The warding has failed, and a powerful ancient magic is disturbed -- the Everoot. Thealos Quickfellow, a Shae from the kingdom of Avisahn, has left his homeland to learn first hand of the threat of the Bandit Rebellion. His life is forever changed when he meets the mysterious Sleepwalker known as Jaerod. For Thealos himself is one of the keys that can open a door to a Silvan artifact which can tame the forbidden side of the Everoot. As the valley of the kingdoms of Dos-Aralon and Avisahn grows weaker and weaker, the cruel Bandit Rebellion prepares to claim a stronghold in the south. There they will launch a new war by using the Everoot and its power to heal or destroy. Thealos and Jaerod must defy the powers of men, Shae, and other foes to reach the place where the conflict will begin - and where the dangerous Everoot is being harvested. A fortress called Landmoor.
Wall Street Journal bestselling author Jeff Wheeler took an early retirement from his career at Intel in 2014 to write full-time. He is a husband, father of five, and a devout member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Jeff lives in the Rocky Mountains.
Too much complexity and not enough life, love, and humanity
I love Jeff Wheeler's books and I picked this one up with a lot of hope... But alas, a third of the way through it, I've decided to set it aside for a while if not forever. Normally, I enjoy complex stories, but it seems like Wheeler was unable get control of it somehow - too many names, too many lose parts, not enough humanity. I just had trouble connecting with anyone in the story, which is a rare problem for me when I'm reading. So, I'm going to see what else Wheeler has out there and give something else a chance. Life is too short to force myself to read this one.
I loved the Muirwood trilogy so I had high hopes for this one. Unfortunately I was disappointed. I liked the story but I really think that Landmoor and it's sequel Silverkin should be edited down and condensed to one book - too many long and rambling parts made it hard for me to get through it. Also, if I have to read the word "ban/banned" one more time ... that got old very quick!
This book didn’t click with me. I love complex fantasy series but here I weren’t able to follow the story (to only listen to it as an audio book didn’t help) and I couldn’t connect to the characters.
For a debut novel, this is amazingly well done. The prose is really transparent, and the character development is superb. Technically, it could have used a more thorough editing (there were many parts where paragraphs were a little rambling, or where the prose was not as polished as it could have been), but that's my only gripe on that front.
My one major disappointment with the book are the huge, huge racial cliches. The races come straight from Tolkien, with almost no variation aside from different names. The "elves" (Shae) are forest-dwelling, magic-loving, fair folk with disdain for humans and animosity toward "dwarves" (Drugaen). The Drugaen, on the other hand, are short, swarthy, bearded blacksmiths who dwell underground and wield battle-axes.
I seriously almost put the book down when the Drugaen were first introduced.
Given the strength of Jeff's ability with prose and character, I see promising things in his future, but only if he can distance himself from cliches like this. Everything else about his book was fantastic, and even with the cliches I'm sure I'll be reading the rest of this trilogy.
In usual Jeff Wheeler fashion, the reader is assaulted by names, locations and references as if they're common knowledge. You are thrust into the fray, thrown into the pond and are expected to know how to swim. There are a lot of names of people, places, races, orders and associations that make absolutely no sense. Half way through the book, things are beginning to make a little bit of sense, but only because the same people are involved. Towards the end, some history is explained and things actually start connecting. Other than that, the story is nice, magic abounds and so does the action. Some mormon symbols and concepts pop up here and there, but not very obvious nor obnoxious. Overall a decent fantasy story with likable characters... if you can manage to make it through to the second half of the book, where things start to make sense.
This book feels like it is a sequel when it starts, it drops names and places like you should know what they are but does not give you any background so that you could know what they are. This book does not realize that confusion is not mystery. So for the first half of the book you can’t keep track of who is doing what. It is not helped that several people have similar names. Near the middle of the book things pick up. The action is clear enough to be enjoyable even considering the oddly specific tier levels of enemies and the some are even listed as immortal. Unfortunately the book has a false ending. A chapter that could have been the end with very little rewording. Unfortunately the book added a chapter and opted for zero resolution.
This was a harder story to get into, but once it became clear that Thealos was a focal point, it's flow was better. I absolutely loved the entire Kingfountain series, and the Harbinger series. This book does have the descriptive language that sets Jeff Wheeler's writing apart from others. Was hoping for a better conclusion.
Starts out a bit slow but swells to a cliff hanger at the end of the tale. We really should learn from history but it seems we are destined to repeat the cycle until courage is found to break it
Wheeler, you have gone and done it again...I burned the midnight hour reading..what an ending. No, I will not spoil it for you. You may be compelled to read it..
Love love love Jeff Wheeler! Every time I set out to read one of his books I can not put it down. Landmoor was no different. The blend of historical style fiction with fantasy has me hooked. There’s always an adventure to be found ❤️
I'm backtracking through some of Wheeler's earlier books that I never read before becoming a fan of his work. I can tell it's earlier, as I feel his writing has gotten better. This one was good, but more disconnected for awhile, and it can be a bit much keeping track of everyone and whose side they're on, but not impossible. First books tend to move slowly anyway as you set the world, the scene, and the characters, so it took me longer to get through. I thought the ending was too unfinished, something he has improved on in his writing, giving each book a solid ending point even though you know another book is coming. This one just felt unresolved for everyone, and someone needs resolution. I'm interested to see how it all ends though.
Wow! I hope Jeff Wheeler continues this series. It's absolutely amazing. I love how each individual story thread slowly begins pulling together.
The editing leaves something to be desired and there is not a working table of contents. Make sure you leave bookmarks!
Even with the ebook technical problems, his story weaving talent shines through. I wish I could leave more stars.
Thank you Jeff! Please write more. I'm off to read Silverkin now. Had I known how wonderful this was, I would have ignored the complaints and bought this book much sooner.
Jeff’s writing never disappoints. This is a completely different world. Following young Thealos as he leaves the Shae behind to find out what is going on in the rest of the world brings intrigue. The characters he meets on the way all help him along his journey and teach him new things. He finds out that he needs to save a magic crystal to stop the war. Of course he heads right into trouble along the way. The characters are well developed, the scenery is painted so that you. can see it in your mind, the quick wit comes right out of the pages. I am looking forward to book 2!! Great job Jeff!!
Very difficult to read. It took me a full 3 weeks instead of a day because it just couldn't hold my attention. It is also not listed as the beginning of a series anywhere on the internet so I was forced to search through the authors books to find a title that seemed relevant and read the synopsis to discover if the story continues. Really feel zero need to read the next book though. I'm going to just ignore that I read this one and maybe read the next one if I somehow become desperate enough to slog though another tedious sorry.
This is a great fantasy book with a very complicated and in-depth world. If complicated, sometimes hard-to-understand books aren't your thing, then this book isn't for you.
After I read The First Argentines series by Jeff Wheeler a few months ago, I was hooked on his books, and here I am, having just finished my second-to-last (Silverkin will be my last) of the books currently published by Mr. Wheeler.
If you have enjoyed other books by Jeff Wheeler, and aren't intimidated by complicated worlds, then you'll love this book.
This book grabs you and draws you in from page one. Is a smooth, captivating read and I truly long to see more of this story past the next book in the series. This is a clean, curse free story thanks to Wheeler's use of actual vocabulary without lazily stooping to the use of swear words. Good for him and good for families! I recommend this book for all ages. Its a great book to even read to children! Mr. Wheeler, please continue with more of this series!
I have read this book after reading seven or eight of his later novels. This novel is raw. Meandering, with few transitions and not the best editing. However, there are a lot of interesting concepts. Character types are fresh, if underdeveloped. Given that this was an early writing, it is alright. I know Mr. Wheeler's writing improves dramatically in later novels. I will continue to read his next book, and then series in order. I want to see his continued improvement.
Very twisty turny. The intro was pretty full on, less lead you down a path and more throw you in the deep end. It took a while to figure out who was who, and keeping track of what their motives were and who knew what was pretty intense.
Still, the plot barrelled along, taking everything and everyone with it. Has enough promise for me to want to read the second, but I don’t think I’d reread it again.
Some readers have said this story is confusing, Mr. Wheeler does like to include many characters, but I did not find this story confusing at all. Wheeler always included surprises and changing loyalties so you never can quite depend on your opinions of a character. This book will keep you guessing!
Wish I’d read this before I read Silverkin, oh well that’s the sort of thing that happens when you pick a book 24 hours after major surgery- I felt there was a really good back story and couldn’t understand why James Maxwell hadn’t written it - doh! He clearly had written it - fantastic start to the series!
Loveable main character. Likeable side characters. Landmoor kept me interested and entertained the whole way through. Jeff Wheeler wrote this with a mature style of writing the felt polished and covered all angles. I cant wait to read the next book in the series.
Wheeler started this story slowly with so many characters and places I wasn’t sure I would continue. However, By the 3rd chapter, I felt part of the story. Great characters to cheer on. Loss of friends. Drugged by Everroot evil characters. Sorien witches/wizards - can’t wait to start Book 2
Not knowing who to trust complicated your course of actions.
Our hero and his band of friends and potential protector have many enemies and challenges to overcome to save their people. Stay loyal to yourself and pursue the truth at all cost. Great adventures await still.
I liked it - was really into it ... I didn't like the way it ended. My Kindle indicated there was one last page, but no matter what I clicked, I couldn't get to it. It is a really good story. Cheers Jeff Wheeler. I'm still reading ;-)
2.5-3 stars, there is a story, but it is not the most interesting one, nor is the book easy to get through, with an ending that lacks resolution. It was Jeff Wheeler's first book, and I'm glad that the rest of his books have been far more enjoyable. This just wasn't a great book for me.
Wheeler has done it again. He puts a bumbling misguided hero with other misfits to block a governmental overthrow. Masterful imagery with great imaginary places all woven through with magic. Loved this book.