Portents of Chaos

The Drinnglennin Chronicles #1

by K.C. Julius, Chris Walker-Thomson (Narrator)

"... a well-plotted, smartly paced fantasy novel... The reader will keep turning pages" —The BookLife Prize 2019

Step into an epic world of sword and sorcery, intrigue and betrayal...

The realm of Drinnglennin hangs poised on the cusp of chaos, for Urlion Konigur, the High King, is dying and has yet to name an heir. Rumors abound that the Helgrins, Drinnglennin’s bitterest foes, are preparing their longboats to raid the Isle’s shores, while the roving å Livåri folk, for whom the island kingdom is the last sanctuary, are strangely disappearing. And in distant Belestar, the fabled dragons are stirring from their self-imposed exile…

Drinnglennin’s hopes lie with the wizard Morgan, who must gather together and safeguard the king’s possible heirs, all three of whom are coming of age. Yet a dangerously powerful house seeks the succession for one of their own, even if it means disrupting the fragile peace of the realm.

One thing is certain: whoever next sits on the Einhorn Throne will determine the fate not only of Drinnglennin, but of all who dwell in the Known World.

Genres: Fantasy, Dragons, Magic, Audiobook, Fiction, Amazon, Ebooks

11 pages, Audiobook

Published August 17, 2021

About the author

K.C. Julius is the author of The Drinnglennin Chronicles. This epic medieval fantasy series is the culmination of a story that had been running through her head for over a decade.

A classic tale of adventure, sword and sorcery, romance and betrayal, The Chronicles combines all of the elements of the stories she personally loves.

Beyond to Hutanya (published under Kristan Julius) is a YA fantasy set in Hutanya, a world in which water has become a precious commodity.

K.C. currently lives in the Mosel River valley with her jolly German husband. She loves to travel, take long walks in the woods, read, welcome visitors and spend time with family and friends at her lake house in New Hampshire.

Reviews

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audio: (5) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
& Story: (4) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

I was given this review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

This was a wild read that really grabbed my attention and held it hostage! All the different perspectives were fun and exciting, especially how each of the young people's lives became interconnected with each other.

This book left me confused & I mean that in the best way! (Used to be a die-hard mystery fan, so confusion is one of my favorite feelings from a book.) When I thought I knew where the story was going, it surprised me and there were so many moments where I yelled at the audiobook in shock, haha.

The narrator was awesome! Loved all the voices he did, and he had a real talent at sounding old for Morgan (and the elders + dragons) but also very young for the youths as well! None of the voices sounded off or strange in the least and this made the book so much more engaging!

Would definitely recommend this book for its world-building, political conspiracies, complicated magical systems, and of course the dragons! The only reason I didn't give this one five stars, is I honestly just wished it was longer & I had more time to get the know the main cast!

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this one. Been a while since I read a proper fantasy book (not a GrimDark, but a Fantasy - complete with dragons no less!)

Excellent world-building and a fun story, with plenty of action thrown in.

I enjoyed the audio, although I'm sure I detected an attempt at a Geordie accent at some point?! Always jars me, hearing a non-Geordie attempt one, especially in a genre such as this. Most of the voices were done pretty well however, but others, not so much. Particularly for female characters.

Enjoyable fantasy and a series I would be interested in reading further.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request via Audioboom and have voluntarily left this review.

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

Awesome

Awesome read with twists and turns as the dragons awake to bind with their chosen ones from a lineage unknown to them while the king struggles to name an heir.

[Jane Shand · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is at least a 4.5. Magic, great characters, prophecies, political intrigue and dragons - what’s not to like! I really enjoyed the style of this book. There are a lot of characters but you don’t get overwhelmed because there is a core of main characters that keep it all together. They are very different and likeable in their own ways. The world building is thorough and believable and the politics is not too much but always there underpinning many of the problems faced by the people.Running through it all is a prophecy... I look forward to the next instalment and to hopefully finding out a bit more about how the Before Age became the After Age. It hasn’t been fully explained After what? Definitely recommend to anyone who likes fantasy!

[Edwina Book Anaconda · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really liked the beginning of this book but then became overwhelmed by the number of characters, confused about who was who, and then simply lost interest.
I did finish the book but I won't be continuing on with this series.

[Elizabeth Ducie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Four teenagers from different backgrounds, wrenched out of their familiar lives and thrust into a world of chaos, magic and danger. A mysterious old wizard who appears mild, but is probably a lot more powerful than everyone realises. Warring nations. A hidden kingdom of elves. An elderly king unwilling to name his successor. More than a nod to medieval times and customs. And dragons!

All elements familiar to readers of fantasy series. And all given a refreshing new outing in Portents of Chaos, the first in the Drinnglennin Chronicles by K C Julius. The writing flows beautifully and makes for an easy read. But the level of detail points to a huge amount of planning and research. I was struck by the high numbers of subsidiary characters, each one named and with one or two facts from their back story.

There are four books in the series, and compared to some of the classics in the genre, this opening volume is relatively short. I am a (very) mature adult, and thoroughly enjoyed it. But it would also make a great introduction to fantasy for younger readers. If you are a fan of writers like JRR Tolkien, Robert Jordan, Brandon Sanderson, or George RR Martin, then you will love the writing of K C Julius. Highly recommended.

[Milan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this. So unique! I went into it constantly comparing it to A Song of Ice and Fire, but very quickly was swept up into Drinnglennin and its own unique world. So much so that any comparison seemed pointless. This book sets itself apart very quickly and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it from start to finish. Sure they both have dragons and take place in a fantasy world, but they're dealt with very differently that very soon you forget about any comparison and you find yourself just enjoying the world Julius has created.

What strikes me most about this book is the characters and their interactions. Halla and Maura especially are such badasses. My biggest criticism of any book is usually that I don't find the character's actions believable or that dialogue doesn't feel real but is rather scripted. I only had that feeling once or twice whilst reading this, a number which is usually much higher.

If you like reading fantasy series, this should be right up on your list with ASOIAF, The Name of the Wind series (I'm blanking on the name of the series) and any others you may enjoy. This book just came out and I'm already looking forward to part two! Keep them coming!

[Julia Blake · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve had this book on my Kindle for a couple of years but only recently got to reading it. I wish I had read it earlier as I enjoyed the story so much. An epic fantasy, it is reminiscent of Eragon, The Wheel of Time, and the novels by Robin Hobb and Tad Williams. With a large cast of characters woven into a believable world of minor kingdoms, political strive and machinations, and an uneasy peace that trembles on the edge of dissolution.

Within this setting, four young people are drawn together by blood, talent, and circumstance as a hope for the future. Taken to train in the fabled Elven kingdom by a legendary wizard with a stain on his reputation, two are chosen to bond with dragons — long thought to be extinct. The other two are unsure of their path, but I have a feeling much will be asked of them.

It’s a well-paced novel and, as this is the first book in the series, there is worldbuilding and character introduction so not so much in the way of action yet. I am an avid fan of epic fantasy series that builds over many books into an all-encompassing story arc, so I have the patience to enjoy this genre and style of storytelling.

Well-written and imaginative, the author dares to ignore the modern trend of instant plot gratification, and instead teases us with hints of the tale yet to be unfolded and grants us the time to get to know the characters. This book requires you to be in it for the long haul, and, as I plan to buy the rest of the series, I’m on board for what looks like an incredible journey.

[Mgw · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love fantasy, but my bar is VERY high. I can't begin to count the fantasy books I have started and tossed aside in the past 20 years. Those of us that grew up on Narnia and The Mouse and the Motorcycle, Bambi and Black Beauty ... then on to Bilbo, Harry, Katniss, Quentin, Jon Snow - well, we simply have standards! I would like to shout: THE DRINNGLENIN CHRONICLES SERIES IS AMAZING!!! Beginning right here with Portents of Chaos: main characters are mostly young people (but no silly YA roll-your-eyes-stuff); those characters are well defined and you "know them" and love them; the descriptions are reasonable and adequate; the pure fantasy is engaging; interesting plot twists; and there aren't annoying grammar mistakes. Love the fact that the dragons have their own personalities and drama and plotlines. There are politics and military strategies but not unreasonably complicated so you can follow along and see things developing without confusion. There are hints of love, alliances, loyalty, deception, plotting and destiny. If you want a quality fantasy read that will have you trying to find a few minutes in your day to read a chapter or two... or a book that keeps you up at night... I would definitely recommend this series. Pick up the first Portents of Chaos and you will be hooked.

[Michelle (Chelle's Book Ramblings) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the kind of book that every die-hard fantasy fan should read. Nothing more, nothing less. Plus there are dragons in it, so it only gets better and better...

Putting my fangirl love of dragons aside, this book is a great fantasy. There's action, adventure, mystery that will keep you second guessing at every plot point. (I truly enjoyed how this book surprised me; when I thought it was going one way... it threw a curve ball at me)

The world building is detailed and engulfing, you'll be sucked right in.. The political intrigues will appeal to everyone who loves a clever twist.. and the magic system is fairly unique and something you would like to take the time to learn.

The pacing is very good, kudos to intertwining all the POVs of so many characters and making it seem effortless... it's not easy. It can be confusing but this book handles that very well.

The only complaint I have and it took one star with it was that I wanted the characters to be more fleshed out... It's not to say that they weren't, but since you find a great story you just want more...

My nitpickingness raised its ugly head.

If you enjoy fantasy, give this book a try.. there's not going wrong with it..

[Carly D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Generally, I have more leanings towards SciFi but this fantasy book won me over! The author sparked my interest, from the beginning, with a scene where one of the main characters (Leif) has his heart pierced by a dragon's claw for the purpose of 'dragonfast' and...I can't say more without giving too much away. The book was very well written.

The characters were likable and relatable, the riddles were intriguing, the story was told in a sensitive manner and was well paced. There is a prophecy, wizardry, dream readers, dragons, dark omens, giants, elves, friends, foes, royalty, murder and family secrets. There are kingdoms at war and a fragile 'truce' between humans and dragons. But not all dragons are human-friendly, I am afraid, and it remains to be seen whether this tentative 'truce' will hold out ...

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was excellent. The writing style is what I really loved. The way the book was written there was not a boring moment even during quiet times. I really enjoyed the different races in the book and the world building. The history and lay out of the land was explained well and was not overwhelming as many books can be. The characters were well done and the story itself was very well thought out. My only issue with the book was that there was multiple points of view. It was good in the sense that we got to know where each of the main characters came from and their personalities but the downside was it took away from the main story. I was hoping more would have happened during it (a lot does happen, I’m just greedy because I liked it so much I wanted more lol). I was given a free copy of this book from voracious readers only and am leaving this review voluntarily.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

A New View of Dragons and Their Bondmates

I really enjoyed this book. I started reading about 11:15 this morning at a doctor's office and finished about 9:15 this evening. I just could not put the story aside. I have read many books since I was last captivated like I was by Portents of Chaos. The author weaves several story lines together to create this marvelous work. I do not like to give out bits about the story or the characters since I never know when to stop. However I told you the most important part of the book, "Here be Dragons!" I recommend that you grab this book, go to your favorite reading spot and get lost in this tale. I am on to book 2 tomorrow morning.

[Jakarta MacPhail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Last year I read this delightful book, the first of the 4 part series. This month, I just finished listening to the audio version. The reader is excellent. He is able to create all the characters consistently. I enjoy curling up with a book, such as this that takes me into another world. The audio version was so engaging. I’m hooked! I want to find out what happens to these ‘dragon fast’ characters as soon as possible. If you want a break from reading, this reader’s skill, immediately pulls you into the tale and makes you feel as if you are on the journey as well. I look forward to listening to the other books in this series! I think I will also enjoy reading the series again and again. Each time some intriguing detail that I may have missed before, will jump out and surprise me!

[Anne Miles · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun read

K.C. Julius has penned a lovely fantasy with rich characters. The complex plot plunges you into a world where people can bond with dragons (become dragonfast) and the "a Livari," a gypsy-like race, roam the countryside.

I really liked Leif, one of the main characters, and enjoyed following his journey. There are a lot of characters and their stories are woven together well. I truly appreciated one scene with a sin eater, that's an obscure but interesting custom and I was happy to see how it was included.

The story ends on a cliffhanger and I'm anxious to read more. A satisfying read that will be enjoyed by those who like Raymond Feist or David Eddings.

[Erin Enley · Rating 4 out of 5]

K.C. Julius’ Portents of Chaos delivers a swift plot in an enjoyable fantasy land. The character names are delicious; the dragons are epic; and something interesting is always around the corner. As the first installment in a series, much of the action is left dangling to entice me to buy the next book, which I will.

While the characters weren’t terribly done, they were a bit cliché – the wise wizard/mentor, the noble girl who can swordfight and doesn’t want to marry, etc. If you don’t read a lot of fantasy, they’re probably great. The only reason I rated it lower was the forced dialogue. Overall, it was an adventure to read and I’m excited for the next books!

[Caroline Noe · Rating 4 out of 5]

When the king edges towards death without naming his heir, an ageing wizard gathers the prospective candidates as political upheaval veers towards civil war.

As a scene setter this works well, building the history of its various communities, the geographical backdrop and raising the tension towards an ominous future. Our teen possibles are drawn from all social strata and are appealing as they forge their possible found family, but there's always a sense that evil lies ahead, straining to catch them. Somewhere in the shadows lurks a traitor.

Oh and there's dragons having a debate which is fabulous. Bring on the sequels.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderfully written fantasy that pulls you into the world of Drinnglennin from the very first page. This is a great adventure with magic, mystery and suspense as well as dragons, elves, wizards and well developed intriguing characters.
I loved all the main characters especially Leif, Maura and Halla - they emerge and grow with the story into strong, independent and resourceful characters. I was so engrossed in the story and the development of each character I couldn’t put the book down and read it in one day - I can’t wait for the next book in the series!

[Susan Buckley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not my preferred genre I freely admit! But I think if you love fantasy, this book and series are for you! It has all the best elements of fantasy, dragons, elves, sorcery, etc. Wonderfully rich descriptive language makes the characters and the settings come alive very quickly. The plot is enthralling with twists and turns and at the end, one is left wanting to know what’s going to happen in the next book!

The audible version is narrated with great expression, with characters clearly identified.

[BookmarkedOne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had the pleasure of being provided with a review copy by the author.
It's not the "latest greatest" in fantasy. But it's a charming YA dragon book. There's a lot of worldbuilding here that immerses the reader in someplace familiar, but with Julius' own unique flair. You've got your grumpy wizard, you've got your chosen ones, you've got your dragons. But the style is quite comfortable and almost all the protagonists are likeable. And the narration, frankly, is lovely.

Full review for the curious: https://bookmarkedone.home.blog/2022/....

[Jenny Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great start

It took a bit to get into the story as each character was introduced. Once I got there, I couldn’t put it down. I enjoyed learning more about each person and the families they were born into. The plot thickens when they all come together.
I liked the descriptions of the scenery. It was very well thought out. “Seeing” the wizard race across the countryside was just enough detail to see it and not so much as to interrupt the plot.
The storyline has a few twists that I did not expect. I can’t wait to dive into book 2

[Liz’ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5

If you’re in the mood for a medieval fantasy with dragons, heavy worldbuilding, political intrigue, and a good dose of History ( you are a Game of Thrones fan), you will love this !

I went in with no idea what to expect and was genuinely impressed by the level of writing and complexity, especially for a self-published book.

I loved the multiple POVs, and the characters are easy to get attached to (special mention to Witt, Halla, and Maura!).

The last 20%, for me, dragged on a bit and didn’t quite deliver the sense of closure I was hoping for in a first book, but it definitely left me curious.

I’m excited to see where the author takes the story next!

[Will · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a seriously good book, well-paced and full of intrigue. The characters are complex, and they change and grow as the story progresses in a way that is real and genuine. The world-building is visceral and the author has a beautiful turn of phrase - all the elements I look for in a novel, I was entirely captivated throughout.

Reminiscent of some of my favourite epic fantasy series, and am thrilled to find out it's book 1 of four in the 'Drinnglennin Chronicles' so plenty more to come!

[A. A. MacConnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful beginning

This book introduces our characters and plot, all of which are very interesting. The world is rich and the people varied. The only two problems I had at all was in some instances of info dumping, and missing the growing relationship between two of the main characters while we were meeting the other two. Other than that, I enjoyed this book and will be looking into picking up the next!

[Jeanne Johnston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Argh! The worst kind of cliffhanger!

I was reluctant to start a new series because I've run into so many badly done ones, but found I was into this quickly.

... and just when things are set up and really start to happen? Thwack! Chopped off abruptly at the worst possible moment.

Yes, I'll keep reading because this was well done, but I'm not happy this couldn't even halfway stand on its own.

[Heather Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given this review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

First let me say, the narration in this audiobook is fabulous!
The word and world-building in this story is outstanding. Four young adults mysteriously swept away from their lives...a lovable wizard...and dragons. Danger and intrigue around every corner and an ending that leaves you wanting more. Highly recommend this to fantasy lovers.

[Esther Rabbit · Rating 5 out of 5]

What first attracted me about this book was the cover. OMG! But it just kept getting better page after page. If you're a fan of sword & sorcery you cannot miss this novel. It's got just the right amount of everything, the pace is gorgeous and to be fair I kept seeing scenes of The Witcher throughout. Yep, that good.

[Kierstyn Mersates · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I am actually quite happy that I waited to read Portents of Chaos so that the next books are already released! I couldn’t put it down! Very exited to continue the series! Each story line is so well written that every character draws you in and commands you to be invested in their story. To be honest though, Maura is my favorite!

[jean kirkpatrick · Rating 2 out of 5]

Story is good but the names are ridiculous

I don’t expect the names to be Janet and John but the names are unpronounceable unless you are Celtic. Shame really as from the cover picture it showed promise. Btw having translations in the front of a kindle book is not a lot of HELP....

[Mark Ingamells · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entregueuing evolving plot

Many characters over many locations being reveled into a world of political turmoil and rising menace. It hints of a world where good may not triumph, where love triangles may destroy unity and divisions in people groups or species may inflame old wounds and fears.