Media Type: Ebook
Title: The Dreamspeaker
Author: W. Scott
Publisher: Palace in the Sky
Pages: Ebook; chapters
Release Date: February 10, 2011
Source: Publisher
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Intended Reading Group:
Young Adult
Content Screening:
Mild violence (fantasy)
HDB Rating:
4 Keys to My Heart
Prepare to do battle with the Greatest Fighting Team of Teenage Girls ever assembled!
Jessica Hoshi is just like any other girl. She loves music, playing in the marching band at school and spending time with her friends. One day, Jessica and her friends visit the Lakeshore Historical Society to take the Tall Ship Tour.
After they get separated from the tour group, Jessica discovers a gem-encrusted Lantern and a magically locked jewelry box below decks in the ship’s hold. A voice from inside the Lantern tells Jessica they are all in great danger. The jewelry box contains priceless stolen artifacts sought by ruthless and evil sorcerers known as Cryptics.
Minutes later, the vessel’s lights flicker to life and the sails fill with an invisible wind. The great ship sails across the lake carrying Jessica and all of her friends through an astral portal to an enchanted land called Aventar.
There, they meet the shadowy arcanist Reina, who tells them they must train at once to become Ajan Warriors. Unless they succeed, the treasures will be lost, and the last hopes of a betrayed people will fade forever.
When I was first asked to review
The Dreamspeaker, I will honestly admit that I was drawn in by the cover. It has an amazing manga look to it, and I’m a huge fan of epic fantasy stories! Then when I read the synopsis and heard about stolen artifacts and arcanists, I was in for the long haul. Fantasy has, and always will be, my favorite genre! I can never pass up a chance to find my way into a new world.
That being said I had high hopes for the first book in the Lady Star series, and I wasn’t disappointed! From the very beginning I fell in love with the girls and their very different personalities. From Jessica, who is the soft spoken and kind hearted one, right down to adorable Cici, who is young and full of wonder, each one of these characters brought something wonderful to the story. As a group, they meshed so well with one another. By the time that they were surrounded by peril and working together to fight the darkness, I had no doubt in my mind that they could do whatever they put their minds to. Teenagers or not, W. Scott has given these girls just as much, if not more, butt-kicking power than any adult character.
In terms of plot, the story flows nicely. There are portions that are a little jumpy, as the story circulates between multiple points of view. However once you get to know the girls you can actually start to pick up on who is speaking even before you see their name. The all important balance between good and evil is here, along with a bit of a coming of age storyline, since the characters are on the younger side. Honestly what I loved most about the plot line was how the author throws you in a bit quickly, and then slowly takes the reader back to see where things are headed. The beginning of the story starts out with a bang, and I loved it for that!
If I had one complaint, and this is a mild one since I know this is a series, I would really love much more world building. The lands that Jessica and her companions are traipsing through sound gorgeous and epic from what I can tell. However their beauty is kind of skimmed over in an effort to get each girl to her full potential. I understand this, since like I said this is the first book, however I can’t wait to see what W. Scott does with the next installment. I want to feel myself immersed in their world, so I can appreciate the story even more.
Solid, unique, and tons of fun, The Dreamspeaker is an extremely promising beginning to this series. I love the characters, I love the plot line, and I’m smitten with the fact that there are more to come. This is one I’d keep my eyes on friends! Especially if you are a lover of fantasy like I am.
FTC Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. I was not monetarily compensated for my opinion.
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