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Becoming Middle Earth #2
Ida’s Clan
On April 6, 2029, of the old calendar, airbursts from a meteor shower scattered alien genetic material across the planet, transforming every living thing.
Those humans who managed to survive the transformations, and the chaos that followed, took many forms. Based on their appearance, they adopted names from the fantasy genre best exemplified by Tolkien.
Besides humans, the vastly changed world included dwarves, elves and hobbits, along with creatures from the darker side of the genre.
This is the second instalment of the story of the events that ushered in the first age's true beginning, as told by Ida, one of the Maiar.
She has just killed the high elf, High Lord Marcus, and returned to the Grand Market with High Lady Isabelle's son, High Lord Quade. With her is Yda, a goblin she rescued, two puppies and a promise to help the dwarf Cala protect her Cala's clan against an influx of deadly killer pigs which appear to have been engineered to attack the dwarves.
Those humans who managed to survive the transformations, and the chaos that followed, took many forms. Based on their appearance, they adopted names from the fantasy genre best exemplified by Tolkien.
Besides humans, the vastly changed world included dwarves, elves and hobbits, along with creatures from the darker side of the genre.
This is the second instalment of the story of the events that ushered in the first age's true beginning, as told by Ida, one of the Maiar.
She has just killed the high elf, High Lord Marcus, and returned to the Grand Market with High Lady Isabelle's son, High Lord Quade. With her is Yda, a goblin she rescued, two puppies and a promise to help the dwarf Cala protect her Cala's clan against an influx of deadly killer pigs which appear to have been engineered to attack the dwarves.
369 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 13, 2024
126 people are currently reading
11 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
July 17, 2024
Brilliant
Have been following this author since the Stork Tower, each book has a good storyline and very enjoyable, looking forward to the next book.
Have been following this author since the Stork Tower, each book has a good storyline and very enjoyable, looking forward to the next book.
July 23, 2024
oh yeah
I wasn’t expecting this. Very welcome find.
I like an Uber-competent MC who also realizes their inherent weaknesses. The grumpy-mentor aspect is fun, especially the petard-hoisted kind.
Good stuff. Complex but tight narrative.
I wasn’t expecting this. Very welcome find.
I like an Uber-competent MC who also realizes their inherent weaknesses. The grumpy-mentor aspect is fun, especially the petard-hoisted kind.
Good stuff. Complex but tight narrative.
July 26, 2024
Can't wait
This series gets better the more I read. Well developed main character and side characters coming along. I wait impatiently for the next one.
This series gets better the more I read. Well developed main character and side characters coming along. I wait impatiently for the next one.
July 21, 2024
This was a little weaker than book one, mostly because the story suffered from Ida's OP nature. The risk level dropped which reduced the stakes. At one point she even admitted that she could "do everything better than any other clan member" but let them do things as a development opportunity. That's a little on the nose.
I'm still loving the series though. The magic system is excellent, as is the world-building (race-building?). The addition of Brand to the clan was appreciated – what a great character.
I'm still loving the series though. The magic system is excellent, as is the world-building (race-building?). The addition of Brand to the clan was appreciated – what a great character.
July 18, 2024
Amazing book
The second one is even better than the first, and I read the first one three times.
Awesome series, great author. Read this.
The second one is even better than the first, and I read the first one three times.
Awesome series, great author. Read this.
August 18, 2024
Post-apocalyptic adventure
Well, it is a post-apocalyptic adventure, but the apocalypse wasn’t the standard fictional version, with Mad Max gangs or strongmen-controlled villages.
This apocalypse was caused some 300 years ago by airbursts from a meteor shower which scattered alien genetic material across the planet. The alien DNA changed literally every living thing— humans, animals, insects, plants, everything. Those humans who survived the transformations and the chaos that followed took many forms.
Based on their appearance and magical abilities (yes, magic of sorts was part of the change, with people developing the ability to deal with the world in different ways, such as shaping metal) those who lived in Australia adopted names from the fantasy books of JRR Tolkien. Thus, in addition to humans, the vastly changed world had dwarves, elves, and hobbits, along with creatures from the darker side of the genre.
Not that Tolkien would recognize them. Those referred to as dwarves did indeed have the ability to act on the earth and so became miners, but they were also seven to ten feet tall; hobbits were small (and vicious) people who shared a hive mind, and so on.
And Australia, were virtually all the flora and fauna was already inimical to human life, has seen it multiplied to an extreme degree. The small carnivorous creatures are now giant carnivores, the little insect-eating plants are now enormous human-eating plants, and even many of the grasses will suck your carcass dry.
Ida, our protagonist, still looks fully human except for her eyes, which she routinely hides. She’s a self-described wizard, having survived the transition as an immortal (well, she’s stopped aging, and no one has managed to kill her in 300 years), with each of the various powers. She has become, somewhat against her will and better judgment, the head of a small clan, complete with a goblin who takes great pleasure in mocking her, three apprentices (a dwarf, a human, and an elf), a 12 year old human boy whose apprenticed himself to the goblin, and two massive German Shepherd puppies, each standing two meters at the shoulder.
After a couple of centuries where she was socially cut off from the world, this has come as a bit of a shock.
Meanwhile, though, there seems to be trouble coming. Someone is sending both massive feral pigs and trained soldiers to take control of large swathes of eastern Australia, and Ida wants to know who and why.
So do I, but unfortunately Book 3 has yet to be released (or possibly, written), leaving me frustrated. I can only hope that Mr. Corden writes fast as he writes well, as he writes very well.
Recommended, but the first book must be read first.
Well, it is a post-apocalyptic adventure, but the apocalypse wasn’t the standard fictional version, with Mad Max gangs or strongmen-controlled villages.
This apocalypse was caused some 300 years ago by airbursts from a meteor shower which scattered alien genetic material across the planet. The alien DNA changed literally every living thing— humans, animals, insects, plants, everything. Those humans who survived the transformations and the chaos that followed took many forms.
Based on their appearance and magical abilities (yes, magic of sorts was part of the change, with people developing the ability to deal with the world in different ways, such as shaping metal) those who lived in Australia adopted names from the fantasy books of JRR Tolkien. Thus, in addition to humans, the vastly changed world had dwarves, elves, and hobbits, along with creatures from the darker side of the genre.
Not that Tolkien would recognize them. Those referred to as dwarves did indeed have the ability to act on the earth and so became miners, but they were also seven to ten feet tall; hobbits were small (and vicious) people who shared a hive mind, and so on.
And Australia, were virtually all the flora and fauna was already inimical to human life, has seen it multiplied to an extreme degree. The small carnivorous creatures are now giant carnivores, the little insect-eating plants are now enormous human-eating plants, and even many of the grasses will suck your carcass dry.
Ida, our protagonist, still looks fully human except for her eyes, which she routinely hides. She’s a self-described wizard, having survived the transition as an immortal (well, she’s stopped aging, and no one has managed to kill her in 300 years), with each of the various powers. She has become, somewhat against her will and better judgment, the head of a small clan, complete with a goblin who takes great pleasure in mocking her, three apprentices (a dwarf, a human, and an elf), a 12 year old human boy whose apprenticed himself to the goblin, and two massive German Shepherd puppies, each standing two meters at the shoulder.
After a couple of centuries where she was socially cut off from the world, this has come as a bit of a shock.
Meanwhile, though, there seems to be trouble coming. Someone is sending both massive feral pigs and trained soldiers to take control of large swathes of eastern Australia, and Ida wants to know who and why.
So do I, but unfortunately Book 3 has yet to be released (or possibly, written), leaving me frustrated. I can only hope that Mr. Corden writes fast as he writes well, as he writes very well.
Recommended, but the first book must be read first.
August 1, 2024
Great new addition to a fascinating series
After a considerable wait , Tony corden has given us a fast paced story with characters who learn and grow , delightful !
Idas awakening was my introduction to Mr corden and encouraged me to track down all his other work , this is a worthy sequel and I EAGERLY await the next installment. I've found it very interesting to read echoes of Mr cordens own struggles with long covid echoed in his story. Again , thanks Tony , love your writing
After a considerable wait , Tony corden has given us a fast paced story with characters who learn and grow , delightful !
Idas awakening was my introduction to Mr corden and encouraged me to track down all his other work , this is a worthy sequel and I EAGERLY await the next installment. I've found it very interesting to read echoes of Mr cordens own struggles with long covid echoed in his story. Again , thanks Tony , love your writing
October 31, 2024
An intriguing mix
I have read both available books in this series and found them well written and interesting. The main character is an intriguing mixture of abilitues, knowledge, and history. The premise of the development of a Middle Earth like society is well done. The diverse characters evolve without having to go through the over'used anx annoying grand mistakes so often used in fiction. I was disappointed to find there is not yet a further book in the seres.
I have read both available books in this series and found them well written and interesting. The main character is an intriguing mixture of abilitues, knowledge, and history. The premise of the development of a Middle Earth like society is well done. The diverse characters evolve without having to go through the over'used anx annoying grand mistakes so often used in fiction. I was disappointed to find there is not yet a further book in the seres.
August 31, 2024
Augh! Want book 3!!
This is a really, really great series. Fascinating story, interesting characters and gifted writing. I looked and see that Mr Corden has authored other series, as well. I’ll definitely be looking into those and hope a Book 3 for this series is available, soon! 😊
This is a really, really great series. Fascinating story, interesting characters and gifted writing. I looked and see that Mr Corden has authored other series, as well. I’ll definitely be looking into those and hope a Book 3 for this series is available, soon! 😊
September 2, 2024
Awesome Stuff Again
This story of a reclusive grandmother coming out of her shell and taking apprenticeships was fantastic. That also allows her to adopt a couple of dogs and a wiseman goblin. This book ends as she was meddling with another wizard’s conquest.
For the love of all that’s holy please finish one of your most excellent series.
This story of a reclusive grandmother coming out of her shell and taking apprenticeships was fantastic. That also allows her to adopt a couple of dogs and a wiseman goblin. This book ends as she was meddling with another wizard’s conquest.
For the love of all that’s holy please finish one of your most excellent series.
August 5, 2024
The story keeps getting better!
This book was even better than the first. Although, it is possible I feel this way because I read the first book twice and just enjoyed the fresh story.
Anyways, it was really fun seeing Ida's new clan develop.
This book was even better than the first. Although, it is possible I feel this way because I read the first book twice and just enjoyed the fresh story.
Anyways, it was really fun seeing Ida's new clan develop.
August 5, 2024
Not bad, but...
Too much of a telling of (not so exciting) events without enough of a plot. Would much rather see the author continue his amazing Stork Tower series (with Book 9 - War), than write any more in this significantly less interesting series.
Too much of a telling of (not so exciting) events without enough of a plot. Would much rather see the author continue his amazing Stork Tower series (with Book 9 - War), than write any more in this significantly less interesting series.
August 2, 2025
Development of secondary characters.
Author fleshed out the secondary characters and still managed to maintain the action of the first book. Very good read and hard to lay down. Looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Author fleshed out the secondary characters and still managed to maintain the action of the first book. Very good read and hard to lay down. Looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
July 15, 2024
Love the story
July 19, 2024
great f/u
July 26, 2024
Boring
Not enough character interaction for a slice of life. Not enough of anything else to qualify for any other genre. If this is meant to be a set up, it is a poor attemp at one.
Not enough character interaction for a slice of life. Not enough of anything else to qualify for any other genre. If this is meant to be a set up, it is a poor attemp at one.
August 3, 2024
loved it
Another great book by tony. The plot was a bit slower than usual but the character growth was great. I will read the next book
Another great book by tony. The plot was a bit slower than usual but the character growth was great. I will read the next book
August 9, 2025
5 MARVELLOUS STARS FOR THE DRY ASS COMMENTARY IN THIS BOOK.
YDA STOLE THE SHOW!
😂😂🤭
Anyway! This was fabulous. Read it
ETA: Aug 5
DO YOU SEE HOW MR CORDEN JUST DROPPED BOOK 3 LIKE A NINJA.
HE WAS LIKE LET ME DROP THIS FOR YALL TO FIND. SO EXCITED TO READ THIS. LIKE YOU WOULDNT BELIEVE
YDA STOLE THE SHOW!
😂😂🤭
Anyway! This was fabulous. Read it
ETA: Aug 5
DO YOU SEE HOW MR CORDEN JUST DROPPED BOOK 3 LIKE A NINJA.
HE WAS LIKE LET ME DROP THIS FOR YALL TO FIND. SO EXCITED TO READ THIS. LIKE YOU WOULDNT BELIEVE
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews