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Showing posts with label dragons. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dragons. Show all posts
6 April 2014
Title
|
Under the Dragon's Claw
|
Author
| Alex George |
Publisher
| Alphapex |
Publication Date
|
11 Jan 2014
|
Pages
| 488 |
Genre
| Fantasy |
From Amazon:
Dragons rule the skies over the western realms. In the bowels of the mountains, beneath Brakkand's Throne, lurk Ogres and trolls, tall as the Emerald Forest sacred oaks, with groping claws and sharpened fangs. Theo, a mere sorcerer's apprentice must face them all. To his will must bow Varwarker, Red Dragon Drake, favourite of the Warlock, Zarzbudin. For Theo has pledged to free Adelayne, Princess of Alcavia, descendant of the Shields of Alcavia, the elite group of Dragon Striders sworn to protect the kingdom at all costs.
Archon Thendelin, High Mage of Aldorn, has been tasked by King Aldorn, Overlord of the Midlands, to succeed in his clandestine mission, no matter the cost, for all are expendable for this greater cause. Theo can be of service to the High King...and the Council of Light. Just as his father before him, he will inadvertently be drawn into a web of deceit where foes cannot be parried with the sword or the gift.
A shadow has fallen on the land and the time has come for brave hearts to take a stand. Theo will be aided by his tenacious sister, Serilia, and his steadfast friend, Nem. Their combined efforts must hold the tide that threatens to destroy their world.
Archon Thendelin, High Mage of Aldorn, has been tasked by King Aldorn, Overlord of the Midlands, to succeed in his clandestine mission, no matter the cost, for all are expendable for this greater cause. Theo can be of service to the High King...and the Council of Light. Just as his father before him, he will inadvertently be drawn into a web of deceit where foes cannot be parried with the sword or the gift.
A shadow has fallen on the land and the time has come for brave hearts to take a stand. Theo will be aided by his tenacious sister, Serilia, and his steadfast friend, Nem. Their combined efforts must hold the tide that threatens to destroy their world.
------
This book is Part 1 of the Heartstone Talisman Series by Alex George where he introduces us to the world of Thalagia. If you are a fantasy fan you are in for a fantastic ride. If you don't usually read this genre and want to give it a try, this is the book. But be prepared for some time investment , this is not a quick, one evening read but you need to emerge yourself into the story and characters due to the length of the book and the complexity and number of characters.
Theo's life with his parents is thrown into turmoil when the big sorcerer Archon comes to see him and his family. He will go on a journey with the sorcerer and become his apprentice, learning valuable skills as the different kingdoms in Thalagia are being threatened by a dark force trying to take over. Dragons, dwarfs, nymphs, ogres and other fantastic creatures will stand by his side or fight against him and his family and friends. He will meet the love of his life, Adelayne, a King's daughter, but is he the right one for her…after all, he is only a commoner. And than Adelayne gets abducted by the Dragon Lord and Theo will face to struggle to even get close to her again. Adelayne herself is a warrior and does not get easily defeated.
I think the author has created some wonderful characters here in this fantasy world. I like Theo because he is not your 'all powerful' hero, but in fact, it takes him a long time to realise he 'has the gift' and it is even more difficult for him to use it. Even than, it is not the case here as so often in some similar books where the fight seems to be lost and than the hero comes along, waves his sword around and all is won. No, the stories and battles are realistic. The author also has a real gift for describing characters and scenes which build up in front of your eyes (especially important for a fantasy novel - probably isn't so important when you have to describe a scene in NYC). My favourite character has to be Roxette, the mountain nymph. Without giving too much away, I can say that 'I was right about her all along!'
The cover is absolutely beautiful, it is a shame that we can't see it on Kindle… I mean, only if we scroll to that page. Would love to see it in front of the book all the time. There is a map of Thalagia provided at the beginning of the book. I also think it would be a good idea to maybe have a list of all the characters and their connections / relationships, especially as it is a series and there are quite a few characters which I had problems with distinguishing at the beginning. Having said that, you will become acquainted with the 'main players' within a few chapters.
I can see this becoming a movie series - you've heard it here first.
Theo's life with his parents is thrown into turmoil when the big sorcerer Archon comes to see him and his family. He will go on a journey with the sorcerer and become his apprentice, learning valuable skills as the different kingdoms in Thalagia are being threatened by a dark force trying to take over. Dragons, dwarfs, nymphs, ogres and other fantastic creatures will stand by his side or fight against him and his family and friends. He will meet the love of his life, Adelayne, a King's daughter, but is he the right one for her…after all, he is only a commoner. And than Adelayne gets abducted by the Dragon Lord and Theo will face to struggle to even get close to her again. Adelayne herself is a warrior and does not get easily defeated.
I think the author has created some wonderful characters here in this fantasy world. I like Theo because he is not your 'all powerful' hero, but in fact, it takes him a long time to realise he 'has the gift' and it is even more difficult for him to use it. Even than, it is not the case here as so often in some similar books where the fight seems to be lost and than the hero comes along, waves his sword around and all is won. No, the stories and battles are realistic. The author also has a real gift for describing characters and scenes which build up in front of your eyes (especially important for a fantasy novel - probably isn't so important when you have to describe a scene in NYC). My favourite character has to be Roxette, the mountain nymph. Without giving too much away, I can say that 'I was right about her all along!'
The cover is absolutely beautiful, it is a shame that we can't see it on Kindle… I mean, only if we scroll to that page. Would love to see it in front of the book all the time. There is a map of Thalagia provided at the beginning of the book. I also think it would be a good idea to maybe have a list of all the characters and their connections / relationships, especially as it is a series and there are quite a few characters which I had problems with distinguishing at the beginning. Having said that, you will become acquainted with the 'main players' within a few chapters.
I can see this becoming a movie series - you've heard it here first.
Book received from the author in return for an honest review.
About the author:
Alex George lives with his wife and two children in the historic Mediterranean island of Cyprus from which he draws his inspiration for his books. He is a University of London graduate now fully devoted to his writing. You can learn more about the world of Thalagia and the Heartstone Talisman series by visiting: www.authoralexgeorge.com
Alex George lives with his wife and two children in the historic Mediterranean island of Cyprus from which he draws his inspiration for his books. He is a University of London graduate now fully devoted to his writing. You can learn more about the world of Thalagia and the Heartstone Talisman series by visiting: www.authoralexgeorge.com
1 April 2014
First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intro is hosted by Diane at Bibliophile By The Sea.
This is how it works: Write down either the first paragraph of a book your are currently reading / intending to read or read in the past and share with us. I do like a good opening!
I've chosen my current read: Under The Dragon's Claw by Alex George.
The book is outside my usual comfort zone and a journey into a fantasy world. I have to admit, the last time I read fantasy was Harry Potter. It took me about 10% to get into it, but I'm so glad I persevered because I was soon hooked. This is the opening paragraph:
Theo moved over the mantelpiece placing his favourite bow and quiver at its usual place - there - in the snug corner formed by the projecting fireplace and the adjoining wall closest to his armchair where he could reach out for it with ease. All the while he stared accusingly at the pair who had entered their lives uninvited. It was because of them that Theo had lost his chance at claiming the best prize the Triad Woods had to offer: the buck had been the only one to have sensed there presence.
So, what you think, could this be for you?
Teaser Tuesday is hosted by MizB at Should be reading.
These are the rules :
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
"They are children no longer, Russilda. Theo is twenty-two and Serilia is just two years younger. It's about time they learnt the truth."
--
"If it wasn't for the rest of us in the council, Elron, none of you would be alive," Archon argued. "I take car of myself and my own!" Elron smacked his palm on the table, meeting Archon's gaze.
Would you pick up this book?
The book was a slow start for me, but it has turned into a real page-turner and late-night-reading-sessions book, and I'm now about 65% in.
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