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Recommend this book:
99 Days
Keith Ward
2017 Honorable Mention
Kindle Edition
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Fiction - Fantasy - General
Reviewed by Faridah Nassozi for Readers' Favorite
In Keith Ward's 99 Days, proxying is a barbaric act practiced in Slypht where one person is sacrificed so another gets to live longer. The best proxies are considered to be kids below one year as they still have a longer and better life left. Those who wish to live longer pay huge sums for such babies, or obtain them in any other way possible. When Kertram rushes back home to find his entire village slain and all the kids below one year - including his month-old triplets - abducted, he knows the cruel fate that awaits them. In agreement with his wife's dying wish, and with just one ally by his side, Kertram sets off on the impossible task to rescue his kids from the soldiers and from guaranteed death. With deep sorrow in his heart and immense determination, he is ready to do the impossible, but first he will have to travel across villages, forests, mountains and towns, and survive the endless dangers that lurk around every corner. Kertram has exactly 61 days to get his babies back or it will be too late.
Keith Ward's 99 Days is a most captivating fantasy tale and an incredible portrayal of a parent's determination to do whatever it takes to save his children. In Slypht, Keith Ward created an amazing and memorable world, and a perfect setting for this incredible fantasy tale. His writing effortlessly captures moments and emotions to make the story an exciting and flawless read. The characters, the way of life, and the setting all blend together perfectly to bring this thrilling tale to life. Fans of fiction fantasy will definitely enjoy this gripping race against time across Slypht; Kertram's pain will touch your soul and his determination will inspire you. Thank you, Keith Ward, for one of the most outstanding fantasy novels I have ever read.
In Keith Ward's 99 Days, proxying is a barbaric act practiced in Slypht where one person is sacrificed so another gets to live longer. The best proxies are considered to be kids below one year as they still have a longer and better life left. Those who wish to live longer pay huge sums for such babies, or obtain them in any other way possible. When Kertram rushes back home to find his entire village slain and all the kids below one year - including his month-old triplets - abducted, he knows the cruel fate that awaits them. In agreement with his wife's dying wish, and with just one ally by his side, Kertram sets off on the impossible task to rescue his kids from the soldiers and from guaranteed death. With deep sorrow in his heart and immense determination, he is ready to do the impossible, but first he will have to travel across villages, forests, mountains and towns, and survive the endless dangers that lurk around every corner. Kertram has exactly 61 days to get his babies back or it will be too late.
Keith Ward's 99 Days is a most captivating fantasy tale and an incredible portrayal of a parent's determination to do whatever it takes to save his children. In Slypht, Keith Ward created an amazing and memorable world, and a perfect setting for this incredible fantasy tale. His writing effortlessly captures moments and emotions to make the story an exciting and flawless read. The characters, the way of life, and the setting all blend together perfectly to bring this thrilling tale to life. Fans of fiction fantasy will definitely enjoy this gripping race against time across Slypht; Kertram's pain will touch your soul and his determination will inspire you. Thank you, Keith Ward, for one of the most outstanding fantasy novels I have ever read.
Recommend this book:
The Last Bucelarii
Book 2: Lament of the Fallen
Andy Peloquin
2017 Finalist
338 Pages
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Fiction - Fantasy - General
Reviewed by Samantha Dewitt (Rivera) for Readers' Favorite
The Hunter seeks only to live as normal a life as possible, but with demons haunting him everywhere he goes such a life is beyond him. With Soulhunger and the demon to lead him, there is little that he can do but kill again and again, bringing himself to a chaos and a hatred that has led him to nearly take his own life. But when he meets Sir Danna and Visibos, he’s certain he can hide the part of himself that wants to kill, at least, until they discover who he is. Now he’s on a hunt to find that which is his and to protect himself and maybe the rest of humanity from the demons that seek to destroy them all, but is it even possible? Between Bardin and the others, he’ll have to find a way to overcome the power that has controlled him for as long as he can remember - but will he succeed in The Last Bucelarii: Lament of the Fallen (Book 2) by Andy Peloquin?
This book is filled with a whole lot of action and adventure. You feel like you know where things are going and what’s going to happen and then it turns things around. Even though The Hunter isn’t a ‘good guy,’ you still feel like you’re rooting for him to succeed the whole way and you’re hoping that he’ll overcome what’s holding him back and find the woman that he’s seeking from his dreams. It’s an intriguing book and there are plenty of interesting characters, from Aspos and Bardin to Sir Danna and Visibos and, of course, The Hunter himself. Lament of the Fallen is definitely a book for anyone who likes plenty of action and violence in what they read.
The Hunter seeks only to live as normal a life as possible, but with demons haunting him everywhere he goes such a life is beyond him. With Soulhunger and the demon to lead him, there is little that he can do but kill again and again, bringing himself to a chaos and a hatred that has led him to nearly take his own life. But when he meets Sir Danna and Visibos, he’s certain he can hide the part of himself that wants to kill, at least, until they discover who he is. Now he’s on a hunt to find that which is his and to protect himself and maybe the rest of humanity from the demons that seek to destroy them all, but is it even possible? Between Bardin and the others, he’ll have to find a way to overcome the power that has controlled him for as long as he can remember - but will he succeed in The Last Bucelarii: Lament of the Fallen (Book 2) by Andy Peloquin?
This book is filled with a whole lot of action and adventure. You feel like you know where things are going and what’s going to happen and then it turns things around. Even though The Hunter isn’t a ‘good guy,’ you still feel like you’re rooting for him to succeed the whole way and you’re hoping that he’ll overcome what’s holding him back and find the woman that he’s seeking from his dreams. It’s an intriguing book and there are plenty of interesting characters, from Aspos and Bardin to Sir Danna and Visibos and, of course, The Hunter himself. Lament of the Fallen is definitely a book for anyone who likes plenty of action and violence in what they read.
Recommend this book:
The Ill-kept Oath
CC Aune
2017 Finalist
416 Pages
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Fiction - Fantasy - General
Reviewed by Liz Konkel for Readers' Favorite
The Ill-Kept Oath by C.C. Aune is the story of two young women in 1819 England; Lady Josephine Weston and Prudence Fairfeather. Josephine fears she'll always be known as an immature child, and be forever confined to her country home, but her summer begins to look up with the arrival of soldiers with the unusual request to camp out in the yard. When she discovers a trunk of her mother's that contains a female soldier uniform and pistols, she discovers more than heirlooms, but a mystery. Does it have anything to do with the supposed beasts the soldiers are hunting? Meanwhile, Prudence is spending her summer in London with Aunt Amelia, dreaming that one day she'll marry for love. She finds herself with two baffling mysteries: a dashing heroic gentleman, and objects of her mother's called Talismans. Through letter correspondences, they work to unravel the secrets of their pasts.
C.C. Aune captured the tone of the time period perfectly from the prose to the dialogue. It helped bring me into the time of the story, which allowed for a better understanding of Josephine and Prudence. It's not a crazy idea now to marry for love, but wanting to do that in 1819 showed how headstrong Prudence is, which made me like her from the start. Josephine is also an independent woman who doesn't let her cousin Edward push her around, and even goes about trying to reclaim the house from him, and learning to fence. There's several fantasy elements to it, but it's subdued, and instead the story is driven by the characters. The Ill-Kept Oath is charming, delightful, with some romance, humor, and adventure. I didn't want it to end!
The Ill-Kept Oath by C.C. Aune is the story of two young women in 1819 England; Lady Josephine Weston and Prudence Fairfeather. Josephine fears she'll always be known as an immature child, and be forever confined to her country home, but her summer begins to look up with the arrival of soldiers with the unusual request to camp out in the yard. When she discovers a trunk of her mother's that contains a female soldier uniform and pistols, she discovers more than heirlooms, but a mystery. Does it have anything to do with the supposed beasts the soldiers are hunting? Meanwhile, Prudence is spending her summer in London with Aunt Amelia, dreaming that one day she'll marry for love. She finds herself with two baffling mysteries: a dashing heroic gentleman, and objects of her mother's called Talismans. Through letter correspondences, they work to unravel the secrets of their pasts.
C.C. Aune captured the tone of the time period perfectly from the prose to the dialogue. It helped bring me into the time of the story, which allowed for a better understanding of Josephine and Prudence. It's not a crazy idea now to marry for love, but wanting to do that in 1819 showed how headstrong Prudence is, which made me like her from the start. Josephine is also an independent woman who doesn't let her cousin Edward push her around, and even goes about trying to reclaim the house from him, and learning to fence. There's several fantasy elements to it, but it's subdued, and instead the story is driven by the characters. The Ill-Kept Oath is charming, delightful, with some romance, humor, and adventure. I didn't want it to end!
Recommend this book:
Daughter of Destiny
Book 1 of Guinevere's Tale
Nicole Evelina
2016 Gold Medal
326 Pages
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Fiction - Fantasy - General
Reviewed by Sandra Masters for Readers' Favorite
Daughter of Destiny by Nicole Evelina is well written in first person, and captured my interest with a unique prologue, a simple one paragraph, that made me want to read more about a woman I thought readers of Arthurian legends knew all about. Was Guinevere a sinner or a saint -- or a lovely combination of both? Evelina took a different aspect of Gwen's life than we've been told from other authors. We are introduced to Gwen when she is sent to Avalon to become a pagan priestess at the age of eleven. At age fifteen, because of a tragic circumstance, she is sent back to the family who were strangers to her and the pagan faith of her mother. This faith clashes with Christianity. By chance, she is introduced to the new High King Arthur, a Christian, and her life changes forever when she has to abandon the man she truly loved for four years to marry another.
Daughter of Destiny, Book 1 of Guinevere's Tale, is written in lyrical prose and deposits you right in the middle of medieval times. The writing is fast paced, historically correct for the era, and a page turner. I sympathized with the character whom fictional history buffs branded a lustful harlot because of circumstances that were thrust upon this intelligent, high spirited and delightful woman. Great twist at the end. Evelina's 15 years of research are a powerful addition to a fantastic read. Can't wait for Book Two. Prepare to embrace Guinevere. I feel privileged to have read this outstanding novel by a great writer.
Daughter of Destiny by Nicole Evelina is well written in first person, and captured my interest with a unique prologue, a simple one paragraph, that made me want to read more about a woman I thought readers of Arthurian legends knew all about. Was Guinevere a sinner or a saint -- or a lovely combination of both? Evelina took a different aspect of Gwen's life than we've been told from other authors. We are introduced to Gwen when she is sent to Avalon to become a pagan priestess at the age of eleven. At age fifteen, because of a tragic circumstance, she is sent back to the family who were strangers to her and the pagan faith of her mother. This faith clashes with Christianity. By chance, she is introduced to the new High King Arthur, a Christian, and her life changes forever when she has to abandon the man she truly loved for four years to marry another.
Daughter of Destiny, Book 1 of Guinevere's Tale, is written in lyrical prose and deposits you right in the middle of medieval times. The writing is fast paced, historically correct for the era, and a page turner. I sympathized with the character whom fictional history buffs branded a lustful harlot because of circumstances that were thrust upon this intelligent, high spirited and delightful woman. Great twist at the end. Evelina's 15 years of research are a powerful addition to a fantastic read. Can't wait for Book Two. Prepare to embrace Guinevere. I feel privileged to have read this outstanding novel by a great writer.
Recommend this book:
Depravity
A Beauty and the Beast Novel (A Beastly Tale Book 1)
M.J. Haag
2016 Silver Medal
238 Pages
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Fiction - Fantasy - General
Reviewed by Tracy A. Fischer for Readers' Favorite
In Depravity: A Beauty and the Beast Novel, the first book in the Beastly Tale series by author M.J. Haag, we are immersed in an amazing retelling of the classic fairy tale, Beauty and the Beast. Follow the story of the lovely Benella, a young woman born into a poor family. Her main concerns in life are trying to find food to help her family to survive and trying to stay away from the town bullies who have seemingly made it their life's focus to torment her. Her main concerns, that is, until she is hunting for the best wild fruits available in the village, located next to a mysterious estate rumored to be inhabited by a wild beast. The town bullies find her and lock her behind the gates. From that point forward, Benella's life will never be the same.
I very much enjoyed Depravity. Author M.J. Haag has done a fantastic job in retelling a beloved fairy tale that is pretty much known by all in a very unique and intriguing way. That is certainly no small feat, to say the least. Well-written, well-paced, fun, exciting, romantic and suspenseful, Depravity is a book that would appeal to any reader who enjoys fantasy, romance, suspense, fairy tales, or just a plain good work of fiction. I am so happy to highly recommend Depravity, and I am so looking forward to reading the next two installments in the Beastly Tales series. This was the first book that I've read by author M.J. Haag, but it certainly will not be the last!
In Depravity: A Beauty and the Beast Novel, the first book in the Beastly Tale series by author M.J. Haag, we are immersed in an amazing retelling of the classic fairy tale, Beauty and the Beast. Follow the story of the lovely Benella, a young woman born into a poor family. Her main concerns in life are trying to find food to help her family to survive and trying to stay away from the town bullies who have seemingly made it their life's focus to torment her. Her main concerns, that is, until she is hunting for the best wild fruits available in the village, located next to a mysterious estate rumored to be inhabited by a wild beast. The town bullies find her and lock her behind the gates. From that point forward, Benella's life will never be the same.
I very much enjoyed Depravity. Author M.J. Haag has done a fantastic job in retelling a beloved fairy tale that is pretty much known by all in a very unique and intriguing way. That is certainly no small feat, to say the least. Well-written, well-paced, fun, exciting, romantic and suspenseful, Depravity is a book that would appeal to any reader who enjoys fantasy, romance, suspense, fairy tales, or just a plain good work of fiction. I am so happy to highly recommend Depravity, and I am so looking forward to reading the next two installments in the Beastly Tales series. This was the first book that I've read by author M.J. Haag, but it certainly will not be the last!
Recommend this book:
A Fine Line
The Beginning
JC Brennan
2016 Bronze Medal
500 Pages
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Fiction - Fantasy - General
Reviewed by Lit Amri for Readers' Favorite
“William’s life would change forever on the 27th of May — an unusually hot day in Georgia. The monumental events that were about to begin would last through generations. William and his family would never forget the powers that be and the powers of the unknown throughout time. It was a powerful force at work, one William did not fully understand at the time and would come to love and hate. This day in 1864 in the battle known as 'The Crime at Pickett’s Mill' it all began…”
A Fine Line: The Beginning by JC Brennan is a fantasy story laced with paranormal elements. The Crew – Union soldier William, Fillmore, Brimmount, Buckner, husband and wife Tyrone and Cecil – is a group bonded by fate. Each of them has a special ability; Tyrone has a gift of healing touch and Cecil is a clairvoyant, and the others also develop their own ‘power’ as the story progresses.
The setting is well described; I can easily imagine and hear in my mind the brutal and frenzied war, the hospital filled with wounded soldiers, the travelling wagon, the gunshots and more. The narrative is straightforward and easy to read. The characters are sufficiently complex, well-written, and their relationships have enough depth. For my part, I find the pace is moderate as each of the character's back story is explained. All the same, Brennan gives readers a unique premise by combining fantasy and paranormal factors. Simply put, this is a solid work and a good start for the series.
“William’s life would change forever on the 27th of May — an unusually hot day in Georgia. The monumental events that were about to begin would last through generations. William and his family would never forget the powers that be and the powers of the unknown throughout time. It was a powerful force at work, one William did not fully understand at the time and would come to love and hate. This day in 1864 in the battle known as 'The Crime at Pickett’s Mill' it all began…”
A Fine Line: The Beginning by JC Brennan is a fantasy story laced with paranormal elements. The Crew – Union soldier William, Fillmore, Brimmount, Buckner, husband and wife Tyrone and Cecil – is a group bonded by fate. Each of them has a special ability; Tyrone has a gift of healing touch and Cecil is a clairvoyant, and the others also develop their own ‘power’ as the story progresses.
The setting is well described; I can easily imagine and hear in my mind the brutal and frenzied war, the hospital filled with wounded soldiers, the travelling wagon, the gunshots and more. The narrative is straightforward and easy to read. The characters are sufficiently complex, well-written, and their relationships have enough depth. For my part, I find the pace is moderate as each of the character's back story is explained. All the same, Brennan gives readers a unique premise by combining fantasy and paranormal factors. Simply put, this is a solid work and a good start for the series.
Recommend this book:
The Grey Eyed Storm
The Occuli, Book One
Christie M. Stenzel
2016 Bronze Medal
Kindle Edition
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Fiction - Fantasy - General
Reviewed by Rosie Malezer for Readers' Favorite
The Grey Eyed Storm by Christie Stenzel is the first book in the Occuli series. Remy Verbetta had been just twelve years old when her mother, Emmery, had taken her own life. Her nine-year-old sister, Makayla, had vanished without a trace soon after. On her eighteenth birthday, Remy is not only given a necklace which her mother had always worn, but also discovers (after sleepwalking to her mother’s grave) that she is one of the seven varieties of Occuli, easily identifiable by eye color, each with a variety of powers which can affect others as well as the elements around them. As an additional birthday gift, Remy receives a bodyguard from her cousin, Ruby, in the form of a boy, Zias, whom Remy had been having dreams about for quite some time. At school, Remy finally meets the new boy in town, Drake Cook, and cannot help but be startled by his eyes; it is never good to know that a Reaper has arrived. Unable to determine whether Drake is good or evil, and trying to decipher her mother’s and her grandmother’s memories, Remy finds herself in a race against time to figure out who she can trust in order to save her kind from obliteration.
Without a doubt, The Grey Eyed Storm is one of the most in-depth and entertaining paranormal books I have ever read. Christie Stenzel’s introduction to the Occuli series leaves me desperately wanting more and I look forward to reading the rest of the series when it is released. Living in a spiraling world of heartache after her mother and sister are both gone, the main character discovers on her eighteenth birthday that nothing in life is what she thought it to be. As her powers come into effect and she finds out who and what she truly is, Remy spins through a pinwheel of emotions that strike without warning, making her wonder whether or not she is going crazy. Each of the characters is well-written and brings an important element to the story as a whole, whether good or evil. I fully enjoyed The Grey-Eyed Storm and recommend it to all die-hard lovers of the paranormal who enjoy mystery, humor, romance, adventure and excitement in a mind-bending tale of magic which eclipses all others.
The Grey Eyed Storm by Christie Stenzel is the first book in the Occuli series. Remy Verbetta had been just twelve years old when her mother, Emmery, had taken her own life. Her nine-year-old sister, Makayla, had vanished without a trace soon after. On her eighteenth birthday, Remy is not only given a necklace which her mother had always worn, but also discovers (after sleepwalking to her mother’s grave) that she is one of the seven varieties of Occuli, easily identifiable by eye color, each with a variety of powers which can affect others as well as the elements around them. As an additional birthday gift, Remy receives a bodyguard from her cousin, Ruby, in the form of a boy, Zias, whom Remy had been having dreams about for quite some time. At school, Remy finally meets the new boy in town, Drake Cook, and cannot help but be startled by his eyes; it is never good to know that a Reaper has arrived. Unable to determine whether Drake is good or evil, and trying to decipher her mother’s and her grandmother’s memories, Remy finds herself in a race against time to figure out who she can trust in order to save her kind from obliteration.
Without a doubt, The Grey Eyed Storm is one of the most in-depth and entertaining paranormal books I have ever read. Christie Stenzel’s introduction to the Occuli series leaves me desperately wanting more and I look forward to reading the rest of the series when it is released. Living in a spiraling world of heartache after her mother and sister are both gone, the main character discovers on her eighteenth birthday that nothing in life is what she thought it to be. As her powers come into effect and she finds out who and what she truly is, Remy spins through a pinwheel of emotions that strike without warning, making her wonder whether or not she is going crazy. Each of the characters is well-written and brings an important element to the story as a whole, whether good or evil. I fully enjoyed The Grey-Eyed Storm and recommend it to all die-hard lovers of the paranormal who enjoy mystery, humor, romance, adventure and excitement in a mind-bending tale of magic which eclipses all others.
Recommend this book:
 by John Patrick Kennedy uses facts taken from the New Testament of the Christian Holy Bible. However, it is a fantasy so time is measured in eons not a mere two thousand years. Nyx, a fallen angel, was banished to Hell, where she fought for supremacy to become its queen. Later, trapped on Earth, she falls in ...){kind=link}
Plague of Angels
The Descended Book 1
John Patrick Kennedy
2016 Honorable Mention
358 Pages
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Fiction - Fantasy - General
Reviewed by Sarah Stuart for Readers' Favorite
Plague of Angels (The Descended Book 1) by John Patrick Kennedy uses facts taken from the New Testament of the Christian Holy Bible. However, it is a fantasy so time is measured in eons not a mere two thousand years. Nyx, a fallen angel, was banished to Hell, where she fought for supremacy to become its queen. Later, trapped on Earth, she falls in love with the disillusioned Son of God; “Father, why have You forsaken me” expresses his feelings. For Him, Nyx initiates a thousand-year reign of terror; she uses sex, violence and betrayal to force mankind to worship her. He has promised her a paradise on Earth if she succeeds, but her lover has plans even she, with all her magical powers, fails to foresee.
Irreverent and blasphemous are the words that came to mind while reading the prologue of Plague of Angels (The Descended Book 1) by John Patrick Kennedy, followed by dramatic, powerful, and, when I caught my breath at the end of chapter one enough to think, it would make a marvelous movie. God’s son resisting temptation in the desert is incredible; the crucifixion scene surpasses it, and anything recorded in the Bible. This is what the human eye is incapable of seeing; the ascent of His spirit to heaven, set against darkness and storm as the elemental forces of nature are controlled by the Almighty. Prepare to be shocked to the core, Christian or not. Plague of Angels is the most gripping paranormal fantasy I have ever read.
Plague of Angels (The Descended Book 1) by John Patrick Kennedy uses facts taken from the New Testament of the Christian Holy Bible. However, it is a fantasy so time is measured in eons not a mere two thousand years. Nyx, a fallen angel, was banished to Hell, where she fought for supremacy to become its queen. Later, trapped on Earth, she falls in love with the disillusioned Son of God; “Father, why have You forsaken me” expresses his feelings. For Him, Nyx initiates a thousand-year reign of terror; she uses sex, violence and betrayal to force mankind to worship her. He has promised her a paradise on Earth if she succeeds, but her lover has plans even she, with all her magical powers, fails to foresee.
Irreverent and blasphemous are the words that came to mind while reading the prologue of Plague of Angels (The Descended Book 1) by John Patrick Kennedy, followed by dramatic, powerful, and, when I caught my breath at the end of chapter one enough to think, it would make a marvelous movie. God’s son resisting temptation in the desert is incredible; the crucifixion scene surpasses it, and anything recorded in the Bible. This is what the human eye is incapable of seeing; the ascent of His spirit to heaven, set against darkness and storm as the elemental forces of nature are controlled by the Almighty. Prepare to be shocked to the core, Christian or not. Plague of Angels is the most gripping paranormal fantasy I have ever read.
Recommend this book:
Primeval Origins
Paths of Anguish (2nd Edition)
B.A. Vonsik
2016 Finalist
Kindle Edition
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Fiction - Fantasy - General
Reviewed by Lee Ashford for Readers' Favorite
Primeval Origins: Paths of Anguish by Brett Vonsik is, I fervently hope, volume 1 of at least a trilogy. Vonsik begins Primeval Origins on a Bolivian archaeological dig, where the fossilized skeleton of the largest known example of a prehistoric carnivore on Earth has been found. But something is amiss. Unnaturally linear cuts appear on several rib bones. Inexplicably, the massive skull of the predator has been penetrated by a sword, which still remains in place! In short order several unhappy events occur, wreaking havoc on the team of scientists. Thus ends the prologue. We do not encounter these folks again until the epilogue. Between those two accounts, we are transported to a fascinating world in which a somewhat primitive civilization coexists with large, dangerous animals freely roaming the Wilds. Many of these animals, if not all, seem to be dinosaurs. The bulk of the book is spent watching over the shoulders of the residents of this world as they battle monstrous carnivores and corrupt government officials. You will join young Rogaan on his quest to save his father and his best friends’ parents. The tale is more than riveting; it will transfix you.
Primeval Origins features a meticulously detailed world, crafted wholly from the author’s imagination. The society inhabiting the world is painstakingly described and altogether convincing in its many dealings. Vonsik has created a world full of intrigue, danger, magic and heroism. His scrupulous attention to seemingly innocuous detail has yielded a rich tapestry of believable realism on his unnamed planet, perfectly suited to hosting the account of Rogaan’s pursuit. Primeval Origins will get into your blood, and you will not want to put it down before reaching the final page. Then, you will feel a bit of panic as you realize you must wait until Vonsik completes the sequel before you can learn the fates of the various players in this saga. Primeval Origins is, in a word, outstanding. I urge all interested parties to purchase and read this mesmerizing story, and then post your reviews, so we can encourage the author to continue writing sequels to this engaging tale.
Primeval Origins: Paths of Anguish by Brett Vonsik is, I fervently hope, volume 1 of at least a trilogy. Vonsik begins Primeval Origins on a Bolivian archaeological dig, where the fossilized skeleton of the largest known example of a prehistoric carnivore on Earth has been found. But something is amiss. Unnaturally linear cuts appear on several rib bones. Inexplicably, the massive skull of the predator has been penetrated by a sword, which still remains in place! In short order several unhappy events occur, wreaking havoc on the team of scientists. Thus ends the prologue. We do not encounter these folks again until the epilogue. Between those two accounts, we are transported to a fascinating world in which a somewhat primitive civilization coexists with large, dangerous animals freely roaming the Wilds. Many of these animals, if not all, seem to be dinosaurs. The bulk of the book is spent watching over the shoulders of the residents of this world as they battle monstrous carnivores and corrupt government officials. You will join young Rogaan on his quest to save his father and his best friends’ parents. The tale is more than riveting; it will transfix you.
Primeval Origins features a meticulously detailed world, crafted wholly from the author’s imagination. The society inhabiting the world is painstakingly described and altogether convincing in its many dealings. Vonsik has created a world full of intrigue, danger, magic and heroism. His scrupulous attention to seemingly innocuous detail has yielded a rich tapestry of believable realism on his unnamed planet, perfectly suited to hosting the account of Rogaan’s pursuit. Primeval Origins will get into your blood, and you will not want to put it down before reaching the final page. Then, you will feel a bit of panic as you realize you must wait until Vonsik completes the sequel before you can learn the fates of the various players in this saga. Primeval Origins is, in a word, outstanding. I urge all interested parties to purchase and read this mesmerizing story, and then post your reviews, so we can encourage the author to continue writing sequels to this engaging tale.
Recommend this book:
Inheritance
Wizards of Seattle Book 1
John O'Riley
2016 Finalist
Kindle Edition
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Fiction - Fantasy - General
Reviewed by Tracy Slowiak for Readers' Favorite
In a great new book by prolific author John O'Riley, Inheritance, Book One of the Wizards of Seattle Series, readers will be treated to a true adventure! Follow the story of Jason, a category 3 wizard, who's been out of a job for quite some time. Desperate to find work, Jason's unusual talent of being able to read the energy which lingers after an event has occurred brings him to the attention of a police department, and a potential job in using his ability to help solve crimes. He, his brother, and his cousin have also inherited a mansion, but in order to have complete ownership of the place, they must live there together for ten years. A lot happens to Jason and his compatriots, and this story will keep readers on their toes from the start to the very end.
I so enjoyed Inheritance. This was a fun story line and a very readable book. There are great characterizations, great fantastical elements set in a modern day society, and great use of magic and wizardry in a fun and interesting way. Readers who enjoy a fast paced read filled with action, magic, a bit of mystery, and a whole lot of fun would very much enjoy Inheritance. I am pleased to recommend this book to any such reader. I am certainly looking forward to reading more of this highly entertaining series as soon as possible, and hope that author John O'Riley is already hard at work on his next effort, even as I write!
In a great new book by prolific author John O'Riley, Inheritance, Book One of the Wizards of Seattle Series, readers will be treated to a true adventure! Follow the story of Jason, a category 3 wizard, who's been out of a job for quite some time. Desperate to find work, Jason's unusual talent of being able to read the energy which lingers after an event has occurred brings him to the attention of a police department, and a potential job in using his ability to help solve crimes. He, his brother, and his cousin have also inherited a mansion, but in order to have complete ownership of the place, they must live there together for ten years. A lot happens to Jason and his compatriots, and this story will keep readers on their toes from the start to the very end.
I so enjoyed Inheritance. This was a fun story line and a very readable book. There are great characterizations, great fantastical elements set in a modern day society, and great use of magic and wizardry in a fun and interesting way. Readers who enjoy a fast paced read filled with action, magic, a bit of mystery, and a whole lot of fun would very much enjoy Inheritance. I am pleased to recommend this book to any such reader. I am certainly looking forward to reading more of this highly entertaining series as soon as possible, and hope that author John O'Riley is already hard at work on his next effort, even as I write!
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