A mysterious amulet leads Fallon to everything she’s ever wanted…and possibly her death.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 … 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.
Astray is the first book in the Ariboslia Christian fantasy series. If you enjoy visiting alternate worlds that feature fast-paced adventure, supernatural creatures, compelling characters, and exciting plot twists, come to Ariboslia. You’ll love this first installment in J. F. Rogers’ page-turning series.
Buy Astray to discover this exciting new series today!
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I haven’t been so moved by a book for a long time. Fallon was raised by her grandparents after her parents death when she was young. When her grandfather dies, her grandma blames her and treats her badly. Her best friend believes in God and prays for her, but Fallon has no reason to believe that God cares for her at all.
But suddenly, Fallon finds herself alone in another world, a world filled with unspeakable violence as well as unimaginable good. Fallon meets family she didn’t know she had, she makes friends of people who believe she is chosen by God, she comes face to face with the One True God and comes to know and believe for the first time in her life that she is loved.
Setting out on a quest to save her newfound kin, Fallon comes to have faith slowly as she realize that God is with her and that he can be trusted. She learns to make unselfish decisions and care for others. And ultimately, she grows willing to risk sacrificing everything, believing that she has already gained so much more than she could ever have imagined.
This book is unapologetically Christian in its content and theology. There is no guesswork about who God is or who he loves. There is also no limit on God’s redemptive plan for all of his creation.
Best quote:
I wanted to reach out to him, to soothe him, but I held back, unsure. “I’m sorry.” So lame, but I couldn’t think of anything else to say.
“You’re sorry?” He looked at me, his face puckering. “This isn’t your fault.”
“I know. It’s something we humans say, or…full-humans, I mean. When we feel bad for someone and don’t know what to say, we say sorry.”
“Oh.” He gazed out at the sea. “Know what the Cael say?”
“No. What?” My gaze followed his. The sparkling light dancing on the waves calmed my mind.
“We say, ‘You are loved.’”
“Oh.” I didn’t see that one coming.
I received an advanced review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
One of the hardest things to do as a writer of Biblically-based fiction is to insert Christian theology directly into a fantasy world of elves and vampires. Rogers does this particularly well in a story that is surprising, heart-warming, exciting, and thoughtful. I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the series!
I thought this was a very good read and I read it from the very beginning to the very end.
I thought the story line was a very good read and this is my opinion.
I thought the charcter line up was spot on and this is my opinion.
I got this book for free, with an honest review freely given.
A Story Of Faith, Trust and Forgiveness
What a wonderful story with great world building and imagination. The characters come to life and the journey is incredible. It shows how faith and trust can transcend even the most terrifying situations. It’s not just a belief…it’s a Knowing <3
Portal fantasy for the ya fantasy fan!
Astray is a great introduction to the world of Ariboslia where a teenage girl named Fallon finds herself transported when chased by a wolf…who might not be a wolf after all.
Astray has the subtle feel of an allegory for the Christian life, and it is wrapped so well in the imaginative fantasy created by talented author J. F. Rogers. Fallon is practically alone in the world after the tragic deaths of her parents, and later her precious grandpa. She is left to live with her bitter grandmother. On her 17th birthday she receives one gift, but it’s not anything she ever expected: a necklace that belonged to her mother.
Walking home from her best friend’s house through a graveyard in a storm she is chased by the wolf and, by design, falls through a portal to another world where her entire life is turned upside down in all the best and worst ways. Fallon can embrace the new path set before her, but her ability to make a difference and save lives all rests upon her willingness to trust.
A story of faith, hope, and forgiveness, I recommend Astray to anyone teen and older who enjoys Christian fiction, adventure, shape-shifters, vampire stories, and a touch of sweet romance.
One caution – there is the difficult issue of self-harm in the way of cutting that is lightly touched upon.
The story begins in a sad tone because Fallon feels like everyone has abandoned her. Her mother missing, her father and her favorite grandpa dead. She is left with a bitter grandma that wishes that Fallon never stepped foot in her house. Luckily she has a friend she can count on until she wakes up in a world she didn’t know existed. Protected by a wolf she learns a lot of this fantastical realm, where she originally comes from. I wonder what I would do if I woke up in a strange world and all you know is gone. Fallon takes is quiet well especially when she learns she is their savior. Those are big shoes to fill as everybody sees you that you already saved them, but deep in her heart she is scared she can’t fulfill this promise. The world where you change into animals is exciting and a new take on a magical journey. There is one constant thread in this book is the Christian influence and having faith that everything is going to be alright if you put your life in the trusted hands of HIM.
I really liked this book. The author does some great world-building and I think most of the characters are well fleshed-out. The protagonist, Fallon, is relatable in that she isn’t perfect and sometimes struggles with doing the right thing or even knowing what the right thing is.
Note: This is definitely a Christian fantasy, so if that isn’t your thing, you probably won’t like the book. As a lover of both Jesus Christ and fantasy novels, “Astray” was right up my alley and I look forward to reading the rest of the series.