Review: Vardaesia and A Very Medoran Kaldoras Novella by Lynette Noni

Vardaesia ★★★★★ // A Very Medoran Kaldoras Novella ★★★★☆

Vardaesia

In this final instalment of The Medoran Chronicles by Lynette Noni, I was expecting heartache and incredibly high stakes and sadness and that is absolutely what I got. In this YA fantasy series we have been following Alex Jennings, a 16 year old girl from Earth who finds herself in a new world, Medora. Not only that, but she was chosen by the library at the school for gifted humans, Akarnae. In Medora there are humans, and there are also a bunch of other mortal races, there are immortal races, Draekons and even more world with even more immortal beings. Suffice to say, this series has absolutely everything you could want in a YA fantasy series. The first novel is definitely focussed on Akarnae and Alex settling in to her new world, finding friends and generally getting into trouble. As the books progress though, the plot deepens, the stories get more depth the characters get more fleshed out and it stops feeling like young YA. There is battles, tests and death but there is also banter, friendships and so much to make your heart warm.

There’s not a lot I can say about this book without spoiling something from the earlier books, so I’ll keep it short. This book takes us to a new world and introduces us to a new group of immortals. The challenges are at their most deadly for Alex, Bear, Jordan, DC, Kaiden and Declan and honestly, I couldn’t stop listening to this book. I was on the edge of my seat for 75% of this story, and so many things happened that I was unprepared for. This book and this series as a whole is fantastic, and it is up there with my favourite YA books/series of all time. I will definitely be reading this series and rereading it again and again for comfort and more self-inflicted heartache.

A Very Medoran Kaldoras

A Very Medoran Kaldoras is a bonus little novella that takes place just less than a year after the end of Vardaesia, and honestly, it’s just a little extra bonus scene to give us a glimpse into our favourite characters lives and how they’re spending the Kaldoras holidays. I have to warn you though - prior to reading this I saw something on Lynette Noni’s instagram saying that she had no plans to resolve the ending of this novella, so I truly think going into this little bonus story with the knowledge that it ends in a cliff hanger helps. I enjoyed it kore knowing that there was a potentially never to be mentioned again cliff hanger at the end of it. It’s still really cute and I would recommend reading it (it’s a free ebook!)

Have you read this series? If you have, please come and chat with me over on Instagram! I cannot stop gushing about it and I want to hear who your fave character is, your fave scene and your fave book from the series! ✨

Review: We Three Heroes by Lynette Noni

★★★☆☆.5 Do not read on if you haven’t read the first four books in the series! Although this won’t spoil We Three Heroes, it will spoil plot points from the first four books! If you’re thinking of skipping this before reading Vardaesia, don’t!

We Three Heroes by Lynette Nonis is book 4.5 in The Medoran Chronicles following Akarnae, Raelia, Draekora and Graevale. Once again, I’ve listened to the audiobook but I didn’t rate these narrators as much as I do the usual narrator (a reason for the lower rating since all of my ratings includes the book and my experience while reading it). Instead of following on from Graevale, We Three Heroes is comprised of three novellas, one from D.C.’s point of view, one from Jordan’s and one from Bears. I am a huge lover of multiple points of view, so getting an insight into each of these characters’ minds was such a gift! D.C.’s novella Crowns and Curses came first, and honestly, as much as I like her character, this novella is the reason I’ve rated this book less than the previous four. We get a good insight into D.C’s childhood, and why she was so unapproachable before she became friends with Alex and the boys at the end of Akarnae. I definitely enjoyed reading her character arc, and the events from her childhood that affected her time at Akarnae, but it was pretty long and became quite repetitive. Nevertheless, when her character gets to Akarnae the story picks up a bit, and you do get to understand that character a lot better, but it was definitely my least favourite novella of the three.

Jordan’s novella Scars and Silence gave me goosebumps more than once as I listened to how he deals with the absolute nightmare he had been living in. This story was raw and was focussed on Jordan’s healing process after being saved from Aven by Alex. It’s such a different experience reading some of the events we have read in previous books from the point of view of Jordan, but god this was a really lovely read. How Hunter was able to help Jordan start to deal with his experience, and the way he and D.C. worked towards becoming a couple was so beautiful, and also so heartwrenching to read. Truly a wonderful addition to the series.

The final novella Hearts and Headstones from Bear’s point of view was my favourite but also the one that was the most painful. Reading the events of Graevale from Bear’s point of view was painful - especially when you know what’s coming (if you’ve read it, you know what’s up). But, seeing a bit more of Declan was such a happy surprise, and once again, just getting to see events from previous books from the point of another character was wonderful - especially getting to learn more about how Bear was helping Fitz with his secret project. I just can’t seem to express my love for multiple POV’s but also, when authors give such loveable and dynamic supporting characters a chance to shine.

Review: Graevale by Lynette Noni

★★★★★ this book was just SO good, I am struggling to deal with my emotions. If you haven’t read the first three books of the Medoran Chronicles, read no further! This is a non-spoiler review of Graevale but it will ruin things from the previous books!

What is the book about?

Graevale is the fourth book in the Medoran Chronicles by Lynette Noni, which follows Alexandra Jennings, a girl from Earth (Freya) who finds herself in a new world, similar yet so different from her home. Akarnae, Raelia and Draekora (the first three books in the series) has introduced us to the school for gifted humans, Akarnae, Meya the home of the immortal race and Draekora, the home of the dragon-esq creatures known as Draekons, but Graevale introduces us to more mortal realms as the stakes increase between Aven dal Marta and his claimed Meyarins, and the humans. Aven sits on the throne of Meya, and Alex has to continue to do everything in her power to keep her friends and the rest of the mortals out of his merciless grip. Alex takes on the seemingly impossible challenge of warning the other mortal races and getting them on board to face Aven all while spending every bit of her free time honing her fighting skills, and her mental ones with her mysterious new tutor.

Light or dark, only one can win. This world cannot survive in shades of grey.

Thoughts and Feelings

It has been a long, long time since I have shed a tear because of a book, but let me tell you - this one had me weeping. I also think it was because I was listening to the audiobook and the raw emotion in the narrators’ voice, absolutely brilliantly written and narrated. Ever since the first book, things have just gotten steadily more intense but the books haven’t lost their fun edge. Alex is still so sassy, and now that we get more Niyx and more Kaiden, the sass and the banter just keep going and we love to see it. Once again, we don’t really see that much of Jordan, Bear or DC which was a bummer because I love the vibe between the four of them - but I understand the need for Alex to interact with new people. I really enjoyed reading more about the other mortals that live in Medora, and the way that their homes are so different to the humans - whose world is pretty similar to Freya. Underwater cities that give off an Atlantis feel, humid jungle towns and opposites living in separate halves of the same city. The addition of these new locations with more insight into the races that live there was such a highlight for me, that and the cute, furry new friend Alex makes (which I guess is a way to fill the void of the absent Xira).

To those who can no longer see any light.
Resist the shadows.

Plus, getting to know more about other teachers like Caspar Lennox (the slightly vampiric teacher) and Maggie the archery instructor really cemented the fact that although Alex is still only seventeen, she is in the middle of something that will affect everyone. The stress I felt, the sadness, the humour, this book really had it all. I keep saying this, but this series just keeps getting better and better. Graevale has definitely been my favourite so far, but I have very high hopes for the final instalment. Anyway, I'll just be sobbing in the corner.

October Wrap Up 2021

What a month! The spooky season is over for another year, and I know I’ve said it already multiple times this year, but this was the quickest month I’ve ever experienced. I was thinking about maybe reading some spooky books, but I knew deep down that wasn’t going to happen due to how I am 100% a mood reader.

I finished five books this month; two audiobooks, two non fiction and one re-read and it was such a wonderful month of reading! The fact that I read two non-fictions in one month (again!) astounds me, but I guess since one of them was all about Greek pottery and was half images helps understand it better.

★★★★☆

The first book I finished in October was Raelia by Lynette Noni. Raelia is the second book in the Medoran Chronicles which follows Alex, a teenage girl from Earth (Freya), who finds herself in a completely different world. This world, Medora, is full of gifted humans and other races of mortals, but most notable, the mysterious immortal race of the Meyarins and their lost city of Meya. I listened to the audiobook of Raelia and it was fantastic! It’s getting more intense, the stakes are getting higher, and the Stealth and Subterfuge part of this book was such a highlight!

★★★★★

The second book I read this month was To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. This was a re read and a buddy read with my lovely friend Myrthe over at SunflowerWinters, and it was truly a lovely time. To Kill a Mockingbird is one of those books I read for the first time when I was younger, about 13, and I have re read it multiple times since then (with one of those times being to study it in school). Although I definitely got more out of it in this re read, and there are subtle nuances that definitely went over my head in previous readings, the nostalgia that is connected to this book will always be there. I adore Scout as the narrator, and Atticus is one of the best father figures I have ever encountered in a piece of literary work. This will always be a favourite book, and a huge comfort read for me.

★★★★☆.5

Book number three for October was The Greek Vase: Art of the Story Teller by John H. Oakley, and it was my first non-fiction read of the month. This richly illustrated book takes you on a journey through the history, creation, use and decoration of vessels from Ancient Greece from c. 800 BCE through to the Classical Period. Oakley takes you through the changes in designs throughout the years and reasons for fluctuation in subject choice, he takes you through the specific functions of each different type of vessel, and how often, the form, function and design are all interrelated. There were sections that delved into depictions of the gods and deities of Greek mythology, daily life of the ancient Greeks, and one of my favourite sections, the discussion around the makers of the vessels. I loved learning about how we have attributed some potters and painters to particular vessels, even if they didn't sign them. It’s all so fascinating, and if you haven’t noticed by now, I absolutely LOVE learning about pottery.

★★★★☆.5

Coming to book number four is my favourite book of the month, and thats Draekora by Lynette Noni, the third book in the Medoran Chronicles. Once again I listened to the audiobook, and if I haven’t been clear thus far - I would highly recommend listening to the audiobook. The narrator is fantastic and you get so immersed into the story it’s hard to stop listening (I’m pretty sure I finished this book at 2am because I just couldn’t stop listening, the suspense was too much). In this instalment, you get a lot more Meya, and you get to learn a lot more about the Meyarins that you’re already familiar with, plus the brand new Draekora, and a couple of new characters (one of which has become my absolute favourite in the series). These books just keep getting more and more intense, and whenever I think Alex is in the clear and things are going her way, the plot does a 180 and I’m left completely stunned. If I had to wait for each of these books as they were released, I would have gone crazy. I am SO glad I get to just binge listen to this series. Read these books!!!!

★★★☆☆.75

The final book I finished in October is a book I’ve been reading since September, and that’s The Celtic Myths That Shape the Way We Think by Mark Williams. I was kindly gifted a copy of this stunning book from Thames & Hudson to review both for my blog but also for World History Encyclopedia, so thankyou again Thames & Hudson! This book was a huge undertaking by Williams, who not only summaries the myths and legends in question, but also went into the language, the sources we know them from and their presence in modern literature and pop culture. I really enjoyed it but you would definitely get more out of it if you’re already familiar with the characters and myths, and even just the language of Celtic folklore. This quote really encapsulates the book perfectly.

Once again we are reminded that what we call ‘Celtic mythology’ is not a pure substance handed down from the pagan past, but a rich amalgam that developed over centuries.’ (213)

So that’s it for my October wrap up, hope you enjoyed reading this rundown of the books I read this month! Come and let me know over on Instagram (@kell_read) what genre you read the most this month on my wrap up reel!

Review: Draekora by Lynette Noni

★★★★☆.5 - definitely my favourite from the series so far! This will spoil things from the previous two books in the series so proceed with caution!

What is the book about?

Draekora by Lynette Noni is the third book in the Medoran chronicles which follows Alex, a teenage girl who finds herself in the word of Medora, and not only that, has a special gift that makes her essential for the saving of her new home, and everyone in it. Aven Dalmarta has made his way into Meya, and he has taken Jordan with him, which means the stakes are even higher for Alex, Bear and DC - and it’s even more important that Alex taps in to her Meyan powers and learns to fight like one. But when her first day of training with her Meyarin friends Roka, Kyia and Zain takes a turn for the weird, Alex finds herself where she never thought she’d be, and with a new Draekoran friend. With powerful new friends and even more pressure on her shoulders, Alex faces her most important challenges yet.

Thoughts and Feelings

Holy moly, this book was fantastic! I once again listened to the audiobook, and I loved the narration. I definitely think I’ll have to pick up physical editions of this series, because I am officially obsessed. The plot to this one is so completely different to the previous two, that it had me hooked from chapter one. To say that my heart felt like it was going to beat out of my heart from the absolute STRESS and ANTICIPATION of this book is an understatement. This book gives us a lot more Meya, a lot more Meyarins and we get to learn a lot more about the history of their city, their people, and specifically, how Aven turned out the way her did. With the addition of the Drakons of Draekora, I was expecting to get more of them from this book - given the title - and to say that I am absolutely obsessed with Xiraxus is an understatement. Plus, the addition of Niyx (officially my favourite character), made this book even better! Snarky, sarcastic, flirty, fun, he’s everything you could want in a favourite character. Alex really grows in this book, but her quick wit and her clumsiness doesn’t change. This story keeps evolving and developing in ways I don’t expect, and I am absolutely loving it. I have a feeling I’ll be re-reading this series many times in the coming years. If you haven’t picked this one up yet, what are ya doing!? If I say anymore I will definitely start spoiling it, but suffice to say I am enjoying this series SO MUCH! Lynette Noni really knows how to keep her readers hooked.