See full review @ The Indigo Quill: http://theindigoquill.blogspot.com/2013/07/review-prophecy-children-of-white-lio...

Yet another spellbinding installment from someone who is slowly becoming one of my favored authors, R.T. Kaelin! In case you missed it, I did a review on his first book in the series, Progeny, plus an interview. You can see the review here and the interview here. Be sure to check them out!

The more I delve into this series, the more I feel like I'm reading a contemporary rendering of Lord of the Rings. This book didn't quite move at the same pace as Progeny, but I did really enjoy seeing the characters grow. Kaelin's style of writing is like a breath of fresh air every time; smooth and detailed. He clearly thinks through his characters, settings, and storyline rather than simply scratching the surface.

Like previously stated, Prophecy moved a bit slower for me (as 'middle' books of a series usually do). I love that Kaelin has developed a world of his own with many different species and mythology. However, there was a point that became a little overwhelming. Thank his gods in the back of the books for those references, because without them I would have gotten very lost! That being said, I would advise readers to look those over before starting the first page, they are very helpful and actually interesting to read.

The things I really enjoyed about this installment: The character development. Nikalys, Kenders, and Jak are all having to face situations that call for a certain maturity that is still coming to surface for them. Here we get to watch them grow.
A lot of questions were beginning to be answered. We learned a lot more about the history of the White Lions, the 'who' and 'whys.'
We discover there is a prophecy that gives us a glimpse of the future, setting the stage for the rest of the series.
We are also introduced to more characters, which, as long as you keep up with it, is an extra feat to the work.

Although at times it was a little harder to get through the extreme detail in this book, I'm finding myself falling in love with this series. One day, when it's finished in its entirety and is available as a set, I'll be one of the first to get it for my bookshelf. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys Lord of the Rings or Eragon. I've even been pushing for my husband to read these novels because I think he'd really like them, too.

As always, I'm looking forward to book 3 to see what happens with our beloved heroes and the future of the Oaken Dutchies. Also, be sure to grab your copies of The Terrene Chronicles that accompany this series (I actually still need to read these...)! ( )

Prophecy is the 2nd book in The Children of the White Lions series. Once again Kaelin has a winner on his hands. This book continues a couple months after the end of the last book. The progeny have a adapted to the routine of the Shadow Manes training. Kenders is finding her training to be very tedious and Nikalys is finding his training to come naturally.

Brody and Nundle travel to visit Nelnorna and try to get some answers. Along the way they meet Toby, an old friend of Brody's who can help them speed their trip. One thing Nelnorna does tell them is where to find one of the White Lions who's been missing for a while. Lots of stuff happens and everyone is trying to get into place to stop the advance of the armies of chaos.

I think Kaelin is telling a great story and he fills out each person we follow so well. I really enjoy reading these books for the depth and breadth of the world he created. While I think the story in this one could have used a little more tightening, it is only in relation to an ideal, not to disparage the wonderfully crafted story we have here. For anyone who likes epic fantasy in the veins of Robert Jordan, Brandon Sanderson etc. you really need to try The Children of the White Lions. ( )

Okay, I am biased but I will write as much of an unbiased review that I can. In the sense of disclosure, I have been one of Ryan’s part time/freelance editors for about a year now. I loved Progeny and when I had the opportunity to help tidy up Prophecy I felt honored and excited. I will do my best to write a spoiler free review so you need not fear reading on!

War has overtaken the Oaken duchies and it falls to our heroes to prepare defenses against the advancing horde of Sudashians. Shaped by battles and diplomacy Nik, Jak and Kenders aren’t mere children anymore. Nik has grown into his powers and Kenders has been honing her own control over magic by apprenticing under one of Terrene’s most powerful mages. Jak has been making great strides of his own while training with the Shadow Manes soldiers. In this newest book, they all face trials of the mind, heart, and arms as the tale weaves about multiple plots.

Prophecy is more complex than Progeny was in so many ways. The stage has shifted from a single duchy to all of them and more. Our heroes we fell in love with in Progeny are all back with a couple new ones thrown in for good measure. Within Prophecy, a clever reader is made more aware of what motivates the “evil” gods of the Cabal and their plans to return. We also become cognizant of the ulterior motives of the “good” and neutral gods and begin to question everyone’s goals. There are even a few new races we meet throughout the adventures within Prophecy’s pages. And for Kaelin’s biggest fans, Prophecy is loaded with references to the short stories Ryan has written and given away for free on his website.

Prophecy was a lot of fun to read and continues the epic tale set forth by Progeny. One of the things I loved about both Progeny and Prophecy was that none of the characters were predefined by the sides they belong to or their races – there were even parts in Prophecy where I came to sympathize with the ultimate bad guy. For you romantics, you will watch as a couple relationships blossom within Prophecy and a couple others come to an end. The slow buildup approach Ryan takes leaves the tale believable and the amount of backstory is enough to give any epic fantasy reader the sense that his (or her) money was well spent. But mostly it is Ryan’s characters that make both Progeny and Prophecy such great books.

For those who haven’t read Progeny, of all the fantasy series I’ve read (more than a few) Progeny and Prophecy remind me most of the Inheritance Cycle (Eragon) by Christopher Paolini. They are not the same tales, but the elegances found in those books are found in these ones too. The cleanliness of the worlds and the use of typical fantasy tropes in original ways make both worlds comfortable and fresh to any reader, new or old.

I am pleased to give this book five stars and I look forward to reading the next novel in this epic fantasy series. Ryan is destined for greatness, so do yourself a favor and pick up both Progeny and Prophecy now so you can look back one day and say “I knew him when …”.

Over a year ago I wrote a review for a New Author named RT Kaelin. I was very interested in reviewing his book Progeny which is the first book in a series of fantasy books about a world named Terrene and two young people, brother and sister, who discover that their lives are not what they seem.

I loved Progeny due to the level of writing (very smooth, easy to read, very descriptive) and because I "connected" to the characters in the book. Kenders & Nikalys both seemed like great kids, full of mischief, personality and potential.

When I was approached about doing a review of Prophecy I jumped at the chance even though I am absolutely swamped (I've read 5 full length books in addition to Prophecy (600+ pages) in the last 2 weeks). I wanted to know what the next book would tell us about the fight between good & evil, the growth of Kenders, Nikalys and Jak their brother. It wasn't quite what I expected.

Prophecy has the same high quality writing, the scenes are well thought out and each character is well rounded. Many of the vague details and events mentioned in Progeny are described more thoroughly and you will meet new characters (Khin, Rhohn, Wren, Tobias and my favorite Okollu & Broedi who is from Book 1) from many different races and species. I loved to see the maturity of Nikalys grow from boy to man by the end of the book. Kenders still has a ways to go - and I'm sure we'll see her maturity come out in book 3. We also learn about the history of the White Lions and why they were formed as well as learn of a Prophecy that provides clues to events to come. Book 2 sets up the foundation of the rest of the series by giving us the background and a peek at the future of the World of Terrene.

That being said, I struggled some with this book. It didn't reach out and grab me like Progeny did (I had the same problem with The Two Towers (Tolkien) also so don't let that scare you away) - I'm sure that Book 3 will give me some of the closure and connection that Prophecy didn't. There is just so much detail, so many locations and so many new characters that I had some trouble keeping up with it ~ add in the meddling of the various gods & goddesses in the book, the huge war scenes that are very well thought out and the powers that Kenders is becoming aware of (and some she's not aware of yet) that seem to take control of her and you'll get what I mean.

My plan this winter is to return to Progeny and read straight through Books 1 and 2 ~ so be watching for an updated review of the series probably in February sometime. The cliff hanger at the end of Prophecy means that I will definitely be looking for Book 3 ~ get the series and join me in February and let me know what you thought! ( )

I have had an early peek at this book, being one of the many beta readers. I've seen the author progress in his writing style and am very excited to see him continue, much like his characters, to master the great talent of story he has within.

This continues the saga of the Progeny of the White Lions. We find the brother and sister, Nikalys and Kenders, ensconced in a secret enclave of those committed to the White Lions. Here they and their companions are learning to perfect their talents and skills as quickly as possible because evil is rising. Soon we are introduced to many new inhabitants of this world as the Progeny are sent their separate ways, opposing the evil forces which are arrayed for battle.

I am intentionally vague in my descriptions, as I hate having stories spoiled by knowing too much from a review. This world grows and grows, the characters are imaginative and endearing (unless they are horrifying), and surprises come along frequently making you rethink your suppositions. Each drama plays out and you feel that you are there with them on the journey or in the midst of the battle. Kaelin is at his best when writing battles.

These books are great for family reading, escape reading or for whisking a youth, teen or adult away into a far and distant land. They will reside on my fantasy shelves between A Wrinkle in Time and the Chronicles of Narnia, and that is saying something. ( )