The Training Grounds

Mystery of the Immortals

By: Jason Clark

Narrated by: Jamie Treselyan

Length: 18 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's summary

Debut author Jason Clark presents an exciting new genre-bending sci-fi/fantasy story set in a brutal future world, where swords settle disputes and those who can control the elements are the most feared warriors. Get ready for a fantastic escape from reality.

When Darius receives an invitation to attend the Training Grounds, he wonders why an insignificant farm boy would be asked to join the most elite training academy in Merchant Valley. The only thing special about him is that he has unsettling visions he can’t understand. Despite the unknown, he accepts this privilege, and with his best friend, they set out on this new adventure. While there, they quickly form alliances with a skilled archer, a talented blacksmith, and a powerful wielder of the elements.

Together, this new band of friends will learn that not all is as it seems at this new school. In fact, secret plots abound. It makes them question everything and everyone, including the head of the school, Dean Anders. Now it’s up to this adventurous group to uncover the truth about their world and find out the meaning of Darius’s vision. Visions that include a weapon known as the reaper that carries with it apocalyptic repercussions. But between classes, finding love, and training, will he and his friends be able to discover the truth before it’s too late?

©2023 Jason Clark (P)2023 Jason Clark

Hope there's a book 2 coming - loved it

I really enjoyed this story. Wonderful characters and the audiobook is masterfully done. Hope there will be many more to come.

Well-written

The author does a fantastic job of creating deep characters and the dialog is well-crafted, so often a weakness of this genre.

But I started to get bored about 3/4 of the way though. My expectation with this sort of story is that the MC is on a hero's journey, yet ours seems uninterested in personal growth. He starts off as an above-average swordsman with an in-born trait that gives him a slight advantage over those more highly skilled, but he seems uninterested in mastering this gift, nor in improving his basic skills. He also has a temper problem that he seems uninterested in mastering, no matter how often he's warned about it. What he does seem interested in is getting mired down in teenage romantic issues. In all, I don't find our protagonist very admirable.

Great story and narration

i do not read fantasy often, but I really enjoyed this book. The beginning is a little slow; however, it is necessary to set the stage for a multi-book series. I loved that the author did not take a typical approach to storytelling, and that there were several unexpected twists.

The narrator was great and created unique voices for each character. He was on par with the best I have listened to.

I can't wait to read the next one.

Top Tier

I've been an avid reader of fantasy for as long as I can remember and it's really refreshing reading something unique like this. A few moments in this book, (no spoilers) made me actually upset. The narrator gives every character their own unique voice which is really impressive as there are so many. I really felt for the characters and I'm really looking forward to what comes next

Really great adventure!

A little bit Harry Potter, and little bit Percy Jackson, but for an older audience. If you are looking for a new fantasy adventure series, highly recommend this one!

This story takes place in a very distant future after our own society has been destroyed. The Training Grounds is an elite training academy for young adults who possess rare talents. Recruits are gathered from all over to hone their skills in swordsmanship, magic wielding, archery, blacksmithing, engineering, and more.

Our main character Darius comes from a humble background. Raised by his mother after his father is killed by bandits when he was young, they work together on a farm owned by a wealthy baron. He competes in sword fighting tournaments, an area where he is exceptionally skilled. His life changes when he receives his acceptance letter to the training grounds, and together with his very smart, very nerdy best friend Simon, he sets off on a life-changing adventure.

The Training Grounds is home to a myriad of characters, some that become like family to Darius, while others become enemies. But Darius soon learns that many of those that surround him, both friend and foe, have secrets.
Some of those secrets are deadly.

This book has everything needed to make a great fantasy adventure! It has magic, sword fighting, found family, mysterious hooded figures, and a touch of angsty romance.

I would rate this book pg-13, so while there are themes in it that are more adult than the aforementioned children's books, it would be appropriate for high school age and up.
There isn't gore or smut, but there are scenes where weapons are drawn and blood is spilled.

I am looking forward to the next book!

Jason built a brand new world and Jamie brought it to life

I really enjoyed this adventure. It made my commutes bearable the past few days. I would find myself sitting in my driveway or the parking lot at work finishing the chapter to see what happens next.

All of the elements that make a great story

I really enjoyed listening to this audiobook, as a mom that’s always on the go in the car taking kids to activities this kept my days enjoyable. I had a hard time pressing pause and wanted to find out what happens next. I thought the narrator did an incredible job giving each character their distinct voice, I was in complete awe that he was able to keep each one straight. I was impressed by the character building and relationships development. The story line was unique and kept you guessing. I’m normally able to guess plot lines pretty easily but this one kept me on my toes and thoroughly entertained. I’m excited for the next book release!

Awesome book!! Very entertaining

From the start this book had me wanting more. The character development was absolutely amazing and thorough. As I was listening to the book it was like a movie was playing in my mind full of wonder and action. The plot of the book is like nothing I have ever heard or even could imagine it had me at the edge of my seat on more then one occasion,
The voices and accents and depth that Jamie Treselyan only added to this wonder novel! I cannot wait for the other books to come out. This book is great for all ages with very little cursing but a lot of good dialogue between characters this book was one of the best books I have read in a very long time. Whoever Jason Clark is, he is a stud and a wonderful author.

What a cool, unique story!

X-Men meets Harry Potter meets Wheel of Time. I look forward to book 2!

Amazing will listen to it again

Great story and characters the voice artist was really good and brought the book to life