Genre:
Fantasy/Young Adult/Coming of Age
Description:
“Learning new magic isn’t as easy as Zoe expected, especially when the
mages at Gorgon University seem dead set against teaching. Add in some
necessary late-night sneaking about, and Zoe is almost certain to be kicked
out. As for exploring the intriguing mysteries across the border in Wendal,
well, it has more teeth than she ever imagined.”
Author:
“Maria Schneider grew up in New Mexico and currently lives near
Austin, Texas with her husband.
After working in the computer industry for twelve years she now enjoys
creating messes and inventing characters to find their way clear of her
imaginings.
You can find several of Maria's short stories online in such fine
magazines as: Coyote Wild Magazine, www.AnthologyBuilder.com, TownDrunkMag.com
and Over My Dead Body.
She writes cozy mysteries, fantasy, paranormal mysteries.”
Feel free to check out her website or on Facebook.
Appraisal:
In this enchanting story, Zoe desires to learn more magic than her
mother has been able to teach her so far. Her bumbling cousin Lonnie has
managed a mage position at the castle in Birk. In one of Lonnie’s magic spells
gone wrong, Zoe meets an irate female whose dragon essence has been bound by an
enchanted ring. Zoe is familiar with Lonnie’s magic and is able to send her
back to Wendal from which she came. Magic and sorcery had been outlawed in
Wendal for thousands of years, it is the home for dragons and shifters.
One year later Zoe is in Mage School at the Gorgon University far away
from her cousin Lonnie. But Zoe gets caught up in a conspiracy while trying to
save a friend who was being kidnapped one evening. Zoe recognizes the dragon
lady, Lindis, being forced to marry the friend who had been kidnapped. Zoe is
again able to free her but is unable to escape the wolf warriors who showed up
to save Lindis as well.
Lindis implores Zoe to unbind the magic in the ring. Zoe warns her
messing with another wizard’s magic is a highly specific magic that can go
terribly wrong. Zoe is wary and sure that she is not trained enough to attempt
such a feat. Derrick, the wolf who captured Zoe, is ordered to guard and
protect her at his house with the help of his pack.
The story is unique and delightful as Zoe attempts to teach herself,
Lindis, and Derrick the intricacies of drawing glyphs and casting spells with
the help of power crystals. The story is told from Zoe’s point-of-view, she is
very naïve about the ways of the world and very verbose. It was fun getting
caught up in her head as she reasoned things out. She was highly ethical and
always determined to do what was right. The plot takes some unexpected turns as
the conspiracy of gryphon origin and the ring are brought to light. There are
dragons, eagles, and wolf shifters all vying for Zoe’s attention. I can’t wait
to read the next book.
FYI:
Added for
Reprise Review: Dragons of
Wendal by Maria E. Schneider was the winner in the Young Adult category for
B&P 2015 Readers' Choice Awards. Original review ran February 17, 2015
Format/Typo
Issues:
I found no issues with proofing or formatting in this story.
Rating:
***** Five Stars
Reviewed
by: ?wazithinkin
Approximate
word count: 55-60,000 words
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