Jan 15, 2010

Book Review - Rise of the Dibor


     In the land of Dionia, something evil is stirring. An ancient menace threatens the peaceful kingdom; even the earth cries out for mercy. Twelve young men, the sons of kings, are chosen to be trained as warriors to combat the enemy. These are the Dibor.
     This story follows Luik, one of the Dibor, as he grows from a boy to a man amid the chaos of war. Horrors unspeakable, blood-filled battles, the depravity of man, and one Truth that stands forever. Will the rise of the Dibor be enough to counter the rise of evil? The answer is not what you expect.

     Christopher Hopper writes the story as if it were a song, filling it with detailed descriptions. Though some readers may be bored by the descriptions, I appreciated Hopper's original way of writing.
     The plot was also very different, as it explores the question, "What would life have been like if Adam never sinned?"
     One thing I did not love about the book was the romance between Luik and a princess. There was nothing overtly wrong about it, but I am of the opinion that stories for kids and teens are better off without romance (without getting too far into it, as this is another discussion altogether).
     Overall, I think Rise of the Dibor is a good book for teens.

     If you would like to know more about Christopher Hopper or read Rise of the Dibor, click the links below.

http://www.christopherhopper.com/
http://www.amazon.com/Rise-Dibor-White-Lion-Chronicles

Post Tenebras Lux!
 -ST

18 comments:

Unknown said...

Oh, I loved that book! I still haven't read the second one, but I'm planning on it.

Well-written review, by the way. What you said was almost exactly how I felt about the book when I read it. The book isn't perfect, but I still definitely recommend it.

Storyteller SilverLoom said...

Thank you, Brianna! I am in the middle of the second one and it is very good! You will never guess what happens... Tee hee!

Unknown said...

Great review ST. One thing that I guess we will have to agree to disagree on though is the romance part. I did not think it was that bad, now I could see how it could be bad in some things, but I believe CH portrays it fine. But I do not wish to argue. So, like I said, we'll have to agree to disagree.

Araken said...

I've been trying to find this book for a while; whence did you acquire your copy?

Unknown said...

I found my copy on amazon.com, as I believe ST did.

Storyteller SilverLoom said...

Steadfast, I do agree that, if romance HAS to be in a story, Hopper portrayed it very well. Absolutely better than most, on that we can agree. I did not mean to imply that it was bad, just not my preferred reading.

Araken, I bought mine from Amazon.com. The second link on the post should take you right to it. CBD may have it also.

owo xD said...

I'm reading Dibor right now, actually. My review will be a bit less glowing, I'm afraid. I'm not a fan of omniscient POV or the descriptions that serve no purpose. For the most part I have the same problems with Tolkien, though, so don't judge me. lol
I haven't gotten to any romance yet, but I generally don't like romance in YA Fantasy. It's something I've almost completely avoided in the first book of my trilogy.
Araken, I bought mine off of Amazon.com :-)

Storyteller SilverLoom said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Storyteller SilverLoom said...

Chris, I do admit that some of Hopper and Tolkien's descriptions are difficult to get through, but I see it as their way of writing. If that is how they like to write and presumably read, then I will humor them. :)
I look forward to reading your review!

Unknown said...

Oh, great! Now you're making me want to read Book #2 even more, Storyteller! :-)

Nathan R. Petrie said...

I was once told that The White Lion Chronicles was actually intended for adults or older teens. ::shrugs:: So that would cover the romance part.

It seemed it was more of a crush in Dibor...and it became love in Vrie simply because the characters were what....30 something I think lol

I really REALLY liked these books. ::shrugs:: In my opinion the descriptions not given at the beginning were for purpose of showing the land's changes. There were some that were strictly cultural, the omniscient thing, but I kinda like that style myself.

I say its better than Tolkien in terms of modern writing (Tolkien is awful according to current standards). And I found the story very...real and original myself. lol

Storyteller SilverLoom said...

Brianna, I am reluctant to finish it myself, as I've heard it ends in a terrible cliffhanger! *laughs*

Keeneye, yes, the book certainly seems to be aimed at an older group of readers. As I said before, I did not think there is anything wrong with the romance. I simply would rather avoid it in my reading altogether, and as I know I am not alone in that opinion, I thought I ought to mention it. I understand that not everyone is convicted the way I am. :)

Nathan R. Petrie said...

Nah, I just like reading about honorable guys and girls that handle relationships in honorable ways ;) lol

Araken said...

I'm thinking...Amazon...thanks y'all!

Precentor said...

Aye lol,

ST strikes a blow for reading freedom across the globe!

Unknown said...

Yeah, I'm not wanting to finish it because of the same reason you said ST, but I find it very difficult to not read it very very fast.

Murf Murphy said...

Thanks for speaking out against YA romance...Ladybug

Storyteller SilverLoom said...

Ladybug, I am writing a post on the subject. Hopefully it will be done soon. :)