Shadows of the Realm (The Circle of Talia) [Kindle Edition]

Dionne Lister (Author)

Book Description

Bronwyn and Blayke are two strangers being drawn into the same war. Their world is facing invasion from the Third Realm. While they move unknowingly toward each other, they are watched, hunted, and sabotaged. When the Dragon God interferes, it seems their world, Talia, will succumb to the threat. Can they learn enough of the tricks of the Realms before it’s too late, or will everything they love be destroyed?



The young Realmists’ journey pushes them away from all they’ve known, to walk in the shadows toward Vellonia, city of the dragons, where an even darker shadow awaits.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Hi, I'm Dionne. I live in Sydney and am a writer of fantasy and suspense stories. I love writing and sharing my stories, but I wish they wouldn't keep me awake at night.

Product Details

• File Size: 506 KB
• Print Length: 464 pages
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B007X6Y02I
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Not Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #89,586 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellently written Lyrical Fantasy High Adventure May 12, 2012

By Mallory Anne-Marie Haws TOP 1000 REVIEWER

Format:Kindle Edition

This debut novel is the first of a series (The Circle of Talia) and is a smooth-reading, delightful, high fantasy. Even readers who don't usually head for the fantasy shelves can find much to delight in here, as did I. The writing is excellent, and author Dionne Lister deserves much more than five stars for her ability with lyrical description, which makes the reading flow so well.

The characters are superbly delineated, and the action is realistic and intriguing. A good balance is achieved between destiny and free will in the lives of the characters, an effect not always managed in fantasy stories. The world-building is also very accomplished. In fact, I encourage readers to keep an eye on author Dionne Lister and anticipate, as I am, the next installments in The Circle of Talia series.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Best fantasy read of 2012! May 17, 2012

By Amber Norrgard

Format:Kindle Edition

Dionne Lister's Shadows of the Realm starts out with a scene that grabs you, and does not let go, even after you've finished reading. Exceptional in the fact that it is a completely unique novel, Lister creates a new world that is so realistic, it makes the reader want to grab a ticket and head over for a nice permanent vacation. I fell in love with the characters, and was disappointed when the novel ended, and am ready for more. I will be impatiently waiting the rest of the books in the series, and am desperate for more!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Oddly familiar but fantastical fantay June 19, 2012

By Helen2011

Format:Kindle Edition

I picked up this book knowing a little of what to expect, dragons, adventure, good vs evil. I started reading and then could not put the book down until I had finished. I lost track of time reading it.

The book centers around a secret group called Realmists, possessed of magical powers who are sworn to protect their world, Talia, from the evil race that exists in another realm. This race once lived on Talia and were banished, but are determined to return.

The book contains a surprising variety of characters, ranging from teenagers through to adults and magicians of advanced age. And of course the dragons, who in this case are portrayed as being on the side of the realm. The dragon characterisation is fascinating. The words used to draw a picture of their intelligence, strength, and their nature are so powerful that the reader has absolutely no difficulty in accepting them as part of the world we are drawn into. Equally the human characters are drawn as individuals, each with their own backgrounds, faults, opinions and reactions. Again it makes it very easy to find yourself drawn into their world.

Realmists can bond with one selected animal, a creatura, and even these are well drawn with a great variety of animals used. I found it a pleasant surprise to be able to read about , as it were, familiars who range from rats to panthers. Another pleasant surprise is the way that the Creatura's point of view is also presented.

All through the book I felt an odd sense of familiarity. I could not pin down why at first, it was not that I had seen the plot or any major plot devices used before. Some elements of the world drawn can be found in other fantasy novels, for example familiars, but that was not it either. In the end I simply had to conclude that it was due to the way the writing drew me in and made me feel a part of the book from start to finish.

More About the Author

Hi, I'm Dionne. I would tell you how much I love writing, but you've probably gathered that. I've almost finished my Associate Degree of Creative Writing and I work as an editor and author. I write epic fantasy and suspense/thrillers. I enjoy placing the reader in a world they can touch, taste and see.

If you've enjoyed my young adult fantasy/adventure novel Shadows of the Realm, the sequel, A Time of Darkness, and my intense book of short stories--Dark Spaces, you might like to visit my website www.dionnelisterwriter.wordpress.com to read some of my flash fiction or suspenseful short stories. Must go; chocolate is whispering my name...