Assessment:
Plot: The third book in a trilogy, Covenant With the Dragons does a fine job of catching up readers who haven’t read previous installments, but will be better enjoyed in tandem with its predecessors. The plot is linear and the scope of the narrative is epic. The book features thorough appendices further detailing the expansive lore and quality worldbuilding.
Prose: The prose is strong, with vivid descriptive writing, clear exposition, and dialogue that effectively builds characterization.
Originality: The novel’s world is well-imagined and believably depicted. Fans of fantasy will find much familiarity here, while the social values central to the book's themes land effectively and give the book a strong sense of character.
Character/Execution: The characters are distinct and dynamic, with arcs that appear to pay off from previous book installments.
Date Submitted: May 06, 2022
This was a little hidden gem of a series I probably never would have discovered without bookstagram. And I thank David for gifting me a copy.
I love to discover new indie authors with books I don't normally find in a bookstore.
As this is book three I will not spill the details but rather give you a little summary of the series.
The series starts out on the cool concept that the world started with dragons.
The dragons shaped the world and created a plan and council to ensure peace and harmony.
The magical beings would teach humans skills to survive and prosper. But as with all magical tales there is the dark and forbidden magic and knowledge as well.
The dragon Baras taught dark and forbidden magic to the humans and his followers were named the Barasha. Blood sacrifices and demon calling.
To counter the evil forces the wizards were created. They used true magic.
A magical crown was created to force Baras into a magical sleep and the crown was encased with spells so it was never to be used to free the evil forces.
Of Course some of Baras followers survived and fled, and are planning to release him from his slumber. The novels main events happen several thousand years after.
Two twin boys are born during tragic incidents. When the king dies only the first born will be named king.
Since they don't know which of the boys was born first they need to wait until they come of age to see who can wield the magical key to the enclosure of the crown.
We follow their journey to manhood and their rivalry towards each other. They both have very different views and wishes for their future.
One is gripped by darker thoughts. The other is touched by love.
I really enjoyed how the author has built up a great universe with an immense detailed world, complex characters and exciting plot.
All wrapped up well in the final installment and the story takes on a lot of twists and turns as you are drawn into the world.
Many twists I did not see coming. Tragedy's, love, family and magic. All woven together.
Thank you for the opportunity David.
And what a wonderful tale you have created.
Covenant With the Dragons will be represented at the Frankfurt International Book fair running from October 16th to the 22nd of 2023. The books will be displayed on a dedicated shelf in the Independent Book Publishers Association booth.
The fair is the largest event in the world for publishers from many nations to find books they can license to translate and publish in their counties.
Also on the shelf will be the other two books of The Carandir Saga epic fantasy trilogy, Dragons Unremembered and Half Awakened Dreams, as well Beyond the Shallow Bank, historical fiction set in 1901 Nova Scotia, Canada with rumours of the selkies, seal people from Celtic mythology.
Covenant With the Dragons won a bronze medal for Literary Fantasy & Science Fiction and honorable mention for Epic Fantasy at The BookFest Awards in the Fall of 2022.
