Father of Dragons by L. B. Graham

Back Cover: Malek has one final score to settle before he claims victory. Meanwhile, the Novaana embark on a mission to find the legendary Father of Dragons.

“You’re about to enter the gyre of the Father of Dragons. You’re about to set foot where no man has gone before, and I suggest that you not do so lightly. Sulmandir, if he is alive, could kill all of us in an instant. Where we are going, even I have not gone before. Keep quiet, and keep close.”

Editor’s Review: Another great book in the Binding of the Blade series.  Fans will be glad that L.B. Graham keeps up the pace of action.  Unlike many multi-book series, he does not slow the middle and ending down just to publish more books.  Each book is needed to accomplish the scope of this epic tale, and Father of Dragons is no exception.

If you enjoyed the first three books, you will love this one as well.  And with a cliffhanger ending, it will make you want to read the final book right away.

Shadow in the Deep by L. B. Graham

Back Cover: As the rains fall and the floodwaters rise, Aljeron embarks on a dangerous quest across the forsaken land of Nolthanin.

For all of Kirthanin, the days are dark and hope seems far away. And yet, in the midst of their darkness, a ray of light appears when Benjiah takes up Valzaan’s staff and enters where all others fear to go.

Editor’s Review:  Another great book in the series.  Shadow in the Deep picks up from the moment Bringer of Storms left off and keeps the pace going as Aljeron journeys north into Nolthanim and almost everyone else journeys southeast to flee the enemy.

Once again, Graham has some surprises in store for the reader.  His writing is improving a little with each book as well.  Another great book for Christian Fantasy fans.

Bringer of Storms by L. B. Graham

Back Cover: After one thousand years, Malek emerges to unleash the full force of his army.

“The master of the Bringer of Storms has poured much power into him, power received from My hand at the creation of the world. His grip on this world will grow stronger, and the shadow he is casting over the world will grow darker. So it is and so it must be. Even so, be strong and stand firm, for you are Mine, and I am with you.”

Editor’s Review:  A must-read for fans of the series, though it takes a little bit to get going.   I was a few chapters in before I felt the pace started to pick up and beckoned me to keep reading.

Once the story hits its stride, though, the plot continues to grow and tension builds nicely.  Though his writing isn’t perfect, Graham does a good job of veiling certain surprises and twists, so there are always some things I did not expect.

A good read.  I do recommend reading Beyond the Summerland first.

Beyond the Summerland by L. B. Graham

Back Cover: It was foretold after Malek’s first fall that twice more he would bring war, and that the last time, the very waters of the sea would obey him and fight for him. If this be so, then I cannot imagine how Sulare will escape his wrath….

Editor’s Review:  I read this book many years ago and really enjoyed it, probably because I identified easily with the protagonist.  The plot is interesting, and the story world that L. B. Graham creates is engrossing as well.

Graham’s writing needs some work, but since this is his first novel, that is often to be expected.  The other issue I have with the book was one of the big surprises, but I will not post it here because it is a big spoiler.  Perhaps it would make a good discussion for a forum post.

Overall I definitely recommend this book, and the series as well, especially for younger readers.  It is a great story and the Christian allegory is a blessing as well.

White by Ted Dekker

Back Cover: In one world, a lethal virus threatens to destroy all life as scientists and governments scramble to find an antidote. In the other, a forbidden love could forever destroy the ragtag resistance known as The Circle.

Thomas can bridge both worlds, but he is quickly realizing that he may not be able to save either. 

In this mind-bending adventure, Thomas must find a way to rewrite history as he navigates a whirlwind of emotions and events surrounding a pending apocalypse. 

The fate of two worlds comes down to one man’s choice–and it is a most unlikely choice indeed. 

Life. Death. Love. Nothing is as it seems. Yet all will forever be transformed by the decisions of one man in the final hours of the Great Pursuit.

Red by Ted Dekker

Back Cover: The mind-bending pace of Black accelerates in Red, Book Two of Ted Dekker’s epic Circle Series. Less than a month ago, Thomas Hunter was a failed writer selling coffee at the Java Hut in Denver. Now he finds himself in a desperate quest to rescue two worlds from collapse. In one world, he’s a battle-scarred general commanding an army of primitive warriors. In the other, he’s racing to outwit sadistic terrorists intent on creating global chaos through an unstoppable virus.

Two worlds on the brink of destruction. One unthinkable solution.

Enter an adrenaline-laced epic where dreams and reality collide. Nothing is as it seems, as Black turns to Red.

Black by Ted Dekker

Back Cover: Fleeing assailants through deserted alleyways, Thomas Hunter narrowly escapes to the roof of a building. Then a silent bullet from the night clips his head . . . and his world goes black.

From the blackness comes an amazing reality of another world where evil is contained. A world where Thomas Hunter is in love with a beautiful woman.

But then he remembers the dream of being chased through an alleyway as he reaches to touch the blood on his head. Where does the dream end and reality begin?

Every time he falls asleep in one world, he awakes in the other. Yet in both, catastrophic disaster awaits him . . . may even be caused by him.

Some say the world hangs in the balance of every choice we make. Now the fate of two worlds hangs in the balance of one man’s choices. 

Fleeing assailants through deserted alleyways, Thomas Hunter narrowly escapes to the roof of a building. Then a silent bullet from the night clips his head . . . and his world goes black.

From the blackness comes an amazing reality of another world where evil is contained. A world where Thomas Hunter is in love with a beautiful woman.

But then he remembers the dream of being chased through an alleyway as he reaches to touch the blood on his head. Where does the dream end and reality begin?

Every time he falls asleep in one world, he awakes in the other. Yet in both, catastrophic disaster awaits him . . . may even be caused by him.

Some say the world hangs in the balance of every choice we make. Now the fate of two worlds hangs in the balance of one man’s choices.

Return of the Guardian-King by Karen Hancock

Back Cover: Believed dead by all but the handful of supporters who rescued him from his Mataian enemies, Abramm Kalladorne has fled his homeland to the high mountains of northern Chesedh. Traveling under a new name with a group of bitter and increasingly desperate fellow exiles, Abramm hopes to reunite with his wife in Chesedh, where he will offer his services to her father in fighting the invading armies of the Black Moon. But with every step he is hindered, delayed, and diverted from the direction he desires to go, and it soon becomes clear Eidon has other plans for him.

In the royal city of Fannath Rill, Maddie alone believes Abramm still lives. But since she has no proof, her friends, family, and public opinion press her to remarry. With its neighboring realms now under enemy control, Chesedh has become the last bastion of Eidon’s Light. Desperately overmatched, it cannot survive on its own. Yet the rich, handsome eastern warlord who is openly courting Maddie has a vast fleet of galley ships that could turn the tide in Chesedh’s favor….

Editor’s Review: An excellent conclusion to this great series.  The characters, settings, and writing are very well done.  And once again, the allegorical elements are deep and meaningful.

My one complaint is that the ending seemed rushed to me.  I don’t want to ruin anything for those who haven’t read it, but suffice to say that I felt there were easily enough events to make a 5th book in the series.  Instead, some of the plot resolutions seemed rather hasty.

Aside from this, it is a great ending.  One of the best fantasy series out there.

Shadow over Kiriath by Karen Hancock

Back Cover: After months of conflict and opposition, Abramm Kalladorne has finally stepped into his destiny as king of Kiriath–only to find himself facing more problems than ever. The Mataio remains antagonistic, the failed rebellion’s supporters have slipped through his grasp to plot anew, bad luck plagues his every attempt to build Kiriath’s defenses…and that’s just the beginning.

As the forces of the Black Moon advance toward Kiriathan shores, Abramm agrees to a desperately needed alliance-by-marriage with neighboring Chesedh. But with the hour for his union approaching, he is horrified to discover that he has become dangerously attracted to his fiancie’s younger sister, the headstrong Lady Madeleine. Even worse, he learns that his attraction is reciprocated–just the sort of situation his enemies can use to destroy everything he’s trying to accomplish. And Eidon just might let them succeed.

Treachery and faithfulness, guilt and forgiveness, the joy of desires fulfilled and the pain of tragic loss all weave the tapestry of one man’s destiny realized–where mind-boggling blessings come wrapped in a mantle of suffering that will test Abramm’s faith to the limit and challenge everything he thinks he knows about himself and the one who owns his soul.

Editor’s Review:  Another excellent book in the Guardian-King series.  Once again, superb worldbuilding and characters make this a great read.  I would definitely recommend reading the first two books before this one, however.

As with the first two books, the allegory is deep and thought-provoking.  The hero struggles with fears and doubts about his past, as well as constant weakness in the present and I found it easy to identify with him.  This book and The Shadow Within are my two favorites of the series.