WHEN EIGHTEEN-YEAR-OLD PRINCESS ARIELLA learns she's to be tutored for ten hours a day, she believes her father is punishing her. That is, until she meets her tutor Austin, and discovers she is gifted with incredible powers, and Austin was sent to her castle to train her.
Darkness looms over the Golden Peaks when Ariella finds a mysterious and deadly force in her castle corrupting her family. At the same time, Austin learns the Black Magic Sorcerers who are rumored to be the heinous King Jasteroth's henchmen, plan to capture Ariella and harness her powers to take over the Eastern Realm. It's all due to Ariella's connection to King Jasteroth, which Austin knows runs deeper than the sinister ice-powers Ariella and Jasteroth both possess.
Can Austin protect Ariella from the malevolence hunting her without revealing how he knows why they have the same powers? Will they unravel the mysteries in her castle in time with the strange clues they find, or will they be too late?
Assessment:
Plot: Though decently plotted, this novel is relatively light on conflict, which may not sit well with fans of the genre. Still, the story moves along at a good pace and is entertaining.
Prose: The writing is simple, direct, and clear. The dialogue reads naturally, with various characters sufficiently distinct in their speech and mannerisms.
Originality: The novel follows standard fantasy conventions. The setting and scenario are unique and interesting.
Character Development: Ariella and Austin are thoroughly realized, although Austin’s true motivations are sometimes difficult to discern. Emily serves as a nice foil and balance to her brother, while Jasteroth is a looming malevolence.
Date Submitted: April 29, 2018
"A fearless female protagonist, a mysteriously powerful villain in King Jasteroth, and a growing interest with each new complication...S.L. Wyllie is at her best with her characterization of her villain King Jasteroth. And unexpectedly, she does it all by hearsay. Like Voldemort in the early Harry Potter books, his immense power comes mostly in his mystery..."
"A wonderfully realized work of fantasy filled with magic, suspense, and romance. The Legacy of King Jasteroth is the first book in a series and will have readers racing to get their hands on the next book. S.L. Wyllie is an author with a fantastic career ahead of her."
"The setting and scenario are unique and interesting...the story moves along at a good pace and is entertaining..."
"Packed with adventure, fantasy, treachery, and romance, this book is entertaining in its own right while also laying the groundwork for a series that promises to entertain for many books to come."
