“This story will have you sitting on the edge of your chair” says reviewer Gloria Hamilten of fantasy Hunters’ Quest, book two in the Hunters of Reloria Trilogy. Peaceful Reloria is under siege by scaly Vergai invaders by portal who have captured the Elven Jewel which creates their protective forcefield. These Vergai live across the western sea, and have fled with the elven princess. Halfling friends, Randir and Fendi and their bond-fairies are members of a group of brave hunters on a quest to recover the stolen Elven Jewel. They must search for a mage who can make a portal to rescue the princess. They thought they knew what the quest would entail, but with an unexpected member and new enemies, not everything goes the way they had planned. |
This unlikely group of men, a dragon, dwarves, halflings, fairies and an elf are known as the Hunters of Reloria. The writers’ web reviewers were absorbed by the richly constructed world of the Hunters of Reloria. Here’s what they had to say: “The good characters are appealing and, the evil ones have characteristics that the reader can identify with. There are a few romances for good measure and the complexity of family relationships is also illustrated. The characters are believable and develop as the story progresses. Scenes are varied – the ocean and being ship-wrecked, underwater mermaid world, river crossings, tackling a desert, Magical Palace, snow, air travel. Equally varied are the weapons – a warhammer, swords, long bows, spiked maces, and an invisible magical wave. |
The language is mature, competent, sophisticated, and easy to read. The author uses wonderfully vivid, descriptive language, even including a little Scottish.
Asher Grey of Flame Mountain is the epitome of a leader. He is enterprising, always polite even when a situation causes anger, and calm under siege. Endurance and a sense of duty no matter what the cost, even if it’s his life are also his qualities. He is flexible and can transform himself into the mighty Asher Dragon to scout enemy areas. As a leader he makes quick decisions to alter a course of action and is always in the thick of fighting even to the point of exhaustion. He also shows a human side for, strong as he is, he can be apprehensive and in need a woman’s encouragement. He also reveals that he has no love for politics.
I appreciated the care the author took to ensure that the reader is clear on who the characters are and their roles in the action. Also his excellent powers of showing what the characters felt throughout the complex storyline ensuring the reader was engaged. He uses delightful images such as the depiction a fairy stamping her foot in frustration.
This was my first fantasy book and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It wasn’t ‘out there’ as I thought it might be. At the beginning, there are maps for orientation and a list of the eight Hunters with their appearance and areas of fighting expertise. The colour drawings are exquisite.
The book has a universal appeal. Good male characters are strong and masculine, yet sensitive when appropriate. The female characters are also strong, yet feminine. Evil characters are well-depicted. I found the book to be a clever metaphor for life irrespective of historical setting. It was easy to identify with the relationships and dramas of the personalities.” Gloria Hamilten
“Kasper Beaumont’s world of Reloria is hugely populated with pirates, dragon-killing knights, dwarves, mermaids, wizards, and of course or intrepid adventurers, the halflings and their designated fairies.
The Hunters of Reloria are a mismatched band of travellers but they love adventure. From shipwreck to steamy forests and on to sacred villages and Desolate Castle.
Young readers will enjoy the fast paced style of this quest adventure as the band of heroes hurl themselves from one scrape to the next. The adventure does not let up, right to the final battle and the cliff hanger. The adventures are continued in ‘Dragon’s Revenge’”. Raelene Purtill
Elven Jewel, the first in the Hunters of Reloria Trilogy is the first experience writing for author, Kasper Beaumont (left) whose three children “provide continual insights and experiences which have inspired me to write.”
The series will appeal to lovers of fantasy from teenage to adult.
Although Kasper has been writing for only a couple of years, the ideas in her work “have been floating around for a long time”.
Of writing her first book, Kasper says, “Honestly, I sat down one day with an idea of a halfling and his bond fairy, then some bad guys invaded their peaceful life and a novel was born. The halflings carried me along on their adventure.”
And when not absorbed in writing, Kasper works, is at uni, and loves her family to bits.
Hunters’ Quest is now available in the writers’ web bookstore as a PDF eBook and hardcopy book
Thanks so much to Writers' Web for the wonderful endorsement, cheers, Kasper.