Scarlet Odyssey

Scarlet Odyssey, Book 1

By: C. T. Rwizi

Narrated by: Janina Edwards, Korey Jackson, Robin Eller, Kimberly Woods, Susan Dalian

“Thrillingly refreshing, a propulsive story built around a fascinating cast of characters...brutal and beautiful and bold and Black in every way.”—Tor.com

Magic is women’s work; war is men’s. But in the coming battle, none of that will matter.

Men do not become mystics. They become warriors. But eighteen-year-old Salo has never been good at conforming to his tribe’s expectations. For as long as he can remember, he has loved books and magic in a culture where such things are considered unmanly. Despite it being sacrilege, Salo has worked on a magical device in secret that will awaken his latent magical powers. And when his village is attacked by a cruel enchantress, Salo knows that it is time to take action.

Salo’s queen is surprisingly accepting of his desire to be a mystic, but she will not allow him to stay in the tribe. Instead, she sends Salo on a quest. The quest will take him thousands of miles north to the Jungle City, the political heart of the continent. There he must gather information on a growing threat to his tribe.

On the way to the city, he is joined by three fellow outcasts: a shunned female warrior, a mysterious nomad, and a deadly assassin. But they’re being hunted by the same enchantress who attacked Salo’s village. She may hold the key to Salo’s awakening—and his redemption.

©2020 C. T. Rwizi (P)2020 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

"Korey Jackson leads an ensemble cast in narrating this epic fantasy combining Swaziland myths and science fiction. …Jackson, along with Janina Edwards, Robin Eller, Kimberly Woods, and Susan Dalian, portray their characters with passion, allowing listeners to savor the intricacies of the story and multiple points of view. The multiple narrators make the aural experience enjoyable and easier to follow than reading the text."—Audiofile Magazine

"Rwizi’s debut is noteworthy for its African-inspired setting."—Library Journal

Amazing storytelling

I loved everything about this book, including all the audio. The world building, character development, and mix of magic and sci-fi was what I’ve been craving for months. I would recommend this book to anyone (but especially BIPOC) who is a fan of Jeff Wheeler, or high fantasy in general. I’m really excited for the next book. I don’t think it left off on a cliffhanger, but the ending did make me want to continue this journey.

Interesting world and great characters!

The world in this series is really interesting and I loved the characters. It started a bit on the slow side but definitely picked up and I couldn't stop once I got halfway through.

Unique Scify

On my 3rd re-read. Love the descriptions and combo of tech and tradition in Africa. Rwizi is at Heinlein, Martha Wells, Leguin levels of classic Scify/Fantasy.

Amazing Book and Narrators

I loved this book! I've been looking for a good epic fantasy read for a while, and this one definitely fit the bill. The narrators were great. As I listened, I almost felt like I was there.

Underrated High Fantasy

Characters: charming
Setting: fresh
Plot: gripping
Pacing: respectful of your time
Style: "open window" as opposed to "flowery"
Overall: 10/10 what a fun ride. I particularly enjoyed the magic system and descriptions of such. Definitely a lot of reread value. Eagerly jumping into the next one.