The Dragon and the Rose Chronicles

Book One: The Beginning

Young Adult - Mythology/Fairy Tale
180 Pages
Reviewed on 11/01/2019
Buy on Amazon

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Liz Konkel for Readers' Favorite

The Beginning by Robert M. Lorenz is the first book in The Dragon and the Rose Chronicles. In the beginning, there was the entity Hensus who began creation with the four elements of Air, Water, Earth, and Fire. This leads to the creation of Light which Hensus calls Hiag and Darkness which he calls Dreug. A brewing battle brings forth a dragon and a search for purpose while the rivalry between the two soon follows as armies are raised and a boy born from the Elements leads to the birth of two brothers. As one brother succumbs to a jealous rage, the other meets an untimely end.

Robert M. Lorenz blends together religion, myth, fantasy, and science for an exciting tale of creation. The story begins all the way at the beginning of creation with the four elements and the Light and Darkness, which sets the stage for war, feuds, love, and purpose in tales reminiscent of biblical stories and myths. The longtime friction between Light and Darkness is at the center of everything that happens with characters rising from Darkness into Light and characters falling from Light through temptation. The story also has mention of notable mythological figures throughout such as Osiris, Hecate, and Set, which adds to the charm of the unique blend that Lorenz brings to life. Several biblical elements are throughout with reimaginings of the stories of Adam and Eve, Lilith, and Cain and Abel through new counterparts that fit within this new mythology. Lorenz blends all these elements together in The Beginning with a fascinating approach that puts a unique spin on famous tales, one that makes them feel entirely new with the creation of the Elements, the Zodiac, and the battle between Light and Darkness.

Astrid Iustulin

The Dragon and the Rose Chronicles by Robert M. Lorenz is an incredible journey into a new world. As in every journey, this one needs a starting point, and what could be better than the very beginning? The creation of the universe is the first step you take into a world where elements from mythology, science, and the zodiac blend with episodes that closely remind you of those in the Bible. In The Dragon and the Rose Chronicles, you will discover the stories of many remarkable characters and their adventures. You will also learn about the fight between the King of Darkness and the King of Light and the lives of the first generations of beings.

The Dragon and the Rose Chronicles is a novel I enjoyed reading, even though I have to confess my initial concern. I thought it would be confusing to mix elements from so many different fields, such as mythology, science, and religion. On the contrary, they allow Lorenz to create a huge variety of situations. The author has been able to use his material with consistency, and in the end, he gives us a clear and engaging story. You will appreciate the ingenuity of the plot and its many turns of events. Lorenz does not linger on long descriptions in The Dragon and the Rose Chronicles. His way of writing is essential, but I think this is what gives the book its well-balanced structure. Lorenz manages many characters, but he finds the time to describe the actions of each of them. It is rare to find such a perfect balance, and it is the reason why I like this book so much that I recommend it to others.