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Bound to the Abyss #1
Bound to the Abyss
Ven Khilada is a land of magic and gods. Settlements abound, both large and small, each with a life of their own and hidden secrets.
Except Rottwealth. A backwater village, surrounded by mountains and ignored by most, nothing of merit ever leaves the valley. Aside, of course, from the mystical plant which shares its name. A plant that can heal even the most dire wounds in a matter of moments, and flourishes within the swamp that takes up part of the valley.
Ean Sangrave, a disgruntled Healer’s apprentice barely in his twenties, wants to escape and start a new life outside of the village that hates him. If the village ever discovered Ean's ability to summon creatures from the Abyss - like his closest friend, Zin the imp - judgment would be swift and punishment final.
When an unconquerable monster takes residence in the new mine, the mayor’s oldest son, Bran Erikson, is given the task of traveling to the capital city Lurthalan to seek help. To the surprise of the entire village, he chooses Ean to accompany him. But with a connection to a taboo god and a power he barely understands, can Ean fit into the world outside of his secluded village, or will the stigma that has been placed on him since birth follow him the rest of his life.
Except Rottwealth. A backwater village, surrounded by mountains and ignored by most, nothing of merit ever leaves the valley. Aside, of course, from the mystical plant which shares its name. A plant that can heal even the most dire wounds in a matter of moments, and flourishes within the swamp that takes up part of the valley.
Ean Sangrave, a disgruntled Healer’s apprentice barely in his twenties, wants to escape and start a new life outside of the village that hates him. If the village ever discovered Ean's ability to summon creatures from the Abyss - like his closest friend, Zin the imp - judgment would be swift and punishment final.
When an unconquerable monster takes residence in the new mine, the mayor’s oldest son, Bran Erikson, is given the task of traveling to the capital city Lurthalan to seek help. To the surprise of the entire village, he chooses Ean to accompany him. But with a connection to a taboo god and a power he barely understands, can Ean fit into the world outside of his secluded village, or will the stigma that has been placed on him since birth follow him the rest of his life.
258 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 2014
44 people are currently reading
2015 people want to read
About the author
James R. Vernon
9 books154 followersJames R. Vernon was born and lives on the planet Earth. He holds a degree in teaching mathematics in junior and high schools, which has zero influence on his writing. Instead he has spent as much time as possible, from a time when he could handle somewhat complicated words, reading and enjoying fantasy novels.
Often stuck in long commutes for his job, James's imagination was free to create new worlds and stories. Through the assistance of family, friends, and some generous backers, James has been able to pursue his dream of sharing his stories with more then just the characters he has created.
When not writing, he can usually be found with those he holds most dear, teaching those that put more white in his hair every year, losing money playing poker, losing time in a good book or song, or completely lost in his own mind.
Oh, and obviously he tries to enjoy life as much as he can.
For more information about James and the Three Moons Realm, visit us at jamesrvernon.com!
- Or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/james.vernon... and https://www.facebook.com/threemoonsrealm
Often stuck in long commutes for his job, James's imagination was free to create new worlds and stories. Through the assistance of family, friends, and some generous backers, James has been able to pursue his dream of sharing his stories with more then just the characters he has created.
When not writing, he can usually be found with those he holds most dear, teaching those that put more white in his hair every year, losing money playing poker, losing time in a good book or song, or completely lost in his own mind.
Oh, and obviously he tries to enjoy life as much as he can.
For more information about James and the Three Moons Realm, visit us at jamesrvernon.com!
- Or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/james.vernon... and https://www.facebook.com/threemoonsrealm
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
May 12, 2015
I was lucky enough to receive this from a goodreads firstreads giveaway, and I enjoyed the story immensely.
The Protagonist:
Ean is an 18 year old healer's apprentice to Cleff in the town of Rottwealth (<---symbolism, anyone?). He is not the most popular person, mostly because his parents got drunk and insulted the living water in the town, causing it to turn into swamp, and killing them. He found a book one day that taught him the arts of an illegal god- the god of the abyss. He summoned a hound from the abyss, and it scarred Ean's left arm. His best friend, Zin the imp, was also summoned from the abyss. He draws a rune on his right hand with a pen-that-might-have-once-been-a-finger, a rune that is supposed to make him stronger, faster, and give him a higher tolerance for abyss magic, as well as enhancing that power. There is one catch- it might turn him dark as well. After a monster starts attacking people, Ean tries but fails to heal one of the wounded with the help of Cleff. He is chosen to go on a quest with Bran, the son of the mayor of Rottwealth, to figure out how to defeat the monster.
The Setting:
Rottwealth is a small mountain town, ignored by most everyone else, and cut off by gods. but they have one claim to fame- the plant the town is named for, able to heal the worst wounds in seconds. Most of the primary characters of the story live here, or have made it their home.
The Main Antagonist:
A monster, more than 15 feet tall, has decided to take residence in the Rottwealth mines, killing and injuring anyone who comes near. It seems to be covered in patchy armor and possess a frighteningly strong grip. The first death is of a miner who tried to distract the monster to buy time for the rest of the group, who were running away. The second death is of an injured miner who Ean and Cleff treated, but passed in the night. Three heroes come to Rottwealth after hearing about their plight. The first two die and the third runs away. So the Bran and Ean set off to the capital city to try to find out the weakness of the beast.
The Love Interest:
Jazlen is one of the people in Rottwealth who is nice to Ean, and he has a serious crush on her. The catch: she has a boyfriend. Not just any boyfriend, but the mayor's son, Bran. She also knows about Ean's connection to the god of the abyss, from half-whispered insults behind his back. She is excited, if a little nervous, about his powers and the way he can open his "pocket" and summon creatures, and was sincerely worried about him when he passed out after using magic. She came along with Bran and Ean on their quest and proved helpful with good archery skills.
The Review:
I was captivated from the very first line, but slightly confused in the first few chapters. I first thought Zin was a person, then I wondered how he obtained his powers, but after he explained the book, my vision cleared. The rest of this story was exciting and thrilling, and made me wonder how Bran had maintained his "golden boy" facade over the years. This book read like a middle grade story, so when some vague but still explicit content was introduced, I had to skip over. A warning to parents: this book should be read by twelve and up! Overall, I rather enjoyed this book.
The Protagonist:
Ean is an 18 year old healer's apprentice to Cleff in the town of Rottwealth (<---symbolism, anyone?). He is not the most popular person, mostly because his parents got drunk and insulted the living water in the town, causing it to turn into swamp, and killing them. He found a book one day that taught him the arts of an illegal god- the god of the abyss. He summoned a hound from the abyss, and it scarred Ean's left arm. His best friend, Zin the imp, was also summoned from the abyss. He draws a rune on his right hand with a pen-that-might-have-once-been-a-finger, a rune that is supposed to make him stronger, faster, and give him a higher tolerance for abyss magic, as well as enhancing that power. There is one catch- it might turn him dark as well. After a monster starts attacking people, Ean tries but fails to heal one of the wounded with the help of Cleff. He is chosen to go on a quest with Bran, the son of the mayor of Rottwealth, to figure out how to defeat the monster.
The Setting:
Rottwealth is a small mountain town, ignored by most everyone else, and cut off by gods. but they have one claim to fame- the plant the town is named for, able to heal the worst wounds in seconds. Most of the primary characters of the story live here, or have made it their home.
The Main Antagonist:
A monster, more than 15 feet tall, has decided to take residence in the Rottwealth mines, killing and injuring anyone who comes near. It seems to be covered in patchy armor and possess a frighteningly strong grip. The first death is of a miner who tried to distract the monster to buy time for the rest of the group, who were running away. The second death is of an injured miner who Ean and Cleff treated, but passed in the night. Three heroes come to Rottwealth after hearing about their plight. The first two die and the third runs away. So the Bran and Ean set off to the capital city to try to find out the weakness of the beast.
The Love Interest:
Jazlen is one of the people in Rottwealth who is nice to Ean, and he has a serious crush on her. The catch: she has a boyfriend. Not just any boyfriend, but the mayor's son, Bran. She also knows about Ean's connection to the god of the abyss, from half-whispered insults behind his back. She is excited, if a little nervous, about his powers and the way he can open his "pocket" and summon creatures, and was sincerely worried about him when he passed out after using magic. She came along with Bran and Ean on their quest and proved helpful with good archery skills.
The Review:
I was captivated from the very first line, but slightly confused in the first few chapters. I first thought Zin was a person, then I wondered how he obtained his powers, but after he explained the book, my vision cleared. The rest of this story was exciting and thrilling, and made me wonder how Bran had maintained his "golden boy" facade over the years. This book read like a middle grade story, so when some vague but still explicit content was introduced, I had to skip over. A warning to parents: this book should be read by twelve and up! Overall, I rather enjoyed this book.
February 27, 2014
http://openbooksociety.com/article/bo...
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Caro
Possible spoilers!
bound-to-the-abyss-book 1-into-the-world-james-k-vernonThe Three Moons Realm (A collection of short stories, Vol. 1) by James R. Vernon was released back in 2012, and now, after what seemed like a long wait, he returns with his first fantasy novel titled Bound to the Abyss, Part One.
In this new story, we are introduced to Ean Sangrave, who can’t seem to get himself out of trouble. Whether he’s being beat by the village’s gang of bullies, or he’s getting on the bad side of the adults, Ean is always looked down. He is the apprentice of the village’s Healer Cleff, one of the few people that treats him, a little, better, due to the tragic past involving his deceased parents. But, what villagers don’t know is that more than a simple healer’s apprentice, he has a great connection to the Abyss, a place feared for its darkness and dangerous creatures.
From this dreaded place is where he actually found the only living creature that has become close enough to be called friend. The imp, Zin, a character that was first introduced in The Three Moons Realm. Zin has returned from the Abyss, ready to help Ean gain new powers. When everything looks brighter for both of them for the first time, the village’s mine is inhabited by a deadly creature devouring all that comes to its reach.
Curious to see the creature, Ean heads to the mine, only to barely escape its teeth with the help of his new abilities. When, Jaslen, a farm girl whom Ean is fond of, and Bran, the mayor’s oldest son and Jaslen’s boyfriend, follow him to see the Heroes sent to kill the creature fail, Ean’s life becomes more involved with the village’s safety than ever before, changing his future from that moment on. He is chosen to travel along with Bran to try and find a solution to the village’s problems. As the adventure continues, Ean gradually transforms from the nobody, people saw him as to a skilled healer, friend, and Abyss energy user.
I was really happy to know that The Three Moons Realm stories had continued. I really liked vol. 1 and was eager to find out more about the characters and what their futures held for them. Bound to the Abyss is my kind of book genre, so reading about magic spells, creatures, and a boy finding its way in life, was definitely a must-read for me. But, I must say that Zin remains my favorite character of the whole story. He’s witty, wicked, and knows more than what he lets others know, which makes him more intriguing. The story had a good pace and was easy to follow. There aren’t many characters to get lost in, or constantly change points of view, which is more comfortable. Although we meet people here and there throughout the journey, the plot is mainly centered on Ean and his companions.
I do have to add that there was a character that I started to dislike halfway through the story, Jaslen. She turned a little irritating and at one point I hoped she wouldn’t end up sentimentally involved with Ean. He needs someone brave enough to stand the sound of an Abyss hound feasting on a Troll. This is where Paige appeared and his life became a little more interesting in that matter, but she was left behind. I hope she makes an appearance on future books.
The story is mostly a road trip, in which Ean at first feels dragged into, but then learns that there is a lot of information kept from him and possibly the villagers back home. This sparked an interest in me on anticipating another book. There are questions unanswered that I would like to know find out just like Ean, but I’ll have to wait.
The Three Moons Realm has interesting stories waiting to be developed, and Bound to the Abyss is just as good which I recommend you read. If you like magic, a little of mystery, and adventure, this is the book for you.
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Caro
Possible spoilers!
bound-to-the-abyss-book 1-into-the-world-james-k-vernonThe Three Moons Realm (A collection of short stories, Vol. 1) by James R. Vernon was released back in 2012, and now, after what seemed like a long wait, he returns with his first fantasy novel titled Bound to the Abyss, Part One.
In this new story, we are introduced to Ean Sangrave, who can’t seem to get himself out of trouble. Whether he’s being beat by the village’s gang of bullies, or he’s getting on the bad side of the adults, Ean is always looked down. He is the apprentice of the village’s Healer Cleff, one of the few people that treats him, a little, better, due to the tragic past involving his deceased parents. But, what villagers don’t know is that more than a simple healer’s apprentice, he has a great connection to the Abyss, a place feared for its darkness and dangerous creatures.
From this dreaded place is where he actually found the only living creature that has become close enough to be called friend. The imp, Zin, a character that was first introduced in The Three Moons Realm. Zin has returned from the Abyss, ready to help Ean gain new powers. When everything looks brighter for both of them for the first time, the village’s mine is inhabited by a deadly creature devouring all that comes to its reach.
Curious to see the creature, Ean heads to the mine, only to barely escape its teeth with the help of his new abilities. When, Jaslen, a farm girl whom Ean is fond of, and Bran, the mayor’s oldest son and Jaslen’s boyfriend, follow him to see the Heroes sent to kill the creature fail, Ean’s life becomes more involved with the village’s safety than ever before, changing his future from that moment on. He is chosen to travel along with Bran to try and find a solution to the village’s problems. As the adventure continues, Ean gradually transforms from the nobody, people saw him as to a skilled healer, friend, and Abyss energy user.
I was really happy to know that The Three Moons Realm stories had continued. I really liked vol. 1 and was eager to find out more about the characters and what their futures held for them. Bound to the Abyss is my kind of book genre, so reading about magic spells, creatures, and a boy finding its way in life, was definitely a must-read for me. But, I must say that Zin remains my favorite character of the whole story. He’s witty, wicked, and knows more than what he lets others know, which makes him more intriguing. The story had a good pace and was easy to follow. There aren’t many characters to get lost in, or constantly change points of view, which is more comfortable. Although we meet people here and there throughout the journey, the plot is mainly centered on Ean and his companions.
I do have to add that there was a character that I started to dislike halfway through the story, Jaslen. She turned a little irritating and at one point I hoped she wouldn’t end up sentimentally involved with Ean. He needs someone brave enough to stand the sound of an Abyss hound feasting on a Troll. This is where Paige appeared and his life became a little more interesting in that matter, but she was left behind. I hope she makes an appearance on future books.
The story is mostly a road trip, in which Ean at first feels dragged into, but then learns that there is a lot of information kept from him and possibly the villagers back home. This sparked an interest in me on anticipating another book. There are questions unanswered that I would like to know find out just like Ean, but I’ll have to wait.
The Three Moons Realm has interesting stories waiting to be developed, and Bound to the Abyss is just as good which I recommend you read. If you like magic, a little of mystery, and adventure, this is the book for you.
November 3, 2015
Personal rating: 3.7
Ean, a young boy, lives in a small village called Rottwealth. He is the village Healers apprentice and is hated by almost everyone in town. He holds a secret which is engraved on his hand. He has a connection to the abyss which allows him to summon terrifying creatures. Unexpectedly, a group of people beaten and bleeding stumble into the village from there local mine speak of a foul creature that has taken residence there. Oh boy, what shall they do?
While I think this is a good read, it fell short of me falling in love with it. There were typeos every now and then and it seemed to have a lot of repetitive sentences where the characters would repeat themselves constantly. Okay, we get it!
Also this book had a certain element that I can't stand to read anymore. Every character is SO FREAKING RUDE! (Even the creatures!) So rude that it got really annoying. I understand everyone is supposed to hate the main character but can't we all just get along?
It did hold my attention the whole way through. It had a ton of adventure and the plot was very original and interesting. I found all the monsters our protagonist pulled from the abyss super creepy and had me at the edge of my seat.
I recommend this to any fantasy readers.
Ean, a young boy, lives in a small village called Rottwealth. He is the village Healers apprentice and is hated by almost everyone in town. He holds a secret which is engraved on his hand. He has a connection to the abyss which allows him to summon terrifying creatures. Unexpectedly, a group of people beaten and bleeding stumble into the village from there local mine speak of a foul creature that has taken residence there. Oh boy, what shall they do?
While I think this is a good read, it fell short of me falling in love with it. There were typeos every now and then and it seemed to have a lot of repetitive sentences where the characters would repeat themselves constantly. Okay, we get it!
Also this book had a certain element that I can't stand to read anymore. Every character is SO FREAKING RUDE! (Even the creatures!) So rude that it got really annoying. I understand everyone is supposed to hate the main character but can't we all just get along?
It did hold my attention the whole way through. It had a ton of adventure and the plot was very original and interesting. I found all the monsters our protagonist pulled from the abyss super creepy and had me at the edge of my seat.
I recommend this to any fantasy readers.
April 14, 2014
This is an awesome book! The story is very easy to follow and the characters are fantastic. Ean is young healer’s apprentice whose only friend is an Imp from the abyss.
Ean is not respected much by anyone and regarded as nobody, but unbeknownst to his village he has a unique gift that enables him to summon creatures, such as Zin, from the abyss.
The author truly has a gift of his own for story-telling; I found myself completely immersed in the world that he has created. Even after reading this book I am thinking about it and what is to come.
I can’t really do this book justice; you simply have to read it to know how good it is. I highly recommend this magical novel and I will most certainly be reading the rest of this series. 10/10
Ean is not respected much by anyone and regarded as nobody, but unbeknownst to his village he has a unique gift that enables him to summon creatures, such as Zin, from the abyss.
The author truly has a gift of his own for story-telling; I found myself completely immersed in the world that he has created. Even after reading this book I am thinking about it and what is to come.
I can’t really do this book justice; you simply have to read it to know how good it is. I highly recommend this magical novel and I will most certainly be reading the rest of this series. 10/10
May 13, 2014
I really enjoyed this story. I found myself invested in the characters, particularly Ean and Zin. And while I was frustrated beyond belief at the stupid choices Ean made, and I can't decide whether Zin is trustworthy or not, and I hope beyond all hope that Ean realizes Jaslen is not so great, when it comes down to it, after closing the book each evening, I found myself wondering what would happen next. During the work day, I would find myself thinking about where the story would go next. I like to read to escape and this book provided me an excellent opportunity to do so. I absolutely recommend reading it!!
February 17, 2015
Had its good points
I really wanted to love this book. There were things about it, like its fairly unique take on magic, that I liked but the story overall wasjust too simplistic. I was repeatedly reminded of how story information is passed along in role playing games in some like a question and answer session between the player and game characters. Also, there were times the author was repetitive. Even in the same paragraph the author would state something and completely say the same thing with only a slight change making it annoyingly redundant. Then there were the times where the editor missed literal sentence repeats. Talk about redundancy. I mostly listened to the audible version using immersion reading and the man reading ng the book actually repeated the same sentence as it was written. I thought this was a glitch until I checked the text and saw two identical sentences. This is not the same as when the characters both said the same thing and the audible version dubbed the readers voice in two character voices on top of each other which ch felt gimmicky to me as the narrator then s says, "they both said at the same time". The story was interesting enough that I will read the second part but unless that part is better than this I won't bother with the anticipated series.
I really wanted to love this book. There were things about it, like its fairly unique take on magic, that I liked but the story overall wasjust too simplistic. I was repeatedly reminded of how story information is passed along in role playing games in some like a question and answer session between the player and game characters. Also, there were times the author was repetitive. Even in the same paragraph the author would state something and completely say the same thing with only a slight change making it annoyingly redundant. Then there were the times where the editor missed literal sentence repeats. Talk about redundancy. I mostly listened to the audible version using immersion reading and the man reading ng the book actually repeated the same sentence as it was written. I thought this was a glitch until I checked the text and saw two identical sentences. This is not the same as when the characters both said the same thing and the audible version dubbed the readers voice in two character voices on top of each other which ch felt gimmicky to me as the narrator then s says, "they both said at the same time". The story was interesting enough that I will read the second part but unless that part is better than this I won't bother with the anticipated series.
September 17, 2014
So first of, I received this book for free through the Goodread's first read giveaway.
I could not seem to put this book down. The story is a quick read. The characters and locations will catch your attention and take you on a ride throughout the book. By the end of the book you are going to be asking, what happens next? Can't wait to continue the story in the next book.
This book did contain a couple of misspelled words and a couple of duplicate/missing words.
I could not seem to put this book down. The story is a quick read. The characters and locations will catch your attention and take you on a ride throughout the book. By the end of the book you are going to be asking, what happens next? Can't wait to continue the story in the next book.
This book did contain a couple of misspelled words and a couple of duplicate/missing words.
May 30, 2015
I enjoyed this book and will continue with the series. The only reason for four instead of five stars is that it felt a bit formula. Young outcast soon to be hero of the story sets out on an adventure with the girl he longs for and her love interest... Hopefully there will be twists and maybe in this one the boy won't get the girl after the tragic death of her love interest. We'll see.
April 11, 2015
What a great story
All I can say is that this story is quite different from other fantasy books that I have read. And it's good. The characters are all kind of mismatched to say the least.
I waited until the second book came out to do this review and have read that too.
DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND READ THIS STORY!!!!!!
All I can say is that this story is quite different from other fantasy books that I have read. And it's good. The characters are all kind of mismatched to say the least.
I waited until the second book came out to do this review and have read that too.
DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND READ THIS STORY!!!!!!
February 2, 2015
This is a great book. The characters are well-developed and the story flows well. It is an easy/quick read. The story follows Ean and his imp, Zin, on an adventure of a lifetime. I would recommend for any younger reader or adult.
August 4, 2019
An idiot and foolish whining MC made this book from awesome to above Average
Seriously, EAN is an idiot. If I'm zin, I would have kicked him and took out all his fingers for the sheer stupidity of him. Seriously how can a 18 year old boy who thinks and ask everyone to call him a man behaves like a freaking idiotic child. Thankfully there is some nice story and other characters made this reading worth the time. But I will not directly jump into it of I were you. If you are interested in summoning demons then you can pick this up, as it is the reason I picked it up.
Seriously, EAN is an idiot. If I'm zin, I would have kicked him and took out all his fingers for the sheer stupidity of him. Seriously how can a 18 year old boy who thinks and ask everyone to call him a man behaves like a freaking idiotic child. Thankfully there is some nice story and other characters made this reading worth the time. But I will not directly jump into it of I were you. If you are interested in summoning demons then you can pick this up, as it is the reason I picked it up.
July 29, 2019
I have to say I liked this story more than I thought I would, it has a good pacing, our MC has a new and unique talent that makes him relevant, but hasn't be to exposed to have the world against him. The party which he is traveling it is unique in his own way, I actually liked the relationships with other characters the author threw around. I am curious to where this quest will take him and the individual he will end up becoming.
March 23, 2015
A decent fantasy series.
I quite enjoyed the setting. The various creatures, the magic and the mythology were all interesting.
The writing was simple but easy to follow.
All in all, I liked the story except for one thing : the protagonist's personality. He is an idiot. Whatever danger, or deadly encounter the author invents, our hero is quite happy to blindly and cheerfully go into... He's also too trusting and naive around strangers despite obvious reasons to be cautious. This was very annoying. Despite everyone around him warning him repeatedly not to do something, he dismisses them. I understand why the author chose to create him this way though. It's definitely an easy way to add action and danger, but it made me want to virtually strangle the hero more often than not.
Despite that, I still appreciated the sense of adventure of this series. No grand conflict, or epic battles (yet) but it's a lighter kind of fantasy with some humor and a few tropes of the genre turned on their heads.
My rating 3 : An interesting read. I've already started the second novel.
I quite enjoyed the setting. The various creatures, the magic and the mythology were all interesting.
The writing was simple but easy to follow.
All in all, I liked the story except for one thing : the protagonist's personality. He is an idiot. Whatever danger, or deadly encounter the author invents, our hero is quite happy to blindly and cheerfully go into... He's also too trusting and naive around strangers despite obvious reasons to be cautious. This was very annoying. Despite everyone around him warning him repeatedly not to do something, he dismisses them. I understand why the author chose to create him this way though. It's definitely an easy way to add action and danger, but it made me want to virtually strangle the hero more often than not.
Despite that, I still appreciated the sense of adventure of this series. No grand conflict, or epic battles (yet) but it's a lighter kind of fantasy with some humor and a few tropes of the genre turned on their heads.
My rating 3 : An interesting read. I've already started the second novel.
May 22, 2015
I won this book in a goodreads giveaway.
I struggled with the rating of this book; I really think it deserves 3 1/2 stars. It started slow, and at times I did not like the main character, but it got moving by the end and the main character became more likeable, relatable, and realistic. The premise of the book was sound, and the world is interesting, but I could tell this was a first stab from a newer writer. I think the writer had good ideas, and as evidenced by the better writing at the end of the book, I think his future novels will be interesting and entertaining. I am looking forward to reading the second novel in this series!
I struggled with the rating of this book; I really think it deserves 3 1/2 stars. It started slow, and at times I did not like the main character, but it got moving by the end and the main character became more likeable, relatable, and realistic. The premise of the book was sound, and the world is interesting, but I could tell this was a first stab from a newer writer. I think the writer had good ideas, and as evidenced by the better writing at the end of the book, I think his future novels will be interesting and entertaining. I am looking forward to reading the second novel in this series!
March 26, 2015
I thought it was good book. It has an interesting story. I think you should try this book and see what you think. I enjoyed it. I highly recommend both this book. * I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review*
March 5, 2015
great dark fantasy series !!
Read
August 12, 2015This was a tough book to review. The plot was pretty simple: There’s a bad monster in a tiny village and 3 youngsters set off to find help. When I say youngsters, I mean between 18-20 year olds, but boy did it feel like they were younger. I’ll get into the characters in a bit, but first ...
The world was nicely laid out for us. The town we start in was rather small and recluse, so the world outside was more mysterious in the beginning, but as we travel, it became apparent that it’s a simple, standard fantasy world. What was different was the magic and creatures that live in it. Those were what kept me reading.
There appears to be a few different types of magic in this book. Some of them are not explored in detail, which helps set us up for some answers in the following books. The magic we get to know intimately was Ean’s ability to tap into the Abyss. His power to summon creatures added some pretty neat monsters to read about. I found that to be the most entertaining part of the book. Then again, I like me some different monsters. It's also a dark force with some nasty repercussions that we come to learn about as the story progresses. Those were just as fascinating.
The traveling and the majority of the book was entirely too descriptive for my taste and had me skimming often. For those who like detail, this will be a great book. I found myself quite bored sometimes with the day-to-day walking, talking, and scenery input. I would have enjoyed it much more if it’d added some character depth, if I felt that perhaps it had a purpose, but I never got that satisfied feeling. What scenes did contain character musings felt redundant. I will mention at this point that this book has gotten some great reviews and has a nice overall rating on Goodreads. Just goes to show how picky of a reader I am.
Now, about those characters ... Well, I guess it comes down to what I’m looking for in a book. The dialog, interaction, and actions of the three main characters felt very immature for their age. I guess when I think of a book set in these times, most often people 18 and older are settling down, doing more on their own, even married. And if that’s not the case, they still talk and act a certain way. Ean, 18 years old, is bullied—like take-your-lunch-money bullied. I always imagine this being reserved for younger children, and the dialog and the way it happened made it feel very middle grade instead of young adult. It set the tone and, to me, made the characters seem way younger than their actual age. And of course there's the all too familiar “I love her but she doesn’t love me and is with that other guy” trope that seems to be in nearly every young adult book I've read. Love triangles set my teeth on edge.
The bullying happened in the first chapter so my interest was already waning. Ean had a tough childhood, and the way he’s treated made me feel a tinge of sympathy for him. After all, I do like a character that’s had a rough beginning. But the way he treats his “closest friend” zaps whatever sympathy I might’ve had. Again, he felt very immature, more toward 12-13 years old. The other two characters were not as developed and also acted younger than their age. Now, it’s been a while since I was in my teenage years, so maybe I’m being harsher than I should, or perhaps remembering things in a brighter light, so bear that in mind while reading this review.
I think this straddles a line between middle grade and young adult. Some say it’s dark fantasy, but I’ve read some dark books, and this didn’t strike me as one. Sure, a few people died, but I didn’t find it overly gory or traumatic. Now, keep in mind, my dark books were very dark and I like my gore very gory.
So, overall, I suggest reading a bunch of reviews before you decide to pick this up. Based on Goodreads and Amazon, tons of people love this book. For me, it was just too ... young.
The world was nicely laid out for us. The town we start in was rather small and recluse, so the world outside was more mysterious in the beginning, but as we travel, it became apparent that it’s a simple, standard fantasy world. What was different was the magic and creatures that live in it. Those were what kept me reading.
There appears to be a few different types of magic in this book. Some of them are not explored in detail, which helps set us up for some answers in the following books. The magic we get to know intimately was Ean’s ability to tap into the Abyss. His power to summon creatures added some pretty neat monsters to read about. I found that to be the most entertaining part of the book. Then again, I like me some different monsters. It's also a dark force with some nasty repercussions that we come to learn about as the story progresses. Those were just as fascinating.
The traveling and the majority of the book was entirely too descriptive for my taste and had me skimming often. For those who like detail, this will be a great book. I found myself quite bored sometimes with the day-to-day walking, talking, and scenery input. I would have enjoyed it much more if it’d added some character depth, if I felt that perhaps it had a purpose, but I never got that satisfied feeling. What scenes did contain character musings felt redundant. I will mention at this point that this book has gotten some great reviews and has a nice overall rating on Goodreads. Just goes to show how picky of a reader I am.
Now, about those characters ... Well, I guess it comes down to what I’m looking for in a book. The dialog, interaction, and actions of the three main characters felt very immature for their age. I guess when I think of a book set in these times, most often people 18 and older are settling down, doing more on their own, even married. And if that’s not the case, they still talk and act a certain way. Ean, 18 years old, is bullied—like take-your-lunch-money bullied. I always imagine this being reserved for younger children, and the dialog and the way it happened made it feel very middle grade instead of young adult. It set the tone and, to me, made the characters seem way younger than their actual age. And of course there's the all too familiar “I love her but she doesn’t love me and is with that other guy” trope that seems to be in nearly every young adult book I've read. Love triangles set my teeth on edge.
The bullying happened in the first chapter so my interest was already waning. Ean had a tough childhood, and the way he’s treated made me feel a tinge of sympathy for him. After all, I do like a character that’s had a rough beginning. But the way he treats his “closest friend” zaps whatever sympathy I might’ve had. Again, he felt very immature, more toward 12-13 years old. The other two characters were not as developed and also acted younger than their age. Now, it’s been a while since I was in my teenage years, so maybe I’m being harsher than I should, or perhaps remembering things in a brighter light, so bear that in mind while reading this review.
I think this straddles a line between middle grade and young adult. Some say it’s dark fantasy, but I’ve read some dark books, and this didn’t strike me as one. Sure, a few people died, but I didn’t find it overly gory or traumatic. Now, keep in mind, my dark books were very dark and I like my gore very gory.
So, overall, I suggest reading a bunch of reviews before you decide to pick this up. Based on Goodreads and Amazon, tons of people love this book. For me, it was just too ... young.
June 20, 2015
Received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads. Ean is an outcast in village, due to actions by his parents when he was a little boy. There actions made him an outcast and an orphan. You don't find out until the end of the book what his parents did. The book never says what,how or why Ean became bound to the abyss. The majority of the book is a travelogue of his journey, with 3 companions, to find a solution to the monster threatening his village of Rottwealth. On his journey his ties to the abyss strengthen, these powers both save and threaten his life. He finds out more about his village and his mentor, but not everything. He is separated from two of his companions and gains another. His journey hasn't ended by the end of the book, but will continue in the sequel.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 5, 2015
Vernon creates a new world for “Into the World.” While a world of magic and mystery, familiar themes arise from learning who you are in the world, being the outsider, and wrestling with the consequences of you choices. Join the adventure “Into the World.”
My copy was a gift through Goodreads First Reads.
My copy was a gift through Goodreads First Reads.
March 5, 2016
2 stars. Only first part of two books that shouldn't have been split. The ending is just sort of there all of a sudden. Otherwise the YA and 'hero' comes from a small community parts are nothing new. The summoning part and imp friendship could be something. However, I won't know since it's not interesting enough to read the second book.
July 2, 2018
I skipped most of it because I got tired of feeling sad and pity for Ian. The village idiot in puppy love with a girl who loves someone else. It's pathetic for someone in their twenties so maybe the writer should've made Ian 15 or 16 years old. A lot of editing mistake and I didn't like the narrator.
April 21, 2014
A surprisingly good read. The storyline had a good pacing to it and the characters were not the typical cookie cutter variety you find in some works in the fantasy genre. Recommended.
April 14, 2016
I just want to say that if I had the main character in front of me I would punch him in the face.
January 29, 2021
Good start to an interesting series
If you like harry Potter you will like this series and while yes the main character is much older than in the starter of it than Harry was its still an interesting story that's a good read. Ps. If you find your self disliking the main character he matures and acts more reasonable!e as the series continues if the thing keeping you back from continuing this series is that just give it a chance he grows a LOT. Also I believe personally while the first book is good you can tell the author bas gotten much better making the story more believable and the characters more likeable.
If you like harry Potter you will like this series and while yes the main character is much older than in the starter of it than Harry was its still an interesting story that's a good read. Ps. If you find your self disliking the main character he matures and acts more reasonable!e as the series continues if the thing keeping you back from continuing this series is that just give it a chance he grows a LOT. Also I believe personally while the first book is good you can tell the author bas gotten much better making the story more believable and the characters more likeable.
November 14, 2017
When I first started reading "Bound to the Abyss" I wasn't too into it. But before the adventure even really began I was hooked. Jaslen could have been less of an airhead but otherwise the characters are pretty well fleshed out. I won this book on Goodreads firstreads for an honest review.
April 30, 2016
Fun read
This was an interesting read, the thought of a worshipper of a darker deity as the protagonist has been done before, this has a nice feel to it. The inner turmoil of the main character has the correct feel of of the teenagers raging hormones, doubts of the future, and abilities. The story telling can be slow at times, but not close enough to lose interest. The secondary characters are typical if not enjoyable characters and move the story along well
This was an interesting read, the thought of a worshipper of a darker deity as the protagonist has been done before, this has a nice feel to it. The inner turmoil of the main character has the correct feel of of the teenagers raging hormones, doubts of the future, and abilities. The story telling can be slow at times, but not close enough to lose interest. The secondary characters are typical if not enjoyable characters and move the story along well
Read
April 29, 2015Thank you so much to Goodreads for an ARC!
January 18, 2017
Bit dark for me.
April 9, 2017
This book had me captivated till the end. I enjoyed the setting and the well thought out plot. I do believe that the author or editor made or missed a few literature errors. I did fall in love with the four main characters, Ean, Zin, Bran, and Jaslen. They are complex, hard to figure out characters, but can be relatable. The book also involves a unique take on magic, more like forbidden, dark magic. This is not your average wizard or witch plot.This book reminded me of Harry Potter and resembled some of the writing style of James Patterson and Margaret Peterson Haddix. This book was a worth wild adventure that is not easily forgotten. I recommend this book to readers who have a yearning for adventure and are ready to read this captivating series.
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