Book Review: Lor Mandela – Destruction From Twins by L. Carroll

Lor Mandela – Destruction From Twins L. Carroll
RealTime Publishing (February 17, 2010)
978-1849610483

Lor Mandela – Destruction From Twins by L. Carroll
captured my interest even before I opened the book. The front cover
features a beautiful young woman with piercing blue eyes and a rupturing
planet. The back cover text describes a dying alien world, a prophetic
riddle, and a “Child of Balance” who may or may not be a teenager from
Earth. Immediately, I sensed I was holding an epic, entertaining read in
my hands. I can tell you that Lor Mandela did not disappoint.

In Part One on Lor Mandela, twin sisters position themselves to take
power as the Vritesse (the matriarchal leader of the Trysta race) after
their mother dies. Soon it is discovered that Lor Mandela is dying and
will be destroyed. The soul of the planet appoints a “Child of Balance”
named Audril Borloc, who must solve the prophetic riddle known as the
Advantiere to save the planet. Shortly after her fourth birthday, Audril
disappears during an attack on Mandela castle. Several Lor Mandelan
spies travel to Earth in search of Audril.

In Part Two we meet our heroine, Maggie Baker, a bored but typical
sixteen-year old living in Glenhill, Iowa. Small town life has Maggie
longing to ease the boredom, even swimming nude in the local pond.
Little does she know that her wish will soon be granted with a grand
adventure beyond her wildest imagination. Maggie, despite the age
difference, possesses an uncanny resemblance to Audril, including the
blue eyes and black hair which are traits exclusive to the ruling Borloc
family on Lor Mandela.

Author L. Carroll has created an entire universe with loveable
creatures, horrible monsters, and mysterious magic, effectively keeping
readers of all ages captivated from cover to cover. Carroll gradually
builds the momentum over the first 300 pages. Then she throws us onto a
rollercoaster of twists and turns in the closing chapters as two great
armies clash with a dying planet as the background. Just when you’re
able to catch your breath, the author hits you with a whopper of an
ending, effectively setting up the sequel.

I would like to have seen Maggie appearing sooner in the story, as
younger readers will quickly bond with the strong yet vulnerable
protagonist. However, there is plenty going on throughout to keep less
experienced readers turning the pages. Maggie’s time to shine is in the
second half of the book and shine she does.

The conclusion of the Harry Potter series has left a largely unfilled
gap in the fantasy/young adult genre. A gap, I believe, L. Carroll’s Lor
Mandela Trilogy will fill quite nicely. I highly recommend Lor Mandela
and rate it as a Must Read for fans of this genre.

by William Potter


http://www.lormandela.com

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