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The Aliomenti Saga #3
Ascent of the Aliomenti
The Aliomenti village is in ruins, destroyed by one of their own, its population nearly eliminated in the calamity. From the ruins, the Aliomenti rise to international prominence, influencing buyers and sellers, warriors and bureaucrats, as they patiently and invisibly expand their empire.
Will Stark serves as the driving force behind that expansion. Whether he's directly creating their innovations or offering subtle hints to others, few of their revolutionary progressions are made without his influence.
But Will is dealing with his own private heartache. Even as he watches his fellow Aliomenti ascend to heights few of them imagined possible, his long journey becomes one he'll make very much alone. He's also haunted by the knowledge that what enables him to make that journey will also prevent him from seeing his most important mission to its completion.
Will must persevere, fighting through his own gloom, an organization that threatens to tear itself apart, and a reunion with old friends at a most inopportune time. And he'll come to realize that his own decisions, his own inability to understand even those he knows not to trust, have enabled a tyrant to seize control of the Aliomenti in the aftermath of an explosive crisis.
Will Stark serves as the driving force behind that expansion. Whether he's directly creating their innovations or offering subtle hints to others, few of their revolutionary progressions are made without his influence.
But Will is dealing with his own private heartache. Even as he watches his fellow Aliomenti ascend to heights few of them imagined possible, his long journey becomes one he'll make very much alone. He's also haunted by the knowledge that what enables him to make that journey will also prevent him from seeing his most important mission to its completion.
Will must persevere, fighting through his own gloom, an organization that threatens to tear itself apart, and a reunion with old friends at a most inopportune time. And he'll come to realize that his own decisions, his own inability to understand even those he knows not to trust, have enabled a tyrant to seize control of the Aliomenti in the aftermath of an explosive crisis.
290 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 5, 2013
199 people are currently reading
477 people want to read
About the author
Alex Albrinck
19 books179 followersI am a lifelong Ohio resident, where I live with my wife and three children. When I'm not trying to be in three places at once with my active youngsters, I'm following local professional and collegiate sports teams, or possibly unscrambling a Rubik's Cube. In lieu of sleep, I read and write fiction.
My debut novel, A QUESTION OF WILL, explores themes of technological advancement, human potential (good and bad), and the love bonding a family together. It reached the Amazon Top 100 in Science Fiction -> High Tech less than a week after publication. The sequels--PRESERVING HOPE, ASCENT OF THE ALIOMENTI, and BIRTH OF THE ALLIANCE--continue to follow Will's adventures, bringing to life the technological and Energy advances he's achieved in entirely new settings.
I am currently drafting the fifth of seven novels in the series.
My debut novel, A QUESTION OF WILL, explores themes of technological advancement, human potential (good and bad), and the love bonding a family together. It reached the Amazon Top 100 in Science Fiction -> High Tech less than a week after publication. The sequels--PRESERVING HOPE, ASCENT OF THE ALIOMENTI, and BIRTH OF THE ALLIANCE--continue to follow Will's adventures, bringing to life the technological and Energy advances he's achieved in entirely new settings.
I am currently drafting the fifth of seven novels in the series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
March 18, 2017
This one is a hot mess. Not sure if I want to continue this series.
April 11, 2018
Good follow up but...
The book was a good read but sometimes frustrating. Will was too naive at certain points allowing himself to be tricked easily. Overall an enjoyable read.
The book was a good read but sometimes frustrating. Will was too naive at certain points allowing himself to be tricked easily. Overall an enjoyable read.
July 16, 2017
Of the first three books of the Aliomenti Saga I found this one the most boring. Maybe there wasn't enough romance in it for my taste. I am curious about the rest of the story though. What will happen to old Will when young Will is born and is married to Hope? And what will happen to Hope when the Aliomenti hunters attack and Will is taken to the future to save him?
May 21, 2018
I have no idea why I read as far as the third book. It's really not good. I have seldom seen so many historical... well, it's not even inaccuracies, it's just plain wrong.
The story could have been so good, if there was actually a story line to follow. Mostly, it's just detailed descriptions of thing Will "invents". Everyone is amazed by these inventions, which at the time had been around for about 6000 (yes, six thousand) years.
Ooooh. Look! A water mill! How useful!
Wow! A piece of paper where both parties sign an agreement!
How did you even think about investing in businesses!
All of which were common at the time.
And why making a point of the earth "being flat"? Like, who would say "anywhere on this flat earth of ours", especially when it had been common knowledge for several thousand years that the earth is round?
And being killed for being a witch? that didn't happen until about 400-500 years later.
Becoming a knight for no good reason at that time? Nope.
I just think the author should do a minimum of research, like even a Google search and open the first link.
What story line there is, is so full of repetitions it's incredible. I simply have no words to describe it. I get no feeling for either character, there's no progression in them, and the reader never really gets to know them.
These has to be self-published. I truly hope no editor would allow them to be published.
So, two stars because it COULD have been amazing. I mean, if he had at least tried to incorporate some history, and maybe driven the story forwards instead of jumping ahead 100 years from time to time without anything actually happening, it could have been soooo good!
The story could have been so good, if there was actually a story line to follow. Mostly, it's just detailed descriptions of thing Will "invents". Everyone is amazed by these inventions, which at the time had been around for about 6000 (yes, six thousand) years.
Ooooh. Look! A water mill! How useful!
Wow! A piece of paper where both parties sign an agreement!
How did you even think about investing in businesses!
All of which were common at the time.
And why making a point of the earth "being flat"? Like, who would say "anywhere on this flat earth of ours", especially when it had been common knowledge for several thousand years that the earth is round?
And being killed for being a witch? that didn't happen until about 400-500 years later.
Becoming a knight for no good reason at that time? Nope.
I just think the author should do a minimum of research, like even a Google search and open the first link.
What story line there is, is so full of repetitions it's incredible. I simply have no words to describe it. I get no feeling for either character, there's no progression in them, and the reader never really gets to know them.
These has to be self-published. I truly hope no editor would allow them to be published.
So, two stars because it COULD have been amazing. I mean, if he had at least tried to incorporate some history, and maybe driven the story forwards instead of jumping ahead 100 years from time to time without anything actually happening, it could have been soooo good!
May 28, 2013
As much as I loved the first two books in the series, I wanted to love this book as well. It had all the promise, but just failed to deliver. The writing in the first two books (A Question of Will and Preserving Hope) was tight and kept things moving forward at a solid pace. The writing here wasn't nearly as tight. It felt as if there were a very different editor at work on this book (and not at all a good thing).
At times, I would hit passages I could swear I'd read before, just written slightly differently. There were just too many times that the same information was repeated throughout the story, and the ending wasn't satisfactory at all. I realize we're to expect another book, but this one just felt too formulaic. Where I felt surprised and enthralled by each revelation in the first two books, I could sense everything in this book coming long before the book caught up to where I expected it to go.
The series still has lots of potential, but I hope the next book returns to the quick pacing of the first two, and the writing tightens up a bit.
At times, I would hit passages I could swear I'd read before, just written slightly differently. There were just too many times that the same information was repeated throughout the story, and the ending wasn't satisfactory at all. I realize we're to expect another book, but this one just felt too formulaic. Where I felt surprised and enthralled by each revelation in the first two books, I could sense everything in this book coming long before the book caught up to where I expected it to go.
The series still has lots of potential, but I hope the next book returns to the quick pacing of the first two, and the writing tightens up a bit.
July 9, 2014
As much as I liked the first 2 books, I disliked this one. It ended well in the final chapters and had the entire book been like that, I would have scored it much higher.
I once read a review about Star Wars: The Phantom Menace in which the reviewer stated that outside of everything that was wrong with the movie the main problem was that it was simply a story that need not be told. Similarly, Book 3 in the Aliomenti Saga has some interesting nuggets and exciting chapters, but, for me, came off as little more than unnecessary back story to bridge the gap between books 2 and 4.
(I have not read Book 4 yet and if it changes my mind about the necessity of this book, then I will gladly change my rating.)
I once read a review about Star Wars: The Phantom Menace in which the reviewer stated that outside of everything that was wrong with the movie the main problem was that it was simply a story that need not be told. Similarly, Book 3 in the Aliomenti Saga has some interesting nuggets and exciting chapters, but, for me, came off as little more than unnecessary back story to bridge the gap between books 2 and 4.
(I have not read Book 4 yet and if it changes my mind about the necessity of this book, then I will gladly change my rating.)
September 1, 2017
Quite a good series. The only downside is the author's penchant to repeat things several times, as though the reader is unable to remember character motivations already explained from previous chapters.
February 20, 2018
The bulk of this book was largely boring. The ending was pretty good, setting up for the next book. That said, I don't think I'm going to read it. I can't trudge through another 300 + years of learning to advance civilization without more of a plot
June 28, 2018
I read it because I enjoyed the first two volumes. Book Three got into way to many philosophical discussions of right and wrong. Even though the “cliffhanger” leads me to think the next book will feature one of my favorite historical periods, I’m moving on to other authors.
August 15, 2017
Not bad but I got bored. Nondescript characters, Anticlimactic story/singular books. Couldn't get into it.
August 21, 2018
K, I think I am out now. It's been fun and I don't regret it. But it just doesn't have the same flare as the first two. Thanks for the good run.
April 14, 2018
The story of Will and Hope Stark continues, mostly focused on Will as he is the one telling the tale. If you missed books one and two, you can find them here and here. I definitely recommend that you read both of these before even thinking of reading this one.
It is definitely interesting, though in parts it felt like a quick romp through time to give a history of the characters, rather than a telling of the tale. But, it wasn't boring and mostly I found it interesting and easy to read.
Will has rescued Hope and now needs to ensure that they both survive to modern times so that their children can be born, and in due course rescue him, so that he may in turn rescue Hope.
It's a long haul though as they are living in 1000 and have much to go through until they see this happen. Some of the people in this time are key characters from their future and Will has to ensure that he doesn't change any time lines to avoid changing the future.
I really don't like Arthur though and it is such a shame that he is a key character in the books. That of course is intentional, I know. But I still really don't like him.
The technologic development is clever, and although it is out of time, it is covered off very cleverly in the book.
I know some other reviewers have panned the book and it does may like padding between books to a degree possibly <\i>, but not having read the next book yet, I don't think that sort of comment necessarily holds true. So I wait to read the next book before I pan this one.
It is definitely interesting, though in parts it felt like a quick romp through time to give a history of the characters, rather than a telling of the tale. But, it wasn't boring and mostly I found it interesting and easy to read.
Will has rescued Hope and now needs to ensure that they both survive to modern times so that their children can be born, and in due course rescue him, so that he may in turn rescue Hope.
It's a long haul though as they are living in 1000 and have much to go through until they see this happen. Some of the people in this time are key characters from their future and Will has to ensure that he doesn't change any time lines to avoid changing the future.
I really don't like Arthur though and it is such a shame that he is a key character in the books. That of course is intentional, I know. But I still really don't like him.
The technologic development is clever, and although it is out of time, it is covered off very cleverly in the book.
I know some other reviewers have panned the book and it does may like padding between books to a degree possibly <\i>, but not having read the next book yet, I don't think that sort of comment necessarily holds true. So I wait to read the next book before I pan this one.
May 15, 2017
I found this book to be a bit tedious to read as it became too detailed in what people were doing and building to start their new cities, i think going into such practical details is too much and lost the fast pace of the novels!! also the fact that will and hope sort of lose touch with one another for so long during this book is quite a disappointment as i love to read about hope!! Will's handling of the ambrosia seeds is also a disappointment, why on earth would he let Arthur take over once again, knowing what he turns out to be later on in his own life when he had the knowledge first? I know i would have let arthur die a natural death had i been in charge of the ambrosia seeds but i guess will is a better person than i am or more gullible!! Meeting all the nasties of the twenty first century at the end of this book right at their inception is interesting but scary as their evil traits are already very evident!! Just have to read on as i am totally hooked on this saga, hope the pace picks up once more in the next book!!
October 8, 2017
A sprint through 700 years of Aliomenti development, leading up to Will's break with the group. Some of my earlier concerns are addressed (language, mainly - 'mediaeval' forms of languages we'd recognise are mentioned, though I still feel that our protagonist would have had considrably more difficulty with understanding spoken Anglo-Saxon initially: try reading Chaucer... And that doesn't take written forms into account. I have problems with how easily Will's party is able to travel the length of Europe without problem - two women and an unarmed man? To say nothing of the turbulent times... However, that, and the seeming lack of knowledge of English geography, indicate that we have an alternate Earth here) but this volume is really filler. I think. It's ok - a bit repetitive at times: I seem to recall the same person 'inventing' the chain as a link in the gearing system designed to further harness the waterwheel and then later doing the same thing in the second settlement...
Time for a pause, I think.
Time for a pause, I think.
September 11, 2021
I found the first half of the book a bit boring, chewing over and over again on technicalities to improve the water system. So I thought it was a mere 3 stars and even put the book down for quite a while. But I started reading again, and the further I read, the more enjoyable that it became. There is more excitement towards the end of the story with foreseeable outcomes and some unexpected plot twists. We are jumping centuries ahead as it would be otherwise to long to come back to the beginning point of the first book.
I still love it and would look out for the next of the series. It is a story with a lot of adventure, innovation, action, magic that balances out very well throughout the centuries.
I still love it and would look out for the next of the series. It is a story with a lot of adventure, innovation, action, magic that balances out very well throughout the centuries.
January 12, 2019
This addition to the Aliomenti saga was like the book Martian set in the first millennium Europe. Covering many more years than the prior books in the series, there is a lot more glossing over of the details regarding "development" of the "innovations", which were more prominent on the prior books. Interesting read, and while the history of the Aliomenti provided thus far illuminates how the modern Aliomenti came to be, there is much more to be revealed, which leaves a tempting teaser at the end of book 3. However, the novelty of the series is wearing off and there is too little teaser left at the end of book 3 to keep me going on this series.
July 31, 2024
Book 3. I couldn't wait to finish this book so I could stop reading it. Ugh. If you love "How do I solve this engineering problem with medieval resources" then this book is for you. Water wheels, electricity, salt-water generators. All interesting, except, it's not. It's just boring. And, each chapter takes us about 100 years into the future with a recap of the last chapter. It feels like the entire book could have been edited down to about 5 chapters. And, how can someone who is supposedly so brilliant, loving, kind, and people savvy be so incredibly blind to what is happening - oh, right, the future plot demands that the story unfolds this way. Gah. I'm done with this series.
October 9, 2019
This series LITERALLY was a 'can't put down' read (I very seriously doubt I've ever really that phrase); I couldn't control my thirst to learn about the characters & their efforts!! Their creations, personalities, interactions, morality, dabs of humor sprinkled with a hint of romance made for a killer award worthy recipe. Alex Albrinck masterfully engineers all that is needed tho pique & satisfy interest!!👌🏽👍🏽👌🏽
Having completed all his works, I anxiously await the notification announcing his next book.
Having completed all his works, I anxiously await the notification announcing his next book.
May 21, 2017
Excellent clean reading
Alex Albrinck has a flair for creating stories that grab you and you have to see what comes next losing plenty of sleep in the process. The love comes off the pages without any of the unnecessary steamy bedroom scenes. I look forward to the next chapter. Finding characters explained from previous books helps explain who and why. The people are the way they act on he way they act. I look forward to the next chapter. Good job! 💓😇😇
Alex Albrinck has a flair for creating stories that grab you and you have to see what comes next losing plenty of sleep in the process. The love comes off the pages without any of the unnecessary steamy bedroom scenes. I look forward to the next chapter. Finding characters explained from previous books helps explain who and why. The people are the way they act on he way they act. I look forward to the next chapter. Good job! 💓😇😇
July 22, 2017
I like how it ended, with Hope saving him from the group and then riding off into the sunset. I am getting tired of Will always winning and always taking the high road though. I'd like to see him make an error in judgment. To hurt or even kill someone even though he's not supposed to. To act on his anger. He has it. It doesn't seem realistic and it makes me think of what I like in a story. I need character flaws.
January 21, 2019
This was my least favorite book of the series so far. It's mostly about introducing modern science in the Aliomenti settlements starting with 1000s. For me it doesn't make sense how Will is introducing all this very advanced technologies in order to preserve the timeline. Even saving Hope does not make sense if she was alive in the first timeline, before him going back. Well, let's hope for better from the 4th book.
December 31, 2019
The previous stories in the Aliomenta Saga just blew me away with inventiveness. Now though, in book three, I am a bit worried that we still have 4 more books to go, about 1500 years and we're only in the 12th century. It goes to slow and the platonic relationship is horrible, even the archenemy line doesn't need to so very deeply explained.
Don't know what I'll do about the rest of the series though, perhaps I just need a little break.
Don't know what I'll do about the rest of the series though, perhaps I just need a little break.
September 27, 2021
Excellently written. The type of layered POV, and time flow that only a true professional can pull off, and maintains a sense of suspense, and a full picture of all the angles. Maybe not the most accessible language, but at least well executed. It's not light reading, but despite the serious tone, there are even a few laughs to be found. And some heartfelt tearful moments. Amazing plot. I don't want to give spoilers, but 'TT makes my head spin'. ;-)
April 5, 2019
This is the third book in the Aliomenti Saga and it was another really good read! While I did enjoy myself I do want to preface stating that this book wasn't quite as good as the first two. With that being said I did still really enjoy the book and enjoyed finding out how the Aliomenti came to be and what part Will played in that. Looking forward to continuing the saga!
April 13, 2020
A definite improvement to book 2 of the series. After the failure of the author to research historical context in our last adventure into the story of Will Stark I was pleased to see some more continuity and effort. I really enjoyed the development of characters here and the new talents that have been discovered. Looking forward to the next book in the series!
August 24, 2017
A good continuation of the story. It fleshes out a lot of background stuff which I assume will become more relevant in later books.
One thing though that annoys me, is the constant repetition through the chapters. The same information is recaped again and again.
One thing though that annoys me, is the constant repetition through the chapters. The same information is recaped again and again.
November 14, 2020
Ascent of the Aliomenti
This basically covers three-fourths of a Millennium of Will's rescue of Hope. The development of the Aliomenti is the main theme of this volume with the rescue being an underlying guide. This is amazing reading.
This basically covers three-fourths of a Millennium of Will's rescue of Hope. The development of the Aliomenti is the main theme of this volume with the rescue being an underlying guide. This is amazing reading.
November 21, 2021
The pace of the storytelling really slows down in this volume, getting bogged down in lengthy descriptions of inventions and the finer mechanical details of they work. I liked the way the author took us through the centuries with the characters.
May 24, 2017
Whole series worth it. Simple but enjoyable
January 31, 2018
Got the first 3 as a box set. it was OK, but not enough for me to buy the next in the series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews