What do you think?
Rate this book
Drops from the Kingdom #1
The Silver Arrow
Itejere, Larry
331 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2011
1 person is currently reading
116 people want to read
About the author
Larry Itejere
2 books17 followersLarry is a Teen/Young adult fantasy writer. His debut novel The Silver Arrow is his first in the Drops from the Kingdom series. His books are written for children who do not always want to pick up a book and read.
In his work of fiction, Larry's guiding principles are that his novels are clean and fun, with enough action adventure to keep young readers wanting more.
Born in England, some of his fond memories are those he spent working with his father in their garden. As he shared, old fictional tales that continue to influenced his own style of storytelling.
Larry left England and moved to the United States and currently lives in North Carolina with his wife and 4 kids.
In his work of fiction, Larry's guiding principles are that his novels are clean and fun, with enough action adventure to keep young readers wanting more.
Born in England, some of his fond memories are those he spent working with his father in their garden. As he shared, old fictional tales that continue to influenced his own style of storytelling.
Larry left England and moved to the United States and currently lives in North Carolina with his wife and 4 kids.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
March 6, 2015
A thrilling race against the clock to save humanity. The main character, Isaac, learns as a young boy of his special gifts. He belongs to a secret group called Anamerians. Creatures have been killing the people in towns and villages, leaving behind charred, concave rings. The empire is in trouble. It is Isaac's duty to find three youths to help him save mankind. He is given a group of guardians or Ackalans to serve him in his daunting task. He meets Samuel, a fellow youth gifted with powers. Their journey brings them closer together.
Their enemy is Death's Soul, who was once an innocent youth like them. His name was Sullivan. He touched something that gave him extreme powers and a blood lust to acquire immortality. He seeks the keys to creation and has acquired, according to legend, most of them.Once they are all acquired, he will become immortal and indestructible. He descends upon towns with his followers as balls of fire and leave as quickly as the wind. These legends have the people terrified.
Isaac is brave and leads his army with representatives from the Four Kingdoms on his quest to save mankind. There are battles and a love story.
There is enough adventure in the book to keep its teen audience happy and interested.
Their enemy is Death's Soul, who was once an innocent youth like them. His name was Sullivan. He touched something that gave him extreme powers and a blood lust to acquire immortality. He seeks the keys to creation and has acquired, according to legend, most of them.Once they are all acquired, he will become immortal and indestructible. He descends upon towns with his followers as balls of fire and leave as quickly as the wind. These legends have the people terrified.
Isaac is brave and leads his army with representatives from the Four Kingdoms on his quest to save mankind. There are battles and a love story.
There is enough adventure in the book to keep its teen audience happy and interested.
September 7, 2011
It's an easy read and a great story. A book I would recommend for both young adult and those young at heart. The story gets better as you go along and leaves you with a few unanswered questions that will probably come in the other books. Some of the characters are young men coming of age.
October 21, 2011
Iseac and Samuel are two boys who who don't plan on doing more than being just boys, however destiny has other plans. Iseac is his generation's Anamerian. His task is to find three people who will will help determine the out come of a great war with the Gaid'dum. Once the Gaid'dum was simply a curious boy like Iseac and Samuel, but after touching one of the sacred scrolls, he has become something of great evil. Looking only to conquer the kingdoms and take control of the rest of the sacred scrolls. Samuel is quietly enjoying his own life, when his town in attacked. His entire family is either slaughtered or captured by the Gaid'dum's army. While trying to find a way to save his mother and remaining brother his path crosses Iseac's and his life's course is altered forever.
I'm caught in the middle on this book. On one hand I love the story. Itejere's world he has created, with it's different kingdoms and various people, is very intriguing. His characters seemed solid in how they were written and didn't jump all over the place. In fact I really enjoyed the story and how he brought Iseac and Samuel's separate stories together. In fact there were some unexpected but interesting twists along the way. I would definitely be interested in reading the next book in the series and finding out what else happens to Iseac and Samuel, and who survives the war.
Itejere was also very descriptive, and here is where the other hand comes into play. Sometimes he was too descriptive. It wasn't just that he went into detail, but sometime he would repeat things while describing a character, or in a scene, that he really didn't need to repeat. I would find myself pulling back from the story and losing interest because of this. I would say that maybe this is his writing style, but he didn't do it all the time. There were some sections of the book that flowed quite smoothly and I found myself getting lost in.
Other than that I think this is a good first effort for this series and it has a lot of potential. I would also recommend it if you have a male teenager you are looking to find a book for in regards to the up coming holidays.While there is an underlying romance between Iseac and Elena, it isn't mushy and the story centers more on the war between the kingdoms and how Iseac and Samuel became involved in it. If you are looking for a new fantasy series to get into and you are not a teenage boy, I would also recommend it. As I said before, I personally would be interested in reading the next book in the series. Despite some of the issues I had with the writing style in various parts of the book, I did find myself being drawn into the world the author created and I would definitely like to learn more about it.
*****In compliance with FTC guidelines, I'm disclosing that I received this book for free throughGoodReads First Reads. ****
(I recommend everybody should go check out all the awesome first read giveaways they have!)
I'm caught in the middle on this book. On one hand I love the story. Itejere's world he has created, with it's different kingdoms and various people, is very intriguing. His characters seemed solid in how they were written and didn't jump all over the place. In fact I really enjoyed the story and how he brought Iseac and Samuel's separate stories together. In fact there were some unexpected but interesting twists along the way. I would definitely be interested in reading the next book in the series and finding out what else happens to Iseac and Samuel, and who survives the war.
Itejere was also very descriptive, and here is where the other hand comes into play. Sometimes he was too descriptive. It wasn't just that he went into detail, but sometime he would repeat things while describing a character, or in a scene, that he really didn't need to repeat. I would find myself pulling back from the story and losing interest because of this. I would say that maybe this is his writing style, but he didn't do it all the time. There were some sections of the book that flowed quite smoothly and I found myself getting lost in.
Other than that I think this is a good first effort for this series and it has a lot of potential. I would also recommend it if you have a male teenager you are looking to find a book for in regards to the up coming holidays.While there is an underlying romance between Iseac and Elena, it isn't mushy and the story centers more on the war between the kingdoms and how Iseac and Samuel became involved in it. If you are looking for a new fantasy series to get into and you are not a teenage boy, I would also recommend it. As I said before, I personally would be interested in reading the next book in the series. Despite some of the issues I had with the writing style in various parts of the book, I did find myself being drawn into the world the author created and I would definitely like to learn more about it.
*****In compliance with FTC guidelines, I'm disclosing that I received this book for free throughGoodReads First Reads. ****
(I recommend everybody should go check out all the awesome first read giveaways they have!)
January 2, 2014
Part knights of the round table, part knights of the templar, part historical, part fantasy, part paranormal powers and a classic good vs. evil storyline is what defines Drops from the Kingdom. Most of the book tells the story of Isesac, and how he came to be the guardian and guiding figure that he is today. There is some history of the world this story is being set in, which is a mix of old world, nordic and fantasy. There is also the story of Samuel, and his gifts. How he finds out about them, Iseasc's search for him and later his search for Iseasc. Larry Itejere has set this up along the lines of a grand adventure like the knights of the round table, or King Arthur. Even better still, it is only the beginning of the story. The epilogue entices you to wait to continue the journey with Jayden.
Larry Itejere has written a well-balanced story that has adventure and intrigue, mystery and suspense and just enough paranormal powers to draw in just about every pre-teen and teen boy. Drops from the Kingdom reminds me of a better version of the Knights of the Round Table, only set in a different location, a different time period, and with a different story. The paranormal powers and the idea of patrons and guardians will interest all those kids that are looking for a slightly magical twist in their stories. There is adventure and warfare, enough to keep the boys reading, but not so much has to drive the girls away. This is a great book for that pre-teen set, as the characters range from 12 to 17 for the most part during the story.
Larry Itejere has written a well-balanced story that has adventure and intrigue, mystery and suspense and just enough paranormal powers to draw in just about every pre-teen and teen boy. Drops from the Kingdom reminds me of a better version of the Knights of the Round Table, only set in a different location, a different time period, and with a different story. The paranormal powers and the idea of patrons and guardians will interest all those kids that are looking for a slightly magical twist in their stories. There is adventure and warfare, enough to keep the boys reading, but not so much has to drive the girls away. This is a great book for that pre-teen set, as the characters range from 12 to 17 for the most part during the story.
December 21, 2014
Not quite knowing what to expect because I forgot to check the rating on this one, I dove in and almost immediately came up spluttering. It took about a chapter for me to realize this was written for younger readers. (My fault, and NOT a detraction from the book itself - it may influence my review.)
The story does a wonderful job pulling you in and opening the world quickly. A few jarring notes in the writing style technicalities that may be a problem for more mature readers, but should present no problems to the younger set - descriptions that feel like they are dancing two steps forward and one step back, or slightly over describe a scene.
The main character is a young man who starts out life as a simple peasant boy, one with a destiny he must discover. Along the way he also must find three others who he must protect/help find their own unique destiny. The conflicts driving the story are presented smoothly, with well developed answers.
This is the first book in the series, and it sets up well for the next one.
Overall, this is a good book for younger readers, though the more mature readers may find it a bit simple. It still makes for a fun, light read for children of all ages.
Well done.
The story does a wonderful job pulling you in and opening the world quickly. A few jarring notes in the writing style technicalities that may be a problem for more mature readers, but should present no problems to the younger set - descriptions that feel like they are dancing two steps forward and one step back, or slightly over describe a scene.
The main character is a young man who starts out life as a simple peasant boy, one with a destiny he must discover. Along the way he also must find three others who he must protect/help find their own unique destiny. The conflicts driving the story are presented smoothly, with well developed answers.
This is the first book in the series, and it sets up well for the next one.
Overall, this is a good book for younger readers, though the more mature readers may find it a bit simple. It still makes for a fun, light read for children of all ages.
Well done.
February 12, 2015
The first book in a new series of YA fiction 'The Silver Arrow'. An edge of your seat fantasy thriller that represents a story outlining the characters with an imaginative scenic foundation.
'Isaac' was born with an exceptional gift and his adventure starts with the quest to find three teenagers to help and seize an imminent war. He sets out with an assembly of warriors called 'The Acklans' in this quest. If he fails, it will result in disastrous consequence which could wipe out the existence of humanity altogether.
This first installment sets in motion a full fledged battle of intrigue and mystery. An historical flavor lends a hand with a back drop of good verses evil with lots of juicy ploys to keep you well engaged from the beginning to the end (and beyond) with a second sequel. A fantasy escapade with a flair for many more elements that sweeps dangerous pursuits. An entertaining book for the younger generation, but also an enjoyable read for us (not so young) and I'm looking forward to the next installment in 'The Silver Arrow (Drops from the Kingdom Book 2).
I was given a copy for evaluation and an unbiased review.
'Isaac' was born with an exceptional gift and his adventure starts with the quest to find three teenagers to help and seize an imminent war. He sets out with an assembly of warriors called 'The Acklans' in this quest. If he fails, it will result in disastrous consequence which could wipe out the existence of humanity altogether.
This first installment sets in motion a full fledged battle of intrigue and mystery. An historical flavor lends a hand with a back drop of good verses evil with lots of juicy ploys to keep you well engaged from the beginning to the end (and beyond) with a second sequel. A fantasy escapade with a flair for many more elements that sweeps dangerous pursuits. An entertaining book for the younger generation, but also an enjoyable read for us (not so young) and I'm looking forward to the next installment in 'The Silver Arrow (Drops from the Kingdom Book 2).
I was given a copy for evaluation and an unbiased review.
February 1, 2015
I read The Silver Arrow because I wanted to experience a book written for young adults. I read books and watch movies to be entertained. I was very pleasantly surprised after reading Larry Itejere's book. I wouldn't limit this book to young adult no more than I would limit Orson Scott Card's Ender's Game to an adult book. As I read the story, it just kept getting better and better. Larry let the story unfold in a perfect pace. Lots of action, tension, and a perfect mix of description. I have read some books that spent pages describing a scene and in doing so the story became lost to the reader... not Larry. It was the perfect blend of action and scene description. Once I started, I didn't want to stop reading- that's the sign of a good book. I would highly recommend The Silver Arrow for both young adults and adults alike.
February 25, 2015
This book is a great start to this SciFi series. The storyline takes you in and out of action and suspense at just the right pace while still building a wonderful story. We are taken into the thoughts, fears and musings of Iseac, the main character, with a nice blend of intimacy versus story.
This book reminds me of when I was reading "The Hobbit" for the first time years ago; the further I read, the less able I was to put it down. I also love the map. It spurns the imagination and gives you an anchor.
Well written and thought out. Lots of special powers and magic make this a great SciFi read. I like the ending. That always helps. I would recommend this book to any young adult, especially teenage boys.
This book reminds me of when I was reading "The Hobbit" for the first time years ago; the further I read, the less able I was to put it down. I also love the map. It spurns the imagination and gives you an anchor.
Well written and thought out. Lots of special powers and magic make this a great SciFi read. I like the ending. That always helps. I would recommend this book to any young adult, especially teenage boys.
February 16, 2015
The bad thing about this book is that I have to wait for the next one. The author did a great job of giving a solid back story right at the beginning. After the first few chapters the book started flowing better. I enjoyed the characters Isaec and Samuel. I think this is a great book for youth and adults. I'm very interested in reading the next book to see how Isaec finds the other boys to help him.
May 18, 2013
Don't let the cover fool you, it looks more like a book for younger people, but I found the story very detailed and it kept the mind working. It was in no way a boring at all. It was very fast paced.
As a young boy he has a dream that plagues him, his father then helps him discover what the dream means and what his destiny will be.
My only negative comment would be that in some areas added information could be used to make sure the reader knows what is happening.
As a young boy he has a dream that plagues him, his father then helps him discover what the dream means and what his destiny will be.
My only negative comment would be that in some areas added information could be used to make sure the reader knows what is happening.
April 6, 2015
A thrilling YA adventure of good versus evil with a mixture of fantasy and the supernatural.
The story begins with a young Iseac as he learns his destiny is much greater than he ever imagined. He journeys away from his family’s small village and becomes the youngest member of a powerful group called the Anamerians. With them he learns about his magical abilities that will aid him on his quest. He is trained by Gabram to harness and grow his powers before he sets off to find three others that will help him prevent a great evil from destroying the world.
The plot was exciting and further deepened by the well-developed back story and myths involving the magical characters. The author paints a picture with such detail and imagery it was easy to get lost in the fantastical world he created.
I would recommend this book not only to fans of YA, but to anyone who enjoys an exciting tale of fantasy, adventure, and magic.
The story begins with a young Iseac as he learns his destiny is much greater than he ever imagined. He journeys away from his family’s small village and becomes the youngest member of a powerful group called the Anamerians. With them he learns about his magical abilities that will aid him on his quest. He is trained by Gabram to harness and grow his powers before he sets off to find three others that will help him prevent a great evil from destroying the world.
The plot was exciting and further deepened by the well-developed back story and myths involving the magical characters. The author paints a picture with such detail and imagery it was easy to get lost in the fantastical world he created.
I would recommend this book not only to fans of YA, but to anyone who enjoys an exciting tale of fantasy, adventure, and magic.
February 20, 2012
I won this book from Librarything in exchange for an honest review.
I really wanted to like this book. It has scope. It has a world creation of many characters and places, with many evil creatures, also all invented from Itejere's imagination. I was impressed by that.
However, the execution was clumsy. It was very difficult for me to get through. But because I didn't want to give it only one star (which is the rating I give when I cannot finish a book), I slogged through to the end. The sentence structure does not flow well (some sentences repeated as if the author forgot they were there), the characters don't speak realistically, and there are endless mispellings, grammar and structure mistakes. I never cheered for any one character and just was waiting for it to be finished. Which is too bad, because I think with better writing, the story had potential.
I really wanted to like this book. It has scope. It has a world creation of many characters and places, with many evil creatures, also all invented from Itejere's imagination. I was impressed by that.
However, the execution was clumsy. It was very difficult for me to get through. But because I didn't want to give it only one star (which is the rating I give when I cannot finish a book), I slogged through to the end. The sentence structure does not flow well (some sentences repeated as if the author forgot they were there), the characters don't speak realistically, and there are endless mispellings, grammar and structure mistakes. I never cheered for any one character and just was waiting for it to be finished. Which is too bad, because I think with better writing, the story had potential.
July 26, 2014
Finally a book young boys will enjoy in this new series. The story is about a young man named Iseac who was discovered by a merchant to posses the gift of foresight. Iseac is introduced to a patron that would forever change his life. He learns the secret behind his gift and the power he possessed. In order to preserve the freedom of men, Iseac must stop creatures from the abyss of Rorrah and the mastermind who possessed the power of a god. He would need help from three others with greater power than his won to have a chance in stopping an impending war.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews