Book Review of The Realm, The Realm II: Rise of the Deamon Prince, and The Realm III: The Chess Master’s Ring
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The Children’s Book Review
The Realm Series
Written by Dakota McElhinny
Ages 13+ | Publisher: Dakota McElhinny
What to Expect: High Fantasy, adventure, battles (including some references to wounds and death), magic, and magical creatures
The Realm series is a fine example of the high-fantasy genre featuring an important quest performed by a core of heroic characters, many of whom face their own conflicts beyond the overarching theme of good versus evil. Readers will readily follow along with the heroes as they try to defeat the ultimate evil and save the land of Padavona.
With a nostalgic epic adventure feeling, author Dakota McElhinny begins his three-part tale in a tavern. Five characters will band together in an attempt to defeat Dentar, the Demon Prince, set to wrest control of Padavona from anyone who stands in his way. As this band of warriors discovers the strength to fight together and search for seven scattered and shattered electrum swords to defeat the Demon Prince, they will meet many challenges along the way. Trickery abounds and the heroes need to be wary of who they trust. All is not as it seems.
Dakota McElhinny has created a wonderful secondary world into which the reader can fully immerse themselves—his writing is well-honed within these books. The exciting adventure kicks off in the first installment, not letting up until it concludes in the third and final book. Many chapters use foreshadowing to draw the reader into reading “just one more chapter” and lead readers to find themselves on the last pages before they know it.
As one can imagine, the recommendation is to read these books consecutively and not out of order. Helpfully, the author provides a map and a glossary of characters that readers can use to keep up and remember or understand who the heroes have encountered or will be encountering. While the writing is straightforward, reading it together in a book club setting or reading the story aloud to younger readers will allow for discussion and greater context. Older readers will be able to devour the pages with no problems.
The Realm series is solidly written and makes for a perfect choice for anyone who enjoys epic fantasy stories.
The Realm
Written by Dakota McElhinny
Ages 13+ | 283 Pages
Publisher: Dakota McElhinny | ISBN-13: 9781944313258
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The Realm II: Rise of the Deamon Prince
Written by Dakota McElhinny
Ages 13+ | 283 Pages
Publisher: Dakota McElhinny | ISBN-13: 9781641110266
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The Realm III: The Chess Master’s Ring
Written by Dakota McElhinny
Ages 13+ | 306 Pages
Publisher: Dakota McElhinny | ISBN-13: 9798667725268
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About the Author
Originally from Columbus, Ohio, Dakota McElhinny also spent time growing up in Morganton, North Carolina. Between the two, he gained the ‘bustling city life’ and ‘rural country life’ experience. After receiving his Associate of Arts from Western Piedmont Community College, he obtained his Bachelor of Science from North Greenville University. Currently, Dakota lives in South Carolina, working as a freelance writer and author.
For more information, https://www.dakotamcelhinny-author.com/.
Read our exclusive interview: Dakota McElhinny Discusses the Realm Series
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