A Ranger's Tale
By Mysti Parker
It is always a gamble when you pick up and read a book from a new author. Maybe their writing style hasn't matured yet or maybe they are still learning character development, or maybe they just are down-right horrible. However, I can say, after reading this book, that Mysti writes as though she has been doing it for years and this could be her 20th novel.
One of my favorite things about this book is how the story progresses. What do I mean exactly? When you read a fantasy novel, authors often do what I call "detailing you to death." In my opinion, in most cases, too much time is spent spinning a background that is totally unnecessary. When reading this genre of books I often skip over the boring details of family lineage that stretches for chapters and the entire history of the planet you're reading about. Mysti was able to bring out a great story and not drag out the history of the characters to a point of boredom. She got straight to the meat of the story.
I was captivated by the third or fourth page and sometimes this doesn't happen with me until further into a book. I had several emotions throughout this book; which is the sign of a great story. I would catch myself grinning or frowning depending on what was happening to the characters. I haven't picked a favorite character yet, but I am hoping that the baby born near the end is going to be important in future novels. I'm partial to his name as it is my middle name.
So, it is obvious I really liked the book. So now the part authors dread. What didn't I like about the book? There is always a part of a book that catches you off guard, whether good or bad, or makes you stop and think about a concept. I am trying not to spoil the story for everyone by including too much of what happens with all of the characters. However, there is one part of the book when one of the characters has fallen ill and she is being tended by a healer; this I want to address.
The healer injects the sick character with a healing potion and also draws blood and tests it for "something"; I won't say what. This concept popped out at me as odd. In my personal view, I see injections as something from our world and our time and I have never associated injections and blood-testing procedures with fantasy style stories with elves, half-elves, trolls, and ogres. I suppose that they could have developed this and it is as legit as say fireballs from bare hands, but it is not something I encountered before in a fantasy story and it caused me pause for a moment.
The rest of the story flowed very smoothly and the stubbornness of the main character mixed with her passion for life and exploration allows the reader to place a part of themselves into the story. The story has action in it for the men, and romance in it for the women. There are a few tastefully done love scenes between some of the characters filled with a little "fire!" These scenes are then matched with the heat of the battle a few pages later. It is a well-rounded novel with something for everyone.
In wrapping up my review, I have to say, bravo Mysti. I am glad that I can say this is an excellent novel and the reader will not be disappointed. I await the second book in the series.
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Top reviews from other countries
lynnnanna
Brilliant, Exciting, Tender.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 1, 2015Old&Not in my PRIME init
A Ranger's Tale
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 22, 2014