Frole is the fourth installment in Daniel J. Strait's action-packed, multifaceted fantasy series, Silver Tears. The final member of an ancient prophecy, and the one who can see the future, is sought after by four recently acquainted members of the prophecy. To retrieve the missing key to The Door of Mystery, the group must travel to a forbidden mountain, which is the key's last known location. This expedition, like the rest of the adventures in the book, is far from simple and inviting. Yet, the prophecy must be fulfilled. The strong-willed, unyielding protagonist must solve complicated puzzles, confront fierce and weird aliens, and gain a profound understanding of themselves and the world around them. Will they succeed in their extremely challenging mission or die trying?

The quick pace and intense action will keep you on the alert; you never know when the characters will be attacked by an alien with unique, vividly described physical features, including the ones with four navy-blue eyes. The heroes have an irresistible vitality and spirit that allow for jokes and bluffs even when confronted with the most daunting situations. When their difficulties intensify, they simply adapt and improve their abilities and might. I particularly liked the scene in which Tyrog discovers some crystals that create a powerful, transformational response in his body. Daniel J. Strait's incredible adrenaline-pumping and mind-blowing story will have you anxiously anticipating the next episode in his series. Frole is a must-read for fans of fantasy, science fiction, and video game storylines!

Frole by Daniel J. Strait is a fantasy sorcery novel and the fourth book in the Silver Tears series, preceded by book one, Trouganda, book two, Zondura, and book three, Vazdrag. All the novels follow the classic element of fantasy fiction, the hero's quest, as each book culminates with one of the five universally accepted saviors as depicted in the prophecy arc being found and joining the quest. As Strait brings readers into book four, we know at this point that one final piece of this crucial quintuple is yet to be found. Together, while setting immense personality, cultural, and biological differences apart, Nakiata, Dravone, Ka'atia, and Tyrog employ their metaphysical abilities in the hunt for the fifth and final member of the old prophecy. In Frole, Strait burrows the story into a unique new pocket, one where technology plays a role and the strengthening of fantasy with a science fiction angle elevates the quest and delves into a completely unexpected twist.

Up until this point of the Silver Tears series, Daniel J. Strait has retained a rinse-and-repeat plot sequence that follows a traditional enemy to ally to friend character arc. The stories are seeded firmly in sorcery and magic and while the work is certainly exclusive to Strait, the safety of sticking to a comfortable and linear fantasy formatting meant that a reinvention in the genre was off the table. Frole changes this and it is really, really exciting. Electricity, computers, high-tech contraptions and even facsimile come into play. Science fiction can hardly be described as organic but Strait does well in making the implementation of the tech and scientific elements feel like it is. There are also completely new species of creatures that come to life realistically despite having, say, four eyes and fingers. If I have one complaint it is that Nakiata has a tendency to attack first and ask questions after, although this is neither new to her character nor is it a tendency that frequently fails. Still, a little more diplomacy, at least among the group, would probably go a long way. Overall, this is another well-written and exciting addition to the series. Very highly recommended.