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The Divine Series #1
The Divine Apprentice
Kade looks up at his executioner with no fear or hate, watching . . .waiting. At six months old, he could hardly do much more as his grandfather agonizes over the task of taking the life of his only grandson.
Born with the rare ability to control the Divine, Kade has the potential to become one of the most powerful Chosen to ever exist. Taken from his parents, at the age of ten, by his grandfather, a Master Chosen, Kade is taught to harness the power of the Divine for good. After a decade of training, Kade learns the harsh reality of the dangerous world he is about to be thrust into, as his Master is brutally murdered right before his eyes. Kade soon realizes he is next.
With the help of a dragon, a species thought to have been a myth, and a feisty Essence Guardian, Kade must discover who – or what – is trying to eradicate his kind, before the Chosen are brought to extinction.
Born with the rare ability to control the Divine, Kade has the potential to become one of the most powerful Chosen to ever exist. Taken from his parents, at the age of ten, by his grandfather, a Master Chosen, Kade is taught to harness the power of the Divine for good. After a decade of training, Kade learns the harsh reality of the dangerous world he is about to be thrust into, as his Master is brutally murdered right before his eyes. Kade soon realizes he is next.
With the help of a dragon, a species thought to have been a myth, and a feisty Essence Guardian, Kade must discover who – or what – is trying to eradicate his kind, before the Chosen are brought to extinction.
370 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 26, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
November 4, 2014
The Divine Apprentice by Allen J. Johnston is book one of three. It is a complete read by itself. When Kade was an infant, his grandfather has the grievous choice of his life or death. He chose life. His grandfather was a chosen the the added gift of foreseeing the future. Kade can be the greatest chosen or he could be the ruination of the chosens. Not knowing the man he leaves with is his grandfather, at age ten he leaves to begin training. Ten years pass and Kade is stubborn and has a temper. One day he abruptly walks out on his lesson leaving his grandfather to stew. They had an argument over a lesson. Kade walks on past the protective barrier and suddenly realizes what he's done. He hears fighting and goes off to investigate. He finds a wounded dragon. He heals the dragon as much as he can though it will take a while before h3 can fly again. He gradually friends the dragon until they both are attacked by another creature. The dragon saved Kade's life. Together they defeated the animal, but the thunder throws leave Kade weak. The dragon feasts on the creature. Kade heals the dragon again and he passes out. The dragon stood guard so wild animals wouldn't attack Kade. Kade takes the dragon with him but it can't enter the barrier. Kade rushes in his master is very angry. He eventually goes with Kade. They find the dragon and his grandfather insists they show him the dead creature. Then a bigger monster comes after them. They flee. Do they make it back to the barrier in time?
February 14, 2018
Awful. Just plain awful. I can't stand books like this. The kind that every time I put it down I have to convince myself to finish it. If it is a chore, then it isn't enjoyable, and I had to coax myself into reading it, over and over and over again.
I really don't understand the great reviews. If you like long, drawn out, horrible prose you might like this. But not me. The exposition took forever to get through, mostly because it was the same emotional garbage over and over again. Yes, we want internal dialogue, to know what the character is thinking, but pages and pages of it is simply torture! Get on with the story and get to the point!
The only real action was near the end, and then the wind-down was drawn out, killing any redeeming quality the story may have had.
And oh, the grammar. Prepositions are incorrectly used, there are some very awkward, if not nonsensical sentences, and some homonym issues which drove me crazy. Incorrect usage of punctuation, and just plain horrible grammar that should have been caught in editing. Check your words! Taught and taut are not the same! And they instead of way? Bad grammar kills your flow every time.
And can we ignore the elephant in the room?
The boy. It's always just "the boy." The kid isn't even a real character, more like a prop. What child puts up with so much without making a peep? Kids have energy. They talk, they cry, they have to go potty! He either has to be the best behaved kid on earth, or drugged. There is absolutely no real interaction with this kid beyond his introduction, which is just plain laziness on the author's part.
And, seriously, what mother ignores her child this much? She would lose the child within seconds the way she paid attention. I wanted to take the poor kid away and give him a real home.
To sum it up, this one needs to go back to revision.
For my clean readers:
It does pretty good until the end. Violence is there, of course, but no language. Once the girl appears there is some conjecture about his feelings and physical responses. Then you have to skip the last page or two because of the sex scene, which follows the theme of the book: long, drawn out, horrible descriptive prose.
I really don't understand the great reviews. If you like long, drawn out, horrible prose you might like this. But not me. The exposition took forever to get through, mostly because it was the same emotional garbage over and over again. Yes, we want internal dialogue, to know what the character is thinking, but pages and pages of it is simply torture! Get on with the story and get to the point!
The only real action was near the end, and then the wind-down was drawn out, killing any redeeming quality the story may have had.
And oh, the grammar. Prepositions are incorrectly used, there are some very awkward, if not nonsensical sentences, and some homonym issues which drove me crazy. Incorrect usage of punctuation, and just plain horrible grammar that should have been caught in editing. Check your words! Taught and taut are not the same! And they instead of way? Bad grammar kills your flow every time.
And can we ignore the elephant in the room?
The boy. It's always just "the boy." The kid isn't even a real character, more like a prop. What child puts up with so much without making a peep? Kids have energy. They talk, they cry, they have to go potty! He either has to be the best behaved kid on earth, or drugged. There is absolutely no real interaction with this kid beyond his introduction, which is just plain laziness on the author's part.
And, seriously, what mother ignores her child this much? She would lose the child within seconds the way she paid attention. I wanted to take the poor kid away and give him a real home.
To sum it up, this one needs to go back to revision.
For my clean readers:
It does pretty good until the end. Violence is there, of course, but no language. Once the girl appears there is some conjecture about his feelings and physical responses. Then you have to skip the last page or two because of the sex scene, which follows the theme of the book: long, drawn out, horrible descriptive prose.
August 10, 2014
Don't you just love those books that leave you wanting more? I know I do and The Divine Apprentice by Allen J Johnston certainly left me wanting more. This book was entirely unique from any other book I have ever read. The concept of having these Divine Powers was an idea that I had never read about before but enjoyed thoroughly.A busy few weeks kept me from finishing the book in the time I wanted to, but I was always thinking about it, wondering what would come next. I am happy to say I finally had time to finish The Divine Apprentice and could not be happier with it.
Johnston's style of writing was captivating to say the least. While reading it is clear that each word is chosen with great care. The way in which Johnston writes truly captivates a reader, as if the plot was not enough to keep the readers attention.
The characters were simply wonderful. Kade, the main character who controls the Divine, has a personality that makes you want to be his friend. He is fierce and powerful, but at the same time sweet and caring. This is really demonstrated when Kade happens upon a friend, the Essence Guardian. Another character that can hardly be overlooked is Kade's dragon. Also a fierce and fearless character, Kade's dragon is his protector and friend. I loved seeing the two interact and the dynamic between them. My only question throughout the book, might be something that I missed, but why was the dragon always running when he could fly?
I really just loved this book. The uniqueness of the plot and the stylistic writing by the author drew me in and I am captivating. I am so excited to read the next in the series, which I already have waiting next to my bed.
Johnston's style of writing was captivating to say the least. While reading it is clear that each word is chosen with great care. The way in which Johnston writes truly captivates a reader, as if the plot was not enough to keep the readers attention.
The characters were simply wonderful. Kade, the main character who controls the Divine, has a personality that makes you want to be his friend. He is fierce and powerful, but at the same time sweet and caring. This is really demonstrated when Kade happens upon a friend, the Essence Guardian. Another character that can hardly be overlooked is Kade's dragon. Also a fierce and fearless character, Kade's dragon is his protector and friend. I loved seeing the two interact and the dynamic between them. My only question throughout the book, might be something that I missed, but why was the dragon always running when he could fly?
I really just loved this book. The uniqueness of the plot and the stylistic writing by the author drew me in and I am captivating. I am so excited to read the next in the series, which I already have waiting next to my bed.
February 19, 2016
Amazon Freebie.
It was entertaining especially if I imagined it as a YA fantasy book. I feel like this was something of the author's ode to fantasy, and all the things he enjoyed in the genre.
The good bits: very clean for the most part (at least until the end), some cool animals and powers.
The clunky bits: perhaps it is explained more later but having the Divine power seems to be too much: you can conjure up any food you like without any sort of equivalent exchange (the Gift Darcienne had is more along those lines though). Lots of the dialogue felt a bit stilted, the pacing was ragged in places, and various plot points, motives, and circumstances bits felt amateurish or cliched. All in all though, not bad as a first attempt at a book and it's nice people can publish things like this and hopefully get better as writers.
It was entertaining especially if I imagined it as a YA fantasy book. I feel like this was something of the author's ode to fantasy, and all the things he enjoyed in the genre.
The good bits: very clean for the most part (at least until the end), some cool animals and powers.
The clunky bits: perhaps it is explained more later but having the Divine power seems to be too much: you can conjure up any food you like without any sort of equivalent exchange (the Gift Darcienne had is more along those lines though). Lots of the dialogue felt a bit stilted, the pacing was ragged in places, and various plot points, motives, and circumstances bits felt amateurish or cliched. All in all though, not bad as a first attempt at a book and it's nice people can publish things like this and hopefully get better as writers.
January 20, 2014
Having read this book. I find it was well thought out and the characters are well thought out leaving me looking forward to the second book in this trilogy. Allen didn't give away all of the secrets in the first book making you want to learn more about the characters in the following books. I love the way he has bonded man and beast and how Kade continues to learn and fight his way knowing he doesn't know everything he needs to know yet. Please take the time to read this book i truly believe it will draw you into the world that Allen Johnston is building.
August 24, 2016
I'm not going to lie, I don't read much but I read the sample and I am so excited to receive my book and continue reading. I feel like I just got left with a cliff hanger! I have to know what happens next!! The story line is great and the writing and wording is great for me. I'm not a big fan of big fancy words and complex story lines. So far this is the first book in years that I could get past the first chapter. I'm excited to read the whole thing and the others in the series. I will post another review once I've read the whole thing!! I'm stoked.
January 22, 2014
Great build up and character development. The story is well paced. You will definitely find yourself just flipping to the next page, on and on. It's a good idea not to read it late at night, or you will end up not sleeping at all. Yes the story is that addictive. This book is a definite must read!
February 28, 2014
I was hooked from page 1 - smile I totally look forward to reading the series
September 15, 2018
Disclaimer:
This book was so poorly written, I wasn't able to finish it.
It has an interesting plot. But I spent over thirty years reading fifth-grade essays, and I don't need to spend my retirement continuing to read sentence structure written at that level... no matter how good the plot may be.
This book was so poorly written, I wasn't able to finish it.
It has an interesting plot. But I spent over thirty years reading fifth-grade essays, and I don't need to spend my retirement continuing to read sentence structure written at that level... no matter how good the plot may be.
October 19, 2018
now i am hooked. This was such a great, easy and creative book. i was hooked after the first page.
The characters were easy to fall in love with and follow, along with the story. the author made the mental visions so easy and vivid of the surroundings and the characters actions felt so real.
i would highly recommend this author and this book.
The characters were easy to fall in love with and follow, along with the story. the author made the mental visions so easy and vivid of the surroundings and the characters actions felt so real.
i would highly recommend this author and this book.
November 1, 2015
I picked up this fantasy book to use as a light evening read and landed up enjoying it a lot more than I expected.
Meet Kade-the young apprentice training to be one of the Chosen who are able to use the power of the divine to achieve feats of magic. Taken from his family at an early age, Kade has a soul destined for one of either extreme poles-become the greatest Chosen or be their ruin. When tragedy strikes the bond of master and apprentice, Kade must use what he has learnt to begin the vengeful journey he must take. An unexpected relationship is formed between him and a dragon, who is thought to be a creature of myth. Helped by an Essence Guardian, Kade's parents and a loyal little animal, Chance, Kade must stretch himself to learn and develop more of his talents to fight all manner of beasts and find the evil one who wants him destroyed.
The storyline itself is very interesting but the execution very stiff. Kade as a character is a little underwhelming, but his interactions with the other characters serve to flesh him out more solidly. I enjoyed the growing mind bond with Rayden the dragon, and as for Chance-I am interested to find out more about what he is and his full connection to the story. Our introduction to Darcienna, the Essence Guardian, is one of a feisty, good-hearted woman who will make a very suitable partner for Kade in both heart and adventure. Her son Marcole seemed a bit of a waste of space in the book. He had no dialogue and was just used as a "crying distraction" in dangerous scenes. Maybe all will be revealed in subsequent books. We only briefly meet Kade's parents but his mother's character is beautifully and gently written. I enjoyed meeting the monsters that Kade must battle and learning about the different types of callings.
The language to introduce us to all of this however, had me constantly grating my teeth. You could tell that the author was relatively new to this by the formality of the writing. As though one was back at school instead of just writing the way a character would speak and think in everyday life. I lost track of the amount of times that Kade "chastised himself"-lots more synonyms were needed throughout the book. I was hoping the start of the second book would show the author's relaxation in his writing style but was hit with: "Judeen complied immediately while maintaining an air of confidence". Far too polite. Much of the dialogue didn't seem real to me-inner or verbal. Kade was grievously injured a number of times, yet bounced back remarkably quickly-the timeline to the extent of the wounds was dodgy. And the emphasis on the amount of hours spent learning the nuances of the moves and words to the callings became annoying as they were repeated over and over. I also found that jumping back and forth between different character's points of view in consecutive sentences really made some parts confusing to read and cut into the flow of the book.
Apart from all that, a very entertaining read with a good idea and great promise.
Meet Kade-the young apprentice training to be one of the Chosen who are able to use the power of the divine to achieve feats of magic. Taken from his family at an early age, Kade has a soul destined for one of either extreme poles-become the greatest Chosen or be their ruin. When tragedy strikes the bond of master and apprentice, Kade must use what he has learnt to begin the vengeful journey he must take. An unexpected relationship is formed between him and a dragon, who is thought to be a creature of myth. Helped by an Essence Guardian, Kade's parents and a loyal little animal, Chance, Kade must stretch himself to learn and develop more of his talents to fight all manner of beasts and find the evil one who wants him destroyed.
The storyline itself is very interesting but the execution very stiff. Kade as a character is a little underwhelming, but his interactions with the other characters serve to flesh him out more solidly. I enjoyed the growing mind bond with Rayden the dragon, and as for Chance-I am interested to find out more about what he is and his full connection to the story. Our introduction to Darcienna, the Essence Guardian, is one of a feisty, good-hearted woman who will make a very suitable partner for Kade in both heart and adventure. Her son Marcole seemed a bit of a waste of space in the book. He had no dialogue and was just used as a "crying distraction" in dangerous scenes. Maybe all will be revealed in subsequent books. We only briefly meet Kade's parents but his mother's character is beautifully and gently written. I enjoyed meeting the monsters that Kade must battle and learning about the different types of callings.
The language to introduce us to all of this however, had me constantly grating my teeth. You could tell that the author was relatively new to this by the formality of the writing. As though one was back at school instead of just writing the way a character would speak and think in everyday life. I lost track of the amount of times that Kade "chastised himself"-lots more synonyms were needed throughout the book. I was hoping the start of the second book would show the author's relaxation in his writing style but was hit with: "Judeen complied immediately while maintaining an air of confidence". Far too polite. Much of the dialogue didn't seem real to me-inner or verbal. Kade was grievously injured a number of times, yet bounced back remarkably quickly-the timeline to the extent of the wounds was dodgy. And the emphasis on the amount of hours spent learning the nuances of the moves and words to the callings became annoying as they were repeated over and over. I also found that jumping back and forth between different character's points of view in consecutive sentences really made some parts confusing to read and cut into the flow of the book.
Apart from all that, a very entertaining read with a good idea and great promise.
July 26, 2016
I won this book through the Goodreads First Reads program in exchange for an unbiased review.
This is a tale of a young man named Kade who is training to be one of the Chosen, a user of the Divine, unaware that he might be destined to be more than a simple wizard's apprentice.
I enjoyed this story. Johnston created a rich world, and defined the rules by which magic worked very well, almost to the point where the reader feels that had they the talent, they too could learn to wield this power. And I like the character of Kade, he was certainly flawed but he had many good points to make up for it that you forgave him his youthful impulses. And of course Rayden, how could one not wish for a dragon like that!
There were a few things that bothered me though. For one thing, whenever Kade was learning a Calling on his own, he would study the page for hours, painstakingly studying every word, memorizing every gesture. Then he'd try it out and it would blow up because somehow, in all those hours staring at the page, he missed the footnote with a warning in it. On a positive note, the fact that he did get things wrong, even after training for years was refreshing, too many books I've read where a character seems to insta-learn their magic which never comes off as believable.
There were also several cases where the character thinks, "Hmm, I sense something odd here...ah whatever I'll ignore it". The reader of course is then tipped off that something is about to happen and you just want to smack the character for ignoring his instincts. In fact while Kade must be about 20, he acts much younger (will give him the benefit of the doubt for living a very sheltered life though!)
And finally there was the meat...
The story moves quickly, with lots of questions to be answered, but never leaving the reader frustrated without answers. Action is balanced by moments of quiet. And if I had to pick a favorite scene? Well...just about anything with Rayden in it. He's quite the character!
This is a tale of a young man named Kade who is training to be one of the Chosen, a user of the Divine, unaware that he might be destined to be more than a simple wizard's apprentice.
I enjoyed this story. Johnston created a rich world, and defined the rules by which magic worked very well, almost to the point where the reader feels that had they the talent, they too could learn to wield this power. And I like the character of Kade, he was certainly flawed but he had many good points to make up for it that you forgave him his youthful impulses. And of course Rayden, how could one not wish for a dragon like that!
There were a few things that bothered me though. For one thing, whenever Kade was learning a Calling on his own, he would study the page for hours, painstakingly studying every word, memorizing every gesture. Then he'd try it out and it would blow up because somehow, in all those hours staring at the page, he missed the footnote with a warning in it. On a positive note, the fact that he did get things wrong, even after training for years was refreshing, too many books I've read where a character seems to insta-learn their magic which never comes off as believable.
There were also several cases where the character thinks, "Hmm, I sense something odd here...ah whatever I'll ignore it". The reader of course is then tipped off that something is about to happen and you just want to smack the character for ignoring his instincts. In fact while Kade must be about 20, he acts much younger (will give him the benefit of the doubt for living a very sheltered life though!)
And finally there was the meat...
The story moves quickly, with lots of questions to be answered, but never leaving the reader frustrated without answers. Action is balanced by moments of quiet. And if I had to pick a favorite scene? Well...just about anything with Rayden in it. He's quite the character!
July 22, 2014
I picked up this book to read at around 10 am and didn't put it down until about 9 pm. Usually I'll sit and read a book over the course of a few days. But, this one I simply could NOT put down!
Instantly I fell in love with Kade, a young man who was taken from his home at the age of ten to study the use of Divine Power. His grandfather/mentor was a man of amazing wisdom who knew better than to affect too much of what his visions told him. Even after his passing, this amazing man helps Kade through notes and clues while never giving too much information. As a result, Kade must use his intellect more than his ability to control Divine Power in order to save himself and those he loves.
They say that the brain is the most powerful weapon a human has at their disposal and Kade shows this accurately as he tries to sort through puzzles and destroy the monsters commanded by the one who hunts his kind. Everything he does shows his incredible sense of right and wrong and his inability to accept the worst. From having the wisdom not to kill a dragon who was already close to death to defeating a creature most would think impossible to saving the lives of his parents...this apprentice showed more resolve than a hardened veteran soldier while having the softness of heart that is so prevalent in youth. Kade definitely wormed his way into my heart from the very beginning.
At times it seemed as though the characters were too perfect, but then they would show their realistic side in the doubts and fears they obviously felt. There is a sense of honor there and a determination of conviction you don't find in many people, yet it seems to come so easily to Kade and those he comes into contact with. The main flaw of this character is his anger and thirst for vengeance at what he considers senseless slaughter. His anger sometimes seems to almost consume him, yet he manages to keep control of himself as he does what is needed while never giving up.
Allen J. Johnston wove a tale that captures both the heart and mind. I loved his use of mythological creatures and the changes he made to them. The world, which is obviously not our own, was breathtaking and inviting, even with the dangers involved.
The Divine Apprentice will have you wanting more and more when you're done. I can't wait to read the rest of the series to see if Kade can defeat this great evil that hunts him, and what will come of his relationship with Darcienna, a woman he saved and then fell for.
I wish I could give this more than a 5 star rating!
Instantly I fell in love with Kade, a young man who was taken from his home at the age of ten to study the use of Divine Power. His grandfather/mentor was a man of amazing wisdom who knew better than to affect too much of what his visions told him. Even after his passing, this amazing man helps Kade through notes and clues while never giving too much information. As a result, Kade must use his intellect more than his ability to control Divine Power in order to save himself and those he loves.
They say that the brain is the most powerful weapon a human has at their disposal and Kade shows this accurately as he tries to sort through puzzles and destroy the monsters commanded by the one who hunts his kind. Everything he does shows his incredible sense of right and wrong and his inability to accept the worst. From having the wisdom not to kill a dragon who was already close to death to defeating a creature most would think impossible to saving the lives of his parents...this apprentice showed more resolve than a hardened veteran soldier while having the softness of heart that is so prevalent in youth. Kade definitely wormed his way into my heart from the very beginning.
At times it seemed as though the characters were too perfect, but then they would show their realistic side in the doubts and fears they obviously felt. There is a sense of honor there and a determination of conviction you don't find in many people, yet it seems to come so easily to Kade and those he comes into contact with. The main flaw of this character is his anger and thirst for vengeance at what he considers senseless slaughter. His anger sometimes seems to almost consume him, yet he manages to keep control of himself as he does what is needed while never giving up.
Allen J. Johnston wove a tale that captures both the heart and mind. I loved his use of mythological creatures and the changes he made to them. The world, which is obviously not our own, was breathtaking and inviting, even with the dangers involved.
The Divine Apprentice will have you wanting more and more when you're done. I can't wait to read the rest of the series to see if Kade can defeat this great evil that hunts him, and what will come of his relationship with Darcienna, a woman he saved and then fell for.
I wish I could give this more than a 5 star rating!
July 7, 2015
Being fortunate to know Allen Johnston on a personal level, this book really intrigued me. This is not my usual taste in reading but I wanted to read it to understand Allen’s passion for writing. I did not expect to become so drawn to the characters and the story line in the book.
I liked that he put in a prologue in this first book to introduce his readers to Kade and explain how he became the apprentice. He briefly but effectively walked his readers through the emotional process that his parents and grandfather went through to ultimately decide to allow him to pursue the Calling. It was just long enough to help his readers understand how the story began without taking up too much of his reader’s time and allow them to get to the real story he wanted to tell.
Without giving away too much of the plot, I can tell you that this book drew me in very early in the first chapter as Kade met what would be his friend and companion on the rest of his journey to becoming a Chosen. Allen’s writing is very descriptive and you can really visualize the characters and what is happening throughout the story. Maybe it helps that I know Allen personally but I was truly able to get a mental picture of what Kade would look like and what his dragon would look like.
Allen has a wonderful imagination that makes this book a pleasure to read. I had a hard time putting it down once I got a couple of chapters into it. His description of dramatic scenes has a way of making you feel like you are right there watching it. I love the way he finds creative and amusing ways to introduce Kade to new characters. The way he writes, you can really feel the connection between the characters as the bonds begin to form. The intense conflict scenes, because let’s face it with magic and dragons there are going to be some, can leave your heart pounding and cause you to read hours into the night because you just have to find out what happens. The finale of this first book leaves you looking immediately for the next one. I feel sorry for anyone who read the first one and had to wait for the second one to be released. On finishing the first one, I went in search of the next one the very next day. I just had to know how the closing scene from book one continued into book two.
Though Fantasy Fiction is not normally on my reading list, I can’t wait to read the rest of this series!
I liked that he put in a prologue in this first book to introduce his readers to Kade and explain how he became the apprentice. He briefly but effectively walked his readers through the emotional process that his parents and grandfather went through to ultimately decide to allow him to pursue the Calling. It was just long enough to help his readers understand how the story began without taking up too much of his reader’s time and allow them to get to the real story he wanted to tell.
Without giving away too much of the plot, I can tell you that this book drew me in very early in the first chapter as Kade met what would be his friend and companion on the rest of his journey to becoming a Chosen. Allen’s writing is very descriptive and you can really visualize the characters and what is happening throughout the story. Maybe it helps that I know Allen personally but I was truly able to get a mental picture of what Kade would look like and what his dragon would look like.
Allen has a wonderful imagination that makes this book a pleasure to read. I had a hard time putting it down once I got a couple of chapters into it. His description of dramatic scenes has a way of making you feel like you are right there watching it. I love the way he finds creative and amusing ways to introduce Kade to new characters. The way he writes, you can really feel the connection between the characters as the bonds begin to form. The intense conflict scenes, because let’s face it with magic and dragons there are going to be some, can leave your heart pounding and cause you to read hours into the night because you just have to find out what happens. The finale of this first book leaves you looking immediately for the next one. I feel sorry for anyone who read the first one and had to wait for the second one to be released. On finishing the first one, I went in search of the next one the very next day. I just had to know how the closing scene from book one continued into book two.
Though Fantasy Fiction is not normally on my reading list, I can’t wait to read the rest of this series!
January 9, 2015
Wow! What a great book! I was so caught up in this story.
Not every page is crammed with heart-rendering, non-stop action, but a lot of it is. That's not the point. The beauty of this story lies in how the main character, Kade, develops his maturity as a practitioner of magic. The magic is beautifully choreographed, like a dance, and for each spell, he must follow an exact number of motions, in the right order, and with the right flow. This magic system is believable and easy to illustrate, and it hooks us.
Kade has a lot of depth. When a fearsome beast threatens him, he finds a way to befriend it--the dragon. The dragon ultimately pays him back in spades for his humane gesture, as it saves him again and again throughout the story. The bond between boy and dragon is as deep as any can be between man and animal. The dragon even learns to read Kade's mind after a while. Kade truly cares about people, saving whoever he can, and he goes all out to assist his mother and father.
There were a few rookie mistakes marring the beginning of this book, such as exact descriptions being repeated almost the same over and over, but thankfully they are not too many. Also, the reaction of the mother at the beginning of this book was odd, but I'm happy that the author has considered my suggestions and I'm sure these shortfalls can be addressed. The author may also need to cut down on many descriptions of physical activities such as cooking, cleaning, being on the run, escaping, and so on. This book is quite heavy with physical elaborations of movements carried out by the characters. Although, some are very endearing, and allows us to visualize the plot in a deeper way, as most authors focus on dialogue, setting, or characters.
The essence of the book is wonder. Kade believes in the magic of the world he is in, and he never lets go.
Not every page is crammed with heart-rendering, non-stop action, but a lot of it is. That's not the point. The beauty of this story lies in how the main character, Kade, develops his maturity as a practitioner of magic. The magic is beautifully choreographed, like a dance, and for each spell, he must follow an exact number of motions, in the right order, and with the right flow. This magic system is believable and easy to illustrate, and it hooks us.
Kade has a lot of depth. When a fearsome beast threatens him, he finds a way to befriend it--the dragon. The dragon ultimately pays him back in spades for his humane gesture, as it saves him again and again throughout the story. The bond between boy and dragon is as deep as any can be between man and animal. The dragon even learns to read Kade's mind after a while. Kade truly cares about people, saving whoever he can, and he goes all out to assist his mother and father.
There were a few rookie mistakes marring the beginning of this book, such as exact descriptions being repeated almost the same over and over, but thankfully they are not too many. Also, the reaction of the mother at the beginning of this book was odd, but I'm happy that the author has considered my suggestions and I'm sure these shortfalls can be addressed. The author may also need to cut down on many descriptions of physical activities such as cooking, cleaning, being on the run, escaping, and so on. This book is quite heavy with physical elaborations of movements carried out by the characters. Although, some are very endearing, and allows us to visualize the plot in a deeper way, as most authors focus on dialogue, setting, or characters.
The essence of the book is wonder. Kade believes in the magic of the world he is in, and he never lets go.
August 28, 2014
This was the first time I had read one of Allen J Johnston's books and I am very grateful to have discovered him! This is a well written and intriguing fantasy thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat throughout. This is a novel that has it all, including a strong and engaging plot line with more twists than a Chubby Checker concert!.
It was very easy to lose oneself in The Divine Apprentice - the story was full of suspense and the novel was read in super quick time. I found it very easy to emphasize with the characters - a great understanding of human emotions being shown, which, when combined with the compelling fantasy elements to this story, made for a truly well written and captivating novel. The main character Kade and the relationship with his mother Judeen, the Master Chosen Zayle and then the dragon draws you in from the very outset and is portrayed in such a vivid and absorbing fashion that you feel completely intertwined in everything Kade does and feels.
This is a book that that you do not want to put down from start to finish. The imagination of the author is wonderfully translated into this intriguing fantasy and gives the whole novel a sense of depth and discovery rarely found.
Will look out for more novels by the author!. Highly recommended
It was very easy to lose oneself in The Divine Apprentice - the story was full of suspense and the novel was read in super quick time. I found it very easy to emphasize with the characters - a great understanding of human emotions being shown, which, when combined with the compelling fantasy elements to this story, made for a truly well written and captivating novel. The main character Kade and the relationship with his mother Judeen, the Master Chosen Zayle and then the dragon draws you in from the very outset and is portrayed in such a vivid and absorbing fashion that you feel completely intertwined in everything Kade does and feels.
This is a book that that you do not want to put down from start to finish. The imagination of the author is wonderfully translated into this intriguing fantasy and gives the whole novel a sense of depth and discovery rarely found.
Will look out for more novels by the author!. Highly recommended
September 18, 2014
At 6 months of age, Kade is a wonder. His grandfather, Zayle, who is a Master Chosen, knows he should kill him but doesn't. When Kade turns 10, Zayle takes him as an apprentice, knowing Kade is the Chosen one. He starts to teach him how to control the divine power.
Kade finds a dragon that has done battle with monsters of the unseen foe that plaques Zayle and Kade.Then Zayle is killed and Kade finds out just how powerful he is. Kade rushes into learning things he isn't ready to learn and finds out the consequences. He and the dragon, Raylen travel to find his parents. On the way, he meets Darcienna and falls hard for her.
There is a trap set for him by the evil Chosen, Morg. The trap is his parents and Kade rescues them and frustrates Morg. Kade and Darcienna are with his parents as the book ends.
This is a beautifully written book. Allen Johnston brings everything to life and you feel you are riding the dragon along with Kade. You can feel Kade's and Darcienna's feelings and sense the beauty of the land.
This is a great start of a great series.
Kade finds a dragon that has done battle with monsters of the unseen foe that plaques Zayle and Kade.Then Zayle is killed and Kade finds out just how powerful he is. Kade rushes into learning things he isn't ready to learn and finds out the consequences. He and the dragon, Raylen travel to find his parents. On the way, he meets Darcienna and falls hard for her.
There is a trap set for him by the evil Chosen, Morg. The trap is his parents and Kade rescues them and frustrates Morg. Kade and Darcienna are with his parents as the book ends.
This is a beautifully written book. Allen Johnston brings everything to life and you feel you are riding the dragon along with Kade. You can feel Kade's and Darcienna's feelings and sense the beauty of the land.
This is a great start of a great series.
June 24, 2014
My partner loves fantasy genre and I got this book from him after he finished reading it. I don't often read fantasy fiction, however my weakness is the kind of books which make me stick to them from the first page.
Honestly, I was thrilled and fascinated from the prologue and left all my commitments behind. I just wanted to reach the end of the book, to find out what happened and I became a part of this book..It was an amazing escape from that boring world we live in. This book is definitely worth reading, you will be spun around and you will be thrown into the magical and forbidden journey...
Honestly, I was thrilled and fascinated from the prologue and left all my commitments behind. I just wanted to reach the end of the book, to find out what happened and I became a part of this book..It was an amazing escape from that boring world we live in. This book is definitely worth reading, you will be spun around and you will be thrown into the magical and forbidden journey...
June 25, 2014
A gripping adventure
Kade lives in a fascinating and dangerous world where his powers are both feared and envied, then there are those who want to extinguish anyone born with this gift. To say I was drawn into this world is an understatement!
I really enjoyed the fast paced action, character development (I was so upset when his grandfather / mentor was killed, even though I knew it was going to happen!) and the beautiful world this author has built. I loved the relationship that grew between Kade and the dragon he saves. The author also did a good job at building suspense without feeling contrived. Can’t wait to read book 2!!
Kade lives in a fascinating and dangerous world where his powers are both feared and envied, then there are those who want to extinguish anyone born with this gift. To say I was drawn into this world is an understatement!
I really enjoyed the fast paced action, character development (I was so upset when his grandfather / mentor was killed, even though I knew it was going to happen!) and the beautiful world this author has built. I loved the relationship that grew between Kade and the dragon he saves. The author also did a good job at building suspense without feeling contrived. Can’t wait to read book 2!!
August 16, 2014
The Divine Apprentice offers everything a great fantasy book should. From a wonderful world, to intriguing characters, and a very gripping story-line. So much so that I read this book in one sitting, (which is something I don't often do) and don't be mislead this book isn't short. Far from it, this is the tale of Kade, an apprentice on the path to become a chosen, but his destiny is more complex than it may seem.
Overall this is a definite gem to add to your reading collection, it's a fantastic world, full of good and evil, happiness and sorrow, and epic battles. It's a must have!
Overall this is a definite gem to add to your reading collection, it's a fantastic world, full of good and evil, happiness and sorrow, and epic battles. It's a must have!
September 2, 2014
This is one of those books which you get truly lost in, taken to a world of fantasy, but best of all, you share the entire adventure with a dragon.
The characters are interesting and the storyline is compelling, reminding me at times of the wonderful and amazing Sarah Paver and Wolf Brother.
I think this is a difficult genre to master as a writer, because you have to create something realistic out of an idea that is pure fantasy and magic, but I feel this writer has created a believable journey that is utterly absorbing. Well done!
The characters are interesting and the storyline is compelling, reminding me at times of the wonderful and amazing Sarah Paver and Wolf Brother.
I think this is a difficult genre to master as a writer, because you have to create something realistic out of an idea that is pure fantasy and magic, but I feel this writer has created a believable journey that is utterly absorbing. Well done!
June 29, 2014
I am a big fan of this type of book. The fantasy and magic is very captivating. The author did a great job constructing a story that keeps you on the edge of your seat. This book was very difficult for me to put down. This book was awesome, the story is well developed, and the characters are interesting. The main character is Kade and his adventure starts when he is ten years old. He is learning the Divine Power and from there the twists and turns are amazing.
December 1, 2015
At first I wasn't quite sure about this book,but as I went more into the book I started to really enjoy it. Its good for people who like fantasy and want to read something new.
I'm still a bit fishy with the last page of the book. I feel that its a trap in some way, but I guess that means that I will have to keep reading the series. I highly recommend this book, and to keep reading it even if your not so sure about it. You'll be surprised.
I'm still a bit fishy with the last page of the book. I feel that its a trap in some way, but I guess that means that I will have to keep reading the series. I highly recommend this book, and to keep reading it even if your not so sure about it. You'll be surprised.
June 18, 2016
Not my cup of tea
I gave this book a five-star rating because this book did not interest me. I often go to books such as this to get away from reading romance books. Young adult books is not beyond me but I believe that this book was for a much much younger person than myself . I only completed reading 28% of this book before giving up. That is not to say that it is probably a perfect book for someone else.
I gave this book a five-star rating because this book did not interest me. I often go to books such as this to get away from reading romance books. Young adult books is not beyond me but I believe that this book was for a much much younger person than myself . I only completed reading 28% of this book before giving up. That is not to say that it is probably a perfect book for someone else.
September 3, 2014
Well, it has been a while since I have read this book, but I thought I would create my review. I found this to be a great read and very fun to meet all of the amazing characters.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys books about magic, fantasy, etc. I believe I am going to re-read the series so I can start on the newest one that was released.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys books about magic, fantasy, etc. I believe I am going to re-read the series so I can start on the newest one that was released.
April 4, 2014
Amazing read! Great story line and definately keeps you invested in the characters (and animals) ; ) I beyond recommend you read it!! I cannot wait to read the rest of the series. Allen J Johnston is an incredible author, he makes you feel as if you are as much a part of the story as the characters themselves. I was lucky enough to recieve this book through a goodreads.com giveaway!
June 6, 2014
What an Amazing Story. I totally love it. I admire the author dedication for writing an incredible story. This story grabs my attention from the very start of the book and couldn't put it aside till I finish it. It was a wonderful read. From me, I will definitely rate this book and the author's hard efforts a 5-STAR. I highly recommend this book to everyone.
May 18, 2014
After reading this book , overall I think it is a good read. Most of the characters fit the story well and the creatures were creative. If you are into fantasy books you should try The Devine Apprentice.
December 15, 2022
This book was decent and I might give the next ones a try. I think that it wasn't as readable as I like. There were times where it was a slog and sometimes the world building didn't quite work for me.
*I received this book for free through the Good Reads First Reads program.
*I received this book for free through the Good Reads First Reads program.
June 23, 2014
This is a wonderful and well written book with a well written storyline. If you are a fan of dragons and fantasy stories, you will love this one. The book is very fun and fast paced and I had lots of fun reading it. Definitely a great book for a weekend afternoon. Highly recommended.
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