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Guardians of Agalrae #2
Ariel: The First Guardian
Abuse survivor Ariel Harte doesn't need anyone. Ever. But her companion animal is infected with a dark, magical force. Only an ancient purification ritual, the mind link, performed with another human can cure this infection.
Ariel must ask her ex-boyfriend, Ryan Tracey, for help.
But she's racing time. She’s infected, too. All the walls will have to come down so Ariel can heal or she will lose herself to the darkness forever.
Ariel: The First Guardian is a story of true love that wins over time, the power of second chances, and redemption from abuse. This is a prequel to Chase in the Guardians of Agalrae series but can be enjoyed as a standalone novel.
Ariel must ask her ex-boyfriend, Ryan Tracey, for help.
But she's racing time. She’s infected, too. All the walls will have to come down so Ariel can heal or she will lose herself to the darkness forever.
Ariel: The First Guardian is a story of true love that wins over time, the power of second chances, and redemption from abuse. This is a prequel to Chase in the Guardians of Agalrae series but can be enjoyed as a standalone novel.
262 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 17, 2016
4 people are currently reading
12 people want to read
About the author
Sydney Scrogham
11 books57 followersBorn and raised in Virginia, I (Sydney Scrogham) have always loved horses and books. I have been a horse owner for over 14 years and moved to Indiana to be with the love of my life that I met on Twitter! While in Indiana, I taught horseback riding lessons to individuals with special needs. I now live in northern Alabama with my family where I write under the watchful ownership of a miniature dachshund.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
June 20, 2016
Ariel by Sydney Scrogham
I’ve been looking forward to this book ever since I finished Chase. And I wasn’t disappointed.
After being abused, Ariel shuts everyone out of her life and lives as though she doesn’t need anyone.
Her companion animal, infected with an evil force, compels Ariel to action. However, she needs help from her ex-boyfriend, Ryan. And the healing begins.
A love story in the midst of great darkness.
I enjoy Sydney’s writing style. She uses words that put me into the character’s head and the story. I vividly lived the scenes, with imagery that will stay with me a long time.
Most everyone can relate to Ariel. We’ve all been hurt, in one way or another. It’s a story of failures and second chances.
I love a book that has a message. And this one has a strong life-changing theme. I enjoyed one portion of the book that reminded me of what I call, inner healing. I’m not going to say anymore so you’ll have to read the book to understand it. All I’ll say is the process is incredible, and it works.
I highly recommend this book.
I’ve been looking forward to this book ever since I finished Chase. And I wasn’t disappointed.
After being abused, Ariel shuts everyone out of her life and lives as though she doesn’t need anyone.
Her companion animal, infected with an evil force, compels Ariel to action. However, she needs help from her ex-boyfriend, Ryan. And the healing begins.
A love story in the midst of great darkness.
I enjoy Sydney’s writing style. She uses words that put me into the character’s head and the story. I vividly lived the scenes, with imagery that will stay with me a long time.
Most everyone can relate to Ariel. We’ve all been hurt, in one way or another. It’s a story of failures and second chances.
I love a book that has a message. And this one has a strong life-changing theme. I enjoyed one portion of the book that reminded me of what I call, inner healing. I’m not going to say anymore so you’ll have to read the book to understand it. All I’ll say is the process is incredible, and it works.
I highly recommend this book.
Read
May 23, 2016This is a new adult contemporary fantasy book with a unique setting featuring unusual creatures. Fans of romance, fantasy, and animal communication--especially with horses/horse-like creatures will enjoy. The book has Christian themes but grapples with dark issues (sexual abuse). Ultimately, it's a story of redemption, love, and healing.
June 18, 2016
This is a must read! I was deeply touched by the story and Ariel's journey as a whole. Everyone should read it. I will never forget about the genuine experience I had upon starting and finishing reading this book. A+!
March 25, 2017
I was drawn in by the world - flying unicorns, half-human snake monsters, mind-link powers, and a dark infection. The action is continuous in this story (which I really enjoyed) so the chapters read very quickly. Beyond the beautiful descriptions and vivid action scenes, there is an intense emotional journey for the main character, Ariel, which deals with sexual abuse. I was worried in the beginning of the story that her pain would be too much for me to absorb, but the author does a great job of touching on her emotions and her journey instead of diving too deeply into the actions of the abuse.
I really enjoyed the Alicorn characters (flying, colorful unicorns!) and Scrogham writes the bonding and riding/flying scenes beautifully. I could picture every detail.
A few of my favorite quotes:
"He's noble, always has been, and fighting for truth. Justice. Me, I've always fought for survival. That's a much dirtier battle."
"She raises both her hands into the air like a vampire bat getting ready to take off. Swarms of Alicorns, colored and black, fly up in a horde and circle us like bees around a hive."
I really enjoyed the Alicorn characters (flying, colorful unicorns!) and Scrogham writes the bonding and riding/flying scenes beautifully. I could picture every detail.
A few of my favorite quotes:
"He's noble, always has been, and fighting for truth. Justice. Me, I've always fought for survival. That's a much dirtier battle."
"She raises both her hands into the air like a vampire bat getting ready to take off. Swarms of Alicorns, colored and black, fly up in a horde and circle us like bees around a hive."
Read
January 18, 2022In ARIEL you are taken to a new world, a rather interesting one. The whole concept behind this story is unique. The story line is intriguing, the characters are relatable but extraordinary with strong personalities, and the writing is decent. You get suspense, fantasy, humor and even a little romance all wrapped up in this book. The author does an amazing job of painting a picture of the world she has created. You feel like you're there. Overall, great book!
August 7, 2016
Ariel: The First Guardian is book #2 of this fantasy series, it begins 5 years later and opens with Guardians removing signs of human civilisation from Agalraen, a place where human genetic testing had previously taken place.
Ariel has her own Alicorn, a talking horse which resembles a unicorn and she calls Fish. Others have Alicorns too. Her partner is Ryan, but he is about to leave and return to earth. After he leaves a being from the underworld attacks Ariel and Fish infecting them with a dark shadow. Ariel's chance to save Fish lies in her finding "The Pillar" or forming a mind link with another human.
In Ariel's human life she was abused and so believes she is unable to completely let go, and forgive the past so that she can move into the future. Hope comes when Ryan returns and they find themselves in Farscape, but the Destroyer has an army of helpers. Perhaps there is one more chance to save Fish? A dance called "The Night" must be learnt and performed spiritually and physically, but will Ariel be able to slay her personal demons before it is too late.
I chose to read this book after I won a copy. I recommend reading book #1 first as I was pretty lost much of the time, not understanding the fantasy world or the creatures within it. The author uses a chatty style of writing often breaking the fourth wall and talking directly to the reader, for me I found the style tending towards "telling" rather than "showing" me the story-line. I found action jumped and characters arrived with little explanation and left me on the outside wanting to know lots more about it all. Always a gamble with a sequel as to know how much scene needs setting again, for me I would have enjoyed more from book #1 to get me settled into the fantasy world.
Ariel has her own Alicorn, a talking horse which resembles a unicorn and she calls Fish. Others have Alicorns too. Her partner is Ryan, but he is about to leave and return to earth. After he leaves a being from the underworld attacks Ariel and Fish infecting them with a dark shadow. Ariel's chance to save Fish lies in her finding "The Pillar" or forming a mind link with another human.
In Ariel's human life she was abused and so believes she is unable to completely let go, and forgive the past so that she can move into the future. Hope comes when Ryan returns and they find themselves in Farscape, but the Destroyer has an army of helpers. Perhaps there is one more chance to save Fish? A dance called "The Night" must be learnt and performed spiritually and physically, but will Ariel be able to slay her personal demons before it is too late.
I chose to read this book after I won a copy. I recommend reading book #1 first as I was pretty lost much of the time, not understanding the fantasy world or the creatures within it. The author uses a chatty style of writing often breaking the fourth wall and talking directly to the reader, for me I found the style tending towards "telling" rather than "showing" me the story-line. I found action jumped and characters arrived with little explanation and left me on the outside wanting to know lots more about it all. Always a gamble with a sequel as to know how much scene needs setting again, for me I would have enjoyed more from book #1 to get me settled into the fantasy world.
September 8, 2016
A portal hidden in the mountains takes you to another plain where horses are rainbow colored have unicorn horns, wings, and can speak to guardians who protect them from a hell where they turn black along with their souls. This book was not my cup of tea, it has a little too much going on to the point of being almost nonsensical.
August 19, 2016
Beautiful story that captured my heart. Such raw emotion and joy throughout this book. Sydney's talent amazes me with this story that focuses on Sexual Abuse, love and loss and really makes the reader understand the characters journey.
Cannot wait to read more! Thank you for your story.
Cannot wait to read more! Thank you for your story.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews