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.
DJ Edwardson decided to become a writer because all of his favorite ones were dead and he was running out of things to read. J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis are the two he enjoys the most. He likes to think that authors who use their initials are better writers, but he can't actually prove it. Although much of what he writes falls in the Science Fiction and Fantasy genres, he likes to call his work “imaginative” fiction and often incorporates elements from multiple genres.
He has a degree in English from Cornell College where his emphasis was on the works of Shakespeare. He’s tried his hand at both acting and directing in the theater, but these days is happiest with a pen in his hand. He lives in Tennessee with his wife and three children and a rather large collection of board games. His family usually gangs up on him so that he won’t win, but he has fun anyway.
Reviewed by Liz Konkel for Readers' Favorite
The Last Motley by D.J. Edwardson is the first book of The Null Stone trilogy. Roderick has heard the stories of candy colored beings called motleys that are rumored to drain souls, but he's never believed them. Then he catches a little boy with colorful skin hanging around his cart and his life changes. The boy is nothing like the stories describe. Is it possible everything Roderick knew was wrong? When dangerous men attack, he discovers that a curse may be behind the magic and it has the power to possibly destroy the world. If Roderick is going to save young Jacob, he must trust the word of a mysterious stranger and overcome thieves, wolves, and the elements.
The sweet bond between Roderick and Jacob grows stronger with each part of their journey. The core of their bond is how they protect each other with each small step of trust strengthening their relationship. D.J. Edwardson plays around with the concept of magic, showing it in a darker light instead of as a completely wondrous and mystical thing. It's seen as dangerous and powerful with the potential to damage the world. The primary threat against the world is the existence of magic and it's the reason that everyone is after Jacob. He's just an innocent little boy that finds himself in the middle of all this fear and power. Everyone is afraid of the motleys because they fear the magic the motleys possess or they're after the power it contains.
One of the scenes that resonates the most is when Roderick is trying to explain that magic can be a gift and compares it to the way fire is a gift, but is also a potential danger if not controlled. It's sweet to see Jacob's innocence in trying to figure out why he would have this magic, and to see Roderick strive for a way to connect to him. The adventure that Roderick finds himself in contrasts against the ideal life he has at the beginning with his job as a tailor and his family. There's a well-rounded balance to the story as Roderick risks this ideal life in order to save Jacob. Edwardson finds heart and faith in this riveting adventure as The Last Motley captures the meaning of love, the purpose of magic, and the bond of family.
