What do you think?
Corthan Legacy #1
Quest of the Dreamwalker
A perfect captive, Cara didn't know her will had been stolen until she escapes with borrowed courage.
Cloistered in the Black Keep with only her father for company, Cara is an unwitting prisoner bound by chains of ignorance and lies rather than iron--until she meets a captured mercenary in her father's dungeon. He kindles within her a spark of compassion she never knew she had and lends her an unfamiliar strength. But, the mercenary is slated to die, sacrificed to her father's magic like all the others. Only this time, Cara can't turn a blind eye. Unable to endure her father's cruelty any longer, she vows to help the mercenary escape.
Now, as they flee to a world she’s only dreamed of, she finds defiance has a steep price. Her very existence endangers everyone she has come to care about. Who is she that her father refuses to let her go? To uncover the secret of her past, she must unravel the mystery of her dreams and claim the heritage of her own magical blood—before her father claims her as the last sacrifice.
Cloistered in the Black Keep with only her father for company, Cara is an unwitting prisoner bound by chains of ignorance and lies rather than iron--until she meets a captured mercenary in her father's dungeon. He kindles within her a spark of compassion she never knew she had and lends her an unfamiliar strength. But, the mercenary is slated to die, sacrificed to her father's magic like all the others. Only this time, Cara can't turn a blind eye. Unable to endure her father's cruelty any longer, she vows to help the mercenary escape.
Now, as they flee to a world she’s only dreamed of, she finds defiance has a steep price. Her very existence endangers everyone she has come to care about. Who is she that her father refuses to let her go? To uncover the secret of her past, she must unravel the mystery of her dreams and claim the heritage of her own magical blood—before her father claims her as the last sacrifice.
456 pages, Paperback
Published October 8, 2016
About the author
Stacy Bennett
7 books108 followersI love stories rich with meaning, full of insight. conflict and archetypes. Multilayered tales with simple structure and deeper intent.
I hope you enjoy the fruits of my imagination. There's more where these came from, so stick around. It's going to be fun.
I hope you enjoy the fruits of my imagination. There's more where these came from, so stick around. It's going to be fun.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
June 9, 2021
4.5 magic stars
'Dying for a reason is far better than living without one.'
Cara is a prisoner. Sorcerer Sidonius keeps her secluded in his Black Keep, with obedience and duty the only things she is allowed to learn. And even though Cara's not locked up and held in chains, she cannot leave. Because long ago, she was broken. Stunted and crippled. Not in body but in soul. Sidonius crippled her soul so he could one day steal her magic. So Cara doesn’t have the strength to flee anymore.
Until the day she dares to defy an order and touches a man.
Captain Khoury - a mercenary kidnapped by Sidonius as food for the sorcerer's fading magic. Cara's not supposed to touch him. She's not supposed to interact. And yet, for the first time in her life, she dares to defy an order. And a touch is all it takes to turn her life upside down.
'Sometimes courage only requires a quick step off the cliff...'
Setting all of her fate in Khoury, she helps him and his friend escape. And that little act of defiance will sweep Cara and her new companions into a quest the likes of which she'd never even imagined. A quest to find and heal herself.
The captain had never intended to take the little frail girl along in his rush to escape. And I swear at a certain time I literally wanted to reach between the pages and give the eejit a solid smack upside his head.
If it hadn't been for his companion Archer, he would have left the poor girl behind. And the fact he seems to be bound to her, and wanting to protect her only makes him more wary of her. The girl is strong in magic and that magic calls on Khoury to keep her close and safe. Or perhaps is it something more?
As the three flee south, Sidonius’s influence follows them from the frozen tundra through Foresthaven to the mountain city of Iolair. Accompanied by Cara's trusted companion Gar, a huge white bear I practically fell in love with, Cara and her new found protectors must brave dark magic traps as well as everything else Sidonius sends on their heels.
And when their path crosses with that of yet another, they'll have to choose in between their old life and a new destiny. Because Falin, brutal and cold and not yet a Huntress of Foresthaven is much more than she may seem.
They will all need to work together to defeat Sidnoius before he unleashes his final spell.
Quest of the Dreamwalker is an intriguing start of a promising series full of magic, adventure and feeling. It is one of those tales full of meaning that may seem deceptively simple plotwise and yet, if you take a closer look and pay attention, you'll find it goes much deeper than you thought.
The wordbuilding is intricate, subtle and downright stunning while the characters are complex and wonderfully fleshed out while the feelings leap from the page. Aaaand Gar the bear is AWESOME!! Can I have him please?!!
Magic, mystery and action, friendship, fighting, passion and even love. You'll find all of these here.
But perhaps what I loved the most was the deep insight into the human nature and heart.
The pace does seem very slow at times, but stick with it and you won't be disappointed. It is absolutely delightful and then that end.... Oh my! Never saw that one coming.
I'm looking forward to the sequel and highly recommend this to any and all fantasy fans out there.
Read this if you love a beautiful tale full of meaning.
Find this review and more on my book review and cover art blog The Magic Book Corner
'Dying for a reason is far better than living without one.'
Cara is a prisoner. Sorcerer Sidonius keeps her secluded in his Black Keep, with obedience and duty the only things she is allowed to learn. And even though Cara's not locked up and held in chains, she cannot leave. Because long ago, she was broken. Stunted and crippled. Not in body but in soul. Sidonius crippled her soul so he could one day steal her magic. So Cara doesn’t have the strength to flee anymore.
Until the day she dares to defy an order and touches a man.
Captain Khoury - a mercenary kidnapped by Sidonius as food for the sorcerer's fading magic. Cara's not supposed to touch him. She's not supposed to interact. And yet, for the first time in her life, she dares to defy an order. And a touch is all it takes to turn her life upside down.
'Sometimes courage only requires a quick step off the cliff...'
Setting all of her fate in Khoury, she helps him and his friend escape. And that little act of defiance will sweep Cara and her new companions into a quest the likes of which she'd never even imagined. A quest to find and heal herself.
The captain had never intended to take the little frail girl along in his rush to escape. And I swear at a certain time I literally wanted to reach between the pages and give the eejit a solid smack upside his head.
If it hadn't been for his companion Archer, he would have left the poor girl behind. And the fact he seems to be bound to her, and wanting to protect her only makes him more wary of her. The girl is strong in magic and that magic calls on Khoury to keep her close and safe. Or perhaps is it something more?
As the three flee south, Sidonius’s influence follows them from the frozen tundra through Foresthaven to the mountain city of Iolair. Accompanied by Cara's trusted companion Gar, a huge white bear I practically fell in love with, Cara and her new found protectors must brave dark magic traps as well as everything else Sidonius sends on their heels.
And when their path crosses with that of yet another, they'll have to choose in between their old life and a new destiny. Because Falin, brutal and cold and not yet a Huntress of Foresthaven is much more than she may seem.
They will all need to work together to defeat Sidnoius before he unleashes his final spell.
Quest of the Dreamwalker is an intriguing start of a promising series full of magic, adventure and feeling. It is one of those tales full of meaning that may seem deceptively simple plotwise and yet, if you take a closer look and pay attention, you'll find it goes much deeper than you thought.
The wordbuilding is intricate, subtle and downright stunning while the characters are complex and wonderfully fleshed out while the feelings leap from the page. Aaaand Gar the bear is AWESOME!! Can I have him please?!!
Magic, mystery and action, friendship, fighting, passion and even love. You'll find all of these here.
But perhaps what I loved the most was the deep insight into the human nature and heart.
The pace does seem very slow at times, but stick with it and you won't be disappointed. It is absolutely delightful and then that end.... Oh my! Never saw that one coming.
I'm looking forward to the sequel and highly recommend this to any and all fantasy fans out there.
Read this if you love a beautiful tale full of meaning.
Find this review and more on my book review and cover art blog The Magic Book Corner
October 21, 2016
Cara leads a lonely existence under the wrath of Sidonius, a dark sorcerer, in the isolated confines of Black Keep. Never have Sidonius' captives caught her attention before until two men of the Sword, tough mercenaries, peak her interest and make her question her very existence. The captivity they are held in, Cara finds, is also her own - her life with Sidonius has been woven in lies and mysteries. As Cara sets out to discover the truth about her past and her future, she is in for the adventure of a lifetime. Through wild lands teeming with magic, rambunctious clansmen, feisty huntresses of the Tangle woods, and giants, Cara must learn whom to trust, and if she can even trust herself and the unexplained visions that overtake her.
Stacy Bennett has managed to fit an epic, living and breathing globe into the mere confines of a book, which seems like no great feat for this author once your mind has been awoken to the awe-striking spells and sorcery she has created. Bennett is clearly a master of imagery with new pockets of unique and vivid terrain and locales uncovered in each page-turning chapter. Quest of the Dreamwalker has so many lovable and individually fascinating characters that you will want this series to go on forever, just to see each through their own personal saga.
The story does not miss a mark, suffusing psychological thrills, twists, and manifestations that leave you feeling like you have just discovered a new science. Bennett scores big on two fronts - one with a tale that is equally as epic as Tolkien or Martin, and the second with imaginative fantasy elements you can't begin to fathom. If you crave adventure, battle, mystery, laughter, romance, and falling in love with fictional characters, this book is for you.
Stacy Bennett has managed to fit an epic, living and breathing globe into the mere confines of a book, which seems like no great feat for this author once your mind has been awoken to the awe-striking spells and sorcery she has created. Bennett is clearly a master of imagery with new pockets of unique and vivid terrain and locales uncovered in each page-turning chapter. Quest of the Dreamwalker has so many lovable and individually fascinating characters that you will want this series to go on forever, just to see each through their own personal saga.
The story does not miss a mark, suffusing psychological thrills, twists, and manifestations that leave you feeling like you have just discovered a new science. Bennett scores big on two fronts - one with a tale that is equally as epic as Tolkien or Martin, and the second with imaginative fantasy elements you can't begin to fathom. If you crave adventure, battle, mystery, laughter, romance, and falling in love with fictional characters, this book is for you.
October 31, 2016
Absolutely bloody fantastic. If you were here in front of me I'd be shaking you with both hands telling you to read this book. I've literally just finished it. READ IT.
May 25, 2017
I received a copy if the audiobook for an honest review.
Zachary Johnson did a wonderful job as narrator. He kept me engaged in this story. It is hard for a narrator to make you feel invested in a book.
When we are first introduced, into this amazing world Stacy Bennett has created, we find Captain Khoury Mason having regrets and doubting why he is a mercenary. He has been doing this job for so long that he cannot remember why this is something that he got into. He is doubting everything and he wants a change. We never get to figure out what kind of change that he wants to do until near the end of the book. I will get to that later on in this review.
Cara aka Daughter is being used and abused by her 'father'. He is doing something that no one knows of. He is power hunger and killing everyone around him. Cara believes that whatever her 'father' does he is justified. It only when Daughter meets Archer, Captain Khoury's second, that Daughter receives the name Cara and she starts to understand that the man that she thought could do no wrong is actually a worthless excuse of a man. Cara, Khoury, and Archer ends up fleeing from the strong hold in order not to be killed.
Throughout the enter book the three main characters have come to trust one another and learn what it means to have a family. Along their adventure we meet Brandon, the chief of Archer's clan, and Flian. Brandon and Flain play a major part in this story. There are multiple plot lines that are intertwined throughout the book. Flain plays a major part to the outcome of the story. 'Father' wants Cara back so bad and we do not know why until near the end of the story.
This story was amazing. It had wonderful scenes and amazing plot lines. I cannot wait until Book
2. There are so many things that we need to figure out. Will Khoury and Cara continue their love story? Will Archer finally follow his heart and not worry about what his father told him? What power does Cara really have and how will be control it?
Zachary Johnson did a wonderful job as narrator. He kept me engaged in this story. It is hard for a narrator to make you feel invested in a book.
When we are first introduced, into this amazing world Stacy Bennett has created, we find Captain Khoury Mason having regrets and doubting why he is a mercenary. He has been doing this job for so long that he cannot remember why this is something that he got into. He is doubting everything and he wants a change. We never get to figure out what kind of change that he wants to do until near the end of the book. I will get to that later on in this review.
Cara aka Daughter is being used and abused by her 'father'. He is doing something that no one knows of. He is power hunger and killing everyone around him. Cara believes that whatever her 'father' does he is justified. It only when Daughter meets Archer, Captain Khoury's second, that Daughter receives the name Cara and she starts to understand that the man that she thought could do no wrong is actually a worthless excuse of a man. Cara, Khoury, and Archer ends up fleeing from the strong hold in order not to be killed.
Throughout the enter book the three main characters have come to trust one another and learn what it means to have a family. Along their adventure we meet Brandon, the chief of Archer's clan, and Flian. Brandon and Flain play a major part in this story. There are multiple plot lines that are intertwined throughout the book. Flain plays a major part to the outcome of the story. 'Father' wants Cara back so bad and we do not know why until near the end of the story.
This story was amazing. It had wonderful scenes and amazing plot lines. I cannot wait until Book
2. There are so many things that we need to figure out. Will Khoury and Cara continue their love story? Will Archer finally follow his heart and not worry about what his father told him? What power does Cara really have and how will be control it?
December 8, 2017
You may also find this review on Books, Vertigo and Tea.
Wow! Well this was my bombshell for 2017. I admit I went in with an open mind but not expecting a whole lot. I could not have been more wrong.
Side note: Please excuse any misspelling of names. This is an audiobook review. I made every effort to research proper spellings at the time this was written.
Cara is shackled to the Black Keep by the lies of her father, the sorcerer Sidonius. An unwilling pawn in his quest to achieve immortality, she lives a bleak existence of solitude. That is until freedom and friendship present themselves in the unlikely form of two of her father’s captives, mercenaries Captain Khoury and Archer. Through them, Cara finds not only the strength to escape but the means to set on a journey to discover the truth of her past and the power that lies within her own blood. But her adventure does not come without cost. Can Cara stop her father and avoid becoming his final sacrifice?
Quest of the Dreamwalker is a character driven, epic fantasy, backed by an incredible plot. Cara begins the story as a young girl who has been manipulated and used repetitively. She is meek and helpless. Lost. Through the unlikely guidance and support of Khoury and Archer, she evolves into someone complex and driven but not perfect or without weaknesses. The author brings together an unexpected ensemble that provides a dynamic and ever-changing setting, playing effortlessly on feelings of loss, fear, love and courage as we follow Cara and her companions on their quest. I found myself admiring and appreciating various aspects of each new encounter.
A rich plotline offers a story full teeming with depth that supports continual growth. While world building unfolds slowly, it is in a rewarding manner that fosters a viable setting that feels almost familiar and tangible. This is an adventure based on exploration. Exploration of characters and exploration of the land. Each scene is a moment to be relished as we are immersed within their quest. Packed with exploits and action, this is a fast paced read (listen) that is difficult to put down (turn off).
The writing is even and well-balanced, implementing multiple elements that play on varying emotions with incredible ease. Stacy Bennett ensures that the readers establishes an early connection with characters and maintains that throughout. Her writing feels comfortable and natural, but not without the necessary punch.
Initially, I experienced some concern in terms of audio narration. It felt strange to place Zachary Johnson’s narration with our main protagonist Cara. But he won me over after a few chapters. I soon realized he has a special knack for story telling. He lent an air of enthusiasm and emotion that managed to carry Quest of the Dreamwalker with great proficiency.
The final result was a high fantasy story that examines life and self discovery in a very gratifying fashion, offering endless entertainment along the way. I cannot recommend this enough to anyone who enjoys character driven titles or fantasy.
*I would like to thank the publisher and Audiobook Jukebox for this copy. The above review is my own, honest and unbiased opinion.
Enjoyed over several cups of black tea spiced with cinnamon, sugar and nutmeg.
Wow! Well this was my bombshell for 2017. I admit I went in with an open mind but not expecting a whole lot. I could not have been more wrong.
Side note: Please excuse any misspelling of names. This is an audiobook review. I made every effort to research proper spellings at the time this was written.
Cara is shackled to the Black Keep by the lies of her father, the sorcerer Sidonius. An unwilling pawn in his quest to achieve immortality, she lives a bleak existence of solitude. That is until freedom and friendship present themselves in the unlikely form of two of her father’s captives, mercenaries Captain Khoury and Archer. Through them, Cara finds not only the strength to escape but the means to set on a journey to discover the truth of her past and the power that lies within her own blood. But her adventure does not come without cost. Can Cara stop her father and avoid becoming his final sacrifice?
Quest of the Dreamwalker is a character driven, epic fantasy, backed by an incredible plot. Cara begins the story as a young girl who has been manipulated and used repetitively. She is meek and helpless. Lost. Through the unlikely guidance and support of Khoury and Archer, she evolves into someone complex and driven but not perfect or without weaknesses. The author brings together an unexpected ensemble that provides a dynamic and ever-changing setting, playing effortlessly on feelings of loss, fear, love and courage as we follow Cara and her companions on their quest. I found myself admiring and appreciating various aspects of each new encounter.
A rich plotline offers a story full teeming with depth that supports continual growth. While world building unfolds slowly, it is in a rewarding manner that fosters a viable setting that feels almost familiar and tangible. This is an adventure based on exploration. Exploration of characters and exploration of the land. Each scene is a moment to be relished as we are immersed within their quest. Packed with exploits and action, this is a fast paced read (listen) that is difficult to put down (turn off).
The writing is even and well-balanced, implementing multiple elements that play on varying emotions with incredible ease. Stacy Bennett ensures that the readers establishes an early connection with characters and maintains that throughout. Her writing feels comfortable and natural, but not without the necessary punch.
Initially, I experienced some concern in terms of audio narration. It felt strange to place Zachary Johnson’s narration with our main protagonist Cara. But he won me over after a few chapters. I soon realized he has a special knack for story telling. He lent an air of enthusiasm and emotion that managed to carry Quest of the Dreamwalker with great proficiency.
The final result was a high fantasy story that examines life and self discovery in a very gratifying fashion, offering endless entertainment along the way. I cannot recommend this enough to anyone who enjoys character driven titles or fantasy.
*I would like to thank the publisher and Audiobook Jukebox for this copy. The above review is my own, honest and unbiased opinion.
Enjoyed over several cups of black tea spiced with cinnamon, sugar and nutmeg.
August 22, 2017
A young girl has lived her whole life in a bleak and dark keep. Her only companions are her beloved bears and her father who only calls her daughter. Every month she sees her father bring strangers to the keep and she is forbidden to talk to them, every month he makes her lie on a cold altar while he does magic to her, every month she abides by his rules... until the month that Cory and Archer are brought to her keep. She realises that she can't let father kill them. So she does the unthinkable and betrays her father. What follows is an amazingly vivid and intriguing story.
Well knock me down with a feather... this was breathtaking. The author has created an absolutely amazing world and one I devoured. The plot was so intriguing and addicting. The layers to the book was awesome and I loved everything about it. The author captured my imagination from the get go. I loved the lore and the history and the magic and.....everything!! Amazing.
Character wise, initially I didn't really like Cara because she came across as such a shy, quiet girl who was afraid of a lot and always needed rescuing. Then we met Fallon and I thought, why couldn't Cara be more like her, she was a warrior and well able to look after herself!! So when a twist came, everything made sense!! Every character was extremely well written and developed and I was impressed by all of them.
In all, an incredibly written and vividly told story and one I recommend highly!!! Bring on book 2!!
Zachary Johnson read this extremely well. He didn't try to do a feminine voice but differentiated the females by tone and cadence. He drew me into the story and made me forget that a male was narrating the female parts!
I was voluntarily provided this audiobook for free from the author, narrator, or publisher. This in no way affected nor influenced my thoughts.
Well knock me down with a feather... this was breathtaking. The author has created an absolutely amazing world and one I devoured. The plot was so intriguing and addicting. The layers to the book was awesome and I loved everything about it. The author captured my imagination from the get go. I loved the lore and the history and the magic and.....everything!! Amazing.
Character wise, initially I didn't really like Cara because she came across as such a shy, quiet girl who was afraid of a lot and always needed rescuing. Then we met Fallon and I thought, why couldn't Cara be more like her, she was a warrior and well able to look after herself!! So when a twist came, everything made sense!! Every character was extremely well written and developed and I was impressed by all of them.
In all, an incredibly written and vividly told story and one I recommend highly!!! Bring on book 2!!
Zachary Johnson read this extremely well. He didn't try to do a feminine voice but differentiated the females by tone and cadence. He drew me into the story and made me forget that a male was narrating the female parts!
I was voluntarily provided this audiobook for free from the author, narrator, or publisher. This in no way affected nor influenced my thoughts.
August 28, 2018
An engaging fantasy with compelling characters and a truly unique twist. I got more than I expected from this book, and that was a delightful surprise. Looking forward to the next installment.
May 30, 2017
My original Quest of the Dreamwalker audiobook review and many others can be found at Audiobook Reviewer.
Kept in a black keep for all her life a young woman knows nothing more than what her father, Sorrenus, allows her to know and feel. She has no feelings, nothing but the knowledge that she should be grateful to father and help him with his rituals. That is until Cory and Archer, prisoners, offer her an insight into other human interactions and that it’s ok to want more. Their conversations spark something within her to help them escape - compassion, love, and desire to live her dreams.
But can one truly escape an evil so vile and selfish as the father? Everyone senses that Cara is unique; one knows she is missing a part of herself. She must find what's missing before she loses Fallon, Cory and Archer or anyone else dies because of her. Her escape from father is riddled with pain and death. Cara must decide what is most important in her young lonely life and move forward to save her friends and her true love.
Stacy Bennett, the author has skillfully created a world so mystical yet realistic that one cannot stop listening to this epic novel. It has everything – passion, mystery, action, evil, fighting, and so much more! One does not truly expect where the story goes but when it reaches the end, the listener can only reflect on how they got to this point and realize this is where the story needed to go. This is an edge of your chair, nail-biting story with twists and well-developed characters and plot.
Zachary Johnson, narrator, performs this epic novel as if he were born to do so. He owns the book with his talent to step into the story and wear each character as if it was his true identity. While his female voices are not feminine by any means, he does a good job of making them female through emotion and style of speaking. In other words, Fallon is spoken strongly – she is a strong female lead; Cara a hesitant – she is shy and unsure; Moira is in love, hopelessly with a man and is tired of waiting; her tearful voice demonstrates her passion. I enjoyed Zachary Johnson’s reading so much so that it was a disappointment to reach the end of the book.
This is a wonderful book for anyone who loves magic, dragons, and knights in shining armor (ok, slightly tarnished armor).
There were no issues with the production or quality of this audiobook.
Audiobook was provided for review by the author.
Kept in a black keep for all her life a young woman knows nothing more than what her father, Sorrenus, allows her to know and feel. She has no feelings, nothing but the knowledge that she should be grateful to father and help him with his rituals. That is until Cory and Archer, prisoners, offer her an insight into other human interactions and that it’s ok to want more. Their conversations spark something within her to help them escape - compassion, love, and desire to live her dreams.
But can one truly escape an evil so vile and selfish as the father? Everyone senses that Cara is unique; one knows she is missing a part of herself. She must find what's missing before she loses Fallon, Cory and Archer or anyone else dies because of her. Her escape from father is riddled with pain and death. Cara must decide what is most important in her young lonely life and move forward to save her friends and her true love.
Stacy Bennett, the author has skillfully created a world so mystical yet realistic that one cannot stop listening to this epic novel. It has everything – passion, mystery, action, evil, fighting, and so much more! One does not truly expect where the story goes but when it reaches the end, the listener can only reflect on how they got to this point and realize this is where the story needed to go. This is an edge of your chair, nail-biting story with twists and well-developed characters and plot.
Zachary Johnson, narrator, performs this epic novel as if he were born to do so. He owns the book with his talent to step into the story and wear each character as if it was his true identity. While his female voices are not feminine by any means, he does a good job of making them female through emotion and style of speaking. In other words, Fallon is spoken strongly – she is a strong female lead; Cara a hesitant – she is shy and unsure; Moira is in love, hopelessly with a man and is tired of waiting; her tearful voice demonstrates her passion. I enjoyed Zachary Johnson’s reading so much so that it was a disappointment to reach the end of the book.
This is a wonderful book for anyone who loves magic, dragons, and knights in shining armor (ok, slightly tarnished armor).
There were no issues with the production or quality of this audiobook.
Audiobook was provided for review by the author.
November 23, 2016
Enjoyable story. I really liked the characters, except for Cara who was a bit of a limp dishrag, but then her characters was supposed to be that way. There was a solid reason behind it, so it worked. Especially since Falin more than made up for it, along with Archer and Khoury. Included are several background characters that only add to the richness of the story. I love the way the author describes things as well. Looking forward to the second book.
November 28, 2016
The strongest attributes of the novel are the characters who all have individual character traits. I love the descriptive style of the author, instantly I’m able to visualize the story as I’m reading and this is a must for me. The authors writing style flows very well and has no problem putting sentences together, so they not only make sense but also cause the reader to feel the tension of the story. A must read for all fantasy buffs.
November 22, 2016
Excellent story, with great description and well rounded characters. Eloquently written.I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am looking forward to the next in this series. Would recommend to anyone who enjoys fantasy, or just to somebody who is looking for a great book to read.
June 17, 2017
This is my review of the audiobook version of the book - I posted it on Audible first:)
It's a great adventure set in a fantasy world and it's a story of self-discovery, too... As we follow Cara and her companions, she discovers her strengths and weaknesses, finds out that she is not a "snowflake" and that what she does matters and influences the lives and fates of others. I like that aspect of the book; throughout the story there are several instances where that simple fact of life, that we are all interconnected and that our deeds have consequences for others, is somehow implied without being thrown into our faces...
There is a set of fantastic characters in the book: Cara who learns to live her life, the two mercenaries accompanying her who carry the burden of past sufferings, the shaman who teaches Cara about magic, and Falin, the huntress, who turns out to be as important a character as Cara herself... Every one of them plays an important part in the story and all of them are full-bodied people with their strengths and their weaknesses, and they never act out of character...
Generally, I think it's a very good interpretation of the book, although there were just a few instances where Mr Johnson sounded a little strange while reading Cara's and Falin's lines (a little too much like an angry boy, not young women:)) but they did not really bother me so much.
What I really loved in this interpretation were the scenes of battles - when I read a book it's always difficult for me to imagine a bloody fight with all the moaning and crying of men fighting and dying, and Mr Johnson was great recreating those moments for me. Thanks to him I just was there, in the middle of the battlefield, and didn't have to imagine anything...:)
The book kept me listening until really late at night:) And right after finishing it, I went to Amazon and bought the e-book version of it - I liked it so much:)
*I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.
It's a great adventure set in a fantasy world and it's a story of self-discovery, too... As we follow Cara and her companions, she discovers her strengths and weaknesses, finds out that she is not a "snowflake" and that what she does matters and influences the lives and fates of others. I like that aspect of the book; throughout the story there are several instances where that simple fact of life, that we are all interconnected and that our deeds have consequences for others, is somehow implied without being thrown into our faces...
There is a set of fantastic characters in the book: Cara who learns to live her life, the two mercenaries accompanying her who carry the burden of past sufferings, the shaman who teaches Cara about magic, and Falin, the huntress, who turns out to be as important a character as Cara herself... Every one of them plays an important part in the story and all of them are full-bodied people with their strengths and their weaknesses, and they never act out of character...
Generally, I think it's a very good interpretation of the book, although there were just a few instances where Mr Johnson sounded a little strange while reading Cara's and Falin's lines (a little too much like an angry boy, not young women:)) but they did not really bother me so much.
What I really loved in this interpretation were the scenes of battles - when I read a book it's always difficult for me to imagine a bloody fight with all the moaning and crying of men fighting and dying, and Mr Johnson was great recreating those moments for me. Thanks to him I just was there, in the middle of the battlefield, and didn't have to imagine anything...:)
The book kept me listening until really late at night:) And right after finishing it, I went to Amazon and bought the e-book version of it - I liked it so much:)
*I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.
June 23, 2017
Quest of the Dreamwalker is the incredibly strong start to the Corthan Legacy series!
Dreamwalker is a magical adventure that explores the need for freedom, self-discovery, and companionship. Cara is a young woman who has been caged her entire life, locked away by her father who uses his magic for evil means. It is here that she meets Khoury and Archer, and here that we get to see her learn what it means to make her own destiny. I love when a fantasy novel surprises me like this one did! I read fantasy all of the time, and it’s easy to see the same things over and over…and while I don’t really get bored of it (it is my favorite genre for a reason) it does get a bit too comfortable. Quest threw surprises at me left and right. Some of them plot related and others were tied to how I reacted to the characters. I found myself genuinely invested in Cara’s journey to find out who she was, and her growing relationships with the people she meets along the way. Her relationship with Khourey especially. They are two vastly different people who have been shaped by their views of the world. Khourey has been hardened by his past and all the battles he has fought, and Cara has been sheltered from the outside world but not from the horrors it can inflict. We see the two sides of how pain can mold a person, building either compassion or a reluctance for true trust.
I have to say the world building is a subtle work of brilliance. There are none of those lengthy info dumps filled to the brim with settings and histories, instead, we learn as we go along. Khourey’s section gives us some brief ‘normal’ glimpses of the world, but for the most part, we learn as Cara learns and I’m really thankful for that because this world is definitely one that shines when it’s peeled back slowly.
This is my second audiobook from narrator Zachery Johnson and I can honestly say he’s two for two so far. He is a genuine joy to listen to! His pacing is great and he has a wonderful selection of voices that really capture all of the emotions on the page.
Overall I think Quest of the Dreamwalker is one fantasy that I hope more people pick up! It’s has a little of everything going for it, action, romance, and some really stellar world building that doesn’t give everything away. It leaves off in such a great place as well…closing out one section of the journey and opening up a new one that has me chomping at the bit for the second book.
Dreamwalker is a magical adventure that explores the need for freedom, self-discovery, and companionship. Cara is a young woman who has been caged her entire life, locked away by her father who uses his magic for evil means. It is here that she meets Khoury and Archer, and here that we get to see her learn what it means to make her own destiny. I love when a fantasy novel surprises me like this one did! I read fantasy all of the time, and it’s easy to see the same things over and over…and while I don’t really get bored of it (it is my favorite genre for a reason) it does get a bit too comfortable. Quest threw surprises at me left and right. Some of them plot related and others were tied to how I reacted to the characters. I found myself genuinely invested in Cara’s journey to find out who she was, and her growing relationships with the people she meets along the way. Her relationship with Khourey especially. They are two vastly different people who have been shaped by their views of the world. Khourey has been hardened by his past and all the battles he has fought, and Cara has been sheltered from the outside world but not from the horrors it can inflict. We see the two sides of how pain can mold a person, building either compassion or a reluctance for true trust.
I have to say the world building is a subtle work of brilliance. There are none of those lengthy info dumps filled to the brim with settings and histories, instead, we learn as we go along. Khourey’s section gives us some brief ‘normal’ glimpses of the world, but for the most part, we learn as Cara learns and I’m really thankful for that because this world is definitely one that shines when it’s peeled back slowly.
This is my second audiobook from narrator Zachery Johnson and I can honestly say he’s two for two so far. He is a genuine joy to listen to! His pacing is great and he has a wonderful selection of voices that really capture all of the emotions on the page.
Overall I think Quest of the Dreamwalker is one fantasy that I hope more people pick up! It’s has a little of everything going for it, action, romance, and some really stellar world building that doesn’t give everything away. It leaves off in such a great place as well…closing out one section of the journey and opening up a new one that has me chomping at the bit for the second book.
June 30, 2017
Listened to this on audible and thoroughly enjoyed it. Exciting storyline with fun characters. Hard to "put down" but took my time listening so that I could "savor" every minute of it. Stacy Bennett created a fun story and Zachary Johnson portrayed each character superbly. He pulled you into the story through every character and every word. Can't wait for book 2.
May 30, 2017
My review is based on the Audiobook. Quest Of The Dreamwalker is a thrilling in depth tale. The characters are well developed and as the reader follows them along their journey there are moments of hate, love, sorrow, betrayal. happiness - this story touches on every emotion possible. It is well worth your money being a novel of 426 pages, the audiobook is over 14 hours of listening joy! Zachary Johnson does a spectacular job as narrator. The characters are easily identifiable and distinguished each having a different voice. His inflections are wonderfully captivating and hold your attention. This is definitely a thrill ride worth taking!
August 29, 2021
Overall 4 out of 5 stars
Performance 3 out of 5 stars
Story 4 out of 5 stars
special, unique, legacy, dream ....
Cara was something special. So special she did not even know it. She was trapped. Then set free. Then hunted. With Cara I discovered a new world and what lies behind the dreams. This was not a listen you could rush. You needed to take the time to listen carefully and allow for the words to sink in and take hold. I have to admit that when the audio started I was not pleased with a male narrator for a female dominated story. As the chapters went by and more was unfolded, I was able to see past the male narrator and visualize the story. It was like a dream of someone special and unique with a legacy that could make a difference in a dream or reality. You have to pick it up and listen to know the truth.
Performance 3 out of 5 stars
Story 4 out of 5 stars
special, unique, legacy, dream ....
Cara was something special. So special she did not even know it. She was trapped. Then set free. Then hunted. With Cara I discovered a new world and what lies behind the dreams. This was not a listen you could rush. You needed to take the time to listen carefully and allow for the words to sink in and take hold. I have to admit that when the audio started I was not pleased with a male narrator for a female dominated story. As the chapters went by and more was unfolded, I was able to see past the male narrator and visualize the story. It was like a dream of someone special and unique with a legacy that could make a difference in a dream or reality. You have to pick it up and listen to know the truth.
September 25, 2017
She has spent her entire life within the walls of the black keep with no name except for Daughter. Her only company is Father and her beloved bears. Endless tundra and black mountains stretch around her, and she knows she'll never step foot outside. Every full moon, Father forces her to lay her body on his alter while he casts his magics on her. It's a violation of her very soul, and she sends her mind to the cool forests to escape the pain.
Khoury is a mercenary, his body covered in scars and his mind racked with painful memories of the past. He and his lieutenant are taken captive and brought to the black keep where the sorcerer demonstrates his magical abilities and shows them the futility of escape. Outside his cell door, a slight wisp of a girl appears and offers freedom. When she tells him that he and his lieutenant are next to be sacrificed, he accepts her help and they set her plan into motion.
Fleeing across the frozen tundra with her sledge bears, Father appears in her mind and promises he will find her, kill her companions, and bring her back to his keep. She doesn't know why she chose to free these men out of the many that Father has sacrificed, but she vows to do anything she can to stop further killing. But with Father seeking her return by any means necessary, more death is inevitable.
Excuse me for a moment while I gush about this book! It was truly masterfully told and expertly written. The mystery at the core of the novel was handled so well and the pace of the foreshadowing was perfect. The little nuggets of information we were given kept the mystery at the forefront without spilling the secret too soon. The characters were fleshed out and their motivations and backgrounds were clear. This book doesn't gloss over actions or their consequences, it delves deep.
This book stayed in my thoughts when I wasn't listening to it. I found myself wondering what was coming next and hoping for events to turn out a certain way. I was so invested in the characters, and I wanted to spend more time in this world that the author created. I'll be first in line when the sequel is published.
Zachary Johnson was a great choice for the narrator. He narrated in a dramatic way, and although he didn't attempt a female speaking voice (thank goodness), he did change his inflection enough so we could tell who was speaking. His accents fit well with each character, and overall it was an incredible performance.
I received a copy if the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
Khoury is a mercenary, his body covered in scars and his mind racked with painful memories of the past. He and his lieutenant are taken captive and brought to the black keep where the sorcerer demonstrates his magical abilities and shows them the futility of escape. Outside his cell door, a slight wisp of a girl appears and offers freedom. When she tells him that he and his lieutenant are next to be sacrificed, he accepts her help and they set her plan into motion.
Fleeing across the frozen tundra with her sledge bears, Father appears in her mind and promises he will find her, kill her companions, and bring her back to his keep. She doesn't know why she chose to free these men out of the many that Father has sacrificed, but she vows to do anything she can to stop further killing. But with Father seeking her return by any means necessary, more death is inevitable.
Excuse me for a moment while I gush about this book! It was truly masterfully told and expertly written. The mystery at the core of the novel was handled so well and the pace of the foreshadowing was perfect. The little nuggets of information we were given kept the mystery at the forefront without spilling the secret too soon. The characters were fleshed out and their motivations and backgrounds were clear. This book doesn't gloss over actions or their consequences, it delves deep.
This book stayed in my thoughts when I wasn't listening to it. I found myself wondering what was coming next and hoping for events to turn out a certain way. I was so invested in the characters, and I wanted to spend more time in this world that the author created. I'll be first in line when the sequel is published.
Zachary Johnson was a great choice for the narrator. He narrated in a dramatic way, and although he didn't attempt a female speaking voice (thank goodness), he did change his inflection enough so we could tell who was speaking. His accents fit well with each character, and overall it was an incredible performance.
I received a copy if the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
September 16, 2017
Wow…Awesome start to a series! If you love epic fantasy quest stories and are looking for your next fantastic listen, STOP, look no further. You have found it. This was a great story. From start to finish. The story pulls you in immediately and just keeps getting better. This is one of those books that I couldn't wait to get back to and was irritated whenever I had to stop listening. As soon as it was over I went looking to see if the next book was available. Unfortunately, not yet.
It's definitely worth your time and credit! As well as being very entertaining and enjoyable, it's a creative, unique and well written story that is full of mystery, action, intrigue, suspense and magic with a slight bit of romance.
Great cast of well rounded characters. Both likable and unlikable. Every character is well thought out and has a place or purpose in the story. Even though there are numerous characters each one is easily identifiable and memorable. Each one of them has a backstory that is interesting and fits into the story perfectly. You never have the feeling that there are too many to keep track of or that they are just there for filler.
Be warned. The story does end in a cliffhanger. I hate cliffhangers, but it works here and was the perfect place to end this book. I didn't even mind the cliffhanger because at least that means there will be another book or two or three.
This is not the first time I have listened to a book Zachary Johnson has narrated. He was the perfect narrator for this story and did a fantastic job. His voice pulls you into the story immediately and brings the characters to life. Clearly spoken with a nice even pace. Great character voices and accents. All the different male character voices are fantastic. Although there is not a lot of difference in his male and female voices, you always know who is speaking with just a slight change of tone and inflection. When Khoury or any character is thinking something or has a thought it's never confusing, his tone and cadence make it clear they are thinking not speaking aloud. Not many narrators can pull this off. He needs to be the narrator for the rest of the series. It wouldn't be the same without him. Awesome job, well done.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and voluntarily provided this review.
It's definitely worth your time and credit! As well as being very entertaining and enjoyable, it's a creative, unique and well written story that is full of mystery, action, intrigue, suspense and magic with a slight bit of romance.
Great cast of well rounded characters. Both likable and unlikable. Every character is well thought out and has a place or purpose in the story. Even though there are numerous characters each one is easily identifiable and memorable. Each one of them has a backstory that is interesting and fits into the story perfectly. You never have the feeling that there are too many to keep track of or that they are just there for filler.
Be warned. The story does end in a cliffhanger. I hate cliffhangers, but it works here and was the perfect place to end this book. I didn't even mind the cliffhanger because at least that means there will be another book or two or three.
This is not the first time I have listened to a book Zachary Johnson has narrated. He was the perfect narrator for this story and did a fantastic job. His voice pulls you into the story immediately and brings the characters to life. Clearly spoken with a nice even pace. Great character voices and accents. All the different male character voices are fantastic. Although there is not a lot of difference in his male and female voices, you always know who is speaking with just a slight change of tone and inflection. When Khoury or any character is thinking something or has a thought it's never confusing, his tone and cadence make it clear they are thinking not speaking aloud. Not many narrators can pull this off. He needs to be the narrator for the rest of the series. It wouldn't be the same without him. Awesome job, well done.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and voluntarily provided this review.
June 29, 2017
Cara has been trapped in her father’s Keep since she was born. When Captain Cory is captured by her father, Cara forms an alliance with the man and makes a daring decision to escape with him. Fate has plans for Cara, she has a special gift and her father is on a mission to bring her back and bring her to heel. Talk about daddy issues!
Amazing story! Author Stacy Bennett is penning an epic story that I see going on for some time. This audiobook is just under 15 hours in length and I feel like we’ve just scratched the surface of this story. Action, adventure, romance, and heartbreak are in store. This is one of those stories that draws you in and you become totally immersed in the world that Stacy has created.
Zachary Johnson has fully voiced the entire audiobook. He has so many characters to read and each is distinct. It’s amazing to me that he can keep it all straight, you are never at a loss for who is speaking and he makes it all seem so effortless.
The ending brought tears to my eyes, but like I said this story is far from over and I’ll patiently wait for the next installment because writing this good takes time.
This audiobook was received in exchange for an unbiased review!
Amazing story! Author Stacy Bennett is penning an epic story that I see going on for some time. This audiobook is just under 15 hours in length and I feel like we’ve just scratched the surface of this story. Action, adventure, romance, and heartbreak are in store. This is one of those stories that draws you in and you become totally immersed in the world that Stacy has created.
Zachary Johnson has fully voiced the entire audiobook. He has so many characters to read and each is distinct. It’s amazing to me that he can keep it all straight, you are never at a loss for who is speaking and he makes it all seem so effortless.
The ending brought tears to my eyes, but like I said this story is far from over and I’ll patiently wait for the next installment because writing this good takes time.
This audiobook was received in exchange for an unbiased review!
April 30, 2020
A breath taking start to a new series filled with magic, adventure and romance. This book had me hooked from the beginning, I was drawn into a magical new world of possibilities as the author and narrator held me spellbound! There is so much detail and back story carefully woven in to create a vivid world and colourful characters that me felt like I knew them, and there is a very surprising twist! I can't wait for the next book, I need to know what happens next, and I want to hear more from narrator Zachary Johnson, what a voice!
June 4, 2021
Great story
One book I could not out down. I loved this story and the characters. It was amazing. I loved the interactions between the characters and am eagerly going to start the second book.
One book I could not out down. I loved this story and the characters. It was amazing. I loved the interactions between the characters and am eagerly going to start the second book.
Want to Read
October 28, 2020🎁 FREE on Amazon today (10/28/2020)! 🎁
May 19, 2017
I enjoyed this book immensely- appreciated the character development from beginning to end though wish there would have been more of a bridge between the characters identity... there are some minute progressions in identity then a leap to where the characters finish the book. Appreciate the detail of the journey but the end was certainly rushed. The last 3 days of the book take place in pages while the first part of the book is several weeks long- another 20 pages of detail near the end would balance the tale. Overall enjoyable and will certainly be something I reread.
December 31, 2017
*I received a free ARC of this book. The decision to review and my opinions are my own.*
This book is epic fantasy at its finest: following the usual tradition of Chosen One orphan/s with hidden powers, who are the only ones able to stop great evil; but adding the unique twists and nuances that make it impossible to stop reading.
In this case those hooks include the characterisation: the author brings each character to life for the reader, so we feel their struggles and emotions, and flinch when they are wounded. I didn’t read about the adventures of this group of people, I lived them!
A further draw for me was that there was a strong, continuous feel of the traditional tale about the plot and tone of the story. Those old, gory tales of marrying strangers to save your family, chopping off heads to present to a king to win favour, mysterious beings knocking on the cottage door in the dead of night while a voice whispers not to open it at any cost… you know… OLD tales!
From the very beginning, with the beautiful, mysterious girl, clothed in rags and locked away, believing herself powerless as her power is siphoned from her, enduring daily torture that destroys others whilst believing herself to be weak; that feeling of old, dark familiar tales emerged. Then as the story progressed and the intimate characterisations developed, those tales came to life and rang with truth and reality in a way that really surprised me. It was as if the author took one of those stories, traditionally told in ‘bare bones’ format, and added flesh, and spirit, and depth, and motive, and really made me believe it.
Structurally the story arc is quite contained and the major plot is resolved in the finale of this book, but enough trailing ends, questions and mysteries are left to lead the reader into following the bear trail in the hope of finding out what happens next.
In short, I recommend this book for fans of epic fantasy and grim fairytales. Buy it and read it!
She slid up onto the waiting altar, tucking her threadbare skirt around her legs. She ignored the bloody chains. Reluctant she might be, but he wouldn’t need those. There wasn’t a single drop of blood on the altar itself, only a thick layer of dust that coated her hands and clothes with the familiar scents of magic and death.
The dust of a hundred lives.
– Stacy Bennett, Quest of the Dreamwalker
(review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog)
This book is epic fantasy at its finest: following the usual tradition of Chosen One orphan/s with hidden powers, who are the only ones able to stop great evil; but adding the unique twists and nuances that make it impossible to stop reading.
In this case those hooks include the characterisation: the author brings each character to life for the reader, so we feel their struggles and emotions, and flinch when they are wounded. I didn’t read about the adventures of this group of people, I lived them!
A further draw for me was that there was a strong, continuous feel of the traditional tale about the plot and tone of the story. Those old, gory tales of marrying strangers to save your family, chopping off heads to present to a king to win favour, mysterious beings knocking on the cottage door in the dead of night while a voice whispers not to open it at any cost… you know… OLD tales!
From the very beginning, with the beautiful, mysterious girl, clothed in rags and locked away, believing herself powerless as her power is siphoned from her, enduring daily torture that destroys others whilst believing herself to be weak; that feeling of old, dark familiar tales emerged. Then as the story progressed and the intimate characterisations developed, those tales came to life and rang with truth and reality in a way that really surprised me. It was as if the author took one of those stories, traditionally told in ‘bare bones’ format, and added flesh, and spirit, and depth, and motive, and really made me believe it.
Structurally the story arc is quite contained and the major plot is resolved in the finale of this book, but enough trailing ends, questions and mysteries are left to lead the reader into following the bear trail in the hope of finding out what happens next.
In short, I recommend this book for fans of epic fantasy and grim fairytales. Buy it and read it!
She slid up onto the waiting altar, tucking her threadbare skirt around her legs. She ignored the bloody chains. Reluctant she might be, but he wouldn’t need those. There wasn’t a single drop of blood on the altar itself, only a thick layer of dust that coated her hands and clothes with the familiar scents of magic and death.
The dust of a hundred lives.
– Stacy Bennett, Quest of the Dreamwalker
(review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog)
June 16, 2021
This is a nonstop action and adventure story. The author will take you on a journey like no other. What is great about fantasy is it takes place in our author’s imagination. Add in a great narrator and he makes her words sing.
Mr. Johnson helped me get lost in a world that I will probably never see. But he has a way of bringing Ms. Bennett’s words to life so I am able to see her world in my imagination. I could see our narrator as part of that world and he is sitting with us around a nice roaring fire. He could be considered a troubadour or a minstrel getting us riveted to the tale he is helping to create. Our troubadour will take this story to the next level by just the way he changes his voice.
If not for getting a tour copy of this book, I may have missed out in finding a new author as well as a new narrator. There was not one thing that I did not enjoy about this book. It’s an adventure that I look forward to listening to more than once. I was happy to see that the author/narrator duo have another book that I’m looking forward to exploring. If I had one negative it was that there is just no perfect stopping point. I usually will not stop until a chapter is over because if I have to stop that’s the perfect spot for me. But in this instance, there was no perfect spot. I didn’t want to leave that world until the last minute was over.
I was not compensated nor was I required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
Mr. Johnson helped me get lost in a world that I will probably never see. But he has a way of bringing Ms. Bennett’s words to life so I am able to see her world in my imagination. I could see our narrator as part of that world and he is sitting with us around a nice roaring fire. He could be considered a troubadour or a minstrel getting us riveted to the tale he is helping to create. Our troubadour will take this story to the next level by just the way he changes his voice.
If not for getting a tour copy of this book, I may have missed out in finding a new author as well as a new narrator. There was not one thing that I did not enjoy about this book. It’s an adventure that I look forward to listening to more than once. I was happy to see that the author/narrator duo have another book that I’m looking forward to exploring. If I had one negative it was that there is just no perfect stopping point. I usually will not stop until a chapter is over because if I have to stop that’s the perfect spot for me. But in this instance, there was no perfect spot. I didn’t want to leave that world until the last minute was over.
I was not compensated nor was I required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
December 6, 2020
Decidedly epic!!
Quest of the Dreamwalker is the intriguing first book in the Corthan Legacy series. Full of magic, adventure, giants, polar bears, warriors, and a mystery that holds to the very end!
Three strangers meet, entangled in a destiny they could never have seen coming:
~Cara- a broken soul, "daughter," is from the Black Keep. She's been cowed and isolated her entire life, making her feel meek, weak, & starved- not only for food, but also for love & friendship. The only type of friendship Cara's ever had, is with the sledge-pulling polar bears she's in charge of... until the day she dares speak to Archer, a captive "guest" in the Keep's dungeons.
~Captain Khouri, a mercenary, tortured by his past, and his loyal companion, Lt. Reid Archer, have both been captured & sold to Sidoneous. They, and many other men, are being held captive for a rite Sidoneous needs. Cara's unusual decision & borrowed courage to rescue them, sends them on a journey of revelations, through rich cultures and people, one people likened, in my mind, to the Amazons... fierce women warriors. It's there they meet Falin, the Huntress.
~ Falin has grown up training to be a Huntress, protector of the forest, and yet, she's always been an outsider. Strong in body & mind, she's harsh, brutal, not well liked, and pitiless... until she meets Cara. She also makes an unusual decision to help the travellers, but it ultimately marks her a traitor to her people.
From desolate tundra & the Bear Clan, to verdant forests and the Amazon-type women, on to a bustling port city, they are persued by Sidoneous, until they finally come to a place where the group discovers they must stand and fight his evil, or loose all.
Quest of the Dreamwalker is the intriguing first book in the Corthan Legacy series. Full of magic, adventure, giants, polar bears, warriors, and a mystery that holds to the very end!
Three strangers meet, entangled in a destiny they could never have seen coming:
~Cara- a broken soul, "daughter," is from the Black Keep. She's been cowed and isolated her entire life, making her feel meek, weak, & starved- not only for food, but also for love & friendship. The only type of friendship Cara's ever had, is with the sledge-pulling polar bears she's in charge of... until the day she dares speak to Archer, a captive "guest" in the Keep's dungeons.
~Captain Khouri, a mercenary, tortured by his past, and his loyal companion, Lt. Reid Archer, have both been captured & sold to Sidoneous. They, and many other men, are being held captive for a rite Sidoneous needs. Cara's unusual decision & borrowed courage to rescue them, sends them on a journey of revelations, through rich cultures and people, one people likened, in my mind, to the Amazons... fierce women warriors. It's there they meet Falin, the Huntress.
~ Falin has grown up training to be a Huntress, protector of the forest, and yet, she's always been an outsider. Strong in body & mind, she's harsh, brutal, not well liked, and pitiless... until she meets Cara. She also makes an unusual decision to help the travellers, but it ultimately marks her a traitor to her people.
From desolate tundra & the Bear Clan, to verdant forests and the Amazon-type women, on to a bustling port city, they are persued by Sidoneous, until they finally come to a place where the group discovers they must stand and fight his evil, or loose all.
September 11, 2020
4.5 stars! This was a great story. Right from the word go it is obvious all is not right with the sorcerer and the girl he simply calls daughter. He’s clearly manipulating and using her to his own ends and at her detriment, and she has never known any different, so she doesn’t even think to question it. But when Khoury and Archer are kidnapped and sold to the sorcerer as his next victims, something compels her to help them escape, and she escapes with them. Oddly enough, the relationship that clicks the most in the beginning isn’t the one that is the slow burn, it’s the one between Archer and Cara - he even gives her a real name. Archer is not only loyal to Khoury, but he has a soft spot for Cara as well, and it’s a very sweet relationship. At first, Khoury seems like a bit of a jerk after Cara helps them escape. He thinks he is only drawn to her because of their magic calling each other. But once he gets past that and realizes there’s more to it, he softens enough to be likable. The final battle with the sorcerer is pretty fantastic, very action packed and tension filled. And the connection between Cara and Fallon is definitely a unique twist that takes a very intriguing turn. The ending leaves you still wondering exactly who Cara is, even though we technically know at that point, and leaves things at a crossroads for the characters that hints at a very emotional second book. I for one am very much looking forward to it!
June 20, 2021
I listened to the audio of this book and was at first really surprised to hear a male Narrator when the main character was a female. But there were a lot of pov shifts between other characters so it quickly felt more natural. Overall the characters and journey were entertaining and fast-paced...I did get super confused toward the end on what was exactly happening...so that was a bit frustrating; a lot of roundabout comments and things.
Overall, I'd definitely recommend it!
Overall, I'd definitely recommend it!
March 6, 2017
An evocative fantasy that will enthral you
I usually know straight away if a book is going to fit with me, and from the first paragraph I knew this one would fit like a glove. Stacy Bennett’s writing enchanted me right from the start with beautiful and lyrical description that let me slip into Cara’s world. The writing is captivating, gorgeous prose, and words that weave – dreamlike – through your imagination.
Cara is the titular dreamwalker, though she doesn’t know that, in fact there’s a lot the sheltered young woman doesn’t know. She finds herself reluctantly escaping the captivity she’s used to and thrust into an unknown world of confusion and fear with mercenaries, Khoury and Archer. The characters are strong and feisty – I especially loved Falin and Gar – and their intensity will draw you in.
Written from a multi-character point of view means you get to know the protagonists intimately and it doesn’t detract from the plot. Each character entwines and merges with ease and keeps you turning the pages.
Bennett’s writing shows masterful storytelling and you’ll be keenly awaiting Dreamwalker’s sequel as you close the book. The imagery is beguiling, the magic bewitching, the story evocative, and this is fantasy at its best!
I usually know straight away if a book is going to fit with me, and from the first paragraph I knew this one would fit like a glove. Stacy Bennett’s writing enchanted me right from the start with beautiful and lyrical description that let me slip into Cara’s world. The writing is captivating, gorgeous prose, and words that weave – dreamlike – through your imagination.
Cara is the titular dreamwalker, though she doesn’t know that, in fact there’s a lot the sheltered young woman doesn’t know. She finds herself reluctantly escaping the captivity she’s used to and thrust into an unknown world of confusion and fear with mercenaries, Khoury and Archer. The characters are strong and feisty – I especially loved Falin and Gar – and their intensity will draw you in.
Written from a multi-character point of view means you get to know the protagonists intimately and it doesn’t detract from the plot. Each character entwines and merges with ease and keeps you turning the pages.
Bennett’s writing shows masterful storytelling and you’ll be keenly awaiting Dreamwalker’s sequel as you close the book. The imagery is beguiling, the magic bewitching, the story evocative, and this is fantasy at its best!
January 12, 2017
I just finished rereading this book because my sister, niece and brother-in-lawand I have formed a book club group. They wanted me to suggest a book, and since we're all lovers of fantasy, I suggested, QUEST OF THE DREAMWALKER. It's a book I loved when I first read it, and have continued to think about long after my first reading. I know people who say they hate fantasy. That makes me sad, because to me well written fantasy books such as this, help me get a better perspective on human experience, and human nature. As Cara and Falin, helped by Khoury, Archer and Bradan try to unravel who they are and what their aborted purpose might be, Stacy Bennett also shows us glimpses of their hopes, fears, grief, love, and connection to one another. I promise there is only one dark sorcerer, and one dragon. And he's a reluctant participant in the sorcerer's scheme. After all, aren't dark sorcerers just a representation of the darker side of human nature? I highly recommend this book, even to those of you who might not think you like fantasy.
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