Title of Book: Andy Smithson
Subtitle: Blast of the
Dragon's Fury
Author: L.R.W. Lee
Twitter URL: @LRWLee
Publisher: Createspace
ISBN: 978-1482312645
ISBN -10: 1482312646
Available in eBook and Print
Publication Date: April 2013
Genre: Middle Grade Adventure
Review provided by: World of Ink Network
About the Book:
Ten-year-old Andy Smithson is magically brought
to the Land of Oomaldee while he is doing dishes one night. Unbeknownst to him,
he is there to break a 500-year-old curse. Andy learns that his quest is the
Dragon’s Lair to find an ingredient critical to breaking the curse - the scale
from an elusive red dragon, the fiercest of all dragon species. Andy nearly
destroys the castle amidst adventures battling fire-breathing dragons, fighting
vicious vulture attacks, escaping people-eating giants and more.
EXCERPT:
Sitting on his bed with the afternoon sun shining
through the window, Andy tried to slow down his racing thoughts. It was all
so overwhelming. It had been fun to think of himself as Chosen when
that just meant he felt special.
Now, however, he wasn’t
sure. It sounded like a whole lot more than just retrieving
a red dragon scale was about to happen.
The weight of it all pressed
hard. He was scared. He felt
alone. For the first time since he had arrived in Oomaldee,
he missed his home, his parents and (he couldn’t believe he was thinking this,
but… yes…) even his big sister!
He punched his pillow hard once, and
then again and again and again.
He stopped only when feathers began
flying everywhere.
Why me? he thought.
There’s no way I can do to this!
“You’re right, Andy! You
can’t do this on your own. ” It was his inneru. “You need help.”
As his inneru said this, a
second amethyst-colored stone landed on his bed, barely missing his head.
“Hey, watch it! You almost
hit me in the head!” Andy said. As soon as he had said it, he felt stupid for
yelling at no one. Where do these things keep coming from? he
wondered. As before, he picked it up and it started pulsing. Then he heard a
trumpet blast.
“Methuselah has appeared to
you, Andrew Ferrin Smithson. It is the sword of your forefathers. You will
become known by it. It is time that evil is extinguished from the land. This
will be accomplished by your hand.”
“My forefathers? What do you
mean?” Andy interrupted. The message paused.
“Your ancestors are from the
Land of Oomaldee.”
Really? Andy
thought.
“It is not I who gives
Methuselah, but One far greater. It is given and taken as the times require,”
the message continued. “You have been appointed to wield it for such a time as
this.”
But I’ll screw this
up. I know I will, just like I did when I almost tore the castle down. Whatever
kind of evil this message is talking about sounds really bad. There’s no way I
can do this, even with this sword, Andy whined.
“Stop!” Andy’s inneru
interrupted.
Andy sat up, startled.
The message continued, “Take
courage. You do not yet see your own abilities because you have never been
tested. You have never demonstrated to yourself or anyone all that you can do.
Put your fears aside and trust that you can succeed in the challenges that lie
ahead.” The message completed and the sphere disappeared, once again, giving no
indication who had sent it.
“This is not about you,”
reminded the inneru.
I know… thought Andy.
It’s about all the people in the Land of Oomaldee. It is about the King,
Mermin, Alden, Marta, Hans and everyone I’ve come to love here.
“You don’t usually think about
others first,” continued his inneru.
Maybe this is my chance to change
that, Andy thought.
BOOK TRAILER:
Overall
Thoughts:
The story plot is
simple and easy to follow. There are also lessons readers will learn as they
venture with Andy and his friend Alden as they try to find a red dragon scale,
easily said than done. The book is a traditional fantasy for middle grade
readers. The subject matter is age appropriate and enjoyable. For advance
readers, they may find the story a bit slow at times, but if they enjoyed Leven
Thumbs then they will ultimately like this book series as well. There is a lot
of information shared to help explain situations and story plot, but overall I
found it a fun weekend read.
About the Author:
Since the age of eight, L. R. W. Lee knew she wanted to write a book.
Fortunately or unfortunately, she required of herself that she have something
significant to say; she sought to contribute to others in a way that could
change their lives. Because a degree in Accounting at Cedarville University, as
well as work in public and corporate accounting, did not provide riveting fodder
for a best seller, she waited. Upon selling her business in early 2012, she had
time to write and, more importantly, something significant to share.
L. R. W. Lee’s favorite musical is The Sound of Music. She hates scary
movies, but loves piano and strings music, sunsets in Hawaii and a good cup of
decaf, French press coffee (yes, decaf!). She also loves Ansel Adams prints and
all manner of kinetic art.
~You can find out more about L.R.W. Lee, her middle grade fantasy adventure
series and her World of Ink Author/Book Tour at
http://tinyurl.com/bnfe6ax
~To learn
more about the World of Ink Tours visit http://worldofinknetwork.com
-----
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