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The Dragon Prince Chronicles #1
Unfortunate Events
Lies are worn as masks, darkness threatens, and fear spreads like fire.
Mazleah has lost its Crowned Prince and the kingdom stands on the edge of ruin. When Kahtan Faber is forced into the King’s army life as he knew it collapses. Thrust onto a team with a brogue-speaking street boy, a secretive lordling, and his hometown bully, Kahtan quickly learns what it means to be alone. As a Blacksmith’s son who has never wielded a blade, he’s nothing more than a failure to those around him.
But when secrets about his teammates are revealed, secrets that could shake Mazleah to its core, Kahtan must decide whether to stand with his team or with his country. Although nothing in Mazleah is ever that simple.
Mazleah has lost its Crowned Prince and the kingdom stands on the edge of ruin. When Kahtan Faber is forced into the King’s army life as he knew it collapses. Thrust onto a team with a brogue-speaking street boy, a secretive lordling, and his hometown bully, Kahtan quickly learns what it means to be alone. As a Blacksmith’s son who has never wielded a blade, he’s nothing more than a failure to those around him.
But when secrets about his teammates are revealed, secrets that could shake Mazleah to its core, Kahtan must decide whether to stand with his team or with his country. Although nothing in Mazleah is ever that simple.
279 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 9, 2022
5 people are currently reading
183 people want to read
About the author
Kaytlin Phillips
17 books250 followersKaytlin Phillips is a homeschool grad who spends her days praising her Savior, reading, writing, blogging, and annoying her sisters with random thoughts. She is the fifth child out of seven and resides in the Southern Appalachian foothills of Western North Carolina.
She believes in the power of stories and their ability to change lives. And when not writing stories of hope, purpose, and redemption, you can find Kayti (as everyone calls her) reading, hiking, or taking random pictures.
Connect with Kayti at www.sisters-three.com
or on Instagram @sisters_three_press
Newsletter Sign-Up: https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/form...
She believes in the power of stories and their ability to change lives. And when not writing stories of hope, purpose, and redemption, you can find Kayti (as everyone calls her) reading, hiking, or taking random pictures.
Connect with Kayti at www.sisters-three.com
or on Instagram @sisters_three_press
Newsletter Sign-Up: https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/form...
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August 18, 2023Cover Wars update! Unfortunate Events: The Dragon Prince Chronicles 1 is tied for the lead with another book. We have to make to Sunday to win, any votes to help tip it over to the lead would be much appreciated!
If it wins we will get 1 week of free advertisement, we would really appreciate your help! You can vote of UE's cover here: https://authorshout.com/cover-wars/
Thanks so much for your support💖😊
If it wins we will get 1 week of free advertisement, we would really appreciate your help! You can vote of UE's cover here: https://authorshout.com/cover-wars/
Thanks so much for your support💖😊
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August 19, 2023Covers Wars is getting real guys....we could seriously use some votes to get UE back in the lead! We appreciate any and all votes! Thanks guys!
The link: https://authorshout.com/cover-wars/
Unfortunate Events is published!!! The paperbacks should, Lord willing, be available on the 16th of Sept.! We've got the kinks worked out, we think, and are just waiting for the proof copy to get here.
Thank you so much to everyone who has supported us through this whole process we are so excited!!!!
God Bless!
Sisters Three
The link: https://authorshout.com/cover-wars/
Unfortunate Events is published!!! The paperbacks should, Lord willing, be available on the 16th of Sept.! We've got the kinks worked out, we think, and are just waiting for the proof copy to get here.
Thank you so much to everyone who has supported us through this whole process we are so excited!!!!
God Bless!
Sisters Three
March 11, 2024
This was such a fun read! I’m very fond of the medieval kingdom adventure genre and this one was a great addition to the shelves. The worldbuilding was well done, right down to dialects and exclamations and history (seriously, I applaud the dialect, because it was well done!). The writing style and editing was a little weak, but the characters were epic. I loved wild, soft-hearted S; ferocious but loving W; strong, broken G; helpless, observant K; and all the other complex characters, which ended up so different than one expected. I loved their numerous arcs and interactions, and the dialogue was hilariously awesome.
The plot was one twist after another, and I was wholly hooked, unable to set the book down. There aren’t many books I read all in one day when I’m not on my weekly four-hour Sunday commute. The cliffhanger ending was terrible, and I cannot wait for the whole Squad to return!! A solid 4 stars, and an eager request for the sequel soon!
Content: violence & wounds, semi-graphic.
{ quotes to come }
*I received a complimentary copy of this book for promotional purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.*
The plot was one twist after another, and I was wholly hooked, unable to set the book down. There aren’t many books I read all in one day when I’m not on my weekly four-hour Sunday commute. The cliffhanger ending was terrible, and I cannot wait for the whole Squad to return!! A solid 4 stars, and an eager request for the sequel soon!
Content: violence & wounds, semi-graphic.
{ quotes to come }
*I received a complimentary copy of this book for promotional purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.*
September 16, 2022
*reads last page in book*
Wait... it's over???? It can't be over!!!
*stares at blank page*
Tis over.
*sobs*
Soooo I actually didn't realize this book was a series *facepalm* SO NOW I NEED BOOK TWO. Like STAT. The cliffhanger... the questions... SAGEEEEE.
Oof let me back up. So I read this book in two days if that tells you anything. This book kind of reminded me of a cross between The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen and The Kingdom Series by Chuck Black. Think of the Biblical allegory while set in a medieval fantasy world with swords like in Chuck Black's series while you have these boys taken from their homes and are shoved into the midst of growing chaos in the kingdom like The False Prince.
Oh and did I mention there were dragons? *smirks*
The cast of characters was hands-down my favorite part of the book!! Especially Sage and Gavin. I LOVED their friendship!!! Of the four main boys, I loved how much each of them grew throughout the book. But I do hope we get to see more of Kahtan's family later. I do so love all his brothers!!! Talikin is a very creepy antagonist, too.
The plot never had a dull moment! Nonstop action and questions that kept me flipping the pages. After a few slower books I've read lately, I really enjoyed the fast-paced plot! It was exciting and very hard to see what was coming next.
I am LOVING the Biblical allegory going on here with the Creator and Shadowed One. I can't wait to see Kahtan learn more about the Creator. I think I'm sensing a bit of foreshadowing book one had for what might happen in the sequel. Which brings me to I AM READY FOR THE SEQUEL. Gimme gimme! *tries to reach for the book*
I received a free e-copy from the authors in exchange for my honest review
Wait... it's over???? It can't be over!!!
*stares at blank page*
Tis over.
*sobs*
Soooo I actually didn't realize this book was a series *facepalm* SO NOW I NEED BOOK TWO. Like STAT. The cliffhanger... the questions... SAGEEEEE.
Oof let me back up. So I read this book in two days if that tells you anything. This book kind of reminded me of a cross between The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen and The Kingdom Series by Chuck Black. Think of the Biblical allegory while set in a medieval fantasy world with swords like in Chuck Black's series while you have these boys taken from their homes and are shoved into the midst of growing chaos in the kingdom like The False Prince.
Oh and did I mention there were dragons? *smirks*
The cast of characters was hands-down my favorite part of the book!! Especially Sage and Gavin. I LOVED their friendship!!! Of the four main boys, I loved how much each of them grew throughout the book. But I do hope we get to see more of Kahtan's family later. I do so love all his brothers!!! Talikin is a very creepy antagonist, too.
The plot never had a dull moment! Nonstop action and questions that kept me flipping the pages. After a few slower books I've read lately, I really enjoyed the fast-paced plot! It was exciting and very hard to see what was coming next.
I am LOVING the Biblical allegory going on here with the Creator and Shadowed One. I can't wait to see Kahtan learn more about the Creator. I think I'm sensing a bit of foreshadowing book one had for what might happen in the sequel. Which brings me to I AM READY FOR THE SEQUEL. Gimme gimme! *tries to reach for the book*
I received a free e-copy from the authors in exchange for my honest review
September 8, 2022
Disclosure: I received this book free from the publisher/author. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Characters: I enjoyed seeing Kahtan grow over the course of this book, and his developing friendships with Gaven, Sage, and Wixley were great. I wasn't a huge fan of Wixley, Maisley, and her brother when they were first introduced; but they grew on me as the story progressed. I'm looking forward to seeing more of everyone in future books.
Language: Clean.
Moral/theme: This novel featured themes of friendship, courage, and perseverence. I was glad to see that the characters referenced the Creator.
Plot: Plenty of action, adventure, high stakes, and humor kept the plot moving right along. I did feel bad for poor Kahtan. He had a rough time ...
Romance: This novel didn't contain a romance.
Writing: Kaytlin, Marisa, and Jaiden Phillips' writing style worked great for this book. Everything flowed smoothly, and I could picture what was going on.
Overall: Unfortunate Events was an exciting read that I'd recommend to those who enjoy Christian fiction, non-magical fantasy, and YA novels. I'm excited to read the second book when it comes out!
Characters: I enjoyed seeing Kahtan grow over the course of this book, and his developing friendships with Gaven, Sage, and Wixley were great. I wasn't a huge fan of Wixley, Maisley, and her brother when they were first introduced; but they grew on me as the story progressed. I'm looking forward to seeing more of everyone in future books.
Language: Clean.
Moral/theme: This novel featured themes of friendship, courage, and perseverence. I was glad to see that the characters referenced the Creator.
Plot: Plenty of action, adventure, high stakes, and humor kept the plot moving right along. I did feel bad for poor Kahtan. He had a rough time ...
Romance: This novel didn't contain a romance.
Writing: Kaytlin, Marisa, and Jaiden Phillips' writing style worked great for this book. Everything flowed smoothly, and I could picture what was going on.
Overall: Unfortunate Events was an exciting read that I'd recommend to those who enjoy Christian fiction, non-magical fantasy, and YA novels. I'm excited to read the second book when it comes out!
October 19, 2022
Wow 🤩 amazing read! I absolutely loved this book.
Katahn truly knows how to get into pickles and I love him for his resilience, stubbornness, and soft heart. Wixley for the care he occasionally shows when he lowers his walls of toughness for brief moments. Sage with his loyalty to Gavin through thick and thin no matter the consequences or if it’s deemed right or wrong. He’s the truest friend. And Gavin… I’m not sure if I can say I liked or disliked him. I was really mad at him for how he treats his Aunt and Uncle and was very much sympathizing with them. I really liked his uncle from the brief part he had to play in the book.
The plot took a couple of chapters to fully grab me, but once it did I was fully into it.
The villain, of the bit we are revealed about him… oh is such a great villain. So evil and twisted. Poor Gavin 😭 and… I will say no more.
The book’s theme that I picked up on the most is the importance of not going through life on your own. One must depend on others for help and support and realize that life isn’t about us but about what one can do while we live it, and we are to love the people around us no matter the crusty shell they might wear.
I received an ARC copy of this book for free from the authors. I was not required to write a positive review. All views and opinions expressed are my own.
Katahn truly knows how to get into pickles and I love him for his resilience, stubbornness, and soft heart. Wixley for the care he occasionally shows when he lowers his walls of toughness for brief moments. Sage with his loyalty to Gavin through thick and thin no matter the consequences or if it’s deemed right or wrong. He’s the truest friend. And Gavin… I’m not sure if I can say I liked or disliked him. I was really mad at him for how he treats his Aunt and Uncle and was very much sympathizing with them. I really liked his uncle from the brief part he had to play in the book.
The plot took a couple of chapters to fully grab me, but once it did I was fully into it.
The villain, of the bit we are revealed about him… oh is such a great villain. So evil and twisted. Poor Gavin 😭 and… I will say no more.
The book’s theme that I picked up on the most is the importance of not going through life on your own. One must depend on others for help and support and realize that life isn’t about us but about what one can do while we live it, and we are to love the people around us no matter the crusty shell they might wear.
I received an ARC copy of this book for free from the authors. I was not required to write a positive review. All views and opinions expressed are my own.
November 2, 2023
I loved this book! I usually don't read fantasy but this one drew me in from the first chapter. I was really happy that there was no info-dumping and the world building was simple yet gripping. It's so hard to choose a favorite character because they're all so relatable!
As I was reading I could sense the hard work that went into creating a character-driven plot. It was intriguing, and the mysterious foreshadowing was perfect to keep me reading. I'm so excited for the next book!
If you enjoy uplifting fantasy complete with comradery, sword-fighting and dragons, this is the book for you.
As I was reading I could sense the hard work that went into creating a character-driven plot. It was intriguing, and the mysterious foreshadowing was perfect to keep me reading. I'm so excited for the next book!
If you enjoy uplifting fantasy complete with comradery, sword-fighting and dragons, this is the book for you.
September 15, 2022
“Life is no solo mission—you can't face it alone.”
*3.5 stars
What I liked: Unfortunate Events is a suspenseful and emotional book with lots of action! It's a fast read that never bored me. I especially loved the characters. I could really relate to how Kahtan feels about being small and weak, and Sage and Gaven's mysterious pasts had me on the edge of my seat. (And that twist at the endddddddddd.) There was also a pretty good theme about friendship. I liked how Kahtan kept debating and trying to figure out what true friendship really was. There are also some realllllly great names in this book (although "Firick" and "Finnick" did seem a bit confusing).
What I didn't like: It was a pretty “small” plot. There were a lot of times when I wanted to stop hearing about training and learn something more about the war and what was going on in the world. I'm also not sure about the genre... How short the book is and the writing/theme/characters definitely suggest a middle-grade genre, but there is a lot of fighting, injuries, and more mature things that might not be appropriate for that age range. That said, the protagonist seems to get beat up or hurt in some way in every other chapter. It's an interesting story, but kind of the same things over and over again. And the ending isn't very satisfying. I feel like it would have been better if the whole series was in one book, rather than a series of short books with not much plot development. (CW: there is a suicide attempt, along with violence and countless injuries, some child abuse, and mention of dead people.)
Overall though, it's a fun and quick read that leaves you wanting to read the next book!
I received a free copy from the authors in exchange for an honest review.
*3.5 stars
What I liked: Unfortunate Events is a suspenseful and emotional book with lots of action! It's a fast read that never bored me. I especially loved the characters. I could really relate to how Kahtan feels about being small and weak, and Sage and Gaven's mysterious pasts had me on the edge of my seat. (And that twist at the endddddddddd.) There was also a pretty good theme about friendship. I liked how Kahtan kept debating and trying to figure out what true friendship really was. There are also some realllllly great names in this book (although "Firick" and "Finnick" did seem a bit confusing).
What I didn't like: It was a pretty “small” plot. There were a lot of times when I wanted to stop hearing about training and learn something more about the war and what was going on in the world. I'm also not sure about the genre... How short the book is and the writing/theme/characters definitely suggest a middle-grade genre, but there is a lot of fighting, injuries, and more mature things that might not be appropriate for that age range. That said, the protagonist seems to get beat up or hurt in some way in every other chapter. It's an interesting story, but kind of the same things over and over again. And the ending isn't very satisfying. I feel like it would have been better if the whole series was in one book, rather than a series of short books with not much plot development. (CW: there is a suicide attempt, along with violence and countless injuries, some child abuse, and mention of dead people.)
Overall though, it's a fun and quick read that leaves you wanting to read the next book!
I received a free copy from the authors in exchange for an honest review.
February 28, 2023
WOW!!🤩🤩 I loved this book! It was awesome, with so many plot twists! It thrusts you into the story right away, with action right off the bat. It’s a quick read, but a good one, with four awesome, real, deep main characters, and a story of redemption, forgiveness, and love! It’s a kingdom adventure of high stakes and great relationships, and I’d recommend it for anyone who loves kingdom fantasy with some cool twists! (10+)
January 8, 2023
Loved, loved, loved it!
Only one problem....the second in the series is not up yet!
Did I mention I loved it?
But I don't like waiting for the next in the series....sigh!
Ahem! Hurry hurry authors!
Only one problem....the second in the series is not up yet!
Did I mention I loved it?
But I don't like waiting for the next in the series....sigh!
Ahem! Hurry hurry authors!
August 30, 2024
OH MY!!! I absolutely LOVED THIS BOOK!!! I MEAN CAN IT GET ANY BETTER?!?? I CANNOT WAIT TO READ MORE! LIKE THE EXCITEMENT IS WAAAYYYY TOO MUCHHHHH!!!! I REALLLLYYY NEED TO BREATHEEEEEE!!
Ok ok…just please y’all. Take the time to read it because it’s amazing!!!!! 🤩
Ok ok…just please y’all. Take the time to read it because it’s amazing!!!!! 🤩
October 15, 2022
****Actual Rating 3.5****
A really fun debut! It didn’t sound or feel like an author’s first book at all which I say with the highest of compliments as pulling that off is hard to do!
This is a fun adventure with characters you can get behind and cheer for despite that sometimes I found it hard to figure out what some of them were saying due to the accents though the authors kindly include a pronunciation guide at the very beginning of the story.
I also had trouble pegging how old the boys are—14 or 15 maybe? It’s never said, but by how young they sound I’m pegging them at 14 and therefore recommend this book for upper MG to younger YA readers. I also found a couple bits of information casually tossed in without much context which made me scratch my head but didn’t take away from the story and they may be answered as the series progresses.
Overall an impressive debut! I’m curious to see where things go from here.
(A million thanks to Kaytlin, Marisa, and Jaiden for letting me read your book! Keep up the good work!)
‼️Content‼️
TRIGGER WARNING: a character nearly commits suicide
Violence: injuries and blood (not detailed); a character nearly commits suicide; a character is kidnapped; a character is nearly beaten to death (not detailed); a character stabs a man (not fatally); a character is whipped (not detailed); a character is beaten (not detailed); sword fights; a boy is shot in the shoulder with an arrow; a boy’s arm is burned
Other: a boy is taken to fight in the army against his will; a boy steals; a half man half dragon; fantasy creatures; bullying
***Note: I received a free copy of the book from the authors. All thoughts and opinions are most assuredly my own, and I wasn’t required to write a positive review. If I was, I wouldn’t have read it. 😜***
A really fun debut! It didn’t sound or feel like an author’s first book at all which I say with the highest of compliments as pulling that off is hard to do!
This is a fun adventure with characters you can get behind and cheer for despite that sometimes I found it hard to figure out what some of them were saying due to the accents though the authors kindly include a pronunciation guide at the very beginning of the story.
I also had trouble pegging how old the boys are—14 or 15 maybe? It’s never said, but by how young they sound I’m pegging them at 14 and therefore recommend this book for upper MG to younger YA readers. I also found a couple bits of information casually tossed in without much context which made me scratch my head but didn’t take away from the story and they may be answered as the series progresses.
Overall an impressive debut! I’m curious to see where things go from here.
(A million thanks to Kaytlin, Marisa, and Jaiden for letting me read your book! Keep up the good work!)
‼️Content‼️
TRIGGER WARNING: a character nearly commits suicide
Violence: injuries and blood (not detailed); a character nearly commits suicide; a character is kidnapped; a character is nearly beaten to death (not detailed); a character stabs a man (not fatally); a character is whipped (not detailed); a character is beaten (not detailed); sword fights; a boy is shot in the shoulder with an arrow; a boy’s arm is burned
Other: a boy is taken to fight in the army against his will; a boy steals; a half man half dragon; fantasy creatures; bullying
***Note: I received a free copy of the book from the authors. All thoughts and opinions are most assuredly my own, and I wasn’t required to write a positive review. If I was, I wouldn’t have read it. 😜***
October 16, 2022
Great story!! I loved the characters, they were well developed and I didn’t find them annoying which is always a plus XD. Another huge huge thing is that I was actually interested in the plot. I’ve been kinda picking at it for the past couple of weeks but today I picked it up again right around when Kahtan starts his training and from then I just flew through the rest! Now, I do have to mention that this is still has what I would consider a newbie feel. The sentences didn’t always read well (while I love that the authoresses took time to implant the brogue, it did take away a considerable amount from the readability of it). The plot jumps around a bit; I wasn’t quite sure what happened during the transitions from home to camp and then camp to prison and prison to court. Other than that though I definitely enjoyed reading!!
***i received an free copy in exchange for a review :)
December 14, 2024
Overview:
Language/Profanity: None
Faith: It is not till the end bit of the book that we hear about this world's God and the Devil (not with those names) but through out the story the authors' world view is clearly seen in the thoughts and actions of Kahtan.
Romance/Sex: None.
Action/Adventure: The beginning doesn't have a huge amount of action, but there is a raise in the action towards the end.
Other: Kahtan is attacked by bullys in the start.
Language/Profanity: None
Faith: It is not till the end bit of the book that we hear about this world's God and the Devil (not with those names) but through out the story the authors' world view is clearly seen in the thoughts and actions of Kahtan.
Romance/Sex: None.
Action/Adventure: The beginning doesn't have a huge amount of action, but there is a raise in the action towards the end.
Other: Kahtan is attacked by bullys in the start.
July 14, 2023
I wish that I had the option of 4.9 stars. Unfortunate Events is amazing, and it wrapped me up immediately.
The main character Kahtan is so relatable because of his fearfulness, but he works so hard to be responsible and well-viewed by the people he looks up to. He's not afraid to make a sacrifice for others. Kaytlin and her sisters did a great job with him.
I noticed here and there that the writing seemed a little less mature, and the overarching theme was a little hard to spot.
However, I loved how the girls dropped in so many statements throughout the story that naturally incorporated truths that are relevant today. I could not put this book down and the cliffhanger at the end was torture!
The main character Kahtan is so relatable because of his fearfulness, but he works so hard to be responsible and well-viewed by the people he looks up to. He's not afraid to make a sacrifice for others. Kaytlin and her sisters did a great job with him.
I noticed here and there that the writing seemed a little less mature, and the overarching theme was a little hard to spot.
However, I loved how the girls dropped in so many statements throughout the story that naturally incorporated truths that are relevant today. I could not put this book down and the cliffhanger at the end was torture!
February 5, 2024
It is truly refreshing to have a main character who isn't troubled and dark, and bitter. One who actually comes from a great family, and finds it confusing to be surrounded by others who seem to have secrets upon secrets, and problems. Nicely done!
Great fantasy in the best of styles, the kind that is serious but gives you lots of unexpected side-splitting with laughter moments!
Great fantasy in the best of styles, the kind that is serious but gives you lots of unexpected side-splitting with laughter moments!
September 16, 2022
4.5 stars
Wow, what a riveting opening to this series! I knew I would enjoy this book, but as I began reading, I just wanted to keep on reading. Definitely a page-turner!
Characters: The cast of this book was probably my favorite part about it. First of all, we have Kahtan, who really just has a rough time of it throughout the book. (Well, and most of the other characters, too.) But Kahtan was a great narrator for this story, and I felt for him so much as he was dragged from his family into this not great situation. However, he really made do with the position he was in. And then there were the rest of the gang: Wixley, Sage, and Gaven. Wixley was probably my least favorite - he and Kahtan had some prior history to sort out - but he really added an interesting twist. Then there was Sage, who was just so much fun. I loved his sense of humor, but he also had deep struggles and such a sad story. And his accent was nicely done! Then there was Gaven ... wow. I wasn't expecting things to turn out the way they did, and I can see the next book being set up in this one. Several other side characters made the book even better: one of my favorites might've been Master Finnick, since he had such wise counsel even after he seemed rather rough on the boys. And Maisley was intriguing - she definitely has an interesting side to her!
Writing Style/Setting/Plot: The writing style was very fitting for this type of book. I loved how straightforward it was when necessary, but then there were moments were it was poetic and very descriptive. It was a great balance. And the setting was super interesting! It was medieval, but there were also fantasy elements in there. I loved all the bow and arrows and the special outfits everyone wore. (You can tell I'm an expert, right?) And the plot was full of intrigue - I really liked how things started connecting and coming together. It was so easy to just keep turning the digital pages!
Theme: There were several themes of friendship and dependence on others woven throughout the book. I loved the teamwork and dedication each of the guys had to their group. They started out pretty rough, but the end of the book saw them changed. I also loved how they mentioned God as the Creator, and I can see a big arc coming in Kahtan's life. I was a little weirded out by the part with the dragons (majorly creepy), but that was not a huge part of the book.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book. I'm excited to see what will happen in the next book. If you're a fan of fantasy, check this one out!
Disclosure: I received this book free from the publisher/author. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Wow, what a riveting opening to this series! I knew I would enjoy this book, but as I began reading, I just wanted to keep on reading. Definitely a page-turner!
Characters: The cast of this book was probably my favorite part about it. First of all, we have Kahtan, who really just has a rough time of it throughout the book. (Well, and most of the other characters, too.) But Kahtan was a great narrator for this story, and I felt for him so much as he was dragged from his family into this not great situation. However, he really made do with the position he was in. And then there were the rest of the gang: Wixley, Sage, and Gaven. Wixley was probably my least favorite - he and Kahtan had some prior history to sort out - but he really added an interesting twist. Then there was Sage, who was just so much fun. I loved his sense of humor, but he also had deep struggles and such a sad story. And his accent was nicely done! Then there was Gaven ... wow. I wasn't expecting things to turn out the way they did, and I can see the next book being set up in this one. Several other side characters made the book even better: one of my favorites might've been Master Finnick, since he had such wise counsel even after he seemed rather rough on the boys. And Maisley was intriguing - she definitely has an interesting side to her!
Writing Style/Setting/Plot: The writing style was very fitting for this type of book. I loved how straightforward it was when necessary, but then there were moments were it was poetic and very descriptive. It was a great balance. And the setting was super interesting! It was medieval, but there were also fantasy elements in there. I loved all the bow and arrows and the special outfits everyone wore. (You can tell I'm an expert, right?) And the plot was full of intrigue - I really liked how things started connecting and coming together. It was so easy to just keep turning the digital pages!
Theme: There were several themes of friendship and dependence on others woven throughout the book. I loved the teamwork and dedication each of the guys had to their group. They started out pretty rough, but the end of the book saw them changed. I also loved how they mentioned God as the Creator, and I can see a big arc coming in Kahtan's life. I was a little weirded out by the part with the dragons (majorly creepy), but that was not a huge part of the book.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book. I'm excited to see what will happen in the next book. If you're a fan of fantasy, check this one out!
Disclosure: I received this book free from the publisher/author. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
January 24, 2024
This was a quick, easy read! I didn't love it as much as I hoped I would, and part of the reason is simply because I prefer books that provide a good amount of worldbuilding. I felt like I hardly got any in this one. Additionally, I think the book would have benefitted from a little more editing.
I liked the characters, for the most part, although I wished I had learned more about Kahtan before the story got started. Sage and Gavin were probably my favorites. Their friendship was both sweet and entertaining! Kahtan didn't seem to have much purpose in the plot, but that could easily change as the series goes on. One thing I'm grateful for is that he didn't miraculously transform from a weakling to a warrior after a cliche training montage! (Haha, don't get me started on cliches...)
I AM intrigued about where the storyline is going, so I plan to continue the series. Hopefully, the next book will go into more detail about everything!
I liked the characters, for the most part, although I wished I had learned more about Kahtan before the story got started. Sage and Gavin were probably my favorites. Their friendship was both sweet and entertaining! Kahtan didn't seem to have much purpose in the plot, but that could easily change as the series goes on. One thing I'm grateful for is that he didn't miraculously transform from a weakling to a warrior after a cliche training montage! (Haha, don't get me started on cliches...)
I AM intrigued about where the storyline is going, so I plan to continue the series. Hopefully, the next book will go into more detail about everything!
December 28, 2024
This was a really good book!!!! It was really well developed and all the characters felt very real. I can't wait to read the next book!!!!
March 8, 2025
Ooooh...this book started off a little underwhelming and then sucked me right in. Or the opening scene was interesting, then I was confused when the rest of the story swapped to what felt like a totally different story until it all came together, at which point I was already fully invested. Looking forward to seeing where this thing winds up and love how vivid these characters and personalities are.
December 20, 2023
Unfortunate Events is the first book in the Dragon Prince series, and it’s a pretty good start. We follow Kahtan Faber as he’s ripped from his family to serve in a war he knows nothing about.
Story: 4
Worldview: 4
Story is 4. I liked how the authors really captured sibling relationships (as a quadruplet I get it lol). Some characters were mean one day and encouraging the next, so the depth of those characters mostly came across as superficial to serve the story’s purpose. I also figured out the twist like one third into the book 😂
Worldview is 4 because I like the mention of God (as the Creator) but it feels shallow. Especially coming from characters that were awful two chapters ago. It comes across as more religion than really having a relationship with God. I think the other books will dig deeper since I know The Guild of Thieves didn’t shy from Jesus and salvation.
Overall score: 4. In any case, I’ll be reading the next one very soon!
Note: violence, blood
Story: 4
Worldview: 4
Story is 4. I liked how the authors really captured sibling relationships (as a quadruplet I get it lol). Some characters were mean one day and encouraging the next, so the depth of those characters mostly came across as superficial to serve the story’s purpose. I also figured out the twist like one third into the book 😂
Worldview is 4 because I like the mention of God (as the Creator) but it feels shallow. Especially coming from characters that were awful two chapters ago. It comes across as more religion than really having a relationship with God. I think the other books will dig deeper since I know The Guild of Thieves didn’t shy from Jesus and salvation.
Overall score: 4. In any case, I’ll be reading the next one very soon!
Note: violence, blood
September 15, 2022
Wow, what an adventurous ride this story is!!! The kind that draws you in and leaves you needing more! The prologue just grabs your attention, setting the stage for loads of suspense, and then the book ends with equal epicness. *shudders* But no spoilers, so I'll jump right into my thoughts about the characters!
CHARACTERS
And I love how the first time we meet Kahtan, we see his normal established - flawed and needing something. We see his weakness and get a strong sense of his personality and relationship with his family. He tends to be self-deprecating, feels weak and inferior to his brothers. He desperately needs to learn the lesson his father teaches him in the beginning (the one the sneak peek below talks about), and though I'm realizing that I wanted to see his character arc come to a full "aha" moment and resolution, since this IS the first book in a series, it begins to crack his long-held misbelief so that the next book can go deeper into that and not have to rush the pacing. And after all, Kahtan is a different person than who he was at the beginning. ;)
Gaven and Sage brought a whole level of spice to the story that it really needed! They are my favorite duo!!! Seriously, their dynamics are awesome, banter, arguments, and all. And Sage is my baby of the two, as kids these days say. Like, just look at this (page 248 of Unfortunate Events):
“I look like me grammy got a hold of me if I had a grammy, which I donnae.” Sage shook his head again.
See what I mean? HOW CAN'T YOU LOVE HIM!?!!! And Wixley... oh my. I hated him in the beginning. I'm not gonna give anything away, but take note that your opinion on him may change. For the better. :D You will learn to crack up at his grumpiness and blunt comments. And might I even say... you will eventually find him lovable and endearing.
And I must shout-out Kahtan's father, an underrated character I wanted more of. I loved how his anger at those bad things happening to Kahtan showed how much he loved him, you know what I mean? I cannot wait to see more of him in Book 2 (I hope!!!) ;) Also, Kahtan's brothers!!! *weeps* They're awesome. Gimme more.
RANDOM
I found the accents put the perfect touch of uniqueness on the dialogue, to the point where I could hear their voices in my head! (Plus, it make it fun to read aloud to "meself" lol.) Accents can be tricksy to pull off because they can overpower the words and be super hard to read. There were a few parts where it took a minute to understand, but overall? I think these authors nailed it! *applause*
PLOT
SO much mystery and suspense. The prologue, of course, gets the ball rolling for all that, but a certain mysterious friendship *coughs* surprised me with a plot twist I never saw coming! (Then everything fell into place and made sense!) I will say, I'm not the best for guessing plot twists; sometimes I see it coming, but usually, I'm like, *gasp* "WHY DIDN'T I SEE THAT COMING?" 😂 But many of the story's twists took me by surprise!
WRITING STYLE
Unfortunate Events has a balanced and colorful writing style that fit the story well! It's perfect for its YA audience, far from the too-simple "beige prose," as they call it. Here's a delicious bit for thine enjoyment:
"A crescent moon hung on the horizon, peeking through the leaf-covered trees of Kinvin Forest. Stars glittered above, jewels of the heavens smiling upon him in the silent dusk. The eerie calls of the barred owls filled the still air. Kahtan took a deep breath, relishing the beauty all around as he continued on his way."
(Unfortunate Events, page 8.)
Oh, I also must mention how I LOVED how so many of the metaphors/descriptions were blacksmith-themed! So appropriate for Kahtan since that's what he's grown up knowing and being acquainted with. It's a lovely thing to behold when authors do that - really describing things through the character's lenses, coloring the world through their personal experiences.
THEMES
The message of this story is rather subtle, yet you can see it reflected in the whole plot. Basically, it's how people need people. Trying to do life alone, isolated from everyone else, however tempting, is never the right choice. So overall, the main theme I got from it is the importance of friendship, how together, and not by our lonesome selves, we're braver, bolder, stronger. (Did you get that song reference, by any chance? *grins*) The debilitating feeling of being weaker than everyone else can be conquered when you realize that you're not alone.
OVERALL
Full of intrigue and action, Unfortunate Events makes for a swift and adventurous read with a colorful set of characters I just can't get enough of! If you like YA fiction, mystery, edge-of-your-seat action, explosive character dynamics, and some fantastical adventure, give this book a read!
CHARACTERS
And I love how the first time we meet Kahtan, we see his normal established - flawed and needing something. We see his weakness and get a strong sense of his personality and relationship with his family. He tends to be self-deprecating, feels weak and inferior to his brothers. He desperately needs to learn the lesson his father teaches him in the beginning (the one the sneak peek below talks about), and though I'm realizing that I wanted to see his character arc come to a full "aha" moment and resolution, since this IS the first book in a series, it begins to crack his long-held misbelief so that the next book can go deeper into that and not have to rush the pacing. And after all, Kahtan is a different person than who he was at the beginning. ;)
Gaven and Sage brought a whole level of spice to the story that it really needed! They are my favorite duo!!! Seriously, their dynamics are awesome, banter, arguments, and all. And Sage is my baby of the two, as kids these days say. Like, just look at this (page 248 of Unfortunate Events):
“I look like me grammy got a hold of me if I had a grammy, which I donnae.” Sage shook his head again.
See what I mean? HOW CAN'T YOU LOVE HIM!?!!! And Wixley... oh my. I hated him in the beginning. I'm not gonna give anything away, but take note that your opinion on him may change. For the better. :D You will learn to crack up at his grumpiness and blunt comments. And might I even say... you will eventually find him lovable and endearing.
And I must shout-out Kahtan's father, an underrated character I wanted more of. I loved how his anger at those bad things happening to Kahtan showed how much he loved him, you know what I mean? I cannot wait to see more of him in Book 2 (I hope!!!) ;) Also, Kahtan's brothers!!! *weeps* They're awesome. Gimme more.
RANDOM
I found the accents put the perfect touch of uniqueness on the dialogue, to the point where I could hear their voices in my head! (Plus, it make it fun to read aloud to "meself" lol.) Accents can be tricksy to pull off because they can overpower the words and be super hard to read. There were a few parts where it took a minute to understand, but overall? I think these authors nailed it! *applause*
PLOT
SO much mystery and suspense. The prologue, of course, gets the ball rolling for all that, but a certain mysterious friendship *coughs* surprised me with a plot twist I never saw coming! (Then everything fell into place and made sense!) I will say, I'm not the best for guessing plot twists; sometimes I see it coming, but usually, I'm like, *gasp* "WHY DIDN'T I SEE THAT COMING?" 😂 But many of the story's twists took me by surprise!
WRITING STYLE
Unfortunate Events has a balanced and colorful writing style that fit the story well! It's perfect for its YA audience, far from the too-simple "beige prose," as they call it. Here's a delicious bit for thine enjoyment:
"A crescent moon hung on the horizon, peeking through the leaf-covered trees of Kinvin Forest. Stars glittered above, jewels of the heavens smiling upon him in the silent dusk. The eerie calls of the barred owls filled the still air. Kahtan took a deep breath, relishing the beauty all around as he continued on his way."
(Unfortunate Events, page 8.)
Oh, I also must mention how I LOVED how so many of the metaphors/descriptions were blacksmith-themed! So appropriate for Kahtan since that's what he's grown up knowing and being acquainted with. It's a lovely thing to behold when authors do that - really describing things through the character's lenses, coloring the world through their personal experiences.
THEMES
The message of this story is rather subtle, yet you can see it reflected in the whole plot. Basically, it's how people need people. Trying to do life alone, isolated from everyone else, however tempting, is never the right choice. So overall, the main theme I got from it is the importance of friendship, how together, and not by our lonesome selves, we're braver, bolder, stronger. (Did you get that song reference, by any chance? *grins*) The debilitating feeling of being weaker than everyone else can be conquered when you realize that you're not alone.
OVERALL
Full of intrigue and action, Unfortunate Events makes for a swift and adventurous read with a colorful set of characters I just can't get enough of! If you like YA fiction, mystery, edge-of-your-seat action, explosive character dynamics, and some fantastical adventure, give this book a read!
September 20, 2022
Wow! What an amazing first installment in this series (and OH MY GOODNESS I NEEEEED THE NEXT ONE RIGHT NOW)!! It's fast-paced, has a lot of action, amazing characters, and is set in a super cool fantasy world . . . my cup of tea right there.
The characters in this book were absolutely glorious! I loved having Kahtan as a main character - he's more of an underdog protagonist just trying to find his place. I can already see his character growth by the end of the book, and I can't wait to continue with his arc. The rest of Kahtan's team were great, too. They all had distinct personalities and character growth, or a set up for a good arc. Sage . . . his accent . . . *chef's kiss* and his personality were just so much fun to read! And Wixley is also amazing, and I love his character arc so far, how he changes so much from the beginning. I also like Gaven, especially his and Sage's friendship, but sometimes he feels kind of sulky or whiny . . . I can't really put my finger on it, but other than that, he's a great character.
I love the world that this story takes place in - Mazleah. I just love fantasy worlds in general, and this one is right up there! And it's got dragons . . . ;)
The plot of this book is really engaging - a runty boy being dragged away from his family and into the king's army - and just had me turning the pages non-stop. And it was great to see the Christian parallels in it, as well. The Creator and the Shadowed One, and how the Shadowed One tries to destroy those the Creator loves, it's a very vivid similarity.
All in all, this was such a fun book to read! There were a couple times that I could see the writing was a little underdeveloped, but most of the time it was great and really fit the pace of the story.
Also, this book is a cliffhanger . . . and it's killing me!!! I guess that's how you can tell if it's a good book - if it leaves you aching to read the next one - and it is!
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the authors. I was not required to write a positive review; all thoughts and opinions are completely my own.
The characters in this book were absolutely glorious! I loved having Kahtan as a main character - he's more of an underdog protagonist just trying to find his place. I can already see his character growth by the end of the book, and I can't wait to continue with his arc. The rest of Kahtan's team were great, too. They all had distinct personalities and character growth, or a set up for a good arc. Sage . . . his accent . . . *chef's kiss* and his personality were just so much fun to read! And Wixley is also amazing, and I love his character arc so far, how he changes so much from the beginning. I also like Gaven, especially his and Sage's friendship, but sometimes he feels kind of sulky or whiny . . . I can't really put my finger on it, but other than that, he's a great character.
I love the world that this story takes place in - Mazleah. I just love fantasy worlds in general, and this one is right up there! And it's got dragons . . . ;)
The plot of this book is really engaging - a runty boy being dragged away from his family and into the king's army - and just had me turning the pages non-stop. And it was great to see the Christian parallels in it, as well. The Creator and the Shadowed One, and how the Shadowed One tries to destroy those the Creator loves, it's a very vivid similarity.
All in all, this was such a fun book to read! There were a couple times that I could see the writing was a little underdeveloped, but most of the time it was great and really fit the pace of the story.
Also, this book is a cliffhanger . . . and it's killing me!!! I guess that's how you can tell if it's a good book - if it leaves you aching to read the next one - and it is!
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the authors. I was not required to write a positive review; all thoughts and opinions are completely my own.
December 8, 2023
Unfortunate Events did an excellent job of dragging me in and investing me in the characters. Each one was a well-fleshed-out, unique person, wholly capable of generating interest in themselves without relying on another character for support. (And most likely fully able of each sustaining a full fan base, if they continue at this level of quality.) Sage was my favorite; a cheerful, easygoing lad with a strong sense of loyalty and a problem with "lifting" things, especially from the kitchen.
The theme of loyalty, trust, and growth gives the plot a gentleness that would satisfy feminine readers, and the background of war and dragons would appeal to male readers (or at least, the ones I know). There is violence (there's a war on, the group is attacked in more than one scene, and one of the characters is bullied), but no excess of gore. There is enough description to give you a clear idea, but not enough to gross (me personally) out.
The book feels like more of an episode in a television miniseries rather than a standalone novel, due to the great character development on the part of the protagonist, but little on the part of the antagonist.
I think most of my feeling this way is due to expectations I had from the promotional teasers— I was expecting a bit more cloak-and-dagger or battlefield action against the Dragon Prince from the marketing. Don't get me wrong, it's an excellent book! (It's going on my birthday shopping list, in fact.) The characters are appealing, they grow and change in a way that greatly satisfied me, and I was hooked from the first page, but I felt, from what was presented, as though the villain's motivation is a bit cut-and-dry at this stage due to his limited "screen time", and I am impatient to read more and get a bit more resolution.
There are heavily accented characters (Sage, I'm looking at you, my boy) who use slang from their own regions, which may make it harder to read in your head, or if you're dyslexic. However, there is a well-stocked glossary, and if you're not afraid to read aloud, it's a splendid experience! The culture and characters are admirably-done, the world is worth exploring, and it honestly kept me rooted to my chair. 😆
All in all, I liked the book very much, and can't wait for the next installment!
I received this book free from the authors. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255
The theme of loyalty, trust, and growth gives the plot a gentleness that would satisfy feminine readers, and the background of war and dragons would appeal to male readers (or at least, the ones I know). There is violence (there's a war on, the group is attacked in more than one scene, and one of the characters is bullied), but no excess of gore. There is enough description to give you a clear idea, but not enough to gross (me personally) out.
The book feels like more of an episode in a television miniseries rather than a standalone novel, due to the great character development on the part of the protagonist, but little on the part of the antagonist.
I think most of my feeling this way is due to expectations I had from the promotional teasers— I was expecting a bit more cloak-and-dagger or battlefield action against the Dragon Prince from the marketing. Don't get me wrong, it's an excellent book! (It's going on my birthday shopping list, in fact.) The characters are appealing, they grow and change in a way that greatly satisfied me, and I was hooked from the first page, but I felt, from what was presented, as though the villain's motivation is a bit cut-and-dry at this stage due to his limited "screen time", and I am impatient to read more and get a bit more resolution.
There are heavily accented characters (Sage, I'm looking at you, my boy) who use slang from their own regions, which may make it harder to read in your head, or if you're dyslexic. However, there is a well-stocked glossary, and if you're not afraid to read aloud, it's a splendid experience! The culture and characters are admirably-done, the world is worth exploring, and it honestly kept me rooted to my chair. 😆
All in all, I liked the book very much, and can't wait for the next installment!
I received this book free from the authors. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255
February 5, 2024
I love books like this! Clean with lots of sword fights and an unlikely friend group! Secrets and enemies!
March 13, 2025
This was an awesome beginning to a fun series! Kahtan is a great hero (I felt so sorry for him, but he’s a tough little guy), and I loved the camaraderie of his squad. The story is well-paced and full of action, and with themes of perseverance, trust, and faith, it’s a perfect read for ages 10+.
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