Customer Reviews

The Ring of Allaire

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

With master magician Blais dead, murdered by the evil wizard Nimir, bumbling apprentice Tristan was all that was left to carry on Blais' last quest - to find and awaken the princess of Allaire and thus save all of Calandra, or to fail and doom the kingdom to eternal winter. Tristan felt ill equipped to rescue the princess, especially after hundreds of heroes and wizards, all better trained than he, had died in the attempt. But Tristan loved his master too much to do nothing less than his very best so he started with the basics that the others discounted. The first thing that Tristan had to recover was the legendary warhorse of Esdragon, Valadan, who had disappeared long ago. Then he had to persuade the Heir to the Throne, Polassar, that his was not a fool's errand, but a true chance at victory to save the kingdom. After he had gathered his companions, then Tristan had to find the location of the sleeping princess, somehow awaken her, find the tenth ring that was needed for the princess to use her powers, fight off jealous wizards, Nimir's Ice Hounds, and whatever other complications came along the way....

The Ring of Allaire is in many ways a simple fantasy tale retold, but in other ways it is new, fresh and fun. There are also plenty of little surprises to keep the reader guessing, even though some things seem obvious to the reader before it is revealed in the book. But, Dexter's characters are delightful and so fun to get to know and to travel with. I love that Tristan tries really hard and sometimes succeeds and sometimes doesn't, but he always tries. He seems like such a normal person and it is refreshing for the nice, normal guy to get ahead for once, instead of the brave, dashing hero. A fast, fun read that kicks of a delightful trilogy - I highly recommend all of Dexter's books!

The Ring of Allaire is the first book in the "Winter King's War" trilogy by Susan Dexter. While this series seems geared more towards a Young Adult audience I found the writing style very well done and easily enjoyed by adults as well. I would definitely consider Dexter's books a guilty pleasure, which initially I was quite, convinced I wouldn't enjoy. The story encompasses nearly every fantasy cliché there is, from an orphaned and inept wizard's apprentice, to intelligent and telepathically speaking animals, to sleeping princesses and wicked winter wizards with ice dragon guardians. And while this all may sound contrived and unoriginal that doesn't mean it doesn't make for a good story. I actually found myself enjoying some of the things I thought I would dislike the most. The premise for the story is simple. The young apprentice wizard Tristan (yeah I know....another fantasy story with someone named Tristan) returns home one day to find his master Blais slain by the evil ice wizard Nimir. Blais instructs Tristan from the beyond that he must continue the quest Blais started. The quest, to find the sleeping princess Allaire, rescue her from the clutches of Nimir, awaken her and find the rightful king to the throne of Calandra for her to marry. Tristan leaves his master's small cottage along with his familiar, Thomas (a talking cat...ugh I know, I know, just bare with me!) and Minstrel (a pet songbird...don't say it!) to begin the first part of their quest which is to find the famed warhorse of Esdragon, Valadan, on which the new king will ride. From here they begin their search for the sleeping princess and the throne's rightful heir. Here are my thoughts on The Ring of Allaire;

Pros

+ Well written, especially for a title geared more towards Young Adult readers.

+ Quick, enjoyable and easy read.

+ Quirky animal companions quickly grow on you. I especially loved Thomas the cat (his sarcasm is puuurrrfect...yeah I know, awful) and Minstrel the canary (just a cute little character...did I just say the bird was cute??).

+ Has a world map, albeit rather barebones.

+ Nice little plot twist at the end.

+ Elisena evolves into a really great character.


Cons

- Story moves too fast, especially in the beginning.

- Some characters and their names are very stereotypical i.e. the bumbling wizard's apprentice, oafish and bullheaded warrior/knight, sleeping princess, talking cat/horse/bird etc.

- Tristan's low self esteem and overly dramatic attitude can start to wear on you.

- Heroes spend most of the book impoverished and starving. This started to bother me towards the end as they felt more like paupers than heroes.

- Bad cover art.

- Story states that thousands of wizards have gone searching for the kidnapped princess yet at the end of the book in the city of wizards no one there even remembers the quest. Also when they're in Darkenkeep (Nimir's stronghold) they literally only come across one hero entombed in ice...one! It just seems highly unlikely that thousands of wizards quested to find the princess only to fail.

- Valadan the Warhorse of Esdragon is found way too quickly and easily.

- Allaire evolves into a disappointing character.


The whole reason I started this trilogy was because I found mint copies of books two and three at a local bookstore. The first time I picked them up, I looked at the covers, scoffed and thought to myself...."These books look and sound absolutely terrible!" The second time I went back to the bookstore I picked them up again. I decided to put my adult pessimism aside and gave them a try. I ordered the first in the series on Amazon and am now glad I did. I just started book two, "The Sword of Calandra" and am pleased to say that the series seems to have shifted to a slightly more adult style. As I mentioned earlier, this series quickly became a guilty pleasure. If you're willing to let your fantasy tastes stray to a simpler and somewhat cliché' story you just might enjoy this book.

This is an exciting and adventurous book. I was able to figure out what would happen ahead of time on a few things, but the ending totally blew me away! It had everything from Dragonslaying to romance, and rescuing. This book deserves 5 stars, because it was written so well by Susan Dexter. I applaud her!!!

This book's a charming story. True, it uses nearly all the cliches of the genre (talking cat and horse, imprisoned princess, inexpert wizard's apprentice, etc.), yet Dexter crafts her characters with evident love and nuance that make the book extremely readable and a lot of fun. The relationships ring true as well. I heartily recommend it and the rest of the trilogy as a wonderful entrance or return to enchanting, lighthearted, elegant yet earnest adventure.

This fun and original story starts out the traditional way, with a quest--the wizard apprentice and a big brawny warrior set out to rescue an enchanted princess.

The ultimate evil has created a prophecy saying the princess needs three things to be rescued--a wizard, the true heir to the throne, and the immortal, warhorse, Valadan. For hundreds of years, wizards and heirs have set out on this fruitless quest, dying and draining the land of Caladan of all its wise leaders.

When his master is killed, young, bumbling apprentice, Tristan, sets out to fulfill the quest, and he acquires the one thing that the others discounted--the fabulous lost warhorse. With Polassar, a conceited warrior of noble blood and Valadan, he sets out To rescue Allaire. But the quest is just the beginning and neither the quest nor the characters turn out to be just what they seemed to be. I can't say much more without giving the twist away.

Oh, and one more thing for you animal lovers out there, Thomas, Tristan's familiar, is one of the most sarcastic cats you will ever come across. If cats aren't your style, there is Minstrel the brave canary, and of course, there is immortal Valadan, sired by the wind itself, the magical mysterious and wise warhorse.

This is the start to one of those rare series where the books just get better and the final book, The Mountains of Channadran is one of my favorites.

Intelligent, humorous and beautiful. Allaire, the beautiful ruler-to-be, is sought by all. But once freed from her enchanted sleep the WinterWastes, the story by far doesn't end there!

Tristan, the wizard's appentice that freed her after the death of his mentor, master, and foster-parent Blaise, is both main character and co-comedy relief. He, like the big burly Polassar who accompanies him on his... no, on THE Quest, vies for the stunningly beautiful Allaire,but she will have no part of him, save servant. She's not rude, just unnoticing.

Elisena is the true surprise of the story. Her joined involvement with the group shows plainly how shallow the fair Allaire truely is. Elisena's healing knowledge and power makes her invaluble, yet her bloodline worries our Polassar.

Is she(Elisena) indeed a changeling? Not to be trusted, though she has more than proven herself? Or merely another mortal, like themselves... another useful road servant for the trav! el-weary Allaire?