Enjoyable and entertaining but not without problems. #BookReview

A Dream of Storms

Written by William Kenney

Genre: Fantasy

Book Synopsis

The leaves were falling in Elfwhere, but autumn had never come to the land of the Elves. It was a sign. The dark one, Mournenhile had returned, reborn into the world of Kirkaldin. He was thought destroyed twelve years ago during the Battle of the Black Sun.

Hagan Marindel had emerged from that battle a hero. The world sang his praises and showered him with gifts. He had rejected it all, instead returning home and going into a drunken seclusion. He had become a hollow, wretched shell of his former self.

Until now.

Bec's Rating

Bec's Review

This is one of those stories that is both slow and fast. It is slow in that at points not much seems to happen in terms of the writing, and yet fast at other points, and in that everything happens in the space of a few days. As a fantasy story is has much potential and yet something about it causes it to fall just short of that potential. Sure there are Elves, Mages, Trolls and great Heroes, not to mention a quest and yet something is missing.

That’s not to say this isn’t an interesting book. I did enjoy reading it however I doubt I’ll go out of my way to obtain the next in the series. There were certain points I enjoyed a lot but at the same time there were some points I found dull or confusing. At times the inclusion of a glossary (a common inclusion in many fantasy stories) might have helped clear up the confusion. For instance, one of the characters is a “Woodwarden” and yet I cannot recall what a Woodwarden was, if it was mentioned at all. There were other names and terms that could have been explained and a glossary would have helped to keep track of which M name is which on the side of evil in this story.

If you’re a fan of fantasy stories then do give this a go. It is certainly enjoyable overall and despite having some problems is, for the most part, entertaining. However if you are new to genre or after an enthralling that drags you in and doesn’t let go then perhaps this is not the one for you. For while it is good it sadly falls shy of its potential to be truly great.

Disclaimer: May not be appropriate for children due to violence.