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Chronicles of Shadow #2
Exile's Gamble
The demon possessed army of King Oblund has been crushed but at great cost. The people of Teresland, betrayed by their king, face a winter without leadership, manpower or food. The elves, unwilling regents of this devastated human kingdom, struggle with understanding a people foreign and hostile toward them.
Now, the demons which destroyed Second Home have scented the vulnerability of Teresland and set out to draw the elves into more conflict. Conflict which they cannot ignore but are ill-prepared to face. With Lord W'rath trapped within his own mind, comatose, the elves must prepare for battle without his strength.
Raven, restless to prove herself, decides on a reckless plan, one which could either provide the elves with a new weapon, or doom her and W'rath both
Now, the demons which destroyed Second Home have scented the vulnerability of Teresland and set out to draw the elves into more conflict. Conflict which they cannot ignore but are ill-prepared to face. With Lord W'rath trapped within his own mind, comatose, the elves must prepare for battle without his strength.
Raven, restless to prove herself, decides on a reckless plan, one which could either provide the elves with a new weapon, or doom her and W'rath both
- GenresFantasy
359 pages, ebook
First published July 27, 2015
5 people are currently reading
18 people want to read
About the author
Lee Dunning
11 books26 followersLee has done many things over the years, including daring the horrors of IT for over 26 years. Having grown weary of that, she went back to school to study accounting. While such a job may not be the stuff of legends, it is a skill needed pretty much everywhere which makes it possible for her to keep a roof over her head regardless of where she chooses to live.
Of course, there is more to Lee than that. She's loved writing since grade school. She finished her first novel length story in high school, though she cringes now to read it. She's also worked with digital art since 2004. She's done several book covers for other authors as well as her own books. She also games both on the computer and tabletop. Her dice slinging has encompassed all versions of D&D, Fantasy Hero and most recently 13th Age.
As of July 26th, 2014, Lee published her first book, "Exile's Redemption" available here at Amazon in Kindle and Trade Paperback formats. The second book, "Exile's Gamble," and the third book, "Exile's Legacy," have since hit the virtual shelves of Amazon. Lee has finally finished the fourth book—"Exile's Vengeance" which concludes the current story line in the Chronicles of Shadows series. Currently she's working on some short pieces taking place ten years in the future from the events in Chronicles.
She currently shares her home with three cats, two Siamese and one horrified orange tabby. She recently moved to the Pacific Northwest, but longs to relocate to Alaska someday.
Of course, there is more to Lee than that. She's loved writing since grade school. She finished her first novel length story in high school, though she cringes now to read it. She's also worked with digital art since 2004. She's done several book covers for other authors as well as her own books. She also games both on the computer and tabletop. Her dice slinging has encompassed all versions of D&D, Fantasy Hero and most recently 13th Age.
As of July 26th, 2014, Lee published her first book, "Exile's Redemption" available here at Amazon in Kindle and Trade Paperback formats. The second book, "Exile's Gamble," and the third book, "Exile's Legacy," have since hit the virtual shelves of Amazon. Lee has finally finished the fourth book—"Exile's Vengeance" which concludes the current story line in the Chronicles of Shadows series. Currently she's working on some short pieces taking place ten years in the future from the events in Chronicles.
She currently shares her home with three cats, two Siamese and one horrified orange tabby. She recently moved to the Pacific Northwest, but longs to relocate to Alaska someday.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
April 26, 2018
I read and loved the first book, savoring it over a two week span. So I immediately got this sequel and devoured it in great gulps. The sequel surpasses the original.
The ONLY thing wrong with it is that it lacks a third volume for me to read.
The ONLY thing wrong with it is that it lacks a third volume for me to read.
August 8, 2015
The book kept me hooked from the minute I started until I finished at 4 am because I didn't want to stop.
I love the humor and unique voices of every character. I can't wait for the next book!
I love the humor and unique voices of every character. I can't wait for the next book!
July 5, 2016
Just as great as the first book in the series.
September 17, 2019
This review was originally posted on Camryn DaytonaExile's Gamble is the second book in the Chronicles of Shadow Trilogy. My review of book one, Exile's Redemption, can be found here.
So the first thing I have to say about this book, is that it's truly unfortunate that W'rath spends a good chunk of this book in a coma. Because I LOVE him, and I was really sad that we didn't get more of him.
But on the bright side, without W'rath to steal the show, Raven and some of the secondary characters finally get some of the spotlight.
A lot of the focus on this book ends up being on the human kingdom, and their relationship with the elves (who are trying their best to rebuild their kingdom, even though they don't entirely understand human traditions). Many of the characters we meet are mortals, and while this includes a few from book one, there are a LOT of new ones to get to know! But, as seems to be Lee Dunning's style, the characters are well written enough that it's easy to follow and they don't become a confusing jumble.
While W'rath heals, we get a lot more insight into the Shadow Elves that he and Raven rescued in the first book. Most of the children are finally healed enough to begin acclimating to life on the surface, although there are still a few who are unwilling to even try to adapt.
But most importantly, Raven finally has a realization that she probably should have had a long time ago: She panics, then immediately tries to forget about it.
Overall
I recommend this series to anyone who likes fantasy, including:
The Lord of the Rings
The Witcher
Dragon Age
So the first thing I have to say about this book, is that it's truly unfortunate that W'rath spends a good chunk of this book in a coma. Because I LOVE him, and I was really sad that we didn't get more of him.
But on the bright side, without W'rath to steal the show, Raven and some of the secondary characters finally get some of the spotlight.
A lot of the focus on this book ends up being on the human kingdom, and their relationship with the elves (who are trying their best to rebuild their kingdom, even though they don't entirely understand human traditions). Many of the characters we meet are mortals, and while this includes a few from book one, there are a LOT of new ones to get to know! But, as seems to be Lee Dunning's style, the characters are well written enough that it's easy to follow and they don't become a confusing jumble.
While W'rath heals, we get a lot more insight into the Shadow Elves that he and Raven rescued in the first book. Most of the children are finally healed enough to begin acclimating to life on the surface, although there are still a few who are unwilling to even try to adapt.
But most importantly, Raven finally has a realization that she probably should have had a long time ago: She panics, then immediately tries to forget about it.
Overall
I recommend this series to anyone who likes fantasy, including:
The Lord of the Rings
The Witcher
Dragon Age
October 17, 2020
The perfect continuation of the first book. Thank you Lee Dunning
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews