Book Review: A Ranger's Tale by Mysti Parker

A Ranger's Tale


Author: Mysti Parker
Paperback: 188 pages
Publisher: Melange Books, LLC (December 18, 2010)
Amazon Link

Note: I received a review copy of this book free from the author, Mysti Parker. The review posted below is based on my personal thoughts while reading the book.

Ratings: ★ ★ ★ ★   


My thoughts: 

A Ranger's Tale is my first romantic elven book and yay, loved the story! Here in this book, an elven noblewoman, Caliphany, falls in love with Galadin, a half elven man and naturally everyone else is against the relationship. There are a lot of twists in it however there is this one major thing I couldn't take out of my mind, loving two guys at the same time. Love triangle is common in all romance books out there but the conflict on this story is somehow different. If you have seen the movie, Castaway, by Tom Hanks, well, it was something like that. Sorry, can't tell - spoiler. The "what would you do?" question about who to choose between two men you loved... I kept on thinking about it and I really can’t decide on that. 

While I enjoyed reading the book, I was not satisfied with how the author ended the story. Seemed like it was an abrupt ending, she could have added some more pages about Caliphany's reunion to the guy she has ultimately chosen.

Overall, I loved the elven world the author wove, I thank Mysti Parker for sharing this book with me and I look forward to reading more books from her!

About the book:

In the fantasy world of Tallenmere, an elven noblewoman longed to leave her gilded cage. A half-breed former pirate wanted nothing more than to escape his guilty past. Easier said than done...

High elf Caliphany Aranea leads an enviable life as King Leopold's niece and daughter of Sirius, Leogard's most famous wizard. Yet, being forced to follow in her father's footsteps and being betrothed to a man she doesn't even like makes her want a taste of life outside the city walls. 

As a young boy, half-elf Galadin Trudeaux witnessed his parents' death at the hands of pirates. After being raised by those same murderers and forced to do their bidding, he escaped and now lives an honest life as a sea merchant and ranger. 

When two brutes at Leogard Harbor attempt to kidnap Caliphany while she dreams of faraway lands, Galadin comes to her rescue. Impressed by his skills, she asks him to train her as a ranger. Though he is hesitant at first to train a woman of her class, Caliphany's hefty sack of gold finally persuades him. Unfortunately, her father is not amused, and the two must escape before Caliphany faces a forced marriage and Galadin faces a noose. 

From that moment on she and Galadin embark on an adventure of a lifetime. Only if they can survive the trials ahead, will they find a love that stands the test of time.

About the author:

Mysti Parker (pseudonym) is a full time wife, mother of three, and a writer. Her first novel, A Ranger's Tale was published in January, 2011 by Melange Books, and the second in the fantasy romance series, Serenya's Song, was published in April 2012. The highly anticipated third book, Hearts in Exile, has already received some great reviews. The Tallenmere series has been likened to Terry Goodkind's 'Sword of Truth' series, but is probably closer to a spicy cross between Tolkien and Mercedes Lackey. 

Mysti's other writings have appeared in the anthologies Hearts of Tomorrow, Christmas Lites, and Christmas Lites II. Her flash fiction has appeared on the online magazine EveryDayFiction. She has also served as a class mentor in Writers Village University's six week free course, F2K.

Mysti reviews books for SQ Magazine, an online specfic publication, and is the proud owner of Unwritten, a blog voted #3 for eCollegeFinder's Top Writing Blogs award. She resides in Buckner, KY with her husband and three children.