Gemworld

by Jeremy Bullard

For a US Navy SEAL, life can be many things -- challenging, thrilling, rewarding, hazardous, unexpectedly short. Lieutenant James Salvatori knew all this going in, but nothing could have prepared him for his mission to Laos. What started as an anti-terror operation turned into an experience that was quite literally out of this world!New lands, mythical creatures, powerful magics, immortal tyrants. What's a guy like Sal to do, except lock and load?

Genres: Fantasy, Christian Fiction

427 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 8, 2014

Reviews

[H.A. Titus · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one. The magic system felt fun and fresh, a take on gems that I hadn't seen before, and I loved the "gemstone eyes" bit, especially the Granites. Honestly the Granite powers were the ones I was most interested in, since they were so different from everything else.
A few minor things to note: I liked Sal, but he definitely had the "chosen one" vibe going on for the entire book--everything came too easily/everyone liked him/he never felt truly in danger.
The middle of the story felt a bit bogged down, since there were so many pov characters going all over the place--however, this was completely necessary to set up the book's endgame.
Despite that, I still really enjoyed the book. It was a fun read, and I really liked quite a few of the characters. Retzu, Keth, and Nestor were my favorites, and I'm really interested in seeing where their stories will go. Definitely gonna read the next books in the series, as I want to find out how this all concludes and if some of my guesses are correct.

[Greg Crites · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is to balance out the review by wolfgarr or pupgarr... It's hilarious to bleat about critical thinking skills, when the first line of your BOOK REVIEW admits you never read the book. Instead, being one of satan's minions, you served a mighty, and intellectually astounding critical blast against religion. What a mighty mephistopheles minion you are, pupgarr!
I, of course, actually read the book and enjoyed it.

[Wolfgarr · Rating 1 out of 5]

Stopped reading soon as i read the first line in the dedication.
"First and foremost, to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ"

Could go into all the things that are really wrong with that statement but i wont.
I will just say this.. Critical thinking is a skill

[Laurie Penner · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an Imagination! I was impressed from the start with the vivid pictures this author created in my mind while keeping everything somehow almost believable.The story starts out as a normal Navy SEAL episode but quickly develops into an alternate reality, which the author cleverly weaves into a "gotta read more" epic novel. The characters are well-defined within some wonderful description of them and their world of the elements and gem powers. I quickly understood who the Crafter is in the book, as well as many other spiritual facets included in the tale. Since my husband liked it as well (and he is very picky), I can recommend this book (and have) to fantasy lovers, both male and female, and a wide range of age groups. One doesn't like any good book to end, but this author did a good job of wrapping up the current crisis and leaving the rest for the future unveiling of something to look forward to.

[Volpot · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars. OK book. On fence about buying sequel

[Marc Secchia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jeremy Bullard draws us into the adventures of a US Navy SEAL, who unexpectedly, as his mission is going badly awry, is yanked into another world. What I enjoyed most about this story was the action and the unique magical system which Jeremy built, which is sufficiently intriguing and complex to draw in any avid fantasy fan. No punches are pulled when it came to the action; no character seemed safe!

I struggled to connect with the main character, Sal, however, either emotionally or in terms of the depiction of this background and skills. He seemed rather less self-sufficient or in charge of combat situations than I expected. Much happened to him; only toward the end of the story do we see him starting to take charge. However there are some great plot twists amidst the final battle, setting up Book 2 while providing a slam-bang, satisfying conclusion to Book 1.

[Darrin L. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable Story

A creative take on the genre. Well written with some nice character's introduced. I disliked the over use of foreshadowing and the ending felt unfinished. it left me feeling disappointed I. the overall story. I would have rated a four star book except for the ending. I do look forward to the next book in the series.

[David Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it, clever take on magic/science and great story telling.