Tag Archives: Easy Reading

Arrow’s Fall by Mercedes Lackey

Book Review, , , , , ,

Overview

Arrow's Fall

Title: Arrow’s Fall
Author: Mercedes Lackey
Series: Heralds of Valdemar #3, Valdemar #25
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Fantasy, Strong women
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Daw fantasy
Year: 1988
5th sentence, 74th page: I’ve told you that before.

Synopsis

VALDEMAR’S PERIL!

With Elspeth, the heir to the throne of Valdemar, come of marriageable age, Talia, the Queen’s Own Herald retursn to court to find Queen and heir beset by diplomatic intrigue as various forces vie for control of Elspeth’s future.

But just as Talia is about to uncover the traitor behind all these intrigues, she is sent off on a mission to the neighboring kingdom, chosen by the Queen to investigate the worth of a marriage proposal from Prince Ancar. And, to her horror, Talia soon discovers there is far more going on at Prince Ancar’s court than just preparation for a hoped-for royal wedding. For a different magic than that of the Heralds is loose in Ancar’s realm – an evil and ancient sorcery that may destroy all of Valdemar unless Talia can send warning to her Queen in time!

Thoughts

Arrow’s Fall was an epic end to my first Mercedes Lackey trilogy. The climax that had slowly been building in the previous two books finally reached a crescendo, and I’m not ashamed to say that I shed more than a tear or two.

Talia is finally strong enough to face her demons; both internal and external, and her ability to triumph in the worst of situations is awe inspiring. Not only does she overcome her own ragged insecurities, she survives torture and loss to eventually come home to love in the final chapters.

The highly climatic end to the trilogy perfectly sets the storyline of Valdemar for the next trilogy (Mage Winds) which I have yet to read. The series leaves you content because Talia’s battle has been won, but also tense because you know that your beloved characters are on the precipice of war. I really loved this combination of tying up loose ends and setting the reader up for the next series.

All of the Valdemar books tend to do this – they are very interrelated and once you have read one series, you generally have access to main characters in another. But they are also easily read in isolation of one another, so you can start reading these emotionally turbulent books at any point within the chronology of the Valdemar universe.

<- Arrow’s FlightBy the Sword ->

Image source: Fantastic Fiction

Arrow’s Flight by Mercedes Lackey

Book Review, , , , , , ,

Overview

Arrow's Flight

Title: Arrow’s Flight
Author: Mercedes Lackey
Series: Heralds of Valdemar #2, Valdemar #24
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Fantasy, Strong women
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Daw fantasy
Year: 1987
5th sentence, 74th page: “So that you have an excuse to carry arrows wherever you go,” Kyril replied.

Synopsis

HERALD’S CHALLENGE!

Talia could scarcely believe that she had finally earned the rank of full Herald. Yet though this seemed like the fulfillment of all her dreams, it also meant she would face trials far greater than those she had previously survived. For now Talia must ride forth to patrol the kingdom of Valdemar, dispensing Herald’s justice throughout the land.

But in this realm beset by dangerous unrest enforcing her rulings would require all the courage and skill Talia could command – for if she misused her own special powers, both she and Valdemar would pay the price!

Thoughts

Lackey is a unique writer. She takes insecurities and some (very) deep seated issues and turns them into a sort of power, or a hurdle to jump. It’s why I love her books, depression, anxiety, even a variety of forms of abuse are taken and help to shape her characters into stronger people. I know that it doesn’t always work like that in real life, but the idea that you can take all of those bad things and become a stronger person is somewhat inspiring. It’s what I’ve spent my life trying to do.

Arrow’s Flight takes the insecurity and unsurity of person that Talia felt in Arrows of the Queen and investigates what happens when these feelings are amplified. It asks what happens when others prey upon your insecurities? What happens when they get amplified tenfold? The addition of supernatural powers just helps to illustrate her point even better. I loved this take on a main character; the fact that she is just so damn vulnerable makes her a heck of a lot more relatable and loveable.

Not only were Talia’s insecurities explored, but through this journey, her strength and abilities were found. This, along with her growing sense of self and relationship with her mentor made Arrow’s Flight an incredible journey. The growing relationship between Kris was one of my favourites of the whole series. For all of Talia’s softness, she has a backbone and when Kris oversteps his bounds, she puts him straight back into his place. It’s a mixture of comradery, passion and familial love and it just works beautifully.

The juxtaposition between strength and vulnerability in this book is awe-inspiring and made me realise that I have flaws, but I have strengths too. And we can all use these.

<- Arrows of the QueenArrow’s Fall ->

Image source: Goodreads

The Burning Bridge by John Flanagan

Book Review, , , , , , , ,

Overview

The Burning Bridge

Title: The Burning Bridge
Author: John Flanagan
Series: The Ranger’s Apprentice #2
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Australian authors, Easy reading, Medieval fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Random House Australia
Year: 2005
5th sentence, 74th page: He seized the bandit by the arm and dragged him upright, frogmarching him across the clearing to throw him, none too gently, against the rock face at the far side.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Synopsis

The Kingdom of Araluen is sure to be defeated in a surprise three-sided attack – unless Will can find a way to prevent it.

Thoughts

Every time I read this, it just gets better! And I still want to cry at the end when Will and Evanlyn are in trouble.

Building on The Ruins of Gorlan, Flanagan’s hero takes us on an amazing journey through a new country and into new dangers. Watching the young friendship between Horace and Will grow from the previous book is such a delight. As is the reminder that they are children – the journey is serious, but there are still light, joking moments to remind you of their innocence.

The introduction of a strong-willed, strong-minded girl in the shape of Evanlyn made this book (and indeed the whole series) even more relatable. Instead of requiring their constant protection, Evanlyn is able to find and use her own strength. And ultimately she plays a huge part in saving the day.

The ending of this story sets up the next few books in this series perfectly. I wouldn’t recommend finishing it until you have the third book in hand – you’ll want to know what happens next!

<- The Ruins of Gorlan Review The Icebound Land Review ->
Image source: Wikipedia

The Ruins of Gorlan by John Flanagan

Book Review, , , , , , , ,

Overview

The Ruins of Gorlan

Title: The Ruins of Gorlan
Author: John Flanagan
Series: The Ranger’s Apprentice #1
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Australian authors, Easy reading, Medieval fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Random House Australia
Year: 2004
5th sentence, 74th page: Even after a few days, the strict regime of the Battleschool was beginning to show results with Horace.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Synopsis

Will has always wanted to become a knight, but he is about to find more excitement and adventure than he could have dreamed of as an apprentice to the mysterious Rangers.

Thoughts

I have now managed to read this book four times. And it just keeps on delivering. John Flanagan is definitely one of my favourite Aussie authors.

This book takes the underdog (Will) and uses his talents to make him into an unlikely hero. Most medieval style books I have read focus on the knights as hero-supreme, but the idea of the Rangers as the hidden, secret force helping the kingdom is just brilliant.

As an archer, I can completely understand – and encourage Flanagan’s description of the sport. Even though the accuracy with which the arrows are shot is something that most people could only dream of, the descriptions of the equipment and the skill involved is spot on. As is everything in this book. It takes strands of reality and weaves them into this amazing fantasy world. The result? A beautiful mosaic of story that you can imagine happening in real life.

Will’s ability to triumph in spite of his perceived weakness was inspiring and definitely a book that I would encourage young children to read. The fact that Flanagan doesn’t have weak, female characters in constant need of rescue is just another tick in this book’s box.

<- Death of a Hero Review The Burning Bridge Review ->
Image source: Wikipedia

Arrows of the Queen by Mercedes Lackey

Book Review, , , , , ,

Overview

Arrows of the Queen

Title: Arrows of the Queen
Author: Mercedes Lackey
Series: Heralds of Valdemar #1, Valdemar #23
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Fantasy, Strong women
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Daw fantasy
Year: 1987
5th sentence, 74th page: Bright Havens, child, he’s your Companion now; if you really wanted to, you could sleep in his stall!

Synopsis

A KINGDOM IMPERILED!

Chosen by the Companion Rolan, a mystical horse-like being with powers beyond imagining, Talia, once a runaway, has now become a trainee Herald, destined to become one of the Queen’s own elite guard. For Talia has certain awakening talents of the mind that only a Companion like Rolan can truly sense.

But as Talia struggles to master her unique abilities, time is running out. For conspiracy is brewing in Valdemar, a deadly treason which could destroy Queen and kingdom. Opposed by unknown enemies capable of both diabolical magic and treacherous assassination, the Queen must turn to Talia and the Heralds for aid in protecting the realm and insuring the future of the Queen’s heir, a child already in danger of becoming bespelled by the Queen’s own foes!

Thoughts

Words can’t even express how awesome I found this book. I’m reading it for the second time in a week as I wait for the next one in the series to arrive. I think I’ve found my new favourite author! A good heroine, a great fantasy world and a fantastic story line. What more could you ask for?

It’s rare that I find a heroine that isn’t sassy, sarcastic and has a major attitude problem that I can love and admire. But, Talia manages to mix humility and insecurities in a quiet, withdrawn persona with a backbone of steel. Talia’s journey from ignorant, abused border girl to a strong and powerful Herald in her own right underpinned her adventures and experiences throughout the story.

This book was a great introduction to the Valdemar universe and the Companions that create such a peaceful realm. If you like fantasy, then this is a highly recommended series – an oldie, but a goodie.

<- Take a ThiefArrow’s Flight ->

Image source: Amazon

The Blood of Olympus by Rick Riordan

Book Review, , , , ,

Overview

The Blood of Olympus

Title: The Blood of Olympus
Author: Rick Riordan
Series: The Heroes of Olympus #5, Camp Half-Blood Chronicles #13
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Mythology, Urban Fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Penguin
Year: 2014
5th sentence, 74th page: Reyna couldn’t blame them.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Synopsis

SEVEN HEROIC DEMIGODS. ONE FINAL QUEST. THE GREATEST SACRIFICE YET.

‘The ruins are up there,’ Piper promised. ‘I saw them in Katoptris’s blad. And you head what Hazel said. “The biggest -“‘
“‘The biggest gathering of evil spirits I’ve ever sensed,”‘ Jason recalled. ‘Yeah, sounds awesome.’

After battling through the underground temple of Hades, the last thing Jason wanted was to deal with more evil spirits. But the fate of the quest was at stake. The crew of the Argo II had a big decision to make.

If they chose wrong, they would fail, and the entire world would be destroyed…

Thoughts

I found this book a little slow to begin with. Which was a little odd considering how much I normally love Rick Riordan’s books. Needless to say, I was a little disappointed in the first few chapters – and it took me a lot longer to read than the preceding four books!

Bear with me though. I was well-rewarded for sticking with the first few chapters – Riordan again captured my imagination and heart as I followed my favourite demigods on their final, epic journey. I think that part of the issue was that I knew the final battle for the fate of the world was going to be in this book. (After all, it is the final book in the series). So the journey there held a little too much suspense – I just wanted to see (read) some good, old fashioned fight scenes!

The journey to the end was well worth it. Joining the ‘seven’, Reyna, Nico and Coach Hedge as they told of their stories and heartbreaks took me on a rollercoaster of emotions. I laughed, held my breath, chewed my fingernails, and at one point, even shed a tear. The final chapters gave such a sense of completion and future happiness that I could close the book, knowing that the characters I came to love and cherish were going to have a ‘happy ever after’ – or at least as much of one as a demigod can get.

Overall, I would recommend the entire Heroes of Olympus series. You get to reconnect with Percy Jackson and Annabeth, but you also meet a whole slew of new characters. I also love how this story bought back Nico and told his story in more depth. I finally understand so many of his actions in the Percy Jackson series!

For an easy, happy read with a good dose of suspense and humour, this is definitely a book worth reading (or rereading).

<- The House of Hades Review The Hidden Oracle Review ->
Image source: WordPress