The self-published author of this book, Elizabeth Russell, reached out to me and asked me to review
her fantasy novel, Trinian. She came across my homeschool blog and noticed my youngest son has
self-published a novel. Her email to me said:
her fantasy novel, Trinian. She came across my homeschool blog and noticed my youngest son has
self-published a novel. Her email to me said:
“I believe many of your readers would be interested in this book, since it is something that they can
give their kids without worrying about witchcraft overtones, anti-Christian themes, sensuality, etc,
and yet it does not come across as preachy or blatantly pushing a Bible agenda. It is clean, exciting,
and appropriate for ages fifth grade and up. “
give their kids without worrying about witchcraft overtones, anti-Christian themes, sensuality, etc,
and yet it does not come across as preachy or blatantly pushing a Bible agenda. It is clean, exciting,
and appropriate for ages fifth grade and up. “
It is, however, mostly meant for adults, and will remind the reader of the Lord of the Rings, without
feeling like a copy of it” https://thefairytaleblog.com/trinian-an-epic-fantasy/
feeling like a copy of it” https://thefairytaleblog.com/trinian-an-epic-fantasy/
With that introduction, I agreed to review a print copy of her novel. The copy I received seems to be
a “preview” copy as there were typos, misspelled words, stray letters, etc. I have communicated with
Elizabeth about this and she should have corrections completed for later editions. When helping my son
with his editing, we discovered that you cannot edit too much. The more eyes you have helping you
catch mistakes, the better. Also, it is very beneficial to have a print version to edit before publishing
a “preview” copy as there were typos, misspelled words, stray letters, etc. I have communicated with
Elizabeth about this and she should have corrections completed for later editions. When helping my son
with his editing, we discovered that you cannot edit too much. The more eyes you have helping you
catch mistakes, the better. Also, it is very beneficial to have a print version to edit before publishing
THE BOOK
Epic• a long film, book, or other work portraying heroic deeds and
adventures or covering an extended period of time
Epic• a long film, book, or other work portraying heroic deeds and
adventures or covering an extended period of time
The book is definitely ‘epic’ in length- over 700 pages. It does have heroic deeds and adventures.
I was a little confused about the length of time covered in the book, possibly several years. I base this
estimate on the fact that one woman had two babies during the length of the story.
I was a little confused about the length of time covered in the book, possibly several years. I base this
estimate on the fact that one woman had two babies during the length of the story.
REVIEW
The Prologue was a little confusing to me, but came into focus as I progressed through
the book. The demi-gods have names like Power, Solidarity, Greed, etc. Their names
basically give a clue as to how they will behave and influence people.
the book. The demi-gods have names like Power, Solidarity, Greed, etc. Their names
basically give a clue as to how they will behave and influence people.
I don’t usually choose to read fantasy novels, but I did read this one to the end. There
were some character decisions that didn’t make sense to me. For instance, the king
chooses to send his family away with just a couple guards instead of keeping them in the
walled city with an army. I understand that created more adventures, but it didn’t seem
logical to me.
were some character decisions that didn’t make sense to me. For instance, the king
chooses to send his family away with just a couple guards instead of keeping them in the
walled city with an army. I understand that created more adventures, but it didn’t seem
logical to me.
There is plenty of adventure and swashbuckling in this epic fantasy. Some scenes did remind
me of a mash-up of C.S. Lewis novels, especially the last battle scene.
me of a mash-up of C.S. Lewis novels, especially the last battle scene.
The author has an uncanny understanding of human relationships. Some passages
portrayed a depth of understanding that many people never acquire.
portrayed a depth of understanding that many people never acquire.
The story does have magic and a wizard or two. The author says, “I consider the use of
magic in the book to be like Lord of the Rings and not witchcraft, since there are no spells
and the characters have the power within them - they are not calling on external spirits to
make the magic possible.” There is no sensuality, as promised, which seems to be rare in
books lately. Some analogies could be made between some characters and Biblical
characters, but it is not overtly obvious.
magic in the book to be like Lord of the Rings and not witchcraft, since there are no spells
and the characters have the power within them - they are not calling on external spirits to
make the magic possible.” There is no sensuality, as promised, which seems to be rare in
books lately. Some analogies could be made between some characters and Biblical
characters, but it is not overtly obvious.
CONCLUSION
The sheer length of this novel as well as the plot twists and turns are a testament to the
author’s creative mind. (Could it be shorter and not lose any of the story? Yes, and I will
address that in a different post)
author’s creative mind. (Could it be shorter and not lose any of the story? Yes, and I will
address that in a different post)
Every author has to start somewhere and I applaud Elizabeth Russell for finishing an epic
fantasy novel. We have had great discussions on improving her work, but for those who
like fantasy novels, give this one a try and let Elizabeth know what you think. If I was giving
an Amazon review, it would probably be 3 stars. Not the best thing I’ve ever read,
but certainly not the worst.
fantasy novel. We have had great discussions on improving her work, but for those who
like fantasy novels, give this one a try and let Elizabeth know what you think. If I was giving
an Amazon review, it would probably be 3 stars. Not the best thing I’ve ever read,
but certainly not the worst.
I think the reading level is probably 7th grade and up.
Some 5th graders might read it, but most probably wouldn’t.
Some 5th graders might read it, but most probably wouldn’t.
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