Visions of Zarua – Suzanne Rogerson

Two wizards, 350 years apart. Can they save the realm of Paltria from Zarua’s dark past? An ancient darkness haunts the realm of Paltria. Apprentice wizard Paddren is plagued by visions of a city on the brink of annihilation. When his master dies in mysterious circumstances, the Royal Order of Wizards refuses to investigate. Helped by his childhood friend, the skilled tracker Varnia, and her lover Leyoch, Paddren vows to find the killer. The investigation leads Paddren down a sinister path of assassins, secret sects and creatures conjured by blood magic. But he is guided by a connection with a wizard from centuries ago – a wizard whose history holds the key to the horror at the heart of the abandoned city of Zarua. Can Paddren decipher his visions in time to save the Paltrian people from the dark menace of Zarua’s past?

 

 

Guest post

I am happy to share a guest post about Main Character Profiles. Enjoy!

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Paddren

Paddren is a brooding apprentice wizard in his twenties with trust issues. Born a baron’s son, he started suffering horrific visions at the age of four. Without any understanding of magic, his family send him to the Royal Order of Wizards. Bullied by his peers, while the wizards themselves are sceptical of his abilities, Paddren lives a life of terror until he meets Kalesh. Transferred to the barony of Herristone on the outskirts of Paltria, Paddren thrives and under Kalesh’s tutelage he learns to control his visions. The two of them attempt to unravel the meaning behind the gruesome images but before the visions are deciphered, Kalesh is murdered.

Paddren has lost his father figure, and is trapped in a world of wizards who seem determined to cover up the murder. Paddren must continue his mentor’s work whilst trying to protect those he loves and attempting to save the realm from a threat no one can see. He acts selflessly, but in order to protect the web of secrets his life has become it’s often to the detriment of his few close friends.

Varnia

Varnia is an orphan raised under the pretence of being the hunt master’s niece. She resents living a lie, especially when it prevents her being with the man she loves. She is a naturally talented tracker, but when Kalesh dies, something strange begins to happen to her and she realises that her skills might be down to more than just talent.

She asks Paddren for help but, acting in his usual secretive way, he says tell no one what you suspect, even the order of Royal Wizards. Varnia feels trapped, unable to be herself, and not knowing who herself really is.

As a female huntress, forced to compete in a male dominated world, Varnia is a strong willed woman who is also stubborn and rash. But she is brave and determined, and will do whatever it takes to help the people she loves.

Leyoch

As an orphan, Leyoch was lucky to find employment with the barony wizard of Herristone. He becomes friends with Paddren, though finds the brooding wizard difficult to get along with. Leyoch is a joker, though sometimes the restrictions of his status and the contempt of those above him hurt more than he will let show. He’s willing to risk his life to rise above his lowly birth and marry Varnia. Heroic and loyal, Leyoch is the man to stand beside when fighting creatures conjured by blood magic.

Jago (his story took place 350 years ago)

As a junior wizard, Jago feels trapped by his role and leaves the magical city of Zarua to see the world beyond. He travels for five years, gaining an empathy for those without magic. When he returns, he finds his brother has committed suicide. No one questions the death, but Jago knows it’s a lie. As he sets about proving his brother was murdered, he stumbles across far worse crimes taking place. Jago must fight against the stubborn elders to make himself heard, but when that’s not enough he’ll need great strength of heart to lead a rebellion and set the people of Zarua free. A gallant, selfless hero, Jago is willing to make the ultimate sacrifice to stop the evil spreading. Little does he know that his actions will have consequences 350 years in the future.

Thank you, Suzanne Rogerson and RachelsRandomResources.

 

About the author

Suzanne lives in Middlesex, England with her hugely encouraging husband and two children.

She wrote her first novel at the age of twelve. She discovered the fantasy genre in her late teens and has never looked back. Giving up work to raise a family gave her the impetus to take her attempts at novel writing beyond the first draft, and she is lucky enough to have a husband who supports her dream – even if he does occasionally hint that she might think about getting a proper job one day.

Suzanne loves gardening and has a Hebe (shrub) fetish. She enjoys cooking with ingredients from the garden, and regularly feeds unsuspecting guests vegetable-based cakes.

She collects books, loves going for walks and picnics with the children and sharing with them her love of nature and photography.

Suzanne is interested in history and enjoys wandering around castles. But most of all she likes to escape with a great film, or soak in a hot bubble bath with an ice cream and a book.

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