Zaria Fierce and the Enchanted Drakeland Sword

Book Two in the Zaria Fierce Series

Summary in a Nut-Shell: Zaria Fierce and her friends quest for a magical sword to set a wrong to right and to keep it out of the hands of a dangerous river-troll.

Full Summary:

“Princess, you are needed.”

If Zaria Fierce had her say, being a princess would mean you’d never have to wait for news. In the eight months since Olaf tricked her, Zaria has felt a near constant mixture of restlessness, listlessness, and hopelessness. When the time comes to fix past mistakes, she is more than ready to climb aboard the ship sailing towards the giants. Summertime in Norway promises many more adventures, but also many more perils… something sinister lurks beneath the surface following her every move, haunting her, disturbing her dreams, and stealing her peace. Can Zaria figure out what it is and stop it before it’s too late?

Watch the Book Trailer:

Excerpt:

Filip slung his window open and tossed out his backpack. It landed in a thump in the hedgerow. Aleks pulled it out and slung it over his shoulder with his own bag.

“How’re you getting down?”

“Hopefully with your stargazer.”

“Then why toss down your bag?” Aleks asked, exasperated.

“Just in case,” Filip said with a wink at Zaria.

She suppressed a smile. She looked to the others, “Does anybody have rope?”

Aleks and Geirr both nodded. Then Geirr unzipped his bag and pulled out a neat coil from on top. He tossed it to Filip, who snatched it up as it sailed by the window. He disappeared into his bedroom and reappeared moments later slinging the coil out the window. It unraveled to the ground.

“Good,” Filip said briskly. “It’s long enough. Now let’s see if it holds.”

Filip quickly scaled the side of the house and they gathered their belongings preparing to dash. Without warning, Mrs. Storstrand stuck her head out of a bottom window and shrieked at the sight of them.

“Just what do you think you’re doing?” she demanded.

“Run!” Filip shouted, grabbing his friends’ sleeves and rushing for the street.

Aleks cursed and threw Filip his backpack while slinging his own around to the front and unzipping a pocket. He looked frazzled as he dug inside the opening. Mrs. Storstrand was quick. She was already out of the house and chasing after them. She threatened life and limb and the most terrible of all – letting Filip’s father know what he was about.

At last Aleks found the stargazer – a shiny purplish egg-shaped object perforated with stars – and almost dropped it in his haste. After a brief fumble, Aleks located the largest star, and hastily jabbed his finger into the hole. Just like that, Mrs. Storstrand froze mid-run. But so too did Christoffer, Filip, and Geirr.

Aleks looked at Zaria and to the others. “Damn,” he hissed. “Wait! How are you not frozen too?”

Listen to a clip from the audio book:

(different from the written excerpt)

Reviews:

Patricia Park

AUTHOR OF THE ABODE

Gillett is an expert at building fascinating, detailed, and often terrifying imaginary worlds. Her extensive knowledge of Norse mythology, paired with her seemingly limitless imagination, gives her books depth and, of course, makes them great fun to read.

- 5 Stars

Emily

MIDWESTERN BOOK NERD

Loving this book at this age makes me wonder just how much my 13 year old self would love it (and the answer is probably that my 13 year old self would love it a lot, because this is definitely something that I would be all over).

- 4 Stars

Ner

A CUP OF COFFEE AND A BOOK

And if I had previously said that this series was a delight to Narnia and Spiderwick fans, I will consider The Enchanted Drakeland Sword as a potential children’s version of The Lord of the Rings.

- 4 Stars

Danissa

The Booklandia

This is one of the most amazing second book in a trilogy that I’ve read. I like how empowering the book is, especially on facing your own demons. Just like Zaria.

- 4.5 Stars

APinFL

Audible Review

The audio edition of the book offers charms that aren't available in the print version, largely in the vocal performance of the narrator. Zaria is both vulnerable and strong, and very much a role model for my own daughters.

- 4.5 Stars

Lyriel

Audible Review

Another amazing adventure! I liked it even more than the first book! The characters evolve with every new step in this adventure. I loved all the realms they visited and the new beings they encounter.

- 5 Stars

DCL

Audible Review

The books are a nice read also for grown ups who don't want (a lot) of blood and gore. The setting in Norway is great, it brings back childhood memories - my parents were in Norway for work, and we had a lot of going back holidays.

- 4 Stars

Rosemary

Mom Read It

The stories are written and illustrated in a manner that recalls fantasy and adventure stories I read as a kid. The black and white fantasy sketches are beautiful and creepy and brings a lot of imagination to the page.

- 4 Stars

Karen

Amazon Review

My 8 year old granddaughter says it all: "These books (both Zaria I and II) are awesome. It's a great story, filled with adventure. I can't wait for the next book. They're just cool."

- 5 Stars

Brenda

Log Cabin Library

I like how the action begins quickly and Gillett brings the reader up to speed on the plot, no time is wasted in getting these friends off on another adventure through the Norwegian countryside. Oh and that setting, it's one of the most enjoyable things in reading Gillett's stories. All the lovely rich details of each of the magical kingdoms, each place is unique and highlights the depth of her imagination.

- 4 Stars

Natalie

Book Lover's Life

Keira Gillett has upped her game with this installment. This is darker, scarier and more action packed than the previous one and I ended up listening to it in a day!

- 4 Stars

Daniel

Audible Review

I find the tone charming throughout, the banter between Zaria and her friends is rather humorous, and the new setting and creatures keep things rolling.

- 4 Stars

Television Interview about the Book:

ASIN: B01521T2MI
E-book ISBN-13: 9781942750024
Paperback ISBN-13: 9781942750031
LCCN: 2015914906