One of my favourite things about releasing a book is hearing what readers really think. I asked some of my early readers a few light-hearted (and slightly dangerous) questions about Beast of Zarall. I had so much fun coming up with these questions, and I had even more fun reading their answers. Sharing them here with mild spoilers.

1. Poorly describe what this book is about. Do your worst.

Formerly emotionally empty and perfect gladiator slave, pretends to still be a puppet even while hearing scary voices inside his head. First stuck with farm girl, who debatably has more guilt than debt and who won’t accept help from smelly love interest, then goes on field trip with old boss’s son and friends, one of which won’t stop giving him the stink eye. With conversation skills of a peanut he tries to make friends, while the annoying head voice continues to be annoyingly right all the time. Oh and a creepy sex addicted prince hunts them. Fight scene, interlaced with betrayals, ending with flaming bull, mysterious wizards, emotional devastation and wild revelations. – A.

Man who can’t express his emotions goes on a life-or-death quest following a group of frat boys.  – Alyssa

Slave man fights animals in circle. Slave man becomes free man, Slave man might be slave again? – Tyler

man of few words discovers Eat, Pray, Love is a crock of shit – Kelly

Giant neanderthal has anger management issues because rich museum curators want to own him and show him off for bragging rights. – Allison

2. How would you summarize the emotional impact?

My chest had been carved open with an axe after book 1, and when I finally recovered and had my heart sewn back in, I convinced myself I would be ready for book 2. I put on a helmet, armor and chest padding fully prepared for anything Eddy might throw at me and yet it was like I wore nothing but a fools cap and sign that said “thought this time would be different”. It was devastating how easily my heart was plucked out crushed, brought back to life with a scrap of hope, then crushed again, a cycle that occurred multiple times…sometimes with a sledgehammer. – A.

Wrecked. – Alyssa

*falls over and stares into distance* – Tyler

 I was sweating and may have passed out at some point from shock. – Allison

3. I asked Beast how this book has been for him and he’s only using emojis to communicate. What’s his answer?

❤️‍🩹😈🙏✨🌄🦁🧑‍🧒🍻⚔️🤬🔥🐃🤕👿🤯🐺🧙‍♂️- A.

😠😠😠 – Alyssa

🫡 – Tyler

🫠💔🍻🤮🔥🚫😤🎢🆘 – Kelly

🤬🤔🤬🤨🤬👿🤬😐😈 – Allison

4. Between Lion of Zarall and Beast of Zarall, what’s your favourite fight scene?

Tough one but got to go with Lion v Marzull; also appreciated the complexity of Firebreath but DID NOT like the ending of that fight – A.

Probably in Beast, when he takes the raiders on himself, protecting Olira and the mercenaries. – Alyssa

The final fight in Lion of Zarall – Tyler

Always going to be the naked bear fight from Lion! – Kelly

Beast of Zarall- winery fight against three men – Allison

5. Beast is having a BBQ. What’s he cooking?

Grilled Salmon marinated in butter and garlic; with a side of Sea fruit cake. (*literal tears*) – A.

The tears of his enemies. – Alyssa

Every animal he can get his hands on he’s a buffet kind of guy. – Tyler

bear steaks 🤣 – Kelly

Brisket with flavorful seasoning. Likes that slow smoke cooking – Allison

6. Let’s talk about other characters. Who was your favourite (after Beast)?

Ink! – A.

Ink – Alyssa

I have the biggest soft spot for Olira – Tyler

Ink…. sigh – Kelly

INK and then Olira – Allison

7. What’s on Olira’s Amazon shopping cart?

Mace, herb travel belt, and thank you cards for Jygan – A.

Joist hangers, which she keeps putting off. – Alyssa

The will to continue and fresh seedlings bless that poor woman – Tyler

industrial strength odour blocker – Kelly

Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, plant tags, large hat for gardening, and sourdough bread kit – Allison

8. You got your hands on Lodi’s Kindle. What titles do you see? (Yes, you can make things up).

1. How to Reclaim a Kingdom in 3 easy steps.  2. Dustan Hill Winemaking by Welda; 3. Filling your Fathers Shoes; a self help guide to family trauma. – A.

The Cocky Kingmans series by Amy Award – Alyssa

I’m to scared to look 🫣 – Tyler

a) he’s just not that into you b) navigating a toxic workplace for dummies – Kelly

How to successfully organize a coup for dummies and red white and royal blue – Allison

9. What’s on Valnar’s search history (that he doesn’t want anyone to find out)

What to do if you think a beast has a rhoa? How do Kaldorians ride with knives in their crotch? How to tell if I lost to a drunk beast in a fight? Should I tell a prince he’s being an ass? Do Gods ever shape-shift into hobos? Will Keijan forgive me if I smack a prince? – A.

He clears his search history, c’mon – Alyssa

Tantrums and tiaras. How to tell a friend they are being a jackass – Kelly

How to flirt with someone who has zero emotional maturity – Allison

10. If Ink went to Uni, which subject would be fail?

1. Philosophy of Slavery in Cinderia 2. Cinderian Law 3. Advanced Gambling (technically he didn’t fail, but got kicked out for *alleged* cheating) – A.

law – Kelly

Chemistry – Allison

11. You’re invited to Dienus’s birthday party (and you can’t say no). What do you bring?

3 bodyguards, a Mira lax infused cupcake, and a number for a therapist – A.

A taser. 🙅‍♀️ – Alyssa

chloroform – Kelly

I can’t say no?!?! birthday cake just for him made with some sort of tranquilizer – Allison

12. Do you have a message for future readers?

I hope you fall in love with the story and characters as easily and deeply as I have. From the action to world building, political motivations to morally grey characters, this book has it all. Prepare yourself for any and all the emotions with Beast of Zarall. I loved not only the plot but the complexity of the all characters, even ones new to the second book. This is one story you wont want to miss. – A.

Prepare for ANGUISH. – Alyssa

I jumped into this series as an ARC reader and haven’t looked back its got everything i was looking for but didn’t know i needed. If this is something that you’re considering just do it you’ll be pulled into a world you weren’t prepared for but fall in love with and it will stick with you long after you’ve finished reading. – Tyler

Expect the unexpected, guard your heart and don’t get too attached – (book may cause you to stare into space for a long period once finished, please drink water, take a breath and know you’ve just experienced something magical) – Kelly