Blood of a Novice

The Eternal Ephemera, Book 1

By: Davis Ashura

Narrated by: Travis Baldree

Length: 21 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

Cam Folde will shake the very fabric of creation... or see all his hopes turn to ash.

The son of the town drunk, Cam never figured on letting his family name hold him down. He always strove to dream bigger, to fight for something better, to achieve more than what everyone else expected of him.

But, as they say, “once a Folde, always a Folde,” and when a decision to rescue a friend leads to disaster, fortune’s favor is lost. Cam spirals away from his dreams and ambitions; his fall finally ending at the bottom of a bottle.

But all hope is not lost. Cam rises, supported by family and friends. And when a powerful Master of Ephemera offers him a chance to walk the Way into Divinity and achieve redemption, Cam seizes the opportunity.

All he has to do is survive the Ephemeral Academy, the very school where the next generation of Masters are trained. There, Cam just might achieve the greatness he's always sought, and with friends at his side, including an irrepressible Awakened panda, it even seems possible.

But Cam will soon discover that the Way into Divinity is as steep as it is arduous, and there are more fearsome things than humans who brave its perilous climb...

©2022 Davis Ashura (P)2022 Podium Audio

I had fun

So this isn’t the best written fantasy. But it wasn’t actively bad. It was fun. Part of this was the two main characters (Pan and Cam) have names that sound very similar.

The end dragged out a bit, but it is very clear it is acting as world-building and the first part of a series. I’ll be getting another of his books, so take that for what it is.

pretty good, no complaints.

I liked it alot and think it's a good start to a good series

Fun and Interesting

Story evolved without being wordy or boring. Character interactions are well done. Ending leaves you wanting more.

Great book!

Another great addition to the Anchored Worlds! Loved it and can’t wait until the next!

Good

I enjoyed it. Can’t say anything else bout that I’m just typing cause they keeping wanting words

Love it

This story is fenomenal and Travis Baldree is yet again also fenomenal. Looking forward to the next release

Was initially disappointed

I was initially disappointed when Nick Podehl wasn’t the narrator. Travis Baldree did an amazing job. Another great read/listen from Davis Ashura.

Excellent Story, Perhaps a little too much fast forwarding.

This book reminds me of Drew Hayes and Will Wight. The characters are interesting and you can see yourself with them as the story progresses. Would have enjoyed a bit more time with them, there were parts where it felt as if the story moved on too quickly. Overall very enjoyable.

between B+ and A-

1ST off Travis Baldree is one of the best Narrators I have ever listened too. So I have no complaints there. I like Nick Poehdel a lot as well, but I am good with the switch. They both perform really good.
The book has a lot of potential and I can see how it would get better. I like the fact that the story plays with your emotions a little bit. I was trying to understand how they do cultivation. The author hits good points and even tries to make up new levels etc... This is going to be a very good series. I need to go back and listen to the other stories bc I am losing understanding of all the different divinities. hahaha. Except for Rook and Jisera. Those books are classics for sure
***SPOILERS***
Yes it could be better. Cam has a good group and they are winners. I like that alot. I don't understand Weald or however you spell his name. It seems like the author is setting him up for something bad. LOL. I can see him turning traitor or dying. Cam just doesn't like him at all, and that whole situation is weird. Either cut him off or actually give him a shot of being a friend. You are asking for betrayal.
Cam likes the sage, but allows Sira to talk about him. Just be honest and tell her how you feel about the Sage and why you feel that way. that was bothering me. I mean it could be wrong completely, but stick up for you friends. Not really a big issue to many probably, but thought I would throw that in there. LOL
Please let him get back at the town that punished him. PLEASE PLEASE. maybe bring Charity along to his home town and she actually starts having feeling for Cam. Then he can rub it in the mayor's daughter face. hehehe. please let him do something petty to that town. They deserve it for sure.
Book is definitely worth a credit. I don't want to give to much, just take the dive and see.

Great side read

The story is good but the character development is very intriguing. Especially the fact that the main character is drowned in adversity especially alcoholism. Travis gives very good depth to the voices and the Indian filled ideals give a fresh walk to the cultivator trend. My main issues deal more with how little the main group acts with big problems and how everything is on the main character making him a bit to super human when all others of the same position are a little lacking but it isn't a story killer since he get through with smarts more than anything which gives a bit more realism yo fight as there more based on tactics. Very enjoyable