posted on goodreads & amazon canada

thank you Netgalley & Firepost Press for providing an e-arc in exchange for an honest review ⸜(｡˃ ᵕ ˂ )⸝♡

⋆.˚ ᡣ𐭩 .𖥔˚⋆.˚ ᡣ𐭩 .𖥔˚⋆.˚ ᡣ𐭩 .𖥔˚⋆.˚ ᡣ𐭩 .𖥔˚⋆.˚ ᡣ𐭩 .𖥔˚⋆.˚ ᡣ𐭩 .𖥔˚𖥔˚⋆.˚

okayy, this one definitely took me a while to get fully immersed and it's not because the story was lacking but more so the way it's written is different from what i'm used to! which isn't a bad thing but rather i actually really enjoyed it! (if you've ever read litrpg's - it has a similar writing prose/style - if that's not your cup of tea, you may not enjoy this one as much. i just recently got into the genre so i rlly enjoyed this one).

I loved Zakolor! his character was well developed and well written and I really enjoyed getting his internal monologues. He was also such a relatable character! he's literally living my dreams LOL!

to not get to spoilery- but this story goes by quick!! J. R. Douglas does not play around, only like 12-15 pages in and we get quite a massive turn of events and that's honestly what kept me hooked. I'm really looking forward to reading the rest of the series (੭˃ᴗ˂)੭

also the names in this book? absolutely stunning. honestly takes me back to older fantasy books with those rlly unique names (like Clairise??? beautiful!! wouldn't know how to pronounce tho LOL)

Hold onto your hats, folks, because J.R. Douglas has concocted a literary potion that's part magic, part heart, and all-around delightful! From the moment I cracked open "Zakolor: Nacusti Chronicles Volume I," I was smitten like a kid in a candy store.

Picture this: Zakolor, our plucky hero, discovers his inner Gandalf when his buddy Kal gets snatched instead of him. Cue a fantastical romp through a world teeming with spells, sorcerers, and creatures with names like they jumped straight out of a whimsy dictionary.

Douglas is a sorcerer of storytelling, weaving a tapestry of rich world-building that's so vibrant, you'll swear you can smell the pemberry juice. And oh, the characters! From the wise Archmagus Tansil Windover to the mischievous Shadoweres, each name rings like a note in a symphony of whimsy.

As Zakolor embarks on his quest to save his friend and maybe the world while he's at it, the plot gallops along like a runaway unicorn, filled with more twists and turns than a roller coaster made of spaghetti.

But fear not, dear reader, for amidst the action and adventure, Douglas sprinkles humor and heart like confetti. No foul language or gross-out moments here—just good, clean, fantastical fun!

And let's talk about Douglas's writing prowess! His descriptions are so vivid, you'll feel like you've stepped into the pages and joined Zakolor on his merry escapade. And that final line? Let's just say it hit me like a magical bolt and had me gasping loud enough to wake the neighborhood!

In conclusion, "Zakolor: Nacusti Chronicles Volume I" is a spellbinding debut that's sure to charm readers of all ages. So, if you're in need of an enchanting escape into a world where the fantastical meets the heartwarming, grab a copy and prepare for a journey you won't soon forget!

The intro paragraph is written well in a way that quickly captures the readers attention into the story. it didn't feel like i was dragging myself to read it like I have with other books in the past.

I did however feel there was a lot of information thrown at me at once that wasn't apparent why as a reader, especially regarding the lore. I love getting to know the history in worlds like this slowly, especially if it's a new book or the start of a series even, which I think most readers would agree with. Within the first chapter I felt like I was being told all the tiny details, as opposed to getting to see them and fill that information gap in my mind, like how the villagers lived, some of the lore regarding the contract, and more.
There are also moments where I do feel like I discover things about the world organically within the first chapter as well, but some other areas in it could be improved on. One example was the very first scene in the school, and another being some of the exposition when the villagers talk about the Mageri.



Some positives I wanna point out specifically
The paragraph lengths are perfectly balanced in my opinion. None of them are so long that it's hard for me to read through them, and theyre just short enough for my eyes to flow along with it well.


As i got further into the book, i got really drug into the plot. I also found myself in love with some of Zak's banter and dialogue with the others. I also loved seeing his growth into power, it felt very natural.

Overall, this is great! The only thing that threw me off was the beginning, it made me drag my feet a little getting into it.