Volinette's Song

by Martin Hengst

Volinette comes from a family of musicians who have no use for magic, but she is different. She wants more. Traveling to the great tower in Blackbeach, she undertakes the trials, a rite of passage that will earn her entry into the Acadamy of Arcane Arts and Science, or bar her forever from using her magical gifts.

A part of the Magic of Solendrea series, this short story follows Volinette on her journey to find herself.

Genres: Fantasy

23 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 20, 2011

About the author

I write the same type of books I love to read: tales of science fiction and fantasy where anything can, and frequently does, happen. There’s nothing better than a rollicking good adventure and my number one priority as a writer is to be an amazing travelling companion for those intrepid explorers who pick up any of my books.

I live in South Central Pennsylvania with my wife and two children. When I’m not working on my next book or story, I enjoy music, reading, and playing games.

I really like hearing from people who have enjoyed my books. Please don’t hesitate to connect with me on Twitter or Facebook. For the latest news and information about me and my books, check out my website at: http://martinfhengst.com.

Reviews

[Star · Rating 4 out of 5]

Volinette Terris comes from a very famous family of musicians, but music isn’t where her heart lies. She wants to become a mage against her family’s wishes. When the Solendrea School of Sorcery offers the Trial of Admission, Volinette is desperate to win a spot. When she not only survives the trial, but surpasses the instructors’ wildest imagings, she doesn’t make any friends. Her only friend there is someone she knew already, Baris. Janessa accuses Volinette of murdering her sister during the trial and as such, does her best to torment and humiliate Volinette at every turn. When a mystical artifact is stolen, the evidence points to Volinette, but she knows she’s innocent…now to prove it. VOLINETTE’S SONG is a standalone novel, perfect for anyone who has never read anything else in the Magic of Solendrea series. This book is definitely appropriate for all ages who enjoy YA novels and written in a way which will draw you in to Volinette’s world easily. Featuring well-rounded characters and a believable world, VOLINETTE’S SONG will capture your imagination.

[amyextradot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast paced, action, and we get to see some of the characters from previous books, which is fun! I was constantly wondering how the timeline fit with Tiadaria's...

[Stephen Gomillion · Rating 2 out of 5]

I only read 34%. It's very rare for me to stop after a third. Went back to Amazon looking to see if it was a children's book or YA but didn't see it. The antagonist and reactions to the antagonist weren't credible to me.

[J. Dunn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed "Volinette's Song". True to the book description, it is a standalone novel and easily followed without having read any of the other Solendrea books. I tend to be a bit of a grammar Nazi, and the book is well written with flowing language and excellent descriptions. I could see the different locations, the magic, and the action quite clearly in my mind's eye. The characters are well-developed and believable. I was reading on an airplane and had to change planes in the middle of the most exciting part. I raced through the airport so I could continue reading.

I have a young teenager and frequently read YA literature. I'm not sure if this novel is meant mean to be YA (young adult), but it certainly is suitable for readers of all ages -- and as C.S. Lewis once said: "A children's story only enjoyed by children is a bad children's story." I really liked the themes of perseverance, courage, and forgiveness that ran throughout the book. Lots of books today have the first two themes, but lack the third. I like the idea of a main character that stands out not only in her heroic abilities, but also her ability to look for the best in people and keep believing in them until they find it in themselves. It's a fantastic story and made me want to read the other books about Solendrea.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

For the most part, I enjoyed reading this book. To me, the pace really didn't pick up until the last quarter when all of the craziness started happening. However, while I enjoyed seeing characters from the Swordmage trilogy in the book, I really wish there had been more references. More ways to relate to the Swordmage trilogy.

This review isn't very detailed, but the book was decent. If you haven't read the Swordmage trilogy, go read it now!