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The Chronicles of Eve
Eve of Destruction
The reign of magic is broken. A technological revolution sweeps across the land, and the once invincible Magi caste has been usurped by factory owners and railroad tycoons. Industry spreads like wildfire across the country, and the source of magic recedes in its wake.Now, on the eve of a devastating war between the Magi and the Industrialists, the only hope for the future rests in a gifted but impetuous young sorceress and her motley band of unlikely allies. Together they must survive the battle raging around them long enough to unravel a twisted political conspiracy before all magic is extinguished forever. EVE OF DESTRUCTION is a new, fast-paced fantasy adventure from C.E. Stalbaum, author of the acclaimed Shattered Messiah Trilogy. --Critical Praise for THE LAST GODDESS"The Last Goddess is a very exciting, smoothly written adventure that will stay in my collection to be re-read someday, which is not something I offer to many novels."--Doubleshot Reviews"I have never come across such a perfectly hidden and brilliantly effected (plot) twist."--CS Fantasy Reviews
309 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 5, 2011
8 people are currently reading
211 people want to read
About the author
C.E. Stalbaum
11 books21 followersC.E. Stalbaum grew up reading plenty of space opera and fantasy, particularly Tolkien, R.A. Salvatore, Robert Jordan, and most of all Timothy Zahn. In 2011, Stalbaum published “The Last Goddess” and has written nearly a dozen other novels and novellas since.
C.E. Stalbaum also writes the dark fantasy “Godswar Saga” under the name “Jennifer Vale.”
C.E. Stalbaum also writes the dark fantasy “Godswar Saga” under the name “Jennifer Vale.”
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
December 31, 2015
This was passable fantasy. I believe it must be set in the same world as Stalbaum's The Last Goddess, which I really liked. However, I didn't enjoy this nearly as much.
It had a much strong YA feel and I'm not currently a fan on YA literature. (I guess I just can't relate to 19-year-olds anymore.) I didn't particularly engage with Eve. In fact, I had a much stronger feel for the supporting characters. Everything felt scripted (as it was meant to, to a certain degree), I disliked her ability to use magic without knowing how, and so very much of the story was contingent on event that happened 30+ years ago that I felt I must have missed a first book somewhere.
Stalbaum's writing is strong here, the dialogue feels natural and I never noticed any grievous editing mishaps. So, for the right reader the book might be a win. For me it wasn't a fail, but maybe just a pass.
On a side note, I wasn't aware when I picked the book up that it is the first in a series. But it is and it ends in a very open manner. I was less than pleased with this discovery.
It had a much strong YA feel and I'm not currently a fan on YA literature. (I guess I just can't relate to 19-year-olds anymore.) I didn't particularly engage with Eve. In fact, I had a much stronger feel for the supporting characters. Everything felt scripted (as it was meant to, to a certain degree), I disliked her ability to use magic without knowing how, and so very much of the story was contingent on event that happened 30+ years ago that I felt I must have missed a first book somewhere.
Stalbaum's writing is strong here, the dialogue feels natural and I never noticed any grievous editing mishaps. So, for the right reader the book might be a win. For me it wasn't a fail, but maybe just a pass.
On a side note, I wasn't aware when I picked the book up that it is the first in a series. But it is and it ends in a very open manner. I was less than pleased with this discovery.
July 15, 2012
So so book, had to push through certain parts where the pacing fell flat. The premise was good, characters ranged from engaging to 'just kill them and get them out of the story, please'.
As a heroine I either cheered for Eve or wanted to strangle her, there didn't appear to be any middle ground... which added to the blah feel.
Not sure I'd pick up the second in the series when it's released but I'll reserve judgement.
As a heroine I either cheered for Eve or wanted to strangle her, there didn't appear to be any middle ground... which added to the blah feel.
Not sure I'd pick up the second in the series when it's released but I'll reserve judgement.
February 22, 2012
Just as good as the Shattered Messiah books but in a different way. It was cool to see how the world has changed in a couple hundred years, and the blending of magic and technology is a really neat hook.
July 29, 2012
This was a quick enjoyable read and since it was free ebook downlown, I was surprised by how much I liked it.
I classified the book as steam-punk but in reality society is just on the cusp of true industrialization. This modernization is threatening the very existence of magic. As you might expect, this lends itself to some pontificating on such themes as how we treat our planet, the consequences of war etc., which the author manages without taking away from the story itself. The novel has plenty of action and a whole host of strong female characters. I look forward the other books in the series.
I classified the book as steam-punk but in reality society is just on the cusp of true industrialization. This modernization is threatening the very existence of magic. As you might expect, this lends itself to some pontificating on such themes as how we treat our planet, the consequences of war etc., which the author manages without taking away from the story itself. The novel has plenty of action and a whole host of strong female characters. I look forward the other books in the series.
September 11, 2012
A little less steam-punky than I'd hoped from reading the description and seeing the cover. However, I really enjoyed the book. Could have used some editing (a word processor would've caught some spelling errors!), but errors were infrequent and didn't detract from the story. I would have liked 10% less wordiness as well. What I did like: Strong characters and an intriguing world where using magic comes with a price. I'll be reading the next one, and I just borrowed the first in the predecessor trilogy.
August 1, 2012
I quite enjoyed this book. It isn't as good as Chronicles of Caleath that I read and loved recently, but it is quite good in its own right. I found the world intriguing and the characters interesting. It did have some smaller needs for better editing, but what doesn't these days?
I'd be interested in more of the series.
I'd be interested in more of the series.
October 10, 2014
Not quite what I was expecting, but still an enjoyable read overall. Eve of Destruction is written in young adulitsh style with well developed characters.
It's a story about a young girl coming of age, learning to harness her magic ability, and defy her destiny. The magic vs. industrialists is a fun concept, but it's more of a backdrop for the story then the main plot around Eve.
It's a story about a young girl coming of age, learning to harness her magic ability, and defy her destiny. The magic vs. industrialists is a fun concept, but it's more of a backdrop for the story then the main plot around Eve.
February 22, 2012
Not a bad book but......nothing particularly creative or memorable in terms of characters , story line, culture, or magic used.
February 29, 2012
I gave this free e-book a 4-star rating because it interested me enough to look for the sequels. I enjoyed the story line.
March 15, 2012
Two words for this book - false, misleading. It's presented as steampunk when it's just fantasy. Also it's honestly only average fantasy at best.
December 5, 2012
I really enjoyed this story. Just the right balance between steampunk and fantasy as the war between magic and science starts. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
October 23, 2012
This was my first steam punk book and I really enjoyed it. If they allowed half stars I would have given it 3.5. Not earth shattering, but an enjoyable read.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews