Time for a new review! This one is for The Last of the Firedrakes (The Avalonia Chronicles #1) by Farah Oomerbhoy. I found the second and third books on IndieBRAG (where I find many of the books I read and where a couple of mine are listed), so I had to get the first book. Read on for my thoughts on the first book of the fantasy series!
Synopsis (from the author):
She never felt like she belonged…until magic pulled her into a world beyond her wildest imagination.
Sixteen-year-old Aurora wishes she were anyone else. Mistreated by her adopted family and bullied at school, she believes things can’t get any worse. But when she’s kidnapped and dragged through an ancient tapestry into the magical world of Avalonia, she soon discovers that some dreams can easily turn into nightmares.
Hunted by the evil tyrant Queen Morgana, who will stop at nothing to get rid of the last surviving heir to the powerful Firedrake dynasty, Aurora struggles to fit into her new life as a mage at the prestigious Academy of Evolon. Threatened by treachery at every turn and desperate to prove herself worthy, she uncovers a dark, complicated web of political intrigue that threatens the very existence of the seven kingdoms of Avalonia.
Aided by the powerful Duke of Silverthorne, a fae friend, and a handsome but mysterious outlaw called the Black Wolf, Aurora struggles to master her magic and get her rare powers under control before it’s too late.
If she fails, her new home and her family will be enslaved forever…
What I liked about The Last of the Firedrakes:
I enjoyed the way Aurora arrived in Avalonia. It was an interesting way to introduce her character to the political intrigue that provides the backdrop for the book. Added to the interesting characters that fill the pages, and bits of romance, the story develops nicely. Overall, an entertaining book!
What I didn’t like about The Last of the Firedrakes:
There were a couple of things about the book I didn’t like. First, Aurora wallowed in self-pity quite a lot and it annoyed me. Secondly, she kept making poor decisions. I realize these bad decisions helped move the story forward, but there were just too many of them. It made it hard to sympathize with the character.
Overall impression of The Last of the Firedrakes:
I liked the way the book started, and the intrigue was good. Some of the characters were well-developed, but Aurora’s character left me unsure whether I liked her or not, but I think I’ll read the next book to see what happens. If you enjoy fantasy, this could be a nice addition to your collection.
My rating:
4 Stars
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