Tsalix Silverthorn and the Desert of Desolation by Richard Siddoway
Having retrieved the first talisman from the top of Mount Jinee, Tsalix and his friends are faced with another daunting task. They must cross Shayeksten, the Desert of Desolation to reach Mount Tsood and find the second talisman.
Shayeksten is formidable, dry, hot, and covered with drifting sand. Compounding their problem is their nemesis, Captain Nash Doitsoh and his band of soldiers, who are patrolling the desert and are determined to capture Tsalix and bring him to Prince Abadon. If they are successful in crossing Shayeksten and reaching Mount Tsood they must find where the talisman is hidden and then return to Mount Deschee to deliver it to the King.
About the author.
Richard Siddoway was born in Salt Lake City, Utah and reared in Bountiful. He was a professional educator for over forty-five years. In 1994, he was asked by Governor Michael O. Leavitt to create the nation's first state-wide virtual high school --The Electronic High School--which served students nationwide.
He served three terms in the Utah House of Representatives; the last two years, as Speaker Pro Tempore. He is the author of a dozen books, including the New York Times Bestseller, The Christmas Wish, which was made into a movie starring Debbie Reynolds, Neil Patrick Harris, and Naomi Watts.
He and his wife, Janice, have eight children, twenty-six grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. Follow Richard on Facebook @RichardMSiddoway
Review.
Tsalix Silverthorn and the Desert of Desolation is a great part of a planned trilogy. This is the second book in the series but you can read it as a standalone as I haven't read the first one and still enjoyed this one. However, there are a few references etc about the first book so it might be wise to read them in order.
This book is as much a look at friendship as it is about fantasy. It follows the remaining three of them through a perilous desert on the quest to find the second talisman. I loved how they all supported and looked out for each other. How they survived that desert - I didn’t think they would make it at points?! I really enjoyed the desert sections as they showed the true characters of all the main players, especially Nash. It was great to learn his backstory.
This was a descriptive book and managed to set the scene from the get go. Something which I think is hard for a fantasy writer as they have a whole world to create not just a story! This was particularly the case when it came to the areas that the guys travelled to.
I am looking forward to the next instalment!
