Yorien's Hand

The Minstrel's Song, Book 3

By: Jenelle Leanne Schmidt

Narrated by: Benjamin Fife

The years of Oraeyn’s short rule have been peaceful, but now ominous nightmares plague his sleep and cling to him during his waking hours. When two of his most trusted advisors disappear without a trace and not even the power of dragons can locate them, the fell promise of the king’s nightmares becomes reality.

From the furthest reaches of the world, an ancient enemy stirs. Stretching beyond his crumbling prison walls, this foe seeks to bring life to the darkest of shadows. His army marches towards Aom-igh with deadly intent, threatening all Oraeyn holds dear.

Aided by dragons, and with the warrior Brant and Princess Kamarie at his side, Oraeyn must journey into the wilds of a forgotten realm. Trusting in the wisdom and skill of the enigmatic minstrel, Kiernan Kane, the companions race against time in search of Yorien’s Hand, a relic that may hold the power to save them all.

©2016 Jenelle Leanne Schmidt (P)2021 Jenelle Leanne Schmidt

A REALLY GREAT STORY

REALLY GREAT STORY FULL OF HUMOR, ADVENTURE AND ROMANTIC DRAMA.
STORY HAS THE FEAL OF AN ALLEGORY
THE NARRATOR IS GREAT AND EASY TO FOLLOW.

MUST HAVE SERIES,GOOD VALUE,GREAT Y.A FANTASY SAGA

MUST HAVE SERIES,GOOD VALUE,GREAT Y.A FANTASY SAGA, 13 hour of non stop clean adventure with characters you will come to love. Wizards, magicians, dragons, unicorns, strong women and courageous boys/men all drawn together in an invisible web that has something to do with the travelling minstrel. I do admire the authors well written story, she held my attention easily, the characters are so real and easy to empathise with. The narration of the audio book was fantastic. I recommend you start this 4 book series at book one so you can know the history behind the kingdoms and their peoples.
RECOMMENDED FOR AGES OVER 10 TO 90.

Weaker than previous two

I keep wondering what rating I would give this book if I didn't have the first two volumes in mind. Five stars? It's not bad, it just definitely feels weaker than the previous ones.

Just... this was a book slow to start with, catching us up with the characters. And that's fine. But as the book went on, I couldn't quite shake the sense that it didn't feel like much was happening even as plenty of things were definitely happening in the plot.

Finally, as I wondered more than halfway through the book why it hadn't gripped me the way the previous ones had, I asked myself "How many of the characters have actually gone on a development journey in this book."

Oraeyn is the only returning character who really has a proper arc and... well... I have mixed feelings about the ending twist. I won't say more, and I can't say the result is bad, but I find myself wondering why there had to be a twist.

That's not to say there weren't character moments I didn't love. It's sweet to see how they've grown offscreen and how the main characters of the first book have paired off with each other. It's just more of the focus is on world-building and plot events than character growth, and that's not to my taste.

The book ends with a cliffhanger, contrary to the complete ending of the first book... actually, the more I think about it, the more I realize there's a lot left hanging when it comes to certain character's fates. Incomplete and wanting is how I think I will describe this one.

Fife's narration remains excellent as always, no complaints on that front.

Hands down great

This is a great series. The world building is wonderful. I love the characters and the interaction within. The flow from book to book is cohesive and you don't get lost in the story even after a while in between books. The narration is well done with no confusing characters.

Epic Battle!

This series is incredibly underrated. It is epic! I'm not even sure what to compare it to. It's like Prydain, but with a much larger scope and cast, Narnia but more complex, Lord of the Rings but for younger readers. I don't know how to give it justice. But the world that Jenelle has built is fantastic. There are dragons and minstrels, mermaids and sorcerers, kings and high kings, villains, and other great evils. This book was focused on an epic battle spanning multiple countries, revisiting old friends and older legends, and solving mysteries while hinting at greater ones to come. And what adventures to be had in this world! I can't wait to see where book four takes us.

I received a free copy of the audiobook from the narrator who did such a stupendous job with this novel (and all the complicated pronunciations) that I felt swept into this grand tale and I have reviewed it willingly.