Opal of Light

The Keeper Chronicles #1

by Norma Hinkens

Mistaken for a spy. Hunted by an assassin. Arrested as a traitor.

And things are about to get much worse for Orlla, Keeper of the ancient dragon runes. She guards a powerful secret buried on the shores of Efyllsseum—a prehistoric artifact that shields the island kingdom’s inhabitants from death and destruction and hides the chosen land from the rest of the world.

Now, corrupt monarchs plot war to steal the valuable relic, shattering the uneasy peace throughout the realm. Torn between loyalty to her family and duty to the crown, Orlla calls upon the dragons of light.

But the light always casts shadows, and the dragons bring with them an unimaginable terror that no one saw coming—and no one can stop.

OPAL OF LIGHT is the first book in The Keeper Chronicles, a stunning new epic dragon fantasy series, perfect for fans of heroic fantasy sagas, dragons, mystery, action and adventure, light romance, and plot twists you won’t see coming—get your copy today!

Genres: Dragons, Fantasy, Historical, Fiction

322 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 23, 2018

About the author

NYT and USA Today bestselling author Norma Hinkens writes fast-paced science fiction and fantasy about spunky heroines and epic adventures in dangerous worlds, as well as twisty psychological suspense thrillers as N.L. Hinkens. She’s a travel junkie, coffee hound, and idea wrangler, in no particular order. She grew up in Ireland—land of legends and storytelling—and now resides in the US. Her work has won the Grand Prize Next Generation Indie Book Award for fiction, as well as numerous other awards. Join her VIP Reader Club for hot new releases, stellar giveaways, exclusive content, behind the scenes and more. https://normahinkens.com/

Pseudonym for author N.L. Hinkens https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

Reviews

[Siobhan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read an enjoyed The Expulsion Project from Norma Hinkens, I’ve been meaning to dive into more of her work. I have the Undergrounders sitting on my Kindle ready to be picked up, yet Opal of Light ended up being the book I read first. I already know Norma Hinkens can write science fiction, as shown through The Expulsion Project, so I was interested in seeing how she dealt with high fantasy – another genre I adore.

It turns out Opal of Light was another wonderful read from Norma Hinkens. It is a great introduction to an enjoyable new world, ensuring I will be diving into each of the Keeper Chronicles books the moment I can get my hands on them. In fact, I’m already counting down the days until I can get my hands on Onyx of Darkness, book two.

As with any good high fantasy series, Opal of Light introduces us to an entirely new world and set of rules. From the very first page we are sucked into the story, being introduced to the elements that will come into play throughout. There is so much to learn throughout this story, and plenty of questions are left open, and I cannot wait to see how all the details come into play throughout the future books.

With a wonderful world and great characters, you’re unable to put this story down once it gets moving. Page after page will be turning, leaving you in dire need of the next detail, the next bit of action, the next scene, and anything else you can get your hands on. You fall in love with all that comes together, leaving you bereaved when you get to the last page and realise you cannot yet jump into the second book to see what happens next.

The only thing I wasn’t crazy about with this one was the romance. It isn’t a central element of the storyline, but it is clearly there. I kept waiting until I felt something, but I never did. I enjoyed the romantic subplot that played out in The Expulsion Project, so I’m hoping I’ll come to enjoy it in the Keeper Chronicles too, but at the moment it’s the one thing I’m not crazy about.

It’s just a small thing, though. Everything else has me hooked. I’m so excited to see what comes next. The ending leaves you with a big ‘what happens next’, but there are so many little things I find myself even more excited about. I feel like the little details, the ones I’m extra curious about, will be what really leaves me loving the future books.

Overall, Opal of Light was a fabulous introduction to what promises to be another amazing series from Norma Hinkens. Bring on book two!

[Keith Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Almost great - Mild SPOILERS alert

Selfishness and idiocy take turns with dedication and bravery. When faced with a choice, our heroine seems determined to ruin her life and doom mankind in an effort to save one miscreant and one elder with severe dementia. But everyone conspires to support or oppose or ignore her as she repeatedly loses track of her loved ones and endangers those around her. Tension mounts as she maneuvers through disasters, surviving despite her efforts. Somehow the author manages to hold it all together and reach an interesting ending with a promise of even more epic episodes to come. This tale is otherwise well written with proofreading thankfully superior to most books in this genre and, although baffling at times, is an enjoyable read. I look forward (mostly) to more books in this series.

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Orlla is a Keeper in Training. the best in her class and has drawn the attention of the King. Promoted to Keeper 3 weeks early and sent on a mission, she has no time to say goodbye to her adopted father and brother. Accompanied by her mentor Akolom, she sets off on a journey that she wasn't quiet prepared for. However, she is more than up for it.
So much happens and I don't want to ruin anything. I really enjoyed this book, and can't wait for Onyx of Darkness to see what happens next for the Keepers and their new allies.

[Kanyon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Am I surprised by how much I love this book? Nope, because Norma has written some very amazing and adventurous books that I’ve come to call my favorites. Opal of Light is the first in a brand new epic fantasy series, which holds its own as a unique and original tale. From the first page I was sucked into a story of a girl whose life centers on her family and her job as a Keeper. While she must choose her loyalties to the King and dismiss her family, she is forced to embark on an adventure that holds secrets, betrayals, and truths that she must act on. With new allies and old friends, Orlla is in for the fight of her life. I just loved the characters and the way the author brought a whole new world to life. I can’t wait to read book two!

I read this book on Kindle Unlimited.

Final Rating: 5 Stars

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was hoping I could get into this series but I don't think its for me sadly.

I liked the story its interesting but I can't deal with the historical side of it. My fault or my preference not against the author. This book just wasn't what I'd hoped.

[Jeffrey A. Dewey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome building story

Started slowed and just kept building as to the epic ending or was it? The next book leads to another chapter of another epic adventure.

[Topsues · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great start to another great looking series from Norma Hinkens. She has certainly been able to transport us into a world that is split into different kingdoms, one full of so much light, the rest struggling against the darkness. This is a story about beliefs and loyalties being tested. A family tie that is stronger than blood, one that the main female lead will protect with her life, the same thing applies to her friends and mentors. To me the world built around the storyline has a dystopian feeling mixed with historical which weaves realism all the way through so your mind doesn’t question its reality. This story is told in the first person by a strong female lead. You will learn from her, tenacity, loyalty and sacrifice. She doesn’t trust easily so new characters that are thrust into her life are always treated with skepticism. The storyline is one that follows her journey into a new world that will challenge her beliefs. She finds uneasy alliances, distrust, brutality, wicked enemies, secrets and lies that make her choices all the more questionable. Does she blindly follow her faith or will she allow some light to shine through the darkness. Her and her friends may ultimately make a decision that will bring change to the whole of the world, leaving you with a cliffhanger that could just destroy the very thing and everything they have fought for. Everything about this book was captivating, from the fabulous world building to the depth of the characters. You will question decisions and root for a twinkle in somebody’s eye. The cover page and name of the book, fits perfectly with the story. I for one look forward to a speedy book.2.

[Genelle Themann · Rating 5 out of 5]

What if everything you had been taught about the country you love, protect and serve turns out to be a lie. Orlla, a young Keeper, finds out that her duty to keep the mainlanders from knowing about her island home Efyllsseum, and its hidden secret is a sham. The Opal of Light protects the people of the island from ageing and illness. King Ferghell sends Orlla and her mentor Akolom to the mainland to strengthen and maintain the masking runes to the mountain access route. The threat of war is quickly escalating between the two kingdoms on the mainland, and Ferghell is determined to keep any of the refugees from finding out about the island kingdom and seeking asylum. He believes the light dragon stone should never be shared with anyone else, and that all mainlanders are thieves and murderers. When Orlla's younger brother steals a boat and sails to the mainland, she becomes embroiled in a quest to find him before he is caught by any mainlander soldiers. Her search leads her to make friends with a young mainlander, Erdhan, who assists her in avoiding the Kingsmen, escaping from their custody when she is caught and judged a spy, finding her brother, killing an assassin sent by King Ferghell, escaping from the soldiers of the invading King Brufus and then making her way back to the island, in an effort to have all of the Keepers join her in getting King Ferghell to allow the stone to be brought back to the mainland. And, the quest continues...

[Jeanineitsme · Rating 5 out of 5]

Orlla is training to be a Keeper, an important position that requires years of extensive training. Keepers fashion runes to keep the island they live on invisible to outsiders. Protectors protect the Opal of Light that the dragons left behind many years ago. It’s been hidden on the island and that’s why the Protectors and Keepers are important. But the two do not get along. Each thinks of the other as useless and not as important. Orlla is close to becoming a full fledged Keeper when her brother Samten, who has also been training to become a Keeper, comes home wearing the cloak of a Pegonian soldier. She nearly attacks before realizing who he is, then berates him for his lackluster attitude regarding his training. She leaves to meet with her instructor Akolom, who takes her to meet the King, where she is immediately sworn in as a Keeper and taken to the mainland to protect the pass by wielding runes to fortify the pass. This is the first in a series by Ms Hinkens. I found that it took very little time to become familiar with the terminology and get involved in the story. The characters were involving and the plot was believable. I found the end to come too soon, leaving me anxious to get the next book, Onyx of Darkness, which comes out in June 2018. Definitely another hit series!

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has an unusual storyline.
Orlla is orphaned after her mother's kidnap. She is rescued and taken to the island country of eternal light.
The island is in possession of the Opal of Light which gives them prosperity and eternal life.
Meanwhile, unbeknown to the island's inhabitants, the mainland is suffering from relentless poor light, fog, and failed crops. This leads to discontent and periodic wars between the two mainland nations.
Or!la is a Keeper of the Light, sworn to keep it safe, but when her brother is arrested, escapes and goes on the run, she breaks her oath to go and look for him.
Travelling to the mainland, she discovers the plight of the mainlanders. She realises that the island king has been lying, and the Opal of Light should be shared by all.
With many setbacks, and the help of a mainlander and fellow keepers, Orlla steals the opal. In the process, she discovers that the dragons of light, thought to be dead, we're only sleeping, until she inadvertently awakens them.
This is a well written story, a little slow to start, but leaves you wondering what is going to happen in the next book in the series.

[Joshua Chadd · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read and loved Norma's Expulsion Project trilogy so when I heard she was writing a fantasy series I knew I was going to love it, I wasn't wrong! If you enjoy her style then you will love this one as well. The stakes are always high and there are so many twists and turns that I sometimes feel like I'll get whiplash (in a good way)!
Orlla is a strong female lead that is not afraid to get her hands dirty and also has a tender heart. But I have to say Erdhan is my favorite with his ability to joke in the most serious situations and show up out of nowhere in the nick of time! I also thought the magic system was very unique and I want to learn more about it and the potential it has!
This is a great start to what I hope is a great series, and by the ending, I'd put money down I'm going to like the next one even better. The only thing I felt was missing was the other races (elves, dwarves, etc) and other stuff like that, but that is just a personal preference. There are dragons though... and maybe in future books, there'll be more of the mythical stuff. Either way, I loved the book and cannot wait for the next one!
For fans of Young Adult fantasy and fast-paced plots!

[The Mysterious Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Norma Hinkens’ The Expulsion Projrvt books (which I highly recommend, by the way), so it’s no surprise that I was delighted to get my hands on Opal of Light, the first book in her new Keeper Chronicles series. This book is, quite simply, extremely imaginative and superbly written. It is just the “epic dragon fantasy” promised by its blurb, had just what I wanted and was well written and had a great plot. I frankly adore Orlla and love watching her take on everything that hits her, be it being mistaken for a spy, hunted by an assassin, arrested as a traitor or anything else (and, yes, this book is packed with that “anything else”).The rest of the cast of characters is pretty amazing as well. But for the fact that I’m literally dictating this review to my husband from my hospital bed I could go on and on with praises - the book definitely deserves it. Since I can’t do that I will simply note that the book is most definitely one to read, it is easy to highly recommend. I’m definitely looking forward to book 2.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book from the author. I had the opportunity to review or not.

Orlla, a 19-year-old young woman is faced with the responsibility of protecting the lives and lifestyle of her whole tribe. She is a keeper. It is her duty. Her king has called upon her to keep the Opal of Light out of the hands of opposing kings. All her life she has been trained for this. But all the other things that happen to her were never part of anyone’s plan.

In her attempts to protect her younger brother from harm, Orlla is captured and accused of being a spy. She is hunted and arrested as a traitor. But Orlla is well-trained, and intelligent, pushing on, defying the odds. attempting to fulfill her obligation.

This book is an exciting read with well-developed characters, excellent writing and lots of adventures. It is truly one of those books that you are sad to see end, but happy there is to be more. I can’t wait for the follow-up.

[Voracious Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Opal of Light is book one in The Keeper Chronicles by Norma Hinkens. Orlla, a keeper in training, finds herself suddenly raised to a full fledged Keeper and then finds herself caught in the middle of war where three kingdoms want to be the one with possession of the Opal of Light. She very creatively manages to extricate herself from each king and comes up with what looks to be the best solution for the protection of the Opal of Light and the best interest of all three kingdoms.

This book was very well written and I found myself so caught up in reading it that I hated getting pulled out of it to take care of the things everyday living requires us to do. As soon as I could I dove back into the book. I found Orlla a fascinating character and look forward to reading more about her and the other Keepers.

I did receive an ARC of this book and am very appreciative of receiving it but this review is being left voluntarily and the opinion in it is my own.

[Gis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book free as an ARC Reader for the author, so here is my review.
Orlla was rescued as a child by a man from who lives on an island, welcomed by his family and raised as his own daughter. She is accepted to study an ancient art only available to the islanders at that time. Later on the story, there is an event that causes that her brother is forced to run away into the mainland and Orlla as good as she is, goes to the end of the world to find him and on doing so the secrecy of the island is compromised, and at this point this action unravels a series of events of war, deception, dead, loyalty, love and more.

The story is interesting, the main plot is new from other fantasy books, but the main character is kind of frustrating.

[Christina Luberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Young teens and adults I feel would love this book. We have the opal of light that the dragons throw to earth. We have three groups of kings. Orlla was born on the mainland of Macobite, but when she was a young girl she watched the Pegonians take her mother. She was found by a keeper from Efyllsseum and raised by their ways. So many things happen that causes Orlla to wonder about the truth of the Opal of Light. Orlla brother has caused many problems and she must save him too. Will Orlla be able to save her brother? Will she be able to find the truth of the opal of light? What will happen to everyone? I received and arc copy for my honest review.

[Irene S · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting book. When Orlla's has to leave behind her ailing father and her unreliable brother to become a keeper on the mainland, Orlla has mixed feeling. When her brother goes on the run as a fugitive, Orlla leaves her duties to find him. On the run herself, Orlla has to weigh the importance of the secrets to the lives around her. I received a free copy of this book. This is my honest and voluntarily given review. This was a good suspenseful fantasy book. The emphasis was more on the action than the characters. Due to that, I didn't feel a strong connection to Orlla, but I did enjoy reading the book.

[Fleur · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just loved Orlla, she had a tragic upbringing and then when she is so close to being what she has been training for since being take in the King has other ideas. Her brother frustrates the hell out of me and the fact that Orlla loves him enough to go through so much is inspiring, Orlla is a strong young lady who knows right from wrong but starts to struggle when what she thought she knew as the ]truth may actually be different. This has amazing world building in it and you can really feel like you are there and feel really connected to the characters so I can not wait for book 2 !!

[Roger · Rating 3 out of 5]

Opal of Light. The first book in the Keeper Chronicles & my second read from author Norma Hinkens is an easy read. Its cast of diverse personalities comes off as people, not just words in a book, but the characters could have had more depth & development. I’m a character reader I get into who the characters are & why they do the things they do, that is lacking in the books I’ve read by Hinkens. Other than that I enjoyed the story-line. I’m looking forward to reading the next book despite the shortcomings Norma Hinkens is on my radar! (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).

[Joanne H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excitement enlightens all who read this book. A running story telling about an Opal of Light that gives everyone life without death. Orlla was a keeper of the light and made runes to hide the town. Samten was Orlla's brother and went through the runes and after his sister followed him through the runes, boy did he get into lots of trouble but Orlla got a wake up call. Good book. I received a complimentary copy of this book.

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What a great start to a series!
Orlla honors her vow as a Keeper, letting only family have more importance, until she is stationed on the mainland instead of the island she grew up on. How can she justify her life's beliefs based on her newly found knowledge? This is an action packed, magical adventure with a hint of romance. And dragons!
I love Norma Hinkens writing style. You will not be disappointed in reading this.

[Nicole]

Ummm.. so many things wrong or weird. I won’t get in to all the things that have annoyed me at 52%, but the biggest 2 are:
1. If islanders are so distrusting of outsiders it’s highly unlikely they’d let one live with them, let alone train to be one of the people that knows EVERY SINGLE SECRET to all their power.
2. She was from the farrrrr north, but her ‘dad’ found her all the way south at the mountain.. that doesn’t make sense

[Tera Comer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting story but unfortunately the historical side of it made it hard for me to read. I personally do not like historical type books. The book was well written and the world building was great in regards to fantasy. Anyone that likes historical fantasy type books would really like this. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Orlla is keeper of the dragon runes. Her job is definitely not easy. What a continuation of an amazing story. You have dragons to keep your fantasy story perfect and impossible to stop until the end.

[Jeannie Huie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well-written story!! Full of action as the main character is a Keeper and is to aid in the protection from the enemies. She is a great character with many surprises for the reader!! I received an ARC and this is my voluntary review!