Review: Heroes of the Empire
- Megan // thebookishnarwhal
- Mar 17, 2023
- 2 min read
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: Israh Azizi
Welcome to my stop in the Bookstagram & Creative Tour for Heroes of the Empire: The Cavalier by Israh Azizi
Heroes of the Empire, Book 1: The Cavalier is a YA fantasy read written by Israh Azizi that is told impeccably through multiple points-of-view but does come with a trigger warning for blood, violence, and death. That said, this is the start of an epic new series.
The story has all of the elements for a compelling fantasy plot, as it takes place in a massive world filled with political intrigues and revenge. Don’t be intimidated by the word count, because once you get the hang of the character names and locations, you find yourself reading the final chapter before you even know what’s happening. There’s also a map and I adore books with maps!
Meet Natassa. The role she plays is that of 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. Cue the flip side. She’s a shackled prisoner who learns of her father’s intention to marry her to a man she loathes. It really makes you think of all the times you got mad at your parents for not letting you do the smallest things… thank goodness I got to marry someone I love! I feel for Natassa and cheered her on with the turn of every page.
Meet Velamir. 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.
A round of applause for the character development seen throughout the story and Azizi tackles the coming-of-age theme well. There are life lessons experienced and taught through pride and perseverance, with the added progression of wisdom.
This is a real yet beautifully written story that is worth the emotional rollercoaster; I haven’t been this drawn to a fantasy world since I first read Harry Potter. Azizi wrote characters that were original yet vibrant and ’d love to see a little enemies-to-lovers action. I cannot wait for the next instalment!
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