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Ascendants of Ancients Sovereign
A game of the gods has begun...
After the Great Destruction of Everything Known, Earth and all that once was, is gone. Some 14,000 seasons have passed and life has begun again on five new worlds created by ascendants of good and evil who battle for the prayers of mortal beings.
Sam Goodrich, Shalee Adamson and the manipulator, George Nailer, are the only three humans to be spared the devastation. They have been stolen from old Earth and have awakened to a new reality full of danger, mythical creatures and powerful magic. You must find the divine pieces of the Crystal Moon, or all will be lost, warned Bassorine, the God of War.
Now, a new journey has begun. The humans' quest will test Sam's skill with a blade, Shalee's hidden knowledge of magic, and feed George's hunger for power. Finding the pieces of the Crystal Moon will push them down different paths, and their choices could ultimately send kingdoms to war.
Follow an epic tale of discovery, love, murder, mystery, betrayal and deceit as you meet the Ascendants of Ancients Sovereign. Welcome to the chaos. Welcome to the Worlds of the Crystal Moon.
562 pages, Paperback
First published September 18, 2012
11 people are currently reading
79 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
June 14, 2022
I remember reading this book years ago and after skimming over it, I remember how much I loved the characters and the new world. It was overall very enjoyable to read and fun. However, I wouldn’t bother continuing to read this series as it was never finished and for a reason in my own opinion.
August 27, 2013
I am finished with this book and I couldn't make it to the end; my apologies. I TRIED to like this book and trust me when I say I very seldom abandon a book once I start it, but this was too painful of a read. The book was so bad, I don't know where to begin and I don't want to turn this review into a diatribe.
First, I will start off with some positives. The idea and the concept of the novel are not bad. With more revisions, re-writes or - my apologies here to Mr. Jones - maybe a more skilled writer, the concept of this book could and would have worked. Other positives include fairly decent and likeable characters and a very imaginative setting/fictional universe. Almost all of the raw ingredients for what could be a well-told and thoughtful fantasy tale are there, but it reminded me of an inexperienced chef having "most" of the ingredients for a great recipe but not combining them well or he is missing an ingredient.
Where does it seem to fall apart? Perhaps in the structure of the plot. It just could not hold my attention. It's not that there are too many characters or too many worlds - this is common in most fantasy or Sci-Fi works. But, for example, I found the opening narration to be very confusing. Who are these "angel" beings? What is going on? Why is one in torment? Even after 300-plus pages, I still didn't really grasp this or understand how it related to the events that happened after the opening.
Other places where the plot is too stretched? The "mis-mash" of concepts and themes borrowed from other places. The "gods," for example, abducting humans for their own purposes - not very original. I suppose this is a nod to Greek and Roman mythology, but it didn't come off that way. This just served to alienate me from the "hero/heroine" and their quest. Then, to further borrow more ideas, the author decides to include talking animals (who in some cases are also beings of power). Now other authors throughout time have used this too. C.S Lewis, for example, in his Narnia series or Beatrix Potter. Of course we're talking about works of literature FOR CHILDREN. Somehow talking animals don't quite cut it in a series intended for adults. And although one of the main animal characters, Mosley, is imbued with animal and human characteristics, by the umpteenth description of him "marking his territory," it got very old.
There is also a "Book of Immortality" that floats around and is supposed to place limits on what the gods and goddesses can or cannot do. Apparently people who are dead can also be "placed in its pages" and exist for eternity, although this is very vague.
My other huge issue with this book is the narrative structure itself. At various points in the novel the author "inserts" himself or something like it and says things like, "Fellow Soul." This is just a very odd and archaic technique of narration. It almost reminds me of a 19th century novel, but the difference is that in the 19th century it was still very common for works of literature to be read out loud and with groups of people. Such phrases like "Dear Reader" were narrative techniques on the author's part to make the work accessible to a large listening audience. So what is going on here with "Fellow Soul"? Is the author trying to make us imagine the tale is being told out loud or is part of a fictional oral tradition?
Other odd narrative intrusions include segments where the author transitions between chapters and character points-of-view with the inclusion of a fictional newspaper called "The Grayham Inquirer: Where Inquiring Minds Go When they Want to find Out about their Favorite Character." What on Earth?
Is this an attempt to emulate J.K Rowling the Harry Potter universe? (Yes, there is a fictional newspaper in Harry Potter's world, but as I recall, we as the reader don't 'read' from it - instead its content is described to us indirectly through the reactions and actions of the other characters).
Anyway, this is just my reaction. Others may really like it, especially if they haven't been spoiled by J.R.R Tolkien, C.S Lewis and other authors' work of the high fantasy genre. Otherwise, you may be better off skipping this work and sticking with the classics. Even George RR Martin's series, while replete with blood and gore, has more story quality and imagination that this work.
First, I will start off with some positives. The idea and the concept of the novel are not bad. With more revisions, re-writes or - my apologies here to Mr. Jones - maybe a more skilled writer, the concept of this book could and would have worked. Other positives include fairly decent and likeable characters and a very imaginative setting/fictional universe. Almost all of the raw ingredients for what could be a well-told and thoughtful fantasy tale are there, but it reminded me of an inexperienced chef having "most" of the ingredients for a great recipe but not combining them well or he is missing an ingredient.
Where does it seem to fall apart? Perhaps in the structure of the plot. It just could not hold my attention. It's not that there are too many characters or too many worlds - this is common in most fantasy or Sci-Fi works. But, for example, I found the opening narration to be very confusing. Who are these "angel" beings? What is going on? Why is one in torment? Even after 300-plus pages, I still didn't really grasp this or understand how it related to the events that happened after the opening.
Other places where the plot is too stretched? The "mis-mash" of concepts and themes borrowed from other places. The "gods," for example, abducting humans for their own purposes - not very original. I suppose this is a nod to Greek and Roman mythology, but it didn't come off that way. This just served to alienate me from the "hero/heroine" and their quest. Then, to further borrow more ideas, the author decides to include talking animals (who in some cases are also beings of power). Now other authors throughout time have used this too. C.S Lewis, for example, in his Narnia series or Beatrix Potter. Of course we're talking about works of literature FOR CHILDREN. Somehow talking animals don't quite cut it in a series intended for adults. And although one of the main animal characters, Mosley, is imbued with animal and human characteristics, by the umpteenth description of him "marking his territory," it got very old.
There is also a "Book of Immortality" that floats around and is supposed to place limits on what the gods and goddesses can or cannot do. Apparently people who are dead can also be "placed in its pages" and exist for eternity, although this is very vague.
My other huge issue with this book is the narrative structure itself. At various points in the novel the author "inserts" himself or something like it and says things like, "Fellow Soul." This is just a very odd and archaic technique of narration. It almost reminds me of a 19th century novel, but the difference is that in the 19th century it was still very common for works of literature to be read out loud and with groups of people. Such phrases like "Dear Reader" were narrative techniques on the author's part to make the work accessible to a large listening audience. So what is going on here with "Fellow Soul"? Is the author trying to make us imagine the tale is being told out loud or is part of a fictional oral tradition?
Other odd narrative intrusions include segments where the author transitions between chapters and character points-of-view with the inclusion of a fictional newspaper called "The Grayham Inquirer: Where Inquiring Minds Go When they Want to find Out about their Favorite Character." What on Earth?
Is this an attempt to emulate J.K Rowling the Harry Potter universe? (Yes, there is a fictional newspaper in Harry Potter's world, but as I recall, we as the reader don't 'read' from it - instead its content is described to us indirectly through the reactions and actions of the other characters).
Anyway, this is just my reaction. Others may really like it, especially if they haven't been spoiled by J.R.R Tolkien, C.S Lewis and other authors' work of the high fantasy genre. Otherwise, you may be better off skipping this work and sticking with the classics. Even George RR Martin's series, while replete with blood and gore, has more story quality and imagination that this work.
February 21, 2013
WORLDS OF THE CRYSTAL MOON: ASCENDANTS OF ANCIENTS SOVEREIGN by Phillip E. Jones is an interesting Fantasy/Science Fiction. Book 1 in the "Worlds of the Crystal Moon". An interesting story of the Crystal Moon,with mystery,action,adventure,murder,betrayal,deceit,and chaos. Meet the Ascendants of Ancients Sovereign and the Worlds of the Crystal Moon you will not regret reading this fast paced, action packed adventure. A epic Fantasy tale. With beautiful pictures of the characters,you can put a face to each character. It also has concept art at the end. The world building is awesome,the characters engaging and jump off the pages. If you enjoy an epic fantasy,science fiction,multiple worlds,Gods,and a bit of romance you will definitely enjoy this title. A great read for Fantasy readers,with a great imagination. Received for an honest review from the author.
*"For readers of advanced seasons 13 years and older"*
RATING: 4
HEAT RATING: Mild
REVIEWED BY: AprilR, My Book Addiction Reviews/My Book Addiction and More
*"For readers of advanced seasons 13 years and older"*
RATING: 4
HEAT RATING: Mild
REVIEWED BY: AprilR, My Book Addiction Reviews/My Book Addiction and More
September 21, 2012
As I read this book, I laughed, I cringed, I even got a little teary in a couple of spots. I have been following the Worlds of the Crystal Moon on Facebook for some time now and was anxious to read the books when they were released. Jones takes a different spin on fantasy and adds some pop culture, some satire and some innuendo … all intermixed with some wicked fighting. After reading the first book, I will definitely be reading the next one.
September 21, 2012
A friend recommended that I read this book. Not being much of a fantasy fan, I was reticent, but when my friend read me a couple of excerpts, I knew I had to read more. The tension between the characters was strong; the emotions of the characters were not unlike those one might experience when thrown into the same situation. I even felt the urgency of the main characters getting their “mission” completed. This was a good storyline that was told well.
September 23, 2012
I have been waiting for this book. In my opinion, everything Phillip Jones writes gets better and better. I enjoyed the story so much as pure escapism as I slipped away into the Worlds of the Crystal Moon to relieve the stress of my workday. I enjoyed experiencing someone else's pain and struggle, successes and temptations and how they dealt with the triumphs and disappointments. I am a BIG FAN of the Worlds of the Crystal Moon. Can't wait for the next one.
September 23, 2012
I will definitely recommend this book to my friends. As a fantasy geek, I love to get my hands on new works. From the cover page to the artwork to the story, I was transported to Grayham. The gods aren't traditional mythology, the characters run the gamut of mortal, magical, mythical, and mystical. It has a different flavor and spin, and I LOVE that. This would make such a great RPG.
April 16, 2014
I had high hopes for this book after visiting the facebook page and reading the excerpts; however, the reality is - I couldn't connect with the characters and that's a storykiller for me. Maybe the deficit of depth in personality is in my own perception and I truly hate to disparage anyone's hard work, but this one was a sleeper.
November 15, 2015
I was completely misled by the high review this book has been given on goodreads. It is an astoundingly poorly written book. The story is quite engaging, but the writing style is abominable and it's difficult to put up with such an awkwardly written novel.
It's not the worst book that I've ever read, but it's definitely amongst the lower contenders.
It's not the worst book that I've ever read, but it's definitely amongst the lower contenders.
Currently reading
November 24, 2012Good Story, well written
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews