What do you think?
Rate this book
Chronicles of Freylar #1
Second Chance
Callum is a member of the Shadow class, the lowest rank in human society. His kin lead desperate lives; they survive on the scraps left by an over-indulgent post-apocalyptic humanity, clinging to the remains of a broken metropolis. Their increasing numbers – a result of ineffective government policies failing to address the issue – prompts those in power to instigate an unethical process of forced relocation known as the Rout, ignored by an indifferent society looking to bury its problems. Abandoned by his parents to endure a childhood of children’s homes, followed by teen life surviving on the streets, Callum develops a staunch determination to endure the horrors life throws at him. He is a survivor, able to think fast on his feet, yet his principles hasten his near death during a chance encounter with an enigmatic alien entity. Callum is given a choice; take his chances with his now ruined body, or gamble on a new life.
Awakened within the comatose body of a non-human female and faced with a distraught father, Callum is reborn as Rayna, in an entirely new world, presenting the opportunity to start over. Rayna’s new world – Freylar – has a darker undercurrent, and it falls to The Blades – a militant order – to defend the Freylarkai from those horrors born of the shadow. Rayna is inducted into The Blades as she tries to navigate through her strange environment and master new and wonderful abilities, yet she finds herself fighting two battles; one against the repressed memories of her miserable past, and the other a war versus fresh nightmares seeking to claim dominance over her new world.
Awakened within the comatose body of a non-human female and faced with a distraught father, Callum is reborn as Rayna, in an entirely new world, presenting the opportunity to start over. Rayna’s new world – Freylar – has a darker undercurrent, and it falls to The Blades – a militant order – to defend the Freylarkai from those horrors born of the shadow. Rayna is inducted into The Blades as she tries to navigate through her strange environment and master new and wonderful abilities, yet she finds herself fighting two battles; one against the repressed memories of her miserable past, and the other a war versus fresh nightmares seeking to claim dominance over her new world.
348 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 25, 2016
45 people are currently reading
74 people want to read
About the author
Liam W.H. Young
8 books5 followersThe Chronicles of Freylar started life as a single manuscript titled project ‘Night-Night’; an endeavour which I commenced whilst sitting beside my son, who had great difficulty sleeping at night. My presence comforted Tristan, helping him to doze off, and whilst he slowly drifted away each night seeking fresh adventures within his dream world, I set myself the challenge of creating a world of my own.
Born during the spring of 1979, I moved around a lot during my childhood and teen years, which brought me into contact with a lot of people throughout my life, all of whom have contributed to my rich life experiences; it is these experiences which have expanded my imagination, enabling me to embark on this project. The Chronicles of Freylar is a huge undertaking, one which I am fully committed to developing. I am no stranger to large scale projects; my extensive background in IT has allowed me to develop and implement a number of software and infrastructure innovations over the years. Though I enjoy my work, due to its seemingly endless fresh challenges, the IT industry is a continuously evolving beast where innovations are rapidly lost in time with the relentless advance of technology. Stories, however, are timeless. I have always wanted to create a written world of my own which I can leave behind for my son, and hopefully for others to enjoy too.
See me online at:
website: http://www.thechroniclesoffreylar.com
twitter: https://twitter.com/LiamWHYoung
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheChronicle...
Born during the spring of 1979, I moved around a lot during my childhood and teen years, which brought me into contact with a lot of people throughout my life, all of whom have contributed to my rich life experiences; it is these experiences which have expanded my imagination, enabling me to embark on this project. The Chronicles of Freylar is a huge undertaking, one which I am fully committed to developing. I am no stranger to large scale projects; my extensive background in IT has allowed me to develop and implement a number of software and infrastructure innovations over the years. Though I enjoy my work, due to its seemingly endless fresh challenges, the IT industry is a continuously evolving beast where innovations are rapidly lost in time with the relentless advance of technology. Stories, however, are timeless. I have always wanted to create a written world of my own which I can leave behind for my son, and hopefully for others to enjoy too.
See me online at:
website: http://www.thechroniclesoffreylar.com
twitter: https://twitter.com/LiamWHYoung
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheChronicle...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 4, 2017
Awesome read
This is a tale of second chance, self discovery. The main character Callum is a member of the shadow class, the outcasts of a society which failed to find a solution to it's problems and ignore it. The world isn't a good place to live in, but. When Callum meet an alien entity that he rescued from a (laugh) dog he is dieing, the alien thingy give him a choice : be part of the collective of souls inside it or be sent back in his failing body. Well the choice wasn't really one. At this moment a life of trials await him!
I really loved the story, ok it was unoriginal but it's one you don't see a lot anymore, I can't wait to read the next one! Some editing is needed though that's why it isn't a full five stars.
This is a tale of second chance, self discovery. The main character Callum is a member of the shadow class, the outcasts of a society which failed to find a solution to it's problems and ignore it. The world isn't a good place to live in, but. When Callum meet an alien entity that he rescued from a (laugh) dog he is dieing, the alien thingy give him a choice : be part of the collective of souls inside it or be sent back in his failing body. Well the choice wasn't really one. At this moment a life of trials await him!
I really loved the story, ok it was unoriginal but it's one you don't see a lot anymore, I can't wait to read the next one! Some editing is needed though that's why it isn't a full five stars.
May 26, 2019
I loved this book. I found it a bit slow to get into, but well worth persevering. The new world, Freylar, is fascinating. The characters are very relatable, men and women facing various challenges, personal growth, battles and more. The lead character, Callum/Rayna, is strong, troubled, feisty - someone we're really rooting for, and want to succeed. The 'support cast' are equally enchanting, and have their own stories woven through the books. I say 'books' plural, because I've read the second and third in the series too - eagerly awaiting the fourth installment this Autumn. If you like fantasy novels, I highly recommend it.
April 9, 2022
A most enjoyable read.
This story as the title suggest, is one of a second chance at life. Not because of the need for absolution. More, an opportunity not normally available to your present station in life.
It’s a fantasy. An aspirational tale of standing when everything around you presses to hold you down. If you enjoy fantasy, it’s a bit different than the typical quest style.
From a literary perspective, it harkens back to more traditional third person writing. It utilizes dialogue but doesn’t push the idea of tell so strongly as is currently in vogue. I found the writing style more traditional than much of todays fare and quite refreshing.
It is very, very highly recommended.
This story as the title suggest, is one of a second chance at life. Not because of the need for absolution. More, an opportunity not normally available to your present station in life.
It’s a fantasy. An aspirational tale of standing when everything around you presses to hold you down. If you enjoy fantasy, it’s a bit different than the typical quest style.
From a literary perspective, it harkens back to more traditional third person writing. It utilizes dialogue but doesn’t push the idea of tell so strongly as is currently in vogue. I found the writing style more traditional than much of todays fare and quite refreshing.
It is very, very highly recommended.
October 26, 2023
I liked the idea of second chance. But the writing was confusing. Many times there were paragraph after paragraph with only pronouns instead of names. I wasn't sure who the author was talking about. Names should have been used more often, especially when starting a new part of the story.
Read
October 15, 2020I good book that had me hooked from the first pages.
Interesting original ideas & characters & I look forward to reading more books in the series.
Interesting original ideas & characters & I look forward to reading more books in the series.
November 3, 2020
Interesting but...
An interesting tale centered around a human male transported into the body of a female alien on a different world. I enjoyed the book but I am saddened by the missed opportunities the author could have taken to show the adjustments such a transformation would entail. Missing are the obvious, getting to understand the female, and alien,bodily differences that would be a struggle, the very interesting psychological adjustments having to do with sexuality, getting used to female clothing, learning how to act feminine, even how she can speak, read, and understand the language, I could go on. The adjustments in the book are glossed over and explained as the character being able to go with the flow of changes. I found that a gaping hole in the story and though it would not have changed the storyline it definitely would have enhanced it and made a better book. The story is interesting but it also quickly deals with sword training etc too quickly as well. When you get to the main battle the need for training is lost as no one but her can kill the enemy with swords anyways. Somehow, while it sounds like a lot is missed, and it is, there still is decent read here. But the missed opportunities....
An interesting tale centered around a human male transported into the body of a female alien on a different world. I enjoyed the book but I am saddened by the missed opportunities the author could have taken to show the adjustments such a transformation would entail. Missing are the obvious, getting to understand the female, and alien,bodily differences that would be a struggle, the very interesting psychological adjustments having to do with sexuality, getting used to female clothing, learning how to act feminine, even how she can speak, read, and understand the language, I could go on. The adjustments in the book are glossed over and explained as the character being able to go with the flow of changes. I found that a gaping hole in the story and though it would not have changed the storyline it definitely would have enhanced it and made a better book. The story is interesting but it also quickly deals with sword training etc too quickly as well. When you get to the main battle the need for training is lost as no one but her can kill the enemy with swords anyways. Somehow, while it sounds like a lot is missed, and it is, there still is decent read here. But the missed opportunities....
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews