Michael Hanson and the Desolate Woods

Powers of Ezron #1

by E.L. Ervin

Michael Hanson’s high school peers think he’s weird, at least in part because of the golden armband that’s been there since birth and grown as he grew. But he doesn’t let it bother him. He’s got two good friends, a loyal (if sometimes annoying) little sister, and two parents who love him. He’s figured out he’s adopted, but other than that, he doesn’t think there’s anything exceptional about him.

He’s wrong.

Just before his fifteenth birthday, the symbol on his armband begins to glow, and Michael starts waking up floating over his bed. Little by little, through the guidance of the winged beings Ethan and Izra, he learns who he is—a powerful immortal from the ancient bloodlines of Earth.

Together with his sister and friends Trenton and Anya, Michael explores a fantastic world of magic and unseen dangers, where a rogue immortal whose plans for gaining power and wreaking havoc threaten total destruction.

To fulfill his destiny and defeat Zaric, Michael will have to master his new powers and accept help from the unlikeliest of allies. If he fails, Michael’s immortality won’t outlast his adolescence.

Genres: Fantasy

332 pages, Paperback

First published January 13, 2015

About the author

Hello everyone,
I am a lover of all things good: reading, writing, traveling, food, movies, and chocolate!
And I absolutely believe that a good fantasy book should leave you feeling exhausted, like you took the journey yourself.
I am a US Navy veteran pursing my dream of becoming an author. I have loved reading since before I could write my own name, and I started writing my own stories and poems early, completing an entire novel at eight years old.
I have been working on writing a series for a few years and was able to come up with this adventurous young adult fantasy series of the Michael Hanson journeys.
I am very excited to bring you a new fantasy story that you will love and cherish!

Reviews

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ahhh, to be a kid again! Adventure, fantasy, heroics, secret worlds and special abilities, remember the days when you were invincible? E.L. Ervin’s Michael Hanson and the Desolate Woods is a return trip to youth for some of us and a first time trip into the world of fantasy and superheroes for younger readers that will open new doors into the magical world of reading.

The adventures of young Michael and his friends dares the world of reality to compete with such an engaging tale as Michael discovers he has super powers and enters another world where hidden truths are revealed and his life is changed forever as he and his friends must discover the extent of their powers and how to control them while using them wisely.

E.L. Ervin directed her tale to younger readers who do not need a “connect the dots” plot with details of “how” something came to be. She brilliantly uses the open minds and wild imaginations of youth to live her tale alongside of these young heroes. With a rapid-fire pace and constant action, there is never a dull moment as this sometimes quirky cast of characters find themselves with unusual complications in a strange world where one day is equal to one minute on Earth. One has to love an author who knows how to hold her audience spellbound!
A great summer read that may prevent the dreaded phrase, “I’m bored.”

I received this copy from E.L. Ervin in exchange for my honest review.

Series: Powers of Ezron - Book 1
Publication Date: January 27, 2015
Publisher: E. L. Ervin
Print Length: 414 pages
Available from: Amazon
Reviewed for: http://tometender.blogspot.com

[Caitlin V · Rating 3 out of 5]

*The author gave me an e-copy of this book for an honest review* www.thebooksbeyond.blogspot.com

[K.S. Marsden · Rating 3 out of 5]

Michael has always known that he was different - the hints have been there for years. But when he finds himself hovering above his bed near his 15th birthday, he knows for sure.

Michael Hanson and the Desolate Woods is a fantasy adventure that introduces us to the world of Ezron.
I'd say that it's suitable for young readers, and it's a bit of a younger read than I normally do.

It's a very sweet book, with a lot of emphasis on the importance of friends and family (blood relations or not!).
Michael is a very likeable main character. He's modest, cares a lot for his best friends and his annoying little sister. He meets every challenge head on, from finding out about his true parents, to rescuing his sister.
Speaking of his little sis, Victoria was my favourite character. She isn't afraid of anything, has no respect for personal boundaries, and manages to make friends wherever she goes.

The story follows how Michael discovers who his parents are, and why he has certain powers. He has been blessed by the immortal King and Queen of Ezron.
Michael and his friends find a way into Ezron and quickly become immersed in this magical world of warriors and flying horses. The most peaceful world, thanks to the good King Ethan, that hasn't seen misery or war since the fall of Ethan's older brother Zaric.
It's a creative story, that has something quite old-fashioned about it, the part with the three sister's reminds me of stories my Nanna used to tell us as kids.

What didn't work, was that it was too sweet for me. With the exception of Zaric and Celeste, everybody was very quick to love and accept. I know it sounds super-cynical of me, but the part where Michael meets his grandfather, and the old man immediately accepts him, and dotes upon him (and likewise that Michael immediately embraces him with the same affection as someone he'd known all his life) - it was just a bit much for me, and it's a theme that carries on throughout the book.

There were parts of the plot that I found unclear. I got the feeling that the battle between the immortals, and the interference of higher powers was ancient history, at the beginning of life on Ezron. It seemed like a peaceful world, whose strife was merely a story, outside of living memory (well, excluding the immortal living memory). How then were Zaric's sons (of about 15 yrs) involved?
There were also parts that I found disjointed and others overly coincidental. The fact that all of Michael's friends have powers, and nobody blinked an eye I could sorta understand - but nobody being surprised that they were suddenly ninjas and weapon pros after one day of training?
The imps' help? The sister's gift? Adonis' information? The Chase/Chaz switch? It felt like every time there was a need, there was suddenly a supply; often without any lead-up, or hints that these people and legends existed in Ezron.

And I was a little upset by the conclusion of the book. I thought that with all the build-up of Michael being the Protector, destined to appear when Ezron was threatened, then the single focus of the return of Zuric. It was disappointing that nobody seemed to mind that the biggest evil in history had reawakened; and our heroes decided to win the kingdom competition instead.
I know that it's a series, and Zuric will make an excellent big bad in it, but... I wish the book had been written with more focus on the curse of the sisters and the desolate woods; of the necessity of keeping the kingdoms together by winning the games; allowing Michael and his friends to test their skills, knowing they'll have to face Zuric...

[Merril Anil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sugar cane story

First of all a huge thanks to the author for providing me with a copy of the book.

The book is what I would like to call A Disney Book one that comes with sweet messages and hidden moral values and is sweet and cute all along. Just like a Disney movie. I love the book for being sweet and flowy, keeping intact the book and its core plot with a good narration skill. The author definitely can weave a good story that can keep its readers entertained throughout.

The book is a clean and simple read, suitable for any ages and is devoid of anything that would make you cringe or squirm with mortification and I truly appreciate this aspect since it is difficult to find a read these days that is decent enough to hand down to a kid without having to worry that the kid is going to come back to you asking questions and even using words that would make you run for cover

What I liked in the book is the sweetness of the whole plot along with the language and the softer narration, perfect for anybody who reads this book. I also loved the illustrations at the start of each chapter. Though, What I kind of felt odd about the book was how the plot tended to magically fall into its places and sometimes even without solid, believable reasons. Also at times I felt that too much was levied upon our central characters making it a bit hard to digest or maybe I am just getting too pedantic...

The book is a sweet, simple sugary story that is absolutely clean of anything harsh or rough making it prefect for all age groups. At times it may be too sweetened but otherwise this is a quick and good story with equally strong narration and language. i would say it is a cute and charming book

[Kyion S. Roebuck · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Though I’m not heavily into the young adult genre, I am huge fan of fantasy, especially fantasy series, so I had high hopes for this story. For the most part, I am pleased with what I read. In order to organize my review, I’m going to break it down by section: Plot, pace, description/narration, characters and dialogue. Therefore, if something is particularly of interest to you, you can skip to that section.

Plot – 4/5

When reading a new fantasy story, I'm most interested in originality and creativity. The concept of a young boy awakening hidden powers and then having to use those powers to save the world isn't new or uncommon; however, how and why Michael has his powers is a bit unique, and I give big points for that.

Another thing I look for is plausibility. I've read so many fantasy stories where the author doesn't even try to explain how something is possible; they just expect you to accept it because it’s fantasy. That wasn't a problem with this story. As the story unraveled, the author always at least attempted to explain how and why things were happening, which helped the reader suspend belief.

Pace – 3/5

If pace is a big deal for you, definitely pay attention to what I have to say here. I actually vacillated between giving this section a two or three rating, but after breaking the book into sections, I think the three is more fitting.

I'll start by saying that I have a very short attention span, similar to a young adult, if not middle grade reader. Therefore, if you don't catch me early on in the story, you'll lose me very quickly. That nearly happened with this book.

For the first six chapters, or roughly a third of the book, the pacing was very slow, and I often wondered what the plot was. Though it was written well, I felt like I was none the wiser on what was happening than when I started. Once chapter seven began, however, the story picked up tremendously, and I was able to lose myself in the book. So, if you can get past the slow start, there is some good reading ahead.

Description/Narration – 4/5

I combine description and narration because they go hand in hand and it feels nitpicky to separate them. With that said, this story is high fantasy, meaning that it takes place in a different realm. Often with high fantasy stories, I get lost in the narration because there is so much that needs to be described. By the time the author finishes several pages of description, I still can't form a clear picture of what I was supposed to see. I was pleasantly surprised to not have that problem with this story. The author gives just enough description to build the scene before moving on with the story.

One problem I did notice was that the narrative voice didn't always feel engaged. The way certain things were worded or phrased didn't seem to fully play up what was happening at times. I think it may go back to pacing. Lots of words can slow down a fast scene, which makes the narrator seem too relaxed for some of the event taking place.

Characters – 3/5

I was and still am a bit ambivalent about this section. On one hand, there are some characters that are very fleshed out and relatable, and on the other hand there are characters that are not quite there yet. To be specific, Chase, Victoria, Trenton and Penelope all seem to have a good amount of depth that makes the reader feel as though they have a connection with them. Even without a tag attached, you know when one of these characters is speaking. Chase in particular is beautifully fleshed out with an intriguing back story and clear motive. The more you know about him, the more you root for him.

On the opposite end, Michael, Anja, Ethan and Izra feel a bit generic. There is nothing in particular that make me like or dislike them. I cheer them on mostly because I know that they are the good guys. The most worrying is Michael, because he is the main character. I know what’s happening to him, but I don't really know him. However, based on how the author has handled the story up to this point, I fully expect to see more from these characters in later installments.

On a side note, I must say that I love Fleck, Pimi and Spiff. They are absolutely adorable, and if I could, I would have them walking around my apartment.

Dialogue – 3/5

Mostly, the dialogue was good, but it felt a bit predictable. I would read one person’s line, and then say in my head what the other person would say before I even read it. It almost gave it a feel that I had read the scenes before when I know hadn’t. Also, though the dialogue was very age appropriate, it seemed to be missing something that would help the reader identify it as something kids today would say. It feels more like a generic teenager’s voice instead of it fitting a certain era. If the target audience is current teenagers, I worry they may not feel as connected to the characters’ lingo.

In Conclusion – I awarded the story 17 out of a possible 25 points, or the equivalent to 3.4 stars out of five. If the option was available, I would have listed this as 3.5 stars, but since it is not, I rounded to the nearest whole number. That may not sound like a ringing endorsement, but considering how nicely the story picked up and ended, I DO recommend it. I predict that the next installment will be much better.

[Suzanne Steinberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have to start off by stating that this wasn’t the type of book I would normally read, I received a free copy for a non-reciprocal review.
The fantasy elements of the book were very oddly altered and shaped around the children’s adventure, how all of them all suddenly had powers not just the immortals, or how none of the horses were allowed into the woods but blaze was allowed in for no explained reason, or why it took Victoria and the man who captured her less than one day to go through the entire woods, but her brother and friends who was full of vengeance and fear to find her found themselves needing to sleep through-out the night and it took them two days to cross the same woods, or Chase who had immortality was near death due to a knife in his shoulder thrown by his mother and was then saved by the princess, there were many twists and turns that seemed catered to the characters versus obstacles they had to maneuver their way through, as if they were constantly being added by the narrator magically. And the aspects of the fantasy world felt like a smash collection of The Lion Witch And The Wardrobe how they entered through a portal but the time was relatively different on the other side, or like Harry Potter the orphaned boy who had a separate identity in a fantasy land as an immortal meant to be the one and only protector of an entire civilization and all its entities. The book felt more like an outline of a story than a story rich in images, thoughts and emotion. And the pacing aspects of the plot came across as rather lazy and lackluster at times even in panicked moments such as Michael and his friends frantically searching for his sister in the woods.
In the beginning of the book it is also unrealistic and disturbing that the super powers and un-natural events that happen are equally accepted by all the strangers, acquaintances, adults and friends as just a wormhole in human day to day existence, there is no fear, prejudice, anger, jealousy or any other emotion outside of excitement. As a general comment there was a lack of dimension in this book where it seemed that the lavish life style of Michael’s dead parents and Michael’s powers and the fantasy world in a third dimension were what sculpted the book out of its day to day events more than morality and the painful story line that this book is told upon, which is the deep emotional scars of being orphaned without parents and looking for acceptance and meaning/importance without roots in the outside world. At the beginning of the book I would have liked the deeper emotional/philosophical aspects to be more of a landscape of the depth of these children’s inner perceptions than being controlled/manipulated by the novelty of super powers or a lavish life style.
However as the book progresses the pace picks up to gain a more serious tone of good versus evil and I have enjoyed a few of the lighthearted playful moments between characters and the fantasy action descriptions.

[J.H. Croix · Rating 4 out of 5]

Michael Hanson and the Desolate Woods (Powers of Ezron #1) is a YA fantasy novel about a 15 year old boy who discovers that he has special powers. The golden armband he was born with begins to glow, he learns that he can float, in addition to other powers. With the help of friends, he learns where he came from and that he is an immortal – from an ancient and powerful line.

If only it were that simple…In the course of his journeys to learn about himself, he learns of a rogue immortal who threatens the world. Michael must learn to master his powers, to harness the help of his friends (new and old), and basically save all that he holds dear.

The author does a nice job of making this fantastical world easy to fall into. Good fantasy requires the ability to have enough description to sense and feel the world of the book without so much that the description of the world takes over the book. I was easily able to grasp the magic of this world. The pacing in the first part of the book was on the slow side. The book picks up later on, but readers that need to get sucked in quickly will need to wait for it.

Michael was relatable as a character and his struggle works – for his age and what he faces. Some of the secondary characters were more and less relatable. For dialogue – what characters said was interchangeable. The adults and teens didn’t have differences in speech – it didn’t interfere with the flow of the story, but it stood out because the speech of the teens seemed too mature, too formal.

The author did great job of making this world and what happens feel genuine – the suspension of disbelief required for fantasy was seamless. Overall, I liked this book. The story was good, the pace pulled me in later in the book, and I cared about what happened to the characters. Readers into this genre – YA Fantasy – will want to read on in the series. In short – a good fantasy adventure!

[Melanie Rodriguez · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first of a series, E.L. Ervin takes readers into the fantasy world of Ezron, a sister planet to Earth, if you will. Here we learn of many creatures, though none as unique as the main protagonist, Michael. As he turns fifteen, he discovers not only that he was adopted, but has strange powers as well. Part of it links to the armband that he has had since birth. With the help of his sister and closest friends, Michael is led to the immortals Izra and Ethan, the ones who bestowed him the power of immortality. But as Michael explores the world of Ezron, he finds out about an old prophecy and gains the title of "The Protector" - and with that, a great evil comes about.

I found this to be a perfect read particularly for young adults. Of course, this is also great for the adults who love a bit of a fairy tale feel. You really do connect with the characters and become interested in their journey. There is also the fun bits of art at the start of each chapter to admire. Personally, I find Chase and Victoria to be the most interesting characters, but that's because I tend to cheer on not only the spunky personas, but also the characters who are trying to do right despite their past. I look forward to seeing what book two holds.

[Florian Armas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written in the good tradition of The Chronicles of Narnia, Michael Hanson and the Desolate Woods is an interesting story about a fantasy world, Ezron, filled with many surprises, waiting to be discovered by young readers.
A twin planet of Earth with a different evolution, where time flows differently: for each day on Earth, thirty full days will pass there, (I really wish to have such a destination for my vacations). An old prophecy ready to be fulfilled. A pantheon of gods, immortals, heroes, wizards and flying speaking horses resembling the Greek mythology. Some young girls and boys ready to go on another planet for adventure, to save it from the evil. All of them are likable characters, but Chase is the only fully developed one, due to his life spent in both light and shadow. There are many allegories in the book that flow with the adventure part and the development of our ‘heroes’ that could be good models for young readers.
For sure it will be a ‘next book’ as the evil Zaric lost a battle, but the war did not end yet, a war that balance the fate of all inhabited planets, in the galaxy.

I received the book from the author.

[Alexella Akre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, this was certainly a captivating read! The author’s construction of the fantasy world of Ezron was made with great command and vitality throughout the entire novel. Through the descriptions, it was very easy for me to visualize all of the locations and really engage myself within the novel. Furthermore, the characters were well-developed and likeable and I was thoroughly engaged in all their adventures and dilemmas throughout the novel. The pace of the book was established well, in a way that made for a hanging-of-the-edge-of-my-seat type of feeling due to the fantastic storyline and plot, as well as the dialogues which really did serve to create excellent characterization of the main characters in the book (Michael, Victoria, Chase, etc.) and give them unique and great personalities. I grew to be quite attached to the characters during the reading and enjoyed cheering them on. I would recommend this novel to anyone and look forward to reading the next books in this magnificent and exciting fantasy series! Definitely a 5/5!

[Vanessa Kings · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was one the best fantasy books I’ve read in the last couple of years. It has all the elements of a great fantasy story, and it can be easily put next to Harry Potter, Percy Jackson and even The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings. The way the story was told made me feel like I was in Ezron myself; I could easily imagine the environment and see the characters around me. Sometimes I found myself peeking at the following paragraph because I just couldn’t wait to know what was going to happen. I fell in love with the ezronians and Victoria, Michael’s sister; she’s funny and smart and gave the story an interesting touch of innocence. It was entertaining and funny and at the end I just wanted more, I know what the characters will have to face in the next book and I can’t wait to read it.

There is just one more thing that can be said about this book: Wicked!

I give it five stars and recommend it to all the fantasy readers.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a truly adventurous and mystical read! I decided to read the book after seeing the cover and the description. It seemed like something that would capture my attention and pull me into the story. From the very first page, I was completely sold and wanted to read the rest of the book. Michael Hanson is the main character in this book and he is anything but ordinary. He doesn't really fit in with the kids at school and finds that it is in part because of the unique gold band around his arm. Michael also finds out he's adopted, but other than that he feels that he is pretty normal. Michael enjoys spending time with his sister and his friends. Michael realizes that he isn't ordinary and nothing was as it seems as the immortal world calls him. Michael goes on quite the adventure with his sister and his friends and sees the unknown world for what it really is. I liked all the action in this book and the characters were very fun. I would recommend this one.

[E.L. Ervin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a personal review of Michael Hanson and the Desolate Woods. I love each of my characters and think they all bring a quite different view to the whole storyline and not just this book. I've watched each of my characters go through their own trial and heartbreaks, and overcome MOST of them. This series is, in a way, like the famous series you've read before about capturing the aspect of evil vs. good and the main character being the hero of the story. However, this series is much more than that and has a few heartfelt, genuine and a much deeper meaning to it. I took this series and did something that I feel no one else has done in theirs, to make it my own. And that is why I give my book a 5 star rating.

[Gabi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Usually I am not a big fan on very complex fantasies, so I wasn't so sure if I was going to like this book or not. Yet I absolutely loved. I loved all the characters especially Trent. He is just awesome. I love how all the magic and powers are described in this book and it made it really unique. I feel like all lover of Percy Jackson and other middle grade series will love this book.

[Aly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was really great! I think it should be a movie and this is only the first book. I love it and it was a great adventure. I would love to read the next one. * I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review*

[M.L. Stoughton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Michael Hanson and the Desolate Woods is listed as a young adult fantasy. However, I think it would appeal more to middle grade readers, because of the dialogue and the way the adventure unfolds.
That being said, I did have a few problems with this story. I felt like there was a lot going on. For example: this story had fantasy, sci-fi, supernatural, paranormal, and mythical elements. That’s a lot for one book. Also, a few scenes didn’t seem necessary. While they may have been nice moments, I thought they only resulted in muddling the main story. For example: meeting the grandfather or the extra task with the ghost sisters.
***Spoiler Alert***
I would’ve liked to have seen more world building; if it’s done right, even a fantastical place and situation can seem plausible. Ezron didn’t have that. This far away planet had the exact same food as Earth, and the people of Ezron didn’t speak any differently. They used the same words and terms for almost everything (I only remember one different word introduced). But the thing that threw it over the top for me was that Trent still had cell reception on this far away planet.
I did find the characters likeable. However, the style of writing (often referred to as head-hopping) made me feel disconnected, never knowing who I should be identifying with. And when the characters were faced with an obstacle they were instantly met with an added convenience (new power or something of the sort) and they’d react with fun and excitement. So I never felt like the characters were ever truly scared, sad, or even skeptical about a situation.
This was a difficult story for me to rate as I don’t like leaving negative reviews. But I gave it three stars because it did have its good moments.

[Abrielle Fuerst · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I received this book for free from the author in return for an honest review.

Michael Hanson and the Desolate Woods follows high schooler Michael, along with friends Anya and Trent and his sister Victoria, on an epic quest to discover his identity, and the truth about the strange, glowing symbol on his arm.

As his fifteenth birthday approaches, Michael is forced to confront the changes that have been occurring in his life, and to acknowledge the fact that he is different. From waking up levitating above his bed to a strange symbol on his arm that glows and provides visions, Michael has more than enough reasons to suspect that he might not be the average teenager his calm life to this point has led him to believe.

Michael is determined to find out who he is--despite the otherworldly threats that surround that knowledge.

Michael Hanson and the Desolate Woods would appeal to fans of the Percy Jackson series. The world building is unique and original, as is the transition from Earth to its parallel world, Ezron. The characters are well-developed; they are kind, witty and courageous teenagers thrust into extraordinarily magical circumstances, led to deal with winged creatures, demons and immortal rogues alike. The dialogue and character development were definitely highlights for me; they were fun characters to follow and I look forward to future books from E. L. Ervin!

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a charming book by a first time author, and once I got into the story, I really enjoyed it.

I believe the author commits a cardinal sin of writing: She gives us the entire backstory prior to starting the book's true story.
I would urge the author to take a ruthless pen to the first four chapters and pare them down considerably.
The entire sequence with the grandfather, while touching to our protagonist, does not propel the story forward in any way, nor does it contribute to the rest of the story.
It really has no place and should go.

But once the story actually starts -- Chapter 5 and after 20% of backstory -- then the book becomes more interesting & compelling to read.

It is still written with the hand of a novice writer.
But from this point forward, it's much more interesting & enjoyable.

[K.S. Ferguson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Author E L Ervin tells a story of fifteen-year-old Michael Hanson, a boy who journeys through a portal to discover his super-powers and to learn that great evil awaits him. While the story has possibilities, it's not quite ready for prime time. The dialogue leans toward the stilted and mundane. There are many grammatical errors, and the word choices need work.

Completing a novel is very hard work, and Ervin is to be applauded for her efforts. I would recommend that she find a mentor or editor to help her turn her tale from a draft to the polished, finely crafted adventure it could be. She shows the creativity and drive to get there with a little help.

I received a free copy of this manuscript in exchange for an unbiased review.

[Avid Bookivore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was told by some peers in school that this was a good book for those who liked Harry Potter or Percy Jackson, so I had extremely high standards for this book and wasn't disappointed! I loved this book and the characters all were awesome. I have to say that my favorite was Chase and the imps. Blaze is amazing and I wish I had a fiery blue Pegasus! I am adopted and can understand and appreciate the depth of Michael's feelings and why he's doing what he's doing. For readers who are used to immediate action, this book may not be for you, BUT, if you stick with it, the storyline is phenomenal and truly can't wait for the next books in this series. I hope this book becomes a movie, I can picture the perfect cast!

[H.R. Kasper · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It is an interesting concept and a well-told story. The characters were good overall, although I wanted to know a little more about some of them, especially Michael.

This book is very clean and I appreciate that. I think it's best for younger readers (tweens and early teens). However, I do wish that some things were read into a little more - like Michael's immortality. Surely he would realize that being immortal isn't too great, as he would outlive his friends and family (for the most part). Perhaps the author will address that in an upcoming book.

Conclusion: a well-written fantasy with a good deal of action. I look forward to the next book in this series.

[Kristen P · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really engaging book that centers around the main character Michael, who learns that he’s been adopted. As the story progresses his life turns upside down and he enters in a whirlwind of fantasy that really is a joy to read. I was rooting for him during his struggles and the setting of the scenes was very vivid and imaginative. Great addition to the fantasy genre. Highly recommended.

[Jaden Torres · Rating 5 out of 5]

I give E.L.Ervin A 5 star of her book because, In my opinion, this book is great!