Of Stormlarks and Silence by Constance Lopez

To kill the prince, she must first kill her heart.

Princess Riona was eight when the Revonian king murdered her family and conquered her kingdom with a mysterious magic. She has spent the last decade training—and waiting for her moment to avenge them all and reclaim her rightful title.

Now that the king is ailing, Riona secures a position within the Revonian royal palace. Her goals? Get close to the prince. Kill him. Uncover Revon’s secret magic. Make the king suffer. Only then can she take back her country.

But the closer she gets to the prince, the more he surprises her with kindness, honor, and wit. He is nothing like his cruel father. Worse yet, he sees right through to her heart. When she planned this assassination, her heart didn’t factor in.

And now it’s about to ruin all her plans.

Of Stormlarks and Silence is a slow-burn clean YA romantic fantasy standalone in the Kasmian Chronicles, a series of romantic fantasy connected standalones.

Of Stormlarks and Silence is an enchanting debut fantasy romance. It is also a tale of forgiveness, something I haven’t seen tackled quite like this in any fantasy novel I’ve read before. Bitter after the murder of her parents, Ria vows revenge on the king and the mages who caused their deaths and the annihilation of her people. They will experience the pain she has felt, beginning with the murder of the crown prince, Tristan. Constantly marginalized by his ambitious father, Tristan seeks to do good for his people, to treat peaceably with foreigners, to end the age-old prejudices against magic users. His kindness to the least among his people, servants and children, touches Ria’s heart, but can it be real? When revenge is within Ria’s reach, she must decide what true justice looks like. Will she follow the path of peace her uncle advocates, seek the death of her enemies as her aunt insists, or find a third way? “How are you supposed to be wise and compassionate when your whole life has been consumed by hatred for the man who killed them?” She flinched at his words. “What else should consume me?”

“Forgiveness? Determination to find a better way than your parents’ murderer did?” Told with humor and heart, Constance spins a tale that questions how we respond to evil and injustice. We also see much light shining through all the darker themes in this book. Loyal friends. Devoted servants. Caring rulers. People willing to place the needs of others above their own. People willing to be open about their own shortfalls. It’s a beautiful story that I highly recommend to children and adults of all ages. Content warnings: A few kisses. Couple sleeps in the same room (sleep is all that happens though). Kidnapping and imprisonment on several occasions. Flashbacks to battle scenes. No foul language.

This guest post was written by Sara Lawson.

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Pendragon’s Heir series – The Door to Camelot (1), The Quest for Carbonek (2), and The Heir of Logres (3) – by Suzannah Rowntree

Camelot is falling.

Can she save it?

Blanche was an ordinary girl in 1900 England…until the knight crashed through her door. Now, her guardians say she’s a princess lost in time.

Now, her father’s enemies want her dead.

Raised in the wild, Perceval has never known his father. Hoping for answers, he pledges his sword to the legendary King Arthur Pendragon.

But dark forces threaten Camelot. And darker crimes fester behind the legend.

Together, Blanche and Perceval uncover a secret that could destroy the kingdom – and in a world of immortals, knights, and deadly combat, they must join forces if they hope to survive.

Even if Camelot could be saved, is Blanche the one to do it?

Or is someone else the Pendragon’s heir?

If you loved Narnia and Middle Earth, you’ll be enchanted by this beautifully crafted Camelot.

I meant to review book one, but then by the time I remembered I hadn’t, I’d nearly finished book two, and then I got swept up in the story and next thing I know I’ve finished all three. So I’ve done a series review instead, which really feels more fitting.

Pendragon’s Heir is a trilogy, but the story is cohesive across the three; so much so, it felt like one long book to me. A feeling probably helped by the fact that each book was only 180 or so pages—and I regularly read 300-600 page books.

This story is lovely. It’s slower than a lot of the books I’ve read recently—not because it’s boring, but because it reads like a classic. I could have been reading a real tale of Arthur. The prose fit in, the pacing of the story, the dialogue and word choices and everything. The spirit of it fit. The themes and questions the characters struggled with. Such good noblebright.

Perceval, one of the two main characters, was probably my favorite in the story. He was just… so great. Everything a knight should be, striving for the world he believed in, but not perfect.

Blanche was lovely too, but admittedly—I didn’t like her much at first. Which translates to: she had an amazing character arc, and by the end I did love her, and I loved seeing how she grew and changed.

Everything came full circle; even the smallest details I didn’t think were relevant came back up by the end. That was really fun to see. The foreshadowing was layered in well; I didn’t suspect a thing, but when a twist happened I went, “WELL OF COURSE.” Perfectly surprising yet inevitable, as one of my favorite authors puts it.

I enjoyed the last novella I read from Rowntree, and I’ve had my eye on some of her other works. Reading this series just solidified it for me: she’s amazing and I am definitely reading everything else she puts out.

This review was written by Constance Lopez. Constance knows magic is real. Dragons, faeries… and don’t even get her started on unicorns. She grew up having epic duels in the woods with her siblings, and nature is still one of her favorite places to be. If she isn’t out there working on her stories, she’s dragging her children and husband on adventures (they always enjoy it once they’re outside). Except in summer. For those months she hides inside, because Texas heat is real and it hates her.

Books have always been her haven and inspiration, and now she writes her own noblebright stories, hoping to pass those feelings along to others. Fantasy, of course. Because everything is better with magic. Her debut YA fantasy will release in Spring 2021.

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Pangur Bán by Fay Sampson

Pangur Ban—the white cat—is based on an old Irish poem dating back to the 9th century. That poem is about a monk and his companion, and this story is true to that theme—but goes far beyond a quiet evening at work. Pangur Ban and the monk Niall, after causing a terrible tragedy, are sent away on a journey of recompense.This is technically a children’s chapter book. I adored it, but it was a bit…gruesome… at times, I think, for young children. Nevertheless, it is a story I would happily share with my kids when they’re slightly older, as it is a perfectly lovely introduction to Irish folklore(and the folk story style in general, where the strange and bewildering are accepted and commonplace). It was whimsical and heartfelt, and the characters all grew a great deal by the end of the story. This is definitely one to remember and reread.

This review was written by Constance Lopez. Constance knows magic is real. Dragons, faeries… and don’t even get her started on unicorns. She grew up having epic duels in the woods with her siblings, and nature is still one of her favorite places to be. If she isn’t out there working on her stories, she’s dragging her children and husband on adventures (they always enjoy it once they’re outside). Except in summer. For those months she hides inside, because Texas heat is real and it hates her.

Books have always been her haven and inspiration, and now she writes her own noblebright stories, hoping to pass those feelings along to others. Fantasy, of course. Because everything is better with magic. Her debut YA fantasy will release in Spring 2021.

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Pursuit of Shadows by JA Andrews

This was a reread. It astounds me how much, even when I know what’s going to happen, a story can pull me in, make me feel. It’s a different experience than plunging into the unknown of a new story, but no less intense.Will is a Keeper and a story teller, and he can feel others’ emotions. He came to the Sweep in search of answers—and in search of his sister, who was stolen away as a toddler. When he finds her, slave to the leader of a clan who hate Keepers, he must hide what he is to have any chance of saving her.

This is technically the second book in the Keeper Chronicles, but the cool thing about this series is that each book easily stands on its own. They build on the previous ones, but not in a way that requires having read the previous ones to understand.I teared up so many times during this book. It’s beautiful and subtle and complex. It’s vastly different from the story of book 1, A Threat of Shadows. It’s the same world, but not. A wholly different culture, but seen through the lens of a man from elsewhere. The same magic, but approached differently. That is a big theme in this book. There are different viewpoints, different people who should be at odds—but when you see beyond differences, you can see the humanity of the individual. When you look at what you have in common, what resonates between you and them, you realize you’re more alike than you thought.It’s profound without being preachy, because it’s all experienced through the eyes and emotions of Will, and he feels deeply. He’s a fascinating, complex character; possibly my favorite of Andrews’. All the characters in Pursuit are different. All of them breathe with their own life and hearts and motivations. Even without Will’s magic, it’s easy to see how deeply they each feel. It’s stunning.

There is a romance subplot, but it’s minor. I’ve been reading romance lately, and analyzing what I liked and didn’t about each. While going through this one, I had an epiphany: the romance in this book is incredibly subtle, but it works really well. The characters don’t spend much time pining, or swooning over physical features. They spend time bonding and trying to understand each other. That felt more real to me than the romances in many romance novels.I loved this book the first time I read it. I loved it more the second time. I am certain when I read it again, it will be even better. It’s a beautiful story. I’m so glad it exists.

This review was written by Constance Lopez. Constance knows magic is real. Dragons, faeries… and don’t even get her started on unicorns. She grew up having epic duels in the woods with her siblings, and nature is still one of her favorite places to be. If she isn’t out there working on her stories, she’s dragging her children and husband on adventures (they always enjoy it once they’re outside). Except in summer. For those months she hides inside, because Texas heat is real and it hates her.

Books have always been her haven and inspiration, and now she writes her own noblebright stories, hoping to pass those feelings along to others. Fantasy, of course. Because everything is better with magic. Her debut YA fantasy will release in Spring 2021.

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Dragon’s Reach by JA Andrews

The truth is neither plain, nor simple.

Sable, a reluctant thief from the slums, can feel truth when people speak. For years she’s been using that skill to try to break free from the vicious gang boss she’s indebted to.

Escape comes in the form of an odd set of companions:
-a dwarf running from the past,
-an actor with a magical, glowing tree
-a too-helpful kobold,
-a playwright with a knack for getting stories out of people, and
-a man and woman with suspicious, magical powers.

But Sable’s freedom is short lived.

On the edges of civilization, they discover hidden, terrifying lies in the offers of peace from the brutal Kalesh Empire.

Now, she must return to the city she fled, and along with her companions, attempt an impossible task—convince everyone, including the powerful Dragon Prioress, of the truth.

Except the Kalesh web of lies has ensnared everyone.
With her land, her people, and everything she loves hanging in the balance, Sable is the only one standing between freedom, and certain death.

Pick up the first book of the Keeper Origins Trilogy today, and begin the tale of how an orphaned thief escaped the slums, united a nation, and brought a mighty Empire to its knees.

The Keeper Origins Trilogy, and the Keeper Chronicles Trilogy can be read in any order. They take place in the same world, but are standalone series.

Dragon’s Reach is the first in the epic fantasy Keeper Origins Trilogy.

The story follows Sable, a character who desperately wants a better life for herself and her sister, trapped under the thumb of a crime boss. That is Sable’s driving force throughout this story: protecting the people she cares about. Even when she must sacrifice or risk herself, she does it with barely a thought. She’s not perfect—she’s made mistakes even in her attempts to take care of her sisters through the years since their parents died. But her driving force is constant. She’s a nuanced, fascinating character, especially when you add in her ability to tell when people are lying or telling the truth.

All the characters are given the same treatment: each one is a distinct personality; each one feels flawed and talented in their own right. They interact like real people—not everyone gets along all the time, and they all have their own motives. I can’t wait to see more of each and every one of them in the next books.

There is a romance subplot, but it’s very slow burn. Personally, that’s my favorite kind, as it feels more natural; we see the two grow in friendship before anything else.

The world is rich—for those who came from The Keeper Chronicles, Andrews’ first (delightful) series, some parts of the world will be vaguely familiar. But the passage of time(or rather, the lack thereof) very clearly sets apart two vastly different worlds. This pre-Queensland world is deep and brand new. I can’t help but compare it all to what I know is to come, looking for hints of groundwork for the future cultures we meet later. (It was especially fun to pour over the different maps from the two series) It makes for an even more interesting experience, though it’s safe to say these two series stand apart. You could read this before Keeper Chronicles and nothing would be confusing—Andrews explains the magic and world without drowning us in details or withholding to the point of confusion.

The most unique aspect of this story(besides Sable’s cool ability) would have to be the theater troupe. My personal experience with theater is mostly as an audience member, but I have enough history with behind-the-scenes to say it felt realistic. Theater is full of—cheap tricks doesn’t do it justice—clever tricks, thinking outside of the box, using the mundane available to create magic, and actors pouring themselves into a role until, for a little while, they become the character they portray. Everything comes together to bring a story to life on stage for the audience, and this is captured perfectly as Sable struggles and learns to act to earn her place on stage.

Laced throughout the story are themes of selflessness, family, sacrifice, and redemption. The ending left me breathless, and I will be the first to read the next book when it releases. Sable and co. are worth every moment of my time. And I really really REALLY need to know what’s gonna happen next.

Rating: PG. It’s adult fantasy. Sable is 25, and the story addresses/contains serious issues(betrayal, thievery, fighting), but there wouldn’t be anything objectionable for a younger audience as far as content—nothing gets graphic. There is no language. The romance is quite tame.

Author Bio: Constance Lopez knows magic is real. Dragons, faeries… and don’t even get her started on unicorns. She grew up having epic duels in the woods with her siblings, and nature is still one of her favorite places to be. If she isn’t out there working on her stories, she’s dragging her children and husband on adventures (they always enjoy it once they’re outside). Except in summer. For those months she hides inside, because Texas heat is real and it hates her.

Books have always been her haven and inspiration, and now she writes her own noblebright stories, hoping to pass those feelings along to others. Fantasy, of course. Because everything is better with magic. Her debut YA fantasy will release in Spring 2021.

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Dreams and Shadows – Jeffrey Collyer

Michael desperately wants to fit in …
He doesn’t realize the only place he’ll ever fit in, is another world …
Michael is a troubled young man, searching for something, but he does not know what it is. He was an orphan, and doesn’t have a true family—no one who truly cares for him. He has a strange dream, then an odd experience that throws him into another world. Yet, for the first time in his life, he feels like he belongs. 
He meets all sorts of people, and they all have magic inside of him. Again, he feels alone in a world of magic, but soon he meets good friends, and he realizes he may not be as powerless as he once believed …

Audio Narration:
Michael Troughton does a good job with the book. He’s British, and not a spectacular narrator, but all the same, he does do the audio book version justice. 

Genre:
Portal Fantasy, Epic Fantasy, High Fantasy, Action and Adventure Fantasy, Sword and Sorcery Fantasy, Noblebright

Likes:
This is a wonderful tale of a man discovering the potential within himself, and fighting for what is right. Michael is a great character, a noble man, and becomes a hero. 
The magic system in this book is brilliant. It’s called weaving, and reminds me a bit of Wheel of Time, but add a little bit of The Last Airbender to it to make element magic. However, it’s richer than that. Different people have different weaving abilities. Stone Weavers, who can weave stone, Soul Weavers who can join souls for marriage, Bow Weavers who can use a bow and arrow unlike any other—releasing arrows so fast it’s hard to see with the naked eye, Sword Weavers who can use a sword like nobody’s business, Fire Weavers who can use fire, Sooth Weavers who can detect whether the truth it being told, and so many more!

Dislikes:
This book started slow. Really slow. It starts on earth, in England, where Michael is a lonely character feeling sorry for himself, and hung up on why his mother left him, and why he’s so unworthy to be loved by everyone, including his mother. So, it’s slow to start, but after the new world is introduced, it really kicks off! 
The reunion with the person thought to be Michael’s mother was short lived, and full of questions. I wish it would have been developed a bit more. 
The cover really doesn’t do this book justice. I think a more traditional epic fantasy cover that could capture the magic of weaving would have brought me more into what this book held.

Analysis: 
This is a brilliant book. I have read the book several times and listened to the audio version a few times as well. It really captures me, and is a true tale of Heroic Noblebright. A grand adventure of a man doing everything he can to help the people around him. He won’t give up, and neither should you when you pick up this series. The Aylosian Chronicles has become one of my all time favorite fantasy series, and I hope Jeffrey Collyer writes in this world for a long time to come. 

Content Ratings:

Rated: PG

Heat: None.

Profanity: None.

Violence: Mild Action

This review is by USA Today Bestselling Author Craig A. Price, Jr. Craig writes the Claymore of Calthoria novels, a series featuring a warrior with a shattered past and a quest for vengeance; Dragonia Empire novels, a series featuring a resistance fighting a corrupted empire, and a world of dragons and wyverns; Dragon’s Call novels, a series featuring three sisters who use dragon guides to reunite the fallen kingdoms of Verdil; and Ghost Pr0be novels, a series set in a Sci-Fi future where abortion is illegal in favor of artificial wombs to raise more people for space exploration, a series full of humor and a space mage. 

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