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The Circle of Talia #2
A Time of Darkness
A Time of Darkness is the second book in the best-selling Circle of Talia series. This exciting epic fantasy is filled with magic, dragons and adventure.
While Bronwyn languishes in a cell in the bowels of Vellonia and the dragon king argues for her death, the gormons are one step closer to destroying Talia. To add to The Circle’s problems, Leon’s plans to overthrow his brother, King Edmund, are moving ahead faster than anyone could have imagined, and someone will die as a result. The realmists and dragons are doing all they can, but how could it possibly be enough when thousands have already been slaughtered?
The prophesized time of darkness, a time the realmists have dreaded for the last thousand years, has begun.
While Bronwyn languishes in a cell in the bowels of Vellonia and the dragon king argues for her death, the gormons are one step closer to destroying Talia. To add to The Circle’s problems, Leon’s plans to overthrow his brother, King Edmund, are moving ahead faster than anyone could have imagined, and someone will die as a result. The realmists and dragons are doing all they can, but how could it possibly be enough when thousands have already been slaughtered?
The prophesized time of darkness, a time the realmists have dreaded for the last thousand years, has begun.
287 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 5, 2013
8 people are currently reading
131 people want to read
About the author
Dionne Lister
58 books404 followersI love reading and writing. I'm a mother to two teens and two Siamese cats. I've got an associate degree of creative writing and am a full-time author. I write paranormal cosy mysteries with heroines who are quirky, kind, and love to right wrongs and get justice. I also love to make people laugh and give them an awesome escape, which is why I tell stories.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
June 12, 2013
I am just stunned. Any book that can keep me from doing what I need to be doing, especially a fantasy which frankly I have avoided because there usually just anything original being written, is a book that should be read. YA Epic Fantasy, not high fantasy, not 900 page EPIC fantasy with convoluted story lines, but a fantasy that is smart and original and not dumbed down for a kid. It made me cry, I mean SOB several times (reaching for my tissues). You just do not find books like this very often these days. Why I waited so long to read the first one I have no idea. And as soon as I finished that one, I dove into this one!
This is the second book in a solid and wonderful high fantasy series. Yes I said it, high fantasy. As I mentioned in the first books review, high fantasy is specifically a form of fantasy which has aspects of what high fantasy is suppose to do. It has characters who are young and not worldly. There are wise mentors with mysterious pasts raising and guiding the youths into the future. A way of life and world is in need of saving and only a few can do it and are prophesied too. There is magic all around and in every part, not just with a wave of a wand or a wiggle of a nose but in the prose. Mystery and darkness, good and evil are present and at odds. Honor, dishonor and a past event which changed the world and paths of all, happened at one point affecting the main players. And the big part?? DRAGONS!
We get to know the characters we have already fallen in love with even more. They grow up and become a bit less moody and brooding. They are not the ones we met at the beginning of the first book. They are growing up and learning what responsibility means. Learning the people they thought were the most important in their life really were trifles. Every page turned I became more and more invested with the characters so when something happened to them I cried, I laughed, and I was crushed along with them no matter what happened. I wish I could give it more than five stars, because this was even better than the first. The editing was superior and you can see the growth. Book three is going to be even more amazing!
As I have mentioned I love a good epic fantasy. I have to be in the mood to get through the tomes they usually come in. These days you have to put aside vacation time to get through the 800 pager. I am a huge fan of David Eddings and Robert Jordan and Zelazny but the themes are not approachable for all the ages. The Circle of Talia is a series full of easily approachable themes for all ages, absolutely beautiful images, non-complex and easily pronounced names that I know an engaged 13 year old would love. Her descriptions were wonderful, not listing things like you would find on a police blotter. She is able to say how someone looks and how they are as a person all in a couple sentences. (for example)
Everything which is taken to be the conventions of an epic fantasy novel is here but written with the young adult in mind. She has woven the characters and stories in with humor and given her readers real people to believe in and cheer for. Her teens in this coming of age are real, they grow, learn and realize as the stories go on the world revolves around everyone and more than that, especially in this second of the series. Like any good fantasy, there is much more than meets the eye. These things alone makes the story a wonderful read for young adults! She makes the dragon's a little over the top, superior and full of pomp and circumstance, but best of all, she makes them funny and likeable.
Laughing, crying and cheering them on! I was brought along into this incredible realm which is laying on the brink of destruction... from what? Oh you go pick these two books up and find out!
A teacher once told me a reader does not get invested in the story, they get invested and care about the characters, the story just follows behind them. This was certainly true with both of these books. I can't even put my finger on one specific thing she has done, it is everything from her wonderful colorful writing to her believable loveable and despicable characters. I laughed out loud, I sobbed with grief and sighed with relief all the while unable to stop reading (I am not kidding, go check my sharing on this book). The magic system is original and touching, the evil is dark, the good are not perfect and even though there are gruesome scenes of real horror these just lead to it all being an amazing tale.
Just as with the first book this second one also has an incredibly intense cliffhanger. I am so impatient and cannot wait till the final in the trilogy is here. You will find a place in your heart for so many of these characters, I wonder though, which one is yours?
Dionne has managed to take all these lovely ingredients, bringing them together in this series to create a n incredible feast. These books are not a box of chicken nuggets more like a love pair of roast pheasants.. or goat.. or the whole cow slaughtered in award winning BBQ. My only issue? She has not written book three yet...
((I bought and paid for and read this because I wanted too. This is not just a fair and honest review but it is one that was not solicited, which would have been fine because I only read what I want too anyway!))
This is the second book in a solid and wonderful high fantasy series. Yes I said it, high fantasy. As I mentioned in the first books review, high fantasy is specifically a form of fantasy which has aspects of what high fantasy is suppose to do. It has characters who are young and not worldly. There are wise mentors with mysterious pasts raising and guiding the youths into the future. A way of life and world is in need of saving and only a few can do it and are prophesied too. There is magic all around and in every part, not just with a wave of a wand or a wiggle of a nose but in the prose. Mystery and darkness, good and evil are present and at odds. Honor, dishonor and a past event which changed the world and paths of all, happened at one point affecting the main players. And the big part?? DRAGONS!
We get to know the characters we have already fallen in love with even more. They grow up and become a bit less moody and brooding. They are not the ones we met at the beginning of the first book. They are growing up and learning what responsibility means. Learning the people they thought were the most important in their life really were trifles. Every page turned I became more and more invested with the characters so when something happened to them I cried, I laughed, and I was crushed along with them no matter what happened. I wish I could give it more than five stars, because this was even better than the first. The editing was superior and you can see the growth. Book three is going to be even more amazing!
...these same dragons had also started rumours that some of them occasionally liked to eat people. Zim, however, was not one of these dragons." - Shadows of the Realm - on the prince of the dragons.
As I have mentioned I love a good epic fantasy. I have to be in the mood to get through the tomes they usually come in. These days you have to put aside vacation time to get through the 800 pager. I am a huge fan of David Eddings and Robert Jordan and Zelazny but the themes are not approachable for all the ages. The Circle of Talia is a series full of easily approachable themes for all ages, absolutely beautiful images, non-complex and easily pronounced names that I know an engaged 13 year old would love. Her descriptions were wonderful, not listing things like you would find on a police blotter. She is able to say how someone looks and how they are as a person all in a couple sentences. (for example)
"...had a short white hair; a long white beard adorned his lined face. He exuded the calm and mystery of a still lake. His dark, intelligent eyes were full of life, twinkling with the promise of jokes yet to be told, mischief yet to be unleashed." Shadows of the Realm - on Agmunsten
Everything which is taken to be the conventions of an epic fantasy novel is here but written with the young adult in mind. She has woven the characters and stories in with humor and given her readers real people to believe in and cheer for. Her teens in this coming of age are real, they grow, learn and realize as the stories go on the world revolves around everyone and more than that, especially in this second of the series. Like any good fantasy, there is much more than meets the eye. These things alone makes the story a wonderful read for young adults! She makes the dragon's a little over the top, superior and full of pomp and circumstance, but best of all, she makes them funny and likeable.
Laughing, crying and cheering them on! I was brought along into this incredible realm which is laying on the brink of destruction... from what? Oh you go pick these two books up and find out!
A teacher once told me a reader does not get invested in the story, they get invested and care about the characters, the story just follows behind them. This was certainly true with both of these books. I can't even put my finger on one specific thing she has done, it is everything from her wonderful colorful writing to her believable loveable and despicable characters. I laughed out loud, I sobbed with grief and sighed with relief all the while unable to stop reading (I am not kidding, go check my sharing on this book). The magic system is original and touching, the evil is dark, the good are not perfect and even though there are gruesome scenes of real horror these just lead to it all being an amazing tale.
Just as with the first book this second one also has an incredibly intense cliffhanger. I am so impatient and cannot wait till the final in the trilogy is here. You will find a place in your heart for so many of these characters, I wonder though, which one is yours?
Dionne has managed to take all these lovely ingredients, bringing them together in this series to create a n incredible feast. These books are not a box of chicken nuggets more like a love pair of roast pheasants.. or goat.. or the whole cow slaughtered in award winning BBQ. My only issue? She has not written book three yet...
((I bought and paid for and read this because I wanted too. This is not just a fair and honest review but it is one that was not solicited, which would have been fine because I only read what I want too anyway!))
June 19, 2013
After reading the first book in this series, I was anxiously awaiting the second book. The first book had a big cliffhanger and this second book delivered another cliffhanger at the end of it. So now I am anxiously awaiting the third book in the series.
When I read a fantastic fantasy about a foreign place or far away world/realm, I often wonder where exactly they get there ideas. How far reaching is their imagination and can I go play in it. This world that Dionne has created is so believable that after reading it, part of me was sad to have to return to my reality. I wanted to be there to continue on with Bronny and Zim, along with all the other colorful characters that live and breath inside the pages of this series.
I fell in love with the characters during the first novel and it has continued in A Time of Darkness. Right now in fact I am wishing that Dionne would hurry and finish the next book so that I know what happens next. Then again I don't want to rush it because I know eventually it will have to end. I hate endings and for a long time I hated cliffhanger endings, but because of this series they are starting to grow on me.
I am rating this book 5 out of 5 and recommending it to everyone.
When I read a fantastic fantasy about a foreign place or far away world/realm, I often wonder where exactly they get there ideas. How far reaching is their imagination and can I go play in it. This world that Dionne has created is so believable that after reading it, part of me was sad to have to return to my reality. I wanted to be there to continue on with Bronny and Zim, along with all the other colorful characters that live and breath inside the pages of this series.
I fell in love with the characters during the first novel and it has continued in A Time of Darkness. Right now in fact I am wishing that Dionne would hurry and finish the next book so that I know what happens next. Then again I don't want to rush it because I know eventually it will have to end. I hate endings and for a long time I hated cliffhanger endings, but because of this series they are starting to grow on me.
I am rating this book 5 out of 5 and recommending it to everyone.
July 4, 2014
I thoroughly enjoyed reading A Time of Darkness by Dionne Lister. The sequel was fast paced and darker than the first novel in her series. Bronwyn, Blayke, and the other realmists grew more complicated as characters and the plot kept me guessing. Most importantly, the Gormons become quite terrifying as the main antagonist. I definitely cannot wait to read the next book. The only issue I had was that some of the dialogue felt rushed near the end. Overall, however a fantastic story that grabbed me from beginning to end.
Merged review:
I thoroughly enjoyed reading A Time of Darkness by Dionne Lister. The sequel was fast paced and darker than the first novel in her series. Bronwyn, Blayke, and the other realmists grew more complicated as characters and the plot kept me guessing. Most importantly, the Gormons become quite terrifying as the main antagonist. I definitely cannot wait to read the next book. The only issue I had was that some of the dialogue felt rushed near the end. Overall, however a fantastic story that grabbed me from beginning to end.
Merged review:
I thoroughly enjoyed reading A Time of Darkness by Dionne Lister. The sequel was fast paced and darker than the first novel in her series. Bronwyn, Blayke, and the other realmists grew more complicated as characters and the plot kept me guessing. Most importantly, the Gormons become quite terrifying as the main antagonist. I definitely cannot wait to read the next book. The only issue I had was that some of the dialogue felt rushed near the end. Overall, however a fantastic story that grabbed me from beginning to end.
November 9, 2013
Hell yeah! The author did it again. She wrote a book that sucks you in and won’t let go until the final page.
I loooooove this book and I read it in one night, I simply couldn't put it down. The author certainly belongs with all the wonderful fantasy authors I read through my entire life.
In this book we return to Talia and all its inhabitants. The threat of the Gormon invasion creeps frighteningly closer and everyone is gearing up for battle. Secrets are being reviled left and right, that will leave your head spinning.
The author should be glad that she lives on the other side of the planet, because if she had lived closer I would have kicked her butt for leaving us with another cliffhanger, but it will only make me anticipate the next book more.
I highly recommend this series to anyone that loves epic fantasy.
I loooooove this book and I read it in one night, I simply couldn't put it down. The author certainly belongs with all the wonderful fantasy authors I read through my entire life.
In this book we return to Talia and all its inhabitants. The threat of the Gormon invasion creeps frighteningly closer and everyone is gearing up for battle. Secrets are being reviled left and right, that will leave your head spinning.
The author should be glad that she lives on the other side of the planet, because if she had lived closer I would have kicked her butt for leaving us with another cliffhanger, but it will only make me anticipate the next book more.
I highly recommend this series to anyone that loves epic fantasy.
August 31, 2019
This was an enjoyable read. I enjoyed this book more than the first. I thought the story improved and was more engaging in A Time of Darkness. This book is an epic fantasy, and it kind of reminds me of Game of Thrones because there are dragons in the book. The characters are more interesting and they are characterized more. There is an invasion looming, and I am ready to see how the series will go down. The ending did seem a bit rushed, I think there could have been a scene where the leader of the invasion talks to the troops or something to make it end much more interesting, but I still enjoyed it. Overall, a great read.
September 2, 2018
Really cool concept for a story. I love dragons and magic and this has plenty of both. The "bad guys" in this story are a weird lot and are really easy to hate. The only down side is there are so many important characters names to remember. Lots of twists and "didn't see that coming" moments. Loved the first one, loved this one and so far can't put down # three. Dionne Lister is a new author to me but one I'll be following from now on.
September 2, 2018
I enjoyed this one more than the first. I love the dragons and far more excitement happened from page one.
This series is a great epic fantasy for those after something with the intrigue, but a bit less violent and more teen friendly than Game of Thrones.
This series is a great epic fantasy for those after something with the intrigue, but a bit less violent and more teen friendly than Game of Thrones.
July 15, 2013
A Time of Darkness is an excellent follow-up to Book 1 in the Talia series, Shadows Of The Realm. We return to the wonderful band of characters that we love from the first book, and fans won’t be disappointed in the ramping up of adventures they go through. As with book 1, Dionne Lister creates an imaginative and broad world. One of my favourite aspects is the multi-dimensional realms and the unique way the characters traverse them. The third realm is home to the evil Gormons, and the descriptions of this oppressive realm are visceral and claustrophobic. Along with the Gormons’ history, this makes me empathise with them and understand that in their eyes, their actions are just and necessary. This motivation always makes for the best baddies, in my eyes.
The story deepens nicely going on from book 1, and there are some great twists! It begins with certain characters dealing with the repercussions of their actions from the first book [which is good to see], and when they splinter off, we follow them more closely as individuals and experience their journeys. The prose is extremely well written, and I found the book handles the shifting between the many characters’ storylines and locations quite well – it was effortless to keep up with them. If you like magical, epic fantasy but want a shorter, lighter read, I totally recommend this book. It’s highly enjoyable and fast-paced.
A Time of Darkness does indeed having a darkness that the first book didn’t have, but it reflects the change in story and the higher stakes for the characters. Having said that, there’s plenty of the warmth and humour from the first book to balance it. One of my favourite funny bits? ‘The table of doom!’ Just my kind of humour!
The story deepens nicely going on from book 1, and there are some great twists! It begins with certain characters dealing with the repercussions of their actions from the first book [which is good to see], and when they splinter off, we follow them more closely as individuals and experience their journeys. The prose is extremely well written, and I found the book handles the shifting between the many characters’ storylines and locations quite well – it was effortless to keep up with them. If you like magical, epic fantasy but want a shorter, lighter read, I totally recommend this book. It’s highly enjoyable and fast-paced.
A Time of Darkness does indeed having a darkness that the first book didn’t have, but it reflects the change in story and the higher stakes for the characters. Having said that, there’s plenty of the warmth and humour from the first book to balance it. One of my favourite funny bits? ‘The table of doom!’ Just my kind of humour!
March 1, 2015
A Time of Darkness (book #2 in The Circle of Talia series) is a successful blend of YA and epic fantasy. I very much enjoyed being reintroduced to the elaborate and diverse characters that make up the story. It is, in my opinion, the characterisation that ultimately brings this book to life. Sarcasm, wit, secrets, hidden motives - you won't find a young-adult novel even more intense and complex.
And despite being a book more for the teenage audience, Dionne Lister provides a politically charged world full of rich detail and nervous apprehension at the imminent arrival of the Gormons - a race of creatures once exiled to the 'Third Realm' who are hell bent on waging war to return to their native land. Magic is here in abundance, including talking animals - yet, fans of the first book will know of this already.
The book is very much the second book in a trilogy, by which means it has the feel of a second book. Creating tension of the impending invasion, shocking twists and turns along the way, all without actually resolving any of the issues present in the first book. A Time of Darkness is an enjoyable read, full of magic, dragon, as well as a talking panther called Sinjenasta, who I must say is one of my particular favourites. You would say that Blayke and Bronwin are the two main characters here (lending the book to the teenage market) but the epic feel is created by the constant change of perspective, whether it be from the Dragon King, a lonely Queen desperately awaiting news of her kidnapped daughter, or of the leader of the Gormon horde.
Luckily, I have the third book with me to jump straight into!
And despite being a book more for the teenage audience, Dionne Lister provides a politically charged world full of rich detail and nervous apprehension at the imminent arrival of the Gormons - a race of creatures once exiled to the 'Third Realm' who are hell bent on waging war to return to their native land. Magic is here in abundance, including talking animals - yet, fans of the first book will know of this already.
The book is very much the second book in a trilogy, by which means it has the feel of a second book. Creating tension of the impending invasion, shocking twists and turns along the way, all without actually resolving any of the issues present in the first book. A Time of Darkness is an enjoyable read, full of magic, dragon, as well as a talking panther called Sinjenasta, who I must say is one of my particular favourites. You would say that Blayke and Bronwin are the two main characters here (lending the book to the teenage market) but the epic feel is created by the constant change of perspective, whether it be from the Dragon King, a lonely Queen desperately awaiting news of her kidnapped daughter, or of the leader of the Gormon horde.
Luckily, I have the third book with me to jump straight into!
August 14, 2020
Things are starting to heat up. Looking forward to the next book in the series
June 23, 2014
A Time of Darkness
In this sequel to "Shadows of the Realm" excitement, danger and darkness looms over Talia. Some of our questions are answered, while new discoveries are unearthed and war with the Gormons is fast approaching. With all the rich description, well executed plots and beloved characters of the first book, "A Time of Darkness" is every bit as good and will leave the reader eagerly awaiting the next installment.
In this sequel to "Shadows of the Realm" excitement, danger and darkness looms over Talia. Some of our questions are answered, while new discoveries are unearthed and war with the Gormons is fast approaching. With all the rich description, well executed plots and beloved characters of the first book, "A Time of Darkness" is every bit as good and will leave the reader eagerly awaiting the next installment.
September 13, 2014
The central story-line is still intriguing, but the characters constantly shift from formal to casual language, from joking to serious -- basically, don't seem to each have a voice that's very distinct from others' -- and use phrases like "good to go" or "fill you in on where we're at" that seem entirely at odds with the setting and genre of the book.
August 9, 2016
Katharine is a judge for the Aurealis Awards. This review is the personal opinion of Katharine herself, and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of any judging panel, the judging coordinator or the Aurealis Awards management team.
Want to read
November 25, 2013I have the first book on my kindle but I need to read it ASAP so that I can save up and read and review this book! Looks interesting! ;)
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews