eyes. Pyre can be brave, and is always stubborn. Being a red dragon, Pyre can control and manipulate fire at will.
Oceanus is the leader of the dragons that claim Xosha as their home. He is older than many think and tries to do the best he can to lead the dragons that follow him. Being a blue dragon, Oceanus can control and manipulate water at will.
 
Chosen by the gods, Rose can communicate with them when they need to relay a message. Her odd coloring deemed her an outcast to the horde. Showing no visible abilities, she was deemed weak and useless. Oceanus and Jade are her only friends. Being a white dragon, Rose can heal any wound, and if could in enough time, she can restore the soul to the dead.
About the Author:
S.Cu'Anam Policar was born in Brooklyn, NY, but now lives in Washington State. The Mother of three she makes time to write, usually late at night.
An avid reader, she not only writes but helps promote other authors with blog tours and reviews of their books.
She is Pagan but respects all religions and believes everyone should celebrate their similarities and not care about their differences.
When she has the time, she enjoys playing video games, horseback riding, singing, and writing things other than her Legend of Xosha Series.
She absolutely loves to make new friends so don't be afraid to come by and hi on facebook!
 
Author Links:
 
S. Cu’Anam’s Books:
 
ANTHOLOGIES
Other Voices: An Urban Fantasy Anthology - 
BLURB –
Spanning through time, the authors of Other Voices take the reader on a journey of the strange and unusual from the gas lamp lighted streets of Victorian London to the neon of modern day Las Vegas.

'A Touch of Chaos' (S.Cu'Anam Policar): A young boy recruited by a mysterious duo, Paradigm and Razor, has one night to prove his worth on the Strip in Las Vegas. Failure is not an option.


'Sugar Girl Blues' (Aubrey Diamant): In Pope Joan's brothel, a young Lord pays the price for his obsession.


'Third Floor' (Andrea L. Staum): After taking three months to build up her courage, young Hestia Diedrich is about to discover what is on the third floor of main library of the Institute for the Understanding of the Metaphysical.


'The Curious Case of the Digging Man'/'Séance at St. Bart's' (Mel Skubich & Stevie Conradi): In 'The Curious Case of the Digging Man' it is 1891; Alistair Gordon and medical student Jerome Garibaldi share apartments and adventure. The unexplained death of a resurrectionist sends the duo out into the grimy streets of Victorian London in search of answers. 'Séance at St. Bart's' Alistair Gordon meets the shadowy Mr. Sinclair whom he asks to assist him in this most unusual case.


'The Forgotten' (Shannon Noelle Long): A enigmatic man sitting on a park bench and a young woman named Nelly cross paths at Millennium Park.

'Electric: Bolshy'/'Electric: The Last to Die' (Christopher J. Crisp): In 'Bolshy' Choreographer Erich Werth calls on the help Night Boys, Francis Tenn and Christy Lawless Shaughn to find his missing possibly suicidal protégé. 'The Last to Die' finds Erich joining Night Boys as they track the protégé to the only club in the US where you can commit suicide by vampire.

'Flying' (Diamant): In the summer of love a group of rich flower children are gathered together by a famous pop group, The Fab Lads, who has discovered a magic spell which could change transportation as the world knows it. They only need, love, energy and a willing guinea pig.

'The Life of Jenessa' (Elizabeth Figueroa): Jenessa is your average young woman; great job, nice apartment. Secretly, she lives an extraordinary life by night. The fine balance between her average and extraordinary lives is tipped one day when her aunt pays her an unexpected visit.
 
Miraculous: Tales of the Unknown –
BLURB –
Hear the amazing and miraculous tales from some of your favorite Indie Authors! From faeries to werewolves to ghostly encounters and so much more, take a moment to glimpse a more supernatural way of thinking!

Authors Include: Krystal George, Amber Streed, Cheryl Casey, Amanda Alberson, Kate Marie Robbins, Lisa Marie Pottgen, DL Kelly, Heather Kirchhoff and S Cu'Anam Policar.
 
No Sleeves and Short Dresses: A Summer Anthology
(ALL Proceeds go to BLISS an organization to help get premature and sick infants the medical attention they need)
BLURB –
This is an anthology of short stories and poetry based around a summer theme. There is a mixture of dark fiction, romance and supernatural features.

This holiday read is all for charity. All royalties will go to Bliss for premature and sick babies.
 

 

0 comments:

Post a Comment

Goodreads bookshelf

Casse's bookshelf: read

Truly, MadlyThe Final Dance TrilogyUnder Sea's ShadowIn Stone's ClaspOn Fire's WingsTalk Me Down

More of Casse's books »
Casse NaRome's  book recommendations, reviews, favorite quotes, book clubs, book trivia, book lists

My Oh-Em-Gee Favorite Trailers...