Luthiel's Song: Dreams of the Ringed Vale [Paperback]

I really enjoyed this book!

No, strike that. I loved it!

Why you ask? Well, the major reason is because there wasn't any pain in the butt, he-man ready to make all the decisions or do what was 'best' for our heroine without her consent. There wasn't even - technically - a main male character and a joyful lack of romantic entanglements. Now, don't get me wrong, I am all for a dash of romance in a book but there is no denying that sometimes it really does painfully complicate a plot and feelings just get plain messy.

But moving on....

Nope, Luthiel made all of her own decisions from the very beginning. And that in itself was like a breath of fresh air. There was no one peering over her shoulder trying to control her actions or influence her decisions. She decided that she was going to save her sisters life so she went for it. She decided that she was going to save others by putting her own life in danger and possibly getting herself killed in the process, she went for it.

BUT she is also not above taking advice from others when it is offered. Which showed a fantastic display of maturity in her part I think.

The wonderful thing is that she is a young heroine. At 15 I think I would have loved to have read a book about a girl who was strong and in control of her own decisions and life while battling through growing up and trying to grow into the sort of person that she wants to be - not what others are trying to shape her as. She starts of on a journey that she knows won't be easy, expecting to die at the end of it but despite the difficulties that she faces as she journeys on she doesn't let them hinder her but keeps going, keeping her sister's life at the front of her mind. Keeping the reason behind her actions and motivations front and centre in her mind - something we can all take a lesson from I think.

This book was very enjoyable for other reasons too.

The idea of werewolves is something that has been used, and used, *deep breath* and used again in literature over the past few years but our werewolf in this is different. He doesn't change back into a man, he is stuck as a wolf and has been for a very long time because of the changing power of the Vale. I liked this idea. It made it more special some how. It also made him a very real character and hard to figure out at some points and I was thrilled to read about his growing protectiveness and loyalty towards Luthiel.

I loved how Luthiel's influence on others changed them for the better throughout the book as she gained allies and friends in the most unlikely places. Even the idea that the baddies weren't really the baddies... I actually found myself liking the Vyrl and I can't wait to read more about them.

The supporting characters and world make this book both enjoyable and captivating. It was a world I did not want to leave - even to sleep. (2 am finishing time for this one guys)

There is something in this book for everyone. Adventure, danger, suspense, elves, magic, monsters, werewolves...

A marvellous read! I wanted to start reading from the beginning as soon as I had finished it (I see a re-read in my very near future)

I would absolutely recommend this to YA readers, fantasy lovers and anyone looking for a really good read.

This pleasantly surprised me. I thought Luthiel, at first, seemed a little immature, but as her quest went on she grew as a character, and the storytelling throughout was engaging and at times remeniscent of Tolkien's work. I loved the mythology of Oesha Fanney had built up, and the Vale of Mist and the mysterious Vyrl provided a very interesting twist in the tale. I enjoyed it so much I purchased the second book too, which I enjoyed even more than this one.

I discovered this writer on myspace, and was really excited about reading the story, not only because the drawings of the female hero , Luthiel, are really good, but because the story itself was great. The only thing I can complain about is that it is too short, but then again, its 328 pages, so not that short. Its the kind of book you want to read till the end, and the story develops well. I really loved it and would advise anybody who loves fantasy, and especially all tolkien fans to read this book. Its a great adventure, you get attached straight away to Luthiel and to the world she lives in. Congrats to Mr Fanney!!