Living in a world scarred by an ancient conflict between magic and technology, Katarina is a half-elven slave girl determined to find freedom and adventure. When she takes a pair of ancient swords from a cave, she is blamed for her master's death. Her frantic attempt to escape torture and death at the hands of a vengeful mob forces her to risk the nameless terrors of the King's Road, which is said to have been cursed because of a Foebreaker, a living machine of war that laid waste to the Southlands long ago.
3.5 Stars, O Flames
Three people are the deciding force for a land on the precipice of change, the Exponent, the Balance, and the Catalyst. The variable with the most influence for good or ill is the Catalyst. The Catalyst is sought out by both sides, each with their own agenda. One will use her to restart the dormant Foebreaker, a machine of war that nearly destroyed the planet. The other want her to fight with them, keep their planet safe. This is the Catalyst's story.
Young Katarina witnesses the murder of her master and when she tells the town a dragon did it, no one believes her. In fact they accuse her of doing the deed. But when the rogue dragon attacks the town, it is Katarina who defeats the dragon with 2 blades she discovered earlier that day in a cave. Escaping to freedom, she joins an elderly elf, Oren Kellmire, as he travels to the border lands seeking knowledge of a disease that is altering the dragons, turning them into mindless killing machines who have reverted to their basest instincts. They are joined on their journey by two arrogant, often comedic (not the dragon's intentions of course) dragons willing to assist in finding a cure. Under Oren's tutelage Katarina discovers there is more to her than meets the eye and Oren may know the secrets which will help her discover who she really is.
At times it was confusing trying to determine who was narrating the story, and the pace felt a little rushed in some points. However, the world is well thought out and the character interaction and development is great. Though the character was not in the book long, I liked Grey Ghost and hope to see more of him in future installments. As always with sci-fi/fantasy books I am amazed with the imagination of the authors and Mr. Medina does not disappoint. I enjoyed Katarina the Dragonslayer and the Foebreaker's Curse and look forward to continuing the series.
Posted by Emily
posted by Emily
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