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The Solas Beir Trilogy #1
Sign of the Throne
Abby is haunted by dreams of an ivory castle, blood-thirsty monsters, and a striking stranger. Working as a babysitter for a family of mythology lovers in wealthy Newcastle Beach, California, she struggles to define herself among the elite class while trying to make sense of her strange visions. Upon meeting David, the doppelgänger of the mysterious young man in her dreams, Abby’s life is changed forever.
Encountering the queen of Cai Terenmare, a magical kingdom in a parallel world, Abby learns of an evil lord hell-bent on usurping the throne, the murder of Cai Terenmare’s king, the Solas Beir, and the kidnapping of the Solas Beir’s infant son.
As the kingdom struggles to endure, the queen shows Abby the full extent of her destiny. She must convince her mysterious crush, David, that he is the lost heir. While braving attacks from the dark lord’s sadistic minions, David must realize his true identity and return to Cai Terenmare to claim his throne before time runs out, lest the evil that was temporarily locked away be unleashed, threatening to destroy both the kingdom and all of humanity.
Encountering the queen of Cai Terenmare, a magical kingdom in a parallel world, Abby learns of an evil lord hell-bent on usurping the throne, the murder of Cai Terenmare’s king, the Solas Beir, and the kidnapping of the Solas Beir’s infant son.
As the kingdom struggles to endure, the queen shows Abby the full extent of her destiny. She must convince her mysterious crush, David, that he is the lost heir. While braving attacks from the dark lord’s sadistic minions, David must realize his true identity and return to Cai Terenmare to claim his throne before time runs out, lest the evil that was temporarily locked away be unleashed, threatening to destroy both the kingdom and all of humanity.
316 pages, Paperback
First published September 7, 2013
About the author
Melissa Eskue Ousley
10 books202 followersMelissa Eskue Ousley is an award-winning author living on the Oregon coast. Her dark fantasy, Constellations of Scars, won a 2022 Eric Hoffer Book Award. Her suspense novel, Pitcher Plant, won a 2018 Independent Publisher Book Award. Her young adult novel, Sunset Empire, debuted in a bestselling boxed set. Her short stories have been included in Rain Magazine, The North Coast Squid, and various anthologies.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
August 25, 2013
*I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review*
Abby has strange dreams about a boy and evil creatures that threaten them. Both are real. David is the unknowing heir to the throne of a different land and his enemies will do anything to stop him getting there through the portal to claim his crown. Abby must convince him of his real identity and help fix the portal before both worlds are consumed by evil.
My first thought on seeing this book was how beautiful the cover was. It has that spooky supernatural look and with the raven and cat, it fits the book perfectly. The majority of the book takes place in our reality with crossovers to David's real world to set the story and a lovely flash of Greek, Scottish and other mythology thrown in for good measure! I'm not usually a fan of these Courts in a different universe type of book but I really enjoyed this one and I'm glad that I took the chance on it.
Abby is a great character that you instantly warm to and like. Her interactions with Jon, and Cassandra's family develop her character perfectly. For me it is vital that I like my main characters and in this book, I did. David is the type of guy you wish you had been at school with because you know you would have loved him! Jon is funny but you do want to slap him for his performance after the dance! I loved Cassandra and Riordan, especially his interest in my country Scotland! His world mythology talks and Cassandra's logical theories were beautifully woven into the story when Abby first meets the demons for real. The other characters were wonderfully written as well-brave Cael, adorable Fergal, regal Eulalia, sweet Nysa and loyal Brarn. You just loved all of them, except nasty Moira of course! If you didn't guess her secret, you must have been asleep!
The plot just keeps you interested the whole time. It switches effortlessly between the kidnap sequence to Abby's life to Cael's quest to David's awakening, without becoming ragged or losing the flow of the story. Each sequence seems to fit perfectly where it is, and each injection of mythology is just the right amount, which takes a lot of skill by the author. She builds the tension in the book with the demon creatures, and especially in the portal scene, beautifully. I lost it at one point and started yelling aloud at everyone to just GET THROUGH THE PORTAL!!! There is just the right amount of desciptive work and dialogue, no incomprehensible info dumps and just that sprinkling of mythology to inform the reader and Abby of what is really going on. The storytelling and world building were excellent on both sides of the portal.
I don't have any negatives about the book and I'm really looking forward to the rest of the trilogy. There are a few characters that I hope to see more of, and plot has taken an interesting turn. Guess I'll just have to be patient for book 2! This book has no sexual content or swearing and is suitable for YA, NA and adult fans of paranormal and fantasy. Very much recommended!
Abby has strange dreams about a boy and evil creatures that threaten them. Both are real. David is the unknowing heir to the throne of a different land and his enemies will do anything to stop him getting there through the portal to claim his crown. Abby must convince him of his real identity and help fix the portal before both worlds are consumed by evil.
My first thought on seeing this book was how beautiful the cover was. It has that spooky supernatural look and with the raven and cat, it fits the book perfectly. The majority of the book takes place in our reality with crossovers to David's real world to set the story and a lovely flash of Greek, Scottish and other mythology thrown in for good measure! I'm not usually a fan of these Courts in a different universe type of book but I really enjoyed this one and I'm glad that I took the chance on it.
Abby is a great character that you instantly warm to and like. Her interactions with Jon, and Cassandra's family develop her character perfectly. For me it is vital that I like my main characters and in this book, I did. David is the type of guy you wish you had been at school with because you know you would have loved him! Jon is funny but you do want to slap him for his performance after the dance! I loved Cassandra and Riordan, especially his interest in my country Scotland! His world mythology talks and Cassandra's logical theories were beautifully woven into the story when Abby first meets the demons for real. The other characters were wonderfully written as well-brave Cael, adorable Fergal, regal Eulalia, sweet Nysa and loyal Brarn. You just loved all of them, except nasty Moira of course! If you didn't guess her secret, you must have been asleep!
The plot just keeps you interested the whole time. It switches effortlessly between the kidnap sequence to Abby's life to Cael's quest to David's awakening, without becoming ragged or losing the flow of the story. Each sequence seems to fit perfectly where it is, and each injection of mythology is just the right amount, which takes a lot of skill by the author. She builds the tension in the book with the demon creatures, and especially in the portal scene, beautifully. I lost it at one point and started yelling aloud at everyone to just GET THROUGH THE PORTAL!!! There is just the right amount of desciptive work and dialogue, no incomprehensible info dumps and just that sprinkling of mythology to inform the reader and Abby of what is really going on. The storytelling and world building were excellent on both sides of the portal.
I don't have any negatives about the book and I'm really looking forward to the rest of the trilogy. There are a few characters that I hope to see more of, and plot has taken an interesting turn. Guess I'll just have to be patient for book 2! This book has no sexual content or swearing and is suitable for YA, NA and adult fans of paranormal and fantasy. Very much recommended!
August 25, 2013
BOOK REVIEW by Michelle 8th August 2013:
RATING : 4.5 DAVID & JONATHAN STARS!
I totally dug this book. This is a very clean read that any school library would want on their shelves.
I love the cover of this book, it really is true to the story line.
Melissa gave me a really great story that is very well written and very smoothly told. I am in two minds if it is middle grade or YA genre. My reasons, the main characters are eighteen and up, but the story is an appealing fantasy for younger readers.
The story is told from two worlds, the human world and Cai Terenmare. Melissa has a wonderful imagination that kept the pages turning. I loved all the characters names and I loved the back of the book contains, ‘Places and Terms’. I realized I had been pronouncing a character’s name wrong by the time I had finished. It is worth a look.
There were some great scenes that visually looked awesome in my head when reading. The smashing of mirrors would look spectacular on the big screen.
Queen Eulalia’s babe has been stolen and her King assassinated.
Like any mother would, Queen Eulalia goes after her stolen babe and finds herself trapped in the human world until she can reopen a portal to get herself and her now grown son back.
Poor Queen Eulalia got the wrong end of the stick on a magical spell and she is trapped, but she has the help of a faithful frog named Fergal the Valorous. He can get himself back and forth between the worlds giving Cael and herself information.
Time is of the essence. Once David turns 23 yrs old the villain of this story can take over Cai Terenmare , claim the throne that is rightfully David’s .
Bit hard to claim your birthright when you have been stolen as a babe and now live with adopted parents who have no idea about David’s heritage or any knowledge of the world he is from. He has no clue who he really is.
The ever loyal Cael goes on a quest to find the Sign of the Throne. The piece of the puzzle needed to get his Queen back into her own world.
I really like Cael. A brave, loyal character who has a thing for the Queen.
Abby is a wonderful character I liked very much. She is a sitter for the Buchans. I really liked their whole family. Riordan ( that would be the chappy I was pronouncing wrong the whole book) is a fun character, he likes to wear a kilt. He would be such a great dad to have, he has a great heart and dares to believe in what a lot of parents wouldn’t.
Jonathan Reyes is a great character. He is Abby’s best friend. He likes the ladies but he is always there for Abby. Me thinks he is a bit confused about whether he likes Abby as a bff or more.
I am a huge fan of Jon’s. I really connected with his character. He is funny and loyal.
Her relationship with Jonathan Reyes had quite literally begun the day they were born - their mothers bonded in the maternity ward, and gave birth within hours of each other.
It was a matter of chemistry - Jon was charismatic, but he could be a little too wild.
Enter David Corbin the twenty two year old hunk with the Harley Davidson.
He is rather delicious.
Abby finds herself on her own mission and she isn’t immune to David.
David’s family have expectations for his future and he is torn between what he wants. Little does he know that it is all about to change.
A nicely woven together fantasy where two people from two different worlds find each other.
A peaceful existence will always be challenged by a villain who will look for a way to get what he wants.
A beautifully descriptive book filled with imagination ,brave gorgeous lads, ravens, black cats, shadows, nightmares, dreams, a Nixie, a Queen who won’t give up on her son, and a love that was inevitable, making for a great start to Melissa’s trilogy.
But will it be a fairy tale ending?
Michelle
RATING : 4.5 DAVID & JONATHAN STARS!
I totally dug this book. This is a very clean read that any school library would want on their shelves.
I love the cover of this book, it really is true to the story line.
Melissa gave me a really great story that is very well written and very smoothly told. I am in two minds if it is middle grade or YA genre. My reasons, the main characters are eighteen and up, but the story is an appealing fantasy for younger readers.
The story is told from two worlds, the human world and Cai Terenmare. Melissa has a wonderful imagination that kept the pages turning. I loved all the characters names and I loved the back of the book contains, ‘Places and Terms’. I realized I had been pronouncing a character’s name wrong by the time I had finished. It is worth a look.
There were some great scenes that visually looked awesome in my head when reading. The smashing of mirrors would look spectacular on the big screen.
Queen Eulalia’s babe has been stolen and her King assassinated.
Like any mother would, Queen Eulalia goes after her stolen babe and finds herself trapped in the human world until she can reopen a portal to get herself and her now grown son back.
Poor Queen Eulalia got the wrong end of the stick on a magical spell and she is trapped, but she has the help of a faithful frog named Fergal the Valorous. He can get himself back and forth between the worlds giving Cael and herself information.
Time is of the essence. Once David turns 23 yrs old the villain of this story can take over Cai Terenmare , claim the throne that is rightfully David’s .
Bit hard to claim your birthright when you have been stolen as a babe and now live with adopted parents who have no idea about David’s heritage or any knowledge of the world he is from. He has no clue who he really is.
The ever loyal Cael goes on a quest to find the Sign of the Throne. The piece of the puzzle needed to get his Queen back into her own world.
I really like Cael. A brave, loyal character who has a thing for the Queen.
Abby is a wonderful character I liked very much. She is a sitter for the Buchans. I really liked their whole family. Riordan ( that would be the chappy I was pronouncing wrong the whole book) is a fun character, he likes to wear a kilt. He would be such a great dad to have, he has a great heart and dares to believe in what a lot of parents wouldn’t.
Jonathan Reyes is a great character. He is Abby’s best friend. He likes the ladies but he is always there for Abby. Me thinks he is a bit confused about whether he likes Abby as a bff or more.
I am a huge fan of Jon’s. I really connected with his character. He is funny and loyal.
Her relationship with Jonathan Reyes had quite literally begun the day they were born - their mothers bonded in the maternity ward, and gave birth within hours of each other.
It was a matter of chemistry - Jon was charismatic, but he could be a little too wild.
Enter David Corbin the twenty two year old hunk with the Harley Davidson.
He is rather delicious.
Abby finds herself on her own mission and she isn’t immune to David.
David’s family have expectations for his future and he is torn between what he wants. Little does he know that it is all about to change.
A nicely woven together fantasy where two people from two different worlds find each other.
A peaceful existence will always be challenged by a villain who will look for a way to get what he wants.
A beautifully descriptive book filled with imagination ,brave gorgeous lads, ravens, black cats, shadows, nightmares, dreams, a Nixie, a Queen who won’t give up on her son, and a love that was inevitable, making for a great start to Melissa’s trilogy.
But will it be a fairy tale ending?
Michelle
June 24, 2013
First of all I'm glad that the author of this book Melissa Eskue Ousley provided me with an ARC of this book. The writing style was narrative and it's very well written. I loved the storyline. This book was very imaginative and I loved the characters and the way they were described. Eulelia, Cael, The Buchans, Jonathan and last but not the least at all Abby and David were very well written characters. Even the evil ones were neatly described. I loved that magnetic pull between Abby and David which made them drawn towards each other. And the way Abby trusted Eulelia and helped her in convincing David. I'm really looking forward to read the next book. From the moment I started this book I was pretty much caught up with it and it made me curious chapter by chapter. The element of surprise was there. Unexpected things occur with David mostly. Overall I loved this book. It was full of imagination, action, romance, affection and power. And it was a nice break of reading about the other parallel world filled with some other creatures and not fey in particular .
September 16, 2013
As a teacher of middle school students, I always read the books I place in my classroom for my students. I have just finished reading Sign of the Throne and this is a book that will be well loved in my classroom library. The images Melissa Eskue Ousley has created with her writing connect the mystical and present daydreams of many. My love of Celtic lore, mythology, and strong, compassionate heroines was fulfilled in Melissa's book. I cannot wait for Book Two of the Solas Beir Trilogy because I am as hooked as my students will be.
July 7, 2013
I love YA romance. I love fantasy adventure books with castles, kings, and battles to the death. And I really really love Mythology! Sign of the Throne was like an enchanting fairy tale with all of this, and a magical portal to another world! The characters are so vivid, both in Newcastle Beach, and Cai Terenmare. The battle of Light vs. Darkness will undoubtedly rage on, and I can't wait to find out what happens next for Abby and David in the next installment of this trilogy.
I want to thank the author for providing me with an arc of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I want to thank the author for providing me with an arc of this book in exchange for my honest review.
August 31, 2013
Sometimes, things come between you and your sister. Sometimes, she takes up with a mortal enemy. Sometimes, she steals your child from his cradle. Rather than spiriting the child away to some mountain hide-away or foreign strand, your sister takes him though a portal to a different world . . . known as Earth . . . and after destroying the portal, hides in the quaint seaside city of Newcastle Beach, CA. What’s a mother to do? Well, Queen Eulalia of Cai Terenmare does know what to do and thus follows her sister, Lucia, through a second portal between the worlds. Lucia, however, has planned for this eventuality and has booby-trapped the portal thus leaving Eulalia horribly disfigured, and stranded in the ruins of a house, both unable to leave and unable to reach her child.
So begins, Melissa Eskue Ousley’s new book, Sign of the Throne , taking the reader on a breathless roller-coaster ride that spans two worlds. This adventure begins on Cai Terenmare, a parallel world to our Earth that is filled with - of course - magic, shape-shifters, mythological creatures and some pretty blood-thirsty monsters. There are and have been some of the same sorts of creatures here on earth and their numbers will only increase if Queen Eulalia cannot find her son and take him home before his 23rd birthday.
While David Corbin is a prince in his home world, he leads a somewhat similar life in ours. Left on the doorstep of a childless well-to-to couple, he is raised by them and grows up as a sort of an American prince with his life, career and future spouse all planned out for him. The trouble is, David is not exactly enthusiastic about his future and he becomes even less enthusiastic when he meets Abby Brown.
Abby’s life is far from that of David. She is a somewhat introverted, wallflower type of person working as a cabana girl at the Newcastle Beach Inn. Her family is of modest means and she is working various jobs during her gap year to help pay for college. Abby is, however, unusual in that she is - to use a term from David’s home world - a c’aislinger or dream walker and may well be destined to be one of the greatest seers in Cai Terenmare’s recent history.
For his part, David is destined to be the Solas Beir - roughly translated as a "light bearer"; that is, of course, if he can return home before his 23rd birthday. In order to do that, he must make his way past his formidable Aunt Moira and the dark creatures - known as the Kruorumbrae' that are becoming weary of biding their time. In order to do this, he will need help from Abby . . . even if he doesn’t know that yet.
Portals, parallel worlds, monsters and kidnapped heirs are all part and parcel of Young Adult fantasy stories. It is not so much that a story contains these elements as it is what the author does with them. Melissa Ousley wields and shapes these elements with an almost preternatural ability that makes the process of writing appear to be an effortless exercise. In the following sample, a world-weary Queen Eulalia apprises Abby of their chances of success:
As with most Young Adult novels, there is an element of romance. The whole romantic angle in Sign of the Throne is very smartly written from an unusually mature point of view. In many YA novels, the whole execution of the romantic element seems to be rather gloppy like overly thick porridge. In Melissa Ousley’s novel however, there is something resembling a triangle but it is decidedly skewed to one side; at least in this first book of The Solas Beir Trilogy. David and Abby are mutually interested in each other and while Abby does have a friendly relationship with Jon, her former boy-friend, he is more of a dark horse in this book than anything else. There are still two books to go in this saga and there are sure to be complications and separations between David and Abby but, thus far, there is not the usual angst which, in and of itself, is quite refreshing.
In a novel of this scope, it is often a bit difficult to keep up with all the characters and remember exactly who or what so-and-so was. Ms. Ousley goes the extra mile in Sign of the Throne by providing a listing of the dramatis personæ, a glossary of places and terms and a map of Cai Terenmare; surely a help to a reader in absorbing the rich fantasy that Melissa has laid before them.
Sign of the Throne is Melissa Eskue Ousley’s debut novel and she is off to a brilliant start. The reader will find it hard to believe that she is not a more experienced writer, but there is nothing amateurish with this book. Sign of the Throne is an extremely well written story that is remarkable in its clarity of concept and execution. This reviewer firmly believes that it should serve as a landmark - both to aspiring authors of young adult fiction and to young adults, themselves. This is what outstanding writing both looks and reads like.
Kudos must also go to the editorial team at Castle Gardens Publications for providing an extremely clean read. While copious typos are the hallmark - and bane - of both self and much of commercial publishing, Gazebo Gardens Publishing -- the parent of Castle Gardens -- has demonstrated the distinct advantage that a good publishing house can give to a novel.
In the final analysis, Sign of the Throne is a book which stands head and shoulders above a considerable amount of current Young Adult fiction. Inasmuch as there is a lot of good Young Adult fiction out there at the moment, this is no small accomplishment. Even if Young Adult fantasy novels do not number amongst one’s favorite genres, this story is still well worth consideration. Given the intense reading experience provided by Sign of the Throne , this reviewer can hardly wait for the next installment in this series.
In the interest of full disclosure, the reviewer was provided with an ARC - Advance Review Copy - by the publisher.
Read my interview with the author, Melissa Eskue Ousley .
So begins, Melissa Eskue Ousley’s new book, Sign of the Throne , taking the reader on a breathless roller-coaster ride that spans two worlds. This adventure begins on Cai Terenmare, a parallel world to our Earth that is filled with - of course - magic, shape-shifters, mythological creatures and some pretty blood-thirsty monsters. There are and have been some of the same sorts of creatures here on earth and their numbers will only increase if Queen Eulalia cannot find her son and take him home before his 23rd birthday.
While David Corbin is a prince in his home world, he leads a somewhat similar life in ours. Left on the doorstep of a childless well-to-to couple, he is raised by them and grows up as a sort of an American prince with his life, career and future spouse all planned out for him. The trouble is, David is not exactly enthusiastic about his future and he becomes even less enthusiastic when he meets Abby Brown.
Abby’s life is far from that of David. She is a somewhat introverted, wallflower type of person working as a cabana girl at the Newcastle Beach Inn. Her family is of modest means and she is working various jobs during her gap year to help pay for college. Abby is, however, unusual in that she is - to use a term from David’s home world - a c’aislinger or dream walker and may well be destined to be one of the greatest seers in Cai Terenmare’s recent history.
For his part, David is destined to be the Solas Beir - roughly translated as a "light bearer"; that is, of course, if he can return home before his 23rd birthday. In order to do that, he must make his way past his formidable Aunt Moira and the dark creatures - known as the Kruorumbrae' that are becoming weary of biding their time. In order to do this, he will need help from Abby . . . even if he doesn’t know that yet.
Portals, parallel worlds, monsters and kidnapped heirs are all part and parcel of Young Adult fantasy stories. It is not so much that a story contains these elements as it is what the author does with them. Melissa Ousley wields and shapes these elements with an almost preternatural ability that makes the process of writing appear to be an effortless exercise. In the following sample, a world-weary Queen Eulalia apprises Abby of their chances of success:
"I have been imprisoned here a long time, Abby. These years in your world have made me tired and weak. But I have learned a great many things in that time. One is that I should trust in my dreams, and I have seen that this time we will win. The other thing I have learned is that even when I was in my lowest, most desperate state in this place, the universe has provided for me. It is when things seem impossible that miracles happen."
As with most Young Adult novels, there is an element of romance. The whole romantic angle in Sign of the Throne is very smartly written from an unusually mature point of view. In many YA novels, the whole execution of the romantic element seems to be rather gloppy like overly thick porridge. In Melissa Ousley’s novel however, there is something resembling a triangle but it is decidedly skewed to one side; at least in this first book of The Solas Beir Trilogy. David and Abby are mutually interested in each other and while Abby does have a friendly relationship with Jon, her former boy-friend, he is more of a dark horse in this book than anything else. There are still two books to go in this saga and there are sure to be complications and separations between David and Abby but, thus far, there is not the usual angst which, in and of itself, is quite refreshing.
In a novel of this scope, it is often a bit difficult to keep up with all the characters and remember exactly who or what so-and-so was. Ms. Ousley goes the extra mile in Sign of the Throne by providing a listing of the dramatis personæ, a glossary of places and terms and a map of Cai Terenmare; surely a help to a reader in absorbing the rich fantasy that Melissa has laid before them.
Sign of the Throne is Melissa Eskue Ousley’s debut novel and she is off to a brilliant start. The reader will find it hard to believe that she is not a more experienced writer, but there is nothing amateurish with this book. Sign of the Throne is an extremely well written story that is remarkable in its clarity of concept and execution. This reviewer firmly believes that it should serve as a landmark - both to aspiring authors of young adult fiction and to young adults, themselves. This is what outstanding writing both looks and reads like.
Kudos must also go to the editorial team at Castle Gardens Publications for providing an extremely clean read. While copious typos are the hallmark - and bane - of both self and much of commercial publishing, Gazebo Gardens Publishing -- the parent of Castle Gardens -- has demonstrated the distinct advantage that a good publishing house can give to a novel.
In the final analysis, Sign of the Throne is a book which stands head and shoulders above a considerable amount of current Young Adult fiction. Inasmuch as there is a lot of good Young Adult fiction out there at the moment, this is no small accomplishment. Even if Young Adult fantasy novels do not number amongst one’s favorite genres, this story is still well worth consideration. Given the intense reading experience provided by Sign of the Throne , this reviewer can hardly wait for the next installment in this series.
In the interest of full disclosure, the reviewer was provided with an ARC - Advance Review Copy - by the publisher.
Read my interview with the author, Melissa Eskue Ousley .
November 13, 2013
Every teen hits a time in their life where they struggle to define who they are and what their place is in the world. Abby's struggle is a little more challenging than most. Not only is she perched between the worlds of every normal life and the elite society of Newcastle Beach, she is haunted by strange dreams that threaten danger if she doesn't understand their meaning in time.
The story of Sign of the throne envelopes two worlds, that of the world we all live in and the land of Cai Terenmare, a place of magic, destiny, and impending danger. The book opens in the land of Cai Terenmare and immediately drops readers into a well developed fantasy world. Ousley took great care creating a detailed system of magic, a deep history that effects every character, and an intriguing plot that takes the story into the human world.
I was almost sad to leave Cai Teremare when the story continued into the human world, but that only lasted until I met Abby, Jon, and David. From the first introduction, I felt connected to the characters. Abby is someone who's easy to relate to because of her likable personality and struggle to find her place and purpose. Jon was a fun addition to the cast. Not only did he provide comic relief at just the right time, he had a deeper side to his character that will endear him to readers. Even though he harbors romantic feelings for Abby, being her best friend comes first...well, most of the time. He's not perfect, so you can't expect him not to get a little jealous when the gorgeous David makes his entrance.
David isn't someone Abby knows, at least not in real life, but part of the haunting dreams she begins experiencing features David center stage. The dream seem to indicate that David plays a role in her life she doesn't yet understand. When they finally meet in real life, it isn't love at first sight. Not even close. Not only is Abby a little freaked out by the dreams, David has a girlfriend, kind of, and dreams of David are hardly the only unusual events that crop up. Abby is forced to face a whole host of terrifying magical creatures and situations that would put anyone on edge.
The storyline surrounding David's past and true identity, and how Abby fits into the twists and turns that have led them to this moment of decision is captivating. I kept turning pages, eager to know whether Abby would understand what she need to do in time and do it without losing those she cares about. The romance that develops between Abby and David is a draw as well. The romance was clean, but still had enough intensity to keep me eager for their next encounter.
The only area I had any trouble with were some sections where the explanations and backstories ran a little long and pulled me out of the main story too much. This happened mainly when the queen tells Abby about how the Sign of the Throne was recovered. Overall, though, the pacing and story arch were very well done. The characters was wonderfully written as well. I am excited to read the next installment of the Solas Beir Trilogy and continue Abby and David's story.
The story of Sign of the throne envelopes two worlds, that of the world we all live in and the land of Cai Terenmare, a place of magic, destiny, and impending danger. The book opens in the land of Cai Terenmare and immediately drops readers into a well developed fantasy world. Ousley took great care creating a detailed system of magic, a deep history that effects every character, and an intriguing plot that takes the story into the human world.
I was almost sad to leave Cai Teremare when the story continued into the human world, but that only lasted until I met Abby, Jon, and David. From the first introduction, I felt connected to the characters. Abby is someone who's easy to relate to because of her likable personality and struggle to find her place and purpose. Jon was a fun addition to the cast. Not only did he provide comic relief at just the right time, he had a deeper side to his character that will endear him to readers. Even though he harbors romantic feelings for Abby, being her best friend comes first...well, most of the time. He's not perfect, so you can't expect him not to get a little jealous when the gorgeous David makes his entrance.
David isn't someone Abby knows, at least not in real life, but part of the haunting dreams she begins experiencing features David center stage. The dream seem to indicate that David plays a role in her life she doesn't yet understand. When they finally meet in real life, it isn't love at first sight. Not even close. Not only is Abby a little freaked out by the dreams, David has a girlfriend, kind of, and dreams of David are hardly the only unusual events that crop up. Abby is forced to face a whole host of terrifying magical creatures and situations that would put anyone on edge.
The storyline surrounding David's past and true identity, and how Abby fits into the twists and turns that have led them to this moment of decision is captivating. I kept turning pages, eager to know whether Abby would understand what she need to do in time and do it without losing those she cares about. The romance that develops between Abby and David is a draw as well. The romance was clean, but still had enough intensity to keep me eager for their next encounter.
The only area I had any trouble with were some sections where the explanations and backstories ran a little long and pulled me out of the main story too much. This happened mainly when the queen tells Abby about how the Sign of the Throne was recovered. Overall, though, the pacing and story arch were very well done. The characters was wonderfully written as well. I am excited to read the next installment of the Solas Beir Trilogy and continue Abby and David's story.
October 13, 2013
Dreaming of castles and handsome boys shouldn’t become nightmares, but for Abby, an ordinary girl, so she thinks, her nightmares are far too real. In a parallel world, evil has a plan to destroy a kingdom and it may spread to the human realm if no one can stop it and time is running out. A baby, heir to the throne of his realm is stolen and brought through a magical portal, left on the doorstep of a wealthy and childless couple, his memory of his past life and his future destiny will be erased forever, if someone does not intervene in time. His mother, the queen follows through the portal, but is powerless to save him. Enter Abby, whose nightmares will lead her to this young man and perhaps fulfill her own true destiny. Will she rescue him in time? Will she be able to make him remember who he really is? The clock is ticking and evil looms.
Sign of the Throne by Melissa Eskue Ousley is an engaging and enchanting young adult tale that took me into another world, as the battle between good and evil is waged in two realms. Her descriptions are intense, intricate and each world feels right, from the reality of the world we know to the mystical qualities of Cai Terenmare, as these worlds are woven together with words. From quirky to cute, to totally human to misguided and evil, Ms. Ousley paints her characters in full living color! And bless her; there is even a glossary to help understand names, places and everything! The author’s imagination is a treasure chest of wonder, and I’m happy to have shared in its bounty!
Looking for fantasy, young romance, and a chance to help save the world? I highly recommend Sign of the Throne and am looking forward to the next books in this trilogy! I received a review copy as part of the Sign of the Throne by Melissa Eskue Ousley Book End Tour & Giveaway stopping at Tome Tender October 15.
Series: The Solas Beir Trilogy, Book One
Publication Date: September 7, 2013
Publisher: Castle Garden Publications
ISBN: 1938281330
Page Count: 308
Genre: YA Paranormal Fantasy/Romance
Available from: Amazon / Barnes & Noble
For more reviews check out Tome Tender's Book Blog or find us on Facebook.
Sign of the Throne by Melissa Eskue Ousley is an engaging and enchanting young adult tale that took me into another world, as the battle between good and evil is waged in two realms. Her descriptions are intense, intricate and each world feels right, from the reality of the world we know to the mystical qualities of Cai Terenmare, as these worlds are woven together with words. From quirky to cute, to totally human to misguided and evil, Ms. Ousley paints her characters in full living color! And bless her; there is even a glossary to help understand names, places and everything! The author’s imagination is a treasure chest of wonder, and I’m happy to have shared in its bounty!
Looking for fantasy, young romance, and a chance to help save the world? I highly recommend Sign of the Throne and am looking forward to the next books in this trilogy! I received a review copy as part of the Sign of the Throne by Melissa Eskue Ousley Book End Tour & Giveaway stopping at Tome Tender October 15.
Series: The Solas Beir Trilogy, Book One
Publication Date: September 7, 2013
Publisher: Castle Garden Publications
ISBN: 1938281330
Page Count: 308
Genre: YA Paranormal Fantasy/Romance
Available from: Amazon / Barnes & Noble
For more reviews check out Tome Tender's Book Blog or find us on Facebook.
November 2, 2013
3.5 stars
Did I enjoy this book: I did enjoy this book. I read every free chance I had because I was entranced by this book.
In the beginning, the story jumps ahead twenty-two years. At first, I was confused and really wanted to know what had happened in that time period. What happened to the baby? What happened to the Queen? Well, we do find all of this out in a unique-ish way. The Queen tells the back story to Abby. I wasn’t sure how I liked this until I started getting into the story. I really like how that was done. It was a great perspective.
Sign of the Throne introduces us to a world of Gaelic/Scottish mythology and to a world of Light and Dark. This story had wonderful world building through the storytelling of Eulalia. We learn much about this world from her. The characters are relatively young, but very accepting of this new/other world. Part of me was bothered by this and part of me liked this. Sometimes with books of this nature, I dislike how easily everything comes together in the end, how trusting and accepting the characters are of this “other” world. I can’t imagine being so understanding and accepting of something so out there, so extraordinary, so not likely to be real. That’s what makes it a bit tough to get behind. I enjoyed this book. I want to read more in this trilogy. BUT… this book ended rather neatly. It ended a bit too easily.
On another note, this is one book that I wish I hadn’t read on an e-reader. It would have been nice to flip back to the character/pronunciation guide while reading this book. That is something that is not easily done on an e-reader. However, I enjoyed it. I want to know what happens next.
Would I recommend it: I would recommend this book to any YA fantasy fan.
Will I read it again: I will not.
(I received a copy of this book for review purposes.)
http://everyfreechance.com/2013/11/bl...
Did I enjoy this book: I did enjoy this book. I read every free chance I had because I was entranced by this book.
In the beginning, the story jumps ahead twenty-two years. At first, I was confused and really wanted to know what had happened in that time period. What happened to the baby? What happened to the Queen? Well, we do find all of this out in a unique-ish way. The Queen tells the back story to Abby. I wasn’t sure how I liked this until I started getting into the story. I really like how that was done. It was a great perspective.
Sign of the Throne introduces us to a world of Gaelic/Scottish mythology and to a world of Light and Dark. This story had wonderful world building through the storytelling of Eulalia. We learn much about this world from her. The characters are relatively young, but very accepting of this new/other world. Part of me was bothered by this and part of me liked this. Sometimes with books of this nature, I dislike how easily everything comes together in the end, how trusting and accepting the characters are of this “other” world. I can’t imagine being so understanding and accepting of something so out there, so extraordinary, so not likely to be real. That’s what makes it a bit tough to get behind. I enjoyed this book. I want to read more in this trilogy. BUT… this book ended rather neatly. It ended a bit too easily.
On another note, this is one book that I wish I hadn’t read on an e-reader. It would have been nice to flip back to the character/pronunciation guide while reading this book. That is something that is not easily done on an e-reader. However, I enjoyed it. I want to know what happens next.
Would I recommend it: I would recommend this book to any YA fantasy fan.
Will I read it again: I will not.
(I received a copy of this book for review purposes.)
http://everyfreechance.com/2013/11/bl...
December 21, 2013
ARC Goodreads Giveaway for honest review.
Sign of The Throne is a very intricately written book, weaving too worlds together while still giving you a glimpse of what it is like for each of the characters on opposite sides of the portal. Melissa Ousley's writing flows so smoothly touching on every emotion throughout the book, from love, hate, sadness, pain and an insanely addictive adventure. She writes with so much visual description it's hard to put down. I felt as though I could see everything she had written from Eulia's disfigurement, to the sirens, the city and castle of Caislucis , even Nysa and her ever changing Nixie form. I love that the characters of Abby, David, and Jon's conversations were true to their age and time. Most authors make younger characters seem overly stuffy and adult, but Melissa hit the nail on the head with them and their sometimes playful, sometimes painfully honest conversations.
I also really like how she included a map and a glossary of sorts in the back of the book. If you are like me and stay on the same name for an hour until you can figure it out, this really helps. There is even a small description of all the main characters, important places, and artifacts.
The ending is perfect. With just enough information that your not left hanging, but peaking your interest enough to want more. I can't wait to read The Rabbit and the Raven, book 2 in the Solas Beir Trilogy. Sign of the Thrones is one of the best books I've read all year.
Sign of The Throne is a very intricately written book, weaving too worlds together while still giving you a glimpse of what it is like for each of the characters on opposite sides of the portal. Melissa Ousley's writing flows so smoothly touching on every emotion throughout the book, from love, hate, sadness, pain and an insanely addictive adventure. She writes with so much visual description it's hard to put down. I felt as though I could see everything she had written from Eulia's disfigurement, to the sirens, the city and castle of Caislucis , even Nysa and her ever changing Nixie form. I love that the characters of Abby, David, and Jon's conversations were true to their age and time. Most authors make younger characters seem overly stuffy and adult, but Melissa hit the nail on the head with them and their sometimes playful, sometimes painfully honest conversations.
I also really like how she included a map and a glossary of sorts in the back of the book. If you are like me and stay on the same name for an hour until you can figure it out, this really helps. There is even a small description of all the main characters, important places, and artifacts.
The ending is perfect. With just enough information that your not left hanging, but peaking your interest enough to want more. I can't wait to read The Rabbit and the Raven, book 2 in the Solas Beir Trilogy. Sign of the Thrones is one of the best books I've read all year.
January 3, 2015
Wow at first it I thought it was a little weird how things started off, but then the story lines starting to make more since once the characters we're mixing with each other more. Let me just say off hand first I totally am happy that David Corbin and Abby Brown were able to be together. Heck after all the dreams she was having of him I'm surprised it took as long as it did.
Abby has a best friend named Jon who is in love with her but he just seems like a player. In the past they have been together but I think that during the story Jon realizes that it's time for him to let Abby go. Which he does the night of the Autumn Ball when David finds out who he really is. I was shocked about how Abby went about telling him about his mother Eulakia and the Sign of the Throne. I really enjoyed the characters and how each character had a purpose in the story they all just came together I haven't read to many stories like that.
The author really knew how to keep me turning the page. Although the chapters seem really long they all make since. It was well written and for the most part written for anyone from 13 and up. I really enjoyed reading it. I can say that I really enjoyed Abby's journey to bring David home and the destiny she was up to do. Makes her a stronger person.
I did receive this book on a giveaway and was in no way ask or told to do this giveaway I thought the Author did a great job writing this and wanted to share my thoughts on the book.
Abby has a best friend named Jon who is in love with her but he just seems like a player. In the past they have been together but I think that during the story Jon realizes that it's time for him to let Abby go. Which he does the night of the Autumn Ball when David finds out who he really is. I was shocked about how Abby went about telling him about his mother Eulakia and the Sign of the Throne. I really enjoyed the characters and how each character had a purpose in the story they all just came together I haven't read to many stories like that.
The author really knew how to keep me turning the page. Although the chapters seem really long they all make since. It was well written and for the most part written for anyone from 13 and up. I really enjoyed reading it. I can say that I really enjoyed Abby's journey to bring David home and the destiny she was up to do. Makes her a stronger person.
I did receive this book on a giveaway and was in no way ask or told to do this giveaway I thought the Author did a great job writing this and wanted to share my thoughts on the book.
August 12, 2016
Abby is an ordinary girl—or so she thought; her dreams are consumed with wretched monsters and visions of a mysterious boy. The mysterious boy is David, the son of a wealthy couple in New Castle Beach and the heir to the throne of Cai Terenmare. Unfortunately, David does not remember who he really is, and it is up to Abby to return him to his people and save the kingdom from an evil lord.
Melissa Eskue Ousley’s Sign of the Throne is a beautifully written tale that will captivate readers from the first page until the very last page. Ousley has created a fantastic new world that is full of magic and peril with complex characters that the reader can relate to. Sign of the Throne is a perfect combination of contemporary fiction, fantasy, and folklore; what I mean to say is that Ousley has taken the best aspects of the three genres and combined them to create an exquisite tale. The use of historical and mythological references (sirens, pixies, da Vinci, Homer…etc.) enhances the story line and binds the two worlds together seamlessly. Readers will find themselves getting lost in Ousley’s fantastic tale of magic, danger, and adventure as Abby attempts to fulfill her destiny and save Cai Terenmare. Sign of the Throne is rich and gripping—it’s a story worth getting lost in.
July 26, 2014
I absolutely loved this book. Romance, action, and suspense...this story has it all. The characters were likeable and easy to relate to. The fantasy was perfectly meshed with the real world and I enjoy when writers are able to weave their story and make use of myths and legends from our own history, it makes the fiction more believable to me. Abby was a great character, humble and sweet, and David, well he's that "bad boy" we all love....motorcycle and leather jacket and all. I stayed up late to finish this book and now I can't wait for the next one! I normally do like cats but her evil creatures were so believable and creepy that I am glad now that I don't own one....
I've read a lot of young adult fantasy, it's definitely my genre of choice and there are lots of substandard offerings, this is not one of those. This will definitely be on the shelf with Harry Potter, Twilight and Fablehaven. A good book isn't one that I read once and move on, I like to pick them up periodically and visit their world again (and again).
I'm eagerly looking forward to next installment!
I've read a lot of young adult fantasy, it's definitely my genre of choice and there are lots of substandard offerings, this is not one of those. This will definitely be on the shelf with Harry Potter, Twilight and Fablehaven. A good book isn't one that I read once and move on, I like to pick them up periodically and visit their world again (and again).
I'm eagerly looking forward to next installment!
June 26, 2015
I got this book in exchange for an honest review.
I like the idea of alternate world and their connection, of how balance must be kept for every action you do causes a reaction.
The characters of David and Abby are strong. Loved the others as well....well, except for the bad guys. Disliked Moira the moment she was introduced.
There are so many POV in this book and you really see and feel what every one of them is like. Even though you hate Moira and the others, you understand the reason for their behaviour.
The end will leave you wondering what will happen now.
I like the idea of alternate world and their connection, of how balance must be kept for every action you do causes a reaction.
The characters of David and Abby are strong. Loved the others as well....well, except for the bad guys. Disliked Moira the moment she was introduced.
There are so many POV in this book and you really see and feel what every one of them is like. Even though you hate Moira and the others, you understand the reason for their behaviour.
The end will leave you wondering what will happen now.
July 18, 2013
I thoroughly enjoyed this tale of a parallel world connected to ours by magic portals. The characters are rich and relatable to 'tweens on up. The story is beautifully told and kept me enthralled from the first chapter to the last and looking forward to more. Stiff competition for the Twilight series in the romance department and fantasy genre of the Percy Jackson books. Great read for any age! Kudos to Melissa Eskue Ousley!
August 12, 2013
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
Wow. This book is simply amazing. I was sucked into the story from page 1 and I did not put this book down until I was done. By the end, my eyes just couldn't read fast enough; I was on the couch with my knees tucked under my chin with the suspense. The characters are great, the plot is fantastic, I can't recommend this book enough.
For those interested, this is a clean book.
Wow. This book is simply amazing. I was sucked into the story from page 1 and I did not put this book down until I was done. By the end, my eyes just couldn't read fast enough; I was on the couch with my knees tucked under my chin with the suspense. The characters are great, the plot is fantastic, I can't recommend this book enough.
For those interested, this is a clean book.
Read
November 7, 2014A wonderfully creative and entertaining YA novel. The story weaves between a fantasy world (rich with action, adventure, and very descriptive writing) and a modern-day story line that includes a teenage romance. This is not a genre I usually read, but I got so engrossed in the story, I had trouble putting it down (though I did skim over one long section of fantasy). I'm glad to know there's a second book coming. Can't wait to read it!
July 19, 2015
I won this book off of the First Reads contest on Goodreads along with the second and third books of the Solas Beir Trilogy. The book sucked me in right away, and I could have easily finished the book in a day. "Sign of the Throne," was really well written by Melissa Eskue Ousley. It was not one of those books where you read about a tree for 3 chapters, rather, it got straight to the point. Great book!
January 16, 2016
I read this book in two days; I had trouble putting it down and almost wished my train would be delayed so that I didn't have to stop. I love the characters, they are defined very well and seem like people I could meet in real life. I found myself smiling throughout. This is a clean read for the YA crowd.
October 17, 2013
would be a dream come true to win this giveaway...i reallllllly want to read it.. amazing storyline too ... i wish i wish i wish ... :D
October 25, 2017
*** 1/2 stars. This is one of the types of books I don't like to review, but I review every book I read, and I won't stop now. I gave it the rating that I did because this is an interesting fantasy with lots of action; is well written, and has likable characters. The plot is somewhat predictable and there is too much, for my taste, in clothes description. Hey, I'm a guy, but if it really added something to the story I wouldn't have minded. But speaking of taste, that's why I hate to review this particular type of book. I don't like teenage angst. Even though I've never read Twilight (ugh!), I've heard and seen enough of this type of romance to detect it. I don't mind romance, too much, if it's interspersed with adventure or mystery... or fantasy, but teenage angst is annoying, so if you like that type of fiction mixed in with fantasy have at it, and don't let me dissuade you. Like I said, the fantasy is good. Other good things to say about is that it has a pretty good fantasy world with that internal logical consistency that is as satisfying as the conclusion that draws one to want to read the next without being a real cliff hanger. Now that is a very good thing in my book. But it doesn't draw me in enough to want to continue with the series.
February 27, 2022
Entertaining but incredible in the most literal sense of the word. It needs a healthy dose of logic, realism and psychology.
August 4, 2013
I was really excited to get my hands on a copy of this book. I love the cover, I love the synopsis, and I especially love the 'lost heir, doomed world, random girl in the middle of it all' theme. I was expecting something refreshing and heroic, but while I did like certain aspects of the book (mainly the heroic ones), the story was pretty much like every other 'lost heir, doomed world, random girl in the middle of it all'. There were some new additions, but most of it was basically the same stuff. Different settings and different names, but that's not a lot to go on. Although, I do think it's a cute and relatively quick read that I probably would have enjoyed back in middle school, it was more of a disappointment at this stage.
Abby was an interesting heroine with a sarcastic strike that I could totally relate to, but I kept wanting more from her. This Plain Jane persona that she was playing (even with prophetic nightmares and shadows that stalked her) didn't make her stand out, and the third person POV wasn't helping much either. I know I probably sound like a sadist, but I wanted more bad things to happen to her. Not because I liked seeing her get hurt and all, I just wanted to test her limit. How far was she willing to go? Things were too easy for her. David liked her in an instant. She didn't even have to try. When she told him the truth (the second time she saw him) he believed her with just one 'she's a psycho' thought that vanished in an instant. Where's the fun in that?
David, on the other hand, was the replica of a Prince Charming. He was polite, sweet, and practically vomited cliches all over the place.
"Well, I thought I had my life figured out," David admitted. "You know how I told you that all my life my father has been grooming me to join his firm, to head up one of the branches?" Abby nodded. "I finished school last spring, went off on my own over the summer to travel, and then..." He paused, as if he were unsure he should continue.
"Then?" she prompted.
"Then I came home and met you," - pg. 206
Dude, come on! You've met her twice. You don't know a THING about the girl! Okay, I admit it! It's cute. It's adorable. It's totally
(Add some theme music with it. Fits perfectly!)
But that's what made me falter, because I was hoping for a more unique point of view, not a cliche. She's the Plain Jane. He's Prince Charming. They live happily ever after (with some complications, because this is obviously the first book).
Warning: Insta-love
This, to me, is the biggest no-no I could ever come across. My problem started off when Abby had dreams about this guy. The swoon-o-meter just took a plunge right there and then. And yet, I crossed my fingers hoping that I was wrong and it was all a trick. But, alas, the instant she meets the guy (David), 'sparks start to fly', and I fail to understand what they see in each other. Because romance to me isn't 'love at first sight', that's too easy. Too unrealistic. I need something worth fighting for, something worth reading through. I felt nothing worth keeping between them. At least there was this mini, microscopic love triangle between her, David, and Abby's best friend (Jon) to raise the stakes a little. That didn't last very long but at least I was slightly amused by it.
Story-wise, even though the plot is basically like every other fantasy story and most of it was downright predictable, I did like the new additions. Melissa Eskue Ousley is a master when it comes down to fabricating magical worlds and creatures. Her writing style was smooth and that's why the book was so fast-paced, it maneuvered around the cliches so I didn't have to force myself through them. They still annoyed me (don't get me wrong. I could easily point them out) but the impact was lessened.
Overall, I like Sign of Throne as a fantasy for all ages to enjoy, but it's more of a fairy-tale you read once and once is enough. It would definitely pass as a charming bedtime story, but not much of a young adult book. The romance is too quick, the storyline too predictable, and the characters far too stereotypical. I'm giving it three stars, because I did enjoy it on a very superficial level and Melissa's writing did work its magic.
Do I recommend it? Yes and no. If you're looking for something original and unforgettable, then this might not be the book for you. If you're looking for something quick, cute, and Disney-like, then this might just brighten your day.
Abby was an interesting heroine with a sarcastic strike that I could totally relate to, but I kept wanting more from her. This Plain Jane persona that she was playing (even with prophetic nightmares and shadows that stalked her) didn't make her stand out, and the third person POV wasn't helping much either. I know I probably sound like a sadist, but I wanted more bad things to happen to her. Not because I liked seeing her get hurt and all, I just wanted to test her limit. How far was she willing to go? Things were too easy for her. David liked her in an instant. She didn't even have to try. When she told him the truth (the second time she saw him) he believed her with just one 'she's a psycho' thought that vanished in an instant. Where's the fun in that?
David, on the other hand, was the replica of a Prince Charming. He was polite, sweet, and practically vomited cliches all over the place.
"Well, I thought I had my life figured out," David admitted. "You know how I told you that all my life my father has been grooming me to join his firm, to head up one of the branches?" Abby nodded. "I finished school last spring, went off on my own over the summer to travel, and then..." He paused, as if he were unsure he should continue.
"Then?" she prompted.
"Then I came home and met you," - pg. 206
Dude, come on! You've met her twice. You don't know a THING about the girl! Okay, I admit it! It's cute. It's adorable. It's totally
(Add some theme music with it. Fits perfectly!)
But that's what made me falter, because I was hoping for a more unique point of view, not a cliche. She's the Plain Jane. He's Prince Charming. They live happily ever after (with some complications, because this is obviously the first book).
Warning: Insta-love
This, to me, is the biggest no-no I could ever come across. My problem started off when Abby had dreams about this guy. The swoon-o-meter just took a plunge right there and then. And yet, I crossed my fingers hoping that I was wrong and it was all a trick. But, alas, the instant she meets the guy (David), 'sparks start to fly', and I fail to understand what they see in each other. Because romance to me isn't 'love at first sight', that's too easy. Too unrealistic. I need something worth fighting for, something worth reading through. I felt nothing worth keeping between them. At least there was this mini, microscopic love triangle between her, David, and Abby's best friend (Jon) to raise the stakes a little. That didn't last very long but at least I was slightly amused by it.
Story-wise, even though the plot is basically like every other fantasy story and most of it was downright predictable, I did like the new additions. Melissa Eskue Ousley is a master when it comes down to fabricating magical worlds and creatures. Her writing style was smooth and that's why the book was so fast-paced, it maneuvered around the cliches so I didn't have to force myself through them. They still annoyed me (don't get me wrong. I could easily point them out) but the impact was lessened.
Overall, I like Sign of Throne as a fantasy for all ages to enjoy, but it's more of a fairy-tale you read once and once is enough. It would definitely pass as a charming bedtime story, but not much of a young adult book. The romance is too quick, the storyline too predictable, and the characters far too stereotypical. I'm giving it three stars, because I did enjoy it on a very superficial level and Melissa's writing did work its magic.
Do I recommend it? Yes and no. If you're looking for something original and unforgettable, then this might not be the book for you. If you're looking for something quick, cute, and Disney-like, then this might just brighten your day.
August 26, 2013
BOOK REVIEW by Michelle 8th August 2013:
RATING : 4.5 DAVID & JONATHAN STARS!
I totally dug this book. This is a very clean read that any school library would want on their shelves.
I love the cover of this book, it really is true to the story line.
Melissa gave me a really great story that is very well written and very smoothly told. I am in two minds if it is middle grade or YA genre. My reasons, the main characters are eighteen and up, but the story is an appealing fantasy for younger readers.
The story is told from two worlds, the human world and Cai Terenmare. Melissa has a wonderful imagination that kept the pages turning. I loved all the characters names and I loved the back of the book contains, ‘Places and Terms’. I realized I had been pronouncing a character’s name wrong by the time I had finished. It is worth a look.
There were some great scenes that visually looked awesome in my head when reading. The smashing of mirrors would look spectacular on the big screen.
Queen Eulalia’s babe has been stolen and her King assassinated.
Like any mother would, Queen Eulalia goes after her stolen babe and finds herself trapped in the human world until she can reopen a portal to get herself and her now grown son back.
Poor Queen Eulalia got the wrong end of the stick on a magical spell and she is trapped, but she has the help of a faithful frog named Fergal the Valorous. He can get himself back and forth between the worlds giving Cael and herself information.
Time is of the essence. Once David turns 23 yrs old the villain of this story can take over Cai Terenmare , claim the throne that is rightfully David’s .
Bit hard to claim your birthright when you have been stolen as a babe and now live with adopted parents who have no idea about David’s heritage or any knowledge of the world he is from. He has no clue who he really is.
The ever loyal Cael goes on a quest to find the Sign of the Throne. The piece of the puzzle needed to get his Queen back into her own world.
I really like Cael. A brave, loyal character who has a thing for the Queen.
Abby is a wonderful character I liked very much. She is a sitter for the Buchans. I really liked their whole family. Riordan ( that would be the chappy I was pronouncing wrong the whole book) is a fun character, he likes to wear a kilt. He would be such a great dad to have, he has a great heart and dares to believe in what a lot of parents wouldn’t.
Jonathan Reyes is a great character. He is Abby’s best friend. He likes the ladies but he is always there for Abby. Me thinks he is a bit confused about whether he likes Abby as a bff or more.
I am a huge fan of Jon’s. I really connected with his character. He is funny and loyal.
Her relationship with Jonathan Reyes had quite literally begun the day they were born - their mothers bonded in the maternity ward, and gave birth within hours of each other.
It was a matter of chemistry - Jon was charismatic, but he could be a little too wild.
Enter David Corbin the twenty two year old hunk with the Harley Davidson.
He is rather delicious.
Abby finds herself on her own mission and she isn’t immune to David.
David’s family have expectations for his future and he is torn between what he wants. Little does he know that it is all about to change.
A nicely woven together fantasy where two people from two different worlds find each other.
A peaceful existence will always be challenged by a villain who will look for a way to get what he wants.
A beautifully descriptive book filled with imagination ,brave gorgeous lads, ravens, black cats, shadows, nightmares, dreams, a Nixie, a Queen who won’t give up on her son, and a love that was inevitable, making for a great start to Melissa’s trilogy.
But will it be a fairy tale ending?
Michelle
RATING : 4.5 DAVID & JONATHAN STARS!
I totally dug this book. This is a very clean read that any school library would want on their shelves.
I love the cover of this book, it really is true to the story line.
Melissa gave me a really great story that is very well written and very smoothly told. I am in two minds if it is middle grade or YA genre. My reasons, the main characters are eighteen and up, but the story is an appealing fantasy for younger readers.
The story is told from two worlds, the human world and Cai Terenmare. Melissa has a wonderful imagination that kept the pages turning. I loved all the characters names and I loved the back of the book contains, ‘Places and Terms’. I realized I had been pronouncing a character’s name wrong by the time I had finished. It is worth a look.
There were some great scenes that visually looked awesome in my head when reading. The smashing of mirrors would look spectacular on the big screen.
Queen Eulalia’s babe has been stolen and her King assassinated.
Like any mother would, Queen Eulalia goes after her stolen babe and finds herself trapped in the human world until she can reopen a portal to get herself and her now grown son back.
Poor Queen Eulalia got the wrong end of the stick on a magical spell and she is trapped, but she has the help of a faithful frog named Fergal the Valorous. He can get himself back and forth between the worlds giving Cael and herself information.
Time is of the essence. Once David turns 23 yrs old the villain of this story can take over Cai Terenmare , claim the throne that is rightfully David’s .
Bit hard to claim your birthright when you have been stolen as a babe and now live with adopted parents who have no idea about David’s heritage or any knowledge of the world he is from. He has no clue who he really is.
The ever loyal Cael goes on a quest to find the Sign of the Throne. The piece of the puzzle needed to get his Queen back into her own world.
I really like Cael. A brave, loyal character who has a thing for the Queen.
Abby is a wonderful character I liked very much. She is a sitter for the Buchans. I really liked their whole family. Riordan ( that would be the chappy I was pronouncing wrong the whole book) is a fun character, he likes to wear a kilt. He would be such a great dad to have, he has a great heart and dares to believe in what a lot of parents wouldn’t.
Jonathan Reyes is a great character. He is Abby’s best friend. He likes the ladies but he is always there for Abby. Me thinks he is a bit confused about whether he likes Abby as a bff or more.
I am a huge fan of Jon’s. I really connected with his character. He is funny and loyal.
Her relationship with Jonathan Reyes had quite literally begun the day they were born - their mothers bonded in the maternity ward, and gave birth within hours of each other.
It was a matter of chemistry - Jon was charismatic, but he could be a little too wild.
Enter David Corbin the twenty two year old hunk with the Harley Davidson.
He is rather delicious.
Abby finds herself on her own mission and she isn’t immune to David.
David’s family have expectations for his future and he is torn between what he wants. Little does he know that it is all about to change.
A nicely woven together fantasy where two people from two different worlds find each other.
A peaceful existence will always be challenged by a villain who will look for a way to get what he wants.
A beautifully descriptive book filled with imagination ,brave gorgeous lads, ravens, black cats, shadows, nightmares, dreams, a Nixie, a Queen who won’t give up on her son, and a love that was inevitable, making for a great start to Melissa’s trilogy.
But will it be a fairy tale ending?
Michelle
November 23, 2013
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Sign of the Throne is a story of a girl named Abby who starts having dreams about a boy she doesn't know or recognize. However, when she suddenly sees someone identical to the boy in her dreams, she seems to feel an instant connection to him. She ends up realizing that there's a reason why she's had these dreams and that he is the sign of the throne from a whole different world. Her job is to get him back to his world in time so he could become king before someone awful takes over.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. It was cute, the characters were likeable, and it was a fascinating read. However, the love story was extremely cheesy. They liked each other right away and before I knew it, they were together. When I'm reading a book, I enjoy reading about their progress into really falling for the other person. Abby barely knew David when she first said she was in love with him. David liked Abby just as much. It was basically a fairytale love story, where they fall for each other when their eyes first meet. We didn't really get to see David and Abby truly fall for each other and even have much interaction. There was some, but not a whole lot.
There is kind of a love triangle, maybe. Do you call it a love triangle when there's a guy that likes her, but she doesn't like him? Well her best friend is in love with her, but she doesn't think of him that way. I did feel a little bad for him. He seemed like a nice guy who wanted to protect her and look out for her.
So this whole idea is far fetched. This book is taken place in a real world like what we live in. And somehow, nobody really questions it. David did think Abby was a little crazy, but he did believe her. And Cassandra and Riordan were as calm as can be after some creepy shadow thing was next to their child. I just think the reactions should have been more realistic.
Something that really annoyed me was all the lore and detailed information Eulalia was giving to Abby. She was basically telling a novel, not important information. She gave details and quotes and what people were wearing. It felt like it was a whole other book. This really should have been one of those short stories outside of the book, and have Eulalia just give important information in a better and less wordy way.
I HATE long chapters. I know that's my problem, but this book had like 50 page chapters. It's a 300 page book with like 8 chapters. You're killing me smalls! For the most part it was fine and wasn't too bad, but when it was the part with just Eulalia and Abby talking, I was dying. It might've been better if that chapter was split in two.
I will read the next one and I think it's a really interesting and fun story. I could see this being one of those Disney movies, like Aladdin, so overall it is enjoyable.
Thank you so much to the author!
Sign of the Throne is a story of a girl named Abby who starts having dreams about a boy she doesn't know or recognize. However, when she suddenly sees someone identical to the boy in her dreams, she seems to feel an instant connection to him. She ends up realizing that there's a reason why she's had these dreams and that he is the sign of the throne from a whole different world. Her job is to get him back to his world in time so he could become king before someone awful takes over.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. It was cute, the characters were likeable, and it was a fascinating read. However, the love story was extremely cheesy. They liked each other right away and before I knew it, they were together. When I'm reading a book, I enjoy reading about their progress into really falling for the other person. Abby barely knew David when she first said she was in love with him. David liked Abby just as much. It was basically a fairytale love story, where they fall for each other when their eyes first meet. We didn't really get to see David and Abby truly fall for each other and even have much interaction. There was some, but not a whole lot.
There is kind of a love triangle, maybe. Do you call it a love triangle when there's a guy that likes her, but she doesn't like him? Well her best friend is in love with her, but she doesn't think of him that way. I did feel a little bad for him. He seemed like a nice guy who wanted to protect her and look out for her.
So this whole idea is far fetched. This book is taken place in a real world like what we live in. And somehow, nobody really questions it. David did think Abby was a little crazy, but he did believe her. And Cassandra and Riordan were as calm as can be after some creepy shadow thing was next to their child. I just think the reactions should have been more realistic.
Something that really annoyed me was all the lore and detailed information Eulalia was giving to Abby. She was basically telling a novel, not important information. She gave details and quotes and what people were wearing. It felt like it was a whole other book. This really should have been one of those short stories outside of the book, and have Eulalia just give important information in a better and less wordy way.
I HATE long chapters. I know that's my problem, but this book had like 50 page chapters. It's a 300 page book with like 8 chapters. You're killing me smalls! For the most part it was fine and wasn't too bad, but when it was the part with just Eulalia and Abby talking, I was dying. It might've been better if that chapter was split in two.
I will read the next one and I think it's a really interesting and fun story. I could see this being one of those Disney movies, like Aladdin, so overall it is enjoyable.
Thank you so much to the author!
November 6, 2013
This book sure dragged a lot. About 10% of the book is dedicated to lore, most of which I ended up only lightly perusing, but for the most part outright skipping due to the fact it read less like a character giving important information and more like an entire other story being incorporated into the book.
Aside from the lore-related info dumps, the characters were incredibly strange and unbelievable. I mean, who accepts that there are shadow monsters and another world without having a panic attack or some semblance of skepticism? Seriously, the characters all accept the plot with remarkable ease. The main character accepts she has prophetic dreams foreshadowing certain events. The main love interest accepts he is the heir to some magical kingdom. No drama added on. The outright acceptance was just too bizarre to be believable.
Then there is the insta love. And if you thought Twilight's Bella and Edward was bad, they have nothing on the relationship between Abby and David. Abby seems to have no substance as a character beyond her love for David and her role in his life.
As much as I disliked the flaws of the book, I still think it was mildly amusing. The book picked up around the 80% mark and overall it was a quick read. I'm not entirely sure if I will check out the next book, but if I do, I hope by the second book Abby will take a good long look at herself and ideally reevaluate her relationship and her future. I think the message of the book needs to look beyond "true luv" and the fact that there is more to life than being with a guy.
Aside from the lore-related info dumps, the characters were incredibly strange and unbelievable. I mean, who accepts that there are shadow monsters and another world without having a panic attack or some semblance of skepticism? Seriously, the characters all accept the plot with remarkable ease. The main character accepts she has prophetic dreams foreshadowing certain events. The main love interest accepts he is the heir to some magical kingdom. No drama added on. The outright acceptance was just too bizarre to be believable.
Then there is the insta love. And if you thought Twilight's Bella and Edward was bad, they have nothing on the relationship between Abby and David. Abby seems to have no substance as a character beyond her love for David and her role in his life.
As much as I disliked the flaws of the book, I still think it was mildly amusing. The book picked up around the 80% mark and overall it was a quick read. I'm not entirely sure if I will check out the next book, but if I do, I hope by the second book Abby will take a good long look at herself and ideally reevaluate her relationship and her future. I think the message of the book needs to look beyond "true luv" and the fact that there is more to life than being with a guy.
February 7, 2014
Despite some solid writing, Sign of the Throne was a really weak YA book. Part of the problem is that the book felt like it wasn’t sure what genre it wanted to call home. The two main characters, Abby and David, are eighteen and twenty-three respectively. The age of the characters and the topics of colleges and job hunting, while only briefly mentioned make me want to dump the book into the New Adult arena. However, the action, main plot, and the character interactions all screamed Middle Grade rather than Young Adult or New Adult. A key trope of the Young Adult genre is that authority figures (parents, teachers, neighbors, wise old women etc.) are largely missing and the protagonists are left to figure things out on their own. In Sign of the Throne you had the queen, Abby’s parents, as well as Cassandra and Riordan helping or guiding the characters at every step: a classic example of Middle Grade books.
Any complication or danger that the characters were exposed to never actually really endangered the protagonists as they were saved by convenient coincidence time and time again, not to mention the magic healing spring that grants eternal life. Even the relationship between Abby and David was magically convenient, and had very little chemistry. The characters that were killed were nameless warriors back in the parallel world who died in a quest very reminiscent of The Odyssey, not anyone I as a reader cared about.
I really feel this book would have been much stronger if aimed at a younger audience rather than the YA crowd.
Any complication or danger that the characters were exposed to never actually really endangered the protagonists as they were saved by convenient coincidence time and time again, not to mention the magic healing spring that grants eternal life. Even the relationship between Abby and David was magically convenient, and had very little chemistry. The characters that were killed were nameless warriors back in the parallel world who died in a quest very reminiscent of The Odyssey, not anyone I as a reader cared about.
I really feel this book would have been much stronger if aimed at a younger audience rather than the YA crowd.
August 29, 2013
Sign of the Throne was interesting and different. What it lacked in "polish" or writing, it made up for in the uniqueness of the plot and descriptive details. The characters were not very developed, and at times the story seemed to rush through important aspects or develop relationships much too quickly. But, with the intended audience in mind, it would do a decent job in keeping the attention of readers.
In all, I read and finished the book. It was a quick and interesting read, a little enjoyable, but nothing that will stick with me.
In all, I read and finished the book. It was a quick and interesting read, a little enjoyable, but nothing that will stick with me.
May 23, 2016
A fun, adventurous story of two worlds and a teenage girl who is far more than you might expect! I'm closing this book and picking up number 2 right away.
I received a copy of this book for free through Goodreads Giveaways.
I received a copy of this book for free through Goodreads Giveaways.
November 18, 2013
It could be that I just wasn't into it. The beginning dragged and the details seemed to insignificant to what the author really needed to focus on in the story. However to each their own. It could be the head ache I am having.
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