Shadows of the Realm
The Circle of Talia Book 1
by Dionne Lister
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Pub Date Apr 23 2012 | Archive Date May 03 2013
Description
With their world under threat of invasion, Bronwyn and Blayke, two young realmists, are forced to leave all they’ve known to undertake a dangerous journey to learn the magic of the realms before everything they love is destroyed.
The young Realmists’ journey pushes them away from all they’ve known, to walk in the shadows toward Vellonia, city of the dragons, where an even darker shadow awaits.
A Note From the Publisher
The second book in the series will be out on the 15th April, 2013.
The second book in the series will be out on the 15th April, 2013.
Advance Praise
Excellently written Lyrical Fantasy High Adventure, May 12, 2012By Mallory Anne-Marie Haws "Fair and authentic r... (Montezuma, GA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER) (REAL NAME) This review is from: Shadows of the Realm (The Circle of Talia) (Kindle Edition)This debut novel is the first of a series (The Circle of Talia) and is a smooth-reading, delightful, high fantasy. Even readers who don't usually head for the fantasy shelves can find much to delight in here, as did I. The writing is excellent, and author Dionne Lister deserves much more than five stars for her ability with lyrical description, which makes the reading flow so well.
The characters are superbly delineated, and the action is realistic and intriguing. A good balance is achieved between destiny and free will in the lives of the characters, an effect not always managed in fantasy stories. The world-building is also very accomplished. In fact, I encourage readers to keep an eye on author Dionne Lister and anticipate, as I am, the next installments in The Circle of Talia series.Help other customers find the most helpful reviews Was this review helpful to you? Yes NoReport abuse | PermalinkComment Comment
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful5.0 out of 5 stars Best fantasy read of 2012!, May 17, 2012By Amber Norrgard - See all my reviewsThis review is from: Shadows of the Realm (The Circle of Talia) (Kindle Edition)Dionne Lister's Shadows of the Realm starts out with a scene that grabs you, and does not let go, even after you've finished reading. Exceptional in the fact that it is a completely unique novel, Lister creates a new world that is so realistic, it makes the reader want to grab a ticket and head over for a nice permanent vacation. I fell in love with the characters, and was disappointed when the novel ended, and am ready for more. I will be impatiently waiting the rest of the books in the series, and am desperate for more!Help other customers find the most helpful reviews Was this review helpful to you? Yes NoReport abuse | PermalinkComment Comment
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful5.0 out of 5 stars Oddly familiar but fantastical fantay, June 19, 2012By Helen2011 - See all my reviewsThis review is from: Shadows of the Realm (The Circle of Talia) (Kindle Edition)I picked up this book knowing a little of what to expect, dragons, adventure, good vs evil. I started reading and then could not put the book down until I had finished. I lost track of time reading it.
The book centers around a secret group called Realmists, possessed of magical powers who are sworn to protect their world, Talia, from the evil race that exists in another realm. This race once lived on Talia and were banished, but are determined to return.
The book contains a surprising variety of characters, ranging from teenagers through to adults and magicians of advanced age. And of course the dragons, who in this case are portrayed as being on the side of the realm. The dragon characterisation is fascinating. The words used to draw a picture of their intelligence, strength, and their nature are so powerful that the reader has absolutely no difficulty in accepting them as part of the world we are drawn into. Equally the human characters are drawn as individuals, each with their own backgrounds, faults, opinions and reactions. Again it makes it very easy to find yourself drawn into their world.
Realmists can bond with one selected animal, a creatura, and even these are well drawn with a great variety of animals used. I found it a pleasant surprise to be able to read about , as it were, familiars who range from rats to panthers. Another pleasant surprise is the way that the Creatura's point of view is also presented.
All through the book I felt an odd sense of familiarity. I could not pin down why at first, it was not that I had seen the plot or any major plot devices used before. Some elements of the world drawn can be found in other fantasy novels, for example familiars, but that was not it either. In the end I simply had to conclude that it was due to the way the writing drew me in and made me feel a part of the book from start to finish.
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER) (REAL NAME) This review is from: Shadows of the Realm (The Circle of Talia) (Kindle Edition)This debut novel is the first of a series (The Circle of Talia) and is a smooth-reading, delightful, high fantasy. Even readers who don't usually head for the fantasy shelves can find much to delight in here, as did I. The writing is excellent, and author Dionne Lister deserves much more than five stars for her ability with lyrical description, which makes the reading flow so well.
The characters are superbly delineated, and the action is realistic and intriguing. A good balance is achieved between destiny and free will in the lives of the characters, an effect not always managed in fantasy stories. The world-building is also very accomplished. In fact, I encourage readers to keep an eye on author Dionne Lister and anticipate, as I am, the next installments in The Circle of Talia series.Help other customers find the most helpful reviews Was this review helpful to you? Yes NoReport abuse | PermalinkComment Comment
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful5.0 out of 5 stars Best fantasy read of 2012!, May 17, 2012By Amber Norrgard - See all my reviewsThis review is from: Shadows of the Realm (The Circle of Talia) (Kindle Edition)Dionne Lister's Shadows of the Realm starts out with a scene that grabs you, and does not let go, even after you've finished reading. Exceptional in the fact that it is a completely unique novel, Lister creates a new world that is so realistic, it makes the reader want to grab a ticket and head over for a nice permanent vacation. I fell in love with the characters, and was disappointed when the novel ended, and am ready for more. I will be impatiently waiting the rest of the books in the series, and am desperate for more!Help other customers find the most helpful reviews Was this review helpful to you? Yes NoReport abuse | PermalinkComment Comment
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful5.0 out of 5 stars Oddly familiar but fantastical fantay, June 19, 2012By Helen2011 - See all my reviewsThis review is from: Shadows of the Realm (The Circle of Talia) (Kindle Edition)I picked up this book knowing a little of what to expect, dragons, adventure, good vs evil. I started reading and then could not put the book down until I had finished. I lost track of time reading it.
The book centers around a secret group called Realmists, possessed of magical powers who are sworn to protect their world, Talia, from the evil race that exists in another realm. This race once lived on Talia and were banished, but are determined to return.
The book contains a surprising variety of characters, ranging from teenagers through to adults and magicians of advanced age. And of course the dragons, who in this case are portrayed as being on the side of the realm. The dragon characterisation is fascinating. The words used to draw a picture of their intelligence, strength, and their nature are so powerful that the reader has absolutely no difficulty in accepting them as part of the world we are drawn into. Equally the human characters are drawn as individuals, each with their own backgrounds, faults, opinions and reactions. Again it makes it very easy to find yourself drawn into their world.
Realmists can bond with one selected animal, a creatura, and even these are well drawn with a great variety of animals used. I found it a pleasant surprise to be able to read about , as it were, familiars who range from rats to panthers. Another pleasant surprise is the way that the Creatura's point of view is also presented.
All through the book I felt an odd sense of familiarity. I could not pin down why at first, it was not that I had seen the plot or any major plot devices used before. Some elements of the world drawn can be found in other fantasy novels, for example familiars, but that was not it either. In the end I simply had to conclude that it was due to the way the writing drew me in and made me feel a part of the book from start to finish.
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Available Editions
| EDITION | Ebook |
| ISBN | 9780987307804 |
| PRICE | $3.99 (USD) |
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