Rojuun by John H. Carroll

I downloaded this book for free some time ago and forgot about it.  Well, I was talked into upgrading my incredibly low-tech, old cell phone to the iPhone 4 since it was free with our service at  this time.  I had the Kindle app on it and started flipping through it to try out my new phone and features it has and happened to notice this book.  I wasn't really in the mood to read since we have been so busy getting ready for school and building a crazy Beauty and the Beast set for the high school muscial my husband is helping with.  Well, I am glad I started reading this story.  It turned out to be very good and I really want to continue reading the series.  Unfortunately I have to pay for the other two books so I am hesitant to do it since I don't like buying Kindle books.  If I am going to buy a book I want the actual physical book to go in our collection so I don't forget what books I have.  I also want our children to read these books in the future and don't think they will read them if they are on my phone or Kindle reader.

So to the actual review.  It is a fiction book with the normal anti-social hero that saves the day and the thrown into battle after living a simple, niave life herione.  There's magic, dragons, crazy creatures.  Much like many books, however, I found this book refreshing since it does not follow most of the adventure stories I have read.  Tathan left home when he was 15 in search of adventure and has returned home fleeing a dark shadow after acquiring a sword.  His home is attacked a few days later and his family is all killed except his cousin Liselle who he later finds out knows magic and talks to flowers.  The two of them travel and meet up with Sir Danth, a knight who has been alive for over a millenium.  They also meet a purple human-like being named Vevin.  Together the four of them travel to spy on the Rojuun, a four armed human-like race that believes the human race was formed to be their servants so they can devote their time to art and music.  They meet a darker enemy in the depths of the earth and learn to respect the Rojuun.

We are left at the end of the first book with our foursome leaving the Rojuun dwelling after helping to save their race from an enemy.  I am curious to see how their findings are recieved by the people who sent them to spy on the Rojuun since these people hate them.  I would definately refer this book to others who like fantasy books.

*** I have now finished the series and really enjoyed it.  There are other books that go along with the series and follow other characters and some new ones that give you a taste of what other cities are like.  I have read bits and pieces of these but have yet to actually finish any of them so look for those in later posts.  This series ends well and does not necesarily have the happily ever after for everyone that you often find.  There are a lot of unanswered questions and things that need to be resolved, but that is part of the fun.  It lets you use your imagination to think of ways each person's life goes on.  It also leaves a lot of future stories open for the author.  We find out that Viven is a dragon and that our Knight is fighting some ghosts of his own.  Our rogue falls in love with a princess, but she still has to marry a prince to keep peace between their countries.  Continue reading the series and enjoy it!