I selected Kashel Char’s Draxton: Children of Anzulla, Book I, thinking I was beginning a new series. While this novel and its series starts a new strain of the story, it belongs to a larger world: it’s a crossover from Char’s New Beginnings M/M Series. I tell you this so you’re aware, but I’m also starting here to inform you how the world building, characters, and adventure pull the reader in so fast and furiously that I intend to keep reading these stories, as well as going back to take in the first series. You can start at any point and fall in love with this creative and new world!
Char’s creation of Anzulla and the legends around it are incredibly well done – hint: Anzulla is another name for earth. I love a unique atmosphere, and Char generates one to suck you into the story. Draxton’s job as a cartographer is super fun, too. He’s a driven explorer, desperately seeking to investigate the Star Caves. He’s so dedicated that he gets lost in his work and can become oblivious to the people around him. He’s a master at navigating tunnels and caves, as well as in finding unknown realms and buried truths about the past. I doubt I’ve ever read about a cartographer before, let alone one who loves adventure and gets involved in steamy sex scenes along the way. Draxton’s relationship with Kellan is enough to make we want to read this novel! Hot! Wow! Yeah – you’ll want to read for the passion alone.
Char also masters the art of plot twists, surprises, and keeping you on the edge of your seat. He’s taking you on a twisted version of history to reveal the truth about Anzulla, er – Earth. Sometimes these attempts fall flat in fantasy, because crafting a new realm, having the reader buy into the characters, and sustaining the new reality take up so much space that the story gets lost. Not so with Char. Even without having read previous manifestations of the characters and universe, I followed easily. This ability is so good I didn’t get befuddled by time travel, which often leaves me bewildered. (I’m a historian – time is linear! Lol) Humor also keeps the reader engaged! And I appreciate how Char includes a diversity of characters, with autism, race, and you name it. An inclusive universe on top of everything else is super cool.
The story is a quick read, in part because the next installment is right around the corner. I’m not patient by nature but look forward to continuing this journey. In the meantime, I have a new favorite author to explore!
The Reviewer
Damian Serbu lives in the Chicago area with his husband and two dogs, Akasha and Chewbacca. The dogs control his life, tell him what to write, and threaten to eat him in the middle of the night if he disobeys. He has published several speculative fiction/horror novels with NineStar Press. Keep up to date with him on Facebook, Twitter, or at www.DamianSerbu.com.
