A Bridge of Realms

The Stalwart Link #2

by B.T. Narro

There is no calm after the storm. But there is perseverance, ingenuity, and a whole lot of courage.

Leo’s life has been dismantled. Now with his father missing, he must rely on himself more than ever, but he’s only ten. His older brother does what he can to help, but soon even Andar will rely on Leo to free them from this nightmare. The king’s army is taking over the city, against the wishes of every citizen, but there’s something special about Leo that might change everything.

Leo must grow up quickly to achieve his potential, but at a cost. He must join the very people who could destroy everything he cares about.

Genres: Fantasy, Audiobook, Fiction, Young Adult

398 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 20, 2019

Reviews

[Kai · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in this series, and although I enjoyed the first book, it was mainly character development to me, so it didn't draw me in quite as much. This one, though, got more into things, and the details were done so well that it felt like what Leo and Andar were going through that I was right along next to them. I love it when a story is so clear and draws me in so much that even though my eyes are open, im not even seeing anything cuz im so lost in the characters and events going on. Leo and Andar are being trained to further develop their artistry skills. They have left the "comforts" of their home and town to begin a different venture. Their needs are better met, but this new venture brings with it its own set of trials and challenges to be overcome. I can't wait to see what becomes of Leo & Andar! And what ventures will take place in the next book of this series.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This next book has to be one of my favorites of Narro’s yet! I was lucky enough to read an advanced copy and am happy to share my honest review (without spoilers).

After losing their parents, Leo, Andar, and Rygen are left to face poverty and a growing army presence on their own. While this book maintains a similar thread of heartbreak and struggle as the last, we finally see all three kids grow and begin to find their place in the world.

We also get to learn more about the mysterious rifts and the creatures that live inside them. The book is filled with imaginative twists and I could barely set it down! It’s certainly the book’s strongest point—if you think you know what’s coming next, think again.

As always, Narro has a great set of characters in a richly developed world. There’s action, romance, political intrigue, and more. If you haven’t checked out his other series or the first book in this collection, I highly recommend it. There’s something for everyone to enjoy and I guarantee you’ll be hooked!

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

This felt like a second book, and in fact, the books together make me think they're all going to feel somewhat like installments. They're "only" 10 hours long, so they are relatively short for fantasy. If I were to be picky about something, I'd say how they're structured is a little bit of a weakness. Sometimes things seem to happen much too quickly or easily. The characters are quite good, but that plotline, or not even the plotline but some of the particular scenes that contribute to it, are not as strong as they could be.

In short, the boys figure out how to make a living with Ryken, since her mother had been killed by a Summoner's beast at the end of the last book and she now lives with them. The boys also figure out they have a link between them. We get hints that Ryken might have some summoning power. They are all helped by the goodly army commander who had attacked the city when he's conveniently patrolling the streets on his own and Leo finds him when Ryken is molested by a drunk soldier.

Andar ends up liking the commander and working for him as a special digger in the rift. There he practices his magic and at one point accidentally severs his rope, resulting in the link with his brother saving his life as Leo flees his book job to go find and save Andar in the cave.

There father visits them with the help of his sister one night (she's rather incapable and inconsequential, but appeared at the end of the last book). He tells them not to join the army.

Andar joins the army and convinces Leo to do the same even though they'll have to leave that very instant (how convenient) to go to the capitol for mage training, leaving Ryken alone. For three-plus years. Then Leo gets a few days off, visits her for like 20 minutes where they kissy kiss, and that's about it. I felt like that whole disappearance act by the father first and then the two boys would have absolutely wrecking results on the boys and Ryken. It feels very glossed over for the sake of moving the plot along. Oh well.

Okay, so the boys and the army end up marching out to Analyte land to see this World Destroyer rift and try to destroy it. They are joined by the Analytes and the rebels, who seem to all realize the threat to their world. They fail and a huge-limbed creature comes out.

Oh, along the way, the boys befriend the king, who is secretly with the army and is a powerful mage in secret. Then there's that one night when Devind also visits, and the four of them are conveniently able to hash our their differences and become somewhat cordial in about what amounted to maybe three pages of dialogue from the sound of it. I was a little skeptical about this as well, but so be it.

Anyway, that huge creature kills some soldiers and then goes back into his hidey hole. The king reveals himself, saves the rebels from being attacked by the highly suspicious and malicious army commander (whom Andar hates because he is believed to have been the one to have killed the former commander), and orders everyone back to the Analyte capitol for some planning of Plan B.

The book ends with some super powerful religious mage guy that is talked about some in both books coming out of the rift thinking only a year had passed since he'd gone in. We'd heard his backstory briefly a handful of chapters before, when he'd gone to the strange rift with an Analyte mage to try to destroy it, but failed and had to jump in when that huge creature got a leg through or something. The point is, he'd disappeared and no one knew what happened. And now he's reappeared almost twenty years later and there's some time stuff happening. Dun dun dunnnn... AKA: SCIENCE FICTION!

Decent book. Not as strong as the first. I have quibbles about things. I'm definitely going to continue to the third though. It's nice these are short.

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I continue to enjoy these characters into book two. It is a little more obvious at this point that Leo is the main character though I am still pulling strongly from the back of the book description for this because Andar resonates with me to a point that continues to surprise me. In this second book we get more about the link between the two brothers, we get to see them start to use magic, and much more that I fear would enter spoiler level.

Once again the pacing of this story is peculiar. It is not at all what I'm used to. It's not bad, it's just different. I find myself enjoying it along with the other little writing details that make this book so different. I am THRILLED to not have to read some excruciatingly overwrought description about some such detail because it's lyrical and poetic. Ugh. I love that this writer "just" puts the words on the page and describes things and I still feel like I'm there without it feeling like he tried incredibly hard. He may have, but it didn't feel that way, and I love that.

[pinky · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s a slow story but I still love this story. The story line matters most. I love when books make me laugh. I wished that rygen could have gone with them but maybe it was good that she didn’t. I love the relationship between them it’s cute. I’m wondering what’s going to happen to jarrel and gavval now. The analyse, princess siki, has a funny way to her and I sort of like it. FLip now is getting on my nerves. I don’t like holy men speaking like this. It doesn’t mean narro did a bad job but a good way of making him like that. The book isn’t confusing at all. Well written even though I never read a self published book before!

[Irma Abdul Latif · Rating 5 out of 5]

a feel good story...

s story of bravery and empowerment of the weak and underprevelieged, regret and change for the better of a tyrant, the strong bond and love between brothers and their father, and young love blossoming from a friendship, two different species merge to fight a common enemy... all the right mix that brings out a feel good story and restores faith in humanity.

[Curtis Simeral · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just barely keeping interest

This entire book was just an extension of the first, nothing actually happens and the world building just continues. The story stays just interesting enough to want to see what comes next as there seems to be action on the horizon. If you’re not using kindle unlimited I wouldn’t buy it, you’ll just feel short changed as this book slogs along.

[Voyne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Towards the end finally seem to be getting somewhere

Long drawn out build-up. A king that can't trust his son. A king that has changed. Two boys finding out they have special powers. A girl with special powers but mostly a side note in this part of the story. A monster of some type. A guy in a rift. There seems to be some plotting. So where is this story going.

[Darin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much like the first book, 4.5 stars. Same great things and same deficiencies as well. Good characters and storyline. There just needs to be more development all the way around. Another 150 to 200 pages of character development and thickening of relationships and explanations and descriptions. It just needed more.

[Leah Kay Ransom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never disappointing! Always a great read!

Never disappointing! Always a great read! I cannot wait to find out what happens next. I'm so excited. Never disappointing! Always a great read!

[James Skurupey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well crafted story!

Mr Narro once again captures his readers with the mastery of character development and a beautiful orchestra of plot progression.

I looked forward to all of B.T. Narro’s works.

[Bif Loucks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short but sweet

Seemed short but very engaging. Recommended for adventurers of all ages. Can’t wait to start the next book! Only reason for 4 stars was the shortness. I Don’t give out 5 stars very easily

[Brian Everson · Rating 5 out of 5]

How AllLife Ends

I these pages you will see the growth of the brothers , and that of world they will soon defend. You will learn of the changes in the kingdom of man and the uniting of the world.

[Gabrielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this writing style and the world building and character development is top notch. Even his time skips are seamless and you don’t feel like you’ve missed a lot. The narrator is perfect for this book. I can’t recommend it enough.

[Melanie Joy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm guessing the author wrote the whole story then divided it up into different books. The ending of this one and the previous one felt quite abrupt, still an enjoyable story but I preferred the first one. Artistry seems a little meh as far as magic goes.

[Michelle Cavin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable book

Glad I stumbled across this series. Enjoying it so far book 2 was even better than book 1. The characters are all very likeable. I look forward to the next one!

[Victor G Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked it.

I liked the first volume and the second did not disappoint. Original story line and likable characters. Looking forward to the third volume.

[michael fultz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captivating

We pick up from our last story with the brothers s little older as the pieces start coming together,I for thought this a very good ride

[Kristy Maitz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story plot was as pulling as expected. I just hope we will get audio format too, because I would like to listen to it.

[Erix · Rating 3 out of 5]

这个其实角色小孩儿都不讨厌的，而且没有兄弟抢妹的情节，大概是迄今为止唯一一本听到哥哥劝弟弟把妹子丢在家乡去当兵弟弟同意了我wtf的故事了，人家妹妹那么小一个小女孩孤儿了怎么也得想方设法带走吧，这没死都靠玛丽苏杰克苏主角光环，兄弟不负责啊，怎能这么扔下这个小弟妹！？号吧算了都是小小孩儿。至于情节嘛没什么特别的适合织毛衣。

[Even · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as slow as the previous book, though I feel very little happened over a rather long period of time. It's not a hard book to get through. I hope to hear more about Ryden in the next one.

[Bryan Kuykendall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic

This is the second series I’m reading from the author. You are doing great work. Keep that open moving! I can’t wait to read the next one!

[MrBuk · Rating 2 out of 5]

Siakieś nudne, dobre do nauki angielskiego a w sumie to tak średnio...

[Robert Gregor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great!

I love the characters and the overall storyline. So far, the villains are that villainous, and that bucks some tradition, but I kind of like it.

[Bree Pearson · Rating 4 out of 5]

a fantastic book!

I very much enjoyed this story, I am hooked to know what happens next and will be reading book 3.

[Robin Orsborn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing twists and turns

[Michael Sivenbring · Rating 2 out of 5]

I felt rushed or cut. The brothers went to school for three years and not one word on what those years intailed. Some characters are introduced to never be of any consequence.

[Kyle W · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoy the characters, but this should have been part of book 1. It's so questionable to spend so much time when they are children then do two time skips in this book.

[Eve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arguably slightly less impressive writing, but the story moved MUCH faster in this one which, with the solid setup of the first book, worked well. I’m on to the next!!!

[Em · Rating 5 out of 5]

Argh! An unfinished trilogy, I need to know where this is going. I'm very much invested in the lives of the protagonists and I love the way magic is represented in this harsh world.