This amazing book dives straight in with the conflict, as twins, Mikoneh and his sister Maya are condemned to death for leading a rebellion. This is tThis amazing book dives straight in with the conflict, as twins, Mikoneh and his sister Maya are condemned to death for leading a rebellion. This is the beginning of an epic dark fantasy adventure, though much has already happened before we even enter the scene. (I recommend you also read Woodcourt's excellent Sentinel Seer series.) It is an adventure, that once you start you will not be able to stop reading. Woodscourt keep you turning the page as the twins face more and more challenges. Mikoneh is a wonderful character, though it is heartbreaking what he has to suffer. A dark mage has his claws in Mikoneh and he will use and abuse him until he has drained the last drop of his blood. Maya and Penn are great support characters at this point, though I hope Maya's role grows, as she is Mikoneh's twin, and she is just as important and competent as he is. I get the feeling that her previous suffering is a foreshadowing of how she will need to help her brother in the future. The wood elves are the most intriguing, because we don't really understand their motives nor their full capabilities, because they keep surprising us. And there are beautiful dragons! I hope we get to meet more of them. Woodscourt's description of the elemental spirits are lovely; you can clearly imagine the little fire spirits and their concern for Mikoneh. And the more impulsive and whimiscal air spirits match what you would expect. Overall, this is an excellent start to the Dragons of Rokahn series, and I look forward to reading the next book....more
A story of two halves with two protagonists each with a part to play. Each has a journey, and much to learn, though what their purpose is, we will havA story of two halves with two protagonists each with a part to play. Each has a journey, and much to learn, though what their purpose is, we will have to wait and see.
An interesting world, with an unusual magic system, where magic has been usurped and twisted unnaturally, destroying one realm, and placing the other under stress. Crimes are paid for in curses, only the curses are placed on their first born, not on the perpetrator. And if you save a life, then you become bound to that person until they repay the debt.
Marshal is cursed. He has no voice, no way to communicate, and when he saves Victor's life, Victor is bound to him. They join Aelia, Marshal's mother on a journey to find a way to get Marshal's curse lifted. Marshal is on a quest he doesn't understand. Victor has no choice but to follow due to the binding, and his growth arc is one of the gems in this book.
Seri travels to the island of Zes Sivas, the home of the high mages, intent on learning how to become a mage herself. But the island is collapsing, earth tremors are destroying the land, and now master mages are being killed. Seri has a mystery to solve while learning the skills of the mage.
Both have much to learn, not only about magic, but also about the world around them. Plenty of twist and turns, complex political machinations, along with sword fights, and magical confrontations. A truly epic tale to draw you in and keep you turning the pages....more
A story to keep you thinking as you meet a family being torn apart when they lose their son, Gambor, as a sacrifice to the great sphere. Morlas is griA story to keep you thinking as you meet a family being torn apart when they lose their son, Gambor, as a sacrifice to the great sphere. Morlas is grief stricken and angry, her husband, Hansa feels blessed by his son's ascension and hopeful that his son being chosen means he will be able to progress through the hierarchy of the Brotherhood of the Spires. Their daughter Dashira believes she failed to protect her brother, but desperately wants to believe in the Sphere. And so, we enter a brilliantly developed, complex world. A world controlled by the Brotherhood. A world of many secrets, where not all is as it seems. Willis slowly reveals more as the family drifts apart, each hiding their secrets, each with their own objective. Morlas, prepared to do anything to retrieve her son. Hansa, eager to rise higher within the Brotherhood, and Dashira, wishing for her family to be whole again, but drawn into the subterfuge and unable to ignore what she discovers. A well-written start to the Sphere saga, with plenty of twists and turns to keep you turning the pages. Morlas' journey, for both acceptance and the ability to save her son is long and treacherous. Dashira’s journey is more fraught as all she ever believed in is stripped away. And entwined around them all, Hansa strives for more and more power. Central to this web of deception is what happened to Gambor and all the other Sphere-blessed and will lead to a final confrontation that will change their world forever. A brilliantly conceived world, with so many political machinations it will keep your mind spinning and questions flowing. A complex story which will keep you riveted to the end....more
An excellent epic fantasy full of wondrous creatures, complex magic, gods and oathsworn aplenty. Corem is a wonderful character, caught and conflicte An excellent epic fantasy full of wondrous creatures, complex magic, gods and oathsworn aplenty. Corem is a wonderful character, caught and conflicted between two gods, both with vengeance on their mind. No matter what he does, others suffer, and he is blamed. The traitor who continues to betray his people.
Evil and betrayal comes in many forms, and it is difficult to find a clear delineation between good and bad. Everyone has their own agenda, and sadly it is all for their personal gain.
Set in a well-developed world, the magic system is amazing. How the oathsworn can take aspects of their gods power and transform, it is very cleverly done. The way Corem flows into a murder of crows is brilliant. If you love battles, grimdark, and lots of hand-to-hand fighting then this will be the perfect book for you.
And of course, Corem is the Last Dragon Knight. Akers description of pure rage and fury that consumes Corem every time he assumes the dragon, is truly frightening, and each time Corem transforms, I think he loses a little more of himself. You have the feeling that, one day, he won't be able to claw back his control, and on that day, he won't want to....more
A sweeping epic fantasy with a hard assed FMC in Leiyn, who since childhood has been told the Gast's killed her mother and she hated them ever since. A sweeping epic fantasy with a hard assed FMC in Leiyn, who since childhood has been told the Gast's killed her mother and she hated them ever since. As a result she is a rather prejudiced ranger and is quick to accuse instead of using her ranger training to investigate when the unthinkable happens and her base lodge is raided, killing everyone she knows and loves.
So starts the journey to discover what happened and why.
Set in the Titan wilds, so called because of the sleeping behemoths hidden within the land, and the elements, that once woken, wreak uncontrollable havoc, Leiyn has to overcome her innate beliefs, her hatred of anything related to the Gasts, and harness the power she has concealed all her life.
As she travels, she collects companions. She may be the Last Ranger, but all peoples will be affected by what happens next if she doesn't find a way to stop it.
An enjoyable start to a new series, which is so well written that you don't really notice the writing, you immerse yourself in the story. Great world building, plenty of action and adventure and characters flawed enough to keep it interesting....more
Very enjoyable epic fantasy. Great characters, snarky dragons, well developed world and plenty of wit and sarcasm. Beautifully written throughout withVery enjoyable epic fantasy. Great characters, snarky dragons, well developed world and plenty of wit and sarcasm. Beautifully written throughout with great pacing that will keep you hooked; I didn't want to put the book down, but you have to sleep sometimes!
Have a box of tisues nearby as you will cry, and that whole scene is so well written, it lingers with you for a while.
The romance between Talon and Jaimin develops naturally, and you are in cohoots with Sweetie to make sure it happens.
A diverse range of characters that each have their own foibles and part to play, and each fits in seamlessly. And did I say there is a snarky dragon who also has a part to play? I wish we found out a little more about the dragons and met more of them. The plot twists wonderfully, though you may figure some of it out, it doesn't spoil the adventure.
I dearly hope this is a series as there is plenty of scope for more and I'm not ready to let go of these characters yet....more
Retrieve is the first book in a dystopian fantasy trilogy. The tale follows a group of Stormers, young men who retrieve things that have been stolen iRetrieve is the first book in a dystopian fantasy trilogy. The tale follows a group of Stormers, young men who retrieve things that have been stolen in the fight to survive. Their world is in a desperate state and the Numachi are keeping them contained.
Kade joined the Stormers as away to survive and protect his sister, but he is now disillusioned with their leader and his true intentions. Hadley, escaping persecution, accidentally joins the group as a way to search for her missing brother. Undernourished and pretending to be a boy, she struggles to survive in the camp, especially when she realises her brother is nowhere to be found.
Both Kade and Hadley are strong characters, even if Hadley is ill prepared she has guts, and each hold their own in the story. They set off on a retrieval, that is going to test both of them. Set in a well developed world, this story grows as we slowly discover that things are not as they seem. Plenty of intrigue and adventure and characters you'll grow to love though this wasn't a fast paced read.
When I first started reading this novel, I thought the magic system barbaric and inhumane. I still believe that, but oh boy, what a story! Schulz has When I first started reading this novel, I thought the magic system barbaric and inhumane. I still believe that, but oh boy, what a story! Schulz has done himself proud. The characters leap off the page, all flawed, all fighting their personal batles and all trying to figure out what the right thing to do is. That inner turmoil takes some down the wrong path and others the most difficult they can find, but you are there for the journey.
The battle scenes are vibrant and vicious. You feel like you are there amongst all the chaos, noise and sheer pandemonium. You have no idea who will live and who will die. There will be a few tears, but it can't be helped. The only way to get more magic is to kill for it, so you know what is going to happen.
Once I got into the story and empathised (fell in love with!) with the characters, I raced through this novel, and now having survived the final battle, I want the second book. I want to know what happens next! The way Schulz leads us into the next book is brilliant!
A classic bromance tale, where we find out how Hadrian and Royce first met. Hadrian is a mercenary fed up with killing, and Royce is a thief who distrA classic bromance tale, where we find out how Hadrian and Royce first met. Hadrian is a mercenary fed up with killing, and Royce is a thief who distrusts everyone and everything. At first meeting they hate each other and what they stand for, but neither had taken the time to truly understand each other, and so begins the tale of what will become a great partnership.
This is quite a simple tale, basically steal a book and replace it without being caught, but the main focus is introducing us to the two main characters and Gwen De Lancey, and how they all came to meet.
An easy, fast read, giving you a great connection to the characters and you end up wanting more. It finishes too soon; we need to know how this relationship develops. Hadrian and Royce are only just beginning to realise their first impressions were incorrect. I'm sure there is much more learning and readjustments to be done, especially with the extreme logic and the conflicting view of the world both men have which causes some amusing moments.
I loved Gwen and how she had the strength to lift herself out of her abusive situation, to build a life that she could control and protect her friends. The meeting with Gwen fulfils her 'prophecy' but we don't know what that means or why it is so important. Many unanswered qurestions!
A wonderful beginning to a new epic fantasy series. Meet Holt and Ash, a kitchen pot boy and s blind dragon who was never meant to live. Holt is frustA wonderful beginning to a new epic fantasy series. Meet Holt and Ash, a kitchen pot boy and s blind dragon who was never meant to live. Holt is frustrated with having to abide by the order others dictate, by his position in life as a son of a cook, with the fact he cannot step out of his lane without retribution.
When he saves a dragon egg from being destroyed, Holt starts a chain of events that will change his life forever. Set in a world filled with dragons, warring nations and an unwordly scourge that attacks everything, order must prevail. Chaos only feeds into the terror of the scourge.
Holt and Ash are the epitomy of chaos, and no matter their adventures, no matter how much adversity helps them to 'level up' as a character does in video games, they will never be accepted as they have broken the rules.
Enter a well developed world with an amazing magic system and beautiful dragons. (And evil ones of course!) Plenty of angst, anguish and betrayal make this a great start to this coming of age adventure....more
I haven't enjoyed an epic fantasy book like this is a long time. Enter a vast and complex world, one that a mere human must travel and decipher to groI haven't enjoyed an epic fantasy book like this is a long time. Enter a vast and complex world, one that a mere human must travel and decipher to grow into his abilities and achieve his destiny.
The characters are beautifully portrayed, the world anchored in a far reaching history and clouded in myth, much of it corrupted. Depending on who you listen to, you may receive a different telling.
Blended into this rich and vibrant world is one man's coming of age, and his difficult journey which is only the start of all he must learn. He is joined by by a plethora of comrades; human, dwarf and elf, all with different viewpoints that only enrich the tale.
An excellent start to the series, and now we have a taste of the landscape, there is so much more to come. Unputdownable, this is a series you will want to inhale. I know intend to!...more
This is the first book I've read in Mueller's world of Fire dragons, and although this is a prequel, it is the prequel to a new spin off series, becauThis is the first book I've read in Mueller's world of Fire dragons, and although this is a prequel, it is the prequel to a new spin off series, because much has obviously already happened and there is a history already written for some of the characters, so it did feel as if I entered the story half way.
Amethyst Dragon introduces us to Lars, a responsible lad, faling in love with his sweetheart, and determined to keep his village safe. Unfortunately, the village elders won't listen to him, deem him to be untrustworthy and beneath their notice. So Lars decides to protect the villagers himself.
There are some creepy monsters afoot, and Lars's path crosses with both the monsters and dragons, who enjoy listening to his harp playing. As Lars's world expands, he has some difficult decisions to make.
An enjoyabe coming of age tale and realising what is truly important to you admidst the chaos of change and battle. And of course, lots of lovely dragons to meet.
I definitely need to go back to the beginning of the first series to see how we arrived here!...more
Sentinals Rising continues the Adventure and introduces you to the second territory within Remargaren. This book was a joy to write. I love writing abSentinals Rising continues the Adventure and introduces you to the second territory within Remargaren. This book was a joy to write. I love writing about Terolia, the deserts just seem to be a great environment and I love them as much as Birlerion does!
There is so much action and conflict within this book, and yet at the same time we begin to learn more about the Sentinals, and their reactions to be awoken three thousand years into their future, a new world with familiar troubles.
I hope you enjoy the rollercoaster of a ride, the extreme emotions and the continued mystery and adventure.
Make sure you are to you to read book shelf!
Merged review:
Sentinals Rising continues the Adventure and introduces you to the second territory within Remargaren. This book was a joy to write. I love writing about Terolia, the deserts just seem to be a great environment and I love them as much as Birlerion does!
There is so much action and conflict within this book, and yet at the same time we begin to learn more about the Sentinals, and their reactions to be awoken three thousand years into their future, a new world with familiar troubles.
I hope you enjoy the rollercoaster of a ride, the extreme emotions and the continued mystery and adventure.
Make sure you are to you to read book shelf!...more
What a great start to the book, and what a way to hook you in. Fenn finds himself stuck in a bog, with no memory of how he got there, and no memory ofWhat a great start to the book, and what a way to hook you in. Fenn finds himself stuck in a bog, with no memory of how he got there, and no memory of anything else either. We now want to know who he is and how he got there.
Add to that a complex world with a rich history, and we are sucked into their problems as an ancient enemy called the Myr resurfaces and threatens the peace. This is a world of ancient spirits who form in the shape of dragons, some of whom help and others who hinder.
Calidra and Jisyel, Apollo and Marla are all equally well developed characters who carry the story with Fenn. All have their own problems, which have influenced their behaviour, especially Valot who is the guilt-ridden mentor who lends a hand now and then, but more often causes trouble.
The Inquisitors are a conundrum, feared even though they are supposed to protect the people. They perform the Iron Queen's demands, which brings the Iron Queen's actions into question. I am quite sure there are many questions to be answered about her and who the Myr really are.
An enjoyable epic fantasy with multiple story threads that weave together to make an enthralling whole with plenty more to look forward to....more
An action packed epic fantasy adventure which will grab you by the heartstrings and keep you reading. Having read the first book in the William of AlaAn action packed epic fantasy adventure which will grab you by the heartstrings and keep you reading. Having read the first book in the William of Alamore series, (see review here) it is really interesting to learn more about one of the knights, Sir Laster.
In Shadow of the Sword, Laster is still a squire, and this novel is about his path to becoming a knight. It is set before book 1 of the main series and also gives us an insight into the shadowy Ranger of Kings.
I hope there are more related novels about the knights, as the more you read, the more you want to know about each of them.
Beautifully written, and although only 230+ pages, there is plenty to keep you gripped and it is well worth the read....more
This is the first book I've read by Rosell, and I'm glad I picked it up. He has an easy to read writing style, that hooks you in and keeps you readingThis is the first book I've read by Rosell, and I'm glad I picked it up. He has an easy to read writing style, that hooks you in and keeps you reading. This is a classic epic fantasy adventure with an older mentor, Tal, suitably world weary and full of guilt for past actions and the young Garin, still vulnerable and with a lot to learn.
This is a wonderfully large world full of interesting characters, and starts similar to Wheel of Time, with Tal and Garin being drawn from their sleepy vilalge into the machinations of gods and monarchs.
Plenty of dark mystical creatures, mages and magic along with a bard and his troupe to tell the tales of ancient lore and legend. Combine with political intrigue, backstabbing and betrayal and you have a wonderful tale and an epic quest to enjoy.
Lots to keep you intrigued as Tal and Garin face evil gods, deal with untrustworthy monarchs, and conceal their secrets. With three more books in the series so far, the tale doesn't end here....more
Shards of Glass is set in the world of Elantra, a side story to the main 'Cast in' series. Set in the same world this book focuses on the newly recoveShards of Glass is set in the world of Elantra, a side story to the main 'Cast in' series. Set in the same world this book focuses on the newly recovered Academia and the new chancellor, the Dragon, Lannagaros.
It's nice to find out more about some of the cohort, though we see Teela briefly, Kaylin is only mentioned and Severn not at all. This story focuses on Robin, and it would probably help if you read Book 16, Cast in Wisdom, prior, to get the backstory of how the Academia came to be.
Nevertheless, this book does stand on its own. Robin was plucked from the warrens and trapped in the Academia. He is now free and regards the Academia as home. He thinks it would be an ideal home, a safe home, for his friend Raven, who he left behind in the warrens. She has been his friend, his protector since he was a child, and for once, he wants to return the favour.
Only, not is all that it seems, as usual. People are dying in the Academia, in an attempt to weaken Killianas, the sentient being at the centre of the Academia. Robin's safe home, is not so safe, but it's a home he doesn't want lose.
Loved the book and the characters. Robin and Raven are both wonderful characters with hidden secrets and unravelling them is suitably complicated and mysterious. Sagara writes deep and complex political intrigue, and this book is no exception. I love how she plays with words and delves into all their possible meanings.
Another wonderful addition to the world of Elantra....more
Found this book on Indie Story Geek, and oh my! Really enjoyed this immersive world, the battle scenes at the beginning are a bit grisly, but once youFound this book on Indie Story Geek, and oh my! Really enjoyed this immersive world, the battle scenes at the beginning are a bit grisly, but once you’re past those we get into the Wheel of Timeesque world and find out that none of the warring nations are telling the truth, and maybe a World breaker is what’s needed!
Aric and Moro are brothers, signed up to the sentinels (more lovely sentinels!!) and have been fighting against the orcs on behalf of the elves for years. A battle goes awry, Moro and Aric are separated, believing each other dead, and the brothers are set on very different paths. We the reader get to see two sides of the story which has been mired in lies and untruths from the beginning of time.
Aric bonds with a dragon, even though humans are not supposed to be able to. Moro is captured by the Orcs and subjected to barbaric tests which confuse him further.
Eldras is wonderful, though he’s the only dragon we see the thoughts of, so we have no idea what the other dragons think or know.
Well written, lots of action and battles, and I’m just as confused as to who is trying to do what as I was in the beginning! All I know is that every race is lying to their own people and each other, killing dragons, even though they are supposed to revere them. I have no idea how Aric or Moro is supposed to figure out the right path. Guess we’ll have to read book 2 to find out!...more
A wonderful story about Aster, a young woman who was born dead and brought back to life by a necromancer's skill. Aster has always known she was diffeA wonderful story about Aster, a young woman who was born dead and brought back to life by a necromancer's skill. Aster has always known she was different, after all, it's not every girl who can feed a dragon apples!
Aster is a lovely character, naive and protected, she learns the healing arts, one of which is healing death, until her ailing blood father, the king, returns to claim her as his heir. Her life is ripped apart by the Vicar of the Red Order, the person who hates and reviles the man who brought her up, the necromancer.
There is plenty of wonderful prose, inner angst and tussling with beliefs and reality.
Joreh is a great love interest, and he's the one who goes through the most change as he struggles with his fathers rhetoric and his own understanding of the world around him.
Lots of world building, wild dragons and silver cats who roam the forests. Plenty to draw you in and keep you reading....more