A themed book tour through Prism Book Tours.
The Valley of Decision
by Shannon McDermott
Adult Fantasy
Paperback, 416 pages
May 31st 2014 by SALT Christian Press
Where the Black Mountains pierce the sky, they divide the south from the north, Alamir from the kingdom of Belenus. Belenus, the undying master of the north, commanded Keiran – the Captain of the Hosts – to conquer Alamir. But the Captain is deep in conspiracy, and he has his own plans.
The Valley of Decision is a fantasy novel, a saga of slavery, freedom, and choices.
Like most fantasy books I've read, this story is pretty complex. There are lots of names to get used to and figure out where the characters and locations fit. I am a personal fan of lists of characters so I can refer back to it as needed and this book didn't have one (there is, however, a map which I found to be quite helpful). It started out slow to me and took me a while to really become invested. I'm glad I kept reading, though, because once the groundwork was set and the plot picked up, the story became fascinating and I was interested to read what would happen next.
The three main characters are all male: Keiran, Cael and Jarmith. They are all very different from each other and don't agree on everything, but manage to work together to bring freedom to their people. We were able to learn what compelled Keiran to fight for freedom when, in their world, it seemed like an impossibility. Some who appear to be on his side betray him and he has to make some tough choices. He also receives help from places he hadn't counted on. His plan was bold and he knew it would either pay off big or kill him, but it was a chance he was willing to take.
There are some subtle Christian references but this is a book that will appeal to anyone who enjoys reading about the pursuit of freedom. There are lots of moving parts that came together in the end for a satisfying conclusion. I'm glad I had the opportunity to read this, and I look forward to reading more from this author!
My Rating=4 Stars
*I received a copy from the tour host for review. My opinion is 100% my own.*
Adult Fantasy
Paperback, 416 pages
May 31st 2014 by SALT Christian Press
“A solid fantasy that wears its spirituality lightly yet effectively.”
~Kirkus Reviews (read the entire review here)
Where the Black Mountains pierce the sky, they divide the south from the north, Alamir from the kingdom of Belenus. Belenus, the undying master of the north, commanded Keiran – the Captain of the Hosts – to conquer Alamir. But the Captain is deep in conspiracy, and he has his own plans.
The Valley of Decision is a fantasy novel, a saga of slavery, freedom, and choices.
Like most fantasy books I've read, this story is pretty complex. There are lots of names to get used to and figure out where the characters and locations fit. I am a personal fan of lists of characters so I can refer back to it as needed and this book didn't have one (there is, however, a map which I found to be quite helpful). It started out slow to me and took me a while to really become invested. I'm glad I kept reading, though, because once the groundwork was set and the plot picked up, the story became fascinating and I was interested to read what would happen next.
The three main characters are all male: Keiran, Cael and Jarmith. They are all very different from each other and don't agree on everything, but manage to work together to bring freedom to their people. We were able to learn what compelled Keiran to fight for freedom when, in their world, it seemed like an impossibility. Some who appear to be on his side betray him and he has to make some tough choices. He also receives help from places he hadn't counted on. His plan was bold and he knew it would either pay off big or kill him, but it was a chance he was willing to take.
There are some subtle Christian references but this is a book that will appeal to anyone who enjoys reading about the pursuit of freedom. There are lots of moving parts that came together in the end for a satisfying conclusion. I'm glad I had the opportunity to read this, and I look forward to reading more from this author!
My Rating=4 Stars
*I received a copy from the tour host for review. My opinion is 100% my own.*
Shannon McDermott is a Christian author of speculative fiction, as well as a humorous detective series called "The Adventures of Christian Holmes". She has written both fantasy and science fiction, and has yet to decide on which one to like better.
She was born to Wisconsin, expatriates in California, grew up on the East Coast, and now lives in the Midwest. Her principal hobbies are politics, history, novels, and coffee.
Tour-Wide Giveaway
- INT Grand Prize: $25 Amazon gift card and ebooks of The Valley of Decision and The Sunrise Windows
- 2 print copies of The Valley of Decision (US only)
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1 comments:
I love the cover on this book. It sounds like a good one. The author looks so very young. Which is great for her, but dang, makes me feel old ;)
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