Enigmatic fantasy unfurls into an epic quest

G. F. Allen's A Kingsguard Tale: Road to Celestia carries readers on a captivating fantasy journey brimming with intricately woven themes and dynamic character relationships set against a vividly crafted world. Reminiscent of the epic scale of Lord of the Rings intertwined with the gritty allure of The Traitor's Son: Path of the Ranger Book 1, this narrative introduces a sprawling cast ensemble. 

At its core lies a mystery that beckons readers to uncover the secrets lurking within its depths. As the story unfurls, the mystery seamlessly transitions into a grand quest, propelling the characters into a whirlwind of challenges and discoveries. From the enigmatic kings and mages, to the ancient Celestial, and the malevolent sorcerer Drakar and his Elite Infernals, each character adds layers to the main narrative, blurring the lines between friend and foe in the overarching struggle of good versus evil. 

 

At the heart of the tale lies Dart Horowitz, whose journey is steeped in duty and living up to the legacy of his grandfather, Connor Horowitz, a prominent figure within the Kingsguard. Dart's internal conflicts, which stem from his lack of confidence despite his inherent gifts, add attributes of realism to his character as he navigates the challenges ahead.

A Kingsguard Tale unfolds across multiple layers and dimensions, blending elements of quest, epic war, and coming-of-age growth and self-discovery. Themes of loneliness, enlightenment, and the loss of identity are masterfully woven into the narrative tapestry. As the characters confront insurmountable odds, forged friendships and the mastery of Kreg energy become essential tools in their battle against the Infernal forces. One of my favorite aspects of this story is how individuals grow into a united force.

 

Allen employs well-placed flashbacks and multiple subplots to enrich the storytelling experience, offering glimpses into the characters' pasts while building suspense for the future. Despite its creative energy, the narrative occasionally succumbs to overly descriptive or redundant passages, suggesting room for editorial refinement.

Nevertheless, A Kingsguard Tale stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of grand-scale fantasy. With its complex characters, intersecting storylines, and richly imagined world, A Kingsguard Tale is sure to captivate fans of high fantasy and epic quests alike. I’m happy to give it 4 out 5 stars and recommend it to readers seeking a sprawling plot brimming with special powers, dark forces, intrigue, and timeless themes. If this is you, this book will make a worthy addition to your bookshelves.

Fireson Bay delivers a mind twisting crime mystery

Fireson Bay: Resurrection (volume 2 in the series) follows Detective Fireson Bay as he moves on with life following an assassination attempt by the woman he once loved. While hunting for her, he gets involved in a case with a new string of baffling deaths across multiple states. For this case, he teams up with North Carolina SBI Agent Rose Clayton and Lt. George Bird of the Cherokee Indian Police Department who advises some locals think the killer could be a Raven Mocker from Cherokee folklore. Could supernatural powers be responsible for these deaths? The clues they come across suggest he might be right.

 

Stoke’s well-developed, complex characters come across as genuine. Detective Bay is a flawed, good-guy sleuth and one you’ll find yourself rooting for in love and life, even when he bends the rules. In terms of the setting, the attention to detail is spot on, and in my opinion, Stokes makes masterful use of setting to help create a mood of mystery that adds to the intrigue. I'm always happy to find an unpredictable plot and Fireson Bay: Resurrection did not disappoint. The suspense and tension are palpable and kept me on the edge of my seat. 

I had the pleasure of reading book 1 in this series Fireson Bay, and recommend reading it before book two, but Resurrection can stand on its own as a captivating detective crime suspense novel. I’m happy to give this book five out of five stars and recommend it to readers who enjoy noir, crime mysteries, and gumshoe/Private Detective crime mysteries like But Not Forgotten: A Clint Wolf Novel. If you are looking to solve a mind twisting murder mystery, this one is for you.  

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I received a review copy of this book from the author and have not been compensated for reviewing or recommending it. Some links in this post are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to amazon.com and affiliate sites.

 

Gemma's Bookshelf: March 2024 Wrap Up

Gemma's Bookshelf: March 2024 Wrap Up: Hello! This blog post is all about what I was reading in March! I read 8 books this month from some 5* stunners to some that were just OK. T...

Intriguing YA Sci-Fi steeped in mystery

An intriguing Sci-Fi steeped in mystery, The Journing Plague transports readers to the world of Pedora, where the wardlanders live under quarantine restrictions since the Pedorate government declared a plague claimed the lives of the entire crew of the Nether Supercontinental docked in Ularon City. Among the dead was the father of protagonist Kai Astada. 

 

The story unfolds from his perspective of Kai, now a young adult and a member of the Journer caste still living in quarantine in Ularon City under the umbrella of the Pedoran governing caste system. He graduates from the pilot training academy and is relegated to the job of Urban Pilot even though he is gifted enough to pilot a T-Class Continental. Two years into his job, he receives a message from one of his childhood friends to meet at the mythical Duck Down Club. The clandestine club is real and entering it turns his life upside-down when he is tricked into joining the Resistance. Those responsible have changed his birth-pid identity. His official record says he’s dead, and his new identity takes him way out of his comfort zone in more than one way with a task to accomplish. What he experiences opens his eyes to a trail of clues he would never have otherwise recognized.

 

 

Book review: The Journing by Shaune Lafferty

Shaune Lafferty Webb’s worldbuilding creates a unique believable sci-fi/fantasy backdrop infused with the need to explore the unknown to unravel a mystery in search of the truth. Pedora’s history, geography, culture, and characters raise a host of questions and keep you guessing. Did the crew of the Nether die of plague? Is the threat of the plague still real? Was it ever real? It’s a gripping unpredictable plot that unfolds a layer at a time drawing the reader deeper into the intrigue as Kai and a group of rag-tag cohorts take on the impossible task of disproving the destructive allegations made by the Pedoran government.

 

The Journing Plague works as a standalone read worthy of re-reading but leaves the door open to a continuation of the story of Journer Kai Astada. I didn’t want it to end and I’m happy to give it four out of five stars and recommend it to fans of young adult dystopian fiction like There Once Were Stars (Dome 1618) by Melanie McFarlane.

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As BookHookup I received a free review copy of this book from Black Phoenix Book Tours but was not compensated for reviewing or recommending it. Some links in this post are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to amazon.com and affiliate sites.