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Everknot Duet #1
Thane
Timothy, an awkward and lonely young man with special reason to hate the Huctans that oppress his country, is trapped in a cycle of purposelessness and drudgery. But when the Huctans conscript him into a secret army—and when a girl with a strange set of skills sets him free—Timothy gets a chance to fight back.
Throwing himself into the rebel cause, Timothy ignites years of pent-up frustration and futility in an obsessive drive to fight, spy, and deceive better than anyone else. He loses himself in the exhaustion of training and the danger of missions, finds friendship with a Thane as fanatical as he is, and wraps his new identity completely in service to the rebel Band.
The rebel Band which, unbeknownst to him, was created to be betrayed.
Thane, the first book in the two-part Everknot Duet, is a medieval fantasy/adventure.
[Alternate cover edition for ISBN: 9780991465705]
B.R.A.G. Medallion Honoree
Awesome Indies Seal of Excellence
Throwing himself into the rebel cause, Timothy ignites years of pent-up frustration and futility in an obsessive drive to fight, spy, and deceive better than anyone else. He loses himself in the exhaustion of training and the danger of missions, finds friendship with a Thane as fanatical as he is, and wraps his new identity completely in service to the rebel Band.
The rebel Band which, unbeknownst to him, was created to be betrayed.
Thane, the first book in the two-part Everknot Duet, is a medieval fantasy/adventure.
[Alternate cover edition for ISBN: 9780991465705]
B.R.A.G. Medallion Honoree
Awesome Indies Seal of Excellence
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2014
2 people are currently reading
166 people want to read
About the author
Travis Daniel Bow
5 books19 followersTravis grew up in Reno (where he raised pigs for FFA), went to Oklahoma Christian University (where he broke his collarbone in a misguided Parkour attempt) and Stanford (where he and his bike were hit by a car), and earned 6 patents in the Bay Area before returning home. He now designs medical robots and does CrossFit by day, works on an MBA and plays board games with his wife and three kids by night, and writes fiction by very-early-morning. Check out his fiction here or DIY "Instructables" here.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
July 16, 2025
2025 - Updated this to four stars. I actually quite liked it.
I started reading this at night and almost didn't sleep. The prologue pulled me in like a whirlwind and made me a part of the story. The story is refreshingly simple.
I liked the characters. Timothy and Robert were different and richly crafted. The Huctans were horrible. The perfect antagonists for when you just need a villain to hate. Haberd was a pleasure to read. The Thanes were admirable.
The author tries too hard to explain what’s happening, and sometimes his choice of words slowed me down. What really got to me, though, was the description of a character as “a woman (who) was once beautiful”. The author may never have meant ill, but it's difficult not to read sexism and ageism in this statement. I look forward to the day well-meaning authors will be more conscious of what words such as "a woman who was once beautiful" really say.
Anyway, Thane is entertaining, well written and explores powerful themes such as determination and loyalty. I look forward to reading King's Table.
I started reading this at night and almost didn't sleep. The prologue pulled me in like a whirlwind and made me a part of the story. The story is refreshingly simple.
I liked the characters. Timothy and Robert were different and richly crafted. The Huctans were horrible. The perfect antagonists for when you just need a villain to hate. Haberd was a pleasure to read. The Thanes were admirable.
The author tries too hard to explain what’s happening, and sometimes his choice of words slowed me down. What really got to me, though, was the description of a character as “a woman (who) was once beautiful”. The author may never have meant ill, but it's difficult not to read sexism and ageism in this statement. I look forward to the day well-meaning authors will be more conscious of what words such as "a woman who was once beautiful" really say.
Anyway, Thane is entertaining, well written and explores powerful themes such as determination and loyalty. I look forward to reading King's Table.
December 31, 2016
This was an amazingly written, intense adventure story. It's easy to label it “fantasy,” except it has none of the trappings you'd expect in a fantasy tale. No magic, no elves, no dwarves, no dragons. I kept waiting for Bow to mention some lore about the dragons of old or some secret magic spell, but nothing of the sort ever comes – and you don't miss the standard tropes, not really, because Bow's world is so vivid.
The story centers around Timothy, a young boy who's abducted by tyrannical invaders called Huctans. He's eventually rescued, and joins up with the Band, a group of rebels who stand against the oppressors. Once hidden in the forest with the rebels, Timothy undergoes intense training to become a Thane, the deadly and resourceful spy-warriors of the Band.
At first, I feared Timothy was going to be the Chosen One, the Shining Example of Goodness, but Bow doesn't create such one-dimensional characters. While Timothy does try to do the right thing, he also makes plenty of mistakes and sometimes says things that are foolish or heartless. His shyness is the main cause of his troubles: when Timothy has a clear task set before him, he's efficient and well-spoken, but during “down times” he either fumbles or feigns indifference.
The other characters are also interesting, from Timothy's “brother” Robert, a natural leader, to Jesher, the driven Thane who nonetheless knows when the end has come. The psychological interplay between the cast is detailed and completely realistic. Relationships change subtly, over time, as the characters grow and tension builds, and the changes aren't always predictable.
When not describing his characters, Bow is immersing us in the forests, towns, and dungeons of this world. His sentences are crisp, usually giving us plenty of detail without grinding the story to a halt. I say “usually,” because Bow relies heavily on narrative to tell his tale, and I think in certain parts dialogue would work better to advance the plot and get us close to the characters.
The story features a truly extraordinary training sequence, and I'm a sucker for those sorts of things. We feel every bump, bruise, and insult Timothy absorbs as he's pushed physically and mentally. While entertaining to read, it frustrated me that Bow didn't throw him into more missions, which are, of course, another form of training. There are some missions, and they're all suspenseful and help develop the characters, but then the novel moves to its closing chapters, and Timothy's life is transformed.
There are some flaws in this novel, though – not in the writing in particular, but in the structure. The chapters are named after characters, and we follow around various ones in third-person throughout the novel. However, this is Timothy's story, and he gets the lion's share of the chapters, while some characters only get a few short pages. It creates a huge imbalance, and I'm not quite sure why Bow chose to lay out his novel this way.
Another issue is the flashbacks and the prologue. I don't want to get all writing handbook here, but there's a reason seasoned writers are skeptical of these. Take the prologue: by the time I got to the part of the story where it matters, I'd forgotten everything but the barest details. It could've easily been worked into the middle of the book, once we understand all the factions and the stakes involved.
The flashbacks are also stuck in the front of certain chapters in what I thought was a clumsy way. Most of the flashbacks serve only as backstory for the reader. Again, Bow could have woven these into the real-time plot - for example, by simply having one of the characters tell a story - where they would have been much more useful.
I think “Thane” would have been even stronger if Bow used an omniscient narrative style, so he could move through time and space at will, rather than trying to stick to third-person limited, but then tacking on stuff in an effort to make the story clearer. You can do a lot of heavy lifting with flashbacks, but they have to at least somewhat sync with the present-day plot.
All in all, though, “Thane” is strong enough that I have no hesitation putting Book Two on my reading list. If it's anything like Book One, it will be full of wonder, pathos, and incredible characters, and will keep me excitedly turning the pages for hours on end.
The story centers around Timothy, a young boy who's abducted by tyrannical invaders called Huctans. He's eventually rescued, and joins up with the Band, a group of rebels who stand against the oppressors. Once hidden in the forest with the rebels, Timothy undergoes intense training to become a Thane, the deadly and resourceful spy-warriors of the Band.
At first, I feared Timothy was going to be the Chosen One, the Shining Example of Goodness, but Bow doesn't create such one-dimensional characters. While Timothy does try to do the right thing, he also makes plenty of mistakes and sometimes says things that are foolish or heartless. His shyness is the main cause of his troubles: when Timothy has a clear task set before him, he's efficient and well-spoken, but during “down times” he either fumbles or feigns indifference.
The other characters are also interesting, from Timothy's “brother” Robert, a natural leader, to Jesher, the driven Thane who nonetheless knows when the end has come. The psychological interplay between the cast is detailed and completely realistic. Relationships change subtly, over time, as the characters grow and tension builds, and the changes aren't always predictable.
When not describing his characters, Bow is immersing us in the forests, towns, and dungeons of this world. His sentences are crisp, usually giving us plenty of detail without grinding the story to a halt. I say “usually,” because Bow relies heavily on narrative to tell his tale, and I think in certain parts dialogue would work better to advance the plot and get us close to the characters.
The story features a truly extraordinary training sequence, and I'm a sucker for those sorts of things. We feel every bump, bruise, and insult Timothy absorbs as he's pushed physically and mentally. While entertaining to read, it frustrated me that Bow didn't throw him into more missions, which are, of course, another form of training. There are some missions, and they're all suspenseful and help develop the characters, but then the novel moves to its closing chapters, and Timothy's life is transformed.
There are some flaws in this novel, though – not in the writing in particular, but in the structure. The chapters are named after characters, and we follow around various ones in third-person throughout the novel. However, this is Timothy's story, and he gets the lion's share of the chapters, while some characters only get a few short pages. It creates a huge imbalance, and I'm not quite sure why Bow chose to lay out his novel this way.
Another issue is the flashbacks and the prologue. I don't want to get all writing handbook here, but there's a reason seasoned writers are skeptical of these. Take the prologue: by the time I got to the part of the story where it matters, I'd forgotten everything but the barest details. It could've easily been worked into the middle of the book, once we understand all the factions and the stakes involved.
The flashbacks are also stuck in the front of certain chapters in what I thought was a clumsy way. Most of the flashbacks serve only as backstory for the reader. Again, Bow could have woven these into the real-time plot - for example, by simply having one of the characters tell a story - where they would have been much more useful.
I think “Thane” would have been even stronger if Bow used an omniscient narrative style, so he could move through time and space at will, rather than trying to stick to third-person limited, but then tacking on stuff in an effort to make the story clearer. You can do a lot of heavy lifting with flashbacks, but they have to at least somewhat sync with the present-day plot.
All in all, though, “Thane” is strong enough that I have no hesitation putting Book Two on my reading list. If it's anything like Book One, it will be full of wonder, pathos, and incredible characters, and will keep me excitedly turning the pages for hours on end.
October 8, 2021
AIBA Book of the Day: 8 October, 2021: 211/42340
Awesome Indies Book Awards is pleased to include THANE (Everknot Duet #1) by TRAVIS DANIEL BOW in the library of Awesome Indies' Seal of Excellence recipients.
Original Awesome Indies' Assessment (5 stars):
Thane is what you'd get if you combined The Princess Bride with The Three Musketeers and added Parkour. While not a sword and sorcery fantasy, Thane isn't set in the real world as we know it. Instead it's just 'sword', a setting where an entire country has been assimilated and occupied by the brutal Huctans. When Timothy and his half-brother Robeert are captured, and pressed into joining as Huctan soldiers, Timothy finds a reserve of courage and bravery within himself that gives his rather dull, introverted existence serious meaning: rebellion. And when Selena helps free Timothy, his fledgling feeling of purpose intensifies.
Timothy is introduced to the Band, a resistance organization created to ferret out Huctan secrets and undermine them with acts of sabotage, and trained as a Thane. This means becoming a Parkour master and a highly perceptive spy at the same time.
As for the book, it is quite well written. Thought it really gets going with a lengthy action sequence and feels a bit heavy on the action, that levels out and what we're left with is a nuanced tale of growing up and deciding on a path. This is a YA theme that's not often focused on, especially in fantasy. Oftentimes best friends can't stay best friends forever, and they have differing ideas of the future, and how to get there. Characters have character, and it's difficult to choose a favorite: the righteous and focused Jesher, the practical and brilliant Selena, the focused and raging Timothy, or the idealist Robert.
It's difficult to find fault with the book, except at the very end, where the confusion would be a major spoiler. In addition, in epic fantasy style, this book doesn't exactly end on a point of resolution, though it appears the sequel is available for sale… looks like it's time to get out my credit card.
Awesome Indies gives this book a ringing five stars for flipping and bouncing off the walls of my imagination, for clear and active prose, and for a great (though not-yet-finished) story. Viva Botaña!
January 18, 2015
I received a free copy of this book in return for my honest, non-reciprocal opinion.
Thane tells the story of two teen-age step-brothers, Timothy and Robert, living in the fictional medieval land of Botan which has been invaded by their sworn enemies, the Huctans. The Huctans kidnap the two along with many other young men to use as soldier slaves in their army. The story follows the adventures of Timothy and Robert as they escape their captors and join up with The Band, a group of rebels who are skilled in the arts of disguise and deception, as well as combat and tactics.
The story is well-written and entertaining and generally moves along at a brisk pace. The boys, who have very different personalities and opinions about what’s going on around them, are well-rounded and distinctive, as are many of their friends and rivals among The Band. I enjoyed the conflicts among the various characters, some who act out of self-interest and some out of self-sacrifice, while not all agree on the group’s goals or methods.
Many of the scenes are exciting, while some, involving physical and mental abuse at the hands of the Huctans, are quite tough to read, although not overly graphic. A large part of the book is spent on the training and indoctrination of the brothers as Thanes, those who act as spies and scouts for the rebels. While these scenes are well-done, I had to keep myself from skipping ahead to learn what all this training would eventually lead to. This is an inherent problem with any book that tells the beginning of a longer story: much time has to be spent on the development of the characters and how they acquired the skills and abilities that they have. So, while these parts of the book aren’t boring by any means, knowing that they were really only introductions to more exciting adventures later left me a bit impatient.
And, of course, as this is the first book in a series, it ends just as the real adventures of the two brothers are beginning: the lives of all the characters are turned upside down and we are left wondering what the brothers will do in book #2. Fortunately, they are compelling enough characters that most readers will be glad to follow them on their further adventures.
Thane tells the story of two teen-age step-brothers, Timothy and Robert, living in the fictional medieval land of Botan which has been invaded by their sworn enemies, the Huctans. The Huctans kidnap the two along with many other young men to use as soldier slaves in their army. The story follows the adventures of Timothy and Robert as they escape their captors and join up with The Band, a group of rebels who are skilled in the arts of disguise and deception, as well as combat and tactics.
The story is well-written and entertaining and generally moves along at a brisk pace. The boys, who have very different personalities and opinions about what’s going on around them, are well-rounded and distinctive, as are many of their friends and rivals among The Band. I enjoyed the conflicts among the various characters, some who act out of self-interest and some out of self-sacrifice, while not all agree on the group’s goals or methods.
Many of the scenes are exciting, while some, involving physical and mental abuse at the hands of the Huctans, are quite tough to read, although not overly graphic. A large part of the book is spent on the training and indoctrination of the brothers as Thanes, those who act as spies and scouts for the rebels. While these scenes are well-done, I had to keep myself from skipping ahead to learn what all this training would eventually lead to. This is an inherent problem with any book that tells the beginning of a longer story: much time has to be spent on the development of the characters and how they acquired the skills and abilities that they have. So, while these parts of the book aren’t boring by any means, knowing that they were really only introductions to more exciting adventures later left me a bit impatient.
And, of course, as this is the first book in a series, it ends just as the real adventures of the two brothers are beginning: the lives of all the characters are turned upside down and we are left wondering what the brothers will do in book #2. Fortunately, they are compelling enough characters that most readers will be glad to follow them on their further adventures.
May 2, 2015
A book with potential, but it doesn't deliver. The main problem with Thane is it's badly written and suffers from serious technical problems. It doesn't matter how good your ideas are, they don't compensate for sloppy writing. Sorry for the painful dissection, but if I'm going to say 'sloppy writing', I should back it up with examples. You don't have to look hard, it all starts from sentence one.
Sentence one: the word 'no' is used four times. Geez, four times in one sentence. C'mon, once is enough. It's clunky, amateur.
Sentence two: missing a 'his' - otherwise it reads that Verinald is bound with wrists and ankles, not rope (Salvador Dali could do something cool with that image if he was still alive). Basically, clumsy expression.
Sentence three: more unnecessary words that jar readability – an unnecessary extra "he had" in the final clause. Removing unnecessary words is a basic principle of written composition. I got taught that at high school.
Sentence four: a telling line – informing the reader how Verinald will deal with his predicament. C'mon, show us the story, don't tell us what’s going to happen. More on that below.
That's the first four sentences. I'm sorry to say it doesn't get any better. Other people may not be bothered by the writing, but it was a book killer for me.
Foreshadowing, in particular, is a major problem. If you hate spoilers in book reviews, imagine what it's like to have the author introduce them throughout the narrative. And the authors voice is so strong throughout, it detracts from the reading experience with a constant pervasive anachronistic tone.
Then you've got extended passages of violence that don’t serve to add much more than being long passages of violence. The 'shock' value quickly becomes 'shlock' value because of the heavy handed delivery. I could go on, but it's not the job of readers to point this stuff out to authors.
I'll finish off by saying I won't be reading the second book in the series.
Sentence one: the word 'no' is used four times. Geez, four times in one sentence. C'mon, once is enough. It's clunky, amateur.
Sentence two: missing a 'his' - otherwise it reads that Verinald is bound with wrists and ankles, not rope (Salvador Dali could do something cool with that image if he was still alive). Basically, clumsy expression.
Sentence three: more unnecessary words that jar readability – an unnecessary extra "he had" in the final clause. Removing unnecessary words is a basic principle of written composition. I got taught that at high school.
Sentence four: a telling line – informing the reader how Verinald will deal with his predicament. C'mon, show us the story, don't tell us what’s going to happen. More on that below.
That's the first four sentences. I'm sorry to say it doesn't get any better. Other people may not be bothered by the writing, but it was a book killer for me.
Foreshadowing, in particular, is a major problem. If you hate spoilers in book reviews, imagine what it's like to have the author introduce them throughout the narrative. And the authors voice is so strong throughout, it detracts from the reading experience with a constant pervasive anachronistic tone.
Then you've got extended passages of violence that don’t serve to add much more than being long passages of violence. The 'shock' value quickly becomes 'shlock' value because of the heavy handed delivery. I could go on, but it's not the job of readers to point this stuff out to authors.
I'll finish off by saying I won't be reading the second book in the series.
December 9, 2014
This is a well-written, vividly realized book, with well-developed characters and plenty of tension to pull the reader along, but the ending leaves more questions than answers. Thane is subtitled Everknot Book 1. I was given a copy of it to review, and my copy didn’t mention that, so I was surprised when Timothy, the main character, spent so much time preparing for battle, too much time for him to be able to do much battling in this book. Then at the end, the author steps out of Timothy’s head and calls him “the flatlander” — at least it was my opinion that “the flatlander” was Timothy — so what if anything he accomplishes in this book becomes even more vague.
I had another problem with point of view. Each chapter is titled with the point of view character for that chapter, which works fine. As I said, each of the characters is well-drawn, and using multiple points of view so the reader knows more than any of the characters is a good way to build suspense. But some of Timothy’s chapters contain sections in italics describing events that Timothy was either too young to remember or didn’t see at all. So they’re not flashbacks of Timothy’s. They’re bits of backstory that the author wanted to insert, and apparently he didn’t think the reader would be smart enough to realize these bits of backstory relate to Timothy unless they were put in chapters with Timothy’s name on them. I think they would have been less jarring if they had stood on their own.
This is a small complaint, however. I thoroughly enjoyed the world of this book. Even the details of months of training kept my attention. And the foreshadowing of the backstory gave it additional depth. Just be warned that this book doesn’t really stand alone. It has a beginning, a middle, and a climactic end, but no knots are tied at the end. All the threads are still left dangling for Everknot Book 2.
I had another problem with point of view. Each chapter is titled with the point of view character for that chapter, which works fine. As I said, each of the characters is well-drawn, and using multiple points of view so the reader knows more than any of the characters is a good way to build suspense. But some of Timothy’s chapters contain sections in italics describing events that Timothy was either too young to remember or didn’t see at all. So they’re not flashbacks of Timothy’s. They’re bits of backstory that the author wanted to insert, and apparently he didn’t think the reader would be smart enough to realize these bits of backstory relate to Timothy unless they were put in chapters with Timothy’s name on them. I think they would have been less jarring if they had stood on their own.
This is a small complaint, however. I thoroughly enjoyed the world of this book. Even the details of months of training kept my attention. And the foreshadowing of the backstory gave it additional depth. Just be warned that this book doesn’t really stand alone. It has a beginning, a middle, and a climactic end, but no knots are tied at the end. All the threads are still left dangling for Everknot Book 2.
September 19, 2014
Travis Bow is a very talented writer. Overall, I was impressed. The proofreading and editing were excellent. Here are few pointers for potential readers.
This is a low fantasy so there are no magic systems, etc. Personally, I like that. The world-building is not very deep, but Bow makes up for this with his excellent main characters. We see this world (initially anyway) through the brothers, Timothy and Robert. Their relationship is authentic and touching, and the realism they bring to the story gives Bow’s world solidity.
Bow can be a very fast-paced writer, sometimes skipping bridging scenes to maintain an aggressive tempo. These jumps can create a momentary sense of dislocation, kind of like waking up suddenly and not knowing where you are. This is particularly noticeable early in the novel.
The ending is very open. There are a lot of unanswered questions left for the sequel.
The prologue is critical. If you are thinking of reading the book, I advise you to read it first. If you enjoy it and are intrigued by the premise, this book is for you.
I received this book for a non-reciprocal, honest review.
This is a low fantasy so there are no magic systems, etc. Personally, I like that. The world-building is not very deep, but Bow makes up for this with his excellent main characters. We see this world (initially anyway) through the brothers, Timothy and Robert. Their relationship is authentic and touching, and the realism they bring to the story gives Bow’s world solidity.
Bow can be a very fast-paced writer, sometimes skipping bridging scenes to maintain an aggressive tempo. These jumps can create a momentary sense of dislocation, kind of like waking up suddenly and not knowing where you are. This is particularly noticeable early in the novel.
The ending is very open. There are a lot of unanswered questions left for the sequel.
The prologue is critical. If you are thinking of reading the book, I advise you to read it first. If you enjoy it and are intrigued by the premise, this book is for you.
I received this book for a non-reciprocal, honest review.
July 9, 2015
Travis Daniel Bow has created an entire other world with his YA fantasy novel Thane. This book follows Timothy and his childhood friend Robert through their captivity by the Huctans, and eventual apprenticeships under a rebel force. I started this book and didn't want to put it down. There are some violent scenes, but they're relevant to the story and are nothing more than what would earn a PG or PG13 rating on television depending on the editing (My imagination tends to be a little darker ;). I've always loved the medieval time period, and he weaves historical aspects about their way of life with his fantasy very well. As far as his technical writing ability, it was written and edited well with no distracting errors that I noticed. The read is relatively fast paced which is sometimes hard to accomplish with the first novel in a series with as much of a background environment as this has. The characters were well developed and likable, with the more modern twist of a female heroine named Selena. If you like spies, swords, fantasy, action and adventure you will certainly find this book a worthwhile read. I can't wait to read book 2 in the series.
July 29, 2014
I normally only read non-fiction books, but I read Thane and LOVED it! The descriptions and writing in Thane are very realistic and make you feel like you are part of the story. You get the feeling that all these events actually happened in a world that has been long forgotten. It kept my attention through the whole book and I really liked the twists and turns of the plot. I highly recommend this book to anyone - even if you don't normally pick up this genre!
December 29, 2014
Thane is my first young adult-fantasy novel. It's absorbing reading, with memorable characters and a duly flawed protagonist, Timothy, who is destined to stretch beyond his limitations as the series progresses. I am left wanting to know more about about how/if the Botani people finally throw off their Huctan oppressors and what role Timothy will play in all of it. An excellent first novel.
June 21, 2014
Great to read! This book was well written and fast moving with an intricate plot.
December 15, 2014
We are proud to announce that THANE by Travis Daniel Bow is a B.R.A.G. Medallion Honoree. This tells a reader that this book is well worth their time and money!
May 8, 2018
*I received a free copy of this book. The decision to review and my opinions are my own.*
As a fan of epic fantasy, I can confirm that Thane is both epic and fantastic, and can thoroughly recommend it to any fellow fantasy fans.
Not only are the characters individual and believable, but there are moments in their thoughts (‘If there was one thing Timothy hated, it was people that said, ‘three, or rather, four‘ when they had obviously known from the beginning that there were four.’), dialogue and actions (‘There was a look of barely-contained frustration on his face, the look a person gets when someone tells their favourite joke, but says all the lines wrong.’) where I found myself nodding vigorously, smiling and almost wanting to applaud and just how perfectly the author had got under the skin of these people.
Relationships too: the banter, acceptance and awkwardness that can all flourish within a close sibling relationship; the beautiful discomfort of a budding romance with a work colleague and the immediate stick that work-business can put in those spokes; the thrilling warmth of a friend who gets you without a word or a glance required. Travis Daniel Bow has captured all of these and more.
With all that, this story rattles along full of intrigue and action. The reader is kept wondering who is who, and what underlying motivations we’re glimpsing, whilst simultaneously agonising over the present and physical dangers our protagonists face on all sides.
I absolutely refuse to rave any more about how much I loved this book, as I’m terrified I might accidentally drop a spoiler in my enthusiasm, so I’ll just finish by saying that fans of Robin Hobb, Robert Jordan, Patrick Rothfuss et al should be just as hooked as I am. Go read it now!
“Take comfort,” Ricera said. “I may fail. All my plans may crumble around me, and I may never send for you. You may never have to betray those who trust you, as I have. You may even succeed in starting a real resistance. The Huctans may govern poorly. Perhaps, in time, you will throw their shackles off and win independence and freedom for Botan. Maybe your son will hear of your name and come to your throne with open arms.”
Ricera’s hand touched Verinald’s shoulder, and Verinald jerked as if burned. He looked up to find a mirthless smile on Ricera’s face.
“But don’t count on it,” Ricera said. “Don’t count on it.”
– Travis Daniel Bow, Thane
Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpres...
As a fan of epic fantasy, I can confirm that Thane is both epic and fantastic, and can thoroughly recommend it to any fellow fantasy fans.
Not only are the characters individual and believable, but there are moments in their thoughts (‘If there was one thing Timothy hated, it was people that said, ‘three, or rather, four‘ when they had obviously known from the beginning that there were four.’), dialogue and actions (‘There was a look of barely-contained frustration on his face, the look a person gets when someone tells their favourite joke, but says all the lines wrong.’) where I found myself nodding vigorously, smiling and almost wanting to applaud and just how perfectly the author had got under the skin of these people.
Relationships too: the banter, acceptance and awkwardness that can all flourish within a close sibling relationship; the beautiful discomfort of a budding romance with a work colleague and the immediate stick that work-business can put in those spokes; the thrilling warmth of a friend who gets you without a word or a glance required. Travis Daniel Bow has captured all of these and more.
With all that, this story rattles along full of intrigue and action. The reader is kept wondering who is who, and what underlying motivations we’re glimpsing, whilst simultaneously agonising over the present and physical dangers our protagonists face on all sides.
I absolutely refuse to rave any more about how much I loved this book, as I’m terrified I might accidentally drop a spoiler in my enthusiasm, so I’ll just finish by saying that fans of Robin Hobb, Robert Jordan, Patrick Rothfuss et al should be just as hooked as I am. Go read it now!
“Take comfort,” Ricera said. “I may fail. All my plans may crumble around me, and I may never send for you. You may never have to betray those who trust you, as I have. You may even succeed in starting a real resistance. The Huctans may govern poorly. Perhaps, in time, you will throw their shackles off and win independence and freedom for Botan. Maybe your son will hear of your name and come to your throne with open arms.”
Ricera’s hand touched Verinald’s shoulder, and Verinald jerked as if burned. He looked up to find a mirthless smile on Ricera’s face.
“But don’t count on it,” Ricera said. “Don’t count on it.”
– Travis Daniel Bow, Thane
Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpres...
September 22, 2022
I’ve been a little behind on my reviews and it’s time to get back to them. This installment is another BRAG Medallion award winning book, Thane (Everknot Duet Book 1) by Travis Daniel Bow. Read on for my thoughts!
Synopsis (from the author):
A young fanatic, a cadre of elite rebel spies, and a betrayal that will change everything.
Timothy is awkward, angry, and itching to fight. When he is kidnapped and conscripted into a secret army—and when a girl with a strange set of skills sets him free—he throws himself into the rebel cause. Igniting years of pent-up frustration into an obsessive drive to fight, spy, and deceive better than anyone else, he loses himself in the Band. But a bigger game is afoot, an old enemy is on the hunt, and everything Timothy has come to live for is at stake.
What I liked about Thane:
One of the most interesting aspects of this fantasy book is there isn’t any magic. That’s right, no mysterious spells or even magical creatures, yet the novel captured my attention and held it. The characters, especially Timothy and Robert, were well-developed, and the intrigue the pair find themselves part of kept the story rolling. Add to that the cast of supporting characters and their various adventures, and you have a tale that kept me turning the pages.
What I didn’t like about Thane:
The only complaint I have about Thane is the use of narrative versus dialogue. While I understand the need for a narrative viewpoint, I thought that dialogue in certain places might have moved the story along better than the narration did. It’s a minor point, though.
Overall impression of Thane:
I enjoyed Thane (Everknot Duet Book 1) by Travis Daniel Bow! While not a typical fantasy trope, with magic and magical creatures, it didn’t need them. Lots of action, intrigue, and good characters, this well-written novel is a good addition to fantasy fans’ TBR list.
My rating:
4.5 Stars (rounded to 5 Stars)
Synopsis (from the author):
A young fanatic, a cadre of elite rebel spies, and a betrayal that will change everything.
Timothy is awkward, angry, and itching to fight. When he is kidnapped and conscripted into a secret army—and when a girl with a strange set of skills sets him free—he throws himself into the rebel cause. Igniting years of pent-up frustration into an obsessive drive to fight, spy, and deceive better than anyone else, he loses himself in the Band. But a bigger game is afoot, an old enemy is on the hunt, and everything Timothy has come to live for is at stake.
What I liked about Thane:
One of the most interesting aspects of this fantasy book is there isn’t any magic. That’s right, no mysterious spells or even magical creatures, yet the novel captured my attention and held it. The characters, especially Timothy and Robert, were well-developed, and the intrigue the pair find themselves part of kept the story rolling. Add to that the cast of supporting characters and their various adventures, and you have a tale that kept me turning the pages.
What I didn’t like about Thane:
The only complaint I have about Thane is the use of narrative versus dialogue. While I understand the need for a narrative viewpoint, I thought that dialogue in certain places might have moved the story along better than the narration did. It’s a minor point, though.
Overall impression of Thane:
I enjoyed Thane (Everknot Duet Book 1) by Travis Daniel Bow! While not a typical fantasy trope, with magic and magical creatures, it didn’t need them. Lots of action, intrigue, and good characters, this well-written novel is a good addition to fantasy fans’ TBR list.
My rating:
4.5 Stars (rounded to 5 Stars)
January 30, 2018
Wow. That was a great read. There are subtle hints of the author's love of Parkour throughout the novel which creates an interesting effect in the context of a medieval society. I mean, medieval fantasy combined with Parkour. Hook me up!
With an interesting prose(nicely structured sentences), Travis demonstrates his proficiency as a writer. The story flows fluidly from one plot point to another. The characters are well fleshed out which allows for some interesting conflicts such as the desire to protect one’s nation vs seeking safety. Moreover, unlike many other authors, Bow takes the time to ensure that the characters go through the training sequence rather than have op characters off the bat.
The main drawback is that the novel seems largely to be a setup for the future novels but based on what I have seen, I hold high expectations for the next novel. Overall, the novel serves as a nice throwback to more traditional fantasy(coming of age) compared to the predominance of grim,gritty fantasy. The well developed plot and characters set the stage for an riveting sequel.
Disclaimer: I was provided this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
For more reviews and general insights about literature, check out My Blog
With an interesting prose(nicely structured sentences), Travis demonstrates his proficiency as a writer. The story flows fluidly from one plot point to another. The characters are well fleshed out which allows for some interesting conflicts such as the desire to protect one’s nation vs seeking safety. Moreover, unlike many other authors, Bow takes the time to ensure that the characters go through the training sequence rather than have op characters off the bat.
The main drawback is that the novel seems largely to be a setup for the future novels but based on what I have seen, I hold high expectations for the next novel. Overall, the novel serves as a nice throwback to more traditional fantasy(coming of age) compared to the predominance of grim,gritty fantasy. The well developed plot and characters set the stage for an riveting sequel.
Disclaimer: I was provided this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
For more reviews and general insights about literature, check out My Blog
May 11, 2022
this was a beautifully done start to this series, the characters were really well done and I enjoyed the fantasy elements. It was what I was looking for from this description.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 15, 2021
I liked when Timothy started training for the Band. It was but other than that it was good.
July 26, 2014
Thane is well written, grammatically correct, with well structured sentences with enough variety to be interesting
Enough environmental detail to be able to envision places but not so much that you get bored with it (who cares which way the wind is blowing or what color each specific flower is)
The story is riveting with enough detail and fleshing out of the characters to keep you interested, well placed hints of foreshadowing that do not give the story away early, but not so much detail that it bogs the story down into boredom – it is similar in that way to Mercedes Lackey’s early books like “Arrows of the Queen”
There is enough physical detail in the fighting, training, sneaking, etc. scenes to relate, but not so much that you are skipping through the scenes due to boredom – similar to R. A. Salvatore’s Forgotten Realms books in that way.
The story flows smoothly, the few times flashbacks were used they were perfectly placed and explained necessary parts of the story. The characters are dynamic, changing and growing throughout the book. There are just enough characters to have a good cast in the story without so many that a character list is needed because you forget who is who.
The book is easy to follow, with enough questions unanswered to keep it interesting. It flows smoothly, and is a pleasure to read.
The author stopped the story to continue in book 2 in a perfect spot, he left enough mystery to make you want to buy book 2, but did not stop the at a spot that makes you want to scream but what is the end of the bloody paragraph.
This book has a well crafted world, with enough detail to be believable, but not so much that you are overwhelmed and bored. No modern American slang or terms that don’t fit in the created world intrude; use of the English language is mature and fitting to the world, but not full of so many made up or foreign words that you have to keep looking them up in a glossary at the back of the book, the words and usage are all constant and relevant to the world
One complaint, and is common with many e-books, NO TABLE OF CONTENTS OR PAGE NUMBERS. There are many times when it is good to be able to get to a specific chapter without having to go page by page, one click at a time, to get to where you left off – you hit the wrong button, your Kindle updates and loses your place, you buy a new book and want to verify it arrived, or you just want to look at something else and you lose your place. Having an easy way to navigate a book makes it far more enjoyable.
Excellent first book, Travis Bow is an author to watch.
Enough environmental detail to be able to envision places but not so much that you get bored with it (who cares which way the wind is blowing or what color each specific flower is)
The story is riveting with enough detail and fleshing out of the characters to keep you interested, well placed hints of foreshadowing that do not give the story away early, but not so much detail that it bogs the story down into boredom – it is similar in that way to Mercedes Lackey’s early books like “Arrows of the Queen”
There is enough physical detail in the fighting, training, sneaking, etc. scenes to relate, but not so much that you are skipping through the scenes due to boredom – similar to R. A. Salvatore’s Forgotten Realms books in that way.
The story flows smoothly, the few times flashbacks were used they were perfectly placed and explained necessary parts of the story. The characters are dynamic, changing and growing throughout the book. There are just enough characters to have a good cast in the story without so many that a character list is needed because you forget who is who.
The book is easy to follow, with enough questions unanswered to keep it interesting. It flows smoothly, and is a pleasure to read.
The author stopped the story to continue in book 2 in a perfect spot, he left enough mystery to make you want to buy book 2, but did not stop the at a spot that makes you want to scream but what is the end of the bloody paragraph.
This book has a well crafted world, with enough detail to be believable, but not so much that you are overwhelmed and bored. No modern American slang or terms that don’t fit in the created world intrude; use of the English language is mature and fitting to the world, but not full of so many made up or foreign words that you have to keep looking them up in a glossary at the back of the book, the words and usage are all constant and relevant to the world
One complaint, and is common with many e-books, NO TABLE OF CONTENTS OR PAGE NUMBERS. There are many times when it is good to be able to get to a specific chapter without having to go page by page, one click at a time, to get to where you left off – you hit the wrong button, your Kindle updates and loses your place, you buy a new book and want to verify it arrived, or you just want to look at something else and you lose your place. Having an easy way to navigate a book makes it far more enjoyable.
Excellent first book, Travis Bow is an author to watch.
April 15, 2015
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
A beautiful day set aside for fun and excitement, two brothers – Robert and Timothy head off to the local village to enjoy the festivities. Darkness prevails and the two brothers find themselves captives of the Huctan army; the killers of all things Botan.
With the assistance of a young girl, both brothers are determined to escape and return home. However, they go from being prisoners of the Huctan army to being prisoners of a rebel group created to protect Botan and all things Botan. Joining the group of rebels, the two brothers are faced with whom to trust and where their allegiance lies. Unknown to them, they have just joined a group built on lies and deception. Sworn to protect Botan these boys are trained to become a Thane by learning to manipulate, deceive and move with stealth and deadly force all to protect Botan. They are faced with life and death decisions with each mission they venture on.
“I swore, then,” he said, that the Huctans would never break me the way they broke Fenae. That I would never so much as cry because of them. That I would hurt them, if I could, but they would never hurt me.”
The lies and deceptions come full circle when the boys are yet again separated and faced with the treacherous Huctans.
“Something in Haberd had suspected from the moment the council meeting was called. Maybe it was the convenient way that someone forgot to notify him of the meeting, or the twinkle of surprise in Verinald’s eyes when Haberd arrived.”
Can the brothers come together once again and save those that are depending on them? Can they save Botan?
Travis Daniel Bow has created an engaging and fast moving action packed adventure. Bow’s writing style encourages the reader to naturally build a connection with the two brothers and rebels, rooting for the defeat of the Huctan Army and their deceivers. The plot development is clear and concise; a well-crafted tale that is believable in its details and development. Character development is perfect as readers can visualize each character in their entirety. Rich in details and vivid descriptions, this book is a must read for young adults and old. Where some struggle with ending a book leaving some mystery, Bow has no difficulty with this. The book ended with passion and a feeling of hope.
WordsAPlenty gives this book a 5 star review.
A beautiful day set aside for fun and excitement, two brothers – Robert and Timothy head off to the local village to enjoy the festivities. Darkness prevails and the two brothers find themselves captives of the Huctan army; the killers of all things Botan.
With the assistance of a young girl, both brothers are determined to escape and return home. However, they go from being prisoners of the Huctan army to being prisoners of a rebel group created to protect Botan and all things Botan. Joining the group of rebels, the two brothers are faced with whom to trust and where their allegiance lies. Unknown to them, they have just joined a group built on lies and deception. Sworn to protect Botan these boys are trained to become a Thane by learning to manipulate, deceive and move with stealth and deadly force all to protect Botan. They are faced with life and death decisions with each mission they venture on.
“I swore, then,” he said, that the Huctans would never break me the way they broke Fenae. That I would never so much as cry because of them. That I would hurt them, if I could, but they would never hurt me.”
The lies and deceptions come full circle when the boys are yet again separated and faced with the treacherous Huctans.
“Something in Haberd had suspected from the moment the council meeting was called. Maybe it was the convenient way that someone forgot to notify him of the meeting, or the twinkle of surprise in Verinald’s eyes when Haberd arrived.”
Can the brothers come together once again and save those that are depending on them? Can they save Botan?
Travis Daniel Bow has created an engaging and fast moving action packed adventure. Bow’s writing style encourages the reader to naturally build a connection with the two brothers and rebels, rooting for the defeat of the Huctan Army and their deceivers. The plot development is clear and concise; a well-crafted tale that is believable in its details and development. Character development is perfect as readers can visualize each character in their entirety. Rich in details and vivid descriptions, this book is a must read for young adults and old. Where some struggle with ending a book leaving some mystery, Bow has no difficulty with this. The book ended with passion and a feeling of hope.
WordsAPlenty gives this book a 5 star review.
July 13, 2015
More like a 3.5 for me but I did enjoy it (and this time I will save it before hitting submit, thanks for nothing internet fail). I received this book from a goodreads giveaway which in no way influenced my review.
The story centers on Timothy, a young man along with his brother, Robert (adoptive relationship here), who is growing up in the years after being completely conquered. Completely is the operative word here. In just a generation their language is lost and their history suppressed after the Botani king had been betrayed allowing the Huctans to take over their land.
Timothy and Robert know they could be killed for just being non-Huctan but that doesn't stop them from going a few towns over to a festival where they are taken with all the other able-bodied teens as slaves to the Huctan soldiers. They are later rescued by Selena.
Selena is one of the titular thanes but she was not supposed to rescue anyone let along bring them back to the rebel encampment. The thanes are training to do what usually happens when you have cruel conquerers, rebel. Timothy is quick to want to join them, Robert much less slow. Timothy trains with Selena and Jesher, one of the best young thanes, and others, including older mentors who remember a time before the conquest.
However just as Timothy and Robert start out on their first missions they learn not all is as it seems. They learn why the Huctans are taking children and worse, that there is traitor among them.
I liked the characters a lot. The reason this isn't a pure 4-star for me is that it does drag a bit during the training. Also Selena (who is the only female of note) goes from rescuer and kick-butt thane to being on the sidelines a bit too much for my tastes. It also ends on a bit of a cliffhanger (even though the main story arc is wrapped up i.e. Timothy becoming a thane). I was wondering why the three main characters have more or less every day names and everyone else has more fantasy-styled names but that is a minor quibble. As in most dystopic fic about a brewing war, not everyone is going to have a happy ending.
That said I'm looking forward to seeing what comes next.
The story centers on Timothy, a young man along with his brother, Robert (adoptive relationship here), who is growing up in the years after being completely conquered. Completely is the operative word here. In just a generation their language is lost and their history suppressed after the Botani king had been betrayed allowing the Huctans to take over their land.
Timothy and Robert know they could be killed for just being non-Huctan but that doesn't stop them from going a few towns over to a festival where they are taken with all the other able-bodied teens as slaves to the Huctan soldiers. They are later rescued by Selena.
Selena is one of the titular thanes but she was not supposed to rescue anyone let along bring them back to the rebel encampment. The thanes are training to do what usually happens when you have cruel conquerers, rebel. Timothy is quick to want to join them, Robert much less slow. Timothy trains with Selena and Jesher, one of the best young thanes, and others, including older mentors who remember a time before the conquest.
However just as Timothy and Robert start out on their first missions they learn not all is as it seems. They learn why the Huctans are taking children and worse, that there is traitor among them.
I liked the characters a lot. The reason this isn't a pure 4-star for me is that it does drag a bit during the training. Also Selena (who is the only female of note) goes from rescuer and kick-butt thane to being on the sidelines a bit too much for my tastes. It also ends on a bit of a cliffhanger (even though the main story arc is wrapped up i.e. Timothy becoming a thane). I was wondering why the three main characters have more or less every day names and everyone else has more fantasy-styled names but that is a minor quibble. As in most dystopic fic about a brewing war, not everyone is going to have a happy ending.
That said I'm looking forward to seeing what comes next.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 11, 2014
Thane tells the first part of a story about a teenaged orphan, Timothy, whose nation, Botan, was subjugated and whose parents were killed by an extremely cruel bunch of invaders called the Huctans. The setting is in the land of Botan, a lightly populated mountainous region of a world very similar to planet earth during the times when men fought with sword and spear and traveled on horseback. Having been forced to leave home to become an apprentice, Timothy is struggling with self-doubt and social awkwardness when he and his brother, Robert, are suddenly captured by the Huctan army to be made slave warriors. After a harrowing escape from a brutal captivity, Timothy and Robert are given the opportunity to fight back against the evil Huctans by joining a secret resistance movement.
This story captured me as a reader because of its tragic plot: young, innocent teenagers who are doing the normal teenage thing of goofing off and trying to impress the opposite sex are suddenly thrust into a nightmare existence that has been hatched by evil minds determined to hold power over another people. The plot reminds me of the movie, Taken, and it is as gripping, too. Timothy is at once likeable and identifiable as one who has yet to prove himself as a man, but who shows such determination to be his best that I found myself seeing him as a hero worthy of imitation. The story is complex and requires concentration as it moves to and fro between different scenes and characters who are involved in the story from different points of view. I liked that about it some because it made me think, but sometimes I got a little confused. However, I didn't find inconsistencies in the story. The story is always believable, nothing so outlandish to make me say, "Yeah, right." I appreciated that as well. The story ends in such a way that swings back to a new tragedy and challenge and made me yearn for the rest of the story, which Is promised in volume 2. I recommend this book to anyone who likes a good, clean, action/adventure novel. You won't be disappointed.
This story captured me as a reader because of its tragic plot: young, innocent teenagers who are doing the normal teenage thing of goofing off and trying to impress the opposite sex are suddenly thrust into a nightmare existence that has been hatched by evil minds determined to hold power over another people. The plot reminds me of the movie, Taken, and it is as gripping, too. Timothy is at once likeable and identifiable as one who has yet to prove himself as a man, but who shows such determination to be his best that I found myself seeing him as a hero worthy of imitation. The story is complex and requires concentration as it moves to and fro between different scenes and characters who are involved in the story from different points of view. I liked that about it some because it made me think, but sometimes I got a little confused. However, I didn't find inconsistencies in the story. The story is always believable, nothing so outlandish to make me say, "Yeah, right." I appreciated that as well. The story ends in such a way that swings back to a new tragedy and challenge and made me yearn for the rest of the story, which Is promised in volume 2. I recommend this book to anyone who likes a good, clean, action/adventure novel. You won't be disappointed.
September 9, 2014
Thane is a good, solid fantasy story with a few weaknesses. On the positive side the editing, storytelling and characterisation is all sound, and the story told at a good pace after the opening 10%. However I think this was really about reading style preference - I enjoy rich, complex books with real depth and well-crafted visuals, so this was not my cup of tea, so to speak. However, there is much to commend. The characters act and speak in believable ways, the plot hangs together very nicely, and the world-building, while sparse, is consistent and delivered well.
The plot centres around two boys, Timothy and Robert, who are unexpectedly kidnapped by the Huctans, are mistreated but manage to escape with help, and join the rebel Band. Timothy is well-drawn, although I became impatient with the detailed explanations of his actions and motivations, and his brother Robert a good foil for him.
The author's sudden use of poetry reveals I think a writer who could have poured more of his stylistic talent into this story. Listen to this:
Lokaren, thy love, has flown,
Like dew upon the mountain,
Like foam before the sea.
Beautiful!
In terms of weaknesses, the author's heavy-handed use of foreshadowing and authorial comment was a distraction at a number of points in the story, and the prologue, while delivered well, sadly spoils what could have been a pivotal plot twist later in the book. I think that without these technical difficulties, I would have enjoyed this work a great deal more - and I expected to enjoy it more from the description.
Right, and on to the best part - the conclusion of the book, the final 5-6 chapters, really picked up nicely and rounded out this novel, leaving room for a sequel while delivering a suitable punch. Well finished! Overall an enjoyable read which did draw me in, and I thank Travis Bow for a free review copy in exchange for an honest, non-reciprocal review.
The plot centres around two boys, Timothy and Robert, who are unexpectedly kidnapped by the Huctans, are mistreated but manage to escape with help, and join the rebel Band. Timothy is well-drawn, although I became impatient with the detailed explanations of his actions and motivations, and his brother Robert a good foil for him.
The author's sudden use of poetry reveals I think a writer who could have poured more of his stylistic talent into this story. Listen to this:
Lokaren, thy love, has flown,
Like dew upon the mountain,
Like foam before the sea.
Beautiful!
In terms of weaknesses, the author's heavy-handed use of foreshadowing and authorial comment was a distraction at a number of points in the story, and the prologue, while delivered well, sadly spoils what could have been a pivotal plot twist later in the book. I think that without these technical difficulties, I would have enjoyed this work a great deal more - and I expected to enjoy it more from the description.
Right, and on to the best part - the conclusion of the book, the final 5-6 chapters, really picked up nicely and rounded out this novel, leaving room for a sequel while delivering a suitable punch. Well finished! Overall an enjoyable read which did draw me in, and I thank Travis Bow for a free review copy in exchange for an honest, non-reciprocal review.
October 24, 2014
'Thane' is the first book in an adventure series set in an alternate world very much like our own here on Earth. The descriptions, clothes, food, trees are all familiar to us.So is the basic thrust of the story, which, in this case is not a bad thing.
The first book centers on two brothers in a land called Botan, which has been conquered by an aggressive and brutal people known as the Huctans. When the brothers go to a village festival in their occupied land they are set upon by agents of these invaders and captured for a cruel and unknown purpose.Thus their adventure begins.
After being sprung from their prison by a beautiful and mysterious girl, they are led to a secret rebel group known as 'The Band', where they learn not only how to discipline themselves as fighters, but also of the lost history of their people and culture destroyed by the Huctan invasion.
But rebellion and liberation is no easy thing to achieve.
This story is well written and cleverly thought out by its author. It makes a good read. I found it very easy to keep the pages turning and it certainly held my interest in both the characters and story development. The story points are clever, the action is well defined and satisfyingly executed, the characters are engaging and likeable. This is a well executed book in general.
The only downside is that it is a series in which one book really cannot satisfy the reader: all the major plot points are unresolved, as well as the character situations at the end of the book. If you don't move on to the next book, it just leaves you hanging. This is not necessarily a bad thing as long as you are prepared to read the series as a whole: and this author's work certainly does justify such a commitment from the reader. Based on what I read in the first book it is certainly worth taking a look at the second, which I intend to do.
Definitely recommended reading.
The first book centers on two brothers in a land called Botan, which has been conquered by an aggressive and brutal people known as the Huctans. When the brothers go to a village festival in their occupied land they are set upon by agents of these invaders and captured for a cruel and unknown purpose.Thus their adventure begins.
After being sprung from their prison by a beautiful and mysterious girl, they are led to a secret rebel group known as 'The Band', where they learn not only how to discipline themselves as fighters, but also of the lost history of their people and culture destroyed by the Huctan invasion.
But rebellion and liberation is no easy thing to achieve.
This story is well written and cleverly thought out by its author. It makes a good read. I found it very easy to keep the pages turning and it certainly held my interest in both the characters and story development. The story points are clever, the action is well defined and satisfyingly executed, the characters are engaging and likeable. This is a well executed book in general.
The only downside is that it is a series in which one book really cannot satisfy the reader: all the major plot points are unresolved, as well as the character situations at the end of the book. If you don't move on to the next book, it just leaves you hanging. This is not necessarily a bad thing as long as you are prepared to read the series as a whole: and this author's work certainly does justify such a commitment from the reader. Based on what I read in the first book it is certainly worth taking a look at the second, which I intend to do.
Definitely recommended reading.
September 12, 2025
It's been 11 years since I wrote this and 8 since I narrated the audiobook, and it's surprising how much I'd forgotten in that time. It was a little surreal listening to my own younger voice reading my own even younger story, but it was surprisingly fun and engaging (often in a "how did I end up handling that problem?" or "did I leave that one part in or cut it?" way).
The story itself held up better than I'd feared. This was my first novel and I was worried that it would be amateurish and cringey, but was happily surprised to find that 90% of it still felt pretty solid. There was some overexplaining of inner dialogue and over-describing of facial expressions, but the teen friendship themes and twisty emotional ending still got me. I think I probably would have given this an honest 4.5 stars if I'd stumbled on it out of the blue.
Excited to listen to King's Table now!
The story itself held up better than I'd feared. This was my first novel and I was worried that it would be amateurish and cringey, but was happily surprised to find that 90% of it still felt pretty solid. There was some overexplaining of inner dialogue and over-describing of facial expressions, but the teen friendship themes and twisty emotional ending still got me. I think I probably would have given this an honest 4.5 stars if I'd stumbled on it out of the blue.
Excited to listen to King's Table now!
July 30, 2014
Fantasy-type but without all the “magic tricks”-- so refreshing for a change. Adaptation in the main characters, Timothy and Robert, to changes in uncontrolled circumstances showed understanding by the author (Travis Daniel Bow) that people react and learn at different levels and by different means which made the characters believable and real. The flashbacks were introduced in good spots; helped answer questions rolling around in my mind, provided background, and/or setting the scene for the next segment of the story. Just enough description in the layout of the land, the people living there, and what the characters were facing physically as well as mentally to keep it interesting but not bog the reader down. Some of the descriptions made my mind relate them to places I have seen and experienced (stump large enough to hold a wedding on...). Well written with no grammatical errors or misspellings.
Action-packed; kept me turning the pages to see what was going to happen next (nearly finished the entire book in one sitting as I couldn't put it down – and fiction is not really my first choice in reading material). A delight to read. Even though the story was set in a made-up-world, I felt the story could have taken place several centuries ago, just one century past, or even in this century -- minus our modern technology, of course. Being able to identify with the characters, their uprooted lives, and a longing for doing something for a cause greater than themselves added to the enjoyment of the story.
The story ended in a marvelous way. It could be a stand-alone book, but it also leaves a desire to see what happens next and what becomes of the two brothers. Will they meet again? If so, how? Will their growing and learning while apart be complimentary one to the other? What happens to the Thanes left? So looking forward to Book 2...
Action-packed; kept me turning the pages to see what was going to happen next (nearly finished the entire book in one sitting as I couldn't put it down – and fiction is not really my first choice in reading material). A delight to read. Even though the story was set in a made-up-world, I felt the story could have taken place several centuries ago, just one century past, or even in this century -- minus our modern technology, of course. Being able to identify with the characters, their uprooted lives, and a longing for doing something for a cause greater than themselves added to the enjoyment of the story.
The story ended in a marvelous way. It could be a stand-alone book, but it also leaves a desire to see what happens next and what becomes of the two brothers. Will they meet again? If so, how? Will their growing and learning while apart be complimentary one to the other? What happens to the Thanes left? So looking forward to Book 2...
December 8, 2014
In an all-new fantasy based world, (not the wand and wizard type of fantasy, but more a middle-ages reality based fantasy with a long over-arcing history behind it) where a nation of people are living under the oppression of an armed and merciless force, a rebel band stand against them. And while many writers would opt to go all out for the epic story following the central characters that might span several books, this author has instead taken a back-seat approach and centres the story on two characters that, while pivotal to their own story, could not possibly hope to end the war/oppression on their own, but maybe, just maybe, spark hope into the beleagured populace.
This book took me a little bit to get into and I initially found it hard to identify with the characters, it was not until about halfway through that things started to come together and the story began to pique my interest, but I think that has more to do than the writing style than the story itself. I just had to get used to a more laid back approach to storytelling more-so than an edge-of-your-seat thriller'esque of narrative. I really enjoyed the "decepetion'esque training scene", especially the dialogue. The back and forth banter worked really well and definitely gave the characters involved a strong voice and identity. Also the author clearly has no sentiment when it comes to keeping characters alive which is a refreshing change to most stories. Overall, this book had its moments: a slew of good elements, scenes, dialogues and a unique style of writing that I would otherwise not usually enjoy, but it worked, albeit a little slow to start. A good read if you give it time.
This book took me a little bit to get into and I initially found it hard to identify with the characters, it was not until about halfway through that things started to come together and the story began to pique my interest, but I think that has more to do than the writing style than the story itself. I just had to get used to a more laid back approach to storytelling more-so than an edge-of-your-seat thriller'esque of narrative. I really enjoyed the "decepetion'esque training scene", especially the dialogue. The back and forth banter worked really well and definitely gave the characters involved a strong voice and identity. Also the author clearly has no sentiment when it comes to keeping characters alive which is a refreshing change to most stories. Overall, this book had its moments: a slew of good elements, scenes, dialogues and a unique style of writing that I would otherwise not usually enjoy, but it worked, albeit a little slow to start. A good read if you give it time.
February 18, 2015
Thane is a coming of age story about two Botan teens abducted from their village. Timothy and Robert do not share blood, but they were raised as brothers in a rural, medieval-like country. Although their homeland is suffering under the oppressive occupation of Huctans, the boys have pretty normal lives, filled with chores and interests. That is until they are kidnapped by Huctan soldiers, chained and forced into a long march with many other captive Botan boys. Physically assaulted, hungry and seeing brutal force applied to the innocent, Timothy and Robert know that any attempt to escape is lethal. And yet, when a mysterious girl is willing to help them, they grab the opportunity.
The adventures of the trio make a fast-paced, interesting read. Being brought to the Band, Robert and Timothy meet a special group of Botans. Quite characteristically, their responses to what they are offered are quite different. One chooses to join, while the other has other views...
I liked Robert's and Timothy's different personalities and the fact that each had his own strengths and flaws. That made their relationship more interesting than if one would have turned into a leader and the other became his sidekick. What jarred my reading: violent scenes followed each other too often, and also the narrator's foreshadowing (I'd rather discover on the go the importance of what is happening without being told so beforehand). However, those are a matter of personal preference.
I received a free copy of this book for a honest and non-reciprocal review.
The adventures of the trio make a fast-paced, interesting read. Being brought to the Band, Robert and Timothy meet a special group of Botans. Quite characteristically, their responses to what they are offered are quite different. One chooses to join, while the other has other views...
I liked Robert's and Timothy's different personalities and the fact that each had his own strengths and flaws. That made their relationship more interesting than if one would have turned into a leader and the other became his sidekick. What jarred my reading: violent scenes followed each other too often, and also the narrator's foreshadowing (I'd rather discover on the go the importance of what is happening without being told so beforehand). However, those are a matter of personal preference.
I received a free copy of this book for a honest and non-reciprocal review.
August 14, 2014
Bow crafted a very detailed society in which structure is rigid. Each chapter opens up the world to the reader until any action taken that goes against that society's norm is immediately noted, causing interest levels to increase.
The world of the novel is in turmoil. Citizens of the conquered land of Botan are treated poorly, which naturally means that rebel groups are bound to pop up against the Huctan conquerors.
That leads us to the Band.
The Band trains people in the skills of the Thanes, the elite warriors that once defended the kingdom of Botan. When Botan fell, a small group of Thanes survived, and over time they began training youth so that they may use their skills for the good of fallen Botan.
It's a good thing they did, too!
After Timothy and Robert were kidnapped from Watchton and subjected to the Huctan soldiers' brainwashing techniques, A young woman trained as a thane broke them out of confinement and introduced them to the Band, where they trained under the Thanes.
While I may have been a wee bit miffed that I didn't get the high magic that I was hoping for, I have to admit that after a few chapters I stopped grumbling about it. The writing is solid and filled with intrigue.
If you're looking for a good solid indie novel that can take you away from the stresses of the real world, you'll love this one.
(This is a truncation of my full review, posted at Undiscovered Tomes.)
The world of the novel is in turmoil. Citizens of the conquered land of Botan are treated poorly, which naturally means that rebel groups are bound to pop up against the Huctan conquerors.
That leads us to the Band.
The Band trains people in the skills of the Thanes, the elite warriors that once defended the kingdom of Botan. When Botan fell, a small group of Thanes survived, and over time they began training youth so that they may use their skills for the good of fallen Botan.
It's a good thing they did, too!
After Timothy and Robert were kidnapped from Watchton and subjected to the Huctan soldiers' brainwashing techniques, A young woman trained as a thane broke them out of confinement and introduced them to the Band, where they trained under the Thanes.
While I may have been a wee bit miffed that I didn't get the high magic that I was hoping for, I have to admit that after a few chapters I stopped grumbling about it. The writing is solid and filled with intrigue.
If you're looking for a good solid indie novel that can take you away from the stresses of the real world, you'll love this one.
(This is a truncation of my full review, posted at Undiscovered Tomes.)
November 24, 2014
Thane is the first YA book in the Everknot series. In it, we meet our hero, Timothy, who feels like an outsider in his adopted family and is living under the rules of the Huctan invaders. Thanks to the Huctans brutal destruction of his homeland, Timothy now belongs to the minority group, the Botani people.
When he has a chance to train and become a Thane, a member of a secret underground army pledged to fight the Huctans, he accepts the challenge Yet, Timothy is plagued with self doubts about his own abilities. His existence as a member of the resistance is physically and emotionally demanding. Each day proves a challenge for a young man who must establish his worth and character. He often fails or is discouraged because he can’t meet the perfection level he’s set for himself.
The author has developed a relatable protagonist who is fully formed with a range of emotions. This fact drew me into the book although I rarely read this genre. We can all identify with the hero’s struggles to find his place in life, but often in fiction the hero is an unrealistic superman. Even Thane’s supporting characters were realistic. Their fight for freedom can be found throughout history and added another bit of reality to ground the reader. The story is fast paced and if you love action scenes the author gives you plenty. Thane is well-written and the words flow to an exciting ending that will leave you eager for the next book.
When he has a chance to train and become a Thane, a member of a secret underground army pledged to fight the Huctans, he accepts the challenge Yet, Timothy is plagued with self doubts about his own abilities. His existence as a member of the resistance is physically and emotionally demanding. Each day proves a challenge for a young man who must establish his worth and character. He often fails or is discouraged because he can’t meet the perfection level he’s set for himself.
The author has developed a relatable protagonist who is fully formed with a range of emotions. This fact drew me into the book although I rarely read this genre. We can all identify with the hero’s struggles to find his place in life, but often in fiction the hero is an unrealistic superman. Even Thane’s supporting characters were realistic. Their fight for freedom can be found throughout history and added another bit of reality to ground the reader. The story is fast paced and if you love action scenes the author gives you plenty. Thane is well-written and the words flow to an exciting ending that will leave you eager for the next book.
August 3, 2014
Travis Daniel Bow's debut novel, THANE, is not just an astounding first effort. It is not just an interesting story. It is nothing short of a fascinating read worthy of the tremendous praise it has received.
Although the description on the back cover of this work does not do it justice, it still captures the essence of THANE. The main characters are underdogs against an overwhelming force, they are expert warriors with remarkable, though not particularly supernatural powers, and they are driven by a cause they are willing to die for. It’s an incredible read that would be enjoyable by any audience.
While the plot for this book is compelling enough in its own right, Bow’s greatest strength is in understanding the true value of the characters he develops. Timothy, Jesher, and the others make up for fascinating characters, living fascinating lives, in a fascinating time and place of Bow’s creation.
This is quite simply a remarkable book. Bow’s talent is pronounced and clear. I highly and unequivocally recommend this novel.
Although the description on the back cover of this work does not do it justice, it still captures the essence of THANE. The main characters are underdogs against an overwhelming force, they are expert warriors with remarkable, though not particularly supernatural powers, and they are driven by a cause they are willing to die for. It’s an incredible read that would be enjoyable by any audience.
While the plot for this book is compelling enough in its own right, Bow’s greatest strength is in understanding the true value of the characters he develops. Timothy, Jesher, and the others make up for fascinating characters, living fascinating lives, in a fascinating time and place of Bow’s creation.
This is quite simply a remarkable book. Bow’s talent is pronounced and clear. I highly and unequivocally recommend this novel.
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