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The Soul Wanderers #1
Aizai the Forgotten
With an otherworldly horse borrowed from an astrologer, and armed with a strange magical device, seventeen-year-old Wolfdon Pellegrin sets off through seventeenth-century France and Spain to fulfill his dream of finding the forgotten realm of Aizai.
One obscure book, by the philosopher Paulo de la Costa Santamiguero, has given him a lead to start his journey—go to the northern coast of Spain, where a portal to Aizai supposedly exists.
Though death and danger loom ever near, nothing can dim the longing for Aizai kindling within Wolfdon’s heart. Yet even as he strives to discover the mysterious realm’s secrets and fate, a frightening truth becomes clear—one that may cost Wolfdon everything, including the future.
Aizai the Forgotten is the first book in The Soul Wanderers series.
One obscure book, by the philosopher Paulo de la Costa Santamiguero, has given him a lead to start his journey—go to the northern coast of Spain, where a portal to Aizai supposedly exists.
Though death and danger loom ever near, nothing can dim the longing for Aizai kindling within Wolfdon’s heart. Yet even as he strives to discover the mysterious realm’s secrets and fate, a frightening truth becomes clear—one that may cost Wolfdon everything, including the future.
Aizai the Forgotten is the first book in The Soul Wanderers series.
295 pages, ebook
First published June 17, 2014
277 people want to read
About the author
Mary-Jean Harris
13 books55 followersI write and read fantasy and historical fiction, both novels and short stories. I'm interested in most fantasy, historical, and esoteric books, and I love old books too. I love reading lots of books at once, though I usually only write one story at a time.
I have also studied theoretical physics and have a Masters degree from The Perimeter Institute in Waterloo. Before that, I went to Carleton University in Ottawa and studied physics with a minor in philosophy. I love ancient philosophy, especially Plato, Plotinus, and Lao-Tzu.
Note: I am happy to review other authors' books if they are a genre I am interested in and IF they are in hardcopy or audio.
I have also studied theoretical physics and have a Masters degree from The Perimeter Institute in Waterloo. Before that, I went to Carleton University in Ottawa and studied physics with a minor in philosophy. I love ancient philosophy, especially Plato, Plotinus, and Lao-Tzu.
Note: I am happy to review other authors' books if they are a genre I am interested in and IF they are in hardcopy or audio.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
March 21, 2018
I listened to this in audiobook format and it was amazing. Austin did an amazing job. This book reminded me of Harry Potter meets Indiana Jones. It had magic. It had action. It had bobby traps. I loved the detail described in each scene. This is one of those books I’d love to see in movie format. Highly recommend this YA and older book
April 5, 2015
Armed with what he’s read in books, the story follows Wolfdon—a boy in search of an alternative world to our own called Aizai, where he delves into the philosophies of time travel, good, evil, and life itself. While commonplace fantasy at face-value, his journey is painted vividly through the author’s rich prose. The beautiful writing, which is becoming increasingly rare in the young adult genre, absorbs us into a clever place split between reality and the mystical. Like the cryptic setting she creates, Harris is equally deceptive, writing like a seasoned author when she is, in fact, just debuting.
The author’s greatest strength is world building. Along with the protagonist, you see the structures and hear the sounds through a literary instrument reminiscent of Niel Gaiman. We begin in France, real France, then slowly descend into an ethereal community. But unlike most fantasies, the reader is introduced to magic along with the protagonist, accentuating the suspense (in a similar fashion to Harry Potter’s training in wizardry). The non-magic elements give equal intrigue, as they ground the story into something recognizable, touching on Catholicism, familiar cities, European history, etc. It’s incredibly well-researched and was a learning experience.
Harris’ second strength is in her characters, which are diverse and either help, hinder, or offer an ambiguous mix of deception. Wolfdon isn’t stone-faced in his bravery. Rather, he’s curious and all around good-natured. He’s an ambitious fellow and you want him to succeed.
One criticism, and it’s small, is how descriptive the author can be. She is not wordy, but rather dwells on the physical environment. For some readers, like myself, this is part of great storytelling. However, others may find it a bit overwhelming.
“Aizai The Forgotten: The Soul Wanderers” is a sophisticated and intelligent read promising more stories to come. It is deserving of a wide readership, and I hope her approach to the written word will inspire other burgeoning authors.
October 12, 2014
Disclaimer: I was given this book in exchange for an honest review.*
The writing was good. The author has a firm grasp on the English language, but I often found it stale, sort of hard to get into. I know that the book is a mix of fiction and history, but the 17 year old character seemed almost 40 with the way he spoke and did things. I would have liked the dialogue to be a little less ridged.
But the imagery was amazing. Ms. Harris can paint a picture with words I'll tell you that. I really thought I could see everything very clearly, though at several points the imagery became a tad bit overwhelming.
I loved the history too. I mean, there was so much fictional and, I think, actual history tied in here that it really added credence to the text. I loved the quotes at the beginning of each chapter, and I felt they set up the chapter very nicely.
My biggest complaint is about the beginning and the end. I really didn't like the beginning, because I felt like ti started like an essay. Very general, very broad, and then slowly introduced the characters, the time, and their situation. It took a while to get to the action, and while I thought the author did a good job of characterizing Wolfdon, I thought it could have been done in another way that sucked readers in quickly. Yes, I'm of that generation where I have to be impressed within the firs five pages.
But because the writing was good, the imagery fantastic, and the characterization progressive I continued to read.
Overall, I give Aizai the Forgotten a 3.5. I thought it had a lot of potential, but read a little more like a history text with fantasy elements. I would however recommend the book, because I do think many people would find it enjoyable.
The writing was good. The author has a firm grasp on the English language, but I often found it stale, sort of hard to get into. I know that the book is a mix of fiction and history, but the 17 year old character seemed almost 40 with the way he spoke and did things. I would have liked the dialogue to be a little less ridged.
But the imagery was amazing. Ms. Harris can paint a picture with words I'll tell you that. I really thought I could see everything very clearly, though at several points the imagery became a tad bit overwhelming.
I loved the history too. I mean, there was so much fictional and, I think, actual history tied in here that it really added credence to the text. I loved the quotes at the beginning of each chapter, and I felt they set up the chapter very nicely.
My biggest complaint is about the beginning and the end. I really didn't like the beginning, because I felt like ti started like an essay. Very general, very broad, and then slowly introduced the characters, the time, and their situation. It took a while to get to the action, and while I thought the author did a good job of characterizing Wolfdon, I thought it could have been done in another way that sucked readers in quickly. Yes, I'm of that generation where I have to be impressed within the firs five pages.
But because the writing was good, the imagery fantastic, and the characterization progressive I continued to read.
Overall, I give Aizai the Forgotten a 3.5. I thought it had a lot of potential, but read a little more like a history text with fantasy elements. I would however recommend the book, because I do think many people would find it enjoyable.
June 22, 2014
I really love this book. The characters are well developed and the story is compelling. There is a mystique about the story that make me want to read more.
March 13, 2018
Really good book to have. Couldn't stop listening untill the end. The narrator had me hooked in the first 15 minutes. Would recommend to all my ww friends. (Audible)
November 10, 2018
In this novel, the reader follows a young man named Wolfdon who is in search of the long-forgotten land of Aizai. In his journey he meets his noble steed, his mentor, and his nemesis. The challenge for Wolfdon is to determine what he is supposed to do in Aizai once he gets there. The reader is taken to another realm full of magic, wonder, and a whole lot of questions.
My favorite part of this novel is the magic. I have always been a huge fan of the use of magic and it is always interesting to see how a new author tries to breathe new life into an old concept. There is a clear journey that Wolfdon follows and it feels natural for the development of the character. I wished I could have seen a stronger need versus the want. It is pretty clear that Wolfdon wants to find Aizai but what is he running away from that he desperately needs to go on this journey?
The language is pretty descriptive, almost to a fault. It felt that the pacing was a bit disrupted because of the colorful wording. There are sections of the novel that I had to reread to understand what was happening and I still don’t entirely know if I understood it correctly. The main concern with pacing was evident during combat scenes. As a reader, I should not have to reread these sections, but rather fly through the pages to discover what happens to the hero. I often have a hard time with the concept of time travel because it leaves so many questions unanswered. Perhaps this was strategic to allow for sequels, but the time travel concept felt forced to accommodate the goals of the writer. I wonder what kind of book this could have been without the time travel and if we could have seen Wolfdon’s journey as a linear tale.
There are plenty of sections of this novel that sparked an interest in Wolfdon’s story, and I want to know more about him. I also want to know more about Sagittarius and how he continues to be in Wolfdon’s tale and what makes him the magical creature that he is and will become. The writer left some unanswered questions and I look forward to the next novel to discover what she does with the loose ends.
My favorite part of this novel is the magic. I have always been a huge fan of the use of magic and it is always interesting to see how a new author tries to breathe new life into an old concept. There is a clear journey that Wolfdon follows and it feels natural for the development of the character. I wished I could have seen a stronger need versus the want. It is pretty clear that Wolfdon wants to find Aizai but what is he running away from that he desperately needs to go on this journey?
The language is pretty descriptive, almost to a fault. It felt that the pacing was a bit disrupted because of the colorful wording. There are sections of the novel that I had to reread to understand what was happening and I still don’t entirely know if I understood it correctly. The main concern with pacing was evident during combat scenes. As a reader, I should not have to reread these sections, but rather fly through the pages to discover what happens to the hero. I often have a hard time with the concept of time travel because it leaves so many questions unanswered. Perhaps this was strategic to allow for sequels, but the time travel concept felt forced to accommodate the goals of the writer. I wonder what kind of book this could have been without the time travel and if we could have seen Wolfdon’s journey as a linear tale.
There are plenty of sections of this novel that sparked an interest in Wolfdon’s story, and I want to know more about him. I also want to know more about Sagittarius and how he continues to be in Wolfdon’s tale and what makes him the magical creature that he is and will become. The writer left some unanswered questions and I look forward to the next novel to discover what she does with the loose ends.
March 13, 2018
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, so here goes.
First, I'm eager to get the next book in the series when it comes out - and that often doesn't happen. So it's fair to say I really enjoyed this book. The story is well told, layers of complexities that keep you wondering how it will unfold and characters that come to life well.
The story is about one young man's journey of self discovery really - but he doesn't really realise that's what he's going to experience, he just wants to find this lost world. Along the way, he learns tantalising bits about his history, or maybe his future or present...alternative worlds have a way of mixing up time like that and this book does that well.
It's charming and exciting with magic, history, philosophy, humour and good n evil. A good read
If I have one small detail that could be improved it's the narrator's accent which at times seems too strong and then drops to almost 'normal', but really, that's a small quibble and would not stop me from buying the next in the series even if it's not amended.
First, I'm eager to get the next book in the series when it comes out - and that often doesn't happen. So it's fair to say I really enjoyed this book. The story is well told, layers of complexities that keep you wondering how it will unfold and characters that come to life well.
The story is about one young man's journey of self discovery really - but he doesn't really realise that's what he's going to experience, he just wants to find this lost world. Along the way, he learns tantalising bits about his history, or maybe his future or present...alternative worlds have a way of mixing up time like that and this book does that well.
It's charming and exciting with magic, history, philosophy, humour and good n evil. A good read
If I have one small detail that could be improved it's the narrator's accent which at times seems too strong and then drops to almost 'normal', but really, that's a small quibble and would not stop me from buying the next in the series even if it's not amended.
March 18, 2018
refreshingly original: the voice acting was very good and the writing was done very well. I was not anticipating the twist to aizai. however there was an overwhelming about of detail for every little thing. I would zone out while things were being discribed to the point I would miss things in the story cause I didn't realize the description was over.
I received this audio book free for an honest review
I received this audio book free for an honest review
April 12, 2018
For whatever reason, I’ve never been a fan fantasy inspired stories. While I love seeing how a person can create magical places, characters, and ideas using their imagination, I’ve always had a hard time “getting into” the story itself. On that note, I was hesitant about asking for a copy of this story. I found the first hour or two to be somewhat slow going, in my opinion, because there wasn’t much dialogue between the characters. I’m glad I stuck with it though; this was a unique tale and I’m glad I got a chance to hear it.
The narrator, whom I’ve never listened to, was different. I’ve listened to plenty of narrators that do accents. Sometimes the accent adds to the story/character, sometimes it detracts from the story. In this case, I think his accent helped give the characters a little something extra.
I’d recommend this story to others and will be on the lookout for book 2.
The narrator, whom I’ve never listened to, was different. I’ve listened to plenty of narrators that do accents. Sometimes the accent adds to the story/character, sometimes it detracts from the story. In this case, I think his accent helped give the characters a little something extra.
I’d recommend this story to others and will be on the lookout for book 2.
March 6, 2015
Ok, for those of you who looked straight at the rating and thought 'Oh, this must be a bad book.' you are mistaken! I can so easily see this book as being a favourite for some people and I've already recommended it to my Dad, who I know will love it. The problem was that it just wasn't my kind of book, I suppose. However, there were a lot of positives that I can happily share.
The best thing a bout Aizai the forgotten was the writing style. I absolutely adored it. Some of the imagery was terrifically beautiful, there character's descriptions and the fluidity of the style was simply wonderful. The language wasn't too complex so that I was lost in the words and therefore uninterested by it, but it was still not patronisingly simple, which was perfect.
I also liked the plot, I thought it was well structured and nothing was ever predictable. The only issue I found was that, at the beginning especially, I wasn't very hooked. Unfortunately I found it quite hard to get into but towards the end I was far more excited and the reading became easier.
I thought that the characters were portrayed excellently, the descriptions (as I mentioned before) were wonderful and I loved all the individual characters and the contrasts between them all, as well as the similarities.
I really liked Wolfdon, the main character and other characters that emerged as the story went on. I thought they were well developed and interesting in their own ways.
I also thought that the book was more interesting because it was unlike other fantasy books i've read before. The world and the magic involved was intriguing and I thought this was a good element to the book.
The main problem that I found over all was that mainly that I wasn't really gripped but also because I must say, especially at the beginning I was too confused. I say too confused because I often enjoy books where you don't really understand what's happening but gradually things become clear. Here, it seemed to me that Mary-Jean Harris had researched and planned the book wonderfully, but because of this I thought I was missing out on something. I felt like I was already supposed to know what Aizai was and what other things such as a 'wert' were. This may just be me being ignorant, but I felt like I wasn't 'clued up' as to what was going on.
I felt that the beginning of the book lacked momentum, if I'm honest. Towards the end I was more gripped and felt some excitement as the action crescendoed, but I felt like it dragged along a bit.
I really think that this book is a matter of taste. I can see so many people loving it, which is why I've already recommended it, but for me, it takes a lot of action and suspension to get me hooked. I recommend Aizai the forgotten to fantasy lovers, especially historical fantasy lovers!
Happy reading,
Hebe x
The best thing a bout Aizai the forgotten was the writing style. I absolutely adored it. Some of the imagery was terrifically beautiful, there character's descriptions and the fluidity of the style was simply wonderful. The language wasn't too complex so that I was lost in the words and therefore uninterested by it, but it was still not patronisingly simple, which was perfect.
I also liked the plot, I thought it was well structured and nothing was ever predictable. The only issue I found was that, at the beginning especially, I wasn't very hooked. Unfortunately I found it quite hard to get into but towards the end I was far more excited and the reading became easier.
I thought that the characters were portrayed excellently, the descriptions (as I mentioned before) were wonderful and I loved all the individual characters and the contrasts between them all, as well as the similarities.
I really liked Wolfdon, the main character and other characters that emerged as the story went on. I thought they were well developed and interesting in their own ways.
I also thought that the book was more interesting because it was unlike other fantasy books i've read before. The world and the magic involved was intriguing and I thought this was a good element to the book.
The main problem that I found over all was that mainly that I wasn't really gripped but also because I must say, especially at the beginning I was too confused. I say too confused because I often enjoy books where you don't really understand what's happening but gradually things become clear. Here, it seemed to me that Mary-Jean Harris had researched and planned the book wonderfully, but because of this I thought I was missing out on something. I felt like I was already supposed to know what Aizai was and what other things such as a 'wert' were. This may just be me being ignorant, but I felt like I wasn't 'clued up' as to what was going on.
I felt that the beginning of the book lacked momentum, if I'm honest. Towards the end I was more gripped and felt some excitement as the action crescendoed, but I felt like it dragged along a bit.
I really think that this book is a matter of taste. I can see so many people loving it, which is why I've already recommended it, but for me, it takes a lot of action and suspension to get me hooked. I recommend Aizai the forgotten to fantasy lovers, especially historical fantasy lovers!
Happy reading,
Hebe x
September 11, 2014
I found this an outstanding read, difficult to put down as the plot thickened. Highly recommended to young people especially, but maybe not right before bed ;>)
April 7, 2018
this book was a really unique and interesting story. it had me intrigued and excited to know what was going to happen next. Mary-Jean is a talented author and I will be reading more of her books
January 11, 2018
I got really carried away by this book - it was engrossing, very original, and fundamentally enchanting. I would heartily recommend it!
I'm very excited for the audiobook, which I hear is coming out soon ;)
I'm very excited for the audiobook, which I hear is coming out soon ;)
June 24, 2018
A 17 year old boy goes and travel the world as part as his dreams to come true . He learns different things while on his travels
May 19, 2015
Reviewed for Readers Favorite
As a young man, Wolfdon has spent years reading everything he could get his hands on, especially anything that might mention something about a forgotten place named Aizai. Finally he has found a book, but before he can uncover the secrets wax is spilled and he decides to venture out anyway. Wolfdon's journey to Aizai and what he learns there about himself and life is the basis for the story Aizai The Forgotten: The Soul Wanderers, Book 1. Author Mary-Jean Harris gives the reader a wonderful mix of a coming of age, fantasy story about a place in another dimension, or another time. What makes this story so fabulously different is that the whole of the story is originally set in the historical past of the 1700's! The idea that anyone at that time period was thinking about convergences and portals to another dimension makes the story that much more intriguing.
Aizai The Forgotten is another land, another time, possibly the future, or another dimension depending on how you interrupt the story. Wolfdon is the main character and he is someone that you can easily like and get behind. Someone alone in the world, yet he finds a purpose in looking for Aizai and a place in Aizai. He also finds a purpose in Aizai. Author Mary-Jean Harris has written a wonderful story that is great for all ages of readers. There is no sex, no major violence, there is a fight but it's not depicted in violence so it would be good for even young kids to read. I found the book encouraging for readers and think there are many pluses in the story!
As a young man, Wolfdon has spent years reading everything he could get his hands on, especially anything that might mention something about a forgotten place named Aizai. Finally he has found a book, but before he can uncover the secrets wax is spilled and he decides to venture out anyway. Wolfdon's journey to Aizai and what he learns there about himself and life is the basis for the story Aizai The Forgotten: The Soul Wanderers, Book 1. Author Mary-Jean Harris gives the reader a wonderful mix of a coming of age, fantasy story about a place in another dimension, or another time. What makes this story so fabulously different is that the whole of the story is originally set in the historical past of the 1700's! The idea that anyone at that time period was thinking about convergences and portals to another dimension makes the story that much more intriguing.
Aizai The Forgotten is another land, another time, possibly the future, or another dimension depending on how you interrupt the story. Wolfdon is the main character and he is someone that you can easily like and get behind. Someone alone in the world, yet he finds a purpose in looking for Aizai and a place in Aizai. He also finds a purpose in Aizai. Author Mary-Jean Harris has written a wonderful story that is great for all ages of readers. There is no sex, no major violence, there is a fight but it's not depicted in violence so it would be good for even young kids to read. I found the book encouraging for readers and think there are many pluses in the story!
February 6, 2015
Have you ever wanted to travel back in time, or maybe ahead to the future? Are you curious to learn about the past and how it relates to the present and future? If so, you’ll enjoy meeting Wolfdon Pellegrin, the seventeen-year-old hero of Author Mary Jean Harris’ novel, AIZAI THE FORGOTTEN. Wolfdon lives in seventeenth-century France. His dream is to find the forgotten realm of Aizai. So he starts off on his quest, with his beautiful horse Sagittarius and discovers much more than he imagined. Danger lurks almost everywhere, and he must use his wits and magic Wert to defend himself.
The author paints a lovely picture of unusual characters such as stone statues and knights, magi and cats. Yes cats. Not to mention the coffins. That’s all I’m saying about them. The imagery makes the reader feel like a part of the story. Sometimes scary, sometimes beautiful. The writing style is different and it seemed to fit the times in which the story took place.
AIZAI THE FORGOTTEN is a story about following one’s dreams, no matter where they lead. And who doesn’t dream of doing just that?
###
The author paints a lovely picture of unusual characters such as stone statues and knights, magi and cats. Yes cats. Not to mention the coffins. That’s all I’m saying about them. The imagery makes the reader feel like a part of the story. Sometimes scary, sometimes beautiful. The writing style is different and it seemed to fit the times in which the story took place.
AIZAI THE FORGOTTEN is a story about following one’s dreams, no matter where they lead. And who doesn’t dream of doing just that?
###
September 10, 2014
Wolfdon Pellegrin is a seventeen year old boy who, by choice, spends more time reading than interacting with his peers. He’s fascinated by the forgotten realm of Aizai and longs to rediscover it himself. Armed with a strange weapon and riding an unsusal horse, Wolfdon makes his way across France and Spain to reach a supposed portal to Aizai. When he reaches the other side of the portal, the realm is both familiar and strange. When he’s faced with a dangerous and potentially life-threatening task, he must find the courage he’s only read about in his precious books. AIZAI THE FORGOTTEN was a little tough to get into at first, but the action greatly picked up once Wolfdon arrived in Aizai. I loved his horse, Sagittarius, and how well Wolfdon was able to think on his feet. AIZAI THE FORGOTTEN is a high fantasy novel with good writing set in an unusual world.
December 31, 2014
I was recommend this book by a friend. I was really intrigued by the concept of this book: magic, time travel with a historical fiction feel to it--it's a great premise. I have to admit the style of the book lost me a little bit. Now, I will openly admit that I am someone who loses track of the plot line of a James Bond movie when there are too many explosions, so I am not sure how reliable I am when it comes to stuff like this. Ms. Harris creates a very lush and vivid world throughout the course of her book and while that is great for creating a mental image, it can be rather distracting at times.
August 2, 2019
This is book #1 in a series. It is a very imaginative story, full of action and adventure. I loved Wolfdon and all the amazing people/creatures he encounters. There is a lot going on in this story. The action is almost non-stop. It was a bit overwhelming for me at times, but I still enjoyed it and look forward to reading the next book in this series.
I listened to the audio version, and narrator, Austin Vanfleet, did a good job with all the very different characters.
I listened to the audio version, and narrator, Austin Vanfleet, did a good job with all the very different characters.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews