Dark Citadel

Darik is a young slave boy who happens to find himself in with a pair of spies while the city is attacked by the dark wizard.  Out west lies an army of wizards, griffin riders and a band of knights all of whom the companions work to encourage to come to aid of the falling city.  They need their help in order to defeat the dark wizard.  The dark wizard is not only interested in the city, he has his sights set on the beautiful queen, Kallia.  She struggles to keep her distance from the wizards embrace.

This was one of those books that came in my email as a daily free book, and it seemed interesting enough, and I did enjoy it, but it wasn't as satisfying as some of the other novels I have read in this genre.  Although any young adult, young reader would find the story engaging and interesting.  There are references to a past history that readers don't get an insight to, so there is a feeling of missing out on something important to the story. 

One thing that made it difficult to read and makes me lean on the fence about reading the next book in the series is that each chapter jumps time periods as well as perspectives.  While some readers may be able to follow the jumping around like that, other readers will find it difficult and be completely turned off by it. Most of the characters are develop except for the antagonist.  We know nothing about this dark wizard other than the fact that he wants to take over the world.  How can readers begin to hate a character they know nothing about?  There almost seems to be too much happening within the story and details that some of the character development suffers for it.  I hope this changes in the other books in the series.

With any genre there are books that excel and some books that seem to fall short, for me this was one of those books that fell short.  Not to say that it wasn't a good book to read which it was.  It just felt like it was trying to be more than it should be at this point.  Being the first novel, it felt like too much was pushed into the story to make room for what's to happen in the next novels at the expense of some background and character development.  As a rating...I give this a 2.5 out of 5 and as I stated before, I am not sure if I will read the other books in the series.

Clara's Return by Suzanna Linton

I have waited rather impatiently for this novel to come out!  Clara's Return is the sequel to Suzanna Linton smash novel Clara.  It tells the story of a young woman who discovers she is a Seer, and uses her talents to help Emmerich gain the throne, she then losses her sight and begins a journey to discover who she truely is.  Clara's Return picks up with Clara on her journey with Captain Jarrett.  Things in Bertrand are beginning to take a turn for the worst as a man riding a Giant threatens the well-being of the city.  A young page boy shows signs of having the Sight, but without anyone to help him learn his gift, he finds it overwhelming.  Bruin and others discover there is more to the aeriels (I might be spelling this wrong but I don't have a copy of the book with me as I write, so I apologize)  than being mere creatures of Marduk.  Will Clara, Emmerick, and the others be able to stop this mysterious wizard before all is lost?

When this book came in the mail, I think I literally let out a squeal of joy, and living in a big city I am sure those around me thought I belonged in a psych ward.  That is how excited to got for this book.  I cannot begin to say how much I love Suzanna's writing, she is incredibly talented and quickly became a favorite author of mine.  Her writing style is simplistic to the point of not having a large amount of fluff and unnecessary things.  She tells the story as it happens and doesn't digress from things to tell a completely unrelated story.  It may seem simplistic, but it is completely complex at the same time.  Her characters are so complex and they continue to get deeper as the story progresses.  Each person grows stronger in their self worth/self discovery.

Clara's Return expands on Clara's story and makes it more compelling.  I have to say I enjoyed the aeriel elements, they are such cute creature with personalities and intelligence to match.  I look forward to see how she uses them in the story.  I couldn't get enough of Bran's story either.  He is such a sweet little boy who wants nothing more than to serve his King and make his mom proud.  The elements surrounding him creates a new twist to the story (nope not going to tell you because you need to read this book).  In the short time that we see Bran he grows on the reader's heart as it breaks for him.  There are so many elements that make this book fantastic, Clara meeting someone important to discovering her background; or rather two people, the strength one wizard has in his magic, new discoveries about the aeriels, and so much more.  There is a lot happening in this book, but it doesn't come across as being too much, nor does it feel like it is too heavy with information.

Suzanna draws on elements she created in the first book and expands on information we have already had.  She reference back to these elements in nightmare flashbacks or simple remembrance without taking away from the story at hand.  Some sequels rely heavy on the original story, but not this one.  It is a story of it's own, and could be read without reading Clara first, but it is helpful to do so.  Clara has become like a trusted friend that I will miss greatly until I meet her again.

I am not sure if Suzanna plans on writing more about Clara and her friends, but I really hope she does.  I long for more from this universe, well more for Suzanna period!  I give Clara's Return at 5 out of 5.  I think anyone who enjoys fantasy novels would enjoy Clara and Clara's Return.

** I am honored to say Suzanna provided a copy of her book in exchange for an honest, heartfelt review**

Everflame

 

Title: Everflame by Dylan Lees Peters
Media: E-book: Kindle
Rating 4 out of 5 stars

Recommendation: I would highly recommend this novel for anyone who enjoys a great fantasy novel.  It is a great story of finding oneself and their abilities.

Everflame is an epic fantasy about a world that lost sight of where they came.  Four beings known as the ancients created humans to be the defender of the world and the creatures which inhabit it.  When the ancients are chased away by a being known as the Great Tyrant, the humans lose sight of their creatures and accept lies from the Tyrant as truth.

While hunting in the woods two bears came across a small human child who had been abandoned by his people.  The bears decide to go against regulations of the kingdom and raise the boy, naming him Evercloud.  Rumors regarding the return of the ancients reach the bear kingdom, and they decide to send Whiteclw, Evercloud, and Eveneye to discover if these rumors are indeed true.  This could mean saving the world has grown to love as well as the world he knows nothing about.  While the group looks for evidence of the Ancients, another sets out to spread the lies of the Great Tyrant.  Evercloud must discover the courage within himself to protect his home, but there is a chance he could succumb to the darkness that looms across the land.

I devoured this book like it was chocolate cake.   I wasn't sure what to expect from the novel. I was weary of the idea about a boy being raised by bears, but Peters does an excellent job with the story.  Evercloud has some bear-like qualities reflected in his actions which would come from being raised by them, but he is also wholly human which is reflected in his emotions and thoughts.  We see Evercloud evolving throughout the story as he begins to discover who he truly is and where is his place in this world.

The story moved along at a easy pace, not too fast, not too slow.  With the right amount of action, even the most hard core of action lovers would enjoy the battle scenes within this novel.  Some of the battles aren't physical, but also internal emotional battles.  There was a fantastic balance between the two.  Peters takes a tale from his dreams, puts it down to words and creates a story readers are captivated by.  His details are done well; he doesn't drone on about the minor things nor does he forget the bigger scale of things.  Everything in the story is perfectly balanced.

The story kept me interested all the way to the end which leaves off with a cliff-hanger.  This was a slight disappointment as there was no resolution to the story Peters began.  I understand there is a second book in the series, and I am very interested in reading it.  But the story could have come to a close with a resolution and still set the stage for further novels.  This is the reason for the rating of 4 rather than 5 stars.

**** Special addition:  read an interview with Dylan Peters here.