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The High Queen is dying...

At the royal summons, Shae mounts a wingabeast and soars through the air to the high hold of Faeraven, where all is not as it seems. Visions warn her of danger, and a dark soul touches hers in the night. When she encounters an attractive but disturbing musician, her wayward heart awakens.

But then there is Kai, a guardian of Faeraven and of Shae. Secrets bind him to her, and her safety lies at the center of every decision he makes.

On a desperate journey fraught with peril and the unknown, they battle warlike garns, waevens, ferocious raptors, and the wraiths of their own regrets. Yet, they must endure the campaign long enough to release the Dawn King and the salvation he offers into a divided land. To prevail, each must learn that sometimes victory comes only through surrender.

342 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

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About the author

Janalyn Voigt

15 books370 followers
Janalyn Voigt's literary education began in childhood when her father read chapters from classic children's books to her as bedtime stories. She grew older, and the bedtime stories stopped, but Janalyn continued to fall asleep to the stories she made up in her head at night. This, combined with her avid consumption of books, gave Janalyn an intuitive grasp of storytelling. Adventure, romance, history, suspense, and fantasy or whimsy appear in every story she writes. Readers who enjoy Janalyn's vivid descriptions, realistic dialogue, and unpredictable plots often follow her across genres. Janalyn Voigt is represented by Wordserve Literary Agency. For free chapters and reader bonus content, visit the website for Janalyn Voigt.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
Profile Image for Jypsy .
1,524 reviews55 followers
August 24, 2019
Thank you to Harbourlight and the author for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

Dawnsinger
Faeraven #1
By: Janalyn Voight

*REVIEW* 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Dawnsinger is the first book of the Faeraven series. I honestly don't read a lot of fantasy adventure stories, but I went in with an open mind. The scope of world building is epic, as the setting is vividly depicted with fantastical creatures, dazzling sights and a different language set(see the glossary in the back). The characters are strong, easy to like, sharp witted and complex without being overdone or ridiculous, i.e. the greatest hero in all the land etc. I became invested in the outcome because I cared about the characters.
I saw their quest as allegorical to some biblical tales and symbolic of the eternal good vs. evil battle. The reader can use this story as a metaphor for life: a grand quest with evil temptations and pitfalls to overcome by your own power and sense of what is righteous and good. We all make choices with our own sense of right and wrong every day. The plot is thrilling with action and drama at every turn leaving readers wanting more. Overall, Dawnsinger is a well written adventure steeped in thoughtfully planned fantasy that fans of the genre will surely enjoy.
Profile Image for Shantelle.
Author 2 books369 followers
January 12, 2017
DawnSinger by Janalyn Voigt was a good book. Really interesting and well-written. But I think I need to read the next book in the series before I form my full opinion! Anyway, so far, intriguing new Christian fantasy series!
Profile Image for Lisa  (Bookworm Lisa).
2,228 reviews191 followers
September 16, 2019
3.5 stars

This story was hard for me to get into. It is set in a fantasy realm and has unfamiliar terms, creatures, and history. I'm glad that I slogged through the beginning because it was a story that I enjoyed in the end. (I was reading a kindle edition and did not know there was a glossary at the end.)

Shae, Kai, and crew embark upon an epic journey to save their homes and loved ones. The book has some surprises for the reader. There are aspects that I didn't expect and that was refreshing for me. Janalyn Voigt has written a book full of imagination and adventure.

The story is a war between good and evil. Shae is guided by the light of the God she worships. She has companions who will do anything to protect her and keep her from fulfilling an ancient prophecy. There is plenty of action and adventure that will thrill fantasy lovers.

The book contains non-graphic violence and kissing. The romance is a little awkward, but once you think on the circumstances, it's not so weird after all. (It would be a spoiler if I said anything more.) This book is available for kindle unlimited. I have put the second book on my kindle unlimited reading list. I am now invested in the story and look forward to having good prevail.
Profile Image for Holly Weiss.
Author 4 books123 followers
August 15, 2012
Fantasy is not my usual genre when I reach for a book, but Janalyn Voigt has won me over with DawnSinger, Book One in her Tales of Faeraven series. DawnSinger transports the reader to an enigmatic and endearing alternative history. Princess Shae and Kai, her protector, navigate a journey through a rich Renaissance-like fantasy world.

This is fiercely inventive storytelling with fluid, descriptive prose and consistently time specific dialogue. Brimming with imagery and symbolism, the book delights with unexpected plot twists, monsters and magic. Details of everyday life are spot on. The characters are deep and layered, dealing with mixed emotions, conflicts and danger. To confront and defeat evil they travel secret passageways, dank caves, and treacherous cliffs.

The use of a prophetic “voice” guiding Shae and Kai to fight evil and fulfill their destinies works well. What shines in the book, however, is the beautiful, thought-provoking prose. “I woke with the dawn and made my way to the garden to listen to the heartbeat of creation.”

Visit the rich fantasy world of Faeraven. This highly original book is both rewarding and inspiring. Highly recommended for adults and teens, especially those who love Christian fantasy. For information about the next two books in the trilogy, visit http://janalynvoigt.com.


Reviewed by Holly Weiss, author of Crestmont
Profile Image for Jane.
1,094 reviews32 followers
August 18, 2019
Janalyn Voight has created a believable alternate universe, complete with unfamiliar names and terms. The book includes an 8-page glossary of those terms and names. Personally I thought it was a little excessive and a bit of a nuisance to have to keep turning to the back to discover the meaning of unfamiliar words, some of which the meaning could not be determined from context.
However, I did enjoy the plot and anticipate enjoying the following books in the Tales of Faeraven series. I also enjoyed seeing parallels, whether intentional or accidental, between biblical stories and the plot of DawnSinger, as well as the ultimate triumph of good over evil. The plot shows the draw of evil and the difficulty even the good have of resisting its pull. Voight did an excellent job of creating an alternate universe and having things remain consistent within that world. The book does have a bit of a surprise ending and I look forward to seeing how that surprise plays out in future titles in the Tales of Faeraven series.
I will probably be adding DawnSinger and the other books in the Tales of Faeraven series to my K-12 Christian School library.
I want to thank Harbourlight Publishers and Prism Book Tours for the complimentary copy of DawnSinger. This is my honest review.
Profile Image for Lori.
1,892 reviews118 followers
May 25, 2020
A very different read than what I normally read but I'm glad to have the opportunity to stretch my reading elsewhere. Christian fantasy just landed on my favorite genere list.
I thought the author has done a fabulous job with this book.
I finished it one day because it was so very good!
I loved all the action and adventure that took place throughout the story.
Definitely a lot of surprises along the way!
Lots of great secondary characters that I enjoyed getting to know too.
Shae and Kai of course are my favorite characters.
Shae is a strong and determined person whom I greatly admire. I appreciate her
I won't say why because I don't want to give away too much!
Kai is a good protector. Strong and kind. He has determination too.
The war between good and evil was excellent!
" Find the light and be saved." My favorite quote in the book because this is how the author shows us that God can talk to us in whispers. We just need to listen closely so we don't miss Him. He really can talk to us in so many ways like nudging, pushing, sending his angels, and certain people in our lives to guide us. Friends, family and many others.
I didn't like Freaer. I didn't like his ways. Evil to the bone if you ask me.
Another quote was " Happiness is but one thread woven into the tapestry of life at Whellein."
I've never thought about the tapestry of colors before and what they represented. How interesting!
I thoroughly enjoyed this new to me author who swept me into her fantasy world and now I want to read the 2nd book! I will be looking forward to this new series. A denfinate page turner.
My thanks to Just Reads program for a copy of this exciting book! I was NOT required to write a positive review and all opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Kelly-Ann ~ Sassy Bookish Mama.
563 reviews66 followers
May 19, 2020
DawnSinger is the first book in the Tales of Faeraven series. I must admit this is typically not the type of book I would pick up. I mean don't get me wrong I'm a huge Lord of the Rings fan so fantasy /adventure books are not something I scoff at but I did the unthinkable and judged a book by its cover and went into it not really excited about it but I seriously couldn't put it down!! It was a very good book!

The world that Janalyn Voigt has made up is epic! The setting, the description makes you visualize everything as you are reading it. The main characters Kai and Shae are very believable and likeable. You want them to succeed in their quest and life. The way she represents God is in this allegorical undertone which was neat to read because I wasn't sure how it was going to be done being that this is a Christian Fantasy Fiction book. I also enjoyed the connections made from characters in the book to the Bible. You will catch them if you read the book.

There is a romance element to the story and to some it may be awkward but to me it made total sense and I actually caught it from the very beginning. (I don't want to spoil it so I will not say anymore on that).

The ending... goodness... all I have to say that now I must pick up the rest of the books and see how the story continues to unfold.

The only negative I have about this book is that the language/names the author has for some things at times is hard. She does provide quite and extensive glossary on the back of the book but when you are reading you don't really want to keep turning back to look at correct pronunciations and such... other than that if you enjoy Fantasy books then I definitely recommend this one. This book would also be perfect for older kids that love fantasy fiction.

FTC Disclosure: I received this book from the author and Just Read Tours. All views and opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Jill Williamson.
Author 62 books1,458 followers
July 28, 2012
When a royal summons arrives from the High Queen, Shae travels to Faeraven to find the queen on her deathbed. But something else is not right. Dark visions haunt her, so she stays near to Kai, a guardian of Faeraven. A urgent journey to release the DawnKing sends Shae and Kai far from home where they battle many beasts. But sometimes victory comes only through surrender.

Here is the first in a new fantasy series for adults. But older teens will enjoy it too. In DawnSinger, Janalyn Voigt has penned a novel full of surprises. With adventure, mystery, and an unlikely romance, and an ending that leaves a few questions in the reader’s mind, this beautiful, epic fantasy debut will leave you scrambling for the next book in the trilogy.
Profile Image for JoJo Sutis.
Author 1 book43 followers
March 6, 2014
Fans of Christian Fantasy Fiction will NOT want to miss DAWNSINGER!!!
Janalyn Voigt has reminded me of all the things I love about this genre…the beauty, the adventure, the epic-ness.
I really cannot believe I did not discover this author/series sooner!
I highly praise Janalyn’s addictive writing style- she really sucks you into her fictional world….I didn’t want to leave!
The main characters Kai & Shae are not only likable and relatable, but believable ( I really need my characters to come to life in fantasy fiction & boy!!! do they ever)!!!
I am officially a fan & can’t wait for more (LIKE, I NEED MORE…NOW)
Profile Image for Larry B Gray.
Author 6 books157 followers
June 25, 2012
What a fascinating story and adventure. DawnSinger by Janalyn Voigt kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time I read it. Its fast paced action and evolving storyline made it hard to put the book down. The storyline was easy to follow and the characters were well developed and believable.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and cannot wait for the next installment.

I highly recommend “DawnSinger” by Janalyn Voigt as a must read for all age groups. If you enjoy fantasy adventure you will love this book
Profile Image for Lynn.
Author 99 books133 followers
June 26, 2012
I loved reading DawnSinger by Janalyn Voigt. I was taken back to a time of the Renaissance and saw myself in the main character, Shea. We all fight the demons in the shadows that exist in our own imaginations and I was blessed with Shea’s struggles and triumphs. I read the book on the edge of my seat. I could not put it down. I wanted to ride Wingabeasts with Kai and Shea forever. But alas the story came to an end…or did it. I cannot wait to read the sequel! Thanks Janalyn for an amazing story.
Profile Image for Nay Denise.
1,552 reviews84 followers
August 22, 2019
Received a copy for review from the author.

This was a beautifully written Christian fantasy. I enjoyed the bits of scripture thrown into the story, it really made them come alive in a more action-packed way. The writing was interesting and the characters kept me hooked. I also enjoyed the world and different places in the world.

Shae is a beautiful girl that has a deep connection with Lof Yeul. She has visions from him. She hears from him. She feels a great burden for her people. I loved Shae as she taught me how to trust in God and how to be consistently in a place of being able to hear from Him. Shae was bold, she was snarky, she was strong and didn't mind being vulnerable every now and then. She was a powerful girl, but she didn't allow things to stop her from her purpose in fulfilling the prophecy. She gave completely of herself for her people.

Kai was such an amazing young man. He handled himself in battle, he kept his emotions in check (most of the time). Kai was the type of man that pushed a woman to fulfill her purpose. He was humble, kind, loving and just an amazing friend to many around him. He didn't play games, stood up for what's right and kept pushing for the greater good. I loved his character and can't wait to see how he progresses with all that happened at the end.

The romance was adorable to me. Shae and Kai had to overcome a lot with their love for each other. They had to fight for their love on many levels and even in doing so things didn't pan out as they hoped. I still have hope for them, if she comes back in the sequel.

Freaer was a twisted man. He seemed like a nice guy up until Maeven asked Shae to sing her death song. He pissed me off. He was evil to the core. He played the role well. Knew how to use others for his own means. He reminded me of the way the devil sneaks in, entices us with "beautiful" things and uses people for his own enjoyment.

Elcon, the "prince" was pretty awesome. I would love to see more of his character grow in the sequel. He seems like a quiet guy, but the type you don't cross because he might be a tad bit crazy. I'm interested in seeing how he rules.

The DawnKing, Emmerich, reminds me of Jesus in that he was sent by Lof Yuel to protect the people of the land. He even did things such as raise the dead and quoted some scriptures to Kai.

Lof Yuel aka the Light was an awesome concept for God. I enjoyed the whispers that came from him as it reminded of how God doesn't always speak loudly, but rather He uses the still small voices.

That ending K I L L E D me! I just can't deal. Shae is a woman of strength and Kai is a man of valor because I would not! I died with that ending.

Such a fantastic read and can't wait to read that sequel!
Profile Image for Nay Denise.
246 reviews80 followers
August 22, 2019
Received a copy for review from the author.

This was a beautifully written Christian fantasy. I enjoyed the bits of scripture thrown into the story, it really made them come alive in a more action-packed way. The writing was interesting and the characters kept me hooked. I also enjoyed the world and different places in the world.

Shae is a beautiful girl that has a deep connection with Lof Yeul. She has visions from him. She hears from him. She feels a great burden for her people. I loved Shae as she taught me how to trust in God and how to be consistently in a place of being able to hear from Him. Shae was bold, she was snarky, she was strong and didn't mind being vulnerable every now and then. She was a powerful girl, but she didn't allow things to stop her from her purpose in fulfilling the prophecy. She gave completely of herself for her people.

Kai was such an amazing young man. He handled himself in battle, he kept his emotions in check (most of the time). Kai was the type of man that pushed a woman to fulfill her purpose. He was humble, kind, loving and just an amazing friend to many around him. He didn't play games, stood up for what's right and kept pushing for the greater good. I loved his character and can't wait to see how he progresses with all that happened at the end.

The romance was adorable to me. Shae and Kai had to overcome a lot with their love for each other. They had to fight for their love on many levels and even in doing so things didn't pan out as they hoped. I still have hope for them, if she comes back in the sequel.

Freaer was a twisted man. He seemed like a nice guy up until Maeven asked Shae to sing her death song. He pissed me off. He was evil to the core. He played the role well. Knew how to use others for his own means. He reminded me of the way the devil sneaks in, entices us with "beautiful" things and uses people for his own enjoyment.

Elcon, the "prince" was pretty awesome. I would love to see more of his character grow in the sequel. He seems like a quiet guy, but the type you don't cross because he might be a tad bit crazy. I'm interested in seeing how he rules.

The DawnKing, Emmerich, reminds me of Jesus in that he was sent by Lof Yuel to protect the people of the land. He even did things such as raise the dead and quoted some scriptures to Kai.

Lof Yuel aka the Light was an awesome concept for God. I enjoyed the whispers that came from him as it reminded of how God doesn't always speak loudly, but rather He uses the still small voices.

That ending K I L L E D me! I just can't deal. Shae is a woman of strength and Kai is a man of valor because I would not! I died with that ending.

Such a fantastic read and can't wait to read that sequel!
Profile Image for Suzie Waltner.
Author 9 books140 followers
August 17, 2019
Even after giving myself a couple days to process, I’m on the fence with this book.

Jannalyn Voight vividly paints a picture of her fantasy world with descriptive words and phrases. It’s not challenging to imagine this land filled with wondrous beauty and creatures as well as barren and desolate places. Shae, kai, and a handful of others undertake an epic quest to save their beloved people and king. I enjoyed both of these elements of the story.

I’m not sure whether it was a positive or negative that I didn’t realize there was a glossary at the back of the book until I was a good halfway through it. There were so many made up (aka fantasy) words, it sometimes drew me from the story. That said, it did get easier as I continued and just created my own pictures in my head (even if they were way off). I think it would have been even more distracting to constantly flip back and forth to read the pronunciations and definitions each time I happened upon a new one. Perhaps the author strategically placed that glossary at the end of the book.

It also felt like a lot of backstory was missing. Even after finishing the book I have so many unanswered questions, even though DawnSinger (mostly) wraps up this Shae and Kai’s quest. hopefully some of those answers will be provided in future installments of the series. Now that I’ve gotten the cadence of this mystical, magical world, I’m not ready to leave it yet.

Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Profile Image for Jessica Belmont.
1,485 reviews54 followers
August 21, 2019
Epic Christian Fantasy? Yes, please. DawnSinger is an inventive novel with beautifully descriptive prose and dialogue. I absolutely love the imagery and symbolism woven through the book.

The world-building in this Renaissance-esque fantasy is beautiful. World-building in fantasy is especially important, and Janalyn Voigt has nailed it here. Every location was vividly described in such a way that I was able to escape into the words of this novel and pretend I wasn’t in the real world for a while.

The characters are deep, well-rounded and real. Shae and Kai are on a really epic journey full of unexpected twists, magic, and monsters galore. I love the prophetic voice that guides the characters. It’s just really unique. I highly recommend checking out this original and inspiring novel.

*I received a copy of this book as part of a blog tour with Prism Book Tours. All opinions are my own.*

Find this review and more on my blog: https://www.jessicabelmont.wordpress.com
Profile Image for Angela Kreais.
238 reviews16 followers
May 28, 2020
I love reading new books. I really love when books are recommended to me. I signed up to be a Blind Book Tour host and got matched with a book! I was really looking forward to this one.

When the book came in the mail I noticed it was SIGNED by the author. I skipped the synopsis and noticed a list of names that made zero since to me. Honestly, after I have read the book they still don't for the most part. There is also a MAP. I love maps. The font is super tiny so I didn't reference it too much but to note the characters started at the North part.

I was trying to describe the book to my husband (who hates details) and here is what I came up with:

Part 1: Summons
Shae is taken to visit a dying queen and learns secrets about her past. Shae also has waking nightmares and her maidenly looks make the boys go crazy.

Part 2: Journey
Sent on a quest to save the kingdom Shae sleeps, misses the comforts of home, and the group is attacked by physical assailants and spiritual ones.

The book offers two alternating POVs from someone that knows what is going on, and from someone who is learning a lot about herself and the world in a very confusing way but it allows the readers to get a broader perspective on the world. The book starts a little confusing when the POV Shae goes from reality to dreams (or visions or waking nightmares?) without transition. I felt like I was missing something. Visions are warning her and she's being spiritually attacked. . . but no one else is? Both main characters were hard to like or sympathize with.

Fantasy is definitely one of my top favorite genres. Christian Fantasy is relatively new to me and I don't see how this one differs much in the genre to make it Christian. The main character prays to a god named Lof Yuel. Lof Yuel seems pretty hands off, not a meddling god, and sometimes speaks to the character internally.

I didn't care for the romance, constant danger, or writing style. It just wasn't for me. I have no idea what time period this is in. Weird language, unknown words and references... fun fact there is a GLOSSARY in the back. I had no idea until I was finished with the book. Set in Faeraven- a kingdom on the brink of war with mythical creatures making the quest the main characters go on dangerous. Because of the name, I thought there would be Fae... there are not, I was disappointed.

I guess if you enjoy fantasy, epic quests, new languages, and danger around every corner. You may like this. Definitely read the description before digging in- that would probably be helpful.
Profile Image for Preeti.
Author 1 book6 followers
July 31, 2016
MY TAKE ON DAWNSINGER:

General Overview:

I really don’t know why, but throughout the book I couldn’t stop comparing the flow of the book with that of a river- a river that flows calmly at its own pace. The book was a pleasant read. Although being a part of a series, it gave a sense of completion at the end. The fantasy world was so ethereal, so beautiful, so mesmerizing. Inspite of few points which created obstacles in making me get connected with the book, I was totally in awe with the world-building. After a very long time, I read a book which transported me completely to another world.

Plot:

The story is about a very young girl- Shae, who has been brought up in a very sheltered environment. She leaves her abode for the first time in her life, when she is called by her High Queen. Facing and escaping attacks on her life, she reaches the palace. There she comes across the most important truth of her life and is given a responsibility which only she can shoulder. Fulfilling her responsibility can help saving Faeraven. In order to save her kingdom, she begins a treacherous journey to unknown lands with Kai and his group to release the DawnKing.

Cast:

The main casts were well developed.

Shae is shown as a naive girl with no experience of the world beyond her home. As she comes out of her comfort zone and interacts with people around her, one can observe her metamorphosis from a shy, frail girl to courageous, determined and focused person. It doesn’t happen in a day or in a blink of an eye. The pace of transition is such that you genuinely feel it happening within the pages.

Kai is a wonderful character. Bound by duty and honour, he is a very righteous man. For him, his duty is foremost. He is a man who is ruled by his mind. As I read, I could feel the turmoil in him when his heart takes over. He doesn’t want to accept the change of feelings but he is losing his battle there. I liked the way the author dealt with his part of the story.

The other characters were also given depth in their personality.

Pros:

The best part of the whole book was its descriptive writing. It was so picturesque. Each and every scene was so meticulously described that I could visualize it in my mind as I read. The author has outdone herself in this.

The events in the story took place at very apt intervals. It helped to prevent slackness. I also liked the various creatures involved. They were so mystical and so different from each other.

The book did not end at a cliff hanger. Though there is a future story, but for this book, the completion was properly done. I liked this particular piece. As a reader, I felt a sense of satisfaction after reading. I am eagerly waiting for the next book in the series, but that doesn’t mean that I have to chew my nails off for it.

Cons:

The terms and the names were too out-worldly. I understand that it was a fantasy novel but such difficult terms and names hindered my bonding with the book.

The other thing which I felt was that in some places there were few missing links. In some parts of the book, I felt a need of a background story. In its absence, the story couldn’t be enjoyed thoroughly as I wanted to. For instance, I would like to know the story or reason behind Kai becoming the guardian.

MY RATINGS:

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CONCLUSION:

I was totally awed by the world created by the author. Other than very difficult and unheard terms, the book was quite enjoyable. This book is recommended to those who love fantasy worlds and journey of self-discovery.
Profile Image for Korin.
139 reviews11 followers
May 22, 2020
I love a good fantasy, and in DawnSinger, Janalyn Voigt's writing is clean and realistic. Sometimes fantasy can be hard to get into if the writer just sounds fake, but not this one- her storyworld is vast and complex, kind of like Tolkien's.

The reason I only gave it two stars:

The characters are interesting (Kai!) and I was rooting for them and their journey. However, I thought I would get more connected to them as time went on, but I just didn't (don't know why, might have just been my own fault).

And though, like I said, the storyworld was complex, it was perhaps too complex. Several times I caught myself thinking, "whatwhatwhat??" when reading a passage. Though the characters knew what they were talking about, I as the reader did not so I ended up confused. While I appreciate the fully thought out world building and history, I wish the history and customs had been more clear.

The author definitely made me feel the characters' pain as they traipsed through the wilderness- the descriptions were vibrant and vivid, and the worry and pains that you forget accompany adventures were achingly real. But while the journey in any fantasy is usually the best part, for some reason that wasn't the case here. Once again I felt there was too much unneeded description.

Janalyn Voigt definitely has talent and I appreciated her characters and their quest. She's an author I respect and I'll be watching to see what else she cooks up. Unfortunately, this book just didn't resonate with me like I had hoped it would.

I received a copy of this book from the author (or publisher) in order to write an honest, unbiased review. All opinions are entirely my own.
Profile Image for Candace.
72 reviews27 followers
August 27, 2016

**2.5 stars / 5.0 stars**

DawnSinger is definitely not a bad book, in case that's how you interpret a 2.5 star rating, yet this book just didn't resonate with me personally. I read it in one day, so this book was by no means a chore to get through, but nothing really made it stand out. After all, there's nothing I love more than a fun fantasy adventure, but even though DawnSinger started with a lot of promise, I felt that it never really took off.

Essentially, all the exposition in the first part of the book was pretty interesting, but once Shae, Kai, and company went on their journey to find the DawnKing, the book just kind of staled. Normally in a fantasy, the journey is the most exciting part, but for DawnSinger, it wasn't. Everything just seemed really formulaic: Walk, walk, walk. Creature attacks, Shae has a near death experience, Kai has a near death experience, creature is defeated or avoided. Relief, tend to injuries, rest. Walk, walk, walk. Creature attacks, Shae has a near death experience, Kai has a near death experience, creature is defeated or avoided. Lather, rinse, repeat. Then, when it came to the final showdown, so to speak, everything was over really quickly and it was all kind of anti-climactic. Also, something really significant happens at the end, and there seemed to be no character reaction to it, which made the book lack any significant closure.

The writing in the adventure scenes didn't do the story any favors, either. Although the book was well-written, I don't think the writing was flushed out enough to keep the story engaging. There just wasn't enough imagery for me to feel like I was on the journey with the characters.

As for the romance - normally I really enjoy having some romance in my fantasies, and the romance in the book was actually really sweet. However, it was also really strange, for reasons that will become obvious as your read the book, and I just couldn't get past that.

Finally, all the Christian allegory and God constantly saving the day stuff wasn't really my cup of tea, since I'm not a religious person. I just wish it had been included with a bit more subtlety. And, besides, it's kind of cheap in a fantasy book if it just takes some good old-fashioned faith in God to beat your enemies. It just seems a bit too lazy and convenient for me.

So, yeah, as it turns out, this wasn't the book for me, but I could definitely see how people could really enjoy it. It had some really interesting elements, but in the end, they weren't threaded together well enough for me to come to love this story.
326 reviews49 followers
August 18, 2012
At the request of Lof Raelein, High Queen Maeven, Shae, Princess of Whellein, flies off on Kai’s wingabeast to be at the Queen’s side as she lay ailing close to death. Amidst rumors of danger about the Welkes, giant creatures of prey, Kai and Shae risk their lives to be at Lof Raelein’s side. Kai is a Guardian of Rivenn and Maeven’s personal guard. He is also the known brother of Shae.

Secrets are unveiled, and Shae must make a dangerous trip to Lohen Keil to release the DawnSinger by singing Kunrat’s song before the DayStar completes its arc of the sky, in order to save Elderland. Shae is accompanied by Kai and several other men of good report. Little do they know the dangers they will encounter–wraiths of the own making, spirit wraiths, waevens, giant garns, enchantments and other-worldly creatures, as well as evil men riding on the Welkes. They leave High Prince Elcon and the Kindren to ward off the enemy, Contender, in Toridan. Will Elcon be able to stand strong? Will Shae make it to Lohen Keil in time to save Elderland? And who is the identity of the Contender?

This was such an enchanting book with all the queer creatures set into action by the ultimate outcome that created the Contender. The fantastical wingabeasts used for flying long distances sound intriguing to ride and are given beloved names of endearment. The bloodcurdling war cries raise the hair on the back of your neck when you realize most of it takes place in the dark of night, with the surroundings filled with spirit wraiths, waevens and other dangerous creatures.

Murder, suspense, traitors, and danger keep the thrust of the story moving from beginning to end. In the midst of these tragedies, the author weaves romance into the story, as the beautiful Shae has the eye of not one, but three men, making for a wonderful romance theme except for the tactics of one of the suitors.

Shae’s complete dependence on Lof Yuel through out the story brings the reality of Someone who is in charge of good times as well as evil and dangerous situations. Kai and his men also rely on Lof Yuel as they find the enemies stronger than themselves.

The author’s use of life’s paradoxes is integral to the story. Serving rather than being served, surrendering to Lof Yuel in order to gain victory, and commitment to the journey despite the hard times, to name a few. Though this book is fantasy, a genre I am totally beginning to love, it has spiritual undertones that we can all glean from–love, faith, dependence on God, sacrifice (persecution) in the face of adversity, etc. I enjoyed the connections of the people in the book to those in the Bible. Very well done!

My only complaint is that the glossary of names is in the back of the book instead of the front. This would have made the book easier to comprehend.

This book was provided free by Kathy Willis of Kathy Carlton Willis Communications in exchange for my honest review. No monetary compensation was exchanged.
Profile Image for Tracy Krauss.
Author 61 books98 followers
April 26, 2014
Dawnsinger is one of those books that draws you in and won’t let go. It is definitely allegorical but not to the extent that it becomes cliché. Shae, the heroine, is whisked away to the Faeraven by her brother Kai, in service to the dying queen. An epic adventure ensues – too much to go into detail here, but suffice to say that it embodies the quintessential struggle between good and evil. I will be reading the sequel Wayfarer as soon as I can get my hands on it. After about page two, I literally didn’t want to put it down, and although ‘real life’ kept me from reading it non-stop, I found myself thinking about it in between reading sessions. It is a fantasy in the style and scope of Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings without some of the tedious parts. (Sorry, JRR, but some of the poetic parts in L of the R drag for me…) There is some poetry in Dawnsinger and author Janalyn Voigt certainly has a very ‘poetic’ style of writing, but everything flows so beautifully that it is never, never tedious. One of the things that surprised me about this book is that despite the extensive use of ‘foreign’ words I never found myself confused. (The fantasy language invented by the author seems to have a Gaelic cadence if I am not mistaken.) The use of this ‘language’ seemed natural and added to the overall beauty of the story. Another thing that I loved were the detailed descriptions. I hate to keep using the word ‘beautiful’ but I’m not sure how else to say it. This is a beautiful book. I won’t go into the finer points of the plot here – you can read the description of the book for that - but may I say that the plot is well thought out, the characters are well rounded and deep, and the description is magnificent. There is action, intrigue, and romance. I wish I could give this book ten stars instead of five. It is that good.
Profile Image for Christine Lindsay.
Author 7 books110 followers
September 3, 2012
Dawn Singer by Janalyn Voight is such a delight to read. As an old fan of the Dragons of Pern series and of course, The Lord of the Rings, etc, it was great to find a new author who can wing me away on a fantasy novel. I’ve been looking a long time for a novelist who can take me to a world of wing-a-beasts, sword-play, evil in the dark shadows, and glorious light in the frail but stalwart heroes, as well as a sweet and breath-taking love.

There’s plenty of action and danger in this story of Shae and Kai, the man who she discovers is not her brother as she’s thought all her life. Kai takes Shae to discover her true destiny and true identity—the destiny of a heroine.

I heartily recommend DawnSinger to readers of fantasy. This is a book for all ages from teenager to old folks like me in their fifties who grew up on the glory of the quest in stories like those by , CS Lewis, Anne McCaffrey.

DawnSinger is also beautifully written, quite lyrical, which was enchanting and added to that feeling of being in an entirely different world.

I can’t wait for the author’s next book in the Tales of Faeraven series.
Profile Image for English .
752 reviews
August 10, 2018
I'm trying to get through books I've had on my Kindle or in my computer for years, and this was one on my list.
This book was a pleasant surprise. So much epic fantasy is not strong on the world-building, for various reasons. In a lot of it, the 'Medieval' setting resembles either Colonial America or Ancient Israel, or a combination of the two.

This one was quite different, the Medieval setting is quite authentic (no potatoes, I mean literally), and the story a world building was very strong. Only thing is I think the Glossary could have done with being at the front instead of the back, because I had to keep looking things up to remind me of what some of the 'odd' words meant.

I don't know if this is counted as YA or Adult, but the Quest/Adventure formula worked very well, although it does not start until about halfway through. Before that its sort of introducing the character/setting. Its like a classic Quest story, almost the type of formula you see in Medieval Literature except with winged horses, and a glowing sword and various other mythical elements.

A very good book, its helpful that this and the sequel are both available on Kindle Unlimited.
Profile Image for Yakira Goldsberry.
Author 7 books26 followers
December 13, 2019
DawnSinger is an epic tale that unfurls in a world that is different, yet so familiar. A high fantasy world with flying horses, spirits, and mind magic, Janalyn Voight was able to create a world that is fresh and new in the fantasy genre.
It took me a bit to get through DawnSinger, but it made the tale no less interesting, and the end was riveting. The last few chapters had me turning pages faster than I could think. Which in my perspective, is great storytelling. The overall plot was interesting enough to keep the reader’s curiosity piqued and the subtle twists and turns kept me from being able to guess the ending.
The thing I liked the most about DawnSinger was the amount of world building that Voight did to create her world. It was just enough to make it different, but not enough as to overwhelm the story. I also liked how Voight put a table of contents in the back of the book to help readers remember who was who! It came in handy a lot.
Overall, DawnSinger is a satisfying read, and has a subtle message at the end that will leave the reader thinking afterwards.
Profile Image for Kimberly.
653 reviews9 followers
May 13, 2014
Janalyn Voight took me on a wonderful adventure to a beautiful, exciting fantasy world. The reader is treated to a realm of emotions in this fairy world. I am eagerly awaiting the sequel to this book in a way I have not in quite a while.

Voight has a fresh voice that takes the reader to a world of Renaissance times where fairies are near and there are conflicts between ruling families.

I would recommend that anyone who enjoy fantastical tales that take you to other worlds and time.

I was given this book by bookfun.org and the author in exchange for my honest review.
DawnSinger
Profile Image for Donna.
77 reviews1 follower
June 29, 2012
Love and duty...faith and trust...all wrapped up to make this quest one of discovery. What a phenomenal story. Well written like the best in fantasy - certainly a match for Tolkien and the best of this genre.

Ms. Voigt has woven a tale that carries you along on the wind of the journey. You'll smile and laugh and cry and gasp at times as she guides you on this quest along with Shae and Kai.

Excellent story!
Profile Image for Pamela.
Author 26 books146 followers
August 16, 2012
I've read this book and let me tell you, this is some amazing writing! I'm not much on fantasy and can't even imagine creating whole new worlds but this book grabbed me from the beginning and didn't let go. I read it in one day - forgetting all other things I had to do....the setting, descriptions and poetic prose kept me turning pages and I can hardly wait for the second book in the trilogy!

Disclosure: I hosted a spot on the blog tour for this book and received a copy for review.
Profile Image for Erth.
3,868 reviews
October 17, 2018
now i am hooked. This was such a great, easy and creative book. i was hooked after the first page.

The characters were easy to fall in love with and follow, along with the story. the author made the mental visions so easy and vivid of the surroundings and the characters actions felt so real.

i would highly recommend this author and this book.
Profile Image for Joan Arning.
1,562 reviews24 followers
August 9, 2017
Fantasy is not my thing! However, I won DawnSinger in a giveaway so thought I'd give it another try. DawnSinger is very well written and I'm sure will appeal to anyone who enjoys fantasy. I believe it was somewhat an allegory. I would recommend the book to people who enjoy the fantasy genre.
Profile Image for Heidi.
66 reviews13 followers
August 22, 2019
Shae is a young princess of Whellein. At the beginning of the story, we are riding with Shae up in the sky on a Wingabeast. Little does she know what’s really going on underneath her. At home, her mother is dying and there are secrets about to be revealed…

Kai is a guardian of Faeraven and of Shae. He is the brother of Shae. Through certain circumstances, they must find Lohen Keil to release DawnSinger before the enemy destroys their land. Together with a group of men, they embark on a journey to find Lohen. On their way, they face many challenges and dangers.

First off, this book read very poetically and descriptive. While I don’t mind this, it did get on my nerve at times because I felt the story dragged on at times because of the way she wrote. I also felt that she would be writing about a certain scene and topic and then transition into another scene - without that transition. It was a little odd and confusing at times. However, overall it wasn’t that hard to read. Just a little different.

Christian fantasy, I feel always has an underlining Christian message in their story. Because Christian Fantasy does not take place in our world, they do not share our religion and beliefs. I found in DawnSinger they had similar beliefs, such as an afterworld or heaven. The symbolism behind the story I found is eternal good vs. evil. We constantly battle every day as Christians to fight evil and pursue God. This story reminds us that in life there are temptations everywhere but through Christ, we can overcome these temptations.

I really liked Shae and Kai’s characters. I felt that we could relate to them. I also wanted to ride along with them on their Wingabeasts. It reminds me of the Avatar ride in Disney World and that was a lot of fun!

Overall, I really enjoyed the story. Suspense, murder, drama, and action were just around the corner in every chapter. However, I felt that certain parts of the story could have been developed better. For example, during Shae and Kai journey I felt that they just kept getting into the same situation. Once or twice is ok, but repetitive things like that annoy me a little.

I was sent a copy of this book to review from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
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