Book Review: “All From Dreams” by Bethanie F. DeVors

Title: All From Dreams (Book One of The Seodrassian Chronicles)

Genre: Fantasy

Author: Bethanie F. DeVors

Rating: 3/5

 

All From Dreams is very much the kind of book that makes me love this genre above all others, because there really are no limits on where your imagination can take you.

The world-building alone is expansive and epic, with details scattered throughout the story so skilfully that you know all about the land of Seodrass before you even realise it. The premise is clever, and while it could possibly be seen as “tropey wish-fulfilment” it’s just so well written that I defy a single person who loves the genre could ever look down on it for that. Who hasn’t wished their epic quest dreams wouldn’t come true in some way?

The writing itself is very beautiful. The story flowed from one scene to the next with such ease, there was never a dull moment. The descriptive work was solid, and the characters realistic, full of a wide spectrum of emotion and purpose that I always love to see in any book I read.

All From Dreams is the escapist fantasy we all long for, and I think it was very well executed. I look forward to reading more of the series.

If you’re interested in learning more about the epic realm of Seodrass or the highly skilled author who has brought it to life, here is a link to the facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/authorbethaniealongi

Book Review: “Silver Shackles” by Fiona Skye

Title: Silver Shackles (Book two of the “Revelations” trilogy)

Author: Fiona Skye

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Rating: 4/5

 

Fiona Skye’s stories are clever, intricate, well-paced, and beautifully written. I have a weakness for clever, resourceful, and fierce female characters, personally, and no one delivers quite like Riley O’Rourke. She is, to me, a standard for every well-written woman of fiction, and trust me when I say I can give no higher praise than that.

It’s no secret that there’s a sad lack of three-dimensional women in literature, most writers falling back quite lazily on the “she’s-a-strong-female-character-because-she-punches-stuff-and-so-she-doesn’t-need-any-actual-depth-or-development” trope, which honestly died a death way back in the early 90’s as far as I’m concerned. Readers want more than that now, and Fiona Skye delivers where so many others lack.

As much as I love Riley – who is complex, caring, career-driven, and makes as many mistakes as she fixes – there is also a huge, diverse cast of other women, too. Both faerie queens are ferocious in very different ways, Penny is a kind-hearted human gauntlet, Orla the straight-speaking good witch, and even conniving Jenny, are all side characters that light up an already brilliant story.

And those are just the women! David, in particular, deserves honourable mention. His role in this book was crucial, and while I don’t want to give away any spoilers, it wouldn’t have been the same story without him.

If you’re interested in finding out more about Fiona Skye and her work, here is a link to her website (Here: http://fiona-skye.com/ ) and her facebook page (Here: https://www.facebook.com/fionaskyewriter )