I got a thrill when I read the blurb for Crimson and simply had to read it. Tai Manivong has created a rich and unique world in The Dragon Keeper Chronicles. The Norterridane are a distinctive race and their bond with the dragons felt natural. Crimson struggles with her responsibilities of raising and protecting the dragons. She’s essentially their adoptive parent and muddles through the transition period from when she first finds the eggs to when she becomes more capable in a manner that’s wholly relatable. The serpents are ominous creatures and I found it interesting that Tai Manivong allowed for some ambiguity on the matter of which side is the ‘right’ side. The exclusion of an adult dragon’s knowledge of the reasons for the war with the serpents leaves all explanations coming from the serpent’s view of the matter.
The Norterridane, a race of small canines, have raised dragons for as long as anyone can remember. Crimson’s father expects her to be a dragon keeper, just like he is. Her trainer thinks she’s too young and although Crimson likes the idea of being a dragon keeper, she secretly doubts she’s suited to the job. One night she discovers a clutch of Obsidian dragon eggs and bonds with the hatchlings by accident. Wholly unprepared for the task of raising one dragon, never mind two, Crimson and her new wards are sent to the closest dragon keeper so that she may learn how to train the two hatchlings and keep them safe. It’s a dangerous time to be a dragon keeper on Genorrdia. Vicious serpents, enemies of the dragons, have been spotted and the bones of young dragons found. Crimson will have to master the dragon’s power to protect her two dragons from this formidable threat. I got a thrill when I read the blurb for Crimson and simply had to read it. Tai Manivong has created a rich and unique world in The Dragon Keeper Chronicles. The Norterridane are a distinctive race and their bond with the dragons felt natural. Crimson struggles with her responsibilities of raising and protecting the dragons. She’s essentially their adoptive parent and muddles through the transition period from when she first finds the eggs to when she becomes more capable in a manner that’s wholly relatable. The serpents are ominous creatures and I found it interesting that Tai Manivong allowed for some ambiguity on the matter of which side is the ‘right’ side. The exclusion of an adult dragon’s knowledge of the reasons for the war with the serpents leaves all explanations coming from the serpent’s view of the matter. Reviewed for Reader's Favorite
0 Comments
Charley adores horses, even though she’s never even seen a real-life horse. Going to a Summer Camp where she’ll learn to ride and spend every day with horses would be a dream come true if her parents weren’t planning to sort out the kinks of their separation while she and her brother are away at camp. Charley arrives at Camp reluctant and uncertain. One of the girls she shares a cabin with seems determined to make her life miserable and the horse that’s been assigned to her doesn’t seem to like her at all. After a disastrous first lesson, Charley runs off and stumbles across a small black horse in a field all by himself. This horse is actually happy to see her, and the two become friends, but why is he alone and who owns this horse?
Judith Shaw does not merely capture the almost magical bond that forms between horse and human, but also highlights the practicality and logic that weaves through it. I thought Charley’s disillusionment and learning process captured this very nicely. It was also interesting to read an equestrian fiction book that introduces carriage driving, as this discipline is often ignored in the genre. The therapeutic relationship Charley develops with the strange black horse has an unexpected ripple effect that ultimately helps both Charley and the horse’s owner overcome their individual fears. Charley’s Horse is beautiful coming of age story that will delight all horse lovers, but also speaks to the anger and uncertainty so many children experience when faced with divorce. Reviewed for Reader's Favorite Nerves of Steel is a witty, unique fantasy with jaw-dropping plot twists. Asha is cyborg with a talent for using telekinesis on a micro level, effecting brain chemistry being her speciality. She’s also got a hefty bounty on her head and a runaway vampire to hide. Norman has been thirteen for a very long time. His pink eyes and startlingly white skin make him immediately recognisable as a vampire and an escapee, since vampires are confined to slave camps. Asha is working a job one day when she sees a vampire not just walking free, but in daylight too. She doesn’t want to give Norman any more temptation to leave the house and risk being caught, but when the strange vampire turns up again, Asha has no choice but to investigate him. Asha is an engaging character whose sharp wit immediately endeared her to me. She has a strange and dysfunctional relationship with Norman, often defaulting to a role of a long-suffering single parent even though he’s actually older than she is. Lee Hayton’s interpretations of both telekinesis and vampire mythology make for a quirky and original read. Having vampires enslaved by humans rather than hunting them to extinction is a very interesting reversal while Asha’s low-key telekinesis results in an odd yet highly useful ability. My only complaint is that I would’ve appreciated a little more worldbuilding in regards to where and when the story takes place. Nerves of Steel is a far more intricate novel than it seems. Lee Hayton sets a good pace throughout, but the plot really gains momentum past the midpoint as the antagonist’s intricate plan begins to surface. The conclusion was both satisfying and completely unexpected. Reviewed for Reader's Favorite |
Archives
January 2020
Categories
All
AuthorCaitlin has loved fantasy from a young age. She started writing in earnest because she couldn’t find the book she needed to read. |