A Journey of Resilience, Horses, and Hope

The unusual “birthmarks” on Ava Lewis’s wrists— one in the shape of a sword and the other a shield—and her unnatural success in the equestrian theater of Medieval Mounted Archery inspired her belief in a preordained destiny. But now age has taken Ava’s health and dreams, and diminished her equestrian skills, leaving her disappointed and confused. Heading back to her childhood home in West Virginia for work as an event coordinator for a Renaissance Fair and Games, she reflects on her past and wonders why everyone she has ever loved is gone. And then the stranger appears at her camper door. He looks to be part of the Renaissance Fair, but Ava can’t place his strange accent as he explains that she carries the marks of a kingdom’s champion on her wrists—and he’s the one who put them there when she was an infant. Even more startling? The stranger recites a prophecy by a powerful wizard, one that Ava is destined to fulfill—to save Arasgain at the Inter Realm of time. Hope is book one of the Arasgain Saga, filled with inspiration, adventure, and one woman’s incredible destiny.

Five 5-Star Reviews:


Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite

Hope was a delightful read, and the excellent writing captured my
interest from the start. The descriptive prose evoked compelling
imagery in my imagination. V G Cooper delivered scenes that are
focused, points of view that are devoid of any ambiguity, and
dialogues that are engaging. Another element of the story that I
loved was the suspense. The author immediately draws your
attention to the symbols on Ava’s wrist; you watch her try to
understand them, but everything seems like a mystery from the
start, until the truth about her destiny begins to unravel. This book
is well-plotted, fast-paced, and suspenseful. You’ll love the wellsculpted
characters, the complex plot, and the intriguing nature of
the setting. This adventure is as twisty as it is exciting, and as
unpredictable as it is dangerous. It is filled with surprising twists.


Reviewed by Essien Asian for Readers' Favorite

V.G. Cooper uses subtle flashbacks to reveal Ava’s origin story by
including clues about how she got her birthmarks. The detailed
descriptions of equestrian activities help readers unfamiliar with
horse care learn about it, while adding realism to the narrative.
Ava’s dilemma of choosing between her career and starting a
family highlights a social issue that ambitious women often face.
The narrative style smoothly transitions from drama into a fantasy,
as seen when Ava meets the man from her visions. The narrative
emphasizes strong family values, as evident in Ava’s parents'
traditional views on sex, dating, and marriage. Cooper skillfully
combines these elements, creating a thought-provoking novel that
will appeal to fans of drama and romance. I enjoyed reading
Arasgain Saga and look forward to the next instalment in the series.


Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite

V.G. Cooper’s Hope opens a sweeping fantasy time travel saga,
laying the foundation through Ava's entire life as an equestrian and
entertainer, preparing her for a predestined role of which she is
wholly unaware. Cooper does an excellent job of fully developing
Ava and clearly has a knowledgeable grasp of mounted archery,
which plays a massive role in Ava's journey. The author brings
every setting to life, from the elegant Canterbury estate with its
Victorian rooms to bustling fairgrounds with horse arenas, craft
exhibits, and royal carriage presentations. Ava and Bradley's
romance angle is heartening, and the pair celebrating victories in
tandem shows the strength of their love. Like the layers of time in
their tale, the author peels back Ava's destiny with restraint, and
nothing is revealed until the timing is perfect. Overall, this is an
excellent novel, and I look forward to book two.


Reviewed by Eric Ferrar for Readers' Favorite

In Arasgain Saga, V.G. Cooper delivers a moving story that mixes
adventure and a quest for self-discovery. I enjoyed how Ava evolves
from a young girl on a rural farm to a woman navigating her
identity in competitive sports. The setting, from the farm to the
medieval sports arena, provides a fascinating change of pace for
Ava's character development. Her love of horses and archery is
both a personal passion and a search for meaning in life. The way
the author handled the themes of loss and destiny really resonated
with me. Ava’s struggles feel very realistic. She moves from one
stage of her life to another as she grapples with unknown
supernatural gifts and newfound responsibilities. It’s refreshing to
see a female protagonist who isn’t merely defined by romance or
triumphs, but by the complexities of her internal conflicts and the
sacrifices she has to make along the way. Overall, her journey is
much more than her passion for horses and archery. It’s about
finding her place in a larger, unpredictable world. I'm sure fantasy
fans will love this story as much as I did.


Reviewed by Grant Leishman for Readers' Favorite

Arasgain Saga is the perfect introduction to what promises to be a
magical and mystical journey into a fantasy world with Ava Lewis.
Readers will love, grieve, and feel deep sympathy for and relate to
Ava and her difficult journey through life. Although the skills of
medieval warfare came so easily to Ava, nothing about her life
could be described as comfortable. The plot twist was excellent and
sets up the series for a fascinating continuation. For those who love
detailed descriptions of actual medieval jousts and knightly battles,
V. G. Cooper has fully described them in this wonderful story. What
I really loved was the excellent balance between action and gentle
reflection, and that makes it stand out from other books in the
genre. Ava is a multifaceted character with an intense competitive
streak and a burning desire to be the best, tempered by a softer,
vulnerable side that seeks acceptance, respect, and, above all,
love. I cannot wait for Book Two of this series. This is an
outstanding story that I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend.