Review: Dragon Redeemer by Amy Bearce

DRAGON REDEEMER

World of Aluvia, Book Three

by Amy Bearce

Curiosity Quills Press

Fantasy

220 pages

Four years have passed since a fairy swarm released the voice of prophecy in Nell Brennan. In that painful moment, a skilled warrior became a reluctant leader and defender of Aluvia’s magic. Now a new enemy threatens their still-fragile lands, one Nell feels powerless to stop even with help from the voice within her.

A mysterious dark alchemist from the Ice-Locked Lands is rising to power on the strength of his sword arm and an ice-breathing dragon obedient to his command. He promises unlimited magic to his followers and death to those who defy him. If he takes over the ports, his corrupt elixirs will disrupt the delicate balance of peace between Aluvia's people and all magical creatures.

The voice of prophecy sends Nell and her friends to their enemy’s treacherous domain to find a sword of legend. Only the sword’s magic can prevent a return to a world of dying fairies and caged merfolk. But Nell’s up against the toughest foe she’s ever faced. In order to defeat him, she must master the unimaginable power of the sword―and the unwanted magic inside herself.

MY TIDBITS

Nell is a warrior with a heart, who must struggle not only to find balance to save Aluvia, but also within herself.

Aluvia is healing, but the process has only begun and can easily be tipped back to the road of disaster. When 'The Dragon' appears, a man behind a mask with unheard of magical power, and states his goal of ruling of Aluvia and its magic, Nell and her friends are forced to step forward to try to stop him.

I did not read the rest of this series but had no trouble diving into book three and getting lost in the pages. The author skillfully brings Aluvia to life with details and vivid descriptions, which not only catch the eye but grab the other senses as well. The bread at the bakery, the smell of nature or even the sounds of the small villages bring color to this fantasy world.

The main character, Nell, is a young woman who has a violent past. Her key to survival has always lain with her amazing ability to handle a sword. Now, she's also discovered her talent as a healer and a prophet--thanks to a voice living inside of her. But the mixture of these three things is something she still hasn't really accepted. There's a lot to enjoy in Nell. She's strong, brave and very self-assured, while still unsure of who she really is and what her true path should be. Her struggles and concerns make her sympathetic and easy to cheer for.

But Nell isn't alone. The group of friends around her make it a real adventure. Each has their own talents and weaknesses, but even when they don't agree, they have each other's backs. It's a wonderful group, and if I had to go on adventure, I definitely want every single one of them with me.

There is romance, but it's a mature, already settled one. Corbin stands at her side not only as a love interest but as a true friend. Just as Nell is trying to find the balance of her three talents and what it means for her, she's trying to puzzle it all in with her relationship to Corbin. While she sees her warrior strength as her main asset, Corbin tends to push her toward a more quiet, healer side. So the two must find balance as well.

There's never a boring moment in these pages, and the heroes find themselves in one dangerous predicament after the other. There's a lovely dark mystery surrounding their opponent, The Dragon, although its not too hard to guess what his 'secret' is. There are twists and turns, although not all are hard to figure out. Some of the scenes, thoughts and reactions stumble a little but the book still grabs had holds until the very end. Especially fans of fantasy, magic, dragons and strong heroines are sure to enjoy this one.

And here she is. . .

Amy Bearce writes fantasy stories for tweens and teens. Her debut, FAIRY KEEPER, is an upper-middle grade fantasy and is the first book in the World of Aluvia series. MER-CHARMER (World of Aluvia, Book Two) released May 9, 2016. Book Three, Dragon Redeemer, released May 23, 2017. She is a former reading teacher who now has her Masters in Library Science. As an Army kid, she moved eight times before she was eighteen, so she feels especially fortunate to be married to her high school sweetheart. Together they’re raising two daughters and are currently living in Germany, though they'll be heading home to Texas this summer.

http://www.amybearce.com