What do you think?
Rate this book
A Precarious Beginning: Chronicles of Castlemount Book 1
“There are only two powers in the universe that determine what a person will become in life — luck and willpower.” Orphaned at a young age and forced to become a pickpocket to survive, a chance meeting with the King’s Assassin is the lucky break Hyla needs. At the massive fortress city of Castlemount, Hyla discovers she is destined to become a Dragonrider! Training every day to understand her new role and the magical dragon bond, Hyla learns that mingling with the rich and powerful has its own dangers. Will her street smarts keep her alive? Join Hyla in the precarious beginning to her incredible adventure! “A Precarious Beginning” is a classic tale of insurmountable odds, high adventure, and the power of friendship. It is sure to captivate readers of all ages.
358 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 15, 2017
8 people are currently reading
6 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
March 3, 2018
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
An orphaned street girl finds herself thrust into the spotlight of a magical kingdom in A Precarious Beginning: Chronicles of Castlemount Book 1. Written by Siena Rollins & Fritz Rollins, this larger than life tale follows a young child who has experienced a harsh and cruel life, only to find she's been chosen for a much grander destiny than she could have ever imagined. Here's the synopsis:
“There are only two powers in the universe that determine what a person will become in life — luck and willpower.”
Orphaned at a young age and forced to become a pickpocket to survive, a chance meeting with the King’s Assassin is the lucky break Hyla needs. At the massive fortress city of Castlemount, Hyla discovers she is destined to become a Dragonrider! Training every day to understand her new role and the magical dragon bond, Hyla learns that mingling with the rich and powerful has its own dangers. Will her street smarts keep her alive? Join Hyla in the precarious beginning to her incredible adventure!
“A Precarious Beginning” is a classic tale of insurmountable odds, high adventure, and the power of friendship. It is sure to captivate readers of all ages.
This is a fantastic first entry into a gripping new fantasy series. Dealing with themes of poverty, tragedy and family, this story expertly crafts a rich world filled with magic and enemies galore. Hyla is the perfect protagonist, young enough to view the world around her with wonder while still having lived a life that makes everyone suspect and able to see beyond the magic and glamour of the life of a Dragon Rider. Exploring the way the high levels of society not only view but interact with those lower on the social scale, this book does a great job of blending real life societal issues with a larger than life fantasy realm. The action is great and the story evenly paced as we open up to a heart pounding chase scene and quickly dive into the life or death scenario Hyla finds herself in.
Overall this was a wonderfully written story. Engaging and addicting, this fantasy series is set to light the literary world on fire with a truly unique and creative fantasy world, and all fantasy fans are going to want to jump onto this wagon as it begins to take off. If you haven't yet be sure to pick up your copy of A Precarious Beginning: Chronicles of Castlemount Book 1 by Siena Rollins and Fritz Rollins today!
An orphaned street girl finds herself thrust into the spotlight of a magical kingdom in A Precarious Beginning: Chronicles of Castlemount Book 1. Written by Siena Rollins & Fritz Rollins, this larger than life tale follows a young child who has experienced a harsh and cruel life, only to find she's been chosen for a much grander destiny than she could have ever imagined. Here's the synopsis:
“There are only two powers in the universe that determine what a person will become in life — luck and willpower.”
Orphaned at a young age and forced to become a pickpocket to survive, a chance meeting with the King’s Assassin is the lucky break Hyla needs. At the massive fortress city of Castlemount, Hyla discovers she is destined to become a Dragonrider! Training every day to understand her new role and the magical dragon bond, Hyla learns that mingling with the rich and powerful has its own dangers. Will her street smarts keep her alive? Join Hyla in the precarious beginning to her incredible adventure!
“A Precarious Beginning” is a classic tale of insurmountable odds, high adventure, and the power of friendship. It is sure to captivate readers of all ages.
This is a fantastic first entry into a gripping new fantasy series. Dealing with themes of poverty, tragedy and family, this story expertly crafts a rich world filled with magic and enemies galore. Hyla is the perfect protagonist, young enough to view the world around her with wonder while still having lived a life that makes everyone suspect and able to see beyond the magic and glamour of the life of a Dragon Rider. Exploring the way the high levels of society not only view but interact with those lower on the social scale, this book does a great job of blending real life societal issues with a larger than life fantasy realm. The action is great and the story evenly paced as we open up to a heart pounding chase scene and quickly dive into the life or death scenario Hyla finds herself in.
Overall this was a wonderfully written story. Engaging and addicting, this fantasy series is set to light the literary world on fire with a truly unique and creative fantasy world, and all fantasy fans are going to want to jump onto this wagon as it begins to take off. If you haven't yet be sure to pick up your copy of A Precarious Beginning: Chronicles of Castlemount Book 1 by Siena Rollins and Fritz Rollins today!
May 26, 2017
This is a story that starts where it should: in the middle of the action leading up to the incident where the main character’s life is changed forever. Combine this with the wonderful character of Hyla, the heroine, and we are drawn in right away. So much that we are quite happy when the events that led up to this beginning are revealed in a series of flashbacks throughout the story. Hyla is so concerned about her pal, Fingers, that we can’t wait to find out what happens to him.
This book contains great deal of world building and a whole lot of getting-to-know-you with the main character and her new life. Fantasies often start out with a character being removed from his or her normal milieu. The character learning the new setting is a wonderful excuse to reveal that world to the reader, and develop the personalities as well. However, there needs to be an underlying development of the real conflict, the greater world conflict, and in this story it takes too long. It isn’t until Chapter 24 (Out of 34) that we switch to the POV of one of the villains, and that conflict takes off. It is Chapter 25 before the greater political conflict starts.
Until that point the tension is upheld by flashbacks to Hyla’s struggle for life in the gutter and her present difficulties in learning her new life. This sort of introductory conflict is good for about Chapters 3 through 6 in most books. Then, no matter how interesting the new world and its minor troubles are, suspense flags.
There are also a few rough edges in the writing style that should have been picked up by editors and beta readers:
“Instead of words, her mouth hung open in dumbfounded silence.” I know what the author means to say, but the sentence doesn’t hang together. The question of Troy’s motivation at the beginning of the story and why he was driving the wagon is never answered. Point of view is not always clear and sometimes slithers to other characters briefly.
And a point about dialect. “Ise” and “youse” are great dialect indicators, but I have rarely seen them used in a novel. Perhaps because they are frequently used words, and they do begin to grate on the reader after a while.
Strengths: world building and characters. Weakness: structure and lack of conflict. Recommended for YA epic fantasy fans.
This book contains great deal of world building and a whole lot of getting-to-know-you with the main character and her new life. Fantasies often start out with a character being removed from his or her normal milieu. The character learning the new setting is a wonderful excuse to reveal that world to the reader, and develop the personalities as well. However, there needs to be an underlying development of the real conflict, the greater world conflict, and in this story it takes too long. It isn’t until Chapter 24 (Out of 34) that we switch to the POV of one of the villains, and that conflict takes off. It is Chapter 25 before the greater political conflict starts.
Until that point the tension is upheld by flashbacks to Hyla’s struggle for life in the gutter and her present difficulties in learning her new life. This sort of introductory conflict is good for about Chapters 3 through 6 in most books. Then, no matter how interesting the new world and its minor troubles are, suspense flags.
There are also a few rough edges in the writing style that should have been picked up by editors and beta readers:
“Instead of words, her mouth hung open in dumbfounded silence.” I know what the author means to say, but the sentence doesn’t hang together. The question of Troy’s motivation at the beginning of the story and why he was driving the wagon is never answered. Point of view is not always clear and sometimes slithers to other characters briefly.
And a point about dialect. “Ise” and “youse” are great dialect indicators, but I have rarely seen them used in a novel. Perhaps because they are frequently used words, and they do begin to grate on the reader after a while.
Strengths: world building and characters. Weakness: structure and lack of conflict. Recommended for YA epic fantasy fans.
February 25, 2018
Rating: 4.5 stars
Hyla is an orphan little girl who has been surviving in the streets until one day her path crosses with her savior. She is taken to Castlemount and her life changes forever. Suddenly she is training to be a dragon rider and has not one but two beautiful and lovely baby dragons.
The story moves fast into her new world and how she deals with all of it. Being from a poor background she has to learn how to behave in this new place and tries to hide where she comes from. With dreams and flashes, we learn a bit more about her past.
Hyla is a really sweet character, given her rough upbringing she doesn't trust in people but deep down she wants to be accepted and belong to somewhere.
This one has all the fantasy elements needed for a great story: knights, dragons, fights, people plotting behind others' backs and more. I really loved the dragons!!! the descriptions were AMAZING. We have some good chapters at the end, full of the tension and fights needed to close up a great fantasy book.
My only minor issue was that I forgot that she is supposed to be a kid, Hyla sounded like a teenager and not a six-seven year old. It's nothing so bad but I just mention it so you know.
And of course, I have to mention that I think it's amazing that the authors are father and daughter, imagine creating something so beautiful and magical with the people you love. You can feel the passion they share for fantasy worlds and telling stories.
** I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review. ***
Hyla is an orphan little girl who has been surviving in the streets until one day her path crosses with her savior. She is taken to Castlemount and her life changes forever. Suddenly she is training to be a dragon rider and has not one but two beautiful and lovely baby dragons.
The story moves fast into her new world and how she deals with all of it. Being from a poor background she has to learn how to behave in this new place and tries to hide where she comes from. With dreams and flashes, we learn a bit more about her past.
Hyla is a really sweet character, given her rough upbringing she doesn't trust in people but deep down she wants to be accepted and belong to somewhere.
This one has all the fantasy elements needed for a great story: knights, dragons, fights, people plotting behind others' backs and more. I really loved the dragons!!! the descriptions were AMAZING. We have some good chapters at the end, full of the tension and fights needed to close up a great fantasy book.
My only minor issue was that I forgot that she is supposed to be a kid, Hyla sounded like a teenager and not a six-seven year old. It's nothing so bad but I just mention it so you know.
And of course, I have to mention that I think it's amazing that the authors are father and daughter, imagine creating something so beautiful and magical with the people you love. You can feel the passion they share for fantasy worlds and telling stories.
** I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review. ***
July 24, 2017
What a sweet little story...really captured my attention and imagination. LOVE the lead character Hyla...love her! Although there are times when her sentences/responses seem to grown up for a child of her age (and background)..she doesn't always sound like a six/seven year old...but not to the detriment of the story. I don't know how I came upon this book, but I'm glad I did. And to know it was written by a father and his eight year old daughter..how freaking cute is that! Just started book two...
May 7, 2017
Loved this book and raced through it!
Follow the tale of a young gutter child and her appointment to the Dragon rider academy with the help of an unlikely advocate.
Well-written page-turner that will keep you interested. The sequel is even better!
Follow the tale of a young gutter child and her appointment to the Dragon rider academy with the help of an unlikely advocate.
Well-written page-turner that will keep you interested. The sequel is even better!
July 14, 2017
When asked to read this book I was informed that the authors were father and daughter and had written this book together, the daughter being around 8 years old. I found that fascinating, and quite endearing. The book is well written, and the world of Castlemount is quite intriguing. I enjoyed the story, and became quite attached to Hyla and her dragons.
Want to read more of this review? Head over to www.woodbtwntheworlds.blogspot.com !
Want to read more of this review? Head over to www.woodbtwntheworlds.blogspot.com !
February 27, 2018
Great
Great book. Enjoyed the character building. This is something I can read again when I’m in between books or just can’t find anything else. Going on to the second book.
Great book. Enjoyed the character building. This is something I can read again when I’m in between books or just can’t find anything else. Going on to the second book.
March 16, 2018
Awesome
Sabotage and treachery seeps into the saga as bonding with dragons to become a Dragon rider while rising from the dregs of the realm.
Sabotage and treachery seeps into the saga as bonding with dragons to become a Dragon rider while rising from the dregs of the realm.
September 28, 2018
Great book
Kids were wanting more! We read every night until it was done! Can’t wait to start a den of liars!
Kids were wanting more! We read every night until it was done! Can’t wait to start a den of liars!
July 24, 2017
I loved this tale, it brought me back to the days when I was an avid Tamora Pierce fan. This had the same elements - fantastic heroines, unlikely characters, and a rich world. I was incredibly impressed with the vivid world description that is too often lacking in a lot of YA fantasy. Can I also just say, DRAGONS?! I need to read the second, like ASAP
Disclaimer: I received this book in exchange for an honest review from the author
full review: https://utopia-state-of-mind.com/revi...
Disclaimer: I received this book in exchange for an honest review from the author
full review: https://utopia-state-of-mind.com/revi...
April 23, 2017
Great first book
Great first book. Eagerly be reading book two. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Great first book. Eagerly be reading book two. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews