Moroda
Book 1 in the World of Linaria epic fantasy series.
Moroda’s life is thrown into turmoil after she is publicly arrested—her city is destroyed and she narrowly escapes the chaos on a sky pirate’s airship.
But she finds no salvation outside the blackened city walls; a vigilante from an exiled race has left a trail of destruction everywhere his growing army travel. With the ability to bend people to his will, he strengthens his hold over Linaria’s people by stealing the power of dragons.
It’s only a matter of time before Moroda, too, is forced to submit.
With war nipping at her heels and danger lurking in her companions and adversaries, Moroda must quickly learn about herself, her world, and the dragons so intent on reducing it all to ash.
2018 SPFBO semi-finalist
Shortlisted for the Best Indie Book Awards 2017 – Fantasy
Title: Moroada
Author: L.L. McNeil
Genre: Fantasy
Kindle, 426 pages
Publishing Date: 02/13/2017
Publishing House: Independently published on Amazon
ASIN: B06VTZLYZQ
Edition Language: English
My Review
From the gorgeous cover to the world created in this fantastic novel, I have fallen for the cast of characters, the vivid settings, the unique magic system/sources of power and of course the DRAGONS!!! Yeah, I've fallen pretty hard for it. To say that my experience reading this novel was engrossing is a slight understatement to the actual film that went on in my mind. Although mostly in fantasy novels do I experience this motion from the written word into action, it was an effortless and beautiful venture, harrowing in dangerous moments and narrow in escapes, throbbing of the heart and all...not to be missed.
Moroda, the main character in this novel, finds herself in a prison cell for speaking her mind and questioning the governing rule publicly. After the death of her father, life hasn't been the same for her and her sister and as it looks like in this first installment of the World of Linaria series, it never will be the same again. Born a Goldstone and in her mid-twenties, she is extremely intelligent and by nature trusts others too easily, speaks her mind too freely and hence, finds herself in a pickle, chained and sentenced.
With a ragtag team of characters thrown together by fate, like the sky pirate Amarah who has her eye on the prize of highly precious jewels at all time, and Sapora the shapeshifting Varkain who hungers for blood and power, feared and shunned by most of Linaria, Moroda is able to escape imprisonment thanks to the help of her younger sister Eryn.
Much to the dismay of the handsome, young Imperial Guard Morgen who loses the bunch in the streets, his garnered status does not always agree with his alternate motives albeit the orders given from above. However, his chance to prove himself will catch up with him sooner than later.
Moroda and her sister venture from tavern to markets to other towns and learn of the destruction coming for all of Linaria via the power source of dragons manipulated and exploited by a ruler without remorse. Along their journey, the two sisters are accompanied by more characters met along the way and the story takes on an adventure of thrills, chills and intrigue. This newly formed circle of members thrown together will be tested in loyalty and trust when thrust into exhilarating as well as harrowing situations, that change Moroda from a timid mouse into a capable, defender of the power source of Linaria. Some of them aren't so lucky, some of them will pay a price.
So, how does Morgen end up fitting into all of this? Will Amarah's drive for riches sabotage the need of the greater people? And how about those shady characters picked up along the way?
One thing is for sure, Moroda is not the same from the time she has escaped that prison cell to the time she is yielding weapons in defense!
....
Airships, gorgeous landscapes, and shapeshifting, backstabbing, clever characters make this novel unputdownable and so likable. The unique backstories and the way the different histories and backgrounds mesh together and build this unique world is amazing. None of the adventures get boring and all of it is uniquely crafted, unlike anything I've ever read. There are allies along the way and new cities to be explored...one more authentic or beautiful than the last. It is amazing. The history of dragons had me wrapped up in amazement and was easily relatable too (I say this because sometimes things become too complicated or tried too hard in novels in my opinion).
I've always wanted to read more books with dragons in them and this was perfect! Though I have a shelf lined up with more fantasy novels that include dragons, I think this one will stay with me for a long time. I loved the idea of gemstones as a power source for dragons.
Moroda was a debut novel as far as I know and a 2018 SPFBO Semi-Finalist, as well as shortlisted for the Best Indie Book Awards 2017 in Fantasy. Comparing the writing to the idea of plot/storyline, I thought that the later was stronger due to pacing but with the sure promise of strong novels to follow. Take my opinion with a grain of salt though, because I could never write a novel and it will not stop me from reading the next in the series.
The world of Linaria speaks for itself. It is amazing and not to be missed.
I received a digital copy of this novel from the author in exchange for my honest opinion. Thank you kindly for the opportunity to read and review this novel.
