Quarterstars Awakening

War for the Quarterstar Shards #2

by David L. McDaniel

War stirs in the hearts of the elves and humans. Jaerick, king of the elves, and Traelyn, Great Mother of the humans, have a storied and tragic past, but neither can recall anything but the hate between them for actions in a past that has been wiped from memory.

The Quarterstar Prophecy, however, stirs within the realm, with a will of its own, and it calls to both Jaerick and Traelyn. At the center of it all lies the Quarterstar Talisman and the only known Quarterstar Shard to have ever been found – kept separate due to the power of the Shard if combined with the Talisman.

Traelyn should have died generations ago. Her father, Dar Drannon, must come back in order to fulfill the prophecy. Yet, it is the king’s advisor, Naemyn, who may thwart the balance of power as the Quarterstar Prophecy unfolds.

Genres: Fantasy

247 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 7, 2019

Reviews

[Katie]

Please note: this book was provided for me to read and review by Library Thing's Early Reviewer programme. You can rest assured however, that this is (as always) an honest review!

Set in an world of high fantasy, Quarterstars Awakening is reminiscent of Tolkein yet builds an original world all of its own. Quarterstars Awakening is the second book released in the War for the Quarterstar Shards series, and I have to disclose that I haven't read the first. However, chronologically it is a prequel set a few hundred years before the rest of the series, and I have been assured that it can be read as a standalone book.

Humans and elves have been at war for centuries, and humans are struggling to survive sandwiched between their traditional enemies, dragons, and other aggressive creatures. There are two races of elves in this iteration, the Val and the Sor. Each despises the other, yet have created an alliance to best take advantage of their differing strengths. The behaviour and appearance of the elves is not your typical Tolkeinesque stereotype -- they are shorter than humans, have different physical abilities such as leaping long distances, and have a war-like streak. And, of course, two different races of elves with such polarised worldviews also adds interest.

Quarterstars Awakening chronicles the failed truce between the human King Dar Drannon and his elvish counterpart Keiyann Krowe, the star-crossed love between their children Jaerick and Traelyn, and the discovery of the first Quarterstar Shard. There are four shards in total, and if they are ever re-united as part of the complete Quarterstar Talisman, doom will come to the world. The Talisman, thought safely kept in the catacombs below the elvish city, is missing. Can the lovers, with their memories of each other only newly re-instated, overcome the machinations of the elvish king's advisor Naemyn, who wishes to bring ruin to their world?

The book unfortunately suffers from a lack of editing, but responsibility for this can be laid at the feet of the publishers, not the author. As a picky reader, I cringe at grammatical issues and find them hard to put aside. The lack of flow in some passages and switching between formal and informal language was a little grating. However, the author's flights of fancy more than make up for this. The concept of the Quarterstar shards, which will bring a vague but terrifying doom if ever brought together, is intriguing. I enjoyed the character of Traelyn, with her wisdom earned during an unnaturally long life and her relationship with her children and grandchildren. The human soldier Voll and his unlikely friendship with the dragon Aegyn was also a high point. Some of the most compelling scenes are the battles in which dragons fly overhead, and the elves' magic produces giant winged spiders and other terrifying creatures. Knowing that Quarterstars Awakening sets the scene for a whole series set in this world has me intrigued.

Would I read more by this author? Yes!

[Elle Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author David McDaniel has already introduced readers to the world of Wrea Kronn in his first book, The Warriors Bane.

The story continues in Quarterstars Awakening, a prequel that elaborates the story established in Warriors Bane. Readers are drawn deeper into this world, and become entangled in a prophecy that holds great significance to the characters both past and present. A prophecy that surrounds a sword, a talisman, and the revered Quarterstar Shards.

Quarterstars Awakening is an emotionally charged novel, telling an engrossing tale of love, war, and the heart wrenching consequences of the desire for power. The Elven and human races are in constant conflict, and in the center are two lovers- An elven king, and a human princess. Their fragile love keeps you on the edge of your seat, hoping that their love will endure despite the violent world that surrounds them.

Once again, McDaniel has crafted a unique and three dimensional world, with creatures and characters that leap off the page. My personal favorite, is a mother dragon. Page 84-
Her eyes were solid black, and inset deep into the skull, like they had a black bone protruding above her eyes. The scales on her head were sleek and velvety that led to the horns on her head. Her horns circled around backwards from the head and then pointed back to the front almost even with the nose. Her teeth were jagged, sharp, and uneven.

McDaniel tells the tale from several different points of view, as well as from different points in time. The mixture of past and present only heightens the stakes as the reader is lead towards a tense ending that leaves the reader satisfied but excited for more. Despite being a high Fantasy, there are deeper truths embedded in this book. The elements of biased hatred and prejudices that lead to unnecessary violence are concepts that we can apply to our own world. McDaniel has staked his claim in the realm of Fantasy and I am very much looking forward to the next installment.

I leave you with words from the Great Mother, page 126-"You are not as powerful as you think. This realm is bigger than humans, elves, and this petty war of ours. We must come together to bring ourselves to a higher state of being. You have grown overconfident and boastful. You must be humble to lead effectively."

[Neil · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy via Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.

I did find this difficult at the start, possibly due to not having read the first book in the series.

As the story progressed though I was drawn into plot with a well developed world and varied characters.

There were plenty of twists and turns in the story to keep me reading.

A thoroughly enjoyable Fantasy.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great story! David McDaniel did it again! The twists and turns through this book left me on the edge of my seat wondering what might happen next. Quarterstars Awakening is another slam dunk for the Author.