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Matabar #1
Matabar: A Progression Fantasy Epic
A forgotten people. A lost bloodline. A true Mage will rise.
Ardan Egobar is a young hunter from a remote mountain tribe. Destined for nothing more than the quiet rhythms of the wild.
But when fate drags him from his village into the heart of the New Monarchy Empire, everything changes. He steps into a melting pot of orcish mobsters, cigar-smoking dwarven bankers, and fashion‑forward elves—all on the brink of world war.
As Ardan grapples with his forgotten bloodline and discovers an intricate magic system, he begins a slow, compelling ascent, transforming from an innocent youth into a rising mage whose power may one day reshape history.
From Kirill Klevanski, the bestselling author of Dragon Heart, comes this epic new Progression Fantasy adventure about a young wizards rise to power, featuring a detailed magic system, expansive world-building, slow-build power progression, epic action, and unforgettable characters.
Ardan Egobar is a young hunter from a remote mountain tribe. Destined for nothing more than the quiet rhythms of the wild.
But when fate drags him from his village into the heart of the New Monarchy Empire, everything changes. He steps into a melting pot of orcish mobsters, cigar-smoking dwarven bankers, and fashion‑forward elves—all on the brink of world war.
As Ardan grapples with his forgotten bloodline and discovers an intricate magic system, he begins a slow, compelling ascent, transforming from an innocent youth into a rising mage whose power may one day reshape history.
From Kirill Klevanski, the bestselling author of Dragon Heart, comes this epic new Progression Fantasy adventure about a young wizards rise to power, featuring a detailed magic system, expansive world-building, slow-build power progression, epic action, and unforgettable characters.
710 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 4, 2025
719 people are currently reading
153 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews
December 20, 2025
Well I wouldn't call it progression fantasy but I would call it coming-of-age slice-of-life fantasy.
I actually really liked the first part. I mean, it's totally unrealistic that a 6 year old half human would be able to survive even a smidgen in the high mountains but I'm happy to suspend my disbelief to get a kind of wilderness survival tale. I really love the idea of a child pretending to be a snow leopard and somehow making it work.
I actually really liked the first part. I mean, it's totally unrealistic that a 6 year old half human would be able to survive even a smidgen in the high mountains but I'm happy to suspend my disbelief to get a kind of wilderness survival tale. I really love the idea of a child pretending to be a snow leopard and somehow making it work.
November 24, 2025
no agency
The book had a very promising start. The world building and characterization were solid. There are three major issues. The pacing is pretty slow. In particular, the MC develops extremely slowly. This leads to the next issue. He has no agency and is victimized over and over again. He’s kidnapped twice. He watches his father be murdered in front of him. He vows to kill the murderer and then finds himself still helpless when they meet again. Finally, the plot makes less and less sense as the book goes on. His father died fighting to protect the people who killed his mother and committed genocide against his people. The MC likewise is kidnapped and insists on helping and protecting his kidnappers. Not believable at all.
The book had a very promising start. The world building and characterization were solid. There are three major issues. The pacing is pretty slow. In particular, the MC develops extremely slowly. This leads to the next issue. He has no agency and is victimized over and over again. He’s kidnapped twice. He watches his father be murdered in front of him. He vows to kill the murderer and then finds himself still helpless when they meet again. Finally, the plot makes less and less sense as the book goes on. His father died fighting to protect the people who killed his mother and committed genocide against his people. The MC likewise is kidnapped and insists on helping and protecting his kidnappers. Not believable at all.
November 14, 2025
Didn't really start. It was way to wordy for me. The story didn't start until the 8-10% range and I only made it to 20% before I couldn't take any more artsy descriptions that added nothing to the story. it reminded me of Robert Jordan and his incessant over describing the simplest of things.
January 27, 2026
Book is marked as a progression fantasy, but does not actually have a focus on progression. So it's just a regular fantasy book.
Very slow. Lots and lots of exposition. Often there will be an exposition dump in the middle of someone speaking. Another character will mention something and there will be an info dump of everything that the MC knows about it. Pretty much all information conveyed to the reader is in not very well done exposition -- very little showing.
Edit: I should note that it's not poorly written, I'm just definitely not a fan of exposition. I think it would have been a massively better book if an editor had come along and gotten a lot of the fluff removed and gotten the much of the exposion either changed to exposition that makes sense (e.g. the main character being told because they don't know), removed if it's only contribution is to kill the pacing, or being shown if it important.
In general, I think for me it comes down to authors seeming to be more focused on world building than story. Exposition is a tool, and it can be the best tool for some situations but the crux is that it's useually the easiest way which means that authors overuse it (especially when they are more interested in producing length rather than quality). Having said that, I really should try writing something myself and aim to minimise (or entirely eliminate) extraneous exposition -- probably a lot more work and planning than I expect.
Very slow. Lots and lots of exposition. Often there will be an exposition dump in the middle of someone speaking. Another character will mention something and there will be an info dump of everything that the MC knows about it. Pretty much all information conveyed to the reader is in not very well done exposition -- very little showing.
Edit: I should note that it's not poorly written, I'm just definitely not a fan of exposition. I think it would have been a massively better book if an editor had come along and gotten a lot of the fluff removed and gotten the much of the exposion either changed to exposition that makes sense (e.g. the main character being told because they don't know), removed if it's only contribution is to kill the pacing, or being shown if it important.
In general, I think for me it comes down to authors seeming to be more focused on world building than story. Exposition is a tool, and it can be the best tool for some situations but the crux is that it's useually the easiest way which means that authors overuse it (especially when they are more interested in producing length rather than quality). Having said that, I really should try writing something myself and aim to minimise (or entirely eliminate) extraneous exposition -- probably a lot more work and planning than I expect.
November 23, 2025
Somehow less than the sum of its parts.
The premise of the story is interesting. I really wanted to find out what happens. But after chapters of overly colorful and detailed back-fill I started skipping paragraphs, then pages, then chapters. And I didn't miss anything by doing so.
The audio book narrator has driven me to exhaustion. Have you ever had a friend who believed and described every boring thing from putting on shoes to sharpening a pencil as epically critical and important? That is the narrator of this book. Someone needs to clue them in that, if every word is bombastically, intensely emotionally charged then no part of the story has more or less import than any other. You'd swear thinking about blueberry pancakes was world-ending.
Add the extreme verbosity to the hyper-emotionally charged drudge and you not only realize why this (probably) short story is 36 hours long. But you also dread picking the emotion-flagellating tome back up.
The premise of the story is interesting. I really wanted to find out what happens. But after chapters of overly colorful and detailed back-fill I started skipping paragraphs, then pages, then chapters. And I didn't miss anything by doing so.
The audio book narrator has driven me to exhaustion. Have you ever had a friend who believed and described every boring thing from putting on shoes to sharpening a pencil as epically critical and important? That is the narrator of this book. Someone needs to clue them in that, if every word is bombastically, intensely emotionally charged then no part of the story has more or less import than any other. You'd swear thinking about blueberry pancakes was world-ending.
Add the extreme verbosity to the hyper-emotionally charged drudge and you not only realize why this (probably) short story is 36 hours long. But you also dread picking the emotion-flagellating tome back up.
December 24, 2025
A long book, full of fluff, very little character development, a weak and cowardly character who knows nothing.
This is one of the worst books I have ever read, full of fluff, no character development, and not even an interesting character. The character is supposed to be a child raised in the woods, but he is cowardly, but also has a keen mind. It’s like the MC has two different personalities and can’t reconcile them together to come up with a interesting unique, strong individual. The main character is like a rube, a country bumpkin who gets transported into the big city. He reads a lot of books, but knows no practical information. You may like this book I couldn’t even finish it, and I was close to the end, but I couldn’t take anymore. Go on read it but for me it’s time I could not get back.
This is one of the worst books I have ever read, full of fluff, no character development, and not even an interesting character. The character is supposed to be a child raised in the woods, but he is cowardly, but also has a keen mind. It’s like the MC has two different personalities and can’t reconcile them together to come up with a interesting unique, strong individual. The main character is like a rube, a country bumpkin who gets transported into the big city. He reads a lot of books, but knows no practical information. You may like this book I couldn’t even finish it, and I was close to the end, but I couldn’t take anymore. Go on read it but for me it’s time I could not get back.
December 11, 2025
Pretty solid and very lengthy
One of the longer books I've read recently and really well thought out. You can tell the author has a really good outline both for the history and lore of the world as well as for the protagonist. Somebody books we read nowadays just feel like the author wrote it as he went without a clear idea of the details but that is definitely not the case here! The only reason I did not give it five stars was that I found the language a little flowery or over the top and while sometimes that's okay It was a bit too often a bit too much. It definitely didn't even out later later in the book It was worse the first third or so. So maybe just an author finding his legs?
One of the longer books I've read recently and really well thought out. You can tell the author has a really good outline both for the history and lore of the world as well as for the protagonist. Somebody books we read nowadays just feel like the author wrote it as he went without a clear idea of the details but that is definitely not the case here! The only reason I did not give it five stars was that I found the language a little flowery or over the top and while sometimes that's okay It was a bit too often a bit too much. It definitely didn't even out later later in the book It was worse the first third or so. So maybe just an author finding his legs?
January 7, 2026
This was surprisingly well written.
Interesting magic system and overall decent world building. The author does a great job establishing good framework for a long series.
I feel this deserves 5 stars but it's far from perfect. My biggest criticism is the author's tendency to be overly descriptive. He's laughably obnoxious at points like spending several paragraphs describing a relatively insignificant doorway... The author also draws far too many parallels with the real world. Its lazy and some of the parallels clearly don't fit/make any sense. Lastly, the story's pacing is incredibly awkward and often skips over large chunks of time with little summary.
A good editor would significantly help this book.
Interesting magic system and overall decent world building. The author does a great job establishing good framework for a long series.
I feel this deserves 5 stars but it's far from perfect. My biggest criticism is the author's tendency to be overly descriptive. He's laughably obnoxious at points like spending several paragraphs describing a relatively insignificant doorway... The author also draws far too many parallels with the real world. Its lazy and some of the parallels clearly don't fit/make any sense. Lastly, the story's pacing is incredibly awkward and often skips over large chunks of time with little summary.
A good editor would significantly help this book.
December 4, 2025
A Fantasy Gem
It has been a long time since I’ve found a fantasy story on Kindle Unlimited that I would generally recommend to any and all fantasy fans.
The author has done a fantastic job of building an immersive and complex world. Within the writing it is often difficult to navigate all the information thrown at you about the Geo politics and history but it is engaging.
So are the characters and the plot. It is a bit of a slow burn but the ending definitely has me hooked for the next entrance.
For fans of Brian Mclellan’s powder mage series or Sebastian De Castell’s work I would highly recommend this book.
It has been a long time since I’ve found a fantasy story on Kindle Unlimited that I would generally recommend to any and all fantasy fans.
The author has done a fantastic job of building an immersive and complex world. Within the writing it is often difficult to navigate all the information thrown at you about the Geo politics and history but it is engaging.
So are the characters and the plot. It is a bit of a slow burn but the ending definitely has me hooked for the next entrance.
For fans of Brian Mclellan’s powder mage series or Sebastian De Castell’s work I would highly recommend this book.
December 20, 2025
Amazing story. while I agree with some of the comments about lack of agency and over exposition the theme and nature of the story hold it together. It is a fascinating journey of a boy who learns about his heritage both racially and familial. and how he unpacks and uses those. It is a long story but moves well, the blurb makes it seem like he rolls into town and starts taking names but it is a very slow burn. the orc gangsters mentioned are only in the last third of the book. But that is kind of a theme with these royal road stories could have used an editor but a quality story that we might otherwise not have gotten. worth the read. looking forward to the next entry on February!
January 30, 2026
Pretty ok book, not great.
Things a repeated multiple times in a short time frame. In a lot a of ways doesn't make sense. Hard to explain, but for someone that learns life changing shocking information every chapter. They are always completely flabbergasted to the point where they "can't breathe." You will here that so many times. The character motivations are very confusing.
Something amazing: apparently multiple characters can read minds a thought branch the main character is having that is not brought up along the main conversation, and the other characters will know what they were thinking.
Things a repeated multiple times in a short time frame. In a lot a of ways doesn't make sense. Hard to explain, but for someone that learns life changing shocking information every chapter. They are always completely flabbergasted to the point where they "can't breathe." You will here that so many times. The character motivations are very confusing.
Something amazing: apparently multiple characters can read minds a thought branch the main character is having that is not brought up along the main conversation, and the other characters will know what they were thinking.
November 13, 2025
Really strong start. There is some strong world building. An expansive world has been created here. Having read Dragon Heart, I worry that it can become too much and confusing if things keep expanding. This is the same with the magic system. Things are good right now. I hope it can continue to grow without becoming overcomplicated. These are the things that made me quit his other series. But right now things are cool. I like the MC. He is a cool character. His magic is cool and interesting. This world of guns and magic is unique and immersive.
December 4, 2025
An Epic World I Didn’t Want to Leave
I picked up Matabar on a whim and ended up absolutely hooked. The world‑building feels vast and lived‑in, from Ardan’s mountain tribe to the larger conflicts simmering in the background. The magic, the clans, and the history all fit together in a way that makes the setting feel real without ever getting boring. Ardan and the side characters have depth and believable motivations, so I was invested in their journeys from the first chapters. If you love getting lost in a fully fleshed‑out fantasy world, this is a must‑read.
I picked up Matabar on a whim and ended up absolutely hooked. The world‑building feels vast and lived‑in, from Ardan’s mountain tribe to the larger conflicts simmering in the background. The magic, the clans, and the history all fit together in a way that makes the setting feel real without ever getting boring. Ardan and the side characters have depth and believable motivations, so I was invested in their journeys from the first chapters. If you love getting lost in a fully fleshed‑out fantasy world, this is a must‑read.
December 4, 2025
Non‑Stop Fights and High Stakes
If you’re here for action, Matabar has you covered. The fights are frequent, intense, and easy to follow — no confusing choreography, just clear stakes and clever use of magic and skills. The story rarely slows down; every few chapters there’s another confrontation or challenge for Ardan to overcome. Despite the fast pace, it never feels like mindless combat because each battle pushes his growth and the plot forward. I blew through this book way faster than I expected.
If you’re here for action, Matabar has you covered. The fights are frequent, intense, and easy to follow — no confusing choreography, just clear stakes and clever use of magic and skills. The story rarely slows down; every few chapters there’s another confrontation or challenge for Ardan to overcome. Despite the fast pace, it never feels like mindless combat because each battle pushes his growth and the plot forward. I blew through this book way faster than I expected.
December 4, 2025
From Nobody Hunter to Someone You Root For
I really enjoyed Ardan as a protagonist. He starts off as a young hunter from a remote tribe with modest ambitions, and slowly grows into someone much more important. The book does a great job showing his doubts, mistakes, and small victories, so his progress feels earned rather than handed to him. Watching him discover his potential and step into bigger conflicts was incredibly satisfying. If you love underdog stories where the hero climbs from nothing to something, this will hit the spot.
I really enjoyed Ardan as a protagonist. He starts off as a young hunter from a remote tribe with modest ambitions, and slowly grows into someone much more important. The book does a great job showing his doubts, mistakes, and small victories, so his progress feels earned rather than handed to him. Watching him discover his potential and step into bigger conflicts was incredibly satisfying. If you love underdog stories where the hero climbs from nothing to something, this will hit the spot.
December 4, 2025
If You Loved Dragon Heart, Read This Next
I came to Matabar as a fan of Kirill Klevanski’s Dragon Heart series, and this book did not disappoint. You can tell it’s the same author in the best ways: thoughtful magic rules, intense battles, and a hero who actually has to work for every step of growth. At the same time, Matabar stands on its own with a fresh setting and a different tone. It feels like the start of another huge, immersive journey. If you enjoyed Klevanski’s other work, this is an easy recommendation.
I came to Matabar as a fan of Kirill Klevanski’s Dragon Heart series, and this book did not disappoint. You can tell it’s the same author in the best ways: thoughtful magic rules, intense battles, and a hero who actually has to work for every step of growth. At the same time, Matabar stands on its own with a fresh setting and a different tone. It feels like the start of another huge, immersive journey. If you enjoyed Klevanski’s other work, this is an easy recommendation.
December 8, 2025
Chef’s kiss
This book is leagues above the standard fare we readers experience in this yet nascent subgenre or progression fantasy. While some may not prefer the slower pace nor the descriptive prose, i prefer this to the constant action without break that I sometimes read in other books.
At the same time, the author explores the mystery of the world and the magic system which I love to see. Overall I love this book and the world that the author let us glimpse so far. I can’t wait for more!
This book is leagues above the standard fare we readers experience in this yet nascent subgenre or progression fantasy. While some may not prefer the slower pace nor the descriptive prose, i prefer this to the constant action without break that I sometimes read in other books.
At the same time, the author explores the mystery of the world and the magic system which I love to see. Overall I love this book and the world that the author let us glimpse so far. I can’t wait for more!
December 4, 2025
Catnip for Progression Fantasy Fans
What stood out to me most about Matabar was the magic and progression system. It has clear rules, measurable growth, and satisfying milestones — no vague hand‑waving, just steady, logical power‑ups. Watching Ardan learn, experiment, and push against the system was incredibly fun. If you enjoy tracking stats, abilities, and structured magical growth, this book delivers in a big way. It hits that perfect balance of crunchy detail and fast‑moving story.
What stood out to me most about Matabar was the magic and progression system. It has clear rules, measurable growth, and satisfying milestones — no vague hand‑waving, just steady, logical power‑ups. Watching Ardan learn, experiment, and push against the system was incredibly fun. If you enjoy tracking stats, abilities, and structured magical growth, this book delivers in a big way. It hits that perfect balance of crunchy detail and fast‑moving story.
December 4, 2025
he Relationships Are as Good as the Magic
One of my favorite things in Matabar is the dynamic between the characters. As the cast grows, you really feel the sense of camaraderie and shared struggle. There’s banter, tension, and genuine warmth, which makes the quieter scenes just as enjoyable as the battles. The friendships feel earned, not forced, and that makes every risk they take for each other more emotional. Come for the progression system, stay for the found‑family vibes.
One of my favorite things in Matabar is the dynamic between the characters. As the cast grows, you really feel the sense of camaraderie and shared struggle. There’s banter, tension, and genuine warmth, which makes the quieter scenes just as enjoyable as the battles. The friendships feel earned, not forced, and that makes every risk they take for each other more emotional. Come for the progression system, stay for the found‑family vibes.
December 4, 2025
Perfect Blend of Lore and Level‑Ups
A lot of progression fantasy either drowns you in numbers or barely explains how anything works. Matabar hits a sweet spot. The magic system has enough structure to make every upgrade meaningful, but there’s also a ton of lore, culture, and mystery surrounding it. I never felt lost, but I was constantly curious about what Ardan would discover next. It’s the rare book that will satisfy both stats‑nerds and readers who want deep world‑building.
A lot of progression fantasy either drowns you in numbers or barely explains how anything works. Matabar hits a sweet spot. The magic system has enough structure to make every upgrade meaningful, but there’s also a ton of lore, culture, and mystery surrounding it. I never felt lost, but I was constantly curious about what Ardan would discover next. It’s the rare book that will satisfy both stats‑nerds and readers who want deep world‑building.
December 5, 2025
More Heart Than I Expected
I expected a good power‑fantasy romp, but Matabar surprised me with how much heart it has. Beneath the magic and combat, there are strong themes of heritage, responsibility, and what it means to carry the weight of a forgotten people. Ardan’s choices actually matter, and you can feel the cost of them. That emotional undercurrent made the big moments hit much harder. This isn’t just about getting stronger — it’s about why that strength matters.
I expected a good power‑fantasy romp, but Matabar surprised me with how much heart it has. Beneath the magic and combat, there are strong themes of heritage, responsibility, and what it means to carry the weight of a forgotten people. Ardan’s choices actually matter, and you can feel the cost of them. That emotional undercurrent made the big moments hit much harder. This isn’t just about getting stronger — it’s about why that strength matters.
December 5, 2025
Great Entry Point to Progression Fantasy
I’m relatively new to progression fantasy, and Matabar was a great introduction. The rules of the magic system are explained clearly, so even someone unfamiliar with the genre can follow along. At the same time, the story never stops being a character‑driven fantasy adventure. Ardan’s growth, the world, and the action were all engaging from start to finish. If you’re curious about the genre and not sure where to start, this is an excellent choice.
I’m relatively new to progression fantasy, and Matabar was a great introduction. The rules of the magic system are explained clearly, so even someone unfamiliar with the genre can follow along. At the same time, the story never stops being a character‑driven fantasy adventure. Ardan’s growth, the world, and the action were all engaging from start to finish. If you’re curious about the genre and not sure where to start, this is an excellent choice.
December 26, 2025
A refreshing Epic fantasy
Book takes plenty of old and worn Fantasy elements and breaths a fresh life into them. Love the world building, taking place in a period of industrialrevolution in a world of grounded magic. the slower pace that gives room to breath but keeps you coming back for more. I adore the building of the mystery and the magic behind it all. Been reading this series on Royal Road since chapter 20 came out and have been hooked since.
Book takes plenty of old and worn Fantasy elements and breaths a fresh life into them. Love the world building, taking place in a period of industrialrevolution in a world of grounded magic. the slower pace that gives room to breath but keeps you coming back for more. I adore the building of the mystery and the magic behind it all. Been reading this series on Royal Road since chapter 20 came out and have been hooked since.
December 31, 2025
The story was good. However, the amount of unnecessary exposition and information dumps holds this book back. I kept thinking get to the point when I was reading this. I ended up skipping a solid 25% of this book because the explanations were so unnecessary. Honestly disappointed because the story is good. I will give the next book a chance hopefully the author gets better and tones the over explanation way down.
January 3, 2026
So slow
I really wanted to like this book but its just so slow and boring aside from the classic heros journey, the mc is not some great fighter or hunter or mage even, he is so so at all those skills and let's not forget his hero complex with a let's forgive the badguys I can't kill them or anyone its like bad and I'll be sad. And there is no real driving plot so at 50% I called it quits.
I really wanted to like this book but its just so slow and boring aside from the classic heros journey, the mc is not some great fighter or hunter or mage even, he is so so at all those skills and let's not forget his hero complex with a let's forgive the badguys I can't kill them or anyone its like bad and I'll be sad. And there is no real driving plot so at 50% I called it quits.
November 13, 2025
Amazing read
The story is so immersive it makes you feel and understand exactly how the MC does. Even though it’s only one book so far it feels as though I’ve read several volumes already, each with a different arc of the story. Once you being to read this book it’s hard to put down.
The story is so immersive it makes you feel and understand exactly how the MC does. Even though it’s only one book so far it feels as though I’ve read several volumes already, each with a different arc of the story. Once you being to read this book it’s hard to put down.
November 19, 2025
AMAZING Journey
I am 74 years old and a lifelong reader . In this novel the author painted a picture of unequaled adventure and fantasy . Never have I read a novel as great as this . With golden prose he took me on a wonderful journey to an unknown world inhabited by characters vividly portrayed and utterly fascinating . My gratitude to an epic author .
I am 74 years old and a lifelong reader . In this novel the author painted a picture of unequaled adventure and fantasy . Never have I read a novel as great as this . With golden prose he took me on a wonderful journey to an unknown world inhabited by characters vividly portrayed and utterly fascinating . My gratitude to an epic author .
November 25, 2025
You find something out about your family and it is not good for you now that you are away from home. That is what I felt for the MC, he is taken away from his family and put in a school in the capital city where he is hated because of something his great grandfather did. I loved that he was able to make some true friends. I hope there is more to this story.
December 27, 2025
Great book, great setting, already looking forward to the next one
Ill be honest I passed this one by several times when looking for a new book to read but boy was i wrong to.
The author paints an interesting picture of a coming of age story with a familiar yet intriguing setting. Multiple magic systems rich character backgrounds make this definitely a must read
Ill be honest I passed this one by several times when looking for a new book to read but boy was i wrong to.
The author paints an interesting picture of a coming of age story with a familiar yet intriguing setting. Multiple magic systems rich character backgrounds make this definitely a must read
January 4, 2026
a journey to remember
Wow. Bravo. I hate the overused academy setting yet this book made it enjoyable. Great adventure, intense action, a plethora of emotions, and relatable characters. A good proper length as well. With all that I was able to overlook some of the world building problems such as almost a perpetual winter with abundant plants and food. Good job.
Wow. Bravo. I hate the overused academy setting yet this book made it enjoyable. Great adventure, intense action, a plethora of emotions, and relatable characters. A good proper length as well. With all that I was able to overlook some of the world building problems such as almost a perpetual winter with abundant plants and food. Good job.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews