A vengeful warlock unleashes a cataclysmic evil. Will their greed-driven land heed the warnings… or burn? Lissane Barola’s dreams are fading fast. Unwillingly betrothed to a pompous brute for political reasons, the baron’s daughter knows her power-hungry father would never approve of her love of a commoner. But she’s horrified when he enlists her awful brothers to batter her beloved into a bloody, lifeless pulp. Erun Cade’s soul thrives on poetry and high-court fantasies. Yet mere words are little help to the blacksmith’s son when he’s tortured and left for dead by his sweet flame’s vicious family. Revived by a mystic saddling him with a deadly mission, he longs to be back with the proud woman who holds his heart, but a far more pressing danger looms on the horizon… Desperate to move on and find happiness, Lissane loses hope as it’s ripped into shreds by continued betrayal and death. And after enduring punishing training with an elite battalion, Erun musters but one thought for his home after witnessing an elemental demon’s maelstrom of destruction: If he doesn’t warn them, everybody will die. Can the star-crossed lovers reunite and deliver their realm from utter annihilation? Gol is the breathtaking prequel to the Legends of Ansu fantasy series. If you like twisted webs of passion, epic tapestries, and staggering battles, then you’ll adore J.W. Webb’s thrilling ride into war. Buy Gol to beat the drum of destiny today! "Gol" (legends of Ansu)" is the first book that introduces us to the mythical world of author J.W.Webb and what a crazy, fantastical, marvelous world it is! It is imaginative pulls no punches in drawing from almost every available literary element available. This is a rare novel that I thought had almost everything, from heart-pounding battle scenes, to romantic love scenes, to twisted (and I mean twisted) family relationships, magical/supernatural elements, danger... it's hard not to find something you like. There are dark secrets revealed throughout, and nothing is predictable or what you think will happen. Kept me turning the pages late into the night! One thing I'll say is that I was impressed with how well the author J.W.Webb wrote it, there were almost none of the mistakes I frequently see in new writers (slow beginnings, adverb abuse in dialogue tags, telling v. showing, etc.). Mr Webb writes like a seasoned pro and I'm looking forward to the next book in this series. Highly recommend!! Laura - Goodreads Gol" by J.W.Webb was a different type of book for me as I'm not a huge fantasy reader, although I do enjoy the genre. I'd read and enjoyed another novel of J.W.Webb's ("The Haven" - Check it out!) and when I saw this one as being appealing for fans of "Lord of the Rings" and "Game of Thrones" - two sagas that I really like, I thought I'd give this a try and see how I liked it. That said, here are my thoughts: I liked that it was fast paced and with plenty of action, especially for a long book. It wasn't predictable at all... and it kept my attention the whole way through. I don't think I was able to stop reading the last 30% or so! There were many characters, and I had no real concept of the individual personalities, looks, etc... I did appreciate the intelligent, multi-layered plot - it forces you to pay attention and think -actively engage the story. So not some easy breezy fluff beach read. To my surprise I found myself really sucked into the story, so much so that I shed a few tears and may have cursed a few characters along the way. Was satisfied with the ending, but not *happy* if that make sense. But it's okay... Overall an enjoyable read that I'd recommend to others, and I'm really glad I gave it a shalt. Will read more from this author anytime Tabitha - Gooodreads A complex fantasy novel combines a young man's quest, a noblewoman's nightmare, and a long-slumbering demon.Ruled by the brutal Baron Eon, Barola is just one of the many unpleasant provinces in the land of Gol. The baron arranges a marriage of political importance for his daughter to Varentin Gallante ("a pompous turd," according to the baron's eldest son, Rosco), but the wedding will only take place if it is forced. The baron's daughter Lissane is not interested in Varentin. She has instead been seen in town with Erun, a blacksmith's son and young man who delves into poetry and "witty songs." Though the two hope to one day escape their treacherous conditions, their plans are vague and result in a scene of torture and combat, and Erun is badly wounded. Far away, a figure named Ozmandeus "had just achieved the impossible. He had captured the essence of the Demon, Ashmali." Surely such a feat spells trouble, but to what extent? Progressing with the aid of magical figures, folklore-worthy locations, and plenty of violence, the story incorporates many well-known fantasy tropes. Weaving the storylines with capable skill, Webb (Haven, 2015, etc.) supplies many intriguing impediments, from a cunning, albe