"The end of this book leaves you with plenty of questions as it sets up for the next book in the series and I’m sure fantasy fans that read this will be keen to know the fate of Herlot and her friends and family."
Introducing a fearless young girl as she navigates life in her small village with unusual gifts before peril comes that threatens her whole kingdom. In this first instalment of a mediaeval fantasy series we are introduced to Herlot, a young girl with extraordinary gifts that showcased themselves even before she was born. Growing up seen as a curiosity and sometimes with cruelty by the other children in her village, Herlot learns to rely on her imagination for company before meeting unicorn Devotio one night during a storm. Herlot’s strength of character is shown as peril comes to the village, taking away everything she’d ever known and threatening the rest of her humble, peaceful kingdom. ‘Herlot of Alonia’ is a coming of age story filled with magic and adventure. The author successfully brings the peaceful kingdom of Eraska to life, setting up world building for the series and a threat from the more greedy, gold orientated Isolda. I liked that stories and storytelling were a key theme throughout that allowed us to learn more about the world and all of the characters. The plotline moves smoothly, bringing you right through from Herlot’s childhood which really helps you connect with our resilient and compelling heroine. I also loved that the author managed to create a real sense of community, connecting you to the wider cast of characters and ensuring you are invested in their future. The end of this book leaves you with plenty of questions as it sets up for the next book in the series and I’m sure fantasy fans that read this will be keen to know the fate of Herlot and her friends and family. After reading this first book in the series I would also say that I didn’t notice anything that would make it inappropriate for older teen readers as well as adult readers. Because of this I think that a YA fantasy audience could also enjoy the start of this magic-infused coming-of-age tale.
Charlotte Walker, A LoveReading Ambassador
| Primary Genre | Indie Author Books |
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An adventure story set in an imagined world ruled by the evil King Felix. Battles, death, unicorns - magical escapism and fantasy with a real cliff-hanger of an ending.
An adventure story set in an imagined world ruled by the evil King Felix.... Read Full Review
Experience a heroine's journey through magic, battle, and love in HERLOT OF ALONIA, the first book in this medieval fantasy series. In the small village of Alonia, tucked away in the kingdom of Eraska, a baby girl named Herlot is born into the world beneath a full moon and a grove of willow trees. Herlot is healthy and clearly touched by magic, which forever marks her as an outsider. The people of Alonia worry that the strange events that surround Herlot mean she is a bad omen, but Herlot learns to rely on her imagination and makes new friends, like the unicorn Devotio, folding herself into the magical world around her. “No matter what happens, the stars can see you....You’re never alone.” Just as Herlot turns eighteen and has found her place in her village, the kingdom of Eraska is invaded by the evil King Felix—a man willing to perform unspeakable acts in his search for a source of power to conquer all. It is time for Herlot to find her voice, embrace her magic, and save her people.
Herlot of Alonia: The Herlot of Alonia Series Book 1 features in the following genres: Indie Author Books, Indie Books We Love, Fantasy, Recommendations, Fiction
Herlot of Alonia: The Herlot of Alonia Series Book 1 is available in Paperback
Herlot of Alonia: The Herlot of Alonia Series Book 1 was written by and published by Three Towers Press
