Review: Good read, but didn't quite hit the mark
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 11 20, 2011
This is a classic fantasy story of Good vs. Evil.It comes in at 6,716 locations, so a good size.  It feels like the story starts in the middle, as we have a lot of exposition at the start.  It felt like I was buried with names and events, right from the beginning.  Frankly, it felt like I started with Volume 2 by accident.  There was a lot of stuff thrown at the audience, right away.  I would have preferred that, as these events were important, I would have like to have seen them from the start, not shoved at me in a bunch.Lusiraadrol - I like this villain, and actually felt sorry for her.  Which I probably wasn't supposed to.  She was touched before birth by the Ultimate Evil in this world.  She's also trapped in a foreign, inferior form.  I also think she's doomed in the end, once the Big Bad, manifests fully.Vahrik - ugh, now there is a pathetic villain.  But, I think he's supposed to be, so well written.Istaria - Unfortunately, I get distracted by the name, as it's the name of a computer game that I used read about on forums (originally Horizons, now knows as Istaria).  Certainly got my attention, but kept showing up as the character spoke.Gaispar - another character I liked, determined and loyal.The Dragons - These are a mixed bag to me.  They are invulnerable, but at the same time, extremely vulnerable in two spots.  So, you can't hurt them, unless you know the secret, then they die pretty quick.  If you knew your dragons had this vulnerability, wouldn't you as Lusiradrol do something about it?  I also don't like that the good dragons are larger than the evil dragons.  Makes the villains less imposing.  I also hate the good dragons only talking in rhyme.  Doesn't sound mysterious to me, just sounds annoying.I do appreciate the little drakes.  I had one for a character 20 years+ back named Chip, and my wife had one named Darcy.  Great addition.  Would have loved to see more.For free, I would pick up if you like fantasy.  Didn't do it for me in the end, but give it a shot.