Genre: Dark Fantasy, Romance
LGBTQ+ Category: MM Gay
Reviewer: Maryann
Get It On Amazon
About The Book
Azrael, who has been held captive his entire life, escapes in the hopes of learning who he is, who imprisoned him, and why he was held captive. During his escape, Azrael meets Mecah, who joins Azrael on his journey to discover the secrets of Azrael’s past, as well as the dark fate that awaits him.
During this journey into the dark world of magic, power, love and betrayal, Azrael must face the demons of his past, as well as the all-powerful Dark Sorceress if he is to ever truly be free.
Is Azrael the Angel of Death as some proclaim? Can someone who has spent their entire life isolated and locked in a dark prison ever truly be trusted? Or will the rage found deep within him consume him?
The Review
Azrael has been held captive in a cave for twenty-three years. He has never known why, or anything about his family. At a young age, he entertained himself by playing games in the caves and making some interesting discoveries about himself. As time went on, he taught himself how to control these new and exciting skills.
Through his time being held captive, he made contact with only one person – a guard who he called Blue. Azrael always had questions for Blue, and eventually they made a connection. Azrael could see that even Blue feared whoever was behind Azrael being held captive.
Azrael, with his skills now manageable, plans his escape and discovers the dangers of his journey to freedom. He’s saved by a young man, Mecah, who shares information with him, and together they try to find the truth about Azrael.
Matthew Dante has created an easy read, a fast paced tale filled with fantasy and magic that I could easily envision as a graphic novel. There’s great world building and many interesting characters that come into play during this adventurous tale.
The idea behind Azrael and his name is gradually revealed, and Mecah too discovers some surprises about himself. Along with magic and danger there are a number of other interesting characters: the Three Sisters; Grandma Maria with her own interesting tale, and villagers that come to help – Nat, Ariel, Isaac and Cole. Last but not least, the diabolical, evil Sorceress Alana.
“The Prophecy” is a good start with “The Dark Sorcerer” series. Not all ends here for Azrael and Mecah, as there’s much more to come from Matthew Dante with the second installment: “Rise of the Dark Sorcerer.”
The Reviewer
Hi, I’m Maryann, I started life in New York, moved to New Hampshire and in 1965 uprooted again to Sacramento, California. Once I retired I moved to West Palm Beach, Florida in 2011 and just moved back to Sacramento in March of 2018. My son, his wife and step-daughter flew out to Florida and we road tripped back so they got to see sights they have never seen. New Orleans and the Grand Canyon were the highlights. Now I am back on the west coast again to stay! From a young age Ialways liked to read.
I remember going to the library and reading the “Doctor Dolittle” books by Hugh Lofting. Much later on became a big fan of the classics, Edgar Alan Poe, Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker and as time went by Agatha Christie, Ray Bradbury and Stephen Kingand many other authors.
My first M/M shifter book I read was written by Jan Irving the “Uncommon Cowboys” series from 2012. She was the first author I ever contacted and sent an email to letting her know how much I liked this series. Sometime along the way I read “Zero to the Bone”by Jane Seville, I think just about everyone has read this book!
As it stands right now I’m really into mysteries, grit, gore and “triggers” don’t bother me. But if a blurb piques my interest I will read the book.
My kindle collection eclectic and over three thousand books and my Audible collection is slowly growing. I have both the kindle and audible apps on my ipod, ipads, and MAC. So there is never an excuse not to be listening or reading.
I joined Goodreads around 2012 and started posting reviews. One day a wonderful lady, Lisa Horan of The Novel Approach, sent me an email to see if I wanted to join her review group. Joining her site was such an eye opener. I got introduce to so many new authors that write for the LGBTQ genre. Needless to say, it was heart breaking when it ended.
But I found a really great site, QRI and it’s right here in Sacramento. Last year at QSAC I actually got to meet Scott Coatsworth, Amy Lane and Jeff Adams.