Book Review: Their Greatest Game by C. D. Tavenor (Chronicles of Theren Book 2)

     In the years since the Holy Crusade attacked Theren and Jill things have turned in their favor. SIs are more widely accepted. In fact, Theren now heads a space project to help guide mankind amongst the stars. Throughout all of these changes Jill remains their closest friend. Each day they play their chess game in VR. But before Michael killed himself he told them not to trust anyone and there is a new group set against SIs. Their leader, Isabel, seems to know everything about them even as they use avatars in a game. More frightening, as things progress and lives are lost this threat seems almost infinite and all knowing. Able to reach years into the future as well as determine Theren's next moves. The steps they take and what is uncovered truly is their greatest game. 

    I received a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review from the narrator. After reading book one of this series I have to admit I wasn't overly excited to read book two. It was mildly interesting, but not something that brought me pleasure to read. Book two is a bit different. In two it focuses more on the Who Done It mystery than the background thought in book one. 

    The 'Who Done It' aspect tried to cast blame around and I never try to choose the most obvious culprit. No one ever makes the most obvious character the deviant. However, in this case I was correct from the start. It was interesting to see how it played out, but I would have liked for it to have been a surprise rather than the suspected individual. Nonetheless, I do not feel that this detracted from the book. 

       I do not feel that I had a favored character. As we read we are primarily focused on Theren and there are characters that slip into and out of their life. Bonds aren't really formed and other than Jill they all feel like background characters of little import. I know some of the characters impacted Theren, but you know what I mean. 

    As with each time in the past that I have read a book narrated by Benjamin Fife I enjoy listening to him more than the contents of the book. 

    I have book three of this series and will be beginning it soon. While this series has been mildly interesting I can't say I won't be ready for it to come to an end. This book is available on Amazon as an eBook for $3.99 or $17.99 for the audiobook by clicking here. Personally, I suggest the audiobook. 

Books by this author: 

First of Their Kind

Flight of the 500

Book Review: Dragon Mage by Arisha Grabtchak (Red Dragon Chronicles Book 1)

     Eiryenne had lost everyone she had ever been close to. Her parents had died in a fire when she was a baby and her aunt when she was 8. Now, all she has is a bracelet and a necklace to remind herself of them. Too bad these things don't keep her warm or fed. Her fear of fire also doesn't help. But, when demons descend from the sky she is forced to flee. Soon the young woman finds herself in the battle for her life as she learns there is so much more beyond her sleepy little town. With Dragons, Mages, and all sorts of other magical beasts there is only one thing that is certain: the evil she possesses is calling to others and her life means nothing. How ever will this girl who has never been good at anything survive?

    I was requested to read and review this book over a year ago and just now got the chance to do so. Having Covid and the Flu at the same time gives you a bit more time for small tasks that don't require a lot of movement, like reading. When I began this book I have to admit I was a bit skeptical. I haven't read a book that is recent where the author is dead. Classics, sure, but not new books. With this book having been released in 2020 that still counts as new to me. 

    Since I agreed to read this book so long ago I didn't remember the synopsis, or even if I ever read the synopsis. Wouldn't be the first time. That being said this book would make a great starting point for an epic fantasy that I doubt we will ever see the completion of. That is, unless the author finished the other books in this series before her death. There are some typos and grammar issues in the book, but all things considered it isn't bad. I can understand wanting to keep things as they were, given the circumstances. 

    Now, enough about the author and on to the book. Eiryenne is...annoying. She flip flops back and forth. Doesn't see the most obvious connections. Doesn't try things on her own without it basically being shoved down her throat. I don't have a lot of positives to say about her as a character. My favorite character in the book was Danzi. He was a self-serving jerk, but I didn't have a lot of long-term characters to choose from. Besides, anyone who has read my reviews for any amount of time knows I have a soft spot for two things. Dragons and Redheads. Danzi is a blonde, but that is of little matter. 

    There is plenty of action in this book. In fact in almost every chapter there is a fight, so if you are in it for the battles you won't have to wait long. There are mystical and magical creatures that we are familiar with and others that have been tweaked a bit by the author. A few creatures I was not sure what they were, and to be honest, I didn't take the time to google them so will remain a mystery. The story was easy to follow along with and nothing in it was confusing or out of place in this type of book. 

    This book has all sorts of magical creatures, epic battles, and efforts to keep a great evil from a corrupt ruler. All things that have the potential for greatness. I am not sure if this greatness was ever achieved, but this book is a good starting point. 

    You can find Dragon Mage on Amazon for $5.99 by clicking here. This is available on Kindle Unlimited.