Blog Archives
Hearing It All Come Together
Shadow of the Dragon follows a rising king haunted by the past, as he faces monstrous dragonkin and treacherous enemies beyond his kingdom’s borders in a breathtaking journey of vengeance, power, and destiny. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
When I reached the end of my first book in this series, The Hidden Kingdom, Aaron was in an excellent position with a clear path to the throne. However, the looming threat of the dragonkin left some unanswered questions as to the fate of our heroes and their kingdom. I also wanted to have an opportunity in book 2 to do more world-building, especially in the Hidden Kingdom, and to review all the events in this epic adventure from the viewpoint of the subjects living there. Book 2 also follows Aaron in his new role as a leader, and he faces internal opposition in his own court and external threats at the same time.
Brenda stands out as a fierce and memorable female lead. Was she based on anyone or anything in particular?
I did not have any specific person in mind when I created the character of Brenda. I have always admired strong female leads and people who do not sit back and wait for bad things to happen such as waiting for the enemy to attack, in this case. Brenda takes a proactive stance when no one else will, and she knows how to inspire others to follow her.
How did the collaboration with narrator Phillip Nathaniel Freeman come about, and what made him the right voice for Shadow of the Dragon?
I thoroughly enjoyed searching for all the right voice actors to make up this large cast. I looked at 10-15 voice actors per major book character before choosing the one I wanted, and I chose the narrator at the end of that process, which was a major decision. I had already selected Phillip to portray some important characters before I selected him as the narrator. I knew he would deliver a powerful and dynamic narration. His deep, authoritative tone also makes it seems like the events in the story are actually happening. He is also extremely versatile and capable of doing many character voices. While there was a cast in place, there were many opportunities for Phillip to do several minor characters too. When I listen to other audiobook narrators, I know when the narrator is doing a character voice, but when Phillip does a new character voice, it is nearly impossible to know that it was him.
Were there any particular scenes or characters in the audiobook that surprised you in how they came to life through the narration?
I enjoyed listening to all the voices among the cast for each character, and it was a nice surprise when it all came together to hear the combination of voices in important scenes. I was pleased with the very challenging non-human dragonkin voices that Phillip also did well, since there were several distinct ones. Robert Cossyleon as Prince Damien and Bobby Gaglini who portrayed young Timothy pleasantly surprised me many times with their creative and expressive interpretation of their character dialogues because I had not thought of those exact expressions or dynamics.
Author’s Facebook Page | X
Aaron’s defeat of one of Qiledara’s greatest enemies, with the help of his squire Timothy and other friends he met on his quests, appeared to herald a new era of peace. However, a greater enemy threatens not only Qiledara, but all the kingdoms of man. Even in the Hidden Kingdom, the safest of all lands, their king fears the looming threat. Aaron must discover all he can about this new enemy, while at the same time, deal with trouble brewing for him from his brother’s steadfast and stubborn followers.
Shadow of the Dragon (Legends from Qiledara)
Brothers Aaron and Damien return in the second installment of Amy Daniels’ Legends from Qiledara trilogy. In Shadow of the Dragon, Damien is imprisoned, and Aaron is touted as the next king. His bravery unmatched and his confidence rising, Aaron gives way to the visions of the past that haunt him, and he sets out to bring his mother’s murderer to justice. The creatures known as the dragonkin, however, still abound. Will his abilities and the ultimate power of his kingdom be enough to overcome what lies beyond its walls?
Amy Daniels continues to bring vibrant characters to life in the audiobook version of Shadow of the Dragon. Book 2 is an incredibly involved but immaculately detailed follow-up to the first in the trilogy. Daniels does a wonderful job of succinctly bringing readers up to date in the opening chapter, making this installment viable as a standalone read.
The work Daniels puts into imagery is what takes her books to the next level, and it is especially evident in the audiobook. Envisioning Qiledara, the Hidden Kingdom, and the Amber River is a real delight for the imagination. The almost choking fog and darkness that engulfs the soldiers is practically breathtaking for the reader; you can feel both the trepidation and anxiety in each of the action scenes. By contrast, the splendor and beauty of Maiden’s Rest and the care given to details in the descriptions of scenes are unmatched in many other fantasy novels. One of the most striking scenes and one I kept coming back to as I read was the reveal of the reconstructed dragon within the dismal treasury building. The image of the skeleton towering over Aaron and his cohorts is the perfect visual to demonstrate the power of our hero and page-turning suspense in Daniels’ writing.
One of the most delightful aspects of this novel is the diverse cast of characters. Daniels does not shy away from crafting strong female leads. Brenda, throughout the novel, is a fantastic example of both physical prowess and determination. Facing the dragonkin, these terrifying yet brilliantly described creatures, she is a remarkable standout who will appeal to readers seeking unique and vibrant characters within their adventure fantasies.
Audiobook versions can, many times, either make or break a book for me. Narrator Phillip Nathaniel Freeman brings this tale to life with a tone and delivery that not only engages readers but enhances the already picturesque descriptions of the landscape and the urgency found in each of the action sequences. I appreciated the fact that no two characters sounded similar. Listening to Daniels’ work was like listening to a stage production–finely tuned and full of passion.
While Aaron’s storyline will draw readers in, it is the ongoing adventure, well-paced and featuring a large cast of colorful characters, that will turn them into instant fans. Daniels offers readers a good balance of narration and engaging dialogue. I recommend Shadow of the Dragon, the second book in the trilogy, to anyone seeking a solid fantasy that offers not only action but a blend of tragedy, vengeance, and an exceptional tale of heroism.
Time: 16 hours and 36 minutes | ASIN: B0F5YCKS4J
LITERARY TITAN 