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Book: Leo Trevelion and the Lion Ring
Year: 2023
Author: Ian Flint
Review:
This was a book that I got the chance to read when the writer, Ian Flint, reached out to me. A digital critic copy was sent over. What I knew coming in was that this was combining elements of fantasy with science fiction. This is a genre of book that I haven't dabbled much into unless there were horror elements. My roots there go back to playing video games like Final Fantasy or Suikoden more. I was intrigued to see what we'd be getting here.
We are following Leo Trevelion as he celebrates his 21st birthday. He doesn't have a place in the world. It sounds like his parents passed away and his girlfriend broke up with him. There is also the feeling that he gets into fights. This all changes when he has a dream about his destiny. This leads him to a place that belonged to his grandfather. He also told Leo legends about their family.
Going to this place leads him to meet a ferry man that takes him to a magical place. It is here that he learns his true destiny. He comes from a line of protectors for this alien race that lives in a world under the Earth's crust. There is a peaceful race here that he is tasked with protecting who have advanced technology. There are others living around them in harmony as well. They get him ready for an upcoming war with another race that is still living on their home planet.
We then shift over to meet this other group, the Vraegil. There is a coup, led by the prince named Makdemus. He believes in a legend that the planet is going to align where they will be able to cross over to Earth. There is a scientist from their race whose calculations are in accordance. We are given them prepping their soldiers for an attack on Earth.
That should work to recap the story and give you an idea of the characters. There is quite a bit of them though. Not in a way where it is too overwhelming. We get to meet an interesting group of Leonisians who fight alongside Leo. There even seems to be an attraction between him and another one. We also have an elder amongst them in Altera and a wise old wizard Tirwald. This latter helps to wake the powers within Leo. There is also the Lion Ring that helps in this quest. Leo gets to know another race that is of smaller people like creatures who reminded me of Ewoks. They are the Norbun. They fight with primitive weapons but have the battle spirit. Also, Mother Earth won't sit idly by either.
With that out of the way, there is an interesting set up to this book. When I was approaching the halfway point, I didn't know where we would go from there. The time for the battle was approaching. That is when it switches to the other planet where the Leonisians are from. We then follow the Vraegil. These are amphibian creatures that are aggressive. When the Leonisians left, they were primitive. In the time that they were left to the planet, they've evolved. Their technology has surpassed humanities in different ways. They're a much more formidable opponent. Their passion for war makes them even more dangerous for the peace-loving aliens that fled their home world. This does well in building the up-and-coming dictator in Makdemus.
What is interesting here as well is that the blurb about this story compared it to Harry Potter. I can see that. If I must gauge the age range, this would be more for teens and young adults. That's not to say that I didn't enjoy reading this. I didn't even read Harry Potter until I was an adult and living on my own. I would slate this into the middle to upper part of that series where things got more dangerous for our characters. When we get to the war aspects and the battles, not everyone is safe. That is something I appreciate. I'd also say that I like Ian's writing style. It was easy to fall in and at times, it was difficult to break away. I flew through large sections of this when I had time to sit down and read. That is something I'll credit here.
In conclusion, if you like fantasy novels with science fiction elements then give this a read. This is a fast read. We have a likable lead who is trying to find himself. There is a coming-of-age element with it. I think that teens or even adults could connect there. Trying to figure out your place in the world. The journey that Leo goes on is good. I liked getting to know this world that is hidden within our own. Exploring the home planet and the villain also adds to this. I rather enjoyed my time here and would love to see where they take Leo next.
My Rating: 7 out of 10