Book Review: Annals of Alasia gives an idea on how to know your characters

Hi everyone. It's time for another book review. Today's lucky winner is none other than Annals of Alasia.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Story:
This book follows the author Annie Douglass Lima as she conducts interviews with each of her characters from the three books of the Alasia series. While there's not actual storyline the events flow really well and the characters act as if it's really happening. Lima also acts realistically as she interviews the inhabitants of Alasia and Malorn, both good and bad. This is definitely one to have if you've enjoyed her other books. However her method of interviewing her characters could be useful for other authors to get to know their characters.
Caution:
Nothing to worry about here. People do recount deeds of treason.
Lessons:
Everyone has a story to tell.

Review: Prince of Alasia is a Great Read

Hi everyone. Sorry about the hiatus in blogging. I got distracted with the internet and school. Anyway I got a book to review here. It's the first of the Annals of Alasia series, Prince of Alasia.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Story:
Prince of Alasia is about Prince Jaymin, whose life is turned upside down when soldiers from the neighboring kingdom of Malorn invade and kill his parents. Jaymin, with his best friend/bodyguard Erik, is forced into hiding. While living as a peasant, Jaymin learns how hard life is for his subjects, and witnesses first hand the cruelty and injustice the Malornian soldiers inflict upon the people. Prince Jaymin has to learn not only how to survive, but how to become the king Alasia needs him to be.
Even though I read the third book first I still found this story enjoyable. Annie Douglass Lima doesn't waste time in her fantasies coming up with a bunch of mystical races. Her stories focus on the people themselves and the lives they live. Jaymin's struggle to believe in himself and the loyalty of Erik make this story a must read. The life of peasantry is well written here, and the emotions of the people oppressed by their conquerors are accurately written. There were times where I was thinking in a similar fashion to the Alasians even though I knew there was more at work. Don't leave this book sitting on a shelf.
Caution:
A woman drinks alcohol. Some people might get angry at the cruelty of the Malornian soldiers. A boy mentions being beaten cruelly by a soldier. Two boys get into a fight, and some blood is mentioned. A boy fights off two soldiers. Two armies fight, but it is non-graphic.
Lessons:
When the rights of the people are oppressed by their leaders, it is the duty of the citizen to protect their freedoms. We should not be angry at those who wrong us because we don't always have the facts. Don't be afraid to stand up for your rights and freedoms. We should seek to learn as much as we can. The greatest act of love is to lay down your life for another. We may not always feel qualified to do the things we are called to do in life, but if we have faith we can do anything.

Book review: Prince of Malorn does not disappoint. An instant classic.

Hi everyone. If you're aware this week is the 4th year anniversary for the release of my book so I'll be sure to do some blog posts when I can to celebrate. There's also going to be a party on Facebook. In the meantime I have another book to review:

Rating: Five out of Five stars
Story:
Prince of Malorn is a great coming of age story. Prince Korram is approaching the age where he will be old enough to take the throne of Malorn. There's just one problem: An evil regent is out to take the throne for himself, and Korram believes the regent has practically all the politicians and military on his side. He heads to the Impassable Mountains to recruit the Mountain Folk for help. When he finds himself stranded in the mountains he is taken in by a family of Mountain Folk and learns to survive and be one of them. Prince Korram must work to make peace between his people and the Mountain Folk, survive the dangers of the mountains, and recruit an army if he is to become Malorn's next king, but is he up to the task?
Annie Douglas Lima is a storytelling enchantress. She builds an incredibly realistic world of fantasy and adventure. She doesn't waste time including a bunch of various magical races, and she makes the mundane seem just as impressive and dangerous. The culture of the Mountain Folk and the Malornians really resounds with you and you can feel the tension, distrust, and pain. The horses of her world are incredibly loyal and smarter than a lot of people would give credit for. If you love fantasy or good literature you should definitely pick up Prince of Malorn and the rest of the Annals of Alasia series.
Caution:
Nothing really to worry about here. Some blood is mentioned when facing wild animals but nothing serious. A girl is killed on accident. There is a battle scene and the fighting does get intense, but there is no excessive or needless gore.
Lessons:
We should take the time to get to know the people around us. Our world is filled with a rich diversity of cultures and we should take the time to learn about them. Love and forgiveness are more powerful than hate. Adoptive families can be just as loving and caring as biological families. We should have the courage to stand up for our rights and freedoms when evil people seek to take them away.