Alliandre

by Susan Stuckey

The Halurdow conquer everything in their path, destroying and crushing the Kalieri wherever they find them. After conquering the Isle of Ipsen Watch, they are stopped by a magic shield protecting the Ipsen mainland. The key to this shield is the only survivor of the Halurdow attack on Island of Ipsen Watch: an old woman. A young shaman sits with the woman night and day, working to get the secret of the magic shield from her. Today, she will succeed.

Kindle Edition

First published January 2, 2014

About the author

My hair is gray and I don’t walk as fast as I once did. The right words aren’t always at the tip of my tongue, or the front of my memory any longer. It’s true, my spouse now sails through the skies of the garden of paradise, while our youngling flies through the world on his own wings.

Dusk may hover on my horizon—creeping closer and closer, but don’t be sad for my being alone, and for my boring life. I have done all the normal things, but along the way I’ve had some amazing adventures. More than many others will experience in their entire lifetime.

I’ve mind-spoken with the rare Stormhawks that live in the Derind and Cappelstoke Mountains

I’ve fought battles and lost, fought others and won.

I’ve made wicked-hard choices that broke my heart, but were necessary to protect other people, and sometimes I died because of my choices.

I’ve marched at the side of a twelve-year-old boy who stopped an enemy army, and cried with him over the losses he suffered in the deaths of family and friends.

I’ve ridden the dragon, Stormwing, and sailed upon his back, listening to the whoosh of his powerful blue wings as he navigated the updrafts and downdrafts above Dragontop Mountain. And have experienced his thrill as he swooped and climbed, and danced upon the air. And I’ve sat upon the dragon, Asha, and raised the Sword of Isyndral in challenge to the Dark God.

I’ve braved crossing the Barrier Wall to visit the Eld Forest, and almost lost my own identity while melding with the ancient trees that live there.

I’ve stared into the scrying pool at Araels Rest, and witnessed the past and the future.

I’ve run the forests of Alarel with a pack of Black Wolves, and crossed the land on the back of the legendary Njae horses.

Those are just a few, and truly, they have just begun.

Reviews

[Guy Donovan · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘Alliandre,’ by Susan Stuckey, is a wonderful and very brief tale of the stalled invasion of the magical land of Ipsen, as told through the eyes of one of the would-be conquerors. Told in a simple, yet elegant style, Ms. Stuckey teases the reader with the mystery of an old crone, a mysterious armoire, and a decadent green dress, any or all of which may yet prove to the key to defeating the magical shield that protects Ipsen.

Ms. Stuckey paints striking images with her words and you will feel as though you were really there, seeing, hearing, and smelling it all. On whose side will you fall though? That will be up to you. I enjoyed this short story immensely and can’t recommend it highly enough. Chronologically the first in the ‘Tales of Aldura,’ this is an excellent starting point to delve deeper into the world that Ms. Stuckey has created.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alliandre by Susan Stuckey

This is a short story of times past.
A warring fleet of ships have conquered the Isle of Ipsen Watch. They need to find the Guardian of Ipsen to break the shield protecting Ipsen. On a small island just outside the shield they find an old crone when what lured them to the isle was the sight of a young woman in a green dress. Their mages can learn nothing from the crone, her memory only goes back to the day the conquerors arrived. They decide to keep her alive hoping to gain her trust so that one day she will break and tell them her name and where the Guardian of Ipsen is hiding. The tale is told through the eyes of her female caretaker. “Alliandre” is well written, captivating, and full of intrigue.

FYI: **Originally written for "BigAl’s Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy.** August 17, 2018
Format/Typo Issues: No issues with proofing or formatting.

[Jonathan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thought I'd give another one of this author's stories but alas, the short piece of crap with a lousy cover is a waste of a download.

[Miranda Honfleur · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short tale of courage, duty, sacrifice, and a little bit of love. :) It has an otherworldly, haunting feel about it, like a legend told by the fire, and a beautiful, poetic ending. Don't miss this one!