Reviewed
by: ?wazithinkin
Genre:
Fantasy/ YA/ Adventure/ Coming of Age
Approximate
word count: 75-80,000 words
Availability
Click on a YES above to go to appropriate page in
Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Smashwords store
Author:
“Melinda Brasher spends her time writing fiction,
traveling, and teaching English as a second language in places like Poland,
Mexico, the Czech Republic, and Arizona. Her talents include navigating by
old-fashioned map, combining up to three languages in a single incomprehensible
sentence, and dealing cards really, really fast. Her short fiction and travel
writing appear in Intergalactic Medicine
Show, Ellipsis Literature and Art, Enchanted Conversation, Go Nomad,
International Living, and others.”
Learn more about Ms. Brasher at her website or check out her
blog; Have Book, Will Travel.
Website: <http://melindabrasher.weebly.com/ >
Blog: <http://www.melindabrasher.com/ >
Description:
“After the Chaos Mage traps their mentor within a deadly
spell, two apprentice mages set out to find and defeat this menace to the
kingdom. But how can they track down a man no one has ever seen face to face?
How can they battle a mage so powerful he destroys entire villages with
summoned wind or fire? They’ve learned no aggressive magic and never tested
themselves against a real enemy.
Kallinesha, still an apprentice after seven years,
struggles against her lack of raw magical power, compensating instead with
discipline and study. Daughter of the High Commander, driven relentlessly by
the duty in her blood, she knows they can defeat the Chaos Mage and safeguard
the king and kingdom.
Ista, a commoner and daughter of a city baker, harbors no
such delusions. But after only three years of study, her power burns much
brighter than Kallinesha’s. The task before them terrifies her, but she loves
her mentor too much to let her waste away under the Chaos Mage’s spell. Not if
there’s the slimmest chance of saving her.
The two apprentices have never been able to work
together--or understand each other--but it just may be their differences that
give them the strength to face the kingdom’s greatest enemy.”
Appraisal:
Kallinesha is of noble blood and has an elitist attitude, a lot of
insecurities, and jealousy is her biggest enemy. Ista is full of natural
abilities, easy going, and likeable. This grates at Kalli as she struggles to
find her place in the world. Ms. Brasher has done an excellent job developing
her fantasy world, her characters, and the way magic works in her stories. Her
characters are flawed and up against impossible odds as they pursue their quest
to expose the Chaos Mage and destroy him to save their teacher, the king, and
the Kingdom of Andalinn.
The plot twists and turns as circumstances change due to their
missteps and failed attempts. However, they continue to find a way to work
together for their common goal. This is a unique tale with multiple layers that
give the plot depth which range from personal development to political
manipulations of a society. Truths are revealed that are hard for young
idealist minds to accept without shattering what they have always believed or
been taught growing up.
At the end of the story I still found Ryveld Daistar, Protectoret of
Smotur an enigma. I am having trouble justifying his true role in the story.
However, Kalli seems quite smitten. The story was divided up into different
points of view so we know he is not as innocent as he professes. It will be
interesting to see what other stories may come from this.
Format/Typo
Issues:
No significant issues in editing or formatting.
Rating:
**** Four stars
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