The Spirit of Things: A Gripping Young Adult Coming of Age Fantasy

Beyond Horizon, Book 1

By: Ben McQueeney

Narrated by: Nigel Peever

Growing up in a village of elves is hard when you’re the only human. Especially when humans are hated by all other species in Tellusm. But Fulco is determined to fit in.

After discovering he has the magical power of "sapience" to control beasts, he makes it his mission to join the elven Portare team. A sport where players must ride upon a beast, beat each other with bats, score goals, and influence the outcome of the game with magic.

But Tellusm is uncertain and troublesome. A place where three-headed lizards roam wild, a curse runs rampant turning its inhabitants into mindless monsters, and a violent storm separates it from the rest of the world.

With three gods fighting over the fate of the land, mysterious dreams, alluring strangers, and awakening powers lead Fulco toward the destiny from which his elven parents have been trying so desperately to shield him. As his power grows, so does the trouble that stalks him.

An exciting and immersive coming of age fantasy packed with spellbinding magic, astounding mythical creatures, a threatening menace, growing romance, and a bow tie-wearing werewolf called Gary. Perfect for fans of Patrick Rothfuss, J.K. Rowling, Brandon Sanderson, and Terry Pratchett.

©2020 Ben McQueeney (P)2020 Ben McQueeney

I’ll listen to this one again.

Nigel is an excellent narrator. Very imaginative sounds. I struggled to stay connected to the story but am thinking I’m just distracted with life so I will have to listen again to be fair to the author.

The spirit of things

I loved it! It was full of adventure. A human child in a world of elves, is useful, but not really accepted. Narration by Nigel Peever is excellent. The sound effects are entrancing. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Loved w

I loved it. I will definitely be listening to it again.The narrator was really good. The story pulled me in and I just wanted to keep listening.

People are all the same underneath

Into a village of elves a human, or Hume in the elven language, was adopted. Fulco’s differences had always been evident to the elven children, and children being cruel had caused him much grief growing up, but at 17, he began to realize that he had magic. And as he learned to access his magic, or Sapience, and to gain strength in his abilities, He grew more confident in himself as a person, but would he ever be fully accepted in his world? This is a beautiful tale about coming of age and of learning to overcome the bigotry of his community.

It is wonderfully read by the marvelous Nigel Peever.

A superb magic tale to keep you on your toes

This book is brilliant! Between McQueeney's writing and Peever's performance, this book leapt from printed page to a true piece of life that kept me eager to hear what happens next as Fulco, a hume in the world of elves, tries to understand the visions he's been having, tries to find a way to belong in a world he's not welcome in, and tries to find his way into the world of magic.