The Elf and The Princess, Book 1

By Anna del C. Dye

Product details

  • Series: The Silent Warrior Trilogy (Book 1)
  • Paperback: 242 pages
  • Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform; 2 edition (May 17, 2014)

Product details

  • File Size: 1891 KB
  • Print Length: 244 pages
  • Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
  • Publication Date: May 20, 2014
  • Sold by: Amazon.com Services LLC
  • Language: English
  • ASIN: B00KGOEMF4

Blurb:

Menarm was a great and prosperous kingdom, known throughout the lands for its friendly, hard-working people and fair trade. But a bitter struggle of succession between twin brothers left the kingdom devastated, the people divided. Some stayed with Fenil, who had conquered the crown, others followed Renil to the wild lands of the north, founding a new kingdom. Now Adren, the last princess of the vanquished realm of Menarm, finds herself alone in a world where women live in the shadows of men. Not only must she battle her enemies, but also a truth that could obliterate her last hope for happiness and bring dishonor to all those whom she hold dear. On her quest, she finds unlikely allies in a powerful prince and a defiant mercenary, only to be devastated by an ancient and wily elf. Will Adren be able to survive this final assault?

My Review:

I appreciate a pronunciation guide and character directory, even if I don’t always read them through. They are useful if/when I lose track.

I must admit I struggled to turn off my editor’s mind when I started reading this tale. The opening is a bit long…chunky was my first word. Looking back with a different thought I would suggest breaking up your reading of the first chapter. We can get caught up in how a book should read that we forget to sometimes simply let go. However, I do wish there were more breaks within the long scenes.

The author does break the “4th wall” when she steps backs and talks to the reader, which fits into the feeling I was starting to get…a campfire and you’re being told a story.

Once I set my mind to this concept of being told a story, I could follow along and not become caught up in the expectations of being shown the story unfold, discovering it for myself. Sometimes this isn’t the easiest or most comfortable way to read a tale and it tripped me up a bit.

There is quite a bit of backstory, more a move to different actions that left me, sometimes, wondering where I was. Consider it more a change of action/scene than a change of point of view. At times I became lost as to what was happening and why. It caused the story to move too fast.

As I’m writing this review, I am also currently reading book two in the series and the two could not be more different in telling styles. I would offer the reader not to give up on book one.

With this all said, there were splashes of interest and characters you grew curious about. I needed to know the ending and it rounded out logically and emotionally.

The trick to reading this tale is to allow yourself to “hear” a storyteller’s voice reciting the adventure and romance to you.

Trouble in the Elf City Book 2: The Silent Warrior Trilogy

By Anna del C. Dye

Product details

ASIN: B00KGQ30UU

Publication date: May 20, 2014

File size: 2342 KB

Print length: 251 pages

Product details

Paperback: 372 pages

ISBN-10: 1432730460

ISBN-13: 978-1432730468

Blurb:

In the serene and beautiful city of the elfs, life has changed but little since Menarm was destroyed and the war ended. Three springs have passed and Adren, the last princess of Menarm, has settled into her new life. Her champion, the Silent Warrior, has not been seen since the battle at Wilapond. Suddenly the peaceful life in her new kingdom is challenged by enemies the elfs are unable to fight. Disaster seems imminent for their whole race. Will Adren have to witness the destruction of this kingdom and once again find herself alone in the world? Or can the Silent Warrior come to her rescue and save them all?

My Review:

I started this read with book 1 firmly in mind and the style of the storytelling. I still find it difficult to match this world’s female elf concept to that which I have read elsewhere over the years. Here I find the elves too role-locked for my liking…nope, that’s as much as I can say without giving more away.

The author has lost the information dump and story race feel I found in the first book and there isn’t the breaking of that 4th wall, which I appreciate.

The story is one of finding love and the matchmaking that I found cute. I remember too many times friends asking me if so-and-so liked them and should they ask them out, which I said just ask them.

I was annoyed with the dialect of the invaders. It was too much, for me.

I am curious about the next path in this series. There is a lead-up in book 2 which flows into the story for book 3, a smooth continuation.

Reading a few other reviews, I’m saddened that I didn’t connect as much as they did. One mentioned, light level fantasy which I can agree with.

However, a couple of the reviewers had listened to this story on audiobook which would have given a different connection because, as I stated with book 1, there is a general feel of being told a story.

Don’t go just by my review of this series, please read the other reviews on Amazon as well. Again, different mixes produce differing views.

Elfs in a Conquered Realm Book 3: The Silent Warrior Trilogy

By Anna del C. Dye

Blurb:

On their visit to the vanquished Kingdom of Menarm the elfs face many uncertainties. However, they are strong in numbers and sure of their purpose. Zyrthal, the young elf strategist, is given the task of finding the kingdom’s hidden treasures; but instead the elfs encounter ruthless highwaymen. Meanwhile, the two half-elf princes play among the ruins of Menarm to their hearts’ content while their parents attend to their work cleaning and repairing the houses around the castle, in an effort to revive the city. It is a hard job and they could run short on time. In the midst of all this commotion the boys disappear from the dead kingdom. Brigands want riches and they will let the boys go if the city of Menarm gives up its treasures to them. They allow only one person to go to verify that the boys are alive and the elfs confide in the most harmless figure among them: The Menarm Princess. The outlaws have no clue as to the hidden shadow that will accompany her, the Silent Warrior. Yet Adren’s warrior has been battling demons of his own and finds himself in great doubts concerning his performance as the champion of the last Princess of Menarm. These shadows in his heart double with the disappearance of the two half-elf princes and he harbors misgivings that he won’t succeed in rescuing the young boys and thwarting the mercenaries. The Silent Warrior fears that he has fallen from Adren’s graces forever. 

My Review:

It is my regret that I cannot offer any opinion as I do not connect with the story or writing style. It would be unfair to the author, her readers, my readers, if I was to try and bluff my way through.

My apologies.

Curse of the Elfs

By Anna del C. Dye

Blurb:

When an immortal race ceases to be immortal, woe to the land.

Ancient legend tells of elfs crossing paths with the dying wizard, Zoltan. The Old Sorcerer’s nefarious deeds had caused the wizarding school to chastise him severely. On his deathbed, Zoltan asked the elfs for help. Losing patience in his delirium, he cursed them. 

Now, the immortal elfin race is slowly, but surely dying. Their only hope lies in a servant of kings who must learn to love the elfs, before he will attempt to save them. But no one – elf or mankind – has ever heard of this man. Can the healer be found, before their race is gone forever?

My Review:

It is my regret that I cannot offer any opinion as I do not connect with the story or writing style. It would be unfair to the author, her readers, my readers, if I was to try and bluff my way through.

My apologies.