Mini-Review/Excerpt/Giveaway!! Talisman of El, by Al Stone

Talisman of El

(T.O.E. Trilogy, Book 1)

Al Stone

Digital Edition, 398 pages

Centrinian Publishing, Ltd.

May 20, 2012

Fantasy, Paranormal Fiction, Science Fiction,

Young Adult Fiction

WHAT IF YOUR WHOLE LIFE WAS A LIE?

One Planet.

Two Worlds.

Population: Human ... 7 billion.
Others ... unknown.

When 14-year-old Charlie Blake wakes up sweating and gasping for air in the middle of the night, he knows it is happening again. This time he witnesses a brutal murder. He's afraid to tell anyone. No one would believe him ... because it was a dream. Just like the one he had four years ago - the day before his dad died.

Charlie doesn't know why this is happening. He would give anything to have an ordinary life. The problem: he doesn't belong in the world he knows as home.

He belongs with the others.

Note
This mini-review is of the excerpt below, and 
not of the entire book.

I knew there was a reason besides that STUNNING cover that I was pulled to this book! There are dragon shapeshifters in it! And I LOVE dragons!!
I really enjoyed reading this short excerpt, in which a dragon shapeshifter actually transforms right in front of the other characters. The whole scene is fascinating, as is the glimpse of the fantasy world created by the author! I want to find out all about the Aeons and Lightworkers, as well as about the mysterious talisman mentioned in the book's title.
I also like the humor in this scene. The characters are obviously all friends, and tease each other in a good-natured way, as friends often do.
I've already purchased this book on Amazon, and am really looking forward to getting immersed in this very intriguing world!   

‘This is your big plan?’ Ash asked. ‘You’re going to row all the way to Eden.’ His voice dripped with sarcasm. ‘At this rate, we’ll be there next year – oh wait, that’s right, you don’t have a year.’

‘Unless you have a plane, this is the best I can do,’ Charlie said.

‘There’s an idea,’ Oren said. She regarded Ash.

‘We could fly.’

‘Now there’s a plan,’ Ash said.

‘You have a plane?’ Charlie asked.

Ash grinned. ‘I have something way better.’

Removing his sword from around his shoulder, its black leather sheath protected with metal guards at both ends, he tossed it to Oren, who caught it with a firm grip, and then walked away from the group.

‘Where’s he going?’ Charlie asked.

‘He’s going to change,’ Oren replied.

‘Change his clothes?’

Oren smiled. ‘No. He’s going to shape-shift.’

The trio shot nervous glances at one another and then looked at Ash. They were aware that Aeons and Lightworkers could change form, but apart from seeing Avaran’s giant frame, they had never witnessed a full transformation. Though, if it was anything like Derkein’s transformation, Charlie thought, it wouldn’t be a pleasant sight.

Ash turned to face the group and got down on his hands and knees. Right away, he started to twitch, and then his body tensed. It happened in under a minute: the throbbing of his veins, the bulging of his muscles, his fingernails growing into long, sharp claws, his arms and legs stretching to obscene lengths and his smooth skin becoming rough and scaly.

The trio froze, their jaws dropped, eyes wide open.

Where Ash had been standing only seconds ago now stood a terrifying monster. Standing nearly nine feet tall and seven feet in length – excluding its tail – it had a head shaped like an acorn with two backswept horns that were the same ivory shade as its claws and teeth. Even if Charlie hadn’t seen the transformation with his own eyes, he still would have recognised Ash behind the beast’s eyes and its fiery red skin, the same tone as Ash’s hair.

‘Is that a dragon?’ Richmond asked in a high-pitched voice.

‘Yes,’ Oren answered.

‘He’s not dangerous, right?’ Charlie asked.

‘You needn’t worry,’ Oren assured them. ‘It is still Ash. He will not harm you.’

Charlie started walking towards Ash, who set into a crouch as he approached. ‘He can’t talk, can he?’ He glanced behind him at Oren, who was following him.

Alex and Richmond were still standing on the bridge.

‘No, he cannot talk,’ Oren said. ‘When in animal form, Aeons and Lightworkers of the same kingdom can communicate telepathically.’

Charlie moved alongside the dragon, his eyes locked on Ash’s giant bat-like wing. He looked up and saw hard, huge red eyes fixed on him. ‘I think I prefer this version of Ash. Less noise.’ Something thwacked him on the back, and he stumbled forward, dropping onto his hands and knees.

‘Charlie,’ he heard Alex scream. She was by his side in seconds, helping him up. Oren took his other arm. He turned around and saw Ash’s wing extended. He could swear he was smirking – if dragons could smirk.

 

Praise for the Book

 

“If there was ever a book series to rival Harry Potter, then Talisman Of El is definitely the one.” 

The Queen Of Teen Fiction

“This is a one of a kind novel.” 

Reflections Of A Bookworm

“All I have to say is that it has been a long time since I read a book in just one day.” 

Myth, Goodreads

“Talisman Of El is part fantasy, part mythology and pure adventure.” 

Tina, Winter Haven Books

On sale for a limited time on 

Amazon for $.99!!!

Kobo/iBooks/Google Play

Other Books in the Series

  

Blackout 

(T.O.E. Trilogy, Book 2)

Ground Zero 

(T.O.E. Trilogy, Book 3)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Al Stone is the author of the YA fantasy trilogy T.O.E. After graduating with a BA in Film & Television, Al had worked in the television industry for a short period before a disabling injury caused her to turn her hand to storytelling. Talisman Of El is her debut novel. The sequels Blackout and Ground Zero are currently available for sale. 
When she isn’t writing, she enjoys going to the movies, listening to music and travelling. At present, she lives in England, United Kingdom with her family.

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