This book was sent to me in exchange for an honest review.
16-year-old Aurora Darlington is an orphan. Mistreated by her adopted family and bullied at school, she dreams of running away and being free. But when she is kidnapped and dragged through a portal into a magical world, suddenly her old life doesn’t seem so bad.
Avalonia is a dangerous land ruled by powerful mages and a cruel, selfish queen who will do anything to control all seven kingdoms–including killing anyone who stands in her way. Thrust headlong into this new, magical world, Aurora’s arrival sets plans in motion that threaten to destroy all she holds dear.
With the help of a young fae, a magical pegasus, and a handsome mage, Aurora journeys across Avalonia to learn the truth about her past and unleash the power within herself. Kingdoms collide as a complicated web of political intrigue and ancient magic lead Aurora to unravel a shocking secret that will change her life forever.
Avalonia is a dangerous land ruled by powerful mages and a cruel, selfish queen who will do anything to control all seven kingdoms–including killing anyone who stands in her way. Thrust headlong into this new, magical world, Aurora’s arrival sets plans in motion that threaten to destroy all she holds dear.
With the help of a young fae, a magical pegasus, and a handsome mage, Aurora journeys across Avalonia to learn the truth about her past and unleash the power within herself. Kingdoms collide as a complicated web of political intrigue and ancient magic lead Aurora to unravel a shocking secret that will change her life forever.
The number of books I had to put down and claim as “did not finish” could be counted on a single hand. I make it my motto to try to finish all books, even bad ones — and I have read a few bad ones in my lifetime.
The premise of the story was something right up my alley, hence why I requested it. It promised a story in a fantasy world with a missing princess, a cruel queen, and a grand adventure. However, the story was about a perfect over-trusting whiny girl whom everyone likes for some reason who falls in love with a guy in a span of 5 minutes (and in less than 40 pages).
Aurora was supposed to be 16 but acted worse than most 11 and 12-year-olds I know.
The quality of the prose was so poor I actually felt like tearing my eyes out. Maybe it is because I am quite picky about prose because I have read so much great writing. Oomerbhoy’s prose fails in the “show don’t tell” schematics by just telling me how things are rather than showing the reader.
“My heart was racing, and I was suddenly afraid. How did the shadow guard know about the midnight market? Karen had said I would be safe here. I was terrified at what Lord Oblek would do to me for escaping his Dungeons if he caught me again.”
Please show me how beautiful and grand the forest is instead of telling me “the forest was huge and beautiful.” I just can’t stand or deal with that type of prose.
Oomeerbhoy introduced a series of interesting side characters who were just…there. Maybe it was because I did not bother finishing the book, but the side characters felt that they were not important, because it was not Aurora. Pretty disappointing, since some of my favorite characters have side characters.
The Last of the Firedrakes has the bones of a great story, it just needs to be fleshed out.
Rating: None Available
Did not finish on page 87 out of 488.
The Last of the Firedrakes by Farah Oomerbhoy