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The Felix Chronicles #1
Freshmen
A freshman.
The Chosen One.
At the crossroads of destiny and self-determination the two shall collide. At stake, a young man's soul. And the fate of the world.
Reeling from a terrible accident that claimed the lives of his parents, Felix arrives at Portland College hoping only to survive the experience. In time, however, with the help of his reality star roommate, and Allison, his friend from home, he immerses himself in the distractions of college life and gradually dares to believe he can put his past behind him.
But a fateful storm looms on the horizon: In the nearby woods, two hikers become the latest victims in a series of gruesome murders; a disfigured giant embarks on a vicious cross-country rampage, killing teenagers who fail his ‘test’; an ancient society of assassins tasked with eradicating the wielders of a mysterious source of power awakens after a long silence; and a grassroots movement emerges from the shadows to capture the public’s imagination, its hidden agenda as revolutionary and terrifying as the man who created it. Only one man—the school’s groundskeeper—knows that the seemingly unrelated events are connected, and that an eighteen-year-old boy stands in the center of the storm.
The Chosen One.
At the crossroads of destiny and self-determination the two shall collide. At stake, a young man's soul. And the fate of the world.
Reeling from a terrible accident that claimed the lives of his parents, Felix arrives at Portland College hoping only to survive the experience. In time, however, with the help of his reality star roommate, and Allison, his friend from home, he immerses himself in the distractions of college life and gradually dares to believe he can put his past behind him.
But a fateful storm looms on the horizon: In the nearby woods, two hikers become the latest victims in a series of gruesome murders; a disfigured giant embarks on a vicious cross-country rampage, killing teenagers who fail his ‘test’; an ancient society of assassins tasked with eradicating the wielders of a mysterious source of power awakens after a long silence; and a grassroots movement emerges from the shadows to capture the public’s imagination, its hidden agenda as revolutionary and terrifying as the man who created it. Only one man—the school’s groundskeeper—knows that the seemingly unrelated events are connected, and that an eighteen-year-old boy stands in the center of the storm.
426 pages, Paperback
First published May 11, 2015
208 people are currently reading
1800 people want to read
About the author
R.T. Lowe
3 books55 followersR.T. Lowe is the author of The Felix Chronicles: Freshmen (Book 1), Five Days In January (Book 2) and Tides Of Winter (Book 3). R.T. is a graduate of Willamette University and Columbia Law School. Originally from Oregon, he now lives in Newtown, Connecticut with his wife and four sons.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
August 30, 2015
I am a huge fan of YA/Fantasy books that have the ability to actually pull in the YA male audience and keep them wanting to read. There are some great series out there that boys, teens and men can get into like Harry Potter, Maximum Ride, Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones but the problem with these series is that the first two is read by most boys before they enter high school and the other two are typically read after. Sure, I know there’s some guys that will read LOTR and GOT during high school but most of the ones I’ve talked to about it say they’re just too long and complicated to keep their attention. So where are the great fantasy series that girls will naturally gobble up and that guys age 15-18 can get equally excited for?? Enter The Felix Chronicles: Freshmen by R.T. Lowe. While reading this I kept thinking “finally, finally!!” this is something I can recommend to ALL our teens that walk in the school library looking for something a little different, a little dark, and a little more.
This is the story of Felix, a college freshmen who is having to learn how to manage life after the death of his parents. He’s attending Portland College and is starting to make a few friends as he settles into the college life despite his recent grief. I really enjoyed Felix’s character, he’s such an all-around likeable guy and portrayed very realistically. The supporting cast of characters are equally enjoyable and were wonderfully fleshed out and real. My favorite of course was Allison, Felix’s best friend from home who’s always stood by him. I loved that there was no love triangle in this story although I wouldn’t be upset to see Felix and Allison together by the end of the series ;)
Despite the seemingly good times of college life darkness is beginning to spread and strange things are starting to happen, very strange indeed! There’s a sinister serial killer on the loose, one that I have to admit was rather fascinating and I really wanted more of! People are also disappearing into the woods; there are stalkers afoot, secret societies, scary monsters, magic and even assassins! Crazy right? And how does all of this relate together? It’s all tied somehow to Felix, although he really has no idea. I really don’t want to give too much of the storyline and plot away, this is one where it’s best to know just the basics going in. You may be a little confused at first but be patient and have faith in R.T. Lowe, trust him because this author really knows what he’s doing here! Everything he writes has a purpose and a meaning, even if it’s not clear right away.
At nearly 500 pages, some would think The Felix Chronicles to be too long of a read but I actually want my fantasies to be big books, I feel you need it in order to get proper world building. Besides, this is an extremely fast-paced story full of tons of suspense and action! Be warned now, there is a ton of dark violence in this book, some of it quiet disturbing in a fantastically creepy sort of way :) Yes, I love this type of creepiness! One of the things I loved most though was all the fast-paced fantasy and horror stuff that was then mixed with plenty of humor, so refreshing!
So, is The Felix Chronicles the perfect read for teen girls and guys, ones that are looking for something with a little meat that walks along the darker side of fantasy? Absolutely! This is an extremely exciting, terrifically twisted, blood curdling good time! I’m so glad to have been given the chance to read it and I’m looking forward to digging in to book 2 as soon as it comes out! I will absolutely be recommending Felix for fans of dark fantasy ages 14 & up and it’s one that I’d LOVE to see stocked in our school library as soon as possible!
Thank you so much to Xpresso Book Tours and to author, R.T. Lowe for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!
This is the story of Felix, a college freshmen who is having to learn how to manage life after the death of his parents. He’s attending Portland College and is starting to make a few friends as he settles into the college life despite his recent grief. I really enjoyed Felix’s character, he’s such an all-around likeable guy and portrayed very realistically. The supporting cast of characters are equally enjoyable and were wonderfully fleshed out and real. My favorite of course was Allison, Felix’s best friend from home who’s always stood by him. I loved that there was no love triangle in this story although I wouldn’t be upset to see Felix and Allison together by the end of the series ;)
Despite the seemingly good times of college life darkness is beginning to spread and strange things are starting to happen, very strange indeed! There’s a sinister serial killer on the loose, one that I have to admit was rather fascinating and I really wanted more of! People are also disappearing into the woods; there are stalkers afoot, secret societies, scary monsters, magic and even assassins! Crazy right? And how does all of this relate together? It’s all tied somehow to Felix, although he really has no idea. I really don’t want to give too much of the storyline and plot away, this is one where it’s best to know just the basics going in. You may be a little confused at first but be patient and have faith in R.T. Lowe, trust him because this author really knows what he’s doing here! Everything he writes has a purpose and a meaning, even if it’s not clear right away.
At nearly 500 pages, some would think The Felix Chronicles to be too long of a read but I actually want my fantasies to be big books, I feel you need it in order to get proper world building. Besides, this is an extremely fast-paced story full of tons of suspense and action! Be warned now, there is a ton of dark violence in this book, some of it quiet disturbing in a fantastically creepy sort of way :) Yes, I love this type of creepiness! One of the things I loved most though was all the fast-paced fantasy and horror stuff that was then mixed with plenty of humor, so refreshing!
So, is The Felix Chronicles the perfect read for teen girls and guys, ones that are looking for something with a little meat that walks along the darker side of fantasy? Absolutely! This is an extremely exciting, terrifically twisted, blood curdling good time! I’m so glad to have been given the chance to read it and I’m looking forward to digging in to book 2 as soon as it comes out! I will absolutely be recommending Felix for fans of dark fantasy ages 14 & up and it’s one that I’d LOVE to see stocked in our school library as soon as possible!
Thank you so much to Xpresso Book Tours and to author, R.T. Lowe for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!
July 11, 2015
This story had a lot of very interesting aspect to it and overall I thought it was an ok read. I loved the chapters with the villains (murderers, kidnappers, creatures of the forest) but had a harder time with the chapters containing the main characters.
Felix, his reality star room-mate and the ground keeper were the hardest characters for me to like. There was a shining star and what really made it worth the read for me, was Felix's best friend Allison. Allison and the villains really made the story for me and it was slow getting through the parts without them.
I did feel that there is a lot of the story that doesn't add anything to the storyline and could have been edited out to get a more powerful story. Yet I could also be biased because all those parts also included the characters I felt were dull.
Even though I feel like this book is a 2 1/2 star, not a bad read and at the low price it's being offered I still consider it a good buy. I do believe it's a little long at 500 pages and some characters could have been amped up a bit. It is something I recommend, enjoyable overall, yet hoping that the future books contain more Allison.
Felix, his reality star room-mate and the ground keeper were the hardest characters for me to like. There was a shining star and what really made it worth the read for me, was Felix's best friend Allison. Allison and the villains really made the story for me and it was slow getting through the parts without them.
I did feel that there is a lot of the story that doesn't add anything to the storyline and could have been edited out to get a more powerful story. Yet I could also be biased because all those parts also included the characters I felt were dull.
Even though I feel like this book is a 2 1/2 star, not a bad read and at the low price it's being offered I still consider it a good buy. I do believe it's a little long at 500 pages and some characters could have been amped up a bit. It is something I recommend, enjoyable overall, yet hoping that the future books contain more Allison.
January 12, 2016
I have mixed feelings with this read. Here's my breakdown:
Pros:
* I love that it was a creative and unique story - definitely one of a kind
* It had a good balance of suspense
* Offered as a kindleunlimited
Cons:
* At times I felt as if there were too many characters - it seemed to take away from the characters having much depth or genuine feeling personalities
* The romance was lacking - very PG and honestly, quite boring
* This book was 500 pages long, which normally I don’t consider a bad thing, but this one seemed to include a lot of irrelevant details and it tended to "drag on" at numerous times
* I wasn’t pleased with the way it ended - for such a long book, it lacked much - it didn’t even have a solid HFN feeling upon closure
Overall, while I do think this series has potential, this book didn’t intrigue me enough to continue it. This book was released in May 2015, and as of now Book 2 is still not available. It is said to be released sometime in the summer, but I doubt I will even remember much about this book in 5 + more months. I'm not a fan of long lags between book release dates.
Pros:
* I love that it was a creative and unique story - definitely one of a kind
* It had a good balance of suspense
* Offered as a kindleunlimited
Cons:
* At times I felt as if there were too many characters - it seemed to take away from the characters having much depth or genuine feeling personalities
* The romance was lacking - very PG and honestly, quite boring
* This book was 500 pages long, which normally I don’t consider a bad thing, but this one seemed to include a lot of irrelevant details and it tended to "drag on" at numerous times
* I wasn’t pleased with the way it ended - for such a long book, it lacked much - it didn’t even have a solid HFN feeling upon closure
Overall, while I do think this series has potential, this book didn’t intrigue me enough to continue it. This book was released in May 2015, and as of now Book 2 is still not available. It is said to be released sometime in the summer, but I doubt I will even remember much about this book in 5 + more months. I'm not a fan of long lags between book release dates.
September 16, 2016
Original Post: http://booknauthors.blogspot.com/2016...
Felix is in college finally but.. it's a fantasy novel there's gotta be something right? There's this strange thing that actually kills people when they fail his test. And by killing I mean like literally brutally murdered. But there's a guy who knows the secret behind everything and when everything gets revealed tables are turned, Felix is in hot water now.
OMG! The plot was so gripping and engrossing. Although the book was pretty big one just can't stop reading it. The writing style of author was amazing depicting every element of the book in an alluring way. Felix was my most favorite character along with his best friend, who was pretty adorbs too. I was shipping them legit. This book is filled with action, suspense, and twists.
Overall, highly recommended to fantasy readers!!!
Felix is in college finally but.. it's a fantasy novel there's gotta be something right? There's this strange thing that actually kills people when they fail his test. And by killing I mean like literally brutally murdered. But there's a guy who knows the secret behind everything and when everything gets revealed tables are turned, Felix is in hot water now.
OMG! The plot was so gripping and engrossing. Although the book was pretty big one just can't stop reading it. The writing style of author was amazing depicting every element of the book in an alluring way. Felix was my most favorite character along with his best friend, who was pretty adorbs too. I was shipping them legit. This book is filled with action, suspense, and twists.
Overall, highly recommended to fantasy readers!!!
October 30, 2015
Some DNF reviews are the hardest to write. The problem is that there’s an impression that our “DNF” books are the worst we’ve read – after all, what could be worse than a book we couldn’t manage to finish? Well it’s certainly true for some of our DNFs, but most of our absolutely terrible books are so bad that I feel almost compelled to keep reading either to fully describe all their awfulness or in an almost train-wreck like ghoulish inability to look away
This book is not awful. It is not terrible. But, at over 500 pages, it is long – and by the time I got to page 210, I, sadly, lost interest. At this point the only supernatural things we’d had were a nifty prologue and then lots of hints.
The prologue, set in classical times, was promising – we had magic and prophecy and different factions and choices and clear challenges and conflict and lots of nifty well written action. That prologue managed to keep me going for pages.
But after that we focus on Felix, a fairly ordinary teenaged boy who is clearly going to become the protagonist special one with lots of power. And there’s a lot of good things about this character – he has recently lost his parents in a terrible accident (which totally won’t be an accident) and he is an excellent depiction of someone suffering trauma. His guilt, his grief, his pain is all very realistic – it’s really well done and built into his character
What isn’t built into the character is the actual plot. And for 200 pages I’ve been following Felix around waiting for something to happen beyond him pining after a beautiful girl, playing football, drinking coffee and portraying his excellently depicted trauma.
We do get lots of fake outs. Like he’ll apparently be attacked and there’ll be action and a possibility of plot… but it’s a dream (it so wasn’t a dream. No it’s not a dream. Damnation don’t just let this lie as a dream!). And then he’ll see a woman in odd clothes on campus who runs… so he chases her. Who does that? It’s the middle of the night and he sees a strange woman and just decides to chase her?! But anyway he decides she’s a vampire or a ghost (this is NOT a magical incorporated world) and ends up exploring tunnels and crypts and then… going home.
Oh how I seethed.
The last straw that broke the camel’s back (check that twisted metaphor) was when a guy who clearly knows all about the supernatural/prophecy/thingy (which I don’t know about) decided to catch up with Felix in a coffee shop. After many pages of being cryptic and vague and annoying Felix he finally says “I knew your mother” special cryptic woo-woo… then has to leave. What, did he leave the gas on or something? Why even bother Felix in the first place if you’re just going to dump crypticness and then disappear?
It’s immensely frustrating and follows a number of sideplots that have been doing the same level of hinting and teasing. Like there’s an actor playing a huge publicity game. It takes pages and pages and is definitely pushing an interesting side-plot along with Felix’s reality show friend about the nature of celebrity and social media as well as how vast sums of money are earned for very little. It’s a really good side plot. An excellent side plot. A side-plot I would praise – if there was an actual main plot for it to be connected to.
There’s the care-taker who is clearly is in on the big secret which he keeps referring to without actually revealing anything and that is SOOO FRUSTRATING!.
And there’s something in the forest being all scary and stuff and a big corporate guy who is clearly evil – all these characters but nothing actually advancing.
Read More
This book is not awful. It is not terrible. But, at over 500 pages, it is long – and by the time I got to page 210, I, sadly, lost interest. At this point the only supernatural things we’d had were a nifty prologue and then lots of hints.
The prologue, set in classical times, was promising – we had magic and prophecy and different factions and choices and clear challenges and conflict and lots of nifty well written action. That prologue managed to keep me going for pages.
But after that we focus on Felix, a fairly ordinary teenaged boy who is clearly going to become the protagonist special one with lots of power. And there’s a lot of good things about this character – he has recently lost his parents in a terrible accident (which totally won’t be an accident) and he is an excellent depiction of someone suffering trauma. His guilt, his grief, his pain is all very realistic – it’s really well done and built into his character
What isn’t built into the character is the actual plot. And for 200 pages I’ve been following Felix around waiting for something to happen beyond him pining after a beautiful girl, playing football, drinking coffee and portraying his excellently depicted trauma.
We do get lots of fake outs. Like he’ll apparently be attacked and there’ll be action and a possibility of plot… but it’s a dream (it so wasn’t a dream. No it’s not a dream. Damnation don’t just let this lie as a dream!). And then he’ll see a woman in odd clothes on campus who runs… so he chases her. Who does that? It’s the middle of the night and he sees a strange woman and just decides to chase her?! But anyway he decides she’s a vampire or a ghost (this is NOT a magical incorporated world) and ends up exploring tunnels and crypts and then… going home.
Oh how I seethed.
The last straw that broke the camel’s back (check that twisted metaphor) was when a guy who clearly knows all about the supernatural/prophecy/thingy (which I don’t know about) decided to catch up with Felix in a coffee shop. After many pages of being cryptic and vague and annoying Felix he finally says “I knew your mother” special cryptic woo-woo… then has to leave. What, did he leave the gas on or something? Why even bother Felix in the first place if you’re just going to dump crypticness and then disappear?
It’s immensely frustrating and follows a number of sideplots that have been doing the same level of hinting and teasing. Like there’s an actor playing a huge publicity game. It takes pages and pages and is definitely pushing an interesting side-plot along with Felix’s reality show friend about the nature of celebrity and social media as well as how vast sums of money are earned for very little. It’s a really good side plot. An excellent side plot. A side-plot I would praise – if there was an actual main plot for it to be connected to.
There’s the care-taker who is clearly is in on the big secret which he keeps referring to without actually revealing anything and that is SOOO FRUSTRATING!.
And there’s something in the forest being all scary and stuff and a big corporate guy who is clearly evil – all these characters but nothing actually advancing.
Read More
August 28, 2015
What if Harry Potter didn’t know about magic until he went to college? And what if (along with almost everything else to do with dorm life as a freshman) Hogwarts turned out to be more horror story than dark fantasy, and Harry’s fellow students had a tendency to end up as ketchup?
Why am I going into all of this? Well, I was giving it lots of thought as I read The Felix Chronicles: Freshman. I made it through the (long) preface, helped by a warning that it would all make sense later, and that Felix would (eventually) show up. I went through (and then started skipping over) descriptions of beautiful young girls murdered, Bad Things happening in the woods, and a bunch of other disturbing situations, all mixed with the story of Felix’s first year in college. Going away to school can be hard enough, but Felix is still in emotional meltdown following the tragic death of his parents.
But balanced against that is what I think of as the single most useful fantasy trope ever: The Chosen One—in which destiny chooses an ordinary person to be the only one who can save the world as we know it. I’m very sincere here. Without this workhorse trope, we would be missing an unending stream of classics from the bible to the Iliad to Harry Potter, Dune, The Matrix, The Belgariad, Lord of the Rings, Narnia, Star Wars, and on and on.
So is The Felix Chronicles horror or dark fantasy? Yes. It’s a long, bloody, graphic, exciting, twisting, scary story about The Chosen One. Felix finds truths about himself, his parents’ deaths, and his friends—but mostly he finds out about being the one who has to save the world. Even more interesting is his relationship with his best friend, the seemingly-ordinary (or not?) Allison, plus his new roommate, friends, and one very odd groundskeeper at Portland College. He tangles with serial killers, monsters, his own memories, ancient assassins, their descendants, and the seriously stubborn Allison. And that’s just during freshman year.
For me, the book was a bit too long, with too much gruesomely depicted death and carnage. I’m not sure we needed all those bad guys, all that blood, and all those twists. But having said that, I would give The Felix Chronicles four stars out of five. The writing itself is very good, with wonderfully chilling descriptions and settings. And after those five hundred pages, Felix still has questions to be answered, monsters to battle, and three more years of college ahead.
*I received this book for free from the publisher or author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.*
Why am I going into all of this? Well, I was giving it lots of thought as I read The Felix Chronicles: Freshman. I made it through the (long) preface, helped by a warning that it would all make sense later, and that Felix would (eventually) show up. I went through (and then started skipping over) descriptions of beautiful young girls murdered, Bad Things happening in the woods, and a bunch of other disturbing situations, all mixed with the story of Felix’s first year in college. Going away to school can be hard enough, but Felix is still in emotional meltdown following the tragic death of his parents.
But balanced against that is what I think of as the single most useful fantasy trope ever: The Chosen One—in which destiny chooses an ordinary person to be the only one who can save the world as we know it. I’m very sincere here. Without this workhorse trope, we would be missing an unending stream of classics from the bible to the Iliad to Harry Potter, Dune, The Matrix, The Belgariad, Lord of the Rings, Narnia, Star Wars, and on and on.
So is The Felix Chronicles horror or dark fantasy? Yes. It’s a long, bloody, graphic, exciting, twisting, scary story about The Chosen One. Felix finds truths about himself, his parents’ deaths, and his friends—but mostly he finds out about being the one who has to save the world. Even more interesting is his relationship with his best friend, the seemingly-ordinary (or not?) Allison, plus his new roommate, friends, and one very odd groundskeeper at Portland College. He tangles with serial killers, monsters, his own memories, ancient assassins, their descendants, and the seriously stubborn Allison. And that’s just during freshman year.
For me, the book was a bit too long, with too much gruesomely depicted death and carnage. I’m not sure we needed all those bad guys, all that blood, and all those twists. But having said that, I would give The Felix Chronicles four stars out of five. The writing itself is very good, with wonderfully chilling descriptions and settings. And after those five hundred pages, Felix still has questions to be answered, monsters to battle, and three more years of college ahead.
*I received this book for free from the publisher or author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.*
October 14, 2017
Intense, complex and multilayered read I'm shelving this as a DNF for now, with the intent to come back to it at a later date. It was a Goodreads Giveaway book, so I'll definitely make the effort to push through and update my review when I make it to the end.
It's a highly detailed, complex fantasy (paranormal?) read and I think part of what made it hard for me to get through was just how much was going on. It starts in ancient history with a flashback setup of some kind of conspiracy, then jumps forward to a modern PNW campus with some kids that are probably going to be chased and/or eaten by monsters and also embroiled in a conspiracy...? So lots going on plot-wise, and some good writing especially in the high-action scenes. Tense and fast moving... but then it bogs down in description, or cuts to another aspect of the conspiracy or something and loses my interest.
I think this book would be appreciated by readers who really enjoy older or classic literature that has a high degree of description, and would do less well with thriller readers who are used to more streamlined storytelling.
The MC and core cast didn't really work for me as well, since he's a college guy with fairly well-represented college guy attitudes and interests. BUT, while that doesn't really hold my interest, I think it's great that there's a paranormal/fantasy out there that targets that audience, as most paranormal entries these days are more along the lines of female wish-fulfillment paranormal romances with hot (insert inhuman here).
The book production is high quality, and the author's obviously put a ton of work into a detailed, extensive story world that spans multiple books. There's enough here to intrigue me and make me want to come back and find out where it goes, but it wasn't quite the right fit for me, and there are some rough patches that I'd have liked to see smoothed over in edits as well.
It's a highly detailed, complex fantasy (paranormal?) read and I think part of what made it hard for me to get through was just how much was going on. It starts in ancient history with a flashback setup of some kind of conspiracy, then jumps forward to a modern PNW campus with some kids that are probably going to be chased and/or eaten by monsters and also embroiled in a conspiracy...? So lots going on plot-wise, and some good writing especially in the high-action scenes. Tense and fast moving... but then it bogs down in description, or cuts to another aspect of the conspiracy or something and loses my interest.
I think this book would be appreciated by readers who really enjoy older or classic literature that has a high degree of description, and would do less well with thriller readers who are used to more streamlined storytelling.
The MC and core cast didn't really work for me as well, since he's a college guy with fairly well-represented college guy attitudes and interests. BUT, while that doesn't really hold my interest, I think it's great that there's a paranormal/fantasy out there that targets that audience, as most paranormal entries these days are more along the lines of female wish-fulfillment paranormal romances with hot (insert inhuman here).
The book production is high quality, and the author's obviously put a ton of work into a detailed, extensive story world that spans multiple books. There's enough here to intrigue me and make me want to come back and find out where it goes, but it wasn't quite the right fit for me, and there are some rough patches that I'd have liked to see smoothed over in edits as well.
July 7, 2015
Disclosure: I received a paperback of this book in request of an honest review.
For urban fantasy fans seeking a change from what has become typical fare, R.T. Lowe presents Freshmen, the first book in The Felix Chronicles series. It is appropriate that a novel, whose prologue begins in the year A.D. 336, would have such heft. At 494 pages, Felix is not for the weak-hearted. The first chapter, The Warning, gives readers a glimpse into the history of a secret battle between … good and evil … perhaps.
The search for a particularly valuable young man begins during the reign of Constantine, but Lowe does not stay in the distant past for long; the reader is whisked through a pulse-quickening exchange between factions that includes a supernatural fight worthy of the big screen, to ‘today’ and are introduced to the primary cast of characters: Felix and Allison seem to be two ordinary freshman students and the description of orientation at Portland College will bring back memories for those who have had the pleasure. However, Felix is not the ordinary young adult embarking on his first experience away from home – it is revealed that his parents were killed in a mysterious accident that has left Felix in a perpetual state of despair. Allison, his hometown friend and confidante, comes with her own familial baggage as a foster child. But more on them in a bit.
Lowe is an expert at scene-shifting. After an idyllic view of Allison and Felix’s introduction to PC, the first darkness appears. The Faceman, Nick Blair, is more than a mindless serial killer.
He leaned forward and his lips crept slowly back over his gums, revealing gold teeth filed to sharp points. He reached out with one hand, and Angela’s eyes bulged as fingers the size of corn cobs stabbed at her face (p. 26).
His sense of purpose and dedication to his mission would be admirable in other contexts. Yet the descriptions of the Faceman’s brutality are frighteningly breathtaking, but he is not the worst creature in this epic tale.
Felix is infused with humor as well. Lucas Mayer, Felix’s roommate, appeared in a reality television show. His wit and banter lighten the mood at just the right points. By the book’s mid-way point, Lucas has not only endeared himself to Felix, Allison, and their other two friends Harper and Caitlin, but has attracted attention from across campus in ways that are unexpected and believable. The exchange with his stalker is something that anyone who watches entertainment news could imagine but its outcome is a jaw-dropper.
There is a visual quality to this story that makes it more than fiction. Descriptions of the ‘dead campus’, Woodrow’s Room, no-man’s land, and Ashfield Forest are vivid and a read of the secret tunnels beneath St. Rose chapel are sure to inspire claustrophobic dreams.
Felix gasped and stumbled back. This was no ordinary wall. Below each plaque there was a rectangular impression etched into the concrete like a pencil mark on a piece of paper. He knew what this was. These were storage lockers. Storage lockers for bodies. He was looking at coffins. They were crammed into the wall from top to bottom, and their reach appeared to extend as far as the tunnel itself (p. 146).
While most of the text focuses on Felix, Allison, Lucas, Harper, and Caitlin, other players – including playboy actor Dirk Rathman, wealthy entrepreneur Lofton Ashfield, mysterious groundskeeper Bill Stout, birthday girl Mia, and the ‘people’ who stalk Ashfield Forest are present and memorable.
“Are you going to hurt me?” she asked timidly.
“Yes.” He smiled, his lips curving up into sharp peaks at the corners like a crescent moon tilted on its side. “I’m going to eat you.” … He opened his mouth and cocked his head like he was going to kiss her.
Mia knew what was coming next and there was nothing she could do to prevent it. Nana was right, she thought, horrified, staring into the mouth of the shark. Nana was right. Nana was— (p. 294).
Felix is built on relationships, which draws readers in. The character Felix’s up-and-down relationships with his friends, fellow football team members, and Bill – as well as his emotional relationships with his parents and his past – make the text come alive. There is just enough historical reference to the Dresdian and the Belus (the two powers at war) and their powers to keep the story in the realm of fantasy while the references to modern revolutionaries (the ERA, whose focus is environmental and ecological justice), college kids and their antics, and social issues offer the urban grounding.
By the last quarter of the text, Lowe has readers on a roller coaster of emotions and experiences as Felix learns who he is. Allison gets to see how his powers work, first hand, and Felix gains new respect for his best friend. As the first book in this series comes to a close, there are more questions than answers: how do the ‘people’ in Ashfield Forest figure into the battle between the Dresdian and the Belus? Who is Bill and which side is he on? Is Felix ‘the one’ or not? The self-proclaimed extremely dangerous individual on the last page is certainly not the same young freshman introduced in the beginning and readers will anticipate the next volume to discover more about Felix’s path to success or destruction.
For urban fantasy fans seeking a change from what has become typical fare, R.T. Lowe presents Freshmen, the first book in The Felix Chronicles series. It is appropriate that a novel, whose prologue begins in the year A.D. 336, would have such heft. At 494 pages, Felix is not for the weak-hearted. The first chapter, The Warning, gives readers a glimpse into the history of a secret battle between … good and evil … perhaps.
The search for a particularly valuable young man begins during the reign of Constantine, but Lowe does not stay in the distant past for long; the reader is whisked through a pulse-quickening exchange between factions that includes a supernatural fight worthy of the big screen, to ‘today’ and are introduced to the primary cast of characters: Felix and Allison seem to be two ordinary freshman students and the description of orientation at Portland College will bring back memories for those who have had the pleasure. However, Felix is not the ordinary young adult embarking on his first experience away from home – it is revealed that his parents were killed in a mysterious accident that has left Felix in a perpetual state of despair. Allison, his hometown friend and confidante, comes with her own familial baggage as a foster child. But more on them in a bit.
Lowe is an expert at scene-shifting. After an idyllic view of Allison and Felix’s introduction to PC, the first darkness appears. The Faceman, Nick Blair, is more than a mindless serial killer.
He leaned forward and his lips crept slowly back over his gums, revealing gold teeth filed to sharp points. He reached out with one hand, and Angela’s eyes bulged as fingers the size of corn cobs stabbed at her face (p. 26).
His sense of purpose and dedication to his mission would be admirable in other contexts. Yet the descriptions of the Faceman’s brutality are frighteningly breathtaking, but he is not the worst creature in this epic tale.
Felix is infused with humor as well. Lucas Mayer, Felix’s roommate, appeared in a reality television show. His wit and banter lighten the mood at just the right points. By the book’s mid-way point, Lucas has not only endeared himself to Felix, Allison, and their other two friends Harper and Caitlin, but has attracted attention from across campus in ways that are unexpected and believable. The exchange with his stalker is something that anyone who watches entertainment news could imagine but its outcome is a jaw-dropper.
There is a visual quality to this story that makes it more than fiction. Descriptions of the ‘dead campus’, Woodrow’s Room, no-man’s land, and Ashfield Forest are vivid and a read of the secret tunnels beneath St. Rose chapel are sure to inspire claustrophobic dreams.
Felix gasped and stumbled back. This was no ordinary wall. Below each plaque there was a rectangular impression etched into the concrete like a pencil mark on a piece of paper. He knew what this was. These were storage lockers. Storage lockers for bodies. He was looking at coffins. They were crammed into the wall from top to bottom, and their reach appeared to extend as far as the tunnel itself (p. 146).
While most of the text focuses on Felix, Allison, Lucas, Harper, and Caitlin, other players – including playboy actor Dirk Rathman, wealthy entrepreneur Lofton Ashfield, mysterious groundskeeper Bill Stout, birthday girl Mia, and the ‘people’ who stalk Ashfield Forest are present and memorable.
“Are you going to hurt me?” she asked timidly.
“Yes.” He smiled, his lips curving up into sharp peaks at the corners like a crescent moon tilted on its side. “I’m going to eat you.” … He opened his mouth and cocked his head like he was going to kiss her.
Mia knew what was coming next and there was nothing she could do to prevent it. Nana was right, she thought, horrified, staring into the mouth of the shark. Nana was right. Nana was— (p. 294).
Felix is built on relationships, which draws readers in. The character Felix’s up-and-down relationships with his friends, fellow football team members, and Bill – as well as his emotional relationships with his parents and his past – make the text come alive. There is just enough historical reference to the Dresdian and the Belus (the two powers at war) and their powers to keep the story in the realm of fantasy while the references to modern revolutionaries (the ERA, whose focus is environmental and ecological justice), college kids and their antics, and social issues offer the urban grounding.
By the last quarter of the text, Lowe has readers on a roller coaster of emotions and experiences as Felix learns who he is. Allison gets to see how his powers work, first hand, and Felix gains new respect for his best friend. As the first book in this series comes to a close, there are more questions than answers: how do the ‘people’ in Ashfield Forest figure into the battle between the Dresdian and the Belus? Who is Bill and which side is he on? Is Felix ‘the one’ or not? The self-proclaimed extremely dangerous individual on the last page is certainly not the same young freshman introduced in the beginning and readers will anticipate the next volume to discover more about Felix’s path to success or destruction.
July 15, 2015
This book introduces you to Felix and Allison, groundskeeper Bill, some classmates and - some characters from other plotlines. As the plotlines meet sooner or later, questions the reader might have are automatically answered when certain events occur.
With The Felix Chronicles: Freshmen, R. T. Lowe has created several expertly woven plotlines; each thread lets you anticipate something more sinister. The story comprises a broad variety of believable and complex main characters, still leaving enough room for the personal imagination. Nicely woven situations and thrilling interactions kept me glued to my Kindle. Quite charming: There are occasionally parts of sentences in brackets (I loved that). I had an exciting time reading The Felix Chronicles: Freshmen - it is a very compelling read. I was drawn into the story right after the prologue, a thankfully invisible friend of Felix, an invisible bystander in the other plotlines. There is some violence and gore, it is still acceptable for the young adult (16+) genre. This is for you if you like characters with a mission, thrill with great twists, urban fantasy, masterly combined plotlines.
A very thrilling book (the first in a series) to read again.
Highly recommended.
With The Felix Chronicles: Freshmen, R. T. Lowe has created several expertly woven plotlines; each thread lets you anticipate something more sinister. The story comprises a broad variety of believable and complex main characters, still leaving enough room for the personal imagination. Nicely woven situations and thrilling interactions kept me glued to my Kindle. Quite charming: There are occasionally parts of sentences in brackets (I loved that). I had an exciting time reading The Felix Chronicles: Freshmen - it is a very compelling read. I was drawn into the story right after the prologue, a thankfully invisible friend of Felix, an invisible bystander in the other plotlines. There is some violence and gore, it is still acceptable for the young adult (16+) genre. This is for you if you like characters with a mission, thrill with great twists, urban fantasy, masterly combined plotlines.
A very thrilling book (the first in a series) to read again.
Highly recommended.
September 4, 2015
This book kind of reminded my of Harry Potter a little. It was an older version of him of course but I could see it in my mind. This book was a little long for me but I enjoyed the journey and everything that happened in these pages. What a interesting book. It has lots of blood, excitement, twists and turns. I will give that to this book. * I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review*
Read
July 9, 2015DNF
January 19, 2024
"Freshmen" is a book that resonated with me as it took me on a relatable journey through the ups and downs of the freshman year experience. Right from the start, I felt a connection with the characters and their struggles, making this novel a genuinely engaging read.
The author's writing style is refreshingly straightforward, capturing the essence of the tumultuous transition from high school to college life. The characters feel like people you might know, navigating the complexities of newfound freedom, friendship, and the pursuit of identity. The narrative doesn't just skim the surface but delves into the emotional rollercoaster that defines the freshman year experience.
What sets "Freshmen" apart is its authenticity. The author doesn't shy away from portraying the awkward moments, the uncertainties, and the genuine growth that comes with this period of life. It's a coming-of-age story that feels real, providing a glimpse into the universal challenges faced by those stepping into the unknown world of college.
The novel balances moments of humor, camaraderie, and self-discovery, creating a narrative that captures the diverse aspects of the freshman experience. The relatable nature of the characters and their experiences adds depth to the story, making it an engaging exploration of the college journey.
In conclusion, "Freshmen" is more than just a novel about the first year of college; it's a reflection of the universal themes of change, self-discovery, and the bonds that form during this transformative period. If you're looking for a book that captures the essence of the freshman experience with authenticity and humor, "Freshmen" is a compelling and relatable choice that brings back memories and resonates with the journey we all go through.
The author's writing style is refreshingly straightforward, capturing the essence of the tumultuous transition from high school to college life. The characters feel like people you might know, navigating the complexities of newfound freedom, friendship, and the pursuit of identity. The narrative doesn't just skim the surface but delves into the emotional rollercoaster that defines the freshman year experience.
What sets "Freshmen" apart is its authenticity. The author doesn't shy away from portraying the awkward moments, the uncertainties, and the genuine growth that comes with this period of life. It's a coming-of-age story that feels real, providing a glimpse into the universal challenges faced by those stepping into the unknown world of college.
The novel balances moments of humor, camaraderie, and self-discovery, creating a narrative that captures the diverse aspects of the freshman experience. The relatable nature of the characters and their experiences adds depth to the story, making it an engaging exploration of the college journey.
In conclusion, "Freshmen" is more than just a novel about the first year of college; it's a reflection of the universal themes of change, self-discovery, and the bonds that form during this transformative period. If you're looking for a book that captures the essence of the freshman experience with authenticity and humor, "Freshmen" is a compelling and relatable choice that brings back memories and resonates with the journey we all go through.
August 20, 2017
An ancient warning comes to light in the present and centres around college students in Portland. We’re talking murder and mayhem, and incredible powers! Felix is the focus, a young adult dealing with loss and sadness … and that’s all I’m saying – no spoilers.
Well written, engaging, horrifying at times, clever, and every characters climbs off the virtual page and forces you to notice him and her. Thoroughly enjoyable!
Well written, engaging, horrifying at times, clever, and every characters climbs off the virtual page and forces you to notice him and her. Thoroughly enjoyable!
August 11, 2017
Great Beginning!!
Felix is just starting college when he finds out that he alone must save the world.
He learns about Dresdenites and Sourcerers and has to figure out real quick where he actually fits...before any of these secret groups kill him.
This is the first book in a series and im gonna have to get the rest of them....really good !!!
Felix is just starting college when he finds out that he alone must save the world.
He learns about Dresdenites and Sourcerers and has to figure out real quick where he actually fits...before any of these secret groups kill him.
This is the first book in a series and im gonna have to get the rest of them....really good !!!
June 1, 2017
Very worth reading.
Lost some sleep over this book. It's that good. Up there with award winning science fiction. Powerful characters and intreging plot. Kind of Harry Potter with zombies (there are no zombies , just interesting new monsters).
Lost some sleep over this book. It's that good. Up there with award winning science fiction. Powerful characters and intreging plot. Kind of Harry Potter with zombies (there are no zombies , just interesting new monsters).
August 11, 2017
Adventure
I really enjoyed this book. The characters were delightful. The lead Alex is a very reluctant hero. He has to reach past his depression to reach his powers. Fighting corruption, money and power.
I really enjoyed this book. The characters were delightful. The lead Alex is a very reluctant hero. He has to reach past his depression to reach his powers. Fighting corruption, money and power.
May 26, 2017
Well written. Plot is engaging and paced appropriately. Would recommend to those who like magical/contemporary fantasy for YA.
June 15, 2017
Great story
Enjoyed book one, I like the characters and the storyline. Can't wait to read book 2 thanks for a good yarn Mr. Lowe
Enjoyed book one, I like the characters and the storyline. Can't wait to read book 2 thanks for a good yarn Mr. Lowe
June 16, 2017
Really enjoyed this book
Really well-written. Fast-paced with characters that I quickly came to care about. Can't wait to read the remaining two books in the series!
Really well-written. Fast-paced with characters that I quickly came to care about. Can't wait to read the remaining two books in the series!
February 20, 2018
Quite jumpy. It takes a while to get to the point of what's going on. A so-so reading experience.
August 20, 2018
Really tried to like this one,but I am afraid to say,could not get head round it a DNF.
September 13, 2018
Boring
Could not get into this at all.... Guess it just was not my mind of a story or book. Sorry
Could not get into this at all.... Guess it just was not my mind of a story or book. Sorry
January 21, 2019
It started a bit slow, but once it go going I couldn't put it down. I really enjoyed the book and will read the entire series again once book four comes out.
June 27, 2015
The Felix Chronicles by R.T. Lowe is a fast-paced action packed story that combines the coming of age with unknown horror and magic. It follows Felix, a freshman in college who is learning to deal with the death of his parents, parents who died in a mysterious fire. As he comes to terms with his new life, he makes friends and gets on in college. In the background, however, a darkness is spreading. People are disappearing in the local woods and a serial killer who kills teenagers is on the loose. And all of this is tied to Felix, though he doesn't know it yet.
The Good
The idea behind this book is right up my alley. It combines every day people growing up and living their lives with crazy magic, violence, and mystery. The world building, first and foremost, is incredibly interesting. The magic and conflict of this world goes back into history to a much earlier time and the story has been building ever since then. Though the world seems normal to most people in it, there is a balance that is quickly becoming unstable, magic that only a few can control, and some seriously creepy stuff on going.
The magic system is highly interesting. It is not your normal magic and it is well developed. Felix discovers that there is something strange about him and it turns out that he can use this magic. Only a few people can use magic and the magic is very powerful. It is a dangerous element that one needs to learn to control.
The plot itself is very fast-paced, full of action and suspense. The book is long but it moves quickly from one event to another, keeping you on the edge of your seat for a good portion of the book. And the world that Felix lives in is dark! There is a lot of violence in this book. The Face Man, the serial killer working behind the scenes, is very creepy and disturbing. His interactions with his potential victims is chilling. The creatures responsible for the disappearances in the woods are epically creepy and disgusting. In general, there is a lot of visceral violence going on in this book that really keeps your attention and plays with your emotions.
As for characters, I enjoyed Felix and his best friend, Allison. Felix felt very real and his sadness over the death of his parents was relate-able and touching. He is a depressed kid but he still has friends and he still needs to go to class. It's a balancing act for him between mourning his parents and going on with his life, which I appreciated it. Allison was his best friend who supported him whenever he needed it. She too felt very authentic. The rest of the characters were well developed but I did find a couple of his friends, his roommate and his love interest, to be annoying. They weren't badly written by any means, but they weren't my favorite types of people.
The Bad
The only real issues I had with this book was the pacing and some info-dump issues. Firstly, though the book is in general very fast-paced, there were times where things went on a bit too long. This book is very long and, for the most part, the length works. However, some chapters spent a bit too much time explaining details or focusing on day to day life and I wished that it could have been edited a bit more concisely.
Secondly, there is a lot of information in the book regarding the magic and the world building. This is a good thing and it helps the story to have a real amount of meat to it. There were some parts though that were packed with just a bit too much information and I felt that the occasional info-dump took away from my enjoyment of the story.
The Verdict
Overall, I really loved this book. I didn't know how to feel about it at first, since I hadn't heard of this author before, but I enjoyed it immensely. If you are looking for a dark and suspenseful fantasy book, you should definitely try this one! You should definitely be aware that it is violent and disturbing at times. If you are offended by blood, guts and gore, maybe skip this one.
The Good
The idea behind this book is right up my alley. It combines every day people growing up and living their lives with crazy magic, violence, and mystery. The world building, first and foremost, is incredibly interesting. The magic and conflict of this world goes back into history to a much earlier time and the story has been building ever since then. Though the world seems normal to most people in it, there is a balance that is quickly becoming unstable, magic that only a few can control, and some seriously creepy stuff on going.
The magic system is highly interesting. It is not your normal magic and it is well developed. Felix discovers that there is something strange about him and it turns out that he can use this magic. Only a few people can use magic and the magic is very powerful. It is a dangerous element that one needs to learn to control.
The plot itself is very fast-paced, full of action and suspense. The book is long but it moves quickly from one event to another, keeping you on the edge of your seat for a good portion of the book. And the world that Felix lives in is dark! There is a lot of violence in this book. The Face Man, the serial killer working behind the scenes, is very creepy and disturbing. His interactions with his potential victims is chilling. The creatures responsible for the disappearances in the woods are epically creepy and disgusting. In general, there is a lot of visceral violence going on in this book that really keeps your attention and plays with your emotions.
As for characters, I enjoyed Felix and his best friend, Allison. Felix felt very real and his sadness over the death of his parents was relate-able and touching. He is a depressed kid but he still has friends and he still needs to go to class. It's a balancing act for him between mourning his parents and going on with his life, which I appreciated it. Allison was his best friend who supported him whenever he needed it. She too felt very authentic. The rest of the characters were well developed but I did find a couple of his friends, his roommate and his love interest, to be annoying. They weren't badly written by any means, but they weren't my favorite types of people.
The Bad
The only real issues I had with this book was the pacing and some info-dump issues. Firstly, though the book is in general very fast-paced, there were times where things went on a bit too long. This book is very long and, for the most part, the length works. However, some chapters spent a bit too much time explaining details or focusing on day to day life and I wished that it could have been edited a bit more concisely.
Secondly, there is a lot of information in the book regarding the magic and the world building. This is a good thing and it helps the story to have a real amount of meat to it. There were some parts though that were packed with just a bit too much information and I felt that the occasional info-dump took away from my enjoyment of the story.
The Verdict
Overall, I really loved this book. I didn't know how to feel about it at first, since I hadn't heard of this author before, but I enjoyed it immensely. If you are looking for a dark and suspenseful fantasy book, you should definitely try this one! You should definitely be aware that it is violent and disturbing at times. If you are offended by blood, guts and gore, maybe skip this one.
August 31, 2015
The Felix Chronicles: Freshmen by R.T. Lowe is an urban fantasy novel that brings magic and the occult to a seemingly typical college in the Pacific Northwest. But it is evident from the outset that nothing about this setting or the characters involved is typical.
Following a prologue that sets the magical struggle in motion hundreds of years prior, long-time best friends Felix and Allison arrive for freshmen orientation at Portland College in Oregon. We quickly learn that Felix has issues being around people or in stressful situations following the recent deaths of his parents in a mysterious fire where Felix was the sole survivor. None of this bodes well for Felix because nothing is going to be easy for him here. There is an air of mystery surrounding the college and the nearby area. The college has a dead campus that was abandoned years ago, as well as secret rooms and hidden tunnels on the main campus. In the forest nearby, there are reports of people going missing, never to be seen again. Also, a serial killer is on the loose murdering teens that fail his otherworldly test.
To make matters worse for Felix, he must navigate the usual troubles of adapting to life in college – frat parties, sex and booze, and getting in the way of the wrong people.
Writing a full summary of this novel is difficult because there are a lot of moving parts. That is understandable, as this is the lead book of what will be a series (one that I look forward to reading). It would be like trying to detail “Harry Potter And The Sorcerer’s Stone” by explaining the history of wizardry and Hogwart’s, and so on, and then trying to squeeze in the main storyline of the Sorcerer’s Stone. So, I think in summary, what really needs to be said is this:
Felix’s world is turned upside down when he learns from a mysterious “groundskeeper” at the college that he is an especially powerful “sourceror” (one whose power comes from The Source) in the middle of an epic battle between good and evil, between the Sourcerors, the Drestianites, and the Protectors. Not only does he learn that he is powerful, though uncontrolled at this point, he is actually akin to being “The One” – think Harry Potter, or Neo from The Matrix.
The main theme of this story is about discovery on all fronts.
This was a fun read. I love magic stories, and I love stories where the hero must develop over time and become a force to be reckoned with. I also loved the setting, and was transported back to my college days where life was both free and challenging at the same time. The characters were great and I had a strong interest in all of them. The dynamic between Felix and Allison held my interest throughout – best friends with the hint of something in the future maybe? Definitely a rising conflict, more likely. Everyone had a unique voice and balanced out the story. It was action-packed and kept moving at a good pace.
Of course, not everything can be perfect, but this story was close enough to warrant 4 stars. I only had one issue (that in turn caused a second issue) that interrupted my reading flow after a while. There was a lot to keep up with. It seemed that every other chapter introduced new characters. I think I understood the point (which was to keep the pressure on Felix’s timeline and to develop the secondary plots that will surely become issues in the next books), but I think a lot could have been consolidated and several sub-characters dropped or introduced in the later novels. The secondary effect of this was that the book was really long. I think it could have been pared down by a good hundred pages with no ill-effect. However, once I recognized the pattern, I skimmed a lot of these sidelines and moved back to the main characters.
Overall, I enjoyed this book very much. Good characters, good setting, a tremendously well-thought out plot – what’s not to love!
Following a prologue that sets the magical struggle in motion hundreds of years prior, long-time best friends Felix and Allison arrive for freshmen orientation at Portland College in Oregon. We quickly learn that Felix has issues being around people or in stressful situations following the recent deaths of his parents in a mysterious fire where Felix was the sole survivor. None of this bodes well for Felix because nothing is going to be easy for him here. There is an air of mystery surrounding the college and the nearby area. The college has a dead campus that was abandoned years ago, as well as secret rooms and hidden tunnels on the main campus. In the forest nearby, there are reports of people going missing, never to be seen again. Also, a serial killer is on the loose murdering teens that fail his otherworldly test.
To make matters worse for Felix, he must navigate the usual troubles of adapting to life in college – frat parties, sex and booze, and getting in the way of the wrong people.
Writing a full summary of this novel is difficult because there are a lot of moving parts. That is understandable, as this is the lead book of what will be a series (one that I look forward to reading). It would be like trying to detail “Harry Potter And The Sorcerer’s Stone” by explaining the history of wizardry and Hogwart’s, and so on, and then trying to squeeze in the main storyline of the Sorcerer’s Stone. So, I think in summary, what really needs to be said is this:
Felix’s world is turned upside down when he learns from a mysterious “groundskeeper” at the college that he is an especially powerful “sourceror” (one whose power comes from The Source) in the middle of an epic battle between good and evil, between the Sourcerors, the Drestianites, and the Protectors. Not only does he learn that he is powerful, though uncontrolled at this point, he is actually akin to being “The One” – think Harry Potter, or Neo from The Matrix.
The main theme of this story is about discovery on all fronts.
This was a fun read. I love magic stories, and I love stories where the hero must develop over time and become a force to be reckoned with. I also loved the setting, and was transported back to my college days where life was both free and challenging at the same time. The characters were great and I had a strong interest in all of them. The dynamic between Felix and Allison held my interest throughout – best friends with the hint of something in the future maybe? Definitely a rising conflict, more likely. Everyone had a unique voice and balanced out the story. It was action-packed and kept moving at a good pace.
Of course, not everything can be perfect, but this story was close enough to warrant 4 stars. I only had one issue (that in turn caused a second issue) that interrupted my reading flow after a while. There was a lot to keep up with. It seemed that every other chapter introduced new characters. I think I understood the point (which was to keep the pressure on Felix’s timeline and to develop the secondary plots that will surely become issues in the next books), but I think a lot could have been consolidated and several sub-characters dropped or introduced in the later novels. The secondary effect of this was that the book was really long. I think it could have been pared down by a good hundred pages with no ill-effect. However, once I recognized the pattern, I skimmed a lot of these sidelines and moved back to the main characters.
Overall, I enjoyed this book very much. Good characters, good setting, a tremendously well-thought out plot – what’s not to love!
January 16, 2016
Freshmen is the first book in new urban fantasy series The Felix Chronicles, which combines magic and mystery with American teen culture and modern devices such as phones and tablets. Evil “sourcerers” called Drestianites typically hunt and “test” teenagers for magical ability. If they pass then the teenagers will join them, and if they don’t they’ll be brutally killed. However, there is hope for mankind in the form of the Belus, the one whose special purpose resembles unity and a defence against the cynical ideology of the Drestianites. RT Lowe provides an invaluable background to his magical world early and told in a letter within Freshmen, which reminded me a bit about how the Knights Templar were defeated and hunted down and also because this conflict is linked to the present through family name.
RT Lowe has an exceptional professional writing ability to craft characters, backgrounds, and environments, and I wouldn’t be surprised if the author has been writing for a long time. He delivers captivating dialogue between Felix and his peers, which made for exciting chapters. Reading it was a guilty pleasure because I wouldn’t usually be interested in the subject matter of teenagers and their social lives. Freshmen is well-presented with a good book cover and blurb, flawless interior formatting, editing, and proofreading. RT Lowe and Freshmen certainly leave a great impression on prospective readers. Freshmen improves from CH.45/P346 (70%), at a point where I became much more immersed in the plot and the action and the final fifty pages (10%) did make for an enthralling conclusion.
Criticism: My main criticism was the often uncomfortable similarities between Freshmen and the Harry Potter series. When the main characters were introduced, each had likenesses. Felix was like Harry in that he lost his parents, is innocent, and tries to lock his grief away. Felix’s distorted nightmares, which he believed were real to some extent, and his subsequent actions seemed to make him secretly crave attention-seeking and some form of celebrity attention. From p168 (34%) Felix develops a set of experiences that are unique to him. Allison strongly reminded me of Hermione Granger. The Groundskeeper, whose demeanour reminded me of Filch, uses knowledge of Felix’s parents as an excuse to invite him into a magical world fought between Sourcerers and Drestianties; the latter who wish to enslave non-Sourcerers (muggles?). Secret rooms acted like doorways into more mysterious truths or dimensions.
Sometimes the description was a bit lengthy, taking up two whole pages at a time. New characters, scenes and situations kept arising but the existing ones developed at a tedious speed, and distracted from the progression of the novel with what I saw as pointless antics. From Ch.45/p346 (70%) the Felix/Faceman plot overlaps and becomes the main plot at a late but vital stage. Most of the Faceman chapters are put into context at this stage and the broken sub-plots resemble something coherent and “whole”. There wasn’t much build up regarding the threat posed by the Drestianites besides the Faceman, and this seemed an inadequate explanation for the action-filled encounters in the last fifty pages (10%).
Overall, Freshmen was a great read with exceptional writing, captivating dialogue, and quality presentation. It was easy to get lost into the magical world, and I would strongly recommend it to teenagers, young adults, and fans of the urban fantasy genre because I think they will be impressed.
June 26, 2015
Disclosure: I received a review copy from the author in exchange for a honest review.
It was a little daunting starting The Felix Chronicles: Freshmen because the book (physical copy) clocks out to be almost 500 pages and the font looked smaller than normal or the spacing in my opinion slightly off; whichever the reason it kind of made me drag my feet while reading the book. It also didn’t help that the prologue, which is normally short, was 15 pages long. The prologue, which takes place around 300 A.D. and many of the later scenes in the book felt completely out of place and at times left me confuse; wondering how they can possibly be relevant to our main character Felix. However, Lowe had a plan and purpose for everything he wrote. As the story progressed, the prologue and those key scenes finally made sense tying into the bigger picture revolving around the mystery plot and how it’s connected to Felix. I’m so glad I didn’t stop reading because the story definitely picked up and got more interesting!
You’d think the whole secret societies and prophecies theme would be played out, but Lowe breathed new life into it, making it feel completely fun and original! I loved that the setting was Portland College, because I don’t think I’ve ever read a book set in Oregon or on a college campus for that matter (okay, maybe one but it’s still in the few category). There’s was also a lot going on in this book, and while it may seem like overload…once you read it, it’ll all make perfect sense! So, There’s 'monsters' attacking/eating people in a forest right outside Portland College, a serial killer going cross country killing teenagers, and an ancient group of assassins with a hit list. And our main character Felix is at the center of it all…except he doesn’t know it.
I really liked Felix and his group of eclectic friends. As supporting characters goes, I thought they were fully fleshed out with their distinctive personalities and they played their role well. For example there’s Allison the best friend, Caitlin the serious and oblivious one, Harper the hot chick, and Lucas the TV celebrity. My favorite character is probably Allison, not only is she a good friend that is always there but who knew that she was also a total kick-ass! I was really surprised by the final scenes because Allison did some serious damage to the bad guys! Harper is probably my least favorite character. She just rubbed me the wrong way and came across a bit too desperate and bitter. In addition to the well developed characters, the campus and its surrounding is a wonder in itself. I loved how Lowe described Portland College with its secret tunnels and rooms, which was cool and creepy, then there’s Ashfield Forest with its long list of missing people and creatures lurking in the shadows and finally a ravaged town beyond PC known as No Man’s Land; where no one sane would be caught dead at.
Overall, I enjoyed The Felix Chronicles: Freshmen and I can’t wait to see what the author has planned for Felix and the gang. I highly recommend The Felix Chronicles: Freshmen to people ages 17 and up (due to some graphic scenes) and anyone looking for a fresh unique read. If you’re into secret societies, prophecies, assassins, and magic then this book is for you! This is a debut not to be missed!
It was a little daunting starting The Felix Chronicles: Freshmen because the book (physical copy) clocks out to be almost 500 pages and the font looked smaller than normal or the spacing in my opinion slightly off; whichever the reason it kind of made me drag my feet while reading the book. It also didn’t help that the prologue, which is normally short, was 15 pages long. The prologue, which takes place around 300 A.D. and many of the later scenes in the book felt completely out of place and at times left me confuse; wondering how they can possibly be relevant to our main character Felix. However, Lowe had a plan and purpose for everything he wrote. As the story progressed, the prologue and those key scenes finally made sense tying into the bigger picture revolving around the mystery plot and how it’s connected to Felix. I’m so glad I didn’t stop reading because the story definitely picked up and got more interesting!
You’d think the whole secret societies and prophecies theme would be played out, but Lowe breathed new life into it, making it feel completely fun and original! I loved that the setting was Portland College, because I don’t think I’ve ever read a book set in Oregon or on a college campus for that matter (okay, maybe one but it’s still in the few category). There’s was also a lot going on in this book, and while it may seem like overload…once you read it, it’ll all make perfect sense! So, There’s 'monsters' attacking/eating people in a forest right outside Portland College, a serial killer going cross country killing teenagers, and an ancient group of assassins with a hit list. And our main character Felix is at the center of it all…except he doesn’t know it.
I really liked Felix and his group of eclectic friends. As supporting characters goes, I thought they were fully fleshed out with their distinctive personalities and they played their role well. For example there’s Allison the best friend, Caitlin the serious and oblivious one, Harper the hot chick, and Lucas the TV celebrity. My favorite character is probably Allison, not only is she a good friend that is always there but who knew that she was also a total kick-ass! I was really surprised by the final scenes because Allison did some serious damage to the bad guys! Harper is probably my least favorite character. She just rubbed me the wrong way and came across a bit too desperate and bitter. In addition to the well developed characters, the campus and its surrounding is a wonder in itself. I loved how Lowe described Portland College with its secret tunnels and rooms, which was cool and creepy, then there’s Ashfield Forest with its long list of missing people and creatures lurking in the shadows and finally a ravaged town beyond PC known as No Man’s Land; where no one sane would be caught dead at.
Overall, I enjoyed The Felix Chronicles: Freshmen and I can’t wait to see what the author has planned for Felix and the gang. I highly recommend The Felix Chronicles: Freshmen to people ages 17 and up (due to some graphic scenes) and anyone looking for a fresh unique read. If you’re into secret societies, prophecies, assassins, and magic then this book is for you! This is a debut not to be missed!
August 19, 2015
Thanks so much to the author, R.T. Lowe, for providing a copy of this book to me for review. This in no way affected the content of my review.
Imagine if Harry Potter had never gone to Hogwarts, and instead is attending college in rainy Portland, playing football and attending frat parties, still unaware of his powers and his destiny. This will give you a glimpse of Felix, the main character in Felix Chronicles: Freshmen. But even though Freshmen is chock-full of pop culture references, including a nod to HP, Felix isn't Harry. And this book doesn't feel like a tired retelling. I was surprisingly entranced by Freshmen, finding myself thinking about the book whenever I wasn't reading it.
Before I go further, I do want to disclose that this is a self-published book, and at times it reads like one. I found a few typos and errors along the way, as well as some portions I felt could have been more polished or even removed. At some points it was too wordy for my taste, and some of the dialogue felt a little unrealistic. But unlike most self-pub review requests I receive, these downsides were few and the story was so interesting that it kept pulling me back in despite my reservations.
Felix is just a small town kid. He's an eighteen-year-old football player, trying to escape the weight of a recent tragedy by going away to college. He wants to ignore everything, drink some booze, fantasize about some girls. But things are happening he can't ignore. He is the victim of attacks no one else can remember. There is something or someone in the tunnels under campus, and Felix is inexplicably lured there. And a strange school employee has a journal with contents that are sure to change Felix's life.
One of my favorite things about Freshmen is that its mystery unravels from many different viewpoints throughout the book. Our narrator, Felix, has the majority of chapters, of course. But interspersed throughout are accounts of events happening elsewhere, to others. These events (often befuddling or even terrifying) might seem unrelated at first, but as the book progresses, it's so satisfying to see how everything begins to converge and come together.
The elements of secret rooms and tunnels in the school, along with ancient secret societies still active today, was another reason I was hooked on this book. The contemporary mood of modern college life is blended really well with the fantasy feeling that more is going on just under the surface, and when it finally bubbles to the top, you won't be able to put it down.
This isn't a light read, and some parts are genuinely creepy. There is a lot of violence, including detailed scenes from victims of a serial killer and some people being eaten alive, so if you're easily freaked out this might not be the best book for you. I had a little trouble sleeping after certain scenes.
Overall, I would recommend The Felix Chronicles: Freshmen to lovers of contemporary fantasy and creepy mystery. Despite the few errors, the story is so great that it's worth looking past the surface.
Imagine if Harry Potter had never gone to Hogwarts, and instead is attending college in rainy Portland, playing football and attending frat parties, still unaware of his powers and his destiny. This will give you a glimpse of Felix, the main character in Felix Chronicles: Freshmen. But even though Freshmen is chock-full of pop culture references, including a nod to HP, Felix isn't Harry. And this book doesn't feel like a tired retelling. I was surprisingly entranced by Freshmen, finding myself thinking about the book whenever I wasn't reading it.
Before I go further, I do want to disclose that this is a self-published book, and at times it reads like one. I found a few typos and errors along the way, as well as some portions I felt could have been more polished or even removed. At some points it was too wordy for my taste, and some of the dialogue felt a little unrealistic. But unlike most self-pub review requests I receive, these downsides were few and the story was so interesting that it kept pulling me back in despite my reservations.
Felix is just a small town kid. He's an eighteen-year-old football player, trying to escape the weight of a recent tragedy by going away to college. He wants to ignore everything, drink some booze, fantasize about some girls. But things are happening he can't ignore. He is the victim of attacks no one else can remember. There is something or someone in the tunnels under campus, and Felix is inexplicably lured there. And a strange school employee has a journal with contents that are sure to change Felix's life.
One of my favorite things about Freshmen is that its mystery unravels from many different viewpoints throughout the book. Our narrator, Felix, has the majority of chapters, of course. But interspersed throughout are accounts of events happening elsewhere, to others. These events (often befuddling or even terrifying) might seem unrelated at first, but as the book progresses, it's so satisfying to see how everything begins to converge and come together.
The elements of secret rooms and tunnels in the school, along with ancient secret societies still active today, was another reason I was hooked on this book. The contemporary mood of modern college life is blended really well with the fantasy feeling that more is going on just under the surface, and when it finally bubbles to the top, you won't be able to put it down.
This isn't a light read, and some parts are genuinely creepy. There is a lot of violence, including detailed scenes from victims of a serial killer and some people being eaten alive, so if you're easily freaked out this might not be the best book for you. I had a little trouble sleeping after certain scenes.
Overall, I would recommend The Felix Chronicles: Freshmen to lovers of contemporary fantasy and creepy mystery. Despite the few errors, the story is so great that it's worth looking past the surface.
October 9, 2015
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review. This did not affect my opinion of the book in any way.
Actual rating: 3.5/5
The Felix Chronicles: Freshmen was a really enjoyable start to a new series. It was original and well-written enough to keep me going through all 500 pages, without boring me.
Now, I don't have anything against long books (in fact, some of favourite books are long!), but whenever I'm reading a book over 400 pages, I get the feeling that a lot of it is just filler content. Most of the time, I'm reading it and thinking to myself "That's all very well, but I didn't really need to know this." Unfortunately, I found this happening quite a lot with this book. It was interesting, but more than once I thought there were a few scenes that didn't really need to be there, and a few characters I could very well have done without. Although, I realise this is just the first book, and they may yet become more important throughout the rest of the series, I had a hard time keeping up with all the secondary characters and minor plot points and thought they made the book slightly heavier to go through than it could have been.
BUT. I really, really liked the main characters. The five friends at the centre of the story were really great to read about. I particularly loved how they actually did study while in college: finally some students who actually spend some time in the library! They did feel like real boys and girls, with their own well-defined personalities and dreams for the future. I particularly loved Allison, our MC's best friend. She is smart and tough, and will do anything it takes for her friends. If I'm completely honest, actually, I have to say that out of all of them, Felix (the MC) was probably my least favourite. I mean, sure he has had a tough experience and everything, but most of the time he just seemed completely clueless as to what was going on around him.
Plot-wise, I can't say it was all completely original and new to me. There were some plot twists that did not surprise me at all, and quite a few chosen-one cliches going around. But I still enjoyed reading this book, and there were some reinterpretations of those cliches and enough original elements to actually make it a good read. And I am curious to see how Felix's story will pan out in the following books!
Originally posted on Book for Thought.
Actual rating: 3.5/5
The Felix Chronicles: Freshmen was a really enjoyable start to a new series. It was original and well-written enough to keep me going through all 500 pages, without boring me.
Now, I don't have anything against long books (in fact, some of favourite books are long!), but whenever I'm reading a book over 400 pages, I get the feeling that a lot of it is just filler content. Most of the time, I'm reading it and thinking to myself "That's all very well, but I didn't really need to know this." Unfortunately, I found this happening quite a lot with this book. It was interesting, but more than once I thought there were a few scenes that didn't really need to be there, and a few characters I could very well have done without. Although, I realise this is just the first book, and they may yet become more important throughout the rest of the series, I had a hard time keeping up with all the secondary characters and minor plot points and thought they made the book slightly heavier to go through than it could have been.
BUT. I really, really liked the main characters. The five friends at the centre of the story were really great to read about. I particularly loved how they actually did study while in college: finally some students who actually spend some time in the library! They did feel like real boys and girls, with their own well-defined personalities and dreams for the future. I particularly loved Allison, our MC's best friend. She is smart and tough, and will do anything it takes for her friends. If I'm completely honest, actually, I have to say that out of all of them, Felix (the MC) was probably my least favourite. I mean, sure he has had a tough experience and everything, but most of the time he just seemed completely clueless as to what was going on around him.
Plot-wise, I can't say it was all completely original and new to me. There were some plot twists that did not surprise me at all, and quite a few chosen-one cliches going around. But I still enjoyed reading this book, and there were some reinterpretations of those cliches and enough original elements to actually make it a good read. And I am curious to see how Felix's story will pan out in the following books!
Originally posted on Book for Thought.
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