Heather is a spitfire, backwater girl who knows how to wield a bow and arrow. She’s always dreamed of living in the ornate palace she visited as a child, and if she wins the Tournament of Chance, she can fulfill that dream. But when the tournament turns into an uproar, little does she know that she’s about to be swept into a mission much more daring and significant than her own.
I’m not really one for fantasy, so it’s all the more surprising that I liked this book. I wasn’t sure about it at first, but as the story progressed, I got more and more engrossed in it. It grew on me, you could say. I felt like the plot has many layers that continued to be pulled back and revealed, and each one delighted me more than the last. And each plot twist was completely unexpected. That’s probably one of the things that kept me hooked throughout the story. Every chapter held something new…dragons, trolls, volcanos, time travel.
I didn’t completely connect with Heather, but I loved her bravery, her stubbornness, and her independence. Her character, as well as her fiery red hair, reminded me of Merida from Brave. Dane, in all his superiority and moodiness, was actually rather attractive as a character. He was like a medieval Mr. Darcy type, and I kind of liked that. I might even steal that kind of character someday for a novel, because it would be awfully fun to write someone like him. I found the rest of the crew funny and entertaining, especially Gumm the troll. The fairies, despite the way they were portrayed, were a favorite of mine, too.
I did have some minor qualms, though. The whole “dragon transformation” and use of magic seemed a little corny at times. Ok, maybe all the time, but I tried to not let it bother me. On the bright side, S. G. Rogers completely developed her world of Omaria, which I really appreciated. Her observance to detail and consistency made the book that much more impressive.
When it comes down to it, Tournament of Chance is a very-well done fantasy. I loved the combo of action and romance, and the plot twists kept me coming back for more. I would recommend this to older teens as well as middle-grade readers in a heartbeat. It’s a fun, adventurous tale that will keep you laughing the whole way through.
Quick Content Review: *may contain spoilers*
Language: Mild (Only a few minor words)
Violence: Mild (action violence)
Sexual: Mild (A kiss or two)