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Joined at the Hilt, Book I: Union (a Sphereworld novel)
Randall's life in the city of Three Rivers was not unlike that of any other half-elf, which is to say that it was less than ideal. Ever since the Federation had come to town a decade earlier, his people's way of life had been upended and it was all that he and his friends could do to survive under the oppressive boot of those puritanical invaders.
But all of that changed when a chance meeting with a complete stranger set a sequence of events in motion which made it necessary for Randall to pursue life outside the walls of the only place he had ever known.
Even armed with a mysterious, enchanted weapon at his side, it will take every resource at the young bartender-turned-gigolo's disposal to survive the hazards of the unknown. He will contend with swamps infested by unusually large rodents, honest-to-the-gods White Knights, a mysterious group called 'Fleshmongers,' a Federation special operative bent on securing Randall's strange weapon for some unknown purpose, and a high stakes game of politics played between the old powers of his world and the new as they struggle for control over the fate of their world.
As he deals with the harsh realities of the world outside his birthplace, Randall will discover that the most valuable resource of all is the bond of friendship...no matter how unusual that friendship might be.
Randall's life in the city of Three Rivers was not unlike that of any other half-elf, which is to say that it was less than ideal. Ever since the Federation had come to town a decade earlier, his people's way of life had been upended and it was all that he and his friends could do to survive under the oppressive boot of those puritanical invaders.
But all of that changed when a chance meeting with a complete stranger set a sequence of events in motion which made it necessary for Randall to pursue life outside the walls of the only place he had ever known.
Even armed with a mysterious, enchanted weapon at his side, it will take every resource at the young bartender-turned-gigolo's disposal to survive the hazards of the unknown. He will contend with swamps infested by unusually large rodents, honest-to-the-gods White Knights, a mysterious group called 'Fleshmongers,' a Federation special operative bent on securing Randall's strange weapon for some unknown purpose, and a high stakes game of politics played between the old powers of his world and the new as they struggle for control over the fate of their world.
As he deals with the harsh realities of the world outside his birthplace, Randall will discover that the most valuable resource of all is the bond of friendship...no matter how unusual that friendship might be.
- GenresFantasy
440 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 29, 2014
25 people are currently reading
89 people want to read
About the author
Caleb Wachter
31 books40 followersEver since I was young, I've enjoyed reading stories which spurred my imagination into overdrive. After helping my brother edit his own books, I decided it was time to give something back to the community which has inspired me.
Until recently I spent far too many nights rolling dice with friends and creating what I hope were myriad memorable campaigns. Now a father of four I have less time for such engagements, but that doesn't mean I can't share the fruits of my imagination with an eager crowd.
Here's hoping I can find a crowd of people who enjoy my stories as much as I do!
Until recently I spent far too many nights rolling dice with friends and creating what I hope were myriad memorable campaigns. Now a father of four I have less time for such engagements, but that doesn't mean I can't share the fruits of my imagination with an eager crowd.
Here's hoping I can find a crowd of people who enjoy my stories as much as I do!
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
March 8, 2014
I think the character development of Randall and story are well done. The adventures of the main character is pretty enjoyable with twists and turns. The action and excitement kept me reading. I am happy to have seen and read such a great and exciting fantasy epic. I recommended this book to my brother, so you know :) . You guys out there should read this book too.
October 26, 2015
Good story
In exchange for this book I'm writing a review. Started out slow, but once it started moving it was hard to put down. Overall a very good read.
In exchange for this book I'm writing a review. Started out slow, but once it started moving it was hard to put down. Overall a very good read.
December 16, 2017
3.5 stars rounded down
I don't usually put much stake in the cover of books, but this cover is pretty awesome. Pretty elf! Magic sword! Weirdly muscly fantasy horse! All my favourite things!
This was a really tough one to rate because the ideas and plot were very strong and Wachter can obviously write really well. Worldbuilding was very good (although I didn't get as much background as I like, being a fantasy-world geek). Randall is an immensely likeable protagonist and Dan-Moread...I'm always a sucker for snarky inanimate objects. "Union" is definitely reminiscent of 70s and 80s fantasy and I did really like it.
However...it needs an edit. Repeating phrases, continuity errors, inconsistency in Dan-Moread's pronouns and how it/she spoke (italics? bold? quote marks? nothing at all?) were incredibly annoying and really threw me out of what could have been an exciting and absorbing story.
Reviewing the book makes me so sad. It has sooo much potential and it's been sooo badly let down by the lack of a professional quality edit.
I don't usually put much stake in the cover of books, but this cover is pretty awesome. Pretty elf! Magic sword! Weirdly muscly fantasy horse! All my favourite things!
This was a really tough one to rate because the ideas and plot were very strong and Wachter can obviously write really well. Worldbuilding was very good (although I didn't get as much background as I like, being a fantasy-world geek). Randall is an immensely likeable protagonist and Dan-Moread...I'm always a sucker for snarky inanimate objects. "Union" is definitely reminiscent of 70s and 80s fantasy and I did really like it.
However...it needs an edit. Repeating phrases, continuity errors, inconsistency in Dan-Moread's pronouns and how it/she spoke (italics? bold? quote marks? nothing at all?) were incredibly annoying and really threw me out of what could have been an exciting and absorbing story.
Reviewing the book makes me so sad. It has sooo much potential and it's been sooo badly let down by the lack of a professional quality edit.
September 4, 2017
Fun read. I will read the next one.
Coming of age is my favorite but this has the same aspects of someone clueless being pulled by forces beyond his control. Did not care for friends in high places resolution but it seems it may be less of a shortcut then it looks like.
Coming of age is my favorite but this has the same aspects of someone clueless being pulled by forces beyond his control. Did not care for friends in high places resolution but it seems it may be less of a shortcut then it looks like.
June 18, 2018
Better than Conan
What with magical and living swords, the heroes and, to be fair, heroines, of these stories are more than the match of the old tales as these span generations in their fight against their foes. No bullets going around corners here, just plain guts and glory.
What with magical and living swords, the heroes and, to be fair, heroines, of these stories are more than the match of the old tales as these span generations in their fight against their foes. No bullets going around corners here, just plain guts and glory.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews