With the newest book of the Teshovar series by Jason Dorough out, I thought it time to share about this engrossing fantasy series. Each book jumps higher in word count. The small heist turns to a POV fantasy cityscape and morphs into an empire-spanning rebellion, from the frozen north to the southern swamps, and character-driven through all three volumes released so far. Yes, the series is ongoing, but each book of the series works well as a stand alone.
Teshovar Series by Jason Dorough (in order recommended by the author via a TikTok)
- The Gem of Tagath (Novella)
- Akithar’s Greatest Trick (Novel)
- Lizandra’s Deepest Fear (Novel)
Amazon Cover
BOOK BLURB ON AMAZON for THE GEM OF TAGATH
15-year-old Pria is one of Barween Drach’s favorite enforcers, but she has designs on a bigger life. Pria’s just waiting for the chance to take over all of the city’s gangs herself. When an infamous gem falls into Klubridge’s underworld, Pria’s dreams of conquest might finally be within reach–if she can learn to trust the right allies and keep herself alive.
The Gem of Tagath is a fantasy heist novella set in the world of Teshovar, a realm where an ancient and mysterious despot has outlawed all magic. This book takes place a few months prior to the series’ first full novel, Akithar’s Greatest Trick. Here, you will meet some key characters in the sprawling city of Klubridge’s underworld, learn about the criminal gangs that operate out of view of the Empire’s authorities, and gain background and insights into the upcoming events of the novel.
MY REVIEW for THE GEM OF TAGATH
This Fantasy Heist novella follows a young gang member with the drive to be so much more, specifically the gang leader. But to do that, she needs an edge and she is constantly on the lookout for one in this world of magic that never percolates down to her level of existence.
Until one day it does, maybe. Anyway it is a Gem of an opportunity – and gems always have value, especially ones with names.
What can go wrong? Says every 15 year-old ever. (Not a YA, but can be read by those 13 and up.)
Great characters, standard street-level fantasy world until the heist begins. Since heists are character driven, the “standard” feel is fine because it lets the readers to concentrate on the magic of thievery.
Amazon Cover
BOOK BLURB ON AMAZON for AKITHAR’S GREATEST TRICK
Demon, Scientist, Charlatan, or Sorcerer?
The Great Akithar is the most famous stage magician in a realm where real magic is outlawed. Over the past decade, Akithar and his troupe have built a reputation–and a home–in the dense coastal city of Klubridge. Every night, he thrills audiences with his controversial performances. Backstage, Akithar hides a secret more dangerous than any of his engineered illusions.
Far inland, an ancient and mysterious tyrant dispatches an elite band of mage hunters to crush magical insurrection. When their hunt brings them to Klubridge, they suspect that Akithar’s magic might be more than mere stage trickery. Akithar and his company will have to rely on a cunning heist, desperate improvisation, and the art of deception to save their theater and even their very lives.
MY REVIEW for AKITHAR’S GREATEST TRICK
First book of a series, self-published July 2021, fantasy story. The author provides lots of cool information through his TikTok so I thought I would read his book (paying him back for my enjoyment of his social media platform – always trying to throw money at creators I enjoy), even though I’m not really a fantasy fan and not the best with long works. The story is broken into four parts, which helped with the 500 pages.
The first part of the story is a typical introduction to a fantasy world through the eyes of a child thief. The second part introduces us to the entire cast, giving us lots of adult opinions and views of this complicated world, plus has a fun heist aspect. Then we hit the 50% mark and things REALLY pick up. Lots of action in a richly built world we are well-familiar with by the 50% mark.
Needless to say, the introduction is long, but, at the same time, something is always happening. You don’t even really realize it is an introduction until you hit the action. (Way better at introducing the world through immersion than most fantasy books I read.) The bad guys are typical bad guys, but not all are cookie-cutter, and the Big Bad is really intriguing from the hints playing out in the worldbuilding -the series story arc is promising.
It’s a good fantasy read.
Amazon Cover
BOOK BLURB ON AMAZON for LIZANDRA’S DEEPEST FEAR
Rebellion, Prophecy, and Betrayal
The survivors of Klubridge flee north to the rebels’ hidden sanctuary. Bards sing of Akithar, the hero who stood against the Empire, but he struggles to keep his own troupe intact in a rebellion divided by prophecy. One side presses for war, and the other deals in secrets and spies. They must find a way to work together when a mysterious new threat brings massive destruction to Teshovar.
Elsewhere, the Empire demands answers for what happened in Klubridge. Politics and pride set the Kites against the Herons in a race to bring the rebels to justice. From the shadows, a reluctant assassin swears vengeance on the order that created her, while a disgraced pirate captain faces his own treacherous past. Ancient secrets and new alliances pave the path to conflict, with both sides teetering between tragedy and victory.
With loyalties fraying, Akithar’s troupe stands on the brink of revelations that will change everything they know about Teshovar. Lizandra said losing Reykas was her greatest fear. What would she sacrifice to keep him safe? What wouldn’t she?
CONTENT WARNINGS AVAILABLE ON THE AUTHOR’S WEBSITE HERE
MY REVIEW for LIZANDRA’S DEEPEST FEAR
Lizandra’s Deepest Fear is an epic fantasy with rolling landscapes, a large point-of-view cast, magic wonder, and political mayhem. Our heroes have found themselves subsumed into a rebellion against a magic empire; both our heroes and their opposites within the empire must decide what side of humanity they fall on. Love, honor, and possession are questions faced by all.
I have read three books by this author now, and while he has always been really good, this book has leveled up his descriptions of the landscape and people. It is by far his best manuscript, and I rated his previous works very high.
To those who want a more literary work, I noticed this book explores the theme of the Cost of Love. How much are you willing to pay for your love? Is your love about possession or release? Honor and Respect or Caregiving and Caretaking? Emotions or action? How much are you willing to give others for your love or their love for you? How much are you willing to have others provide to you? Does it matter if you care more for them than they do for you? How selfish are you allowed to be with your love as a parent, spouse, or child? Is truth and honesty important in a loving relationship? How long should love last when the other person can no longer be around? How important are the wants of yourself versus the wants of others?
Love has a weight, a mass to it, and the author explores this substance while creating a fictional world for a reader to enjoy. I enjoyed LDF at a surface level as an action-packed epic, but I can see a book club or critique buddies having a ball exploring the deeper themes of the story.
