The Adventures of Jecosan Tarres, Book 3: The Battle

Laura Lond
Xulon Press (2006)
ISBN 1597818429
Reviewed by Leslie Granier for Reader Views (2/07)

"The Adventures of Jecosan Tarres, Book 3: The Battle" will appeal to fantasy and adventure lovers - both young and old. This book contains conspiracy, mystery, intrigue and humor, all of the elements that make for a good read. Even though I have not yet read the first two books of this trilogy, I had no difficulty understanding and following the plot.

This book focuses on the battle between the forces of good and evil as an imminent war between the neighboring countries of Meoria and Tirgan approaches. A young boy named Jecosan must summon his courage and inner strength as he travels with three unlikely companions in an attempt to thwart this war. In the meantime, there is much activity going on in both palaces. In one, the king has been stripped of his power and left to die. The mutineers have done this to gain power for themselves since his replacement is his nine year old sister who is unable to fully rule because of her age. However, they could never have imagined the intelligence and craftiness this young heiress possesses. It is she who ultimately turns the tide and exposes the conspiracy. In the other kingdom, another internal battle is present. The two princes are very different when it comes to their approach to war. One is battle hungry and one would rather try the diplomatic approach. The oldest wants to prove his idea is better so he deceives his father (the king) and heads off to do what he wants. This sets off a chain reaction that could lead to catastrophic events.

By creating well-developed and likable characters, author Laura Lond made me instantly want to root for the protagonists. As I read, I really felt the love and pain of the characters. I especially liked the character of Princess Arvelina. I could not control my laughter when she was tantalizing Regent Traun with such things as choosing what dress she should wear. I also enjoyed seeing two sides of her - one aristocratic and the other down-to-earth as she developed a friendship with the daughter of a kitchen worker.

"The Battle" is a well-written novel that pits good versus evil and right versus wrong. It is the fight for good that ultimately gives us hope for the future. This book is timeless and inspirational. I cannot wait for future books from this author.

Make comment on weblog