#bookreview ~ Dragon Redeemer (World of Aluvia #3) #YA @AmyBearce

Dragon Redeemer

(World of Aluvia #3)

By

Amy Bearce

Four years have passed since a fairy swarm released the voice of prophecy in Nell Brennan. In that painful moment, a skilled warrior became a reluctant leader and defender of Aluvia’s magic. Now a new enemy threatens their still-fragile lands, one Nell feels powerless to stop even with help from the voice within her.

A mysterious dark alchemist from the Ice-Locked Lands is rising to power on the strength of his sword arm and an ice-breathing dragon obedient to his command. He promises unlimited magic to his followers and death to those who defy him. If he takes over the ports, his corrupt elixirs will disrupt the delicate balance of peace between Aluvia's people and all magical creatures.

The voice of prophecy sends Nell and her friends to their enemy’s treacherous domain to find a sword of legend. Only the sword’s magic can prevent a return to a world of dying fairies and caged merfolk. But Nell’s up against the toughest foe she’s ever faced. In order to defeat him, she must master the unimaginable power of the sword―and the unwanted magic inside herself.

What did I make of the book?

Magic in the wrong hands will bring misery to all.

Nell Brennan has started to hear voices, which on the face of it is nothing new, for often she is paralysed by a strange prognostic magic that she has no control over. However, this time the voice is talking directly to her, and no one else can hear it. It is a worrying new development.

Then news comes of a powerful alchemist who has mastered dragons and other magical creatures and can now bend them to his will. This mysterious man threatens to destroy everything Nell and her friends hold dear. But to defeat him, Nell must embrace the magic inside of her. If she does not, then certain doom awaits the land of Aluvia, for no one, whether that be human or magical creature, will ever be safe again.

The world that Ms Bearce has woven is the most magical of places. It is a place where mythical creatures live alongside humans in relative harmony. Through Bearce's most captivating prose it is easy to imagine fairies, griffins and snow spirts. And of course the dragons, who are a proud and noble race. The dragons are the rulers of the skies and bow down to no one — apart from the windsteeds, but no one has seen one of them in years.  I was completely captivated by the world Bearce has created.  I felt as if I could feel the cold of the snow on my hands and the hot breath of a dragon on my face.

Nell is a very strong character who hates the magic she has been 'gifted' with and would love to go back to doing what she does best — being a warrior. But fate has other plans for Nell. When the prophecy calls for her to save Aluvia, she does not shrink from her responsibilities but faces them head on and with a courage that is wondrous to behold. The task ahead seems impossible, and she has her moments of doubt, but her struggle to fight the corrupted magic and to see past the anger and the hate and find in her heart love and compassion makes for a compelling read. Nell is not alone in this journey, her friends are steadfast in their loyalty to her and are willing to, quite literally, travel with her to the dangerous unknown to help her save Aluvia.

Dragon Redeemer is book 3 of a series — I have not read the other books, but I didn't need to. This book stands tall and proud on its own merit, although I have to confess I will definitely be reading the other two books in the series as soon as possible, for I want to return to this fascinating and wonderful land.

This book was pure escapism for me. Time seemed to stand still while the pages flew by. This is a sit-down and finish book and one I would not hesitate in recommending.

I Highly Recommend.

I received an ARC of this book from Curiosity Quills Press for review consideration.

Links for Purchase

Expected publication:

May 23rd 2017

by Curiosity Quills Press

Amazon author page

About the author

Amy Bearce writes fantasy stories for tweens and teens. Her debut, FAIRY KEEPER, is an upper-middle grade fantasy and is the first book in the World of Aluvia series. MER-CHARMER (World of Aluvia, Book Two) released May 9, 2016. Book Three, Dragon Redeemer, is scheduled for release May 23, 2017. She is a former reading teacher who now has her Masters in Library Science. As an Army kid, she moved eight times before she was eighteen, so she feels especially fortunate to be married to her high school sweetheart. Together they’re raising two daughters and are currently living in Germany, though they'll be heading home to Texas this summer.