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Daradawn #1
The Blue Flame
Kelsey Cafferty has been dead for seven years, or so her sister Regan believes. That is until a stranger, with a birthmark of a blue flame, shows up on her doorstep and informs Regan that he is a mage, and that she must come with him to save his world, Daradawn and her sister, Kelsey. Regan, along with her friend Ben, and his basset hound Maggie, enter a rift, and find themselves in a world where magic rules, both good and evil. In Daradawn, Regan faces the Power within her, a power that she must master, before it destroys her.
- GenresYoung Adult
376 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2005
2 people are currently reading
16 people want to read
About the author
Barbara M. Hodges
32 books34 followers Barbara M. Hodges lives on the central coast of California. She shares her life with her husband Jeff, two basset hounds, Heidi and Monty.
Barbara is the author or co-author 19 published fiction books.
She is an avid reader, always looking to discover a new author to enjoy.
Barbara is the author or co-author 19 published fiction books.
She is an avid reader, always looking to discover a new author to enjoy.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
January 1, 2012
Originally published at: http://longandshortreviews.blogspot.c...
When I was a kid, I'd lie in bed and imagine that when I opened my closet door, it would open on a new world, so when I read the blurb for this novel, I pounced on it, and it didn't disappoint. Warning: this novel is hard to put down. I started this novel Saturday evening, and by Sunday afternoon, I'd finished. This new edition is a rewrite for the YA market, and it's the first book in a trilogy.
This book has well developed characters – I especially enjoyed the interaction between sisters Kelsey and Regan. Regan's initial reluctance to get involved in the affairs of Daradawn and her wariness towards mage Peter, when he comes seeking her in our world, had me on the edge of my seat, and her gradual conversion is well-drawn.
I also enjoyed the deft hand Ms. Hodges had with her back story. The background is woven in seamlessly, and the flashbacks especially well handled. The magical elements and their rules and limitations are coherent, and the array of elves, dwarves, dragon, and mages satisfying in their variety.
There is romance in this novel, but it is first and foremost a fantasy adventure, so be prepared. Yes, it's there for both Kelsey and Regan, but it takes a back seat to the magical adventure and world saving.
The rewrite is such that there is nothing in here that's unsuitable for a young person, but in my opinion this is at bottom an adult novel, with adult characters and adult concerns. Not to say that your teen won't enjoy it – they will – but it's not your high school magic adventure, this is hard-core world saving.
I highly recommend this lively, well-written fantasy, and I'm eagerly looking forward to the next volume in the series, which, unfortunately from my point of view, won't be out until February, 2012.
When I was a kid, I'd lie in bed and imagine that when I opened my closet door, it would open on a new world, so when I read the blurb for this novel, I pounced on it, and it didn't disappoint. Warning: this novel is hard to put down. I started this novel Saturday evening, and by Sunday afternoon, I'd finished. This new edition is a rewrite for the YA market, and it's the first book in a trilogy.
This book has well developed characters – I especially enjoyed the interaction between sisters Kelsey and Regan. Regan's initial reluctance to get involved in the affairs of Daradawn and her wariness towards mage Peter, when he comes seeking her in our world, had me on the edge of my seat, and her gradual conversion is well-drawn.
I also enjoyed the deft hand Ms. Hodges had with her back story. The background is woven in seamlessly, and the flashbacks especially well handled. The magical elements and their rules and limitations are coherent, and the array of elves, dwarves, dragon, and mages satisfying in their variety.
There is romance in this novel, but it is first and foremost a fantasy adventure, so be prepared. Yes, it's there for both Kelsey and Regan, but it takes a back seat to the magical adventure and world saving.
The rewrite is such that there is nothing in here that's unsuitable for a young person, but in my opinion this is at bottom an adult novel, with adult characters and adult concerns. Not to say that your teen won't enjoy it – they will – but it's not your high school magic adventure, this is hard-core world saving.
I highly recommend this lively, well-written fantasy, and I'm eagerly looking forward to the next volume in the series, which, unfortunately from my point of view, won't be out until February, 2012.
April 2, 2008
The Blue Flame is the first book in the Daradawn Series. This book introduces the reader to Daradawn. Daradawn is an alternate dimensional world filled with magic, elves, dwarves, dragons, and unicorns. As the story starts, the reader meets Kelsey Cafferty, her allies, and her enemies.
Kelsey Cafferty is not originally from Daradawn. She is actually a photographer from our world, a former resident of San Francisco. Kelsey had accidentally stumbled upon a magical gateway from our world to Daradawn seven years earlier. Kelsey had stayed in this magical world to lead as Queen's Commander to fight the evil Dirkk. With the ongoing threat by Dirkk and his allies, Kelsey needs help that only her sister Regan can provide. Unfortunately, Regan is still in San Francisco and Kelsey has to wait until the gateway from Daradawn to our world reopens, for seven days once every seven years.
The Blue Flame is a beautifully written action filled fantasy adventure. The author brings the land of Daradawn, the magic, the adventure, and all of its inhabitants to life in full color. The reader can't help but be completely drawn into this world.
Kelsey Cafferty is not originally from Daradawn. She is actually a photographer from our world, a former resident of San Francisco. Kelsey had accidentally stumbled upon a magical gateway from our world to Daradawn seven years earlier. Kelsey had stayed in this magical world to lead as Queen's Commander to fight the evil Dirkk. With the ongoing threat by Dirkk and his allies, Kelsey needs help that only her sister Regan can provide. Unfortunately, Regan is still in San Francisco and Kelsey has to wait until the gateway from Daradawn to our world reopens, for seven days once every seven years.
The Blue Flame is a beautifully written action filled fantasy adventure. The author brings the land of Daradawn, the magic, the adventure, and all of its inhabitants to life in full color. The reader can't help but be completely drawn into this world.
October 25, 2014
The Blue Flame is laced with a little romance, packed with adventure, and horrifying battle scenes. The story takes place in Daradawn, a fantasy world filled with elves, dwarfs, and true evil that only magic can defeat. Ms. Hodges' imaginative world and writing pulled me in and kept me reading.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews