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Prentor #1
Myriad
After the tragic loss of his wife and child, Myriad Markwin began tormenting the Royal family of Prentor. For eighteen years, he'd mercilessly killed people in the castle on the Princess' birthday. But this year, he wasn't settling for servants or guards. He was going to kill the Royal family themselves. A group of warlocks and witches was out to stop him, but a young newcomer to them, Kalin, was proving the most trouble...
Kalin has denied his magic for years, but suddenly finds himself in a battle with one of the most powerful warlocks that has ever lived. He has to face up to things about himself he never knew, to try and save the Royal family from murder. With his new friends helping him, and a new love enchanting him, can he stop the coming bloodshed? Will he survive the fight of his life?
This is a NOVELLA of approximately 26,000 words.
Kalin has denied his magic for years, but suddenly finds himself in a battle with one of the most powerful warlocks that has ever lived. He has to face up to things about himself he never knew, to try and save the Royal family from murder. With his new friends helping him, and a new love enchanting him, can he stop the coming bloodshed? Will he survive the fight of his life?
This is a NOVELLA of approximately 26,000 words.
92 pages, Paperback
First published August 10, 2012
10 people are currently reading
1651 people want to read
About the author
Mona Hanna
14 books380 followersMona Hanna is an author of fantasy/romance books and Christian non-fiction. She is the author of the Prentor and High Witch fantasy series. Her fantasy books do not contain Christian themes—she leaves that for the devotional writing. Mona enjoys reading, movies, chocolate, and adores cats.
https://monahanna.com
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https://monahanna.com
https://monahannadevotions.com
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
February 17, 2015
3 GOOD STARS!
Myriad is a dark fantasy novel.It has it's moments but it was too short.This book is nearly 100 pages and sometimes it felt to long,sometimes the pages flew.The only reason I am giving this 3 stars is because:since this is the first book in the series,I think it should describe more the background and the story,and it did,that's why it was kind of boring.
I am a huge fantasy fan,and since warlocks are my favorite creatures,I wanted to love this book,but to be honest it didn't really work out.Yet I blame the shortness.Beside that the story is solid,and the characters are well build but still for the reason above,I couldn't connect with them.
I liked the writing style.It was challenging,and super fun to read.I see that the author has a great ability to twist words and create something beautiful.So well done on that:)
I recommend this book to every reader out there,the beginning was a little slow for me but other than that it's a beautiful story.So pick it up!
October 11, 2012
Anyone who knows me or has read my reviews knows that I loathe writing not-shiny-happy reviews of fellow indie authors, but I also have to be honest. I can't say I really liked this one very much. I think it had some good ideas, but it fell flat for me.
It was both too long and too short. It was too long because I felt it was too short to achieve what it intended, so I never connected with the characters and thus wasn't really *into* the book. I felt that some of the background and characters were "stock" epic fantasy. Never given much of their own life.
There was little mystery or suspense. The prologue and second chapter were unnecessary, and the Edward "sub line" was not needed either. It just seemed to be a way to draw out suspense, but it just drew things out, and everything was revealed pages later anyway.
The Turning Point about halfway through was intriguing, but given away later. It was rather cliched, too. We were Told that Kalin got close to his group, but were never really Shown WHY. We're told they're good people, but all we really see if them taking him in to train him to beat the Bad Guy.
I'm a fan of romance -- I write it -- but found the romance in this story way too fast. We can kind of understand it from the Her, given her abilities, but in Him, it looked more like infatuation, which I got the impression I wasn't meant to think.
Maybe it just wasn't the book for me. Lord knows, it happens a lot. I'm always trying to swim upstream, but alas... it just wasn't for me.
It was both too long and too short. It was too long because I felt it was too short to achieve what it intended, so I never connected with the characters and thus wasn't really *into* the book. I felt that some of the background and characters were "stock" epic fantasy. Never given much of their own life.
There was little mystery or suspense. The prologue and second chapter were unnecessary, and the Edward "sub line" was not needed either. It just seemed to be a way to draw out suspense, but it just drew things out, and everything was revealed pages later anyway.
The Turning Point about halfway through was intriguing, but given away later. It was rather cliched, too. We were Told that Kalin got close to his group, but were never really Shown WHY. We're told they're good people, but all we really see if them taking him in to train him to beat the Bad Guy.
I'm a fan of romance -- I write it -- but found the romance in this story way too fast. We can kind of understand it from the Her, given her abilities, but in Him, it looked more like infatuation, which I got the impression I wasn't meant to think.
Maybe it just wasn't the book for me. Lord knows, it happens a lot. I'm always trying to swim upstream, but alas... it just wasn't for me.
March 4, 2013
Esta opinião está em:
http://cronicasdeumaleitora.blogspot....
Eu gostei muito do romance que o envolve, a busca de Kalin que tenta controlar os seus poderes mágicos e o seu pequeno relacionamento com Regina foi algo criado e escrito capaz de soltar o lado mais romântico de qualquer um.
Talvez com uma história base que se chamaria de cliché, Mona Hanna consegue transformar numa leitura muito agradável e misteriosa embora por vezes seja previsível o que irá acontecer no decorrer da história. E vi-me muitas vezes ligada com Kalin que apenas tinha 18 anos e vê-se a ter que enfrentar muita coisa, principalmente Myriad.
O livro foi realmente muito rápido, toda a narrativa passa-se basicamente em uma ou duas semanas, mas no entanto a história é muito boa e bastante coerente, não me fez sentir que tenha um ritmo muito acelerado, mesmo só com as 92 páginas.
Uma escrita muito fluída, com uma excelente atenção ao detalhe e à acção.
http://cronicasdeumaleitora.blogspot....
Eu gostei muito do romance que o envolve, a busca de Kalin que tenta controlar os seus poderes mágicos e o seu pequeno relacionamento com Regina foi algo criado e escrito capaz de soltar o lado mais romântico de qualquer um.
Talvez com uma história base que se chamaria de cliché, Mona Hanna consegue transformar numa leitura muito agradável e misteriosa embora por vezes seja previsível o que irá acontecer no decorrer da história. E vi-me muitas vezes ligada com Kalin que apenas tinha 18 anos e vê-se a ter que enfrentar muita coisa, principalmente Myriad.
O livro foi realmente muito rápido, toda a narrativa passa-se basicamente em uma ou duas semanas, mas no entanto a história é muito boa e bastante coerente, não me fez sentir que tenha um ritmo muito acelerado, mesmo só com as 92 páginas.
Uma escrita muito fluída, com uma excelente atenção ao detalhe e à acção.
October 3, 2023
Kalin was born with magic, but his parents said it was evil and discouraged him from using it. When he was young, he did not know any better and got punished by his parents. He was told all his life he was nothing, useless, horrible, abnormal, but now he was an adult, and as such, he left home in the dead of night without a word, just a note to his parents who would find it in the morning. He went to a tavern at the edge of town and got a room for a night, and luckily, it came with a meal. When he finished the meal, a man approached him and made some small talk while he warned him that seekers were about. They were guardsmen who searched for magic users who were arrested and then executed. He introduced himself as Theodore and gave Kalin a smooth blue stone. Theodore told him always to keep it on his person and then left the table. Kalin looked at the stone and did not know what to do with it, so he put it in his pocket, and when he looked after the mysterious man, he was gone. Kalin got up and started up the stairs when the door opened, and three guardsmen came into the tavern. They were seekers. Each had a staff with a globe on top that would light up when they got close to a magic user, but even as he was tested, it didn’t light up. He was confused for a moment, but then he remembered the stone that Theodore had given him.
Nice dimension! Great twist. But, you have historical as one of your genres, and males did not wait till they were eighteen before they were considered a man. When they turned thirteen (usually), they became men. Females became women once the curse had visited them for the first time. These events signaled it was time to marry, but some marriages were arranged long before those milestones. I think you did a great job on the physical world-building when describing the interior of a room. Outside, weellll. The ethereal world-building was at best, low-key. The character interaction was done well enough, but few people had such a sunny outlook on life back then.
This tale is full of fantasy and romance for the main character. I give this read four stars out of five.
Nice dimension! Great twist. But, you have historical as one of your genres, and males did not wait till they were eighteen before they were considered a man. When they turned thirteen (usually), they became men. Females became women once the curse had visited them for the first time. These events signaled it was time to marry, but some marriages were arranged long before those milestones. I think you did a great job on the physical world-building when describing the interior of a room. Outside, weellll. The ethereal world-building was at best, low-key. The character interaction was done well enough, but few people had such a sunny outlook on life back then.
This tale is full of fantasy and romance for the main character. I give this read four stars out of five.
November 4, 2023
I enjoyed this story with all the characters within. The main character was Kalin.
Kalin is eighteen and has left his family home. They were not nice parents. Kalin has special abilities that he's has been hiding away. But when a group of people that he meets at an inn want him to come with them. And join them in helping to protect the princess.
This was a fun story to read. It has action, adventure and suspense. It had a few giggles within. There were a few sad part too.
I received a complimentary copy via Netgalley. This is my honest unbiased opinions.
Kalin is eighteen and has left his family home. They were not nice parents. Kalin has special abilities that he's has been hiding away. But when a group of people that he meets at an inn want him to come with them. And join them in helping to protect the princess.
This was a fun story to read. It has action, adventure and suspense. It had a few giggles within. There were a few sad part too.
I received a complimentary copy via Netgalley. This is my honest unbiased opinions.
January 24, 2013
Last week I reviewed another story by this author, namely her paranormal romance High Witch. It surprised me a lot, sneaking its way up to a four star rating, a more than impressive feat for a story that belongs to a genre I don't really like.
This novella which is more in the vein of High Fantasy had all the indicators of being much more to my taste than the first one. And yet it was not. This story had much more in it than the first one. And yet my impression of it does not reflect that. This story did not touch me at all; it left me cold and uncaring. A sadly unimpressive feat for a story meant to be tragic.
I really like the idea of this story, I just don't think that it was done well enough. I loved the aspect of tragedy and yet I didn't feel it. I have been thinking about this a lot, trying to figure our what it is exactly that ruins it for me. I think in the end it is simply the depth that is lacking. I feel that everything about this story is only just brushing the surface of matters.
We get to know a bit about the sorrows of the main character and yet even that part seems a bit superficial. We see him fall in love and start a relationship that seems way too sweet and good to be real. The other characters we barely get to know, safe perhaps from Myriad whom we practically only see through the eyes of other characters.
The most intriguing character in the story was Myriad's servant, Edward, who was shrouded in mystery through most of the story. This is probably the one thing this story did have going for it.
This is the second story I read of Mona Hanna's and I have to say that her writing style is not particularly winning me over. I thought the plot here was good, but that a generic writing style dragged it down. I think a lot of the tragic things were told of rather than shown to us.
Even though I am lover of High Fantasy I do put a lot of value into stories that seem realistic. I am not saying to cut away the magic or anything, I just think it could have been done in a more believable way.
This story has some of the elements that can make a great story. If I simply brought those into the light and ignored the rest it would be quite easy for me to paint a picture of a much better story than this is. That would be cheating the facts of course. This story contains darkness and light, truth and lies, sorrow and love, betrayal and loss and revenge. It's got all of those things and yet it doesn't seem to work.
Reading this story felt a lot like using an electronic device that lacked a few of its screws, causing it to only partially function. It felt wrong and annoying. As a writer myself I kept itching to change or add things to the story so that it might reach the potential it seems to have.
It is a real possibility that being a writer makes me a harsher critic as I recognise the cheap tricks writers use and get annoyed with them. I notice the language and if it is something less than outstanding I grind my teeth in frustration. But then, a lot of people who read also write; any story wanting success has to be able to withstand the mercilessness of a fellow writer's critique.
In the end rating a book is something completely individual. Others might see the good elements and relish them. They might accept the standardised language without question. I cannot do so. I cannot ignore the deficiencies that I sense in stories like this. Therefore this will be rated among the bland and the unfullfilling. Two stars does not equal bad but rather boring and insignificant; this story adds nothing whatsoever to the genre and could as well never have been written.
More from Hypervorean at Numinous Publications: http://hypervorean.blogspot.com
This novella which is more in the vein of High Fantasy had all the indicators of being much more to my taste than the first one. And yet it was not. This story had much more in it than the first one. And yet my impression of it does not reflect that. This story did not touch me at all; it left me cold and uncaring. A sadly unimpressive feat for a story meant to be tragic.
I really like the idea of this story, I just don't think that it was done well enough. I loved the aspect of tragedy and yet I didn't feel it. I have been thinking about this a lot, trying to figure our what it is exactly that ruins it for me. I think in the end it is simply the depth that is lacking. I feel that everything about this story is only just brushing the surface of matters.
We get to know a bit about the sorrows of the main character and yet even that part seems a bit superficial. We see him fall in love and start a relationship that seems way too sweet and good to be real. The other characters we barely get to know, safe perhaps from Myriad whom we practically only see through the eyes of other characters.
The most intriguing character in the story was Myriad's servant, Edward, who was shrouded in mystery through most of the story. This is probably the one thing this story did have going for it.
This is the second story I read of Mona Hanna's and I have to say that her writing style is not particularly winning me over. I thought the plot here was good, but that a generic writing style dragged it down. I think a lot of the tragic things were told of rather than shown to us.
Even though I am lover of High Fantasy I do put a lot of value into stories that seem realistic. I am not saying to cut away the magic or anything, I just think it could have been done in a more believable way.
This story has some of the elements that can make a great story. If I simply brought those into the light and ignored the rest it would be quite easy for me to paint a picture of a much better story than this is. That would be cheating the facts of course. This story contains darkness and light, truth and lies, sorrow and love, betrayal and loss and revenge. It's got all of those things and yet it doesn't seem to work.
Reading this story felt a lot like using an electronic device that lacked a few of its screws, causing it to only partially function. It felt wrong and annoying. As a writer myself I kept itching to change or add things to the story so that it might reach the potential it seems to have.
It is a real possibility that being a writer makes me a harsher critic as I recognise the cheap tricks writers use and get annoyed with them. I notice the language and if it is something less than outstanding I grind my teeth in frustration. But then, a lot of people who read also write; any story wanting success has to be able to withstand the mercilessness of a fellow writer's critique.
In the end rating a book is something completely individual. Others might see the good elements and relish them. They might accept the standardised language without question. I cannot do so. I cannot ignore the deficiencies that I sense in stories like this. Therefore this will be rated among the bland and the unfullfilling. Two stars does not equal bad but rather boring and insignificant; this story adds nothing whatsoever to the genre and could as well never have been written.
More from Hypervorean at Numinous Publications: http://hypervorean.blogspot.com
September 16, 2013
I just finished a book by Mona Hanna called Myriad. This was this first time I had read one of her books and I have to say this book was really good. A lot different than I figured it would be.
Myriad is about witches and warlock that can do all sorts of different thing that you normally only think of other in the supernatural world doing. Such as sharp-shifting and being about the call thinking to them just my thinking about the item and having it appear. I like the fact that she gives her witches and warlocks this ability because they with all the magic that can do why can’t they do sharp-shifting.
We first met Kalin and he is out trying to find out why he must save the Royals. He has some information from the stories he has been told since he has been out on his own. He keep to himself so as to not cause attraction to anything he does or his movement. The Royals don’t like anyone who use magic and this is part of why he has to be careful. They send people out to check people to make sure that they don’t have any magical powers. While he is walking he grow very tired and decides he can stop at this tavern get a room to sleep and be up and gone first thing in the morning. He asks the bar keep is there is a room without even looking up he tells him the price gives him the key and tells him that a meal comes with the room. Kalin doesn’t like being in crowds so he makes his way to a far table in hopes as to not draw any stares as he sits to eat. A man from the other side of the bar walk up and sit and his table and tell him to take this stone and keep it on his person at all time. Kalin is confused but takes the stone as the man suggests and as he gets ready to thank him he is gone. He buts the stone in his pocket and didn’t think about it. Then three tall men walk in the tavern with wooden staff that have silver orbs and tell everyone to stand in an area so they check them. Kalin knows the staff will point him out a person with magic but the orb did nothing when it was by him. They tried again and nothing so the uniformed men told them all to go on with what they were doing.
The problem with the Royals and the witches and warlock goes back to when Myriad was married to Machayla. They were happily married and she had changed Myriad from his fathers murdering ways, but his wife got very sick and the queen got sick at the same time and they were both sick with the same thing. There was something that both the queen and Machayla could take to live. So Myriad agreed to help the king find what was needed. When it was brought to the king he was told he only need to use a small amount so that it could be shared with Machayla, but the king gave all the medication to him wife and when Myriad found out he had to go home and tell his wife that he was not going to be able to safe her. Upon her death Myriad told the king that from that day on until his daughters 18th birthday he would kill people until it was time to finish off the Royal family.
As you read more of the story you learn that Kalin is a very strong warlock and he also find out some learns who his real father is. I don’t want to give anymore away about this story it’s really good so I would suggest picking it up if you like reading about witches, warlock, magic, love, and happy ending. There is a second book its called Tanner. I have not had a chance to pick this one up yet. As soon as I do I’ll read and write a review and post.
Myriad is about witches and warlock that can do all sorts of different thing that you normally only think of other in the supernatural world doing. Such as sharp-shifting and being about the call thinking to them just my thinking about the item and having it appear. I like the fact that she gives her witches and warlocks this ability because they with all the magic that can do why can’t they do sharp-shifting.
We first met Kalin and he is out trying to find out why he must save the Royals. He has some information from the stories he has been told since he has been out on his own. He keep to himself so as to not cause attraction to anything he does or his movement. The Royals don’t like anyone who use magic and this is part of why he has to be careful. They send people out to check people to make sure that they don’t have any magical powers. While he is walking he grow very tired and decides he can stop at this tavern get a room to sleep and be up and gone first thing in the morning. He asks the bar keep is there is a room without even looking up he tells him the price gives him the key and tells him that a meal comes with the room. Kalin doesn’t like being in crowds so he makes his way to a far table in hopes as to not draw any stares as he sits to eat. A man from the other side of the bar walk up and sit and his table and tell him to take this stone and keep it on his person at all time. Kalin is confused but takes the stone as the man suggests and as he gets ready to thank him he is gone. He buts the stone in his pocket and didn’t think about it. Then three tall men walk in the tavern with wooden staff that have silver orbs and tell everyone to stand in an area so they check them. Kalin knows the staff will point him out a person with magic but the orb did nothing when it was by him. They tried again and nothing so the uniformed men told them all to go on with what they were doing.
The problem with the Royals and the witches and warlock goes back to when Myriad was married to Machayla. They were happily married and she had changed Myriad from his fathers murdering ways, but his wife got very sick and the queen got sick at the same time and they were both sick with the same thing. There was something that both the queen and Machayla could take to live. So Myriad agreed to help the king find what was needed. When it was brought to the king he was told he only need to use a small amount so that it could be shared with Machayla, but the king gave all the medication to him wife and when Myriad found out he had to go home and tell his wife that he was not going to be able to safe her. Upon her death Myriad told the king that from that day on until his daughters 18th birthday he would kill people until it was time to finish off the Royal family.
As you read more of the story you learn that Kalin is a very strong warlock and he also find out some learns who his real father is. I don’t want to give anymore away about this story it’s really good so I would suggest picking it up if you like reading about witches, warlock, magic, love, and happy ending. There is a second book its called Tanner. I have not had a chance to pick this one up yet. As soon as I do I’ll read and write a review and post.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 8, 2013
Rating: 4/5
Another series by Mona Hanna, the Prentor series, opens with the first novella, Myriad.
The book presents us the story of Myriad, a warlock whose pregnant wife, Machayla, gets very ill. The same illness is being carried by the Queen, also pregnant. The King finds the medicine for his Queen but due to his selfisness he uses it all, making Machayla die with her unborn baby. Myriad promises the death of those from the palace. The murders begin and happen on the Princess' birthday for eighteen years. The next whom were planned to die were those from the Royal Prentor family.
Eighteen years later, the story brings us Kalin, a young man who is uncertain of his path. But little does he know what power he has and what a battle he will go through alongside with some new friends and the beautiful Regina who he is head over heels.
------------------------
I liked this series that Hanna wrote, not only being a short and interesting one but also having many elements (magic, romance, fantasy) combined in a lovely manner. I must admit that I had higher expectations about this series but I guess that the continuation of the Prentor series should be read.
I liked the story that the author put into scene but I was a little not too convinced by Kalin's personality, maybe because he is still young. He falls in love extremly quickly but I was really happy to see that the book had a happy ending for him!
Throuoghout the book we find out more info about Myriad and his father also.
I really liked that the author had an almost flawless style since I have not seen mistakes in her exprimation like in most of the books that I have dealed with in 2013.
I can say that I had enjoyed High Witch more than Myriad but that might not be happening to all of you ;D!
I highly recommend this book to all of those who love high fantasy! This can be a relaxing fast read since it is almost 100 pages long. I am sure that most readers would finish it just in one day, when they start reading it!
PS: Doesn't the cover look really awesome? I really like it!
Another series by Mona Hanna, the Prentor series, opens with the first novella, Myriad.
The book presents us the story of Myriad, a warlock whose pregnant wife, Machayla, gets very ill. The same illness is being carried by the Queen, also pregnant. The King finds the medicine for his Queen but due to his selfisness he uses it all, making Machayla die with her unborn baby. Myriad promises the death of those from the palace. The murders begin and happen on the Princess' birthday for eighteen years. The next whom were planned to die were those from the Royal Prentor family.
Eighteen years later, the story brings us Kalin, a young man who is uncertain of his path. But little does he know what power he has and what a battle he will go through alongside with some new friends and the beautiful Regina who he is head over heels.
------------------------
I liked this series that Hanna wrote, not only being a short and interesting one but also having many elements (magic, romance, fantasy) combined in a lovely manner. I must admit that I had higher expectations about this series but I guess that the continuation of the Prentor series should be read.
I liked the story that the author put into scene but I was a little not too convinced by Kalin's personality, maybe because he is still young. He falls in love extremly quickly but I was really happy to see that the book had a happy ending for him!
Throuoghout the book we find out more info about Myriad and his father also.
I really liked that the author had an almost flawless style since I have not seen mistakes in her exprimation like in most of the books that I have dealed with in 2013.
I can say that I had enjoyed High Witch more than Myriad but that might not be happening to all of you ;D!
I highly recommend this book to all of those who love high fantasy! This can be a relaxing fast read since it is almost 100 pages long. I am sure that most readers would finish it just in one day, when they start reading it!
PS: Doesn't the cover look really awesome? I really like it!
March 10, 2013
This story is quite well put together. There is a logical progression from one point to the next. The author also doesn’t try to cram too much into a short page count. The author does flip back and forth between the past and the present, however, keeps them clearly separate via formatting and word use. This kept the story clear while helping it progress without having any long narratives to fill the reader in. The story was also very captivating. It was a unique story line that kept your attention throughout.
The major characters are adequately developed for a short story. You did get to know who they were. Appearances weren’t overly developed, that said, this is a short story and physical descriptions are not nearly as important and developing the characters as people. At the end of the story I did still have a few questions about some of the characters. It was almost as if the author began to tell something about a character and then went back to the story line without completely finishing the thought.
I did enjoy the time that I spent reading this novella. I must also say that I definitely didn’t expect that ending. It was a much unexpected twist. I also appreciate the fact that the author managed to work an overarching message of ‘believe in yourself and you can succeed against the odds’ into this intriguing story.
Please note that I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
The major characters are adequately developed for a short story. You did get to know who they were. Appearances weren’t overly developed, that said, this is a short story and physical descriptions are not nearly as important and developing the characters as people. At the end of the story I did still have a few questions about some of the characters. It was almost as if the author began to tell something about a character and then went back to the story line without completely finishing the thought.
I did enjoy the time that I spent reading this novella. I must also say that I definitely didn’t expect that ending. It was a much unexpected twist. I also appreciate the fact that the author managed to work an overarching message of ‘believe in yourself and you can succeed against the odds’ into this intriguing story.
Please note that I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
November 12, 2012
My review will have to be a collection of status updates, since I couldn't force myself to get through this. Not for lack of trying, I assure you. The "book" (I use the term loosely) just made my brain feel as if someone had taken a sandpaper to it, so I had go give up.
Here we go:
Page 5: "He.He. He. He. (Nope. Not laughing. Just quoting the beginning of almost every sentence on this page.)"
Page 9: "She thought that when she was TEN? Wow. Exceptionally psychologically insightful kid!"
Page 24: Not sure I will continue reading this. I really think it's... not very good. (To use a diplomatic term.)"
Page 25: "My eyes hurt. The writing makes me think a 10 year old wrote this book. If that's actually so, I might even be a LITTLE bit impressed. If not, I think I'll just give up. I can not concentrate on a book where 8 sentences in a row start with "he"..."
Page 27: "I can't stand this. I give up. *moves "book" to pile-of-discarded-reads and immediately feels a lot better* I'm sorry Mona Hanna. You're probably a wonderful person, but your writing and I just don't get along. Best of luck in the future, though!"
...and now: I'm freeeeeeeee!
Here we go:
Page 5: "He.He. He. He. (Nope. Not laughing. Just quoting the beginning of almost every sentence on this page.)"
Page 9: "She thought that when she was TEN? Wow. Exceptionally psychologically insightful kid!"
Page 24: Not sure I will continue reading this. I really think it's... not very good. (To use a diplomatic term.)"
Page 25: "My eyes hurt. The writing makes me think a 10 year old wrote this book. If that's actually so, I might even be a LITTLE bit impressed. If not, I think I'll just give up. I can not concentrate on a book where 8 sentences in a row start with "he"..."
Page 27: "I can't stand this. I give up. *moves "book" to pile-of-discarded-reads and immediately feels a lot better* I'm sorry Mona Hanna. You're probably a wonderful person, but your writing and I just don't get along. Best of luck in the future, though!"
...and now: I'm freeeeeeeee!
December 8, 2012
Won and received this book for free from Goodreads First Reads!
Okay. I seriously wished this book (which has a really good plot by the way) was longer than a 92-page novella. For one, the story was practically rushed, it's timeline being only a week or two. Second, I guess Kalin wasn't err.. manly enough as I would've expected from someone who was to be some sort of chosen one. But who is he to blame? He's only eighteen after all.
Also, I find the Kalin-Regina parts really cheesy. Twice I read, "he bit his lip", uhmmm.. I thought only Bella does that in that movie. And there was this part which was predictable through the end. You'll understand when you read this book.
On the good side, I can't remember the last time I read a book that hadn't severely annoyed me. Maybe Harry Potter. Also, this book is about witches & warlocks, which for me is a bonus. I can truly consider myself lucky for winning this giveaway this time.
4 of 5 stars. Tall score for a novella.
Okay. I seriously wished this book (which has a really good plot by the way) was longer than a 92-page novella. For one, the story was practically rushed, it's timeline being only a week or two. Second, I guess Kalin wasn't err.. manly enough as I would've expected from someone who was to be some sort of chosen one. But who is he to blame? He's only eighteen after all.
Also, I find the Kalin-Regina parts really cheesy. Twice I read, "he bit his lip", uhmmm.. I thought only Bella does that in that movie. And there was this part which was predictable through the end. You'll understand when you read this book.
On the good side, I can't remember the last time I read a book that hadn't severely annoyed me. Maybe Harry Potter. Also, this book is about witches & warlocks, which for me is a bonus. I can truly consider myself lucky for winning this giveaway this time.
4 of 5 stars. Tall score for a novella.
January 1, 2013
This story is starts off with a little backstory. The once evil Warlock, Myriad, is desperately trying to save his wife and unborn child from a disease. The King has the cure which he is giving to his daughter, Princess Carmel. Unfortunately, the King selfishly use up the entire cure for his daughter and thus, sets off Myriad seeking to avenge his family's death. Myriad promises to kill three people in the Castle on the anniversary of this event until the eighteenth year of Princess Carmel's birth. Then, he will kill the Royal Family in his final act of vengeance.
Eighteen years later, we meet Kalin who is trying to start a new life. However, he meets a small group of Warlocks and Witches who have been looking for him to help stop Myriad's revenge. To learn more, you must read this book! I did enjoy this book and would recommend it to anybody who likes their fantasy with a little bit of romance.
Eighteen years later, we meet Kalin who is trying to start a new life. However, he meets a small group of Warlocks and Witches who have been looking for him to help stop Myriad's revenge. To learn more, you must read this book! I did enjoy this book and would recommend it to anybody who likes their fantasy with a little bit of romance.
November 19, 2013
Reading Myriad is like skipping sentences and paragraphs to get to the good parts. Except you're not really skipping anything. The story just took the term fast-paced seriously. I didn't see "short story" in the list of genres so I didn't realize this is one. It's 95 pages, though. Long enough for print, I guess. I'm a book nearer my goal this year so I'm not complaining. Lol.
I liked that it's a stand alone. I also liked that it's free! Check it out on Amazon, it might still be. If you're looking for a quick fantasy read (wait that didn't sound right, heh) this might be something you'd like.
I think if the author worked on the plot more it could be a whole novel. As it is, it was just okay.
I liked that it's a stand alone. I also liked that it's free! Check it out on Amazon, it might still be. If you're looking for a quick fantasy read (wait that didn't sound right, heh) this might be something you'd like.
I think if the author worked on the plot more it could be a whole novel. As it is, it was just okay.
February 27, 2013
This was a really good story. I would have loved it to be longer though. There were a few points that confused me, but I guess that not all the little hangy bits can be snipped off all the time. Still, I enjoyed it. Kalin deserved his happy ending, but I think that maybe he deserved to be with his father all along. I don’t know why Edward could not save them both (Mother and child) because then Myriad would have stayed good. I think. Ha ha. I loved the story line though, and the book is well written and edited. I would just like to say, this story is the bone. A very strong bone, the author should have put some more meat on it.
This is an honest review given in exchange for reading the book
This is an honest review given in exchange for reading the book
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 14, 2012
I won this book.
This is a very good book and easy to read. I liked it though I think the author should have described a little more some situations. But I enjoyed it.
Kalin is a young man who doesn't know his real destination. He doesn't realise he will have to stop the strongest and most cruel wizard in the world. Now he has to do that not only for himself but for his beloved.
Thank you for giving an opportunity to read this book.
Under the Black Clouds
This is a very good book and easy to read. I liked it though I think the author should have described a little more some situations. But I enjoyed it.
Kalin is a young man who doesn't know his real destination. He doesn't realise he will have to stop the strongest and most cruel wizard in the world. Now he has to do that not only for himself but for his beloved.
Thank you for giving an opportunity to read this book.
Under the Black Clouds
March 8, 2013
I thought this book was quite entertaining. I love the length- apparently novellas are perfect for me. The story was interesting and enjoyable. The characters are believable (for a fantasy) and, in the end, I wanted to read more about them, which is the ultimate goal of a series. I will be reading the second installment as well. I also loved the fact that this book was not riddled with typos and grammatical errors. That is one of my pet peeves and seemed to be becoming more common in books, but not this one!
November 30, 2012
YAs OAs Baby A's whatever. 8mins to 800 years. You'll all enjoys it.
It amazes me that anyone could have come up with such utterly magnificent prose. How could such an amazing concept for a story emerge in the mind of a mere mortal. It's utterly beyond me, but I can figure this out, I'll be buying everything else she writes for as long as she keeps writing.
Mona, please write me some more books. Pretty Please * infinity.
July 17, 2013
The story was there, it just wasn't developed well enough. This book was far too short and underdeveloped. The writing was confusing at times (especially during the "battle') and I had a hard time figuring out who was doing what. I didn't connect with any of the characters, but that was probably because there wasn't enough time to get to know them. It has all the makings of a good book, it just didn't quite get there.
April 16, 2015
I really liked it. It was well written and had a little romance, though I wasnt entirelly happy about that,plenty of action too. I dont know if the author wrote it on purpose but the villain(myriad)was more likable and interesting than the other characters...Much more likable...So I didnt like very much how the story ended.
July 31, 2013
Fantasy romance, decently written in a straightforward style. Unfortunately, the most interesting characters were the ones we learned the least about. H = Luke Skywalker, h = Arwen, but without any real depth. What world-building there was interested me, but more would have helped make the story stronger. Still a good journeyman effort, even with some random verb tenses thrown in.
January 2, 2014
I loved this story!! This is the first book in the series. The author grabs your attention from the first page and never lets you go. The characters are relatable and you are endeared to them right away. The storyline is well developed and the authors descriptions of places and events are so vivid you feel you are there. I cannot wait to read the next installment.
September 13, 2012
I wouldn't quite call this YA but an older adolescent would enjoy it. Good story. Original. Some typos led to distract as you had to translate but very good overall. In fact, that's the only reason I didn't rate it higher.
January 10, 2013
A little predictable but still enjoyed it. Had a great afternoon reading and knitting.
owned-to-read
January 1, 2014*downloaded free on ARE
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