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RISE OF THE DRAKYN
Forgotten by his grieving father and bullied by his older half brother, Marcus is ready to leave home after his fourteen birthday celebration which legally makes him an adult. However after cutting his thumb on a knife gifted from his uncle, he handles an amulet left to him by his mother. His blood activates the amulet which awakens the magic of his linage, allowing him to communicate with trees and animals, but it also alerts the evil forces that an heir to the Dragon throne still exists. The usurping Dark Lord sends his wind weaver to release the drakyn—undead dragons—to hunt and kill Marcus. His beloved grandfather and others are lost when the drakyn attack burn Marcus’ vineyard home. Warned by the trees, he escapes with a ragtag band survivors. The fire-breathing monsters, joined now by an army of sea-going raiders, pursue him, taking captives, burning and pillaging every place Marcus tries to hide.Dressed as a girl to hide from his pursuers, Marcus helps a couple of teenagers with a dragon, search for their lost family members in the aftermath of the drakyn attacks. He makes friends and even finds love along the way, but betrayal lands the teens in an underground trap. The entrance tunnel collapses on Marcus while the rest of his team is captured and sent to the wind weaver’s torturous prison.For most of his life Marcus has run away from his problems. Faced with the inevitable torture of the girl he loves, he must somehow dredge up enough courage to rescue her. However, he’s still buried under a ton of rock, so he'll have to use his new-found magic to save himself first."Rise of the Drakyn is a new voice in the fantasy field. A blend of horror, dark fantasy, and heroics. Here is a story that challenges the genre while expanding it in new directions."--James Rollins, best selling author of Devil Colony and Bloodline"Vampire dragons, baby-killers, blood, gore, massive destruction, and a cross-dressing hero! This book's got it all!"--Morgan Blayde
- GenresFantasy
416 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 19, 2012
6 people are currently reading
71 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
March 21, 2013
Fourteen year-old Marcus Kharn is unaware that he is the rightful heir of the dragonthrone until he accidentally smears blood on an ancient amulet from his long lost mother, which alerts Mor’Drak, the Dark One, of his existence. Now on the run, as he tries to figure out his destiny, he teams up with Ben, Chelene, and her teacher/dragon-mate, Xan’Drake. Together they make a pact to end the rampaging evil of the drakyn, nearly mindless flesh-eating dragon minions, hatched from the dead eggs of a dark queen that attacks villages by night, leaving behind smoking ruins filled with carnage.
Leonard Little has created his own mythology with the Sword of Souls at the center of this dark epic fantasy that is quite detailed. Some of the dragon lore is explained in the prologue, with an introduction to a few key dragons. More are introduced as the story develops and their complex histories and rituals are explained. This fantasy world had many physical similarities with earth and the spirit realm is based on the four elements of earth, wind, fire, and water. So it wasn't hard to suspend my disbelief and become immersed in the story.
I liked and sympathized with Marcus from the very beginning. The way he was introduced gave us excellent insight into his family and the life he has led thus far. Marcus’ thoughts and dialogue were totally believable for his age and gave us a clear understanding of his personality. Actually all the characters in this story were well developed. Fifteen year-old Chelene is a fire-weaver who is learning the healing arts and is dragon-mate to Xan’Drake, who was inherited from her grandmother after her untimely death. She is a headstrong, fiercely independent character who doesn't consider herself like other dragon-mates. Then there is Ben, her cousin, who is also fifteen. He is considered the scholar of the group. Poor Ben is faced with making the biggest life-altering decisions to aid Marcus and serves as the calming force to balance Chelenes’ emotions.
The author’s use of imagery was exceptional; he painted beautiful and sometimes horrific pictures with his words. The battle between good and evil is epic in this quest and the lines of morality are explored and tested. This is not a light read and while most story arcs are completed, this journey has really just begun for these three heroes. I see promising works coming from Leonard Little in the fantasy genre in the future; he is definitely an author to watch.
Although the protagonists are young teenagers, this does not read like a YA story. Many scenes were so graphic and grotesque it tested my limits. Yeah, I am a wimp.
I found no significant errors in editing or formatting.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. ** March 15, 2013
Leonard Little has created his own mythology with the Sword of Souls at the center of this dark epic fantasy that is quite detailed. Some of the dragon lore is explained in the prologue, with an introduction to a few key dragons. More are introduced as the story develops and their complex histories and rituals are explained. This fantasy world had many physical similarities with earth and the spirit realm is based on the four elements of earth, wind, fire, and water. So it wasn't hard to suspend my disbelief and become immersed in the story.
I liked and sympathized with Marcus from the very beginning. The way he was introduced gave us excellent insight into his family and the life he has led thus far. Marcus’ thoughts and dialogue were totally believable for his age and gave us a clear understanding of his personality. Actually all the characters in this story were well developed. Fifteen year-old Chelene is a fire-weaver who is learning the healing arts and is dragon-mate to Xan’Drake, who was inherited from her grandmother after her untimely death. She is a headstrong, fiercely independent character who doesn't consider herself like other dragon-mates. Then there is Ben, her cousin, who is also fifteen. He is considered the scholar of the group. Poor Ben is faced with making the biggest life-altering decisions to aid Marcus and serves as the calming force to balance Chelenes’ emotions.
The author’s use of imagery was exceptional; he painted beautiful and sometimes horrific pictures with his words. The battle between good and evil is epic in this quest and the lines of morality are explored and tested. This is not a light read and while most story arcs are completed, this journey has really just begun for these three heroes. I see promising works coming from Leonard Little in the fantasy genre in the future; he is definitely an author to watch.
Although the protagonists are young teenagers, this does not read like a YA story. Many scenes were so graphic and grotesque it tested my limits. Yeah, I am a wimp.
I found no significant errors in editing or formatting.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. ** March 15, 2013
December 23, 2016
Spellbinding
Enjoyed this from beginning to end. I thought this was a suitable read for young adults but after being unable to put it down myself... I feel it's appropriate for all ages. Dragons, adventures, young love... there's something for everyone. Looking forward to reading book two of this series. The price was also unbeatable... free.
Enjoyed this from beginning to end. I thought this was a suitable read for young adults but after being unable to put it down myself... I feel it's appropriate for all ages. Dragons, adventures, young love... there's something for everyone. Looking forward to reading book two of this series. The price was also unbeatable... free.
May 9, 2014
the beginning and middle are stronger than the finish.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews