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Darkness Within Saga #1
The Legacy
Book 1 from Author JD Franx's The Darkness Within Saga! DeathWizards have been the scourge of Talohna for over 5000 years; they are executed at birth or hunted to the death. There are no exceptions. Pulled by magic and blood sacrifice into a world he can't possibly begin to understand, Kael Symes soon finds himself the focus of a Talohna-wide manhunt. Desperate and trying to stay ahead of ArchWizard Giddeon Zirakus's execution squad, Kael soon discovers that Talohna's ArchWizard may be the least of his worries. An ancient witch coven is also on the hunt for Kael, and they'll stop at nothing to find their messiah first. Trapped far below the earth inside the long-lost Dwarven prison of Arkum Zul, Kael has few allies he can trust. After months of torture and suffering, he is quickly running out of time to recover what was stolen from The magic of the DeathWizard. It's his only hope for escape.
742 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 24, 2016
837 people are currently reading
906 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
June 26, 2018
Very poor indeed. I had got through 25% of the book before I gave up. I only chose this book, as the audio version is read by Simon Vance. However, even he could not have convinced me to contiune.
The book seems to be written by a 12-year old, the dialogues are weak, the characters unnatural and shallow, and the magic system is all messed up. Another thing that bothered me is language. It is not explained how the two different dimensions speak (and write) the same language. Modern English was apparently used on Talohna 5000 years ago. Mr Franx did not even try to explain it, not a single character seems to be bothered by that fact. It is just one example of how sloppy the book was written.
As a lover of fantasy books I am prepared to accept many crazy conecpts, but they have to follow the rules of the world they were set it and be a least bit plausible. The premises "The Legacy" fails to provide.
The book seems to be written by a 12-year old, the dialogues are weak, the characters unnatural and shallow, and the magic system is all messed up. Another thing that bothered me is language. It is not explained how the two different dimensions speak (and write) the same language. Modern English was apparently used on Talohna 5000 years ago. Mr Franx did not even try to explain it, not a single character seems to be bothered by that fact. It is just one example of how sloppy the book was written.
As a lover of fantasy books I am prepared to accept many crazy conecpts, but they have to follow the rules of the world they were set it and be a least bit plausible. The premises "The Legacy" fails to provide.
June 30, 2017
I wish there was a "I cannot finish this book" option on the drop down.
Simply dreadful.
A pitiful hero. A stupid ArchWizard. More villains than any book should ever have. Weak supporting characters. Poor dialog. Make that trite dialogue. Flawed sentence structure. The zig-zaggiest storyline I've seen in many, many years.
I could go on with the negatives but here's the short version: I honestly cannot find a single positive thing to say about this story.
Maybe -- just maybe -- I could find something redeeming about it if I could bring myself to continue but I've tried that and the few times I've struggled through the next ten or twenty pages sincerely made me wish I had not bothered.
Summer reading should be a pleasure. Skip this.
Simply dreadful.
A pitiful hero. A stupid ArchWizard. More villains than any book should ever have. Weak supporting characters. Poor dialog. Make that trite dialogue. Flawed sentence structure. The zig-zaggiest storyline I've seen in many, many years.
I could go on with the negatives but here's the short version: I honestly cannot find a single positive thing to say about this story.
Maybe -- just maybe -- I could find something redeeming about it if I could bring myself to continue but I've tried that and the few times I've struggled through the next ten or twenty pages sincerely made me wish I had not bothered.
Summer reading should be a pleasure. Skip this.
February 7, 2017
Good twist on what seemed a Tired plot...
I would tell you 2 things about this book, first, ignore any synopsis; like me you would probably moan to yourself "not again">which would be Mistake #1.
Second, I would urge you to get past the first 10 pages at all costs before you decide the book is a badly written caricature of a beaten to death trope. It is NOT.
Maybe a literary device, maybe a slow start (I think bad choice/overdone) device ....it makes the book seem like a woodenly written sterotype of a Land Of Magic and the first character we meet a knock off Merlin. Not the case, doesn't stay that way, and I beleive the author exagerated some qualities to illustrate the first and second view/narration/thoughts as different or alien to our world. It also plays a bit like melodrama but eventually helps explain the how and why certain people act, feel, or refuse to feel certain ways. If a father fails to feel sympathy or love for his child... it is because of loss, distance and the price paid in the events of these first 20 pages.
When later assinine behavior by these people is viewed through the lens of this loss.... the absence of attachment coupled with loss makes unforgivable acts understandable and even sympathetic.
We think we know the bad guys, we do know the good. We dont know if the good will do evil. By accident or as a result of the oul twisting effects of tramma, loss, shame, and pain.
Most of all the book does an excellent hob showing the danger of.a.little knowledge, the horrors born of false assumptions, and the root of depravity. Worship and false derision shape this world.of.magic, the politics, and even makes you think ....What do we "miss" or.pine for that was wrong, against us, or evil?
I would tell you 2 things about this book, first, ignore any synopsis; like me you would probably moan to yourself "not again">which would be Mistake #1.
Second, I would urge you to get past the first 10 pages at all costs before you decide the book is a badly written caricature of a beaten to death trope. It is NOT.
Maybe a literary device, maybe a slow start (I think bad choice/overdone) device ....it makes the book seem like a woodenly written sterotype of a Land Of Magic and the first character we meet a knock off Merlin. Not the case, doesn't stay that way, and I beleive the author exagerated some qualities to illustrate the first and second view/narration/thoughts as different or alien to our world. It also plays a bit like melodrama but eventually helps explain the how and why certain people act, feel, or refuse to feel certain ways. If a father fails to feel sympathy or love for his child... it is because of loss, distance and the price paid in the events of these first 20 pages.
When later assinine behavior by these people is viewed through the lens of this loss.... the absence of attachment coupled with loss makes unforgivable acts understandable and even sympathetic.
We think we know the bad guys, we do know the good. We dont know if the good will do evil. By accident or as a result of the oul twisting effects of tramma, loss, shame, and pain.
Most of all the book does an excellent hob showing the danger of.a.little knowledge, the horrors born of false assumptions, and the root of depravity. Worship and false derision shape this world.of.magic, the politics, and even makes you think ....What do we "miss" or.pine for that was wrong, against us, or evil?
December 21, 2016
Great book!
A must, and love the prolog, especially how it's a story of its own.
Though great, enchanting and evening enthralling... there are quite a bit of misspelled words, wrong words, or lack thereof. A simple spell check or an audit could help (pick me!!)
However, I'm truly intrigued and looking forward to more books from this series, as well as new ones. I hope JD receives the support and funds he needs to contribute to his passion!
I can honestly say I'm most looking forward to the 3+ books that follow, now than any other series I'm interested in.
A must, and love the prolog, especially how it's a story of its own.
Though great, enchanting and evening enthralling... there are quite a bit of misspelled words, wrong words, or lack thereof. A simple spell check or an audit could help (pick me!!)
However, I'm truly intrigued and looking forward to more books from this series, as well as new ones. I hope JD receives the support and funds he needs to contribute to his passion!
I can honestly say I'm most looking forward to the 3+ books that follow, now than any other series I'm interested in.
September 5, 2017
A pet peeve of mine is when multiple characters have very similar names. It gets annoying. This would be one of those books.
This was ok. It's one of those books where you feel like you have already read it multiple times. Almost feels like the author threw every cliche into this book.
I have no issues with swearing in books, but it was just so odd and out of place in this one. To have characters living in an old world and having them swear like truckers was just so weird.
The characters....were just characters. Nothing spectacular. Some didn't fit well with the story, sometimes seems like too many characters or unnecessary characters.
I just feel like the author over did so much in this book. Like they were trying too hard. In the end it didn't mix well for me. It wasn't smooth, it was predictable. Some people may enjoy it, it was just not for me.
This was ok. It's one of those books where you feel like you have already read it multiple times. Almost feels like the author threw every cliche into this book.
I have no issues with swearing in books, but it was just so odd and out of place in this one. To have characters living in an old world and having them swear like truckers was just so weird.
The characters....were just characters. Nothing spectacular. Some didn't fit well with the story, sometimes seems like too many characters or unnecessary characters.
I just feel like the author over did so much in this book. Like they were trying too hard. In the end it didn't mix well for me. It wasn't smooth, it was predictable. Some people may enjoy it, it was just not for me.
January 1, 2019
Dark, depressing and half the book the MC is being tortured. Unlikable side characters, too many bad guys and not enough positive. Started and ended good, but the middle 60 to 70% was not my thing. Lots of modern swearing that seemed a bit jarring, but the writing style was good. Not for me.
August 26, 2017
*Spoilers Ahead*
This was a well written book, but I did not enjoy pushing my way through it. Almost the entire second half of the book the main character spends being tortured in an attempt to break him, until they finally do to an extent. Ember and Max are basically drafted as citizens into the kingdom they get pulled into, and neither of them seem to have an issue with it. They travel with an archwizrd, who has to be the lamest archwizrd I've ever read about, and his daughter who are trying to kill the man they both care so much about. Later on in the story Ember becomes the abduction target of basically every other nation and criminal organization in the book for who she is, but that plot thread is left hanging for the following book.
There is so much about this book that is dark and depressing (yeah I know, the title kind of gives it away), but there are few points of levity to counter balance this darkness. These points of levity are limited to casual and less-than-casual flirting between characters, but even these are highlighted by the nastiness that is happening around them. Darkness in a story is fine. In fact I enjoy a good amount of it when I am reading a book as it helps to give the story a sense of gravitas and provides something for the characters to push through. However, when this darkness is not countered by light or levity it starts to lose it's impact, and I feel like I am slogging through one depressing scene after another.
What makes the horrible things that characters go through feel so potent to me is how it contrasts with the happy times that they experience. The happiness for Kael, Ember, and Max is the world that they come from, as it is referenced multiple times throughout the book how dark and evil the new world they were pulled to is. However, even the happy memories from their world are seeped in darkness as the one chapter they get there focuses heavily on how Kael and Ember were mugged in past which leaves Kael with a useless arm, a limp, and is constantly in pain.
An example of a dark story that closely matches the tone for this one, but uses levity well to break up the monotony is the first Dresden Files book, Storm Front. That book is filled with dark imagery, brutal assaults, and various other elements that hit the noir setting on the head just as The Legacy does. However, Storm Front has Bob in it. A sarcastic and wise cracking skull who is briefly in the book for portions of only two or three chapters. That isn't much, but it pulls the veil of darkness back enough so that the reader can smile at the situation and know that there is more than just the awful things that keep happening.
In The Legacy I found that what happens to Kael's not-quite-vampire friend was a let down. She ends up being killed right in front of his eyes (I warned you about spoilers didn't I?) which is what ultimately led the witches' partial success in breaking his resolve not to kill. However, it is revealed at the end of the book that she did not die. She curses the witches for fools about how silver won't kill her, but rather just waken the demon within (hinting that she is now a full vampire). That not only leaves the Dead Witches looking like a bunch of fools who don't understand the monsters of this world thus diminishing how seriously they can be taken, but also leaves a potential plot hole of if all the not-quite-vampires need to do to awaken their demon is to kill themselves with silver, why aren't there more?
One last complaint about the book is the dialogue. I can't quite put my finger on it, but it feels off throughout the entire story. Some points feel stunted, some feel unnecessarily long, some feel like an entire conversation is being had in the middle of a very tense moment. I wouldn't necessarily say that it is bad throughout, but it could certainly have been better.
This was a well written book, but I did not enjoy pushing my way through it. Almost the entire second half of the book the main character spends being tortured in an attempt to break him, until they finally do to an extent. Ember and Max are basically drafted as citizens into the kingdom they get pulled into, and neither of them seem to have an issue with it. They travel with an archwizrd, who has to be the lamest archwizrd I've ever read about, and his daughter who are trying to kill the man they both care so much about. Later on in the story Ember becomes the abduction target of basically every other nation and criminal organization in the book for who she is, but that plot thread is left hanging for the following book.
There is so much about this book that is dark and depressing (yeah I know, the title kind of gives it away), but there are few points of levity to counter balance this darkness. These points of levity are limited to casual and less-than-casual flirting between characters, but even these are highlighted by the nastiness that is happening around them. Darkness in a story is fine. In fact I enjoy a good amount of it when I am reading a book as it helps to give the story a sense of gravitas and provides something for the characters to push through. However, when this darkness is not countered by light or levity it starts to lose it's impact, and I feel like I am slogging through one depressing scene after another.
What makes the horrible things that characters go through feel so potent to me is how it contrasts with the happy times that they experience. The happiness for Kael, Ember, and Max is the world that they come from, as it is referenced multiple times throughout the book how dark and evil the new world they were pulled to is. However, even the happy memories from their world are seeped in darkness as the one chapter they get there focuses heavily on how Kael and Ember were mugged in past which leaves Kael with a useless arm, a limp, and is constantly in pain.
An example of a dark story that closely matches the tone for this one, but uses levity well to break up the monotony is the first Dresden Files book, Storm Front. That book is filled with dark imagery, brutal assaults, and various other elements that hit the noir setting on the head just as The Legacy does. However, Storm Front has Bob in it. A sarcastic and wise cracking skull who is briefly in the book for portions of only two or three chapters. That isn't much, but it pulls the veil of darkness back enough so that the reader can smile at the situation and know that there is more than just the awful things that keep happening.
In The Legacy I found that what happens to Kael's not-quite-vampire friend was a let down. She ends up being killed right in front of his eyes (I warned you about spoilers didn't I?) which is what ultimately led the witches' partial success in breaking his resolve not to kill. However, it is revealed at the end of the book that she did not die. She curses the witches for fools about how silver won't kill her, but rather just waken the demon within (hinting that she is now a full vampire). That not only leaves the Dead Witches looking like a bunch of fools who don't understand the monsters of this world thus diminishing how seriously they can be taken, but also leaves a potential plot hole of if all the not-quite-vampires need to do to awaken their demon is to kill themselves with silver, why aren't there more?
One last complaint about the book is the dialogue. I can't quite put my finger on it, but it feels off throughout the entire story. Some points feel stunted, some feel unnecessarily long, some feel like an entire conversation is being had in the middle of a very tense moment. I wouldn't necessarily say that it is bad throughout, but it could certainly have been better.
November 18, 2016
JD Franx is a new author to me. His style of writing is way different then most I have read. The story line was really good. My only problem was that there wasn't enough excitement or action early on to keep me wanting to turn that page. The skipping around to different character's for each chapter didn't leave me hanging, just left out, like I was missing something. It wasn't until the later chapters that it all started to speed up and made me want to turn to that next page. The ending turned out to be a mind blowing ending. That I really liked and I have already bought the next book to see what happens.
Kael was born under the Black Sun as a Death Wizard or so the Wizards of The Blood Kingdom think. So his Father, a Wizard, jumped dimensions to Earth to leave his new born son. Kael was happy on Earth with his wife Ember and friend Max. Life was as good as it could get.
One day the three of them were pulled back to Kael's home planet. Kael ended up some place different then Ember and Max. Because of this, the three of them have a different adventure all in its own. Kael captured and tortured, but found new good friends in his cell. He has to stay on the bright side to keep from turning. Freedom is all they want and work towards. Ember and Max end up with Giddeon and his daughter in search to find Kael and kill him. They pick up Yrlissa along the way and Ember, Max and Yrlissa plan on saving Kael's life, if he has changed or not.
All their adventures take them all over Talohna. They run into all kinds of trouble along the way. But they are all fighters in their own way and keep pushing on. What price will Kael pay for his freedom? And what price will Ember and Max pay for just being on Talohna. Is it possible all three of them have been born on Talohna? Maybe not, but everybody has some sort of magical power inside of them, they just need the right moment to tap into it.
Kael was born under the Black Sun as a Death Wizard or so the Wizards of The Blood Kingdom think. So his Father, a Wizard, jumped dimensions to Earth to leave his new born son. Kael was happy on Earth with his wife Ember and friend Max. Life was as good as it could get.
One day the three of them were pulled back to Kael's home planet. Kael ended up some place different then Ember and Max. Because of this, the three of them have a different adventure all in its own. Kael captured and tortured, but found new good friends in his cell. He has to stay on the bright side to keep from turning. Freedom is all they want and work towards. Ember and Max end up with Giddeon and his daughter in search to find Kael and kill him. They pick up Yrlissa along the way and Ember, Max and Yrlissa plan on saving Kael's life, if he has changed or not.
All their adventures take them all over Talohna. They run into all kinds of trouble along the way. But they are all fighters in their own way and keep pushing on. What price will Kael pay for his freedom? And what price will Ember and Max pay for just being on Talohna. Is it possible all three of them have been born on Talohna? Maybe not, but everybody has some sort of magical power inside of them, they just need the right moment to tap into it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 8, 2017
This books is very unusual in some way and there are still the beings that you know from other fantasy stories , like elves, demons and other , the most interesting part that they are shown in a different way , in a unique way of this author. I loved the entire story even if the book is huge , I traveled along the main character and I think he traveled along me in my adventure in the real life. I visited some old cities in Europe and read this book along my journey it was a great support that enhanced my adventure. I would recommend this book to all readers that love fantasy books and are not afraid to carry a book the size of a brick around. Joking. I loved the main character and the world around him , I hope next book will be as good as this one , see you there.
December 9, 2017
Ok, I read this huge book and it was packed. Nonstop train of angst, frustration then resignation, but despite that, I always came back for more. Anyways forgive me, this book is worth reading. Despite its flaws, there is a lot of thought put into the world and characters in this book.
Anyways lets talk about the down on your luck hero. It seems like every page, new events, new character are out to get him. In his first week, he literally gets stab in his stomach b/c he was day dreaming in a mythical dungeon like tower and gets saved/cursed by a god which makes his near invincible powers useless. Which of course leads to his enslavement and torture b/c he is unable to defend himself.
The author has to one up himself every chapter to describe how bad of a deal the main character is getting. I think the plot is that the suffering helps him gain power b/c suffering somehow is connected to death magic? I am not sure how that is even intuitive, except in a superficial way of that there is usually suffering before death? However using death magic will probably kill him b/c his living tattoo(God Curse) is eating him alive. Shrugs..The frustrating thing about it is, you are rooting for the mc b/c he has peerless nobility one of the few character that is likable in the cutthroat world. He is literally Mother Teresa on a homicidal magical planet where everyone is trying to kill him.
Most stories have have valleys of despair then peaks of victory or advancement. I feel like this novel is just valleys, and any triumph are just pauses before we get plunged even further down into the valley. Basically the theme seems to be, it can and will get worse in horrific ways, the more angst the better and darn the minor logic or plot holes.
Anyways, I am not sure that my this rant was even coherent, but I had to let off some steam after finishing the novel.
Anyways lets talk about the down on your luck hero. It seems like every page, new events, new character are out to get him. In his first week, he literally gets stab in his stomach b/c he was day dreaming in a mythical dungeon like tower and gets saved/cursed by a god which makes his near invincible powers useless. Which of course leads to his enslavement and torture b/c he is unable to defend himself.
The author has to one up himself every chapter to describe how bad of a deal the main character is getting. I think the plot is that the suffering helps him gain power b/c suffering somehow is connected to death magic? I am not sure how that is even intuitive, except in a superficial way of that there is usually suffering before death? However using death magic will probably kill him b/c his living tattoo(God Curse) is eating him alive. Shrugs..The frustrating thing about it is, you are rooting for the mc b/c he has peerless nobility one of the few character that is likable in the cutthroat world. He is literally Mother Teresa on a homicidal magical planet where everyone is trying to kill him.
Most stories have have valleys of despair then peaks of victory or advancement. I feel like this novel is just valleys, and any triumph are just pauses before we get plunged even further down into the valley. Basically the theme seems to be, it can and will get worse in horrific ways, the more angst the better and darn the minor logic or plot holes.
Anyways, I am not sure that my this rant was even coherent, but I had to let off some steam after finishing the novel.
October 2, 2023
After finishing this book on Audible, I came here to see what others thought and I have to say that it's a shame the negative reviews are almost all pushed to the front page. As of Oct 2023, over 75% of the reviews give it 4 or 5 stars. I'm in that group, I think the book is fantastic. Yes, some of the dialogue is a bit stilted and the main character's lack of power can be frustrating...but this is a 7 book series, and there is no problem to show a "normal" human being from our world thrust into a fantasy world and not knowing how to tap into the magic system. What these other reviewers are missing is the main protaganist is a good guy - the author goes through great lengths to show how genuinely good and empathetic he is, so to tap into a "dark" and potentially corrupting magic system is, and should be, a difficult task. There's a struggle to even go there. I think a large part of this series will be how he and his companions deal with the dark hand they've been dealt. I'm looking forward to it. If there was one negative I had, it was the last few chapters fizzling out - there's no punch to the gut reveal, cliffhanger, or other element to make you go "wow!"...but the rest of the book made up for this, and I'm starting book 2 already
August 6, 2021
This novel was okay. It had a solid storyline with some okay characters, but I found it took a while to pick up momentum and it could have been substantially shorter.
I found this novel had an extensive amount of info-dumping. While some of it worked well for world-building, other times it felt redundant and bogged down the narrative. I also found more tension was needed in places. There were several twists that I didn’t see coming, but the buildup just wasn’t there. The main character Kael was well written and his motives were clear. I also enjoyed the conflict with the Dead Sisters after he was forced back to his corrupted home world. While I don’t like a novel that ends on a cliffhanger, I think it works in this case.
What I specifically liked was all the characters had their own story. While I’d like more back story for Ember that would explain why she is so resilient, I found her one of the more engaging characters. I also want to point out the novel had evidence of being edited for grammar and punctuation. While I think it could have benefited from a content editor, I found it an enjoyable read and I look forward to reading the next.
I found this novel had an extensive amount of info-dumping. While some of it worked well for world-building, other times it felt redundant and bogged down the narrative. I also found more tension was needed in places. There were several twists that I didn’t see coming, but the buildup just wasn’t there. The main character Kael was well written and his motives were clear. I also enjoyed the conflict with the Dead Sisters after he was forced back to his corrupted home world. While I don’t like a novel that ends on a cliffhanger, I think it works in this case.
What I specifically liked was all the characters had their own story. While I’d like more back story for Ember that would explain why she is so resilient, I found her one of the more engaging characters. I also want to point out the novel had evidence of being edited for grammar and punctuation. While I think it could have benefited from a content editor, I found it an enjoyable read and I look forward to reading the next.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 4, 2019
This is not a perfect novel, but it is well above average. The world-building is complex, perhaps too much so for the first book in a series. There are many interesting characters but, thankfully, the focus remains on a manageable few. Although there are so many chosen-ones that you could populate a shelf of novels.
Probably the story's weakest element, a common problem in fantasy, is the plot-driven moments of Deux ex Machina. Every time a life-or-death situation is resolved by magic, a new ability or a creature that has not been previously foreshadowed, I cringe a little. I want the characters to solve problems, not the author.
I also find it frustrating that the cruelty of the antagonists is unexplained. Do they gain power from it, is their God happy to see it or are they just insane? It's fine to have a big-bad monster in a story, so long as their actions eventually make sense.
It seems like I'm ranting about a bad book here, but that's not the case. This story is so near to greatness that it makes me desperate to push it over the line. Maybe by series end?
Probably the story's weakest element, a common problem in fantasy, is the plot-driven moments of Deux ex Machina. Every time a life-or-death situation is resolved by magic, a new ability or a creature that has not been previously foreshadowed, I cringe a little. I want the characters to solve problems, not the author.
I also find it frustrating that the cruelty of the antagonists is unexplained. Do they gain power from it, is their God happy to see it or are they just insane? It's fine to have a big-bad monster in a story, so long as their actions eventually make sense.
It seems like I'm ranting about a bad book here, but that's not the case. This story is so near to greatness that it makes me desperate to push it over the line. Maybe by series end?
September 3, 2022
well, it has taken a long time to finish this "thing"... i have too many issues and complaints and I did not enjoy any of this! First books are sometimes a mess and u just need to chew through but too much stuff and lore and action packed together... maybe my biggest issue is language and changing the world... "spoilerish".... ppl from "our world" are somehow sent back to this magical world and now they are are like lvl 100 characters in a MMORPG... local archmage is a doof and any "wise woman" is smarter, more powerful etc... like he's an archmage... its supposed to mean something... and language issue... if u would speak let's say English with a person from 150 years ago you would have huge problems with understanding as language evolves... here we have two different worlds and they all speak the same English with no issues... overall its a mess... and 3 stars is because I liked many ideas but the execution was poor...
February 16, 2025
4/5 Stars I picked this novel based solely on the cover. I mean how could I not having never read from this author before, the cover just drew me in like a magnet. I jumped right in and had the best time. In fact I am on the fifth novel as I write this. I am not going to go into detail about the novel. In fact I suggest you don't event read the synopses and jump right in. If you enjoy an Epic-Fantasy with a Dark-Fantasy twist you will love this one. There are a lot of character's to keep up with for the first two or three novels that can be a challenge at times. But as they die off or fall to way side it gets better. Each novel starts right were the last left off with only a brief summery of the last, which I love.
I am giving this a clean 4.5 rounded up for the series up to four. I am going to copy and paste this for next three reviews to catch up. Happy Reading.
I am giving this a clean 4.5 rounded up for the series up to four. I am going to copy and paste this for next three reviews to catch up. Happy Reading.
February 2, 2019
Great world building, terrible character voice
Amazing story and world building, however the character building and more often the inter character relationships are pretty forced. Often in this book the author will switch the characters mood unnaturally quickly or the characters will say something that just isn't believable. In one instance they'll have just met and the next the female characters will make a lewd joke breaking character. Author seems to struggle to create a character that acts along the lines of their back story. The female voice in the book is nearly so unbearable that I had to put the book down and almost didn't come back for the great story. Great world building, tragic character dialogue.
Amazing story and world building, however the character building and more often the inter character relationships are pretty forced. Often in this book the author will switch the characters mood unnaturally quickly or the characters will say something that just isn't believable. In one instance they'll have just met and the next the female characters will make a lewd joke breaking character. Author seems to struggle to create a character that acts along the lines of their back story. The female voice in the book is nearly so unbearable that I had to put the book down and almost didn't come back for the great story. Great world building, tragic character dialogue.
September 1, 2018
Predictable !!
This story line is similar to the wizards first rule from Terry Brooks .a powerful wizard that doesn't understand their magic and gets slap around by other less powerful magic users.the main characters are not very well thought out and the world is lacking in detail .in my opinion a waste of time and money in my part but I tried to get through the story instead of just giving up on it .I almost did but the ridiculousness really just had to through my hands up on this book !
This story line is similar to the wizards first rule from Terry Brooks .a powerful wizard that doesn't understand their magic and gets slap around by other less powerful magic users.the main characters are not very well thought out and the world is lacking in detail .in my opinion a waste of time and money in my part but I tried to get through the story instead of just giving up on it .I almost did but the ridiculousness really just had to through my hands up on this book !
September 2, 2017
Interesting World-building; Predictable Plot (& -Holes)
The story was interesting to an extent, but was equally predictable and, at times, obnoxious. The characters at times seemed indistinct from one another and at points plot holes were offensively and glaringly obvious. That being said, I still found myself wanting to know more about how the story unfolds, and will continue the series while hoping that the author improves his craft over time.
The story was interesting to an extent, but was equally predictable and, at times, obnoxious. The characters at times seemed indistinct from one another and at points plot holes were offensively and glaringly obvious. That being said, I still found myself wanting to know more about how the story unfolds, and will continue the series while hoping that the author improves his craft over time.
December 13, 2017
Magic & Adventure
More magic and wizardry than I normally go for but not entirely over-fantastic either.
Really like the epic world and story developing here.
I must admit that towards the last half of the book, it seems, whomever was in charge of proofreading went AWOL, which always pushes my grammar police buttons. Though, that is the only negative that I took away from this title.
More magic and wizardry than I normally go for but not entirely over-fantastic either.
Really like the epic world and story developing here.
I must admit that towards the last half of the book, it seems, whomever was in charge of proofreading went AWOL, which always pushes my grammar police buttons. Though, that is the only negative that I took away from this title.
August 23, 2018
JD Franx has himself one hell of a series and we the reader's are in for an awesome ride...this book flows smoothly and the main characters draw you in and you become vested in the story as it unfolds and you begin to feel for what they are going thru...the world building and the magic is great ...the fight scenes are perfect...so my advice to you is to buy this book now ( don't forget to get the prequal first lol ) you will not be able to put it down...🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
April 6, 2019
Falls short of it's potential
I kept hoping that it would become more... More intriguing, more enticing, more than an overly long narrative. The world has much promise and the characters seen primed for development. But the writing is just boring. The narrative does nothing to draw you in. There is so much description with no emotion that it feels forced. This could be an amazing book with some content editing. Without it just drags...
I kept hoping that it would become more... More intriguing, more enticing, more than an overly long narrative. The world has much promise and the characters seen primed for development. But the writing is just boring. The narrative does nothing to draw you in. There is so much description with no emotion that it feels forced. This could be an amazing book with some content editing. Without it just drags...
February 11, 2020
Excellent Plot
I would have given the author 5 stars but for some issues. The lack of proofreading.
I read the trilogy and was enthralled. The plot has many surprises but the misspelled words, incomplete sentences, etc detracted from my enjoyment.
It seems the author is writing a second trilogy set in the same world. I look forward to its realise hoping that this time he has had proofreaders check for errors.
I would have given the author 5 stars but for some issues. The lack of proofreading.
I read the trilogy and was enthralled. The plot has many surprises but the misspelled words, incomplete sentences, etc detracted from my enjoyment.
It seems the author is writing a second trilogy set in the same world. I look forward to its realise hoping that this time he has had proofreaders check for errors.
April 17, 2020
Exhilarating
For some reason I had started this book and just left it a few months back. Finally I decided to give it a try again and I just couldn't stop.
The whole new realm is very well thought out with great character backgrounds right from the start. You keep learning more and more as you go on and this book serves to get you acquainted with the various kingdoms, characters and sub plots going on. I totally enjoyed this and look forward to the next in the series.
For some reason I had started this book and just left it a few months back. Finally I decided to give it a try again and I just couldn't stop.
The whole new realm is very well thought out with great character backgrounds right from the start. You keep learning more and more as you go on and this book serves to get you acquainted with the various kingdoms, characters and sub plots going on. I totally enjoyed this and look forward to the next in the series.
August 6, 2017
Decent easy read
Seemed disjointed at first. Took me a bit to get into it. But, read pretty well after that. Some of the language seemed a bit ridiculous as well. The use of the Americanized curse words by the new worlds ancients was just dumb and not necessary. But, I like the plot line and it seems the author got better as it went along. Good read.
Seemed disjointed at first. Took me a bit to get into it. But, read pretty well after that. Some of the language seemed a bit ridiculous as well. The use of the Americanized curse words by the new worlds ancients was just dumb and not necessary. But, I like the plot line and it seems the author got better as it went along. Good read.
August 15, 2017
A good entry for an indie author, but some of the language and structure doesn't flow early in the book. As the novel progresses, it gets smoother and is definitely a compelling story. Like most other reviewers, I wish the characters had a bit more realistic sense of danger/betrayal and acted accordingly, but I thoroughly enjoyed it none the less.
March 5, 2018
Majik is neither good or evil
This story holds you by enchantment to read until the books end. The story is so well written that it could be a recent memory of your own. It is reasonably paced and even second or third level characters feel as real as life. Read this and remember your own history of a majikal time.
This story holds you by enchantment to read until the books end. The story is so well written that it could be a recent memory of your own. It is reasonably paced and even second or third level characters feel as real as life. Read this and remember your own history of a majikal time.
March 19, 2018
Although I really tried to get through it, I just couldn't finish the book. The world-building felt too forced and artificial, and the characters did not have much depth in terms of unique personalities, thoughts or traits. A better story flow and character development would made the story redeemable.
July 18, 2018
Love this book. I’ve been waiting for a loose epic fantasy series worthy of my precious time. lol. I can totally understand how some readers DNF because the beginning drags a bit, but all the info is necessary and it all comes together. On the next book. Btw I listened to the audiobook and the narrator is excellent.
September 10, 2018
Fantastic story with engaging characters. My only complaints are in the editing. a Revised edition of this book with a focus on clearing some issues with structure and eliminating colloquialisms that are more common to modern Canadian dialect would go a long way. Overall this book was a great read and I cannot wait to finish the trilogy!
August 11, 2020
Good, needed a conclusion
The book and story is really good. Only problem I had was not having some sort of conclusion to end the book. There's no finality to this book. Something I think a book within a series needs is too have its own conclusion and yet still leave the story open for the remaining books. This book just ends on a cliffhanger with no actual completion.
The book and story is really good. Only problem I had was not having some sort of conclusion to end the book. There's no finality to this book. Something I think a book within a series needs is too have its own conclusion and yet still leave the story open for the remaining books. This book just ends on a cliffhanger with no actual completion.
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