The Search for Truth

Erec Rex #3

by Kaza Kingsley

In The Search for Truth, Erec’s task involves finding the long lost Awen, and it is not only Erec’s crown on the line, but the Substance that holds Alpyium together. To complete the task, Erec must risk the life of his best friend, something he is not sure he can do. The only thing that can save him and Alpyium is a trip back to his own childhood.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Magic, Middle Grade, Fiction, Dragons, Adventure

First published June 15, 2009

About the author

I'm a fantasy author, and have loved reading and writing fiction since I was tiny!

I put a small excerpt or two at the bottom of this page.

Check out my Twitter profile at:
http://twitter.com/kazakingsley

and my blog --
http://memorymogul.blogspot.com

and my website --
http://www.erecrex.com

My books - Erec Rex: The Dragon's Eye, and Erec Rex: The Monsters of Otherness, Erec Rex: The Search for Truth, and Erec Rex: The Three Furies, are available at all stores. Book Five, Erec Rex: The Secret of Ashona, is coming out February 7, 2012.

The books have won many awards and were a "Borders Original Voices" pick - very cool. Also, the series is out all around the world now! Check out the amazing audio versions read by the incredible Simon Jones. More details on my website.

I put a few interviews and a cool animated clip below - you can see a lot more interviews on YouTube!

Hope to meet you on my tours!

Reviews

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

With all that's going on this time of year it seemed to take a while to finish this book. I liked it alot, it's a fun series with good characters and I'm looking forward to it continuing.

The only thing about this book that bothered me, and it bothered me through at least half of the second book was why Erec didn't think that King Piter was his father and the royal triplets were not dead. I realize with what happened after he found out that was why it was held back in the story, but it seemed like a bit of a stretch that he couldn't have guessed long before then. I had kind of assumed that he was a missing triplet at the end of the first book, but that may just be me thinking that "destined to be king" was equal to "heir to the throne" or "long lost prince". That's the only reason this book got three stars instead of four.

Even with that factor, I really enjoyed this book. It was full of adventure, magic, friendship, etc. All the good stuff. I haven't looked to see how many more books are expected in this series, but I'm assuming there's at least one more based on how it ended and especially now that that whole question of Erec being the prince is worked out I'm really looking forward to the next volume.

[Pamela · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm really shocked that these books are getting so many good reviews. Seriously, if you want some good fantasy check out Brandon Sanderson or Brandon Mull. There are just so many things wrong with this series, I honestly don't know how to begin. The emotions are all flat. Dramatic, emotional moments are just... worse than sappy... they're painful. Erec is really slow. He doesn't understand anything. The bad guy is unbelievable. There is no way a world could function like this. The cheating and lying, no oversight in choosing the world's next leader. In HP, the Ministry of Magic is infiltrated by Voldemort and starts doing his bidding. Same thing here, only it's stupid and unbelievable. Nothing that happens makes any sense. NOTHING that happens make ANY sense. Tons happens. Lots of things are said and hints are dropped and things are done, and none of it makes any sense. Nothing ties together. Nothing resolves. If it does it's not at all satisfying. More painful. Like... "Oh, was that what that was supposed to mean. That's awkward."

[Daanon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hands down this is the best book in the series to date. It should also put to rest any Harry Potter comparisons as this book is brimming with originality and Erec is most assuredly a leading character in his own right. The book is much longer than either of the previous two and worth every page. The quests in this book are wonderfully inventive while being extremely exciting and suspenseful. It is a little darker than the previous two books, especially one scene in particular, but it's still a wonderful read for anyone who enjoyed the last two books. If you enjoy this genre at all, this is a must read for 2008.

[Dayna Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

The third installment in the Eric Rex fantasy series. Eric must continue his quests to become the rightful king of Alpyium. This time he must repair the Substance which holds Alpyium and the mortal world together. To do this he must defeat a Manticore and secure the five Awen, but can he do so without risking his own life and that of his friends as well.

[Issa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was so prepared to hate this book, especially after The Monsters of Otherness. But then it got better (well not so much: 2/5).

Erec Rex's world is just like Harry Potter's Wizarding World, albeit a more disordered one. There's wanton magic going all around. For instance, there's the Serving Tray — name a particular food and it will appear right there on the platter. Plus, you have Port-o-doors that lead you literally WHEREVER you want to go! The HP Series, at least, had the Exceptions to Gamp's Law of Elemental Transfiguration that prevented one from conjuring food out of thin air (or no point for those sumptuous feasts in the Great Hall, right?), and there are limitations to where you can Apparate. I mean, the whole series is entirely about a QUEST, but then you have all these thingamajigs that make EVERYTHING easier.

The Novikov Time Bender is a very sketchy apparatus. It's supposedly loaded with a lot of perks, such that you go back in time with the same state of mind and knowledge that you have at present, and that you will have meshed with the body of your past self so there's no possibility of running into each other. Also, if it makes you feel any better, you'll even be wearing the same clothes that you have in the present, and if you were smaller back then, they will even conveniently shrink for you! Great comfort, right?

But back to the practicalities. Erec wants to bring back to life two friends he lost many months ago, and mind you, these deaths have pretty much shaped the consequent happenings in his life and others. I remembered that Simpsons episode when Homer travels back in time, kills a mosquito, and inadvertently changes the course of human history — and now here's Erec going back and undoing two major events that influenced life in Alypium (and the world, apparently)... and all things considered, it's supposedly possible and doable. No ifs and buts.

Comparisons with HP are unavoidable as a matter of course. So I think Kaza Kingsley overcompensated by making Erec and Baskania meet for the freakin' first chapter. That might have been a workable plot arrangement, albeit an unusual one. But mark this, IT WAS FOR THE STUPIDEST OF REASONS on Erec's part. And it didn't help the plot at all! I mean, he could've still worked out how to do that Dragon Call in the end.

Now, Baskania. Based on how he looks, he's a formidable archenemy. Never mind being the "greatest sorcerer in the world" — those eyes growing out of his skin are enough to qualify him as hella creepy. Nonetheless, all those close shaves with Erec made me lose awe of him. I mean, deep down, we know the protagonist always emerges as the ultimate victor in these kinds of stories — but we live for that thrill in between, and sometimes the plot is intense enough to make us question the outcome, after all. Baskania, on the other hand, makes it all so painfully evident. You think he'd be smarter with every encounter and just stop talking and get going 🙄.

I couldn't think how many times I've cursed at the characters in the book. Baskania is stupid. Erec is stupid. Oscar is stupid. Bethany is extremely stupid. The protagonists could be facing Death and eye-gouging one moment, and thinking about dinner the next.

To backtrack again on what I referred to as wanton magic — well, Baskania can read minds. And by that, I mean even the wispiest thoughts to cross one's barest consciousness, such as Erec in Chapter 5 when he was thinking of doing a Dragon Call. Why couldn't he employ mind-reading then, to find out what the next Quest was or ask Olwen Cullwich where the Twrch Trwyth was? Erec receives premonitions/prophecies about the most trivial things. Many times, he sees his friends dying, or even the whole world coming to an end, and he stops these visions from happening in reality every time. I don't know about you, but getting these workaday glimpses of the future just takes the fun out of everything and defeats the purpose of any story.

I could drone on and on (I also want to put up a dissertation on how much of a terrible friend and person Erec is) but I'll just get down to what is, for me, this book's saving grace. I loved the chapter on the bee-hind and how it turned out to mess up the Substance. I loved Chapter 18 (The Singing Crystal) and that creative bit about talking in Opposites. I loved the idea of the Awens, and that part on the Awen of Beauty was freaking hilarious. The Awens of Harmony, Knowledge, Creation, Sight, and Beauty — those were seriously imaginative.

Most of all,

Peaceful observation or spectacular immersion?

was, hands-down, one of the best dilemmas I've ever come across in a book.

In the first few chapters, I swore to wrap up the Erec Rex series for good, but on second thought, I guess I've invested too much time and have a modicum of interest left to unravel the remaining mysteries, so I'll be reading the fourth book.

[e.c.h.a · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now...I Know why I like this story.


Kali ini Erec harus menyelesaikan tugas ke tiga dan ke empat-nya dalam waktu berdekatan. Awalnya agak sedikit membosankan mengikuti petualangan Erec di awal, belum lagi bawaannya kesal dengan sifat Erec yang egois, sok tahu. Yeah...manusia juga takluput dari sifat jelek.

Nah..pas Erec harus menyelesaikan tugas ke empat-lah yang bikin gue tak bisa melepas buku ini dari tangan. Perasaan tegang terus menghampiri. Dan selalu sukses bikin gue mikir apalagi saat Erec dan kawan-kawannya harus pergi ke kediaman Druid. Sumpah gue ampe pusing bacanya dan memahami arti obrolan mereka karena mereka berbicara kebalikan @_@

Rahasia-rahasia yang tersimpan pun perlahan mulai terkuak. Erec benar-benar dihadapkan dalam pilihan yang berat dalam kondisi yang berat juga. Oia kalau di buku sebelumnya mengajari tentang memahami :politik: nah kalau di buku ke tiga ini mengajari pentingnya team work yang membuat Erec sadar kalau dia harus mengurangi ke Egoisannya. Dalam kerja sama tim, semua pasti memegang peranan penting.

Arrggghh...gue suka saat Erec menyelesaikan tugas ke empatnya. 4 bintang untuk tugas ke empatnya yang HEBAT!

[Ditto Iñigo · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book series Erec Rex is a very nice,interesting and funny series.My cousin gave it to me on my b-day and I have to admit that it became my favorite ever since.It is very exiting and educational.I like it also because it teaches us about trusting yourself and a lot more useful tips in life.I like it when they teach us about magical things.I like all of the books.Good job KAZA!

[Oridisi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very good, it explained who Erec parents were and where he really came from, Erec's friendsgip with Bethaney and Oscar were put to the test and Erec learned the true meaning of forgiveness, love and understanding. A really great read for all ages.

[Shumoni.butler]

I thought this book should have five star to the book becuase erec rex is a really good this is a book that has alot of action in it and this book has over a olt of tough words on the.
this book has over a lot of of big vocabulry words.

[Book Elf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marvelous! That's a spot on, Kaza! I am so hooked with your series. This book gave all the adventures that I wanted in a book. Exciting and sometimes scary. I like the moral and everything is fantastic.

You are always pushing for love and I.LOVE.IT.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Saya suka banget misi di buku ini, meski saya lebih suka yang di buku keempat yang menyapa Pangeran mimpi Buruk , misi di buku ketiga ini berhubungan langsung dengan dunia manuusia.

Aku padamu, Tante Kaza~ <3

[Kaza · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite so far - can't wait until it's out this coming June!
Luv,
Kaza

[Tiffany]

I want to read this

[Zofia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved these books! They were amazing! They were enchanting! I loved them!
I would suggest these books to almost anyone. Unless you don't like adventure or fantasy.

[Isaiah Rosales · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this edition for Erec and Bethanies relationship is growing stronger! This series, will always be in my favorites!

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

GREAT AMAZING BOOK!!!!!!

[hpboy13 · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first half of this book is perhaps the best Erec Rex has ever been. There are interesting moral dilemmas (what to do about the behind?), questions about whom to trust (is Oscar really a traitor?), and a cool twist about the Stain kids. There was fun world-building, like getting to meet the Fates. Kingsley was really firing on all cylinders here, and I’d hoped that (like so many other series, from Harry Potter to Percy Jackson) the material would elevate with the third installment.

Unfortunately, that’s not to be – the latter half of the book is some of the weakest writing in this series. For one, the magical obstacle course of the Awens wasn’t very interesting the first time we went through it, and was downright annoying to get through considering Erec and co. had to go through all of them twice (plus a kind of bonus round). The epic twists of Erec’s identity were so obviously telegraphed from the very first book, that the big oomph of the reveals fall flat. And the explanation for what’s going on with the castle and King Piter is So. Damn. Contrived. Piter cast a spell on himself with very stupid and very specific parameters, and my eyes damn near rolled out of their sockets.

Lastly, the number of times that Erec has to summon the Power of Love to get some magic to work is exhausting. Lots of fantasy employs this trope, of course, but the sheer repetition of “and then he thought about all the love in his life!” was grueling to get through.

Honestly, the second half of this book was such a chore, I’m even debating continuing with the series, because I care so little about all the main characters. Can we get a spinoff about Oscar? Oscar seems like an interesting dude with an actual conflict happening that won’t be solved by deus ex power of love.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all, these books keep getting better. For a preteen market, I’m enjoying each one more and more. The deeper character development is a delight and the world building is more gorgeous each time.

Secondly, I’m frustrated with all the HP comparisons. I think it’s unfortunate that these books were published about the same time. As someone discovering these books in 2021, I can see such differences between the series, the most prominent being: as a reader, we are introduced to large events at VERY different timelines. HP shows major conflicts as they unfolded with a bit of history to explain where the characters are fighting on the FRONT end of history, whereas in Erec Rex we see events that are the product of large conflicts in the past, as well as current repercussions in the young character’s lives and how they’re trying to set the world right being born into a SLOW build up (500 years!) of manipulation and conflict.

Keep writing, Kaza! I’m excited to see where these characters go!

[Shar Patigas · Rating 3 out of 5]

It really took me a long time to finish this book for two reasons. 1. I was waiting for Books 4 and 5 to arrive from the US to the Philippines. It’s no longer available here in the Philippines so I had to have it shipped all the way from the US. 2. The story started to drag and I began to get bored.

This could have been the most exciting book in the series because this is the book where Erec learned a lot of key facts about himself. But the story dragged on and on and on. There were too many stuff going on. I know that all of it were needed to build up the story but it all seemed to be just every where, like they were randomly sprinkled for that added appetising prelude effect. But still...there were just too many...

But it’s still a nice read...halfway through the book the story started to build up and became interesting again so I was able to finally finish the book. I just hope that the next one wouldn’t be as dragging as this.

[Dini Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Akhirnya selesai! Ngebosenin sampai tengah tengah, tapi lalu plotnya mulai menarik dan menegangkan. Endingnya kurang memuaskan buat gue sih tapi, mungkin karena agak predictable. 'Mungkin' akan membeli buku berikutnya. Mungkin tidak.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Appropriate for: age 12+

I liked this sequel, but the writing still feels rushed. I like that the main point of his quests is character building, not an object or not just getting the quest done.

[Minh Quang · Rating 5 out of 5]

very good

[Caleb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty cool.

[Dion Yulianto · Rating 4 out of 5]

Melebihi ekspektasi, seri ini semakin ke belakang ternyata semakin bagus. Sematkan 4,5 bintang untuk Erec Rex dan kawan-kawannya.

[Paschalis]

elibrary

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one gets so good! Really dark and intense at points, it takes a great leap into the next part of the series.

[BookLover · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good continuation to the series. Definitely curious where the story is going.

[Katy Lovejoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I needed to be transported to a fantasy realm this week

[Grayson Pysczynski · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently read The Search For Truth by Kaza Kingley. This book is the 3rd in the series. Erec has to travel back to Alpyuim to save his friend from telling a secret that would get her killed. Once he gets there, his mortal enemy, Thanatos Argus Baskania. Eventually he gets his third quest which was rudely interrupted my Baskania.

This book was good because there was a lot more action and adventure in this book, which made it good. There are big plot twists as well as a huge reveal.

I recommend this book for 6th grade and up because there are some hard words in the book, and it's kind of long. Adults may like it because it fells like a book for most people above 6th grade.

[D · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series
💗👍💟👑🏇🚍🚏🚏🚏🚆🚐🚍Ⓜ🚇ⓂⓂ🚐🚎🚇🚈🚐🔳⚫⬜➰♠➰🔑🆔〰♥🆑🆔🌼🌈☀🌻🌺☀🌻🌼🌽⚡🌒🌎🌐🌐🌊🌍🌐😡😉😂😐😡😇😃😐🔑🆔🌈😐🌽🌺🌼🌼🌺🌈♥