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The Enchanted Dagger
Fourteen-year-old Beck Conleth is living a quiet life in the seaside town of Queen's Weather when his grandmother sends him on a journey to Ulfwood to retrieve his father's bones and a family skean (dagger). After reaching Ulfwood, Beck discovers the skean is magical, and that it answers only to him. Soon the enchanted skean and its owner attract the attention of dark mages, goblins, and worse. Helped on his journey home by Wisewomen, warriors, shape-changers, and the other good folk of Lifthrasir, Beck faces death, danger, and the theft of his skean. Accompanied by his best friend, Beck stows away on a ship, takes back his skean, befriends a dragon, and escapes with a troop of thieves. After reaching a dock in West Arnora, the company heads for the fortress of Ravens Haunt. As Beck and his companions face a hideous Skullsoul and an army of ogrehunches, he realizes there is a developing confrontation between good and evil, and he and his enchanted skean have a role to play.
436 pages, Paperback
First published March 16, 2013
4 people are currently reading
24 people want to read
About the author
Vonnie Winslow Crist
180 books149 followers Born in the Year of the Dragon, Vonnie Winslow Crist has had a life-long interest in reading, writing, art, myth, fairytales, folklore, and legends. Having been a night person since infancy, she is also quite fond of stars, moonlight, forests, owls, and other creatures of the darkness.
After attending Perry Hall Elementary, Parkville Junior High, and Perry Hall High, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Art Education from Towson University. She married, then raised three children, did freelance illustrating and writing, and taught poetry for the Maryland State Arts Council’s Artists in Education Program. Thirty years after graduating from Towson, she returned to her alma mater and earned a Masters in Professional Writing.
A firm believer that the world around us is filled with miracles, mystery, and magic, Vonnie still sees fairies amidst the trees, mermaids on jetties, and ghosts and goblins of all sorts in the shadows. Her garden overflows with herbs and statues of animals. Toadstool rings sprout regularly on her lawn. And she's found so many four-leafed clovers that she keeps them in a jar.
Vonnie invites bookstores, book groups, science fiction and fantasy cons, book festivals, teachers, home schoolers, writing groups, faerie festivals, and interested readers to contact her via her website: http://vonniewinslowcrist.com or blog: http://vonniewinslowcrist.wordpress.com or Facebook Author's Page: http://tinyurl.com/Fb-Vonnie-Winslow-... for appearances, signings, school visits, interviews, and workshops.
After attending Perry Hall Elementary, Parkville Junior High, and Perry Hall High, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Art Education from Towson University. She married, then raised three children, did freelance illustrating and writing, and taught poetry for the Maryland State Arts Council’s Artists in Education Program. Thirty years after graduating from Towson, she returned to her alma mater and earned a Masters in Professional Writing.
A firm believer that the world around us is filled with miracles, mystery, and magic, Vonnie still sees fairies amidst the trees, mermaids on jetties, and ghosts and goblins of all sorts in the shadows. Her garden overflows with herbs and statues of animals. Toadstool rings sprout regularly on her lawn. And she's found so many four-leafed clovers that she keeps them in a jar.
Vonnie invites bookstores, book groups, science fiction and fantasy cons, book festivals, teachers, home schoolers, writing groups, faerie festivals, and interested readers to contact her via her website: http://vonniewinslowcrist.com or blog: http://vonniewinslowcrist.wordpress.com or Facebook Author's Page: http://tinyurl.com/Fb-Vonnie-Winslow-... for appearances, signings, school visits, interviews, and workshops.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
June 19, 2013
The Enchanted Skean is a thrilling story of continuous adventure in a world filled with strange people, dangerous creatures and hidden magic. When Beck, the main character, leaves his home to retrieve his father's bones for burial, he has no idea of the perils that await him. On the return journey to Queen's Weather, Beck and his travelling companion, Klav, is joined by three Janepar warriors with their war bulls and watch cats. Together the group befriends shape shifters, fights Grindee and faces off against a dark mage before they reach home. This however is only the beginning of Beck's adventures and soon his life is about to change forever.
This is one of those stories which is all about the journey and not so much about the destination. The author takes the time to do some careful and extremely colorful world building without ever over explaining anything. The different races and creatures in this world are completely believable and realistic – so much so that I could imagine myself there with the characters.
The characters are unique and well crafted and truly grew on me throughout the story. What really touched me about The Enchanted Skean was the closeness the characters have with their animals. The Janepar warriors have their war bulls and watch cats, the Rufins have their goats and then, of course, there is Beck's sweet little dragonet, Fafnir.
The book is comfortably paced with action and adventure liberally spread throughout the story. There are incidents that will make you laugh out loud and times that you will wipe away a tear. I, for one, thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and happily recommend it to all readers of fantasy and adventure. Five stars and a thumbs-up to an excellent book and a promising author. (Ellen Fritz)
This is one of those stories which is all about the journey and not so much about the destination. The author takes the time to do some careful and extremely colorful world building without ever over explaining anything. The different races and creatures in this world are completely believable and realistic – so much so that I could imagine myself there with the characters.
The characters are unique and well crafted and truly grew on me throughout the story. What really touched me about The Enchanted Skean was the closeness the characters have with their animals. The Janepar warriors have their war bulls and watch cats, the Rufins have their goats and then, of course, there is Beck's sweet little dragonet, Fafnir.
The book is comfortably paced with action and adventure liberally spread throughout the story. There are incidents that will make you laugh out loud and times that you will wipe away a tear. I, for one, thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and happily recommend it to all readers of fantasy and adventure. Five stars and a thumbs-up to an excellent book and a promising author. (Ellen Fritz)
June 19, 2013
3.5 stars
I'm happy to be reviewing The Enchanted Skeen here on my blog today. If you are a fan of fantasy novels, you may just want to check this one out.
I know the book is slated as YA but it really felt more along the middle grade lines a lot of the time. That wasn't a bad thing, I just feel like it may hold more appeal to the younger crowd.
I really liked Beck. He's a good boy, well mannered, loyal and smart. He's everything you look for in a male hero lead. Beck is young though and still learning a lot about the world he lives in. What I loved most about this book was how Beck made friends all along his adventure. Because he was polite and respectful of people, places and animals, he won people over. He made good allies that helped him along the road of his journeys.
This book had adventure, mystical creatures, enchantment, and evil lurking around every corner. It was a true representation of good vs evil and a very enjoyable read. My thanks to the author, Vonnie for allowing me to read and review her book.
I'm happy to be reviewing The Enchanted Skeen here on my blog today. If you are a fan of fantasy novels, you may just want to check this one out.
I know the book is slated as YA but it really felt more along the middle grade lines a lot of the time. That wasn't a bad thing, I just feel like it may hold more appeal to the younger crowd.
I really liked Beck. He's a good boy, well mannered, loyal and smart. He's everything you look for in a male hero lead. Beck is young though and still learning a lot about the world he lives in. What I loved most about this book was how Beck made friends all along his adventure. Because he was polite and respectful of people, places and animals, he won people over. He made good allies that helped him along the road of his journeys.
This book had adventure, mystical creatures, enchantment, and evil lurking around every corner. It was a true representation of good vs evil and a very enjoyable read. My thanks to the author, Vonnie for allowing me to read and review her book.
January 5, 2017
The Enchanted Skean by Vonnie Winslow Crist is full of adventure that will appeal to anyone who likes fantasy. The main character, Beck, encounters dragons, goblins, dwarves, and magic. He transforms over the course of the novel, from a weak, uncertain boy into a young man who takes control and wields magical power. He is joined by his friend, who is the faithful sidekick, who also becomes more certain as he faces more challenging experiences. I can see a number of young readers, especially boys, easily connecting to Beck and his friend. The adventure is fun as more magical creatures and elements enter the story. This book is action-packed with adventure. I definitely didn’t anticipate some creatures, such as dragons and goblins, entering the story, but when they did, I was right there in the action and wanted to know what happens next. This ends with the potential for a sequel. When the next book is released, I’ll be sure to read it so I can follow the adventures of Beck.
September 21, 2013
Vonnie Winslow Crist has written a fantastical story that brings the reader along for the journey. Young Beck is sent on a mission by his grandmother to bring his father's bones back home. In the process he discovers the skean and finds out that it is enchanted. I loved this story. I found that the characters were very interesting and I wanted to know more about them. This book is a fun read for young adults and older.
July 7, 2018
This was an amazing story; a must-read for all fantasy lovers. Vonnie Winslow Crist demonstrates yet again her vivid imagination and phenomenal gift for worldbuilding as she did in The Greener Forest. Here, the characters and magic kept me eager to turn the page, and I am eagerly awaiting the next book to find out what happens next. Well done, Mrs. Crist!
April 26, 2021
I enjoyed this story immensely. I quickly warmed up to fifteen-year-old Beck who plays the starring role in Crist’s story. He’s given the task by his grandmother to bring back his father’s bone along with the dagger buried with it. Once Beck retrieves the dagger, he realizes there’s more than meets the eye with it as he begins drawing trouble a mile long. The world is coming unwound, darkness is approaching, and he may be the instrument to turn the tide. Yet he’s completely unprepared for what’s he called to do as he’s suddenly forced to take on responsibility that’s more than his young shoulders can bear. He can’t do it alone and, on his journeys his easy nature creates friends out of seemingly unlikely individuals. At some point, he says he’s not the same person as when he left for his journey. He isn’t, and he couldn’t be for what he had to face… what he still has to face. However, with what I saw from him and with the friends he made, I feel hopeful about his chances of coming out victorious in the next journey too. It’s guaranteed to be a continued tough road though for Beck and his friends as they’re only starting to discover the evil emerging, and there’s many battles still to be fought and won before their blades can rest. I look forward to joining them for the rest of their journeys!
Read
October 23, 2020This fantasy novel, while written for adults, is Young Adult appropriate. The main character, Beck, discovers magic and an evil facing his world as he journeys across the world of Lifthrasir. Aided by his best friend, a giant, warriors, wisewomen, retrievers-of-previously-stolen-items, owl-sprites, ravens, and a dragon - Beck battles grindees, ogerhunches, and a skullsoul. First book in a series. Second book is due out in 2021.
June 2, 2013
The story focuses on Beck Conleth. A 14 year old boy embarking on a journey for his Grandmother. He is sent to Ulfwood to retrieve the remains of his deceased Father and the family heirloom, a dagger hidden inside his Fathers boot.
Beck soon learns of the daggers magical powers and soon find it being the object of desire for many dark mages. Drawing him into a battle between good and evil.
While trying to protect the Skean and make his way home he is helped along the way by a number of strange characters that soon prove to be his most trusted allies and friends.
This journey will take Beck from a young naïve boy to a strong determined young man.
I found reading this story a bit hit & miss for me. The beginning chapter although with hindsight is the introduction to some of the friends Beck is yet to meet I found that I was reading about the antics of a naughty goat which I must say didn’t do much for my determination to carry on……but I did!
The book evolves around a mystical world that in such a well written descriptive it is easy for the reader to imagine.
The characters are fun and defined well in the story. There are some I would have loved to have heard more about towards the end as they seemed to just disappear from the context.
The book itself for me promised so much in the blurb, a magical Skean, a fight between good and evil, magic and mayhem from the most untoward of creatures, but sadly for me it fell short of what could have been a fantastic adventure.
The Skean I felt was never the main focus in the story although it is the title of the book. Its magical powers seemed lack lustre and it didn’t seem to fit in with the determination of the mages to get their hands on it.
This is a book full of creatures of folklore and full of fantastical moments that will appeal to a younger reader with a passion for this genre.
I hope in book 2 we can see more of these very intriguing characters, I would love to try and delve back into this world again.
Beck soon learns of the daggers magical powers and soon find it being the object of desire for many dark mages. Drawing him into a battle between good and evil.
While trying to protect the Skean and make his way home he is helped along the way by a number of strange characters that soon prove to be his most trusted allies and friends.
This journey will take Beck from a young naïve boy to a strong determined young man.
I found reading this story a bit hit & miss for me. The beginning chapter although with hindsight is the introduction to some of the friends Beck is yet to meet I found that I was reading about the antics of a naughty goat which I must say didn’t do much for my determination to carry on……but I did!
The book evolves around a mystical world that in such a well written descriptive it is easy for the reader to imagine.
The characters are fun and defined well in the story. There are some I would have loved to have heard more about towards the end as they seemed to just disappear from the context.
The book itself for me promised so much in the blurb, a magical Skean, a fight between good and evil, magic and mayhem from the most untoward of creatures, but sadly for me it fell short of what could have been a fantastic adventure.
The Skean I felt was never the main focus in the story although it is the title of the book. Its magical powers seemed lack lustre and it didn’t seem to fit in with the determination of the mages to get their hands on it.
This is a book full of creatures of folklore and full of fantastical moments that will appeal to a younger reader with a passion for this genre.
I hope in book 2 we can see more of these very intriguing characters, I would love to try and delve back into this world again.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews