Bloodmaidenby Christine E. Schulze
Release date: May 12, 2010
Publisher: Old Line Publishing, LLC
Genre: Fantasy, YA
Paperback: 208 pages
Rating: 4
Description from amazon.com:
Zale.
Gauthier.
Varden.
These three dynasties...
They all sound like something out of an ancient, oriental myth or fairy tale. The concept of humans and dragons helping and living in harmony with one another, without fear. To me, that's exactly what they are. A distant dream only read of, whispered secretly, quietly yearned for.
For, you see, I am the new Quelda of Tynan. These words echo the mystery, horror, and romance found within Schulze's fantasy novel. Along with her new husband, Chalom, Crisilin must choose to embrace cruel tradition, run from it, or stand against it. The young couple's only hope is to rally the help of the three peaceful dragon dynasties of Sulaimon-but tradition is not on their side, even outside the realm of Tynan.
The dragons outside Tynan's borders have been rumored as too stubborn and proud to believe their Tynanian brothers would commit such horrors as inflicted upon the Quelda. Gaining their aid is not a likely hope. Yet, any hope at all is valued in Tynan...
If they are to stand a chance of bringing cruel tradition to a permanent end, Crisilin and Chalom must brave the constant, consuming blizzards of the Ever-white. They must brave the three dynasties and the challenges awaiting there. Together, they must convince the dragon emperors to allow them access to the shrines which house the sacred Aria - protective strands of music which may be able to disperse the evil from Tynan and unite the four dynasties of Sulaimon as a whole once again.
Their only aid stems from a sprite whose moods are as unstable as her magic, a young minstrel, and a mysterious fox. Despite the odds, such plans are daring, dangerous, unprecedented, but fully possible - if they can escape the Wall first.
Quote to note:
Our most blessed and beloved Quelda..." echoed the voice seemingly drenched with as white a sincereity as his bristling, snowy scales.
But I knew those words shone black as his coal eyes.
I knew their kindness was as frail as a morning's mist, easily dissolved with one half-hearted kiss from the sun's palest glow.
- page 30, chapter 4
My two-bits:
In-a-word(s): healing
I enjoyed this group adventure quest of working towards righting the wrongs in a magical land. Loved watching the character growth of each character during this journey.
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* review copy courtesy of author
* part of Fantasy Reading challenge
