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Sage Seed Chronicles #1
The Founders
Recruited by an ancient race, a group of people from Earth colonize the lovely planet Ose in a far corner of the galaxy. Thirty-two years after the Founders settle the unanticipated happens. A small asteroid hits on the edge of the continent instantly throwing them into a "nuclear winter" weather pattern. Struggling to survive, the young culture slips ever nearer to a survival of the fittest world. In this climate of hardship, Marisily comes of age. She flees for her life after watching her mother die. Unexpectedly, she discovers the cave in which she seeks refuge was a hidden Ancient's shelter and the secrets within it reveal that she is a sage: a small group of seemingly unrelated people with heightened extra senses that are strangely linked to the planet itself. The conditions reach dangerous levels as more citizens become victims of the outlaw bands. Marisily struggles to stay safe when she is targeted for slavery. A clandestine plan is devised to take back the society and reestablish the founding culture. Can they do it in time?
- GenresScience Fiction
276 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2012
3 people are currently reading
269 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
April 14, 2013
The Founders (Sage Seed Chronicles) - by Holly Barbo
Very good book. Wonderful fantasy, complex and intriguing story line. Great world building with a fantastic cast of characters that I came to care about. I really enjoyed this story and I'm looking forward to seeing what happens to this world in the next book.
Some very unique things in this story and I really liked them. It was a most enjoyable read.
No werewolves or vampires or fae or demons here but a sentient planet and some sage folk who can communicate with the planet. The sage folk have different skills. There was just enough tension in this story to keep me up late to finish it. No terribly bloody battles or anything like thing. Although there are some bad guys in the story, the good guys and gals are wonderful and caring people. It is a very interesting story in a very interesting setting. Several new and different themes were in this story and I enjoyed it very much.
I recommend it highly.
Very good book. Wonderful fantasy, complex and intriguing story line. Great world building with a fantastic cast of characters that I came to care about. I really enjoyed this story and I'm looking forward to seeing what happens to this world in the next book.
Some very unique things in this story and I really liked them. It was a most enjoyable read.
No werewolves or vampires or fae or demons here but a sentient planet and some sage folk who can communicate with the planet. The sage folk have different skills. There was just enough tension in this story to keep me up late to finish it. No terribly bloody battles or anything like thing. Although there are some bad guys in the story, the good guys and gals are wonderful and caring people. It is a very interesting story in a very interesting setting. Several new and different themes were in this story and I enjoyed it very much.
I recommend it highly.
January 25, 2019
I loved how the story was set up. The world they live in is not as easy as the one we know, that's for sure. In this world, you have to be strong, smart or just plain crazy to survive.
This author has a special gift when it comes to writing. The storyline was so easy to enjoy there were absolutely no storyline blemishes, it was a page-turner. If you loved the characters or hated then, it was only because the author set it up that way. There ware a few parts of the story that made me pause just because what was happening was not what I was expecting to happen. I love when books make me second guess myself.
I would recommend this book to anyone seventeen and over. I hope other readers enjoy it as much as I did.
This author has a special gift when it comes to writing. The storyline was so easy to enjoy there were absolutely no storyline blemishes, it was a page-turner. If you loved the characters or hated then, it was only because the author set it up that way. There ware a few parts of the story that made me pause just because what was happening was not what I was expecting to happen. I love when books make me second guess myself.
I would recommend this book to anyone seventeen and over. I hope other readers enjoy it as much as I did.
December 21, 2018
Exciting!
I have enjoyed all the books I've read by Holly Barbo and especially this one. This is a wonderful fantasy story that offers a complex and entertaining storyline. Ms Barbo builds an amazing world of fantasy that I am in awe of. This story has some read great unique things that happen in this story,and I liked everyone in this story. This story begins with lovely Marisily living with her father, Jed after her mother's death. From this point you need to be prepared for an exciting, emotional ride!
I have enjoyed all the books I've read by Holly Barbo and especially this one. This is a wonderful fantasy story that offers a complex and entertaining storyline. Ms Barbo builds an amazing world of fantasy that I am in awe of. This story has some read great unique things that happen in this story,and I liked everyone in this story. This story begins with lovely Marisily living with her father, Jed after her mother's death. From this point you need to be prepared for an exciting, emotional ride!
February 8, 2019
This is a well-written fantasy story about a new world where the Founders attempt to create a peaceful society through the Ancients. The sages are special, with powers and...no spoilers.
It is a very detailed tale that enhances wonderful world-building and sense of place. There are goodies and baddies, there is mystery and suspense. Marisily is my favourite character because she is clever, brave, resourceful and kind. The relationship between the sages is intriguing.
Sometimes it was a little repetitious but that didn't spoil my enjoyment.
Highly recommended.
It is a very detailed tale that enhances wonderful world-building and sense of place. There are goodies and baddies, there is mystery and suspense. Marisily is my favourite character because she is clever, brave, resourceful and kind. The relationship between the sages is intriguing.
Sometimes it was a little repetitious but that didn't spoil my enjoyment.
Highly recommended.
May 16, 2013
(Disclaimer: Received this book through the LibraryThing ER/Member Giveaway program. Review first published there 5/15/13.)
A good, solid piece of light fantasy reading. A planet that has gone through a severe meterological episode with widespread upheaval in the culture of it's people that lasts bit more than a generation. The planet requires interaction and support from Sages, of which the heroine, Marisily is one. They all have some type(s) and varying power of psychic abilities and live extremely long lives.
The book revolved around Marisily and the personal challenges she faces being the youngest and newest Sage. Also, the efforts of the people to bring about a resurgence in culture and end the depredations of brigands that have begun terrorizing the population in the last decade or so.
I do feel like the book has possibly a Young Adult feel to it, not sure if that's the target audience or not. I felt at times that some of the information that comes about in the reading seemed a little spoon-fed by the heroine to me, the reader. Just a little bit simplistic here and there.
I like the book enough to wonder when I may catch up to another volume in the series. I didn't find almost anything that I can think of in my pet peeves department, which are spelling, grammar, any glaring typos.
I believe the best aspect of the book was the banter and interaction between most of the characters, they felt genuine and stayed true to that throughout the book. There was a nice bit of scene description and I was able to envision the places the characters were pretty well.
I think the author did a decent job of world-building in her delivery of the science and history of the planet's settlers and the modern day Sages. The culture has a medieval guild type structure and it worked as a basis for the book's characters and the other people.
So, in the end, the book brought a lot of things to a close; a young girl's struggle to be free of an evil father, a culture's attempt to return to peace and prosperity, and the strengthening of the bonds and work of the Sages with their planet and people.
I think a person who enjoys light fantasy or Young Adult fantasy could really love this book.
A good, solid piece of light fantasy reading. A planet that has gone through a severe meterological episode with widespread upheaval in the culture of it's people that lasts bit more than a generation. The planet requires interaction and support from Sages, of which the heroine, Marisily is one. They all have some type(s) and varying power of psychic abilities and live extremely long lives.
The book revolved around Marisily and the personal challenges she faces being the youngest and newest Sage. Also, the efforts of the people to bring about a resurgence in culture and end the depredations of brigands that have begun terrorizing the population in the last decade or so.
I do feel like the book has possibly a Young Adult feel to it, not sure if that's the target audience or not. I felt at times that some of the information that comes about in the reading seemed a little spoon-fed by the heroine to me, the reader. Just a little bit simplistic here and there.
I like the book enough to wonder when I may catch up to another volume in the series. I didn't find almost anything that I can think of in my pet peeves department, which are spelling, grammar, any glaring typos.
I believe the best aspect of the book was the banter and interaction between most of the characters, they felt genuine and stayed true to that throughout the book. There was a nice bit of scene description and I was able to envision the places the characters were pretty well.
I think the author did a decent job of world-building in her delivery of the science and history of the planet's settlers and the modern day Sages. The culture has a medieval guild type structure and it worked as a basis for the book's characters and the other people.
So, in the end, the book brought a lot of things to a close; a young girl's struggle to be free of an evil father, a culture's attempt to return to peace and prosperity, and the strengthening of the bonds and work of the Sages with their planet and people.
I think a person who enjoys light fantasy or Young Adult fantasy could really love this book.
June 11, 2016
Disaster strikes Ose and the planet is in need of healing. Their is much fear on the planet due to a few groups of outlaws who are trying to take peoples food and animals and cause conflicts.
Marisily has been living with her father, Jed, until the death of her mother when she knows she must leave if she is wanting to survive. Yet she still may not be safe from him. She finds a place to live, and learns about who she really is and with the help of others like her they may be able to get everything back to normal, although the cost may be high.
I was a little hesitant going into this book as I normally do not read fantasy generally but I got a little into this one and couldn't stop reading it. I found I almost forgot that it was fantasy as the author has you so involved with everything that's going on.
I absolutely loved the character of Marisily and how she evolved into herself through the book with the knowledge that she gained through reading the ancient books. Her relationship with Sombra and Halcon was awesome and I loved how they protected her.
I enjoyed getting to know all of the Sage's and all of their different skills and how they were able to all work together to help each other and everyone around them.
This is the beginning of a great series and I can't wait to read more about all the Sage's and the new characters that are introduced!
Marisily has been living with her father, Jed, until the death of her mother when she knows she must leave if she is wanting to survive. Yet she still may not be safe from him. She finds a place to live, and learns about who she really is and with the help of others like her they may be able to get everything back to normal, although the cost may be high.
I was a little hesitant going into this book as I normally do not read fantasy generally but I got a little into this one and couldn't stop reading it. I found I almost forgot that it was fantasy as the author has you so involved with everything that's going on.
I absolutely loved the character of Marisily and how she evolved into herself through the book with the knowledge that she gained through reading the ancient books. Her relationship with Sombra and Halcon was awesome and I loved how they protected her.
I enjoyed getting to know all of the Sage's and all of their different skills and how they were able to all work together to help each other and everyone around them.
This is the beginning of a great series and I can't wait to read more about all the Sage's and the new characters that are introduced!
June 15, 2016
I have read a few books written by Holly Barbo and I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed this great story. Ms Barbo has given us a story that will suck you in and keep you there from start to finish ,and then will leave us wanting more from this author.This is one really wonderful fantasy story ,that have alot of complex and is very intriguing storyline that is just great.The way that Ms Barbo has built a world of fantasy in this story is great and the characters were built so well also This story has some read great unique things that happen in this story,and I liked everyone in this story. This story is about disaster that strikes the planet of Ose ,but the planet is in need of of healing . There is some fear on the planet due to some outlaws ,who is trying to take the food and animals to cause conflicts. Lovely Marisily has been living with her father, Jed every since her mother's death.But when she knows she must leave if she wants to survive ,but then she may ever be safe from him. But soon she finds a place to live ,but then she soon fines who she really is .With some time and help from others ,they may be able to bring everything back to normal. I could tell you more about this great story ,but that would spoil it for you .I highly recommend that you read this great story ,you won't be disappointed.
March 17, 2016
this is a very good and interesting young adult fantasy book and the first in a series. I like how the story is build up and the intrigues in the book. It shows that it is a lot of planning to get the story so good as it is. I enjoyed reading it and felt drawn in pretty quickly.
For me, as an adult, this is a pretty quick read and even if it wasnt I would try to read it in one go because it is really good and it is very hard to put it down when you finally have started reading it.
I think the characters in the book is very well developed and felt real and I had no problem bonding and connect with them and the story. Sometimes characters in fantasy can be hard to get or grasp but that is not the case here. I really enjoyed the characters in the book.
This shows good potential for the other books in the series and I cant wait to read them. This is a great young adult book and I can recommend it. Some adult may find it easy and boring but I didnt so you can read it and love it even as an adult.
For me, as an adult, this is a pretty quick read and even if it wasnt I would try to read it in one go because it is really good and it is very hard to put it down when you finally have started reading it.
I think the characters in the book is very well developed and felt real and I had no problem bonding and connect with them and the story. Sometimes characters in fantasy can be hard to get or grasp but that is not the case here. I really enjoyed the characters in the book.
This shows good potential for the other books in the series and I cant wait to read them. This is a great young adult book and I can recommend it. Some adult may find it easy and boring but I didnt so you can read it and love it even as an adult.
September 22, 2015
I loved the blend of fantasy myth and some light scifi, sort of a "low-fi fantasy." The concept of sages went well with the sort of downtrodden society. I also really liked the fact that sages had to conceal themselves.
The story began bleak enough that I wasn't sure if I wanted to continue, but I'm glad I did. At first it seemed like every male character was an unfeeling monster, but as the story went on that changed when more guys were introduced. My favorite parts were the descriptions of the tech and sage abilities. At few times I got some of the characters mixed up, but finally sorted them enough to follow the story again. This would often happen after longer segments of information rather than narrative.
Maxine Lennon did a fine job of reading the The Founders.
--I received a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.--
The story began bleak enough that I wasn't sure if I wanted to continue, but I'm glad I did. At first it seemed like every male character was an unfeeling monster, but as the story went on that changed when more guys were introduced. My favorite parts were the descriptions of the tech and sage abilities. At few times I got some of the characters mixed up, but finally sorted them enough to follow the story again. This would often happen after longer segments of information rather than narrative.
Maxine Lennon did a fine job of reading the The Founders.
--I received a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.--
June 15, 2016
The Sage Seed Chronicles combines a bit of fantasy with classic science fiction for an exciting tale of survival. Very reminiscent of Dark Eden and by Chris Beckett, dystopian and speculative fiction fans will certainly be intrigued by this concept. Though I admit to getting confused a few times, the story flows well overall and moves at a steady pace, sometimes picking up for the more intense scenes, and lingering a bit for more atmospheric scenes. Barbo created moderately complex characters, that do definitely grow and become more known to us throughout the series. They aren't battling much in the way of inner demons, which is absolutely a good thing because there is so much happening around them, the last thing any of these people, er, um aliens, need is to have to deal with more problems. I am enjoying this series thus far and would love to see more out of it.
June 26, 2016
Having no internet makes leaving a review really difficult.....
OK so, I really enjoyed this book (AND series) overall.
This story starts with a young (adult) Marisily, who is living in her fathers home with her mother and father. The father is an ass to put it mildly. The day they bury her mother her basically tells her shes taking up his air and space and shell either be married off, to a friend of his, or she can flee. She flees.
This book follows Marisily as she discovers so many things not only about her world, but herself as well. She forms strong friendships, and bonds that will last her lifetime.
This would have been a 5*, but I felt it dragged a little. It wasnt really bad, and managed to keep my attention,, just felt there were too many details. And I often felt myself skipping a paragraph here and there.
OK so, I really enjoyed this book (AND series) overall.
This story starts with a young (adult) Marisily, who is living in her fathers home with her mother and father. The father is an ass to put it mildly. The day they bury her mother her basically tells her shes taking up his air and space and shell either be married off, to a friend of his, or she can flee. She flees.
This book follows Marisily as she discovers so many things not only about her world, but herself as well. She forms strong friendships, and bonds that will last her lifetime.
This would have been a 5*, but I felt it dragged a little. It wasnt really bad, and managed to keep my attention,, just felt there were too many details. And I often felt myself skipping a paragraph here and there.
June 15, 2016
The Founders (Sage Seed Chronicles #1)
by Holly Barbo
This was interesting, I found Founders to be a good story.
You can tell when I really love a great book when I review I tend to go on too much and when I have just liked a book, I keep it short and sweet!
In this case, I’m going to keep it short and sweet, with Founders.
In this Fantasy story, it started out two slow for me and wasn’t sure I wanted to continue, but I did and it took me a little while to finish.
The Characters I found, were developed enough I didn’t have any problem following the story line.
Some adults may find YA a little meh, for their tastes. But I kinda love YA stories. Overall I liked the story but I didn’t love it.
2.5-3 Stars.
Arc, received for an honest review
by Holly Barbo
This was interesting, I found Founders to be a good story.
You can tell when I really love a great book when I review I tend to go on too much and when I have just liked a book, I keep it short and sweet!
In this case, I’m going to keep it short and sweet, with Founders.
In this Fantasy story, it started out two slow for me and wasn’t sure I wanted to continue, but I did and it took me a little while to finish.
The Characters I found, were developed enough I didn’t have any problem following the story line.
Some adults may find YA a little meh, for their tastes. But I kinda love YA stories. Overall I liked the story but I didn’t love it.
2.5-3 Stars.
Arc, received for an honest review
July 8, 2013
I loved the journey that this book took me on, bringing together all the different characters within the excellent world building.
I loved the strength and determination of Marisily the newest young sage. Her struggle against the evil of her father and his friends. Also the interactions between the friends and the way the sages kept their abilities secret from the mundanes. I look forward to reading more of these wonderful characters from this talented author.
I loved the strength and determination of Marisily the newest young sage. Her struggle against the evil of her father and his friends. Also the interactions between the friends and the way the sages kept their abilities secret from the mundanes. I look forward to reading more of these wonderful characters from this talented author.
June 19, 2014
I was thrilled to read this sci-fi book by author Holly Barbo. It takes a fantastic imagination to create not just characters but an entire new world as well. My hats off to Holly! Her characters were so life-like that you couldn't help but love some and hate others. Can't wait to read more of the Sage Seed Chronicles!!!
August 11, 2012
2.5 Stars, I suppose rounding up to 3. Review to come after the blog tour.
November 4, 2014
What a great sci-fi story. It was well told and you learned the background info as you went along. This story had you rooting for the good guys.
February 26, 2015
Dnf'd. This one was boring. The characters were flat and the story and world building were poorly drawn.
February 9, 2015
I got to 15% and gave up. Massive info dumps, telling rather than showing, passive voice and head hopping every two sentences make for a very poor book indeed.
February 12, 2016
Loved it!
This thoroughly entertained with suspense and a new world. I loved the characters and can see this author becoming a favorite.
This thoroughly entertained with suspense and a new world. I loved the characters and can see this author becoming a favorite.
February 2, 2017
Good story with some very simple elements. Pace moves quickly. Good for young adults.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews