The Last of the Firedrakes (The Avalonia Chronicles, #1)

by Farah Oomerbhoy

• ISBN10: 1940014700
• ISBN13: 9781940014708
• Publish Date: 15 August 2015
• Publish Status: Active
• Imprint: Wise Ink
• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English

Reviews

[Danielle Ackley-McPhail]

I wanted to enjoy this book and for the most part the story was fairly good, but too much of the tension depended on the main character defiantly doing the wrong thing and then angsting over whether or not she did the wrong thing. At the beginning of the book this was kind of understandable and forgivable with Aurora having been torn from her world and having to deal with a complete new one she doesn't understand, but by the end of the book this just made her unsympathetic as repeatedly she runs headlong into trouble regardless of the consequences to herself and others, all the while justifying it in her head.

Too many points of the story were run into the ground with constant repetition in the narrative, with the same details repeating over and over again, as if we might have forgotten along the way...again.

That having been said, I really enjoyed the magic system and the descriptions of the world, though way too many times Aurora was sharing details about her surroundings she really should not have known.

This author has some serious potential, but she also needs a serious developmental editor to help her achieve it.

[angelarenea9]

This review is posted on my blog

I received this book as an advanced reading copy through Netgally from Wise Ink Creative Publishing and before I say anything I would like to say a big thank you to them for allowing me to read this book.

The long asked question of 'what to read after Harry Potter' has been answered, as long as you don't mind a bit of déjà vu. I thoroughly enjoyed Oomerbhoy's masterpiece, from the stunning cover, to the cliff hanger at the end, and all the wonderfulness between. It took me a bit to get going, but once I did I couldn't put it down!

I was initially a little put off by the similarities in the plot to the Harry Potter series, it felt like someone chopped the books into chapter sized hunks, mixed them up and stripped away the details, then put them back together and filled in with a new story. As the book went on, however, the comparisons lessened and it grew in it's own right, blooming into a very compelling story. It still puts you in mind of Dursleys, Hogwarts, and a certain blonde would-be villain, but it has a flavor all it's own.

I was very impressed with Aurora's character. She was flawed, and young, but she was very likable. I don't always love main characters, but she felt very real to me. She was not obnoxiously over confident, but she also did not float about putting herself down so others would praise her. I liked that she has dark hair, and that she loves her dark hair. This stuck with me for some reason, and I started to picture her like princess Jasmine from Disney's Aladdin!

There was a romantic side to this book, and again, I must say it was beautifully written. I am normally left on the outside of romances looking in thinking 'good, she is happy,' or 'they want to be together' but that was not the case here. There is a point in this book, where Aurora and Rafe's inevitable romance just hits me! Not only did I want it to work out, but Oomerbhoy paints such a beautiful picture of longing that it leaks out of the page and you can feel it.

Rafe was probably my favorite, and I couldn't help but picture him as a cross between Flynn Rider, and Aladdin! He put me in mind of a Robin Hood character immediately and I loved the depth his character has! I really feel for him in his current mess he find's himself in, and I can't wait to see how he fixes it!

I think the biggest drawback to this book was that there were places that the plot similarities did become a bit overwhelming, mainly in the begining of the book, so if you are someone who is bothered by that you may not enjoy this book as much as you should. But the similarities are less as you go, so I have high hopes for the next book. No word on when the next book will be out, but I'll be here waiting when it does!

This book is set to be published on August 15, 2015 hop on over to Amazon right now and pre-order your copy!

[Silvara]

Check out my other reviews, discussions and link ups at Fantasy of the Silver Dragon



I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.



You know those series where you finish the first book, and get that urge to immediately track down and read the next one? This is totally that kind of book. Unfortunately the 2nd book isn't published yet.

It starts out totally believably for anyone who was ever picked on or bullied in school. I immediately identified with Aurora, and got that sinking feeling when I read about what happened to her in school with the cute and popular boy.

Shortly after that, the magic part of the fantasy began. And from there it was a total 'I don't want to put this book down' experience. I LOVED the descriptions in the book. I really really liked Rafe as a character (and totally guessed who he was early on!) I liked the way the magic system worked, and the magical creatures we got to meet.

Aurora behaved in ways that were believable, both for her age as well as the situations she was put into. All the other characters had that three-dimensional feel as well. Strengths, flaws, likes and dislikes. There were quite a few twists I didn't see coming, as well as the one I did. I liked Kalen, he acted like a child at times and just had this innocent-seeming personality. Gabriel and Snow were also some of my favorite characters. But Rafe and Aurora were my favorites. I want to see what happens with them next.

Honestly, I cannot wait to get my hands on the next book in this series, and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys fantasy, adventure, and a little bit of romance.This review was originally posted on Fantasy of the Silver Dragon