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When stable boy Arcturus accidentally summons a demon and becomes Hominum's first common summoner, he becomes the key to a secret that the powerful overlords would do anything to keep hidden. Whisked away to Vocans Academy so he can be kept watch over, Arcturus finds himself surrounded by enemies. But he has little time to settle in before his life is turned upside down once again, for Hominum Empire is in turmoil.
Control dinosaurs. Tame women. Rule the world. Victor Shelby and his tribe of beautiful alien women have built a fortress to keep themselves safe, but when they encounter another tribe of survivors, Victor must leverage his dinosaur-taming abilities to negotiate either peace or violence. And violence is what Dinosaurland is all about.
The first of a new young adult trilogy, The Demon King features a former thief, Han, who’s trying to provide for his mother and sister. One day Han, who sports mysterious (and certainly magical) silver cuffs on his wrists, confronts wizards setting fire to a sacred mountain. Now possessing one ofthe wizards’ amulets, Han faces more trouble than he ever could have imagined.
The Mechanics and the Mages have been bitter rivals, agreeing only on the need to keep the world they rule from changing. But now a Storm approaches, one that could sweep away everything humans have built. Only one person has any chance of uniting enough of Dematr behind her to stop the Storm, but the Great Guilds and many others will stop at nothing to defeat her.
Would you be prepared to work for free? How would you like to bust your hump for a large corporation 60-plus hours a week without a wage or a single day off for the vague promise of some mysterious perks in the distant future? You'd refuse point blank, wouldn't you? But what if the job in question was playing a state-of-the-art fantasy MMORPG game? And what if this was the only thing you're really good at? Especially considering that your in-game partner is someone really special to you - and this person already lives a virtual life?
Laia is a Scholar living under the iron-fisted rule of the Martial Empire. When her brother is arrested for treason, Laia goes undercover as a slave at the empire's greatest military academy in exchange for assistance from rebel Scholars who claim that they will help to save her brother from execution.
When stable boy Arcturus accidentally summons a demon and becomes Hominum's first common summoner, he becomes the key to a secret that the powerful overlords would do anything to keep hidden. Whisked away to Vocans Academy so he can be kept watch over, Arcturus finds himself surrounded by enemies. But he has little time to settle in before his life is turned upside down once again, for Hominum Empire is in turmoil.
Control dinosaurs. Tame women. Rule the world. Victor Shelby and his tribe of beautiful alien women have built a fortress to keep themselves safe, but when they encounter another tribe of survivors, Victor must leverage his dinosaur-taming abilities to negotiate either peace or violence. And violence is what Dinosaurland is all about.
The first of a new young adult trilogy, The Demon King features a former thief, Han, who’s trying to provide for his mother and sister. One day Han, who sports mysterious (and certainly magical) silver cuffs on his wrists, confronts wizards setting fire to a sacred mountain. Now possessing one ofthe wizards’ amulets, Han faces more trouble than he ever could have imagined.
The Mechanics and the Mages have been bitter rivals, agreeing only on the need to keep the world they rule from changing. But now a Storm approaches, one that could sweep away everything humans have built. Only one person has any chance of uniting enough of Dematr behind her to stop the Storm, but the Great Guilds and many others will stop at nothing to defeat her.
Would you be prepared to work for free? How would you like to bust your hump for a large corporation 60-plus hours a week without a wage or a single day off for the vague promise of some mysterious perks in the distant future? You'd refuse point blank, wouldn't you? But what if the job in question was playing a state-of-the-art fantasy MMORPG game? And what if this was the only thing you're really good at? Especially considering that your in-game partner is someone really special to you - and this person already lives a virtual life?
Laia is a Scholar living under the iron-fisted rule of the Martial Empire. When her brother is arrested for treason, Laia goes undercover as a slave at the empire's greatest military academy in exchange for assistance from rebel Scholars who claim that they will help to save her brother from execution.
Jason Walker has often wished his life could be a bit less predictable--until a routine day at the zoo ends with Jason suddenly transporting from the hippo tank to a place unlike anything he's ever seen. In the past, the people of Lyrian welcmoed visitors from the Beyond, but attitudes have changed since the wizard emperor Maldor rose to power. The brave resistors who opposed the emperor have been bought off or broken, leaving a realm where fear and suspicion prevail.
For countless millennia, the dwarves of the Fifthling Kingdom have defended the stone gateway into Girdlegard. Many and varied foes have hurled themselves against the portal and died attempting to breach it. No man or beast has ever succeeded. Until now... Abandoned as a child, Tungdil the blacksmith labors contentedly in the Kingdom of Fifthling the only dwarf in a kingdom of men. Although he does not want for friends, Tungdil is very much aware that he is alone - indeed, he has not so much as set eyes on another dwarf. But all that is about to change.
For eons, conquering dungeons has been the most efficient way to become a strong adventurer. Although not everything is as straightforward as it seems. Several questions have always plagued the minds of those who enter these mythical places of power: why are there so many monsters? Where do the amazing weaponry and heavy gold coins come from? Why does the very air fill with life-giving energies? Cal has all of the answers to these age-old questions, for a very simple reason. He is a Dungeon Heart.
This world is trying to kill Lily Proctor. Her life-threatening allergies keep her from enjoying experiences that others in her hometown of Salem take for granted, which is why she is determined to enjoy her first high school party with her best friend and longtime crush, Tristan. But after a humiliating incident in front of half her graduating class, Lily wishes she could just disappear. Suddenly, Lily is in a different Salem - one overrun with horrifying creatures and ruled by powerful women called Crucibles.
Iolanthe Seabourne is the greatest elemental mage of her generation - or so she's been told. The one prophesied for years to be the savior of the Realm. It is her duty and destiny to face and defeat the Bane, the most powerful tyrant and mage the world has ever known. This would be a suicide task for anyone, let alone a reluctant 16-year-old girl with no training.
The City is an immense metropolis of crystal spires and wondrous magic. Beneath is the Dungeon, a vast underground world, and a source of endless treasure guarded by grotesque and deadly monsters. No one knows where the Dungeon came from, or why. One young immigrant braves the Dungeon to remit money to his family, only to find much, much more. Friends, power, and secrets of the Dungeon. Perhaps even love.
Reclusive college student Jonathan Tibbs wakes in a pool of blood, not a scratch on him. His life is about to undergo a massive shift. A violent and merciless otherworldly enemy unleashes slaughter in the streets, calling out in a language only he understands. And it is seeking its challenger. In order to defeat the threat, Jonathan must become a temporal weapon...while remaining completely anonymous. Unfortunately, harnessing off-world powers has its own special challenges...
Victor Shelby ends each day wondering when his life is going to get better. His parents are dead, he struggles to pay rent, and his boss at the animal control shelter has him cleaning cages instead of working in the field. His dream of helping animals seems destined to end in a mop bucket. Then, Victor is abducted by aliens and deposited on a prehistoric world filled with hungry dinosaurs and beautiful alien women. He doesn’t know why he is here or what his purpose is, but he finds himself fighting for survival.
Six islands float high above the Endless Ocean, where humanity's final remnants are locked in brutal civil war. Their parents slain in battle, twins Kael and Brenna Skyborn are training to be Seraphim, elite soldiers of aerial combat who wield elements of ice, fire, stone, and lightning. When the invasion comes, they will take to the skies and claim their vengeance.
The world of Dematr had been locked unchanging for centuries by the Great Guilds, most people living in a world of oil lamps, crossbows, and horse cavalry, the Mechanics reserving to themselves the technology for steam locomotives, rifles, and far-talkers while the Mages treated all others as if they were nothing - until Master Mechanic Mari, dragon slayer and pirate queen, and Master of Mages Alain raised the army of the new day to free their world.
A month has passed since Victor Shelby was abducted by aliens and put on a savage dinosaur world. In that time, he has learned how to survive, tamed dinosaurs, and won the love of three beautiful alien women. But when another dinosaur attack leaves them defenseless, Victor realizes that he’ll need to push his Tame ability to the limit and build not just a camp, but a fortress. Or they will all die.
Henry and Jason led normal lives in Seattle before they were abducted to another world. Their kidnapper, the vain, self-styled god Dolos, refuses to send them back unless they can accomplish an impossible task. Oddly, Dolos doesn't seem to care if they succeed or not. Luckily, Henry and Jason studied Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA) on Earth. Unfortunately, a Japanese American EMT and a geeky IT programmer don't have many other useful skills on a sword-and-sorcery world like Ludus.
He can summon demons. But can he win a war?
Fletcher is working as a blacksmith's apprentice when he discovers he has the rare ability to summon demons from another world. Chased from his village for a crime he did not commit, Fletcher must travel with his demon, Ignatius, to an academy for adepts, where the gifted are taught the art of summoning.
Along with nobles and commoners, Fletcher endures grueling lessons that will prepare him to serve as a Battlemage in the Empire's war against the savage Orcs. But sinister forces infect new friendships and rivalries grow. With no one but Ignatius by his side, Fletcher must decide where his loyalties lie. The fate of the Empire is in his hands.
some books cover the tropes you love and cover them well.
this is one of those books. a few small twists on the traditional fantasy works. enough to make the world feel good and unique, but not so much it feels strained.
8 of 9 people found this review helpful
I found after chapter one that I was certainly not going to like the narrator, Ralph Lister. The content of the book however was very fun. A unique world that had a few elements I love such as: A magic school with rival competition, magical creatures that need to be captured and leveled up, and a protagonist who starts low-born with nothing who must rise above the status quo and overcome problems.
However, the actual execution of the story is where I had a lot of displeasure. The author might be young or new? The writing wasn't the worst thing I have ever read but it was certainly not the best. I would have to say the way the book is written is plainly average.
This book is not something I would recommend to someone, UNLESS they have already read a lot of my normal recommendations. AND they extremely enjoy books about magic school, Pokémon like pets, and teenage level war, love, and intrigue.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
First you need to understand that I tend to be a tough reviewer who hardly ever rates a book a five. I think fives are for masterworks that years later you can remember and discuss with someone in a random conversation if a friend mentions the book or the author. Fours are for really good books. Threes are for books that were entertaining at the time but I won't remember the story line or characters a year later when I see the books cover in my library. This book is like a cross between Harry Potter and Pokémon. It has all the usual races of elf, dwarf, human and monsters. It was an easy listen and entertaining all the way around, but I would not consider it a work of art. The book comes to an actual conclusion of sorts so you don't feel ripped of by absolutely having to buy the next book in the series. I am growing Tired of books in a series that cannot be read as a stand alone story. The sequence of occurrences in the book seem Jammed together in a few places because the relationships tend to make jumps that would clearly take more time to develop than the author allowed. The time training is sketchy compared to mastery of skills as well. This is a lighthearted listen and worth the credit and time to listen but I would recommend it to a younger audience than the 50 year old man I am.
26 of 32 people found this review helpful
Any additional comments?
The positives = good story, some interesting magic tweaks, interesting characters. The bad = very predictable story, rushed ending, poor ending, character growth not consistent. I did binge listen to the story, which does highlight some things. The beginning is interesting and engaging. The fight scenes are not well done, I never got a feel for things. The ending was complete marketing, and poorly done. The narration does help this book though, and I think I will be searching for more of Ralph's work.
I don't think I will be getting the second in the series, unless I am looking for a time waster book + a spare credit.
8 of 10 people found this review helpful
The villains in this story were cheesy to the point of comedic. If they were just evil, they were mustache-twisting enemies. If they were nobles, they were just 2 dimensionally arrogant and smug beyond all reason. The main character had two kills and a wealth of survival experience under his belt, but can't muster enough confidence to ignore the chattering of children. It boggles the mind.
12 of 16 people found this review helpful
I read all 3 books. The trilogy is okay. Give it a try if you like epic fantasy told in 3rd person featuring teenage protagonists (humans, dwarfs, and an elf) and endearingly loyal domesticated demons, including canids, griffins and salamanders. See my review of book 3 for more details.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
What did you love best about The Novice?
The novice is an excellent start to a decent series. Fletcher is a likable if not slightly cliche character that is easy to get invested in and root for. The other characters are also fairly likable, however, I felt that several character relationships were fairly rushed. Often times Fletcher will be agonizing over the misfortunes of another character, thinking of them as someone dear to him, when to the reader it feels like he just met them 15 minutes earlier.
Which character – as performed by Ralph Lister – was your favorite?
Ralph Lister had a great performance here. He does a decent enough dwarven scottish accent. I also found it easy to identify who was speaking due to his excellent range of voices.
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
Fletchers relationship with his foster father genuinly makes you feel. It was a well written emotional storyline between the two of them. I can't say much more without spoilers.
Any additional comments?
I've finished the series as of the day I'm writing this.
The Summoners is a good start for a young and inexperienced author. His inexperience showcases here slightly in the form of what I felt was a mildly rushed storyline. I definitely felt there was room for another 3-5 hours of book in each installment.
However, the series showcases some memorable characters, and an interesting magic system that reminds me of Pokemon combined with Magic the Gathering. Being that the series is so short, I definitely recommend it as it was well worth the 30 so hours it takes to complete the whole trilogy.
No specific spoilers but I'm going to talk briefly about the end of the series below here. You've been warned!
I felt that the end was slightly disappointing. Matharu ends the series in a way that leaves you with a great many questions. There are plenty of loose ends particularly with words left unspoken between characters. It almost feels as though Matharu gave closure to half of the characters and then forgot about the rest of them.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
There's nothing I didn't like this book was amazing I recommend this read and the other books because if this one is good the others are going to be great too. I like this book had a proper bad guy in rook
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
Just felt like i was reading a Pokémon story. Why use Shakespeare character names and names of real world figures as character names. It irritated me a lot, and I felt it messed with my ability to connect with the character. If you like teen fantasy, Pokémon and angry school teachers, you might enjoy this one. I didn't. The narrator did a good job though.
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
What did you love best about The Novice?
The storyline was amazing.
Who was your favorite character and why?
I didn't have just one favorite character, I guess that was why I enjoyed this book so much. Each of the characters was well written.
Have you listened to any of Ralph Lister’s other performances before? How does this one compare?
I've never listened to Ralph Lister before, BUT I WILL BE!
If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?
Demons aren't the worst thing in the world.
Any additional comments?
I'll be listening to the other books soon. Can't wait to see how it turns out.
2 of 3 people found this review helpful