Review: Trials of Hallion Book 1: Two of Swords

Trials of Hallion Book 1: Two of Swords by Maria Greene is an epic fantasy about a New York office worker named Kate who battles evil sorcery in a fantasy land.

A Magical Door Takes Kate into Hallion
A Magical Door Takes Kate into Hallion

Kate McKnight inherits Liliath Cottage from her eccentric Aunt Mattie. Soon after she arrives in her aunt’s Scotland hometown, a magical door takes Kate into Hallion. There she embarks on a quest to overthrow an evil sorcerer named Kil Morgol, whose magic is poisoning the land. Helping Kate is Scotland native Jamie Kirkland, the current Earl of McAndrew. Problem is, Jamie has rejected the Old Art of his lineage and is ill prepared to help Kate.

Eavesdropping Plants Have His Sinister Magical Taint
Eavesdropping Plants Have His Sinister Magical Taint

Soon after arriving in Hallion, Kate receives a tarot card reading that identifies puzzling obstacles in her upcoming journey. But it’s clear that Kate and her allies must find hidden scepters and a mysterious artifact called the Drewander Codex to gather magic powerful enough to defeat Kil Morgol. His sinister magical taint is everywhere, even in the eavesdropping plants. Time is running out for Hallion.

Trials of Hallion Book 1: Two of Swords is awhirl with a hero’s journey icons. While tarot card symbols are a familiar fantasy technique, the story uses it well. Maria Greene has a deft hand at scattering unusual people in Kate’s journey. A surprise awaits the reader concerning an unexpected shape shifter. Lita recommends this story for fantasy fans who like a traditional tale mixed with the practicalities of a modern-day heroine.

Trials of Hallion Book 1: Two of Swords on Amazon US

Trials of Hallion Book 1: Two of Swords on Amazon UK

Trials of Hallion Book 1: Two of Swords on Goodreads

Maria Greene on Goodreads and Blog

2 responses to “Review: Trials of Hallion Book 1: Two of Swords”

  1. […] The main stage featured clever skits about belching dragons, riddling fey, and visiting artisans highlighting their magical yarns. […]

    Like

  2. mgreeene Avatar
    mgreeene

    I never saw this! Thank you, Lita… 🙂 Doing the blog train.

    Liked by 1 person

Leave a comment

I’m Lita

Welcome to the Fantasy Worlds of Lita Burke, my shadow-filled corner of the internet dedicated to curious things and puzzling people. Here, I invite you to join me on a journey of twisty enchantments, sensual magicians, and unsettling places.

62,809 hits

Let’s connect

Enchanters of Sye Books

Wrath by Lita Burke

A retired Enchanter battles a powerful magician to keep a dangerous spell book from falling into the wrong hands.

Tredan's Bane by Lita Burke

A magical oddities dealer hides her kidnapped husband’s dangerous spell book.

Clockpunk Wizard Books

A dog flees his cruel master, befriends a wizard, and discovers his shapeshifting magic.

Ephraim's Curious Device

A wizard seeks a magical thingummy to free his kidnapped familiar.

A wizard faces a dangerous journey to Sir Death’s castle to win a powerful spell book for a love-starved dragon.

Glitter Ponies by Lita Burke

A wizard and Lady Luck’s young daughter discover the cause of a mysterious unicorn illness.

An elf prince’s son teams up with a disgraced wizardling to clear their names with the Magic Guild.

Fantasy Worlds

Step Right Up for the Cirque du Méchant

Evil Circus is a dark carnival filled madness, magic, and grinning clowns.

Steampunk London Fantasy Woman

Steampunk London is a Victorian-styled world powered by steam engines.

Not a Butterfly

Floating Lands are an eerie place of unexpected lighter-than-air denizens and islands in the sky.

Film noir femme fatale

Film Noir is a dreary, crime fiction world filled with down-and-out heroes, cynicism and vice.