Review: Growing Disenchantments by K. D. Berry

In Celebration of Indie Excellence today, I have a review of Awesome Indies author, K.D. Berry’s latest book. Kevin (the K half of the K.D Berry writing team) wrote a review of  ‘You Can’t Shatter Me’ which you can read here.

Title: Growing Disenchantments
Author: K. D. Berry
Website: http://www.kdberry.com
Publisher: Bluewood Publishing
Genre: Young adult humorous fantasy

Growing Disenchantments is the second delightful story K. D. Berry has set in the land of King Credos. Dragons Away, which I enjoyed very much, was the first. In this book, we meet King Credos, Dewdrop, the illusionist, and the head of security again, but the main characters, a thief and a sorcerer, are new.  K.D. Berry’s humorous style rides on a plethora of puns and rather silly but charming characters. It’s a good read if you’re looking for something light, and is perfect for teens and older children.

Blurb: Just when he’d been looking forward to another quiet night delving into mind-bending arcane lore and mentally wrestling with the deepest magicks, along came this mysterious thief to disturb him. Why was it nothing in Ragonnard’s life ever went to plan? Rather than turn her in to the law (or into something else), the young sorcerer offers Ganfrey a deal – steal a portrait from the palace for him. But it’s no ordinary portrait. For 500 years it’s been a magical prison for Syranax, the most powerful sorcerer in history. His enchanted Amulet was entombed with him, and Ragonnard wants it. More than anything. In releasing the Amulet, Ragonnard unleashes a devastating sequence of sorcerous events, the like of which has not been seen for hundreds of years. And, no, things definitely don’t go to plan. Ned Merrivel is a time traveller from the future. His job is to sort it out when it all goes wrong and save the world somehow. If only he can find a pair of trousers first.

There was a lot to like in this book; the story was excellent and unpredictable; the characters, even the most ridiculous of them, were always believable, and the concepts behind the story were most intriguing.  I particularly liked the way Ned Merrivel kept popping in and out, and the philosophical discussions with the gargoyles. Descartes, one of these stone creatures come to life, was my favourite character. Who would believe a gargoyle would be so cultured and learned? It was a delightful and surprising take on such a character.

The thief’ Ganfrey’s, romantic inclinations are a nice touch, and the time travel adds some thought provoking moments, but I would have liked to have seen something deeper beneath the frivolity.

The plot was well paced, streamlined and ended well. A fun read. I give it 4 stars and a place on the Awesome Indies.

 Links
Amazon US
Goodreads page
Smashwords page
Alternative sales outlet: www.bluewoodpublishing.com