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Prophecy of the Kings #2
Dragon Rider
Armies are gathering but Astalus, the Thracian court wizard, is in a quandary as to who to trust. Shocking news has arrived from an unlikely source. A spy, arrested brazenly entering the city, claims to be a prince from an extinct royal household, a household that was overthrown, the family members murdered over sixty years ago. Intriguingly, the spy's claim to be from Allund is more than a coincidence, for the army marching against them is also from Allund.
Who indeed to trust? The stranger brings with him news of an army from Trosgarth, which can only mean one thing. Drachar's shade has been summoned and the Prophecy is coming to pass. Old alliances are broken and many monarchs slain. No sign yet exists of the king predicted by the Prophecy, who will save them all. Astalus, normally so certain and confident, is suddenly plummeted into his worst nightmare, for soon Thrace could be threatened by demons and, against them, there is no salvation. In a land fraught with betrayal, fear and death, the shadows are deepening.
Who indeed to trust? The stranger brings with him news of an army from Trosgarth, which can only mean one thing. Drachar's shade has been summoned and the Prophecy is coming to pass. Old alliances are broken and many monarchs slain. No sign yet exists of the king predicted by the Prophecy, who will save them all. Astalus, normally so certain and confident, is suddenly plummeted into his worst nightmare, for soon Thrace could be threatened by demons and, against them, there is no salvation. In a land fraught with betrayal, fear and death, the shadows are deepening.
- GenresFantasy
176 pages, Paperback
First published August 28, 2008
1 person is currently reading
315 people want to read
About the author
David Burrows
6 books43 followersDavid Burrows is the author of the award winning fantasy trilogy the Prophecy of the Kings (Gold Award 2010 Readersfavorite.com) and the prequel Drachar's Demons. Prophecy of the Kings was also Book of the Month on SFbooks.com. Sample chapters and reviews can be found at David's website http://davidburrows.org.uk/.
David has lived in Blackpool, Liverpool, Edinburgh and he now resides in the garden of England, Kent. He was a Captain in the TA (2/52 Lowland), an experienced mountain climber and more recently has taken part in Saxon/Viking re-enactment. David's fantasy writing has benefited from these real life experiences: hours slogging up and down mountains and fighting in a shield wall and although never maimed or killed, David has broken bones on several occasions, so the fighting at times has felt very real.
As with most aspiring authors, David's writing is part time, with the plots progressing in the evenings and holidays and also during his wife’s pregnancies. At times David's tales seemed to naturally take the characters into extreme peril, and for months he was left wondering as to their fate. Refusing to rewrite the tale to rescue them he patiently waited before inspiration struck and the story continued at a fast pace to the next cliff-hanger. Suffice to say David's two sons have now grown up and, as the quill dries, are of an age to read and appreciate this work and to develop their own writing. As to the characters in David's tales, they too have grown older and wiser; as to whether they survived the tale, only reading the novel will tell.
David hopes you take time to check out his works and enjoy them.
David has lived in Blackpool, Liverpool, Edinburgh and he now resides in the garden of England, Kent. He was a Captain in the TA (2/52 Lowland), an experienced mountain climber and more recently has taken part in Saxon/Viking re-enactment. David's fantasy writing has benefited from these real life experiences: hours slogging up and down mountains and fighting in a shield wall and although never maimed or killed, David has broken bones on several occasions, so the fighting at times has felt very real.
As with most aspiring authors, David's writing is part time, with the plots progressing in the evenings and holidays and also during his wife’s pregnancies. At times David's tales seemed to naturally take the characters into extreme peril, and for months he was left wondering as to their fate. Refusing to rewrite the tale to rescue them he patiently waited before inspiration struck and the story continued at a fast pace to the next cliff-hanger. Suffice to say David's two sons have now grown up and, as the quill dries, are of an age to read and appreciate this work and to develop their own writing. As to the characters in David's tales, they too have grown older and wiser; as to whether they survived the tale, only reading the novel will tell.
David hopes you take time to check out his works and enjoy them.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
May 5, 2013
Prophecy of Kings Trilogy: Book Two: Dragon Rider
David Burrows
When waking up from a deep sleep most of us would try and shake off the tired feeling, wash our faces and try to refresh ourselves and figure out why we slept so long. But, when Kaplyn, Lars and Lomar are awakened from what they thought was a few hours or days rest, they are struck by the remarkable changes within each of them, their surroundings and the person that caused them to be able to reenter the world. The site of Tumarl was quite compelling and their awareness of what really happened to them, Vastra’s betrayal and where they go from next quite compelling. In a world filled with wizards, dragons, Krells, wars, turmoil, hate and revenge the Prophecy of the Kings: Dragon Rider continues the saga and allows readers to know that our world and their world are any different. Warring factions fight for control, deceit, lies and betrayals often win out but the end result just might surprise you.
Book Two begins allowing readers to hear the voice of Drachar, see handiwork and understand what some would do in order to become part of his minions and honor him. One young boy would sacrifice his life.
So many have died while they were asleep, many tortured and even burned to death at the hands of the Krell, peace has yet to be fully achieved and the enemy still awaits them. What will happen when they learn the fate of their loved ones. What about the world that they left and how will they deal with the one they now live in?
Rested, fed, reenergized and in better shape both mentally and physically the four realize that they must leave the sanctity of their cave.
Their journey is dangerous and the end result is startling as they arrive at their destination, Thrace, only to be held captive as spies. Meeting the King and his staff, the distrust for the four men runs high and their story seems bizarre, for they bring with them a tale of sighting an army of Krell. Astalus begins to have some doubts? Just who can be trusted? Kaplyn then creates a shock wave when he reveals his true identity. However, the King remains wary and his son, the Prince distrustful thereby sending Kaplyn to go on a forced peace mission that ends up anything but peaceful.
The Shaol of Drachar has it been summoned and will the Prophecy some true? We hear his voice, we see his handiwork and we learn from a stranger that an army from Trosgarth means Drachar is not far behind. Will the true king come back and what happened while these three were frozen in time? When Kaplyn realizes the truth behind what Vastra did and the fact that his stone is missing will he and the other three survive what happens next? The nightmare that follows will horrify the reader as Lomar has an outer body experience that is most terrifying but revealing adding more suspense to what will happen next.
Betrayals and lies seem to run within this world too as it does in ours today. Kaplyn faces nightmares, Lomar faces his past, and his life and his hope to save his family and town but can his experience do that? Are dragons really hunting Kaplyn? What do his dreams really mean? What about the Tallin Crown and what will the end result be? Terror, fear, violence, uncertainty and a war that is going and could destroy not only Thrace and his homeland Allund but others too. Is Drachar behind what is going to happen? What about another war with the Krell?
One wizard named Astalus would risk it all to save so many but can he? What he learns will enlighten the reader and the history behind the Eldric just the tip of the burning and charred bodies that were left in their wake as the hope of finding the portal to the other world seems dim and the final battle has yet to be fought. What happens at the end of book two is just part of what is yet to come in Book Three: Shadow of the Demon. Just where is Drachar? Is his shade rising? Will the Prophecy be fulfilled?
A novel that reminds us of what is going on in the world right now where countries fight against countries. Enemies try to destroy the good and overtake the weak. Where terrorism seems to rule and the demons are out in full force in this fantasy world and in the world today. There are so many lessons to be learned by readers as author David Burrows takes us into the hearts and minds of four men who strive to find the answers to many have failed to learn. Where are the Eldric? Will the answers be found in what Astalus has learned? Will the end result bring the Eldric back? Who is the true ruler? What about all of the other Kingdoms? Will they unite and work together or is it every Kingdom for themselves? Will they learn they have a spy in their midst and will that spy succeed? This is one novel/ Trilogy you won’t put down until the final sword takes out the last demon, Krell, and the enemy is finally laid to rest and that’s only up to our amazingly talented author.
Fran Lewis: reviewer
Let’s give this one : FIVE GOLDEN CRYSTALS TO FIGHT THE KRELL AND WIN
David Burrows
When waking up from a deep sleep most of us would try and shake off the tired feeling, wash our faces and try to refresh ourselves and figure out why we slept so long. But, when Kaplyn, Lars and Lomar are awakened from what they thought was a few hours or days rest, they are struck by the remarkable changes within each of them, their surroundings and the person that caused them to be able to reenter the world. The site of Tumarl was quite compelling and their awareness of what really happened to them, Vastra’s betrayal and where they go from next quite compelling. In a world filled with wizards, dragons, Krells, wars, turmoil, hate and revenge the Prophecy of the Kings: Dragon Rider continues the saga and allows readers to know that our world and their world are any different. Warring factions fight for control, deceit, lies and betrayals often win out but the end result just might surprise you.
Book Two begins allowing readers to hear the voice of Drachar, see handiwork and understand what some would do in order to become part of his minions and honor him. One young boy would sacrifice his life.
So many have died while they were asleep, many tortured and even burned to death at the hands of the Krell, peace has yet to be fully achieved and the enemy still awaits them. What will happen when they learn the fate of their loved ones. What about the world that they left and how will they deal with the one they now live in?
Rested, fed, reenergized and in better shape both mentally and physically the four realize that they must leave the sanctity of their cave.
Their journey is dangerous and the end result is startling as they arrive at their destination, Thrace, only to be held captive as spies. Meeting the King and his staff, the distrust for the four men runs high and their story seems bizarre, for they bring with them a tale of sighting an army of Krell. Astalus begins to have some doubts? Just who can be trusted? Kaplyn then creates a shock wave when he reveals his true identity. However, the King remains wary and his son, the Prince distrustful thereby sending Kaplyn to go on a forced peace mission that ends up anything but peaceful.
The Shaol of Drachar has it been summoned and will the Prophecy some true? We hear his voice, we see his handiwork and we learn from a stranger that an army from Trosgarth means Drachar is not far behind. Will the true king come back and what happened while these three were frozen in time? When Kaplyn realizes the truth behind what Vastra did and the fact that his stone is missing will he and the other three survive what happens next? The nightmare that follows will horrify the reader as Lomar has an outer body experience that is most terrifying but revealing adding more suspense to what will happen next.
Betrayals and lies seem to run within this world too as it does in ours today. Kaplyn faces nightmares, Lomar faces his past, and his life and his hope to save his family and town but can his experience do that? Are dragons really hunting Kaplyn? What do his dreams really mean? What about the Tallin Crown and what will the end result be? Terror, fear, violence, uncertainty and a war that is going and could destroy not only Thrace and his homeland Allund but others too. Is Drachar behind what is going to happen? What about another war with the Krell?
One wizard named Astalus would risk it all to save so many but can he? What he learns will enlighten the reader and the history behind the Eldric just the tip of the burning and charred bodies that were left in their wake as the hope of finding the portal to the other world seems dim and the final battle has yet to be fought. What happens at the end of book two is just part of what is yet to come in Book Three: Shadow of the Demon. Just where is Drachar? Is his shade rising? Will the Prophecy be fulfilled?
A novel that reminds us of what is going on in the world right now where countries fight against countries. Enemies try to destroy the good and overtake the weak. Where terrorism seems to rule and the demons are out in full force in this fantasy world and in the world today. There are so many lessons to be learned by readers as author David Burrows takes us into the hearts and minds of four men who strive to find the answers to many have failed to learn. Where are the Eldric? Will the answers be found in what Astalus has learned? Will the end result bring the Eldric back? Who is the true ruler? What about all of the other Kingdoms? Will they unite and work together or is it every Kingdom for themselves? Will they learn they have a spy in their midst and will that spy succeed? This is one novel/ Trilogy you won’t put down until the final sword takes out the last demon, Krell, and the enemy is finally laid to rest and that’s only up to our amazingly talented author.
Fran Lewis: reviewer
Let’s give this one : FIVE GOLDEN CRYSTALS TO FIGHT THE KRELL AND WIN
November 14, 2013
My Thoughts. Forget the "show don't tell" rules for writing. Forget emotionally engaging with the characters. Instead imagine yourself sitting around a bonfire with a group of your friends, relaxing and listening to a really great story. That is how it feels to read this book.
What I liked. David Burrows' narrative style results in a much more intense story in terms of action and pace. Instead of exploring the world from inside the mind of one or more characters, you are pretty much told everything you need to know and the focus then becomes solely on what will happen next. And next. And next. This book, like the first, is only 176 pages and yet it tells more story than some 600 page novels I've read. I also want to note that it does not suffer from middle book syndrome. If anything it is much faster than book one because there is more focus on action now that the worldbuilding is done. You will also witness more development of the characters as challenges are faced and tension escalates. Heck, even the static scenes are tense. The characters might be wearily trudging along, traveling from point A to point B, exhausted from their last conflict, but you remain on edge because at any minute, something evil is likely to crash the party.
What I didn't like. Normally this is where I write about what I don't like. Not this time. Having accepted this story for what it is, instead of judging it by industry standards, I am not finding anything to complain about.
Conclusion The best way I can think of to sum up this book is with one simple word. Fun. Sometimes all a really good story needs to be is simply a really good story.
Full Review @ Dragons, Heroes and Wizards
What I liked. David Burrows' narrative style results in a much more intense story in terms of action and pace. Instead of exploring the world from inside the mind of one or more characters, you are pretty much told everything you need to know and the focus then becomes solely on what will happen next. And next. And next. This book, like the first, is only 176 pages and yet it tells more story than some 600 page novels I've read. I also want to note that it does not suffer from middle book syndrome. If anything it is much faster than book one because there is more focus on action now that the worldbuilding is done. You will also witness more development of the characters as challenges are faced and tension escalates. Heck, even the static scenes are tense. The characters might be wearily trudging along, traveling from point A to point B, exhausted from their last conflict, but you remain on edge because at any minute, something evil is likely to crash the party.
What I didn't like. Normally this is where I write about what I don't like. Not this time. Having accepted this story for what it is, instead of judging it by industry standards, I am not finding anything to complain about.
Conclusion The best way I can think of to sum up this book is with one simple word. Fun. Sometimes all a really good story needs to be is simply a really good story.
Full Review @ Dragons, Heroes and Wizards
April 27, 2011
Dragon Rider, the second book is a fast and furious read. Lots of action, interesting twists and turns and a whole lot of fun! It grabbed me and held on all the way through. Well-told, and I enjoyed the author getting into telling some of the stories of the secondary characters without going overboard. Gave the book more depth, and more characters to root for!
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October 4, 2009I am the author, please check out Prophecyofthekings.com for sample chapters and reviews.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews