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The Father of the Fifth Age #1
The Castrofax
Gabriel never expected Princess Robyn to show up at his manor after word of her sudden disappearance. Because of his remarkable talent in wielding the elements, however, he is appointed her protector until she can take the throne, but word of his magical power slowly spreads to untrusting ears.
Imprisoned because his abilities constitute a threat, Gabriel fights for his freedom as Princess Robyn is forced to fight for her throne.
Only through learning the true meaning of strength can either of them be saved, but all power comes with a cost.
Imprisoned because his abilities constitute a threat, Gabriel fights for his freedom as Princess Robyn is forced to fight for her throne.
Only through learning the true meaning of strength can either of them be saved, but all power comes with a cost.
284 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 8, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
February 3, 2015
Another free e-book to read on planes. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and have re-read parts of it multiple times. I docked one star off because of annoying spelling and grammar errors but they are easy enough to ignore.
The characters are well described and none of them have improbable personalities. They are complex and show ranges of emotions. Even the figures of authority are shown to be unsure and imperfect, as all humans are.
The plot is engaging and exciting. It drags the readers along an emotional rollercoaster that had me tearing up at some points and raving over injustice at others.
My only problem with the plot is that I feel the second half of the book feels like a waiting game, but I have no idea what the good guys are waiting for. There is no planning or plotting going on by the good guys; it is not even hinted at.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and will read the next installment soon.
The characters are well described and none of them have improbable personalities. They are complex and show ranges of emotions. Even the figures of authority are shown to be unsure and imperfect, as all humans are.
The plot is engaging and exciting. It drags the readers along an emotional rollercoaster that had me tearing up at some points and raving over injustice at others.
My only problem with the plot is that I feel the second half of the book feels like a waiting game, but I have no idea what the good guys are waiting for. There is no planning or plotting going on by the good guys; it is not even hinted at.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and will read the next installment soon.
Read
January 26, 2025A Must Read
I surprised at how well written all the characters were. It kept my attention and I can't wait to start reading the next book.
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😁😂😁😃😂😁😂😃
I surprised at how well written all the characters were. It kept my attention and I can't wait to start reading the next book.
?
😁😂😁😃😂😁😂😃
June 17, 2016
"A brilliant admirable story with excellent plot twists & turns."
When I read the first & second chapters of the book, I felt like the story doesn't fit me well. So, I gave up reading twice. After few days, I decided to give it another chance for the third time. However, I was finished the first, second chapters & continued my reading to the third chapter of the book. When I'm continued the reading furthermore, I was excited with the sudden realization of the book as a very interesting & kinda page-turning one. Yeah, of course. My mind continuously repeated following words through my heart with a little pang of guilty....."Oh, slap me. This is gonna be incredibly awesome story. It's a shame if I gave up the reading." So, I began read further more & bit by bit the story was become more & more exciting one.
The story was really interesting, indeed. Absolutely a HEART-TOUCHING one. I love the way that how was the author built-up the story, How she introduce the characters, How she developing those characters & their characteristics one by one delicately & her ability to bent the incidents, plot twists & turns smoothly. I verily enjoyed the reading & aspire to read all the books of the series. And I'm pleasure to recommend this *GENTEEL *HEART-FELT *FANTASY narrative to the readers as a "MUST READ" book. So, Why I'm hesitate & scrimp to give
FIVE-STARS RATING for the reading?
When I read the first & second chapters of the book, I felt like the story doesn't fit me well. So, I gave up reading twice. After few days, I decided to give it another chance for the third time. However, I was finished the first, second chapters & continued my reading to the third chapter of the book. When I'm continued the reading furthermore, I was excited with the sudden realization of the book as a very interesting & kinda page-turning one. Yeah, of course. My mind continuously repeated following words through my heart with a little pang of guilty....."Oh, slap me. This is gonna be incredibly awesome story. It's a shame if I gave up the reading." So, I began read further more & bit by bit the story was become more & more exciting one.
The story was really interesting, indeed. Absolutely a HEART-TOUCHING one. I love the way that how was the author built-up the story, How she introduce the characters, How she developing those characters & their characteristics one by one delicately & her ability to bent the incidents, plot twists & turns smoothly. I verily enjoyed the reading & aspire to read all the books of the series. And I'm pleasure to recommend this *GENTEEL *HEART-FELT *FANTASY narrative to the readers as a "MUST READ" book. So, Why I'm hesitate & scrimp to give
FIVE-STARS RATING for the reading?
December 23, 2014
A great fantastic read c
I loved this book. I love this author. This novel is well written in the style of Mercedes Lackey. Honestly, the characters and thread surpass my imagination. This is not a "formula" writing. There are great twists and turns to the story. The characters are well developed. I look forward to the next installment.
I loved this book. I love this author. This novel is well written in the style of Mercedes Lackey. Honestly, the characters and thread surpass my imagination. This is not a "formula" writing. There are great twists and turns to the story. The characters are well developed. I look forward to the next installment.
December 28, 2014
Must read
Excellent read. Ready for next book. Don't know how long author has been around, hope she has more stories out there.
Excellent read. Ready for next book. Don't know how long author has been around, hope she has more stories out there.
December 31, 2014
Jenna Van Vleet is a born storyteller. If you like fantasy, action and romance, you will love this series.
June 22, 2015
I really liked the pace. The flipping off back and forth really helped the story line.
July 19, 2015
Good adventure
A true adventure. Young people coming of age, unique powers, villains out of time. A nice setting for the start of a fantasy series.
A true adventure. Young people coming of age, unique powers, villains out of time. A nice setting for the start of a fantasy series.
July 31, 2017
I REALLY Liked This Book
A fantastic first in a series. When I finish this review I'm buying the next!
The concept is ingenious. Instead of people with special powers (Mages) coming to power and controlling the weak normals, the once nearly invisible have gradually bred themselves down. Where a Class 10 with 5 skills was once the most powerful, now a Class 6 with 2 skills is the head of the Mage Council. The escape of a renegade 10 from the Third Age threatens the downfall of civilization. The indirect manipulation of two children bears fruit as one is the Princess heir to the throne and her guardian has become a self-taught Class 10 raised by his father. Not gonna reveal anything else, don't want to ruin it for anyone. My first read of this author, but far from being my last.
A fantastic first in a series. When I finish this review I'm buying the next!
The concept is ingenious. Instead of people with special powers (Mages) coming to power and controlling the weak normals, the once nearly invisible have gradually bred themselves down. Where a Class 10 with 5 skills was once the most powerful, now a Class 6 with 2 skills is the head of the Mage Council. The escape of a renegade 10 from the Third Age threatens the downfall of civilization. The indirect manipulation of two children bears fruit as one is the Princess heir to the throne and her guardian has become a self-taught Class 10 raised by his father. Not gonna reveal anything else, don't want to ruin it for anyone. My first read of this author, but far from being my last.
March 30, 2021
Slow Starter
This was a slow starter for me, but picked up steam the more I read. Gabriel and the princess's love story is reminiscent of Romeo and Juliet's, but I suspect their love story will end on a much better footing than death. Gabriel fighting to keep his virtue was genuinely refreshing. I plan on reading the next book.
This was a slow starter for me, but picked up steam the more I read. Gabriel and the princess's love story is reminiscent of Romeo and Juliet's, but I suspect their love story will end on a much better footing than death. Gabriel fighting to keep his virtue was genuinely refreshing. I plan on reading the next book.
September 7, 2018
Good story. Good characters. I like the interesting take on familiar themes. Though the story was not super captivating, I’m glad I finished it. Sure hope Prince Nolan gets squished by a boulder or something. He makes my skin crawl.
June 27, 2021
It was a good read until you get to what ends up being a really bad ending. The author thought a cliffhanger would be an ending but in my opinion it means the book was cut up in pieces to make a profit.
November 5, 2017
Clliffhanger...
June 24, 2018
Awesome!
This book had all the elements a great fantasy novel should. I look forward to reading the series and believe I will sad when it ends.
This book had all the elements a great fantasy novel should. I look forward to reading the series and believe I will sad when it ends.
Read
May 20, 2020Plot
This was a very inyerrsting story plot I am sp sorry I can no longer access the series to see how it all ends
This was a very inyerrsting story plot I am sp sorry I can no longer access the series to see how it all ends
June 6, 2020
Read it several years ago, but I had a good time!
Did Not Finish
July 1, 2020Abandoned at 13% so boring
December 31, 2025
Fantastic
Enthralling!!! I thoroughly enjoyed this book and fell in love with our mage friend, who really goes through it all and then some. Can't wait for the next book
Enthralling!!! I thoroughly enjoyed this book and fell in love with our mage friend, who really goes through it all and then some. Can't wait for the next book
February 17, 2015
This story follows Gabriel and Robyn(the hidden princess) as they fight their way to the throne. Gabriel is an extremely powerful mage who can control all the elements which no person has been able to do in a VERY long time. He hides this ability from the Mage Council but allows some of his abilities to be known to gain a higher standing in the mage world. Only a few select people actually know the truth. Well, Robyn grows up alongside Gabriel and the time has come to regain her throne from her Aunt but her cousin, Nolan has another idea. He wants the throne for himself. So...Nolan decides to deal in dark magic and awaken an evil VERY evil man from heavy enchantments that protect him from every waking up (smart idea right?!). He makes a deal with this guy but of course the man, Ryker has another agenda in mind (which you don't find out just yet what that might be). As Robyn and Gabriel travel to the castle they are set upon by Nolan and his Air Guard, Gabriel tries his best to win but Nolan had a "castrofax" which allows the user of the castrofax to take the powers of the person who wears it. Ryker invented these objects long ago and the only way to take it off is to kill the person wearing it. So the book splits off into different POVs but mostly follows Nolan and Gabriel as Nolan tries to break Gabriel (those parts are gruesome, Nolan is a sick man).
This book was really fast-paced! I couldn't put it down until the end. You just fell in love with all the characters. You wanted to shake Gabriel at times and Robyn for being naive and you want to kill Nolan and Ryker for what they have done. It really makes you hate the villains. The world building is great and there is so much history behind all of it that it really works. There is no information dump on you and you learn the history of the world and magic gradually. Vleet is a great storyteller and I look forward to reading the rest of the series. :)
This book was really fast-paced! I couldn't put it down until the end. You just fell in love with all the characters. You wanted to shake Gabriel at times and Robyn for being naive and you want to kill Nolan and Ryker for what they have done. It really makes you hate the villains. The world building is great and there is so much history behind all of it that it really works. There is no information dump on you and you learn the history of the world and magic gradually. Vleet is a great storyteller and I look forward to reading the rest of the series. :)
December 31, 2015
This book was completely unsatisfactory. Don't get me wrong, the idea was interesting and the plot was alright. There are these people that can control elements (earth, water, fire, air, spirit) and there is only one young man that can master almost all of the elements. He is accompanied by a girl and patially her brother and the girl eventually falls for him. There is one man out on a witchhunt for the Avata-er Class Ten Mage. *cough, cough* Avatar: the Last Airbender. Excuse me. Anywho, the man that leads the witchhunt for the Mage (Gabriel) is Prince Nolen, and let me tell you- I. Hated. Him. If he was real I would wring his scrawny neck. I zoomed through the entire book in a few days because I hoped they would at least kill him at the end (I knew there would be some cliffhanger because there is a second book). Let me tell you, (SPOILER ALERT:) he doesnt even die. In fact there are absolutely no loose ends tied up at the books close. Now, I'm not expecting a COMPLETE happy ending in the first book. But at least have some resolution in the first book. Otherwise, why have a second book at all? Honestly, just combine the books until there is a resolution. Then the more I thought about it, the more I remembered skimming over really dry and descriptive parts of the story that I couldn't care less about. Basically, instead of going to detail, the Van Vleet could have informed the reader of various situations by brief report to a character. ARRRGH! Seriously, if she put all that fluff in there just so she could have a second book I'm going to be so mad.
... Then again I guess it COULD BE considered a cliffhanger...
*sigh* I'm going to go read the second one...
... Then again I guess it COULD BE considered a cliffhanger...
*sigh* I'm going to go read the second one...
December 10, 2015
This is probably a 2.5 star book rather than a 3 star.
It ends REALLY abruptly. In my mind, it's not even a cliff hanger. The story just stops and you're left for book #2.
It could have also used some editing. There's a difference between "conscious" and "conscience", for example. Also, "ingage" should be "engage" and "shuttered" and "shuddered" have pretty different meanings. And those are just the ones I recall.
I like the idea of female rulers, descent through the female line, and chastity pre-marriage for the male partner. It doesn't carry this to extremes -- men still run the army (in fact, that's the job of the King/Prince while the Queen is running the country).
We have the beginning of the story, then we jump 10 years. The story later backfills some of that time, but what happened in there was important and we don't get enough.
The High Mage and his Council certainly have a lot of secrets. They knew of the Class 10 mage's existence, info on the Silex, the whereabouts of Kindle, and the High Mage even knew of Gabriel's parentage.
The bad guys are truly evil, not just bad. One roughs up girls during sex and enjoys torturing people. Another terrorizes the country with 20 spectres (made by killing mages) who go around destroying things and killing people.
Robyn and Gabriel make a good couple.
Nice to see that even a Class 10 mage isn't all powerful. Lots of people died capturing him, but he was captured.
It ends REALLY abruptly. In my mind, it's not even a cliff hanger. The story just stops and you're left for book #2.
It could have also used some editing. There's a difference between "conscious" and "conscience", for example. Also, "ingage" should be "engage" and "shuttered" and "shuddered" have pretty different meanings. And those are just the ones I recall.
I like the idea of female rulers, descent through the female line, and chastity pre-marriage for the male partner. It doesn't carry this to extremes -- men still run the army (in fact, that's the job of the King/Prince while the Queen is running the country).
We have the beginning of the story, then we jump 10 years. The story later backfills some of that time, but what happened in there was important and we don't get enough.
The High Mage and his Council certainly have a lot of secrets. They knew of the Class 10 mage's existence, info on the Silex, the whereabouts of Kindle, and the High Mage even knew of Gabriel's parentage.
The bad guys are truly evil, not just bad. One roughs up girls during sex and enjoys torturing people. Another terrorizes the country with 20 spectres (made by killing mages) who go around destroying things and killing people.
Robyn and Gabriel make a good couple.
Nice to see that even a Class 10 mage isn't all powerful. Lots of people died capturing him, but he was captured.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 17, 2015
so much promise, unfulfilled
i'll start with the good. contrary to the 1 star rating i've given it, there's quite a bit. the writing style was excellent and engaging. few to no grammar/spelling errors. good pacing, not too slow, not too fast. the characters weren't among the most well-crafted i've ever seen, but they were passable. the world building/premise were very, very good.
now the bad. there's only one thing, really, but it's one thing I cannot abide. frequently (constantly) the actions or lack thereof of the characters were incomprehensible. understand, i'm not talking about motivation. that's an author's prerogative, to make a character difficult to understand, with alien thinking patterns or abnormal desires. I mean that given the state of mind/stated desires of characters the author has GIVEN us, certain actions only make sense. when that happens, there are 3 possible explanations. the character is supposed to be stupid (this is not the case), the author couldn't see the possibilities (I don't believe this is the case), or the author purposefully ignores possibilities that push the story in undesirable directions, resulting in a forced story. I am accusing the author of this.
i'll start with the good. contrary to the 1 star rating i've given it, there's quite a bit. the writing style was excellent and engaging. few to no grammar/spelling errors. good pacing, not too slow, not too fast. the characters weren't among the most well-crafted i've ever seen, but they were passable. the world building/premise were very, very good.
now the bad. there's only one thing, really, but it's one thing I cannot abide. frequently (constantly) the actions or lack thereof of the characters were incomprehensible. understand, i'm not talking about motivation. that's an author's prerogative, to make a character difficult to understand, with alien thinking patterns or abnormal desires. I mean that given the state of mind/stated desires of characters the author has GIVEN us, certain actions only make sense. when that happens, there are 3 possible explanations. the character is supposed to be stupid (this is not the case), the author couldn't see the possibilities (I don't believe this is the case), or the author purposefully ignores possibilities that push the story in undesirable directions, resulting in a forced story. I am accusing the author of this.
June 16, 2015
Not brilliant, it lacked a certain "something", but I still liked it.
It might be that the story was a bit rushed, it mught be that the characters seems a bit flat and unrealistic. I can't really put my finger to what it is that's missing. Some parts seems like it should have a story before it happens. Maybe something from the earlier ages to show some of the personality of re-awakened Mage. Maybe a bit more internal dialogue so we get to know the characters.
Some of it seems unnatural to the characters, like when the truly evil Mage takes the time to reward his lackey with dinner at his mansion ant the history of the Elements. I do understand that the story should be told, however, it doesn't seem like something he should do. They shouldn't be "buddies". Instead, it could be incorporated to show something of Gabriel's training, maybe.
As I said, I can't really describe what it is, it's likely many small things that makes it "good but not quite". However, I think I might read one more book before deciding whether or not to continue with this series.
It might be that the story was a bit rushed, it mught be that the characters seems a bit flat and unrealistic. I can't really put my finger to what it is that's missing. Some parts seems like it should have a story before it happens. Maybe something from the earlier ages to show some of the personality of re-awakened Mage. Maybe a bit more internal dialogue so we get to know the characters.
Some of it seems unnatural to the characters, like when the truly evil Mage takes the time to reward his lackey with dinner at his mansion ant the history of the Elements. I do understand that the story should be told, however, it doesn't seem like something he should do. They shouldn't be "buddies". Instead, it could be incorporated to show something of Gabriel's training, maybe.
As I said, I can't really describe what it is, it's likely many small things that makes it "good but not quite". However, I think I might read one more book before deciding whether or not to continue with this series.
November 5, 2015
Have you ever read a book that started off with a bang, and then fizzled out early on, but you kept plodding on, hoping things would change? That is, unfortunately, what happened to me when I read Jenna Van Vleet’s The Castrofax. Young Gabriel is assigned to protect Princess Robyn, but circumstances intervene and the two of them must fight for their lives. A fairly good start to what has the potential to be a pretty good story of royal intrigue and magic—the kind of book I like reading.
There were, however, several significant obstacles in the way of my truly enjoying this book. First, there were just too many typos, misspellings, wrong word usage, and other grammatical glitches. Using ‘passed’ for ‘past’, for example is something that careful proofreading should catch and correct. Finally, at the end of the book, there were just too many questions left unanswered, leaving a feeling of dissatisfaction.
The author has a good idea, but needs to work on execution.
There were, however, several significant obstacles in the way of my truly enjoying this book. First, there were just too many typos, misspellings, wrong word usage, and other grammatical glitches. Using ‘passed’ for ‘past’, for example is something that careful proofreading should catch and correct. Finally, at the end of the book, there were just too many questions left unanswered, leaving a feeling of dissatisfaction.
The author has a good idea, but needs to work on execution.
February 6, 2016
The magic system was based on familiar themes - elemental forces, hands being important, existence of controlling artifacts - but was still fresh. The good guys and bad guys are clearly pointed out, or at least it seems that way. There's a set-up for a significant conflict and the set-up is interesting to read. I especially enjoyed reading the main villain.
What surprised me the most was how much ambiguity there was in the second half of the book. There's a prisoner who's somewhat freely roaming around and a captor who is being strongly opposed to his face but it's defiant words that don't bring a direct fight. It's like life is just going on around politics even though the politics involve blood and magic.
I am considering continuing the series but will probably wait until the final book is published to decide. The series has promise.
What surprised me the most was how much ambiguity there was in the second half of the book. There's a prisoner who's somewhat freely roaming around and a captor who is being strongly opposed to his face but it's defiant words that don't bring a direct fight. It's like life is just going on around politics even though the politics involve blood and magic.
I am considering continuing the series but will probably wait until the final book is published to decide. The series has promise.
October 5, 2015
4.5 stars really. There were a few editing issues. At times it seemed the author just wanted to use words that sound like they are from another time or place and really did not make sense in the context it was used in. Ryker's "accented" speech was okay, but until you decipher what "ac", "par" and "ne" are supposed to mean, it's kind of a distraction.
That said, I liked the premise, the charcters seem to be very well thought out. I certainly became invested in finding out what comes next. So I will be reading more.
Just an FYI, the link at the end of the ebook is not working, least it didn't for me.
That said, I liked the premise, the charcters seem to be very well thought out. I certainly became invested in finding out what comes next. So I will be reading more.
Just an FYI, the link at the end of the ebook is not working, least it didn't for me.
December 18, 2014
Excitement from the beginning
If you like science fiction books with a lot of action and some romance you will love this book. From start to finish it lives you guessing and wanting more. Which you will get because this the first book of the series. Great writing. Yes there were a few errors in spelling but not enough to make you want to stop reading, only reason I gave this book 4 stars was because of the poor editing which seems to start happening near the end. Again don't let this book pass you by, you want be disappointed.
If you like science fiction books with a lot of action and some romance you will love this book. From start to finish it lives you guessing and wanting more. Which you will get because this the first book of the series. Great writing. Yes there were a few errors in spelling but not enough to make you want to stop reading, only reason I gave this book 4 stars was because of the poor editing which seems to start happening near the end. Again don't let this book pass you by, you want be disappointed.
March 24, 2016
The beginning of the book was a little hard for me to get into as a lot of the fantasy elements weren't clearly explained until midway through the book. But eventually the story became interesting. As I neared the end I quickly realized this wouldn't conclude. Saddening as it is quite a book. So I debated on finishing the second when I realized that there are 5 or 6 books. Heck no! I need a story to wrap up faster than that. A little sad to not know the final conclusion, but nowhere close to willingly reading the rest of the books.
March 24, 2015
feels like it should have been one book getting stretched into two. kind of naive to think no one would have offed the Prince before now. weak politics for a royal drama. and weak action scenes that seemed to jump around too much. making it feel choppy and rushed. I'd like to know what happens to the poor sap, but not enough to buy book 2.
March 21, 2015
It was just okay for me - definitely a lot of world and character building. I had a hard time with all of the graphic torture that went on and on and on . . . I did like the characters enough to consider the second book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews