THE CHRONICLES OF ORDI

By Alex Zenk

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

GENRE:  Fantasy

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BLURB:

In a world where ancient magic is fading and darkness grows, one dwarf mage stands between his realm and destruction.

Ordi, a gifted mage with the rare ability to command all elemental magic, is summoned by his king on a perilous quest. Accompanied by his loyal posh hound Mira and his warrior brother Verdun, Ordi must recover the legendary Otthroite Gems—powerful artifacts thought lost to time.

As they journey through forbidden forests, abandoned dwarven cities, and haunted valleys, they discover these gems are the only hope against the rising threat of the long-banished Dark Lord. With each step, they uncover secrets of ancient magic and face betrayals that test the bonds of brotherhood.

Rich in world-building and filled with magical encounters, “The Chronicles of Ordi” blends classic fantasy elements with fresh perspectives on courage, loyalty, and the price of power.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

EXCERPT

The battle intensified. The witch’s minions—a mix of twisted abominations and resurrected corpses—swarmed the clearing. Galen led the paladins in a valiant charge, striking down skeletal warriors only for them to rise again. Ordi and the mages unleashed torrents of arcane energy, incinerating the dark creatures. Despite their best efforts, the witch’s power seemed endless. She began summoning more skeletons to add to the chaos of the battle. Mira charged in, pounding and ripping bones apart. The skeletons reformed effortlessly, keeping her busy.

The skeletons pressed in, their bony fingers scraping and clawing, as Ordi and Mira fought back to back, the sounds of battle filling the clearing. Ordi summoned bolts of arcane magic that pierced through the skeletal frames, incinerating them to ash, but it was a fleeting victory. The skeletons reformed with unnatural speed, their rattling bones an unsettling soundtrack to the ongoing fight. Read more – link in comments.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Guest Post By Alex Zenk

Writing epic fantasy, like The Chronicles of Ordi, offers unique rewards and challenges, shaped by the genre’s depth and scope.

Pros: Epic fantasy allows boundless creativity in world-building. Crafting Asheros, with its diverse races and Otthroite Gems, draws on Tolkien’s intricate lore and World of Warcraft’s immersive continents, letting me weave rich histories and cultures. The genre’s scale supports epic stakes, as Verdun’s loyalty to Ordi or Mira’s protective instincts shine in sprawling battles or intimate moments, resonating with readers who crave emotional depth, like Lewis’s Narnian allegories. It also fosters dedicated fanbases, since fantasy readers engage deeply with series, eager for expansive narratives and characters like Mira, whose poshhound loyalty echoes beloved fantasy companions. Finally, the genre’s flexibility accommodates themes of faith and sacrifice, letting me explore profound ideas through fantastical lenses.

Cons: The genre demands extensive planning. Asheros’ complex systems of magic, politics, and factions require detailed consistency, risking plot holes if neglected. Time investment is significant, since crafting lore for Ordi’s Brotherhood or Mira’s role can slow drafting, especially when balancing inspiration with structure. Reader expectations, shaped by giants like Tolkien, can pressure originality, making it hard to avoid clichés. Lastly, the genre’s length, often multi-book sagas, demands stamina, risking burnout or overwhelming readers if pacing falters.

Despite challenges, epic fantasy’s creative freedom and emotional resonance make it rewarding, letting characters like Mira and Verdun shine in a vibrant, enduring world.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Alex Zenk brings a fresh voice to the world of epic quests and magical realms. Born and raised in the midwest, Alex’s love for fantasy was kindled early by the works of J.R.R. Tolkien and nurtured through years of immersive role-playing games. As a pastor by day and a storyteller by night, Alex brings a unique perspective to his writing, weaving themes of morality, redemption, and the complexities of good and evil into his narratives.

Drawing inspiration from his experiences in World of Warcraft, Alex has crafted a rich and immersive world in his debut series, “The Chronicles of Ordi.” His background in theology and his deep understanding of human nature inform the complex characters and intricate plot lines.

When not writing or tending to his pastoral duties, Alex can be found exploring the natural beauty of Iowa with his family, using these adventures to fuel his imagination and inspire new fantastic landscapes. With plans for multiple books set in the world of Asheros, Alex Zenk is poised to make a significant impact on the fantasy genre, offering readers a blend of classic epic fantasy with a modern, thoughtful twist.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apzenk/

Amazon: https://a.co/d/g00TgiA

Website: https://apzenk.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565462734987

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

GIVEAWAY

Alex Zenk will be awarding a $25 Amazon gift card to a randomly drawn winner.

a Rafflecopter giveaway