Alora by Tamie Dearen

Alora by Tamie Dearen is a book that is both well written and captivating. There is some great world building in this book and some strong character development.  There is much about the story and world-building that is unique. The book showcased strong loving relationships between family and friends, not including Alora’s dad who is determined to kill her if he can’t control her.

I really loved the fantasy elements of the book. I was not so taken with the romance elements, but that is partly because I am not typically a reader of romance. From my perspective there was far too much kissing going on. However, I think this book will really appeal to female YA readers, especially those who like their fantasy missed together with romance. 

Aranya (Shapeshifter Dragons Book 1) by Marc Secchia

Aranya (Shapeshifter Dragons Book 1) was a very enjoyable read.  Aranya is the Princess of Immadia. As the story begins she is taken as a hostage by the Sylakians who have conquered most of the known world.  Right from the beginning you know that there is something special about this Princess. Aranya is not a sit in the castle and wait to be rescued by Prince Charming kind of Princess.  Aranya is a Princess more than willing to fight her own battles, but more than that she is willing to fight on behalf of the oppressed and those that the Sylakians plan to crush and destroy. When the Sylarkians attempt to execute Aranya all they do is provide the key that unlocks some of the mystery of who she really is.

The world building in this book is very good. The characters and creatures you meet along the way are great.  The plot is excellent. I loved some of the deeper themes like the importance of knowing who you really are and the value of living a life you can be proud of. I was also very taken by a dialogue around the scars that we carry and the value they can have in making us who we are.

One of my favorite things about this book was that it was complete in itself while laying some good groundwork for a sequel which I look forward to reading sometime in the future.   

http://www.amazon.com/Aranya-Shapeshifter-Dragons-Book-1-ebook/dp/B00KYQR4NG

Leandra's Enchanted Flute

Leandra’s Enchanted Flute is one of the most unique stories I have read for some time.  It is the kind of story that could be turned into an enchanting BBC special for older children or any young of heart lover of sweet fantasy.  Leandra and her flute are chosen to join a prince and some talking birds in a quest to heal a world that has been blighted.  Leandra is specially chosen to journey to Finian Jahndra because she has fought and won a battle with cancer on earth. Leandra has a spiritual connection with the world of Finian Jahndra that causes her to rejoice in its places of beauty and feel a deep sense of grief when the world is impacted by the canker that is blighting it.  

There was one place in the book where I wondered if I had skipped some pages.  The raven Eyepecker goes too quickly from being a suspected enemy to a friend.  I was left with the feeling that there was dialogue missing. 

However, all in all the book was very well written. Katy Huth Jones is a gifted writer.  I think this book would be widely acclaimed if it were not for the great many books being published at this moment in time.  

The Gypsy Pearl

The Gypsy Pearl by Lia London

The Gypsy Pearl was a very enjoyable read.  It was quick moving and action packed.  Lia  London quickly drew me in with this tale of a 14 year old girl who lives on a space station. 

Caz is bored and longs to visit the surface of the three worlds that the space station visits in its cycle. She constantly gets into trouble in her search for something more.  Cas is accused of having no respect for authority, trespassing in areas where she doesn’t belong, and being disruptive in school.  Fights with other students result in injury to two of them.  When the second student is injured Cas is sent to a reformatory on the surface.  Cas begins a journey that will help her find what she is truly looking for; a life with meaning and purpose.   

Cas is chosen to receive special gifts by a strange creature who is the travelling companion to gypsies.  The Fanep’s people have been subjected to oppression and taken into captivity.  The Fanep gives Cas gifts so that she can help the creature rescue his people.

Cas appealed to me as the teen who never quite fit the life other expected her to live. She appealed to me as someone who was determined to be her own person.  I appreciated her growth as a person to become someone who was able to care more than just herself. 

This book is a great read for younger teens, but it is also a book that people of all ages will enjoy. From beginning to end it is a captivating story.  I look forward to reading the sequel.