Sunday Post #194

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer ~ It's a chance to share news ~ A post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books and things we have received and share new about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead.

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So, I did take last week off from blogging. I keep piling more and more on my plate and I'm not cleaning anything off. So last week was time for me to relax and recoup, more mentally than anything. I have to re-figure my time and what I do each evening to make it all fit. This is something I've been struggling with. And I've been so tired since the time change, like I haven't adjusted yet.

Happy Easter to those celebrating. Happy April Fools Day! lol. What a combo!

I've joined Camp NaNoWriMo to do re-writes, so I have to plan my schedule for the week and month. I had to sign up for an hour a day. I wanted half an hour a day but they don't do that. So, my challenge is set, and I can not help but work for it.

It's a new month, what are your plans for April?

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The Fit Booker:

Goal:  Workout in any form of exercise (or on Wii Fit) 2x's a week. (to feel better and hope to drop a few pants sizes)

How did I do last week... I walked the dog one day last week.

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What's Happening in Books:

Current Read:

Starsigns by A.F. Grappin


Current Audiobook:
The Tethered Mage by Melissa Caruso

Current Podcast Book Listen:
Alone by Scott Sigler (You can listen for free too! Go to Scott's website.)

Finished Last Week: 

Books:
Not yet.

Audiobooks :

I Was a Teenage Weredeer by C.T. Phipps & Michael Suttkus

Finished Podcast Book Listen:

None.

DNFed:
Stonebriar Casefiles: Bad Alchemy by Laura Nicole Spencer (You can listen for free too!) - Author's stopped posting it.

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Last Week on the Blog:

Cover Reveals: (click titles to go to post & learn more)

Guest Posts:

Posts:

Spellbound in a Flash:
Spellbound in a Flash now has a Facebook Page!

Challenged Writers:

Around the Internet...

Reviews:

Podcast Review:

Mama Bitchstress Reviews:

GIVEAWAYS:

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This Week to Come on the Blog:

I will finished up two reviews for you this week.

~~~~~~~~~~

Received For the Last Month:

(Note: Links to Amazon are buy links where I could earn commission, in case you are interested.)


For Review Consideration:

King of Ashes by Raymond E. Fiest
PICK UP AT AMAZON
Goodreads Synopsis:
The first volume in legendary master and New York Times bestselling author Raymond E. Feist’s epic heroic fantasy series, The Firemane Saga—an electrifying tale of two young men whose choices will determine a world’s destiny.

For centuries, the five greatest kingdoms of North and South Tembria, twin continents on the world of Garn, have coexisted in peace. But the balance of power is destroyed when four of the kingdoms violate an ancient covenant and betray the fifth: Ithrace, the Kingdom of Flames, ruled by Steveren Langene, known as "the Firemane" for his brilliant red hair. As war engulfs the world, Ithrace is destroyed and the Greater Realms of Tembria are thrust into a dangerous struggle for supremacy.
As a Free Lord, Baron Daylon Dumarch owes allegiance to no king. When an abandoned infant is found hidden in Daylon’s pavilion, he realizes that the child must be the missing heir of the slain Steveren. The boy is valuable—and vulnerable. A cunning and patient man, Daylon decides to keep the baby’s existence secret, and sends him to be raised on the Island of Coaltachin, home of the so-called Kingdom of Night, where the powerful and lethal Nocusara, the "Hidden Warriors," legendary assassins and spies, are trained.

Years later, another orphan of mysterious provenance, a young man named Declan, earns his Masters rank as a weapons smith. Blessed with intelligence and skill, he unlocks the secret to forging King’s Steel, the apex of a weapon maker’s trade known by very few. Yet this precious knowledge is also deadly, and Declan is forced to leave his home to safeguard his life. Landing in Lord Daylon’s provinces, he hopes to start anew.

Soon, the two young men—an unknowing rightful heir to a throne and a brilliantly talented young swordsmith—will discover that their fates, and that of Garn, are entwined. The legendary, long-ago War of Betrayal has never truly ended . . . and they must discover the secret of who truly threatens their world. 




Audio Books Requested for Review:

Death and Axes by S.L. Rowland
PICK UP AT AMAZON
Goodreads Synopsis:
Everything has a price. Pangea Online is no different. 

Esil has spent the past year toiling in the mines of Pangea while the more wealthy traverse its myriad of gameworlds. His luck changes forever when he stumbles upon a legendary Developer's Chest, containing an invaluable Worldpass, which grants him unlimited travel to all gameworlds. 

Now, Esil isn’t just stuck watching as others explore Pangea. He can finally level up. 

But his in-game actions have real world consequences and failure online threatens everything he holds dear.





Purchased/Winnings/Gifts:

Book:

Audio:

Free Ebooks:
(On my Kindle and Nook App) Links to books under title. They may or may not be free at this time.

Free Audio Books/Stories:

~~~~~~~~~~

Reviews to Come:

Soulless by Skyla Dawn Cameron

The Sentinel by Chris Lester

The Muse by Chris Lester
Metamor City: Making the Cut by Chris Lester
Metamor City: Whispers in the Wood by Chris Lester

Lex Talionis by Starla Huchton

Spark by Starla Huchton
Heir to Kale by K.L. Bone

Tales from the Archives Vol 4 #5 - Old Sinner's Bones

The Death of Dulgath by Michael J. Sullivan

Danger's Halo by Amanda Carlson
Blood of Assassins by R.J. Barker
I Was a Teenage Weredeer by C.T. Phipps & Michael Suttkus

Sunday Post #193

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer ~ It's a chance to share news ~ A post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books and things we have received and share new about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I took last Sunday off from blogging. It had been a tough week prior and I needed a break. Watching grandma decline so fast those last few weeks was hard. We knew it was coming, but it doesn't make it any easier. But, now life goes on and we adjust. She will always be in my mind with great memories.

This past week, I finished up photos for a new born session I did and got them to the parents. I had so much fun doing the session and thought the photos turned out wonderful. Especially for my first time. :) I hope to be sharing them on my photo blog but if you are curious about them, you can visit and follow my Instagram account for photos: SpellboundinaFlash.

I did decide to join Camp NaNoWriMo. Like life isn't busy enough, right? lol. I have a few things I need to do here to finish out March, but I want to get back to writing. I want to get my 1st Christmas Business book done, so I'll be working through it as another round of re-writes. I have a few things to research, so if anyone knows anything about business owners and board of directors that can answer some questions and talk with me, I could use some insight. But I'm getting back to it. :)

How have you all been doing?

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The Fit Booker:

Goal:  Workout in any form of exercise (or on Wii Fit) 2x's a week. (to feel better and hope to drop a few pants sizes)

How did I do last week... Ugh. Nothing.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

What's Happening in Books:

Current Read:

Starsigns by A.F. Grappin


Current Audiobook:
I Was a Teenage Weredeer by C.T. Phipps & Michael Suttkus

Current Podcast Book Listen:
Alone by Scott Sigler (You can listen for free too! Go to Scott's website.)

Finished Last Week: 

Books:
Not yet.

Audiobooks :

Blood Codex by David Wood & Alan Baxter

Blood of Assassins by R.J. Barker

Finished Podcast Book Listen:

None.

DNFed:
Stonebriar Casefiles: Bad Alchemy by Laura Nicole Spencer (You can listen for free too!) - Author's stopped posting it.

~~~~~~~~~~

Last Week on the Blog:

Cover Reveals: (click titles to go to post & learn more)

Guest Posts:

Posts:

Spellbound in a Flash:
Spellbound in a Flash now has a Facebook Page!

Challenged Writers:

Around the Internet...

Reviews:

Dragon School: First Flight by Sarah K.L. Wilson

"I love the dragon that picks her though. Raolcan doesn't see a handicap. He sees a strong young woman who is like him in views."


Winter Rose by Rachel A. Marks

"This is such a short read/listen and I can't believe how emotional I got with it. That says a lot for Rachel and Starla. The perfect words and the exact voice for the characters. Wow."


Hush by James Maxey

"The world is expanding for us. We know the world is full of history and magic, and we are seeing more of it now. We seem to dive into the thinking of magics in the world and belief in it. "


Blood Codex by David Wood & Alan Baxter

"I always enjoy adventures for the mystical unknown. This book takes Jake and Rose on an adventure they never thought to go on. They end up searching for the Devil's Bible. I did enjoy the journey. The rush to stay ahead of those looking for Rose. Then learning about the Devil's Bible and what they find. It's not the complete reason why the guys are after Rose, but it does back the reason."

Podcast Review:

Mama Bitchstress Reviews:

GIVEAWAYS:

~~~~~~~~~~

This Week to Come on the Blog:

I will finished up two reviews for you this week.

~~~~~~~~~~

Received For the Last Month:

(Note: Links to Amazon are buy links where I could earn commission, in case you are interested.)


For Review Consideration:

One of Us by Craig DiLouie
PICK UP AT AMAZON
Goodreads Synopsis:
They call him Dog.

Enoch is a teenage boy growing up in a rundown orphanage in Georgia during the 1980s. Abandoned from the moment they were born, Enoch and his friends are different. People in the nearby town whisper that the children from the orphanage are monsters.

The orphanage is not a happy home. Brutal teachers, farm labor, and communal living in a crumbling plantation house are Enoch's standard day to day. But he dreams of growing up to live among the normals as a respected man. He believes in a world less cruel, one where he can be loved.

One night, Enoch and his friends share a campfire with a group of normal kids. As mutual fears subside, friendships form, and living together doesn't seem so out of reach.

But then a body is found, and it may be the spark that ignites revolution.

Void Trip #4 by Ryan O'Sullivan & Plaid Klaus
PICK UP AT AMAZON
Goodreads Synopsis:
Now, finally alone in the universe, Ana has to confront her past, her future, and an old friend returning. All the while, the Great White edges closer and closer, now with an ally of his own in tow.

Void Trip #5 by Ryan O'Sullivan & Plaid Klaus
PICK UP AT AMAZON
Amazon Synopsis:
The villain descends, the hero ascends, and Ana finds freedom in a universe without it.


Audio Books Requested for Review:

Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi
PICK UP AT AMAZON
Goodreads Synopsis:
Zélie Adebola remembers when the soil of Orïsha hummed with magic. Burners ignited flames, Tiders beckoned waves, and Zelie’s Reaper mother summoned forth souls. 

But everything changed the night magic disappeared. Under the orders of a ruthless king, maji were targeted and killed, leaving Zélie without a mother and her people without hope.

Now, Zélie has one chance to bring back magic and strike against the monarchy. With the help of a rogue princess, Zélie must outwit and outrun the crown prince, who is hell-bent on eradicating magic for good. 

Danger lurks in Orïsha, where snow leoponaires prowl and vengeful spirits wait in the waters. Yet the greatest danger may be Zélie herself as she struggles to control her powers—and her growing feelings for the enemy.




Purchased/Winnings/Gifts:

Book:

Operation: Endgame by Pip Ballantine & Tee Morris
PICK UP AT AMAZON
Goodreads Synopsis:
Join Agents Books and Braun on their final adventure with the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences!


There is no time to rest for Eliza D Braun and Wellington Thornhill Books. The man who has haunted and hounded them since the fall of the Maestro, Doctor Henry Jekyll, is now on a killing spree, using bizarre, theatrical murders as a way to taunt their inability to capture the. It falls on Books and Braun to turn the tables on Jekyll and bring him to justice.


As Wellington and Eliza continue their pursuit of the madman Jekyll, the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences stand against a recent surge in House of Usher activity. Agents Bruce Campbell and Brandon Hill discover more about the intention of Operation: Ragnorok, and the Ministry find themselves in a race to thwart Usher’s intent to plunge the world into chaos, despair, and a noticeable lack of clotted cream for Devon Teas.


The Ministry will not let this stand.





Audio:

The Greystone Chronicles by David Willmarth
PICK UP AT AMAZON
Goodreads Synopsis:
In the latter half of the 21st century, Alexander and his guild mates play Io Online for fun and to earn a living. It’s the largest VRMMORPG on the planet, and the source of income that supports families around the globe. While completing a rare “First Kill” dungeon in hopes of epic loot, they discover that demons, who have not been seen in the realm for ages, have once again invaded Io. 

Given the chance to test a new experimental immersion system, the friends must give up their high level characters and begin again at level one. As they work through the noob zone quests, they discover that the new immersion system allows them to play in ways that hadn’t been possible before. Casting is faster. Movement more fluid. Even magic itself behaves differently. 

They quickly run afoul of a party of player killers, and become the targets of an entire PK guild bent on spawn camping them until they leave the game. War has been declared. 

The fight expands into populated areas, where innocent citizens are murdered, and player accounts are terminated. The guild works to help citizens rebuild what has been destroyed, but are repeatedly forced to stop and defend against enemy attacks. 
After the gods of Io and a powerful being of darkness get involved, Alexander and his friends learn the hard way that their in-game actions have consequences, both in the game, and in the real world. 

**This is a LITRPG novel. Which means that in addition to monster fights, dungeon runs, crafting adventures, and battles of swords and magic, there are game elements involved. If you’ve not played MMORPG’s or even tabletop RPG’s, or you don’t know what those terms mean, this book may not be for you. For the uninitiated, there is a sort of cheat-sheet narrative in the back of the book. 

Warning: This book contains adult language. 





Free Ebooks:
(On my Kindle and Nook App) Links to books under title. They may or may not be free at this time.

Free Audio Books/Stories:

~~~~~~~~~~

Reviews to Come:

Soulless by Skyla Dawn Cameron

The Sentinel by Chris Lester

The Muse by Chris Lester
Metamor City: Making the Cut by Chris Lester
Metamor City: Whispers in the Wood by Chris Lester

Lex Talionis by Starla Huchton

Spark by Starla Huchton
Heir to Kale by K.L. Bone

Tales from the Archives Vol 4 #5 - Old Sinner's Bones

The Death of Dulgath by Michael J. Sullivan

Danger's Halo by Amanda Carlson
Blood of Assassins by R.J. Barker

Audio Book Review: Blood Codex: A Jake Crowley Adventure

Blood Codex: A Jake Crowley Adventure

By:  David Wood & Alan Baxter

Publish Date:  July 8, 2016, Audiobook Release August 14, 2017

Format:  Audiobook - 8 hrs 32 mins
Narrated By:  Jonathan Waters

Genre:  Thriller, Suspense

Series:  1st in A Jake Crowley Adventure series

Impression:  Blend of adventure, thrilling, and a touch of mythical belief.

Synopsis:
An ancient order.
A deadly conspiracy.
A race against time.

When Jake Crowley rescues Rose Black from assailants on the streets of London, the two find themselves embroiled in a mystery that could cost them their lives. People are dying, and all the victims have one thing in common with Rose: a birthmark in the shape of an eagle.

From beneath the streets of London, to castle dungeons, to the heart of Christendom and beyond, Jake and Rose must race to stay alive as they seek to unlock the secrets of the Blood Codex.

First Sentence:
Leather-armored men with bloodstained hands forced Aella to his knees, raised his arms wide and high, and tied his hands to posts of weathered wood.

Purchase At:
Amazon

Audible

My Thoughts and Summary:

*I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

The prologue is in a time of warriors and kings of battle. I found I enjoyed Jonathan's narration of this from the first word. He voiced the two strong men with power and emotion that I believed them to be kings. When I started the book, I wondered if I'd listened to Jonathan Waters before as his name looked familiar but I don't think I have. I did enjoy listening to him here. He's someone I'll have to keep an eye out for. I love the different voice tones and personalities he brings to life! Even the teenage boy.

The POV's: Prologue, a king killed by invaders. Danny, Jake, and Rose. Even Margarete and a few others in short clips to show what's happening to others. We get most of the story from our main characters, but to complete the circle and explain things we get a few bonus views. This fills in the story where we need extra information.

I always enjoy adventures for the mystical unknown. This book takes Jake and Rose on an adventure they never thought to go on. They end up searching for the Devil's Bible. I did enjoy the journey. The rush to stay ahead of those looking for Rose. Then learning about the Devil's Bible and what they find. It's not the complete reason why the guys are after Rose, but it does back the reason. It sort of saves Rose's life as well.

I had a few small hiccups in the path. Do they have enough money to go on this adventure? They aren't using their credit cards or bank cards so they aren't tracked by those after Rose. And as for their professions...would they have the money to go traveling? Jake's a retired military man who's now a high school teacher. Rose is a historian at a museum. They seem to have no problems travelling freely though. And then the cell phone... a burner phone that's to have no tracking, and I assumed no connection to them. This is a small thing that feels an inconsistency for me, but I guess they would have downloaded their contacts to it so could call who they needed.

Those two small things aside, I enjoy how all they find and what's looking for them come together to complete each other. The information from two sides is like two pieces of a puzzle that fit together, filling in missing gaps and telling a whole story. Very cool.

Jake Crowley and Rose Black make a great team. And when Jake's friend Cameron joins them, he fits right in. This is a team I could see fighting side by side in the future. They have great contacts between them that can help find information they may need, Cameron filling these shoes as well as ready for a fight. Jake and Rose seem fearless and headstrong when it comes to a path they are to follow. They both fight for their lives, and seem to enjoy the touch of adrenaline that comes from the adventure.

I did enjoy the book and the adventure. I think there could be more to come with our characters (plus, it says book 1). I think there was a small thing with the "burner" cell phones they picked up that could lead to more in the future with the way this ended.

All in all, it was an enjoyable adventure. Always fun to hear the blend of adventure, thrilling, and a touch of mythical.



****If you found my thoughts helpful, please click Yes at Amazon and/or Audible. Thank you!

Audio Book Review: Hush

Hush

By:  James Maxey

Publish Date:  June 26, 2012, Audiobook Release January 26, 2018

Format:  Audiobook - 12 hrs
Narrated By:  Jake Urry

Genre:  Fantasy

Series:  2nd in The Dragon Apocalypse series; 1st Book ~ Greatshadow

Impression:  An adventure where legend becomes life.

Synopsis:
THE SECOND BOOK OF THE DRAGON APOCALYPSE

The invulnerable, super-strong warrior Infidel has a secret: she’s lost her magical powers right at the moment when she needs them most. To keep a promise to a fallen friend, she must journey to the frozen wastelands of the north.

Her quest leads her through the abstract realms of the Sea of Wine, where she uncovers a conspiracy that threatens all life. Hush, the primal dragon of cold, has formed an alliance with the ghost of a vengeful witch to murder Glorious, the dragon of the sun, plunging the world into an unending winter night.

Without her magical strength, can Infidel possibly survive her battle with Hush? If she fails to save glorious, will the world see another morning?

First Sentence:
A princess, a shape-shifter, and a ghost walked into a bar.

Purchase At:
Amazon

Audible

My Thoughts and Summary:

*I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Once again we see the story through Stagger's eyes. I enjoy the troubles of the Commonplace and what comes for Infidel. Even the adventures she goes on.

Jake is a pleasure to listen to. He voices each character differently, not only in personality but in tone too. Stagger is a great example of this. He's going to have two sounds to him (you have to listen to understand why). Jake makes sure to make a difference in Stagger's voice to fit the descriptions. Jake paces the story and feels like Stagger's relaxed personality. But we get a feel for urgency at times when Stagger feels it. I slip into the story with Jake narrating. I don't have to worry about slips, it's all clean and feels natural.

We meet a few new characters. I found the Romers very interesting. They are pirates. The mother is captain and the kids are crew. But what caught my attention is the magical abilities they have. So cool. Then there's Sorrow, who's a weaver (or witch). Sorrow is interesting, but when she started talking about how she sees through things, my mind drifted. However, the connection she has to the current events and situation Infidel finds herself in IS interesting. Sorrow can shed some light on a few things for us.

The world is expanding for us. We know the world is full of history and magic, and we are seeing more of it now. We seem to dive into the thinking of magics in the world and belief in it. This is a spiral of thinking Stagger falls into. And we start to get an inner view of magic.

Infidel is in a bit of a tough spot as her invulnerability has disappeared, along with her super strength. But she's found armor she can use to help protect herself. Stagger, also, finds himself in a bit of a pickle. He is a ghost, after all. But someone who knows about ghosts and has magic can use that.

Stagger feels to have become rather insightful and informative. He's more out spoken, or thinking, of his wants and desires, how he feels about Infidel and others. He also comes across intellectual about the ways of different people - wanderers, witches, and many more - in this world. With the traveling and exploring he's done, he's learned a lot over the years and it shows now. He's the one that gives us the back story on many things and ways of living in the world.

Infidel has her own missions. She's falling off the path that Black Swan had planned for her, the dragon apocalypse. We don't have a direct dragon mission (per say) in the beginning of this book. Which feels slow. But we do end up on a mission based on Hush with the Jagged Heart, Aurora's people, and Sorrow. Things are guided that way.

We get to see the history of the artifact - the Jagged Heart with Hush and her once love. We also get more in depth with magic and theories behind it. Also there is more to ghosts too, leaving thoughts and hopes for Stagger.

There is a lot of theoretical discussion of magic and the ways thing work. When the characters get into these discussions, I sort of phased out. I know some are important, but the theory didn't seem to get me to where we needed to be. Now, when we learned of history of the dragons, I listened.

I think the end is worth it. I like where everyone ends up here. It all feels fitting for what we've learned and the paths they've taken.



****If you found my thoughts helpful, please click Yes at Amazon and/or Audible. Thank you!

Audio Book Review: Winter Rose

Winter Rose

By:  Rachel A. Marks

Publish Date:  November 21, 2011, Audiobook Release February 19, 2018

Format:  Audiobook - 1 hrs 57 mins
Narrated By:  Starla Huchton

Genre:  Romance, Historical Fiction

Series:  Stand-alone

Impression:  Powerful short story.

Synopsis:
A dark and haunting tale of a young girl trapped in Winter, longing to be free. When Rose and her sister are left to fend for themselves and an ailing mother, they must fight both nature and the darkness of the soul to survive. And perhaps, along the way, they will find the strength to love.

First Sentence:
The pungent stench of sweat and whiskey fills the air.

Purchase At:
Amazon

Audible

My Thoughts and Summary:

*I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Let me catch my breath and calm my emotions. Ooooh. Rachel catches my attention from the first sentence. In moments I'm gripped with a strong protective feel for Rose, Becca, and their mamma. The details shared tell more than saying plainly what's happening. Well written.

Starla acts on the emotions I feel instantly. She brings the details to life through voice, as though I'm seeing it through Rose's eyes. One thing I usually find difficult to determine in audiobooks, the division between sections in a chapter. It IS rather easy to get the feel of those in this story. Starla has added a space or gap between these sections that feels a breath longer than should be, which indicates a jump in time for our characters. This is something that's hard to feel, and I felt it in Starla's rise and fall as she tells each section. Also the writers words help with this flow. Well done team!

This story is of dark, terrible things. Rape and murder are present. But the story Rachel tells of Rose and her sister is breathtaking, heart-wrenching, and gripping. The days get dark but there can always be hope, even a sliver of a chance.

I felt many emotions through this book. All the terrible we see here has me flustered as I want to help these girls. Rachel takes that anger and irritation and turns it into more. A slow change happens through the book as love grows. Wow. I think back and I'm surprised I ventured through these emotions and they relate. The flow of actions by Rose and others all fit to bring Rose to grow inside.

This is such a short read/listen and I can't believe how emotional I got with it. That says a lot for Rachel and Starla. The perfect words and the exact voice for the characters. Wow. I kept tearing up at the end. It's a slow gradual change, but it's there. Such great growth at the right pacing for Rose. I'm blown away at the tremendous journey in such a short frame, yet it didn't feel as though we were making huge leaps. The growth was done with a gentle progression with the perfect moments in time.



****If you found my thoughts helpful, please click Yes at Amazon and/or Audible. Thank you!

Audio Book Review: Dragon School: First Flight

Dragon School: First Flight

By:  Sarah K.L. Wilson

Publish Date:  January 3, 2018, Audiobook Release February 12, 2018

Format:  Audiobook - 2 hrs 43 mins
Narrated By:  Jigisha Patel

Genre:  Fantasy, Young Adult

Series:  1st in Dragon School series

Impression:  Amel finds more in her dragon than expected at Dragon school.

Synopsis:
Join Dragon School. Learn to Fly.

Sixteen-year-old Amel arrived at Dragon School just like everyone else – with a dream to ride dragons and join the Dominion Dragon Riders.

But Amel has a crippled leg and Dragon School training is grueling. Before she can even become an initiate, she must complete her First Flight on a dragon.

Can Amel survive First Flight and become a Dragon School initiate or will her dreams dash on the rocks below?

First Sentence:
The best part of dragon school is choosing your dragon.

Purchase At:
Amazon

Audible

My Thoughts and Summary:

*I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

This story is Amel fighting against the odds to be what she wants to be. She has no support in school from the other students. In fact, they all doubt her. But Raolcan, her dragon, feels to have as strong a determination as Amel. Amel has to decide if she really wants to do this when she learns it means her dragon will be a slave, magically bound.

Jigisha Patel is a new voice for me. The introduction by Audible and title page sound clear but the first chapter, sounds muffled which jumps out at me within seconds. There were a few moments I thought it was clearing up, but it got muffled again. The muffle clears up at the end of first chapter and the remainder of the book is clear as a bell. As Jigisha narrates, I could hear her breath. I know everyone breaths, but some narrators are easier to hear than others. Knowing this helped me not focus on it and listen to the story. Jigisha voiced Amel with character and determination, which fits Amel as she is determined.

Amel has a handicap, her leg. She's determined to not be judged or stopped by it. This is awesome. We see, with Amel, a lot of people think she won't make it through the difficult lessons with her dragon, but Amel's strength shows through. She's more and can do more, than people want to give her credit for. People see a handicap and stop there. Amel's determined to show them she's more. And she is. I love the dragon that picks her though. Raolcan doesn't see a handicap. He sees a strong young woman who is like him in views.

Amel and Raolcan don't trust others, but they'll have to trust each other to survive the first flight. Yet, the seem to be fast friends. They find something in the other they aren't given by other people, a support and strength to keep going. Sometimes having that one person (or dragon) can help.

This story is very much a good story for young readers. Amel doesn't bulk under the negative vibe of others. She's strong and willing to keep going for what she wants. AND, she's a kind person. She'll help anyone. She's sincere in her worries for Raolcan as well. This is a clean story in language and affections.

This is a dragon school. We learn little details of the dragons and their positions and jobs based on their color. We even learn how dragons come to the school and why. There is a interesting connection with the dragons, and I'm glad Amel sees the truth in it.

The way the story ends with the dragon school leaves us to think there is possibly trouble somewhere. There is going to be more to come and I'm kind of curious about what Amel and Raolcan will come across.



****If you found my thoughts helpful, please click Yes at Amazon and/or Audible. Thank you!