Hello Factioneers! Today we would like to congratulate our friends David Estes and Dyrk Ashton on the launch of their new book: Kraken Rider Z!
Who are these brilliant writers and what is Kraken Rider Z? Well, if you don’t know already, let me introduce you!
Followers of Fantasy-Faction and/or the Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off (SPFBO) will know Dyrk Ashton, and his book Paternus (which is now Rise of the Gods, book one in the Paternus Trilogy), as our 2016 pick and third place finalist of SPFBO #2. Since then, he has completed the initial Paternus trilogy, with plans to write more in the same world. He has also appeared in multiple anthologies and even put out a few standalone short stories.
David Estes, on the other hand, is appearing on our site for the first time! He is the author of over forty books in both fantasy and science fiction. His Fatemarked series even hit #1 on Amazon for best epic fantasy!
Those are the authors, but what of the book?
To begin with Kraken Rider Z is a progression fantasy novel. It shows the progression of the character as they increase their skills and power throughout the novel, similar to cultivation novels or litRPG. Over the course of the book our main character Zee goes through trials and tribulations that hone his skills and make him into the hero he was destined to be. But I think the summary of the books can explain the plot better than I can.
If there’s one thing dragons fear, it’s a kraken.
Even lowly hull-scrubber Zee Tarrow knows that. Like everyone on the island kingdom of Tosh, he grew up frightened by fables and horrible tales of the great beasts of the deep. It seems an odd thing to impress upon the children of the realm, because—luckily for the dragons and their riders—no one has seen a kraken in a thousand years.
Then again, Tosh’s lifeblood is the sea. Royal Dragon Knights guard the king’s ships from the constant threat of pirates, hostile empires, and the monstrous horrors that dwell beneath the waves. It makes sense people would fear krakens, even after generations of Knights graduate and take flight from the ramparts of Triumf’s Citadel, the country’s most elite—and therefore also exclusive—military academy. A school Zee, who has barely ever had more than two copper pennies to rub together, should have no chance of getting into.
Thing is…Zee has a secret. He’s not only seen a kraken…
He saved its life.
When that truth gets out, will Zee be hunted by the Dragon Knights he has always envied and admired, or will he become the first Kraken Rider in history?
Oh, did I mention there are dragons in this book? Cause there are totally dragons in this book.
Overall, if you are a lover of dragons or krakens, unique fantasy worlds and tales of the sea, you must check out Kraken Rider Z. You will not be disappointed!
Happy Book Day David and Dyrk!
Kraken Rider Z is out today and available as an audiobook and ebook! You can learn more about it, its authors, and their other works by following them on Twitter (David Estes/Dyrk Ashton), Facebook (David Estes), Bluesky (Dyrk Ashton), and Instagram (David Estes/Dyrk Ashton), as well as on their websites (David Estes/Dyrk Ashton).
Well, I do like dragons!
This one sounds intriguing. Thanks.