What do you think?
Rate this book
Kingdom of Denall #1
The Troven
For centuries, young men in their eighteenth year have been sent away from the small village of Dungan for a year-long exile as they begin their journey into manhood. This traditional exile, the Troven, was instituted so that young men may find themselves, find their purpose, and find their place in the world. When Kaz Kinsley and his three friends leave to begin their Troven, all they have on their minds is getting to the first sign of civilization and finding a way to survive on their own. Fate has more in mind for these young men, though. Stone Seekers are on the move, sent by the evil sorcerer Mordyar to find six magical stones, each with the power to enhance one of six gifts every person in Denall is born with. When Kaz unknowingly comes into possession of the Sight Stone, he and his friends become part of the story of the Stones of Power, and their Troven suddenly becomes something much more.
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 16, 2016
157 people are currently reading
379 people want to read
About the author
Eric Buffington
10 books25 followersEric Buffington was born in Ontario Canada, where he lived until he was eighteen. After that he traveled with a Canadian government program, for one year, then moved to California to serve a two year mission working with the Laotian people. Shortly after returning home he met the love of his life, moved to Pennsylvania and married her. He has since completed a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in education. He currently lives in Pennsylvania with his wonderfully supportive wife, and their four children. He currently works as a High School math teacher in an online cyber school.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
May 26, 2016
Awesome adventure book
This is a great novel for both young and old, a classic adventure filled with sword fighting, bad guys, good guys, friendship, romance, magic, laughter, self-discovery, tragedy, and tough choices. This book has it all.
18 year old Kaz and his three friends leave their small village on their Troven, a year long exile to become men, and run into more excitement than they bargained for. Each person in this world possesses various levels of enhancements--intellect, strength, hearing, magic, and sight. There is a legend of magical stones of power that enhance one of each of these gifts, which the evil sorcerer Mordyar wants for himself. He sends seekers to find the stones and bring them to him. Kaz, his friends, and some other characters we meet along the way must stop the seekers and keep the stones of power from falling into the hands of Mordyar. This is book one in a series so there is a cliffhanger, and it left me anxious for book two!
This is a great novel for both young and old, a classic adventure filled with sword fighting, bad guys, good guys, friendship, romance, magic, laughter, self-discovery, tragedy, and tough choices. This book has it all.
18 year old Kaz and his three friends leave their small village on their Troven, a year long exile to become men, and run into more excitement than they bargained for. Each person in this world possesses various levels of enhancements--intellect, strength, hearing, magic, and sight. There is a legend of magical stones of power that enhance one of each of these gifts, which the evil sorcerer Mordyar wants for himself. He sends seekers to find the stones and bring them to him. Kaz, his friends, and some other characters we meet along the way must stop the seekers and keep the stones of power from falling into the hands of Mordyar. This is book one in a series so there is a cliffhanger, and it left me anxious for book two!
May 24, 2016
Well, that was a unexpected read. Thought I was in a light read about some friends who go on a year adventure, where they visit some inns, drink some ale, learn how to fight, become men. You know, they have their "Troven".
Now in this world people are gifted with enhanced gifts of hearing, strength, knowledge, sight, etc. Each gift has a rank attached to it to show the strength of your gift, 4 being the highest rank...for now. Anyways, I was sitting there reading this book, not bad. Cool world, interesting low magic, each POV from the characters felt different with their own flaws and strengths, they play off each other very well. Then it gets crazy.
Before the friends are even able to have a nice cool drink at an inn, they get caught up in the world their little town is far apart from. Bandits, political scheming, cults, a prophecy about the world changing (for better or worse), magic stones to enhance gifts to their full deadly potential...
Reminded me a bit of Wheel of Time, but less thunderbolt magic and more grounded. I'll pick up book 2, I don't even know how I found book 1 on amazon to be honest. But it was worth the purchase.
Now in this world people are gifted with enhanced gifts of hearing, strength, knowledge, sight, etc. Each gift has a rank attached to it to show the strength of your gift, 4 being the highest rank...for now. Anyways, I was sitting there reading this book, not bad. Cool world, interesting low magic, each POV from the characters felt different with their own flaws and strengths, they play off each other very well. Then it gets crazy.
Before the friends are even able to have a nice cool drink at an inn, they get caught up in the world their little town is far apart from. Bandits, political scheming, cults, a prophecy about the world changing (for better or worse), magic stones to enhance gifts to their full deadly potential...
Reminded me a bit of Wheel of Time, but less thunderbolt magic and more grounded. I'll pick up book 2, I don't even know how I found book 1 on amazon to be honest. But it was worth the purchase.
June 18, 2017
The Troven by Eric Buffington is a wonderful tale full of elements that any age reader will enjoy. Compelling characters and a well written plot that has several separate story lines that weave beautifully together keep you engaged and drive you to keep reading even though real life demands your return.
I'm usually one that likes a lot more action in my books then what was in this one. However that's not to say there is no action in The Troven. In fact, the action scenes that are in the Troven are very well done and enough to keep me satisfied. There is also quite a bit of humor through out the book that is tastefully done and not over the top. It helps to add to the lightheartedness of the story even for the few time’s the story takes an unexpected turn for the worse for the characters. There was one event that happened a little more than half way through that I was not expecting and was initially shocked at (in a good way). It’s an event that plays a critical role in the character development for the rest of the book and I can’t wait to see how the characters grow throughout the series because of it.
The Troven kicks of The Kingdom of Denall series fantastically and once finished you will have no choice but to head to amazon and buy the other books in the series. The Troven was the first book of Eric Buffington that I have read but I can assure you that it will not be the last. You will not be disapointed with The Troven or with Buffington’s writing in this wonderfully imagined tale.
I'm usually one that likes a lot more action in my books then what was in this one. However that's not to say there is no action in The Troven. In fact, the action scenes that are in the Troven are very well done and enough to keep me satisfied. There is also quite a bit of humor through out the book that is tastefully done and not over the top. It helps to add to the lightheartedness of the story even for the few time’s the story takes an unexpected turn for the worse for the characters. There was one event that happened a little more than half way through that I was not expecting and was initially shocked at (in a good way). It’s an event that plays a critical role in the character development for the rest of the book and I can’t wait to see how the characters grow throughout the series because of it.
The Troven kicks of The Kingdom of Denall series fantastically and once finished you will have no choice but to head to amazon and buy the other books in the series. The Troven was the first book of Eric Buffington that I have read but I can assure you that it will not be the last. You will not be disapointed with The Troven or with Buffington’s writing in this wonderfully imagined tale.
July 15, 2016
Frustrating at First, But Great Overall Tale
I will admit that I almost put down this book toward the beginning based on the juvenile personality of one of the characters and his reaction to a "woman's necklace."
Luckily I was intrigued enough by the world and magic system to persevere (and the character matured throughout the rest of the story) so by the end of the book I was definitely hooked and looking forward to book two.
I will admit that I almost put down this book toward the beginning based on the juvenile personality of one of the characters and his reaction to a "woman's necklace."
Luckily I was intrigued enough by the world and magic system to persevere (and the character matured throughout the rest of the story) so by the end of the book I was definitely hooked and looking forward to book two.
July 15, 2016
Weak story
Book doesn't seem to be going anywhere. Characters get killed off and you don't' really know why. Store wanders--is it about magic,what are these enhanced powers? Needless to say, I didn't invest in any more of the series.
Book doesn't seem to be going anywhere. Characters get killed off and you don't' really know why. Store wanders--is it about magic,what are these enhanced powers? Needless to say, I didn't invest in any more of the series.
August 14, 2017
Imagine a world where everyone has special, magical gifts: either enhanced hearing, sight, strength, intelligence, or even magical ability. A set number of magical stones make these gifts even stronger, and a mad cult pursues these rocks to help their cult leader return and conquer the land.
But meanwhile, four young boys undergo their Troven. As a right of manhood, their parents kicked them out of the house at 18, and the townspeople kick them out of the village as well. For one year, they have to go somewhere else. Join the army, go to college, freeze in a log cabin somewhere, or starve to death. For our four young men, their biggest challenge seems to be not strangling each other while they travel. That and the attacks by animals, bandits, and mad cultists.
Troven is a nice, leisurely read for the young person looking for a fantasy world unencumbered by controversy. It has the nostalgic, prosaic feel of the Shire, and protagonists who, though they may someday become heroes, are starting their lives as the brash youths all heroes must have been at some point in their careers.
But meanwhile, four young boys undergo their Troven. As a right of manhood, their parents kicked them out of the house at 18, and the townspeople kick them out of the village as well. For one year, they have to go somewhere else. Join the army, go to college, freeze in a log cabin somewhere, or starve to death. For our four young men, their biggest challenge seems to be not strangling each other while they travel. That and the attacks by animals, bandits, and mad cultists.
Troven is a nice, leisurely read for the young person looking for a fantasy world unencumbered by controversy. It has the nostalgic, prosaic feel of the Shire, and protagonists who, though they may someday become heroes, are starting their lives as the brash youths all heroes must have been at some point in their careers.
July 26, 2016
For centuries, young men in their eighteenth year have been sent away from the small village of Dungan for a year-long exile as they begin their journey into manhood. This traditional exile, the Troven, was instituted so that young men may find themselves, find their purpose, and find their place in the world. When Kaz Kinsley and his three friends leave to begin their Troven, all they have on their minds is getting to the first sign of civilization and finding a way to survive on their own. Fate has more in mind for these young men, though. Stone Seekers are on the move, sent by the evil sorcerer Mordyar to find six magical stones, each with the power to enhance one of six gifts every person in Denall is born with. When Kaz unknowingly comes into possession of the Sight Stone, he and his friends become part of the story of the Stones of Power, and their Troven suddenly becomes something much more.
This book has some original thinking behind it. The author really describes a world with a different kind of, way of life for the small village involved. This was a great read and you won't be disappointed, I just can't wait for the next installment. Great reading everyone!!!!
This book has some original thinking behind it. The author really describes a world with a different kind of, way of life for the small village involved. This was a great read and you won't be disappointed, I just can't wait for the next installment. Great reading everyone!!!!
May 23, 2017
I read this book aloud to my sons while we were waiting in the car to pick a family member up after work. The story is quite interesting with many layers of conflict and drama laid on top of one another and woven through in an effective manner. Some of the characters were excellent, in my opinion, full-featured, well-developed, and realistic. The main characters, I found, had some very odd responses to things that happen to them and, at times, seems to act much younger than their actual age.
Unfortunately, because I am also a writer, things like word choice and repetition pop out at me perhaps more than a casual reader. There were a distracting number of instances where two or more sentences in a row ended with the same word. This seems a bit nitpicky, but since it did draw me out of the story multiple times, I thought I would mention it.
All that being said, if someone asked if they should read this book or not, I would say yes. While there are ones I enjoy more out there, the story did intrigue me and I was curious about what would happen next. The minor things that bumped me out of the story were not sufficient to keep me permanently bumped out.
Unfortunately, because I am also a writer, things like word choice and repetition pop out at me perhaps more than a casual reader. There were a distracting number of instances where two or more sentences in a row ended with the same word. This seems a bit nitpicky, but since it did draw me out of the story multiple times, I thought I would mention it.
All that being said, if someone asked if they should read this book or not, I would say yes. While there are ones I enjoy more out there, the story did intrigue me and I was curious about what would happen next. The minor things that bumped me out of the story were not sufficient to keep me permanently bumped out.
August 4, 2016
Wowiee
This author, not just writer, has created a world that has been missing in the ya fantasy genre. Characters not only well developed during our time with them but a longing for certain tragedies to have NOT happened. Often I read quickly through Kindles unlimited authors. Mr buffington I will await the denall world expectantly. Farin, kaz, poor bendar, P(pentra), overbearing Lord sir Mylot, and the magician Dune with trae, Travis,(sir) and the bad sorcerer mydar with his seekers of stones x6, are just names in a tale so ahead of current storytelling that I wish upon u , reviewer reader , give this one a read! Boys forced, tradition, to leave their village. In orderMagic of listening seeing are most common.
This author, not just writer, has created a world that has been missing in the ya fantasy genre. Characters not only well developed during our time with them but a longing for certain tragedies to have NOT happened. Often I read quickly through Kindles unlimited authors. Mr buffington I will await the denall world expectantly. Farin, kaz, poor bendar, P(pentra), overbearing Lord sir Mylot, and the magician Dune with trae, Travis,(sir) and the bad sorcerer mydar with his seekers of stones x6, are just names in a tale so ahead of current storytelling that I wish upon u , reviewer reader , give this one a read! Boys forced, tradition, to leave their village. In orderMagic of listening seeing are most common.
June 9, 2016
I loved this book! It is full of adventure. You get taken into a new world of all people born with an enhanced ability (i.e. sight, hearing, strength, intellect, and magic). I like the character development and the intrigue of the magic stones and the mysterious Mordyar and his seekers. Definitely part of a series and leaves you wanting more at the end. This book flow and style reminds me of the Ranger's Apprentice series. Looking forward to the next installment!
June 18, 2016
Troven touched my heart and I can't wait to move on to book 2.
I am
Interested. In seeing how all the people come together and which one is going to be the hero. I fear that Katz will regret going with P. But I have a feeling he is going into a situation where he can grow to be a better person.
I am
Interested. In seeing how all the people come together and which one is going to be the hero. I fear that Katz will regret going with P. But I have a feeling he is going into a situation where he can grow to be a better person.
June 8, 2016
Good book
This is a good book. It was slow in the beginning. That is the only reason I gave it 4 stars. I will be reading the next one. I got this book through Amazon prime but I ended up buying it so my cousin and others can read it.
This is a good book. It was slow in the beginning. That is the only reason I gave it 4 stars. I will be reading the next one. I got this book through Amazon prime but I ended up buying it so my cousin and others can read it.
February 13, 2017
Fast moving adventure, a little juvenile but a pleasant read.
A lot of characters but well handled well. A money maker ending with nothing resolved for any main character which was its biggest failure
A lot of characters but well handled well. A money maker ending with nothing resolved for any main character which was its biggest failure
July 9, 2016
Enjoyable
A very nice book. Well done, if I had any complaint it would be that it ended to soon.
I hope there's a second book soon
A very nice book. Well done, if I had any complaint it would be that it ended to soon.
I hope there's a second book soon
October 22, 2019
There are some books you take in great gulps. You can't put them down. They pull you, you stay up late to read just one more chapter. This is not one of those books. It is fragmented into too many pieces. Language is stilted and varied. Sometimes there are contractions, sometimes they disappear. In one chapter it's "I cannot" in the next it's "I can't." (no that isn't from the book, it's just an example) Some language and references seem archaic, some too modern. For example, how does a character know it's 7:30 in the morning? Are there clocks hiding somewhere?
I think the author could have the story-telling talent to write something cohesive, this isn't it. If I adhered to the "50 pages" rule, I would never have finished it.
I think the author could have the story-telling talent to write something cohesive, this isn't it. If I adhered to the "50 pages" rule, I would never have finished it.
January 23, 2025
A generous 2.5 stars for an equal parts frustrating and indifferent read:
1- this is not a complete story. There isn't even a single complete arc.
2- imagine a simmer, then slow it down. The pacing is very very slow. Fortunately there different POVs but it's not enough.
3- there is very little telling, and not enough showing.
I haven't decided if I'll pick up the next installment or just move on to something interesting.
1- this is not a complete story. There isn't even a single complete arc.
2- imagine a simmer, then slow it down. The pacing is very very slow. Fortunately there different POVs but it's not enough.
3- there is very little telling, and not enough showing.
I haven't decided if I'll pick up the next installment or just move on to something interesting.
December 30, 2017
Good, but not a complete story
It felt unfinished, episodic.
The first half of the book was hard to stay interested. Then, Just when it all started to come together, it ended.
Probably 3.5 stars.
It felt unfinished, episodic.
The first half of the book was hard to stay interested. Then, Just when it all started to come together, it ended.
Probably 3.5 stars.
September 20, 2016
Good read
I'm not a book critic. Just enjoy reading books with a sensible storyline and believable characters -who aren't too cliche. Very few editing misses. Mostly expected plot but still worth the my getaway time. Will probably look for the follow-on stories.
I'm not a book critic. Just enjoy reading books with a sensible storyline and believable characters -who aren't too cliche. Very few editing misses. Mostly expected plot but still worth the my getaway time. Will probably look for the follow-on stories.
December 11, 2018
Great Epic Fantasy
Loved the characters, magic system and world! Great start to the series! Lots set up for future books, but good as a st as nd alone too!
Loved the characters, magic system and world! Great start to the series! Lots set up for future books, but good as a st as nd alone too!
April 13, 2017
A Good start to a series, Wish there was more action on the main character's part.
May 30, 2017
I loved this book. I only had one critique and it really isn't that big a deal to me.
Oh and also one "huh?" moment: what is up with the prologue? We hear about Franklin once more in the entire book, so what's the point of getting to know him in the first pages? Yes, it did help me see how creepy and twisted the seekers are, but I didn't get starting out with a character that you don't hear from again.
Ok, here's the small beef:
I was frustrated at the pacing (action from one POV ending in a cliffhanger, then sloooowness) which had me speed reading through whole sections to get back to the action! So I feel the scenes could have been organised better to give a better rise and fall pattern - switching between high tension and horse practice feels a bit choppy.
Now the good:
What a cool book! It was so refreshing to read something original. I loved the characters and their journey of maturing. I thought Buffing ton did a great job with his plot choices. The characters were well-developed, the plot was engaging, the world was rich, and it was grammatically exemplary (I do abhor books written by 4 year olds). The story also had little nougats of life-wisdom sprinkled through it that made a lasting impression. So yes, I think adventure/fantasy fans would love this and it's worth a read.
Oh and also one "huh?" moment: what is up with the prologue? We hear about Franklin once more in the entire book, so what's the point of getting to know him in the first pages? Yes, it did help me see how creepy and twisted the seekers are, but I didn't get starting out with a character that you don't hear from again.
Ok, here's the small beef:
I was frustrated at the pacing (action from one POV ending in a cliffhanger, then sloooowness) which had me speed reading through whole sections to get back to the action! So I feel the scenes could have been organised better to give a better rise and fall pattern - switching between high tension and horse practice feels a bit choppy.
Now the good:
What a cool book! It was so refreshing to read something original. I loved the characters and their journey of maturing. I thought Buffing ton did a great job with his plot choices. The characters were well-developed, the plot was engaging, the world was rich, and it was grammatically exemplary (I do abhor books written by 4 year olds). The story also had little nougats of life-wisdom sprinkled through it that made a lasting impression. So yes, I think adventure/fantasy fans would love this and it's worth a read.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews