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Legend of the White Sword #1
Ivy's Tangle
Fourteen-year-old Jack is a loner who knows little about his family—except that they’re all cold-hearted jerks. When his parents send him to live at his grandmother’s rooming house, life looks to be taking a turn for the better, until he discovers that nothing at Glastonbury Manor is what it appears. Jack’s hopes of being left alone, and enjoying his last summer before high school, are soon dashed.
Strange events and even stranger residents only add to a long list of unanswered questions. His grandmother isn’t a kindly old lady who bakes cookies, and her freakishly strong housekeeper never says a word. Jack’s fellow boarders are Ivy, a surly girl who knows nothing about modern technology, and Mr. Ryan, a soft-spoken ex-soldier with a remarkable number of scars.
Jack gave up asking questions about the weird in his life a long time ago, but too much surrounds him at Glastonbury Manor to ignore. Things—he thought only existed in fairy tales—begin to seem possible. Jack tells his story without realizing that it’s just a piece of a far greater legend, that some doors shouldn’t be opened, and that sometimes… there are good reasons to stay out of a dark forest.
Ivy’s Tangle is the first book in the Legend of the White Sword series. Readers who enjoy epic fantasy adventures will want to join Jack on his quest.
Strange events and even stranger residents only add to a long list of unanswered questions. His grandmother isn’t a kindly old lady who bakes cookies, and her freakishly strong housekeeper never says a word. Jack’s fellow boarders are Ivy, a surly girl who knows nothing about modern technology, and Mr. Ryan, a soft-spoken ex-soldier with a remarkable number of scars.
Jack gave up asking questions about the weird in his life a long time ago, but too much surrounds him at Glastonbury Manor to ignore. Things—he thought only existed in fairy tales—begin to seem possible. Jack tells his story without realizing that it’s just a piece of a far greater legend, that some doors shouldn’t be opened, and that sometimes… there are good reasons to stay out of a dark forest.
Ivy’s Tangle is the first book in the Legend of the White Sword series. Readers who enjoy epic fantasy adventures will want to join Jack on his quest.
153 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 31, 2015
About the author
P.D. Kalnay
17 books35 followersP.D. Kalnay writes fantasy, science fiction, and children’s books. You don’t have to be a giant nerd to enjoy those books, but it will probably help.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
November 6, 2016
Ivy's Tangle (Legend of the White Sword - Book 1) is $0.99 on Amazon.com.
If you like the Harry Potter, Percy Jackson and the Olympians, & The Chronicles of Narnia books, you will love this series. I am all kinds of happy about the Legend of the White Sword series.
Wow. Just wow! Was this a good book! Ivy's Tangle by P.D. Kalnay was a great middle grade fantasy (that has a much broader appeal) that I did not want to put down. It is fast-paced and a quick read. As with Kalnay's other books, it was a very enjoyable read. He did such a great job at putting all the elements of the story together and moving the plot forward.
The story centers around Jack, who has lived his life being tossed back and forth between his parents. When he lives with his mother, he doesn't see his dad. When he lives with his dad, he doesn't see his mom. Actually, he doesn't see either of them very much anyway because they both have successful careers. That is how he ends up living with his grandmother. She runs a boarding house, which is sort of like an old mansion/castle surrounded by a forest.
I liked all of the characters in the book, especially Jack, Ivy and Mr. Ryan. I can’t wait to find out the rest of Jack’s story, as well as Mr. Ryan and Ivy’s.
Something I liked about the book is that there wasn’t a bad guy who I hated who over powers the book. What drives the story forward is the relationship/tension between Ivy and Jack, all of the neat things he is learning, and various mysteries that surround him. These things also make the book interesting, exciting, and fun.
That isn’t to say that there won’t be a villain I dislike somewhere down the road. And there are some “bad guys” in the book. But for the most part, the first book set the stage for the rest of the series. I didn’t get to know the one bad guy well enough to strongly dislike him/her/it.
So Gran, what's in the woods surrounding the house?
As with any book, all kinds of things started happening toward the end of the book. I was a little confused about one thing that happened at the end, but I think it is just part of the mystery that will unravel with the next book in the series. I have made assumptions about the things that were a little vague to me. Now I have to wait to see if I am right about them.
When does the next book come out? *snaps fingers* (lol)
I hope I don’t have to wait too long. *sigh*
I had a feeling I would like Ivy's Tangle by P.D. Kalnay. I have read three of his other books and really liked them, especially The Arros Chronicles (the third book, Jewel of the Empire will be published June 15th!). As with that series, I am pretty excited about this story.
I highly recommend Ivy’s Tangle by P.D. Kalnay!
Mr. Kalnay, you are awesome! I love your books!
Update: Ivy's Bind is out now. I just bought my copy on Amazon.com.
Update: I finished reading Ivy's Bind last night. It was even better than the first book - and yes, my questions from book 1 were answered! I can't wait for the next book (Ivy's Bloosom)! https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
Ivy's Bind
Mr. Kalnay has said that "I’m intending the Legend of the White Sword series to be seven books in total: Ivy’s Tangle, Ivy’s Bind, Ivy’s Blossom, Knight’s Haven, Black Hammer, Sliver Mantle, and finally White Sword (last four titles are still subject to change). Each book has been longer than the preceding book. I expect that to continue, with greater world building requirements, as the story continues."
If you like the Harry Potter, Percy Jackson and the Olympians, & The Chronicles of Narnia books, you will love this series. I am all kinds of happy about the Legend of the White Sword series.
Wow. Just wow! Was this a good book! Ivy's Tangle by P.D. Kalnay was a great middle grade fantasy (that has a much broader appeal) that I did not want to put down. It is fast-paced and a quick read. As with Kalnay's other books, it was a very enjoyable read. He did such a great job at putting all the elements of the story together and moving the plot forward.
The story centers around Jack, who has lived his life being tossed back and forth between his parents. When he lives with his mother, he doesn't see his dad. When he lives with his dad, he doesn't see his mom. Actually, he doesn't see either of them very much anyway because they both have successful careers. That is how he ends up living with his grandmother. She runs a boarding house, which is sort of like an old mansion/castle surrounded by a forest.
I liked all of the characters in the book, especially Jack, Ivy and Mr. Ryan. I can’t wait to find out the rest of Jack’s story, as well as Mr. Ryan and Ivy’s.
Something I liked about the book is that there wasn’t a bad guy who I hated who over powers the book. What drives the story forward is the relationship/tension between Ivy and Jack, all of the neat things he is learning, and various mysteries that surround him. These things also make the book interesting, exciting, and fun.
That isn’t to say that there won’t be a villain I dislike somewhere down the road. And there are some “bad guys” in the book. But for the most part, the first book set the stage for the rest of the series. I didn’t get to know the one bad guy well enough to strongly dislike him/her/it.
So Gran, what's in the woods surrounding the house?
As with any book, all kinds of things started happening toward the end of the book. I was a little confused about one thing that happened at the end, but I think it is just part of the mystery that will unravel with the next book in the series. I have made assumptions about the things that were a little vague to me. Now I have to wait to see if I am right about them.
When does the next book come out? *snaps fingers* (lol)
I hope I don’t have to wait too long. *sigh*
I had a feeling I would like Ivy's Tangle by P.D. Kalnay. I have read three of his other books and really liked them, especially The Arros Chronicles (the third book, Jewel of the Empire will be published June 15th!). As with that series, I am pretty excited about this story.
I highly recommend Ivy’s Tangle by P.D. Kalnay!
Mr. Kalnay, you are awesome! I love your books!
Update: Ivy's Bind is out now. I just bought my copy on Amazon.com.
Update: I finished reading Ivy's Bind last night. It was even better than the first book - and yes, my questions from book 1 were answered! I can't wait for the next book (Ivy's Bloosom)! https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
Ivy's Bind
Mr. Kalnay has said that "I’m intending the Legend of the White Sword series to be seven books in total: Ivy’s Tangle, Ivy’s Bind, Ivy’s Blossom, Knight’s Haven, Black Hammer, Sliver Mantle, and finally White Sword (last four titles are still subject to change). Each book has been longer than the preceding book. I expect that to continue, with greater world building requirements, as the story continues."
February 1, 2016
They say never to judge a book by its cover, so I didn’t. Those reading this purely based on the cover will expect a sort of anime infused adventure story, but what you get is so much better. Rather than randomly having fights and introducing mystical characters for the sake of having readers say “Ooh, it’s a mystical character”, Kalnay actually creates likeable believable characters in the form of Jack and Ivy. Though at times their ages feel debatable – sometimes prepubescent, other times almost late teens – their relationship slowly blossoms in a relatable and believable way that will keep the reader wondering what Ivy’s secret might be.
Granted, the ending felt a little abrupt to me, though with the book being part of a series all of our questions can’t be answered in the first volume. Kalnay’s world in his Legend of the White Sword series feels like it could exist in our own, and the subtle hints at what is yet to come work beautifully.
Granted, the ending felt a little abrupt to me, though with the book being part of a series all of our questions can’t be answered in the first volume. Kalnay’s world in his Legend of the White Sword series feels like it could exist in our own, and the subtle hints at what is yet to come work beautifully.
January 18, 2016
*I received a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.*
This was a really fun middle grade fantasy. It's short, fast paced, and sets up an interesting story line. The beginning is mostly just setup for everything that comes later and I'm sure that even more will be revealed in the next installment. The house that Jack moves to reminded me of Biltmore, with its multiple floors, basement with a swimming pool, and large grounds. This was definitely a fun read and I'm looking forward to the next book.
Full review will be live January 20th: http://courtneysreads.blogspot.com/20...
This was a really fun middle grade fantasy. It's short, fast paced, and sets up an interesting story line. The beginning is mostly just setup for everything that comes later and I'm sure that even more will be revealed in the next installment. The house that Jack moves to reminded me of Biltmore, with its multiple floors, basement with a swimming pool, and large grounds. This was definitely a fun read and I'm looking forward to the next book.
Full review will be live January 20th: http://courtneysreads.blogspot.com/20...
May 29, 2017
Captivating
Mysterious characters, dangerous and strange. The story draws you in. Just the right balance of mundane and magic. Clean and gutter language free.
Mysterious characters, dangerous and strange. The story draws you in. Just the right balance of mundane and magic. Clean and gutter language free.
June 6, 2018
Wow
I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it. Good characters, good premise. A very enjoyable read. The questions unanswered at the end didn’t make it a cliffhanger but I really want them answered.
I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it. Good characters, good premise. A very enjoyable read. The questions unanswered at the end didn’t make it a cliffhanger but I really want them answered.
March 3, 2017
Ivy and Jack a winning combination
The characters are very realistic and easy to like. I am looking forward to getting the sequel and finding out what happens. Especially the mysteries behind the characters.
The characters are very realistic and easy to like. I am looking forward to getting the sequel and finding out what happens. Especially the mysteries behind the characters.
February 28, 2017
It is seriously one of the best books I have ever read. If you like mystery this is the book for you.
June 25, 2016
Fourteen-year-old Jack has spent his life being shuttled back and forth between his divorced parents. He’s also spent a small amount of time in military school. One day his parents decide he needs more stability so they send him to spend his high school years with his grandmother in Glastonbury Manor, which she runs as a boarding house. The house is mostly empty, except for a handful of part-time boarders and a housekeeper. Jack quickly makes friends with his grandmother’s summer boarders – everyone but Ivy. Ivy is a peculiar little girl whose bossy attitude gets under Jack’s skin at every turn, yet he’s charged with the task of working alongside her on several occasions.
I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book because of the anime-style cover image, but I was impressed with Ivy’s Tangle and found it to be a sophisticated fantasy novel. Although the book centers on two fourteen-year-olds, I honestly think it should appeal to adults as well, and I really did enjoy it. The author’s writing is clever and entertaining. The action scenes were gripping. I also appreciated the background information the author included about fencing and sword fighting.
The only issue I had was that I found the ending left me with several unanswered questions. Since this particular book is the first in a series, I’m sure the story continues in books two and three. I hesitate to say that Ivy’s Tangle concludes with a cliffhanger, but I wonder if readers might end up being frustrated by the open-ended conclusion. Personally, I think it’s a great way for readers to get a feel for the author’s style and enjoy a sampling of Jack’s story. Since it’s currently free it’s a no-risk way to give the series a try. For that reason, and because I enjoyed the book so much, I’ve given it five stars.
5 of 5 Stars, http://ebookreviewgal.com
I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book because of the anime-style cover image, but I was impressed with Ivy’s Tangle and found it to be a sophisticated fantasy novel. Although the book centers on two fourteen-year-olds, I honestly think it should appeal to adults as well, and I really did enjoy it. The author’s writing is clever and entertaining. The action scenes were gripping. I also appreciated the background information the author included about fencing and sword fighting.
The only issue I had was that I found the ending left me with several unanswered questions. Since this particular book is the first in a series, I’m sure the story continues in books two and three. I hesitate to say that Ivy’s Tangle concludes with a cliffhanger, but I wonder if readers might end up being frustrated by the open-ended conclusion. Personally, I think it’s a great way for readers to get a feel for the author’s style and enjoy a sampling of Jack’s story. Since it’s currently free it’s a no-risk way to give the series a try. For that reason, and because I enjoyed the book so much, I’ve given it five stars.
5 of 5 Stars, http://ebookreviewgal.com
June 5, 2016
New Friends
Although Jack was only fourteen, he was an experienced traveler. This year he was going to be staying with his grandmother for the next four years. When he arrived, he was surprised to see all the woods that were surrounding the house. By the end of the day, he had met Ivy, Mr. Ryan and his grandmother. Ivy and Jack didn't hit it off and he thought she acted like a princess. Eventually, they did become friends and Jack's day was full. Jack was learning fencing,sword fighting and gardening. One night as he was finishing up his sword work, he heard Ivy's voice calling for help from the woods. When he thought that he had found her, he saw that it hadn't been her calling.
Although Jack was only fourteen, he was an experienced traveler. This year he was going to be staying with his grandmother for the next four years. When he arrived, he was surprised to see all the woods that were surrounding the house. By the end of the day, he had met Ivy, Mr. Ryan and his grandmother. Ivy and Jack didn't hit it off and he thought she acted like a princess. Eventually, they did become friends and Jack's day was full. Jack was learning fencing,sword fighting and gardening. One night as he was finishing up his sword work, he heard Ivy's voice calling for help from the woods. When he thought that he had found her, he saw that it hadn't been her calling.
June 7, 2016
A 14 year old boy shuffled from one boarding school to the next goes to his grandmother's house and has a great summer. Mysteries are hinted at but the only magic occurs at the end. He makes friends for teh first time in his life and learns how to garden, forge tools, and fight with a sword. It was enjoyable and not too YA for me.
There were too many commas for me. 'Out' was written for 'off' ("...that might have been out by a couple"), 'it's' for 'its" ("...it's terrified pace), a word wrongly capitalized ("'Aren't you going to say hello?' The wolf asked...."), 'knocked' for 'notched' ("...another arrow knocked...."), and "full discloser" for "full disclosure."
There were too many commas for me. 'Out' was written for 'off' ("...that might have been out by a couple"), 'it's' for 'its" ("...it's terrified pace), a word wrongly capitalized ("'Aren't you going to say hello?' The wolf asked...."), 'knocked' for 'notched' ("...another arrow knocked...."), and "full discloser" for "full disclosure."
April 29, 2016
First of all I would like to thank the author for sending me a copy.
I really enjoyed this book. It was a nice quick read. It's about a boy named Jack and he goes to live with his grandma. I will admit she was nothing like what I expected. I thought she would be strict but really she was pretty lenient with him. Then there is a girl named Ivy and first I thought she was weird. Then as the story goes along you realize their is more to her. My one complaint was that you were left not knowing a lot at the end. However, there is a 2nd book so hopefully we will learn more.
I really enjoyed this book. It was a nice quick read. It's about a boy named Jack and he goes to live with his grandma. I will admit she was nothing like what I expected. I thought she would be strict but really she was pretty lenient with him. Then there is a girl named Ivy and first I thought she was weird. Then as the story goes along you realize their is more to her. My one complaint was that you were left not knowing a lot at the end. However, there is a 2nd book so hopefully we will learn more.
May 21, 2016
***RECEIVED FROM GOODREADS GIVEAWAY***
It took me a while to really start getting into this, there are so many things said that hint at the characters' origins that you have to stick with it or it will drive you mad not knowing! This is obviously a start of a series of books and it doesn't really have any action until the end chapter, preferring not to build on the characters, relationships and the intrigue ready for the next instalment. I enjoyed it, it makes me want to carry on reading the rest!
It took me a while to really start getting into this, there are so many things said that hint at the characters' origins that you have to stick with it or it will drive you mad not knowing! This is obviously a start of a series of books and it doesn't really have any action until the end chapter, preferring not to build on the characters, relationships and the intrigue ready for the next instalment. I enjoyed it, it makes me want to carry on reading the rest!
August 2, 2016
This was an excellent book. I liked the characters, the dialog, the plot, and the setting. I would really have liked to have read this as a child and imagined I was the book's main character. Even as an adult, I found it very enjoyable. I read is over the course of a couple of days, and immediately bought and started reading the second book in the series.
July 26, 2016
Enjoyable book. If you enjoy books like those by Christopher Stasheff you will enjoy this series. It keeps you guessing all the way!
July 29, 2016
Sweet
Wonderful characters, I'm anxious to learn more about then. Magic and friendship abound regardless of the age difference and time.
Wonderful characters, I'm anxious to learn more about then. Magic and friendship abound regardless of the age difference and time.
August 5, 2016
Fun read!
A boy comes to live in his grandmother's country guest house, with a surprise behind every door and guests who may not be who they seem to be.
A boy comes to live in his grandmother's country guest house, with a surprise behind every door and guests who may not be who they seem to be.
March 9, 2019
Mystical
Good clean story, no bad language or sex. This book is more of a preview into into the next books. Very mysterious, since Ivy is not able to tell Jack more about herself. There is back ground on Jack but not much info on Ivy or Mr. Ryan until the end. You get a peak at Who or What they are when a battle comes at the end. I look forward to next book I hopes that more light will shed on our favorite characters.
Good clean story, no bad language or sex. This book is more of a preview into into the next books. Very mysterious, since Ivy is not able to tell Jack more about herself. There is back ground on Jack but not much info on Ivy or Mr. Ryan until the end. You get a peak at Who or What they are when a battle comes at the end. I look forward to next book I hopes that more light will shed on our favorite characters.
August 9, 2018
Beautifully written
PD Kalnay kept my eyes riveted to the page. He’s a masterful storyteller with a great imagination and the ability to get the story constructed in such a way you won’t want to shut the book.
PD Kalnay kept my eyes riveted to the page. He’s a masterful storyteller with a great imagination and the ability to get the story constructed in such a way you won’t want to shut the book.
July 28, 2017
really enjoyed It! will get the others in the series
January 7, 2018
Well written
Well-written tale. I wish it had been more complete but did draw me into the tale. I am very curious as to who or what Jack really is
Well-written tale. I wish it had been more complete but did draw me into the tale. I am very curious as to who or what Jack really is
July 1, 2020
A fun book.
As I said this is a fun book .it's a fast read and a and very easy to visualize. I'an ready to start book two
As I said this is a fun book .it's a fast read and a and very easy to visualize. I'an ready to start book two
November 28, 2020
Ivy’s Tangle
It was an enjoyable read. I couldn’t put it down. I read it in one sitting. The story flowed very well, and left me wanting to read the sequel.
It was an enjoyable read. I couldn’t put it down. I read it in one sitting. The story flowed very well, and left me wanting to read the sequel.
March 16, 2022
Excellent story
An auspicious start to a series well suited to all ages. Looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
An auspicious start to a series well suited to all ages. Looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews