Book Review
Title: Troubled War (Dragon School #18)
Author: Sarah K. L. Wilson
Genre: YA/Fantasy
Rating: *****
Review: After the ending of Dust of Death we see Amel finally figure out what the enemy wants, and we see her growing into a truly capable leader which is going to be essential in the battles to come. Jalla agrees with Leng that now is the time to attack the enemy while they are on the run, although Amel wants to head to help Savette but in the end, she agrees with Leng. They are going to scout ahead and hold the Dusk Covenant’s forces if they can until Jalla arrives with her army. However, she is keeping Rakturan close to her and Amel knows she is planning something and Rakturan is the key to whatever it is and that has Amel worried about what is going to happen when they defeat the Dusk Covenant.
When they arrive at the bridge a few days ahead of the Dusk Covenant’s army, they find Shonan waiting there for them as he must fulfil his side of the bargain with the Trogs. However, when he sees the Pipe Amel has he realises that the treaty can’t be fulfilled as part of it was that they weren’t allowed to use any device to control dragons which the Pipe does. Amel realises that the Trogs tricked them as they knew she had the Pipe and would continue to use it when the treaty was made, meaning that they won’ be able to get any more dragons and with it the strength of the Dominion has vanished for the future making them weaker than ever but Shonan still wants to retake the role of Dominar to keep it away from their enemy. In the aftermath of this revelation, Amel is furious but as the treaty has already been broken there is nothing any of them can do. Amel in her anger hears from the Trogs who tell her, if she destroys their enemies then the treaty will remain intact if she returns the Pipe to them when the war is done, and she agrees. However, that night she is plagued by visions of Savette, whose army is spent, and they desperately need reinforcements, but they have their own battle to deal with first as Shonan needs to take back the role of Dominar.
Together the group set their ambush and wait for word from Hubric for when the army will arrive. It doesn’t take long but Hubric is being pursued by two scouts from the enemy’s army and returns to tell them the army is only about an hour away. Shonan immediately sends him to inform Jalla as they need her army to form the second army of the pincher attack, they planned but Amel is still worried that something big is going to happen, but she doesn’t know what it is. It doesn’t take long for the enemy forces to arrive, but they are aware of Amel’s group and attack with force rather than stealth. Just as they thought, they don’t just have dragons but Magikas and Ifrits too which cause a real problem, but they don’t see what their plan is until it is too late. The Magikas destroy the bridge and build one of the their own from sky steel meaning they can control who crosses it and when they leave the bridge will disappear meaning our heroes are trapped and the only way to ensure their survival is victory. Things don’t seem to be going well until Shonan challenges the Dominar and Amel knows Iskaris won’t turn down the opportunity to silence the only people who know he isn’t the true Dominar once and for all. Raolcan also reminds Amel that with the Magikas occupied they only have to worry about the Ifrits, but she is aware that for every Ifrits they destroy they lose more dragons and they don’t have the numbers to survive this battle completely intact.
Honestly the battle and ending of this novel, had my heart in my throat as it was just so intense. So much happens in this battle but when things seem lost Amel tries to use the Pipe to help her friends but during the battle it has shifted from its dragon position and only summon butterflies. During the chaos Iskaris kills Shonan which is devasting for everyone especially Leng as it is his brother and Amel who always felt a connection to the Dominar. But before she can do anything Raolcan is lost and she fears him dead and she is taken captive by the enemy and presented in front of Starie, who we haven’t seen since the trial in the dragon lands. Starie takes the Pipe from Amel and proves she can play it like Amel can and in that moment she realises that it is all over for them but Raolcan is swooping in to hopefully save the day.
Buy it here:
Paperback/Hardcover: amazon.co.uk amazon.com
Kindle Edition: amazon.co.uk amazon.com
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