Kindle Edition Amazon The Middle Times Literary Fantasy Series Category:  Fantasy Publisher: Createspace ISBN-10:  1475012306 Type: Fiction Pages: 322 Copyright: May 9, 2012 ISBN-13: 9781475012309 The fourth book in the series furthers an inevitable clash between the children of Aros and the Lord of Darkness and Shadow. It all began long ago during the "Times Before". A loyal goblin servant crafted two bands of perpetual existence for the master of darkness and shadow. During the rise of the goblin king, this loyal servant betrays his imprisoned master and steals a special stone from the Pixy. After a lost kingdom is born again, the illustrious stone is returned and a young Grenelf receives a special enchantment. Yet, another enchanted stone bequeathed unto the young Grenelf's grandfather by a Changeling forever links the enchanted Grenelf's journey into a timeless battle against the force of darkness and evil. The fourth story in the fantasy series finds Darcos preparing war against the children of Aros across the Wolde. Lanolee and his mentor Elray the Yellow along with Rebo and Timlikâdum continue their search for Elren the Green and meet the Kappa dwarves for the first time. Also features the shortstory "Legend of the Seven Armaments".       Excerpt The frightening night of strange explosions and turmoil occurring within the darkness of night below within the vast sands of the Deseraith sounded and looked dreadful. Grenelves alongside Madorelves stood aside Olton-Dűm dwarves and Halflings from Fríen Ford none to mention the hughemen forces of Aglaidon, Lavéon and Níhora watching the horrific unexplainable explosions rocking the Deseraith the night priory. In time, many shall say that nothing compared to the explosive event of the last night except the destructive explosion of Mount Darcfire so long ago in the Times Before. What already appeared marred by sandy desolation before now lay speckled by large blackened holes or craters littering the landscape below the Sand Mountains easterly base. The image in the early daylight makes what was already a desolate unforgiving landscape of sand far more unwelcoming. The Grenelf warriors of Belesdon likened the vision to the burning of the forests during the Indigo War. Others compared the destruction below to Moltah Darcos' appearance after the mammoth volcano exploded destroying the Lord of Darkness and Shadow during the Times Before. Truly, something dreadful and horrid occurred in such a degree that surely no one survived underneath the sands. The event occurring to the sands greatly alters the unified forces planned invasion against Amberzâd the Orange and the Snye. The great leaders of the westerly realms remain baffled debating who or what could be responsible as they each analyze the situation below. While gazing below, Lady Gwindalyn of Enoria is certain that the destruction could only be the foils of Darcos. The shadow and presence she felt moving within the lands of the farthest east within her dreams rears its ugly head towards the west and the desolate sandy border that separates them. “The shadow is coming no longer…it is here upon our backdoor!” Lady Gwindalyn of Enoria declares adamantly aloud. Her husband, Lord Gewayne, gently escorts her away from the cliff side and calmly requests. “My dearest wife you should not go announcing such things aloud in front of the troops. Many are outsiders of these lands and are very superstitious my dear.” Gwindalyn abruptly stops in her tracks. She turns and stares into Gewayne's soft blue eyes and adamantly states as she caresses his cheek. “Dearest husband, the truth must be faced by all. Whatever caused this display of power comes and goes as it pleases with the swiftness of a shadow. Such a destructive force as witnessed last night indicates absolutely nothing else. The Lord of Darkness and Shadow rises once more! He did not possess the Dracon and perish as many believe!” Grand Lord Gewayne of Enoria quickly reacts and grabs up his wife unto him. “Gwindalyn, please keep your voice down. Unproductive rumors are not what the armies and warriors need at this moment. Nothing is certain at this moment.” Gwindalyn breaks away and remarks hastily. “This is not the deed of the orange wizard dearest husband and grand lord.” Gewayne relents knowingly reminded of his wife's enchanted skills. “Indeed I do not doubt you my dearest Gwindalyn. I would stake my life upon our unborn child against your graces and foresight. Yet, hear me dear wife. Amberzâd is nonetheless a wizard. Perhaps this is some scheme of his gone array.” Gwindalyn turns around and gazes deeply into her husband's eyes. “What occurred last night is only the beginning.” She turns and walks away disappointingly leaving Gewayne standing alone. The craters of blackened sand remain while smoldering blackened smoke floats into the air from within them. One thing is certain amongst many of the warriors and leaders standing nobly atop the Sand Mountains in remembrance of Lanolas of the Rose Sapphire as Lord Gewayne returns to the cliff side. One of the bravest and most influential young Grenelf warriors to ever face such sinister evils such as Amberzâd the Orange at the Hightower of Hazgal in Desâur or Agzônth the Indigo reincarnated as a Dracon in Moltah Darcos is surely dead after the previous night's mayhem below. Many of the various leaders from around the westerly realms discuss their own fates and wonder if venturing below with their forces into the Deseraith is worthy after viewing the wondrous evil power that laid waste to what was already barren and desolate. If Amberzâd is somehow responsible for the devastating display of power…then he possesses much more power than before during his atrocities during the Indigo War.

Completely captivating!
I'm really in love with this series now. I'm a big fan of the T.V. show "Touch" and as I read this fourth story in the fantasy series I began to realize how deep it really is much like the show "Touch". Anyway to clarify, from book 1 to this 4th book this huge story evolves in a way much different than other fantasies of this type. Others are usually quest driven or an adventure journey leading to an inevitable clash with the villain, which is usually predictable. I have yet to find anything predictable within the storylines of this series, but oh is it full of secrets between characters that drives the action and is truly mesmerizing. There is much yet to reveal obviously and I am hooked to find out exactly what that is. In book 4 more specifically, the author wastes no time in delivering the climatic outcome of Lord Lanolas of the Rose Sapphire and shockingly delivers something else unexpected. I absolutely love the varying colored wizards involvement within the storyline-stupendous! Younger Lanolee continues his discoveries abroad within the far easterly lands which offers a moment in tutoring by Elray the Yellow wizard. Yet, one must not forget Darcos is plotting his annihilation of the children of Aros and as the book ends, his first strike towards the westerly lands is underway. Yeah, I guess I am in for a good vs evil showdown and my mind runs wild thinking of how its all going to play out. The last two chapters are simply superb. I was pulled in every direction from mere concern and angst to heartbreak and sorrow to jubilation. If that was not enough, in the final moments I was left my mouth agape. (no spoiling-sorry). Next to the Lost Kingdom, this one's the best yet! I really liked LOTR, but I feel something more for the characters in this series-they feel like family.

Wonderful from start to finish!
Excitingly we jump in to the cliffhanger ending from Search for Elray involving Lanolas. I thought "Oh No!" this isn't one of those stories where the author kills off a character you've grown to love in order to focus on another or new character. (big thumbs down) Yet skillfully the author lures us to a hopeful find while investigating the devastation amongst the desolate sands but it turns out to be AMberzad the orange wizard. The scene between a dying Amberzad and Lady Venas the violet wizard is quite touching and revealing. Yet...no Lanolas to be found :(
that is just yet. Further within the story finds young Lanolee amidst the Kappa dwarf realm for the first time with his comrades Rebo (the Pixy), Timli and Elray the yellow wizard. Lanolee's first glimpse of the tiny Kappa warriors with very dark colored skin is a teaching moment for young Lanolee by his "yellow-goldened skinned" mentor- Elray. Darcos (possessing the red Changeling Moltan) further plans his diabolical elimination of all things created by his counterpart the Lord of Light while still seraching for any remnant to the armor made from his official crown. The Pixy's Rose Sapphire is stolen by Darcos who also secretly possesess six other stones created by the wizards (as Changelings) during the Times Before. I love the inclusion of the wizards' past within the storyline. The last two chapters deserve the 5 star rating...purely a thrill ride. The ending is another cliffhanging moment as depicted on the cover...but wait...it's an absolute hoot! Usually about now in fantasy series of this nature, book 4 is make it or break it for me. With more than a single main character and a creative mythos so solid, every chapter further stimulates the imagination. Now the wait for book 5 begins... :(