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Spellscribed #2
Ascension
When Endrance had defeated the corrupt King of Balator, he thought the hard part was over. He was wrong. Given a short time to prepare before he is to return to Ironsoul for trial, Endrance gets dragged into a fight to save not only his life, but the life of everyone living on Mount Balator. Armies of the dead arise, and only the crowning of a new king will stop them. Now he will be pushed harder than he’s ever had to stand. Farther than he’s ever had to go. He is about to be challenged in ways that made Kalenden seem like a warm-up. He hasn’t left the forge fueled by conflict just yet. If anything, fate feeds the fires, growing them to new heights and fury.
374 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 5, 2013
66 people are currently reading
255 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
April 15, 2019
A interesting book.
The book was well written and the characters and the story are progressing in a interesting way. The author has continued to make some interesting and fun twists to the story that keep me guessing about what is going to happen. The characters are good and have some fun quirks that the author used to make you feel engaged with the story.
The book was well written and the characters and the story are progressing in a interesting way. The author has continued to make some interesting and fun twists to the story that keep me guessing about what is going to happen. The characters are good and have some fun quirks that the author used to make you feel engaged with the story.
July 4, 2014
Book two of the Spellscribed series finds our hero, Endrance, still hard at work cleaning up the mess left over from the battles in book one. Now he must help bring a new king to the throne to control attacks by armies of the dead. It’s impossible for me to review a second part to a series without comparing it to the first, so my review will mainly focus on those points.
I will say that many times the second part of a trilogy can be boring. Usually the plot doesn’t go very far, and we readers are left stuck between a fantastic beginning and an awesome ending. Happily, that is not the case here. In my opinion, book two is actually better than the first. For one thing, main character Endrance is much more likeable to me. He has matured somewhat, and his decisions make more sense. I had some issues with him in book one, but I am happy to report that he is now my favorite.
The book starts out with a very well written prologue that is full of action. Mr. Cruz has a knack for writing action scenes, and the opening to this book does not disappoint in the slightest. It pulled me right back into this world, which I had abandoned for far too long. My only regret was that I didn’t dive right into book two after reading book one. It took some time to remember what had happened, but luckily Mr. Cruz gives a quick rundown of book one without bogging down the action of book two. The plot has been well thought out, and the rules of magic laid down for this particular series are adhered to, which brings fantasy to life in a fun and realistic way.
I do believe the writing has improved over book one. Both books are good, but book two has a slightly more professional feel about it. There are also far fewer proofread errors than in book one. The world Cruz has created still fascinates me, and I am eager to learn the outcome of book three.
I was given a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
I will say that many times the second part of a trilogy can be boring. Usually the plot doesn’t go very far, and we readers are left stuck between a fantastic beginning and an awesome ending. Happily, that is not the case here. In my opinion, book two is actually better than the first. For one thing, main character Endrance is much more likeable to me. He has matured somewhat, and his decisions make more sense. I had some issues with him in book one, but I am happy to report that he is now my favorite.
The book starts out with a very well written prologue that is full of action. Mr. Cruz has a knack for writing action scenes, and the opening to this book does not disappoint in the slightest. It pulled me right back into this world, which I had abandoned for far too long. My only regret was that I didn’t dive right into book two after reading book one. It took some time to remember what had happened, but luckily Mr. Cruz gives a quick rundown of book one without bogging down the action of book two. The plot has been well thought out, and the rules of magic laid down for this particular series are adhered to, which brings fantasy to life in a fun and realistic way.
I do believe the writing has improved over book one. Both books are good, but book two has a slightly more professional feel about it. There are also far fewer proofread errors than in book one. The world Cruz has created still fascinates me, and I am eager to learn the outcome of book three.
I was given a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
December 9, 2013
I really enjoyed reading this. Just as endurance thinks his troubles were over when he killed the king he was wrong they were just beginning. He has to crown a new king
Find a new wife
Find a way to give Brigitte back the arm she lost
Go back to ironsoul and prove his innocence for a.murder he did not commit.
Most importantly fight and defeat an army of undead who have been Sent to balator by Valeria the previous arch mage long thought dead who may in fact be endurance`s mother.
Can't wait for book three to see what is going to happen next
Find a new wife
Find a way to give Brigitte back the arm she lost
Go back to ironsoul and prove his innocence for a.murder he did not commit.
Most importantly fight and defeat an army of undead who have been Sent to balator by Valeria the previous arch mage long thought dead who may in fact be endurance`s mother.
Can't wait for book three to see what is going to happen next
September 19, 2018
Action packed
The story moved quickly from one exciting scene to another and managed to remain cohesive throughout. A good rousing adventure that held my interest.
Maybe it is due to self publishing, but this (and most other ebooks) seem to be in need of more proofreading
; ie.in book one reign is how you control a kingdom, reign is how you control a horse.
The story moved quickly from one exciting scene to another and managed to remain cohesive throughout. A good rousing adventure that held my interest.
Maybe it is due to self publishing, but this (and most other ebooks) seem to be in need of more proofreading
; ie.in book one reign is how you control a kingdom, reign is how you control a horse.
April 13, 2020
Good Book - Atrocious Formatting
A decent sequel, but the weird double spaced paragraphs that can't be changed and spaces between words make me think that the page count is being fluffed for a better Kindle Unlimited payout or a very strange publishing error. There's a few idiot balls in the plot that I also found annoying.
A decent sequel, but the weird double spaced paragraphs that can't be changed and spaces between words make me think that the page count is being fluffed for a better Kindle Unlimited payout or a very strange publishing error. There's a few idiot balls in the plot that I also found annoying.
June 19, 2017
great sequel and worldbuilding
August 26, 2017
Finished it almost in a single day, really nice book.
October 1, 2017
Eragon meets Dresden
This book is a must read for any fantasy fan. It has a well thought out Madrid system, and the world and characters are very complex
This book is a must read for any fantasy fan. It has a well thought out Madrid system, and the world and characters are very complex
July 8, 2018
Learning
To be something you have to learn new things, and remember them . memmery is a skill that you have to train.
To be something you have to learn new things, and remember them . memmery is a skill that you have to train.
May 30, 2020
another great read very gripping storytelling and great series
February 11, 2018
Great Story
Love the series so far! For people of almost all ages. At least in this day and age 12+ ok but I'm 54 and love them. 💖
Love the series so far! For people of almost all ages. At least in this day and age 12+ ok but I'm 54 and love them. 💖
October 25, 2014
Ascension is a considerably improved book over the first, Provenance, which keeps all the same strengths of the first book and does away with nearly all of it's weaknesses.
What I liked
- The protagonist who is rapidly becoming the "Doctor Who" of Wizards.
- Supporting characters are all much stronger.
- The whole book was tighter, plot wise.
- Handled all of the carryover elements from the last book well.
What I didn't like.
- A pair of odd paragraph breaks in the kindle edition, which is barely worth mentioning.
The is very much a fantasy "Doctor Who" story. A young wizard with tons of brains and minimal common sense trying to prevent a magical disaster in a land where magic is taboo and a mystery to most. Picking up shortly after the last book ended. Endurance finds himself dealing with after effects of that along with along with some new problems in the form of a horde of Wolves invading the land.
Once again Endurance is an entertaining character to read about but this time the supporting cast put forth a much stronger showing. Joven is less wooden and exhibits more of a dry sense of humor, Bridget shows a wider range of emotions while maintaining every bit of her warrior attitude, Selene incorporates more of her "other self" which worked well, and even a certain moon elf made a great showing. Pretty much every character is improved in some way.
The plot itself is a great deal more focused too. Concentrating on one central thread and with the various other plot threads winding into that.
I was also entirely satisfied with the way Ascension handled all of the carryover's from Provenance. I was a little afraid going in that some might be glossed over between the two books but I didn't need to be. It did a wonderful job of handling all of that.
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If you enjoyed Spellscribed: Provenance then you should go into Spellscribed: Ascension with excitement and without concern. It's everything the first book was and more.
What I liked
- The protagonist who is rapidly becoming the "Doctor Who" of Wizards.
- Supporting characters are all much stronger.
- The whole book was tighter, plot wise.
- Handled all of the carryover elements from the last book well.
What I didn't like.
- A pair of odd paragraph breaks in the kindle edition, which is barely worth mentioning.
The is very much a fantasy "Doctor Who" story. A young wizard with tons of brains and minimal common sense trying to prevent a magical disaster in a land where magic is taboo and a mystery to most. Picking up shortly after the last book ended. Endurance finds himself dealing with after effects of that along with along with some new problems in the form of a horde of Wolves invading the land.
Once again Endurance is an entertaining character to read about but this time the supporting cast put forth a much stronger showing. Joven is less wooden and exhibits more of a dry sense of humor, Bridget shows a wider range of emotions while maintaining every bit of her warrior attitude, Selene incorporates more of her "other self" which worked well, and even a certain moon elf made a great showing. Pretty much every character is improved in some way.
The plot itself is a great deal more focused too. Concentrating on one central thread and with the various other plot threads winding into that.
I was also entirely satisfied with the way Ascension handled all of the carryover's from Provenance. I was a little afraid going in that some might be glossed over between the two books but I didn't need to be. It did a wonderful job of handling all of that.
----------------------
If you enjoyed Spellscribed: Provenance then you should go into Spellscribed: Ascension with excitement and without concern. It's everything the first book was and more.
October 28, 2015
SPOILERS BELOW:
This book was better than the first in some ways, but I again had a few issues with it..
The writing is better than the first, I would say maybe 7.5/10. I was bit frustrated that it seems like instead of a slow progression for the main character, he's gaining power very quickly in order to take on what the author wants him to take on. At times he mitigates that with a lack of knowledge on the character's part, which is good, but still seems like at some point he'll have nowhere to go and have gotten there very quickly with little effort.
The story line is pretty action packed and could use a little more character development. I still liked it, but it feels a little hurried at times and almost like the author is continually throwing things in there just to give the protagonist more to do. I feel bad for the character really; he could use a break! Story: 8/10
There's also a few small plot holes he clears up mid-book rather than stopping them from existing from the last book (Endrance not getting poisoned by the Assassin's blades, his familiar never being stated as dead then suddenly he remembers he can re-summon him?). They weren't enough to ruin the book for me, and that device can be used skillfully, I just didn't find the author pulled it off terribly well in this instance.
Anyway, I still recommend the book if you got through the first one!
This book was better than the first in some ways, but I again had a few issues with it..
The writing is better than the first, I would say maybe 7.5/10. I was bit frustrated that it seems like instead of a slow progression for the main character, he's gaining power very quickly in order to take on what the author wants him to take on. At times he mitigates that with a lack of knowledge on the character's part, which is good, but still seems like at some point he'll have nowhere to go and have gotten there very quickly with little effort.
The story line is pretty action packed and could use a little more character development. I still liked it, but it feels a little hurried at times and almost like the author is continually throwing things in there just to give the protagonist more to do. I feel bad for the character really; he could use a break! Story: 8/10
There's also a few small plot holes he clears up mid-book rather than stopping them from existing from the last book (Endrance not getting poisoned by the Assassin's blades, his familiar never being stated as dead then suddenly he remembers he can re-summon him?). They weren't enough to ruin the book for me, and that device can be used skillfully, I just didn't find the author pulled it off terribly well in this instance.
Anyway, I still recommend the book if you got through the first one!
January 10, 2014
Ok, now we're talking! I kind of bashed the first book in this series, but I'm glad I kept reading because this was a good book. Well paced, fun, interesting, surprising, and a page turner (I kept finding excuses to pick it up).
Leaps and bounds more professional than the first one. The characters' personalities finally stabilized and the flow of the book stopped being so jerky. All those editing errors seemed to disappear, too. If he keeps improving at this pace, Kristopher Cruz will be a truly great writer.
Leaps and bounds more professional than the first one. The characters' personalities finally stabilized and the flow of the book stopped being so jerky. All those editing errors seemed to disappear, too. If he keeps improving at this pace, Kristopher Cruz will be a truly great writer.
January 27, 2020
Really good book, though I was really annoyed how mc dealt with assasin. Personal vendetta would be thousand times better than her reasoning. Just get rid of the trash, she killed his wife for nothing but money and personal pleasure. I mean he even has the absorption thing going on and could get information that way.
December 8, 2013
It was one of those books I could not put down. I enjoyed it as much as the first one. The only negative is that I finished it and will have to wait for the third book to come out. This author is becoming one of my all time favorites.
If you have not read the first book yet, go get it.
If you have not read the first book yet, go get it.
December 27, 2013
great book
May 4, 2016
A lot more coherent than the first book. Still plenty happening, though.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews