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BLURB:

In this epic dark fantasy adventure story, Shannon and Dana visit their wise, old grandmother in Wales, and finally learn why their lives have been strangely tormented and cursed. There is a family secret, old as time itself, and that secret might kill them if they try to ignore their destiny. They also learn that there is a dangerous way to embrace that secret, because on that day, a harrowing creature of an alien world calls out for the few and the special, talented humans of the Tenth world. Our world.

Dana performs an irreversible murderous deed that opens the gate to the Jewel of the Nine, the world of Aldheim, and they meet the strange creature calling for them. In this world they find their true calling, their special talents, the truth of the gods and also a world of mystery, danger, and adversity. Shannon and Dana struggle with their previous relationship as one grows cruel and power-driven, while the other learns to value friendship. Much is demanded of Shannon, who struggles with her loyalties.

Despite the many dangers and their apparently hopeless situation in the brutal, mage-filled world of monsters and dragons, there is hope, for Shannon has special, coveted powers of healing, reserved for the chosen of the gods. If she perseveres, she can change the past and bring back even the gods.

But the price will be great.

“This is masterful weaving of a story that sucks you in to a coming of age urban fantasy. It doesn’t feel like any other book I’ve read this year, and I’ve read three or four a week.” – Amazon Customer.

The Dark Levy, a dark action fantasy novel is a 2015 bestseller and first book in an epic, magical fantasy series called the Ten Tears Chronicles.

MY REFVIEW:

First off, I bought this book when it was originally published through Creativia.  Though I love my publisher, they really don’t know anything about editing.  So, this book, like mine, had a lot of errors.  Alaric has since republished this story himself and has had it professionally edited.  So, I will not take into account the editing issues I found.  On with my review. 

This is the story of two sisters, Shannon and Dana, who appear to be totally opposite of each other.  Shannon is the oldest and has always envied her brighter, prettier sister.  Dana has always looked out for her older, darker, and shy sister.  People whisper about her as she’s strange but Shannon never understands why she’s so different and why people treat her like they do.  She yearns to be just like her sister, Dana.  Instead, she’s an outcast to her family and townspeople.   Little do the sisters realize they are more alike than anyone can fathom.  Except their Grandmother. 

This is a dark tale which drew me In right from the beginning.  There is much world building once the sisters enter the Ninth World.  There are a lot of characters thrown at the reader at this point.  Trying to keep track of who they were,  male, female, whom were they with, what part of Earth did they come from, was too confusing for me.  It really slowed down my reading pleasure.  I have enough trouble remembering the people I work with on a daily basis.

But, I started grasping who all these other children were by the middle of the book.  For that’s what everyone sucked into the Ninth World were.  Children.  The Dark Levy.  They were children from all different walks of life.  Another part that didn’t set well, and I had to go back and look at the time period again.  This story supposedly takes place in the year 1815, but there are references, and words/phrases that I felt were too modern. 

Then we get to met the gorgons and their leader, Eiryale.  She is beautiful, cunning, mysterious, and as evil a creature as you can find.  And she has her snake eyes focused on Shannon, as once again, Shannon is not as the other Dark Levy.  For the world they find themselves in is full of magic.  A totally different type of magic than you see in most books.  I really enjoyed the originality of the storyline.  

The middle of the book was slow for me.  It was long-winded and I felt some parts of the plot were stressed too often.  But once the action started, oh boy, look out, for than it’s a hell of a read.  There’s action, death, betrayal, and even love.  Shannon finds herself surrounded by creatures only thought of as myths or fairytales in her world.  And now she has to align herself with them.  Can she trust them?  We shall see. 

If you enjoy epic fantasy with lots of world-building, you will love this story.  I give it 4 feathers and have bought the next book in the series, Eye of Hel.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Alaric Longward is a dad to two wild vikings and a husband to a goddess. He writes stories.

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

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