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The Kingdom of Malinas
Sorrel knows what she must do. Enter the Kingdom of Malinas to rescue her people from slavery. It should be easy. But the Kingdom of Malinas harbours evil…
346 pages, Paperback
First published April 25, 2008
2 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
May 17, 2019
The Kingdom of Malinas is a remarkable book.
E.J.Tett's first effort at writing is by far one of the best first efforts I have read in quite some time.
She puts together all the elements of story with her own style and class that have not been matched by her peers.
She has tremendous characterizations, conflict, plot and theme nailed down.
This is a well thought out effort for a first book. And it says a lot that although I venture into the fantasy genre now and then my favorite is Science Fiction. This does give me an advantage and disadvantage in that I have little to compare it to.
The only reason I picked up this novel was because I'd been snooping around the SSFchronicle writers forum and noticed that several people there have published various works in various fashion from traditional to self and I have to say that I've up to this point been disappointed with the ones I have tried out.
I came in not expecting much after three other disappointments , one of those is a traditional published author. I'm happy to say that this one surprised me.
It starts out slow and I suppose that it could be argued that its a bit rough around the edges because it's a first effort and its self published. And I suppose that if I were coming from the place of being in a forum of writers I might tend to try to be hyper critical.
Fortunately I come from being a reader of fiction with a 50 plus year background and I have to say that I found the author's style of writing to be be fresh, entertaining, and quite tightly woven. She can only improve from there.
The story begins slowly with our main protagonist Sorrel who is a very strong female character- there are many of those in this story. Her father was a warrior and her brother is one and she wants to follow in their footsteps. Despite the families efforts she will if it kills her and as the tale unfolds it seems that fate is on her side. There is enough in the development of characters to keep me in the story. Her plot seems quite original though I admit that I lack enough exposure to this type of fantasy to truly judge.
And then:
It's at chapter 12 she grabs me- one quarter the way through the book. I found the hook that kept me reading this in one sitting. She feeds the line out carefully and then hooks you into the story so deep you can't get out until you are finished.
What's really great about this novel is that it's full of characters that can hook any reader. There are almost too may to chose from and yet she pulls it off and this is a first novel; as long as she keeps her present voice she can't go wrong.
J.L. Dobias
This was good the first time through now with all the edits it's great, so I'd still like to see more reviews.
Preferably from people who have read it. Trust me you'll like it.
E.J.Tett's first effort at writing is by far one of the best first efforts I have read in quite some time.
She puts together all the elements of story with her own style and class that have not been matched by her peers.
She has tremendous characterizations, conflict, plot and theme nailed down.
This is a well thought out effort for a first book. And it says a lot that although I venture into the fantasy genre now and then my favorite is Science Fiction. This does give me an advantage and disadvantage in that I have little to compare it to.
The only reason I picked up this novel was because I'd been snooping around the SSFchronicle writers forum and noticed that several people there have published various works in various fashion from traditional to self and I have to say that I've up to this point been disappointed with the ones I have tried out.
I came in not expecting much after three other disappointments , one of those is a traditional published author. I'm happy to say that this one surprised me.
It starts out slow and I suppose that it could be argued that its a bit rough around the edges because it's a first effort and its self published. And I suppose that if I were coming from the place of being in a forum of writers I might tend to try to be hyper critical.
Fortunately I come from being a reader of fiction with a 50 plus year background and I have to say that I found the author's style of writing to be be fresh, entertaining, and quite tightly woven. She can only improve from there.
The story begins slowly with our main protagonist Sorrel who is a very strong female character- there are many of those in this story. Her father was a warrior and her brother is one and she wants to follow in their footsteps. Despite the families efforts she will if it kills her and as the tale unfolds it seems that fate is on her side. There is enough in the development of characters to keep me in the story. Her plot seems quite original though I admit that I lack enough exposure to this type of fantasy to truly judge.
And then:
It's at chapter 12 she grabs me- one quarter the way through the book. I found the hook that kept me reading this in one sitting. She feeds the line out carefully and then hooks you into the story so deep you can't get out until you are finished.
What's really great about this novel is that it's full of characters that can hook any reader. There are almost too may to chose from and yet she pulls it off and this is a first novel; as long as she keeps her present voice she can't go wrong.
J.L. Dobias
This was good the first time through now with all the edits it's great, so I'd still like to see more reviews.
Preferably from people who have read it. Trust me you'll like it.
September 20, 2011
This is a hard book to rate and review. Why?
Well it is a self published book to start with, and it was written when the author was in her teens.
It is a young adult adventure, and to it's credit it is a complete story, not the start of some massive ongoing epic. (Although there is a sequel, with a concluding part to come).
The story is that of a young girl, Sorrel, a member of a group of people, the Elani. Once, long ago they ruled the kingdom of Malinas, only for it to be lost to the aggressive Lamya. There has been a near status quo, with the Elani living a pastoral life, until the current ruler of the Lamya, Corrinus becomes determined to consolidate his position, to become a King as well as a ruler. One of his first steps is to provide his people with easy, free labour: The Elani, however Sorrel might just be a missing piece to a series of prophecies/foretellings that might just put a spanner in Corrinus' plans.
The key word here, is potential.
The characters are well drawn, the story is straight forward but engaging, there are dragons (always important). Some things seem to come a little easy, Sorrel seems to become a master swordswoman in a few pages rather than over time, but these are just niggles. This is the work of someone finding their feet as a young writer, and doing it well. Things happen quickly, perhaps there could have been a bit more depth, but it picks the pace up making a refreshing change from huge introspective fantasy 'masterworks'
The key point of would I read another by the same other is a resounding yes. (And I will)
Having read some of the author's later short stories you can see that she here the basis of her current ability, this is a book of someone learning how to write and starting with an unfair advantage because her innate talent is on view.
It's not the best book ever written, it's probably not the best book she has written, but it a remarkable piece of her writing history that shows a firm foundation of what she could build into. I wish I could have written something as good as this when I was that age.
A small squeak from a mouse, perhaps, but a mouse that may well one day roar.
Three stars (Would have been three and half had I been able)
Well it is a self published book to start with, and it was written when the author was in her teens.
It is a young adult adventure, and to it's credit it is a complete story, not the start of some massive ongoing epic. (Although there is a sequel, with a concluding part to come).
The story is that of a young girl, Sorrel, a member of a group of people, the Elani. Once, long ago they ruled the kingdom of Malinas, only for it to be lost to the aggressive Lamya. There has been a near status quo, with the Elani living a pastoral life, until the current ruler of the Lamya, Corrinus becomes determined to consolidate his position, to become a King as well as a ruler. One of his first steps is to provide his people with easy, free labour: The Elani, however Sorrel might just be a missing piece to a series of prophecies/foretellings that might just put a spanner in Corrinus' plans.
The key word here, is potential.
The characters are well drawn, the story is straight forward but engaging, there are dragons (always important). Some things seem to come a little easy, Sorrel seems to become a master swordswoman in a few pages rather than over time, but these are just niggles. This is the work of someone finding their feet as a young writer, and doing it well. Things happen quickly, perhaps there could have been a bit more depth, but it picks the pace up making a refreshing change from huge introspective fantasy 'masterworks'
The key point of would I read another by the same other is a resounding yes. (And I will)
Having read some of the author's later short stories you can see that she here the basis of her current ability, this is a book of someone learning how to write and starting with an unfair advantage because her innate talent is on view.
It's not the best book ever written, it's probably not the best book she has written, but it a remarkable piece of her writing history that shows a firm foundation of what she could build into. I wish I could have written something as good as this when I was that age.
A small squeak from a mouse, perhaps, but a mouse that may well one day roar.
Three stars (Would have been three and half had I been able)
September 23, 2009
The Kingdom of Malinas is the first book in a young adult trilogy by EJ Tett.
The prologue opens the novel with some warning, as the state of the Elani people is about to be threatened by the evil Lamya.
“We cannot run forever,” said Nodin. “When the time comes, we must deliver them a warrior.”
Here the reader also learns that the people of Malinas are separated into classes by the number of stars under their eyes.
“These marks,” said Sorrel, turning to Cloud, “they’re what make us different.”
Cloud reached a hand to his cheek and his fingertips brushed his own three stars.
“But I only have one!” cried Sorrel. “I’m only one step away from being a Lamya!”
The destiny of the Elani people is decided before birth. As the daughter of a Healer, it is Sorrel’s fate to become an Elani Elder. But she wants so much more. Sick of being forced into a life that she cannot lead, Sorrel leaves home and her closest friend, Little Cloud, is sent to retrieve her. During the night, the Lamya take the warriors as prisoners and kill off the others, destroying her village.
Sorrel, still young, idealistic and emotional, must take a stand. EJ Tett takes the reader on Sorrel’s mystical journey to save her people. In the process, Sorrel must become a better leader and the warrior she has always dreamed to become.
While the journey is filled with physical altercations, it is also a story of personal growth. Young adult readers will find interest in Sorrel’s emotional journey from girl to warrior. There are many underlying messages in the novel, making The Kingdom of Malinas an inspiring tale as much as a well-written fantasy novel.
The prologue opens the novel with some warning, as the state of the Elani people is about to be threatened by the evil Lamya.
“We cannot run forever,” said Nodin. “When the time comes, we must deliver them a warrior.”
Here the reader also learns that the people of Malinas are separated into classes by the number of stars under their eyes.
“These marks,” said Sorrel, turning to Cloud, “they’re what make us different.”
Cloud reached a hand to his cheek and his fingertips brushed his own three stars.
“But I only have one!” cried Sorrel. “I’m only one step away from being a Lamya!”
The destiny of the Elani people is decided before birth. As the daughter of a Healer, it is Sorrel’s fate to become an Elani Elder. But she wants so much more. Sick of being forced into a life that she cannot lead, Sorrel leaves home and her closest friend, Little Cloud, is sent to retrieve her. During the night, the Lamya take the warriors as prisoners and kill off the others, destroying her village.
Sorrel, still young, idealistic and emotional, must take a stand. EJ Tett takes the reader on Sorrel’s mystical journey to save her people. In the process, Sorrel must become a better leader and the warrior she has always dreamed to become.
While the journey is filled with physical altercations, it is also a story of personal growth. Young adult readers will find interest in Sorrel’s emotional journey from girl to warrior. There are many underlying messages in the novel, making The Kingdom of Malinas an inspiring tale as much as a well-written fantasy novel.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews