Publisher: Silver Leaf Books
ISBN: 978-1-60975-031-2
Release Date: May 1st, 2011
My Rating: 5/5
There is a universe where dragons are supreme sentient beings, second in power only to the Creator of all. These dragons are divided into two factions. The Debellos live to conquer worlds to fuel their powerful magic, while the Tueri strive to protect these worlds and their sentient beings.
One world, teeming with human life and rich with magic, is the perfect illustration of the struggle between the Debellos and the Tueri. Despite their centuries-old deadlock, the dragons know that the very outcome of their conflict depends on which side will gain control of eight special humans. And so both factions watch and wait patiently, hoping to be the first to find the human best suited for them to train and guide. They focus on five young children with the power to challenge dragons, who hold the fate of their world within their hearts and minds.
As these five children grow up, they confront tragedy and horror, betrayal and deception. With their innocence shattered at a tender age, they must learn how to live under the influence of powerful beings wishing to use them for their own ends. They must come to terms with who they are and what their fate holds for them. And they must survive the will of the one Debellos who has ultimate control of all their lives.
'Familiar Origins' is the first installment in 'The Draca Wards Saga'. B. Pine has done an amazing job of creating a new world, with unforgettable characters. 'Familiar Origins' is one of those books that grabs you from the first page, pulls you in, and keeps you there. I mean, what more could you ask for? Magic, shape shifting, dragons, warriors, epic battles. This book has a little bit of everything that turns a good book into a great book!
Normally, I would break down the book a little here and talk about the main character. Unfortunately, there are quite a few main characters and they are all so unique and dominant in their own way, that it's hard to break them down in a quick, sentence long synopsis. I will mention a few of my favorites. One of the characters in the book is Ben. Ben is completely in love with Princess Jania but he can't tell her. Because she's a princess and he's a nobody? Because they are mage partners? Because they are stuck sitting beside each other in class for the next 7 years? I mean, pick one! lol. He's distraught over the whole thing. I also really liked Rohen. He has one of the more tragic, heartbreaking stories in the book. His story was what pulled me initially and made me gasp in shock from the beginning.
Basically, the book is centralized around the academy. All the Wards (the kids like Rohen and Ben) end up going to the academy to hone in on a particular skill. At the Academy the children can become Healers, a Mage, a Scout. There's a lot of possibility. But, they also have special powers, if you will, that make them unique. Like the ability to use night vision, visit the astral plane, sense magic users and other people near them.
I loved 'Familiar Origins' from start to finish. There wasn't anything that I disliked about it...except that it had to end! I'm anxiously awaiting the next book in the series. I can't wait to find out more about the Draca Wards, and the Dragons. If you are a fan of the Harry Potter series, then you will definitely love 'Familiar Origins' so make sure you pick it up and check it out on May 1st!
I understand how you feel about not wanting the story to end. You just want to keep reading more and more when you reach the end of the book. I can't wait for book 2!
ReplyDeleteI also loved Rohans character, but I am so intrigued with Ben's sister Galen and her abilities. Those chapters when we meet Ben and Galen were so shocking and emotional.
This is a must read series for fantasy lover!