STAZR The World Of Z: The Dawn of Athir

One could say the story of the prophesied individual who will save the world has been done and done and overdone. So how is one to write a new story in the genre? The key is to write a new and fresh story in such a way that takes the expected facets of the “chosen one” and presents it in a new light, defying and also defeating the cliché. STAZR: The World of Z does this in a wonderful new way, and readers of the fantasy and science fiction genres will delight in this new and original telling of a familiar trope.

In this first book in the series, The Dawn of Athir, our main character and hero is one Ratadat Lael. Lael has felt the calling to inscribe the printed word his entire life. He lives a simple and, some might say, easy life, but he thrives in the occupation and world he has been thrust into, marveling in the sights and sounds of Stazr and thriving. The story begins as Lael is on his travels, recounting in detail what he is seeing and experiencing, as well as telling of his strange dreams. The similarities to one Bilbo Baggins going on an adventure cannot be missed, but this isn’t Middle Earth, rather the world of Stazr, where things are very different. There are evolved creatures that were originally humans, but also other anthropomorphic beings known as Greats, as Lael is. As the reader follows along with new details of the varied and unique flora and fauna of this world, journal entries break up the ongoing plot with excerpts and accounts of what is being observed, not for the first time by Lael but for the first time by the reader. Juxtaposed with the seemingly idyllic Lael, who wishes little more than to become a renowned author, is the revelation of an ancient prophecy found in the city of Treebarad which will initiate a series of events that will draw this naive writer into a much larger role than he ever could have considered himself worthy of.

The writing is easy to follow and detailed, necessary when being introduced to a new world. Ayarovu uses endnotes for new and strange terms to help define and explain the complexities of this world. These lend the book a more official and perhaps referential feel, but at the same time give the reader the choice to look up the definition at the end of the chapter, or to keep on going with the story knowing they will discover the meaning in subsequent events. The only critique is the e-book edition lacks numbered endnotes, so it’s not always easy to tell which term or word is being defined. Nevertheless, this is a minor hindrance for a thrilling read that draws the reader in from the very beginning with a lovable and entertaining character and takes them on a journey of epic proportions in this new and fresh world.