Book Review/Excerpt-The Seven Kingdoms, Darkening Lands-Harry G. Sherwin | Miki's Hope

Book Review/Excerpt-The Seven Kingdoms, Darkening Lands-Harry G. Sherwin

Saturday, August 31, 2013

When I was asked by the author to read and review this book (I actually read an e-book version!) I was not sure what I was in for. I generally do not read fantasies, although I have been know to pick one up in occasion. I certainly did not expect to be drawn into this mythical novel about Elves, Goblins, Vampires, Werewolves. dragons and a couple of other mythical creatures all coming together to fight evil magicians! This is definitely a good vs evil book and there is a twist which may break your heart. All in all I enjoyed this book and look forward to the sequel--evil does not give up very easily!


About the Book: (from Amazon)

"For the first time in over a thousand years the Seven Kingdoms of Justava are at peace with each other. As age old tensions melt away, the people are able to rest easily in their homes, safe in the knowledge that war will trouble them no longer. But a new power is growing in the heart of Justava, an unseen malice that threatens to destroy the fragile peace and throw Justava back into chaos and war.
With the evil Necromancer Empire spreading to every corner of the Seven Kingdoms, it falls upon two young elves who lost everything to this new evil to make a stand. Together, Brenik and Nalia must overcome age old prejudices and travel deep into the wilds of Justava in order to raise their banner and ignite the fires of rebellion."


Excerpt: (from the e-book)

Prologue

A gentle summer breeze drifted lazily between the tall, grassy shoots of the vast, moonlit
meadow. Other than the soft rustling of the long stems the meadow was quiet, the tranquil
scene spreading out to the tall mountains that lay watchfully in the distance.
A small mouse suddenly sprang from between the grass and scurried excitedly
through the grasslands on its way home. There was something about the way the mouse
kept glancing back over its shoulder though, the way that his eyes were sat so wide in his
tiny head and how his ears were pressed against his body. The mouse was afraid.
The mouse's tiny legs pounded against his sides as he raced through the meadow,
dodging and weaving his way around sticks the size of fallen trees and stones the size of
boulders. His tiny heart raced in his chest as his pursuer hissed violently from behind him.
A hawk cried out as it circled watchfully overhead. The mouse glanced up, wishing
that it was only the hawk that was chasing him instead of these things, these monsters.
A thin ray of light suddenly penetrated the thick grass and the mouse squeaked in
triumph as he leapt from the tall shoots into the small, earthy clearing where his burrow
was dug. With one final, desperate push he jumped forward and dove into the safety of his
hole.
From outside there came a sharp hiss of disdain and what little moonlight that
entered the hole was suddenly blocked as a long, skeletal hand reached into the burrow
after the mouse. The mouse pressed himself against the back of the wall, his eyes wide in
terror as the pale hand probed the depths of his home, getting closer and closer. A series
of loud shouts suddenly filled the air and with an angry hiss the ragged hand slowly
withdrew back into the outside world.
The mouse breathed heavily, sucking in great lungfuls of air as the adrenaline that
had filled his body during the pursuit began to seep away. He could relax; the chase was
over; he was alive. But deep down in his tiny chest, the mouse knew that that was not the
case. For nestled away at the back of his small brain he knew what he had escaped.
The darkness was coming.


This book can be purchased at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About the Author: (from Amazon)


Harry Sherwin was born in Southampton, England and raised not far away in the small village of Whiteparish. Harry has always had a keen interest in reading and writing and spent much of his childhood coming up with wild stories of dragons and knights. The idea of the Seven Kingdoms came to Harry whilst on holiday and at last he decided to pursue his passion and write his story down. Despite working on A levels at the same time, Harry persevered with help from his friends, family and teachers and at last produced the first book in what he hopes will be a series of successful novels.

To learn more about this author and his work please visit his website





I received an e-book version of this book for review purposes. All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

18 comments :

JC said...

This isn't the type of book I would read either but I like that it has a lot of characters and things going on. And that twist has me intrigued, I'm a sucker for those.

ReviewsSheRote said...

not really my type of book---but you gave it a good review.

Beck Valley Books said...

That's funny, I am exactly the same, the fantasy genre isn't my normal genre either yet I have just read book 1 and 2 of a trilogy and absolutely love it. I think my preferences might be changing !! I'm liking the sound of this one aswell.

Matt Gordon said...

A great review :)

Unknown said...

I only recently became a fantasy fan (a few months ago) and now I can't remember what turned me off the genre before. They are so imaginative and definitely transport the reader to a different world, two things I look for in a good book. This one sounds like it fits the bill. Definitely adding it to my reading list.

Christy Maurer said...

I love fantasy books! This sounds like a great one! Gonna have to add this to my zillion TBR books lol!

Lauren Ruiz said...

I feel the prologue has too many adjectives and adverbs. They slow the story down for me. :/ If they were just picked up and thrown out, the writing would be much sharper--in fact, it would be great.

Does anyone else see this, or am I prone to seeing this because I'm an editor? Lol.

Melinda Dunne said...

I actually like to read fantasy books every now and again to switch things up. My son and I like to read books that we can share. If I am unsure of the content I read it first. I would really like to read this.

Loreina said...

I don't usually read fantasy either.

Happy Gardening, Kim said...

You know I don't read them!! Did you get scared when reading it??? hehehe.

Another great book review from Michele!

Amy said...

I'm with you, I don't normally read fantasy books either. Although, I'll be honest I haven't really read a lot in the last six years (since my girls were born).

Chubskulit Rose said...

I don't remember reading a fantasy book but this sounds very interesting.

Nova said...

Totally opposite with your interest on reading books, those are some of the interest books i like to read, gives me thrill and chills while reading them.

Jennifer said...

I'm not a huge fantasy reader, but I'm going to recommend it to a good friend of mine who reads a ton of fantasy. I think she'd love it! Thanks for the great review and sharing the prologue too!

Czjai said...

You've been reading a lot of e-books these days. :)

Tingting R. said...

I do not read fantasy books, but my daughter does. This is more for her than me. :-)

Pinx said...

I am so not into fantasy books as well, but the weird thing is, I like to watch fantasy movies... anyway, that's a very good review.

Unknown said...

I am not into fantasy book and ebook for that matter. But I think hubby wll like this.

 
Miki's Hope . Design by Pocket