Book Review #85: Lor Mandela: 400 Days by L. Carroll

Lor Mandela: 400 Days
by L. Carroll

Genre: YA Fantasy

Ages: 15 and up

Sequel to Destruction From Twins.

I received an advance copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Description:

When Audril, the heiress to the Lor Mandelan throne, sneaks away to Earth to save one of her dearest friends, she finds that a power hungry tyrant from her own world has begun systematically obliterating towns and cities to get her to turn herself over to him.

On Earth, she meets a wildly eccentric old lady named Teedee Venilworth whose imaginary butler/fiance supposedly holds the key to her success. But how can someone help if he doesn't exist? Could it be that creatures who dwell in shadow are not exclusive to Lor Mandela?

Book number two in the Lor Mandela Series, "Four Hundred Days", is an action-packed whirlwind of intrigue and fantasy. Join the extraordinary characters from the first book, (both the good and the evil), as they traverse the haunted corridors of Alcatraz Penitentiary, travel via portal to an ancient castle on the cliff shores of Ireland, and meet a foreboding race of mystic warriors known as the Solom.

Soar on the back of a large horse-like creature to the Northern High Forests, and discover that on the picturesque world of Lor Mandela, your friends can become foes, your enemies your allies, and just because someone dies, it doesn't always mean that they're dead.

My Review:

This book is so much fun! The mixture of contemporary and fantasy with a dash of sci-fi thrown in is completely original and entertaining. The characters are complicated and interesting and the world is fascinating.

Audril is a very likable heroine. Raised on Drolana (aka, Earth) she has attitude and a bit of a wild side (which worries her father to no end). She does what she believes to be right or necessary, even when it gets her into trouble. She makes mistakes and is occasionally a little too independent for her own good, which gets her into even more trouble but also makes her more fun!

Dallin Doone, the handsome love interest, is in deep trouble through almost the entire book. Audril's father is determined to keep them apart, the enemy wants Audril for himself, and Dallin may have some competition for her affections from an unexpected source. Poor Dallin certainly has his work cut out for him, but he has won me to his side with his sweetness.

Ryannon makes a great villain because he is so convincing. He can talk almost anybody into trusting him before he turns on them. I am not sure what to think of Lortu. He is so shifty and strange, it is impossible to tell what side he will choose. I believe he truly cares for Audril, but will that be enough?

The minor characters are wonderful. I love Tabbit and Jonathan and Kahlie and Teedee...well, I loved them all, pretty much. Especially Teedee. She is so marvelously eccentric and there is far more to her than meets the eye.

Is it strange that my favorite parts in the book were the most awful for the characters? L. Carroll captures the emotional anguish of certain events perfectly, so much so that at one point (I can't tell you which, it would give too much away) I was mentally yelling at the book in protest. Ok, maybe two points. And the ending! The less said the better when it comes to that ending, I must read book 3.

I highly recommend this series to lovers of fantasy, great characters and world-building.

This review is part of the 400 Hours to 400 Days Blog Party. I hope that you will come along for fun posts, contest and more! Check back here on the 13th for an interview with L. Carroll!

Content Ratings: Profanity, Sexuality and Violence

1 (mild) through 10 (extreme).

Profanity:

There is no profanity in this book.

Sexuality:

I give it a 3.10 for innuendo, references and unwanted advances.

Violence:
I give it a 7.10 for murder, beatings, torture and battle.

                                                Lieder Madchen