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.

Nice action/fantasy

This book had a pretty good pace and I really liked the voice actors accents used. I already have book 2 on pre-order!

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

Travis Baldree + Davis Ashura = MAGIC

A progressive fantasy that makes use of the existing universe of Davis Ashura's other series. The magic system is awesome, and there are nods to other others that don't distract from the story itself. If you like Cradle and/or Beginning after the end, you will enjoy this just as much. No spoilers here, just spend that credit now, its more than worth it.

Great Story

I love that Cinder was referenced. I enjoy how you the other stories always tie into the other stories.

Better and better!

This is such a great book. It’s a progressional fantasy, a little like the LITRPG genre, or cultivation style books. I love everything Anchored Worlds and I can’t wait for book 2. Of course, Travis nailed it out of the park with narration again. All of the characters that are portrayed are not cardboard cut outs. Even the side characters seem to have depth. Davis really knows how to create a great world and wonderful story that keeps you wanting to know what happens next!

4 star for now more to come

4 star so far seems like it will be good probably change it to a 5 star when more is out