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Stormfall Chronicles #2
Storm's Clouds
A dragon: the most powerful, destructive and malevolent force known. The last thing Lynette ever wanted to get closer to – and the one thing she’s been tasked to go find.
For the first time in centuries, a dragon has been reported on the edge of the Feyfell. Homes, cities, and forests are all threatened with fiery destruction. The news has plunged the Fae Kingdom into a panic.
Desperate to know the truth behind the reports, and unable to discretely dispatch his own fae soldiers to investigate, King Elyan tasks Lynette, Baxter and Eirlon with tracking down the whereabouts and intentions of the fiery beast.
But Lynette is still only a second-year student at the Fae Academy. She has come far – but she knows she’s no Arche-Mage. Baxter is still struggling to prove his worth, hoping Lynette might see him as something more than the boy-squire she first met two years before. And Eirlon – he still hordes secrets Lynette can only suspect. A girl, a boy, and a gnome – on the hunt for a fire-breathing dragon.
The threats facing the Fae Kingdom, however, are multiplying. A traitor has set his sights on King Elyan, while the Arche-Fae Council continues to treat the Princess Elise as an outsider – an adopted daughter rather than a noblefae by birth. Hostile armies are gathering on the kingdom’s northern frontier, while the mage-turned-swordsman Garth must balance between rescuing a boy on a quest and averting a larger war.
With sightings of dragons, rumors of war, and trained assassins stalking the land, will there even be a Feyfell for Lynette to return to?
The complete Book Two of the Stormfall Chronicles, Storm’s Cloud is an Epic Fantasy suitable for all ages.
For the first time in centuries, a dragon has been reported on the edge of the Feyfell. Homes, cities, and forests are all threatened with fiery destruction. The news has plunged the Fae Kingdom into a panic.
Desperate to know the truth behind the reports, and unable to discretely dispatch his own fae soldiers to investigate, King Elyan tasks Lynette, Baxter and Eirlon with tracking down the whereabouts and intentions of the fiery beast.
But Lynette is still only a second-year student at the Fae Academy. She has come far – but she knows she’s no Arche-Mage. Baxter is still struggling to prove his worth, hoping Lynette might see him as something more than the boy-squire she first met two years before. And Eirlon – he still hordes secrets Lynette can only suspect. A girl, a boy, and a gnome – on the hunt for a fire-breathing dragon.
The threats facing the Fae Kingdom, however, are multiplying. A traitor has set his sights on King Elyan, while the Arche-Fae Council continues to treat the Princess Elise as an outsider – an adopted daughter rather than a noblefae by birth. Hostile armies are gathering on the kingdom’s northern frontier, while the mage-turned-swordsman Garth must balance between rescuing a boy on a quest and averting a larger war.
With sightings of dragons, rumors of war, and trained assassins stalking the land, will there even be a Feyfell for Lynette to return to?
The complete Book Two of the Stormfall Chronicles, Storm’s Cloud is an Epic Fantasy suitable for all ages.
- GenresFantasy
407 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 19, 2019
18 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
About the author
J.W. Golan
6 books11 followersMy first attempt at writing a Fantasy novel occurred decades ago - when I was still a student in high school. To say that the resulting book was awful would be too kind, and it was disposed of soon afterwards. From that experience, however, I gained a better appreciation for the elements that would be needed to produce a successful novel - including the persistence to see such an undertaking to its conclusion.
In the intervening years, life happened: university, jobs, marriage, kids. I never completely ceased writing, but I also had neither the time nor motivation to launch another novel. I did, however, have a non-fiction book (a history text - some 400+ pages, hardbound) that I gradually polished and rounded out - which was eventually published through a traditional, printed publishing house. The latter experience further solidified my conviction that I indeed could undertake a novel again - should I choose to do so.
It was my three daughters, however, who reintroduced me to the world of Fantasy-Fiction. Literature was something that the four of us could share, discuss and compare - together with other fantasy and literary influences. I was able to introduce some of my old favorites to my daughters, and they in turn, introduced me to some of theirs.
It was this latter experience, sharing and discussing stories and literature, that convinced me to try my hand at writing Fantasy-Fiction once again: weaving together tales and ideas that had been circulating across my mind for decades. I hope that the resulting stories and characters are as fun to read as they were for me to write.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 19, 2020
*I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and with thanks to the author. The decision to review and my opinions are my own.*
Considerably more complex than the first, this second book in the Stormfall Chronicles series introduces a number of new characters and side plots, whilst continuing to follow the main characters of Lynette, Baxter, Eirlon and – now – Princess Elise.
I definitely recommend reading Storm’s Herald first, as that introduces the main characters and shows how their separate paths joined to form a shared interest in aiding the fae.
Plenty of aid is needed too, as enemies begin to gather on all sides: power-hungry men; spies and traitors; necromantic sorcerors and now, it appears, mythical dragons of legend, are all circling Feyfell intent on plundering its wealth and slaughtering its people. This is a war on many fronts and in many forms, keeping the tension high right up to the final page, and leaving the reader eager to know what will happen next in this epic adventure.
The main characters are well-developed and interesting. I liked seeing Eirlon’s mischievous streak, Lynette’s naivety and Baxter’s quiet loyalty as I got to know them better; their personal quirks make them seem more real and empathetic. I also liked that they still have room to develop. They are still learning their respective crafts and – far from being instant experts – can still easily be outclassed by the foes they are facing. Yet still they never give up.
A newly-introduced character, Waya, gives the author opportunity to explore some of the current social issues around gender, sex and identity. The sub-plot of Waya’s warrior aspirations, romantic troubles and self-doubt includes some overt rumination on the subject of the intersection between physical form and emotional/mental identity which was fascinating to read. I always love to see diverse representation in a story, but generally prefer it to be a little more integrated to the main plot, so that the identity of the character does not become the main focal point of their story arc.
There is a lot more action and adventure packed into this instalment of the adventure, as we plunged from beast attacks to battles, to backstabbing, without stopping to catch our breath. The excitement is definitely building as the stakes get higher and the villains more powerful! Golan’s worldbuilding is subtle and effective, and I really felt immersed in the lands and people he has created. As a bonus, there are also maps and character listings included in the book, to help the reader navigate as the story unfolds. This especially helped me to keep track of some of the more minor characters that cropped up!
There is nothing here that I would find inappropriate for younger teen readers, in fact, I feel that some of the subjects discussed (not just Waya’s journey, but the mine-slaves and the slurs against Eirlon and Elise respectively) make for great talking points with younger readers to explore important issues. In adding some educational value though, Golan has not lost sight of entertainment, and this story is an exciting and highly entertaining read. And with a cliffhanger ending, I will definitely be back for Book 3!
“[…] I haven’t had time to go through all the notes. I’ve only just skimmed the surface of them. But someone, or something on the other side of the portal gave Xythox the instructions he needed to open the gate further. This was the source of Xythox’s power. The weapons and armor he outfitted his army with, as well as the source of his staff of metamorphosis. All of it. Xythox bargained with the inhabitants on the other side of this gate, and traded favors for the means to conquer Bateria. And later, he hoped, the world.”
“What kind of favors?” Elise asked.
“I’m not entirely sure. Slaves, mostly. Subjects he would send across the portal to the other side. And various missions Xythox’s patrons seemed to have identified.
“What sort of missions?” asked Iolyn.
Eirlon hesitated. “As near as I can tell, Xythox’s patrons had one focus, one obsession they returned to and demanded above all others: the destruction of the Feyfell.”
– J.W. Golan, Storm’s Clouds
Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpres...
Considerably more complex than the first, this second book in the Stormfall Chronicles series introduces a number of new characters and side plots, whilst continuing to follow the main characters of Lynette, Baxter, Eirlon and – now – Princess Elise.
I definitely recommend reading Storm’s Herald first, as that introduces the main characters and shows how their separate paths joined to form a shared interest in aiding the fae.
Plenty of aid is needed too, as enemies begin to gather on all sides: power-hungry men; spies and traitors; necromantic sorcerors and now, it appears, mythical dragons of legend, are all circling Feyfell intent on plundering its wealth and slaughtering its people. This is a war on many fronts and in many forms, keeping the tension high right up to the final page, and leaving the reader eager to know what will happen next in this epic adventure.
The main characters are well-developed and interesting. I liked seeing Eirlon’s mischievous streak, Lynette’s naivety and Baxter’s quiet loyalty as I got to know them better; their personal quirks make them seem more real and empathetic. I also liked that they still have room to develop. They are still learning their respective crafts and – far from being instant experts – can still easily be outclassed by the foes they are facing. Yet still they never give up.
A newly-introduced character, Waya, gives the author opportunity to explore some of the current social issues around gender, sex and identity. The sub-plot of Waya’s warrior aspirations, romantic troubles and self-doubt includes some overt rumination on the subject of the intersection between physical form and emotional/mental identity which was fascinating to read. I always love to see diverse representation in a story, but generally prefer it to be a little more integrated to the main plot, so that the identity of the character does not become the main focal point of their story arc.
There is a lot more action and adventure packed into this instalment of the adventure, as we plunged from beast attacks to battles, to backstabbing, without stopping to catch our breath. The excitement is definitely building as the stakes get higher and the villains more powerful! Golan’s worldbuilding is subtle and effective, and I really felt immersed in the lands and people he has created. As a bonus, there are also maps and character listings included in the book, to help the reader navigate as the story unfolds. This especially helped me to keep track of some of the more minor characters that cropped up!
There is nothing here that I would find inappropriate for younger teen readers, in fact, I feel that some of the subjects discussed (not just Waya’s journey, but the mine-slaves and the slurs against Eirlon and Elise respectively) make for great talking points with younger readers to explore important issues. In adding some educational value though, Golan has not lost sight of entertainment, and this story is an exciting and highly entertaining read. And with a cliffhanger ending, I will definitely be back for Book 3!
“[…] I haven’t had time to go through all the notes. I’ve only just skimmed the surface of them. But someone, or something on the other side of the portal gave Xythox the instructions he needed to open the gate further. This was the source of Xythox’s power. The weapons and armor he outfitted his army with, as well as the source of his staff of metamorphosis. All of it. Xythox bargained with the inhabitants on the other side of this gate, and traded favors for the means to conquer Bateria. And later, he hoped, the world.”
“What kind of favors?” Elise asked.
“I’m not entirely sure. Slaves, mostly. Subjects he would send across the portal to the other side. And various missions Xythox’s patrons seemed to have identified.
“What sort of missions?” asked Iolyn.
Eirlon hesitated. “As near as I can tell, Xythox’s patrons had one focus, one obsession they returned to and demanded above all others: the destruction of the Feyfell.”
– J.W. Golan, Storm’s Clouds
Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpres...
April 15, 2020
I could not wait to get into this book, and thankfully I had it within arm’s reach when I finished Storm’s Herald. Like I said in my review of Storm’s Herald, I did indeed receive Storm’s Herald and Storm’s Clouds in exchange for review, but all opinions expressed are my own! VERY IMPORTANT NOTE: this review does contain a spoiler for the first book (Storm’s Herald). Nothing that will change the plot dramatically or ruin it, and I did suspect this once I was about ¾ through the book, but if you want to read it completely spoiler free then don’t read this review! All my other reviews are spoiler free unless explicitly stated.
Everything is really well explained at the start of the book, not explicitly but through the first few pages of character interaction so if you forgot anything in the previous book you can work it out pretty quickly. Of course, I had finished the other book seconds earlier so that wasn’t such a problem. The chapters in this book are really long, and it can be a bit on the nose sometimes, but there are moments of real humour where I genuinely laughed. I loved that they set off on a quest with no clear plan except ‘find a dragon’ when they had no idea where it was. Again there is a lot of jumping to random perspectives for a few pages to see what is happening elsewhere, but I had got used to it at this point and I could generally tell how they were linked to the main story at this point. There was a lot more of the Fae court and the magic school in this book as well as the quests, including lots of focus on Princess Elise and what she was up to. There was more tension in this book than in Storm’s Herald, which had me reading faster and faster!
THIS IS THE SPOILER. Okay, I’m done yelling about it being a spoiler. What I want to talk about here is Garth. Garth has enough personas to fill a city here people, and they are very varied. Garth is actually Gwythr, a guy who was a hero in the Fae’s war. He’s now human and wanders around as Garth, except when he is Gyaltso, an old dude who turned Kalden’s hair white then straight up left him which I found hilariously random. I have several problems with Garth. The first is quite petty but I think Garth’s nickname of ‘little bird’ for Lynette is so creepy and it made me cringe and my skin crawl every time he said it. Maybe it’s meant to be cute, but NOPE. And even weirder, a trope I hate, is Lynette being *strangely attracted* to the bad guy (Garth) who is nice only to them. I know Garth isn’t technically bad, but he isn’t exactly good either. Also, this isn’t a problem but how does Garth get around so fast? Can he teleport? What?!
Anyway, back to the rest of review. Princess Elise was a lot more prominent in this book and although she was a little irritatingly perfect, I did like seeing what she was up to. It was quite stereotypical that the lady in waiting was a spy, like it wasn’t even subtle. At some points I felt there were too many characters, but if I just thought of the characters from the random jump arounds as one time things it was a lot easier to focus on the main ones. There were some giants who inexplicably spoke like Scottish people. Not sure what was going on there. Then there is Waya. Waya is introduced as a boy and it is later revealed they are transgender, or at least very confused about their gender and sexuality. You see, Waya is in love with a girl, and to impress her parents theygo on a quest to act manly. While I liked Waya as a character and I would definitely be interested in knowing more about them and whether they decided to have Garth magically change their body, it did feel a bit like a token because Waya is the only character I can think of who is on the LGBTQ+ spectrum. Once again in this book time jumps around with no respect for how much time it seemed had passed. One minute I’m chilling, and the next two years have passed, and I am like WHAT.
I want to visit this living library which messes with the librarians.
In conclusion I really enjoyed Storm’s Clouds. Especially the sentient library which moves books around to mess with the librarians. I could read a whole book about that library. I really liked the ending, and I very much need to know what happens next. Would I survive this book? Yeah I would, I’m living in that library.
Everything is really well explained at the start of the book, not explicitly but through the first few pages of character interaction so if you forgot anything in the previous book you can work it out pretty quickly. Of course, I had finished the other book seconds earlier so that wasn’t such a problem. The chapters in this book are really long, and it can be a bit on the nose sometimes, but there are moments of real humour where I genuinely laughed. I loved that they set off on a quest with no clear plan except ‘find a dragon’ when they had no idea where it was. Again there is a lot of jumping to random perspectives for a few pages to see what is happening elsewhere, but I had got used to it at this point and I could generally tell how they were linked to the main story at this point. There was a lot more of the Fae court and the magic school in this book as well as the quests, including lots of focus on Princess Elise and what she was up to. There was more tension in this book than in Storm’s Herald, which had me reading faster and faster!
THIS IS THE SPOILER. Okay, I’m done yelling about it being a spoiler. What I want to talk about here is Garth. Garth has enough personas to fill a city here people, and they are very varied. Garth is actually Gwythr, a guy who was a hero in the Fae’s war. He’s now human and wanders around as Garth, except when he is Gyaltso, an old dude who turned Kalden’s hair white then straight up left him which I found hilariously random. I have several problems with Garth. The first is quite petty but I think Garth’s nickname of ‘little bird’ for Lynette is so creepy and it made me cringe and my skin crawl every time he said it. Maybe it’s meant to be cute, but NOPE. And even weirder, a trope I hate, is Lynette being *strangely attracted* to the bad guy (Garth) who is nice only to them. I know Garth isn’t technically bad, but he isn’t exactly good either. Also, this isn’t a problem but how does Garth get around so fast? Can he teleport? What?!
Anyway, back to the rest of review. Princess Elise was a lot more prominent in this book and although she was a little irritatingly perfect, I did like seeing what she was up to. It was quite stereotypical that the lady in waiting was a spy, like it wasn’t even subtle. At some points I felt there were too many characters, but if I just thought of the characters from the random jump arounds as one time things it was a lot easier to focus on the main ones. There were some giants who inexplicably spoke like Scottish people. Not sure what was going on there. Then there is Waya. Waya is introduced as a boy and it is later revealed they are transgender, or at least very confused about their gender and sexuality. You see, Waya is in love with a girl, and to impress her parents theygo on a quest to act manly. While I liked Waya as a character and I would definitely be interested in knowing more about them and whether they decided to have Garth magically change their body, it did feel a bit like a token because Waya is the only character I can think of who is on the LGBTQ+ spectrum. Once again in this book time jumps around with no respect for how much time it seemed had passed. One minute I’m chilling, and the next two years have passed, and I am like WHAT.
I want to visit this living library which messes with the librarians.
In conclusion I really enjoyed Storm’s Clouds. Especially the sentient library which moves books around to mess with the librarians. I could read a whole book about that library. I really liked the ending, and I very much need to know what happens next. Would I survive this book? Yeah I would, I’m living in that library.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 3, 2020
I liked it even more than the first one!
The story starts soon after there first one (Storm's Herald) ended. Lynette is back at school and is doing so well in elemental arts, that she will be though by the princess itself. Baxter is hard at training, trying to fit in with far and Eilron is deep into research.
With dragon sighting across the land, the princess sends them on a mission to figure out what is going on.
There was more action in than in the first one, the characters had a chance to grow and stakes were never higher.
The world created is so imaginative, well set up and fleshed out. When I read I felt like I was right there with them.
It's an awesome book, reading git reminded me of classical fantasy story I used to love. It's been a long time since I read anything like it!
received from Author
The story starts soon after there first one (Storm's Herald) ended. Lynette is back at school and is doing so well in elemental arts, that she will be though by the princess itself. Baxter is hard at training, trying to fit in with far and Eilron is deep into research.
With dragon sighting across the land, the princess sends them on a mission to figure out what is going on.
There was more action in than in the first one, the characters had a chance to grow and stakes were never higher.
The world created is so imaginative, well set up and fleshed out. When I read I felt like I was right there with them.
It's an awesome book, reading git reminded me of classical fantasy story I used to love. It's been a long time since I read anything like it!
received from Author
May 12, 2020
Storm’s Cloud
Book Series: Stormfall Chronicles Book 2
Author: J.W. Golan
Publication Date: December 19, 2019
Genre: Fantasy, YA Fantasy
This book was received from the Author, and Publisher, in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.
Storm’s Cloud, is next installment In the creative Stormfall Chronicles Book Series.
This action packed follow up to the fantasy book, Storms Herald, was everything this fantasy reader hoped it would be. Again, I was captivated from page one. I found this story to be entertaining, well thought out, perfectly paced from start to finish.
An absorbing tale with detailed imagery, the author meticulously expanded the incredible world building, adding more excitement for the reader.
Great narration, along with fleshed out characters, Baxter character growth is definitely well noted. We see his true personality and loved this.We also see a return of some our old friends from the the first book. Lynette is a still a strong POV, and her magical ability is strengthening. Baxter and Lynette have left everything behind and have excepted their fate. I am excited to see further developments with these two.
The threats facing the Fae are increasing, hostility is growing in the northern territory of kingdom, along with a traitor to the realm.
An intricate storyline along with thrilling adventures makes for an exceptional Ya Fantasy.
Book Series: Stormfall Chronicles Book 2
Author: J.W. Golan
Publication Date: December 19, 2019
Genre: Fantasy, YA Fantasy
This book was received from the Author, and Publisher, in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.
Storm’s Cloud, is next installment In the creative Stormfall Chronicles Book Series.
This action packed follow up to the fantasy book, Storms Herald, was everything this fantasy reader hoped it would be. Again, I was captivated from page one. I found this story to be entertaining, well thought out, perfectly paced from start to finish.
An absorbing tale with detailed imagery, the author meticulously expanded the incredible world building, adding more excitement for the reader.
Great narration, along with fleshed out characters, Baxter character growth is definitely well noted. We see his true personality and loved this.We also see a return of some our old friends from the the first book. Lynette is a still a strong POV, and her magical ability is strengthening. Baxter and Lynette have left everything behind and have excepted their fate. I am excited to see further developments with these two.
The threats facing the Fae are increasing, hostility is growing in the northern territory of kingdom, along with a traitor to the realm.
An intricate storyline along with thrilling adventures makes for an exceptional Ya Fantasy.
April 13, 2020
The adventure continues
This intricately woven storyline has quite a few unexpected plot twists
Book 2 in this series had me blazing through till the end to find out what our heroes are up to.
Alot of mystery alot of secrets and many more players to the game. The betrayal was surprising and the result although predictable, was very intriguing.
I am curious to see what is next.
Young lovers of Lord of the Rings will love this approach to a lot of modern day issues. The writing is easy to read and the characters definitely grow on you.
This intricately woven storyline has quite a few unexpected plot twists
Book 2 in this series had me blazing through till the end to find out what our heroes are up to.
Alot of mystery alot of secrets and many more players to the game. The betrayal was surprising and the result although predictable, was very intriguing.
I am curious to see what is next.
Young lovers of Lord of the Rings will love this approach to a lot of modern day issues. The writing is easy to read and the characters definitely grow on you.
May 11, 2021
Storm’s Clouds is an exciting new installment in the series. Bringing back beloved characters, you’re swept along as Lynette faces her latest challenges. Continuing the standards set in book one, the reader is quickly transported to a world where magic, dragons, and fae are real. A great escape from the mundane.
June 21, 2021
A dragon is rumoured to be near their country but the king could not send his men so he picks the trio to go for him. They are a mismatched team and so they set off. Can they find a dragon? What will they do when they find it? See just how they get on
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 3, 2020
3.5/5 stars
I read the first book in this series, Storm’s Herald and was pleasantly surprised by how much was packed into this fantasy world J.W. Golan created. There’s magic, different species of fantastical creatures and of course an evil trying to destroy the safety the fae hold so dear.
With the first book, I was disappointed with the lack of focus on one of the main characters, Baxter. I was excited to see his character grow even more in this second installment and that we were able to see so much more of his strength and personality. I also liked that we saw more of other secondary characters we met in the first book since it added more layers to this story.
There was also a lot more action in this second book which gave a better understanding of the world and the settings were better fleshed out. This all added to the overarching story and made me enjoy it more than the first book.
There were still a couple things I think could have been improved with this book and the series overall. Once again, Lynette has magic classes that are glossed over and we must assume she is getting better by one quick statement. I think the fact there are multiple comments about Lynette and Baxter accepting their new world and leaving the other behind them would be more believable if we saw them actually doing things in this new world. Instead, there isn’t much of their new skills nor opinions until about halfway into the book. Instead, the first half of the book we were introduced to many many tertiary characters that disappeared after their introduction.
I also had a very difficult time determining the timeline in this book. The plot progressed with certain characters point of views but then 20 pages later I realized one character was still a good week behind the others. At times it was a bit more obvious but since the POVs switched so many times the majority of the time I couldn’t figure out where we were.
Overall, I definitely enjoyed it more than the first book and can see not only the characters have grown but Golan’s storytelling as well. The action and new dilemmas plaguing these characters definitely make me intrigued enough to read the next in the series. Plus, I never can leave myself with a cliffhanger.
I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
I read the first book in this series, Storm’s Herald and was pleasantly surprised by how much was packed into this fantasy world J.W. Golan created. There’s magic, different species of fantastical creatures and of course an evil trying to destroy the safety the fae hold so dear.
With the first book, I was disappointed with the lack of focus on one of the main characters, Baxter. I was excited to see his character grow even more in this second installment and that we were able to see so much more of his strength and personality. I also liked that we saw more of other secondary characters we met in the first book since it added more layers to this story.
There was also a lot more action in this second book which gave a better understanding of the world and the settings were better fleshed out. This all added to the overarching story and made me enjoy it more than the first book.
There were still a couple things I think could have been improved with this book and the series overall. Once again, Lynette has magic classes that are glossed over and we must assume she is getting better by one quick statement. I think the fact there are multiple comments about Lynette and Baxter accepting their new world and leaving the other behind them would be more believable if we saw them actually doing things in this new world. Instead, there isn’t much of their new skills nor opinions until about halfway into the book. Instead, the first half of the book we were introduced to many many tertiary characters that disappeared after their introduction.
I also had a very difficult time determining the timeline in this book. The plot progressed with certain characters point of views but then 20 pages later I realized one character was still a good week behind the others. At times it was a bit more obvious but since the POVs switched so many times the majority of the time I couldn’t figure out where we were.
Overall, I definitely enjoyed it more than the first book and can see not only the characters have grown but Golan’s storytelling as well. The action and new dilemmas plaguing these characters definitely make me intrigued enough to read the next in the series. Plus, I never can leave myself with a cliffhanger.
I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
December 15, 2019
Disclaimer: I received this book from the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Author: J.W. Golan
Book Series: Stormfall Chronicles Book 2
Rating: 4/5
Publication Date: December 19, 2019
Genre: Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (violence, gore, there be dragons)
Publisher: Indie Published
Pages: 407
Amazon Link
Synopsis: A dragon: the most powerful, destructive and malevolent force known. The last thing Lynette ever wanted to get closer to – and the one thing she’s been tasked to go find.
For the first time in centuries, a dragon has been reported on the edge of the Feyfell. Homes, cities, and forests are all threatened with fiery destruction. The news has plunged the Fae Kingdom into a panic.
Desperate to know the truth behind the reports, and unable to discretely dispatch his own fae soldiers to investigate, King Elyan tasks Lynette, Baxter and Eirlon with tracking down the whereabouts and intentions of the fiery beast.
But Lynette is still only a second-year student at the Fae Academy. She has come far – but she knows she’s no Arche-Mage. Baxter is still struggling to prove his worth, hoping Lynette might see him as something more than the boy-squire she first met two years before. And Eirlon – he still hordes secrets Lynette can only suspect. A girl, a boy, and a gnome – on the hunt for a fire-breathing dragon.
The threats facing the Fae Kingdom, however, are multiplying. A traitor has set his sights on King Elyan, while the Arche-Fae Council continues to treat the Princess Elise as an outsider – an adopted daughter rather than a noblefae by birth. Hostile armies are gathering on the kingdom’s northern frontier, while the mage-turned-swordsman Garth must balance between rescuing a boy on a quest and averting a larger war.
With sightings of dragons, rumors of war, and trained assassins stalking the land, will there even be a Feyfell for Lynette to return to?
Review: I felt like this book was much better than the first. We got a lot more content to the overarching story and the settings were a lot more fleshed out. The dangers are more eminent now. The book is also well written and it has good pacing.
However, I did feel like the action was just non-stop and while that was a good thing for me I would have liked for there to have been breaks and slow downs and stuff.
Verdict: This is a good series.
Author: J.W. Golan
Book Series: Stormfall Chronicles Book 2
Rating: 4/5
Publication Date: December 19, 2019
Genre: Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (violence, gore, there be dragons)
Publisher: Indie Published
Pages: 407
Amazon Link
Synopsis: A dragon: the most powerful, destructive and malevolent force known. The last thing Lynette ever wanted to get closer to – and the one thing she’s been tasked to go find.
For the first time in centuries, a dragon has been reported on the edge of the Feyfell. Homes, cities, and forests are all threatened with fiery destruction. The news has plunged the Fae Kingdom into a panic.
Desperate to know the truth behind the reports, and unable to discretely dispatch his own fae soldiers to investigate, King Elyan tasks Lynette, Baxter and Eirlon with tracking down the whereabouts and intentions of the fiery beast.
But Lynette is still only a second-year student at the Fae Academy. She has come far – but she knows she’s no Arche-Mage. Baxter is still struggling to prove his worth, hoping Lynette might see him as something more than the boy-squire she first met two years before. And Eirlon – he still hordes secrets Lynette can only suspect. A girl, a boy, and a gnome – on the hunt for a fire-breathing dragon.
The threats facing the Fae Kingdom, however, are multiplying. A traitor has set his sights on King Elyan, while the Arche-Fae Council continues to treat the Princess Elise as an outsider – an adopted daughter rather than a noblefae by birth. Hostile armies are gathering on the kingdom’s northern frontier, while the mage-turned-swordsman Garth must balance between rescuing a boy on a quest and averting a larger war.
With sightings of dragons, rumors of war, and trained assassins stalking the land, will there even be a Feyfell for Lynette to return to?
Review: I felt like this book was much better than the first. We got a lot more content to the overarching story and the settings were a lot more fleshed out. The dangers are more eminent now. The book is also well written and it has good pacing.
However, I did feel like the action was just non-stop and while that was a good thing for me I would have liked for there to have been breaks and slow downs and stuff.
Verdict: This is a good series.
January 11, 2020
I was really excited to read this!
I read the book that precedes this, Storm’s Herald, and really enjoyed myself. The immersive fantasy world, the unique magical system and creatures, all of those things that I loved from the first book were most certainly present in the second, some even more so! It’s obvious that Golan is growing as a writer and a storyteller and I flew through the second book faster than I expected.
I loved Baxter so it was awesome to see more of him
in general, I loved how much more we go to see of the arc’s of specific side characters that I’ve grown to love. Golan does a great job of inserting personality into every character, no matter how small, which makes them unique but also memorable and relatable.
This book differs from the first in a few ways too: it’s faster, action-packed, and the more of the overall story arc that is revealed, the more I find myself engaged with the material.
I do wish we’d been able to see more of Lynette’s magical journey though. Her classes are mentioned, but I’ve always found that aspect of magic (learning) to be fascinating to read about and would have loved to follow her inside a few times. In general, there were a few times like this where I felt a feeling could have been shown instead of told, but overall it didn’t take enough away from the book that I thought about putting it down. I just wanted more.
But that ending…sigh. I’m definitely gonna have to read the next one. I can’t leave it off on a cliffhanger! Good job, Golan…you’ve got one more fan waiting for the next installment.
A big thanks to the author for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I read the book that precedes this, Storm’s Herald, and really enjoyed myself. The immersive fantasy world, the unique magical system and creatures, all of those things that I loved from the first book were most certainly present in the second, some even more so! It’s obvious that Golan is growing as a writer and a storyteller and I flew through the second book faster than I expected.
I loved Baxter so it was awesome to see more of him
in general, I loved how much more we go to see of the arc’s of specific side characters that I’ve grown to love. Golan does a great job of inserting personality into every character, no matter how small, which makes them unique but also memorable and relatable.
This book differs from the first in a few ways too: it’s faster, action-packed, and the more of the overall story arc that is revealed, the more I find myself engaged with the material.
I do wish we’d been able to see more of Lynette’s magical journey though. Her classes are mentioned, but I’ve always found that aspect of magic (learning) to be fascinating to read about and would have loved to follow her inside a few times. In general, there were a few times like this where I felt a feeling could have been shown instead of told, but overall it didn’t take enough away from the book that I thought about putting it down. I just wanted more.
But that ending…sigh. I’m definitely gonna have to read the next one. I can’t leave it off on a cliffhanger! Good job, Golan…you’ve got one more fan waiting for the next installment.
A big thanks to the author for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 3, 2020
J.W Golan sets us out on another epic fantasy adventure in Storm’s Clouds! Lynette, a mage student, Baxter the squire, and Eirlon the mysterious gnome are all dispatched to investigate the rumors of a dragon plaguing the edges of the Feyfell. It’s a simple set up, but Golan adds his signature flare with a lush imaginative fantasy world and plenty of intrigue! Golan is a master of worldbuilding as well, adding a history and life to all aspects of this world. Coupled with great characters, it makes Storm’s Clouds a blast to read! If you love your fantasy packed with deep mythology and intrigue, come sink your dragon’s teeth into this great series!
February 20, 2024
Love this second in the series! It continues the saga from book 1 and keeps the reader engaged and I personally can't say enough about the author who at the same time as creating a deep, complex storyline, appears to be creating new languages/ words for the different creature categories ala' Tolkien. Linguists say this is incredibly difficult to do so believably.
Mr. Golan does this very well and I hope for a full glossary one day of all the words created.
I feel that having chosen words in another language, added in the story in a way, that by context they can be understood adds a rich and deeper flavor to the story. The characters take on a life that transcends the page. Highly recommend!
Mr. Golan does this very well and I hope for a full glossary one day of all the words created.
I feel that having chosen words in another language, added in the story in a way, that by context they can be understood adds a rich and deeper flavor to the story. The characters take on a life that transcends the page. Highly recommend!
November 26, 2020
I dislike
More than anything when characters are stupid. If you find you have a mole that effects the survival of your entire population survival. You do not do, Nothing. You set traps up to catch them. That the author waits drags it out, and then does it makes no sense. It's adds more to the plot to do what common sense demands. I really hate it when they think the reader doesn't see that. That the author thinks we are idiots. You can choose to treat your readers as stupid but that's not a good choice
More than anything when characters are stupid. If you find you have a mole that effects the survival of your entire population survival. You do not do, Nothing. You set traps up to catch them. That the author waits drags it out, and then does it makes no sense. It's adds more to the plot to do what common sense demands. I really hate it when they think the reader doesn't see that. That the author thinks we are idiots. You can choose to treat your readers as stupid but that's not a good choice
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