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ellyrarg's review against another edition
3.0
Read in snatches over the last few days, I enjoyed this one. The revolving characters, the hints and intrigues. It was a fun one to read.
vividmasha's review against another edition
5.0
A great addition to the series although somehow we missed book 4! I loved a strong female lead and my boys loved her adventure and courage also.
michellehenriereads's review against another edition
5.0
Since Jeff Wheeler kindly gave me an early copy I'm trying to be extra good about not giving out spoilers in this review.
Through the entire series I have liked how each book resolves a number of problems even though new problems crop up. I never have felt like I'm just being strung along. The Silent Shield has this same format. As you remember we were left on tenterhooks from The Hollow Crown that Owen has been kidnapped and King Drew has been given a year respite from the war because of this unexpected treachery by King Gahalatine. Another piece of intrigue that remained was the question of who could be trusted; Fallon or Morwenna, or neither.
Another aspect I've enjoyed through the series are the monologues, or interludes, by a "mystery" character. This literary device works well to see some of the events from a different perspective. It's also fun to sleuth out who is speaking. You will immediately identify the character speaking in the little monologues in The Silent Shield, and in this case, the reader will be happy to know the extenuating circumstances.
As always, I love the characters in the Kingfountain series. The protagonist, Tryneowy Kiskaddon (usually called Trynne) has come to accept her role as being chosen by the Fountain and she is dedicated to fulfilling the role of an Oath Maiden. I was happy to see that she has been tested in keeping those oaths. I did wish that I had felt her struggle a little more with resisting the temptation to kill for revenge. She certainly had reasons to want to kill for revenge! The man who disfigured her would be a good example. Trynne is loyal, looks for the good in others and is faithful to the will of the Fountain. She also still suffers from some self-doubt; her achilles heel. She continues in her role as a Lancelot as a fierce protector of her king, the epitome of a King Arthur.
Iago Fallon Llewellyn is steadier and has grown from his experiences. I liked him more as a person this time around and feel a little sad that he and Trynne will not get to marry (as stated in the last book by Sinia, Trynne's mother). Elwis is another character who has grown into his role and learned to be more humble and patient. I hope something good comes for him in the last book.
Morwenna Argentine has never been a character that I can fully trust. How can I when she is named so similarly to Morgan le Fay, who was Arthur's downfall in the Arthurian legends? Nevertheless, there continues to be more to her than meets the eye? How does she relate to Owen as her father's daughter? What does she feel her place should be in the world? She obviously wants to be respected, much like Fallon seeks. It's interesting to see how Fallon and Morwenna approach the problem of wanting respect differently.
In the last book we saw a very small slice of King Gahalatine, that he wanted to be the benevolent emperor for the world. In The Silent Shield we get to see more of Gahalatine. He is interesting because he is obviously misguided, manipulated and is actually a decent human being. He believes he is doing what is right. He see the good in Trynne as well as some of the rulers of nations who have opposed him. In the long run, I felt like Gahalatine was listening to others which made him very unusual.
The Kingfountain series is excellent for young adults and adults because it is clean, it has influences from history and legends and has excellent writing. I also recommend it because it has plenty of twists, but isn't so convoluted that new readers to fantasy will be overwhelmed. If a book doesn't have great characters I quickly lose interest. Wheeler does such a great job with his characters I always want to read more.
In keeping with his style, there is a big pow at the end. I can hardly wait for the next book, thankfully it will be out in just a few months!
To read my interview with Jeff go to www.talesuntangled.wordpress.com
I LOVE to hear from other readers. What do you like most about the Kingfountain series?
Through the entire series I have liked how each book resolves a number of problems even though new problems crop up. I never have felt like I'm just being strung along. The Silent Shield has this same format. As you remember we were left on tenterhooks from The Hollow Crown that Owen has been kidnapped and King Drew has been given a year respite from the war because of this unexpected treachery by King Gahalatine. Another piece of intrigue that remained was the question of who could be trusted; Fallon or Morwenna, or neither.
Another aspect I've enjoyed through the series are the monologues, or interludes, by a "mystery" character. This literary device works well to see some of the events from a different perspective. It's also fun to sleuth out who is speaking. You will immediately identify the character speaking in the little monologues in The Silent Shield, and in this case, the reader will be happy to know the extenuating circumstances.
As always, I love the characters in the Kingfountain series. The protagonist, Tryneowy Kiskaddon (usually called Trynne) has come to accept her role as being chosen by the Fountain and she is dedicated to fulfilling the role of an Oath Maiden. I was happy to see that she has been tested in keeping those oaths. I did wish that I had felt her struggle a little more with resisting the temptation to kill for revenge. She certainly had reasons to want to kill for revenge! The man who disfigured her would be a good example. Trynne is loyal, looks for the good in others and is faithful to the will of the Fountain. She also still suffers from some self-doubt; her achilles heel. She continues in her role as a Lancelot as a fierce protector of her king, the epitome of a King Arthur.
Iago Fallon Llewellyn is steadier and has grown from his experiences. I liked him more as a person this time around and feel a little sad that he and Trynne will not get to marry (as stated in the last book by Sinia, Trynne's mother). Elwis is another character who has grown into his role and learned to be more humble and patient. I hope something good comes for him in the last book.
Morwenna Argentine has never been a character that I can fully trust. How can I when she is named so similarly to Morgan le Fay, who was Arthur's downfall in the Arthurian legends? Nevertheless, there continues to be more to her than meets the eye? How does she relate to Owen as her father's daughter? What does she feel her place should be in the world? She obviously wants to be respected, much like Fallon seeks. It's interesting to see how Fallon and Morwenna approach the problem of wanting respect differently.
In the last book we saw a very small slice of King Gahalatine, that he wanted to be the benevolent emperor for the world. In The Silent Shield we get to see more of Gahalatine. He is interesting because he is obviously misguided, manipulated and is actually a decent human being. He believes he is doing what is right. He see the good in Trynne as well as some of the rulers of nations who have opposed him. In the long run, I felt like Gahalatine was listening to others which made him very unusual.
The Kingfountain series is excellent for young adults and adults because it is clean, it has influences from history and legends and has excellent writing. I also recommend it because it has plenty of twists, but isn't so convoluted that new readers to fantasy will be overwhelmed. If a book doesn't have great characters I quickly lose interest. Wheeler does such a great job with his characters I always want to read more.
In keeping with his style, there is a big pow at the end. I can hardly wait for the next book, thankfully it will be out in just a few months!
To read my interview with Jeff go to www.talesuntangled.wordpress.com
I LOVE to hear from other readers. What do you like most about the Kingfountain series?
coffeedragon's review against another edition
5.0
I received an e-Arc of this book via Netgalley
I only just finished The Hollow Crown and started this one. The Silent Shield picks up directly after the Hollow Crown. It's been nearly the year that Gahalantine promised before deciding to come back to Ceredigion to defeat King Drew and take the Hollow Crown. In that time Ceredigion has scrambled to train more warriors in preparation and finally the Oath Maidens have been called for to protect their King.
Just knowing that the year is up is enough to prepare us for a huge battle in this book and it doesn't disappoint. Most of the book is told from the perspective of Trynne who is set on becoming the King's Champion at the next Gauntlet. Unfortunately for her, misfortune keeps striking her. With her father still disappeared, for they have hope that he is still alive, Trynne is devastated when her mother confesses that the Fountain calls for her to go to the Deep Fathoms. Now Trynne must protect King Drew AND her kingdom from the Chandigarl invaders.
I know I mentioned that The Hollow Crown was my favorite of the series so far but The Silent Shield is cutting it close as well. I honestly can't pick favorites here as they complete each other so well. We continue to feel some of those suspicions that Trynne had from THC and I'm really sad that one mystery is still not Clear. I'm hoping that we'll know more about that in the following book because if it's never cleared up...I will cry even more than these two books have made me. There's a lot of tragedy in this book and I admire Trynne for her faith and perseverance. If I had been in her situation, I would have definitely crumbled to temptation so many times. Be prepared to shed a few tears (or at least feel some pangs).
I do have to say that ending felt a bit too convenient but I honestly enjoyed this book so much that I ended up giving it a 5 because of enjoyment (aka I'm not happy about the romance). The book closes off at a really good place, not so much of a cliffhanger but enough to make you wonder about other events in the next book (final one I believe).
And OFC I was happy about the chapters by a certain character I won't name because major spoiler from THC. I honestly can't wait to read more of those POVs if possible as I'm SUPER CURIOUS about how things will pan out on that end. As for Sinia, again, not very excited.
To the next book I dive!
I only just finished The Hollow Crown and started this one. The Silent Shield picks up directly after the Hollow Crown. It's been nearly the year that Gahalantine promised before deciding to come back to Ceredigion to defeat King Drew and take the Hollow Crown. In that time Ceredigion has scrambled to train more warriors in preparation and finally the Oath Maidens have been called for to protect their King.
Just knowing that the year is up is enough to prepare us for a huge battle in this book and it doesn't disappoint. Most of the book is told from the perspective of Trynne who is set on becoming the King's Champion at the next Gauntlet. Unfortunately for her, misfortune keeps striking her. With her father still disappeared, for they have hope that he is still alive, Trynne is devastated when her mother confesses that the Fountain calls for her to go to the Deep Fathoms. Now Trynne must protect King Drew AND her kingdom from the Chandigarl invaders.
I know I mentioned that The Hollow Crown was my favorite of the series so far but The Silent Shield is cutting it close as well. I honestly can't pick favorites here as they complete each other so well. We continue to feel some of those suspicions that Trynne had from THC and I'm really sad that one mystery is still not Clear. I'm hoping that we'll know more about that in the following book because if it's never cleared up...I will cry even more than these two books have made me. There's a lot of tragedy in this book and I admire Trynne for her faith and perseverance. If I had been in her situation, I would have definitely crumbled to temptation so many times. Be prepared to shed a few tears (or at least feel some pangs).
I do have to say that ending felt a bit too convenient but I honestly enjoyed this book so much that I ended up giving it a 5 because of enjoyment (aka I'm not happy about the romance). The book closes off at a really good place, not so much of a cliffhanger but enough to make you wonder about other events in the next book (final one I believe).
And OFC I was happy about the chapters by a certain character I won't name because major spoiler from THC. I honestly can't wait to read more of those POVs if possible as I'm SUPER CURIOUS about how things will pan out on that end. As for Sinia, again, not very excited.
To the next book I dive!
crypticspren's review against another edition
5.0
This was honestly such an epic book. I adored the extension of world building as Eastern countries are introduced. It was so refreshing to have new cultures and characters and concepts. It was brilliant and I loved every moment!
adorkablyrini's review against another edition
3.0
Ok, but I do take issue with how this author writes women — 16 and that overwhelming desire for motherhood…
and the whole unwavering interest of a 30 year old man to a 16 year old girl. That is not ok and shouldn’t be romanticized, even in fiction.
and the whole unwavering interest of a 30 year old man to a 16 year old girl. That is not ok and shouldn’t be romanticized, even in fiction.
nerdybookreview's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
canadianbookaddict's review against another edition
4.0
I have been enjoying this series very much and I am so glad someone had recommended the first book to me a while back.
The Silent Shield is book number 5 in the Kingfountain series and it is a young adult fantasy series. The Silent Sheild got me hooked from the very beginning and I just couldn't (and didn't want to) stop reading it until the end.
This book and the series is easy to read so I recommend it if you are new to the fantasy genre.
The Silent Shield is book number 5 in the Kingfountain series and it is a young adult fantasy series. The Silent Sheild got me hooked from the very beginning and I just couldn't (and didn't want to) stop reading it until the end.
This book and the series is easy to read so I recommend it if you are new to the fantasy genre.
sheritolley's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0