Dragon

Review: Dragon Thief & Dessert Rose (2 Short Stories) by @JLMbewe

***Review has been done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official. For more information regarding our reviews please visit our Fansite: www.facebook.com/NerdGirl.ng ***

Dragon Thief by J. L Mbewe

DragonThief

Amazon| Smashwords

Synopsis:

The second story in the Tales of Nalu collection ~ Prequels to Secrets Kept – a NA Fantasy coming Fall 2013

The teaching of the Guardians has guided Semine’s footsteps since her infancy. When her mentor shows up with information contrary to what she’s been taught, she doubts her decision to follow in their footsteps. She must decide if there is life beyond what she has always known or embrace a new, mysterious path and reject the Guardians’ legacy.

Review:

Grade: A+ (5 Stars and Beyond)

This book was wonderful, exactly what I like in a fantasy, except for all the questions, and I was upset about this until I read that this, and Desert Rose, which I will be reviewing shortly, are prequels to a book that isn’t released yet! Now, I’m just plain pumped because I assume the author will answer a good many of my questions in the actual book, and give us more of this world!

J.L Mbewe’s writing stlye is very unique, it flows beautifully, almost like poetry in way. She tells an amazing story that captivates us. It builds until you’re completely wrapped up, and then it ends, because it’s a short story.. I was so caught up! I can’t wait for a full length book!

The world of Nalu is so intricate and detailed. It’s beautifully described, the places we visit or hear about, and you just know there’s so much more beyond that we’ve yet to hear about. You can tell Mbewe has this whole world planned out, and has got the map in her head.

Semine is such an interesting character, being orphaned is always a good plot point, a lot of places to go. She has such turmoil in the book, she’s conflict, she’s driven…it’s a slippery slope for her, but she’s so well written I was pulling for her. I couldn’t stop thinking about it!

This book ends with a cliffhanger, and you just need to know more.. it was killing me! I wanted to know, I had to know.. what about the dragons? About Nach? Derk? Raven?

All in all, I loved this short story, it consumed me! I read it so quick, I went back and reread it! All in all, a wonderful tale to get us ready for the full book!

Desert Rose by J.L Mbewe

Desert Rose

Amazon | Goodreads | Smashwords

Synopsis:

Can a desert princess find love with a foreign king?

Johari lives in the shadow of her beautiful sister until a foreign king notices her, but in her haste to prove herself worthy of affection she finds herself compromised and on a difficult journey to make things right.

Review:

Grade: A (Five Stars)

Beginning this story, after Dragon Thief, let me down a bit.. possibly because it didn’t involve dragons, but the character we meet in the beginning is so selfish and conceited that I had trouble connecting with her the way I did with the characters in the other book. But the science fiction elements in this book are quite interesting, so I’m excited for that.

This book is just as well written, organized and thoughtful as the previous story. It draws you in, even as I said I didn’t expect to be pulled in by this one, I was. I felt for her, she loves, and all she wants in love in return and a family. This struggle the main character goes through is so heartfelt and realistic that you tend to forget you are in a fantasy realm. The fantasy elements are weaved in so well with the human interest side of the story, I couldn’t help but feel what the character was feeling in this story. This story did have an ending, unlike the previous one, but this ending hurt. I was so sad at the end of this book, but am glad there’s a full length book coming, and mentions of a 3rd story, because I must know what happened!

Overall:

Overall, this series gets an A+ in my book. I’ve been reading a lot lately, trying to hit my goal of 300 books before January! Unrealistic with a full time job, but I’m trying. So, to have these wonderful short stories jump out at me so effortlessly, I was pleased. They were a easy read, interesting, well written and edited. No problems with this book, except now they have me waiting until the full novel is released! I’m so caught up in this world, I wish it was real, or at least a movie so I could go back and watch it, but alas all I have it these two short stories to keep me company until the novel comes out!

I promise if you love fantasy, you’ll get caught up in these stories, give them a try. You’ll get caught up and you can join me waiting for the novel! 🙂

About The Author

Writing as J. L. Mbewe, Jennette is an author, artist, mother, wife, but not always in that order. Born and raised in Minnesota, she now braves the heat of Texas, but pines for the Northern Lights and the lakes of home every autumn. She loves capturing the abstract and making it concrete. She is currently living her second childhood with a wonderful husband and two precious children who don’t seem to mind her eclectic collections of rocks, shells, and books, among other things.

Twitter | Facebook | Website | Amazon Page | Goodreads Page | Blog | Smashwords Page

 

** I was given a copy of this book via NerdGirl from author for review **

Review: A Legacy of Light by Daniel Arenson

***Review has been done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official. For more information regarding our reviews please visit our Fansite: www.facebook.com/NerdGirl.ng ***

LegacyofLight

A Legacy of Light by Daniel Arenson 

Fantasy

Blurb:

“We live in a time of darkness. Requiem lies cloaked in shadows. Tonight we say: We will fight. We will keep our light blazing.”

A Legacy of Light (The Dragon War, Book One) — a new fantasy trilogy for fans of A Game of Thrones and The Lord of the Rings

The people of Requiem, an ancient kingdom, can grow wings and scales, breathe fire, and take flight as dragons. For years, Requiem’s holy stars have blessed the kingdom with light and magic. But now a darkness falls.

General Cadigus, traitor to the crown, has captured the throne. Bloodthirsty and cruel, he rules with an iron fist. He crushes his own people under his heel. He burns all foreign lands. The noble kingdom of Requiem fades; a dark empire rises.

In the wilderness, a small light kindles. Rebellion brews. The rebels are haggard, outnumbered, and desperate. They hide in forests and ruins. They fight for the memory of Old Requiem, for a legacy of light.

The Resistance is small, but its cry is loud: “The tyrant must fall.”

Review:

When I was checking out some reviews on Goodreads, I noticed people mentioning that this book was YA. This book is not a YA novel, this falls more into the fantasy realm, just like the books it’s compared to LoTR and Game of Thrones. The subject matter deals with things a bit darker then a YA novel should address, and the gore is also much stronger, but as an adult fantasy novel it have my highest praise, even if I’m not a fan of excess gore. This novel, though unlike his other novels, so I’ve heard, doesn’t deal with use of magic, but with the uprising. There are rebels and there are oppressors. The majority of the plot focuses on that core idea, illuminating the evil vs good dynamic that every fantasy epic has. The evil in this book is so very evil and that’s where the the gore comes in. There’s rape, murder, killing of pleasure, and killing to prove a point, but therein lies the reality too. You don’t need to tame down a story because you believe it shouldn’t deal with the amount of violence. Violence is a part of life, especially a part of the life presented in Requiem. I am glad Arenson didn’t shy away just because he was worried about catering to a specific set of readers. He wrote the book honestly, and with great passion and it shows.

This book is well organized, well written and definitely takes you for a wild ride. It has all the twists and turns and suspense you expect from a fantasy novel. If you love dragons, like I do, this book is definitely for you. I couldn’t put it down. I kept reading late into nights, and I loved it! I will be going back and reading his other books, and waiting eagerly for the other books in the series as well. I’m definitely a fan for life now, even if it does not include Dragons. Arenson crafts an amazing world in this book, and I’m sure it would be just the same for any other book!

I will have this series on my shelf!

 

** I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review **

Fireblade Spotlight – J.D Sims Author

Fireblade is  recent addition to my To-Read list. Heavy in the fantasy, it stands out as an exciting read! 🙂 Read on for cover picture, some blurbs about the book, about the author and how he came up with this exciting story.

About Fireblade:

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Two hundred years have passed since the great war. Evil magick and violence still ravage the lands of Vercinnor. Human kind wars with elves, the Wyzaerds have all but vanished from Terralea and darkness blackens the horizon. A young elf, Aicanaro, must walk a path between light and darkness where only he can govern his true destiny. As a nomadic assassin, diplomat and General, Aicanaro is tested and tempered in the flames of battle. By blade and fire, Aicanaro mitigates his heart and quiets his rage on the front line against evil. The war selects its champions carefully, reluctant as they may be. Out of the inferno and ash an unlikely legend is born who may be the only hope for all of Terralea. Fireblade is the first book of the series which chronicles the life of Aicanaro from his humble and tragic beginnings through his struggles with life, death, love and hate. The war between the elves and humans quickly approaches its climax as, on the fringe, the dark elven race; the Sha’edyri, vie for their piece of Vercinnor. Aicanaro must become a legend to return peace to the land. But will the cost be too high to pay? Will the once clear lines of good and evil blur beyond recognition, or will the war end all of Terralea before there is a chance for peace?

A little bit from the author, his inspiration, his hobbies! 🙂

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“I started writing long ago with poetry, short stories, little anecdotes, fake news articles. It was something to get the words from my mind out. To articulate what I was thinking when I was told not to speak. This particular series, Fireblade, started in 1993 as a series of writings in my journals and notebooks.

Fireblade was inspired by the world around me. The music I listened to, the geopolitical situations, interactions with adults and kids, friends, family, and enemies. The canvas that was being painted by life around me helped form the words and world of Fireblade.

I have been writing this one series on and off for 20 years. But I have been writing in whole since I was 7, which is about 30 years. My first official book was called Taffy Apple . . . ZOOM! It was a five or six page picture and words book I did as a school project. Illustrated and laid out by myself and bound by my teacher. The stories grew from there and in an odd way foreshadowed me becoming an author.

I am from Colorado. I was born in Denver, grew up in Lakewood (with several trips to Buena Vista, Durango, Silverton, Telluride, Ouray, St. Elmo, Estes Park, Laffeyette, Boulder . . . . you get the idea). So I tell people I am from Colorado . . . makes it simpler.

I do have family. A rather large one at that. I’m adopted and have a sister from there. I have since met and gotten along very well with my biological family. I have a habit of gathering friends who become my extended family, and I am married with two kids of my own and a whole in-law family. It gets to be a bit confusing for people when I talk about my brother’s father (who is in essence my best friend’s father, but my best friend is more like a brother to me . . .) but we make it work.

Hobbies, well, I do have several hobbies. Acting, singing, swordplay, cosplay, filming and graphic design to name a few. I think they are fun. I have also dabbled in prop creation and some other hobbies. Fixing things around the house has gotten me quite addicted to building and the like. Of course, there is always reading.”

FOR THE BOOK:

The book is a sort of coming of age story. Though this is only the first half. Really the series is a coming of age story, but for different ages, different milestones.
This first one is truly coming of age as in youth to young adult. It is about Aicanaro (Pronounced: Eye Khan Ah Row) a halfbreed male born into an elven home in a world where genocidal cold war exists between humans and elves. Several tragedies and triumphs lead him on a journey that puts his path to bringing the cold war to a hot war boiling point.

It is a series. As it stands now the outline is for a total of 9 books in this series. The second one is due out in the fall of this year, with the third the fall of 2014.

It is based on the world around me as I was writing. I have characters that were inspired by the people I grew up with, places inspired by my travels and vacations with my family. It is also inspired by concepts from books, movies, music, plays and all manner of influences. Most of the time I write the books with this phrase in mind . . . “What would happen if . . .”

Sounds amazing! I hope you’ll take a second to check out J.D Sims on Facebook and check out Fireblade on amazon as well! 🙂 It is definitely a must read.