Tribute at the Gates: An Epic Fantasy Saga

Catalyst, Book 1

By: C. J. Aaron

Narrated by: Travis Baldree

Cursed from birth. Forced into slavery. It's time to fight back.

The blood of the Ancients is the most coveted ingredient in all of Damaris. The fabled elixir made from it grants those who drink it life that extends far beyond natural means.

There is no higher honor in the kingdom then being granted the privilege of bidding for it. And the people found with the cursed blood? By law, they are the rightful property of the kingdom.

They are tributes.

As a boy, Ryl was sold by his family when he was discovered to have the coveted blood flowing through his veins. Broken, scared, and confused, he’s confined to an area known as the Stocks until he is ready for harvesting.

Ryl stumbles through a doomed life until the appearance of a mysterious stranger who exposes a buried version of the past that changes everything. That his blood may not be a curse, but a blessing.

The fates of all the tributes hang in the balance.

Experience the start of an epic fantasy series filled with unexpected heroes, dark magic, and nonstop adventure. Suitable for all ages, it's perfect for fans of D K. Holmberg, Will Wight, and K. F. Breene.

©2020 Aethon Books (P)2020 Aethon Audio

Promising Start

This was a promising start to a series. The premise is familiar but engaging. The characters and tribute concept were interesting enough that I’d continue listening through the series. I thought Baldtree did a great job with narration. I’d definitely listen to other works he performed.

My only gripe was the pacing. Aaron is very good at capturing all of the details in a moment, but not every moment needs every detail. I suspect that the pacing was slower in this as the origin story and initial world building. Now that all the pieces are in place I look forward to book 2.

Fun story with a solid pace throughout.

I enjoyed this book and was wanting more when it ended. I understand this is a series and am looking forward to the next book as this one definitely kept my interest throughout. The lead character is a good guy all around who's had to deal with an incredibly challenging hand that life has dealt him.

This book built a solid foundation and it will be nice to see how far the author will build upon it. Give it a listen, it's worth your time.

An enjoyable story

This is a coming of age novel not unlike others where, as a child, he was sold into servitude by seemingly indifferent parents due to his taint of arcane magic in his blood. Magic in a kingdom determined to enslave all those with magic for their own macabre purposes. However, C. J. Aaron does spend an ample amount of time providing a descent MC backstory along with well-written travails and injustices that the young protagonist and those like him have to endure while in captivity.

While, overall, I enjoyed the book, I did grow tired of the repeated and sometimes overwrought lamentations from the MC over knowing the eventual separation from those he had come to think of as family.

Travis Baldree is an absolute treasure at narrating performance and demonstrates that again with this book.

Sold by his family, transported by cage,

Every eight year old gets tested for blood of the ancients. It is not hereditary, it almost seems random. Families that have children with this blood can run. They will eventually get caught and slaughtered in front on their child. Or the family can sell the child and be set for life. Ryl is found to have the blood and is sold by his family.
All children that are found to have the blood are sent to the Stocks were they live out their lives until their harvest time. The harvest time is determined by the amount of Ancient’s blood they have. This way the rich family that bought the child can get the most of elixir from the child. It helps these families live long lives and get power.
They are called tributes. The 200+ guards are there to supposedly guard against outside threats as well as quash any rebels internally. But realistically, they are a sadistic bunch that are being punished for conduct in the regular army. They treat the children poorly and abuse them.
One day as Ryl is working he stumbles into the forest and finds the forest changing. He runs into a man he explains more about his blood and what he must do. He must inspire others since he will not leave except through the front door on his harvest day. That doesn’t sound like much to him (or the reader), but it turns out to be quite the adventure.

Unique

Totally unique premise by a new author. I know most people think there’s never anything new but this one was unlike anything I’ve heard. Baldree nails it with narration as well.