Book Summary - Book of Azrael by Amber V. Nicole
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In this episode of Literature on the Rocks…
we’re diving headfirst into Book of Azrael by Amber V. Nicole, a dark fantasy tale packed with gods, monsters, and enough mythological references to make even a seasoned fantasy reader pause and grab a glossary. From i’gmorathen to shades (and plenty more), we unpack the many creatures of this sprawling world and debate whether they added richness or confusion to the story.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a Literature on the Rocks episode without a little banter—we kicked things off by venting about triggering corporate lingo (because apparently “putting a pin in it” is scarier than any monster). Let’s just say, if you’ve ever sat through a soul-crushing meeting where someone suggested you “circle back,” you’ll feel our pain.
We share our honest takes on what worked, what didn’t, and how this book measured up against our expectations. Did the worldbuilding hit, or did it feel like too many threads tangled together? Tune in to hear our full breakdown and rating—whether Book of Azrael deserves one shot, two shots, or the full three-shot experience.
And because no apocalyptic fantasy is complete without a killer drink, we paired this read with our original cocktail, World Ender. Dark, moody, and a little dangerous, it’s the perfect match for Amber V. Nicole’s world.
World Ender Recipe
Ingredients:
2 oz black vodka (or regular vodka + activated charcoal for that midnight hue)
½ oz crème de cassis
¾ oz fresh lemon juice
¼ oz simple syrup
Dash of black walnut bitters
Sprig of charred rosemary for garnish
Directions:
Shake all ingredients with ice, strain into a chilled coupe glass, and garnish with that charred rosemary sprig. One sip and you’ll feel ready to face gods, monsters, or even a team meeting full of “synergy” talk.
As you sip on a World Ender, head to our prompts page and answer the Book of Azrael prompts—because what’s more fun than mixing monsters, mayhem, and your hot takes into our next book club episode?
