This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
Kyle R. Zeller has loved fantasy since he was a kid, when Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone introduced him to the joy of magical worlds.
His experience living in a small trailer in Virginia during the stifling summer at the age of thirteen led him to invent a mythical world of knights and warlocks as a form of escape. These stories, combined with his deep and involved research into Arthurian legend, serve as the background for Knights of the Withering Flame.
Zeller graduated from Ferrum College in Virginia in 2013 with a bachelor’s degree in English and a minor in psychology. He currently resides in Roanoke, Virginia. Zeller has two younger brothers and loving parents who have always encouraged him to follow his dreams.
Reviewed by Carol Thompson for Readers' Favorite
First, I will start by saying Kyle R. Zeller knows how to write and knows how to write fantasy. Knights of the Withering Flame (A Saga of Sword and Stone, Book 1) is a riveting and engaging young adult fantasy that even adults will enjoy. The story revolves around fifteen-year-old Garith Wynd, whose father committed suicide. While this may seem inappropriate to some for a YA book, Zeller handles it tastefully, and it is a tragedy that unfortunately too many young people must cope with. Following the death of his father, Garith moves with his family to a stuffy camper in the Virginian forest. There, Garith meets new friends, Selena and Blaine.
The three friends arrange a campout, but Garith is sidetracked when he comes face-to-face with a terrifying creature ripped from the pages of Arthurian lore — the Beast Glatisant. The only thing standing between him and a grisly death is the alluring White Knight, a shape-shifting enchantress who happens to be the family cat. And that's where the excitement begins.
The characters are well developed and real. Garith is very likable and I did want to give him a hug sometimes. The dialogue is well-balanced and well written. Fantasy can be dialogue laden and Zeller found a fine balance, making the book much more readable. I also like that Zeller didn't over complicate the plot so that it was easy to follow, and he did a great job with plot development. I highly recommend this book to any fan of fantasy. It's a book that I would read again, and I would definitely read the next book in the series.
