"ASTRAY" BY J.F. ROGERS

"Astray" by J. F. Rogers

Synopsis:

After a lifetime with no knowledge of her parents, troubled seventeen-year-old Fallon Webb receives a necklace once belonging to her mother. The amulet leads her on a life-changing journey through a portal to a foreign land where she encounters unusual creatures, shape-shifters, and something she’s always longed for—family.

In Ariboslia, Fallon learns her mother is alive. Vampire-like creatures have her, and many others, captive. Most distressing is the prophecy that devastated her family. Can she trust it? Because if it’s right, Fallon must destroy the vampires’ leader—her uncle—to rescue her mother and free her people from the threat.

Unprepared and afraid, Fallon sets out on the journey, with no skills to assist her quest and no other way home. In her travels, she learns about the One True God and how desperately she needs Him. Perhaps, with His help, she’ll find a way to fulfill her destiny and stay alive.

My Review:

I love love love this book! It is now a favorite of mine in the fantasy fiction genre…

"Astray" is the first book of the Ariboslia series. The fantasy elements in this book remind me of: "The Chronicles of Narnia”—with characters stepping through a portal between the human realm and a realm where magical settings, beings, and creatures exist; and “The Lord of the Rings”—influenced by folklore, mythology, and the Christian bible, with a selected group of characters sent on a quest to save the world from evil forces.

What appears to be her debut novel, "Astray" reveals its author’s amazing imagination and storytelling abilities. Something I really enjoyed is the way she uses comparative descriptions that are quite creative, fun to read, and help form vivid pictures in the minds of readers, such as: "The hairs on my arms stood up like meerkats on the lookout for danger" as a reaction to a creepy environment; and “The clouds let loose, as if God had tightened His fist around them and squeezed” in reference to a downpour of rain.

The characters of this book are quite interesting with great character arcs. Multiple races (humans, shapeshifters, vampires, and others) can be found in this book, and I love the balance of good and bad shown in every race, with a powerful story of redemption. I especially enjoyed seeing the growth and development of Fallon (the main character) throughout this book. Being in the realm of Ariboslia and surrounded by its natives changes her a great deal, for the better.

Some of my favorite quotes from "Astray" are: “No matter where you are, no matter what has happened, there is a greater purpose for everything” and “Through it all, you are loved by the One True God.”

“Astray” is an inspirational and imaginative fantasy fiction book that teens and adults are sure to enjoy!

I now look forward to reading anything J. F. Rogers ever writes! 😊

My ⭐ Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Notes: You can find my Goodreads review of "Astray" here. Also, I received a free copy of this book from its publisher and author, for which I am incredibly grateful, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Credits: The book cover and synopsis seen in this post are courtesy of Amazon.com.

If any of you would like to learn more about J. F. Rogers and her books, check out her website, JFRogers.com.