Reader's Review: "Dawn of Destiny" by Amy Hopkins and Michael Anderle

Synopsis from Amazon: 

When the greatest horrors exist in the mind, how do you deal with a man who puts them there?
Julianne is the strongest mystic of her generation. Her mental magic might even be getting stronger... it's hard to tell when her practice time is eaten up by paperwork and leading her people.
That is, until a rogue mystic cult shows up, trying to drag Julianne into their plot for world domination.
Crossing the dangerous Madlands and issuing a slap down to the bad guys is just the kind of trip she needs - some quiet solitude and the chance to kick some ass. If only her smartass companions had stayed at home...
Set on the foundation laid by the Kurtherian Gambit Series, Dawn of Destiny tells an entirely new story in the Age of Magic.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

My Review:

When Amy Hopkins writes a book...

If you’ve been following this blog, you know all the things I’ve been saying about Amy Hopkins and her Talented series—so much that I still stuck with it even when she swapped urban fantasy for “cozy mystery urban fantasy”! My favorite parts? The unique and often unpredictable plot twists; the spectacular and inventive premise; and most of all, the memorable, vivid, and distinctive characters!

All of that is on display in this new series she’s writing, based in the universe of Michael Anderle’s Kurtherian Gambit series. I haven’t read his stuff—but oh my gosh, was it delightful to read her take on it!

Inventive premise? A female mage capable of powerful mental magic sees her land coming under threat from a group who would use that magic to enslave and control those who cannot resist them. We’re talking “get into their mind and push their emotions and read their memories”-type shenanigans!
Unpredictable plot twists? This book has them in spades! After a bunch of strangers show up unannounced and cause havoc, Julianne decides to set out and learn more about them—and what began as a solo mission turns into a team effort with half a dozen people in various levels of strength, all of which get tested in some way as they go along!

Those six are about the most entertaining things about this adventure by far: Bastian, Danil, Marcus, Bette, Garrett, and of course Julianne herself. Some of them can use the mental magic (like Danil, who is blind and uses the magic to see) and Bastian (a novice in training anxious to demonstrate what he’s learned, and some are strong in other ways. Each has their own mannerisms, understanding, and method of dealing with the enemies and monsters they encounter along the way.

I’m definitely giving this book *****5 STARS***** and an Upstream Writer Certified RECOMMENDED endorsement for the style, heart and passion on display! It’s a brilliant start to a fantastic spin-off series full of awesome world-building and just brimming with potential! Amy Hopkins calls up stories like Annie calls up vegetables in her garden (yes, that’s a reference from this story!), and I can’t wait to read more of these delightful characters.

Further Reading: (Also By This Author/Epic Fantasy/Gritty Conflicts/Inventive World-Building)

Talented Series--Amy Hopkins
     -A Drop of Dream 
     -A Dash of Fiend 
     -A Splash of Truth 

The Bhinian Empire--Miriam Forster
     -City of A Thousand Dolls 
     -Empire of Shadows

The Chronicles of Lorrek--Kelly Blanchard
        -Someday I'll Be Redeemed 
        -I Still Have A Soul 
        -I'm Still Alive 
        -Do You Trust Me? 
        -You Left Me No Choice 
        -They Must Be Stopped 

The Books of Winter--R. R. Virdi
       -Dangerous Ways 

The Untamed Series--Madeline Dyer
       -Untamed 
       -Fragmented 
The Jill Andersen Series--J. D. Cunegan
       -Bounty 
       -Blood Ties 
       -Behind the Badge
The Vemreaux Trilogy--Mary E. Twomey
       -The Way 
       -The Truth 
       -The Lie 

The Red Dog Conspiracy--Patricia Loofbourrow
       -The Alcatraz Coup 
       -Jacq of Spades 
       -Queen of Diamonds