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Dragonsoul Saga #1
A Balance Broken
In a time before the Dragon Wars consumed Tarmor, the Dragonsouls ruled over the five races. Then, during the destruction of the Cataclysm that followed the wars, the Dragonsouls disappeared. Most wizards thought them destroyed forever, and a great peace settled over the land, each of the five races finding its place, decimated and hidden as it may be.
But the winds of Chaos blow eternal, and peace can never last. Secrets thought hidden are oft discovered. Though magic only remains in the hands of a few, and the Paladins of Balance are vanishing, some may still stand against the coming storm. Those who will rise have yet to prove themselves, and who stokes the tempest is yet to be known.
“A Balance Broken” is the first tale of The Dragonsoul Saga, a story to span an epic horizon, yet enter the hidden recesses of the human heart, even if that heart is not so human.
An epic fantasy mixing a classic take on the genre with a decisively new twist.
Discover more at www.dragonsoulsaga.com
But the winds of Chaos blow eternal, and peace can never last. Secrets thought hidden are oft discovered. Though magic only remains in the hands of a few, and the Paladins of Balance are vanishing, some may still stand against the coming storm. Those who will rise have yet to prove themselves, and who stokes the tempest is yet to be known.
“A Balance Broken” is the first tale of The Dragonsoul Saga, a story to span an epic horizon, yet enter the hidden recesses of the human heart, even if that heart is not so human.
An epic fantasy mixing a classic take on the genre with a decisively new twist.
Discover more at www.dragonsoulsaga.com
450 pages, Hardcover
First published July 16, 2012
9 people are currently reading
1776 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
March 12, 2015
Now that I've finished, I'd describe this book as a comforting, familiar fantasy novel by a talented writer who has crafted a compelling story around well-worn, tried-and-true fantasy tropes.
But I'm not going to lie--it took some time for me to get to that point.
I say "comforting and familiar" because I love fantasy. I love magic and dragons and all that. So to fall into a story about those kinds of things is right in my comfort zone. But there isn't much new here. In fact, the beginning almost felt like World of Warcraft fan fiction, set somewhere other than Azeroth. You had your green-skinned, red-eyed orcs...your mining and Earth-loving dwarves... your long-lived, keen-eyed elves...there were mages and paladins and rogues and shaman and hunters and warriors and I was just waiting--waiting!--for a shape-shifting druid to cast a healing circle. Honestly, I prefer what Brandon Sanderson describes as "hard magic" to the finger-wiggling "spirit" kind of magic, but that's a personal preference. The magic system here isn't anything really unique or groundbreaking. It's wizard-feely-elemental magic.
In addition to being inundated with familiar tropes in the beginning, the point of view shifts with every single chapter, introducing several stories and names in a short period of time. So, I felt like I wasn't being offered anything revolutionary plot/story-wise, but I also wasn't given enough time with each character to get attached yet, either. It took me longer than I'd like to feel comfortable that I even remembered what was going on and what I'd just read. My progress was slow in the beginning because I kept flipping back to make sure I hadn't already read about someone before when I started a new chapter. To be honest, I'm still not sure I accurately remember all the correct names and ranks of the various Earls and Generals and Commanders and all that.
However!
Once I sorted everyone out and the main story got started, my reading speed picked up. I found myself sneaking chapters at work. I fell into the story and the characters. My expectation--my fear--was that it was going to end up being generic and unoriginal, but the story and characters convinced me otherwise. I definitely want to read the next one.
The writing style is professional and clear. I say "professional" mainly because I've read, unfortunately, far too many indie-published books in this genre thanks to e-book libraries. Far too many books by authors who care more about their ideas than the style and flow of words... by authors who cannot use a comma correctly to save their lives. Mr. Hartke, thankfully, does not fall into this category. He is a true writer in command of his craft. The only small critique of his style that I have is that he uses the crutch of having characters talking to themselves in order to give information to his readers. In an otherwise well-written story, these parts jumped out to me because often it felt unrealistic that these characters would actually be mumbling out loud when they were by themselves, about information that is old news to them.
I truly hope this review doesn't come across as overly critical. I tend to be that way sometimes. I did enjoy the book, especially after I got through the beginning third. I will be purchasing the next one soon! If you like fantasy and magic, this book is worth picking up.
But I'm not going to lie--it took some time for me to get to that point.
I say "comforting and familiar" because I love fantasy. I love magic and dragons and all that. So to fall into a story about those kinds of things is right in my comfort zone. But there isn't much new here. In fact, the beginning almost felt like World of Warcraft fan fiction, set somewhere other than Azeroth. You had your green-skinned, red-eyed orcs...your mining and Earth-loving dwarves... your long-lived, keen-eyed elves...there were mages and paladins and rogues and shaman and hunters and warriors and I was just waiting--waiting!--for a shape-shifting druid to cast a healing circle. Honestly, I prefer what Brandon Sanderson describes as "hard magic" to the finger-wiggling "spirit" kind of magic, but that's a personal preference. The magic system here isn't anything really unique or groundbreaking. It's wizard-feely-elemental magic.
In addition to being inundated with familiar tropes in the beginning, the point of view shifts with every single chapter, introducing several stories and names in a short period of time. So, I felt like I wasn't being offered anything revolutionary plot/story-wise, but I also wasn't given enough time with each character to get attached yet, either. It took me longer than I'd like to feel comfortable that I even remembered what was going on and what I'd just read. My progress was slow in the beginning because I kept flipping back to make sure I hadn't already read about someone before when I started a new chapter. To be honest, I'm still not sure I accurately remember all the correct names and ranks of the various Earls and Generals and Commanders and all that.
However!
Once I sorted everyone out and the main story got started, my reading speed picked up. I found myself sneaking chapters at work. I fell into the story and the characters. My expectation--my fear--was that it was going to end up being generic and unoriginal, but the story and characters convinced me otherwise. I definitely want to read the next one.
The writing style is professional and clear. I say "professional" mainly because I've read, unfortunately, far too many indie-published books in this genre thanks to e-book libraries. Far too many books by authors who care more about their ideas than the style and flow of words... by authors who cannot use a comma correctly to save their lives. Mr. Hartke, thankfully, does not fall into this category. He is a true writer in command of his craft. The only small critique of his style that I have is that he uses the crutch of having characters talking to themselves in order to give information to his readers. In an otherwise well-written story, these parts jumped out to me because often it felt unrealistic that these characters would actually be mumbling out loud when they were by themselves, about information that is old news to them.
I truly hope this review doesn't come across as overly critical. I tend to be that way sometimes. I did enjoy the book, especially after I got through the beginning third. I will be purchasing the next one soon! If you like fantasy and magic, this book is worth picking up.
July 22, 2012
In a genre ripe with destined heroes sprung forth from meager and humble beginnings, one must as an author bring more to the table then a simple tale of wonderment. It becomes a prerequisite to be able to paint with one's words, to literally compose symphonic masterpieces with language, transporting the reader into not only another world, but the very mindset of the characters as seen through the eyes of the author. It is this very thing that J.T. Hartke excels at. Crafting a world via visual descriptive text that leaves you not only seeing what he intends for you to see, but easily picturing yourself there, amongst his landscapes, walking alongside the heroes of this tale.
Crafting a tale wrapped around a young boy destined to wield far more magical power than the man who becomes his mentor, Hartke fills out his cast with colorful characters that all feel that they have a place, and are none of them merely a “red shirt”. But to say this tale belongs to that boy and those he journeys with alone would be to do this story a disservice, as this book also follows the path of an orc warrior upon whom the weight of leadership has been thrust, and the eventual building of the twin tales and their intertwining facets.
And of course, no good fantasy tale is complete without its own rules of magic, and J.T.Hartke does not disappoint in given a plausible, and well thought out system to the workings of magic within the lands he has based his tales within. Drawing upon the elemental theories as the groundwork for spells, and that which fuels them, the concept lends itself well to easily imagined grandiose visuals of spells forming around those weaving them.
And the dragons.....it always pleases me to see an author explore dragons as more than merely the giant lizards of bygone fantasy era artwork, and again Hartke does not disappoint, giving us dragons the size of small horses, and as large as the grand lizards we all know so well.
Well worth the price of admission, A Balance Broken is an excellent read, and opens the door for what I can only hope will be a series of books equally as enchanting as the first.
Crafting a tale wrapped around a young boy destined to wield far more magical power than the man who becomes his mentor, Hartke fills out his cast with colorful characters that all feel that they have a place, and are none of them merely a “red shirt”. But to say this tale belongs to that boy and those he journeys with alone would be to do this story a disservice, as this book also follows the path of an orc warrior upon whom the weight of leadership has been thrust, and the eventual building of the twin tales and their intertwining facets.
And of course, no good fantasy tale is complete without its own rules of magic, and J.T.Hartke does not disappoint in given a plausible, and well thought out system to the workings of magic within the lands he has based his tales within. Drawing upon the elemental theories as the groundwork for spells, and that which fuels them, the concept lends itself well to easily imagined grandiose visuals of spells forming around those weaving them.
And the dragons.....it always pleases me to see an author explore dragons as more than merely the giant lizards of bygone fantasy era artwork, and again Hartke does not disappoint, giving us dragons the size of small horses, and as large as the grand lizards we all know so well.
Well worth the price of admission, A Balance Broken is an excellent read, and opens the door for what I can only hope will be a series of books equally as enchanting as the first.
September 13, 2012
The Dragonsoul Saga touches your soul! Outstanding.
I was extremely excited upon hearing the news that I would have the opportunity of reading a new epic fantasy saga through a Goodreads giveaway, as I am a huge fan of this genre such as enjoying works by many authors from Anne McCaffrey to Christopher Paolini. Book one a balance broken is the first installment in a new series that continues with ‘a darkness unleashed’ by an accomplished author whom I predict great things to come, exceeding all expectations by his creation that is truly remarkable.
It begins with the five races which Dragonsouls watch over until a great cataclysm and wars where they disappeared; hence many believed them to have gone forever. As peace is restored to the land of Tarmor things that once were all but forgotten awake as secrets are revealed, when the coming storm begins to threaten balance and harmony. One young boy’s destiny is laid out before him as he has to wield magical power that is greater than anything he has been taught, alongside a great Orc warrior who has been given the task of leadership as the two characters tales become entwined. There are not just Wizards and Dragons in this tale but other cleverly thought-out races each with their own individual characteristics, from humans to Orcs and dwarves.
J.T. Hartke’s novel is truly outstanding and comparable to JRR Tolkien at his very best, with a phenomenal, detailed and well-structured storyline that is original and believable and which takes you on the most thrilling journey of discovery. There is an element of the old-style fantasy that I love which you find with authors such as Robin Hobb and Raymond E Feist and David Farland, with lots of detailed description that is underpinned by a regal element; with courts, castles and nobility. It is new, modern and current but JT Hartke’s style is of the older fantasy literature that in my mind has stood the test of time and is so incredibly constructed that the story would be just as relevant and readable in a hundred years time. I would label it a classic just like Titus Groan (Gormenghast by Mervyn Peake) that readers will still be picking off the shelf in years to come, as the writing is similar to that of Dickens with its exquisite language and relevance to all readers. It is full of destined heroes plucked from meager, humble beginnings giving this story so many possibilities making it unending hence I do feel that the Dragonsoul Saga will become more than two volumes. The world building is vast and impressive, with a magnificent map that I printed off the author’s website so that I could follow the characters along their perilous adventure within a spellbinding magical land. I felt a part of the story as I was physically within each kingdom, being able to clearly visualize this astonishing imaginative world. Every author of fantasy fiction has their own ideas and take on magic, as too does JT Hartke which is most intriguing, compelling to read and grasp.
JT Hartke has produced something close to extraordinary, that many fans of Tolkien, Terry Goodkind, Robert Jordan and many other fantasy authors will adore as it has all the qualities of the type of fantasy literature that is much more comprehensive than some modern works. The creativity, imagination and inspired vision that the author has is wonderful and as an enthusiast of this type of book I was engrossed, absorbed and captivated by this tale. I cannot thank the author enough for hosting a giveaway of his book that I have been so fortunate as to have had the opportunity of reading, as now I would love to continue on the journey and plunge back into a world that is an inspired masterpiece. If I could give this a higher rating than five stars I would for it is a brilliant book and one that stands out on any bookshelf with its stunning cover.
I was extremely excited upon hearing the news that I would have the opportunity of reading a new epic fantasy saga through a Goodreads giveaway, as I am a huge fan of this genre such as enjoying works by many authors from Anne McCaffrey to Christopher Paolini. Book one a balance broken is the first installment in a new series that continues with ‘a darkness unleashed’ by an accomplished author whom I predict great things to come, exceeding all expectations by his creation that is truly remarkable.
It begins with the five races which Dragonsouls watch over until a great cataclysm and wars where they disappeared; hence many believed them to have gone forever. As peace is restored to the land of Tarmor things that once were all but forgotten awake as secrets are revealed, when the coming storm begins to threaten balance and harmony. One young boy’s destiny is laid out before him as he has to wield magical power that is greater than anything he has been taught, alongside a great Orc warrior who has been given the task of leadership as the two characters tales become entwined. There are not just Wizards and Dragons in this tale but other cleverly thought-out races each with their own individual characteristics, from humans to Orcs and dwarves.
J.T. Hartke’s novel is truly outstanding and comparable to JRR Tolkien at his very best, with a phenomenal, detailed and well-structured storyline that is original and believable and which takes you on the most thrilling journey of discovery. There is an element of the old-style fantasy that I love which you find with authors such as Robin Hobb and Raymond E Feist and David Farland, with lots of detailed description that is underpinned by a regal element; with courts, castles and nobility. It is new, modern and current but JT Hartke’s style is of the older fantasy literature that in my mind has stood the test of time and is so incredibly constructed that the story would be just as relevant and readable in a hundred years time. I would label it a classic just like Titus Groan (Gormenghast by Mervyn Peake) that readers will still be picking off the shelf in years to come, as the writing is similar to that of Dickens with its exquisite language and relevance to all readers. It is full of destined heroes plucked from meager, humble beginnings giving this story so many possibilities making it unending hence I do feel that the Dragonsoul Saga will become more than two volumes. The world building is vast and impressive, with a magnificent map that I printed off the author’s website so that I could follow the characters along their perilous adventure within a spellbinding magical land. I felt a part of the story as I was physically within each kingdom, being able to clearly visualize this astonishing imaginative world. Every author of fantasy fiction has their own ideas and take on magic, as too does JT Hartke which is most intriguing, compelling to read and grasp.
JT Hartke has produced something close to extraordinary, that many fans of Tolkien, Terry Goodkind, Robert Jordan and many other fantasy authors will adore as it has all the qualities of the type of fantasy literature that is much more comprehensive than some modern works. The creativity, imagination and inspired vision that the author has is wonderful and as an enthusiast of this type of book I was engrossed, absorbed and captivated by this tale. I cannot thank the author enough for hosting a giveaway of his book that I have been so fortunate as to have had the opportunity of reading, as now I would love to continue on the journey and plunge back into a world that is an inspired masterpiece. If I could give this a higher rating than five stars I would for it is a brilliant book and one that stands out on any bookshelf with its stunning cover.
May 21, 2012
It is amazing to see this in print - and with a map of a new world! The story line is classic fantasy, but it has strong female and male characters, a feature sorely lacking in most fantasy novels. Not only that, but both female and male characters lack overtly annoying traits (which strong female characters tend to have in this genre). Although most characters are likeable, character development is a focus of Book One of the Dragonsoul Saga and it will be very interesting to see how things turn out as social situations change and times get tougher in Book Two.
In line with Tolkien's genius, Hartke introduces his reader to many different races. The interesting thing is how Hartke develops several individual personalities from each race. The reader is allowed to understand the reasoning behind the behaviors of different orks, humans, and dwarves. (The elves are present, but they are not as developed as the characters from the other races are yet.) These insights give the novel a more realistic feel that parallels our society's struggle to understand people of different races, religions, and cultures. Bigotry and social inequality are clearly present in Hartke's world, but his heros/heroines face these issues with decisiveness and strength of purpose. Hartke paints a clear picture of how people are interconnected by something fundamental to life that transcends social status or race. I am looking forward to his exploration and development of this fundamental force in future books in this series.
Hartke also introduces his reader to other beings - not exactly dragons (although there are a couple of types of dragons in this book), and not exactly spirits, but something more difficult to grasp. The reactions that his characters have to these entities is intriguing and worth mentioning here. I am still trying to interpret what these beings are and what they might represent to me. Any discussion is more than welcome - please let me know what you think of the first book of the Dragonsoul Saga!
In line with Tolkien's genius, Hartke introduces his reader to many different races. The interesting thing is how Hartke develops several individual personalities from each race. The reader is allowed to understand the reasoning behind the behaviors of different orks, humans, and dwarves. (The elves are present, but they are not as developed as the characters from the other races are yet.) These insights give the novel a more realistic feel that parallels our society's struggle to understand people of different races, religions, and cultures. Bigotry and social inequality are clearly present in Hartke's world, but his heros/heroines face these issues with decisiveness and strength of purpose. Hartke paints a clear picture of how people are interconnected by something fundamental to life that transcends social status or race. I am looking forward to his exploration and development of this fundamental force in future books in this series.
Hartke also introduces his reader to other beings - not exactly dragons (although there are a couple of types of dragons in this book), and not exactly spirits, but something more difficult to grasp. The reactions that his characters have to these entities is intriguing and worth mentioning here. I am still trying to interpret what these beings are and what they might represent to me. Any discussion is more than welcome - please let me know what you think of the first book of the Dragonsoul Saga!
July 27, 2012
I can sum this book up in one word.....Awesome!!! Everything about this book is great. The characters are extremely well developed, the world is very detailed and is put together as well as Tolkien or Frank Hebert's worlds, the magic system is elegant to say the least, and the intricate story made the book something I couldn't put down. I am definitely going to put this on my shelf of favorite books. Reading "A Balance Broken" reminded me of how much I enjoyed reading Tolkien, Dune, or Stephen Lawhead for the first time. I can't wait for the next book, and I know if you read this you will feel the same!
December 19, 2012
This book is an extraordinary book can't wait to read the next installment. Superbly thought out charters , the orcs are better than Tolkien orc's in my opinion. They have more thought and personality. The author has put a lot of thought and time into each of his charters and plot. One of my favorite charters is Maddi a younger thief who discovers that she is also a healer..... This in my thinking has thrown her for a loop. She helps the poor which is different for her since she had been a thief before . But I won't go into this any further for I don't want to give anything away. All I will say is this is surly a must read! Love this book!
June 22, 2012
This is a fantastic book that challenges your preconceived notions of a fantasy world. You think you know where the story is going, but the author zigs when you think he'll zag. He fools you with the steadily paced first few chapters, then crazy stuff happens and doesn't let up. And then there are dragons.
August 4, 2012
What I have tried to do here is take the classic archetypes of the genre and prove that they are not stereotypes. Good and Evil are relative in the world of Tarmor. I hope that by the end of this volume, you are not certain which side you are on.
July 28, 2012
Great first book by JT Hartke. Started out a little slow with the introduction of characters, but worth the wait for the action :) Can't wait for the second installment!!
September 23, 2015
More reviews at http://wellreadviking.blogspot.com/
A year and a half ago I entered a giveaway to receive this book. I did not win, but for some reason I kept it around on my lists. Time past and I wound up forgetting about this book, but recently as I scrolled through my to-reads I saw this book and I figured it was time.
As the story begins we are introduced to two characters who both have visions that tell them that they will be integral in changing and shaping the fate of the world. When this happens we have no idea who these people are and what their goals might be. As the book progresses we see more about the motivations of the characters and who they really are and for what side they fight. As this is happening we get introduced to a whole host of other characters who end up getting involved in the main plot at different points.
While this book does follow a familiar fantasy pattern of a protagonist that is coming of age, it does it in a way that is not quite normal. This book actually features two main protagonists, a male and a female, and it follows the growth of the two of them in their respective spheres. I found that many of the characters had depth. They had flaws with which we could associate and they acted like real people would.
The way this book is organized is to have each chapter from a different characters point of view. This allows us to get to know them better and it keeps the book fresh throughout. The action is well paced and the book never feels like it is dragging. Each page grabs your attention and forces you to go on, even though you might have other things to do. I do have a small complaint (I always do). Sometimes during the action an order would be shouted out or they would be going about things and it ended up feeling a little under-described. One example that comes to mind is when we are introduced to the dwarf mage. He is told to engage in battle but the description of what he did was sparse.
One thing that I really did enjoy was the system of magic that J.T. Hartke created. It was well thought out and well explained. It made the magic that happened seem more real. As a whole I really enjoyed reading this book, and would recommend it to anyone that likes fantasy or a fun fast paced story. I will most certainly be looking for the sequel when it comes out.
Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
A year and a half ago I entered a giveaway to receive this book. I did not win, but for some reason I kept it around on my lists. Time past and I wound up forgetting about this book, but recently as I scrolled through my to-reads I saw this book and I figured it was time.
As the story begins we are introduced to two characters who both have visions that tell them that they will be integral in changing and shaping the fate of the world. When this happens we have no idea who these people are and what their goals might be. As the book progresses we see more about the motivations of the characters and who they really are and for what side they fight. As this is happening we get introduced to a whole host of other characters who end up getting involved in the main plot at different points.
While this book does follow a familiar fantasy pattern of a protagonist that is coming of age, it does it in a way that is not quite normal. This book actually features two main protagonists, a male and a female, and it follows the growth of the two of them in their respective spheres. I found that many of the characters had depth. They had flaws with which we could associate and they acted like real people would.
The way this book is organized is to have each chapter from a different characters point of view. This allows us to get to know them better and it keeps the book fresh throughout. The action is well paced and the book never feels like it is dragging. Each page grabs your attention and forces you to go on, even though you might have other things to do. I do have a small complaint (I always do). Sometimes during the action an order would be shouted out or they would be going about things and it ended up feeling a little under-described. One example that comes to mind is when we are introduced to the dwarf mage. He is told to engage in battle but the description of what he did was sparse.
One thing that I really did enjoy was the system of magic that J.T. Hartke created. It was well thought out and well explained. It made the magic that happened seem more real. As a whole I really enjoyed reading this book, and would recommend it to anyone that likes fantasy or a fun fast paced story. I will most certainly be looking for the sequel when it comes out.
Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
August 19, 2014
I won a free copy of this book though First reads, and when I entered, I thought the book looked promising but I wasn't sure it would be any good. Well I am glad I entered, and am eagerly awaiting book two. I would defiantly recommend this book to people with a love of fantasy.
To start the prologue shocked me... I am not used to reading fantasy books where orcs are semi-intelligent creatures capable of being almost human. Usually orcs are mindless creatures led to the slaughter by some evil mastermind, yet this series has real orc characters with families and plans.
The first few chapters were rather slow as characters were introduced. But things quickly picked up after the introduction of the main characters and moved rather quickly. In fact, distance seems to have no impact on the story. They travel from one corner of the world to another in a few pages. I loved the addition of the world map, it makes the world more accessible and real to the reader in my opinion. Some books have so many characters that you read a half a book without mention of a certain character, and this book you dont have that problem (yet). Towards the end it was getting hard to keep track of all the dukes, generals, lords, ect. but I think that is typical of most fantasy novels I have read. For most of the story, you dont really know who these spirits are or what a dragonsoul is but by the end things begin making sense and you are left wondering how the world will be saved.
I liked the way magic is setup in the world. It is not unique, but combinations of the basic elements is a nice system of magic in my opinion.
I read that the book was recommended for young adults. It contains little detail on the blood and gore of the battle scenes. Totally appropriate for young people. This worried me, since I tend to read more graphic books, but these characters were so interesting I found myself reading longer than intended and not wanting to put it down. I am not sure where Hartke is going with the series, and I find I cant wait to find out.
To start the prologue shocked me... I am not used to reading fantasy books where orcs are semi-intelligent creatures capable of being almost human. Usually orcs are mindless creatures led to the slaughter by some evil mastermind, yet this series has real orc characters with families and plans.
The first few chapters were rather slow as characters were introduced. But things quickly picked up after the introduction of the main characters and moved rather quickly. In fact, distance seems to have no impact on the story. They travel from one corner of the world to another in a few pages. I loved the addition of the world map, it makes the world more accessible and real to the reader in my opinion. Some books have so many characters that you read a half a book without mention of a certain character, and this book you dont have that problem (yet). Towards the end it was getting hard to keep track of all the dukes, generals, lords, ect. but I think that is typical of most fantasy novels I have read. For most of the story, you dont really know who these spirits are or what a dragonsoul is but by the end things begin making sense and you are left wondering how the world will be saved.
I liked the way magic is setup in the world. It is not unique, but combinations of the basic elements is a nice system of magic in my opinion.
I read that the book was recommended for young adults. It contains little detail on the blood and gore of the battle scenes. Totally appropriate for young people. This worried me, since I tend to read more graphic books, but these characters were so interesting I found myself reading longer than intended and not wanting to put it down. I am not sure where Hartke is going with the series, and I find I cant wait to find out.
August 14, 2012
As a middle school teacher and librarian, I have read countless novels written for 12 - 18 year old readers. I have read more than my fair share of fantasy because those are the readers that want to talk to me about their novel. I can honestly say, J.T. Hartke’s novel is fantastic. I truly believe that it will take off like wild fire with my students. Tallen and Maddi are protagonists that will enchant the readers. J.T. has done a wonderful job of developing the characters throughout the novel. The story line is phenomenal. He has added the undercurrents with the Nobels, which makes one wonder what is going on within the kingdom's courts. But yet, the reader is captivated with the main conflict with the Orcs. The concept of having a "talent" awakened within certain characters is a great twist on the traditional magic found in many fantasy. Honestly I am a fan of fantasy but so many of the new fantasy novels released seem to be very similar to some of the more popular from the genre. Because of this I struggle to remain focused throughout the novel. This is not the case with J.T. Hartke’s novel. I normally read a book before placing it on my library shelf and it takes me a day maybe two. I spent 2 weeks with your novel because I found myself rereading parts because I didn't want to miss a detail. There are very few books that can make me go back and reread. JT Hartke has written a novel that fantasy readers will read over and over again! Which in this librarians opinion is the mark of a CLASSIC!
November 26, 2012
First, I must preface this review stating that I wouldn't consider myself a fan of fantasy genre, but that didn't stop me from picking up a copy of J.T. Hartke's first book of the Dragonsoul Saga series, and I'm glad that I did. My tastes in literature include preferences for the vivid imaginative descriptions of Ken Follett's Pillars of the Earth, the strong female protagonists of Jane Auel's works, and the mesmerizing yarns spun by Tolkein. Perhaps these interests are why Hartke's writings captivated my attention.
Just like anything worthwhile, anticipation is part of the journey. The characters, setting and background information about the plot were intricately woven throughout the first third of the book, which proved a bit challenging. However, this developmental aspect was worth the wait. I felt as though I had a much better insight when reading the next two thirds of the book, but only discovered the "dragonsoul" meaning toward the end of the novel. I now plan on re-reading the novel to discover nuances that were hidden gems, and anxiously await the next book in the series "A Darkness Unleashed."
Readers of fantasy literature will certainly enjoy this novel, but I encourage those who do not ordinarily select such books to give this a read. You will find much to appreciate.
Just like anything worthwhile, anticipation is part of the journey. The characters, setting and background information about the plot were intricately woven throughout the first third of the book, which proved a bit challenging. However, this developmental aspect was worth the wait. I felt as though I had a much better insight when reading the next two thirds of the book, but only discovered the "dragonsoul" meaning toward the end of the novel. I now plan on re-reading the novel to discover nuances that were hidden gems, and anxiously await the next book in the series "A Darkness Unleashed."
Readers of fantasy literature will certainly enjoy this novel, but I encourage those who do not ordinarily select such books to give this a read. You will find much to appreciate.
October 12, 2016
Excellent book! An amazing accomplishment from a first time author. The writing is superb, with flowing descriptions and true to life characters. Hartke adds a personal connection to characters giving the fantasy genre a nice nudge of change without failing to transport the reader to a clearly unique fantasy realm. I love the addition of strong female roles, which are often a mere side-note in many fantasy books. This is especially true of the Maddi character, who is my favorite and reinvents and redeems herself when embracing her gifts. I expect to see even more amazing work from this author in the future!
September 20, 2012
This summer, I met JT at the Gen-Con in Indianapolis. While walking through the vendor room, I happened to strike up a conversation with JT about his book. I decided to give it a shot.
It took me several weeks to get through my pile of unread books before I had a chance to read A Balance Broken. From the first chapter through the last, I was hooked. The storyline is very well done. The characters were developed with care and brought to life in a way that I had no problem envisioning each of them in my mind's eye.
JT let me know that his plan is to release the next book in the series at the 2013 Gen-Con. Looks like I will be attending another Gen-Con.
It took me several weeks to get through my pile of unread books before I had a chance to read A Balance Broken. From the first chapter through the last, I was hooked. The storyline is very well done. The characters were developed with care and brought to life in a way that I had no problem envisioning each of them in my mind's eye.
JT let me know that his plan is to release the next book in the series at the 2013 Gen-Con. Looks like I will be attending another Gen-Con.
July 11, 2012
Good first novel of an up and coming writer. The novel focuses on laying the groundwork for a much larger epic, focusing on the challenges faced by two of the main characters and outlining what will be an epic battle. Integrated into the world is an interesting take on magic, and the book is filled with small details that help pull the reader into the story. Is a must-read for any fantasy novel lovers.
August 16, 2012
the first half reads a little slow as hartke takes his time laying groundwork and introducing the characters. first to you and then to each other and taking time out to let their relationships bloom. then second half takes off and what seemed like a nice, sometimes bumbling little story develops a sharp edge. with scenes of intense action and roiling emotion you suddenly find yourself out of pages and breathless for more! an excellent first novel and i look forward to the next installments.
March 12, 2013
Solid characters & action make this a "goodread" for any fans of old-school fantasy. I was pulled deeper into Tarmor as the story unfolded, promising more and better to come from a new author of the genre. I'm looking forward to J.T.'s continuation of the saga! Thanks J.T. & Goodreads for the opportunity to test-ride this giveaway!
July 19, 2013
I've read hundreds of epic fantasy books in my lifetime. This has to be one of the best fantasy books I've read in a long time. I never read books a second time through but I had to on this one. It was so good. There are hundreds of ways the second book can end up and I can't wait until I get my copy so I can see where J.T. is taking us.
July 27, 2012
The characters are awesome. I felt they were realistic to how they are being developed. The book reads very smooth and JT keeps you wanting to read more. It was hard to put the book down. Now I'm ready for book 2. Even I have to wait another year for the final copy of book 2.
Want to Read
August 30, 2012The title and the cover looks fantastic! The summary looks very interesting and I can't wait to read the book. I loved how books are about dragons and other fantasy things.
I really hope I get to read the book!
I really hope I get to read the book!
December 9, 2012
This is an excellent initial offering from Mr. Hartke. I have not read a lot of the fantasy genre, but found his character development, and setting descriptions very engaging. I'm looking forward to reading the forthcoming books in the series.
Want to Read
September 1, 2012This looks like a WOW of a book! I've always loved dragons. (x Oh mah gaw. That cover looks fabulous! I would really like to read it. It honestly looks really cool.
December 14, 2012
Wow dragons! Great title and awesome cover. A must read.
January 20, 2013
A great read! I'm now completely enthralled with the characters and the storyline and can't wait for the next installment!
August 1, 2013
i really liked this book. it fit together well and has a thought out plot a well measured pace and characters that are likeable. all in all a book well worth a look at.
November 30, 2012
I bought this book as a souvenir from Gen Con, along with some art prints and a solar panel that only produces about 10% as much power as it would need to be the primary source for my phone. It's published by a tiny independent press called Imagined Interprises, and no, "interprise" is not a word in any dictionary I could find.
The book was... pretty good, I guess. It has nothing really exceptional about it. It's obviously heavily influenced by Tolkien (but who isn't?), and its relatively sympathetic depiction of the orcs is along a similar vein to Warcraft III. It follows most of the standard fantasy tropes, and does so well but not exceptionally so. The young hero is but an innkeeper when his mysterious power is discovered, leading to a grand adventure; the rogue with a heart of gold redeems herself by becoming a healer; great battles are fought between men, elves, dwarves, and orcs.
One thing I found disappointing really has more to do with American society than the book itself: The book pans away from all of its sexual content to the point of having a kindergarten-like innocence toward sexuality; but then the violent content, oh boy, the blood and guts are everywhere and the battlefields are filled with the sour stench of spilled entrails. Men are cleaved in two and axes are covered with blood. But when contemplating his love interest, the hero never so much as gets an erection, because that, obviously, would be naughty.
A more direct concern with the book in particular is that it doesn't really... go anywhere. Things happen, the stage is set for larger events... but nothing is really consummated by the end of the first book. I understand that it's meant to be the start of a trilogy, so we wouldn't expect all the loose ends to be tied up. But as it is, hardly any loose ends are tied up, and we go through 300 pages and then feel like... "so, uh, when does the story start?"
The closest thing to a climax is a battle near the end, in which humans, dwarves and elves in a great fortress defend against overwhelming numbers of orcs. (Sound familiar?) And certainly things do happen, progress is made. The world-building is very rich, the character development is fairly compelling. But the plot? It feels like the first act instead of a story within itself.
I haven't decided whether I want to read the other two books. On the one hand, I do kinda want to see where it goes, how it all comes together. On the other hand, I'm not sure I want to invest another 600 pages in this thing, and I don't want to reward the practice of writing a trilogy as though it's a single very long book. Each book should have a story of its own, which ultimately all ties together; no book should be simply introductory material for another book.
For the Terlaron series, I've gone radically the other direction; it can be argued that different books in the series aren't even the same genre, aside from the basic framework of SF. First Contact is a romance, Deterrent is more like an alien invasion flick (probably not the way you think, and there's another genre it fits pretty well that I'm not mentioning to avoid spoilers). On to Infinity is planned to be a coming-of-age story with a very scientific bent. One Good Reason is planned to be a war drama. There are two more planned novels I haven't even titled yet, but one is a spy thriller and the other is part historical drama and part fantasy. There will be more, including at least one military space opera. Yes, they are all set in the same world. Yes, they all tie together in various ways. Almost all of them have some element of romance, and some kind of quest; several are about prejudice in various forms. But they are very much independent stories about independent individuals.
That, I'll admit, is going a bit far. It's maybe a little crazy, to be honest; it's the sort of thing I thought no one else had ever done before, until I saw Cloud Atlas and said, hey, maybe I'm crazy like a fox after all. (The stuff about reincarnation was a bit much, but otherwise it's very much the kind of story I'm trying to tell with Terlaron.)
You don't have to go quite so far; it's certainly possible to have a series of novels that are about the same characters as they grow and go through smaller quests on the way to a much larger objective--like Harry Potter. But The Dragonsoul Saga: A Balance Broken goes too far in the other direction. It's not really a story, just the first act of a story. Along with the positive influence from Tolkien, it also shares some of Tolkien's weaknesses, like his overwrought detail in world-building and disorganized plot structure. (By the end of Return of the King, I just wanted it to all to stop. The Peter Jackson movie trilogy ended much better actually.)
Is it worth reading? I suppose so. But probably only if you plan on reading the whole set.
The book was... pretty good, I guess. It has nothing really exceptional about it. It's obviously heavily influenced by Tolkien (but who isn't?), and its relatively sympathetic depiction of the orcs is along a similar vein to Warcraft III. It follows most of the standard fantasy tropes, and does so well but not exceptionally so. The young hero is but an innkeeper when his mysterious power is discovered, leading to a grand adventure; the rogue with a heart of gold redeems herself by becoming a healer; great battles are fought between men, elves, dwarves, and orcs.
One thing I found disappointing really has more to do with American society than the book itself: The book pans away from all of its sexual content to the point of having a kindergarten-like innocence toward sexuality; but then the violent content, oh boy, the blood and guts are everywhere and the battlefields are filled with the sour stench of spilled entrails. Men are cleaved in two and axes are covered with blood. But when contemplating his love interest, the hero never so much as gets an erection, because that, obviously, would be naughty.
A more direct concern with the book in particular is that it doesn't really... go anywhere. Things happen, the stage is set for larger events... but nothing is really consummated by the end of the first book. I understand that it's meant to be the start of a trilogy, so we wouldn't expect all the loose ends to be tied up. But as it is, hardly any loose ends are tied up, and we go through 300 pages and then feel like... "so, uh, when does the story start?"
The closest thing to a climax is a battle near the end, in which humans, dwarves and elves in a great fortress defend against overwhelming numbers of orcs. (Sound familiar?) And certainly things do happen, progress is made. The world-building is very rich, the character development is fairly compelling. But the plot? It feels like the first act instead of a story within itself.
I haven't decided whether I want to read the other two books. On the one hand, I do kinda want to see where it goes, how it all comes together. On the other hand, I'm not sure I want to invest another 600 pages in this thing, and I don't want to reward the practice of writing a trilogy as though it's a single very long book. Each book should have a story of its own, which ultimately all ties together; no book should be simply introductory material for another book.
For the Terlaron series, I've gone radically the other direction; it can be argued that different books in the series aren't even the same genre, aside from the basic framework of SF. First Contact is a romance, Deterrent is more like an alien invasion flick (probably not the way you think, and there's another genre it fits pretty well that I'm not mentioning to avoid spoilers). On to Infinity is planned to be a coming-of-age story with a very scientific bent. One Good Reason is planned to be a war drama. There are two more planned novels I haven't even titled yet, but one is a spy thriller and the other is part historical drama and part fantasy. There will be more, including at least one military space opera. Yes, they are all set in the same world. Yes, they all tie together in various ways. Almost all of them have some element of romance, and some kind of quest; several are about prejudice in various forms. But they are very much independent stories about independent individuals.
That, I'll admit, is going a bit far. It's maybe a little crazy, to be honest; it's the sort of thing I thought no one else had ever done before, until I saw Cloud Atlas and said, hey, maybe I'm crazy like a fox after all. (The stuff about reincarnation was a bit much, but otherwise it's very much the kind of story I'm trying to tell with Terlaron.)
You don't have to go quite so far; it's certainly possible to have a series of novels that are about the same characters as they grow and go through smaller quests on the way to a much larger objective--like Harry Potter. But The Dragonsoul Saga: A Balance Broken goes too far in the other direction. It's not really a story, just the first act of a story. Along with the positive influence from Tolkien, it also shares some of Tolkien's weaknesses, like his overwrought detail in world-building and disorganized plot structure. (By the end of Return of the King, I just wanted it to all to stop. The Peter Jackson movie trilogy ended much better actually.)
Is it worth reading? I suppose so. But probably only if you plan on reading the whole set.
October 20, 2013
Jt Hartke has created a wonderful world, crafted a great story centered around memorable characters and events and this book is another that demanded I finish it by reading late into the night and early each morning. Most times, I struggle with names, but I remember these - Slar, Tallen, Earl Boris, Jaerd, Thomas, Maddi, Dorias, Britt, Darve, and many more. In one of my status updates, I claimed there were multiple POV characters. That isn't quite true, as the author writes in 3rd person omniscient, his author's eye focusing on many different charactes as he told his story. I don't normally like this - I'd much prefer the story follow few storylines, but as the book entered it's middle third, many of the storylines came together, twisting and influencing, before branching back off to become their own threads again in the last third. This was very effective and helped broaden the story towards the scale the author intended.
The story is about a young man who is an unwitting center to these events. He embodies magical talent in each of the five aspects, which makes him vitally important to the machinations of both sides of the coming conflict (Orcs & Dragons vs Men, Dwarves & Elves). Unlike other books where the central character like this is whiney or annoying, Tallen is believable and empathetic as a character. He ultimately embraces his need to learn how to control the Aspects. (Which is another way of saying, he learns how to do magic spells...but in a unique and interesting way the reader can appreciate)
Threaded into this main storyline is the tale of Maddi. She is comfortable on the streets and has a talent for healing through herbs and medicines as taught to her by Renna. When her tale is entwined with the main story, Magus Britt & Tomas recognize her talent as magical as well, and she is invited to go with them to the college of doctors while Tallen is led to the Isle of Wizards. (Probably the worst place name in the book - most of them are excellent).
As you can expect, the forces that counter balance those of 'good' are actively working their own plots, following the lead of Galdreth.
The book culminates with many plot lines seeing a culminating event, but it is clear to the reader that the story is going onward.
I have only one beef with the book - it's production. At first glance, it is well done. The cover art is fantastic and the paper is heavy. My copy has an odd bit of clue attaching the back cover which has produced a raised line... but I do understand mistakes in binding. What I dislike in this (and many other books) is the plastic covering over the cover. You can't really tell it's there until it starts peeling at the edges. I really hate that. (But this is very minor and should not detract you from buying this book right now!)
I bought this book from the artist himself at Gen Con 2013 and believe it to be one of my very best purchases. He signed it with 'I hope you enjoy it'. Mr Hartke, I very much did!. I look forward to book 2.
The story is about a young man who is an unwitting center to these events. He embodies magical talent in each of the five aspects, which makes him vitally important to the machinations of both sides of the coming conflict (Orcs & Dragons vs Men, Dwarves & Elves). Unlike other books where the central character like this is whiney or annoying, Tallen is believable and empathetic as a character. He ultimately embraces his need to learn how to control the Aspects. (Which is another way of saying, he learns how to do magic spells...but in a unique and interesting way the reader can appreciate)
Threaded into this main storyline is the tale of Maddi. She is comfortable on the streets and has a talent for healing through herbs and medicines as taught to her by Renna. When her tale is entwined with the main story, Magus Britt & Tomas recognize her talent as magical as well, and she is invited to go with them to the college of doctors while Tallen is led to the Isle of Wizards. (Probably the worst place name in the book - most of them are excellent).
As you can expect, the forces that counter balance those of 'good' are actively working their own plots, following the lead of Galdreth.
The book culminates with many plot lines seeing a culminating event, but it is clear to the reader that the story is going onward.
I have only one beef with the book - it's production. At first glance, it is well done. The cover art is fantastic and the paper is heavy. My copy has an odd bit of clue attaching the back cover which has produced a raised line... but I do understand mistakes in binding. What I dislike in this (and many other books) is the plastic covering over the cover. You can't really tell it's there until it starts peeling at the edges. I really hate that. (But this is very minor and should not detract you from buying this book right now!)
I bought this book from the artist himself at Gen Con 2013 and believe it to be one of my very best purchases. He signed it with 'I hope you enjoy it'. Mr Hartke, I very much did!. I look forward to book 2.
May 7, 2015
This was an old school fantasy novel, part Harry Potter, part Tolkien, featuring the spirits of two Dragons who are trying to claim the body of a young wizard to make certain the balance is broken. The characterization was well realized and you can see clear motivations for all of the antagonists as well as the heroes. The world seems familiar enough to not require a lot of special description but unique enough to hold surprises as well. I've already downloaded the second book and can't wait to finish it as well. If you like quest fantasy or just need a break from the Grimdark trend I recommend this book.
December 19, 2012
A well-written fantasy by a debut author with a well-developed cast of characters and a fantasy world to get lost in. I think fans of the genre will LOVE this book and anxiously await books two through five.
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