Avondale

Avondale #1

by Toby Neighbors

Magic isn’t lost... A cataclysm has ruined much of the realm of Valana. Only a few fortified cities high in the mountains have survived. The lands below lay covered by a permanent barrier of mist and only huge, monstrous beasts ever rise up above the cloud bank. In Avondale, the Earl’s son harbors a secret. Magic is blamed for the cataclysm and outlawed in the high mountain cities, but Tiberius longs to become a wizard. When he finally begins to practice magic, he knows his time in the wondrous city of Avondale is short, but where can he go? What lies beneath the mists that surround his mountaintop home? And if he ventures out of the city, how will he survive in a land that no one has ever returned from? Avondale is the first book in new epic fantasy series that explores a fantastic world full of wonder and more than a little danger. It’s a fast paced adventure, with strong characters and magical places that you won’t want to put down. Written by Toby Neighbors, author of the best selling series The Five Kingdoms, Avondale is a fresh, new, high action fantasy novel that will sweep you away into a world of magic and wizards, swords and sorcery.

Genres: Fantasy, Magic, Fiction

268 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 11, 2014

Reviews

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of action; lots of magic

I liked all the characters in this book, especially the two men Race and Tiberious. It must have felt so bad for both of the men's, father's turned against them and banished from the city. I have to order the next book to see what happens to Olyva; whether or not she turns completely into a tree!

[Jeffrey A. Dewey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting

Interesting storyline with twists and turns as well as heroics and young love with a ditzy helpless girl thrown into the mix.

[forest watham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Master writer

Not going to call you Hemingway but keep at. Excellent promise likable but flawed people. A touch of evil and power obssion. Fun read.

[Alston Antony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book a good story line with unique and interesting characters. However I felt irritated by some of non MC characters in various part of the book. Also felt bit let down by stupid event at the end of book which made not to rate 5/5.

Also must that I listened to audio book version and I was amazed at the life and reality the narrator was able to bring, I almost felt I am listening the story from the main character him-self.

I will be definitely interested what happens next.

[Stephen Levesque · Rating 4 out of 5]

Long ago, the wizards of Valana delved into powerful magic that was beyond their control. The resulting devastation drove survivors high into the mountains, where they live in walled cities, isolated from the blighted lands below. Magic has become a lost art, outlawed among the nine cities of Valana. But what happens when a young noble in Avondale named Tiberius discovers a portion of an ancient book, The Essence Of Magic? All his life he has been told what to do, how to behave, what he will become, and what his place in the family will be. Can he risk everything to follow his dream? This had great writing in most of the book, I found that the end left something to be desired! I know it is suppose to be a cliff hanger, but it has fallen kind os short. It left me with a wierd feeling, like blah (can't quite describe it). It really didn't leave me wanting to read any more of the series, which I am sure there are more to come. I hope Toby Neighbors didn't mean for that to happen to the reader at the end. That is why I gave it 4 stars. Good reading everyone!

[Jim Galford · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent opening to this fantasy series. Neighbors blends magic, intrigue, and battling forces into an enjoyable tale.

[Travis Hoselton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book

another great start to another promising series from Mr neighbors ,it's really well developed not too much magic or action but you can tell he's leaving it for the next books in the series.my only dislike was it did seem a little slow paced at times and the length was a little short but that's just me I prefer longer books even though they may cost a little more

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars...could have been 5

I like the characters, but there was very little story building. Just "wham" you're in the middle of the book. I believe this could have been much more effective with better crafting. Rafe is way too whiny for a champion...Ti became an instant wizard..again no real set up. Hoping the next will improve

[Julie Malcolm · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing's not fantastic but the story is action packed and compelling. There are 5 books in the series but this book cannot really be said to be a complete story so I'm guessing this is really a book in five volumes. If it were one big book I'd probably read it but I can't be doing with having to buy 5 books to get the whole story.

[MEG Munro · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked the story

This is original and very easy to read. I believe the author did a splendid job introducing each character. The story is set in a place that's quite different with many secrets to still be discovered.

[M.L. · Rating 3 out of 5]

An adequate first book in a new series, combining post-apocalypse with fantasy. The book contains fairly standard tropes and I'm a bit annoyed that it doesn't really provide any closure at the end. The book only offers a taste as it is essentially an incomplete story.

[Arun Andhavarapu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good starting, intriguing "prologue" with the story of an isolated town in the mountains. Will wait to see if Toby can keep us entertained in the sequels

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

cant wait for next month to read the next one.

[Anthony S Alee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cool fantasy story

I really like the post apocalyptic feel of this story and how well written it was. It didn't feel rushed and it was very detailed.