The Medoran Chronicles AKA The Most Gripping Fictional Universe Since Middle Earth
I read the last Medoran Chronicle books in one evening. That is all you really need to know about how well-written these books are, with just enough twists, turns and cliffhangers to keep you hooked like you are Claimed by Aven Dalmarta himself.
I was given the first book in this series, published by Pantera Press, when I went to visit the publishing house. It reinforced for me, exactly why my goal is to be a publisher. To be involved in the construction of such a piece of literature one day… wow.
An Australian author, Lynette Noni creates a vast universe. Actually, universe does not describe in enough detail what she has created. Different races, places and even times are ever-present throughout the series, with a variety of different types and phases of relationships criss-crossing in ways that in a less well-constructed world would be impossible to follow. But the absolute sureness of every aspect within her universe, creates room for the complexity within.
The twists and turns of the series can sometimes be predicted. Others cannot. Some shock and leave a sting in the heart I was pouring into this universe as I observed it. Others warm my heart and plaster a smile on my face.
An easy way for the story to have unfolded, would have had Alex be more absorbed in a boy than in any of the events that unfortunately seem to keep unfolding around her. There is mention of feelings towards Kaiden throughout the series but, in the relatable fashion of any and every teenage girl, they are largely feelings of confusion. And following this, it is dealt with in another teenage way. She simply refuses to think about it too much. And as she should. More pressing issues on her mind than an off-hand comment by a boy in her combat class. Like perhaps, the seemingly imminent destruction of the entire human race at the hands of Aven and his Garseth.
As a young girl, I would have embraced this heroine to an even larger extent. She is crafted the way that male heroes were designed in books. In Harry Potter’s quest to kill Voldemort, the tale does include his desire and eventual romance with Ginny Weasley. But it is not his biggest motivator. For a number of the female heroines I read of when I was younger, the same could not be said. Rose Hathaway from Richelle Mead’s Vampire Academy was kick-ass, but on re-reading the series as a slightly more mature person, she was mainly motivated to do the heroic thing, one way or another, by Dimitri.
But I did not come on here to talk about another book, or whether or not I believe the motivations of various protagonists would pass the Bechdel Test. I am here to talk about the skill of world-building. James Dasher, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Maze Runner series, put it as eloquently as possible, “THE MEDORAN CHRONICLES have richly developed characters, superb world-building that makes you feel like you’re actually there.”
And when it comes down to it, is that not what reading is always about. We do not read books because words on a beige piece of paper are always inherently absorbing. We read because we are drawn into a circumstance, we can choose to merely observe the events or we can become more involved with them in our own minds.
The construction of this amazing universe by Lynette Noni was flawless, as it pulled me in and did not let go until everything within the universe was righted.
I cannot wait to read, live and love whatever she does next.
Readability: 10/10
For YA readers: 9/10
For Fantasy Readers: 20/10
