Wood Cow Chronicles Series by Rick Johnson

Helga has more danger in her life than most beasts her age--Wrackshee slavers after her, a vicious attack by bandits that nearly kills her, a race against dragons pursuing her, and leading a daring rebellion to save her life and rescue friends and family from the insidious WooZan. And that is just the beginning... moreHelga has more danger in her life than most beasts her age--Wrackshee slavers after her, a vicious attack by bandits that nearly kills her, a race against dragons pursuing her, and leading a daring rebellion to save her life and rescue friends and family from the insidious WooZan. And that is just the beginning. But what do you expect when you are a young beast who just can't see the stupid rules of the world making any sense? Helga can't accept things as they are and ends up taking on not just one, but two all-powerful, supreme tyrants in two different realms. Helga never intended to lead a revolution. It just sort of happened because she wouldn't go along with the "rules of normal" that keep tyrants in power and entire societies enslaved. Beginning on a dangerous quest to solve some mysteries in her own past, Helga leads her quirky comrades on a journey that will not only forever change them, but upset ancient civilizations. As an author, I'm drawn to eccentric, unexpected characters: those who surprise because they hear a distant galaxy, see a different music, create their own fragrance rather than get hooked on a soundtrack; the child who has her own ideas about how the emperor is dressed; the lunatics and rebels who tell stories on the boundaries. Helga's unusual story will take readers to worlds they never imagined--definitely a whole new ride.Time and again, the unconventional heroine and her eccentric comrades overcome ominous tyrants and black-hearted slavers, not by battling to the last beast standing, but by being the first beast to think differently. less

For untold ages, the Granite Hulks at Tilk Duraow have been the impregnable center of the High One's slaving system. Overpowering. Impenetrable. Final. The point from which there is no return. But now, fifteen-year-old Helga's revolution--one she hardly expected to begin--is way bigger than she ever dreamed. Tilk Duraow itself is in danger. Unexpectedly finding common cause with a troupe of oddball characters, Helga and old comrades are reunited in a chain of events that portends the Overending... moreFor untold ages, the Granite Hulks at Tilk Duraow have been the impregnable center of the High One's slaving system. Overpowering. Impenetrable. Final. The point from which there is no return. But now, fifteen-year-old Helga's revolution--one she hardly expected to begin--is way bigger than she ever dreamed. Tilk Duraow itself is in danger. Unexpectedly finding common cause with a troupe of oddball characters, Helga and old comrades are reunited in a chain of events that portends the Overending. Now even the High One himself is no longer safe. The Overending opens a crack... Rick Johnson's slightly skewed reality brings readers another mind-bending, genre-busting adventure. Fantastic and quirky, exhilarating and addicting, this entertaining adventure takes readers on a wild ride that they will never want to end. Ridiculous, but deadly serious. Hits you hard in the funnies, while turning your mind inside out. less

Unleashing dragons on the slavers at Tilk Duraow was the easy part. Now Helga and her comrades must confront foes far more powerful than ever before, as their rebellion succeeds in penetrating to the very heart of the High One’s evil order. As the oddball rebels struggle to deal with the unfolding results of their success, they discover that the path forward runs through a mysterious new city—Silverpreen—with its own hideous brand of tyranny... moreUnleashing dragons on the slavers at Tilk Duraow was the easy part. Now Helga and her comrades must confront foes far more powerful than ever before, as their rebellion succeeds in penetrating to the very heart of the High One’s evil order. As the oddball rebels struggle to deal with the unfolding results of their success, they discover that the path forward runs through a mysterious new city—Silverpreen—with its own hideous brand of tyranny. Facing unimaginable dangers, including a hate-filled enemy who controls a weapon of mass destruction, mind-bending challenges hit them time and again on their way to a final confrontation with the High One. As threats to the High One’s rule mount, a secret plot by some of his closest advisors is revealed to further undermine him for their own purposes. Code named Silversion, this unexpected development puts the High One in a desperate position, squeezed between opposing forces. In a climactic confrontation, the High One faces an ultimatum: either go into exile or face the greatest and most unusual attack force he’s ever seen. His choice will alter the destiny, not just of his own realm, but of far-flung lands across the planet. Mind-blowing new worlds, sophisticated storytelling, never-quit action, and characters that will long stick in readers’ minds, make this an epic tale for all ages. less