I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A newborn child in a magical kingdom promises to be the powerful protector the people have been waiting for in author Mandy Eve-Barnett’s “Rython Legacy”, the sequel to the author’s first book, The Rython Kingdom.
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The Synopsis
Juliana held her granddaughter in her arms; it was a bittersweet moment. The child was a delight but also her replacement; she was the new sorceress who would protect the kingdom if called upon. At that precise moment, Maralynn opened her golden eyes – there was such intensity in them that her observers were taken aback at the obvious power the new little being held. A thin thread of cyan mist floated and twisted above the happy group… unobserved., a portent of things to come. Maralynn’s reign as Eldenma would be fraught with challenges, but could her exceptional power ultimately overcome?
The Review
The author did such an incredible job of crafting a story that felt both new and familiar all at once. The way the story was able to delve further into this magical world and the mythos it contained was inspired, and the amount of story the author was able to fit into such a short read was truly creative. The overall narrative felt very much like a fairy tale, embedding the classic themes of romance, the hero’s journey, and a child who grew up to become a powerful force of nature facing an ancient evil all into one story.
The rich character development within this narrative was spectacular. The evolution of the protagonist from her youth spent as a curious child with great power to a beautiful young woman seeking to heal a broken-hearted king and finding love in the process was beautiful to watch unfold, while the villain hiding in plain sight aspect of the narrative really elevated the tension and shock as the story’s climax arrived.
The Verdict
Hauntingly beautiful, magical, and entertaining, author Mandy Eve-Barnett’s “Rython Legacy” is a must-read sequel to The Rython Kingdom! The fast-paced tempo of the narrative and captivating characters helped elevate the magic and wonder of this kingdom and world and made the story shine brightly. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
Mandy currently lives in Alberta, Canada but is originally from England. Her background is diverse and gives her rich experience to utilize in her writing. Mandy has been a nursing professional, a business owner, and a sort after administration expert. She has traveled throughout Europe, parts of America and Canada and was born in Africa.
Mandy is passionate about writing to the point of obsession and she succeeded in becoming a published author in record time. Mandy’s venture into freelance writing has been successful and she regularly contributes to Strathcona Connect, an e-zine and the Never Been Better page in the Sherwood Park newspaper as well as well as holding the position of Secretary for her local writing group, Writers Foundation of Strathcona County. She is also Secretary of Alberta Authors Cooperative.
Writing in various genres, Mandy has been published in anthologies, on numerous web sites as well as regularly blogging about her writing journey.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
As a great evil looms over the world and is threatening to consume it whole, three young heroes continue their quest to the other side of Eternity’s Mirror to find the answers they seek in author Zachary Hagen’s “Eternity’s Mirror”, the second book in the Eternal Chronicles series.
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The Synopsis
Flip the coin and find a whole new world on the other side.
The Circle is uniting the countries of Lux Terra. Elior, Nyx, and Opal are finding that some things have changed as the result of their adventures with Michael. Yrahkaz has been tasked with squashing the growing obsession with Michael.
When an important clue to finding Eliam and fixing Nyx’s and Opal’s problems is given to them, they recruit the help of a disgraced magi-technician to get to him, but their initial success is more then they bargained for.
The other side of the Mirror of Eternity is filled with wonders and dangers they never imagined. Will they still be able to prevail against an evil that is bent on devouring them whole, or will they fall prey to its cunning pursuit?
Eternity’s Mirror is the thrilling continuation of The Eternal Chronicles picking up where Eternity’s Well left off.
The Review
The world-building in this novel is simply incredible. While I am new to this series and I would recommend reading the first book in the series to really be able to capture the backstory and history of these characters, the author did an amazing job of building a story that could stand on its own two feet and a mythos that is rich with dynamic history and storytelling. The way the setting allowed readers to be brought into a brand new world while seeing how magic and sword & sorcery style storytelling could reflect in a more modern world was incredible to see and made the journey feel that much more engaging.
The character growth was spectacular here. The way the author was able to introduce a wide array of characters to help flesh out this growing mythos while also giving more depth to the main cast of characters, both the protagonists and antagonists alike, was beautifully done. The heart of the narrative really did a great job of balancing out the larger, fate of the world dangers with the more personal character struggles, like Elior’s journey to finding Elliam.
The Verdict
Mesmerizing, powerful, and entertaining, author Zachary Hagen’s “Eternity’s Mirror” is a must-read novel of 2022 for any fans of epic fantasy storytelling. The rich history and mythos that the author has crafted for this world and the hero’s journey theme that can be found throughout the narrative made this a truly engaging storyline, and the promise of another thrilling chapter with an open-ended final chapter made this a story that couldn’t be put down. Be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
Zachary Hagen is a North Carolina based fantasy author and teacher. He lives there with his wife, Claudia, and their dog, Flynn. When he isn’t busy writing his next book or teaching, you can often find him walking around his neighbor hood or up hiking in Hanging Rock Park with his wife and their friends.
From a young age he was enthralled with the world of story. From the stories his parents read to him from his blue bedtime story books (if you know, you know) to the first two series that he read, The Chronicles of Narnia and A Series of Unfortunate Events, Zachary’s tastes continued to develop throughout his years of reading.
The influences for his first series, The Eternal Chronicles, include Christopher Paolini, J. R. R. Tolkien, C. S. Lewis, and others.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A young girl reeling from the news that her parents are separating absent-mindedly partakes in a grand wish to bring her family back together, and inadvertently unleashes a portal for a powerful wizard in the process in author J. Lynn Else’s “Descendants of Avalon”, the first volume in the Awakenings series.
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The Synopsis
Genie’s parents are divorcing. Her friends convince her they should all wish for them to stay together at the town’s fountain. Genie thinks it’s ridiculous, but what could it hurt, right?
Turns out it could hurt a lot.
The power of the united wish opens a portal to the long forgotten land of Avalon. An evil sorcerer traps one of Genie’s friends and seeks to use the girls’ coins to retake Earth. Now Genie and her friends must venture into this magical world in hopes of saving both lands and themselves.
Join the adventure in this first installment of the Awakening Series.
The Review
This was a fantastic and magical YA fantasy read! The author’s ability to naturally weave in elements and mythological aspects of the Arthurian legend into a more modernized YA spin with a cast of strong female protagonists was absolutely incredible to read. The exploration of themes such as friendship, the journey towards adulthood, and the dangers that sometimes come with trying to change fate are all so well represented here and are highlighted beautifully with chilling mythological figures and intense action and adventure.
The way the author is able to hone in and focus on the core cast of characters and develop them in such a natural way in this larger-than-life, fantasy-driven narrative was so fun to see. Delving into the heartbreak and hardship of teenage life, including the issues they face like the crumbling of the only family they ever knew through a divorce, was a fantastic way to give the young women’s adventure and epic journey more heart and humanity, while the fantasy elements and this otherworldly environment was so well represented by the history and culture of Arthurian legends while also capturing the author’s voice and creativity perfectly.
The Verdict
Mesmerizing, entertaining, and brilliantly written, author J. Lynn Else’s “Descendants of Avalon” is a must-read YA Fantasy novel! The brilliant sense of adventure and wonderment that any young person would feel being thrust into this magical world, as well as the fear and worry when danger arrives, is felt in the tone and atmosphere the author has crafted, and the way the setting and characters seem to balance out one another makes the story flourish until the final pages, where readers will be eager to devour the next book in this series. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
Award-winning author J. LYNN ELSE loves reading and writing about awesome women from antiquity. Besides history, she also gets nerdy with Star Wars, Star Trek, and MST3K. She’s self-published two historical fiction novels set in ancient Egypt, The Forgotten: Aten’s Last Queen and The Forgotten: Heir of the Heretic.Descendants of Avalon, Awakenings book 1 a YA Fantasy with interwoven elements of the legends and people of King Arthur’s time, was released through Inklings Publishing in May 2018. Book 2, The Lost Daughters of Avalon was released in 2019, and Book 3 Destiny of Avalon in July of 2021. Additionally, in July of 2018, she self-published a sci fi novella, Strangely Constructed Souls, which asks ‘what the price of revenge and how far would you go to right a wrong?’ Her short story The Girl from the Haunted Woods, about friendships, secrets, and witchy curses, won 2nd place in the Journey into the Fantastical anthology contest. Besides writing, J. Lynn recently became the Indie Reviews Editors for the Historical Novel Society (historicalnovelsociety.org).
J. Lynn’s always had a flare for the dramatic, graduating college with a theater major and a dance minor. She lives in Minnesota with her husband and two kids where her shelves are overrun with books, her kitchen is overrun with loose-leaf tea, and her workroom is overrun with Funko Pop figures. She enjoys sketching, reliving her 1990s by watching the latest X-Files episodes, honing her Fruit Ninja skills, and randomly busting out into song and dance. She believes in unicorns and practicing random acts of awesome.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A young woman seeking her destiny as a ruler runs off when her rights as heir to the throne are forfeited, and upon returning to her planet she discovers a land ravaged by war and hostility in author Fern Brady’s “United Vidden”.
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The Synopsis
Shattered by her father’s decision to deny her the throne as the first female heir of Dravidia, Princess Verena makes the worst mistake of her life: She runs away. Her departure, days before her wedding to the heir of the Principality of Aulden, throws her nation into war. In a desperate bid to reverse the consequences of her choice, the princess returns to planet Jorn, anxious to prove herself worthy to rule. But it is too late. The princess finds her kingdom conquered by Prince Amiel ra Aulden. Now, Verena must earn back her birthright as well as the trust of her people.
The Review
This was an incredibly wonderful blend of science fiction and fantasy storytelling. The old world politics and fiery intensity between the ruling figures spoke to classic fantasy storytelling, while they travel between planets, and the exploration of how “Earth” has influenced other worlds in the universe was pure sci-fi through and through. The richness of the mythos the author has crafted here and the natural fusion of these two genres are an immediate plus for newcomers to this author’s work.
The character development was complex and rich to take in. The raw emotions of Verena and her journey as she fights for what she believes is her birthright, then quickly grow as a fighter and a ruler who will do anything to set things right, makes this story shine so brightly. The complex relationship she has with the Prince is both heated and passionate in an intricate way, and the exploration of politics in such a grand arena as this story is amazing to read.
The Verdict
Exhilarating, entertaining, and thoughtful in its approach, author Fern Brady’s “United Vidden” is a must-read epic sci-fi fantasy read that is impossible to put down. The gripping narrative and haunting nature of Verena’s path in this book highlight the action and romance that lace the intricate layers of this wonderfully woven narrative. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
Fern Brady is the founder and CEO of Inklings Publishing. She holds multiple Masters degrees and several certifications. She began her professional life as a foreign correspondent, taught for 15 years in Alief ISD, and is a full-time Realtor in Houston. She has published numerous short stories, two children’s picture books, and a couple of poems. Her debut novel, United Vidden, which is book one in her Thyrein’s Galactic Wall Series, released in 2020 along with her graphic novel/novella hybrid New Beginning. She is the current president of the Houston Writers Guild, with whom she served in that capacity previously, and is on the board of Authorology. Besides being Municipal Liaison for Nanowrimo Houston, she is also a member of American Book Publishers Association as well as of Blood Over Texas and Romance Writers of America. She lives in Houston, TX, with her parents and her talkative husky, Arya. Follow Fern’s writing at: www.fernbrady.com
Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?
Writing has been a passion since I was a child. In elementary school I was read The Hobbit by Tolkien in one of my English classes and the story opened my eyes to the fantasy world (and genre) in general.
That Christmas I received my own copy of The Hobbit from my uncle—and the basic box set of TSR’s Dungeons & Dragons game. My family started playing the game and from that time on, my love of all things sword and sorcery grew.
Over the years, I started to memorialize certain characters, campaigns, and unforgettable moments from my time as a player character and as a dungeon master in small, campaign-specific diaries. This collection of adventures and stories became the basis for many of the protagonists and villains in The Last Keeper—and make up various parts of the realm of Warminster.
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What inspired you to write your book?
I started writing when I was very young. My uncle was paralyzed in the Vietnam War and when he returned home, my mother was his nurse. I practically grew up by his side and the kind of activities he could engage in were limited. But writing was something he could do, and so I started into creative writing and playing Dungeons & Dragons with him as a form of escapism from real life.
I eventually took some creative writing classes in high school and then again in college, but my focus was on government, so I ended up writing every day for a living. However, writing legislation, grants, and speeches tends to be a world away from crafting fiction. In many respects, I had to flip the switch and transition from non-fiction to fiction, so I struggled early with dialogue and story pacing. But I think my professional career prepared me to be a descriptive writer and to make sure the plot lines were buttoned up.
What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?
I find several themes run deep in my work including overcoming struggle and answering a call to duty. I think most people can identify with these themes in their own Well walk of life, whether it’s a physical struggle, and mental battle or even an emotional war.
In my book, The Last Keeper, some of the main characters face these same struggles in times of war, in a forbidden romance or two, and in the way people of mixed blood in the realm are treated.
My hope is that readers will recognize that sometimes answering a call to duty or service your community is greater than selfish needs. And of course, the characters in the Last Keeper grow to understand these virtues through their own personal struggles.
What drew you into this particular genre?
Shared experiences from my various Dungeons & Dragons campaigns have always been at the heart of my work. If you are a TTRPGer, I’m sure you get this. Playing D&D with friends and family scattered through several decades really generated a lot of ideas that I could mesh into The Last Keeper, but also allowed me to go off script and away from D&D, creating unique monsters like the Antlered Man.
The D&D modules of the Ravenloft series and The Vault of the Drow were player and DM favorites and inspired many fun nights and memories, including the creation of one of the villains in The Last Keeper, Incanus Dru’Waith.
If you could sit down with any character in your book, what would you ask them and why?
I think I would sit down with Sir Ritter of Valkeneer.
In truth, he’s based on an old Dungeons and Dragons character that I played to a high level and I modeled him after Aragorn from Lord of the Rings and mixed in more than a pinch of Salvatore’s dark elven ranger, Drizzt Do’Urden of the Dark Elf series.
I would want to know how he handled growing up in a society that looked at him as a “trollborn,” or aa person of mixed blood. Coupled with the fact that he’s also born a low noble, he does the unenviable task of defending a very dangerous borderland and yet he’s disrespected by both his human relatives and his relatives of elven blood.
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What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?
Twitter. The writing community there has been tremendously supportive and helpful. Most authors follow back and help with retweets, but and the marketplace for readers and buyers is very active. I receive advice, requests for autographed copies and opinions about my characters very frequently, including helpful constructive criticism from time to time. And if you have a thick skin and an open mind, most opinions and ideas are well intended.
What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?
Keep writing!
Even if it’s just an outline for a chapter or ideas that you’re memorializing in your notes. Making writing habitual by setting goals—no matter how small or large. You don’t want to fall off of pace and in this day and age of the marketplace, readers expect quicker turn-arounds and more releases than ever.
Also, remember this is supposed to be fun! People read for entertainment purposes and as a writer it shouldn’t be much different for you. Writing should be an outlet to funnel your creative spirit and ideas in the right direction, but you have to have fun with it. When you do, the product is so much better.
What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?
Vorodin’s Lair is the second book in the Warminster series, a continuation of the story of Daemus Alaric, the low Keeper from the Cathedral of the Watchful Eye. It is due out in July or August of 2022, with the third book in the series due out around the holidays of 2022 or quarter one of 2023.
Born of steel, fire and black wind, J.V. Hilliard was raised as a highlander in the foothills of a once-great mountain chain on the confluence of the three mighty rivers that forged his realm’s wealth and power for generations.
His father, a peasant twerg, toiled away in industries of honest labor and instilled in him a work ethic that would shape his destiny. His mother, a local healer, cared for his elders and his warrior uncle, who helped to raise him during his formative years. His genius brother, whose wizardly prowess allowed him to master the art of the abacus and his own quill, trained with him for battles on fields of green and sheets of ice.
Hilliard’s earliest education took place in his warrior uncle’s tower, where he learned his first words. HIs uncle helped him to learn the basics of life—and, most importantly, creative writing.
Hilliard’s training and education readied him to lift a quill that would scribe the tale of the realm of Warminster, filled with brave knights, harrowing adventure and legendary struggles. He lives in the city of silver cups, hypocycloids and golden triangles with his wife, a ranger of the diamond. They built their castle not far into the countryside, guarded by his own two horsehounds, Thor and MacLeod, and resides there to this day.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
Sion realizes that he has become a pawn in yet another game, and must rise to uncover the truth before an unspeakable plot and enemies from both outside and inside of his current home in author T.C. Marti’s “Wind Keeper”, the third and final chapter in the Elementals of Nordica Trilogy.
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The Synopsis
Sion Zona thought he at least had a sense of security in Nordica…
…Until realization strikes that he is nothing more than a pawn in yet another game
He could’ve seen Tamuria playing this game. But Nordica? Sion spent the last year believing that Nordica was the Land of Elementals. A place where elementals could freely practice their ability on their own terms, unlike the perpetual restrictions Tamuria set.
Now that the truth’s out in the open, it’s clear the Nordicans were only using their elementals for their own, selfish gain.
Then again, not everything out there meets the eye. Was using elementals and Elemental Masters really Nordica’s ulterior motive? Or is someone or something more sinister pulling Nordica’s strings?
And if that’s the case, every single elemental in the World of Eidolon is in danger. War has ravaged the region. Death is everywhere. And now, Sion must deal with not just an external enemy, but numerous internal enemies.
Wind Keeper is Book III in the Elementals of Nordica Series and the conclusion to the Eidolon Trilogy. If you love global conspiracies, alternate worlds, swords, and sorcery, plus a blend of old-world epic fantasy fused into science fiction, look no further!
The Review
What a shocking and exhilarating final chapter in this particular series. The action and suspense that went into this narrative were so profoundly felt. The author once again did such a fantastic job of balancing the fantasy elements of the magic and powers the Nine had and how it impacted their character traits with the science-fiction of the futuristic and otherworldly settings along with the political and militaristic aspects of the narrative.
The rich character development and the impact the narrative has on this cast of characters is so expertly told. Getting to see how far these characters have evolved over time and how powerful they’ve grown both individually and as a group was amazing. The themes were so powerful here, getting to see how politics can muddy the waters of any powerful nation, as well as the dangers of being used as weapons and having your freedoms stripped from you in the face of a powerful force.
The Verdict
Mesmerizing, action-packed, and thought-provoking, author TC Marti’s “Wind Keeper” is a must-read genre mashup of fantasy and science fiction! The perfect way to end this particular series, the author does an amazing job of leaving a big enough cliffhanger that readers should expect a brand-new trilogy to follow up this one and continue this amazing story. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
TC Marti has been an avid reader/writer for over three decades. He is the author of the Elementals Universe, a shared speculative fiction universe spanning multiple series. He is also a workout fanatic and a fan of Arizona sports teams.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
Two boys must traverse a magical London in search of friendship and acceptance in author Clarissa Pattern’s “Airy Nothing”.
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The Synopsis
When you’ve always been told you’re wrong, finding a place that accepts you can be the most magical thing in the world.
John has always seen things others could not see. He runs away to fabled London to find his fortune, but all he finds are grimy streets, rife with hangings and disease. BlackJack is a fast-talking pickpocket ready to show John a new life in the big city. When John first sees Shakespeare’s wondrous Globe theatre, he becomes convinced that this is where he truly belongs. But can BlackJack resist the urge to make some easy coin off of his new, naïve friend? And can John step up to the stage before the beast of the city swallows them both? AIRY NOTHING is a magical period tale of two boys finding friendship, love, and acceptance in seething Elizabethan London.
The Review
This was a remarkable read. The author did a great job of striking the perfect balance between the realism of the character growth and settings with the fantasy element of the magical realism the genre calls for. The way the author explores the world that exists just a shift away from our own world and how the protagonist deals with this world as he makes his way through the streets of London was so unique to see, and the magical nature of the narrative added to the heightened tone and emotions the author was delving into.
Character growth was very prominent in this narrative, and actually made the story what it was. The exploration of sexuality and identity in this narrative was so profound through John’s story, exploring the world’s perspective of a person and standing this against the feelings, emotions, and internal knowledge that a person has about their own selves. The complex relationship not only between John and the magical world of the fae around him but between him and Jack was so moving and kept the reader invested in this story.
The Verdict
Captivating, entertaining, and hauntingly beautiful, author Clarissa Pattern’s “Airy Nothing” is a must-read magical realism novel. The breathtaking scenery and atmosphere the author created mirrored the fantasy and emotional character growth that brought real people to live in a world that feels so much like our own world and really created a gripping story that readers wouldn’t be able to put down. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
Clarissa Pattern studied English language and literature at the University of Oxford and has lived in the Oxfordshire area ever since. She has been writing ever since she could hold crayons and scribble across the wallpaper. Aside from writing, she spends as much time with her kids as they’ll put up with, ignores almost all the housework, and has an ever-increasing list of books she’s frantic to read. Her stories have been published in various anthologies over the years, and in August 2021, she released her first novel, a magical, historical YA called Airy Nothing.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A young woman who has become the heir to a multiversal kingdom must protect her loved ones and stop her maniacal grandfather, who took her own father’s life, in author V.K. Tritschler’s “Revenge Seeker”, the second book in the Vital Impetus series.
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The Synopsis
Her Grandfather took her father’s life, and now Jess wants revenge.
Heir to a multi-verse kingdom Jess should be the most powerful woman in the world, able to keep her loved ones safe and bring peace to the realms. But with her newfound powers, came newfound dangers.
Jess is determined to protect the people she loves. To keep her sister, mother and boyfriend Peter safe, she sends them away, where her enemies can’t find them. When, Peter’s parents find out she’s the offspring of their mortal enemy, they are determined to keep them apart forever.
Going alone is perilous, and it’s hard to tell the difference between friend and foe. Determined to bring down her maniacal Grandfather, Jess is just beginning to realize the depth of her ties to those around her and the strength they bring to her.
Will she become the great protector or is she more like her Grandfather than she wants to admit?
The Review
This was such a fast-paced and entertaining read! The author did a truly fantastic job of world-building and crafting a very rich and descriptive narrative that really brought a large sense of imagery that captured the essence of these various worlds and realms the narrative took the protagonist in. The balance of character growth and mythos was perfectly captured, bringing both heart and creativity to the worlds in which Jess found herself.
The character exploration in this story was unparalleled. The examination of protagonist Jess was especially brilliant, as her gifts and her mission for revenge were really tested when faced with the strain it put on her relationships, both with her mom and sister and with her longtime friend and boyfriend Peter. The twists and turns that came as a result of her desire to protect them as well as her need to avenge her father’s death were amazing. The tension and grim reality of her family life came to life in her battle with her grandfather, as she had to not only discover what life was like in his kingdom and under his rule but had to discover the lengths to which his villainy and desire for power extended.
The Verdict
Captivating, engaging, and adrenaline-fueled fantasy action and adventure, author VK Tritschler’s “Revenge Seeker” is a must-read novel and the perfect next chapter in the Vital Impetus series! The twists and turns in Jess’s journey and the exploration of the corruption that power can bring and the blurred line that can come when seeking both justice and vengeance made this story really come to life, and the cliffhanger ending that left the fate of several characters up in the air made this a book that couldn’t be missed. So be sure to grab your copy of this wonderful read today!
VK Tritschler is the definition of very busy. Having both a fulltime job, a growing family and a career as an author she has a lot going on both around her and in her imagination. She lives on the amazing Eyre Peninsula in South Australia, having moved there from her hometown of Christchurch, New Zealand. Her family consists of a very patient husband, two rampant boys, and too many pets to mention.
She has a wonderful set of amazing writers who support her in the form of Eyre Writers, and in return, she offers crowd control services for the Youth section who are the future best-selling Australian authors.
Her first book “The Secret Life of Sarah Meads” was released in 2018 and since then she has participated in the NYC Writing Challenge, the Clunes Booktown, and helped organise and run the Eyre Writers Festival. Next came the paranormal anthology of “Magic & Mischief” with her story “Vital Impetus” which came out in July 2020.
After this, “The Risky Business of Romance” was released in October 2020 – a romantic suspense set in rural South Australia, and Trade Secrets is a rom-com based in Adelaide came out in December 2020. “A Town Called Nowhere” a paranormal romance about were-panthers set in rural Australia, was released in April 2021, with the second book out in October 2021.
Ever available to her readership you can find her at:
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A famed troubadour set to tell a tale in the King’s court finds himself the pawn of a powerful witch, and must work to outsmart her and save the kingdom in author Mandy Eve-Barnett’s “The Rython Kingdom”.
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The Synopsis
Unaware he is a pawn in a vengeful plan, Guillem’s actions may release an evil witch from her entrapment.
The famed troubadour attends the king’s court to recite a marvelous tale but his suspicions are raised by a strange servant. With the help of a wizened old woman, and her beautiful granddaughter, Guillem attempts to outwit the witch to save the kingdom from murder and mayhem.
He then finds himself part of a ritual for life everlasting with the entrancing and mysterious Juliana.
The Review
This was such a fun and engaging fantasy read. The story read like a brilliant new fairy tale, with a rich tapestry of characters that made the world the author created to feel alive and breathtaking. The action and the suspense that the author utilized in this narrative made the characters feel like they fit into this magical world, and the unique backstory of the protagonist and his turn as a hero and the hero’s journey he went on were so brilliantly written.
What stood out to me however were two things: the world-building and the mystery. The natural way this kingdom came to life and built upon a rich history within just a short amount of pages really captured the magic and wonder that the author was going for. Meanwhile, the inclusion of mystery and suspense elevated the narrative ten-fold, with an increased level of intrigue that kept the reader hooked throughout the narrative.
The Verdict
Masterful, captivating, and entertaining, author Mandy Eve-Barnett’s “The Rython Kingdom” is a must-read fairy tale! The fantasy and intrigue the novel brings will keep readers hooked, while the memorable cast of characters and epic fantasy action and romance will delight and engage readers who love adult fantasy reads. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
Mandy currently lives in Alberta, Canada but is originally from England. Her background is diverse and gives her rich experience to utilize in her writing. Mandy has been a nursing professional, a business owner, and a sort after administration expert. She has traveled throughout Europe, parts of America and Canada and was born in Africa.
Mandy is passionate about writing to the point of obsession and she succeeded in becoming a published author in record time. Mandy’s venture into freelance writing has been successful and she regularly contributes to Strathcona Connect, an e-zine and the Never Been Better page in the Sherwood Park newspaper as well as well as holding the position of Secretary for her local writing group, Writers Foundation of Strathcona County. She is also Secretary of Alberta Authors Cooperative.
Writing in various genres, Mandy has been published in anthologies, on numerous web sites as well as regularly blogging about her writing journey.
