REVIEW: The Alfar's Gift (Diane Wright)

[Apex Reviews]

The Alfar’s Gift
Diane Wright
ISBN: 9781424172528
PublishAmerica
Reviewed By Chelsea Perry

Official Apex Reviews Rating:


Fourteen-year-old Danny is the unlikeliest of heroes…

Despite his rather active imagination, Danny could not possibly dream of the amazing – and daunting – adventure upon which he will soon embark. Drawn directly into the midst of a burgeoning war in a wondrous different dimension, Danny is understandably confused regarding the purpose he has been summoned to fulfill; nonetheless, he is steadfastly reminded that he is the “Chosen One” and that without his courage, resolve, and tenacity, the fairy nation of King Ivaldi will no doubt be destroyed. Ahrim, a nefarious, vindictive being from the dark nether regions, has sworn to spread his dark influence all across the land, and he relentlessly puts forth every effort to make good on his vow.

For his part, Danny is not left to his own devices to fulfill his prophesied task of quashing Ahrim’s efforts. He is joined by two trusted companions, the brave Eric the Red and the beautiful Nirala – and, most importantly, he is given an all-powerful sword against whose unchecked might Ahrim stands no chance. In the face of such incredible adversity, though, victory is all but assured, and the ultimate survival of the fairy nation depends solely on Danny’s ability to summon the courage to tap into the commanding strength that lies within us all.

The Alfar’s Gift is a wonderfully written, imaginative tale. In it, Diane Wright has crafted a compelling story of bravery and selflessness to which readers of all ages can relate. Though her narrative is ostensibly geared towards a younger audience, the spiritual undertones of her story make it quite the effective teaching tool, not to mention an engaging morality tale. Throughout the course of his perilous journey, the internal conflict that plagues Danny is no different than the various dilemmas that confront us every day: we are all subject to difficult decisions from which we cannot escape responsibility, and we must all come to realize that the true measure of our success lies less in the ultimate outcome of our struggles and more in the courage with which we face them.

Skillfully crafted and presented, The Alfar’s Gift is a promising debut from a talented new literary voice. Recommended for fans of intriguing Fantasy/Sci-Fi tales.