Chanticleer Book Reviews

Tag: Dragons

An October Spotlight on the 2021 Ozma Awards
Writing to Dorothy: the importance of Fantasy and the Ozma Awards

As anyone who follows Chanticleer knows, the Ozma Awards for Fantasy Fiction are named after Princess Ozma of Oz, one of Dorothy Gale’s companions in Frank Baum’s Wizard of Oz series.

L. Frank Baum, Author of The Wizard of Oz series

What you may not know is the dedication at the front of that book that reads:

To all the boys and girls who read my stories
– and especially to the Dorothys –
this book is lovingly dedicated.

As Chanticleer looks for the best Fantasy Fiction featuring magic, the supernatural, imaginary worlds, fantastical creatures, legendary beasts, mythical beings, or inventions of fancy, there’s something beautiful hidden in that dedication. When authors write fantasy, they’re diving into a world beyond science, beyond the realm of understanding.

These are the best parts of escapism in literature. While the worlds may be similar and the struggles and allegories run parallel to our world, the separation of a whole new world of fantastic magic takes us from the mundane into a realm beyond our own.

As always, Masterclass.com has an excellent definition at the ready for us:

Fantasy is a genre of literature that features magical and supernatural elements that do not exist in the real world. Although some writers juxtapose a real-world setting with fantastical elements, many create entirely imaginary universes with their own physical laws and logic and populations of imaginary races and creatures. Speculative in nature, fantasy is not tied to reality or scientific fact.

With all that in mind, think back to the dedication in Ozma of Oz. Who is the Dorothy you write for? That reader who needs to escape from the dreary grays of their world into a reflection of reality that shines beyond all belief. When we bring the reader into this world, we create something truly special and unique, and sharing that brings the magic to life.

To put all this into perspective, L. Frank Baum published the first OZ work in 1900.

Note from Kiffer: If you are writing fantasy, it will be well worth reading Baum’s first three books—if you haven’t already. Learn from the best!

Baum’s OZ series helped to pave the way for fantasy epics such as:
- The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis published 1950.
- Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien was published July 29, 1954. His The Hobbit was published in 1937.
- The Witcher novel series by Andrzej Sapkowski. Published 1986
- The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman. Published 9 July 1995
- Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling. First book published June 26, 1997
- Twilight Saga by Stephanie Meyer. First book published 2005.
Ozma of Oz: A Record of Her Adventures with Dorothy Gale of Kansas, Billina the Yellow Hen, the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman, the Cowardly Lion and the Hungry Tiger; Besides Other Good People Too Numerous to Mention Faithfully Recorded Herein, published on July 30, 1907, was the official third book of L. Frank Baum’s Oz series. It was the first in which Baum was clearly intending a series of Oz books. [Peter Glassman, “Afterword,” p 271 L. Frank Baum, Ozma of Oz, ISBN 0-688-06632-1]

Princess Ozma and her Royal Court of Oz are the rulers of the Land of Oz. She does not appear in the first book in the Oz series, but makes a grand entrance in the second of the series, The Marvelous Land of Oz. She is kind, wise, and brave. She was a long lost princess who was hidden away for her own safety when the Wizard of Oz took the throne (the man behind the curtain).

Also, notice that Dorothy is holding Billena, the speaking hen, on the cover. Billena plays an instrumental role in Dorothy’s Hero’s Journey in OZMA of OZ.

Did you know that L. Frank Baum wrote and published 40 Oz books in the series?

If you have a Fantasy book that you know deserves the recognition of a prestigious Chanticleer Int’l Book Award, submit it here by the end of October to be entered into the 2021 CIBAs.

You can see the 2020 Ozma CIBA winners here, and you better believe we have some extra Fantasy reviews to Recommend to you!

Before we dive in, if you haven’t checked out our Ten Question Interview with Elana A. Mugdan, now’s the time to fix that! She’s a marvelous fantasy author and dragon expert.

Elana A. Mugdan cosplaying as one of her characters

Without further ado, let’s see some fantasy books, starting with Mugdan!

Dragon Speaker (Book 1 in the Shadow War Saga)
By Elana A. Mugdan
Ozma Grand Prize Winner

A young girl is charged with rescuing a dragon and, ultimately, saves her world in this wide-reaching fantasy conception of love, war, danger, and magic. Massive amounts of magic!

Keriya is a simple girl of no great pedigree who lives in Aeria where everyone except her wields some form of magic. At age 14, she knows she will not be selected to prove herself worthy of a greater destiny in the annual Ceremony of Choice. But she has to try. Even though the consequences of failure will be a life of slavery, she yearns for the opportunity. She approaches the selection committee and begs – no, demands – a chance.

Continue reading here!

The Sightless City
By Noah Lemelson
Ozma First Place Winner

The city of Huile burns with trouble in Noah Lemelson’s dieselpunk novel The Sightless City.

Four years ago, the United Confederacy of the Citizens Resurgence defeated the Principate in a devastating war. Marcel Talwar lost his leg to that conflict but became a national hero for saving Huile. Now he’s settled down to work as a private detective. However, the schematics to a strange device throw his temporary calm into disarray.

Continue Reading here!

Isle of Dragons
By L.A. Thompson

Jade of House Sol has the chance to save her father from the Isle of Dragons, but land, sea, and the guards of her homeland stand between them. Will, her new friends, prove loyal and capable enough to see her journey through, and what will they find on the elusive island?

Carison Sol, betrayed by his fellow nobles, disappears across the sea in the dark of night. Meanwhile, Jade flees the guards chasing her, the leader whom is Kaylen, a former friend. Just as her pursuers close in, a young witch named Miria saves her and offers shelter, but Jade can’t stay still long. Though she doesn’t know much about the Isle of Dragons, Miria and her brother Dan must find their parents, and they offer to join Jade in her quest. Together, the three of them find a dragon who can take them to the magical island. Their journey is full of friends and enemies – and situations that test their mettle and their connection to one another.

Continue Reading here!

Cecelia (Book 1)
By Sandra L. Rostirolla
Dante Rossetti First Place Winner

Content and happy in a village nestled deep within the forest, eighteen-year-old Cecilia never realized a bigger world existed in Cecilia (The Cecilia Series Book 1) by Sandra L. Rostirolla.

After the Great War, Cecilia’s great ancestor led a small group of followers far away from the destruction left behind. For many years, they lived underground away from the poisonous air until it was safe to begin life above ground again. Now, generations later, Cecilia lives an idyllic life with her mother and two older brothers. One day, a group of dark riders decimates her village, killing every female and old person and taking prisoner all of the males old enough to join their ranks or serve as slaves for Vitus, a city Cecilia never knew existed.

Continue Reading here!

Soul Sacrifice (Book 3 in the Spirit Shield Saga)
By Susan Faw
Dante Rossetti First Place Winner

Evil has taken hold of Cathair and the surrounding lands, and only the Spirit Shields can save both the living and the dead. Cayden and Avery, human twins housing the spirits of the godling children of Morpheus, have been tasked with stopping their sister Helga. She is hellbent on wiping out humanity and controlling the spirits of both man and beast.

Separated by missions unique to their abilities, Avery and Cayden are frantically searching for a way to defeat Helga. Cayden, the keeper of the Well of Souls, is connected to all spirit life. He can feel the life literally draining from the land but is nearly powerless to stop it because he is Soul Fetched, his mind imprisoned by Helga. He knows he must fight her insidious commands but is weakening mentally and physically. Avery must find a way to commune with their father and beg his help in defeating Helga since only a god’s power can destroy her minion army of Charun, souls of former warriors returned to ethereal bodies. She is also fighting against the Daimon, creatures born of hatred and fire who consume the souls of men before they can return to the river of souls awaiting reincarnation.

Continue Reading here!

And just HOW DOES SHIRLEY TEMPLE fit into all this?

She had a show titled Shirley Temple’s Storybook series made for TV. She hosted and narrated the series that featured adaptations of classic fantasy fiction, fairy tales, and family fiction for children. [1958 – 1961] The Marvelous Land of Oz episode debut was on September 18, 1960.

Have a great Fantasy story? Submit before the end of October for the 2021 CIBAs!

When you’re ready, did you know that Chanticleer offers editorial services? We do and have been doing so since 2011.

Our professional editors are top-notch and are experts in the Chicago Manual of Style. They have and are working for the top publishing houses (TOR, McMillian, Thomas Mercer, Penguin Random House, Simon Schuster, etc.).

If you would like more information, we invite you to email Kiffer or Sharon at KBrown@ChantiReviews.com or SAnderson@ChantiReviews.com for more information, testimonials, and fees.

We work with a small number of exclusive clients who want to collaborate with our team of top-editors on an on-going basis. Contact us today!

Chanticleer Editorial Services also offers writing craft sessions and masterclasses. Sign up to find out where, when, and how sessions being held.

A great way to get started is with our manuscript evaluation service, with more information available here.

And we do editorial consultations for $75. Learn more here.

If you’re confident in your book, consider submitting it for a Editorial Book Review here or to one of our Chanticleer International Awards here.

Also remember! Our 10th Anniversary Chanticleer Authors Conference (CAC22) will be April 7-10, 2022, where our 2021 CIBA winners will be announced. Space is limited and seats are already filling up, so sign up today! CAC22 and the CIBA Ceremonies will be hosted at the Hotel Bellwether in Beautiful Bellingham, Wash. Sign up and see the latest updates here!
October 22, 2021
ISLE of DRAGONS by L. A. Thompson – Steampunk Sci-fi, Y/A Sword and Sorcery Fantasy, Fantasy Anthologies and Short Stories

Jade of House Sol has the chance to save her father from the Isle of Dragons, but land, sea, and the guards of her homeland stand between them. Will, her new friends, prove loyal and capable enough to see her journey through, and what will they find on the elusive island?

Carison Sol, betrayed by his fellow nobles, disappears across the sea in the dark of night. Meanwhile, Jade flees the guards chasing her, the leader whom is Kaylen, a former friend. Just as her pursuers close in, a young witch named Miria saves her and offers shelter, but Jade can’t stay still long. Though she doesn’t know much about the Isle of Dragons, Miria and her brother Dan must find their parents, and they offer to join Jade in her quest. Together, the three of them find a dragon who can take them to the magical island. Their journey is full of friends and enemies – and situations that test their mettle and their connection to one another.

Isle of Dragons starts off running, with a tense scene of Jade evading the guards who want to drag her back to the capital. From there, scenes after scenes flow quickly into one another, leading the characters to new and exciting challenges. As they run and struggle, Jade and her companions gradually uncover a dangerous conspiracy that’s shifting the very forces of their world out of balance. They rarely have a chance to rest, constantly on the chase, which relaxes only long enough to prepare the next rising tension point.

Author L. A. Thompson develops her coming-of-age young adult novel with characters that will resonate with today’s audience.

Her characters showcase their personalities and the dynamics they’ll share with those around them, which makes the cast unique and compelling. The journey develops and expands with charming, friendly people who bring Isle of Dragons’ world to life, alongside the callous villains. Kaylen, the hunt’s leader, makes for a villain both relentless, and in her uncertainties, sympathetic. She becomes a strong foil for Jade as the story continues, drawing on their shared past.

Jade’s heart is bare in the prose, showing the strength of her desire to save Carison, as well as her fear of being a burden on her friends, of putting them in danger with her very presence. The relationships and conflicts between Jade, Miria, and Dan remain at the heart of the story, even as Jade and Miria’s determination borders on obsession and threatens to destroy them.

Thompson sets scenes with efficiency and care, with landscapes of fully realized Steampunk, full of color, heat, cold, and history.

The sense of mystery and adventure is vital as the heroes find something new to learn about every place they visit. Their travels begin with fantastic descriptions of fighting, riding, and befriending dragons. They master impressive feats of magic and the mechanical vehicles which roam the land, driven by Jade, Dan, and their pursuing guards. Their flight through these extraordinary settings becomes grander and more complex with every close escape, action scenes growing more intense to match the stakes they hold.

To finish her journey, Jade must learn the importance of not facing the world alone but embracing the community and kindness to save the lost and frightened. She finds that good people are struggling under their corrupt, power-hungry leaders and that the only way to go on is to accept help and offer it to those she meets. Kaylen’s villainy is thrown into stark reality by the unjust law she serves and the cruelty that those above her inflict. Betrayal offers intoxicating power; will Jade resist it and keep her loyalty to those who care for her, or will her old world of scheming nobles drag her back into their fold?

Isle of Dragons is an excellent fit for fans of fantasy and adventure, and those who love to see creative Steampunk mechanical devices, magical fights, and well-developed characters whose story is worthy of reading the next book in the series.

April 14, 2021
10 Questions with ELANA MUGDAN – Marketing, Writing, Fantasy Books, Dragons, Author Interview

Elana and her Dragon

UPDATE: Dragon Speaker WON GRAND PRIZE in the CIBA 2018 OZMA Awards for Fantasy Fiction!

You may have heard of her. Elana Mugdan, author, director, channeler of all things fabulous – and most recently, the winner in Vitamin Water’s Challenge! What you may not know, Elana is also a Chanticleer-ian! We love her work as much as we love her. And we thought you might like a chance to get to know her a little more, as well. Click here to follow the link from the Today Show – Alana explaining how the Vitamin Water Challenge works.

Please enjoy and share our 10 Question Author Interview!

Chanticleer: Tell us a little about yourself: How did you start writing?

Mugdan: I started writing at a very young age. I always had a wild imagination, and there was always a story to tell. Some of my earliest – and fondest – memories are of me dictating epic fantasy adventures to my father, and him typing them out on the old family computer in the basement (while he was supposed to be doing his own work, no less). I actually wrote my first “novel” when I was just five years old. It was a story about a girl and a dragon going on a quest . . . two decades later, the story hasn’t changed. At least I’m consistent!

Chanti: That’s pretty sweet! I bet your family is very proud of you. When did you realize you that you were an author?

Mugdan: Surprisingly, it took me a long time to realize writing was my preferred method of storytelling. I floated through a number of artistic fields when I was younger, including the film industry. I focused my energy on production and worked myself to the bone for years before I realized that every time I stepped foot on someone else’s set, I was really living someone else’s dream. This wasn’t what made my heart beat – I had my own stories to tell. So I redirected my attention to my novels, and that’s when the series really took off. I’m so glad I had that moment of clarity and realized that I wanted to focus on what I truly love, which is writing.

Chanti: What led you to write in this genre?

“Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.” Pablo Picasso

Mugdan: Fantasy. All day, every day. I’ve loved fantasy, magic, and dragons for as long as I can remember. During my formative reading years, all my favorite series were meaty epic fantasy tales. I actually got into the Wheel of Time series even before I discovered Lord of the Rings, and that shaped my style both as a reader and a writer. There’s something beautiful about diving headlong into another world, getting lost there, going on adventures there. Those are the stories I love, and those are the stories I want to tell.

Chanti: Do you find yourself following the rules or do you like to make up your own rules?

Mugdan: I’ve never been one for rules. Picasso said it best: “Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.” Rules exist for good reason, but it’s an artist’s job to think outside the box. If you try too hard to conform to others’ ideas of what your work should be, then you stifle your creativity and your truth. There will always be people who tell you your book is too long, or your vocabulary is too advanced for your readers, or your characters should change for the sake of marketability, or something similarly silly. Some of the best and most magical stories were ones that broke traditional boundaries, and I believe you shouldn’t be afraid to tell your tale the way it deserves to be told.

Chanti: That’s really good advice. How does being an author affect your involvement in your community?

Mugdan: It has given me a great opportunity to get out and meet new people, not only in my immediate community but across the country. I’ve made so many connections by reading excerpts from my books at local open mic nights, giving presentations at schools, and hosting events at indie bookstores and libraries. Just this past December I was lucky enough to have a stand at my town’s Winter Festival, which was an incredible experience. They invited me to read an excerpt on stage, and I met so many bright, inquisitive young readers who spoke to me about my work. I think I made a good impression on them because I actually sold out of books while there!

Chanti: Congratulations! Give us your best marketing tips, what’s worked to sell more books, gain notoriety, and expand your literary footprint.

Mugdan: I wouldn’t call myself a marketing guru by any stretch of the imagination, but I’ve learned a lot on my journey. I think the most important thing an author can do to gain notoriety is to network. Don’t be afraid to contact your local bookstore or library to see if they want to co-host an event with you – chances are they’ll be thrilled! By putting yourself out there, you get to meet new readers and allies. Try things that are beyond your comfort zone, like offering to speak about writing or publishing at a nearby school.

You can connect to young audience members this way, and inspire them to keep reading, writing, and dreaming. If you build your foundation brick by brick, one person at a time, soon you’ll start to see the fruits of your labor.

Of course, once you make these connections, you’ll need to stay in touch! Don’t discount the power of a strong, active social media presence – if people like your work, they want to know what you’re up to. Make sure you have a clean, presentable, informative website and a monthly newsletter to keep your audience up-to-date.

Chanti: I like what you’re saying. Many of us are self-described introverts. It is a challenge to get ourselves out there. But once we do, it’s so easy to let that slide. Thank you for reminding us that followup is key – and newsletters do make a difference! What are you working on now? What can we look forward to seeing next from you?

Mugdan: I’m currently putting the finishing touches on Dragon Child, Book II of The Shadow War Saga, so it’s ready for its release on May 21^st of this year. Now that it’s so close to being done, I’ve also set my sights on completing the final round of edits for Book III, Dragon Blood, which will be out in February 2020. And of course, once that’s done I’ll be starting a major round of revisions on Book IV, Dragon War (slated for a tentative release date of April 2021).

While I’m not writing and editing, I’m organizing my ongoing book tour for my debut novel, Dragon Speaker. So far I’ve held events in Pennsylvania, Vermont, Kansas, Maryland, and my home state of New York. I have a number of events coming up, and I’m hoping that I can continue to gain momentum over the coming months and turn it into a trans-continental adventure!

This is what we had to say about Dragon Speaker “High fantasy that hits all the marks.” Read the review in its entirety here.

Dragon Child, Elana’s newest book due out in May has already been reviewed and ready for pre-orders. Here’s a wee glimpse “Mugdan hooks readers and does not let them go! Fantasy brilliantly told, will delight readers in the second book of The Shadow War Saga.” Read the review right here.

Chanti: Who’s the perfect reader for your book?

Mugdan: I’d recommend my series for anyone who likes epic fantasy and dragons, obviously; but beyond that, anyone who enjoys strong, spirited, and oftentimes deeply flawed characters. One of the things that irks me about traditional fantasy stories is that we see all these beautiful, perfect heroes who effortlessly triumph over their evil foes because they are so Brave and Good. To me, that doesn’t make a relatable – or interesting – character. Our flaws make us interesting, and the way we overcome our flaws is what makes a great story. Many of my characters struggle with self-image, fear, even their own morality. During the course of the series, we see them grow and we see their worldview change as they learn about acceptance, self-love, and forgiveness. These are books for people who love fantasy, but who are tired of the usual fantasy tropes we so often encounter.

Chanti: And that’s exactly why your books are so highly rated! What is the most important thing a reader can do for an author?

Mugdan: The most important thing? Buy our books! Show your support for artists and their art. The second most important thing? Rate and review! Seriously, you don’t know how much of a difference it makes. Even if it’s a short review, just a couple sentences about what you liked (or didn’t like), it helps us in terms of visibility and credibility. Reviews can be the deciding factor when a reader is deciding to take a chance on a new book. Let the world know what you thought, so you can help others discover something wonderful which they otherwise might never have found!

Chanti: Well said! What excites you most about writing?

Mudgan: I love losing myself in my own little world. In writing, you are limited only by your imagination. You can create the most beautiful places and go on the adventures you’ve always wanted to take. If reading is a personal experience, writing is even more so – you pour your heart into your work, and you discover answers to questions you weren’t even aware you’d asked. When things come together and everything in your story finally falls into place, when you finish an action-packed or emotional chapter, or when you unearth a great truth in your writing, then there’s this brilliant moment of clarity. You’re filled with a sense of achievement that you have created something unique and magnificent. And that’s a feeling worth living for.

Chanti: Elana, it’s been a pleasure. Thank you for sharing your journey and wisdom with us!

Now it’s our turn. Do you like what you’ve read? Would you like to follow Elana Mugdan and see how she completes her Vitamin Water Challenge? Or where she’ll be next in her book tour? Please follow these link and sign up for her newsletter.

Elana Mugdan:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/dragonspleen

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SilverScreenDragon

March 3, 2019
HOW to SET the WORLD on FIRE by OZMA Award-Winning Author, T.K. Riggins – Sword & Sorcery, YA, Coming of Age, Dragons

Are you looking for a magical fix this summer? Pick up the award-winning Young Adult book, How to Set the World on Fire by 2017 Chanticleer Award-Winning author for the OZMA – Fantasy Awards, T.K.Riggins and sink into a worthy example of the “school of magic” sub-genre sparked by the Harry Potter series.

In this fast-paced, good-humored story, Kase Garrick, grandson of legendary warrior Roman Garrick, takes up residence in the Warriors castle at The Academy, reuniting with his older sister Cali, a member of the school’s Scholars branch. From his first day, Kase gains an enemy in Cali’s boyfriend Niveous. Sent to the Disciplinary Room thanks to Niveous’s trickery, Kase makes fast friends with the two girls also in detention: Talen, a sweet but awkward savant, and rebellious Lenia, whose control over fire tends dangerously toward pyromania.

Kase hones his skills in weaponry while he and Lenia flirt themselves into love, while everything is building in anticipation to the Quest Series, the annual Academy competition. The teams are usually made up of four students from a single school, but Cali, Kase, Lenia, and Talen bend the rules to form their own team. They find support from the Grand Master and Professor Bright, the elements instructor, both of whom see the unusual potential in these four students.

When the Quest Series begins, the plot coalesces into an exciting journey, not only into the four corners of the realm, but also into the students’ psyches. Each of the five Events poses mental, physical, and emotional challenges for Cali’s team, The Liberati. Each student’s mental aptitude and fortitude are tested, as well, but not only by their ordeals—some teams join with Niveous’s crew to hamstring the favored four. Their malice, however, turns to alarm when it becomes apparent that The Liberati–Kase, and Lenia in particular—have powers far beyond those developed by The Academy.

Being a school of magic sub-genre, of course, one would be right in expecting the same feel and some of the same elements setting the stage as one would find in Harry Potter. For example, in this book, you’ll find former students turned evil, a headmaster, various schools within the larger school, an exciting and dangerous competition, Kase’s singular magic, and spiders. Another similarity fans will rejoice in, like Harry Potter, the author has just disclosed that this is indeed Book One of a series!

More impressively, the story holds up very well on its own, and author Riggins manages to create a world that has one foot in fantasy and the other in up-to-the-minute reality. Sage mirrors, for instance, are only slightly more magical than smartphones and the kids take selfies to prove their accomplishments. Very smart.

What Riggins also gets very right is the way he integrates words of wisdom into the competition. In one instance, the Grand Master exhorts them to: “Know who you are, but don’t be discouraged by who you are not.” And in another: “Sometimes the hardest part about finding something beyond your reach, is finding yourself first.” But avid readers will find The Liberati’s call to arms the best advice of all: “To the library!”

T.K. Riggins won the 2017 OZMA (Fantasy) Grand Prize in the Chanticleer Int’l Book Awards for How to Set the World on Fire!

June 26, 2018