A Review for Chael's Luck (A Knights of Dorathan Novel) by Mireille Chester

Posted by Guest Reviewer Melanie
Expected Published Date: April 1st, 2012
Finished Date: February 6th, 2012
Source: ARC, For Review
Format: Kindle
Pages: Unknown
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The Blurb from Goodreads: When you’re named for the god of bad luck, you’re at least a head shorter than everyone else around you, and your horse is the only black one in a world where every horse is a grey, people are bound to talk. Chael has spent the past eighteen years of his life proving to those around him that he’s worthy of his family name; that he’s meant to be a Shadow Knight. Just when things are finally going his way, Chael’s luck strikes again. Now, Chael is in a race against time to find the one who has taken everything from him and who plans on destroying the one thing he’s worked so hard for, the knighthood. As if this weren’t enough, he’ll have to reveal the one thing he’s managed to keep secret for the past eighteen years. With help from some unexpected sources, Chael sets off on a journey that will test his will, his character, and his heart

The Review: This review is going to be sooo hard because there is a secret. . . .

Chael’s luck is the story of Chael McKinney, we read of his birth, we read of his first day at Knight’s training school at 5 years old and we read of his trials to become a Shadow Knight at 18 - when everything falls apart and the very existence of the Shadow Knights is threatened. Chael has always lived life abiding by a Knights code of honour, truth and putting others first. Chael is loyal to everyone and strives to always do what is right, the qualities that make a true Shadow Knight.

It was expected that Chael would follow in the footsteps of all the McKinney men because as long as there has been Shadow Knights, there has been a McKinney Knight and Chael would be no exception. So what if he was named after the ‘god of bad luck’ and was a little shorter and scrawnier than the other guys, that wouldn’t stop Chael – no, that made for more determination and harder work because Chael had a lot to prove and a secret to protect.

Chael is a very positive, admirable character who knows the world will be against him and takes every chance to prove his worth, that’s what the first 18 years of life have been all about. When everything is ripped away from him and his secret is revealed it doesn’t make for less of a person, just one with something extra to prove and a sense of duty. When everything seems to be going downhill will the person that Chael once was have done enough to ensure his past is considered when judged in the future?

For the first 1/3 of the book I thought I was getting a cool coming of age story from Chael and his friends as they take their tests to become Shadow Knights but oh, how wrong was I. During this time there was a secret mentioned, something that would jeopardise Chael’s future as a Shadow Knight and my curiosity sky-rocketed- who doesn’t like a good secret? And when it’s revealed . . . well, I’m still sitting shaking my head with a smile on my face as I write this because believe me, it’s a game changer. The thing is, the secret then changes the rest of the book and influences half of the remaining plot line so it really limits what I can say. Aside from that we are taken on an adventure as all of the Knights are threatened and it’s up to Chael to sort it out. I think anyone who reads this will be in no doubt as to whom the bad guy is but there are twists along the way to keep you on your toes. To be honest, this book would have still been enjoyable had it been the coming of age book I thought it was but when you add the secret, the twists and a few strange dreams, it makes it something special and I loved reading it. So, another awesome fantasy adventure book from Mireille Chester, she does these so well – they are well written and effortless to read and if you haven’t checked out her ‘The Chosen One trilogy’ what are you waiting for? Do it now! The worlds she creates are wonderful and even though we aren’t in Quelondain in this book, it is no less good. I enjoy the characters she creates, not as many different ones in this at the minute – just humans and elves – but who knows what she’s hiding for any sequels. Her heroes/heroines have all been fine people, admirable, selfless, willing to give up everything for the greater good, even their own lives, they are just great characters that a reader can look up to and Chael is no exception. I really want to tell you so much more about this and I feel as if I’m not ‘selling’ it as much as it deserves but just know that apart from everything I have mentioned, this book will also appeal to romance fans too as Chael finds love from someone unexpected. So, give this a go and let it surprise you the way it surprised me. 4.5 out of 5!