Part 3. (20 points) List below the top ten reasons you enjoy this book. Use specific quotes and/or examples from the book for each reason. Create rough drafts first on other paper before you transfer your list to this sheet, or type it and attach it to this sheet. Sort your reasons so the most important reason comes last.
(These are not sorted yet. This is part of a rough draft. I’m just gathering reasons now and will sort them after I have my ten reasons I enjoy this book.)
There is a clear line between good and evil. The good guys are definitely on the side of good, but aren’t perfect. The bad guys are really bad. Maeon is pure evil, as is Shadan. The characters who make me the angriest are the ones who are posing as good people – who are in positions of power or influence, have given into the temptation to go to “the dark side,” and have betrayed their own people.
The main character is likable. He’s the kind of young man I wouldn’t mind my daughter dating – if I didn’t have to worry about him accidently destroying her with his untamed powers, or about he bad guys trying to get him killing her as well.
There are very strong women characters. Jases’ mother has her own formidable powers, as well as being a loving and wise mother. Tana is rather brazen, but she is strong-willed and brave. the governor of one of the province/countries is a strong, wise woman. The young woman Jase had seen in prophecy turns out to be an amazing warrior and holder-of-power herself.
There is real danger and real loss in the world of Veil of Darkness. The reader realizes early on that even some of the main characters and/or their family and friends will most likely die. One important character loses loved ones early on, and we find out that another one carries the guilt of not having been able to protect from death the one he loved the most. The enemy forces are vast and powerful. Evil will not be easily overcome.
The author uses just enough description to help the reader visualize the scene, but doesn’t go on too long with description. For example, here is some description of a setting:
The evening breeze blowing down from the steep slopes of the Death’s Chain Mountains reached the Allister Plains and rippled the tall grasses as it swirled over and around the smooth contours of the hills. Tendrils of warmth tempered the high mountain chill, a caressing whisper of spring’s arrival. (p. 81)
There is a wonderful variety of characters, from a prince who creates origami animals for children and plays crazy practical jokes, yet is one of the best swordfighters in that world -- to the powerful prophet-warrior-healer who was imprisoned and tortured for twenty years, and whose job it now is to protect train the young man who, according to prophecy must be the one to save the world.
Book-of-the-Month, Fantasy/Science Fiction, Seventh Grade English, Dorsey, 2/1/19, p. 1 of 1