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Recommend this book:
Black Wings
Iryna K. Combs
2016 Finalist
232 Pages
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Fiction - Fantasy - Epic
Reviewed by Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite
Black Wings by Iryna K. Combs is the story of Annabel, a humanoid who was captured by a species known for their cruelty. Annabel was captured by the Varkins and tortured in some heinous ways. The pain and agony is too much, she wants to escape, but that will not be easy. Can Annabel escape? Can she survive the pressure of fitting in with her people after all that she has been through? Getting away from the enemy was the easy part; learning to live again is the challenge for Annabel. Can she manage to be the person she was before? Will she ever get back what she has lost?
Black Wings is one of those novels that is carefully thought out and tested before being written down and presented to the reader. Combs definitely worked a lot on making sure that everything fits perfectly. She crafted a world that is believable and understandable. Scarily enough, it feels real too. You cannot help but sympathize with Annabel. She is strong and trying to survive. She is courageous and determined. The torture was gruesome, so people who are squeamish should skip those pages. But for me, it made the novel real and allowed me to connect with Annabel like I would with anyone in this situation. All in all, this is definitely a sci-fi everyone would enjoy.
Black Wings by Iryna K. Combs is the story of Annabel, a humanoid who was captured by a species known for their cruelty. Annabel was captured by the Varkins and tortured in some heinous ways. The pain and agony is too much, she wants to escape, but that will not be easy. Can Annabel escape? Can she survive the pressure of fitting in with her people after all that she has been through? Getting away from the enemy was the easy part; learning to live again is the challenge for Annabel. Can she manage to be the person she was before? Will she ever get back what she has lost?
Black Wings is one of those novels that is carefully thought out and tested before being written down and presented to the reader. Combs definitely worked a lot on making sure that everything fits perfectly. She crafted a world that is believable and understandable. Scarily enough, it feels real too. You cannot help but sympathize with Annabel. She is strong and trying to survive. She is courageous and determined. The torture was gruesome, so people who are squeamish should skip those pages. But for me, it made the novel real and allowed me to connect with Annabel like I would with anyone in this situation. All in all, this is definitely a sci-fi everyone would enjoy.
Recommend this book:
The Labyrinth Wall
Obsidian Series
Emilyann Girdner
2016 Finalist
268 Pages
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Fiction - Fantasy - Epic
Reviewed by Faridah Nassozi for Readers' Favorite
In The Labyrinth Wall by Emilyann Girdner, Araina had just received her meal for the week - three potatoes, a dead rat, and two canisters of water - from the Creators. Back at her hideaway, she ventured beyond her usual space and discovered another part of her world that she had not seen before, with real water, unlike the acid type around the labyrinth, and even some edible fruit. As if the wonders of the day could not end, she saw a man magically appear through the labyrinth wall. Curious to know about the world beyond their current confines, Araina and a new ally decide to find and talk to the man with magical healing powers that came through the wall. They have to break him out of the Creators' heavily guarded castle; a place where none of their kind can ever be allowed to enter. Araina hates the helpless feeling of always living on the Creators' terms and she is determined to do something about it. But first she and her companions must survive through a maze of endless dark tunnels filled with all kinds of deadly creatures, sharp blades, poisonous gases, and endless traps.
The Labyrinth Wall by Emilyann Girdner is a captivating tale of bravery and the power of determination in a land haunted by hunger, death and misery, and survival of the fittest. The contrast between the life lived by the Mahk and the Creators is simply astonishing and Emilyann Girdner brought it out perfectly. Emilyann Girdner’s incredible writing skills take you from this world and dump you in the labyrinth with Araina and company as they navigate the endless deadly tunnels. The characters are so real and I was able to connect with them so deeply that I was even able to feel the chills every time Araina came face to face with death, and was forced to hold my breath as she fought to survive. But more importantly, the relief I felt every time she beat the odds was so magnificent. The Labyrinth Wall by Emilyann Girdner is an amazingly captivating page-turner and I loved reading every single page.
In The Labyrinth Wall by Emilyann Girdner, Araina had just received her meal for the week - three potatoes, a dead rat, and two canisters of water - from the Creators. Back at her hideaway, she ventured beyond her usual space and discovered another part of her world that she had not seen before, with real water, unlike the acid type around the labyrinth, and even some edible fruit. As if the wonders of the day could not end, she saw a man magically appear through the labyrinth wall. Curious to know about the world beyond their current confines, Araina and a new ally decide to find and talk to the man with magical healing powers that came through the wall. They have to break him out of the Creators' heavily guarded castle; a place where none of their kind can ever be allowed to enter. Araina hates the helpless feeling of always living on the Creators' terms and she is determined to do something about it. But first she and her companions must survive through a maze of endless dark tunnels filled with all kinds of deadly creatures, sharp blades, poisonous gases, and endless traps.
The Labyrinth Wall by Emilyann Girdner is a captivating tale of bravery and the power of determination in a land haunted by hunger, death and misery, and survival of the fittest. The contrast between the life lived by the Mahk and the Creators is simply astonishing and Emilyann Girdner brought it out perfectly. Emilyann Girdner’s incredible writing skills take you from this world and dump you in the labyrinth with Araina and company as they navigate the endless deadly tunnels. The characters are so real and I was able to connect with them so deeply that I was even able to feel the chills every time Araina came face to face with death, and was forced to hold my breath as she fought to survive. But more importantly, the relief I felt every time she beat the odds was so magnificent. The Labyrinth Wall by Emilyann Girdner is an amazingly captivating page-turner and I loved reading every single page.
Recommend this book:
Select
The Oathtaker Series - Volume 2
Patricia Reding
2016 Finalist
Kindle Edition
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Fiction - Fantasy - Epic
Reviewed by Melinda Hills for Readers' Favorite
Twenty years have passed since Mara took on the responsibility of Oathtaker to the twins, Reigna and Eden, who are expected to usher in a new age for Oosa. Select, Volume 2 of The Oathtaker Series, by Patricia Reding, follows Mara, Dixon, the twins, and all the others who have sworn to protect them as they combat the evil that grows in Chiran, a neighboring empire. Unfortunately, Mara suffers a severe injury that leaves her with no memory of her position as guardian to the twins or even of her marriage to Dixon. While Dixon removes her from the compound to keep her memory loss a secret, the twins exert their independence, fighting Lucy every step of the way. Lucy founded the compound for the sole purpose of keeping safe, the girls and other members of the Select, along with their Oathtakers. Now she must carefully weigh the options for the twins' safety as well as their development into the leaders who are spoken of in ancient prophecy. With Emperor Zarek of Chiran making bolder incursions into Oosa, will the twins come into their powers in time to save their homeland and will Mara’s memory return so that she can fulfill her oath?
Select includes an excellent summary of Volume One, Oathtaker, which provides all the information you need to refresh your memory, or even to get you into the story of Mara, Dixon and the twins in Select, Volume 2 of The Oathtaker Series, by Patricia Reding. With a need for urgency, the plot develops quickly as all the elements of the world of Oosa are set in motion to protect against the spread of evil. The characters are well developed and quite realistic with plenty of emotional ups and downs, doubts and dilemmas. A fine balance is depicted between the need for self sufficiency and the benefits of team work, and the concept of power, good and bad, is an important issue. This is an excellent story that is part of an epic fantasy well worth reading. Another winner! I love it and can't wait for more!
Twenty years have passed since Mara took on the responsibility of Oathtaker to the twins, Reigna and Eden, who are expected to usher in a new age for Oosa. Select, Volume 2 of The Oathtaker Series, by Patricia Reding, follows Mara, Dixon, the twins, and all the others who have sworn to protect them as they combat the evil that grows in Chiran, a neighboring empire. Unfortunately, Mara suffers a severe injury that leaves her with no memory of her position as guardian to the twins or even of her marriage to Dixon. While Dixon removes her from the compound to keep her memory loss a secret, the twins exert their independence, fighting Lucy every step of the way. Lucy founded the compound for the sole purpose of keeping safe, the girls and other members of the Select, along with their Oathtakers. Now she must carefully weigh the options for the twins' safety as well as their development into the leaders who are spoken of in ancient prophecy. With Emperor Zarek of Chiran making bolder incursions into Oosa, will the twins come into their powers in time to save their homeland and will Mara’s memory return so that she can fulfill her oath?
Select includes an excellent summary of Volume One, Oathtaker, which provides all the information you need to refresh your memory, or even to get you into the story of Mara, Dixon and the twins in Select, Volume 2 of The Oathtaker Series, by Patricia Reding. With a need for urgency, the plot develops quickly as all the elements of the world of Oosa are set in motion to protect against the spread of evil. The characters are well developed and quite realistic with plenty of emotional ups and downs, doubts and dilemmas. A fine balance is depicted between the need for self sufficiency and the benefits of team work, and the concept of power, good and bad, is an important issue. This is an excellent story that is part of an epic fantasy well worth reading. Another winner! I love it and can't wait for more!
Recommend this book:
 by E.P. Clark is a fantasy novel reminiscent of the classic Russian fairy tales. Slava is the younger sister of the Empress of all of Zem’ and a clairvoyant. This combination makes Slava both the most and least powerful woman in a world where women are the dominant gender. Slava...){kind=link}
The Midnight Land
Part One: The Flight (The Zemnian Trilogy Book 1)
E.P. Clark
2016 Honorable Mention
534 Pages
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Fiction - Fantasy - Epic
Reviewed by Sefina Hawke for Readers' Favorite
The Midnight Land: Part One, The Flight (The Zemnian Trilogy Book 1) by E.P. Clark is a fantasy novel reminiscent of the classic Russian fairy tales. Slava is the younger sister of the Empress of all of Zem’ and a clairvoyant. This combination makes Slava both the most and least powerful woman in a world where women are the dominant gender. Slava’s personality leads her to seek out more through escaping the Empress of all of Zem’s Kremlin in order to journey north to the Midnight Land. Slava is forced to evade ambushes and bandits as she wrestles with her clairvoyance. Is it a gift or a curse?
The Midnight Land by E.P. Clark may be a fantasy novel, but to me it seemed more like a novel of self-discovery. E.P. Clark crafted a new world between the pages, yet the book seemed to focus more on Slava’s emotional growth as she grows into a woman during her journey and begins to understand her clairvoyance. My favorite part was when Slava communicated with animals or spirits. By the end of the Midnight Land, I was left feeling glad that I had decided to read E.P. Clark’s novel.
The Midnight Land: Part One, The Flight (The Zemnian Trilogy Book 1) by E.P. Clark is a fantasy novel reminiscent of the classic Russian fairy tales. Slava is the younger sister of the Empress of all of Zem’ and a clairvoyant. This combination makes Slava both the most and least powerful woman in a world where women are the dominant gender. Slava’s personality leads her to seek out more through escaping the Empress of all of Zem’s Kremlin in order to journey north to the Midnight Land. Slava is forced to evade ambushes and bandits as she wrestles with her clairvoyance. Is it a gift or a curse?
The Midnight Land by E.P. Clark may be a fantasy novel, but to me it seemed more like a novel of self-discovery. E.P. Clark crafted a new world between the pages, yet the book seemed to focus more on Slava’s emotional growth as she grows into a woman during her journey and begins to understand her clairvoyance. My favorite part was when Slava communicated with animals or spirits. By the end of the Midnight Land, I was left feeling glad that I had decided to read E.P. Clark’s novel.
Recommend this book:
Chronicles of Ara
Creation
Joel Eisenberg,Stephen Hillard
2016 Bronze Medal
356 Pages
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Fiction - Fantasy - Epic
Reviewed by Chris Fischer for Readers' Favorite
A True Original. That is the best way I can describe Chronicles of Ara: Creation by Joel Eisenberg and Stephen Hillard. This book grabbed me from the beginning and wouldn’t let go. In this literary gem, the mysterious character “X” leads us through the dark and thought-provoking story of the very essence of creation and creativity. X tries to warn all about the one muse of art and invention, Ara, and her corrupt nature. If the muse of all human inspiration is not to be trusted, what then? Characters as varied as dragons, dragon-slayers, gods, goddesses, J.R.R Tolkien and Lewis Carroll are intertwined in this epic work and somehow the authors are able to pull this off with fascinating effect.
As a reader, I have truly never encountered a book as astounding as Chronicles of Ara: Creation. As a reviewer, I am afraid that I won’t do this book justice, either in its description or in the praise I can heap upon it. Any reader that loves fantasy would love this book. But truly, any reader who enjoys a brilliantly written, inventive and surprising book, one that is different and unpredictable, one that is astounding in its creativity and breadth, should pick up this book and read it as soon as possible. I understand that this book is the first in a planned series of eight, and I cannot wait for the next ones in the series. Joel Eisenberg and Stephen Hillard should be commended for completing this beautiful work, and I hope we see much more from this duo in the future.
A True Original. That is the best way I can describe Chronicles of Ara: Creation by Joel Eisenberg and Stephen Hillard. This book grabbed me from the beginning and wouldn’t let go. In this literary gem, the mysterious character “X” leads us through the dark and thought-provoking story of the very essence of creation and creativity. X tries to warn all about the one muse of art and invention, Ara, and her corrupt nature. If the muse of all human inspiration is not to be trusted, what then? Characters as varied as dragons, dragon-slayers, gods, goddesses, J.R.R Tolkien and Lewis Carroll are intertwined in this epic work and somehow the authors are able to pull this off with fascinating effect.
As a reader, I have truly never encountered a book as astounding as Chronicles of Ara: Creation. As a reviewer, I am afraid that I won’t do this book justice, either in its description or in the praise I can heap upon it. Any reader that loves fantasy would love this book. But truly, any reader who enjoys a brilliantly written, inventive and surprising book, one that is different and unpredictable, one that is astounding in its creativity and breadth, should pick up this book and read it as soon as possible. I understand that this book is the first in a planned series of eight, and I cannot wait for the next ones in the series. Joel Eisenberg and Stephen Hillard should be commended for completing this beautiful work, and I hope we see much more from this duo in the future.
Recommend this book:
Cara's Twelve
Chantel Seabrook
2016 Silver Medal
356 Pages
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Fiction - Fantasy - Epic
Reviewed by Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite
In Cara's Twelve by Chantal Seabrook, Cara is a young woman who lives in the province of Crowthorne, in Elbian. Here, she is forced to live her life according to a community and a belief system for which she has zero tolerance. However, her fate is bound and final. When the heir to the throne of Elbian is disfavored by the goddess Annul, Cara is the only one in the family left to rule the people of her country. Cara grudgingly accepts the fate that is forced on her.
But she cannot rule her people alone. She needs a man beside her who is approved by the council. They choose 12 men who will pledge their allegiance and strength to the queen. Cara must choose the one who is right for her people. In order to do that, Cara must visit all the twelve provinces where a ritual ceremony will be performed. Before that, Cara cannot take the throne and rule her people. But these sacred ceremonies are making her question everything she knew. There are things she comes to discover about these 12 men who have sworn to protect her life. Some of them are not who they appear to be. Can Cara make the right decision? Can she choose the man who is worthy of being called the King? Or will she suffer under the system?
Cara's Twelve was a big surprise. I'll be honest. I was ready to hate it. The story seemed to be a bit clichéd, but Chantal Seabrook surprised me. After the first chapter, I was thoroughly hooked by Cara and her story. If you think this is just a casual romance, then you will be in for a surprise. This is not your run of the mill fantasy as well. The story is gripping, the characters are well developed, and there is the perfect amount of drama, thrill and mystery to make it one of the best fantasy novels I have read. The characters are strong and you will even love the bad guys because they are written so well. Five stars for a job well done!
In Cara's Twelve by Chantal Seabrook, Cara is a young woman who lives in the province of Crowthorne, in Elbian. Here, she is forced to live her life according to a community and a belief system for which she has zero tolerance. However, her fate is bound and final. When the heir to the throne of Elbian is disfavored by the goddess Annul, Cara is the only one in the family left to rule the people of her country. Cara grudgingly accepts the fate that is forced on her.
But she cannot rule her people alone. She needs a man beside her who is approved by the council. They choose 12 men who will pledge their allegiance and strength to the queen. Cara must choose the one who is right for her people. In order to do that, Cara must visit all the twelve provinces where a ritual ceremony will be performed. Before that, Cara cannot take the throne and rule her people. But these sacred ceremonies are making her question everything she knew. There are things she comes to discover about these 12 men who have sworn to protect her life. Some of them are not who they appear to be. Can Cara make the right decision? Can she choose the man who is worthy of being called the King? Or will she suffer under the system?
Cara's Twelve was a big surprise. I'll be honest. I was ready to hate it. The story seemed to be a bit clichéd, but Chantal Seabrook surprised me. After the first chapter, I was thoroughly hooked by Cara and her story. If you think this is just a casual romance, then you will be in for a surprise. This is not your run of the mill fantasy as well. The story is gripping, the characters are well developed, and there is the perfect amount of drama, thrill and mystery to make it one of the best fantasy novels I have read. The characters are strong and you will even love the bad guys because they are written so well. Five stars for a job well done!
Recommend this book:
Dawn of Wonder
The Wakening Book 1
Jonathan Renshaw
2016 Gold Medal
715 Pages
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Fiction - Fantasy - Epic
Reviewed by Ray Simmons for Readers' Favorite
If you like epic fantasy, I mean really long, luxurious epic fantasy, a book you can lose yourself in for a while and travel to another time and place, then read Dawn of Wonder by Jonathan Renshaw and enter a world you will love and meet characters that will become old friends. Dawn of Wonder is the first book in a series called The Wakening. I am eagerly waiting for the next book in the series and I know I’m going to resent the wait. I want to step back into this world and see what Aedan, Kalry, and everyone else will do next. The characters in Dawn of Wonder are superbly rendered. Jonathan Renshaw takes his time painting them detail by detail until we feel we know them like old friends. First and foremost, for any book to be a good book it must be written well. Jonathan Renshaw writes in a style that I love. He moves the story along at a crisp pace, but at the same time pays attention to detail.
That is why, despite moving quickly, Dawn of Wonder is over seven hundred pages long. Don’t worry; there are no long boring passages. Every word is something that adds flavor, character, and tone to the story. I especially enjoyed the chapters concerning the Royal Academy. This is a coming of age tale as much as it is an adventure and young Aedan is a smart young rascal in the tradition of Tom Sawyer, and the best thing for a character like that, in my opinion, is a good dose of military training. Great world building, great characters, great writing, and a great plot that unfolds at an appropriate pace make Dawn of Wonder a must-read for the fantasy lover. Especially fantasy lovers who like to get lost in a magical, medieval world.
If you like epic fantasy, I mean really long, luxurious epic fantasy, a book you can lose yourself in for a while and travel to another time and place, then read Dawn of Wonder by Jonathan Renshaw and enter a world you will love and meet characters that will become old friends. Dawn of Wonder is the first book in a series called The Wakening. I am eagerly waiting for the next book in the series and I know I’m going to resent the wait. I want to step back into this world and see what Aedan, Kalry, and everyone else will do next. The characters in Dawn of Wonder are superbly rendered. Jonathan Renshaw takes his time painting them detail by detail until we feel we know them like old friends. First and foremost, for any book to be a good book it must be written well. Jonathan Renshaw writes in a style that I love. He moves the story along at a crisp pace, but at the same time pays attention to detail.
That is why, despite moving quickly, Dawn of Wonder is over seven hundred pages long. Don’t worry; there are no long boring passages. Every word is something that adds flavor, character, and tone to the story. I especially enjoyed the chapters concerning the Royal Academy. This is a coming of age tale as much as it is an adventure and young Aedan is a smart young rascal in the tradition of Tom Sawyer, and the best thing for a character like that, in my opinion, is a good dose of military training. Great world building, great characters, great writing, and a great plot that unfolds at an appropriate pace make Dawn of Wonder a must-read for the fantasy lover. Especially fantasy lovers who like to get lost in a magical, medieval world.
Recommend this book:
The Vagabond's Son
Prelude to a Legacy
L.F. Falconer
2015 Finalist
318 Pages
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Fiction - Fantasy - Epic
Reviewed by Trisha Dawn for Readers' Favorite
L.F. Falconer's The Vagabond's Son: Prelude to a Legacy tells the story of Adalanto and his adventures. The early years of his life were filled with darkness as he lost his mother before he could even remember memories about her. He grew up with a father who had done nothing but make his existence miserable. One day, after a violent confrontation, Adalanto was able to break free from his father. He ended up in a town called Alasdor and was soon taken in by Kenadoren and his family, despite the former's mysterious background. However, just when things were going well for him, things turned bad and he had to flee once more. Because of hopelessness brought about by being a vagabond's son, he tried to end his own life. By some divine intervention, Adalanto was stopped. A group of hunters stumbled upon him afterwards and thus began Adalanto's new adventures once again. From that time on, he was able to make great discoveries about himself and the entire kingdom.
There's as much to say as to feel about The Vagabond's Son: Prelude to A Legacy. L.F. Falconer created a very believable world and I was hooked. As I read my way through the chapters, the more I felt part of Adalanto's world. It also felt like I was actually there. I cried with him when things got rough. I cheered for him when things were on his side. My interest didn't wane right through to the end of the book. I even want to jump straight into the next novel.
In addition to that, I was impressed at how Falconer was able to introduce old social issues while coming up with a story of a magical world and its inhabitants. It may not seem like a good mix, but this one was fused harmoniously. Not only was I enjoying all of the adventure, it also made me think of how much these social issues can really affect some people in society. It made me realize that it still happens nowadays and that no matter how open or accepting we are now, there's still a lot of discrimination and judgement being thrown at everyone everywhere. After reading it, I noticed that I have become more cautious of my actions and perceptions toward others. Overall, The Vagabond's Son: Prelude to a Legacy is a must-read. This is one to watch out for.
L.F. Falconer's The Vagabond's Son: Prelude to a Legacy tells the story of Adalanto and his adventures. The early years of his life were filled with darkness as he lost his mother before he could even remember memories about her. He grew up with a father who had done nothing but make his existence miserable. One day, after a violent confrontation, Adalanto was able to break free from his father. He ended up in a town called Alasdor and was soon taken in by Kenadoren and his family, despite the former's mysterious background. However, just when things were going well for him, things turned bad and he had to flee once more. Because of hopelessness brought about by being a vagabond's son, he tried to end his own life. By some divine intervention, Adalanto was stopped. A group of hunters stumbled upon him afterwards and thus began Adalanto's new adventures once again. From that time on, he was able to make great discoveries about himself and the entire kingdom.
There's as much to say as to feel about The Vagabond's Son: Prelude to A Legacy. L.F. Falconer created a very believable world and I was hooked. As I read my way through the chapters, the more I felt part of Adalanto's world. It also felt like I was actually there. I cried with him when things got rough. I cheered for him when things were on his side. My interest didn't wane right through to the end of the book. I even want to jump straight into the next novel.
In addition to that, I was impressed at how Falconer was able to introduce old social issues while coming up with a story of a magical world and its inhabitants. It may not seem like a good mix, but this one was fused harmoniously. Not only was I enjoying all of the adventure, it also made me think of how much these social issues can really affect some people in society. It made me realize that it still happens nowadays and that no matter how open or accepting we are now, there's still a lot of discrimination and judgement being thrown at everyone everywhere. After reading it, I noticed that I have become more cautious of my actions and perceptions toward others. Overall, The Vagabond's Son: Prelude to a Legacy is a must-read. This is one to watch out for.
Recommend this book:
Not Where I Wanna Be
Sarantos
2015 Honorable Mention
320 Pages
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Fiction - Fantasy - Epic
Reviewed by Carine Engelbrecht for Readers' Favorite
How much do layers of reality make up our experience of life? In Not Where I Wanna Be, the singer Sarantos travels to the magical land of Yarrowtopia, where he learns magic from a wise and ancient wizard called Wallis, who happens to have a weakness for pizza. Here he forms another band, with an elf on keyboards and a sword hero on drums - which has certain advantages for the band, as you shall see as the story progresses. He falls in love, battles vampires, and meets an interesting cast of magical characters along the way. On another level, though, the story's quest runs parallel with that of the author, who challenges his muse to weave a cohesive narrative across multiple medias of expression.
With the creation of Not Where I Wanna Be, Sarantos undertakes the daunting task of writing a chapter and producing a song with an accompanying music video for each monthly installment. If you love music, you may find it interesting to track down each musical interpretation as you begin a new chapter, to grasp the nuances of its emotional dimensions. To realize an experimental project of this nature through seat-of-your-pants improvisation can be a courageous undertaking and that deserves merit points for innovation, regardless of the outcome.
While Sarantos is by no means a Pratchett or a Tolkien, he puts himself on the line with this book. Here and there, the work shows the beginnings of some great world building skills, although I was a little disappointed that Charity the Octopus and the dreaded Captain Fear never showed again after the first chapter. A rematch between Sarantos and the evil pirate might have been fun. Expect a lightly romantic mash-up of pop music and sword and sorcery style high fantasy. The accompanying illustrations enhance the reading experience and, if you get lost, there is a very useful index of characters towards the back of the book.
How much do layers of reality make up our experience of life? In Not Where I Wanna Be, the singer Sarantos travels to the magical land of Yarrowtopia, where he learns magic from a wise and ancient wizard called Wallis, who happens to have a weakness for pizza. Here he forms another band, with an elf on keyboards and a sword hero on drums - which has certain advantages for the band, as you shall see as the story progresses. He falls in love, battles vampires, and meets an interesting cast of magical characters along the way. On another level, though, the story's quest runs parallel with that of the author, who challenges his muse to weave a cohesive narrative across multiple medias of expression.
With the creation of Not Where I Wanna Be, Sarantos undertakes the daunting task of writing a chapter and producing a song with an accompanying music video for each monthly installment. If you love music, you may find it interesting to track down each musical interpretation as you begin a new chapter, to grasp the nuances of its emotional dimensions. To realize an experimental project of this nature through seat-of-your-pants improvisation can be a courageous undertaking and that deserves merit points for innovation, regardless of the outcome.
While Sarantos is by no means a Pratchett or a Tolkien, he puts himself on the line with this book. Here and there, the work shows the beginnings of some great world building skills, although I was a little disappointed that Charity the Octopus and the dreaded Captain Fear never showed again after the first chapter. A rematch between Sarantos and the evil pirate might have been fun. Expect a lightly romantic mash-up of pop music and sword and sorcery style high fantasy. The accompanying illustrations enhance the reading experience and, if you get lost, there is a very useful index of characters towards the back of the book.
Recommend this book:
Escape from Netherworld
David Kuklis
2015 Bronze Medal
320 Pages
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Fiction - Fantasy - Epic
Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
Escape from Netherworld is an epic fantasy work by author David Kuklis. The action centers on seven friends who enjoy a Dungeons and Dragons style role play game. Leading the pack are brothers Joe and Dave, who set off in full costume to conduct their latest game in a cave, where Dave has a romantic surprise in store for his best girl Kerri after the game. But the end of the game never arrives, as strange and supernatural circumstances transform the seven players, hurtling them into the very world they have always imagined entering. Here they become the characters for real and encounter all the wonders and dangers of epic fantasy game play for themselves.
Fans of RPG table games are sure to be sucked into the vivid description, technical details and plentiful in-references of Escape from Netherworld. There’s more than a hint of autobiographical influence from author David Kuklis who has clearly based plenty of the action on his own experiences, but I particularly enjoyed his balance of action, romance, humour and rather high-concept fantasy as the novel rolled along. It is also interesting to see the inner workings of the minds of RPG fans, in this case how the characters are actually tempted to stay in the fantasy realm rather than return to real life. Overall, I’d say that young adult and college age readers are sure to enjoy the twists and turns of the story, and older fans of D&D and similar games will likewise find Escape from Netherworld a compelling read.
Escape from Netherworld is an epic fantasy work by author David Kuklis. The action centers on seven friends who enjoy a Dungeons and Dragons style role play game. Leading the pack are brothers Joe and Dave, who set off in full costume to conduct their latest game in a cave, where Dave has a romantic surprise in store for his best girl Kerri after the game. But the end of the game never arrives, as strange and supernatural circumstances transform the seven players, hurtling them into the very world they have always imagined entering. Here they become the characters for real and encounter all the wonders and dangers of epic fantasy game play for themselves.
Fans of RPG table games are sure to be sucked into the vivid description, technical details and plentiful in-references of Escape from Netherworld. There’s more than a hint of autobiographical influence from author David Kuklis who has clearly based plenty of the action on his own experiences, but I particularly enjoyed his balance of action, romance, humour and rather high-concept fantasy as the novel rolled along. It is also interesting to see the inner workings of the minds of RPG fans, in this case how the characters are actually tempted to stay in the fantasy realm rather than return to real life. Overall, I’d say that young adult and college age readers are sure to enjoy the twists and turns of the story, and older fans of D&D and similar games will likewise find Escape from Netherworld a compelling read.
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