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Farworld #3
Air Keep
It’s been six months since Marcus and Kyja obtained the help of the land and water elementals, but before they can secure the help from the mysterious air elementals, the two friends must first be reunited. A task easier said than done.
Master Therapass is worried that trying to pull Marcus to Farworld would put him in danger of the shadow realm, but if Marcus stays on Earth, he’ll be sent back to the Philo T. Justice School for Boys instead of being able to stay on the protected grounds of the monastery.
While attempting to return to Farworld, Marcus finds himself in the Abyss of Time, facing four doors: the Is, the Was, the Will Be, and the Never Was. What he learns in that dangerous place has the potential to change his life—and Kyja’s. But does he have the courage to tell her what he learned?
And in Farworld, a drought, floods, and blizzards have seized the land, hinting that perhaps there is a traitor in the elementals’ midst. The Dark Circle is growing in power, and as Marcus and Kyja desperately search for the air elementals, they must first answer the question “Is there anyone we can trust?”
Master Therapass is worried that trying to pull Marcus to Farworld would put him in danger of the shadow realm, but if Marcus stays on Earth, he’ll be sent back to the Philo T. Justice School for Boys instead of being able to stay on the protected grounds of the monastery.
While attempting to return to Farworld, Marcus finds himself in the Abyss of Time, facing four doors: the Is, the Was, the Will Be, and the Never Was. What he learns in that dangerous place has the potential to change his life—and Kyja’s. But does he have the courage to tell her what he learned?
And in Farworld, a drought, floods, and blizzards have seized the land, hinting that perhaps there is a traitor in the elementals’ midst. The Dark Circle is growing in power, and as Marcus and Kyja desperately search for the air elementals, they must first answer the question “Is there anyone we can trust?”
336 pages, Hardcover
First published February 26, 2013
45 people are currently reading
1397 people want to read
About the author
J. Scott Savage
20 books535 followersJ Scott Savage is the author of 19 novels including the Mysteries of Cove series, the Farworld series, and the Case File 13 series, and the Lost Wonderland Diaries.
He has been writing books for over twenty years. His books have received various recognitions including Junior Library Selection, Starred reviews from PW and Kirkus, Amazon Book of the Month,
Barnes and Noble Select book, and several state award nominations.
He has visited over 2500 schools, dozens of writers conferences, and taught many writing classes. He has four children and seven grandchildren. He lives with his wife Jennifer in a windy valley of the Rocky Mountains.
He loves hearing from his readers at info@jscottsavage.com
He has been writing books for over twenty years. His books have received various recognitions including Junior Library Selection, Starred reviews from PW and Kirkus, Amazon Book of the Month,
Barnes and Noble Select book, and several state award nominations.
He has visited over 2500 schools, dozens of writers conferences, and taught many writing classes. He has four children and seven grandchildren. He lives with his wife Jennifer in a windy valley of the Rocky Mountains.
He loves hearing from his readers at info@jscottsavage.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
March 3, 2013
To be honest, when I heard that Farworld 3: Air Keep was coming out, it had been so many years since the second book (Land Keep), that I had to go back and read the second book again because I couldn’t remember the storyline very well.
It was worth the wait.
The stakes are even higher for Marcus and Kyja in this latest installment of the Farworld series. Marcus is a native of magical Farworld who was hidden on Earth since he was a small child by Master Therapass, a Farworld wizard working against an evil organization called the Dark Circle. An unfortunate side-effect of his original magical transport to earth is that Marcus sustained injuries to a leg and an arm, severe enough to need a wheelchair thereafter. Kyja, on the other hand, is a native of Earth who grows up on Farworld in some sort of cosmic swap with Marcus. Her disability is that she is the only non-magical human in Farworld.
Master Therapass hid these two children in an effort to protect them until they were ready to fulfill their joint destiny to save both worlds from the Dark Circle. In order to do so, they must recruit four powerful creatures called “Elementals.” They need a Water Elemental, a Land Elemental, an Air Elemental, and a Fire Elemental. The problem is that no one on Farworld has seen these Elementals in centuries. When we rejoin the story in book 3, Marcus and Kyja have already found the Water and Land Elementals. Master Therapass has also hidden Marcus back on Earth and forbidden Kyja from “pulling” him back to Farworld until it is safe to do so.
But headstrong Kyja senses that something is wrong and pulls Marcus to Farworld anyway. The rising action is relentless from that point as the youthful duo fights the Dark Circle while seeking to find and recruit an Air Elemental to join their quest. The fate of both Earth and Farworld hang in the balance.
Book 3 actually begins with a helpful summary of the previous books. I wish I had known that before going back and reading Book 2 again!
I’m happy to say that this latest installment in the Farworld series is the best so far. I really liked the previous two, but I truly LOVED this one. Scott Savage was unrelenting in the action, tension and conflict. Sometimes in other middle-grade fantasy, the tension seems contrived. Not so for Savage. It is all completely believable and results in the reader being pulled into the story and being swept along for an amazingly breathless ride.
It is extremely gratifying to see a disabled protagonist in a fantasy series – and even more gratifying that he becomes a serious action hero. This series belongs on library shelves. I highly recommend Farworld 3 for all readers ages 10 and up, and my only hope is that the fourth book doesn’t take so long to be published!
It was worth the wait.
The stakes are even higher for Marcus and Kyja in this latest installment of the Farworld series. Marcus is a native of magical Farworld who was hidden on Earth since he was a small child by Master Therapass, a Farworld wizard working against an evil organization called the Dark Circle. An unfortunate side-effect of his original magical transport to earth is that Marcus sustained injuries to a leg and an arm, severe enough to need a wheelchair thereafter. Kyja, on the other hand, is a native of Earth who grows up on Farworld in some sort of cosmic swap with Marcus. Her disability is that she is the only non-magical human in Farworld.
Master Therapass hid these two children in an effort to protect them until they were ready to fulfill their joint destiny to save both worlds from the Dark Circle. In order to do so, they must recruit four powerful creatures called “Elementals.” They need a Water Elemental, a Land Elemental, an Air Elemental, and a Fire Elemental. The problem is that no one on Farworld has seen these Elementals in centuries. When we rejoin the story in book 3, Marcus and Kyja have already found the Water and Land Elementals. Master Therapass has also hidden Marcus back on Earth and forbidden Kyja from “pulling” him back to Farworld until it is safe to do so.
But headstrong Kyja senses that something is wrong and pulls Marcus to Farworld anyway. The rising action is relentless from that point as the youthful duo fights the Dark Circle while seeking to find and recruit an Air Elemental to join their quest. The fate of both Earth and Farworld hang in the balance.
Book 3 actually begins with a helpful summary of the previous books. I wish I had known that before going back and reading Book 2 again!
I’m happy to say that this latest installment in the Farworld series is the best so far. I really liked the previous two, but I truly LOVED this one. Scott Savage was unrelenting in the action, tension and conflict. Sometimes in other middle-grade fantasy, the tension seems contrived. Not so for Savage. It is all completely believable and results in the reader being pulled into the story and being swept along for an amazingly breathless ride.
It is extremely gratifying to see a disabled protagonist in a fantasy series – and even more gratifying that he becomes a serious action hero. This series belongs on library shelves. I highly recommend Farworld 3 for all readers ages 10 and up, and my only hope is that the fourth book doesn’t take so long to be published!
February 27, 2013
This book has been YEARS in the making...but so worth the wait.
Yes...the adventure continues...and what an amazing adventure it is!
As I was reading I kept thinking..."this is as good as Fablehaven."
And "this is as good as Lord of the Rings."
You will fall in love with the characters and cheer them on as they battle to bring together not only Water, Land, Air, and Fire but also Far World and Earth.
While the story is written as a middle reader it has kept me plenty entertained!
My husband and grown boys have read this series too and loved it as well.
This series is a definite must read for all ages :)
Yes...the adventure continues...and what an amazing adventure it is!
As I was reading I kept thinking..."this is as good as Fablehaven."
And "this is as good as Lord of the Rings."
You will fall in love with the characters and cheer them on as they battle to bring together not only Water, Land, Air, and Fire but also Far World and Earth.
While the story is written as a middle reader it has kept me plenty entertained!
My husband and grown boys have read this series too and loved it as well.
This series is a definite must read for all ages :)
April 13, 2013
Ya know, the series is gradually getting better. But blast these cliffhanger endings! *sigh*
March 15, 2013
YES!!! Finally, we get another book in the Far World series. I'd like to personally thank Shadow Mountain for the ARC. It was the first ARC I've ever received and hope it isn't the last.
Having said that I'd also like to start off by saying I think the publishers did Savage a huge disservice by waiting so long to publish this third installment of the series. Unfortunately we live in an "out of sight, out of mind" type of a world nowadays, and I can't help but think how much more popular this series could have been had the publisher pushed it harder. One of the reasons it took me so long to read this one is because I went and started reading the other two in order to remember things. I think Savage understood this would happen, so he gave some great synopses of the two books at the very beginning of Air Keep--kind of like a Cliff's Notes version of the two books. It was absolutely what I needed to jump right back in, and at no point did I feel lost because I couldn't remember the other books.
The Far World book are getting progressively better. After finishing the first, I thought, "That was pretty good." After the second, "That was awesome! I'd like to read more." Upon finishing this book, I sat there, looking at the last blank page thinking, "MOOOOOOOORE! I NEED MORE!" Savage has incrementally raised the stakes with each of his books, and I was excited to discover after finishing the acknowledgments (yes, I even read those) that there will be TWO MORE books in the series. Awesome! I've stated this in my reviews before, but every time I read a middle-grade or YA book I always consider whether it would be the kind of book (series) that I would recommend to my children. Does it teach the kinds of values I want my children to learn? Is it the type of book that is going to make them want to read more, without gratuitous violence, swearing, or sex? Shadow Mountain usually delivers with those types of books and J. Scott Savage is making a true fantasy series that is interesting, tells a good story, and demonstrates important values such as friendship, trust, and love.
One thing I really like about this series is the non-traditional protagonists. Marcus has a physical difficulties due to a malformed leg and arm. Kyja lives in a world where everyone can use magic, but she cannot, which makes her “disability” very similar to what Marcus experiences on Earth. However, (and this is a BIG however) BOTH of them learn throughout the series that their disabilities can actually become strengths. They both start out hating what they can’t do, but learn as they progress through the books that there are so many things they CAN do. They even discover that the things that held them back before can actually be used to their advantage. I love this message in the books. How many children (and adults) have things about them that they don’t like because they feel like they don’t fit in or they are different? These books take two imperfect people and show how they mature and learn to accept their differences while using them to serve the greater good. It’s inspiring, and I like to think of all the children, teens and adults reading these books who think, “Hey, like Marcus and Kyja, I have ________, but I won’t let it hold me back.”
Another thing I love about these books is the magic system and elementals. The magic has limitations. It’s not the cure-all for every problem. Marcus and Kyja actually have to think and use their brains. As you meet the different elementals you learn that even though they have godlike powers, they aren’t perfect either. They have insecurities, prejudices, and personal flaws they must overcome as well.
In Air Keep it seems like trials meet Marcus and Kyja at every turn. But they never let go of hope. They keep pushing forward despite the fact that all seems to be against them. I like the teamwork aspect of the characters. There are times when Marcus seems to start losing hope, but Kyja lifts him up. There are other times when Kyja’s resolve weakens and Marcus is there to lend her a hand. I know there have been many times in my life when I’ve depended on someone else to lift me up. I really connected with those moments in the book when one of the protagonists had to depend on the other for help.
Of all three books in the Far World series, Air Keep is by far my favorite . . . so far. I hope we don’t have to wait three years before we see Fire Keep and then the final book of the series. Hopefully people will embrace this series again so that we can see it through all the way to the end. It is worth the read. It’s one of those series that should be getting a lot more hype than it has up to this point.
Having said that I'd also like to start off by saying I think the publishers did Savage a huge disservice by waiting so long to publish this third installment of the series. Unfortunately we live in an "out of sight, out of mind" type of a world nowadays, and I can't help but think how much more popular this series could have been had the publisher pushed it harder. One of the reasons it took me so long to read this one is because I went and started reading the other two in order to remember things. I think Savage understood this would happen, so he gave some great synopses of the two books at the very beginning of Air Keep--kind of like a Cliff's Notes version of the two books. It was absolutely what I needed to jump right back in, and at no point did I feel lost because I couldn't remember the other books.
The Far World book are getting progressively better. After finishing the first, I thought, "That was pretty good." After the second, "That was awesome! I'd like to read more." Upon finishing this book, I sat there, looking at the last blank page thinking, "MOOOOOOOORE! I NEED MORE!" Savage has incrementally raised the stakes with each of his books, and I was excited to discover after finishing the acknowledgments (yes, I even read those) that there will be TWO MORE books in the series. Awesome! I've stated this in my reviews before, but every time I read a middle-grade or YA book I always consider whether it would be the kind of book (series) that I would recommend to my children. Does it teach the kinds of values I want my children to learn? Is it the type of book that is going to make them want to read more, without gratuitous violence, swearing, or sex? Shadow Mountain usually delivers with those types of books and J. Scott Savage is making a true fantasy series that is interesting, tells a good story, and demonstrates important values such as friendship, trust, and love.
One thing I really like about this series is the non-traditional protagonists. Marcus has a physical difficulties due to a malformed leg and arm. Kyja lives in a world where everyone can use magic, but she cannot, which makes her “disability” very similar to what Marcus experiences on Earth. However, (and this is a BIG however) BOTH of them learn throughout the series that their disabilities can actually become strengths. They both start out hating what they can’t do, but learn as they progress through the books that there are so many things they CAN do. They even discover that the things that held them back before can actually be used to their advantage. I love this message in the books. How many children (and adults) have things about them that they don’t like because they feel like they don’t fit in or they are different? These books take two imperfect people and show how they mature and learn to accept their differences while using them to serve the greater good. It’s inspiring, and I like to think of all the children, teens and adults reading these books who think, “Hey, like Marcus and Kyja, I have ________, but I won’t let it hold me back.”
Another thing I love about these books is the magic system and elementals. The magic has limitations. It’s not the cure-all for every problem. Marcus and Kyja actually have to think and use their brains. As you meet the different elementals you learn that even though they have godlike powers, they aren’t perfect either. They have insecurities, prejudices, and personal flaws they must overcome as well.
In Air Keep it seems like trials meet Marcus and Kyja at every turn. But they never let go of hope. They keep pushing forward despite the fact that all seems to be against them. I like the teamwork aspect of the characters. There are times when Marcus seems to start losing hope, but Kyja lifts him up. There are other times when Kyja’s resolve weakens and Marcus is there to lend her a hand. I know there have been many times in my life when I’ve depended on someone else to lift me up. I really connected with those moments in the book when one of the protagonists had to depend on the other for help.
Of all three books in the Far World series, Air Keep is by far my favorite . . . so far. I hope we don’t have to wait three years before we see Fire Keep and then the final book of the series. Hopefully people will embrace this series again so that we can see it through all the way to the end. It is worth the read. It’s one of those series that should be getting a lot more hype than it has up to this point.
July 27, 2018
I has started reading this series years ago and completely forgot that I had this book. Now I've got to get the fourth book because of the cliffhanger ending. I really liked this because of the great characters - Marcus, Kyja, and my favorite, the skyte Riph Raph, who reminds me a lot of Clover in the Leven Thumps Series. What really sealed the deal were the puns the air elementals used to test Marcus and Kyja. Anything with a pun must be great. Oh yes, I also liked the racing snail.
June 6, 2013
Another brilliant addition to the Far World saga. Although J. Scott Savage is in my critique group, I really had only previewed a few early chapters in this episode, so reading the book was an exciting adventure for me, filled with surprises, twists & turns, familiar characters, as well as new ones, and an ending that made me yearn to read Fire Keep right away. (In other words, get busy writing, Jeff!)
I have loved the Far World series from the very beginning. Kyja is a wonderful role model. She truly cares about people and would give her life to protect another. The frightening part of this trait is that in Air Keep, if Marcus’s visions of the future are right, she might just be called upon to do that very thing. Despite his fears and the limitations of his disabilities, Marcus will do everything he can to protect his best friend and maintain her trust.
Because I have used Far World: Water Keep as one of my key literature studies with my English classes, and because these students went on to read Land Keep on their own, there was much excitement at the release of Air Keep throughout my school. I arranged for a school-wide assembly by the author, which was very well received by students and faculty alike. I would highly recommend both the book series and the assembly for grades 4-9.
And, by the way, I was so excited to see the return of the ishkabiddle. I’ve love the fur-ball almost as much as I love saying its name!
I have loved the Far World series from the very beginning. Kyja is a wonderful role model. She truly cares about people and would give her life to protect another. The frightening part of this trait is that in Air Keep, if Marcus’s visions of the future are right, she might just be called upon to do that very thing. Despite his fears and the limitations of his disabilities, Marcus will do everything he can to protect his best friend and maintain her trust.
Because I have used Far World: Water Keep as one of my key literature studies with my English classes, and because these students went on to read Land Keep on their own, there was much excitement at the release of Air Keep throughout my school. I arranged for a school-wide assembly by the author, which was very well received by students and faculty alike. I would highly recommend both the book series and the assembly for grades 4-9.
And, by the way, I was so excited to see the return of the ishkabiddle. I’ve love the fur-ball almost as much as I love saying its name!
May 30, 2014
A girl friend and I are sharing the experience of listening to this series. Like a prior reader said, it has been so long since Book 2 came out I was worried that I wouldn't remember it very well. My friend said they did a really good job of tying the new story in with the prior one--and they did! This book is a lot deeper and there is a ton of mystery and intrigue in it. I just love the kids and how creative and how fond they are of each other and the way their relationship develops. There is a lot of evil in this book and the talents that the kids have which are different and are very complimentary to each other. I found myself listening to the CD's 2 and 3 times each as the content is so complex and touching that I was having difficulties understanding it. It is a well written book, well narrated, and the content is excellent. And it leaves us in suspense. Recommend.
August 11, 2016
I really enjoyed this one! You really get deeper into the story, and twists and turns are everywhere. You get to meet the next group of elementals - the aerisians. Mr. Z also plays a huge part in this sequel which I loved. Mr. Z is a really cool character, and I hope we get to see him in the next one as well. Most of the happenings are predictable, but that could be because I'm a bit older than the intended audience. It just made me feel more clever than I actually am (: Can't wait to read the next one, Mr. Savage!
April 29, 2013
Great installation in the series. Parts were predictable, as are all fantasy novels to a point. That said, I loved some of the unsuspecting twists and turns. It kept me up at night reading. Can't wait for the next one! My son has been dying to read it.
June 2, 2013
Another amazing adventure story by Jeff. His books just get better and better.
May 17, 2022
I have really enjoyed the Far World series. This is the third book in the series and it was just as good as the first two. What I liked the most about Air Keep was when Marcus gets to visit the four doors in the Abyss of time. He gets a chance to look in the IS, the Was, the Will Be, and the Never was. It made me think about my own life and how it might change my decisions if I could personally look through similar doors. In the book the Air Keep Marcus learns some sad things in the Will Be and that he plays a hand in his best friends death. This thought plagues him as he searches for air keep and works to reunite the elementals to save the world. If we knew our future and we had no power to change it, would we want to know how it all ends?? I don't think that I would. I think I would be like Marcus and try everyday to make a different ending happen and that it would consume me. This book has a great storyline and plot and keeps the reader engaged. I often feel like I am on a vacation while reading. The book takes place between earth and far world which are like mirrors of each other.
October 19, 2023
After six months of earthquakes and drought, Kyja draws Marcus back to Farworld despite Master Therapass' warnings, unaware that he has been shown a deadly future - one that may prove true even if they can reach the Air Elementals and stop the Dark Circle's forces rampages. Savage will keep fans hooked with every exciting new layer of magic and mayhem, as humourous and hearty as ever with all new chilling twists around every page turn. Only the power of the Elementals could cause natural disasters like these...
August 19, 2025
Creative and fun... for the most part. It does get a little old with the "what's that earth word again" or let me mispronounce everything before I get it. And at this point I'd write out Rif Raf entirely, as he's only there to be a jerk to Marcus and I find him quite grating. That said, the solutions and situations are complex enough to be enjoyable and the overall story not fully predictable. Looking forward to the conclusion.
July 2, 2021
With each book this series keeps getting better. J. Scott Savage definitely created a very unique world. I believe this can be enjoyed by children and parents alike. I can’t wait to get my hands on the last book now. This one leaves you hanging a bit at the end. It’s a fun one to listen to either in the car or laying in a hammock.
May 10, 2024
This is better! Less world building, and more diving into the characters.
I am not usually a fantasy or sci-fi fan, but the way the story played with time was really well done.
I'm looking forward to the last book! My 11yo literally gasped several times and said, "NO WAY" a bunch when he was reading it, so I'm looking forward to it!
I am not usually a fantasy or sci-fi fan, but the way the story played with time was really well done.
I'm looking forward to the last book! My 11yo literally gasped several times and said, "NO WAY" a bunch when he was reading it, so I'm looking forward to it!
April 6, 2025
3.5
I remember this one being my last favorite of the 3 and I think it’s mostly because it relies too much on frivolity and time-altering magic. Marcus as a character sort of falls away, becoming a bit too whiny. I don’t like how the water and earth elementals disappear. I do like the tie back into Marcus’s fear at the end though, with Kyja.
I remember this one being my last favorite of the 3 and I think it’s mostly because it relies too much on frivolity and time-altering magic. Marcus as a character sort of falls away, becoming a bit too whiny. I don’t like how the water and earth elementals disappear. I do like the tie back into Marcus’s fear at the end though, with Kyja.
December 26, 2018
A step down from the last installment. Any book that delves into time is lost. It is also incredibly problematic the way that Ty is portrayed. This book jumbled my thoughts, and this review reflects that.
October 30, 2024
The plot was fascinating and the ending was very impressive. Overall, this is a super well-written book and my favorite in the series so far. I loved seeing the two main character's relationship development, it was subtle but it really enhanced the book as a whole.
June 17, 2017
This has got to be the best of all the books, they always have some sort of surprise in each page.
My favorite characters had to be the air elementals.
My favorite characters had to be the air elementals.
August 13, 2017
This is a pretty decent story. By this point in the series, I have a pretty good idea of how things are going to work.
April 15, 2019
I read this a while ago but it was interesting. It could have been better but i liked the whole series
February 19, 2021
Surprisingly sweet and sad. I can't wait to read Fire Keep to find out how everything ends.
Read
June 17, 2024I really liked the theme that learning to trust others is an important part of what makes us human.
December 28, 2025
Once again Savage introduces to a completely different manner of superior being. Through wit and perseverance, our heroes manage to recruit some to help save Far World.
February 6, 2017
- I finally read this!! Hooray! It has been sitting in my own-but-haven't-read pile on my nightstand for a long time!
- The story was a bit slow for a lot of parts, and I thought this was going to be my least favorite book of the series for sure, but the ending all came together, and I really enjoyed the book as a whole.
- Marcus was a little annoying at times. I'm still waiting for him to grow and develop into the big hero that Farworld needs.
- I like Mr. Z a lot. He is a very fun character.
- The ending was very captivating. I didn't want to quit reading. That hasn't happened to me for a while, so I'm excited that I found a book that kept me riveted.
- I wish the elementals played larger role in the story. I think that will happen in the next book. At least I'm hoping to see all the elementals get together and do something amazing.
- The story was a bit slow for a lot of parts, and I thought this was going to be my least favorite book of the series for sure, but the ending all came together, and I really enjoyed the book as a whole.
- Marcus was a little annoying at times. I'm still waiting for him to grow and develop into the big hero that Farworld needs.
- I like Mr. Z a lot. He is a very fun character.
- The ending was very captivating. I didn't want to quit reading. That hasn't happened to me for a while, so I'm excited that I found a book that kept me riveted.
- I wish the elementals played larger role in the story. I think that will happen in the next book. At least I'm hoping to see all the elementals get together and do something amazing.
June 7, 2017
Written for keverbloom.edublogs.org and teenauthorbootcamp.com/messhall
Air Keep was a good continuation of Marcus and Kyja’s story with a little bit of mind-boggling time-twisting. There was more continuity of the series’ main themes with an extra message to not worry so much about the future and past, but to keep working through the present to make the future what you want it to be. There’s a lot of wordplay and puns in this one and an interesting plot continuing from the previous book and onto the next. I’d definitely recommend these books to any middle-grade fantasy lover.
Air Keep was a good continuation of Marcus and Kyja’s story with a little bit of mind-boggling time-twisting. There was more continuity of the series’ main themes with an extra message to not worry so much about the future and past, but to keep working through the present to make the future what you want it to be. There’s a lot of wordplay and puns in this one and an interesting plot continuing from the previous book and onto the next. I’d definitely recommend these books to any middle-grade fantasy lover.
April 12, 2013
4 STARS
Air Keep is book 3 in Farworld series. I admit I have not read the first two books in the series. That could have influenced my decision to only give it 4 stars. It did give a pretty good overall of what happened in first two books of the series.
The plot in some ways is simple and others complex. Master Therapass found the baby Marcus that had a marking on the shoulder badly wounded and sent him to Earth to be raised by Monks. To balance things he had to bring a baby girl Kyja from Earth and raise her.
No one realized what he had done. The two children are supposed to save theirs worlds some how.
Their are evil black circle who don't want the worlds saved. They thought they destroyed Marcus as a baby to stop him.
Marcus and Kyja lives are intertwined. They need to build portal that will bridge the two worlds. It is dangerous to do. They need to get the four elementals to work together to do it. They never work together. In the first two books they got land and water to agree to help. Now they need to find the air elementals keep and convince them to help. No one knows where the air keep is.
Marcus has found that he can do magic. He lives with Monks on Earth. He is stuck in a wheel chair on Earth. He has a strange marking on his shoulder. He found out in first books that he was born on Farworld. He is supposed to save it. A lot of pressure for a teenager.
Kyja lives on Farworld. A land that every creature and person can do magic except her. She did not know why she was different from anyone else on Farworld. Kyja in the first book found she has one magic she can pull Marcus through the shadow land into Farworld. But he can only stay three days. Kyja is a fighter. She is supposed to save Earth but she can only be their three days too.
Their are many strange and different creatures on Farworld. This book deals with time travel. Which gets a little confusing at times.
Also deals with trust and working together to help others. Lots of drama, action, fantasy and friends. I liked it but now I want to read the first two books and the next and not have to wait.
If you have been waiting to read Air Keep I am sure you won't be disappointed in it. This is a very clean book.
I was given this ebook to read and asked to give honest review of it by Netgalley.
Published February 26th 2013 by Shadow Mountain 336 pages ISBN: 1609073258
Description below taken off of Goodreads.
It’s been six months since Marcus and Kyja obtained the help of the land and water elementals, but before they can secure the help from the mysterious air elementals, the two friends must first be reunited. A task easier said than done.
Master Therapass is worried that trying to pull Marcus to Farworld would put him in danger of the shadow realm, but if Marcus stays on Earth, he’ll be sent back to the Philo T. Justice School for Boys instead of being able to stay on the protected grounds of the monastery.
While attempting to return to Farworld, Marcus finds himself in the Abyss of Time, facing four doors: the Is, the Was, the Will Be, and the Never Was. What he learns in that dangerous place has the potential to change his life—and Kyja’s. But does he have the courage to tell her what he learned?
And in Farworld, a drought, floods, and blizzards have seized the land, hinting that perhaps there is a traitor in the elementals’ midst. The Dark Circle is growing in power, and as Marcus and Kyja desperately search for the air elementals, they must first answer the question “Is there anyone we can trust?”
Air Keep is book 3 in Farworld series. I admit I have not read the first two books in the series. That could have influenced my decision to only give it 4 stars. It did give a pretty good overall of what happened in first two books of the series.
The plot in some ways is simple and others complex. Master Therapass found the baby Marcus that had a marking on the shoulder badly wounded and sent him to Earth to be raised by Monks. To balance things he had to bring a baby girl Kyja from Earth and raise her.
No one realized what he had done. The two children are supposed to save theirs worlds some how.
Their are evil black circle who don't want the worlds saved. They thought they destroyed Marcus as a baby to stop him.
Marcus and Kyja lives are intertwined. They need to build portal that will bridge the two worlds. It is dangerous to do. They need to get the four elementals to work together to do it. They never work together. In the first two books they got land and water to agree to help. Now they need to find the air elementals keep and convince them to help. No one knows where the air keep is.
Marcus has found that he can do magic. He lives with Monks on Earth. He is stuck in a wheel chair on Earth. He has a strange marking on his shoulder. He found out in first books that he was born on Farworld. He is supposed to save it. A lot of pressure for a teenager.
Kyja lives on Farworld. A land that every creature and person can do magic except her. She did not know why she was different from anyone else on Farworld. Kyja in the first book found she has one magic she can pull Marcus through the shadow land into Farworld. But he can only stay three days. Kyja is a fighter. She is supposed to save Earth but she can only be their three days too.
Their are many strange and different creatures on Farworld. This book deals with time travel. Which gets a little confusing at times.
Also deals with trust and working together to help others. Lots of drama, action, fantasy and friends. I liked it but now I want to read the first two books and the next and not have to wait.
If you have been waiting to read Air Keep I am sure you won't be disappointed in it. This is a very clean book.
I was given this ebook to read and asked to give honest review of it by Netgalley.
Published February 26th 2013 by Shadow Mountain 336 pages ISBN: 1609073258
Description below taken off of Goodreads.
It’s been six months since Marcus and Kyja obtained the help of the land and water elementals, but before they can secure the help from the mysterious air elementals, the two friends must first be reunited. A task easier said than done.
Master Therapass is worried that trying to pull Marcus to Farworld would put him in danger of the shadow realm, but if Marcus stays on Earth, he’ll be sent back to the Philo T. Justice School for Boys instead of being able to stay on the protected grounds of the monastery.
While attempting to return to Farworld, Marcus finds himself in the Abyss of Time, facing four doors: the Is, the Was, the Will Be, and the Never Was. What he learns in that dangerous place has the potential to change his life—and Kyja’s. But does he have the courage to tell her what he learned?
And in Farworld, a drought, floods, and blizzards have seized the land, hinting that perhaps there is a traitor in the elementals’ midst. The Dark Circle is growing in power, and as Marcus and Kyja desperately search for the air elementals, they must first answer the question “Is there anyone we can trust?”
February 23, 2017
I really missed out on these when they originally came out. Now I'm kicking myself. They keep getting better and better even while they continue to be fairly original despite following the same set of characters trying to find elemental keep after elemental keep. I thought they might get kind of boring, but far from it. They're fantastic.
I'll try not to spoil anything, but I have to admit that it seems a little too easy for the bad guys to recruit help to their cause. You always wonder how these bad guys do it in regular movies and books, considering they usually treat their help like garbage, but at least in those, you have the feeling that they've worked at building their empire over time. If I have any fault with the Farworld series it's that important people join the dark side even more easily than Anakin did, and with less incentive.
I'll try not to spoil anything, but I have to admit that it seems a little too easy for the bad guys to recruit help to their cause. You always wonder how these bad guys do it in regular movies and books, considering they usually treat their help like garbage, but at least in those, you have the feeling that they've worked at building their empire over time. If I have any fault with the Farworld series it's that important people join the dark side even more easily than Anakin did, and with less incentive.
March 12, 2013
Air Keep is the third book in the Farworld series by J. Scott Savage. In the book we continue to see Marcus and Kyja trying to gain elemental allies so they can open a drift. Opening the drift will allow Marcus to come fully into Faworld instead of leaving a portion of himself lost in the area of shadowy grey that serves as the in between.
This story deals with a little bit of a rift forming between Marcus and Kyja and I've never been a huge fan of that particular plot point in the books I read. Still a good book and worthy continuation of the series, it just won't be my favorite out of the series (Land Keep has that distinction for now).
The tension in this book has really been ramped up. The first two books had allusions to the fate of both worlds being in the balance, but here you are really shown some of the cataclysmic events that could happen if Marcus and Kyja fail. The Air Elementals were also an intriguing addition to the cast. I don't want to spoil anything for the reader so I won't go into any detail, suffice to say there is a bit of humor involved that I think could really appeal to younger readers.
Overall, this book is a great setup for what I believe is the planned conclusion with the next book. There is still a little bit of new info being learned about the established characters and a few smaller players get bigger roles. The scale of conflict is significantly increased with much larger consequences for the actions the characters pursue. One of the greatest strengths of this series has been the story. Often when reading a series I will find a book in the middle that is used almost entirely to set up the earthshaking conclusion. It always makes me eager to see what will happen in the conclusion, but leaves me a bit disappointed in the book I had just read. Farworld does not do that. All of the books have independent stories with their own resolutions contained, though they still manage to form a cohesive and constantly growing story arc. It is a pleasure to find a series that maintains a high standard of excitement throughout.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This story deals with a little bit of a rift forming between Marcus and Kyja and I've never been a huge fan of that particular plot point in the books I read. Still a good book and worthy continuation of the series, it just won't be my favorite out of the series (Land Keep has that distinction for now).
The tension in this book has really been ramped up. The first two books had allusions to the fate of both worlds being in the balance, but here you are really shown some of the cataclysmic events that could happen if Marcus and Kyja fail. The Air Elementals were also an intriguing addition to the cast. I don't want to spoil anything for the reader so I won't go into any detail, suffice to say there is a bit of humor involved that I think could really appeal to younger readers.
Overall, this book is a great setup for what I believe is the planned conclusion with the next book. There is still a little bit of new info being learned about the established characters and a few smaller players get bigger roles. The scale of conflict is significantly increased with much larger consequences for the actions the characters pursue. One of the greatest strengths of this series has been the story. Often when reading a series I will find a book in the middle that is used almost entirely to set up the earthshaking conclusion. It always makes me eager to see what will happen in the conclusion, but leaves me a bit disappointed in the book I had just read. Farworld does not do that. All of the books have independent stories with their own resolutions contained, though they still manage to form a cohesive and constantly growing story arc. It is a pleasure to find a series that maintains a high standard of excitement throughout.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
September 12, 2014
Story:
It's been six months since Marcus and Kyja have stopped the Keepers of the Balance and gone their separate ways. Both have hoped that the wizard Master Therapass would've found a way to allow Marcus to safely pass through the mysterious Realm of Shadows into Farworld by now. When an unexpected chain of events send Marcus into a place where the four aspects of time are shown to him, he unwittingly sets off a chain of events that could prove devastating. Kyja, against Master Therapass's orders, senses Marcus is in danger and pulls him into Farworld. However things are not well for the magical world. Blizzards, droughts, and floods are wrecking havoc, and no one has seen the water or land elementals for months. Could they be behind these disasters? Could the unthinkable have happened and they've joined with the Dark Circle? In order to find the answers Marcus and Kyja must find the elusive Air Keep and gain the help of the Air Elementals, but can they do it in time? And will what Marcus set off come to pass? Could this be the end of Farworld?
J. Scott Savage never ceases to amaze me with his creativity and imagination. The world of Farworld is always impressive and magical. He always manages to find some way to make the adventures to find each elemental fun and dangerous at the same time, and the elementals are not always what you'd expect them to be. His characters feel realistic, and sometimes do or act in a way you don't expect. His stories can take really unexpected turns, and when you think all is well something unexpected occurs. If you have not read the Farworld series yet I highly recommend you do.
Caution:
Children are in peril constantly. A monster summons an undead army. Bloodless action against an invading army. Puns are used a lot, though some might be inappropriate.
Lessons:
We should not keep secrets from those we love. It's good to have a healthy sense of humor. There are events in life that we cannot control or change, no matter how hard we want to. Prejudice can lead to terrible consequences.
It's been six months since Marcus and Kyja have stopped the Keepers of the Balance and gone their separate ways. Both have hoped that the wizard Master Therapass would've found a way to allow Marcus to safely pass through the mysterious Realm of Shadows into Farworld by now. When an unexpected chain of events send Marcus into a place where the four aspects of time are shown to him, he unwittingly sets off a chain of events that could prove devastating. Kyja, against Master Therapass's orders, senses Marcus is in danger and pulls him into Farworld. However things are not well for the magical world. Blizzards, droughts, and floods are wrecking havoc, and no one has seen the water or land elementals for months. Could they be behind these disasters? Could the unthinkable have happened and they've joined with the Dark Circle? In order to find the answers Marcus and Kyja must find the elusive Air Keep and gain the help of the Air Elementals, but can they do it in time? And will what Marcus set off come to pass? Could this be the end of Farworld?
J. Scott Savage never ceases to amaze me with his creativity and imagination. The world of Farworld is always impressive and magical. He always manages to find some way to make the adventures to find each elemental fun and dangerous at the same time, and the elementals are not always what you'd expect them to be. His characters feel realistic, and sometimes do or act in a way you don't expect. His stories can take really unexpected turns, and when you think all is well something unexpected occurs. If you have not read the Farworld series yet I highly recommend you do.
Caution:
Children are in peril constantly. A monster summons an undead army. Bloodless action against an invading army. Puns are used a lot, though some might be inappropriate.
Lessons:
We should not keep secrets from those we love. It's good to have a healthy sense of humor. There are events in life that we cannot control or change, no matter how hard we want to. Prejudice can lead to terrible consequences.
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