What is your opinion?
A Good Holiday Read
"A page turner for lazy days on a sunbed. It could do with some fat being trimmed but then as a self publi shed book that isn't unexpected. Really vivid descriptions and the story reminds readers that actions have consequences. Sequel? Didn't know about that until I read the other review but may check that out. Worth a look."
Enjoyable & Highly Original
"This is a very unique and clever idea involving the worlds we inhabit when we dream. It also involves a strong sense of morality and has anti-bullying themes. I loved the main character Mordalayn, a truly exceptional hero. Jared is a bit flat but this could be ironed out with a tighter edit. There are several nail biting moments, not least when a cheeky boy named Bue is on the page. I really enjoyed this and think it could be very successful if given a chance. A real page turner."
Good Morality Tale for Our Times
"I read this some time ago (it's self published and been around a while) and thoroughly enjoyed it, as did my (then) 12 year old daughter. The tale is very original. A girl in a coma is a the queen of another world called Alegria but a world she can only access in her dreams. Passage between our world and Alegria is possible but that option is only available to other people. The thing that caught me most about this is that the author has opted to show the story from the perspectives of what would normally be secondary charactes. The child queen's bodyguard Mordalayn is not a good Good Guy yet has an inner core of morality and ethics, despite his penchant for fighting dirty. Jared Miller isn't the most captivating of heroes yet he is the eyes and ears of the reader. And King James is a villain on par with Negan from The Walking Dead (TV version, not read the comics). Several touches are either funny, unique or both (the fairies; the terrifying Vagthunder; and the final twist at the end which you won't anticipate, believe me). The anti-bullying themes are present & correct (the book has been advertised with this as a hook) with Mordalayn going berserk at the spectacle of victimisation (although this may have been displacement issues...read the book, you'll get what I mean) and the novel is dedicated to a murdered young woman from England, UK who was beaten to death for how she was dressed (Sophie Lancaster). Starts off a little slow but stick with it as the story will have you turning pages and wanting more. I understand that the author also published a sequel which I haven't read yet, but fully intend to. Really worth a read."
Interesting Twist on the Fairy Tale Theme
"The author gave a talk at my daughter's High school about this book and the anti-bullying themes it represents. She won a free copy of the book at the talk and read it in about a week. I "borrowed" it after and am happy to say that it is a brilliant effort, especially as LR Manley self published it all by himself, with no help bar the artwork. The characters all speak with a distinct voice and LR was clearly having a lot of fun writing this. Veering from being amusing to tragic to frightening, sometimes in one chapter. The monsters known as the Vagthunder are beyond scary (and should be used as a burglar deterrent in any self respecting home) and the final twist is like a punch in the stomach, very well done and unexpected. I like the fact that the hero Mordalayyn has his own problems. Not a "goody" by the standard definition. He fights dirty, has anger issues (to put it mildly) and is nothing except bad tempered for most of the novel. Bue, the young archer is a funny character. Like the Artful Dodger from Oliver Twistt but better. And as for the fairy Kloee...very well detailed and highly amusing. Loved the idea of a world only accessible in dreams. After all, what little girl doesn't want to be a queen or princess at some point in her childhood? Could have done with a little bit of editing but this is a minor quibble. The sequel The Sunder of the Octagon is equally as good and shows the blurred lines between good & evil with "baddies" from this book becoming protagonists for the "goodies" in the sequel. Not for younger kids due to scary themes but a good read for older kids and I'm 51 and loved it."
A few quirks
"For starters, you could change the title of the story. Make it shorter and more succinct so it can easily grab a reader’s attention. That way you’re sure to get more people to read your story. I really like Jared and Sophie and your descriptions have really helped me connect to the characters in this story. Mordalayn is awesome and I’m so inspired by this mysterious hero! You have a knack for writing descriptively, and I enjoyed the way you’ve written this story. The part where Mordalayn apparently blends into existence from the surroundings has been written brilliantly! Bravo! You’re a gifted writer, and your writing makes it easy to follow the story. My only suggestion is that you pack more detail into this story and cut out the unnecessary parts. Good luck!"
