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-----
