Amazon - Kindle Books Tracey Alley Category:  Fantasy Publisher: Smashwords Type: Fiction Pages: 268 Copyright: May 4, 2010 ISBN-13: 9781452360362 The first in a series of novels set in the Kingdoms of Kaynos, Erich's Plea: Book One of the Witchcraft Wars is a fantasy adventure story. Filled with action, intrigue and magic this is ideal for lovers of Dungeons & Dragons type adventures. Fitting for all ages 13 and up. Locked deep in the bowels of Zeaburg's infamous, horror-filled subterranean prison the young druid Slade is haunted by a strange, recurring dream. A dream in which his beloved father, High King Erich of Vestland, pleads for Slade's help. Convinced of the dreams truth Slade must somehow attempt the impossible and escape the inescapable Zeaburg prison in order to find and save his father. Gathering a strange assortment of allies along the way Slade must not only find a way out of Zeaburg prison but must also find a way to prevent what threatens to be the bloodiest, most brutal war in the history of all the Kingdoms of Kaynos. In the end it will take an unimaginable alliance, an unlikely friendship and a forbidden love to save The Kingdoms of Kaynos from the threat of the Witchcraft Wars. Excerpt Two months ago he had arrived at Ostland’s Zeaburg prison complex and been immediately deposited in this subterranean dungeon with its smooth stone walls, mazes of corridors, very little lighting and the constant smell of death, blood, waste and decay in his nostrils. Every day he had been alternatively beaten and tortured for hours, his own screams blending with the cries, screams and moans of the other, unseen, sufferers in Zeaburg's nightmarish torture chambers. Even the rats eschewed Zeaburg, although the fleas showed no similar scruples and were an additional constant torment. Slade’s body was covered from head to toe with tiny bites from the multitudes of the invidious creatures. Slade would not have believed it was possible for a place like Zeaburg prison to exist if he had not seen the horrors of it with his own eyes. Zeaburg prison well deserved its evil reputation. Zeaburg also had a reputation for being inescapable; no one, in all its long history had ever escaped from its confines, except in death. Slade had never believed half the rumours that had surrounded Zeaburg before, now he saw clearly they were all true and worse. He also knew why those imprisoned here died and, it was said, they were glad to, death being preferable to daily life in Zeaburg. Each day that passed for Slade saw his strength being sapped; his once lean and muscular frame becoming daily more wasted. Between the pitiful amount of barely edible food, the near constant beatings or other, more inventive types of torture Slade had become a shadow of his former self.

A fascinating tale of love and the temptations of power
Erich`s Plea, the first part of Tracey Alley's trilogy of The Witchcraft Wars is a real treat for readers who love fantasy/adventure stories which are not only entertaining but also carry a deeper meaning. I was immediately pulled into the intriguing world and the characters the author created. The story deals with such ancient and archetypical themes as love in its many forms (romantic love, spiritual love, love of one's family and country, love between friends) as well as greed, jealousy, and the temptation of power and its abuse.

Young Slade, the crown prince and heir to the Kingdom of Vestland, gives up his birthright as future king and chooses instead the spiritual life. He becomes a follower of the goddess Freya. He renounces the intrigues and politics of the court, only to become a victim of them. Imprisoned in the most horrible dungeon, ruled by the Dark One, an evil tyrant, he manages to escape with the help of a friend. While in prison, he had a recurring dream, in which his father asked for his help. Together with a motley crew of friends and companions, he sets out on a journey to save his father, his sister, and his country from a terrible calamity.

This is a well-crafted, fascinating story, which has many layers of meaning and is both entertaining and enlightening. The beautiful illustrations add another dimension to it. I can only recommend it! I look forward to reading the second part, Ursula's Quest: Book Two of the Witchcraft Wars.


Solid read, Clever author
All in all I liked this book. I recieved it in PDF format, for review, and that was hard to read on my computer screen, but that has litle to do with the content. The story was a pleasant suprise, as I expected more of a "Kids" fantasy. This should be enjoyable for fantasy fans of all ages. I'm hoping that Ms. Alley sends me the second book in the series to review, otherwise I will just have to purchase it, because I want to know where she takes these characters. The illustrations were pretty cool too.