This book tells the story of Genghis Khan, a strong and powerful leader from long ago. He was born as Temujin in Mongolia in the 1100s. His early life was hard because his father died, and his family had to fight to survive. But, Temujin was brave and smart. He brought many Mongol tribes together and became their leader. The book shows how he led his army across Asia and Europe using good planning and discipline. He also made new rules, helped trade grow and supported learning. Even though he was a tough warrior, the book explains how his ideas and actions changed the world in big ways.
Tower of Dawn shifts the series’ focus onto Chaol Westfall, Nesryn Faliq, and Yrene Towers, as Chaol and Nesryn work to form an alliance with the Khagan of the Southern Continent, while Yrene is assigned to heal Chaol’s injuries that put him in a wheelchair. Yrene and Chaol work together to heal Chaol’s injuries while Nesryn and Prince Sartaq travel to the rukhin clans and learn about the secrets of the Stygian Spiders.
The Crimson Fortress by Akshaya Raman is a young adult fantasy novel, the sequel to The Ivory Key, mildly inspired by Indian culture and mythology. It features the main character — Vira, Queen of Ashoka, and her journey to recover the Ivory Key and solve its riddle to unlock the hidden quarries. However, the Ivory Key is not what they thought it was. It is bound to unlock more horrors than magic, at least at first.
What makes Dragon's Keep work for me is its approach: a medieval fantasy written more like historical fantasy than high fantasy. Yet it has that sliver of magic and magical creatures (dragons, of course) to spice up the lyrical story. In other words, the author avoids over-doing the chosen one approach, and instead creates very believable characters in a believable world.
I can't believe I waited so long to read this teenage romance. This is a fantastic high fantasy about a teenage girl, but you can tell this is the author's debut book. I have confidence Osterlund will do wonderful things with the rest of this trilogy. I had a great time reading the fast-paced story. I want to see what she can do with the romantic tone when she has a little time under her belt.
I adore the character Aurelia. She is the type of woman of steel I always imagined a princess would be. Her blended family situation came across cleanly, with just a little violence.
