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A Book Review That Didn't See the Light of Day

The Pathetic Elf on a Shelf

By Erin GeilPublished 6 years ago 4 min read
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Photo by Nicole Honeywill on Unsplash

This is a review that I wrote about a book that was not accepted by the site I worked for at the time. I can only assume it wasn’t accepted because it was not a five-star glowing review. The book to be honest is probably only worth about two stars, but I suppose I was trying to be kind. I have decided from now on that I refuse to work for companies that only expect you to write positive reviews about craptastic books. I can at least say that I have never given an amazing, positive-only review for a book that wasn’t worthy of it. The truth needs to be known in regards to this specific book. There are so many companies out there misguiding people with positive reviews that are basically bought and paid for by the author, as a lot of people know. The book itself, on Amazon, is in my opinion probably filled with family friendly reviews giving it five-stars. On another one of her books are the same kind of reviews except for one, one that told the truth that it was a book that was hard to get through. I worded this review as kindly as was possible while still sticking to the truth and I can only imagine that it ruffled the author’s feathers so much that she refused it.

Road of a Warrior: The Silvan Book II continues to follow in the elven steps of Fel’annár, an elf who is part Silvan and part Alpine. We find him continuing on in his warrior’s journey as part of the protection for King Thargodén’s son, Prince Handir. Secrets unfurl along the way as well as unknown powers, that either mystify those around or unnerve. As the mysteries come to light darker deeds are also afoot.

Revelations that get tucked within are unpredicted and shocking, well-executed in their delivery by author R.K. Lander. Without giving anything away this isn’t just the kind of book that will take you up and down. It will take you side-to-side and all around as well, leaving no angle untouched. This fantasy story feels believable in most areas. The surroundings feel authentic, the dialogue has that old kind of warm resonating flavor that one might expect from a medieval world. A small exception to the authenticity of the world being the “giggling” that the warriors seem prone to at times, which doesn’t ring true of a warrior. There are moments of pure sweetness that are found within the book that keep it from having an overall dark and disparaging atmosphere. We could feel the love that Fel’annár’s parents had for one another. As well as the love between Lainon and Tensári. Beautiful descriptions also dim some of the doom and gloom, such as, “Rain fell like taunting sheets of silver paper, the wind blowing it sideways…” Although there is darkness there is also much beauty to be had in Road of a Warrior: The Silvan Book II. The beauty of friendship, love, and understanding.

One hindrance that we noted was that some of the character names were very similar and with a story that has a lot of moving parts, specifically the number of warriors and other highly notable figures it was at times hard to keep up with who was who. A few instances being, Galdith, Galadan and Gor’sadén and Sontur, Silor, and Sulen. If each name were substantially different it would be easier to identify who was who. Being that they are warriors or lords with a warrior’s background there is not a ton that separates them from sounding all the same. There was only one female elf warrior character in present time that had a name and a voice, perhaps if there were more gender variation it would bring about more clarity.

An element that did distract from the book was the style of the narration. It has a sound that doesn’t feel as though it completely matches up with the content and story, feeling too distant. Therefore because of this it made the reading of it a bit of a slower experience, sometimes taking an hour to read twenty pages. The content itself is fascinating and gripping but it is a sluggish unfolding. It may be better suited for a first-person narration; the intensity of the overall emotions would be raised to a higher degree and would affect the reader even more.

R.K. Lander knows how to create an army of worlds. Her ability to have a reader shift from one emotion to another on the next page is worthy of the highest of praises. Audiences that find themselves gravitating toward books such as Game of Thrones will be sure to enjoy Road of a Warrior: The Silvan Book II.

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About the Creator

Erin Geil

36 year old writer living in Morgantown, WV. Let's Goooooooo Mountaineers!

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