What do you think?
Rate this book
Princes and Priests #1
Through the Barrier
Novels of Shannon Series; Cast inside a magic barrier in a forbidden land, the members of an unlikely company find themselves depending on each other for survival. In spite of his protection and support, the priests of the company feel a growing unease with the quiet Purtan. Questions are whispered as to who he is and what might be the motives for his selfless aid. Is it just the magics of an ancient and nearly lost race or is there something darker about him? They must learn quickly in this warped and malignant land, as it is not only the land itself they must navigate, but they soon realize they are pawns in the hunting game of a mad man who is right behind them
328 pages, Paperback
First published March 18, 2012
44 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
August 6, 2013
Meet Shannon, a man(?) who has more power than he seems...
Dave, Shannon's nephew, who knows a lot more than a normal shipmate (sailor/pirate) should...
Tavia, a woman and mother who makes you wonder what she was doing on the ship to begin with...
Travis, Tavia's deaf son, who as the book progresses shows you that you don't need working ears to hear what's going on...
Ivan, a brute who at first seems to have more brawn than brains...
Theo, a noble who may look weak, but has more strength than anyone can guess...
Cindie, a simpering waste of human who does not deserve to call herself Theo's wife...
Kelly, a warrior in her own right with skills to rival any man's...
Oirion, a devout priest who is also a "Hunter", rooting out blood wizards and other unsavory characters...
And Riven, a priest questioning his faith and is about to find out that everything isn't always black and white...
Read along as they struggle to work together, figure out how to survive and find a way to get home. Along the way they will battle all manner of beasts and learn that maybe there was a reason they all ended up together...
A very entertaining read, and one that I can't wait to continue. Already looking for the next book!
Dave, Shannon's nephew, who knows a lot more than a normal shipmate (sailor/pirate) should...
Tavia, a woman and mother who makes you wonder what she was doing on the ship to begin with...
Travis, Tavia's deaf son, who as the book progresses shows you that you don't need working ears to hear what's going on...
Ivan, a brute who at first seems to have more brawn than brains...
Theo, a noble who may look weak, but has more strength than anyone can guess...
Cindie, a simpering waste of human who does not deserve to call herself Theo's wife...
Kelly, a warrior in her own right with skills to rival any man's...
Oirion, a devout priest who is also a "Hunter", rooting out blood wizards and other unsavory characters...
And Riven, a priest questioning his faith and is about to find out that everything isn't always black and white...
Read along as they struggle to work together, figure out how to survive and find a way to get home. Along the way they will battle all manner of beasts and learn that maybe there was a reason they all ended up together...
A very entertaining read, and one that I can't wait to continue. Already looking for the next book!
March 29, 2014
*A Copy of this Book Was Given To Me By The Author In Exchange For An Honest Review*
After an hour of reading I was all set to give one or two stars to Through The Barrier as I had come to the conclusion that the book had little or no story and served two functions: (i) to show that various races and types of creature could work together when needed and (ii) to describe a journey where one situation after another presented itself and gave another danger to overcome. If I had been correct in this supposition then the author succeeded on both counts.
However, the standard of Angela’s writing and her descriptive ability won me over and I found that reading the rest was not a chore and I identified with the main characters as they continued to explore the continent on which they were shipwrecked. By the time a reader gets to the end he/she will, like me, be looking forward to the next instalment in what is obviously a long story.
Well done, Angela.
***Review has been done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official.
For more information regarding our reviews please visit our Fansite: www.facebook.com/NerdGirl.ng ***
After an hour of reading I was all set to give one or two stars to Through The Barrier as I had come to the conclusion that the book had little or no story and served two functions: (i) to show that various races and types of creature could work together when needed and (ii) to describe a journey where one situation after another presented itself and gave another danger to overcome. If I had been correct in this supposition then the author succeeded on both counts.
However, the standard of Angela’s writing and her descriptive ability won me over and I found that reading the rest was not a chore and I identified with the main characters as they continued to explore the continent on which they were shipwrecked. By the time a reader gets to the end he/she will, like me, be looking forward to the next instalment in what is obviously a long story.
Well done, Angela.
***Review has been done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official.
For more information regarding our reviews please visit our Fansite: www.facebook.com/NerdGirl.ng ***
August 13, 2013
The book for review is “Through the Barrier” by Angela MacDonald. It falls into the genre of fantasy and supernatural. It is part of a series.
A group of travelers are shipwrecked on an unfamiliar island. The group reminds me of The Hobbit in the sense that they are like a mixed bag of nuts. Each character is unique and probably would not associate with their shipmates under normal conditions. The island is described as being warped. Nothing is what it seems as the people band together and start on a journey across the land in hopes of finding a way to survive.
You find the travellers already desolated as they ponder what to do next and where to go. They are headed by a man named Shannon. A unlikable fellow as least to most of the people he leads. He has powers some of which they know about others not so much.
The book gives a prologue to help the reader get a quick overview of the history that has fallen the land. Also in the back is a glossary and appendix. My only small complaint is I wish I had known about this prior to reading. There were times I got confused by terminology due to not remembering some part of the passage. So for anyone reading this book it is there in the back for our benefit.
The characters are well-developed as we learn more about them with each trial they come across. The book started out slow for me. But this is because I don’t normally read this genre as a norm. But it does pick up nicely as the small group work their way across the land.
The descriptions are well thought out and written. A good read for those who love fantasy.
A group of travelers are shipwrecked on an unfamiliar island. The group reminds me of The Hobbit in the sense that they are like a mixed bag of nuts. Each character is unique and probably would not associate with their shipmates under normal conditions. The island is described as being warped. Nothing is what it seems as the people band together and start on a journey across the land in hopes of finding a way to survive.
You find the travellers already desolated as they ponder what to do next and where to go. They are headed by a man named Shannon. A unlikable fellow as least to most of the people he leads. He has powers some of which they know about others not so much.
The book gives a prologue to help the reader get a quick overview of the history that has fallen the land. Also in the back is a glossary and appendix. My only small complaint is I wish I had known about this prior to reading. There were times I got confused by terminology due to not remembering some part of the passage. So for anyone reading this book it is there in the back for our benefit.
The characters are well-developed as we learn more about them with each trial they come across. The book started out slow for me. But this is because I don’t normally read this genre as a norm. But it does pick up nicely as the small group work their way across the land.
The descriptions are well thought out and written. A good read for those who love fantasy.
March 16, 2016
Through the Barrier, book 1 of the Princes and Priests Trilogy by Angela MacDonald is a tough one for me. I gave it four stars because it is really well written and really, really deep, but it just wasn't for me. I never lost myself in the story or longed to read it when I couldn't. There just wasn't much pull for me. Having said that, MacDonald is obviously a very skilled, big picture type author. It is clear that this was never intended to be one story. The characters are deep and mysterious. I would not be surprised to see a scaled down version on the big screen someday.
July 11, 2013
It was an interesting read with action from the outset. The characters are three dimensional and as the book continues, you get to know them and understand their lives. I think at the beginning, it can be a little confusing, because the back stories are not known, however, if you keep reading, they become clearer. In places, I'm convinced but he grammar...but that could be me! The style of the book is unusual with a number of popular genres being rolled into one, but it works!
August 20, 2014
Although I had a bit of trouble getting into the novel I'm am glad I kept on. I think this is mostly because it is outside of my comfort zone of reading.
The Book is very well written and I found I enjoyed it very much. A group of people traveling through a strange land. I found the characters developed and become a group against the odds. I look forward to reading the next book to see how their journey continues.
The Book is very well written and I found I enjoyed it very much. A group of people traveling through a strange land. I found the characters developed and become a group against the odds. I look forward to reading the next book to see how their journey continues.
August 17, 2014
Through the Barrier is a supernatural fantasy it's characters are well-developed and you learn more about each as the story progresses. Although I am not usually a reader of this type I found the book wonderful. I can't wait to start digging into the second book.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews