Customer Reviews

Defenders of the Scroll: History, Legend and Lore

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When I first received Defenders of the Scroll for review I was a little iffy about it because the cover reminded me of a video game. But boy was I wrong! I was taken through an adventurous ride from page one all the way to the end. I loved the plot of the story, it was very refreshing and magical. I couldn't help but get lost in this world Shiraz and his team created. I really enjoyed the characters and found them to be very likable. Especially Alex and Dara, they were my favorite, they made the book entertaining. I definitely think this book is very versatile and could attract many audiences, however this book would be great for readers between the ages of ten and sixteen. I believe it would actually make an interesting read for students in school. I loved how every page was written on a scroll which is definitely creative, I never seen that before. Also, some chapters had illustrations which provided me with an image of how the struggle between good and evil looked like. Their is also going to be a second book so I'll be looking forward to continuing the journey. Honestly the ending made me laugh, it was a simple word yet funny! Anyways, overall, I unexpectedly enjoyed Shiraz's writing and it made me more open minded to fantasy type novels.

I admit it. I am not someone who usually likes to read sci-fi/fantasy books. When I was contacted to review this book, the blurb about it caught my interest. I thought to myself that if I want to expand my mind and read outside the normal stuff I read, then I ought to try somewhere. So I decided to give it try. I am so glad I did.

I was hooked after chapter one and I had to keep reading to find out what happens! It starts with a wizard, who is the King of Mythos, and his daughter Dara practicing magic. Eventually, we read that the King is captured and has left a secret scroll for her daughter. She has the ability to summon people to help her on her journey to save the Great Hall and her father. You will meet six heros that she ends up summoning.

The great thing about this Young Adult book is the incredible artwork that is included in the story. The author has so much detail in the writing explaining the character that the pictures just enhance what you are already picturing in your mind. A story with great attention to detail, suspense and adventure.

I can't wait to see what the author comes up with next!!

Defenders of the Scroll went above and beyond my expectations.

I normally don't enjoy fantasy/adventure books (or movies) but this particular book was highly recommended to me so I sat down and gave it a shot.

I never, ever imagined I would enjoy it as much as I did. I found I was staying up until the wee hours of the morn just to see what was going to happen. Suspenseful the whole way through!

The characters in the book were unique yet lovable and I found myself relating to them on so many levels. The author puts humour in the book through the character's dialogue and personalities, and even had me laughing out loud.

I am an adult, yet loved the book as much as young adults and teenagers would (who the author targets).

If you liked Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings, then this book is definitely for you!

Reason for Reading: The combination of members who joined the quest in this fantasy is what initially intrigued me enough to want to read the book.

Summary: Alex is your typical high school teen with one major obsession, playing rpg/mporg video games and a secondary fixation as the leader and lead guitarist of a band called the Axemen. Alex's biggest dilemna in life is whether to skip a history exam to go to a real studio audition with the band. Meanwhile, in another realm of existence , Mythos, the dark forces have started to take over. Kidnapping and torturing the king to get the source of all his power, the magical scroll which is in possession of his 11 year old daughter, Dara. The King's army, aptly named the Axemen have become lost in an ensorcered wood with no way out. When Dara summons the leader of the Axemen, Alex appears before her and he is stuck in her world until he has completed his mission, protect her until her father is free. As they search for the Hall of Shadows where her father is imprisoned and try to stay clear of the Shadow Warriors as they track Dara in search of the scroll they call upon teen warriors to join them in their quest: Scorpius, a Roman legionnaire, Genjuro, a Japanese samurai, Bantu, an African warrior, Maya, an Amazon archer and Tenzin a Shaolin monk.

Comments: First off this book is unique in that the pages have been designed with a scroll background which makes for a very attractive presentation. However, this left the reading page a very light grey with black text which I think did interfere with my normal reading speed as it did take me longer than it should have to read this book and I know it was not from lack of enjoyment. While the story follows the basic 'group of companions on a quest' format, a lot of originality has been brought into play making this a very enjoyable treat. They must follow many mini quests on the way to their larger goal and they face many dangers from the elements, monstrous creatures and their pursuers. At the beginning of the book, I did find it a bit confusing as it jumped back and forth between Alex in the modern world and Mythos as the trouble started. I had this lost feeling as to who were these people and what was going on but rather than distracting from the story it made me determined in the beginning to keep reading until the two sets of characters merged, as I knew they would. I started reading the book in bed and my dh asked me to turn the light off so he could sleep and I told him plainly, "No, not until this Alex guy somehow gets to Mythos so I can figure out what's going on!"

I loved the group dynamics of the various races and cultures of the group members. Each person comes from such a strong ethnic group/profession that they all must also learn to get along with each other. As they struggle to flee from the enemy they also struggle to reject some of their own bias along with accepting other's different ways. Each of the characters has a very strong character and their background life is developed enough that I formed great feelings for each of them even though I liked them in varying degrees. Bantu, the African teen who was a very strong warrior in this group but who had just gone out on his mission to prove his manhood in own real time, was my favourite of the bunch. Young Dara was characterized very well. While she needed protecting, she was still portrayed as a strong character with smart ideas who added to the group's overall success, yet accepted when her role as child meant she had to obey the others or stay away from the danger.

The creatures (good and bad), the adventure, the fighting, the excitement, and the general theme were all very entertaining and I really enjoyed the story very much. My only complaint here is the the ending. If you read my reviews regularly you'll see it coming. The book ends by letting us know it is the end of book one and has no proper ending. In fact, it ends mid-story, mid-action, a cliff-hanger if you will and I am not fond of such endings. I much prefer books in a series to contain individual mini-plots that have a resolution within the book while still remaining a part of the overall story arc. But at least this leaves you wanting more!

Defenders of the Scroll is an entertaining, non-stop action packed read. From page one, the reader is immersed in a incredible fantasy world. The world that Shiraz has created is fascinating, yet has believable aspects woven in. The plot held my attention, and kept me on the edge of my seat. One of the best things about this novel has be its characters. They are realistic, funny, and just so three dimensional. I loved getting to know them and watch their adventures unfold.

The only flaw to the novel is probably the ending. It was just a little too abrupt for me. I am hoping there is a sequel, so that I can find out more about this fascinating world and its characters. All in all, this book has a little bit in it for everyone. I would definitely recommend it to any one who enjoys a great sci-fi / fantasy read.

Far, far away is a magical place called Mythos. There lives a king by the name of Mornak. He is also the most powerful wizard. Many years ago, Mythos started getting run over by robbers, murders and thieves. Mornak had an obligation to his people to keep them safe. So he had a huge building built. It is called the Hall of Shadows. It resides in Darkwood or Shadow Wood. The Hall is a prison to keep all the evil. Things have been peaceful since the construction of the Hall.

Flash forward to the present. Something strange is happening in Shadow Wood. Mornak sensing that something horrible is about to happen, instructs his daughter, Dara to safe guard a scroll. Her father tells her that if he does not return that Dara is to open the scroll and read the writing on it. Something does happen and Dara calls upon the scroll. What happens next has Dara running for her life from the evil, Shadow Lord. Luckily, Dara won't be alone. She is joined by a various group of interesting characters like Alex, Scorpius, Bantu, and Maya.

Defenders of the Scroll: History, Legend and Lore is a thrilling joyride of action, excitement, and adventure. Defenders of the Scroll: History, Legend and Lore is book one. I enjoyed every moment of this book. I found I lost myself in it. It was so good. I am definitely rooting for Dara, Alex and the rest of the Defenders. The characters are interesting and fully dimensional. Shiraz really set up this book and the history behind the storyline at the beginning really well. There are some pictures inserted throughout this book. The pictures helped tell the story. I hope they kick the Shadow Lord's butt. I don't usually get that excited over these types of books but I just can't stop raving about it. I can't wait to read book two.

I wasn't sure what I would think of this book at the beginning. It's a little out of my normal reading genre, but I have to say I really enjoyed this.

Your typical good vs. evil theme with all kinds of great characters along the way. The little girl who holds great power. A teenage boy sucked into the world to protect her, even though he's the furthest thing from a warrior. The nifty ability to pull things and people from the history books that came with him.

The book is full of rich characters, fantastic adventures and danger all the way through it. It even has pirates! So much fun!

I think this is a book kids would love to delve into and experience. As a matter of fact when the book arrived my oldest son grabbed it and told me he got to read it first, and when he gave it back to me a few days ago he told me he really liked it.

I didn't realize it was the beginning of a series until I got to the end, so I look forward to reading book 2 when it comes out. I'm anxious to see what adventures will come next for Dara and Alex.(I received this book for review purposes).

After reading the reviews, I really expected it to be great. It was okay. The characters were pretty decent, and the plot was driven. I just found it to be really unoriginal, and the ending was horribly abrupt. It was confusing in places, and while it's a decent airport novel, it's nothing to write home about. The artwork is actually good, and for the artwork, I'd give it a higher rating, but the story itself...well, it's just not my thing, I guess, because although I finished it, I didn't find it to be as great as I really hoped it'd be.