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Dragonsoul
Littlehorn is the last dragon, born into a world that wants him dead.
The dragon's blue scales and orange eyes are a stark contrast to the dull gray around him. The sky is gray. The ground is gray. Everything is gray, even the skin, eyes, and hair of every other living creature, including humans.
When Denyth, a simple farmer dreaming of a world of color beyond the gray encounters Littlehorn, the two set out on a journey to find the truth of where Littlehorn came from and if there truly is a world of color beyond the gray.
But Denyth isn't the only human who knows of Littlehorn's existence. A dragon-hunter named Zero, who has dedicated his entire life to purging anything of color, is coming after Littlehorn to finish the job.
Dragon and human flee together to the colorful land called Evenar, coming across a host of odd, colorful creatures, including a cat-like shapeshifter who can hear the land, a pacifist troll who wields a club the size of a tree trunk, and even a group of walruses who can talk.
Just as they think that they have found paradise, they discover a terrible secret: humanity wasn't responsible for the fall of dragons after all.
The dragon's blue scales and orange eyes are a stark contrast to the dull gray around him. The sky is gray. The ground is gray. Everything is gray, even the skin, eyes, and hair of every other living creature, including humans.
When Denyth, a simple farmer dreaming of a world of color beyond the gray encounters Littlehorn, the two set out on a journey to find the truth of where Littlehorn came from and if there truly is a world of color beyond the gray.
But Denyth isn't the only human who knows of Littlehorn's existence. A dragon-hunter named Zero, who has dedicated his entire life to purging anything of color, is coming after Littlehorn to finish the job.
Dragon and human flee together to the colorful land called Evenar, coming across a host of odd, colorful creatures, including a cat-like shapeshifter who can hear the land, a pacifist troll who wields a club the size of a tree trunk, and even a group of walruses who can talk.
Just as they think that they have found paradise, they discover a terrible secret: humanity wasn't responsible for the fall of dragons after all.
- GenresFantasy
261 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 19, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
July 5, 2017
****I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review****
“Dragonsoul” is the story of Denyth and Littlehorn, a boy and his dragon, as they grow together in a land without color. Everything Denyth has ever known has been gray, his entire world and everyone in it is devoid of color. Those who speak of color, who show any signs of color, are arrested or executed by the king’s men. Then Denyth finds Littlehorn, a creature of myth, but also the last dragon, who isn’t gray like everything else, but a sparkling, and dazzling blue. A costly mistake on Littlehorn’s behalf forces Denyth and his dragon to flee his family and home in search of answers, and a safe place to live in a world where everything about Littlehorn means the king’s knights want him dead. Despite the intriguing concept of this story, the writing seems better suited for a middle-grade audience instead of young-adult, and even then, it’s not a perfect fit.
Karadjian sets up a really intriguing concept with this bland world without color, it even has flavors of the book series “Eragon” and the movie “Dragonheart” in them: a farmer boy finds the last dragon egg and the two become inseparable, the last dragon is blindly being hunted by the king’s men. At first, it sets some really high hopes for the book that, unfortunately, just fall a bit short. As Karadjian continues to create his mythical world, that feels like a bit of a mash-up of other classic fairy-tales and their creatures, you always just get these little glimpses of these interesting creatures but then they are gone after their brief introduction and it felt like a bit of a waste of a character. These creatures may appear in later books in the series but even so, it felt a bit wasteful and therefore came off as unnecessary.
“Dragonsoul’s” main characters start off with the promise of being these complex people that would have been so wonderful in this world of gray. The idea of human’s succumbing to the Gloom and what it produces in them is so interesting at the start that, adding an additional layer of complexity with these multidimensional characters, would have been a breath of fresh air, but it just never really happens. Zero has the most promise in this regard but then, at the end (and this isn’t a spoiler, don’t worry) Zero starts acting out of his established character. His epiphany’s and character development sputters, then stalls, and what would have been this amazing character arch falls flat, which makes it all the more disappointing because it was so close to being amazing! Additionally, the explanations for the Gloom and why dragons are hunted were set up to be this big secret, setting-up for this big reveal with a twist, that when it finally comes, and none of the set-up pans out and the explanation behind all the characters becomes overly simplistic… it felt like a bit of a letdown.
With the writing and the character development ending the way it did, I do really think this book would be better suited for middle-grade readers. I’d even say younger but there is some action and violence that may not be completely appropriate for younger readers. There’s nothing wrong with middle-grade reads, I just was expecting (and hoping for) something more young-adult with this story. Which is disappointing because I really wanted to love it! The synopsis and the cover make it sound so interesting, which is why I’m giving it a 3, but there’s nothing wrong with a 3 either! If this was billed more for that younger audience, I’d probably have rated it higher but the “surprise” was not the one I was hoping for, and with the ending, I’m not sure how this series will continue!
“Dragonsoul” is the story of Denyth and Littlehorn, a boy and his dragon, as they grow together in a land without color. Everything Denyth has ever known has been gray, his entire world and everyone in it is devoid of color. Those who speak of color, who show any signs of color, are arrested or executed by the king’s men. Then Denyth finds Littlehorn, a creature of myth, but also the last dragon, who isn’t gray like everything else, but a sparkling, and dazzling blue. A costly mistake on Littlehorn’s behalf forces Denyth and his dragon to flee his family and home in search of answers, and a safe place to live in a world where everything about Littlehorn means the king’s knights want him dead. Despite the intriguing concept of this story, the writing seems better suited for a middle-grade audience instead of young-adult, and even then, it’s not a perfect fit.
Karadjian sets up a really intriguing concept with this bland world without color, it even has flavors of the book series “Eragon” and the movie “Dragonheart” in them: a farmer boy finds the last dragon egg and the two become inseparable, the last dragon is blindly being hunted by the king’s men. At first, it sets some really high hopes for the book that, unfortunately, just fall a bit short. As Karadjian continues to create his mythical world, that feels like a bit of a mash-up of other classic fairy-tales and their creatures, you always just get these little glimpses of these interesting creatures but then they are gone after their brief introduction and it felt like a bit of a waste of a character. These creatures may appear in later books in the series but even so, it felt a bit wasteful and therefore came off as unnecessary.
“Dragonsoul’s” main characters start off with the promise of being these complex people that would have been so wonderful in this world of gray. The idea of human’s succumbing to the Gloom and what it produces in them is so interesting at the start that, adding an additional layer of complexity with these multidimensional characters, would have been a breath of fresh air, but it just never really happens. Zero has the most promise in this regard but then, at the end (and this isn’t a spoiler, don’t worry) Zero starts acting out of his established character. His epiphany’s and character development sputters, then stalls, and what would have been this amazing character arch falls flat, which makes it all the more disappointing because it was so close to being amazing! Additionally, the explanations for the Gloom and why dragons are hunted were set up to be this big secret, setting-up for this big reveal with a twist, that when it finally comes, and none of the set-up pans out and the explanation behind all the characters becomes overly simplistic… it felt like a bit of a letdown.
With the writing and the character development ending the way it did, I do really think this book would be better suited for middle-grade readers. I’d even say younger but there is some action and violence that may not be completely appropriate for younger readers. There’s nothing wrong with middle-grade reads, I just was expecting (and hoping for) something more young-adult with this story. Which is disappointing because I really wanted to love it! The synopsis and the cover make it sound so interesting, which is why I’m giving it a 3, but there’s nothing wrong with a 3 either! If this was billed more for that younger audience, I’d probably have rated it higher but the “surprise” was not the one I was hoping for, and with the ending, I’m not sure how this series will continue!
December 16, 2022
Not Skyrim. :0(
July 16, 2017
The cover drew me in, and I won a copy of this book in a Librarything Giveaway. Originally, I had decided not to post a review ('if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all') but an alleged ranking scam made me think I should.
The idea of a grey land was intriguing. The main character and his dragon friend are interesting enough. What let the story down was the very awkward writing. I had to read sentences several times to work out what was happening. I also felt that it was taking far too long to get anywhere.
I gave up around a third way into the novel.
I don't know all the details about the alleged scandal, but I do know that this book needs a lot more work to deserve a no. 1 ranking.
The idea of a grey land was intriguing. The main character and his dragon friend are interesting enough. What let the story down was the very awkward writing. I had to read sentences several times to work out what was happening. I also felt that it was taking far too long to get anywhere.
I gave up around a third way into the novel.
I don't know all the details about the alleged scandal, but I do know that this book needs a lot more work to deserve a no. 1 ranking.
September 5, 2017
Could not get past the juvenile writing skills...
While I LOVED the idea behind this book, the actual writing involved was painful. I adhere to the idea of "so many books, so little time". Therefore, if I can't focus on or remain interested in what I'm reading, I move on to the next. Reached 12% before I gave up!
While I LOVED the idea behind this book, the actual writing involved was painful. I adhere to the idea of "so many books, so little time". Therefore, if I can't focus on or remain interested in what I'm reading, I move on to the next. Reached 12% before I gave up!
June 7, 2017
The idea was ok. The execution was not.
This book needs an overhaul. The ideas, while not exactly original, could have worked. But the poor writing hampered it at every turn. Nothing and no one came alive off the page. Sentence structure, while grammatically correct, was stilted and flowed poorly.
This book needs an overhaul. The ideas, while not exactly original, could have worked. But the poor writing hampered it at every turn. Nothing and no one came alive off the page. Sentence structure, while grammatically correct, was stilted and flowed poorly.
July 26, 2017
Dragonsoul is amazing, there's no other way to describe it. I genuinely think all lovers of fantasy should read it, and don't let the idea of it being a children's story scare you off. In all actuality, it really isn't a kid's story and while it may consider the typical fairy tale creatures, it changes them in a way you'd never expect. It's a truly magical world, and I wish Evanar were a real place (it seems so peaceful!). If you decide to go along for the ride with Denyth and Littlehorn, which I strongly recommend, there are a couple things you should know. First of all, about halfway through the story there are a couple pages including cuss words, there's probably about 5 times total, 7 at most. Also, there is a little bit of violence, however it's not graphic or descriptive just mentioned to explain what's happening. Overall, the story itself isn't hard to understand and could probably be understood by most kids 10 and up, so you most likely understand it.
Read the full review at http://wordnerddb.blogspot.com/2017/0...
Read the full review at http://wordnerddb.blogspot.com/2017/0...
May 15, 2017
Dragonsoul by Kayl Karadijian is an interesting YA fantasy. I liked the two worlds created by this writer. One of color and life and the other full of gray and doom. The farmer boy who finds the last dragon egg made my heart melt. The two new friends travel in the world of color...where there are other fascinating characters. While the dragon hunter tracks the farmer down down to kill his new friend the dragon, aka Littlehorn. For those who love adventure, fantasy, and a good journey, this is definitely a novel to read. I was captivated by the plot from the beginning to end. Overall, I highly recommend Dragonsoul to all.
August 1, 2019
Heartfelt
A great read for any age if you have a good imagination. The story of multiple characters unwinds as the story weaves throughout their lives. Great reflection on past experiences for the characters to build up to the ending. It reaches your soul and you can almost feel it. Thanks for the opportunity to read this book.
A great read for any age if you have a good imagination. The story of multiple characters unwinds as the story weaves throughout their lives. Great reflection on past experiences for the characters to build up to the ending. It reaches your soul and you can almost feel it. Thanks for the opportunity to read this book.
May 8, 2017
I could not stay engaged in the story, I kept stopping to read a different book. Finally, I just had to give up. Not a bad book, although a bit amateurish in writing, but I just wasn't interested in reading more about them. Which is too bad because I adore dragons! DNF at 30%.
August 26, 2017
Great book
I really enjoyed reading this book. I did not want to stop reading it. I would recommend it to others.
I really enjoyed reading this book. I did not want to stop reading it. I would recommend it to others.
March 9, 2017
I received a free copy of Dragonsoul in exchange for an honest review.
I was surprised at how similar to Eragon this felt! An orphaned farm boy find an egg, out of which hatches a dragon, a species of creature that aren't thought to exist anymore and are hunted by the King. I was quite disappointed by these similarities, as it almost felt as though I had read the book before. These similarities disappeared by chapter 7, as more species of creature were introduced and the plot started to veer off in a completely different direction to Eragon.
Dragonsoul was very well written, with well thought out descriptions and authentic dialogue. I particularly enjoyed Denyth's relationship with his Grandparents, which felt completely natural and authentic. I thought the quotes/feelings at the beginning of each chapter from the point of view of one of the main characters was a really nice touch and was a really good way of the reader being able to get a feel for the
While reading, I got the distinct feeling that the author was aiming for Dragonsoul to be the first installment in a fantasy epic, but for me it didn't quite have that epic feel about it. I can't quite put my finger on what was lacking but it just wasn't quite there for me. If there are sequels to be written, Dragonsoul was a brilliant starting point and maybe any future books will enable the series as a whole to become a true epic.
I would definitely read more by Kayl Karadjian, as Dragonsoul was easy to read and follow despite containing so many characters, species and ulterior motives.
I was surprised at how similar to Eragon this felt! An orphaned farm boy find an egg, out of which hatches a dragon, a species of creature that aren't thought to exist anymore and are hunted by the King. I was quite disappointed by these similarities, as it almost felt as though I had read the book before. These similarities disappeared by chapter 7, as more species of creature were introduced and the plot started to veer off in a completely different direction to Eragon.
Dragonsoul was very well written, with well thought out descriptions and authentic dialogue. I particularly enjoyed Denyth's relationship with his Grandparents, which felt completely natural and authentic. I thought the quotes/feelings at the beginning of each chapter from the point of view of one of the main characters was a really nice touch and was a really good way of the reader being able to get a feel for the
While reading, I got the distinct feeling that the author was aiming for Dragonsoul to be the first installment in a fantasy epic, but for me it didn't quite have that epic feel about it. I can't quite put my finger on what was lacking but it just wasn't quite there for me. If there are sequels to be written, Dragonsoul was a brilliant starting point and maybe any future books will enable the series as a whole to become a true epic.
I would definitely read more by Kayl Karadjian, as Dragonsoul was easy to read and follow despite containing so many characters, species and ulterior motives.
April 27, 2017
This was so. Cute.
Gloom and doom have got people feeling a little…gray. In a literal sense. Denyth is a young boy whose life consists of nothing but gray. Kid’s never seen a color before, though he has heard of the legends. Of a place called Evenar. And dragons. But that’s only a legend, right? In the first few pages, the author immediately sets the tone of the novel.
We’re also introduced to D-Zero, the king’s personal go-to guy. He’s the kind whose deprived personality fits in with the rest of the world. D-Zero also goes to show how anti-heroes can distinguish themselves from villains. The line between good and bad is as gray as the rest of the world.
The story narrates back and forth between a few characters. All are necessary to move the story along. Point of view switches were smooth. Flashbacks were not. They happened without much transition, though the author tried to be subtle. I had to re-read often to see why things changed.
Each subplot serves to add another layer to depth of the world. It’s obvious great care and thought went into the creation of the setting. The description and style choice between the two lands change to alter the mood of the reader.
A few errors slipped through editing. Obvious, but nothing deal-breaking. Some of the narration sounded a little too stiff and formal. Out of place, even.
I liked the way the dialogue flowed and how smooth character interactions were. Each character was different. Each on had their own voice, something made easy to discern. All were well-rounded.
Character development was fabulous. A story line unique to each character was present. They all faced different hurdles at different times and the differences showed. The best part? It was all accomplished without a silly little romantic subplot.
Whether I’m reading too far into thing or not, this novel felt rife with metaphors. Reminded me quite a bit of The Chronicles of Narnia, by C. S. Lewis. The Gloom feels like a metaphor for the monotony of everyday life, and feels like one for depression. It creeps into the hearts of even the brightest soul and changes them. The author does an excellent job of conveying that feeling.
Intentional or not, the metaphors make the story feel more relatable. And did I mention how cute the story was? The moment we're introduced to Littlehorn, I fell in love. The bond and interactions shared between Littlehorn and Denyth were so adorable.
I enjoyed the authors’ writing style and imagination. Fantasy lovers are sure to get enjoyment from this novel.
February 22, 2018
Thanks to Kayl Karadjian for giving me this book to review.
Dragonsoul is a fun and light fantasy adventure book which is perfect for tweens. It has an interesting premise of everything and everyone being grey, and colour being outlawed. However, it was a bit slow paced and I would have liked more world-building.
Denyth is a stable, hardworking farm boy who is loyal to those who he cares about. Littlehorn is kind and gentle but because he is very sheltered he is naïve. Nelai is curious and adventurous but I had trouble connecting with her compared to the other characters. Zero was the most interesting character as he was a mystery.
I enjoyed Dragonsoul and would recommend it to fans of Eragon and First Light by Michelle Frost.
This and my other reviews can be found at Amethyst Bookwyrm
Dragonsoul is a fun and light fantasy adventure book which is perfect for tweens. It has an interesting premise of everything and everyone being grey, and colour being outlawed. However, it was a bit slow paced and I would have liked more world-building.
Denyth is a stable, hardworking farm boy who is loyal to those who he cares about. Littlehorn is kind and gentle but because he is very sheltered he is naïve. Nelai is curious and adventurous but I had trouble connecting with her compared to the other characters. Zero was the most interesting character as he was a mystery.
I enjoyed Dragonsoul and would recommend it to fans of Eragon and First Light by Michelle Frost.
This and my other reviews can be found at Amethyst Bookwyrm
February 17, 2017
5 Stars
Plenty of action and adventure. This book will hook you from the beginning. Excellent character development and a well plotted storyline. New characters are gradually introduced instead of being thrust into the story. Slowly you learn about the past and why Orin is a grey land devoid of color, while Evenar is a land of color. I would highly recommend this book to fantasy lovers of all ages.
(Disclaimer - I received this book in exchange for an honest review)
Plenty of action and adventure. This book will hook you from the beginning. Excellent character development and a well plotted storyline. New characters are gradually introduced instead of being thrust into the story. Slowly you learn about the past and why Orin is a grey land devoid of color, while Evenar is a land of color. I would highly recommend this book to fantasy lovers of all ages.
(Disclaimer - I received this book in exchange for an honest review)
November 21, 2016
Dragonsoul, by Author Kayl Karadjian, is a unique Fantasy novel set in two distinct lands. Evenar is a magical land of colour and beauty, whereas Orin is a land of nothing but grey, which is overshadowed by a force known as 'The Gloom.' We follow the lives of Zero; a member of the 'Deprived,' which is King Tayen's highest guard. We also follow the life of a young farm boy named Denyth. When Denyth finds the last Dragon egg in existence, his path is set to collide with the fierce Zero, who is known by many as a Dragon Slayer.
Zero is furious to discover that a single dragon escaped his wrath and sets forth on a quest to slay Denyth's new friend, Littlehorn. Meanwhile, The Gloom continues to expand its borders, removing colour from the world and leaving only a grey pall in its wake.
The world building in this novel is incredible. From the first page I was drawn in, eager to learn about the strange grey world, so different from my own. It posed a healthy contrast to the colourful world of Evenar. The first line of Zero's story; 'I first looked upon my own face and was overwhelmed by fear,' immediately intrigues the reader, who will want to discover why his own face causes such an adverse response.
There was no shortage of action, with delightful new characters that were introduced gradually, so as not to overwhelm the reader. I picked out a main theme of good vs evil, with doubt as to why plays which role in this gripping Fantasy.
Can Denyth and Littlehorn bring colour back to a grey world and prevent The Gloom from spreading further? Between a dull grey world, and an enchanting world of dragons, fairies, and other mythical creatures, they will certainly try.
Zero is furious to discover that a single dragon escaped his wrath and sets forth on a quest to slay Denyth's new friend, Littlehorn. Meanwhile, The Gloom continues to expand its borders, removing colour from the world and leaving only a grey pall in its wake.
The world building in this novel is incredible. From the first page I was drawn in, eager to learn about the strange grey world, so different from my own. It posed a healthy contrast to the colourful world of Evenar. The first line of Zero's story; 'I first looked upon my own face and was overwhelmed by fear,' immediately intrigues the reader, who will want to discover why his own face causes such an adverse response.
There was no shortage of action, with delightful new characters that were introduced gradually, so as not to overwhelm the reader. I picked out a main theme of good vs evil, with doubt as to why plays which role in this gripping Fantasy.
Can Denyth and Littlehorn bring colour back to a grey world and prevent The Gloom from spreading further? Between a dull grey world, and an enchanting world of dragons, fairies, and other mythical creatures, they will certainly try.
January 30, 2017
Kayl Karadjian’s fantasy adventure, Dragonsoul, is set in a world divided, with one side that is vibrantly colourful and another which is devoid of it. This concept forms the backbone of the world he has created, as well as the story line itself. Humans live in the Gloom, where colour has been so well removed that most people don’t even know what it is.
In this grey world, dragons are hunted, their coloured scales a final testament to what once was. As dragons are nearing extinction so too is the Gloom spreading, soon to encompass the entire world.
Read our full review of Dragonsoul
In this grey world, dragons are hunted, their coloured scales a final testament to what once was. As dragons are nearing extinction so too is the Gloom spreading, soon to encompass the entire world.
Read our full review of Dragonsoul
April 19, 2017
Goodness doesn't have a shelflife
For those who have eyes to see, our perception of color is constrained by our upbringing. Values of good are concealed in shades of gray if that's what we were raised up in. The cravings of something mo pulls upon our conscious centers. Like a empty glass slowly filling up the scales are slowly tilted onto a natural balance with the efforts of giving from the hearts. A plane of existence without color cannot be but helped towards one with it with loving friends. Wherever they come from. Be they a plant, a single Dragon or a colorless human. Goodness bonds all in togetherness.
For those who have eyes to see, our perception of color is constrained by our upbringing. Values of good are concealed in shades of gray if that's what we were raised up in. The cravings of something mo pulls upon our conscious centers. Like a empty glass slowly filling up the scales are slowly tilted onto a natural balance with the efforts of giving from the hearts. A plane of existence without color cannot be but helped towards one with it with loving friends. Wherever they come from. Be they a plant, a single Dragon or a colorless human. Goodness bonds all in togetherness.
April 25, 2017
Great
G great fist book of t h e series. Will read the second book. . . . . . .
G great fist book of t h e series. Will read the second book. . . . . . .
May 2, 2017
Dragonsoul by Kayl Karadjian, 265 pages, October 18th, 2016, Genre: Young Adult/Science Fiction/Fantasy/Coming of Age. Warning: May contain spoilers.
Dragonsoul is a tale of two worlds: Evenar, the land of color and vibrancy; and Hainabal, city of gray shades and gloom. The world each character is born into shapes their worldview, informing their actions. However, each is much more than the world that shaped them. Each of them must deal with their internal struggle and rise above for the sake of all.
After running away from his abusive father, a masked child known only as Zero is rescued from the streets by the king. Zero works hard to become a seasoned knight, serving his king. He and his men destroy all things within the gloom-covered landscape with any hint of color, such as books and dragons. Believing his king honorable, Zero never questions whether or not his orders are truly in the best interest of the kingdom.
Outside the city yet within the Gloom, a fourteen-year-old farm boy named Denyth discovers an egg. Taking it home, he is shocked when a baby dragon emerges. Raising the colorful Littlehorn becomes the most wonderful experience of Denyth’s previously colorless young life. Their bond is genuine and eternal. As Zero and his men are in pursuit to slay the last dragon, Denyth and Littlehorn flee with the aid of the Evenarian shapeshifter Nelai and enter Evenar seeking the help of the Wind Queen. By the end of the tale, these characters must come together to save the realms.
Two major themes throughout the book are good versus evil and the struggle within. “Color” represents the positive forces, including inspiration, wisdom, compassion, hope, and paying kindness forward. “Gloom” represents the negative forces within and around us, such as hopelessness, despair, anger, vengeance, and acceptance of these forces without struggle. Even so, the Gloom is comprised of shades of gray, not absolute darkness, therefore anyone can redeem himself. Another theme is that leaders and their choices affect the destiny of their people.
The story is told through shifting perspectives in a narrative style. The characters are well developed and the plot well-constructed. Descriptive devices conjured interesting settings without lengthy exposition. The writing style is reminiscent of beloved young adult fantasy books from my childhood such as “A Wrinkle in Time” by Madeleine L’Engle and “The Chronicles of Narnia” by C.S. Lewis. Overall, I enjoyed reading this book. I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoys young adult fantasy fiction.
Dragonsoul is a tale of two worlds: Evenar, the land of color and vibrancy; and Hainabal, city of gray shades and gloom. The world each character is born into shapes their worldview, informing their actions. However, each is much more than the world that shaped them. Each of them must deal with their internal struggle and rise above for the sake of all.
After running away from his abusive father, a masked child known only as Zero is rescued from the streets by the king. Zero works hard to become a seasoned knight, serving his king. He and his men destroy all things within the gloom-covered landscape with any hint of color, such as books and dragons. Believing his king honorable, Zero never questions whether or not his orders are truly in the best interest of the kingdom.
Outside the city yet within the Gloom, a fourteen-year-old farm boy named Denyth discovers an egg. Taking it home, he is shocked when a baby dragon emerges. Raising the colorful Littlehorn becomes the most wonderful experience of Denyth’s previously colorless young life. Their bond is genuine and eternal. As Zero and his men are in pursuit to slay the last dragon, Denyth and Littlehorn flee with the aid of the Evenarian shapeshifter Nelai and enter Evenar seeking the help of the Wind Queen. By the end of the tale, these characters must come together to save the realms.
Two major themes throughout the book are good versus evil and the struggle within. “Color” represents the positive forces, including inspiration, wisdom, compassion, hope, and paying kindness forward. “Gloom” represents the negative forces within and around us, such as hopelessness, despair, anger, vengeance, and acceptance of these forces without struggle. Even so, the Gloom is comprised of shades of gray, not absolute darkness, therefore anyone can redeem himself. Another theme is that leaders and their choices affect the destiny of their people.
The story is told through shifting perspectives in a narrative style. The characters are well developed and the plot well-constructed. Descriptive devices conjured interesting settings without lengthy exposition. The writing style is reminiscent of beloved young adult fantasy books from my childhood such as “A Wrinkle in Time” by Madeleine L’Engle and “The Chronicles of Narnia” by C.S. Lewis. Overall, I enjoyed reading this book. I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoys young adult fantasy fiction.
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