REVIEW: Hunter's Quest Hunters of Reloria Book 2

Review: Hunter’s Quest   Hunters of Reloria Book 2

The journey continues as the unlikely heroes trek across Reloria to gather forces to fight off the Vergai invasion which threatens their land. Haflings Fendi and Randir and their bond fairies travel north encountering Violetta, a chatty wizard’s apprentice, Flame Mountain’s men who shape shift into dragons, and the pink eyed, whiten skinned Northern Halflings. After crashing through a portal to the sister planet of Zanarah, dragon Ash and hafling Sienna struggle to stay one step ahead of the giants and devise a way to free the imprisoned elves. 

Kaspar Beaumont does it again. She has created a world that is both fantastical and familiar. Lots of action and a bit of teen romance keep the reader engaged. The science fiction twist of the giant Cyclops with laser beams shooting from their eye is imaginative. The genre mash up totally works. The lesser gravity on the sister planet of Zanarah reminds me of John Carter of Mars. This is a wonderful second installment in this series. I am just glad I already have the third book as I am eager to get on with this story.

REVIEWS; THE HUNTERS OF RELORIA SERIES BY KASPAR BEAUMONT

In the coming weeks I will post reviews of Kaspar Beaumont's Hunter's of Reloria Trilogy. 

Review: Hunters of Reloria, Book 1  Elven Jewel

Book 1 in the Hunters of Reloria series introduces us to some wonderful and unlikely heroes. Fendi, Randir, and Sienna are teen halflings used to living a mostly quiet life but they are thrust into a harsh new reality when they embark on a quest to warn others of the impending invasion about to overtake their lush and peaceful land. Hoards of Vergai, reptilian warriors from the land of Vergash are pouring into their quiet world through a portal in the shield which protects them from invaders. They are caught up in the rush to assemble an army to fight the invaders and rescue the kidnapped Elven princess, Shari-Rose. Along the way they are able to enlist the help of a motely assemblage of Relorias varied inhabitants. Once mortal enemies forge alliances to save their land. Human Knights fight alongside Dwarves and Goblins. The mysterious Mountain Man, Asher Grey leads the Hunters of Reloria to a bloody encounter with over one thousand Vergai on the plains. The battle is ultimately won but not without great cost and the princess remains captive beyond the portal in Vergash. 

Kaspar Beaumont creates a wonderful new world with diverse landscapes and people. The sense of urgency inherent in the quest keeps you turning the pages. The close friendships and teen angst of the younger characters are layered against the growing comradeship of the medley of warriors. It is a quick and easy read for fantasy lovers of all ages. I look forward to the next book.   

The Case of the Fallen Christmas Tree

My husband, Michael wrote this poem about an incident that happened a few years ago. A little background information for those who don't already know...He is a professional pet groomer by profession...Abby was our sweet Westie dog...and Figgy was our cat. Read to the end. It will surely make you smile.

The Case of the Fallen Christmas Tree

T'was the night before Christmas

From work I did come

I was ready for dinner

And some Christmas fun

The dogs were all groomed

They were clean, they were pretty

Which was good because when they first got there

They all smelled pretty sh...y

The day was done

It was good to be home

Let Christmas begin

I'll wrap Abby's bone

I entered the living room, lively and quick

To plug in the lights for old Saint Nick

When what to my wondering eyes did appear

My Christmas tree had fallen and I lost all my cheer

The tree lay flat on the living room rug

It looked pretty ugly, like a Chinese Pug

The lights were tangled, and they were unplugged

Ornaments were scattered all over the rug

I scratched my head as I surveyed the scene

How could it have fallen, the pretty Christmas tree

Abby stood loyally by Uncle Mike's side

She knew what had happened, but a snitch she could not abide

She would keep this secret and she wouldn't tell

Even if it meant she would burn in ...(the really hot place)

Sandra came home and slowly began

To redecorate the tree like only she can

She re-hung the lights and re-strung the garland

She did a great job. She's such a darlin'.

When picking up ornaments, a bird she did find

A beautiful red bird, it was one of a kind.

But there was something different about this little bird

She handed it to me without saying a word

I looked at it closely, it was no longer smooth

I knew in an instant its head had been chewed

Its' beautiful red feathers had been torn and removed

As if a fat house cat had something to prove

The mystery solved, it all came together

Figgy had done it for love of a feather

She had climbed in the tree, her bird to pursue

A very bad thing for a fat cat to do

The tree had stood strong, of this I am sure

But fat Figgy's weight was too much to endure

So it had fallen, the pretty little tree

Knocking over the Playstation 3

Surrounded by chaos, old Figgy did sit

If they figure I did it, I'll be in deep s..t

So she lay on the couch as if nothing had happened

She just didn't care, she just lay there nappin'

Thus solves the case of the Fallen Down Tree

Have a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year to thee

Michael Falcone   Dec. 2008