The Verona Trilogy by Lory S. Kaufman – Review @lorykaufman

I received this book for free from . This review is voluntary. My opinion is not influenced in any way.

five-stars

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The Verona Trilogy by Lory S. Kaufman is an adventurous series that takes readers along on the life-changing journey of three 24th century teens. Travel in time to 14th century Verona Italy with them and get lost in this exciting sci-fi, historical fiction tale.

lenslookerThe Lens and the Looker by Lory S. Kaufman
Book I of the Verona Trilogy
Genre: YA Post-Dystopian Fiction

It’s the 24th century and humans, with the help of artificial intelligences (A.I.s), have finally created the perfect post-dystopian society. To make equally perfect citizens for this world, the elders have created History Camps, full sized recreations of cities from Earth’s distant pasts. Here teens live the way their ancestors did, doing the same dirty jobs and experiencing the same degradation. History Camps teach youths not to repeat the mistakes that almost caused the planet to die. But not everything goes to plan.

In this first of a trilogy, we meet three spoiled teens in the year 2347. Hansum almost 17, is good looking and athletic. Shamira, 15, is sassy, independent and an artistic genius. Lincoln, 14, is the smart-aleck. But you don’t have to scratch too far beneath the surface to find his insecurities.

These three “hard cases” refuse the valuable lessons History Camps teach. But when they are kidnapped and taken back in time to 1347 Verona, Italy, they only have two choices; adapt to the harsh medieval ways or die. The dangers are many, their enemies are powerful, and safety is a long way away. It’s hardly the ideal environment to fall in love – but that’s exactly what happens. In an attempt to survive, the trio risks introducing technology from the future. It could save them – or it could change history.

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bronzebrimstoneThe Bronze and the Brimstone by Lory S. Kaufman
Book II of the Verona Trilogy
Genre: YA Post-Dystopian Fiction

What could go wrong in the 14th-century for three time-traveling teens? How about – EVERYTHING!

Hansum, Shamira and Lincoln, three teens from the 24th-century, are trapped in 14th-century Verona, Italy. They’ve survived many deadly experiences by keeping their wits about them and by introducing futuristic technology into the past. Principal among these inventions is the telescope, which brought them to the attention of the rich and powerful.

But standing out can get you into unexpected – situations. The nobles of Verona now believe Hansum is a savant, a genius inventor, especially after he brings them plans for advanced cannons and black powder. Being the center of attention is great, but the potential for trouble is now exponentially greater because people are watching Hansum’s every move.

Meanwhile, artistic genius Shamira has fallen for a Florentine artist with bloody and disastrous consequences. Lincoln, considered an incompetent back home in the 24th-century, has blossomed – at least until he’s shot in the head with an arrow. And Hansum, after secretly marrying his new master’s beautiful daughter, Guilietta, is offered the hand in marriage of lady Beatrice, daughter of the ruler of Verona. To refuse could mean calamity for all the teens.

Amazingly, none of this is their biggest challenge. Because a rash illness is spreading across Verona – and it is threatening to consume everyone. Do they have a future in this past?

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lovedlostThe Loved and the Lost by Lory S. Kaufman
Book III of the Verona Trilogy
Genre: YA Post-Dystopian Fiction

A quest for lost love. An adventure of many lifetimes.

Hansum, Shamira and Lincoln are three 24th-century time travelers desperate to return to 14th-century Verona and reclaim their medieval family’s shattered lives. It is a mission fraught with danger and the risk of unexpected consequences for themselves and their worlds. For all three, it is a matter of the heart. For one, though, it is truly the only thing that matters, as the fate of his eternal love and the life of their unborn child is the prize to be won – or lost forever.

In this, the final book of The Verona Trilogy, our three time travelers go on the boldest adventure of their lives. They will face hardship, tragedy, and threats from sources they couldn’t have imagined – all in an effort to wrestle a future from the steely grip of an unforgiving past.

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My Thoughts

The Verona Trilogy by Lory S. Kaufman really blew me away. I thought the books sounded interesting, but I had no idea the journey I was about to take in reading them. The Lens and the Looker was so fascinating, right from the very beginning. I love the world that Lory built in the 24th Century. As brief as our stay in that time period was, it was really neat to read about. I really liked the concept of the history camps/hard time history camps.

When the three teens are kidnapped and transported to 14th Century Verona, Italy, the story takes an exciting new twist. I was completely immersed in the time period. The author does an outstanding job of really making this time period come alive. I felt like I could truly see and hear the sights and sounds of Verona in 1347. It was amazing!

I really liked the concept of the story, and the fact that the story was a skillful blend of history and fantasy. I thoroughly enjoyed each book in the trilogy. I’m actually downloading The Lens and the Looker free podcast that is available, because I want to still be a part of this fascinating trilogy. 🙂 It’s neat, too, that you can go to the author’s website and learn more about the back story. If I truly enjoy a book/series, I want to stay with it as long as I can. It was fun for me to be able to go to the site and learn more about it.

This trilogy is one that I cannot say enough good things about. These three gorgeous books (seriously, the covers are beautiful!) will have a happy home on my bookshelf, though I know I will pick them up again. I look forward to letting my older daughter read them soon as well.

The Verona Trilogy by Lory S. Kaufman transcends ages and genres. It is a series that I feel will stand the test of time. It is one that I can see myself reading over again. I love the blending of a futuristic/post-dystopian society, fantasy, history, love, YA…the trilogy encompasses many facets of literature that I love. If you love these, too, this is a story you will enjoy as much as I do. I love that the first book is just 99 cents! It is worth much more than that. I would read another book by Lory S. Kaufman in a heartbeat!

The Verona Trilogy by Lory S. Kaufman gets 5+++++ stars from me. 🙂

About the Author

loryskaufman“I write Post-Dystopian fiction. After society’s collapse, which is imagined in so many great dystopian stories, humans will either fade into history, with the dinosaurs, or, if it learns the right lessons, society will go on to construct a civilization to last tens of thousands of years. The books of THE VERONA TRILOGY are the exciting adventures of young people doing the latter.” -Lory Kaufman

On the artistic side of Lory’s career, he’s written, acted and directed children’s theatre and musical theatre. He enjoys art, especially sculpture. He loves science fiction and historical fiction and he has been deeply involved in the green movement all across North America. All this shows through when you read his work. Lory has three grown children and works and lives in Kingston, Canada.

Author website: http://www.lorykaufman.com
Connect with Kaufman on Twitter and Facebook.

iRead Book Tour Logo Medium
Thank you so much to Laura at iRead Book Tours for organizing a fantastic tour! And thank you to Lory S. Kaufman, for sending me his beautiful paperback books. Not just once, but twice, since the first set was destroyed in the mail.

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4 comments / Add your comment below

  1. My dear Brooke. Flattery will get you everywhere. Seriously. Thank you for your kind words and insights into my books. I’ve said this before, and it’s true. It’s such a treat for an author when someone “gets” what they are trying to do.

    As well, I would like to mention how well written and constructed your review is.

    Thank you, thank you again.

    Cheers
    Lory Kaufman

    1. Thank you so much, Lory! I’m happy you stopped by. I’ll be adding my reviews to Goodreads, Amazon & Barnes and Noble this evening. I also visited the YouTube channel and watched your readings~so fun and passionate! Thank you for bringing the story to life…and thank you for writing an amazing trilogy! I share your books with everyone I know, and am suggesting them to my local library as well. They are books that need to be read and enjoyed far and wide. 🙂

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