by K.J. Taylor

 

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for a chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Publish Date: 1st May 2015

Title: Drachengott: Wind
Author: K.J. Taylor 
Published by: HarperCollins Publishers Australia
Book:  Book 1 
Genre: fantasy / teen
Found: NetGalley
Rating: 2.5 Voodoos

Rutger has always been a bit different. Wanting more than his current provincial life holds, he practices sword fighting, ensuring he’s ready for … he’s not quite sure what. Until he meets Swanhild, an enigmatic young woman who knows exactly what she’s training for – war. The two meet every day in the forest to practice magic and Rutger feels like he finally belongs somewhere. But Swanhild is hiding something. Will Rugter find out her secret before it’s too late? Or will the battle they’ve been waiting for render secrets irrelevant?
-Netgalley

Despite this having a simple and easily worked out plot I did enjoy this book. It stated out well, but didn’t pick up in complexity like I expected it to. I know that this is only book 1 of what I assume to be 4, but even for an introduction it wasn’t particularly complex which makes me feel like it’s for a younger audience.

The premise was really interesting and I can’t wait to find out more in the other books, maybe Swanhild will be able to save more of her people from slavery! And really, Rugter was a bit of an idiot, he didn’t figure anything out, bless him. There’s a war brewing and he’s going to be at the centre, it’s kind of a shame that he’s going to have to fumble through alone but if given forewarning, does it take away choice?

My English teacher at secondary school once told me that there was such a thing as too much dialogue. I never believed her, this is only the second book I’ve ever read that has made me realise she might have been on to something. While it doesn’t have TOO MUCH it certainly has, what seems to me, needless confirming sentences, but perhaps they were there to confirm what was going on for the younger readers instead of assuming that they understand.

I look forward to seeing what happens with the rest of this story, though perhaps I’ll collect them all and read them together.