Forebodings

Conquerors of K’Tara, Book 1

By: L.A. Di Paolo

Narrated by: Adam R Watson

Length: 19 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's Summary

A missing king. An ancient monster. One son must rise up to save their planet. 

Planet K’Tara, 5000 AD. High Prince Aithen thought he had years of freedom before he'd have to take the throne. But when his father fails to return from a secret mission, the prince must learn the ropes quickly before a long-forgotten creature destroys the kingdom. And that terrifying monster is just a harbinger of what's to come....

While his younger brother searches for the missing king, Aithen must move his people to safety and prepare for battle. As he uncovers the truth of things, the prince fears he may have to go to war with a god himself, and with the help of the mystical Elyana - a member of the Sisterhood of Light - he works to gather answers before the enemy strikes again. If he fails, death will meet him, those he loves, and his people....

Forebodings is the first book in the exhilarating Conquerors of K'Tara fantasy series. If you like ancient gods, nightmarish monsters, and imaginative storytelling that blurs the line between fantasy and science fiction, then you’ll love L.A. Di Paolo’s out-of-this-world novel. 

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio. 

©2017 Libero Antonio Di Paolo (P)2018 Libero Antonio Di Paolo

The Stats

Take Away- Forbodings is an epic fantasy story that attempts to combine all the necessary ingredients for an excellent story. While had some very interesting elements and had the potential to be truly great, it was unable to bring these together in a way that truly achieved this end. For the author's first book this is really good, meaning that if the author sticks with writing he could easily become one of the greats. (3 stars)

Plot- The plot, simply speaking, does not pull you into the story. In many cases, it seemed to be sacrificed for the sake of worldbuilding which led to the climax of the book being underwhelming. (2 stars)

<b>Characters -</b> The characters were engaging and often enjoyable. Overall they were well written and while lacking in some complexity, this will likely improve in future books. (3 stars)

Storytelling – The author's style is slow paced, broad-stroked and can sometimes seem scattered. (3 stars)

World Building – This world is massive, unique, vibrant, and utterly fascinating. It seems that a page doesn't turn without discovering more of this remarkable place. (4.5 stars)

Magic – The magic system in this book is interesting and complex. I did find it frustrating that how the magic works and what it can do was still unclear after finishing the book, however, I realize that this may be done for a purpose.

I received this title for free in exchange for an unbiased review

Morality rating- Some violence.

There is a lot going on in here.

So there is a kingdom with knights and mages. There are magical monsters. There is political intrigue. There might be aliens but I can't be entirely sure. There was mention of technology. There is a lot going on in this book and you must hear it because you will not believe it until you hear it and once you hear it you will be hooked and you can thank me later.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Unique

This audio revolves around a prince fighting against an otherworldly foe and cultural boundaries.
Intense with alot of action and mind games. I found it to be interesting and unique. Though at times I was a little overwhelmed keeping up with all the characters.
This audio was given to me free, and I voluntarily gave this review.

Forebodings

Very good beginning to a series. I was almost 3 hrs into the book before looking at the clock. The narrator did a good job with all of the characters. I received this audio book for free through Audiobook Boom for my unbiased review.

Interesting world

This is the first book I’ve read/listened to by this author and I would listen to another.
I enjoyed the world he has created. The use of magic was interesting. The creatures he has imagined are recognizable yet different.
The book makes an obvious lead into the next one, but is not an uncomfortable cliff hanger.

This is the first book I’ve listened to by this narrator ( Adam R Watson ) and I would listen to another. He had a good pace and diction. The character voices were distinct. He did well bringing out the action or feel of each chapter.

There are no explicit sex scenes, excessive violence or swearing.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and voluntarily left this unbiased review.
Please feel free to comment on whether you found my review helpful.

To be honest, I didn’t love or hate it

I was given a code for this product for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not color my review or alter my perspective, this is my honest opinion of the book.
With that out of the way, let me start with what I liked. I liked the narrator’s voice, the world the author formed, the villain(s), and the sisterhood.
What I wasn’t a fan of was how most scenes were written. There was way too much explaining and not enough emoting or ambiguity. I feel that as an author, you should write in such a way that the characters and the world speak for themselves more often. Instead what’s happening is the book lists most people’s emotions in most scenes, leaving no room for ambiguity or interpretation. As a result, when a character lies, it’s spelled out for you and loses all shock when it’s discovered.
I will give credit where it’s due. The story was fine to listen to in the background while working, there were scenes that stood out to me, and there were characters I remember caring about.
I didn’t hate the book, it was good to listen to; but I also didn’t love it, it didn’t grip me into the world very often.
In conclusion, if you get a deal on it, and you just want something to distract you, go for it.

pretty good epic fantasy

I was given this free review copy audio book at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

This was an incredibly well done and complex story. There is a solid blend of action, drama, and fantasy. I really enjoyed the world building and character development. I would have liked the way magic works in the book to be more defined, but that is not a deal breaker for me. I thought the narration was done well. He does a decent job of differintiating the various characters' voices. All in all, I think this is worth checking out if you are a fan of epic fantasy stories.

Good start

I really thought this book was well developed. although I thought that it lagged a little when Alyana was talking to the Sisters of Light--- definitely looking to book 2.

My 1st Audible!

This exceptionally voiced, wonderfully imaginative story with believable character interactions, carried me along through an immersive new world. I found myself smiling, laughing & on the edge of my seat, wide eyed. My only disappointment is that it ended (for now), I look forward to continuing the adventure!

Good world and characters although lacks clarity

3.5 / 5

'Forebodings' is a mix of science fiction and fantasy. It is a sprawling epic, filled with a lot of characters, set far into the future, on an alien planet, the world is ruled in a feudal system. There is dragon like creatures, as well psychics, magic and technology. The world itself is great, and the psychics and magic are used in interesting ways. The characters and the world are rich and complex, with much going on. There is both the ‘big bad’, otherworldly threat, but also politics and intrigue going on.

There is a character ‘cheat sheet’ included, which is probably worthwhile having close at hand while you listen. There are many characters.

I think overall the book lacked clarify. The ‘big bad’ is vague for much of the story, although eventually comes into focus and does provide a nice climax. Much of the abilities is augmented by technology, although the exact nature of this is not completely clear. There is a magic system, but how it works is a little unclear. There is a hierarchy or classification (different colours), but how they relate is unclear. It is set in the future, and old Earth is mentioned one or twice (mostly in passing, to mention Christianity or Islam or old cities) but it doesn’t actually play any part of the story. Why the setting of the future mattered is unclear. Another realm, completely separate to ours, would have achieved the same thing.

For a first outing, it is not bad. It’s enjoyable and there is promise in the writing.

Narration by Adam Watson is good. He provides a variety of character voices. Not always completely distinct enough to know just from the voice who is who (also because of the vast number of characters), but there is never an issue with following events or conversation. He engages the text well, conveying the emotions of characters and the intensity of scenes.

There is a foreboding horn at the beginning of each chapter. Three notes only, so it doesn’t overwhelm the narration or become problematic. So while I’m normally not a huge fan of music like that, this is short and sharp and effective.

This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this review voluntarily.

Good start to a series

Initially I struggled with the story as I felt there was a lot of new concepts and characters all with fantasy names being introduced, it took me longer than I care to admit to learn who was who and probably something reading a physical book would have helped with. However, it doesn't take long for the story to grip you and begin to care for some of the characters. The characters were enjoyable but I do still feel that the story could be further developed.

I enjoyed the narrator and thought he did a good job however slightly slow paced.

I received this book for free for an honest review and I would say that the author has done a good job and I would listen to this title again the the future and looking forward to the second book to see the story develop.

Great original sci-fantasy story

As soon as Scorch the Furan was introduced, i was hooked, and from there the beginning had great pace. With elements of sci fi like the advanced tech and elements of fantasy like the sword fights and unique magic system - known as binding - this was an unusual and ambitious project, and one which i think di paolo pulls of remarkably well. The characters are well fleshed out, the world is wonderful and exciting with fantastic little details, and the kingdom has an ancient roman feel from the weapons and the names, eg. Octavius. The story is one we all love of an ancient powerful wizard thought long dead, now returning along with some dread-inspiring beasts. There is also some political intrigue where a war with a foreign nation looks very much on the cards in the next book. I particularly loved the references to internal micro-flora which fuelled the fires of magic. All in all, i would salute it as a great start to a series and one which i would be interested to see resolved. Well worth a read!

review

disclosure I got a free copy to review.


this book is not for me however of you enjoy a fantasy story using old English, this book is for you !!!!!


just because it not for me does not mean of you enjoy this type of book you would not enjoy it.