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The Spare Heir #1
HONOR BOUND
His every wish, his every dream, was that some day he could be like his older brothers. A valiant warrior, a champion among men, that?s what Jorem wanted to be. To be respected by others and loved by his father the King. Faced with decisions that could affect an entire kingdom he must choose between the comforts of life in a castle and the grueling work of a blacksmith?s servant. He?ll do this, if not for his family, at least for the people the royal house should be serving. In the refiners forge he discovers his own metal even when faced with the anger and contempt of a people who have come to distrust those of royal blood. Alone he may be, but through his determination and the wisdom gained from an old man Jorem stands his ground. He finds that becoming a man isn?t about a title and prestige, sometimes it?s just doing the right thing.
209 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 29, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
February 19, 2014
I liked Jorem and the concept of a "spare heir" but overall the story didn't offer anything original or unique. The writing was okay (although the misuse of "new" for "knew" really started to bother me by the third of fourth occurrence).
My biggest problem with this book is that it didn't feel like a complete story. At the end, he's preparing to face off with a female mercenary. I kept asking myself "what is the story problem? what does he want?" and no matter how I tried to twist things, I couldn't find a single thread for the story. It felt like the two-hour movie segue into a television series. Not what I want to read.
I love a great series when I care about the characters and their cause. However, each book must have its own story problem and resolution. The only thing I can come up with for this story is Jorem covering for his brothers. Did I really spend hours to only come this far and still not see what bigger issue awaits for Jorem?
Of course, the blurb indicated that there might not be much more than an adventure and period of growth for Jorem. I risked it anyway.
And in the end, I'm considering purchasing the next book. I have to know what happens with the female mercenary and what the power stone will do and what about this dragon? See? Lots of questions but not many answers.
My biggest problem with this book is that it didn't feel like a complete story. At the end, he's preparing to face off with a female mercenary. I kept asking myself "what is the story problem? what does he want?" and no matter how I tried to twist things, I couldn't find a single thread for the story. It felt like the two-hour movie segue into a television series. Not what I want to read.
I love a great series when I care about the characters and their cause. However, each book must have its own story problem and resolution. The only thing I can come up with for this story is Jorem covering for his brothers. Did I really spend hours to only come this far and still not see what bigger issue awaits for Jorem?
Of course, the blurb indicated that there might not be much more than an adventure and period of growth for Jorem. I risked it anyway.
And in the end, I'm considering purchasing the next book. I have to know what happens with the female mercenary and what the power stone will do and what about this dragon? See? Lots of questions but not many answers.
October 23, 2014
If your in the mood for coming of age fantasy this book is an excellent choice.
What I liked
- Jorem is likeable and easy to root for.
- Supporting cast was distinct and held my interest well.
- It's 99 cents!
What I didn't like
- The ending was too sudden.
Honor Bound is a well written, easy to enjoy, coming of age fantasy tale. It's not dark in the least and doesn't really come across as all that epic, but that's not really what it's out to do. It's out to tell the story of a relatively unimportant prince and his steady growth into something great, through the choices he makes, the skills he learns, and the relationship he builds.
It's a very uplifting and fun read. The only drawback is the way it just ends. Not even in a cliffhanger type thing. It just doesn't come to any natural conclusion at all. Almost as if this and the following book were one story cleaved in half, causing the experience to feel incomplete.
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I recommend this book to anyone looking for a light coming of age fantasy read.
What I liked
- Jorem is likeable and easy to root for.
- Supporting cast was distinct and held my interest well.
- It's 99 cents!
What I didn't like
- The ending was too sudden.
Honor Bound is a well written, easy to enjoy, coming of age fantasy tale. It's not dark in the least and doesn't really come across as all that epic, but that's not really what it's out to do. It's out to tell the story of a relatively unimportant prince and his steady growth into something great, through the choices he makes, the skills he learns, and the relationship he builds.
It's a very uplifting and fun read. The only drawback is the way it just ends. Not even in a cliffhanger type thing. It just doesn't come to any natural conclusion at all. Almost as if this and the following book were one story cleaved in half, causing the experience to feel incomplete.
------------------------
I recommend this book to anyone looking for a light coming of age fantasy read.
November 19, 2014
This is an enjoyable coming of age story of a bookish prince with a bunch of boorish older brothers finding his way in life. The main problem I had with this book, and the sequel, is the author's inability to end his books in a sensible fashion. The first book ends abruptly, and the second picks up right where the first ended. The second also ends abruptly, and the third has not been published. The author really needs to learn how to write a denouement to finish off his books. It really feels like books 1 and 2 are the first two thirds (or more, I don't know how long the series will be) of the same book broken in into smaller pieces by an editor.
Reading these books felt like strolling down a very nice, enjoyable, well worn path, and having it suddenly and unexpectedly end, leaving you hanging over a precipice wondering why the path suddenly ended right there.
Twice.
That being said, I look forward to reading the next book in the series. Just watch that last step, it's a doozy!
Reading these books felt like strolling down a very nice, enjoyable, well worn path, and having it suddenly and unexpectedly end, leaving you hanging over a precipice wondering why the path suddenly ended right there.
Twice.
That being said, I look forward to reading the next book in the series. Just watch that last step, it's a doozy!
October 6, 2014
Good book in general. It is about a young boy who wants to be a mighty warrior. He starts to train but soon has to leave the town. Then, he goes off into another town and is trained by a blacksmith. He then grows muscle and frame and he then, starts learning from a famous warrior. The book ends off here and i enjoyed the book a lot. It is cool to think that the boy is a prince but how he truly acts in the best way possible makes me admire him. Overall i loved the book.
August 29, 2014
Awesome book
The only complaint i have about this book this book is that it is too short. Otherwise this is an awesome book I read this one and the second one. I'm also highly anticipating the third one called honor crowned coming out this spring.
The only complaint i have about this book this book is that it is too short. Otherwise this is an awesome book I read this one and the second one. I'm also highly anticipating the third one called honor crowned coming out this spring.
August 9, 2014
I'm starting to hate free and 99 cent Kindle books. They are always full of spelling and grammar errors, it's so frustrating to read.
Aside from the formatting, I just couldn't like this book. Jorem is the fifth son of the King and apparently useless in every way. The entire Kingdom blames him for the loss of his mother and they seem to treat being clumsy as the worst thing in the world.
What bothered me the most, was that even though no one seemed to like Jorem, and he grew up with these feelings, he was the most perfect person in the world. He's only 14, but he composes himself like an adult. Have a problem? Jorem will fix it with sound reasoning. A complaint of extravagance? Jorem will calmly explain to you how it's not extravagance and demonstrate how the world works. Older brothers make a huge mistake? Jorem will willingly fix it for them while being hated by the entire village. This 14 year old kid has no flaws. The only "flaw" that he has isn't really a flaw, it's due to a boy being scared, and then everyone in the book seems to hate him for it. Jorem doesn't have a chance to grow or change in this book because he's too dang perfect from the beginning, which I find hard to believe.
Aside from the formatting, I just couldn't like this book. Jorem is the fifth son of the King and apparently useless in every way. The entire Kingdom blames him for the loss of his mother and they seem to treat being clumsy as the worst thing in the world.
What bothered me the most, was that even though no one seemed to like Jorem, and he grew up with these feelings, he was the most perfect person in the world. He's only 14, but he composes himself like an adult. Have a problem? Jorem will fix it with sound reasoning. A complaint of extravagance? Jorem will calmly explain to you how it's not extravagance and demonstrate how the world works. Older brothers make a huge mistake? Jorem will willingly fix it for them while being hated by the entire village. This 14 year old kid has no flaws. The only "flaw" that he has isn't really a flaw, it's due to a boy being scared, and then everyone in the book seems to hate him for it. Jorem doesn't have a chance to grow or change in this book because he's too dang perfect from the beginning, which I find hard to believe.
May 12, 2019
Odd.
One of the few books that I've read in it's entirety which left a bitter taste in my mouth. My complaints can be narrowed down to 3 core problems.
The World
Inconsistency is a large problem in this book. Especially when it comes to social rank.
Who would follow a leader whose family name has been dragged through the dirt? Jorem, a prince of the land, regardless of how much he is hated by the King, would not ever be allowed to do any kind of menial labour (e.g. blacksmith's assistant). As soon as the illusion of superiority is shaken, insurgency is sure to follow.
Also, what kind of King would allow himself to be berated in front of his subjects? Regardless of whether or not the person was a man of rank (Duke), a King cannot be seen being openly reprimanded in front of a crowd. It just wouldn't happen and if it did, the King wouldn't be ruler for long.
I could name more, but those are two easily explained examples of what I mean.
Jorem
Jorem is a mixed bag that ultimately sours in the mind. His wisdom is simply a collection of incredibly convenient sayings (from his mentor) which are recalled just in time to help him navigate hard situations with apparent ease. This gives the illusion of a character with will and heart without actually having either. Jorem is inept at anything physical (from dancing to blacksmithing) and the one unique aspect hinted through the novel is kept as just that: a hint to read the next book.
In conclusion, Jorem wanders around aimlessly from task to task unable to complete anything of significance because he either can't do it or simply lacks the purpose to achieve it.
Prose
The classic "show don't tell" mantra is tossed outside the window. It's almost predictable how as soon as any character or location is introduced the next paragraph dumps Jorem's entire relationship with it. I found myself sighing and imagining how easily the information presented could be shown by the characters actions.
In the end, I didn't hate it but I wasn't happy when I finished.
One of the few books that I've read in it's entirety which left a bitter taste in my mouth. My complaints can be narrowed down to 3 core problems.
The World
Inconsistency is a large problem in this book. Especially when it comes to social rank.
Who would follow a leader whose family name has been dragged through the dirt? Jorem, a prince of the land, regardless of how much he is hated by the King, would not ever be allowed to do any kind of menial labour (e.g. blacksmith's assistant). As soon as the illusion of superiority is shaken, insurgency is sure to follow.
Also, what kind of King would allow himself to be berated in front of his subjects? Regardless of whether or not the person was a man of rank (Duke), a King cannot be seen being openly reprimanded in front of a crowd. It just wouldn't happen and if it did, the King wouldn't be ruler for long.
I could name more, but those are two easily explained examples of what I mean.
Jorem
Jorem is a mixed bag that ultimately sours in the mind. His wisdom is simply a collection of incredibly convenient sayings (from his mentor) which are recalled just in time to help him navigate hard situations with apparent ease. This gives the illusion of a character with will and heart without actually having either. Jorem is inept at anything physical (from dancing to blacksmithing) and the one unique aspect hinted through the novel is kept as just that: a hint to read the next book.
In conclusion, Jorem wanders around aimlessly from task to task unable to complete anything of significance because he either can't do it or simply lacks the purpose to achieve it.
Prose
The classic "show don't tell" mantra is tossed outside the window. It's almost predictable how as soon as any character or location is introduced the next paragraph dumps Jorem's entire relationship with it. I found myself sighing and imagining how easily the information presented could be shown by the characters actions.
In the end, I didn't hate it but I wasn't happy when I finished.
December 13, 2021
Armed with a desire to to be a well-respected man of valor and honor, Jerom finds himself the apprentice of a blacksmith. In his apprenticeship, he learns calm, patience, precision, and a strength he didn't know he had.
I love the metaphor of Jerom being refined in a smithy. Like a sword is melted, cast, smelted, pounded, shaped, tempered, and tested before it can truly see battle, Jerome must also. He must refine himself, mold himself into the kind of man he wants to be, temper himself against temptations, and test his resolve against other "easier" opportunities that come his way. It is a great message of perseverance and holding morals and standards dear.
I love the metaphor of Jerom being refined in a smithy. Like a sword is melted, cast, smelted, pounded, shaped, tempered, and tested before it can truly see battle, Jerome must also. He must refine himself, mold himself into the kind of man he wants to be, temper himself against temptations, and test his resolve against other "easier" opportunities that come his way. It is a great message of perseverance and holding morals and standards dear.
March 14, 2018
It's not that the writing is superb.... it isn't. But I loved the story in this 3 book series. It is also wonderful to find a book you really like that doesn't have bad language and explicit sex. I would like to see more along these lines from this author.
April 30, 2020
A really nice story to read. A good set of character, a proper character development and a nice pace is set in this book. Not a pulse raiser, but an engagent read. It lacks 'meat'but given that it is a series I am sure this book served merely as an introduction of the series. A fine read for YA.
May 4, 2014
I got this on the kindle, and should have got a sample first, but it had good reviews and was less than a dollar, so I bought the whole thing.
The Good:
The main character is well developed over the course of the book
The Bad:
Jorem is far too much of the noble-yet-humble stereotype
Constant spelling mistakes and a generally bad editing job. It feels like the author wrote it and published it himself, cutting out everything in between.
The other characters are completely flat. They have a single characteristic which defines them completely and that's it.
Everyone who meets Jorem ends up telling him their life story within two minutes, which is unrealistic and irritating.
Why do all of these people stand around talking about how a problem has no solution and then Jorem points one out almost immediately?
The dukes son is marrying the blacksmiths daughter and nobody finds this strange.
Jorem is far too kind and wise for a widely-disliked fourteen-year-old
The only interesting thing happens right at the end and is over in a couple of pages.
Definitely for the younger readers. Anyone over fifteen I advise to not bother.
The Good:
The main character is well developed over the course of the book
The Bad:
Jorem is far too much of the noble-yet-humble stereotype
Constant spelling mistakes and a generally bad editing job. It feels like the author wrote it and published it himself, cutting out everything in between.
The other characters are completely flat. They have a single characteristic which defines them completely and that's it.
Everyone who meets Jorem ends up telling him their life story within two minutes, which is unrealistic and irritating.
Why do all of these people stand around talking about how a problem has no solution and then Jorem points one out almost immediately?
The dukes son is marrying the blacksmiths daughter and nobody finds this strange.
Jorem is far too kind and wise for a widely-disliked fourteen-year-old
The only interesting thing happens right at the end and is over in a couple of pages.
Definitely for the younger readers. Anyone over fifteen I advise to not bother.
July 5, 2014
Great protagonist, decent writing. The language was somewhat florid and stilted, but the story was a good one, and kept me wanting to know what happens next.
This is book one of a trilogy, but I think it's really the first one-third of an actual novel -- I had to stop to buy the next installment twice. I suppose it's better than sinking the money all at once when you don't know if it's any good, but it was annoying.
Lots of errors in the book, typos, "it's" misused, homophones swapped, missing words. The story was good enough that I was willing to read past them, but it still soured the experience somewhat.
This is book one of a trilogy, but I think it's really the first one-third of an actual novel -- I had to stop to buy the next installment twice. I suppose it's better than sinking the money all at once when you don't know if it's any good, but it was annoying.
Lots of errors in the book, typos, "it's" misused, homophones swapped, missing words. The story was good enough that I was willing to read past them, but it still soured the experience somewhat.
April 6, 2014
This was recommended to me by a friend. I did not think I would like it, but I did. I would recommend this book for all ages. What really got me is the fact that the main character is not perfect. He is in fact human. This becomes obvious through out the book. I have to admit though. I know who I would want to rule the kingdom. That is not either here or there. I hope the next book comes out soon. I want to see what he has planned next. I hope this helps get some other readers to read this book.
January 9, 2014
Wow, these books (books 1 & 2) are right up my alley. I love it when the protagonist had a solid character, learns as he goes, and wins! Lots of foreshadowing/intimating at things to come. Its a quick read (especially book 2), but has me on the edge of my seat for book 3.
If you're like me and like it when the protagonist wins, check out John Conroe's Demon Accords series. Totally different genre, but very much the same 'heck yea' feeling!
If you're like me and like it when the protagonist wins, check out John Conroe's Demon Accords series. Totally different genre, but very much the same 'heck yea' feeling!
December 4, 2013
Wow. What a surprising read! I can't remember how I found this book but there it was on Amazon. Thought it had an interesting plot going - a spare heir, angry older brothers, a coming of age story about the prince who wasn't needed.
Got more then I bargained for, a great read, looking forward to starting the next one (Honor Found) which is also available.
Got more then I bargained for, a great read, looking forward to starting the next one (Honor Found) which is also available.
August 3, 2015
Not exactly 5 stars but since it was the best read I've had in quite some time I thought it deserved a little bit more of recognition.
The main weakness in the story is that it is too short and by the end of the book you still don't know where it is actually going.
Hope the next 2 books will get on with the plot otherwise I'll come back here to downvote.
The main weakness in the story is that it is too short and by the end of the book you still don't know where it is actually going.
Hope the next 2 books will get on with the plot otherwise I'll come back here to downvote.
April 4, 2016
Pretty good book but ended quite abruptly, mostly seemed like a first part of a bigger novel. Main chharacter is interesting and there are quite a few plot threads that need to develop. Hopefully future books will continue to be as good with hopefully not as abrupt an ending.
May 9, 2016
A nice easy change from the heavy series reading.
June 25, 2015
Over all a good read with a positive message. What that message is... read it for yourselves and find out.
September 23, 2016
Generic and very simple fantasy story.
Nothing stuck out at me, but I was in the mood for something light and simple.
Nothing stuck out at me, but I was in the mood for something light and simple.
April 30, 2017
Great start
Great start of the fist book of the series. Will be reading book two. . . . . . .
Great start of the fist book of the series. Will be reading book two. . . . . . .
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews