Riders of the Realm #1: Across the Dark Water

by Jennifer Lynn Alvarez

Overview

The first book in an exciting, action-packed trilogy—from the imagination of Guardian Herd series author Jennifer Lynn Alvarez. Perfect for fans of Lisa McMann’s Going Wild, Brandon Mull’s Wild Born, or Erin Hunter’s Warriors series.

Twelve-year-old Rahkki is a stable groom for the Riders in the Sandwen army, who must battle deadly spit dragons and hordes of warring giants. The Sandwens believe they have tamed all the wild pegasi in the lush jungles of the Realm and turned them into flying warhorses. But when a herd of wild steeds flies over their village, Rahkki and his clanmates are stunned.

Meanwhile, a small herd of pegasi have journeyed across a treacherous ocean to settle in a new, and free, land. Led by Echofrost and Hazelwind, the Storm Herd steeds are unaware of the Sandwen clan. But when the unthinkable happens, Echofrost and the rest of Storm Herd will have to come to trust the Sandwens, or both may not survive.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780062415400
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	02/26/2019
Series:	Riders of the Realm , #1
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	464
Sales rank:	658,479
Product dimensions:	5.10(w) x 7.50(h) x 1.20(d)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Jennifer Lynn Alvarez received a degree in English literature from UC Berkeley. Her first four-book series was The Guardian Herd, followed by the Riders of the Realm trilogy. She lives with her family in Northern California. Visit her at www.jenniferlynnalvarez.com and visit the Guardian Herd series at www.theguardianherd.com.

Editorial Reviews

Praise for LANDFALL — ;

“Perfect for fans of Charlotte’s Web and the Guardians of Ga’Hoole series, Alvarez advances the story arc thoughtfully and gives a cliffhanger ending that will leave readers clamoring for the final series installment.” — Booklist

Praise for STORMBOUND — ;

“Filled with fantastical action, and rich with description. A well-paced and engrossing story. Alvarez has created a series that will be beloved by readers.” — Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)

“Animal-lovers and fantasy fans will enjoy the second installment in this series. Rapid-fire pacing keeps the book moving.” — Booklist

Praise for STARFIRE — ;

“Chock-full of adventure and twists, making it difficult to put down.” — School Library Journal

“From page one, Jennifer Lynn Alvarez weaves an epic tale of a doomed black Pegasus foal named Star, whose race against time will lift the reader on the wings of destiny and danger, magic and hope. It’s a world I did not want to leave, and neither will you.” — Peter Lerangis, NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author in the 39 Clues series and of the Seven Wonders series

“Alvarez’s world is lush with description and atmosphere, and her premise has much to offer. Fans of animal fantasies should find it enjoyable.” — Publishers Weekly

“This epic adventure is richly developed. Compelling.” — Kirkus Reviews

“Will prove popular with both animal-lovers and fantasy fans. …A good choice for reluctant readers. The clever resolution will get kids psyched for more tales from the Guardian Herd.” — Booklist

“Readers will be enthralled. The story is action-packed and full of adventure, making it difficult to put down. Perfect for fans of Erin Hunter’s “Warrior” series.” — School Library Journal

“A story with both wings and heart, Across the Dark Water is a breathtaking ride into a rich and dangerous world. Animal-lovers and thrill-seekers alike will cheer for Echofrost and Rahkki at each of the many twists and turns. Clever, epic, and wildly imaginative!” — Kamilla Benko, author of The Unicorn Quest

“An epic adventure that moves at the speed of flight. Thrilling, compelling and completely enchanting. I fell in love with the Storm Herd, and one particular winged steed that Pegasus himself would fall for!” — Kate O’Hearn, author of the international bestselling Pegasus series

“Exhilarating! A well-woven tale full of loyalty, bravery, danger, and love. Readers will be delighted!” — Lindsay Cummings, New York Times bestselling author of the Balance Keepers series

“A riveting, richly imagined epic tale of loyalty, bravery, and friendship that will make your heart (literally!) soar—a pulse-pounding adventure! Jennifer Lynn Alvarez is a true master of her craft.” — Kristen Kittscher, author of The Wig in the Window and The Tiara on the Terrace

“Getting swept up in Jennifer Lynn Alvarez’s rich world of flying steeds, Landwalkers, giants, and spit dragons was the most fun I’ve had all year. It’s like How to Train Your Dragon meets Watership Down. But with pegasi. A fantastic read!” — John Kloepfer, author of the Zombie Chasers series and the Galaxy’s Most Wanted series

“Honor and courage soar on every page of Jennifer Lynn Alvarez’s books!” — Jenn Reese, author of the Above World trilogy

“A beautiful tale of loyalty, adventure, and bravery. Readers will want to soar through the clouds with Echofrost and befriend kind-hearted Rahkki. Across the Dark Water is a captivating opener to the Riders of the Realm trilogy.” — Jill Diamond, author of the Lou Lou and Pea series

“Gorgeously detailed, with heart-wrenching conflict; a breathtaking read. Alvarez’s fantasy world is richly developed with a cast of characters readers will love. I read it as fast as a Pegasus can fly and am already longing for more.” — Mindee Arnett, critically acclaimed author of Onyx & Ivory

“An amazing story of survival flecked with themes of captivity and freedom, and a coming-of-age journey with a strong heart.” — Booklist

“Alvarez offers strong worldbuilding and an evocative picture of winged horses in action. An entertaining adventure story.” — Publishers Weekly

From the Publisher

Filled with fantastical action, and rich with description. A well-paced and engrossing story. Alvarez has created a series that will be beloved by readers.

Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)

Praise for LANDFALL

;

Gorgeously detailed, with heart-wrenching conflict; a breathtaking read. Alvarez’s fantasy world is richly developed with a cast of characters readers will love. I read it as fast as a Pegasus can fly and am already longing for more.

Mindee Arnett

An epic adventure that moves at the speed of flight. Thrilling, compelling and completely enchanting. I fell in love with the Storm Herd, and one particular winged steed that Pegasus himself would fall for!

Kate O’Hearn

Honor and courage soar on every page of Jennifer Lynn Alvarez’s books!

Jenn Reese

A story with both wings and heart, Across the Dark Water is a breathtaking ride into a rich and dangerous world. Animal-lovers and thrill-seekers alike will cheer for Echofrost and Rahkki at each of the many twists and turns. Clever, epic, and wildly imaginative!

Kamilla Benko

A beautiful tale of loyalty, adventure, and bravery. Readers will want to soar through the clouds with Echofrost and befriend kind-hearted Rahkki. Across the Dark Water is a captivating opener to the Riders of the Realm trilogy.

Jill Diamond

Perfect for fans of Charlotte’s Web and the Guardians of Ga’Hoole series, Alvarez advances the story arc thoughtfully and gives a cliffhanger ending that will leave readers clamoring for the final series installment.

Booklist

This epic adventure is richly developed. Compelling.

Stephanie Garber

04/02/2018
In this exciting follow-up to the Guardian Herd series, kicking off the Riders of the Realm trilogy, the pegasi of the Storm Herd encounter numerous dangers when they journey across the sea to seek out a new home. Refugees from a land torn apart by war, Echofrost and her herd of winged horses want to ensure the survival of their species by colonizing a new continent; instead, they discover a Landwalker (human) society that uses tame pegasi in war and defense against marauding giants. When Echofrost and her friend Shysong are captured by humans, they must engineer an escape before they’re enslaved forever. Their only potential ally is 12-year-old Rahkki Stormrunner, who feels an unexpected connection to the wild pegasi and their plight. But unable to understand each other, Echofrost and Rahkki may remain at cross-purposes until it’s too late. Alvarez offers strong worldbuilding and an evocative picture of winged horses in action, though leisurely pacing can cause the narrative to drag. An exploration of the unkind human treatment of the sentient pegasi provides darker dimension in this entertaining adventure story. Ages 8–12. Agent: Jacqueline Flynn, Delbourgo Assoc. (May)

Publishers Weekly

Perfect for fans of Charlotte’s Web and the Guardians of Ga’Hoole series, Alvarez advances the story arc thoughtfully and gives a cliffhanger ending that will leave readers clamoring for the final series installment.

Booklist

From page one, Jennifer Lynn Alvarez weaves an epic tale of a doomed black Pegasus foal named Star, whose race against time will lift the reader on the wings of destiny and danger, magic and hope. It’s a world I did not want to leave, and neither will you.

Peter Lerangis

A riveting, richly imagined epic tale of loyalty, bravery, and friendship that will make your heart (literally!) soar—a pulse-pounding adventure! Jennifer Lynn Alvarez is a true master of her craft.

Kristen Kittscher

Getting swept up in Jennifer Lynn Alvarez’s rich world of flying steeds, Landwalkers, giants, and spit dragons was the most fun I’ve had all year. It’s like How to Train Your Dragon meets Watership Down. But with pegasi. A fantastic read!”

John Kloepfer

Exhilarating! A well-woven tale full of loyalty, bravery, danger, and love. Readers will be delighted!

Lindsay Cummings

02/01/2018
Gr 5–7—In this first installment of a new trilogy by the author of the "Guardian Herd" series, the members of the Sandwen clan live on lands surrounded by many dangers, including dragons and a group of antagonistic giants. Theirs is a matriarchal society with each of the seven clans ruled by a queen. Not only do they use horses as a way to traverse the land, they also have pegasi which they have trained to help them in battle. Rahkki, a stable groom, cares for his brother's stallion. To the north of the Sandwens, there once lived a herd of wild pegasi, but a large group of them left their herd to find freedom. For Echofrost and Shysong, members of the Storm Herd, freedom was fleeting; they were soon caught by "landwalkers" of the fifth clan. Readers will be enthralled with the way the pegasi, both tame and wild, can communicate with each other and will sympathize with Rahkki as he learns to love Echofrost but also yearns for her to have her freedom. The story is action-packed and full of adventure, making it difficult to put down. Many characters in human and nonhuman form are introduced, leaving readers ready for future volumes in the series. VERDICT A great choice for libraries serving middle grade students who crave more fantasy and a perfect readalike for fans of Erin Hunter's "Warrior" series.—Elizabeth Kahn, Patrick F. Taylor Science & Technology Academy, Avondale, LA

School Library Journal

2018-03-05
Following the four-book Guardian Herd series, a new series opener in the same world.Hundreds of pegasi have been kept in captivity by Nightwing the Destroyer. When their escape plot leaks, 140 rebel pegasi called the Storm Herd flee across the Dark Ocean in hopes of settling in a new land, led by brave Echofrost. Instead of arriving in peaceful valleys where the herd can graze and fly freely, the Storm Herd discovers more perils, including barbaric giants and Landwalkers. The two-legged Landwalkers control a herd of pegasi, riding on their backs, something the Storm Herd has never seen. When the Landwalkers (hair and eye coloration described in detail, skin color unmentioned) capture herd member Shysong, Echofrost leaves the Storm Herd to press on without her—only to be captured herself. While Echofrost plots escape, a young orphaned Landwalker cares for her, all the while trying to decide whether to sell her at auction or free her and Shysong. Alvarez opens the story with a cumbersome summation of the epic battle that provides cover for the Storm Herd's flight, leaving readers new to the world confused from the start as to who's who. The story from there is a variant on the common narrative that depicts a group escaping bondage only to find more bondage in the new land. The adventure with the pegasi stalls halfway through as the plot turns to the dull royal politics of their new human masters.Even committed series fans may find the human storyline slow going. (Fantasy. 8-12)

Kirkus Reviews