Tag Archives: fantasy

Book Review: Dragon Guard by Eric J. Krause

Posted on by Standard 1

DGcover

Ben is your typical high school kid on his way to school one morning when his whole world changes because of zombies! If you have been wondering how zombies, the demon realm and dragons might all interact, you will find out in Dragon Guard. Teens especially will love Dragon Guard because events proceed in unexpected ways. It is exciting because there is romance, dragons, and a good amount of zombie destruction. Teenage life can be like that. The teenagers, Ben and Andi (nickname for Alexandria), are very independent. They know when to listen to their parents, but they also know when they must act on their own. They like each other but soon find out they must share a magical bond if they want to fight demons. How cool is that? Dragon Guard will grab you from the start and take you on an exciting page turning adventure. The details in Mr. Krause’s books always seem to contain hidden secrets, as if maybe he is a master of this sort of knowledge. I don’t know if this is the case, and I am sure he would deny it, but read Dragon Guard, and his other books, Ghost Betweens and Way Over the Line, and see for yourself what hidden knowledge lies within. Who knows, maybe one day you might end up as a dragon guard! Dragon Guard is an extremely enjoyable read. It is perfect for teenagers and for people of all ages who like a good, scary story. I highly recommend it.

Book Review: A World Apart by David M. Brown

Posted on by Standard 4
A World Apart - David M. Brown

A World Apart is a superbly woven fantasy narrative. It centers on the story of three friends, Demetrius, Eleyna, and Halcyon. These three friends share their dreams when young only to have life take them on voyages they could never have imagined. It is a story of love and friendship. The pirate ship, the Aeonian, is so cool with ten cannons and an eclectic crew. It terrorizes all of Elenchera. There is magic at the edge of the world, which you get to stick your hand into along with the crew of the Aeonian. There are many exciting sword fights, and even a few fights using magic conjured in the palm of the characters’ hands. Details such as a card game called Kings and Jesters, which is so neat I want to play it, but I will definitely not place any bets! There are also many secrets to discover, but perhaps none as great as the real identity of the Black Iris. Oh, and be good in Dove’s Meadow or you might be sentenced to the pit! There are many exciting twists and turns in this tale before the story weaves back around to an impressive conclusion.

A World Apart is not a quick read, certainly, and not a light read, but if you are willing to make the commitment to this wonderful book, you will be rewarded. The story moves well and the prose is written masterfully. The tale unfolds like a grand map of Elenchera, the land in which it is set. You will come to know the characters, rooting for them, hoping they survive, wanting them to be successful in their quests, which are sometimes for redemption and at other times for vengeance.

David Brown’s gritty style of writing fantasy is unique in many ways. There is solidness to his prose, you feel you are treading the dusty path, or finding your balance on the deck of a tossing ship at sea. The action is swift and often surprising. Get ready for your heart to beat rapidly during many scenes! Some scenes might bring forth a tear or two, but never in an exploitive or cheap way. A World Apart is a beautifully crafted story. It progresses on many levels and Mr. Brown does an amazing job of bringing the pieces together. From beginning to end, the reader is part of the journey. You will witness battles and find yourself entwined in the emotional lives of the characters. There is never a dull moment, yet at the same time, the manner in which the characters develop is both insightful and believable.

As a philosopher of sorts, I could not help but notice many subtle observations regarding human nature and motivation. These were worth the read alone! While in the midst of the exciting and mesmerizing text, be sure not to miss them! There are many such gems.

I could not read A World Apart fast because I was enjoying each scene too much. Having completed it, I think it was well worth the read and I highly recommend it. This is great writing with a groundbreaking aspect to its vision. I believe A World Apart is unique in the fantasy genre. Let it sink into your bones, as a pirate, a soldier, or a lover separated by time and circumstance from your one true love.

This is such a great book. I highly recommend it!

where to buy

Amazon UK

Amazon US

Smashwords

Book Review: Anatopsis by Chris Abouzeid

Posted on by Standard 5

Anatopsis is a young readers fantasy novel unlike any you have ever read. It is engaging, intelligent, dazzling and unpredictable. A long reign of magic wielding immortals has left the world tired, fraying at the edges and a very unpleasant place to be a mortal. Solomon Castle and its surroundings is a colorful and exquisitely imagined, even if foreboding, place. The story’s protagonist, Anatopsis, is just your typical immortal teenage girl. In her daily routine she must face a threatening teacher who harbors a dark secret, a caustic and belittling mother, a kind but often absent father, and a host of others. Barnaby, an immortal teenage boy, and his talking dog Uno arrive at the castle to study for the Bacchanalian exams and as soon as they do unexplained events, accompanied by hidden secrets, begin to emerge from behind every dark corner.

Anatopsis abounds with metaphors and, although the kingdom is like none other you have ever visited, you will recognize the questions–so important to teenagers–about life, growing up and friendship. In the end the book leaves us with the wisdom that being a “mere mortal” is not such a bad thing. In a story that reaches from the after dinner “breaking of the wishbone” ritual all the way to the fallen gods of Mt. Olympus, Chris Abouzeid has created a novel which deserves a place atop the pantheon of young readers fiction. Now that the Harry Potter series has been completed, take fantasy to an even higher level with Anatopsis.

book review by Jason Sullivan

Book Review: Fezariu’s Epiphany by David M. Brown

Posted on by Standard Respond

There are many plot twists and turns in this masterfully written book chronicling the life of a mercenary named Fezariu. Fezariu’s Epiphany is a fantasy work on a grand scale in which you enter an imaginatively drawn world filled with many lands and spanning great periods of time. Within this landscape, Fezariu becomes a mercenary to try to escape the painful contingencies of his birth. As he forges ahead, gaining glory as a mercenary, he begins to realize that putting together the pieces of his past is the most difficult and important battle he will ever face.

Fezariu’s Epiphany is a great read. It has many surprises. The author, David M. Brown, has thoughtfully crafted a many tiered adventure exploring in a compelling, and often nail-biting manner, questions of family legacy, life direction, morality and destiny. Each character in Fezariu’s Epiphany plays an important role in helping Fezariu find his way, sometimes as a warrior (there are some great battle scenes), and sometimes as a friend. In the end Fezariu discovers that these relationships are where his loyalty ultimately rests and that they are the key to slaying the difficult emotions from his past.

I highly recommend this book and eagerly await the next in the series. My favorite character is Tessera!

book review by Jason Sullivan.