Review of The Darkness Within (A Dragon's Spell, book 4)

The Darkness Within (A Dragon’s Spell, book 4)

Author: Abby Arthur

Publisher: Abby Arthur

Publication Date: December 2020

    In this fourth and final short story in a four-story series, the three royal siblings of Jasikx and the adopted son of the dragon who controls them are sent on a mission together. Twins Tarrek and Albree, their sister Sheva, and their accomplice Zi are a powerful four. But faced with two enemy dragons, a highly trained samurai, and the samurai’s family, they find themselves desperately struggling just to survive, let alone acquire the samurai target the dragon sent them after.

    Albree is the archetype perfect teenage boy - with bravery, looks, charm, and wit to spare. Fortunately, his potentially annoying perfection is leavened with comedic sarcasm. Quietly intelligent, cheeky in the way that comes with being the older twin, and thoughtfully solemn at points, Tarrek is Albree’s well-matched counterpart. Sheva, cheeky sister and eager fighter, brings humor to match Tarrek’s seriousness and power and prowess to battle. Zi  - a sassy, skilled, unlikely partner to the royal trio - is an entertainer out of battle and a fierce, levelheaded opponent when he needs to complete a mission. The convergence of all four characters in this, the fourth and final installment, brings the collection to a climactic end anticipatory of the next volume. I would recommend this short story to middle grade fantasy readers looking for a familiar type of kingdom - one with heroes bound to save people, but also needing to fight their own demons.

- D. K. Nuray

Review of Dragon's Blood (A Dragon's Spell, book 3)

Dragon’s Blood (A Dragon’s Spell, book 3)

Author: Abby Arthur

Publisher: Abby Arthur

Publication Date: December 2020

    In this third short story in a four-story series, prince Tarrek Vaydmehn isn’t fighting with his twin, Albree, by his side. Instead, Zi, adopted son of the dragon controlling Tarrek and his brother, is the prince’s next mission partner. Tarrek, a master archer with the ability to bend light, is a force to be reckoned with on his own. But Zi is a master in another skill - magic. When the two of them face an elf who can block Tarrek’s light bending powers, Zi might be the only one who can save them.

    Quietly intelligent, cheeky in the way that comes with being the older twin, and thoughtfully solemn at points, Tarrek is Albree’s well-matched counterpart. Zi  - a sassy, skilled, unlikely partner to Tarrek - is an entertainer out of battle and a fierce, levelheaded opponent when he needs to complete a mission. Fragments of information about the rest of Tarrek and Zi’s personal lives help build them as characters and make readers emotionally invested in the next chapter of their journey. I would recommend this short story to middle grade fantasy readers looking for a familiar type of kingdom - one with heroes bound to save people, but also needing to fight their own demons.

- D. K. Nuray

Review of Shattered Blades (A Dragon's Spell, book 2)

Shattered Blades (A Dragon’s Spell, book 2)

Author: Abby Arthur

Publisher: Abby Arthur

Publication Date: December 2020

    In this second short story in a four-story series, we meet crown prince Tarrek Vaydmehn of Jasikx, twin of prince Albree Vaydmehn. If their lives were entirely their own, the royal pair would be partying after a performance by Albree and his sister Sheva’s band. Instead, the brothers are under the control of a dragon’s spell. This time, Albree and Tarrek are chasing after a multiplier, whom the dragon wants alive. The mission would be hard enough on its own, but a mysterious opponent who attacks both the princes and the multiplier makes it even worse.

    Albree is the archetype perfect teenage boy - with bravery, looks, charm, and wit to spare. Fortunately, his potentially annoying perfection is leavened with comedic sarcasm. Quietly intelligent, cheeky in the way that comes with being the older twin, and thoughtfully solemn at points, Tarrek is Albree’s well-matched counterpart. There’s some apparent substance to our young heroes as well. In a few short chapters, readers get to glimpse them vulnerable, persevering, frustrated, courageous, infatuated, and intelligent. Fragments of information about the rest of Albree and Tarrek’s personal lives help build them as characters and make readers emotionally invested in the next few chapters of their journey. I would recommend this short story to middle grade fantasy readers looking for a familiar type of kingdom - one with princes bound to save people, but also needing to fight their own demons.

- D. K. Nuray

Review of Fire and Shadow (A Dragon's Spell, book 1)

NOTE: As you'll soon find out by reading this review, it is for a short story that is the first in a four-story series. I will be releasing reviews for each short story in individual posts. For readers who consistently look at this blog or are planning on reading the reviews for each short story, know that the summaries for each will be different, but the portion of the reviews that "analyze" the writing, plot, etc, will be more or less the same.

Fire and Shadow (A Dragon’s Spell, book 1)

Author: Abby Arthur

Publisher: Abby Arthur

Publication Date: December 2020

    In this first short story in a four-story series, we meet Albree Vaydmehn, prince of Jasikx. Albree’s having a terrible birthday week. The ability to travel through shadows, something that has always been his refuge, has been twisted into a curse; a dragon has him under a spell, forcing him to chase after a firebender. The spell doesn’t care that he’s in a band, that he has a twin brother and a little sister, and that his sweet sixteen has officially been ruined. It wants him to secure his target, no matter the toll.

    Albree is the archetype perfect teenage boy - with bravery, looks, charm, and wit to spare. Fortunately, his potentially annoying perfection is leavened with comedic sarcasm. And there’s some apparent substance to our young hero. In a few short chapters, readers get to glimpse Albree vulnerable, persevering, frustrated, courageous, infatuated, and intelligent. Fragments of information about the rest of Albree’s personal life help build him as a character and create a lead-in for the second short story. Unfortunately, the influx of information can sometimes be overwhelming and create confusing references. I would recommend this short story to middle grade fantasy readers looking for a familiar type of kingdom - one with a prince bound to save people, but also needing to fight his own demons.

- D. K. Nuray