Reviewed by Dan
TITLE: Seeker’s Portrait
SERIES: Elements of Dragonis – Book 2
AUTHOR: Hannah Walker
PUBLISHER: Self-Published
LENGTH: 481 Pages
RELEASE DATE: December 15, 2016
BLURB:
Prince Elijan has spent his life protected by castle walls, prevented from fully experiencing the world outside. He longs to see the empire he will one day rule, but his only view is from the safety of the windows in his suite. He yearns to find out what life has to offer. When he’s given the chance to work with the dragons, and a desire to learn their language flares to life, he is finally granted some freedom.
Aldren’s life has always been about the dragons. As a Rider, he is dedicated to the protection of the kingdom. He’s always been willing to step up when he is called upon, but his latest orders come directly from the king, and for once, Aldren isn’t sure he the right man for the job.
Protecting the king’s only son is not something to be taken lightly, and when Aldren meets Elijan, the instant attraction he has for the man complicates matters even more. Still, he’s never refused a job before and he isn’t about to start now.
Working and living side by side brings Elijan and Aldren together, forcing them both to admit to the emotions stirring inside them. It only takes one kiss and no matter the risk, the two of them refuse to ignore the chemistry between them.
When danger comes calling, and Elijan experiences strange visions that manifest in his drawings, Aldren worries. How does he protect the prince from an enemy he can’t see?
With friends, both man and dragon, by their side, the two must learn who seeks them out and what the information they’ve gained from Elijan’s drawings might mean, but at the same time, they must protect the dragons. Evil lurks around them, but so does salvation. Drawn into a dangerous destiny, Aldren and Elijan find that love and friendship really can conquer all.
REVIEW:
I was super happy when I saw a Facebook post about this new release. Those of you who like fantasy books might remember that I reviewed Booker’s Song back in August of this year and I really enjoyed it. When I found this one, I’ll be honest, I rearranged my schedule so that I could get to it within our two-week ‘Recent Release Review’ guidelines. And I’m glad I did!
I again thoroughly enjoyed Ms. Walker’s writing. If I’m being honest I’m going to have to tell you that this one was really long at 481 pages. I did get a little bogged down in the middle, but it made me put the book down (at 1:30 this morning), and when I picked it back up when I got up, the story moved fast enough that it kept me entertained and reading straight through to the end. When I did get to the end, with 16 minutes still showing on the ‘time remaining’ thing on my Kindle, I growled. 481 pages and I was grumpy that the character list and glossary took up that remaining time! Now I will have to wait for the next book!
Let’s talk about this one first though. Seeker’s Portrait picks up the very same day, I believe, that Booker’s Song ended. The MC’s of that story are off on their quiet week long getaway and the story now turns to Con’s best friend and second in command, Aldren. We met Aldren in the first book, and I was happy to see this book focus on him.
The other MC in this one is Prince Elijan, or Eli as he prefers to be called. We had a mention of him in the first book, but never met him. He is somewhere around twenty years old, but has been sheltered by his domineering mother, the Queen. She is a piece of work, not liked by much of anyone in the Kingdom. Luckily the King has overruled her and Elijan is sent to study with the dragons and dragon riders.
I don’t want to do any spoilers, so I’m just going to say that there is magic, there are dragons, there are fights and battles between good and evil, and there is a blossoming romance. All the important things in a fantasy novel!
I highly recommend this one. I think you need to read the first book first though. Otherwise you won’t get who the characters are, and how it all fits together. Start at the beginning. If you’re a fantasy lover, you will love them. I’ll be eagerly awaiting the story of “The Summoner”…which I believe is next!
RATING: 
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