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Blue Time #2
Verse of Valor
Cyno Dolan, an Awakened coyote, stumbles across a mystical Voice in the swamplands of Tírcluddaithe and is tasked with organizing a breakout from captivity for the Coeduine known as the Most Evil. The Coyote returns to the Westlands and throws in his lot with a conquering usurper named Guarí, but his loyalties lie elsewhere. Who is he really serving? The glory-hungry Bull King...or someone far more sinister? Meanwhile, King Orbo III is summoned to give an account of his hand in the Battle of the Sanctuary, and a political trap is laid by Dubric the Dark in an effort to consolidate his power over the Hidden Lands. Whispers of civil war are in the air while the incognito Prince Chadric strikes off on a quest of his own to find his missing father, High King Alaric. Meeting a host of new allies and enemies alike, Nolan and his friends return to Tírcluddaithe, this time exploring the Westlands and uncovering a web of trickery and deceit while looking for the next Verse of the Master Song. Can Nolan muster the courage to prove himself a worthy guardian of the legendary Valor verse?
- GenresFantasy
288 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2015
4 people are currently reading
357 people want to read
About the author
Andrew Maloney
13 books33 followersI grew up in the backseat of a car, traveling across the States and abroad with my healing evangelist parents (www.voiceofthedovecompany.com.) It gave me lots of time, staring out the window, to come up with some fantastic ideas for stories.
I graduated from the University of North Texas with an arts degree in writing and have ghost-written/edited over a dozen nonfiction books.
Along with my beautiful wife, Christy, I authored Eight Weeks with No Water, the testimony of our second son’s miraculous birth.
My first fiction book is The Elementalists, and my high fantasy epic series, Blue Time, is being published through Whitaker House. The first novel in the series, The Master Song, is coming out September 2014.
I live out in the sticks in the cross-timbers area of north Texas with Christy, our two cute boys, Connor and Christian, and two ridiculous dogs, Merlot and Riesling.
I graduated from the University of North Texas with an arts degree in writing and have ghost-written/edited over a dozen nonfiction books.
Along with my beautiful wife, Christy, I authored Eight Weeks with No Water, the testimony of our second son’s miraculous birth.
My first fiction book is The Elementalists, and my high fantasy epic series, Blue Time, is being published through Whitaker House. The first novel in the series, The Master Song, is coming out September 2014.
I live out in the sticks in the cross-timbers area of north Texas with Christy, our two cute boys, Connor and Christian, and two ridiculous dogs, Merlot and Riesling.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
October 31, 2015
A Review of Verse of Valor
By Andrew Maloney
I received this book along with the first book in the series Blue Time, Master Song, as a Goodreads giveaway.
This is the second book in the series and continues the story. The children are back home when they are contacted by Ysgafn Droed and Fiorlen, his daughter who are accompanied by Quinn. They need to go back to the Otherworld. Quinn tells them that she has had a vision about the location of another verse of the Master Song. They arrange to go away to camp for a week so that their parents won’t worry about them. When they get to the camp they trek to the crossing point and find that the veil seems to be different but nobody knows why. They cross successfully and meet up with friends only to find there are some strange things happening in the Otherworld and so the next adventure begins.
I strongly recommend that readers read the first book in the series before trying this one. The Master Song lays the groundwork for the series introducing the Otherworld and while it is possible to read this book alone the enjoyment is greatly enhanced from having a familiarity with the Otherworld, its inhabitants and language.
Verse of Valor has a quicker feel to it than the Master Song and there is a great deal of action as well as several surprises. Just when things seem to be settled another problem arises and the children are faced with another decision....but that is for the next book.
I thoroughly enjoyed Book one Master Song and Verse of Valor was even better. It is a series which will appeal to all ages with superb, detailed descriptions which bring the Otherworld to life. The Awakened plants and animals add an extra dimension which is truly imaginative and draws readers in. I can’t wait to read more.
By Andrew Maloney
I received this book along with the first book in the series Blue Time, Master Song, as a Goodreads giveaway.
This is the second book in the series and continues the story. The children are back home when they are contacted by Ysgafn Droed and Fiorlen, his daughter who are accompanied by Quinn. They need to go back to the Otherworld. Quinn tells them that she has had a vision about the location of another verse of the Master Song. They arrange to go away to camp for a week so that their parents won’t worry about them. When they get to the camp they trek to the crossing point and find that the veil seems to be different but nobody knows why. They cross successfully and meet up with friends only to find there are some strange things happening in the Otherworld and so the next adventure begins.
I strongly recommend that readers read the first book in the series before trying this one. The Master Song lays the groundwork for the series introducing the Otherworld and while it is possible to read this book alone the enjoyment is greatly enhanced from having a familiarity with the Otherworld, its inhabitants and language.
Verse of Valor has a quicker feel to it than the Master Song and there is a great deal of action as well as several surprises. Just when things seem to be settled another problem arises and the children are faced with another decision....but that is for the next book.
I thoroughly enjoyed Book one Master Song and Verse of Valor was even better. It is a series which will appeal to all ages with superb, detailed descriptions which bring the Otherworld to life. The Awakened plants and animals add an extra dimension which is truly imaginative and draws readers in. I can’t wait to read more.
June 17, 2015
So....this book was AMAZING! I can't tell you how much I loved this second book of this series. There was A LOT more action and suspense going on and Nolan really stepped up in a huge way several times in this book. It was a huge change for him, and for the better. I loved everything about this book. The world building and characters a still amazing and I can't wait for the next book. I hope it comes out soon. This series is near the tops of my favorite list right now. I can't get enough of it. Absolutely fantastic and I'm so glad I was able to win this book in a giveaway. If I don't win the next one I will more than likely buy it right away! Can't wait!
November 10, 2015
This book was so amazingly good! It had such amazing characters, story, plot and action! I can hardly wait for the next one! I really enjoyed reading about the adventures in a new part of the Otherworld and I'm curious as to where we'll be taken in the next installmeny of the series.
*won on GoodReads First Reads*
*won on GoodReads First Reads*
May 22, 2015
I won this book in a goodreads giveaway.
This book was better than the first! The characters were great again, and the story flowed even better in this one than in the first novel. I enjoyed the exploration of the new parts of the otherworld, and I loved reading from the cat king's perspective. I am going to continue reading this series, and I can't wait for the next book!
This book was better than the first! The characters were great again, and the story flowed even better in this one than in the first novel. I enjoyed the exploration of the new parts of the otherworld, and I loved reading from the cat king's perspective. I am going to continue reading this series, and I can't wait for the next book!
October 20, 2015
Why isn't this series more popular!!!!! I really enjoyed the first book, but the second one was even BETTER! I really loved the caricature development! A super page turner! Really fun read. I love the cover art! 4.5 stars! RECOMMEND!
May 13, 2015
A wonderful well written fantasy for all ages the author writes with such details makes you feel as if you are there loved the characters thanks to Goodreads first-class for the free books
January 27, 2016
“Interesting,” the Bull King said, reappraising the small boy before him. “You choose honesty, even if it means instant death.”
After reading the outstanding first instalment of the Blue Time series “The Master Song” last year, I was thrilled to know that it wouldn’t be a long wait to return to the fascinating world of Tírcluddaithe. I was even more thrilled to receive a copy of the second book in the series directly from the author, in exchange for an honest review.
“Verse of Valor” continues almost exactly where the first novel left off, with Nolan and friends all back safely in the real-world. However a civil war is brewing in Tírcluddaithe, and they are needed once more to continue the search for the missing verses of the Master Song (yes; THE Master Song!). Just as Quinn is now the protector of the Love Verse, it is foreseen that Nolan this time around will face the test of Valor, though he harbours doubts given how his fears manifested themselves in the first novel.
There is a lot going on in the world beyond the veil; the white tiger King Orbo III is brought before the treacherous Dubric the Dark to explain his role in the Battle of the Love Verse, while High King Alaric is still missing, and his son Prince Chadric sets off into the cold North to find him. Additionally a coyote named Cyno Dolan appears to be working on behalf of a sinister entity, intent on freeing the imprisoned Bàsisolc - aka the Most Evil and the main protagonist from the first novel – from captivity.
As well as some of the best characters from the first novel returning, we are also introduced to another brilliant batch of characters this time around; the Flickers, a group of fire weasels who can create explosions at will from their body; Guarí, the untameable and truly terrifying Bull King (read minotaur) who shows no mercy to those who oppose him; Kaliska, a princess from the Westlands leading a rebellion against the Bull King.
For me the sense of danger hanging over the children, and the other inhabitants of Tírcluddaithe seemed much more palpable this time around, and there were some huge surprise moments which I genuinely didn’t see coming. I felt that the children grew less naïve, and became aware that these strange situations they were involved in were very real and very life-threatening , and there may not always be someone to come along and help. The good characters from beyond the veil seemed a lot more vulnerable this time also, and you just never knew if they would emerge unscathed.
In my opinion, all great fantasy novels live or die based on the strength of their world and their characters. You can have the greatest plot idea ever, yet it ultimately falls down if you can’t picture the world in your head, or you can’t relate or feel emotion from the characters.
No question of that here; Andrew Maloney has clearly spent a long time in world-building and choosing those who inhabit it, which in turn has created a thrilling and enjoyable series thus far. I honestly never tire of being introduced to new anthropomorphised (or Awakened as they are called in this series) animals/bugs/plants, allowing your mind to create vivid and fantastic visuals to accompany the text.
As in other mediums, I almost always like stories with characters operating in that grey area of morality; they are neither wholly good nor evil. I enjoy the challenge to identify just who should be trusted or not, and it makes the novel even more exciting. Some of the best characters in fiction fall under this category, and I sincerely believe that some of the characters created by Maloney have that quality. Maloney has created brilliant characters at both ends of the spectrum also, notable examples being the pure evil of Guarí and the contrasting pureness of Fiorlen and the Coeduine.
If I could complain about anything, I thought the novel was a little short compared to the first, but this has more to do with my love for the novel and its predecessor than any real criticism of the author or the book itself. As this is an on-going series, I am content to wait for any loose ends to be tied up later, knowing full well that the author will continue to surprise and entertain as he has done to date.
This is a fantastic novel, and I am fully immersed in this series now to its conclusion, whenever that day may come. Like the first novel, Andrew Maloney has set a high standard for the best book I've read this year with "Verse of Valor".
After reading the outstanding first instalment of the Blue Time series “The Master Song” last year, I was thrilled to know that it wouldn’t be a long wait to return to the fascinating world of Tírcluddaithe. I was even more thrilled to receive a copy of the second book in the series directly from the author, in exchange for an honest review.
“Verse of Valor” continues almost exactly where the first novel left off, with Nolan and friends all back safely in the real-world. However a civil war is brewing in Tírcluddaithe, and they are needed once more to continue the search for the missing verses of the Master Song (yes; THE Master Song!). Just as Quinn is now the protector of the Love Verse, it is foreseen that Nolan this time around will face the test of Valor, though he harbours doubts given how his fears manifested themselves in the first novel.
There is a lot going on in the world beyond the veil; the white tiger King Orbo III is brought before the treacherous Dubric the Dark to explain his role in the Battle of the Love Verse, while High King Alaric is still missing, and his son Prince Chadric sets off into the cold North to find him. Additionally a coyote named Cyno Dolan appears to be working on behalf of a sinister entity, intent on freeing the imprisoned Bàsisolc - aka the Most Evil and the main protagonist from the first novel – from captivity.
As well as some of the best characters from the first novel returning, we are also introduced to another brilliant batch of characters this time around; the Flickers, a group of fire weasels who can create explosions at will from their body; Guarí, the untameable and truly terrifying Bull King (read minotaur) who shows no mercy to those who oppose him; Kaliska, a princess from the Westlands leading a rebellion against the Bull King.
For me the sense of danger hanging over the children, and the other inhabitants of Tírcluddaithe seemed much more palpable this time around, and there were some huge surprise moments which I genuinely didn’t see coming. I felt that the children grew less naïve, and became aware that these strange situations they were involved in were very real and very life-threatening , and there may not always be someone to come along and help. The good characters from beyond the veil seemed a lot more vulnerable this time also, and you just never knew if they would emerge unscathed.
In my opinion, all great fantasy novels live or die based on the strength of their world and their characters. You can have the greatest plot idea ever, yet it ultimately falls down if you can’t picture the world in your head, or you can’t relate or feel emotion from the characters.
No question of that here; Andrew Maloney has clearly spent a long time in world-building and choosing those who inhabit it, which in turn has created a thrilling and enjoyable series thus far. I honestly never tire of being introduced to new anthropomorphised (or Awakened as they are called in this series) animals/bugs/plants, allowing your mind to create vivid and fantastic visuals to accompany the text.
As in other mediums, I almost always like stories with characters operating in that grey area of morality; they are neither wholly good nor evil. I enjoy the challenge to identify just who should be trusted or not, and it makes the novel even more exciting. Some of the best characters in fiction fall under this category, and I sincerely believe that some of the characters created by Maloney have that quality. Maloney has created brilliant characters at both ends of the spectrum also, notable examples being the pure evil of Guarí and the contrasting pureness of Fiorlen and the Coeduine.
If I could complain about anything, I thought the novel was a little short compared to the first, but this has more to do with my love for the novel and its predecessor than any real criticism of the author or the book itself. As this is an on-going series, I am content to wait for any loose ends to be tied up later, knowing full well that the author will continue to surprise and entertain as he has done to date.
This is a fantastic novel, and I am fully immersed in this series now to its conclusion, whenever that day may come. Like the first novel, Andrew Maloney has set a high standard for the best book I've read this year with "Verse of Valor".
July 29, 2015
another book which is part of a series. Do books still exist with just one tome? And another adventure in a fantasy world inspired by Game of Thrones. Sadly, I'm not crazy about the tv series... and I'm getting too old to love fantasy stories. I was amused by a few ideas, like the Awakened animals, and upset by other ones, like the possible choice between good and evil. If it were possible in the real world to decide this simply, life would be a lot easier! Actually, we've all learned it is not possible to do politics with clean hands (Sartre) and books parting the world into two factions are children's books.
It is quite readable, like an adventure story in some kind of magical world, but I missed the touch which would seduce me.
It is quite readable, like an adventure story in some kind of magical world, but I missed the touch which would seduce me.
June 22, 2015
I received this (signed!) book as part of GoodReads First Reads program.
I liked this book so much better than the first one. I wasn't looking forward to reading it, so I was pleasantly surprised to enjoy it so much. It was much more engaging and grabbed me. It made me actually want to continue reading the series as more books are release, which I had no intention on when finishing the first one.
Don't get me wrong, I didn't hate the first one or anything. It was perfectly ok. I just wasn't all that into it. If you felt the same about book one, I suggest you give this book a chance. You might be surprised as well.
Also, Cyno Dolan is my favorite and I sincerely hope we haven't seen the last of him. Cyno Dolan!
I liked this book so much better than the first one. I wasn't looking forward to reading it, so I was pleasantly surprised to enjoy it so much. It was much more engaging and grabbed me. It made me actually want to continue reading the series as more books are release, which I had no intention on when finishing the first one.
Don't get me wrong, I didn't hate the first one or anything. It was perfectly ok. I just wasn't all that into it. If you felt the same about book one, I suggest you give this book a chance. You might be surprised as well.
Also, Cyno Dolan is my favorite and I sincerely hope we haven't seen the last of him. Cyno Dolan!
August 15, 2015
every bit as good as the first book as you delve deeper into the otherworld.loved it
September 2, 2015
FTC Disclosure: I received this book free from Goodreads hoping I would review it.
August 1, 2021
Warning: Mild spoilers.
I was a little surprised by this book. While the first one was filled with all manner of adventure and exciting world-building, this one definitely took a turn for the darker. Some of the battle scenes were brutal and detailed and Nols' changing attitude had me concerned for the safety of the party. The author continued to create some great imagery throughout the story, but I still found myself getting confused between some of the terminology and names, having to refer back to the glossary every now and then for a reminder of what the heck they were talking about. I expected to have more Cyno in the later half of the book considering the first couple of chapters and the blurb, but I can only assume he has a bigger part to play in the later books. Likewise, I would have loved to have seen more of Gen and Chadwick's dynamic, but I suppose that makes it a great hook for the third installment. The unexpected vibe shift did feel like I was reading a different story at times, but it was pulled of fairly well for the most part. It felt like the author was experimenting a lot more this time, which is good for expanding the story's potential avenues and their growth as a writer, but I found it distracting. I must admit I found the first one a bit more enjoyable and far more immersive, but this was still a decent read.
Disclaimer: I received the first 2 books in this series from a goodreads giveaway. Thanks for gifting me the experience of this world!
I was a little surprised by this book. While the first one was filled with all manner of adventure and exciting world-building, this one definitely took a turn for the darker. Some of the battle scenes were brutal and detailed and Nols' changing attitude had me concerned for the safety of the party. The author continued to create some great imagery throughout the story, but I still found myself getting confused between some of the terminology and names, having to refer back to the glossary every now and then for a reminder of what the heck they were talking about. I expected to have more Cyno in the later half of the book considering the first couple of chapters and the blurb, but I can only assume he has a bigger part to play in the later books. Likewise, I would have loved to have seen more of Gen and Chadwick's dynamic, but I suppose that makes it a great hook for the third installment. The unexpected vibe shift did feel like I was reading a different story at times, but it was pulled of fairly well for the most part. It felt like the author was experimenting a lot more this time, which is good for expanding the story's potential avenues and their growth as a writer, but I found it distracting. I must admit I found the first one a bit more enjoyable and far more immersive, but this was still a decent read.
Disclaimer: I received the first 2 books in this series from a goodreads giveaway. Thanks for gifting me the experience of this world!
May 20, 2016
LOVING this series!
Love the characters, love the story line, love the world-building, love that there's much more to come!
Don't love that I have to wait for it.
I received a copy of this book for free through Goodreads Giveaways.
Love the characters, love the story line, love the world-building, love that there's much more to come!
Don't love that I have to wait for it.
I received a copy of this book for free through Goodreads Giveaways.
July 19, 2017
I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews