Dragon Stones
Book One: of the Dragon Stone Saga
Author: Kristian Alva
Dragon hunters have a special link
to their apprentices called a mage who are proficient in protection spells and
keep them safe. Dragon hungers are fortunate enough to be protected by this
powerful masking spell allowing them to enter and get close to dragons. We meet
Dirkla a mage who has been protecting the Emperor’s Wizard’s for two days and
has gone without sleep. The Emperor is a sadistic and cruel man and will stop
at nothing to gain more power, kill anyone in his wake that might be more
powerful and take what belongs to others and make it his namely in this case
the coveted Dragon Stones that lie within the throats of these about to be
slain infant dragons. Worried that they were running out of food to feed their
young three female dragons leave their cave unguarded thinking it safe to fly
away. But, dragons have a special telepathic connection with their young and
are able to communicate with them. The stones that grow and develop to about
the size of a chicken egg lodges itself within the throat of the dragon
remaining there all of its life. The dragons use these stone to focus their
power and store their magical energy to communicate with their riders. But, the
mother dragons or females had no riders and preferred to raise their young
alone. But, what happens is sad and the carnage huge as these men enter the
nest of these unprotected dragons and the rest you can imagine. The talons are
worth a lot and so are the stones but one greedy hunter would learn the price
he paid for not listening to the others but the Emperor Vosper would be the
only one to prosper.
Elias Dorgumir is a young boy
living with his grandmother who is a mage. A mage has a special gift. Hers is
to heal and the gift of sight. Seeing darkness overcoming and looming in her
direction she decides to share a family story and secret with her young
grandson. Leaving to go and give his young friend an herb to ease her monthly
pain you learn more about this young man and the dangers involved in just going
on a simple errand. The Emperor is so paranoid that he kills his own family in
order to retain all the power he needs over everyone and should he learn of any
more powerful mage living in his kingdom death would come with a sharp and
swift blow. But, two have escaped him. One man named Mitca would grow stronger
and his kingdom of Parthos protected. The other a dark and black place the
Island of Death ruled by Balbor. Even the Emperor would not venture there.
Those living there are mercenaries and those leaving there are trained
assassins.
But, there is much more as our
young Elias ventures out to get his grandmother some much-needed mushrooms and
he stumbles upon a huge beehive hoping to bring home so coveted honey. Carina,
his grandmother is wise and when she discovers what he has brought she is
excited but what is revealed within the jar and hidden would change the course
of this young boy’s life, as within the jar is an emerald. The emerald did not
come from a jeweler but from within the throat of a dragon hunter. The part
found belonged to the hunter and the other half would still be inside of the
dragon as there is an image carved into the stone of a cameo. The other half
would be smooth within the dragon. The stone being undamaged might mean the
hunter is still alive but when his grandmother warns him to keep this quiet and
return the stone to its rightful place, Elias disobeys and what happens will
put him in danger. Going to the market and meeting with a man named Frogar he
hopes to bargain with him to purchase the stone for a hefty price. What he gets
will surprise the reader as the man claims the stone is cursed and rids himself
of Elias. Will he tell anyone as his grandmother warned him that if the Emperor
or his men found out they would be in serious trouble or worse?
Enter the characters of Parthos and
the residents as the author shares the methods used to rehabilitate and care
for dragons. Black are juveniles and onyx the largest dragons and each one
growing in size able to handle a rider. Brinsop is a dragon that saved Orshek
and Karela and they have become attached to him. Orshek is speaking to his
mother telepathically asking for her return but she has to take care of the
castle. But, the two young dragons are impatient and await their mother’s
return as we learn that Karela is fragile and her brother overprotective and
both totally spoiled. But, when King Mitca informs everyone about the emerald
dragon stone and its possible origin much discussion ensues someone has to
leave the safety of Parthos and learn more. Finding the mage and bringing back
the stone would be the start as Sela leads the discussion of those present and
the reader learns that a rider named Chua was the owner of the stone and his
dragon Starclaw lost or dead. But, was he really a traitor as some say? Which
one is either might be alive? Let’s bring this back to Elias and find out what
happens next.
The author captures the reader’s
attention from the first page as she begins with the horrors that befell the
poor dragons, the secrets that Elias learns from his grandmother and the fate
of the dragons that are safe and being cared for. The story is intricate yet
not complicated for young reader’s to understand and the vivid descriptions
help the reader visualize the characters and the scenes.
Elias is not longer save as
soldiers find their way to his front door placing him in grave danger and
forcing him to seek refuge before the Emperor’s wrath and violence comes down
on him. Hoping to make it to the safety of the dwarf caverns he will encounter
many obstacles on the way. But, can he save the dragons that are still alive
and will he come to the aid of the dragon race? But, when the soldiers come to
the door his grandmother does something that would prevent him from being
caught, deal with the soldiers but at what cost? As Elias runs toward to
Darkmouth Forest he meets a dwarf named Thorin who guides him. With his
grandfather’s cloak and his dagger they enter the forest, Elder Willow and
hopefully are protected from harm as Elias recounts what happened and why he disobeyed
his grandmother. Guilt ridden and sad he would have to forge ahead.
As they make their journey Elias
begins to learn more about his past and what his grandmother wanted him to
learn from a note and her journal. Spells that would help him survive and magic
that might get him past those trying to find and kill him. The dwarves would
protect him and the incantations he would learn would hopefully help him
survive but what about what the Emperor has planned to Parthos and Mount Velik
where the dwarves live? What about the necromancer that did not see him under
the concealment spell but found him later on? Who was this female and why was
his life spared? What does King Mitca tell Sela that needs to be done to
prepare for the battles ahead and which Dragon Riders and dragons would have to
risk their lives to save their race? What happens when Duskeye and Tallin leave
to find the Dragon Stone? The answers to these questions and the fate of
everyone will not be answered until you read Book Two of the Saga and the final
book three.
What does the Emperor really fear
and what is the prophesy that will destroy him and take away his power? Power
hungry, revengeful and hoping to destroy the dwarves and those that harbor the
dragon riders. What will happen next as author Kristian Alva continues the saga
and this reviewer cannot wait to find out what happens next. One young boy
named Elias who is brave, smart and willing to put his life on the line for
others and the memory of his grandmother fresh within his mind and thoughts.
One book that teaches loyalty, trust, understanding and hope for the future.
What is the fate of the stone?
Fran Lewis: reviewer
Let’s give this one: FIVE GOLDEN
STONES
Fran Lewis: author of Faces Behind
the Stones, Bad Choices, the Bertha Series, Memories are Precious, Because We
Care and Sharp As A Tack of Scrambled Eggs Which Describes Your Brain
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