My father and I just finished The Age of Enchantment, the first of Anna James' Chronicles of Whetherwhy

My father and I just finished The Age of Enchantment, the first of Anna James' Chronicles of Whetherwhy.

Just because an author wrote one book you loved does not mean that one automatically reads, much less likes, their other, future books. Sometimes ones does, others times not – and this was absolutely the former! Coming strong off her Pages & Co. series, Anna James once more weaves her enchantment in this new series on the magical island of Whetherwhy, only instead of books the magic is rooted in the four seasons and everyone has the magic of the single season. All save Enchanters, who have the magic of them all.

Of course, this is Anna James, which means the plot – like the weather – is unpredictable. Juniper had more trouble getting her school of magic than I have ever read (I will never look at plant bulbs the same way again) and her twin Rafferty got himself into a bigger tangle, a harder knot, that Juniper's magpie and Zinnia's bloody stag. For all is not well in Whetherwhy, dark plots born of jealously and a desire for fairness spouting grim vines. Fortunately they contained the blight and healed their own divide. But the magical balance of the island is still off and we never did learn where the Queen stands in this.

IT'S OUT!

My full debut Epic Fantasy series, The Dragonkin Legacy, is now available on Amazon.

By the way, I did not choose June 1st at the release date arbitrarily. It just happened to also be the day the June edition of Kirkus Reviews Magazine came out – which includes their stellar review of the book.

“The worldbuilding is superb...[and] the characters are just as memorable...an enthralling epic teeming with valor, camaraderie, and searing battles.”
– Kirkus Reviews

 

I just finished Gift of Magic, Book 6 of Lynn Kurland's Novels of the Nine Kingdoms

I just finished Gift of Magic, Book 6 of Lynn Kurland's Novels of the Nine Kingdoms and the conclusion of its second trilogy.

Sometimes you have to walk back in order to move forward. You can choose your friends, but you cannot choose you relatives. Two age-old phrases that Ruithneadh of Ceangail and Sarah the dreamweaver would find very special appreciation for after learning who was leading them about, that Miach's theory was quite right, and where they ended up fighting a battle and building a home (two separate places these). And is not even talking Sarah's family history into account. But both family matters, and Gair of Ceangail's lifework, have been firmly to rest.

I will now say what I did after finishing the first trilogy: "I seldom dive into Romantic Fantasy...but this series caught and pulled me along with its ceaseless, heartfelt action. Seldom has any series chewed up entire afternoons the way this one has. Which is why I shall miss" Ruith and Sarah, for watching them first struggle against black mages and the past before ultimately prevailing was a gripping joy. Better still, they made it back to Mhorghain and Miach's wedding on time.

(Will I ever read the rest of the Novels of the Nine Kingdoms? Likely not, but who knows. I would like to see more of Rùnach and I just know the fate of the exiled Bruadair royals are involved, yet six more books is a lot to chew on though, and shelf space is, for me, almost as valuable as magic.) 

A new Harry, Ron, and Hermione

Tis no secret that HBO is making a Harry Potter TV series, but today we can finally put new faces to three very old, very dear, names. Behold the new Harry, Ron, and Hermione! Here is everything currently known:

"The series will be a faithful adaptation of the beloved “Harry Potter” book series by author and executive producer J.K. Rowling. The series will feature a new cast to lead a new generation of fandom, full of the fantastic detail and much-loved characters “Harry Potter” fans have loved for over twenty-five years. Each season will bring “Harry Potter” and these incredible adventures to new audiences around the world, while the original, classic and cherished films will remain at the core of the franchise and available to watch globally. The series is written and executive produced by Francesca Gardiner. Mark Mylod will executive produce and direct multiple episodes of the series for HBO in association with Brontë Film and TV and Warner Bros. Television. The series is executive produced by J.K. Rowling, Neil Blair, and Ruth Kenley-Letts of Brontë Film and TV, and David Heyman of Heyday Films."

Also, "this could be on HBO Max as early as 2026, according to BBC News." Beyond that and the general expectation born of curiosity and vicarious excitement, this news carries limited emotion resonance with me since I never watched the Harry Potter movie. But I LOVE the books and this proud Ravenclaw will not mince words: HBO – and the new trio – have some very large broomsticks to fly. But more power to them in trying to recast, so to speak, the spell that is Harry Potter and follow in the hallowed footsteps of the first three to let the world join them on the Hogwarts Express.

My The Dragonkin Legacy comes out under a week!

Yep! Hard to believe that June 1st is nigh upon us, and with it:

“The worldbuilding is superb...[and] the characters are just as memorable...an enthralling epic teeming with valor, camaraderie, and searing battles.”
– Kirkus Reviews

“À la Ursula K. Le Guin’s Earthsea saga… Adler’s world-building is exceptional and the character development and dynamism is impressive.”
– BlueInk Reviews

"Long ago, the continent of Cynnahu was shattered by a genocidal war between the native Dragonkin and invading human mages, leaving humanity victorious and the Dragonkin extinct. Now, millennia later, the descendants of those human conquerors face a newer yet still ancient enemy as a time dictated in Prophesy has arrived. A time when not one but five shall save – or fail to save – the Archipelago of Cynnahu in humanity’s Last War against the snake-folk of Nag Isle. A time when a Traveler, Orphan, Survivor, Student, and Lord will set sail to rediscover the secret of the Elder Song, the last magics of the Dragonkin.

They are Sakura, whose life is shattered when her entire family and home island are slaughtered; now orphaned and homeless, she seeks vengeance. Myrriden, the footsore mage and single father whose life is busy enough without a war. Emrys, Myrriden’s nervous son, who is certain he does not have what it takes to be a great mage like his dad. Volcan Darkrod, the enigmatic Fire Mage who’s past and powers are a mystery. And Archmage Hoth, the unflappable Leader of the Cynnahu folk who feels the weight of countless lives on his shoulders.

Guided by an ancient riddle recently uncovered by the famed Grey Owl Aneirin, this Team of Five must run a race of swords, spells, and dusty scrolls. But time is their greatest foe. Will the courage and wits of two eleven-year-olds and three vastly different mages be enough to free purposefully hidden secrets from forces predating human rule in Cynnahu to reunite the scattered Song while fighting a desperate war on land and sea? Only three things are certain: the past is not dead, where swords fail scrolls may prevail, and that humanity stands at the edge of extinction."

I just started Gift of Magic, Book 6 of Lynn Kurland's Novels of the Nine Kingdoms

I just started Gift of Magic, Book 6 of Lynn Kurland's Novels of the Nine Kingdoms.

Sometimes the only thing to do is walk opened-eyed into what is likely a trap; in this case beyond likely seeing as the breadcrumbs leading them are spell-fragments that, unlike most books of magic, absolutely deserves to be tossed into the nearest white-hot bonfire. So the questions are who is leading Ruith and Sarah on this merry chase, and which of the many black mages after Gair of Ceangail's lifework will try to kill them first? I have a suspicion of course, and Miach's theory must be considered as well – and there is always the horrible possibility that both are involved – but, regardless, the Nine Kingdoms will not dream easy until this family matter is put to rest.

I just finished Spellweaver, Book 5 of Lynn Kurland's Novels of the Nine Kingdoms

I just finished Spellweaver, Book 5 of Lynn Kurland's Novels of the Nine Kingdoms.

Evil spells stolen, mysteriously called, and laid out like breadcrumbs for Ruithneadh of Ceangail and Sarah of not-where-she-thought to follow, which means either someone is leading them on like a reluctant pony, fell magic is at work, or both – and I would bet a good mug of apple-flavored ale tis the latter. Still, at least shattered souls and lost identifies have been reassembled and found, nine of ten required princess have been danced with, and Sarah told who she was to the king of the elves who thankfully approves of her. Elves do shapechange, by the way, and so do horses – the latter of which is very useful when escaping a lunatic queen. Now I just hope a certain archmage's suspicion is unfounded but, alas, he has not been wrong yet.