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Legends of Known Lands
Origin
A young heroine’s journey, initiated by a violent attack upon her only family, thrusts her into a world filled with death, deception, desperation and ultimately, a new beginning.
After a savage attack upon her only known relative Elwyn, a sheltered village maiden of sixteen is forced to embark upon a journey to the city of Findara in the land of Silvendil, to seek protection from the father she only recently learned existed. She is catapulted from the safety and security of her small village into a world full of assassins, dangerous creatures, and political intrigue. She discovers allies in the morden, the drakenhawks, the werecats, and her newly discovered uncle. Elwyn and her companions quickly realize that, unless they can find the answers to some key questions regarding her mother’s death, reaching Findara may place her in even greater danger. Some of the answers they seek are found in an old diary left to her by her mother, some are pieced together by her allies, but others still seem to elude them. As the journey nears its end, Elwyn recognizes she is being called to a destiny that is only just beginning.
The story of Origin was written to continually unfold and evolve, drawing the reader into the physical and emotional journeys undertaken by the heroine and her companions. It allows the reader to relate to and understand the struggles, share the emotional highs and lows, and anticipate answers to the unknowns. The story begins with two points of view and two journeys (that of the heroine and her uncle) that eventually intersect and continue on together, culminating in a thrilling conclusion. Although primarily targeted at the young adult reader, the writing is clear, the voices are authentic, and the themes are expressed realistically enough that people of all ages can identify and empathize with both the characters and the story.
After a savage attack upon her only known relative Elwyn, a sheltered village maiden of sixteen is forced to embark upon a journey to the city of Findara in the land of Silvendil, to seek protection from the father she only recently learned existed. She is catapulted from the safety and security of her small village into a world full of assassins, dangerous creatures, and political intrigue. She discovers allies in the morden, the drakenhawks, the werecats, and her newly discovered uncle. Elwyn and her companions quickly realize that, unless they can find the answers to some key questions regarding her mother’s death, reaching Findara may place her in even greater danger. Some of the answers they seek are found in an old diary left to her by her mother, some are pieced together by her allies, but others still seem to elude them. As the journey nears its end, Elwyn recognizes she is being called to a destiny that is only just beginning.
The story of Origin was written to continually unfold and evolve, drawing the reader into the physical and emotional journeys undertaken by the heroine and her companions. It allows the reader to relate to and understand the struggles, share the emotional highs and lows, and anticipate answers to the unknowns. The story begins with two points of view and two journeys (that of the heroine and her uncle) that eventually intersect and continue on together, culminating in a thrilling conclusion. Although primarily targeted at the young adult reader, the writing is clear, the voices are authentic, and the themes are expressed realistically enough that people of all ages can identify and empathize with both the characters and the story.
- GenresFantasyYoung Adult
330 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 26, 2012
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57 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
June 21, 2012
This is the first book I have read that was pretty much dedicated to elves. I liked the story. And it was a nice reprieve to have no love interest to add to the drama. The issues I had with this book was that it repeated itself so many times that it was irritating. I don't know how many times it referenced Elwyn's issues with anxiety towards meeting her father and forming a life-bond with the drakenhawks; or with their lack of knowledge with the shadow squads. I also found the dialogue between the characters to be monotonous and just not well put together. The attempts of humour were not well received by me either. The explanations of food preparations and sleeping arrangements for every day of the journey were completely unnecessary and boring. I will read the next book because I am interested in the story.
February 22, 2013
Again I wish I could do half stars. It was 2.5. I really enjoyed the story. We follow Elwyn as she learns about her heritage and tries to survive assassination attempts. I loved how there was no romance, I'm not interested in a love triangle I just want to read a book that takes a break from that. The things I did not like about this. It was so incredibly repetitive. I thought that I lost my spot a few times and was back further than I was because I was reading pretty much the same stuff I had read 2 chapters ago. Very annoying. And the dialogue between the characters was very stiff. I could not figure out if Ms. Smith really wanted them to talk this way or did she not know how to properly right dialogue [Sorry Ms. Smith, I'm sure it is better than I could write, but that is how it felt].
Overall I would like to read the next one because I did enjoy the story line.
Overall I would like to read the next one because I did enjoy the story line.
June 14, 2012
Meh.
::full review pending::
::full review pending::
June 14, 2014
One of the best fantasy novels I have read. Cannot wait for the sequel which hopefully will be romance free as was this one
Read this book you will not regret it!
Read this book you will not regret it!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews