October Treasure Books ~ Dawn of Wonder

I so enjoyed this book.

It is a library find that I ended up getting because I so appreciated the clean, deep humor, original writing, and mesmerizing adventure.

If you have never read it, you are in for a treat. It’s biggest, grandest book I’ve read all year in the fantasy genre.

Here’s a sample:

Aedan turned and scurried off before being sent on his way with more than words. But before he reached the end of the aisle, the big voice rang out with paralyzing authority, “Stop!”
His feet stuck fast, as if gripped by the deep carpet. He swallowed and turned around, fearing that he had damaged something. The man was holding the book.
Aedan prepared to run.
“You were reading this?”
“Yes, sir.”
The man regarded him. “This is not likely reading material for someone your age. Did you understand it? Was it instructive?”
“No, not really,” Aedan admitted. He could have said more, but all he wanted was to get away.
“I thought not,” the man said, returning the book to the shelf and lining the spine against its neighbors with absolute precision. “As I said, this is no place for boys. Don’t let me find you meddling here again.”
Something about the injustice of the man’s conclusion bit Aedan. He had endured enough injustice for one day and drew himself up.
“I didn’t understand it because it makes no sense. How could catapults have sunk Lekran ships anchored near Verma? I knew an old sailor and he used to tell us about how shallow the water is there because of the reefs. The ships would have been half a mile out. Even our big thumper catapults don’t have a range like that. I think the ships were sunk in some other way – like maybe they got blown onto the reef – and someone is trying to make it look like we pounded them.
“I also can’t see how seven hundred soldiers could march twenty miles through a dense forest during the night to defend a town by morning. Even during the day, with a bright sun, it’s difficult to go fast and to keep going in the right direction through forest. I think the soldiers set off a day or two before the beacons were lit. Must have been some commander’s lucky guess. Now this historian wants to make it look more solid-like, as if our defences don’t need luck. This is supposed to be a book about facts and it seems to be loaded with fairy tales written to make us look invincible.”
The big man’s face did not look like it was accustomed to showing surprise, but it was getting some practice now. “How old are you?” he asked, walking up with giant strides.
“Almost thirteen.”
The man studied him. “For a twelve-year old boy, you have quite a mind for detail. I’ll grant you that. Not many have uncovered the problems with this book so quickly. How did you learn of such things? Who taught you?”
The unexpected interest the man was showing caused his face to seem less severe. It revealed a deep sincerity that made Aedan want to talk, to share some of the weight he carried.
“I used to speak with the old soldiers a lot, and I read a lot. My mother taught me and my friend …” – Aedan couldn’t bring himself to say her name, not today – “taught us to read. We read many stories and histories. I agreed to discuss the stories with her if she discussed the battles with me. So we knew all the great battles in detail, all the great generals.”
“I would like to meet this friend of yours – ” The man stopped short at the look on Aedan’s face.
Aedan coughed to clear his throat and swallowed a few times. “I tried to save her, but I couldn’t.” The man waited, so Aedan continued. “They were Lekran slavers. They took her as a sacrificial substitute because she had noble blood.” He pressed his eyes shut. “When I’m grown, I am going to tear that trade to pieces and sink what doesn’t burn. Every one of those murdering priests is going to meet his filthy god. She was the kindest, gentlest person I’ve ever known. As soon as I am strong enough I’m going to bring them justice and make sure they can’t take anyone else the way they took her.”
The man dropped to his haunches and looked Aedan in the eyes. “Revenge is a selfish pursuit full of empty promise – I would know,” he said. “But you speak of justice, of defending the innocent by felling their oppressor. I see that anger is still fierce in you, but I believe you’ll learn to temper it with wisdom.” He stood to his full height. “How will you reach this strength you need? Who will train you?”
“I wanted to become a marshal …”

Dawn of Wonder: The Wakening Book I pg. 162 – 164, 4th Edition

I hope you can either find this book at your local library, get it used, or purchase it to support the author, who is working hard on the subsequent books.

You can find more info about him and his books here.

If you have Kindle Unlimited, you can read it here.

And in case you stumbled across this site and haven’t signed up for my newsletter ~ here are some October Treasures in book giveaways:

Enjoy the journey! It’s a great ride.

Azalea

Crossover ~ Find the Eternal, the Adventure