Book Review: The Cliffs of Darad by Isabella Berdyna Zysk

 

The Cliffs of Darad is a romantic adventure story set in a medieval-like fantasy world. Despite the efforts of good king Meginhard of Sundara, the relations among the five domains that make up the kingdom have been anything but cooperative, straining the internal stability of the kingdom and burdening the royal courts of justice with claims of damages, including allegations of raids and counter raids in which villages were burned, villagers killed, and livestock and property destroyed or stolen. King Meginhard determines to settle these disputes once and for all. After carefully reviewing all claims, he issues his decision to each ruler and makes it clear that he expects full and swift obedience to his terms. However, he has no idea that everything isn't as it seems, and treason and murder are in the works. Will the kingdom survive the clandestine attempts of one man to turn it on its end?

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REVIEW

Author Zysk takes us into the fictional medieval Kingdom of Sundara and its principalities Dhuni, Suma, Amra Darad, and Kedara. Trouble and mystery are brewing between the five domains. To help keep the peace King Meginhard has ordered Prince Regent Ercanbald of Kedara to marry his daughter to the Chieftain of Darad and him remarry the niece of Prince Regent Sten of Suma.

Ercanbald's daughter refuses and opts for his widowed niece in her stead. Chieftain Wilfried, a widow himself, agrees to the altered term finding Ercanbald's niece Roz charming. 

Ercanbald then meets his new bride-to-be, who comes with secrets of treason and murder as the Cliffs of Darad's reconstruction begins. 

Zysk's writing style is soft and poetic. I've read her books before and love the pentameter of her words. It is no surprise, as Zysk won a medalist award for her previous work, The Venturous Tales, in the Florida Authors and Publishers President'sPresident's Book Awards.

Plus, Zysk makes the concept of arranged marriages seem so romantic and sweet as Roz and Wilfred turn out to be such a cute and lovely couple that do fall in love.

Overall The Cliffs of Darad is an easy read, perfect for getting lost in on a rainy or snowy Sunday afternoon (which is what I did). The good news is The Cliffs of Darad is just the first in a planned collection of five novellas to be titled The Sundara Tales. If The Cliffs of Darad is a taste, I am excited to see what Zysk brings next as we explore more tales from the Kingdom of Sundara.

My Rating 5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Isabella Berdyna Zysk is a self-published author who enjoys a story in which good guys win in the end, even if there's a struggle along the way in which all don't survive. She's a storyteller and keeps the narrative suitable for adult and young adult readers. She loves a medieval-like setting in fantasy worlds where knightly chivalry and noble valor are the goals but with access to better hygiene.

Isabella Berdyna Zysk was born in Michigan, raised in southern California and central Virginia, worked and lived in several states and foreign countries, and now resides in Florida, where she enjoys retirement.