Aaron's sleep is filled with eerie dreams as of late--dreams in which Chasmira is harmed by an unknown darkness.
When Chasmira, Rachel, Hailey, Tiffany, and Krystal are all captured by mysterious Shadowfolk during a class trip, it is up to Aaron and the other boys to save them. Aided by medallions from Amanda Danielle, they must sail to the dark island where the girls are held captive.
While the boys are led by a cloaked stranger named Tobias, the girls make their own plans, with help from Amanda Danielle.
In the midst of their own ventures though, a deeper story unfolds. One involving Amanda Danielle, Rorrim, Tobias, and a dangerous triangle of romance, betrayal, and a more serious adventure than either the boys or the girls of Lynn Lectim bargained for.
Hullo there, dear reader! Christine E. Schulze here, author of YA fantasy, as well as a few kids’ books about special needs. I’ve been living in castles, exploring magical worlds, and creating fantastical romances and adventures since I was too young to even write of such stories. My collection of YA and children's fantasy books, The Amielian Legacy, is comprised of series and stand-alone books that can all be read separately but also weave together to create a single, amazing fantasy.
One of my main aspirations for The Amielian Legacy is to create grand fantasy adventures with characters that connect with readers from diverse backgrounds. My current focus is to include racially diverse characters, as well as those with disabilities. The latter is inspired by my day job working with adults who have autism and other developmental disabilities at Trinity Services in Southern Illinois.
I draw much of my inspiration from favorite authors like Tolkien and Diana Wynne Jones, favorite games like The Legend of Zelda, and especially from the people in my life. Some of my exciting ventures include the publication of my award-winning Bloodmaiden, as well as The Gailean Quartet, my first series with Words Matter Publishing. My books for younger readers include In the Land of Giants and The Amazing Captain K.
I love connecting with new raeders! Come find me on Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, or at my author website: http://authorchristineschulze.com
On that note, God bless, happy reading, and may you be truly inspired! I’ll see you in my next book.
Ok, this is the second in the series, and I just finished it.
Again, I want to mention that the author was great and let read me the entire collection in exchange for a review. As there are many books in the series I am going to review them separately.
The book starts off with the Heroes at their school, getting ready for a field trip to a magical house. While there, the girls get kidnapped, leaving the boys to find a way to a dark, hidden island to rescue them from Rorrim. (who was supposed to have been banished in the last book)
Ok, so this story was really short, again, and I think that maybe it is better suited for middle school age kids than high schoolers or adults. I thought these kids were seniors in high school but they act a LOT more immature than that. And I am still longing for information.
I still don't understand the HEAVY reliance on praying to Amiel, when the religion isn't really explained. I wish this book was fleshed out more, just like I did with the first one, because there are SO many things that could've been explored. The author has these awesome ideas that just fall short from lack of description or explanation about things.
In fact, my favorite part of the entire story was the flashback with Amanda Danielle, because it kind of explained her story a bit. When I was reading that part of the story I loved it. The author was descriptive and i could see the images she was trying to convey and I just don't get that with the other characters or the other storyline. I still have no idea who any of the central characters really are. I want to care about them, I really do, but I just don't know anything about them. And if the author wrote the entire book the way she wrote that flashback, it would be fantastic!
There is a section in the middle of the book where Tiffany and Dristann meet up. It's like it came out of nowhere, because Tiffany never leaves the rest of the girls. So, when was that supposed to have happened? I actually went back and forth, re-reading parts to see if I missed her leaving and running into him and somehow making her way back, and it just didn't happen. I am so confused about that.
Again, I'm wishing there was WAY more explanation. I genuinely think the plot to this is really cool, and I am still hoping that these get better as I read them.
What bothers me most is that I don't know if the author realizes what a cool world she has to work with. She relies on outside influences like Harry Potter and in this book, Phantom of the Opera. I wish she would focus on being the best HER she can be instead of maybe recycling someone else's material. I've already read their stuff. Now I want to read HERS.
So off I go to read book three. Here's to hoping better things.
The story continues for our heroes in the second installment of this series. Rorrim has returned in search of the stones that will give him great power. He captures the girls for he knows they hold the stones he seeks. The girls will not give them up willingly though and he can not force them to do so. The girls meet Amanda Danielle Daniels who was once engaged to Rorrim and now fights to help destroy him. Aaron along with his friends search for their friends who have been captured by Rorrim. They meet Tobias Daniels along the way Amanda's true beloved who has not been seen for years. With his help they will find the girls, protect the stones from Rorrim, and save the day once more. I loved this sequel to the series. The journey is never ending and there's always something new to the story line that leaves you wanting to know more and delve into the story deeper. This series is perfect for anyone who loves heroes, The Legend of Zelda, and Harry Potter because this is what the book reminds me of. The story has a creative concept and it doesn't seem like a series that would be drug on for so long with the same storyline that it would eventually bore you. So if you're looking for adventure, action, and funny characters this book is for you.
I received the entire collection as a pdf from the author in exchange for an honest review after I didn't win them in a Goodreads giveaway. :)
Heroes Reunited was so exciting and had much more action and suspense than the first book. The first book set up the story for the rest of the books, and Heroes Reunited follows after the first book quite well.
I couldn't stop reading and was on the edge of my seat when the Shadowfolk capture the girls and take them to Rorrim's island. Aaron and the boys set out to save them. They meet a mysterious man named Tobias and soon find out more about him. I was worried when they were camping with him that he wasn't on their side as he claimed to be.
All kinds of secrets come out to the group of heroes--shocking secrets I didn't see coming. I really love when that happens in a book. Sorting out the characters became easier in this book, although they still don't have distinct personalities. I think if they did, the books would be an even stronger series.
With so much action, suspense, and some romance, this book was better than the first, and I'm looking forward to beginning the third book right away!
This book really shows the newly born bonds between Aaron and Charisma, not necessarily in a romantic way either. It really explains what friendship is and what friends are for (the whole series is about it really, but this one specifically touched me) It is a very good adventure and I love all the characters, even the antagonist if that was possible. I love the feelings and expressions it has, and the jokes are hilarious. It has a very beautiful romantic story between Amanda Danielle and Toby, which is formed and developed throughout the series. The only bad part was that the story was lacking a bit, and it was quite predictable, but overall it had a very nice fell to it, and leads you to wonder what will happen next. This is a good book and I encourage you to read it! I hope you enjoy! :)
The Hero Chronicles gets deeper and reach a new level with this second book.
Compared to the first book "The Hero of 1000 Years", this new story is much better written, and I really enjoyed reading from the start until the end.
The author had acquired experience and better writing skills, which makes this book much more interesting and involving. I still feel the world in which the characters evolve could have been more detailed and be further described, a personal feeling that goes on throughout the Chronicles.
The context is still the same mix of school stories and fantasy, but with a bigger emphasis on the fantasy part, which is the way I prefer it to be! The story is relatively simple, but well thought, and I think teenagers will particularly enjoy it.
It also sows the seeds for the next stories and makes you want to read more and more. So just enjoy!
Having been fortunate enough to win the series (through Goodreads First Reads), I am continuing to review them as I go.
This second book in the series is much stronger than its predecessor. The story moves along fairly smoothly (though a few transitions are a bit rough) and the pacing is consistent. I'll admit that the homage to Gaston Leroux's Phantom of the Opera was a bit jarring, but the story did not suffer for it (though Erik stayed in the back of my mind for the rest of the book).
My feelings upon finishing this volume of the series were mixed. On one hand, the story flows so much better than its predecessor. On the other hand the book still relies on thinly coated Deus ex machina to resolve the main threat, which steals some of the satisfaction from the end of the story.
Overall though, I enjoyed the book, and it is a great improvement over the first.
Rorrim was banished and everything is seemingly back to normal. Except for Aaron having nightmares. And these nightmares worry him, but he's not quite sure why. He fears that his nightmares are from Rorrim and might come true. Aaron tells his friends of the nightmares and his concerns. They agree that it could be Rorrim. They figure everything will be fine until after their field trip. But, while on the field trip, shadowmen appear and takes some of Aaron's friends. Aaron must do whatever he can to save his friends.
I liked this one just as much as the first and I really loved learning more of Mrs. Daniels/Amanda Danielle's past. I love her and Toby's story. It was a wonderful read.
A great adventure, lots of action, a touch of romance and of course, heroes. Overall, a worthy successor to the Hero of 1,000 Years. The characters are a little more complex in this story and there is an intriguing sub-plot running through the whole book. There are threads from the first book that don't seem to have been picked up in this one ( like Dristann for instance) hopefully these will be addressed in later volumes. Overall, I liked this book better than the first and will happily read Book 3, The Dove. YA readers will not be disappointed.
Being the second story in the series, I found it more enjoyable than the first. Maybe I just knew and loved the characters more, maybe I am more acquainted with the world and the author's vision. Who knows? I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
This was a kind gift from the author, a kindle edition. This certainly was a different type of read for me and I thought more suitable to teenagers or young adults. While it took me a some time to get into, the fantasy etc. it turned out to be a book I quite enjoyed reading.
I truly do not like it when I cannot finish a book. I feel like it's leaving a gift unopened. More often than not, I power through and force myself to finish. But, recently I read a quote reminding me that books should bring pleasure. I feel like this book is written for a different kind of reader than I am. It has great imagination and fun dialog, but I think it may be geared toward young readers and I am finding it increasingly difficult to "get into" the story line. I have tried restarting it more than once. I am sad to say, this book was just not for me.
Well, I was hoping that the second book in the series would draw me in further, make more interesting in the direction of the plot and bring the characters closer to my heart. I find with a lot of kids series like The Ranger's Apprentice or Percy Jackson that the first book usually get me interested and then the second book hooks me to reading the rest of the series. This isn't the case here. The story isn't bad, I just don't find it all that interesting, and I never really felt all that connected to it. Everyone's different though.