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Young wizards coming of age in a time of war... Will they be ready? Eynon was excited to leave his village and set off on his wander year. He’d turned sixteen today, and hoped for at least a few adventures. At high noon, he arrived a crossroads and saw a shimmer of silver in the mud. It was a thin and dirty oval, about the size of his palm. He washed it with squirts of water from his goatskin, then marveled at what was revealed.
Stripped of magic and forced into exile by his friendship with one of the fae, Randall Miller sets out to make his fortune by trading with the elves and dwarves of Tallia. But the elves turn out to be more dangerous than he bargained for, seeking to rip open the veil between Tallia and Llandra and unleash swarming hordes of unspeakable horrors. Even worse, Berry seems to be on their side!
This bundle includes the first two books in Morgan Rice’s #1 best-selling fantasy series, The Sorcerer's Ring (A Quest of Heroes and A March of Kings). A Quest of Heroes, book number one in The Sorcerer's Ring, revolves around one special boy, a 14-year-old from a small village on the outskirts of the Kingdom of the Ring. When he comes of age and is forbidden by his father to try out for the King’s Legion, he refuses to take no for an answer.
The Thieves Guild is renowned for their ability to steal anything. Its elite members have robbed nobles of wealth, reputation, and even their honor. The Guildmaster rules them with brutality and fear, yet his name and past are a mystery. From the depths of the Evermist swamp, he seeks a master thief, one who can help him reclaim his lost power. Young and brash, Jack Myst has drawn the Guildmaster's attention. His feats mark his potential, but his audacity and cunning make him dangerous.
For 500 years, the Gods have united the Three Nations in harmony. Now, that balance has been shattered, and chaos threatens. A town burns, and flames light the night sky. Hunted and alone, 17-year-old Eric flees through the wreckage. The mob grows closer, baying for the blood of their tormentor. Guilt weighs on his soul, but he cannot stop, cannot turn back. If he stops, they die. For two years, he has carried this curse, bringing death and destruction wherever he goes. But now, there is another searching for him.
Mordecai's simple life as the son of a blacksmith is transformed by the discovery of his magical birthright. As he journeys to understand the power within him he is drawn into a dangerous plot to destroy the Duke of Lancaster and undermine the Kingdom of Lothion. Love and treachery combine to embroil him in events he was never prepared to face. What he uncovers will change his understanding of the past, and alter the future of those around him.
Young wizards coming of age in a time of war... Will they be ready? Eynon was excited to leave his village and set off on his wander year. He’d turned sixteen today, and hoped for at least a few adventures. At high noon, he arrived a crossroads and saw a shimmer of silver in the mud. It was a thin and dirty oval, about the size of his palm. He washed it with squirts of water from his goatskin, then marveled at what was revealed.
Stripped of magic and forced into exile by his friendship with one of the fae, Randall Miller sets out to make his fortune by trading with the elves and dwarves of Tallia. But the elves turn out to be more dangerous than he bargained for, seeking to rip open the veil between Tallia and Llandra and unleash swarming hordes of unspeakable horrors. Even worse, Berry seems to be on their side!
This bundle includes the first two books in Morgan Rice’s #1 best-selling fantasy series, The Sorcerer's Ring (A Quest of Heroes and A March of Kings). A Quest of Heroes, book number one in The Sorcerer's Ring, revolves around one special boy, a 14-year-old from a small village on the outskirts of the Kingdom of the Ring. When he comes of age and is forbidden by his father to try out for the King’s Legion, he refuses to take no for an answer.
The Thieves Guild is renowned for their ability to steal anything. Its elite members have robbed nobles of wealth, reputation, and even their honor. The Guildmaster rules them with brutality and fear, yet his name and past are a mystery. From the depths of the Evermist swamp, he seeks a master thief, one who can help him reclaim his lost power. Young and brash, Jack Myst has drawn the Guildmaster's attention. His feats mark his potential, but his audacity and cunning make him dangerous.
For 500 years, the Gods have united the Three Nations in harmony. Now, that balance has been shattered, and chaos threatens. A town burns, and flames light the night sky. Hunted and alone, 17-year-old Eric flees through the wreckage. The mob grows closer, baying for the blood of their tormentor. Guilt weighs on his soul, but he cannot stop, cannot turn back. If he stops, they die. For two years, he has carried this curse, bringing death and destruction wherever he goes. But now, there is another searching for him.
Mordecai's simple life as the son of a blacksmith is transformed by the discovery of his magical birthright. As he journeys to understand the power within him he is drawn into a dangerous plot to destroy the Duke of Lancaster and undermine the Kingdom of Lothion. Love and treachery combine to embroil him in events he was never prepared to face. What he uncovers will change his understanding of the past, and alter the future of those around him.
Crown Prince Aven Lanuken wants something more than a trophy for a future wife. He wants a woman who will be more friend than follower. A queen who will be more warrior than diplomat. He wants a partner he can trust...with a dangerous secret that's kept him trapped in a dark mountain fortress his entire life.
Two years after his parents' sudden disappearance, Ben Greenwood stumbles upon a cryptic letter that could shed some light on their whereabouts. But before he can track them down, he'll need to find the mysterious organization that sent the letter: The Royal Institute of Magic. To succeed, Ben will have to navigate a land filled with fantastic creatures and spellshooters, where magic can be bought and sold, to unravel an ancient family secret that could hold the key to defeating an evil the institute has been fighting for the last 500 years.
The first great war of Ovira is over, and the most hated king in centuries is dead, but his nephew still lives. However, Basen had nothing to do with the destructive war his uncle started. In fact it was his uncle who exiled him and his father to the territory of their enemies, where Basen's dreams of becoming a legendary mage now fade, as he must work all day just to eat. His only chance at regaining some semblance of the life he thought he would lead is to join an elite school that trains, houses, and feeds a thousand new young men and women each year.
Aaron Jace had a normal life until they came for him. Now he's being hunted. Assassins will stop at nothing to find him. Aaron is from Earth; his family is not. He is the last scion of an ancient and powerful family. Thrust into another world, Aaron must find his way to the one man who can help him survive. The Safanarion Order includes the first three stories in the captivating epic fantasy series listeners describe as compelling and full of suspense.
Most of the time the Moontide Bridge lies deep below the sea, but every 12 years the tides sink and the bridge is revealed, its gates open for trade. The Magi are hell-bent on ruling this new world, and for the last two Moontides they have led armies across the bridge on "crusades of conquest". Now, the third Moontide is almost here, and this time the people of the East are ready for a fight... but it is three seemingly ordinary people that will decide the fate of the world.
This is the story of Stavin Kel'Aniston. A boy trained as a warrior, he serves his people as a caravan guard to obtain gold for their community. Stavin earned dragon-scale armor from the dragon on the mountain for his bravery, but the gift of the dragon comes at a price. Thieves, brigands, and ne'er-do-wells of every kind are attracted to Stavin. As the summer passes, Stavin fights for his life and the honor of his name.
Lusam grew up in the relative safety of the Elveen mountains with his grandmother. She taught him the basics of magic and discovered, quite by accident, that he possessed a unique skill never seen before: the ability to hide his magical aura from the mage-sight of others. Dark secrets surround Lusam's origins, and the dark agents of the Empire will stop at nothing to kill Lusam.
Welcome to the world of Zaneen, a world with a dark past and more secrets than answers. For Lian, a 12-year-old orphan, the world consists only of his remote village and the hazardous mountains surrounding it. He always questioned his existence and longed for meaning; Lian will soon get his answers.
**See author's note on adult content below.** From the dark depths of the past, comes the tale of the first wizard of Illeniel. Daniel Tennick lived simply, a young shepherd with few troubles and little to occupy his mind, until the warden appeared. Daniel's power awakens, and he finds himself hunted by the servants of the cruel and uncaring forest gods. Trapped by his gift, Daniel will uncover the secrets of the deep woods and those who live there, a civilization created from the grave of an older one.
Cole Randolph was just trying to have a fun time with his friends on Halloween (and maybe get to know Jenna Hunt a little better). But when a spooky haunted house turns out to be a portal to something much creepier, Cole finds himself on an adventure on a whole different level.
Demon spawn, they call him. Evil seed of the UnNamed One. Lirak wonders if they might be right. Sent on a holy quest to test his prophetic dreams, he returns to find his people scattered or slaughtered. Ruthless invaders and their dread warlocks spread death and destruction across the land. Before he can lead the remnants of his people in vengeance, Lirak must win their trust. But blades and arrows alone will not defeat this enemy.
Gaspi is an ordinary boy, living in the mountain village of Aemon's Reach, but life, for Gaspi, is forever changed the day magic erupts in him. He discovers he has a powerful gift - he is a Nature Mage, able to control natural forces and creatures and bend them to his will. It is a rare gift, and no-one has been born with it in centuries, but Gaspi's powers also have a dark side, and without training they will kill him.
What's a young mage to do in a land where magic is illegal, and the penalty is death?
At the age of 14, Randall Miller is surprised to learn that he has the talent - for magic! Tricked into apprenticeship by a powerful Mage, Randall is forced to leave everything he knows behind. When his mentor is killed by Aiden, head of the secret police, he flees for his life, stumbling from one misadventure into another. Teaming up with a trio of greedy traders and a capricious imp along the way, Randall must learn to master his budding power, or die at the hands of the Rooks!
Who was your favorite character and why?
Frankly, I enjoyed Earl the most. There was so much more to him than just his volatile reactions-- a character whose waters ran deep.
Any additional comments?
My Thoughts: I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I was remarkably entertained with Randall’s journey into being his own person. Even though it is a YA book, probably for a young person between 13 and 17, the plot and story kept me engrossed in its telling along with its excellent narration. Sometimes life lesson’s need repeating for us oldies. (smiling)
Randall’s journey began just before he turned 14. He was small for his age and had always been ridiculed, not quite as good as the other boys in the village. He wanted to apprentice with the militia so he would be taken seriously and the prestige belonging to men who could reeled their swords and ride horses would only increase his stature and hopefully with one particular girl. But he was apprenticed by a man named Earl who won his family over and paid them handsomely, his wages in advance.
Earl was an interesting individual who had secrets of his own and rode Randall hard. He helped build his character and his body, for Randall was apprenticed to be a caravan guard – as close as he could get to the militia he thought with chagrin. Earl wasn’t who he appeared although his cover for his real talent kept him safe. He was a mage, well-respected among his peers. In the times this story plays out, mages were hunted down. I thought it quite interesting his way of teaching Randall about magic and how to use it.
The people Randall met were not always who they appeared to be, however wary of them, he chose to trust them until they became untrustworthy. Without the lessons of magic he’d had, he would not have survived. He utilized these lessons, saving his life more often than not. He befriends a small sprite along the way and this friendship keeps him sane when he was completely alone.
Randall’s journey is full of lessons, hurt, danger, and yes, even finding the good where many see it not.
David Stifel’s narration was excellent; well told, getting into the very essence of the characters and their personalities. His emotional tone captured perfectly, the cantankerous Earl who had a fiery spirit and short fuse. As Randall moves through his journey, he changes with his learning and we hear the changes in Randall’s character through his inner dialog which David Stiffel so very well narrates.
I never noticed any extraneous noise or shifts out of character during the telling. So no sloppy editing here. The story ended with an ending and yet a new beginning preparing the reader for more of this adventurous fantasy. I would very much enjoy continue reading or listening to more of the series.
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What would have made A Touch of Magic better?
More virtue in the main character. More questioning of his motives or more justification for the demonic character. Good supporting characters. More interesting mentors.
What was most disappointing about Gregory L. Mahan’s story?
I'm not sure who this book was written for. I wouldn't let my 9 and 12 year old boys read it. It would be okay for 14 and up readers though. They talk about what happens to boys when they see a pretty girl and other more mature themes. There are references to the "town slut" and sexual harassment moments that I didn't appreciate. There is a friendship with a demonic character and quite a bit of graphic violence--Bursting creatures and people and the main character kills most of them himself. The characters are not too endearing, except for the main character and the demonic character and maybe the main character's mother.
What about David Stifel’s performance did you like?
It was fine and didn't detract from the story.
If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from A Touch of Magic?
I wouldn't have had the bursting people. I would have the demon transport him to another place or find out that the demon wasn't a demon at all. Most people don't befriend demons.
Any additional comments?
If you are looking for fantasy for the younger set it would be better to steer them to Rick Riordan for any Percy Jackson books or his Kane Chronicles; J.K. Rowling for Harry Potter, Brandon Mull for the Fablehaven series or Michael Scott for the Alchemist: The Tales of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel. These are action packed fantasy adventures. For 14 crowd girls or boys Colleen Houck's Tiger's Curse books would be great, but it is a romantic fantasy.... entirely clean though. This one plods. It does have a decent magical system and I thought it was interesting, but it wasn't well-done. Hundreds of other books would be better choices.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Any additional comments?
From my amazon.com review of the kindle edition:
I really enjoy epic fantasy, and find myself often really appreciating the building up of 'ordinary person destined for great things'. However, this took far too long to get out of that portion.
Randall is trained (lectured) extensively by his mentor, so I found myself thinking that nothing really happened in the first third of the book. It seems like a decent magic system - with common enough elements to be familiar, but blended in a fairly unique way. However, I would have preferred a more engaging approach to introducing the reader to it than pages of lecture.
I also felt there were discrepancies presented at times. For example, Randall at times is angry & confident, but bawling at other times. Maybe this was intentional, as he is an early teen, but it wasn't executed very well; it was too jarring and not believable to me. There are also other little things, like his hometown being so small it's basically not even a dot on the map. But, later, Randall remembers homeless children in the streets. Seems disconnected to me.
I quickly realized that whatever Randall was thinking, he was going to be wrong. It was so obvious as to be annoying and I felt he was just a little dim-witted.
I found the dialogue to be unnatural and odd at times (though now I can't really remember any details to give). It just didn't flow well. I'm not sure if that is related to the narrator (since I actually ended up listening to this from audible.com after I picked up the kindle edition).
The second book in the series pretty steep for me: $4 for less than 200 pages. In addition, it was released 14 months after I picked up this book (though the publication date of this title is now the same as the next, somehow). That's a little slow for me, considering how short the books are (I expect that much delay with 800+ page sequels).
In all, it has potential, but I'll be pursuing other reading entertainment.
0 of 1 people found this review helpful