Michael Meyerhofer

4.5

Book source ~ ARC. My review is voluntary and honest.

It’s been three hectic years since the War of the Lotus and Ruun is far from healed. In fact, it’s barely healing at all. Despite Rowen Locke’s and his allies best efforts there is still strife and rumblings of even more unrest. When a new menace surfaces, threatening to bring down the Dragonward, Rowen and everyone he calls ally must once again fight to defend Ruun from its enemies and the exiled Dragonkin before it’s too late.

For those who have read and enjoyed The Dragonkin Trilogy this new trilogy in the world of Ruun will be right up your alley. For those new to the world of Ruun, you can start with this trilogy, but why? Why would you do that? You’ll miss all the struggles, sacrifices, battles, deception, and triumphs of the first trilogy that lead into this one. So don’t skip it. But if you must, then this first book does a decent job of dropping you into the world and not being totally lost.

Poor Rowen. The unwilling hero just wants to live in peace after witnessing the near destruction of his world. But he’s not going to get it. Told from multiple POVs the action is near non-stop. There are several factions coming together from beginning to end and having multiple viewpoints is the only way to get the full immersion in this world. Some characters I love, some I hate, and some I really loathe, but make no mistake, you won’t walk through this story without feeling something for each one. The world is rich with history and depth and it makes my heart ache knowing that the characters I’ve come to love will get no peace again in it. At least, not just yet. The Dragonward may be done, but the Godsfall trilogy has only just begun.… (meer)

I received the The Dragonkin Trilogy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Wytchfire by Michael Meyerhofer is the first book in The Dragonkin Trilogy. Rowen Locke has always dreamed of becoming a Knight of the Crane, but with war looming Rowen has to decide where he stands.

First I have to say WOW!!! I was thoroughly blown away by this story. It is your typical sword and sorcery tale, but yet it isn't. Yes, it has the good vs. evil. Yes, it has magic. And yes, it has battles, and lots of them. But, what isn't typical is the fact that you won't find your typical races. You won't find dwarfs, elves, orcs, and the like. This tale has a host of very different races. It was very refreshing to meet these new races and still have the feel of a sword and sorcery tale.

This story is very well written with vivid descriptions, and amazing world building. The characters are flawed, which makes them stand out from the pages and become flesh and bone. The dialogue is entertaining with a few laughs here and there.

My only problem with this trilogy is that I feel as though some of the issues surrounding certain characters weren't fully resolved at the end. I'm hoping that the author is going to continue this story with focusing on those particular characters with spin-offs. If not for this fact, I would have given this trilogy five stars. Though I am giving each book their own star, I would rate the entire trilogy 4.5.

I highly recommend this trilogy because it is well written with a host of new races, and lots of excitement.… (meer)

*This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review at my request.

Craig Beck is a new narrator for me. But, I must say, from the first word I enjoyed his mild accent. Yum. I'm taken by his voices for different characters. When he voiced the robber, I could see and hear the different person and personality. Oh I really enjoyed listening to Craig voice the story. He reads with feeling in the moment along with personality with each character. There was only one little oops I picked up on. In Chapter 3, there is a repeat of about 11 words. But seriously, if that's the only bad out of the eleven plus hours, I'll take it!

Michael's writing caught my attention in the prologue. I could see what was happening by the descriptions and cadence of the words. To see Fadarah call forth his secret weapon, The Nightmare. Then to see how the Shel'ai form around it, even the soldiers drawing away from him, it all sets the stage of the war and battles to follow with this powerful force and Fadarah's magic.

We get a feel for the world as Rowen travels. The world has it's prejudice and strong feelings between the people. We get a description of the fantasy world that darkens as Rowen travels through it, seeing more and more of what's happening in the world that he doesn't see on the surface. But Michael's details feel bright when Craig voices it, giving the world a visual we could see and hope that there is light in the world worth saving.

The story has a few point of views as it's told. The repeating ones are: Rowen, Shade, Fadarah, Lethe, and Hrathbam. There are a few others through the story with the eyes in the moment we need to learn about. But it's easy to follow who's who because you know where they are in the world and what's happening. My only small struggle with this was I was listening to audio and not reading words, so when the narrative switched in a chapter it took me a few moments to realize we were on to another character. (It would be nice to have a small sound or something to let you know there is a change happening.)

This book brings together the people that need to be together for the terrible battle that's about to happen, setting the stage for all characters and circumstances. Some of the connections are magical. Like Rowen given the dinged up, rusty sword. But we learn there's more to what he sees. Interesting.

Silwren seems like a character who cares, wants to do what's right, she just needs to see that there are those in the world worth saving. Silwren sees this in Rowen in their time together. Do I feel this is as strong of a sense for Silwren? Mmm. Yes and no. I felt like there could be more of a connection between the two characters. They talk, yes. She answers Rowen's questions, yes. Rowen has stood for her life a few times, yes. The actions are all there, but it felt like the emotional connection needed was not as strong. This is a fantasy story and emotions aren't always as strong for me when I read/listen to fantasy.

I found my attention didn't stray from the story. I was listening to the story as it went, not letting it fade into the background until something caught my attention and drew me back in. This is a plus!

I enjoyed the story told here. There are neat ties between the people that we see in the end. This is a fantasy series I wouldn't mind following along to the end. There is going to be more battles to be fought as people fight for what they feel is right because of treatment. But, it seems that in the end the views of the people that are feared are being changed because of their actions to help, in one city at least.… (meer)

*Book source ~ A review copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.

Newly minted Knight of the Crane, Rowen Locke has fulfilled his dream of becoming a Knight of the Lotus Isles even if the way he came about it was unorthodox. Wielding Knightswrath, the legendary sword of Fâyu Jinn, there are those who would take it away from him even though it was given to him in good faith. In order to protect the relic and help stop the war machine rolling across the lands he, Jalist and Silwren travel to the Wytchforest in attempt to garner allies. But in war-strewn Ruun the way is perilous even for the heroes of Lyos. Nothing is as it seems and there is an unknown sinister force hiding in the shadows, pushing chess pieces around the board, waiting for the right moment to strike and conquer all that Rowen holds dear. Unfortunately, Rowen discovers this knowledge too late to prevent mass destruction, death and personal loss. Can one man, a humble lowly Knight, save an entire world when he’s not even sure he can save himself?

This epic fantasy has so much going on that it’s hard to sum it up without giving things away. Told from multiple POVs, each person brings a piece of the puzzle to the table. Everyone has a plan and they don’t all mesh, even the ones who think they do may end up being taken by surprise and betrayed. Or maybe not. Sneakiness and hidden agendas abound and the end game is in sight. The villains are numerous and allies are besieged. The land is overrun and the safe places are shrinking. Death and despair are everywhere. And yet, there are those who still fight. Still defend. Even when it seems hopeless.

The writing is superb and this novel is populated with a wide variety of interesting characters and many different factions coming together in this war. Rowen is an excellent hero. He has his flaws, but he’s always trying to do the right thing. Not because it will garner him accolades, but because his moral compass dictates so to him. That moral compass gets him into a lot of trouble, but, with the help of his friends and sometimes from unexpected quarters, he somehow manages to persevere. And Holy Shit! That ending? Wow. Of the several possible scenarios I did not expect that particular one. I now have a song stuck in my head, Where Do We Go From Here? from the Buffy the Vampire Slayer episode Once More, With Feeling. I have no idea how the final leg of this story is going to play out and I can’t wait to find out.… (meer)