Official Review: Soul Dreamer by Kay Bilsby

anonanemone · Post by **anonanemone** » 20 Oct 2015, 22:04

[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Soul Dreamer" by Kay Bilsby.]

4 out of 4 stars

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Soul Dreamer by Kay Bilsby is the second book in the fantasy series ‘The Light of Solvia.’ This series is best read in order so that the reader may fully comprehend the situation and range of characters. As the first book of the series, Soul Bound provides a lot of needed background to set the scene in the Fey land of Solvia and introduces other sentients, such as the Trolls, Dragons, and Gargs. I would recommend these books to any teen or adult who enjoys an enthralling fantasy novel with an exploration of unknown powers and plenty of action thrown in for good measure.

Phia’s story continues in the land of Solvia with her soul bound mate, Evrik. A Halfling herself, Phia has successfully petitioned the elven High Council to open a school for Halflings to learn their nature and powers and to remove the automatic death sentence to which Halflings had previously been subject. Phia helps to run this school and must help students and full-blooded elves alike contend with their new circumstances, all while still learning the extent and dangers of her own powers inherited from the race of ancients. In addition, Solvia is inhabited by all manner of Fey and mythical creatures with their own politics, treaties, and customs which must be navigated. What does it mean to the land of Solvia for the light of the ancients to walk the land once again?

This story introduces a new main character to the series in the form of Penny, a headstrong new student at the Halfling school with unusually strong powers. Penny is an orphan from the streets of Earth who does not know her family or origins and is a match for the stubbornness of Phia’s character. Penny integrates well into the extensive family that Phia has built for herself in Solvia. The majority of the story switches between Phia’s and Penny’s points of view.

It was gratifying to see more development of some of the secondary characters that were introduced in the first novel. The added depth of characters such as Evrik’s sister, Idril, and Phia’s father breathed these characters to life. Just when you think this story is running towards the predictable, the storyline becomes capricious with surprising twists. There were a few grammatical errors in the book, although the editing is much improved from the first installment.

Kay Bilsby’s Soul Dreamer is a well paced fantasy that successfully continues the development of the beguiling land of Solvia and the peoples found in it. I give this book 4 out of 4 stars. Soul Dreamer is appropriate for Halflings ages 16 and up.

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Soul Dreamer
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Sapphire01 · Post by **Sapphire01** » 29 Oct 2015, 12:47

Wow thank you for a great review, I am so glad you enjoyed the story enough to give it 4 stars. As far as the mistakes are concerned, I really must stop messing with my manuscripts after they have been edited. I do take your point it must be frustrating as a reviewer or someone who has parted with their hard earned, to encounter such errors. I will do better with book 3 I promise.

anonanemone · Post by **anonanemone** » 29 Oct 2015, 17:03

I can understand that. It sounds like those last minute changes are hard to resist! Thank you for allowing me to review your book!

Rachaelamb1 · Post by **Rachaelamb1** » 31 Oct 2015, 04:05

I remember seeing this book up for review, but wasn't sure if it would be easy enough to follow since I haven't read the first in the series. Sounds like a book I'd love though!

rssllue · Post by **rssllue** » 31 Oct 2015, 04:54

Very nice review. You made it sound like a very interesting book.

Tanaya · Post by **Tanaya** » 31 Oct 2015, 07:55

I don't read nearly as much fantasy as I used to, but I really like the sound of this book. Great, convincing review!

anonanemone · Post by **anonanemone** » 31 Oct 2015, 12:20

Rachaelamb1 wrote:I remember seeing this book up for review, but wasn't sure if it would be easy enough to follow since I haven't read the first in the series. Sounds like a book I'd love though!

I bought the first book and read it before the second since the first book got 4 stars. It's interesting so far. I like fantasy books that introduce new original creatures with the old.

rssllue wrote:Very nice review. You made it sound like a very interesting book.

I'm glad the book sounds interesting to you rssllue

Tanaya wrote:I don't read nearly as much fantasy as I used to, but I really like the sound of this book. Great, convincing review!

Thank you, Tanaya!

bluemel4 · Post by **bluemel4** » 01 Nov 2015, 19:11

Fantastic review! Very well-written. I really like that you linked the review of the first book to your review. I went ahead a purchased both books because this seems like a great series. Great job!

anonanemone · Post by **anonanemone** » 02 Nov 2015, 09:54

Great! I hope you enjoy the series bluemel!

ALynnPowers · Post by **ALynnPowers** » 02 Nov 2015, 10:13

You know, I have seen this book here and there on some places (maybe Twitter and a couple of other book sites I am often lurking around on) and it looks SOOOO GOOOD!!!

-- 03 Nov 2015, 00:13 --

Not just this one, I mean the series, derp.

anonanemone · Post by **anonanemone** » 02 Nov 2015, 10:36

haha. I've enjoyed it so far.

This is why the 'want to read' list only ever gets longer

gali · Post by **gali** » 02 Nov 2015, 11:59

Sounds intriguing. Thank you for the lovely review.

anonanemone · Post by **anonanemone** » 02 Nov 2015, 13:31

Thank you, gali

-- 02 Nov 2015, 13:40 --

BTW. @ Sapphire01 I really like the artwork on the covers for the series. They are beautiful!

Sapphire01 · Post by **Sapphire01** » 03 Nov 2015, 20:39

I love the art work too. I am not sure if I can name the artist here, but her work is credited in the books. Anyone looking for a beautiful cover should check out her website, she is amazing.

anonanemone · Post by **anonanemone** » 04 Nov 2015, 11:19

I'm not sure about the policy on that either. If the credit for the artist is in the front of the book, then anyone should be able to check it out through the free sample on Amazon.