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11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
I couldn't put it down!, August 25, 2009
From the opening chapter of Choices Meant for Kings, Lender sets a stage for action, suspense, and a high body count. No matter what marketing you've read of the sweet romance between the lead characters, Nigel and Chariss, this isn't a sordid romp through a bodice-ripper kind of story. Instead, Lender sends the reader on a whirlwind action-adventure epic-fantasy with multiple layers and intricate plots that keeps you turning pages well past your bed-time and ultimately staring in shock at the last page when you can't believe how much these characters have been through. This is a stunning sequel to her first novel, Choices Meant for Gods, and I can't recommend it highly enough. You'll thank her for the well-placed moments of calm, the few scenes where her characters are allowed some brief space of peace or inner reflection. Though infrequent, these scenes give an insight into characters like Chariss, Nigel, the god Rohne, the wizard Hrazon, or the ruffian Henry that added a depth unexpected in a fantasy adventure with as much to accomplish as this novel does. These scenes also give the reader reason to suspect that the world of Onweald that Lender has so cleverly built has an underlying problem...
Lender uses just enough of the "expected" fantasy elements (such as dragons, a careful old wizard, conjured power, sorcerers siding with ancient evil) to make a seasoned fantasy reader feel at home, while incorporating a host of her own creations to renew the reader's interest in the genre. She describes just what you need of her world, resisting the urge to overwhelm the reader, yet somehow bringing Onweald to life.
The strong heroine, Chariss, with her flaws and failings develops and grows in this novel, reaching out for unexpected allies (like the prostitutes in Arcana City) against ultimate evil. Lender has done a fantastic job of crafting not just the heroine, but the supporting cast as well. She even provides a list of characters at the beginning of the book, next to a detailed map of their world. By jumping into the action, giving brief and well-defined summaries of key events from Choices Meant for Gods, and providing the character list, Lender has developed a sequel that stands on its own. A reader who isn't familiar with the first book should have no trouble at all diving into this story and following it to its startling end...and then demanding Book III.
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9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sampling of Testimonials-ROF, Suspense Mag, fans, May 25, 2010
Not all reviewers post their comments on Amazon. Here is a small sampling of testimonials you can find throughout the Internet pertaining to the second novel of the "Choices" trilogy:
"The second installment of the Choices trilogy, Choices Meant for Kings, delivers everything that Lender's readers found so captivating about her first book--a heroine's struggle to shoulder an overwhelming responsibility...--and resumes the story on the periphery of an epic battle that could destroy everything the characters worked for. While Choices Meant for Kings fits comfortably in the romantic fantasy sub-genre, this is still a novel with plenty of bite: when swords inevitably fly forth from their sheaths, Lender doesn't skimp on the action."
-- Matt Staggs, Reviewer, Realms of Fantasy Magazine (Aug 2010 issue)
"Choices Meant for Kings is exactly what a sequel should be. Sandy Lender keeps up her fast paced writing style to send us even deeper into her fantasy realm. Fantasy/Suspense was starting to fall into a sleep spell, until Sandy woke it up. Sandy needs to be considered one of the top Fantasy/Suspense writers right now."
-- John Raab, Editor, Suspense Magazine
"I just got them and I just can't put it down. It is perfect for my choice of reading."
-- Jo Ann Weber, a new reader
"I loved this book. (as well as the first one) I could hardly put it down to get any sleep at night until it was finished. I have been impatiently awaiting the next."
-- Alica Propes Propst, a new reader
Thank you for checking out the other reviews readers have posted for the hardcover and Kindle editions of "Choices Meant for Kings." Enjoy your journey into Onweald!
From Fantasy Author Sandy Lender
"Some days, you just want the dragon to win."
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9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Incredibly Magical and Beyond Beautiful, August 25, 2009
When we first met Amanda Chariss, she was on the run from a madman.
Evil sorcerer Jamieson Drake has been chasing Chariss since she was a young child, with hopes of one day possessing her for his own. Chariss, with the protection of her Wizard Hrazon, knows that one day she must kill Drak or be killed.
Chariss has the geasa, magic older than time, and she must use it if she and the people of Onweald are to stay alive. She knows that her time of battle is coming and that the battle is soon.
Drake has enlisted the help of a Dragon who now walks in the human form of Julette. Older than time itself, she uses Drake like a pawn. She has her own plans, her own agenda and knows that she must help Drake to get what she wants. Of course, the fact that she is a Goddess doesn't hurt either.
When Choices Meant for Kings opens, Juliette has traveled to the distant lands of Lorendell to visit with King Vrel Wendan. She wants the Dreorfahn army for her use so that she can conquer northern Onweald. She wants to take them for her own. But there is more going on than meets the eye.
There is a prophecy in place. When Jake Taiman and Tiaha Wold marry, Juliette's powers will increase and she will be more powerful than ever. Powerful enough to do away with Drake once and for all.
Amanda Chariss is now the Protector of the Master, God of Onweald. After questioning the corrupt Emperor, he admits that the Dragon Juliette has plans to conquer Onweald. Chariss knows that she must once again do all that she can to protect the land, and the Master, that she loves so much.
But something goes horribly wrong...
Choices Menat for Kings is an absolutley amazing book. It's no mere book but instead it is a piece of word art that leaves you breathless. Instead of thread, Sandy Lender uses words to weave her tapestry and the results will leave you breathless.
When I read Sandy Lenders first novel in the trilogy, Choices Meant for Gods, I was held spellbound. I normally can't stand the genre of high fantasy; I find it dry and tedious. But Sandy Lender's gorgeous first novel re-invented a tired genre and helped me to believe in magic again.
I wondered how she would follow up such an incredible debut. The answer is with a huge, resounding bang. The middle novels in trilogies tend to be dry fodder, making the middle book boring and redundant. Not so with Choices Meant for Kings. If it's possible, there is even more action, more romance, more suspense than the first novel. Sandy Lender has avoided the middle book blues and given us a second book in a trilogy that truly sings.
I was hooked from the first page of Choices Meant for Kings and couldn't put it down. I felt like I was there with Amanda, Nigel and Hrazon, so vivid is the world that Lender has created. I lived with them, breathed with them and felt my heart race with their adventures.
Not only is Choices Meant for Kings an incredible love story but it's also one of the most amazing high fantasy novels that I have read in years. It's simply that good. Do yourself a favour and read Choices Meant for Kings.
You won't regret it.
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