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Season of the Dragon
Season of the Dragon by Natalie Wright, Book 1 of the fantasy series Dragos Primeri, follows Quen, a young woman plagued by a curse that makes her a pariah in her homeland and the world of Menauld. After a mysterious woman visits Quen’s small desert town claiming Quen to be part of a dark cult, Quen’s life is forever changed. In hopes of discovering the origin and meaning of her curse, Quen joins a vigilante group of warriors to travel throughout the country, searching for answers. While on her journey Quen is faced with those who fear her, those who wish to control her fate, and those who might just know the origin of her powers.
A book for fantasy lovers! With dragons, magical creatures, magic, corrupt kingdoms, and forbidden love, Natalie Wright has created an enthralling world. The reader journeys with Quen as she searches for answers to a dark secret she holds inside herself – her second soul. Quen, unsure of the meaning of her second soul, seeks to understand its origin for fear that she might belong to the shadow of Vay’Nada rather than the calming waters of Val’Enara.
Wright spends much of the book world-building and familiarizing the reader with the world of Menauld, and there is much to learn. Despite this, Wright successfully educates the reader without overwhelming them as she continues the introduction of the world throughout the entire book. Wright excels in immersive world-building, while her second act moves at a slower pace as readers follow along on Quen’s journey.
Quen is an amazing female protagonist. She is bold and strong yet kind, loving, and intuitive. What may seem to be naivete in some situations shows her earnestness and comes off as genuine and relatable. The secondary characters are also well-written. I recommend Season of the Dragon by Natalie Wright to fantasy readers who enjoy a gripping coming-of-age story that takes them on an exciting adventure. I am already looking forward to the sequels.
Pages: 444 | ASIN : B0BRNW6715
Cassandra and the Crystal Cave
Young Cassandra struggles to find her place in the universe a girl on the cusp of womanhood. Considered a misfit, nature-lover Cass often finds herself at odds with her own family about caring for the natural world and the many creatures that inhabit it. But when a grim tragedy strikes, Cassandra is pulled into yet another world. It is in this new world she discovers her hidden powers at the brink of an infinite universe in need of her help. Finding numerous friends and allies, Cassandra must learn to conquer her hidden doubts and rise above the tragedy in order to heal a broken world with the most powerful force in creation.
Cassandra and the Crystal Cave by author Deborah Shining Star is a rich story about overcoming the tragedies of life and discovering each person’s special purpose in our vast, endless universe. Cassandra, finding herself between worlds, encounters many trials and heart-wrenching tragedies in both her “normal” life and the world of the fantastical. Seldom have I encountered a book that weaves together the magical and mundane worlds so skillfully, spinning a complex narrative that pulls the reader into a place where anything is possible. Cassandra fights to understand herself, her family, and the meaning of sacrifice as she learns from many wise elders such as Grandmother Shining Stars. Cassandra encounters mythical beings far and wide, from unicorns to star beings from another galaxy. And in Cassandra’s fabulous journeys, the common themes of love, forgiveness, healing, and hope are present on every page of this beautifully crafted tale. At the end of it, all, balance, harmony, and understanding of our place in the universe may be the key to everything.
Cassandra and the Crystal Cave is an excellent coming-of-age fantasy adventure. This book wraps up nicely and is good as a stand-alone adventure but leaves plenty of potential for other stories in the future. Perfect for all those who love a beautiful fantasy world where not even the sky is the limit.
Pages: 228 | ASIN : B0B3W872RV
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