Fantasy Review: Root of the Rule (Lizard Queen #9) by H.L. Cherryholmes

Root of the Rule (Lizard Queen #9)
by H.L. Cherryholmes

Description:
The surrounding nations are gathering for a war against Pliada, the Trotéjo and the Arañalianza are assembling before the mountain upon which La Reina’s castle sits, and stakes have never been higher. The quest to learn how Amy Darlidale must bring about the New Morphósis has brought her full circle and the truth about her destiny as Lacáruna finally seems within reach. But much blood continues to be shed as all sides race toward the inevitable conclusion of the journey. Amy must summon forces from deep within if she is to save this world—or is it too late?

My Review:
Wow, what a series! Book nine of nine in the Lizard Queen saga ruined several nights of sleep, night after night, leaving me reading with one eye open because I couldn’t manage both, turning page after page unable to put it down. Everything comes together and the final push towards the New Morphósis is exciting and satisfying.

So what I liked most in this one was the build toward the final encounter. It was relentless and awesome. A lot more action and surprises, even at this point in the game, but behind all the action, there’s still plenty of lore and figuring things out. The ending makes sense, but it isn’t what I expected, not exactly anyhow, and that’s a good thing. It made the whole thing worth reading, and now I want to read it again.

Overall, I loved this book and the series as a whole. For those who were holding out for the series to be complete, I’d say go forth and grab all of the books now. The ending is satisfying, and it’s quite an exciting journey getting there.

I received the review copy of this book from the author.

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Fantasy Review: We Are the Waking (The Lizard Queen #8) by H.L. Cherryholmes

We Are the Waking (The Lizard Queen #8)
by H.L. Cherryholmes

Description:

Though she’s unable to finish reading the final Extiguo to determine her role in bringing about the New Morphósis, Amy Darlidale quickly learns that Runakopolis puts her and her friends on the threshold of another major discovery.

 

A new mystery seems to hold clues to the origins of the Trotéjo and the Arañalianza. Beginning to sense that the ideologies at conflict have been preserved not only by clergy and government but also by culture, Amy is drawn into an enigmatic society of scholars.

 

At first, pages missing from library books and a new theory about the first Morphósis don’t seem to be connected to the Lacáruna prophecy, but the lines of military, church, and academia continue to intersect and familiar faces and adversaries reemerge. Rumors of war are spreading quickly, and whispers that La Arañota will soon rise again are amplifying. This world seems on the verge of shrinking much faster than anyone anticipated.

My Review:
This is book 8 of 9 in the Lizard Queen series, and it doesn’t disappoint. It unfolds like a mystery as Amy and her companions chase lead after lead. The Extiguos, the books they’d thought would reveal the prophecy, didn’t pan out and now they’re struggling to figure out what’s next. 

I really liked how this book draws everything together from the previous books. All the little threads that were woven in but not explained previously are tightened up and start to take shape. Several of the characters are going through some tough times, trying to recover from traumatic experiences, which makes things interesting. Even Amy seems to be getting to the end of her tolerance. But still, it’s the new threads that kept me reading.

The new characters are as interesting as the established ones, particularly as good and bad get a bit fuzzy. I also enjoyed the revelations surrounding the Trotéjo and Arañalianza, as well as all the new theories some of the new characters bring to the table. It’s a very cerebral read in that respect, all full of lore and theory. Still, there’s some action and magic, and plenty of sleuthing, which keeps it moving in between the debates.

I did notice, however, that debates and dialog were quite heavy in this installment. I suppose it had to be as everyone’s trying to figure out together what’s going on and trying to understand what’s happened before, but I think it led to a lot less action than in some of the previous books.

Anyhow, I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to the last one. I’d recommend this to folks who enjoy fantasy with magic, parallel worlds, and lots of intrigue and mystery.

I received the review copy of this book from the author.

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New Release Feature: The Lizard Queen, Books 8 and 9 by H.L. Cherryholmes

The Lizard Queen Book Eight: We Are the Waking
by H.L. Cherryholmes
Publication Date: May 4, 2016

Though she’s unable to finish reading the final Extiguo to determine her role in bringing about the New Morphósis, Amy Darlidale quickly learns that Runakopolis puts her and her friends on the threshold of another major discovery. A new mystery seems to hold clues to the origins of the Trotéjo and the Arañalianza. Beginning to sense that the ideologies at conflict have been preserved not only by clergy and government but also by culture, Amy is drawn into an enigmatic society of scholars. At first, pages missing from library books and a new theory about the first Morphósis don’t seem to be connected to the Lacáruna prophecy, but the lines of military, church, and academia continue to intersect and familiar faces and adversaries reemerge. Rumors of war are spreading quickly, and whispers that La Arañota will soon rise again are amplifying. This world seems on the verge of shrinking much faster than anyone anticipated.




The Lizard Queen Book Nine: Root of the Rule
by H.L. Cherryholmes
Publication Date: May 4, 2016

The surrounding nations are gathering for a war against Pliada, the Trotéjo and the Arañalianza are assembling before the mountain upon which La Reina’s castle sits, and stakes have never been higher. The quest to learn how Amy Darlidale must bring about the New Morphósis has brought her full circle and the truth about her destiny as Lacáruna finally seems within reach. But much blood continues to be shed as all sides race toward the inevitable conclusion of the journey. Amy must summon forces from deep within if she is to save this world—or is it too late?


I'm really excited about these. Should be reading them near the end of the month and planning to post reviews in June. We'll see.  Anyhow, if you've been following this series, these are the final two books.

New Release Spotlight: The Lizard Queen Books Five and Six by H.L. Cherryholmes

Today I'm featuring two new releases in a new series that has quickly become one of my new favorites. You know the kind that just resonates with you, that draws you in and feels good to read. I believe there are 9 of these in total, and we are on books 5 and 6 now. I really can't wait for the next ones, either. 

Fans of fantasy who enjoy richly developed worlds, interesting characters and intricate plots will likely love this series as I did. It might help to dust off your Spanish, but it isn't really necessary except you'd get some of the clues and interesting connections a little sooner.

Anyway, enough about that, here are the latest in The Lizard Queen series by H.L Cherryholmes.



The Lizard Queen Book Five: A Wedge Between

Release Date: August 14, 2015

As word makes its way across the nations that the prophesied Lacáruna has arrived, the forces against Amy Darlidale press on from unseen corners. Now the reach of danger seems to have penetrated the realm of her own mind. Although jolted by the sacrifices her protectors have had to make, Amy forges ahead as new relationships surface and new truths are revealed.

When the group is forced to turn in a new direction and it becomes less clear who to trust, Amy has no choice but to seek out the help of a Trotéjo comrade with whom she’s barely had a passing acquaintance in order to find the remaining Extiguos. Yet despite her resolve to fulfill the Promise of a New Morphósis, Amy understands that achieving this goal is going to be difficult. Because now it seems she’s not the only one on the Most Wanted List.

*~*~*~*

The Lizard Queen Book Six: Furious Angels

Release Date: August 14, 2015

Forced to rely on her own instincts, along with the limited knowledge she’s gained of this world in the quest to fulfill the Promise of a New Morphósis, Amy Darlidale must find a way to acquire the remaining three Extiguos to piece together the prophesy and reunite her team of protectors. But despite feeling constrained in her ability to combat otherworldly forces she cannot comprehend, she discovers she must now strive to overcome the darkest intent of those before her as an emerging foe poses an unimaginably sinister threat.

As new truths are revealed by those she thought she knew, Amy finds the lines between this world and her own continue to blur. Pushed to her limit, she shatters preconceptions about what she is capable of and takes charge of her fate. Forever changed, she pushes forward toward her destiny but finds she must reclaim what was left behind before she can move ahead.

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Interested? Here's some links. You may find my reviews for each rather easily since there aren't many. If you pick one of these up, add yours to the mix. Even a few words and a rating help. :-)