THE ASHAVAN

A young man land in chaos when he arrives on a mysterious planet where magic reigns.

The first entry in the Across the Asha series introduces John “Mike” Williams, a 25-year-old Tennessee man who is, by unknown entities, unceremoniously stripped and dumped out of an airplane into the ocean, where he’s left “with no clothes and no clues.” Mike is soon rescued from murderous pirates and finds himself on an airship under the command of Ashavan Yuna—an immortal who has merged with the “Asha” spirit world and “is one with the truth.” He learns that he is now on Nocht, an otherworldly planet that often receives “Drifters”—people and animals from Earth who have drifted through the Asha and landed in Nocht. While working on the ship, and hoping that Yuna will soon teach him how to return to Earth, Mike meets Lily Smith (a fellow Drifter who was adopted by the rulers of the Mazu kingdom) when she stows away on Yuna’s ship. With Mazu facing imminent destruction from invading Alari forces who have come to collect on a debt, Lily’s parents implore her to hide away. But she and Mike soon realize that life—and love—might just be worth fighting for. In Parrish’s elaborate world, humans exist alongside dinosaurs, dragons, and other creatures. This highly original adventure combines bits and pieces of reality, magic, and history to create a vivid world and well-rounded characters. Swerves abound (the real reason that Yuna summons Mike to Nocht is genuinely surprising). Harsh language and graphic depictions of violence and torture (with one reference to rape) make this a more mature read, while the sheer breadth of Nocht’s internal politics may fatigue some readers. But Parrish’s capable prose and largely naturalistic dialogue keep things moving along, making this a delightfully unique addition for fantasy fans.

A deeply detailed adventure that weaves magic, SF, and alternate history into a wholly original tale.