What do you think?
Rate this book
The World Walker #1
The World Walker
Just outside Los Angeles, a prisoner hidden away for 70 years sits up, gets off the bed and disappears through a solid wall.
In Australia, a magician impresses audiences by producing real elephants. Nobody realizes it's not an illusion.
Across the world, individuals and ancient organizations with supernatural power suddenly detect the presence of something even they can't understand.
At the center of it all, Seb Varden, a 32-year old musician with a secret in his past, slits his wrists, is shot dead and run over on the freeway. He's had better days.
Seb is about to discover the universe is a far more complicated place than he'd ever imagined.
***Please note, this book can be read as a standalone, or as the first in a planned series developing elements and characters from The World Walker.
In Australia, a magician impresses audiences by producing real elephants. Nobody realizes it's not an illusion.
Across the world, individuals and ancient organizations with supernatural power suddenly detect the presence of something even they can't understand.
At the center of it all, Seb Varden, a 32-year old musician with a secret in his past, slits his wrists, is shot dead and run over on the freeway. He's had better days.
Seb is about to discover the universe is a far more complicated place than he'd ever imagined.
***Please note, this book can be read as a standalone, or as the first in a planned series developing elements and characters from The World Walker.
440 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 21, 2016
1657 people are currently reading
1462 people want to read
About the author
Ian W. Sainsbury
28 books219 followersIan W Sainsbury is a musician, composer, writer, comedian and puppet wrangler (yes, that's a real job). Obviously, he doesn't know what to do when he grows up and - now that he's in his forties - he's resigned to the fact that he probably never will.
His first novel was published in 2016.
Subscribe at http://bit.ly/1VSg2tT for a copy of the unpublished prologue from The World Walker.
email Ian: ianwsainsbury@gmail.com
His first novel was published in 2016.
Subscribe at http://bit.ly/1VSg2tT for a copy of the unpublished prologue from The World Walker.
email Ian: ianwsainsbury@gmail.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 234 reviews
October 26, 2017
Would you, an incredibly average young man, like to imagine having godlike, apparently magical powers? Effortlessly surpassing all other magic users? Maybe you'd like to imagine having an orgy with a group of nameless hookers described primarily in terms of the size of their breasts at some point as well? This wasn't a terrible book, but I just kept finding myself bored.
The main character has very little personality and never seems to change or grow over the course of the novel, and his powers are so obviously OP that there's very little narrative tension. The writing is often flat and the author could really stand to stop mentioning female characters in terms of their nudity and perfect breasts - it's not obnoxious, just eye-roll-inducing. I'd give it a solid "meh".
The main character has very little personality and never seems to change or grow over the course of the novel, and his powers are so obviously OP that there's very little narrative tension. The writing is often flat and the author could really stand to stop mentioning female characters in terms of their nudity and perfect breasts - it's not obnoxious, just eye-roll-inducing. I'd give it a solid "meh".
February 3, 2017
A bit like the Dresden files meets American Gods
June 14, 2016
More!
Good stuff. Omg how many more words? Buy it. Read it. Ask for more! Five more? OK there we go..
Good stuff. Omg how many more words? Buy it. Read it. Ask for more! Five more? OK there we go..
March 2, 2018
So I'm getting so tired of books and stories that intentionally stoke hatred by depicting loathsome villains whose sole purpose for existing is to make you despise them.
This book does this, and it's especially irritating because there are some interesting aspects to the story like what exactly is happening to Seb after he's visited by a mysterious alien. But of course before he can find out he's got to contend the evil sociopathic black ops operative who loves killing in a myriad of gruesome and sadistic ways. And if you're bored with that or need some more loathing in your literature, well, there's always his murderous power hungry mafia-style boss, or some deluded witchy woman whose only purpose is to kill for Satan. Oh yeah, and there's the psychopathic kid in Seb's past who also really gets his kicks out of hurting other people. So all the villains either seem to lack the capacity to care about their murder victims, or they get a thrill out of it.
All this is obviously being done in the name of revenge porn, which is never particularly satisfying anyway. I'm actually about 3/4 of the way through the first book, and I'm putting it down. If any of the villains survive, then you know it's because the writer needs them to keep on acting like a bunch of assholes in book 2. Like an idiot I bought the second book in the series when I got the first, and I bought audiobooks, so that's a lot of money wasted. But I'm just too pissed off to bother finishing this empty, vacant and largely humourless story. I find it especially irritating since, In spite of seeing the writer going on about using meditation to calm one's spirit, his drives his own plot by cultivating hatred in his readers.
This book does this, and it's especially irritating because there are some interesting aspects to the story like what exactly is happening to Seb after he's visited by a mysterious alien. But of course before he can find out he's got to contend the evil sociopathic black ops operative who loves killing in a myriad of gruesome and sadistic ways. And if you're bored with that or need some more loathing in your literature, well, there's always his murderous power hungry mafia-style boss, or some deluded witchy woman whose only purpose is to kill for Satan. Oh yeah, and there's the psychopathic kid in Seb's past who also really gets his kicks out of hurting other people. So all the villains either seem to lack the capacity to care about their murder victims, or they get a thrill out of it.
All this is obviously being done in the name of revenge porn, which is never particularly satisfying anyway. I'm actually about 3/4 of the way through the first book, and I'm putting it down. If any of the villains survive, then you know it's because the writer needs them to keep on acting like a bunch of assholes in book 2. Like an idiot I bought the second book in the series when I got the first, and I bought audiobooks, so that's a lot of money wasted. But I'm just too pissed off to bother finishing this empty, vacant and largely humourless story. I find it especially irritating since, In spite of seeing the writer going on about using meditation to calm one's spirit, his drives his own plot by cultivating hatred in his readers.
May 29, 2018
More like 2 1/2
Good grief! This started off pretty good but I could never read this author again. All this author knows is the word "said:" Seb said, Walt said, Seb said, Walt said, Seb said, Walt said, Bob said, Mee said. It started driving me nuts. No remarked, no replied, no yelled, no nothing! Just “SAID.” I read one other male author who couldn’t use any word but that and I never read him again. Just like I won’t read this one again. Ian W. Sainsbury used the word “said” over 1000 times in this one book and replied 0 times and remarked 0 times and murmur 2 times and muttered 5 times. Clearly not enough words to replace “said.” Totally ridiculous!!
This could have been a decent story, except for “said.” But I liked the characters: Seb (I hate that name. His name is Sebastian!) Walt, Bob and I almost liked Mee ,her name was Meena, (she was a little bit too much of a pot-head for me though. Lighting one joint off the one she just finished.)
And it was pretty cool that Seb decided to sit in the forest to commit suicide, only to be visited by an alien who filled him with nanotechnology and made him into a superhuman. And the book went from the present back to the past, and from Seb and Walt to Bob and Mee, or to the man, Westlake, who was chasing Seb. However, it seemed to plod along going nowhere. By 75% I was wondering when the story was going to start. When we were going to find out what superpowers Seb had and what they were for. At 95% I was still wondering.
Anyway, I finished and that’s enough of this author.
One reviewer on Amazon said she hated the ending and I was a little concerned but I have no idea what she was talking about. Seb and Mee got their HFN and it wasn’t a cliffhanger so what more could you ask for? Oh, but while Mee and Bob were looking for Seb he was busy in a hot tub with Walt and 7 naked ladies. But, he DID love her… LOL
Sex was only implied, thank God, and the F-bomb was used 5 times.
As to the narration: Todd Boyce was just alright for me. His voices were fine but there wasn’t much emotion in his reading. His best voice was Mason and his whispering tone. His worse was Seb, because Seb was 32 and sounded like a teenager. Like he didn’t have a lick of sense.
Good grief! This started off pretty good but I could never read this author again. All this author knows is the word "said:" Seb said, Walt said, Seb said, Walt said, Seb said, Walt said, Bob said, Mee said. It started driving me nuts. No remarked, no replied, no yelled, no nothing! Just “SAID.” I read one other male author who couldn’t use any word but that and I never read him again. Just like I won’t read this one again. Ian W. Sainsbury used the word “said” over 1000 times in this one book and replied 0 times and remarked 0 times and murmur 2 times and muttered 5 times. Clearly not enough words to replace “said.” Totally ridiculous!!
This could have been a decent story, except for “said.” But I liked the characters: Seb (I hate that name. His name is Sebastian!) Walt, Bob and I almost liked Mee ,her name was Meena, (she was a little bit too much of a pot-head for me though. Lighting one joint off the one she just finished.)
And it was pretty cool that Seb decided to sit in the forest to commit suicide, only to be visited by an alien who filled him with nanotechnology and made him into a superhuman. And the book went from the present back to the past, and from Seb and Walt to Bob and Mee, or to the man, Westlake, who was chasing Seb. However, it seemed to plod along going nowhere. By 75% I was wondering when the story was going to start. When we were going to find out what superpowers Seb had and what they were for. At 95% I was still wondering.
Anyway, I finished and that’s enough of this author.
One reviewer on Amazon said she hated the ending and I was a little concerned but I have no idea what she was talking about. Seb and Mee got their HFN and it wasn’t a cliffhanger so what more could you ask for? Oh, but while Mee and Bob were looking for Seb he was busy in a hot tub with Walt and 7 naked ladies. But, he DID love her… LOL
Sex was only implied, thank God, and the F-bomb was used 5 times.
As to the narration: Todd Boyce was just alright for me. His voices were fine but there wasn’t much emotion in his reading. His best voice was Mason and his whispering tone. His worse was Seb, because Seb was 32 and sounded like a teenager. Like he didn’t have a lick of sense.
July 14, 2017
Eh...too..wordy. Weird thing to say about a book but there you have it. Too much bouncing back and forth in time, too much concentration on the other players, and not enough on Seb and his journey. Irritated me so much that by the end I was done. I simply cannot go through this 3 more times. Sorry sir, but no thanks.
This book had potential. The premise it was built on is very good. World building sucked like a black hole, and not nearly enough character building. We saw very little (VERY little!) of how he GOT TO BE as powerful as he is. The parts I wanted more of were cut short, and the parts I could care less about were too long. I didn't CARE about his childhood. I wanted to know what was happening to him NOW and how he was going to get himself out of it. I didn't CARE about Meera and Rob. In this the first book I only want to know about Seb and how he's dealing with, learning, developing, etc. his new abilities. That homunculus was seriously cool. And changing his face? His car? Can't be killed? Seriously. More of that and less of the other stuff. Save the other stuff for later books. And what happened to Walt?
Just so aggravating. I hate feeling aggravated when I'm trying to relax into the world of a book. Defeats the purpose of reading.
Can't do more. Can't recommend anybody put themselves through reading this either. What a disappointment.
This book had potential. The premise it was built on is very good. World building sucked like a black hole, and not nearly enough character building. We saw very little (VERY little!) of how he GOT TO BE as powerful as he is. The parts I wanted more of were cut short, and the parts I could care less about were too long. I didn't CARE about his childhood. I wanted to know what was happening to him NOW and how he was going to get himself out of it. I didn't CARE about Meera and Rob. In this the first book I only want to know about Seb and how he's dealing with, learning, developing, etc. his new abilities. That homunculus was seriously cool. And changing his face? His car? Can't be killed? Seriously. More of that and less of the other stuff. Save the other stuff for later books. And what happened to Walt?
Just so aggravating. I hate feeling aggravated when I'm trying to relax into the world of a book. Defeats the purpose of reading.
Can't do more. Can't recommend anybody put themselves through reading this either. What a disappointment.
October 27, 2016
A great story and a very entertaining read.
I think Mr Sainsbury is going to be a writer to watch out for.
I Read this book in just a day and that is something I haven't done in years. Am just about to start the next book "The Unmaking Engine", which is the title that caught my attention on Amazon in the first place. Can hardly wait!
I think Mr Sainsbury is going to be a writer to watch out for.
I Read this book in just a day and that is something I haven't done in years. Am just about to start the next book "The Unmaking Engine", which is the title that caught my attention on Amazon in the first place. Can hardly wait!
October 20, 2017
This was a much more engaging story than I expected it to be and I'm excited to jump right in to the next one.
It does, however, suffer from some fairly poor copy editing. Things like verb tense switches, duplicate words, typos and the like. Just enough to be distracting but not enough to ruin the story or cause you to stumble trying to understand the author.
Even with all that it's a solid 4 star story, maybe more.
It does, however, suffer from some fairly poor copy editing. Things like verb tense switches, duplicate words, typos and the like. Just enough to be distracting but not enough to ruin the story or cause you to stumble trying to understand the author.
Even with all that it's a solid 4 star story, maybe more.
February 26, 2017
Highly unusual & engrossing
I've actually finished both of the currently released World Walker books as I loved the first so much that I was far too impatient to stop and write (this) review. Exciting, unputdownable and heart stopping, I really can't recommend these books enough, totally excited that book 3 is out in 2 days, on my birthday no less, happy birthday me!
I've actually finished both of the currently released World Walker books as I loved the first so much that I was far too impatient to stop and write (this) review. Exciting, unputdownable and heart stopping, I really can't recommend these books enough, totally excited that book 3 is out in 2 days, on my birthday no less, happy birthday me!
June 24, 2017
4.5 stars. Took me a while to get into this novel but it grew on me. I enjoyed Seb's character and his reaction to the upheaval in his life. Original concept, well done!
June 9, 2020
06/09/2020 Notes:
Rating Raised from 3 Stars to 4 Stars
4 Stars for Narration by Todd Boyce (He is a good fit for Seb.)
4 Stars for Philosophy, Magic Concepts
4 Stars for Fun Characters
3 Stars for Plot
- Great book in audio format.
- Fun characters with unique traits.
- Engaging story flow from start to finish.
07/30/2017 Review:
When I first saw the blurb for this book, I had these ideas that it would about about hopping around in alternate dimensions. It wasn't entirely inaccurate, but not really what the story was about. Todd Boyce did a great job narrating the story, and he definitely made it fun experience to listen to the story.
The World Walker is about a guy who was ready to throw in the towel before his illness destroyed what little health he had. He went for a walk, settled by a pretty view, drank a fair share of whisky, wrapped himself with familiar music and used a blade to let himself go.
Here the story begins. One about magic, aliens and following the heart from within the endless calm.
Something pulled him back from death and changed him. There's no time to figure out what the hell just happened or why he's still alive. Seb's forced to run for his life and awkwardly look for answers.
The first book of the World Walker series is an intro to Seb and the characters that impact his life. A bit of a look behind the scenes, the primary idea and a close up on what makes Seb tick. The tale starts in the present and goes back in time for select events. It was well done.
I found many of the interactions in the story to be charming in how relatable they were to real life. Not that it would be something that I would do but they were things I could imagine happening to myself or friends. I laughed when I shouldn't and snarked at every available instance.
It was an enjoyable ride with a dollop of philosophical natures, ideals and religious ramifications. For a cast comprised with mostly "bad guys", there's a pretty steep range of motivations behind the characters. Sainsbury did it right and I empathized with the bad guys even as I was horrified by their actions. It's not unusual to choose yourself over others. Some would say that is a weakness. Others would say that is a strength.
This is the story to set up who and what. I'm pretty sure the next story will establish why, when and revisit the idea of who.
Seb ends up with absurdly powerful abilities but he's pretty clueless on what's going on and how to use what he has. There's no manual to tell him what to do. I like that. I like that he's bumbling his way around and trying to figure out how to find his balance. The journey starts here. I wonder where it will lead and how it will end?
Rating Raised from 3 Stars to 4 Stars
4 Stars for Narration by Todd Boyce (He is a good fit for Seb.)
4 Stars for Philosophy, Magic Concepts
4 Stars for Fun Characters
3 Stars for Plot
- Great book in audio format.
- Fun characters with unique traits.
- Engaging story flow from start to finish.
07/30/2017 Review:
When I first saw the blurb for this book, I had these ideas that it would about about hopping around in alternate dimensions. It wasn't entirely inaccurate, but not really what the story was about. Todd Boyce did a great job narrating the story, and he definitely made it fun experience to listen to the story.
The World Walker is about a guy who was ready to throw in the towel before his illness destroyed what little health he had. He went for a walk, settled by a pretty view, drank a fair share of whisky, wrapped himself with familiar music and used a blade to let himself go.
Here the story begins. One about magic, aliens and following the heart from within the endless calm.
Something pulled him back from death and changed him. There's no time to figure out what the hell just happened or why he's still alive. Seb's forced to run for his life and awkwardly look for answers.
The first book of the World Walker series is an intro to Seb and the characters that impact his life. A bit of a look behind the scenes, the primary idea and a close up on what makes Seb tick. The tale starts in the present and goes back in time for select events. It was well done.
I found many of the interactions in the story to be charming in how relatable they were to real life. Not that it would be something that I would do but they were things I could imagine happening to myself or friends. I laughed when I shouldn't and snarked at every available instance.
It was an enjoyable ride with a dollop of philosophical natures, ideals and religious ramifications. For a cast comprised with mostly "bad guys", there's a pretty steep range of motivations behind the characters. Sainsbury did it right and I empathized with the bad guys even as I was horrified by their actions. It's not unusual to choose yourself over others. Some would say that is a weakness. Others would say that is a strength.
This is the story to set up who and what. I'm pretty sure the next story will establish why, when and revisit the idea of who.
Seb ends up with absurdly powerful abilities but he's pretty clueless on what's going on and how to use what he has. There's no manual to tell him what to do. I like that. I like that he's bumbling his way around and trying to figure out how to find his balance. The journey starts here. I wonder where it will lead and how it will end?
April 4, 2019
A SIMPLE MAN'S REVIEW:
This story seemed to check all the boxes for something I'd like: mysterious powers, crazy cults, Roswell, and even an alien! But this book was a MESS. Maybe with the help of a great editor, the plot could have been smoothed out and the flow could have been simplified, but instead the story jumps around and the overused cliches become tiresome.
The protagonist is given a power, which is pretty cool, but it becomes a problem for the story because he is so powerful that nobody can hurt him. So as you can imagine, all his "battles" are without any personal risk, and thus, without excitement. He can literally do anything he wants. And the ending - you'll see it coming from miles away.
The rest of the characters are a ridiculous caricature of "bad guys" in a variety of movies. It's hard to take anyone serious when they're spitting out dialogue that would feel at home in Die Hard 8. This is another place a good editor could have helped the book.
Well, as you might have surmised, I don't recommend reading this one. I noticed it is the first in a series, and maybe the writing has gotten better, but I'm not going to use my limited time to find out.
Skip it!
This story seemed to check all the boxes for something I'd like: mysterious powers, crazy cults, Roswell, and even an alien! But this book was a MESS. Maybe with the help of a great editor, the plot could have been smoothed out and the flow could have been simplified, but instead the story jumps around and the overused cliches become tiresome.
The protagonist is given a power, which is pretty cool, but it becomes a problem for the story because he is so powerful that nobody can hurt him. So as you can imagine, all his "battles" are without any personal risk, and thus, without excitement. He can literally do anything he wants. And the ending - you'll see it coming from miles away.
The rest of the characters are a ridiculous caricature of "bad guys" in a variety of movies. It's hard to take anyone serious when they're spitting out dialogue that would feel at home in Die Hard 8. This is another place a good editor could have helped the book.
Well, as you might have surmised, I don't recommend reading this one. I noticed it is the first in a series, and maybe the writing has gotten better, but I'm not going to use my limited time to find out.
Skip it!
September 26, 2021
Ugh, I found this novel predictable and rather boring. See if you recognize this plot: an unassuming, bullied male orphan discovers a secret, sought-after power, but has difficulty controlling it. In order to save the world (and the girl) he must learn to control it. He finds himself among powerful villains in a struggle he doesn't understand, but through sheer goodness of character and wits, he wins the battle. Oh, and he gets the girl at the end too.
Sound familiar? Yes? That's because it's the plot of only about 500 novels out there. The audience for most of those is comprised of 12 year old boys, this one more so than most. As a 50 year old woman, this was a total misfire.
If you are looking for substance, creativity, originality, or if you don't identify as a male and you are between the ages of 11 and 17, pass this one up.
Sound familiar? Yes? That's because it's the plot of only about 500 novels out there. The audience for most of those is comprised of 12 year old boys, this one more so than most. As a 50 year old woman, this was a total misfire.
If you are looking for substance, creativity, originality, or if you don't identify as a male and you are between the ages of 11 and 17, pass this one up.
March 26, 2018
I'm surprised by the high rating this had received on Goodreads, not because it is an awful book, but because it is an uninspiring one. Not written with flair, not cleverly plotted, not with memorable characters. just a mish-mash of clichés, black and white characters and unbelievable plot direction. I so wanted this to be better.....
June 26, 2017
26.6.2017 - 4*
Po dočtení jsem byla nadšená, jelikož je to solidí příběh, který bavil, měl skvělé empo, byl nabitý akcí, držel pozornost a představil dost prvků, které mě zaujaly a nadchly. Málem jsem šla po 5* hodnocení. Jakmile ale píšu něco jako semi-recenzi, co se mi u knih objevuje, moje hlava začne tak nějak automaticky rozebírat každou částečku příběhu a většinu času moje nadšení opadne. (Nemluvím o vyloženě relaxačních knihách, kde mozek vypínám a je to zábava. Myslím knihy, které mě nadchly svou promyšleností a originalitou.) Pitvání jim většinou ubližuje, což mě deprimuje, ale je to tak.
Negativa:
- první, co mi po pitvání vyskočilo tady: hrdina je Gary Stue. Nestěžuju si, jelikož Sainsbury dokázal napsat snad prvního Gary Stua, kterému jsem fandila a ve své podstatě se mi líbil. (Což mě popravdě trochu mate, G.S. má být otravný a nesnesitelný charakter, tak co to se mnou je?) To nic nemění na faktu, že literárně není zrovna kvalitní postava.
- na jednu stranu se autor snažil dát svému světu plno odstínů. Ale ve výsledku to začalo kontrastovat do černé a bílé, což mě taky trochu zklamalo. Myslím čistě dobrou stranu, a pak záporáky, kteří byli neomluvitelně a zcela jasně špatní. Ráda bych více detailů o věcech na pozadí, jelikož takhle bylo vše strašně zjednodušené.
- když jsme u černé, záporáci byli opravdu, opravdu bruální. (To je klad, btw. :D)
Klady:
- jednoduše, líbilo se mi, že byl hlavní hrdina muzikant. Pohyboval se kolem rockové kapely, i když nebyl vyloženě členem, jeho vztah k hudbě a vše kolem. Taky měl uměleckou, "ztrýzněnou" duši a každou chvíli filozofoval, ale i to mě bavilo. Minimálně způsob, jakým autor své myšlenky a koncepty s kterými se setkal (a nenačetl jich málo, kolem celého světa) začlenil do příběhu.
- a že tam bude zmínka o , to jsem rozhodně taky nečekala. Mluvme o nečekaných překvapeních. :D
- především ze začátku bylo ohromné plus, jak autor pojal "magii". Co byla a odkud pocházela. Moje nejoblíbenější scény byly ty s jednotlivými Praktikanty (Users - jak byste to přeložili vy? :D), i když v podstatě pouze dokreslovaly pozadí.
Kolem a kolem, strašně ráda by se mi ta kniha líbila více. Když ji rozeberu, nemůžu ji s čistým svědomím dát více než 4*, ale je to prvotina, navíc samonákladem, rozhodně se těším na pokračování. :)
Po dočtení jsem byla nadšená, jelikož je to solidí příběh, který bavil, měl skvělé empo, byl nabitý akcí, držel pozornost a představil dost prvků, které mě zaujaly a nadchly. Málem jsem šla po 5* hodnocení. Jakmile ale píšu něco jako semi-recenzi, co se mi u knih objevuje, moje hlava začne tak nějak automaticky rozebírat každou částečku příběhu a většinu času moje nadšení opadne. (Nemluvím o vyloženě relaxačních knihách, kde mozek vypínám a je to zábava. Myslím knihy, které mě nadchly svou promyšleností a originalitou.) Pitvání jim většinou ubližuje, což mě deprimuje, ale je to tak.
Negativa:
- první, co mi po pitvání vyskočilo tady: hrdina je Gary Stue. Nestěžuju si, jelikož Sainsbury dokázal napsat snad prvního Gary Stua, kterému jsem fandila a ve své podstatě se mi líbil. (Což mě popravdě trochu mate, G.S. má být otravný a nesnesitelný charakter, tak co to se mnou je?) To nic nemění na faktu, že literárně není zrovna kvalitní postava.
- na jednu stranu se autor snažil dát svému světu plno odstínů. Ale ve výsledku to začalo kontrastovat do černé a bílé, což mě taky trochu zklamalo. Myslím čistě dobrou stranu, a pak záporáky, kteří byli neomluvitelně a zcela jasně špatní. Ráda bych více detailů o věcech na pozadí, jelikož takhle bylo vše strašně zjednodušené.
- když jsme u černé, záporáci byli opravdu, opravdu bruální. (To je klad, btw. :D)
Klady:
- jednoduše, líbilo se mi, že byl hlavní hrdina muzikant. Pohyboval se kolem rockové kapely, i když nebyl vyloženě členem, jeho vztah k hudbě a vše kolem. Taky měl uměleckou, "ztrýzněnou" duši a každou chvíli filozofoval, ale i to mě bavilo. Minimálně způsob, jakým autor své myšlenky a koncepty s kterými se setkal (a nenačetl jich málo, kolem celého světa) začlenil do příběhu.
- a že tam bude zmínka o , to jsem rozhodně taky nečekala. Mluvme o nečekaných překvapeních. :D
- především ze začátku bylo ohromné plus, jak autor pojal "magii". Co byla a odkud pocházela. Moje nejoblíbenější scény byly ty s jednotlivými Praktikanty (Users - jak byste to přeložili vy? :D), i když v podstatě pouze dokreslovaly pozadí.
Kolem a kolem, strašně ráda by se mi ta kniha líbila více. Když ji rozeberu, nemůžu ji s čistým svědomím dát více než 4*, ale je to prvotina, navíc samonákladem, rozhodně se těším na pokračování. :)
June 8, 2017
Pleasant surprise, picked up on a whim when it was on sale. It's always nice when you're not expecting much and then you discover you really like it.
Liked the plot (and the back story), the characters, the pacing, the connection to music and the promise of more - and all that from an author's first novel!
PS: I hardly ever give five stars, and in this case feel like apologizing for it, because this book is very good indeed. I do recommend it and have already purchased the sequel. What more can you ask for?
Liked the plot (and the back story), the characters, the pacing, the connection to music and the promise of more - and all that from an author's first novel!
PS: I hardly ever give five stars, and in this case feel like apologizing for it, because this book is very good indeed. I do recommend it and have already purchased the sequel. What more can you ask for?
March 29, 2018
Great writing, really gripped me from the start!
Very original - at least to me.
This is hard to classify - it's not really UF, the lead is male. The story is mostly set in our world, with some supernatural elements, but the romance part is very muted.
Very original - at least to me.
This is hard to classify - it's not really UF, the lead is male. The story is mostly set in our world, with some supernatural elements, but the romance part is very muted.
January 15, 2019
Review to follow when I finish the decorating - it was terrific
February 7, 2019
A great read. This book had a really good storyline that I found very interesting. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
July 1, 2020
Overall, a nice break from reality and a good story. Good enough to make me download the full series to read. On book 2 now...
November 14, 2021
It's not magic, it's, err, nano-technology!
This book has some interesting ideas, but very bland writing. And some gaping plot-holes that aren't really addressed, but which book about modern-day magic, aliens and conspiracies doesn't have those. It would be so easy to make fun of the author by pointing out that there are more ways to describe women than by how sexy they are. At points I felt like reading the power-fantasies of a 14 year old, but unfortunately this excuse doesn't count because the author is way older than that.
The main character starts suicidal before accepting that he's now pretty much a god without really acknowledging it or even being bothered by it too much.
"Meh, saw this alien, and he didn't even put a probe where the sun don't shine. Whatever.".
"Meh, yeah, guess I'm super fast now, whatever".
"Meh, got my face burned off and regenerated it quicker than Wolverine, big deal.".
"Meh, my unconscious can now surf the internet while I talk to people. How does that work? Who cares! Nanotechnology. Alien nanotechnology. Whatever.".
Or, explaining all his new powers and problems to his not-girlfriend with "I am a world-walker now", as if everyone on this planet would know what that is. Seeing as he seems to be the first of his kind, it makes even less sense.
Also, like in 80s movies, people are either very good or plain evil; and I doubt the villains could be written in a more stereotypical way. Yawn.
All in all, I was hoping for the book to get better after a mediocre start, but it actually got worse. I am not going to buy books 2 to 4 or however many there are.
This book has some interesting ideas, but very bland writing. And some gaping plot-holes that aren't really addressed, but which book about modern-day magic, aliens and conspiracies doesn't have those. It would be so easy to make fun of the author by pointing out that there are more ways to describe women than by how sexy they are. At points I felt like reading the power-fantasies of a 14 year old, but unfortunately this excuse doesn't count because the author is way older than that.
The main character starts suicidal before accepting that he's now pretty much a god without really acknowledging it or even being bothered by it too much.
"Meh, saw this alien, and he didn't even put a probe where the sun don't shine. Whatever.".
"Meh, yeah, guess I'm super fast now, whatever".
"Meh, got my face burned off and regenerated it quicker than Wolverine, big deal.".
"Meh, my unconscious can now surf the internet while I talk to people. How does that work? Who cares! Nanotechnology. Alien nanotechnology. Whatever.".
Or, explaining all his new powers and problems to his not-girlfriend with "I am a world-walker now", as if everyone on this planet would know what that is. Seeing as he seems to be the first of his kind, it makes even less sense.
Also, like in 80s movies, people are either very good or plain evil; and I doubt the villains could be written in a more stereotypical way. Yawn.
All in all, I was hoping for the book to get better after a mediocre start, but it actually got worse. I am not going to buy books 2 to 4 or however many there are.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 2, 2016
Never have I read such a powerful book, this book had me in tears at the end which is also a new thing for me, never before has an Author moved me to tears with his writing.
Loved the plot, the style of writing, the action, this book also has a few dark parts to be honest, from
beginning to end it keeps the reader enthralled, I was really captivated by this book, ok I am going on now, but it was really that good. This book is more worthy of 10 stars than 5 stars.
I will not be giving spoilers, I will say I will be buying the next in the series, I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I did.
Loved the plot, the style of writing, the action, this book also has a few dark parts to be honest, from
beginning to end it keeps the reader enthralled, I was really captivated by this book, ok I am going on now, but it was really that good. This book is more worthy of 10 stars than 5 stars.
I will not be giving spoilers, I will say I will be buying the next in the series, I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I did.
December 6, 2017
The World Walker is an unsatisfying read. It's not terrible, just kind of meh: plot, characters, writing style, etc. It's not smart. It's not funny. I made it through to the end, with some skimming. (Side note - I definitely need a better approach to dealing with books I'm not enjoying. I feel this conflict between giving up and missing something versus continuing to read something I don't like. I don't know. Processing...)
Seb, the main character, acquires superpowers and... ah, never mind. (he he)
2 bill-stars. Not a good read.
thanks... yow, bill
December 2, 2023
LOVED this book!
I seldom give a book five stars - I reserve that for true classics, like the Iliad or the Lord of the Rings. But I'm going to help this indie author out with 5 stars, because I *adored* this book. Ian Sainsbury is just a natural storyteller -- the prose, the characterization, the narrative, is just so smooth and assured, it's hard to believe the is his first book as he states in the author's note. I just fell in love with this book, its protagonist Seb Varden, and his mystical sci-fi adventure. Very much looking forward to the rest of the series.
I seldom give a book five stars - I reserve that for true classics, like the Iliad or the Lord of the Rings. But I'm going to help this indie author out with 5 stars, because I *adored* this book. Ian Sainsbury is just a natural storyteller -- the prose, the characterization, the narrative, is just so smooth and assured, it's hard to believe the is his first book as he states in the author's note. I just fell in love with this book, its protagonist Seb Varden, and his mystical sci-fi adventure. Very much looking forward to the rest of the series.
April 21, 2017
Interesting. Definitely that...and quite good. I did have an issue with a few small bits and pieces of the book, but overall, highly readable and I'm going to read the next one too :)
June 16, 2017
4.5 stars.
An interesting blend of fantasy and science fiction, which, for the most part works well.
A good start to a series, and I'm looking forward to reading the next book.
An interesting blend of fantasy and science fiction, which, for the most part works well.
A good start to a series, and I'm looking forward to reading the next book.
June 29, 2019
Great original series and a rollicking adventure.
October 22, 2017
In short: Brilliant. Inspired.
Full review:
I'm going to review all four books in one as I read them back to back. I'm fairly fortunate in that I come to Ian's books late and he had completed the quadrilogy. Lucky for me really. I'm a lover or the larger books as I really like to submerge myself into the story and characters. So for me the four books make one sizeable book, split into four parts. I strongly recommend reading all four back2back and in order. Yes each one can be read separately, and each story stands on its own. But in my opinion, all four books work best together as one epic tale.
The four books chart story of Sebastian Varden. A middling successful musician who starts the first novel as someone about to commit suicide. Not exactly the most foreboding of starts, but one that piques the ole curiosity right from the off.
Now if you read all the other reviews, the vast majority of which give Ian five well deserved stars, you will know each book's story well enough. As a fellow writer I'm going to review these from a writers viewpoint, just to be a little different.
Ian is not afraid to let main characters die. George R. R. Martin has shown the publishing world that you can kill off characters and it is OK. Lets face it, we don't all live in the Disney inspired loveliness that there is a happy ever after for *every* character; well except for the baddies that is. This is one of the many things that I feel adds a depth to the story telling that is missing from other writers.
Ian's characters are *real*. You can connect with them. They exist. You empathise with them. They have flaws, and are all the more real for them. Even the secondary characters have a depth normally missing from other works. These are people, they have more depth than the page they are written on. Top marks!
Ian mixes magic, religion and Science Fiction. A mix that would normally be reserved for SF masters such as Peter F Hamiliton (His Void series) Or a mix which can easily lead to disaster. His touch upon each topic is inspired and illuminating. Respectful is another word. Depending on your take of religion & faith is how you will form your own opinion on this topic. For me, it was thought provoking.
I personally loved the way the characters developed. I liked the way Ian addressed super hero issues. The recent crop of Marvel films have *just* started to address these issues. No longer are they unapproachable icons of perfection. They are flawed, far from perfection. They are real people with all the baggage and imperfections that you and I have. Seb, is this personified. I wish I could write characters this real!
In summary. Great story telling. Enthralling, emotional and immensely readable. I didn't want to put these down. I am genuinely impressed.
Sean P Chatterton
P.S. I had to dig my copy of Lao Tzu's book after reading these.
Full review:
I'm going to review all four books in one as I read them back to back. I'm fairly fortunate in that I come to Ian's books late and he had completed the quadrilogy. Lucky for me really. I'm a lover or the larger books as I really like to submerge myself into the story and characters. So for me the four books make one sizeable book, split into four parts. I strongly recommend reading all four back2back and in order. Yes each one can be read separately, and each story stands on its own. But in my opinion, all four books work best together as one epic tale.
The four books chart story of Sebastian Varden. A middling successful musician who starts the first novel as someone about to commit suicide. Not exactly the most foreboding of starts, but one that piques the ole curiosity right from the off.
Now if you read all the other reviews, the vast majority of which give Ian five well deserved stars, you will know each book's story well enough. As a fellow writer I'm going to review these from a writers viewpoint, just to be a little different.
Ian is not afraid to let main characters die. George R. R. Martin has shown the publishing world that you can kill off characters and it is OK. Lets face it, we don't all live in the Disney inspired loveliness that there is a happy ever after for *every* character; well except for the baddies that is. This is one of the many things that I feel adds a depth to the story telling that is missing from other writers.
Ian's characters are *real*. You can connect with them. They exist. You empathise with them. They have flaws, and are all the more real for them. Even the secondary characters have a depth normally missing from other works. These are people, they have more depth than the page they are written on. Top marks!
Ian mixes magic, religion and Science Fiction. A mix that would normally be reserved for SF masters such as Peter F Hamiliton (His Void series) Or a mix which can easily lead to disaster. His touch upon each topic is inspired and illuminating. Respectful is another word. Depending on your take of religion & faith is how you will form your own opinion on this topic. For me, it was thought provoking.
I personally loved the way the characters developed. I liked the way Ian addressed super hero issues. The recent crop of Marvel films have *just* started to address these issues. No longer are they unapproachable icons of perfection. They are flawed, far from perfection. They are real people with all the baggage and imperfections that you and I have. Seb, is this personified. I wish I could write characters this real!
In summary. Great story telling. Enthralling, emotional and immensely readable. I didn't want to put these down. I am genuinely impressed.
Sean P Chatterton
P.S. I had to dig my copy of Lao Tzu's book after reading these.
September 14, 2022
This review is based on the Audible audio version of the story.
Whilst I'm not a stickler for being able to categorise books, it is useful as part of a review to give people and idea of what the story contains. This book is almost impossible to categorise for me. Seb is given 'manner' by an alien who has been held at Roswell since the 'alien crash incident' of the 1940s who for reasons that are never explained escapes by walking through the prison walls just in time to save Seb's life from his suicide attempt by filling chock full of this manner, later after an inspired guess the book then goes on to the fact that he is full of alien Nano-tech. Equally to my way of thinking this could be a fantasy story as the method of delivering his abilities and the cause do not seem to really relevant, so could easily be standard fantasy magic that is gifted to him.
There are a number of issues with the story, which make it highly unlikely I'll read the author again
1) There is an awful lot of jumping around especially in the first half where we see Seb growing up in an orphanage and that he and the other kids were badly bullied, and this bullying ends up with Seb killing the bully in a fight. It was all very interesting but didn't seem to be needed as I couldn't find the connection with what happens to him after his suicide attempt
2) He is given so much power of the Roswell type which hey no other manner user can use, which means to all intensivve purposes he an unkillable God-like being so any fights or jams het gets into have no tension whatsoever
3) Things just happen almost be accident and then are taken as gospel, for instance when Mee and Bob meet a community of uses Bob says "Some kindo of Advanced Alien nano-technology, that's the best fit" and from that point manner is equated with nano tech with no real exlanation
4) Seb develops an independent conscience when can talk to Seb in his head and go off and do all manner of things to help Seb even though Seb himself doesn't know how to do them. I know it's a somewhat unique way of providing background but there's just no realism there
5) Talking of backstory, there is just too much given in what can only be described as data dumps, these slow the pace of an already slow book and become tedious in the end particularly as they seem to be mostly history childhood stuff or guesses of his conscience.
6) The ending was poor, obvious and showed little respect the arch villain who up tot his point has been portrayed as almost omniscient but in the ending he has to be very stupid not to predict what happens.
I thought Todd Boyce read the story well and I would certainly listen to other books read by him.
Whilst I'm not a stickler for being able to categorise books, it is useful as part of a review to give people and idea of what the story contains. This book is almost impossible to categorise for me. Seb is given 'manner' by an alien who has been held at Roswell since the 'alien crash incident' of the 1940s who for reasons that are never explained escapes by walking through the prison walls just in time to save Seb's life from his suicide attempt by filling chock full of this manner, later after an inspired guess the book then goes on to the fact that he is full of alien Nano-tech. Equally to my way of thinking this could be a fantasy story as the method of delivering his abilities and the cause do not seem to really relevant, so could easily be standard fantasy magic that is gifted to him.
There are a number of issues with the story, which make it highly unlikely I'll read the author again
1) There is an awful lot of jumping around especially in the first half where we see Seb growing up in an orphanage and that he and the other kids were badly bullied, and this bullying ends up with Seb killing the bully in a fight. It was all very interesting but didn't seem to be needed as I couldn't find the connection with what happens to him after his suicide attempt
2) He is given so much power of the Roswell type which hey no other manner user can use, which means to all intensivve purposes he an unkillable God-like being so any fights or jams het gets into have no tension whatsoever
3) Things just happen almost be accident and then are taken as gospel, for instance when Mee and Bob meet a community of uses Bob says "Some kindo of Advanced Alien nano-technology, that's the best fit" and from that point manner is equated with nano tech with no real exlanation
4) Seb develops an independent conscience when can talk to Seb in his head and go off and do all manner of things to help Seb even though Seb himself doesn't know how to do them. I know it's a somewhat unique way of providing background but there's just no realism there
5) Talking of backstory, there is just too much given in what can only be described as data dumps, these slow the pace of an already slow book and become tedious in the end particularly as they seem to be mostly history childhood stuff or guesses of his conscience.
6) The ending was poor, obvious and showed little respect the arch villain who up tot his point has been portrayed as almost omniscient but in the ending he has to be very stupid not to predict what happens.
I thought Todd Boyce read the story well and I would certainly listen to other books read by him.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 4, 2017
This book was published spring of 2016 and two sequels have already hit the stands coming out about every six months. This first book features Sebastian "Seb" Varden, a 32-year-old musician who has been diagnosed with a brain tumor and is intent on suicide. Instead he's touched by an alien who heals him and gives him what appear to be magical powers. He becomes a World Walker. My movie pitch version: "Think Green Lantern meets Aleister Crowley."
In the book we learn of a world of people with seemingly magical powers but we learn that these powers have a scientific source and that they can be recharged at special spots ("thin areas") of the earth. Over the centuries these powers have been interpreted as being religious, mystical, or satanic depending on the cultures where they appear. We also learn that there's a growing battle among the various recipients of these powers and there is even a secret government agency seeking to destroy many of the people who have received the powers. Some of these have a sense of their powers, others simply grow up thinking they're exceptionally lucky.
As the story progresses Seb gets more control of the powers he's been given. As he does he becomes a target of different factions with the powers. But Seb is unique in that his powers seem to be above and beyond anything seen before.
Sainsbury creates a very likeable character in Seb. He's intelligent, committed to fighting evil use of these powers by whoever misuses them, and shows a lot of humor despite the intensity of some of the action in the book. I haven't looked at the two follow-up volumes but I'm hoping there's more of the same. He also has help from wonderful friends who take on very important roles in what happens. The book makes use of some well-loved sci-fi tropes while managing to mix in some fantasy ones as well. It's a unique mix and well-written in the style of a thriller.
In the book we learn of a world of people with seemingly magical powers but we learn that these powers have a scientific source and that they can be recharged at special spots ("thin areas") of the earth. Over the centuries these powers have been interpreted as being religious, mystical, or satanic depending on the cultures where they appear. We also learn that there's a growing battle among the various recipients of these powers and there is even a secret government agency seeking to destroy many of the people who have received the powers. Some of these have a sense of their powers, others simply grow up thinking they're exceptionally lucky.
As the story progresses Seb gets more control of the powers he's been given. As he does he becomes a target of different factions with the powers. But Seb is unique in that his powers seem to be above and beyond anything seen before.
Sainsbury creates a very likeable character in Seb. He's intelligent, committed to fighting evil use of these powers by whoever misuses them, and shows a lot of humor despite the intensity of some of the action in the book. I haven't looked at the two follow-up volumes but I'm hoping there's more of the same. He also has help from wonderful friends who take on very important roles in what happens. The book makes use of some well-loved sci-fi tropes while managing to mix in some fantasy ones as well. It's a unique mix and well-written in the style of a thriller.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 234 reviews