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annettebooksofhopeanddreams's review
4.0
I think it was a really bad idea to have such a long break between book 11 and all the others. Book 11 was epic and amazing and I know that the three books I've read now are the first episodes of a series after their mid season finale, but it takes me some time to get into the books again.
I still love Amel, the way her illness is portrayed, the role her crutch plays and the prejudice she faces. I still love Raolcan, who's the most amazing all knowing character in the whole wide world, with wits and sarcasm and a nice sense of humor. I love all the other characters, Savette and Lang. But that true spark that I felt while reading the first books is missing now.
It might have to do with the slight road trip vibes the last few books have. I hate road trips. It always feels like a writer coming up with as many possible detours as possible to make the story longer. I'm not saying they can't be interesting or fun or amusing. But they're not really my cup of tea.
That being said: Even with those minor complaints, I still think this series, and this book, is among the best I've read this year. It's amazingly well written, the world building is mind blowing, the characters are lovely and the story is gripping.
I can't wait to read on and I for sure can't wait for the season finale!
I still love Amel, the way her illness is portrayed, the role her crutch plays and the prejudice she faces. I still love Raolcan, who's the most amazing all knowing character in the whole wide world, with wits and sarcasm and a nice sense of humor. I love all the other characters, Savette and Lang. But that true spark that I felt while reading the first books is missing now.
It might have to do with the slight road trip vibes the last few books have. I hate road trips. It always feels like a writer coming up with as many possible detours as possible to make the story longer. I'm not saying they can't be interesting or fun or amusing. But they're not really my cup of tea.
That being said: Even with those minor complaints, I still think this series, and this book, is among the best I've read this year. It's amazingly well written, the world building is mind blowing, the characters are lovely and the story is gripping.
I can't wait to read on and I for sure can't wait for the season finale!
belindaclemons_123's review
5.0
Dragon School Ancient Allies is mind blowing. I said OMG I don't know how many times when I was reading it. Amel has been gifted with the gift of visions and has to help Rakturan retrieve a ancient device important to his people but there is a twist to the storyline. This series just keeps getting better and better.
gingerblack's review
5.0
I never know what to expect with every page. I love the emotional roller coaster that I am on. I never want the ride to end.
morebookspleaseblog's review
5.0
Ancient Allies, More Problems
With her new mission, Amel is off to help The Dark Prince some allies. As a result, it leaves her in servitude. With a lack of knowledge of the culture, Amel unknowingly submits Rak to a challenge of his crown. With each book, things get more and more serious! I had doubts about Rak, but he's growing on me.
With her new mission, Amel is off to help The Dark Prince some allies. As a result, it leaves her in servitude. With a lack of knowledge of the culture, Amel unknowingly submits Rak to a challenge of his crown. With each book, things get more and more serious! I had doubts about Rak, but he's growing on me.
si0bhan's review
4.0
With the end being in sight with the Dragon School series – if things go as planned, it is to finish after twenty of these little ‘episodes’ – I find myself desperate to see how everything ties together. I’m starting to hope for resolution, yet it appears more questions are still being added. Despite how much I’ve enjoyed this series, I do find myself nervous of how things will end.
Dragon School: First Flight, book one, sucked me completely into the world – it was so much more than I’d expected, and I couldn’t wait to get more. Dragon School: Initiate, book two, sucked me in even deeper – it showed me there was more to the story than I’d originally thought, ensuring I would pick up the next. Dragon School: The Dark Prince, book three, was a very important book in the series – it may not have been my favourite book, but it was vital to the overall story. Dragon School: The Ruby Isles, book four, continues to move things forward in a wonderful way – it may not be my favourite of the stories, but it is another important addition. Dragon School: Sword, book five, was another brilliant read, adding more to the series – it was also the book that reminded me why I was following the series in the first place, pulling me back in after a short hiatus.
Dragon School: Dusk Covenant, book six, added plenty of new twists – more than enough to ensure I remained ensnared with the story. Dragon School: First Message, book seven, brought even more to the table – more was added to the storyline, plenty of things leaving me curious as to what would come next. Dragon School: Warring Promises, book eight, left on a serious cliff-hanger – all the books leave on a cliff-hanger, but this was probably the biggest of them all. Dragon School: Prince of Dragons, book nine, was probably my least favourite of the series, but it continued to move things forward for us.
Dragon School: Dark Night, book ten, was one of my favourites in the series, increasing the level of intensity and leaving us with so many expectations. Dragon School: Bright Hopes, book eleven, was a pivotal book in the series, giving us so many new twists and making so many promises for the future. Dragon School: Mark of Loyalty, book twelve, blew all the prior books out of the water, earning it the label as my favourite in the series. Dragon School: Dire Quests, book thirteen, didn’t quite live up to the potential, but I did give it a rounded up three-point-five-star rating. Dragon School: Ancient Allies, book fourteen, was another rounded up rating.
Personally, I was a bit bored with Ancient Allies for quite a bit of this story. I enjoyed how we got to see even more of the world, with something new opening up, yet I feel as though we drifted a bit from the main storyline for too long. In many ways, I feel as though this book worked to open possibilities for the future series the author has planned for this world. It was fun to see more, I enjoyed how we got introduced to new aspects, but I was left with a lot of waiting for something to happen.
In fact, for most of this book I was considering rounding this rating down to a three-star rating. Were it not for the end, I would have done so. The last few chapters in this one gave us what we usually enjoy about this series – the new information with shock twists that throws us forward – but the majority of the book wasn’t up to the usual standard, at least in my mind. I’ve come to expect so much more from this series, and this one was simply enjoyable rather than the amazing addiction I’ve grown accustomed to.
My fingers are crossed we start to move towards some kind of conclusion over the next couple of books, without any more big plot twists being thrown in. As much as I’m enjoying the series, I feel as though if new things continue to be added, things will start to drag.
Another fun read, certainly worth it if you’re a fan of the Dragon School series, but it’s far from my favourite in the series.
Dragon School: First Flight, book one, sucked me completely into the world – it was so much more than I’d expected, and I couldn’t wait to get more. Dragon School: Initiate, book two, sucked me in even deeper – it showed me there was more to the story than I’d originally thought, ensuring I would pick up the next. Dragon School: The Dark Prince, book three, was a very important book in the series – it may not have been my favourite book, but it was vital to the overall story. Dragon School: The Ruby Isles, book four, continues to move things forward in a wonderful way – it may not be my favourite of the stories, but it is another important addition. Dragon School: Sword, book five, was another brilliant read, adding more to the series – it was also the book that reminded me why I was following the series in the first place, pulling me back in after a short hiatus.
Dragon School: Dusk Covenant, book six, added plenty of new twists – more than enough to ensure I remained ensnared with the story. Dragon School: First Message, book seven, brought even more to the table – more was added to the storyline, plenty of things leaving me curious as to what would come next. Dragon School: Warring Promises, book eight, left on a serious cliff-hanger – all the books leave on a cliff-hanger, but this was probably the biggest of them all. Dragon School: Prince of Dragons, book nine, was probably my least favourite of the series, but it continued to move things forward for us.
Dragon School: Dark Night, book ten, was one of my favourites in the series, increasing the level of intensity and leaving us with so many expectations. Dragon School: Bright Hopes, book eleven, was a pivotal book in the series, giving us so many new twists and making so many promises for the future. Dragon School: Mark of Loyalty, book twelve, blew all the prior books out of the water, earning it the label as my favourite in the series. Dragon School: Dire Quests, book thirteen, didn’t quite live up to the potential, but I did give it a rounded up three-point-five-star rating. Dragon School: Ancient Allies, book fourteen, was another rounded up rating.
Personally, I was a bit bored with Ancient Allies for quite a bit of this story. I enjoyed how we got to see even more of the world, with something new opening up, yet I feel as though we drifted a bit from the main storyline for too long. In many ways, I feel as though this book worked to open possibilities for the future series the author has planned for this world. It was fun to see more, I enjoyed how we got introduced to new aspects, but I was left with a lot of waiting for something to happen.
In fact, for most of this book I was considering rounding this rating down to a three-star rating. Were it not for the end, I would have done so. The last few chapters in this one gave us what we usually enjoy about this series – the new information with shock twists that throws us forward – but the majority of the book wasn’t up to the usual standard, at least in my mind. I’ve come to expect so much more from this series, and this one was simply enjoyable rather than the amazing addiction I’ve grown accustomed to.
My fingers are crossed we start to move towards some kind of conclusion over the next couple of books, without any more big plot twists being thrown in. As much as I’m enjoying the series, I feel as though if new things continue to be added, things will start to drag.
Another fun read, certainly worth it if you’re a fan of the Dragon School series, but it’s far from my favourite in the series.
novelbloglover's review
4.0
Book Review
Title: Ancient Allies (Dragon School #14)
Author: Sarah K. L. Wilson
Genre: YA/Fantasy
Rating: ****
Review: Seeing Amel help both Renn and Rakturan escape from the Ifrits at the end of Dire Quest, we can see Amel starting to grow into her position and gain more confidence as a dragon rider. After summoning the Trogs, ancient beings revered by even dragons, they choose Rakturan as their champion for dealing with the Ifrits but they also give Amel a part of their gift as she was the one who was able to summon them when they were needed. Rakturan asks Amel to deliver a message to his uncle in the north with Renn and stay for as long as she can in order to help him gather some allies before heading back to the Dominion. Amel is aware of how much is resting on her shoulders but the gift from the Trogs does ease her a little as it allows her to see her loved ones, Hubric, Savette, Shonan and Leng alive and still fighting.
As she and Renn prepare to leave at first light, Amel knows that the fate of Baojang and the Dominion could be and possibly is resting on her shoulders. On their way to Rakturan’s uncle they make a stop in the desert lands where Renn tries to touch an ancient artefact and ends up unconscious because of it, and Amel has had enough of Baojang and wants to return home but she has a message to deliver first. When they actually arrive, Amel has to deal with the Baojang people without her translator and guide to the different culture so she has to wing it. She relays that she has a message but is met by Rakturan’s cousin, Jalla who offers to help Renn as she recognises what has caused his wounds. Amel seems pleased until she learns that Renn’s mistake has made them both slaves to Jalla until she says otherwise which means she is now stuck in Baojang and can’t leave and even Rakturan might not even be able to help her as he mentioned that the war lords mainly kept to themselves but in this time of unrest he can’t guarantee that his presence is a good thing in certain places.
Amel isn’t taking well to being a slave as she is used to making her own decisions and her visions aren’t helping. Savette asks again for allies as they are struggling without them, she sees Leng and Shonen gaining allies wherever they can and she knows she has to return to the Dominion soon. However, she accidentally submitted Rakturan to an ancient trial, the same one Renn unknowingly attempted and the winner and rightful ruler of all Baojang will be the one that removes the item. The trial itself is going to be difficult as the item will only be released to someone who is pure of heart and I am remembering that Jalla doesn’t have the purest of intentions and honestly I really dislike her as a character.
As the trial begins both Rakturan and the Crescent Prince seem evenly matched and the trial goes on through the night. Jalla mentions that no trial has ever gone on this long, as the second day begins the Crescent Prince’s strength is waning so he calls an Ifrit to take his place as second as anyone is allowed to join the trial at any time. The Ifrit seems to be overwhelming Rakturan who is exhausted so Amel steps up to take his place. Instantly her gift from the Trogs comes in full force as she is pushed into the bodies of her friends to give them hope even when they are at their lowest. She helps Savette defeat a huge amount of Ifrits and retake on the cities but when she is pushed in Hubric’s body, I think it was her actions that led to the death of Haskell, the woman Hubric loves. Eventually she manages to free the item within and use it to dispel the Ifrits, it seems to be a pipe/musical instrument of some sort but it is almost immediately snatched away by Jalla. Overall, Ancient Allies was an amazing book but I couldn’t enjoy it to the fullest because I spent most of it just hating Jalla and I just can’t seem to find anything redeemable about her character.
Title: Ancient Allies (Dragon School #14)
Author: Sarah K. L. Wilson
Genre: YA/Fantasy
Rating: ****
Review: Seeing Amel help both Renn and Rakturan escape from the Ifrits at the end of Dire Quest, we can see Amel starting to grow into her position and gain more confidence as a dragon rider. After summoning the Trogs, ancient beings revered by even dragons, they choose Rakturan as their champion for dealing with the Ifrits but they also give Amel a part of their gift as she was the one who was able to summon them when they were needed. Rakturan asks Amel to deliver a message to his uncle in the north with Renn and stay for as long as she can in order to help him gather some allies before heading back to the Dominion. Amel is aware of how much is resting on her shoulders but the gift from the Trogs does ease her a little as it allows her to see her loved ones, Hubric, Savette, Shonan and Leng alive and still fighting.
As she and Renn prepare to leave at first light, Amel knows that the fate of Baojang and the Dominion could be and possibly is resting on her shoulders. On their way to Rakturan’s uncle they make a stop in the desert lands where Renn tries to touch an ancient artefact and ends up unconscious because of it, and Amel has had enough of Baojang and wants to return home but she has a message to deliver first. When they actually arrive, Amel has to deal with the Baojang people without her translator and guide to the different culture so she has to wing it. She relays that she has a message but is met by Rakturan’s cousin, Jalla who offers to help Renn as she recognises what has caused his wounds. Amel seems pleased until she learns that Renn’s mistake has made them both slaves to Jalla until she says otherwise which means she is now stuck in Baojang and can’t leave and even Rakturan might not even be able to help her as he mentioned that the war lords mainly kept to themselves but in this time of unrest he can’t guarantee that his presence is a good thing in certain places.
Amel isn’t taking well to being a slave as she is used to making her own decisions and her visions aren’t helping. Savette asks again for allies as they are struggling without them, she sees Leng and Shonen gaining allies wherever they can and she knows she has to return to the Dominion soon. However, she accidentally submitted Rakturan to an ancient trial, the same one Renn unknowingly attempted and the winner and rightful ruler of all Baojang will be the one that removes the item. The trial itself is going to be difficult as the item will only be released to someone who is pure of heart and I am remembering that Jalla doesn’t have the purest of intentions and honestly I really dislike her as a character.
As the trial begins both Rakturan and the Crescent Prince seem evenly matched and the trial goes on through the night. Jalla mentions that no trial has ever gone on this long, as the second day begins the Crescent Prince’s strength is waning so he calls an Ifrit to take his place as second as anyone is allowed to join the trial at any time. The Ifrit seems to be overwhelming Rakturan who is exhausted so Amel steps up to take his place. Instantly her gift from the Trogs comes in full force as she is pushed into the bodies of her friends to give them hope even when they are at their lowest. She helps Savette defeat a huge amount of Ifrits and retake on the cities but when she is pushed in Hubric’s body, I think it was her actions that led to the death of Haskell, the woman Hubric loves. Eventually she manages to free the item within and use it to dispel the Ifrits, it seems to be a pipe/musical instrument of some sort but it is almost immediately snatched away by Jalla. Overall, Ancient Allies was an amazing book but I couldn’t enjoy it to the fullest because I spent most of it just hating Jalla and I just can’t seem to find anything redeemable about her character.
wanderfca69's review
5.0
Another exciting installment in this wonderful short story series. Amel and Raolcan are on their quest for allies for the Light. Can Amel and Raolcan complete their mission or will being made a slave impede it? I enjoyed this story very much and am looking forward to the next in the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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