A Dissident's Plight


Fiction - Fantasy - Epic
518 Pages
Reviewed on 12/17/2022
Buy on Amazon

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Author Biography

I've been immersed in all forms of fantasy growing up—books, comics, games, you name it. One day, some awesome people introduced me to D&D, and I became obsessed with pen-and-paper RPGs...

Until the group drifted apart.

At that point, a good friend suggested I channel my pent-up creative energy into writing, and I haven't looked back since.

Now, after three years and—too many—unpublished manuscripts on my shelf, I finally finished a novel that I'm ready to put out there. A Dissident's Plight. It's been an incredible journey, as fun and satisfying as it was daunting, draining, and (at times) downright depressive. But here we are!

If you get it, I hope you'll have as much fun reading it as I've had writing it.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Foluso Falaye for Readers' Favorite

Arlan wasn't thrilled about being a noble because it implied joining the Royal Guard, which would deprive him of the opportunity to have a comfortable family life. However, this concern is rapidly replaced by others when he begins to have visions of death and turmoil involving his mother and brother. After an encounter with an assassin, Arlan is forced to live in a temple that also serves as a sort of prison for “Dissidents”, who are said to be dangerous supernatural beings. Arlan must find a way to survive and protect his loved ones from the disasters that he believes are imminent. Ovidiu Joldea's A Dissident's Plight depicts a reluctant hero who must control his lust for vengeance, dread of his supernatural abilities, as well as master other volatile emotions to save himself and his loved ones from an early, horrific death.

The concentrated layers of the book's well-developed world, as well as its well-paced and movie-like depiction of supernatural battles and interactions with otherworldly creatures, results in one of the most immersive escapes from reality I've ever experienced. Ovidiu Joldea's book is filled with themes that will keep you reading to the end, such as the possibility of a horrific vision coming true and intensive preparation to succeed in a deadly quest. The protagonist's internal struggles are complex and intriguing enough to hold the reader's attention for hours. While reading the book, I was seriously concerned about his inherent conflict between being a danger to his loved ones and his desire to save them. Fans of dark fantasy and action will be blown away by the book's creativity, as it immerses the reader in a highly captivating and vivid tale. I thoroughly liked every minute of A Dissident's Plight.

K.C. Finn

A Dissident's Plight is a work of fiction in the epic fantasy and adventure subgenres. It is best suited to the mature teen and adult reading audiences owing to some scenes of fantasy violence and mild sexual references and was penned by author Ovidiu Joldea. Readers find themselves in a fantasy world filled with dark forces and magical creatures; one in which the shunned and ostracized protagonist Arlan feels purposeless, with his life holding little meaning. But when Arlan has a vision of an oncoming plague that will take the life of his mother, a new motivation surfaces within him to survive his sorry lot in life and rise anew to save the ones he loves.

Author Ovidiu Joldea pays homage to traditional fantasy settings in this lovingly built and fully realized pseudo-medieval world. I could easily see a role-playing game set in this immersive and exciting setting, with its engaging and logical magical lore and hierarchy of nobles, mystics, and beings of mixed heritage. Arlan is an enjoyable protagonist who is very rough around the edges, and he experiences an interesting emotional battle that will have readers invested in his success as the plot develops. I also found the descriptive quality of the work to be highly cinematic, allowing me to imagine and fully immerse myself in every action-packed moment, especially toward the startling and exciting conclusion. Overall, I would certainly recommend A Dissident's Plight to fans of epic fantasy in the Dungeons and Dragons and Game of Thrones style; this read will not disappoint you.

Emma Megan

A Dissident's Plight by Ovidiu Joldea tells Arlan Warmund's story, a high-born Estere from Arken forced to do what it takes to survive. Arlan is happy to learn that he gets a day off from his training sessions, even though he will be preparing for the ball. He wishes to start a family with his girlfriend, despite her being a peasant and him a nobleman but his father has other plans for Arlan. He must go to the ball with a noblewoman to maintain their family business and status. However, because of a potion that he drinks to test its effects, Arlan starts to suspect that he is a Dissident and that his visions are real. Arlan is thrown in prison during the ball, due to the occurrence of an odd incident, and because of his dangerous abilities. Will Arlan escape in time to save his dying mother?

A Dissident's Plight by Ovidiu Joldea is a compelling story that expertly blends intense fighting scenes, romance, friendship, life lessons, magic, and fantastical creatures. It was a pleasure to read and a challenge to put it down, filled with a cast of brilliantly realized characters that had me enthralled by their ruthless talents. In this dark, messy, and amazing story of survival, ambition, and magic, you will find a reluctant hero that learns to adapt and not let his destination be forever tainted by guilt, shame, and regret. This riveting read, tinged with elements of a pseudo-European medieval setting, will appeal to fans of fantastical creatures and fascinating magic.

Ada Vermeulen

It is an exciting, complicated book with little explanation. If you put it away for too long, you have forgotten a lot.
It's about a young nobleman who lives in a land of magic. He can transform himself into a kind of superhero through a kind of other world. He has all kinds of varying powers, depending on the kind of animal he uses.
I read the book at a rapid pace.
I got this book for free to write a review about it.