Category: Fantasy Publisher: ArcheBooks Publishing
ISBN-10: 1595072195
Type: Fiction
Pages: 388
Copyright: Aug 14, 2009
ISBN-13: 9781595072191
This girl power fantasy novel whisks readers away on Chariss's continuing adventure. Dragons, monsters, sorcery, and magic...with a sweet romance under it all.
There's no doubt: Chariss is in danger. Her geasa is hampered by the effects of a friend's marriage. The dashing Nigel Taiman hides something from her, yet demands she stay at his family's estate where he and her wizard guardian intend to keep her safe. But the sorcerer Lord Drake and Julette the Betrayer know she's there, and their monstrous army marches that way.
When prophecies stack up to threaten an arrogant deity, Chariss must choose between the dragon that courts her and the ostracized kings of the Southlands for help. Evil stalks her at every turn and madness creeps over the goddess who guides her. Can an orphan-turned-Protector resist the dark side of her heritage? Or will she sacrifice all to keep her god-charge safe?
Professional Reviews
Pacific Book Review, March 5, 2010
"Choices Meant for Kings" is the second of three books entitled The Choices Trilogy created by renowned fantasy author Sandy Lender.
Not beginning with "Once upon a time" was refreshing, as were the descriptions of places and characters in this immensely creative work of visionary fantasy. I admit, at first, I felt as if I was taking a S.A.T. exam, being tossed into the world of strange names and places, but thanks to the glossary of characters I found myself picking up the storyline quite quickly. Then, as if in a hypnotic trance, I allowed myself to fall into the mindset of wizards, kings, sorcerers and learn the bloodline of the rulers of Onweald. Where's Onweald? Oh, forgive me for being presumptions. It's a Rochart Inkblot shaped continent in the northern Lagustrait Ocean, just to the east of Jovera. Get the picture? If not, Sandy Lender provides a detailed illustrated map of the region, drawn by an extraordinary artist Megan Kissinger. In fact, if you use the analogy of the book being a cake, Sandy Lender's icing on the cake, her added references and imagery, brings her work to a level which can be defined only as literary art.
"Choices Meant for Kings" stands on its own merit as a book, although knowing of the trilogy makes me want to read its prequel, Choices Meant for Gods. Sandy Lender writes in a style having a combination of subtle humor below the surface of serious dialog and consequences. Definitely an "Out of the box" thinker, she has limitless novelty in her world. With a touch of Lewis Carroll's fantastical nature, Sandy Lender breaks the mold of witches and warlords set by J.K. Rowling, scalps J.R.R. Tolkien's ringlets with a swipe of a sword, and stands triumphantly on her own creative genius in the land of Onweald.
For readers with some time on their hands, I highly recommend the works of Sandy Lender. Her visionary talent has established her reputation and is creating a culture of followers and fans. Sandy Lender is on her way to gain critical mass possibly enabling "Tent-Pole Marketing" of Amanda Chariss, the beautiful and inherently powerful Protector of The Master, born with an amethyst teardrop. Chariss, as she is called, is truly worthy of being an inspiring role model for little girls and enjoyed by children, young adults, and fantasy fans of all ages. We'll be looking forward to book III of the trilogy to see what Choices the future beholds!
Sandy Lender has written another keeper
She did it again! Sandy Lender is a treasure for fantasy readers and all other readers who like intriguing, well-told tales. The world she creates, inhabited by mortals, gods, goddesses, wizards, sorcerers, dragons, and monsters, lures the reader into a total spectrum of physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual upheavals.
CHOICES MEANT FOR KINGS is the second book of The Choices Trilogy. Reading Book One of the trilogy, CHOICES MEANT FOR GODS, adds depth to the understanding of some things in this second book, but is not necessary for the reader at all.
Since I had read Book I, I felt like I reconnected with old acquaintances and was transported to Onweald and plopped down amid events taking place to fulfill prophecy.
Charliss, now Goddess of War, carries a heavy load but never waivers in her determination to survive and do what is expected of her. Hrazon, her much-loved wizard guardian, has trained her well for her role in the fulfilling of a scary prophecy.
Nigel loves Charliss with all his heart. He just wants to manage the family estate and be a simple farmer with Charliss as his wife by his side. However, his part in the course of events makes him a power to be reckoned with both in the mortal world and in the supernatural world.
The tragedies in Nigel's family are heartbreaking as they serve to spiral the plot to war with the evil Julette and Drake. But, among all the misery and frantic preparation for war, humorous events are woven into the story to give some comic relief when their world looks so out of control. The Master and Henry, totally opposite characters, serve to entertain in very different ways--ways that tickle one's sense of humor.
The multitude of fasinating characters are too plentiful to tell about in a review, but Malachi and Mahsilette are two of the most compelling and mysterious and, of course, Shadow should not be overlooked. Their influence in Charliss' life looms big as we look forward to Book III of The Choices Trilogy.
CHOICES MEANT FOR KINGS goes right beside CHOICES FOR GODS with a place left for Book III of The Choices Trilogy in my collection--can't wait to get all three so I can read them straight through. Sandy Lender has written another KEEPER.
Originally posted at www.longandshortreviews.com
The sequel to CHOICES MEANT FOR GODS is an exciting Machiavellian epic fantasy
Evil sorcerer Jamieson Drake has hunted geasa mage Amanda Chariss since she was a little girl; his intention is to possess her. The Wizard Hrazon has helped keep Amanda relatively safe, but she knows that someday soon she must either kill Drake or he will succeed; if he wins her people the Onweald are in danger.
Drake procures the service of a Dragon who is also the human Juliette. She has her own agenda in which she needs Drake's help for now. However, she plans to eliminate him when he no longer is useful. Julette travels to Lorendell to visit with King Vrel Wendan to foster her scheme to conquer the north; she wants his armies to join that of the Dreorfahn forces that support her. She also pushes the marriage between Jake Taiman and Tiaha Wold so her powers grow to the point of destroying Drake. Chariss as the Master Protector learns of Julette's quest so she knows she must prevent the dragon-Goddess from conquering Onweald.
The sequel to CHOICES MEANT FOR GODS is an exciting Machiavellian epic fantasy as everyone seems to have secret agendas in order to gain power. The story line stands alone as this reviewer did not read the previous tale, but had no problems diving into CHOICES MEANT FOR KINGS though this is apparently the middle book of a trilogy. Fans who relish complex action-packed fantasy thrillers in which no one is quite like they first appear will appreciate Sandy Lender's superb tale.
From Harriet Klausner
As the two moons rise over Arcana, Chariss has many questions on her mind: What’s Nigel Taiman hiding from me? Why is Julette trying to stop the Taiman line? On the other hand, Chariss is keeping a secret from her fiancé as well. A dragon flies to her bedroom chamber balcony every night and Chariss tells it everything that’s bothering her. Why has the dragon befriended her? Dragons don’t befriend people. It’s just not done! Who is the dragon?
Could it be that he’s the evil goddess, Julette, who walks the world of Onweald now in a dragon’s body? Maybe she turned one of her soldiers into a dragon to spy on her. Julette will stop at nothing to over throw Onweald & stop the Taiman line. If the line ends, it means the end of geasa.
Since the youngest Taiman brother married, Chariss and all of the gods and goddesses of Arcana have lost their geasa. Now, they have to battle the evil goddess Julette to get it back.
The Goddess of War, looks out of her bed chamber window to view her army on the front lawn below. We can handle anything Julette hands us. Little does she know that Julette has placed spies among them!
To add to Chariss’ problems, she finds that she is also The Masters Protector. The Master is Rohn, God of Onweald. He seems to think that he can do just about anything he did before. He does realize that he’s lost his geasa like the other gods and goddesses. Chariss has her hands full protecting him. Her problems don’t stop with the god Rohn, however.
The evil wizard, Drake who is also Julette’s puppet, has been chasing her down since she was little. He wants her for his own evil purposes.
I highly recommend this fantasy! This isn’t just your regular romance but it’s also a war story with a high body count.
The author takes us into the world of Onweald with ease making us feel like we’re fighting right alongside Chariss and her loyal followers!
The third book of the trilogy, The Chronicles of Henry Roach-Dairier, this volume, as with the others, will appeal to both adults and young adults. Readers will experience several levels of meaning from literal to social satire.
Retail Price: $15
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