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Dragons & Runics #1
Defiance
THEY WERE ALL DEAD.
At first, a collective power in the Seven Soleran Kingdoms made sense. United under the Council, they thought it would be the end of years of war and death.
When the Council ordered the systematic murder of those capable of wielding magic - Runics - as reparation for their role in the Soleran loss of the Great War, no one thought twice of the order.
Except a few Dragonics - prestigious dragon riders - who defied the damning orders and instead demanded justice. But, their call for defiance came too late.
NONE SURVIVED.
Now, those against the Council's oppressive reign have long since been outcast to the fringes of society - their numbers and will dwindling. Alaister Paine, Commander of the Rogue Dragonics - an elite force of Resistance Dragon Riders - leads the quest for freedom and justice with little hope of success.
On the eve of a political victory for the Council, Paine deciphers one of his predecessor's logs revealing that one Runic - a woman of untold magic - was hidden from the Council's grasp.
Find the Runic, and the Rogues will finally be able to enact a legendary prophecy meant to free Solera and bring justice back to its people.
Trouble is… they are not the only ones searching for the last Soleran Runic.
At first, a collective power in the Seven Soleran Kingdoms made sense. United under the Council, they thought it would be the end of years of war and death.
When the Council ordered the systematic murder of those capable of wielding magic - Runics - as reparation for their role in the Soleran loss of the Great War, no one thought twice of the order.
Except a few Dragonics - prestigious dragon riders - who defied the damning orders and instead demanded justice. But, their call for defiance came too late.
NONE SURVIVED.
Now, those against the Council's oppressive reign have long since been outcast to the fringes of society - their numbers and will dwindling. Alaister Paine, Commander of the Rogue Dragonics - an elite force of Resistance Dragon Riders - leads the quest for freedom and justice with little hope of success.
On the eve of a political victory for the Council, Paine deciphers one of his predecessor's logs revealing that one Runic - a woman of untold magic - was hidden from the Council's grasp.
Find the Runic, and the Rogues will finally be able to enact a legendary prophecy meant to free Solera and bring justice back to its people.
Trouble is… they are not the only ones searching for the last Soleran Runic.
- GenresFantasyEpic Fantasy
526 pages, Paperback
First published February 28, 2013
About the author
A. Wrighton
6 books132 followersA. Wrighton has been imagining flights of wild fancy since before she could figure out how to tie her shoes. Her love of writing, creating, and imagination has led her through a life full of fantastically crazy & amazing adventures.
A. Wrighton's literary efforts were first noticed in grade school and again in college where she was held at grade point and commanded to switch majors and write. Since that fateful day in autumn, she has followed her creativity's calling and went forward to earn honors in a BA in English as well as honors in a MFA in Creative Writing.
A. Wrighton writes sci-fi/fantasy (her passion), historical fiction, character-driven fiction, romance, and suspense. She also writes feature screenplays, TV spec scripts, and the occasional short film. In addition to her writing, A. Wrighton mentors fellow writers and works to help fellow indie authors with editing and story development services.
A. Wrighton resides somewhere in the beautiful Ventura County and loves her native city of Los Angeles. She lives with her amazing family and two dogs and often finds herself writing in little neighborhood joints - a cup of coffee or tea at her side.
A. Wrighton's literary efforts were first noticed in grade school and again in college where she was held at grade point and commanded to switch majors and write. Since that fateful day in autumn, she has followed her creativity's calling and went forward to earn honors in a BA in English as well as honors in a MFA in Creative Writing.
A. Wrighton writes sci-fi/fantasy (her passion), historical fiction, character-driven fiction, romance, and suspense. She also writes feature screenplays, TV spec scripts, and the occasional short film. In addition to her writing, A. Wrighton mentors fellow writers and works to help fellow indie authors with editing and story development services.
A. Wrighton resides somewhere in the beautiful Ventura County and loves her native city of Los Angeles. She lives with her amazing family and two dogs and often finds herself writing in little neighborhood joints - a cup of coffee or tea at her side.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 16, 2013
This was an interesting read. I found the concept interesting and the story delivered on what was promised.
The fantasy world was interesting and the action was fun. The magic system was easy to understand and follow as no one was overpowered and great power had its consequences. Everything starts with a bang and this is a good way to draw in readers. The writing style was new and fresh and the voice gave seriousness when needed, but was able to be playful at the comic relief moments. The text is cleverly descriptive and the words fly off the page. The writer has a strong voice as her prose are strong. The tone is strikes a beautiful balance between dramatic and fun.
The characters were not as bright as I had hoped. Kalyna is a well-rounded character with her quirks and this made her fun to engage. However, the people around her were less engaging and seemed to have less going for them in the likability and/or fun department. They were kind just there to fill a specific role, like checkmarks off a balance sheet. This mostly goes for Alainster.
I have yet to read a perfect book and this one falls short in a few areas. My first issue is the prophesy as it comes off a bit ham-handed. Initially, it is a prophesy that you work forward to instead of working back from. It simply stated that Kalyna will save the world, even though she has no real motivation to help the people she is helping. Second, it was laid on kind of THICK from my perspective. Every other page we are TOLD why Kalyna is important, or that she needs to be protected at all cost, etc etc. This takes the prophesy from subtext to text and it is a bit exhausting after a few times. Also, I found it a bit odd that an attractive woman would go to the camp of a few hundred men, alone. To be honest, that just spells disaster and seems a bit unrealistic.
All in all, I would recommend giving this book a look.
The fantasy world was interesting and the action was fun. The magic system was easy to understand and follow as no one was overpowered and great power had its consequences. Everything starts with a bang and this is a good way to draw in readers. The writing style was new and fresh and the voice gave seriousness when needed, but was able to be playful at the comic relief moments. The text is cleverly descriptive and the words fly off the page. The writer has a strong voice as her prose are strong. The tone is strikes a beautiful balance between dramatic and fun.
The characters were not as bright as I had hoped. Kalyna is a well-rounded character with her quirks and this made her fun to engage. However, the people around her were less engaging and seemed to have less going for them in the likability and/or fun department. They were kind just there to fill a specific role, like checkmarks off a balance sheet. This mostly goes for Alainster.
I have yet to read a perfect book and this one falls short in a few areas. My first issue is the prophesy as it comes off a bit ham-handed. Initially, it is a prophesy that you work forward to instead of working back from. It simply stated that Kalyna will save the world, even though she has no real motivation to help the people she is helping. Second, it was laid on kind of THICK from my perspective. Every other page we are TOLD why Kalyna is important, or that she needs to be protected at all cost, etc etc. This takes the prophesy from subtext to text and it is a bit exhausting after a few times. Also, I found it a bit odd that an attractive woman would go to the camp of a few hundred men, alone. To be honest, that just spells disaster and seems a bit unrealistic.
All in all, I would recommend giving this book a look.
March 21, 2013
This is a wonderfully constructed novel that brings back the political fantasy novels I loved so much growing up. If you like Melanie Rawn's Dragon Prince and Dragon Star trilogies, or Anne McCaffrey's Dragonriders of Pern...then this book is RIGHT up your alley! It also harkens towards Avatar: The Last Airbender kind of feel with the magic as well. This is a book for ALL ages. Rich story telling draws you into the world of the Dragonics, struggling through seemingly insurmountable odds to save Solera from the formidable force of the domineering Council. Vibrant characters leave you cheering for them at the pages or wanting to reach in and kill them yourself. She even endears you to the dragons themselves, each with their own wonderfully unique personality. It's not so often a writer can attach me so fully to characters, but A. Wrighton has done that in spades. She's created a whole culture for you to submerse yourself in and I even find myself stammering out the unique curses when I want someone the gavasti out of my way!
To top it all off, she's left us with an ending that practically has us BEGGING her for the next book! Mean, mean little writer, but oh so good! :) Defiance: Dragonics & Runics is sure to become a favorite of fantasy readers from young reader to the old-school reader. Get it today, you won't regret it!
To top it all off, she's left us with an ending that practically has us BEGGING her for the next book! Mean, mean little writer, but oh so good! :) Defiance: Dragonics & Runics is sure to become a favorite of fantasy readers from young reader to the old-school reader. Get it today, you won't regret it!
August 26, 2013
Disclaimer: received through goodreads giveaway.
LOVE this book!! I became totally enthralled right from the first page. I could not put this book down.
Beautifully described world with depths and customs being built up in layers throughout the book. Each character was individual but suited and complemented each other with the relationships that were believable. The personality and believability wasn't just applied to the people but the dragons as well and I became just as attached to them.
The plot of this book develops beautifully and did not drag or rush at any stage. Nice twist at the end of the book and can't wait to see how this develops in the rest of the series.
This is a book that I am very glad to have won and will be recommending to friends and family and I can't wait for the next book to be released.
LOVE this book!! I became totally enthralled right from the first page. I could not put this book down.
Beautifully described world with depths and customs being built up in layers throughout the book. Each character was individual but suited and complemented each other with the relationships that were believable. The personality and believability wasn't just applied to the people but the dragons as well and I became just as attached to them.
The plot of this book develops beautifully and did not drag or rush at any stage. Nice twist at the end of the book and can't wait to see how this develops in the rest of the series.
This is a book that I am very glad to have won and will be recommending to friends and family and I can't wait for the next book to be released.
May 25, 2013
As a person who doesn't normally reads books, this immediately caught my interest and kept it throughout the entire book. The characters had great personality with fantastic story lines. The dragons were magnificent in their detailed designs - watch out for Jaxin, he's wicked. There really wasn't anything I didn't like. The magic system was great and the surprises in the book delivered extra kicks and hits. Can't wait for the next one... Or for the movie.
March 16, 2013
It is not too often i can read a book and just be swept away into another world. Writers who have been writing for twenty plus years can instantly move me to their realms. A. Wrighton has hit a home run right from the start. I am a fan who is waiting for the next exciting book to see where it is taking me.
October 16, 2024
Dragons, Riders & those they fight for.
Well written story that starts building a great history that hopefully ends with an end the characters can happily live with.
The dragons are interestingly developed so any Dragon devotee should enjoy the read.
Well written story that starts building a great history that hopefully ends with an end the characters can happily live with.
The dragons are interestingly developed so any Dragon devotee should enjoy the read.
March 5, 2014
I really, really enjoyed this book alot. The characters are vivid and I totally felt like I was watching a movie. There's a lot of action and sometimes I wanted more on a character, but I have to remind myself that this is supposed to be a series. Every series has little quirks like that. The description was solid and the story a fun take on the rebellion theme.
I did notice some mistakes in the book, which might have something to do with the author's editor, but something I have to say about indie authors is that so many times you get this sloppy piece of mush. This isn't sloppy. Yes, it has a few hiccups. But it's well wrapped, well presented, and already much better than many indie books out there that rush from idea to book for money. I think docking a book several stars because of a few grammatical issues is a bit much. How many big print books have typos? A lot. I don't see reviewers ranting about such things in their reviews. I think we all need to just stop and appreciate what self published authors go through. I also think it's commendable that the author updates based on comments. That's what's great about indies, for the most part. They care.
As far as the plot, it was structured like other series plots with a buildup and mini resolution, but still a lingering problem, which made me want to read the second book. And I did and I loved every minute of that. This author has a unique voice that I think is worth reading, and this is a story that's worth telling.
If you like fantasy at ALL. Give this series a chance. Not every writer or book or way someone writes is for everyone, but this speaks to a lot of people I think. Minor errors aside this is a great story. And I'm hoping the author will read this review and maybe go back and fix the errors the other reviewers mentioned and polish it even more. That'd be a breath of fresh air.
I did notice some mistakes in the book, which might have something to do with the author's editor, but something I have to say about indie authors is that so many times you get this sloppy piece of mush. This isn't sloppy. Yes, it has a few hiccups. But it's well wrapped, well presented, and already much better than many indie books out there that rush from idea to book for money. I think docking a book several stars because of a few grammatical issues is a bit much. How many big print books have typos? A lot. I don't see reviewers ranting about such things in their reviews. I think we all need to just stop and appreciate what self published authors go through. I also think it's commendable that the author updates based on comments. That's what's great about indies, for the most part. They care.
As far as the plot, it was structured like other series plots with a buildup and mini resolution, but still a lingering problem, which made me want to read the second book. And I did and I loved every minute of that. This author has a unique voice that I think is worth reading, and this is a story that's worth telling.
If you like fantasy at ALL. Give this series a chance. Not every writer or book or way someone writes is for everyone, but this speaks to a lot of people I think. Minor errors aside this is a great story. And I'm hoping the author will read this review and maybe go back and fix the errors the other reviewers mentioned and polish it even more. That'd be a breath of fresh air.
February 9, 2014
Years ago, The Council ordered the death of all Runics in the Soleran Kingdoms in retaliation for the war. Now, the (second-to) last Runic is called on to help the Rogues in their fight against the Council.
I enjoy a good rebellion story as much as (possibly more than) the next reader, and I love dragons. When I saw this book in my friend's "to-read" list, I thought I would give it a shot. I don't regret it - there was a lot of action, and the descriptions of the dragons and their fight scenes were particularly well-done. There are moments of humor here and there, which I also appreciate.
That said, the reason for the three stars is that this book really needed another editing pass or two. There were some issue with plot structure - not enough foreshadowing in some parts - that caused me some confusion. Many parts throughout were overwritten. Also, there are several words used wrongly, for instance "alluded" instead of "eluded," or "whelped" instead of "yelped," or "reprise" instead of "respite." Even on the author's Web site, she uses "reparation" instead of "retaliation." As much fun as the book was, these editing errors and others stopped me in my tracks and broke up the reading flow.
All said, there is some good writing. I would hesitate to recommend it given the editing flaws, but if that is something a reader can overlook, then if you like Dragons and battles, there is something here for you.
I enjoy a good rebellion story as much as (possibly more than) the next reader, and I love dragons. When I saw this book in my friend's "to-read" list, I thought I would give it a shot. I don't regret it - there was a lot of action, and the descriptions of the dragons and their fight scenes were particularly well-done. There are moments of humor here and there, which I also appreciate.
That said, the reason for the three stars is that this book really needed another editing pass or two. There were some issue with plot structure - not enough foreshadowing in some parts - that caused me some confusion. Many parts throughout were overwritten. Also, there are several words used wrongly, for instance "alluded" instead of "eluded," or "whelped" instead of "yelped," or "reprise" instead of "respite." Even on the author's Web site, she uses "reparation" instead of "retaliation." As much fun as the book was, these editing errors and others stopped me in my tracks and broke up the reading flow.
All said, there is some good writing. I would hesitate to recommend it given the editing flaws, but if that is something a reader can overlook, then if you like Dragons and battles, there is something here for you.
August 5, 2013
I got a copy of this book through the Goodreads Giveaway contests.
Flying dragons, people with different magical abilities and a simmering rebellion agains the ruling council. The makings of a good tale. At least the set up for a trilogy, or series.
I felt the characters were not that well developed. The two main characters, Kaly and Alaister, were developed enough to explain their actions, but not much more. The actions of the characters drove the story more than their character. I still felt some empathy for the characters, but just the main two. the others, I amstill warming up to.
The book did not end on a cliffhanger. Just a promise to continues the struggle. I was expecting some hook to keep me interested and wanting to read the next book.
I found a few grammerical errors that I found distracting. Should be able to tell the difference betwen there and their. Maybe the next edition will catch them.
Not too hard to read. Story easy to follow. I may look up the next book in the series.
Flying dragons, people with different magical abilities and a simmering rebellion agains the ruling council. The makings of a good tale. At least the set up for a trilogy, or series.
I felt the characters were not that well developed. The two main characters, Kaly and Alaister, were developed enough to explain their actions, but not much more. The actions of the characters drove the story more than their character. I still felt some empathy for the characters, but just the main two. the others, I amstill warming up to.
The book did not end on a cliffhanger. Just a promise to continues the struggle. I was expecting some hook to keep me interested and wanting to read the next book.
I found a few grammerical errors that I found distracting. Should be able to tell the difference betwen there and their. Maybe the next edition will catch them.
Not too hard to read. Story easy to follow. I may look up the next book in the series.
June 25, 2014
It's a good story, would be a great story if there were no grammatical errors to go along with the "language" differences. I like it when an author is able to create a completely believable new world, and the author did accomplish that.
January 15, 2014
This rating is _despite_ a very desperate need for editing. The power of the story outweighed the flaws sufficiently. Edited properly, it would easily earn another star.
June 1, 2013
Overwritten. This book is desperate for a good editor.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews