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Blott
When a devastating famine forces Blott to disobey his parents and leave his remote village in search of food, he learns three things that change his life forever.
1. The world outside his village is made up of a giant canvas that stretches all the way to the horizon.
2. A freakish ability that he has kept secret for years means that he can paint life into the fabric, and shape new land around him to save his people from extinction.
3. A sinister voice inside his head has other ideas, threatening to consume him and unleash an untold evil onto the community.
Will Blott create a perfect world, or will he let his inner demon paint with darker colours?
The fate of his people rests in the balance.
Book one of the Canvas Chronicles.
1. The world outside his village is made up of a giant canvas that stretches all the way to the horizon.
2. A freakish ability that he has kept secret for years means that he can paint life into the fabric, and shape new land around him to save his people from extinction.
3. A sinister voice inside his head has other ideas, threatening to consume him and unleash an untold evil onto the community.
Will Blott create a perfect world, or will he let his inner demon paint with darker colours?
The fate of his people rests in the balance.
Book one of the Canvas Chronicles.
- GenresFantasy
314 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 3, 2014
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49 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
May 31, 2017
Bring on book two.
I really liked this story, reading about Blott's struggles first to contain his power hiding it from everyone but his parents, then to understand what it is and finally to try to control it. The story is already set up for a sequel, something to look forward to.
I really liked this story, reading about Blott's struggles first to contain his power hiding it from everyone but his parents, then to understand what it is and finally to try to control it. The story is already set up for a sequel, something to look forward to.
July 18, 2017
*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
I really enjoyed this book. It reminded me somewhat of Jasper Fforde's writing style/stories, especially Shades of Grey, but despite the similarities Daniel Parsons has produced a fresh and unique fantasy. It is pitched as YA, but I was completely unaware of that until after I had finished it, so would say it is suitable for YA and adult alike (not 'children' as although there is no sex, the violence could be pretty scary).
So what did I like about it? The plot is thrilling and intriguing: full of action and mystery; the characters are engaging and real; the setting is fascinating and full of potential (literally a blank canvas in places!); and the writing is light and smooth, with a good balance of humour, pathos, fear and anger: all the colours of the emotional spectrum.
The story builds slowly, layer on layer, from a schoolboy's misdemeanours to a whole community at stake, with the hint that the greater peril is still to come. The propelling plot force is the standard journey of self discovery and growth: the protagonist, Blott, must learn about his mysterious past and powers, how to control them, and whether what he is will define who he will be. At the end of the novel many of these questions are still (at least partially) unanswered, and the burning need to know ensures that I will definitely be waiting impatiently for the sequel.
The difference between this and other coming of age tales is the fantastic world that Parsons has created; the distinct tone and feel of the place, that completely transports the reader to a place where starvation and isolation is the norm and fear stalks the night; where the monsters aren't always what they seem to be, and neither are the champions. I was so immersed in the details of the story that I was shocked when I realised that the erupting of a teenage boy's secret, shameful fluids all over his bedding in the night was played as the stuff of nightmares rather than a comedian's skit, and so well done that I only cottoned on to the (quite obvious) sub-text long after I had put the book down!
The most exciting aspect of the whole novel is the inherent potential. By the end of this initial story arc we have the setting, the cast of characters (good and bad), the magic (also good and bad), and no idea where it could all take us next. Blott's capacity for both dark and light has been established, but we have no concept of the limitations of his power, it's source, and whether it is his, or merely channelled through him (is he the artist, or the brush?). There is magic in the not knowing, and I personally can't wait to see what wonders Daniel Parsons and Blott bring to life next!
I really enjoyed this book. It reminded me somewhat of Jasper Fforde's writing style/stories, especially Shades of Grey, but despite the similarities Daniel Parsons has produced a fresh and unique fantasy. It is pitched as YA, but I was completely unaware of that until after I had finished it, so would say it is suitable for YA and adult alike (not 'children' as although there is no sex, the violence could be pretty scary).
So what did I like about it? The plot is thrilling and intriguing: full of action and mystery; the characters are engaging and real; the setting is fascinating and full of potential (literally a blank canvas in places!); and the writing is light and smooth, with a good balance of humour, pathos, fear and anger: all the colours of the emotional spectrum.
The story builds slowly, layer on layer, from a schoolboy's misdemeanours to a whole community at stake, with the hint that the greater peril is still to come. The propelling plot force is the standard journey of self discovery and growth: the protagonist, Blott, must learn about his mysterious past and powers, how to control them, and whether what he is will define who he will be. At the end of the novel many of these questions are still (at least partially) unanswered, and the burning need to know ensures that I will definitely be waiting impatiently for the sequel.
The difference between this and other coming of age tales is the fantastic world that Parsons has created; the distinct tone and feel of the place, that completely transports the reader to a place where starvation and isolation is the norm and fear stalks the night; where the monsters aren't always what they seem to be, and neither are the champions. I was so immersed in the details of the story that I was shocked when I realised that the erupting of a teenage boy's secret, shameful fluids all over his bedding in the night was played as the stuff of nightmares rather than a comedian's skit, and so well done that I only cottoned on to the (quite obvious) sub-text long after I had put the book down!
The most exciting aspect of the whole novel is the inherent potential. By the end of this initial story arc we have the setting, the cast of characters (good and bad), the magic (also good and bad), and no idea where it could all take us next. Blott's capacity for both dark and light has been established, but we have no concept of the limitations of his power, it's source, and whether it is his, or merely channelled through him (is he the artist, or the brush?). There is magic in the not knowing, and I personally can't wait to see what wonders Daniel Parsons and Blott bring to life next!
August 4, 2017
What do you know about the world beyond the borders of your town? Do you always do as you’re told? Blott doesn’t know where he came from. He knows that the people taking care of him aren’t his real parents. They found him out in the desert and took him home. Now people in town are starving but are afraid to search for food beyond the borders for fear monsters or evil creatures will be lured into town and kill them all. Once Blott finally tries to leave the town, he realizes the dangers he was being protected from. Very interesting story concept I enjoyed reading this book.
August 26, 2017
A great story about Blott and how he struggles to find out who he really is. He ventures beyond the town to see what's there. A bit strange but definitely enjoyable for a first read from this author. Received a free book.
March 20, 2017
My first read from author Daniel Parsons and it was an enjoyable one.In depth character development, a unique, well crafted story line. I'll be seeking out more from him.
April 28, 2020
Very different and interesting story
August 3, 2015
For all this manuscript’s unprofessionalism, the story still swept me along so that I had no choice but finish it.
The story centers around Blott, a boy whose village faces starvation due to a drought and is controlled almost exclusively by the chief member of the council. In an attempt to find relief for his people, Blott discovers things about himself and his world, and is forced to explore the strange abilities that separate him from the rest of the people, even from his parents and brother. He also struggles with a violent enjoyment of destruction that might come from some mysterious external puppet-master, or from a well of darkness in his own soul.
I couldn’t help but notice the editorial mistakes, mostly malaprops, that dotted the pages. For instance, a “waste of precisions resources” instead of “waste of precious resources”. As a writer myself, they made me smile, but they certainly tend to break a reader out of the story.
There’s also the author’s use of modern slang, both in narrative and in dialogue. I recognize that this is a fantasy world, and as such Mr. Parsons can make his characters talk however he wants. However, it broke me out of the story and reminded me this was something someone had written (and written differently than I might), not a real life I was living vicariously.
Speaking of which, Mr. Parsons either hasn’t heard or doesn’t believe the stern injunction of writing coaches against “head-hopping”, or switching between different characters’ perspectives within the same scene. The narrative zips and jumps between viewpoints, and I couldn’t help but be distracted by the shifts in which character was telling me the story.
Personally, the world might be the best aspect of Mr. Parsons creation. With a fresh (to me) concept of fantasy, the mechanics and mythology of the universe in the book were interesting and internally consistent. It’s worth experiencing for yourself.
The characters were also more layered than they might seem at first (especially one of the villains), and the backstory revealed a motive for villainy I hadn’t seen coming. I also enjoyed the characters of the protagonist’s parents, who for once were allies of the youth character, not villains.
I can’t recommend this book without a few caveats. Gore isn’t usually my thing, and there’s plenty of it here. Mr. Parsons has no qualms whatsoever about who he kills, or how he kills them. Guttings, eviserations, ribcages cracked like carmel popcorn, brainings, and impalings…you name it. Obviously, with text the mess is only going to be as vivid as your imagination creates it—but there’s no holds barred in this vicious slaughter.
If you can read through that, however, you will find an engrossing story where characters struggle against internal demons and monsters of their own making.
The twists and turns kept me on edge. As I mentioned, nothing is sacred when it comes to killing. I knew this book was intended as the beginning of a series, but I still didn’t feel secure that any particular character would survive. After all, sequels can run in all sorts of directions. I didn’t know this author well enough to trust what kind of ending the book would have. Happy? Bittersweet? Maybe they would all die, the protagonist would surrender to the evil possessor inside him, and it would be a so-called “mature” or “edgy” ending, like a Shakespearian tragedy. I wasn’t sure. But I kept reading anyway. [spoiler: happy ending]
It does resolve at last (with a few final corkscrews of fate), and in a way that satisfies while still setting up for a following book. While contrary to my own worldview, the climax flows logically from the construction of the world and the personal epiphanies of the various characters.
While it’s certainly not a second Lord of the Rings (who is?), it’s got a lot of potential, and with another editorial sweep or two, perhaps one more draft, it would have been a fascinating book with a professional, polished feel. It’s still an enthralling story (less some gut-splattering), and could have been a lot more if the distractions mentioned above were resolved. Perhaps there’ll be a second edition…?
Disclaimer: I received my ebook copy of Blott for free as part of a promotion via the author’s Twitter. I was not required to write a review, positive or otherwise, and all views expressed are my own. Please Note: This ebook file contains Digital Rights Management (DRM) software.
The story centers around Blott, a boy whose village faces starvation due to a drought and is controlled almost exclusively by the chief member of the council. In an attempt to find relief for his people, Blott discovers things about himself and his world, and is forced to explore the strange abilities that separate him from the rest of the people, even from his parents and brother. He also struggles with a violent enjoyment of destruction that might come from some mysterious external puppet-master, or from a well of darkness in his own soul.
I couldn’t help but notice the editorial mistakes, mostly malaprops, that dotted the pages. For instance, a “waste of precisions resources” instead of “waste of precious resources”. As a writer myself, they made me smile, but they certainly tend to break a reader out of the story.
There’s also the author’s use of modern slang, both in narrative and in dialogue. I recognize that this is a fantasy world, and as such Mr. Parsons can make his characters talk however he wants. However, it broke me out of the story and reminded me this was something someone had written (and written differently than I might), not a real life I was living vicariously.
Speaking of which, Mr. Parsons either hasn’t heard or doesn’t believe the stern injunction of writing coaches against “head-hopping”, or switching between different characters’ perspectives within the same scene. The narrative zips and jumps between viewpoints, and I couldn’t help but be distracted by the shifts in which character was telling me the story.
Personally, the world might be the best aspect of Mr. Parsons creation. With a fresh (to me) concept of fantasy, the mechanics and mythology of the universe in the book were interesting and internally consistent. It’s worth experiencing for yourself.
The characters were also more layered than they might seem at first (especially one of the villains), and the backstory revealed a motive for villainy I hadn’t seen coming. I also enjoyed the characters of the protagonist’s parents, who for once were allies of the youth character, not villains.
I can’t recommend this book without a few caveats. Gore isn’t usually my thing, and there’s plenty of it here. Mr. Parsons has no qualms whatsoever about who he kills, or how he kills them. Guttings, eviserations, ribcages cracked like carmel popcorn, brainings, and impalings…you name it. Obviously, with text the mess is only going to be as vivid as your imagination creates it—but there’s no holds barred in this vicious slaughter.
If you can read through that, however, you will find an engrossing story where characters struggle against internal demons and monsters of their own making.
The twists and turns kept me on edge. As I mentioned, nothing is sacred when it comes to killing. I knew this book was intended as the beginning of a series, but I still didn’t feel secure that any particular character would survive. After all, sequels can run in all sorts of directions. I didn’t know this author well enough to trust what kind of ending the book would have. Happy? Bittersweet? Maybe they would all die, the protagonist would surrender to the evil possessor inside him, and it would be a so-called “mature” or “edgy” ending, like a Shakespearian tragedy. I wasn’t sure. But I kept reading anyway. [spoiler: happy ending]
It does resolve at last (with a few final corkscrews of fate), and in a way that satisfies while still setting up for a following book. While contrary to my own worldview, the climax flows logically from the construction of the world and the personal epiphanies of the various characters.
While it’s certainly not a second Lord of the Rings (who is?), it’s got a lot of potential, and with another editorial sweep or two, perhaps one more draft, it would have been a fascinating book with a professional, polished feel. It’s still an enthralling story (less some gut-splattering), and could have been a lot more if the distractions mentioned above were resolved. Perhaps there’ll be a second edition…?
Disclaimer: I received my ebook copy of Blott for free as part of a promotion via the author’s Twitter. I was not required to write a review, positive or otherwise, and all views expressed are my own. Please Note: This ebook file contains Digital Rights Management (DRM) software.
May 30, 2016
I’ve been intrigued by this story since I downloaded it back in June 2015. I thought it had a very different premise for a story line; that of a boy, Blott, who can paint the world around him from ink that leaks out of his hands. The people he grew up with referred to themselves as Canvas People, and outside of their immediate village, everything around them was called the White Plains. Basically, a blank canvas of unending white.
Blott has a terrible secret, one his parents made him hide all his life. But, the older he gets, the harder it becomes for him to contain his embarrassing secret, especially when faced with anger or danger. He’s also plagued by nightmares, which become more terrifying in nature, as he feels a dark presence trying to exert it’s force on him. On top of that, his village is dying, due to an extended drought and now they’re all facing starvation. As Blott tries to find a way to save his people, he accidentally unleashes the darkness inside him. Can he learn to control it, and undo all the harm he’s caused?
The book drew me in from the beginning, as Blott is being chased by the bullies of the village, Artemis and his gang, when he finds himself face-to-face with Clucky. Clucky is a sort of rooster-bull mixture, something I wouldn’t want to meet in person.
The world that Daniel Parsons has drawn is full of vivid detail and I could picture myself going through all the adventures with Blott, and the villagers, as they defended themselves against some really nasty creatures that the darker side of Blott created. This is a slated as a Children’s Book, but there is a lot of death and darkness and I wouldn’t recommend it for younger children.
There are twists and turns that took me by surprise, which I really enjoined. I also thought all the characters were well-developed. At this time, there isn’t a sequel out, so we’re left with a cliff-hanger, but I’ve been told it’s on the author’s to-be-done list. I hope so. I really want to see what happens to the Canvas People and the White Plains.
What I didn’t like: there were some instances of wrong word usage, but the biggest one were the out-of-context similes/metaphors. We’re dealing with a pretty primitive society that uses candles for lights, yet their world, or actions, are being compared to modern technology like orbiting satellites, or oceans that they’ve never seen. These references threw me out of the story on several occasions during my reading.
This is a good story that I recommend for older kids and adults alike. I give it 4 feathers.
Blott has a terrible secret, one his parents made him hide all his life. But, the older he gets, the harder it becomes for him to contain his embarrassing secret, especially when faced with anger or danger. He’s also plagued by nightmares, which become more terrifying in nature, as he feels a dark presence trying to exert it’s force on him. On top of that, his village is dying, due to an extended drought and now they’re all facing starvation. As Blott tries to find a way to save his people, he accidentally unleashes the darkness inside him. Can he learn to control it, and undo all the harm he’s caused?
The book drew me in from the beginning, as Blott is being chased by the bullies of the village, Artemis and his gang, when he finds himself face-to-face with Clucky. Clucky is a sort of rooster-bull mixture, something I wouldn’t want to meet in person.
The world that Daniel Parsons has drawn is full of vivid detail and I could picture myself going through all the adventures with Blott, and the villagers, as they defended themselves against some really nasty creatures that the darker side of Blott created. This is a slated as a Children’s Book, but there is a lot of death and darkness and I wouldn’t recommend it for younger children.
There are twists and turns that took me by surprise, which I really enjoined. I also thought all the characters were well-developed. At this time, there isn’t a sequel out, so we’re left with a cliff-hanger, but I’ve been told it’s on the author’s to-be-done list. I hope so. I really want to see what happens to the Canvas People and the White Plains.
What I didn’t like: there were some instances of wrong word usage, but the biggest one were the out-of-context similes/metaphors. We’re dealing with a pretty primitive society that uses candles for lights, yet their world, or actions, are being compared to modern technology like orbiting satellites, or oceans that they’ve never seen. These references threw me out of the story on several occasions during my reading.
This is a good story that I recommend for older kids and adults alike. I give it 4 feathers.
March 1, 2016
I saw the cover for this book (recommended to me in my Amazon feed) and was intrigued. I read the blurb and liked what it said, so I picked it up. I’m glad I did!
Synopsis (from the author): When a devastating famine forces Blott to disobey his parents and leave his remote village in search of food, he learns three things that change his life forever.
1. The world outside his village is made up of a giant canvas that stretches all the way to the horizon.
2. A freakish ability that he has kept secret for years means that he can paint life into the fabric, and shape new land around him to save his people from extinction.
3. A sinister voice inside his head has other ideas, threatening to consume him and unleash an untold evil onto the community.
Will Blott create a perfect world, or will he let his inner demon paint with darker colours?
The fate of his people rests in the balance.
What I liked: This book started with a bang! Blott running for his life! The action continued throughout the book and kept me in the story. Daniel Parsons did an excellent job of building a strange world and filling it with interesting characters. Blott, the awkward teen who bleeds ink, Seraph, his best friend, and Arcana, the leader of the town, are instrumental in the book. I connected with Blott and sympathized with his plight. And the evil Alkali was cool! All said this was a good read!
What I didn’t like: I thought Seraph could have played a bigger role than she did. Another thing that didn’t make sense to me was the reluctance Blott had in fighting his creations. Blott was brave enough to strike out to find food for the town, but waited until others died at the hands of his creations before fighting them.
Overall impression: I liked this book! The story is original, the characters easy to identify with, and the action well done. I recommend this book to any reader who enjoys a different kind of fantasy world!
My rating: 4 Stars
Synopsis (from the author): When a devastating famine forces Blott to disobey his parents and leave his remote village in search of food, he learns three things that change his life forever.
1. The world outside his village is made up of a giant canvas that stretches all the way to the horizon.
2. A freakish ability that he has kept secret for years means that he can paint life into the fabric, and shape new land around him to save his people from extinction.
3. A sinister voice inside his head has other ideas, threatening to consume him and unleash an untold evil onto the community.
Will Blott create a perfect world, or will he let his inner demon paint with darker colours?
The fate of his people rests in the balance.
What I liked: This book started with a bang! Blott running for his life! The action continued throughout the book and kept me in the story. Daniel Parsons did an excellent job of building a strange world and filling it with interesting characters. Blott, the awkward teen who bleeds ink, Seraph, his best friend, and Arcana, the leader of the town, are instrumental in the book. I connected with Blott and sympathized with his plight. And the evil Alkali was cool! All said this was a good read!
What I didn’t like: I thought Seraph could have played a bigger role than she did. Another thing that didn’t make sense to me was the reluctance Blott had in fighting his creations. Blott was brave enough to strike out to find food for the town, but waited until others died at the hands of his creations before fighting them.
Overall impression: I liked this book! The story is original, the characters easy to identify with, and the action well done. I recommend this book to any reader who enjoys a different kind of fantasy world!
My rating: 4 Stars
January 31, 2016
I liked the start of this book: straight into action as the main character, Blott, runs for his life! Blott is one of the “canvas” people. Their world seems to be built on a surface made of something like knotted rope, or a canvas, which left to itself, is no more than a desert. I found this concept to be so creative, so different, that I have to wonder how the author conceptualized it. Instead of going with the usual fantasy elements that most YA writer s use such as elves, dwarves, magic stones, and the usual quests, the author has produced a truly different concept: the canvas world where life is “painted” into the bare canvas by the blood of gods!
I enjoyed the story very much. What suggestions do I have for the author? Maybe a more stylized language for a people who are obviously simple farmers and not on planet earth. It felt strange to hear the characters say words like “Ok, germs, and operation.” Other than that, I found the book to be well written, enjoyable, and while it opens the way for a second book, it is a stand-alone novel and does not end in a cliff hanger.
I recommend this book to readers of all ages.
I enjoyed the story very much. What suggestions do I have for the author? Maybe a more stylized language for a people who are obviously simple farmers and not on planet earth. It felt strange to hear the characters say words like “Ok, germs, and operation.” Other than that, I found the book to be well written, enjoyable, and while it opens the way for a second book, it is a stand-alone novel and does not end in a cliff hanger.
I recommend this book to readers of all ages.
June 18, 2015
Even though early on in this novel, I thought I would be seeing once again the typical hero's journey, but as the story progressed I was pleasantly surprised. Daniel Parsons has created a completely original fantasy story that will remind readers of an old west shoot-out combined with a young man's struggle with finding his identity when he is unwillingly given powers that could save or destroy his small town that he lives just outside of the white plains. The characters are well-defined and complex enough for the reader to really be able to identify with them. It also brings up great ideas about taking chances in life, the power of our emotions, and where evil really resides. It tells a complete story, but also leaves enough questions unanswered so you want to read the next installment of the series. It is also so original that the plot won't blend in with other fantasy series that you might read before the next one comes out. It was a fun story all the way around, and one that could be enjoyable for people of many different ages.
April 19, 2016
The story line for this book begins with action and continues much the same way. The fantasy world which Daniel Parsons has created is original - I haven't read anything like this before. Blott is an outsider, which will resonate with most readers as we all seem to possess the hard-done-by gene and the story follows his plight within the Canvas tribe to which his family belongs. It's a first in series and does a great job of setting up the dystopian world view and introducing important characters. There are some clues as to events which may unfold as the series progresses but you have to be up early to catch those. There is a gripping element of mystery running throughout and the reader would be well warned to take nothing at face value. Absolutely nothing is as it seems. It's definitely a page turner and well worth dipping into. I would be interested in reading the rest of the series as it becomes available.
April 13, 2015
It's classed as a YA book but I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Blott is a great character and his abilities were not what I was expecting.
Really well thought out and easy to read, can't wait for book 2 to find out what else will happen in this strange world.
Blott is a great character and his abilities were not what I was expecting.
Really well thought out and easy to read, can't wait for book 2 to find out what else will happen in this strange world.
April 10, 2017
Blott has a unique and very creative premise. I enjoyed reading it and the many surprising twists kept me turning pages to see what would happen next. The author did a wonderful and colorful description of the world. The characters were well developed. I would definitely recommend this book.
Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book from the author who requested an honest review.
Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book from the author who requested an honest review.
March 30, 2017
This was a very interesting story! Blott is a typical teenager, but with surprising abilities. He wants to help his village and save them from starvation, but he doesn't know how. He gets into trouble, but manages to find his way out, albeit through several trying moments. It may be a story geared towards the younger crowd, but as a 30-something, I really enjoyed this fantasy tale.
April 10, 2017
Intriguing read. I love the concept of the design of the world. It's quite unique. Fabulous character development, quick pace, lots of action, wonderful world building. This was the first book I've read by Mr. Parsons, but it's unlikely to be the last. I look forward to more of Blott's adventures.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews