Patricia Hamill's Blog: I read too much! - Posts Tagged "magic"

Eric Elmoor and The Gauntlet of Godric by Thomas A. Meyers

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Fantastic fantasy, coming of age in a world torn between technology and tradition.

Eric Elmoor and The Gauntlet of Godric (Book I) is an excellent read.

The story begins with Derex, a disillusioned elf who turns to the dark arts and a mysterious master, Cerberus, to achieve his goal of destroying or at least turning aside the progress of the Initiative, technologically advanced rulers who aim to spread their way of life and their reach across the whole of the continent. Derex and his companions Belial and Faramor plan and execute a synchronized attack on the three major metropolises in Initiative hands, hoping to fill the citizens with fear and discourage the Initiative away from elven lands.

On the same day as the attack, 15 year old Eric Elmoor prepares for the last day of school and considers ways to attract the attention of a girl he has a crush on. But the Initiative, spurred by the tragic attack, sequesters him and his classmates (all students in the elective History of Magic class) for the entire day, grilling them on their interest in magic and motivations related to it. The day finally over, Eric returns home to find his mom deep in conversation with Ben, a wandering mage who has plans for Eric's future.

From there, Eric finds himself swept away from his comfortable city life into the magical and natural realm of the elves where he learns the secrets of his own heritage and potential, meets a beautiful girl, Lillian, and finds himself embroiled in a conflict between the elves and the misguided and dangerous rebel, Derex.

While this story has all the elements of a good fantasy, three elements set it apart from the rest.

One, the world in which the story is set is in a technological revolution, a prime ground for conflicts between traditional cultures who want to maintain their connections to nature and those who would seek to suppress them in the interest of progress.

Two, the story follows three primary characters: Derex the villian (who is both awful and likeable), Eric the young man trying to find his place in the world (self-conscious, confused, and full of potential for either good or evil), and Ben the mage (who desperately seeks to save the elves from their own pridefulness). Each person's story interweaves flawlessly with the rest and it is easy to keep track of where you are in the timeline at any given time.

Three, the imagery is fantastic without trying too hard. Some fantasy stories can get bogged down in the descriptions, not this one. Instead, the author illustrates his world with strong, concise description, making you feel like you are there. The sights, sounds, smells and textures come to life in your mind as the words flow off the page.

This is an outstanding book which I will probably read again (mostly likely each time a sequel comes out).

If you liked the Shannara books by Terry Brooks, you'll like this one, too.

Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.



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The Prophecy of Tara by R.L. Kiser

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Action-packed fantasy...

The Prophecy of Tara is a story of prophecy, epic battles and magic. Tara was raised by monks and has trained her entire life in preparation for her role in an ancient prophecy. Protected by lizard skin armor (magical in nature) and by her superior warrior skills, she still discovers she cannot complete her quest alone.

As luck may have it, she attracts attention and assistance from several equally yet diversely skilled people along the way: Reed, a spaceman with a laser sword; Luggo, a northern warrior giant; Steph, a burly blacksmith with a secret; and Tianna, a roguish magician's assistant. The wizard Duphrene and his involuntarily shapeshifting companion Sistera eagerly await the arrival of Tara but are unable to assist for fear of interfering with the prophecy.

Besides the heroes, the villains are equally memorable and at times despicable. The evil power is formless in itself, but hides and grows in power within the hearts of a family. They send agents and mercenaries to intercept and destroy Tara and her companions, lending Tara's journey the feel of a constant battle for survival, though the various fights aren't necessary connected. As in other R.L. Kiser books, not all of the villains are what they seem. It's always interesting to see how things play out.

My only caution is that this book should be limited to adult readers due to some seriously explicit passages reminiscent of the depredations of the Mord Sith in Terry Goodkind's Sword of Truth series. The battles are also graphically described and gory.

Overall, I really liked this book, though I can only make it through one or two battle scenes in a single sitting (probably why it took me a while to read the story). The characters are charismatic and their banter is humorous. I enjoyed the magical elements and the hints at a greater history.

I recommend this book to adult fantasy lovers who don't mind quite a bit of battle gore and some sexually explicit content.

I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest, non-reciprocal review.



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Heart of the Witch by Judy Goodwin

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


A thrilling adventure.

Heart of the Witch follows Zerrick, a young man who practices magic in secret under the tutelage of Alden, an old herbalist. The problem is, he lives in a town becoming more and more afraid of "witches" and the power they wield. No one would ever suspect that the witch everyone is so afraid of is Zerrick, the son of the town's pastor, a devout follower of Iahmel, whose purpose is to rile the town against the threat of witches.

Zerrick, hearing differing histories and views from both his father and his mentor, is conflicted from the start. On the one hand, he is taught that magic is evil and dangerous, a gateway to the domain of Angist. His father also teaches that Ainera, the Goddess of magic, is also evil, a trickster to fool people into using and abusing their magic. On the other hand, Zerrick is taught that Ainera and the magic are not inherently evil and that the magic is natural and beneficial. Only men with evil hearts who listen to the lies of Angist use it for evil. This contradiction forces Zerrick to consider each side for himself. But the conflict doesn't remain an internal one for long, because the benevolent Ainera and the evil Angist eventually take note of him.

Overall, the plot, characters, mythology, and cultures within the story are both well-developed and believable. I enjoyed the parallels drawn with Christianity and with colonial pilgrims (including their fear of witchcraft). Although this is a work of fiction, it's obvious the author draws from extensive knowledge of these subjects to weave such a vibrant world.

I love this book and would recommend it to anyone who loves thought-provoking fantasy that doesn't strictly adhere to the cliched norms of the fantasy genre.

I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest, non-reciprocal review.




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The Tree of Mindala by Elle Jacklee

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Wonderful tale!

The Tree of Mindala is perfect for kids and kids at heart. The story unfolds 40 years ago when the magical land, Wunderwood, is under the attack of power-hungry Thornton and his followers. Their goal is to find The Tree of Mindala and steal away it's essence so they alone can decide who can use magic and to what extent. But, although the flora of Wunderwood withers under Thornton's attack and all seems lost, a young man named Truman discovers he could be the key to righting things. And that's just the Prologue!

Fast forward to present day, near Halloween, and we meet Miranda and Marcus. Eleven year old Miranda, ever the daydreamer, reports seeing a mermaid in a pond and gets in trouble when her teacher investigates. Marcus, her pessimistic younger brother, knows this latest antic will lead to nothing but trouble for him. He's right.

Their parents decide to skip the normal Halloween traditions and take the kids to spend a few days at their grandparents' house in the country. Of course, that dashes Marcus' plans to attend a friend's party. But the trip isn't all it seems, and soon the two realize their parents might have something else to discuss with them, something serious. Then things get interesting...

I love several things about The Tree of Mindala. First among these are the characters. The cast includes the charismatic, the sinister, and the downtrodden, but all are believable. I enjoy the variety of creatures and magical beings and the way they interact with each other and Miranda and Marcus. I also enjoy that several of the characters' motives are unclear, keeping me guessing until the very end.

Next, the magical world of Wunderwood engaged my imagination. Such places like the Prophecy Pond, Thornton's Lair, and the hidden base in the Silvercap Mountains bring the story to life. The descriptions are rich without being overbearing, and the images they bring to mind leave a lasting impression. Set aside the story, and the quality of writing is solid, including: character development, conflict/plot, and world-building.

Besides the things I liked, I felt the return to real life and the events leading up to it seemed reminiscent of the way the Pevensie children in Narnia return to the real world in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Plus, while everything else is neatly resolved, we never find out whether Miranda's and Marcus' heroic efforts make a lasting difference for Thornton.

That being said, I would recommend this book as a present for a middle-school aged reader, especially those who love stories with magical creatures, faraway lands and young protagonists who discover strengths they didn't know they possessed. Parents, or adults who enjoy books with a younger cast, may also find this story to their liking.




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The Kinshield Legacy by K.C. May

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


One of those books that makes me want to read everything from the author.

Let me start by saying I picked this book up mostly because it was free and because I needed a book title with a K for the A-Z reading challenge I'm playing along with this year. That being said, I was surprised to be drawn in immediately.

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The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


A fantastic book.

The Golden Compass presents a world where humans are accompanied by an external manifestation of their souls. They call them daemons, which might bring to mind something sinister, but in this case they are not. They take on the form of animals, linked to the nature of their human companions, shifting between forms with the speed of thought until their humans reach puberty.

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Chasing Darkness by Colee Firman

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Tragic.

Chasing Darkness is book three in the Unbinding Fate series. The story picks up a few months after Addy is sent back to Greystone without Tanner. Strange deaths plague the Akori of Greystone, a deadly tournament is kicked off, and an unknown evil threatens all that Addy holds most dear.

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Shinobi 7: Trials of a Warrior by L. Benitez

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Fresh style, lot's of humor, and ninjas-in-training.

Shinobi 7: Trials of a Warrior introduces six young ninjas in training in a setting similar to feudal Japan. The story, excluding the prologue, starts with Cassie, a gentle, non-violent sort, who is traveling to the training school of the Kitsune Clan, the only one that has yet survived the violent takeover of the evil Blackthorne Clan. On the road, she meets Hanran, a quiet boy with a secret, Yami and Luna, siblings who can't wait to be awesome ninjas, and Tabby, a girl who loves sugar. Following Cassie's map, the five soon reach the Kitsune school and along with others who have also just arrived, are welcomed into the school and assigned to Sector 7, where they meet Kuroi, an arrogant young man who has been the lone member of Sector 7 for quite some time and is not happy about having to welcome fresh meat. Continue reading...

Book Two: Roc by Rustin Petrae

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Fantastic continuation of the Histories of Purga series.

Book Two picks up some time after Keiara's transformation at the end of Book One. Rone, along with Asher and Fowler, are working their way up the side of a mountain and fighting a losing battle against the elements. But something tells Rone that he'll find Keiara at the top, so he pushes them to keep moving.

Meanwhile, Wilhelm's army of Blak soldiers has tracked down Rone's father, the king of Roanoke. Rone's friends, Darvian and Fiona, fight for him on the Island of Edaeri, and like Rone, they face the very real possibility that they won't make it out alive.

Fantasy and science fiction flow together naturally in Purga, complementing and contrasting in interesting ways, one of the characteristics I most enjoy about this series. The Rooks' nanobots can be formed into pretty much anything mechanical and can even be used to mend wounds, but they can't stand up to the insidious force called Blak. The Terraquois people can transform into animals and some can even control the forces of nature, but they too are helpless against the wave of evil that has been gathered against them. But there is hope. A long kept secret passed down through generations of Callers holds the key for destroying Blak and saving Purga from its clutches.

This story is jam packed with action, tension, and danger. The characters and the story flow naturally from where Book One: Dragon leaves off and set up for Book Three: Basilisk without leaving you hanging too badly. As in the previous book, the battlefields, the exotic locations, and the people are described with an attention to detail that brings them to life without overdoing it.

As or the quality of this book, I say it's excellent. The writing is smooth and well edited. The plot is well-developed and gripping. And the story comes to life in a very satisfying way.

I love this book and can't wait for Book Three: Basilisk. Although I usually avoid reading the "next book" excerpts at the end of stories, I found I could not resist reading the one at the end of this one. Looks just as exciting.

Anyway, I highly recommend this book and the series in general to fans of sci fi with a touch of fantasy mixed in (or vice versa).



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Delilah Dusticle's Transylvanian Adventure by A.J. York

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Delightful, lighthearted and funny.

Delilah the dust eradicator is back, and she's received a mysterious invitation from none other than Count W. Dracula. He's getting ready for a big party and neads her team to prepare the castle for his guests. But, when she and her assistants arrive, they're in for a surprise.

Book 2 in this series is fantastic. Where book 1 focuses on Delilah's broken heart and how she gets over it, book 2 picks up after she's figured out who she is and is happy with it. Unlike book 1, which focuses on feelings kids may not be familiar with, this story is definitely something kids would get and enjoy.

The characters and creatures in this book are entertaining and humorous. I love the quirky Grumpy Sponge (which I suspect is represented in the author's profile picture), especially when someone makes him angry. The Count is surprising and his efforts to prepare for the party and fit in to what people expect represent one of the main themes of this book. And, of course, Delilah's special abilities pull everything together.

Unlike the first book where the struggle was mainly internal to Delilah, this one introduces a villain or two and adds an element of danger. These things add to the excitement and make book 2 a page turner. I wish I could say more, but I don't want to spoil any of the book's surprises.

Finally, there are illustrations. I must say that almost every one I came across made me chuckle (or outright laugh) and they all fit perfectly into the part of the story they portray. I still want to know what the ? setting on the elevator does. The illustrator does a fine job of enhancing the story without distracting from it. Also, the pictures show up well on my tablet.

I do have a concern that the "handwritten notes" may not be quite readable on smaller devices or those that do not display illustrations. The notes are pictures, so they cannot be adjusted to the font size the reader prefers. I use a tablet and the longer notes displayed text smaller than the size I was using. Also, if I had been using my Kindle, I'm not certain they would have appeared at all, so I wouldn't have learned the contents of any of the Count's messages. My kindle is a bit of the cheapest one available. Still, on my tablet, they all displayed fine. I'm just concerned that not all readers would be able to see them, and they would be missing out on some important information. The notes, in my opinion, are vital to the storyline.

Overall, I absolutely loved this story. It's fantastic and magical, humorous and whimsical. The characters, major and minor, are entertaining. And the underlying themes of learning to be yourself and love what you have instead of what others have are admirably wrought. I would highly recommend this story to anyone, young or old, who likes a lot of humor, a little mystery, and a bit of magic.

I received a free copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest, non-reciprocal review.







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Links of interest:
Website: www.ajyork.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/delilahdusticle
Twitter: @delilahdusticle
Illustrator website : http://www.gavinchilds.com