Battle of Lion Rock by D J Williams Book Review

About the Book:

Ladened with guilt over the innocent lives lost in the war, Jack Reynolds is more determined than ever to honor his sister’s promise. He must fulfill a quest to unite supernatural artifacts missing for centuries and hunted by the Cherub, followers of Elyon, and the Merikh, an evil group seeking world domination. With Eden’s Star as their guide, Jack and Emma journey from this world into other realms to uncover ancient secrets buried in a legendary battle. What they discover could alter the course of history.

Back at Beacon Hill, tensions are rising among the Cherub. Friendships and alliances are tested as great loss divides the followers of Elyon. While the thief of Dragon Soul seeks greater power, a dark force from centuries ago has awakened in a realm untouchable since the Mercy Covenant. Revenge rooted in the past collides with the present, forcing Jack to fight against his greatest fear as a legendary warrior’s unrelenting power threatens the destruction of everything and everyone he loves.

Battle of Lion Rock is the third novel in the Beacon Hill series, an epic young adult supernatural fantasy that launches you on an action-packed quest for ancient artifacts, secret realms, and true allies. This book is for readers who love fantasy, incredible world building, adventure, found family, loyal friendships, a taste of romance, and the ultimate gift: forgiveness.

My Review:

This is the third in a series but the action in this novel is very similar to that in the earlier ones. In that sense, the plot is repetitive so I think it could be read and appreciated without having read the first two. If each volume had had distinct adventures this would not be the case.

My interest in this series began to really wane with this book. There are just so many characters, so many realms, so many enemies, so many similar adventures. It was hard for this septuagenarian to keep them all straight. The plot in this novel seemed a bit unfocused to me. The action bounced around to many different realms and situations. Sometimes the characters struggle to get where they were going while at other times immediately jumped to the new location. New dangers arose each time. There is much explanation as a new truth is uncovered or a new character enters the action. I read adventure after adventure without seeming to get closer to the prize, so to speak. I did not feel the spiritual allegory was clear until near the end.

Lovers of fantasy will appreciate all the unusual attack animals and fight scenes with powerful weapons and good descriptions. This is a series for readers who are ready to invest a great deal of time in this series as it ends up at just under 1,500 pages.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

You can read my reviews of the earlier books in the series: Hunt for Eden's Star and Secrets of the Highlands.

About the Author:

D. J. Williams was born and raised in Hong Kong, igniting an adventurous spirit as he ventured into the jungles of the Amazon, the bush of Africa, and the ancient cities of the Far East. His global travels submerged him in a myriad of cultures, providing a unique perspective that fuels his creativity. Providing a fresh voice in mystery and suspense, his novels have climbed the charts on Amazon Hot New Releases and his latest book, The Auctioneer, received a stellar review from Kirkus Reviews. Williams has also been an executive producer and director on over 500 episodes of broadcast television.

Tyndale House Publishers, 512 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)