OnlineBookClub.org

[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Four Powers" by J. A. Cummings.]

The Four Powers by J. A. Cummings is a novel focused on the great powers of the Loadstone. The Loadstone was created many years ago by the gods and split to maintain equal power corresponding to the four elements air, fire, water, and earth. Each piece was placed in a tower with an immortal Guardian to represent each cardinal direction. After the completion of the towers, tribes formed great cities around them to aid in their protection. Pedar Toloris is the second son of the Great Chieftain of the Water Tribe and self-made dragon expert. The Water tribe is in a constant feud with the dragons.

After a giant crack appears on the side of the Mountain Shadowtop, he is sought out to come and determine what the Dragon Council is scheming. Upon the return of the great Dragon Goddess Xetith, the Council aims to gain the Loadstone pieces to reunite them and reset the fabric of time to regain control of the land and destroy the humans. In preparation to prevent this from happening Pedar is chosen as the Dragon Bard and merges his soul with the soul shard of the great dragon Xaramuth. With the aid of representatives from the other elemental tribes and the Pheonix, he sets out to stop Xetith and the council and return peace to the land.

The Four Powers is a great Sci-Fi/Fantasy novel that is 357 standard pages. Written in the first person the book is narrated by the main character Pedar. It focuses on the theme of magic being present in the world as well as many other types of magical creatures. Pedar is a young bard who is forced to grow up quickly after the Dragon Council makes its plans known. The development of his character throughout this story is fantastic. The author portrays him with a great sense of humor and also an emotional side to remind the reader that he is still very young to be dealing with such hardships.

The female author of this book has a variety of knowledge related to the human condition which I feel helped her create the many different characters featured in her work. She is a historian and anthropologist by training, receiving a degree in Interdisciplinary Humanities from the Michigan State University Honors College.

Another thing I like about this novel is how the author would have occasional breaks where Pedar would explain several of the different races or gods mentioned in detail. I found that to be very refreshing and entertaining. I also liked how the author provided many different twists throughout the story. It kept me interested and focused to the point that I could hardly put the book down.

I had a hard time finding anything I did not like about this book. It appeared that the author took the time to have her book edited well in that there were very few mistakes. The story had a great plot and climax as well as great conclusion. Since I struggled to find anything I did not like about this book, I give it a 4 out of 4 stars. I feel this book would by very appealing to any Sci-Fi/Fantasy lover. There was some romance in the book that would appeal to Romance fans but also some scenes that were quite gory. If you are not a fan of blood and guts, you should probably avoid this book.

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The Four Powers
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Sounds like a very interesting book. I'm so into fantasy novels and magical creatures and this sound like an enjoyable read. Good job on the review. Congratulations to J. A. Cummings on such an obviously well written book.

This sounds like an enticing read! Glad you liked the book so much. Great job on the review

Love the premise! Sounds like the author did a great job....I love a good plot twist!

Great Job for the review! The book sounds magnificent through your exquisite words.
I probably must read this!

This book sounds like a story right up my ally. Your review was well written. You provided great detail about the appeals of the book as well as a warning about who may want to avoid this novel. I am adding this to my shelf.

Sounds like something I would definitely like to read. Elemental powers and magic and dragons always pique my interest and curiosity. Adding this onto my Goodreads to-read shelf. Thank you for the review.

Sounds like a great story. I like dragons, both good and bad and it sounds like there is more than enough action and intrigue to keep me satisfied. Thanks for the review!

Magic, dragons, and adventure! All things I love in books. This is one I'd definitely love to get into as the last books I read with dragons in them was the Inheritance Cycle.

sounds like a very interesting read

Great review. congratulations! I would definitely read this if I have time since it talks about dragons and mysteries. I recommend this to adventurers.

You did an awsome job on the review. It sounds like a book I would definitely want to read. I am most certainly adding this to my to be read list. I love fantasy books containing magic. The part you mention about taking time to explain a God or race ect I find most intriguing and look forward to.

Great review! It sounds like an interesting book. My younger sister is obsessed with dragons so I'll be passing this title on to her so she may enjoy it as well.

Interesting review. Your insight on the author's personal expertise is especially helpful.

Sounds like a great read for those seeking a fantasy adventure. The environment and characters really make a reader feel involved to invoke emotion. If this is one of those stories demanding the reader to understand it's unique then I'm in for the read.