R. T. Kaelin

See full review @ The Indigo Quill: http://theindigoquill.blogspot.com/2013/07/review-prophecy-children-of-white-lio...

Yet another spellbinding installment from someone who is slowly becoming one of my favored authors, R.T. Kaelin! In case you missed it, I did a review on his first book in the series, Progeny, plus an interview. You can see the review here and the interview here. Be sure to check them out!

The more I delve into this series, the more I feel like I'm reading a contemporary rendering of Lord of the Rings. This book didn't quite move at the same pace as Progeny, but I did really enjoy seeing the characters grow. Kaelin's style of writing is like a breath of fresh air every time; smooth and detailed. He clearly thinks through his characters, settings, and storyline rather than simply scratching the surface.

Like previously stated, Prophecy moved a bit slower for me (as 'middle' books of a series usually do). I love that Kaelin has developed a world of his own with many different species and mythology. However, there was a point that became a little overwhelming. Thank his gods in the back of the books for those references, because without them I would have gotten very lost! That being said, I would advise readers to look those over before starting the first page, they are very helpful and actually interesting to read.

The things I really enjoyed about this installment: The character development. Nikalys, Kenders, and Jak are all having to face situations that call for a certain maturity that is still coming to surface for them. Here we get to watch them grow.
A lot of questions were beginning to be answered. We learned a lot more about the history of the White Lions, the 'who' and 'whys.'
We discover there is a prophecy that gives us a glimpse of the future, setting the stage for the rest of the series.
We are also introduced to more characters, which, as long as you keep up with it, is an extra feat to the work.

Although at times it was a little harder to get through the extreme detail in this book, I'm finding myself falling in love with this series. One day, when it's finished in its entirety and is available as a set, I'll be one of the first to get it for my bookshelf. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys Lord of the Rings or Eragon. I've even been pushing for my husband to read these novels because I think he'd really like them, too.

As always, I'm looking forward to book 3 to see what happens with our beloved heroes and the future of the Oaken Dutchies. Also, be sure to grab your copies of The Terrene Chronicles that accompany this series (I actually still need to read these...)!… (altro)

A good fantasy offering which should be enjoyed by readers who liked Edding's Malloreon/Belgariad or Jordan's Wheel of Time, with better portrayal of females than the latter and a fairly intriguing magic system.

Note that I am not invoking them here as the pinnacle of Fantasy (which indeed they are not, at least for my tastes), but as examples of stories that can be read and enjoyed by a very broad audience including quite young readers assuming they are not afraid of long books with a fairly staid pacing. Generally optimistic, with virtuous protagonists and quite obviously villainous villains who are evil just because, rather than the grittier and more ambiguous fare that has become common and sometime decried in the genre over the last couple decades.

This black and white morality and attendant relative lack of suspense was however the major flaw in my eye. There's the dastardly irredeemable puppy-kicking villains, the good heroes, and anything in between seems more or less destined to be freed/swayed/won over by the latter.

Some editing oversights here and there, not that many but frequent enough that I couldn't just forget them.
The version reviewed here was the one offered in celebration by the author on the Green Dragon discussion group, revised but about to be worked on by a traditional publisher, so this is most likely no longer relevant in any newer and more polished version of the work.… (altro)

Progeny is one of those books you see made into a movie. It's a story that captures the reader and doesn't let them go, not even at the final page. If you enjoyed the Chronicles of Narnia or the works of Paolini then you will most definitely enjoy Progeny. As YA Fantasy novels go, this is one of those that leaves me impressed and wanting for more. You can tell that R.T. Kaelin took his time to develop his story and characters to give them dimension and bring them to life.

A quality I find that good authors share is the ability to make their stories come alive, where it becomes so real to them they offer the reader more to explore outside of their book (i.e. J.K. Rowling writing "Quidditch Through The Ages and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them or J.R. Tolkein's Middle Earth). Kaelin does exactly this. Not only has he written a hefty book full of depth and plot, but from exploring his website and receiving sources from him myself, I see that he has taken his story and breathed life into it.

So if you couldn't tell, I loved this book. I loved the magic, the drama, the characters, the twists and the mystery. It has all of those elements in one. Usually when I start a book I have to keep telling myself, "just get through the first few chapters, they always get better after that." Not here. I loved that you hit the ground running on the very first page. As you travel through the story with the main characters, you find yourself searching for answers along with them, turning the pages so you can journey onto the next moment with them.

5 stars, and I can't wait to read the next installment!… (altro)

Prophecy is the 2nd book in The Children of the White Lions series. Once again Kaelin has a winner on his hands. This book continues a couple months after the end of the last book. The progeny have a adapted to the routine of the Shadow Manes training. Kenders is finding her training to be very tedious and Nikalys is finding his training to come naturally.

Brody and Nundle travel to visit Nelnorna and try to get some answers. Along the way they meet Toby, an old friend of Brody's who can help them speed their trip. One thing Nelnorna does tell them is where to find one of the White Lions who's been missing for a while. Lots of stuff happens and everyone is trying to get into place to stop the advance of the armies of chaos.

I think Kaelin is telling a great story and he fills out each person we follow so well. I really enjoy reading these books for the depth and breadth of the world he created. While I think the story in this one could have used a little more tightening, it is only in relation to an ideal, not to disparage the wonderfully crafted story we have here. For anyone who likes epic fantasy in the veins of Robert Jordan, Brandon Sanderson etc. you really need to try The Children of the White Lions.… (altro)