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The Lost Prophecy #1
The Threat of Madness
The arrival of the mysterious Magi, along with their near invincible guardians, signals a change. For Jakob, apprentice historian, and son of a priest longing for adventure, it begins an opportunity.
When his home is attacked, Jakob starts a journey that will take him far from home and everything he has ever known. Studying with a new swordmaster, he gains surprising skill, but also strange new abilities that make him fear the madness which has claimed so many has come to him. He must withstand it long enough to finish the dangerous task given to him, one that with his new abilities he may be the only person able to complete.
With a strange darkness rising in the north, and attackers moving in from the south, powers long thought lost begin to return. Some begin to suspect the key to survival is the answer to a lost prophecy, yet only a few remain with the ability to find it.
When his home is attacked, Jakob starts a journey that will take him far from home and everything he has ever known. Studying with a new swordmaster, he gains surprising skill, but also strange new abilities that make him fear the madness which has claimed so many has come to him. He must withstand it long enough to finish the dangerous task given to him, one that with his new abilities he may be the only person able to complete.
With a strange darkness rising in the north, and attackers moving in from the south, powers long thought lost begin to return. Some begin to suspect the key to survival is the answer to a lost prophecy, yet only a few remain with the ability to find it.
380 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 3, 2017
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863 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
September 7, 2017
[Minor Spoilers]
This book, and the subsequent two books (which is as far as I got in this seven-part irritation-fest) are just plain bad. Bad bad bad.
I'll give the author this- his writing style is competent. But his characters are paranoid, secretive idiots. I have no idea how many times I've read the phrase 'but he kept that to himself' or 'but they couldn't possibly help with that, so he didn't tell them'. This absolute refusal to share information keeps his characters locked in ignorance, and stagnates portions of the book for entire chapters.
This series would also benefit from some damned world-building. The closest you get to an actual explanation of the way the 'magic' works is: good guys have ordinary life energy, bad guys have dark, oily life energy, they pulled at the life force, I pulled at their life force'. That. Is. It. And none of the characters we follow seem to understand how they are able to do anything they do. 'he didn't know how he did it', 'it shouldn't be possible', 'he didn't know how to describe it' are likewise, ridiculously common phrases. There's even one point where there is a 'boss fight', if you will, and the protagonist decides to do something, but then it's 'but I could not help, because I didn't understand what the bad guy was doing...' Oh, and the most common manifestation of power is the apparent slowing down of time. every conflict: 'my mind tore, time slowed down, I won'. Sometimes that doesn't work so 'my mind tore even further, and time slowed so the enemies looked like they were moving through honey, I won.'
You can read these books for free on Kindle Unlimited. I wouldn't even pay that much.
This book, and the subsequent two books (which is as far as I got in this seven-part irritation-fest) are just plain bad. Bad bad bad.
I'll give the author this- his writing style is competent. But his characters are paranoid, secretive idiots. I have no idea how many times I've read the phrase 'but he kept that to himself' or 'but they couldn't possibly help with that, so he didn't tell them'. This absolute refusal to share information keeps his characters locked in ignorance, and stagnates portions of the book for entire chapters.
This series would also benefit from some damned world-building. The closest you get to an actual explanation of the way the 'magic' works is: good guys have ordinary life energy, bad guys have dark, oily life energy, they pulled at the life force, I pulled at their life force'. That. Is. It. And none of the characters we follow seem to understand how they are able to do anything they do. 'he didn't know how he did it', 'it shouldn't be possible', 'he didn't know how to describe it' are likewise, ridiculously common phrases. There's even one point where there is a 'boss fight', if you will, and the protagonist decides to do something, but then it's 'but I could not help, because I didn't understand what the bad guy was doing...' Oh, and the most common manifestation of power is the apparent slowing down of time. every conflict: 'my mind tore, time slowed down, I won'. Sometimes that doesn't work so 'my mind tore even further, and time slowed so the enemies looked like they were moving through honey, I won.'
You can read these books for free on Kindle Unlimited. I wouldn't even pay that much.
February 7, 2019
~85%.
I'd advise reading Teralin Sword series before this. Even though the gap seems to be like 20-30 years, it explains a lot of background for the world and characters. Without it, I'd probably need more time to understand everything (and the rating would be 5 or 10% lower).
---
Good story, even though it can get a bit confusing at times. While it seems that the Desmahne might be the main problem, especially as they are seen within the groups of raiders attacking through the lands, there are more troubles brewing elsewhere. In these times, reacting to the threats seems to be an issue as those who have the powers that could stop them are indecisive and divided. While those of power and wisdom (Endric and Novan) try to forge a plan, Jako is thrown into dangers he never expected and ends up with a mission of importance while Roelle is one of the few magi willing to accept that sometimes protecting the peace means getting your hands dirty - an approach her superiors are not fond of.
As the story unfolds, hints of a complex backstory are revealed - and slivers of forgotten past few know or understand, even though it might be the only way to prevail.
---
A bit more about this book on my blog
I'd advise reading Teralin Sword series before this. Even though the gap seems to be like 20-30 years, it explains a lot of background for the world and characters. Without it, I'd probably need more time to understand everything (and the rating would be 5 or 10% lower).
---
Good story, even though it can get a bit confusing at times. While it seems that the Desmahne might be the main problem, especially as they are seen within the groups of raiders attacking through the lands, there are more troubles brewing elsewhere. In these times, reacting to the threats seems to be an issue as those who have the powers that could stop them are indecisive and divided. While those of power and wisdom (Endric and Novan) try to forge a plan, Jako is thrown into dangers he never expected and ends up with a mission of importance while Roelle is one of the few magi willing to accept that sometimes protecting the peace means getting your hands dirty - an approach her superiors are not fond of.
As the story unfolds, hints of a complex backstory are revealed - and slivers of forgotten past few know or understand, even though it might be the only way to prevail.
---
A bit more about this book on my blog
March 5, 2024
The arrival of the mysterious Magi, along with their near invincible guardians, signals a change. For Jakob, apprentice historian, and son of a priest longing for adventure, it begins an opportunity.
When his home is attacked, Jakob starts a journey that will take him far from home and everything he has ever known. Studying with a new swordmaster, he gains surprising skill, but also strange new abilities that make him fear the madness which has claimed so many has come to him. He must withstand it long enough to finish the dangerous task given to him, one that with his new abilities he may be the only person able to complete. With a strange darkness rising in the north, and attackers moving in from the south, powers long thought lost begin to return. Some begin to suspect the key to survival is the answer to a lost prophecy, yet only a few remain with the ability to find it.
When I actually started to read this not just the first chapter,I read it in one day. It has characters and a story that will grab and holds on to you. I usually don't like a book that jumps from one place to another but this one has such strong characters, it doesn't matter which one the author is writing about. It will hold you no matter where the book takes you. If you don't read this series than it is your lose. A GREAT SERIES AND GREAT READING EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
When his home is attacked, Jakob starts a journey that will take him far from home and everything he has ever known. Studying with a new swordmaster, he gains surprising skill, but also strange new abilities that make him fear the madness which has claimed so many has come to him. He must withstand it long enough to finish the dangerous task given to him, one that with his new abilities he may be the only person able to complete. With a strange darkness rising in the north, and attackers moving in from the south, powers long thought lost begin to return. Some begin to suspect the key to survival is the answer to a lost prophecy, yet only a few remain with the ability to find it.
When I actually started to read this not just the first chapter,I read it in one day. It has characters and a story that will grab and holds on to you. I usually don't like a book that jumps from one place to another but this one has such strong characters, it doesn't matter which one the author is writing about. It will hold you no matter where the book takes you. If you don't read this series than it is your lose. A GREAT SERIES AND GREAT READING EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
October 18, 2017
Confusing
I found it confusing. And it took me almost halfway through to even start to care about the characters. Everything is a mystery. To much so for my taste.
I found it confusing. And it took me almost halfway through to even start to care about the characters. Everything is a mystery. To much so for my taste.
September 12, 2017
Interesting, but difficult to get into at first
It took me a while to start enjoying this book, as I found it quite difficult to get into originally. I'm glad I persevered as it ended up being a decent read. Will look to continue reading the series.
It took me a while to start enjoying this book, as I found it quite difficult to get into originally. I'm glad I persevered as it ended up being a decent read. Will look to continue reading the series.
April 26, 2018
Tough slog
The book was free and the author must have paid facebook a Ton to advertise his stuff all over my feed. I slogged through the morass of madness and mystery to the end, finding myself still unenlightened and annoyed at the world. All the bouncing around in visions and being the Super Special Dude with a mysterious sword thay gets sent on a mission... slightly annoying. And don't get me started on the Magi who hold themselves aloof and barely share information within their own ranks... and how people teach themselves to read the special language... by reading the special language.
I hate it when people don't tell me what is going on and that is why MY mysterious mentor who knows more than me will probably be interrogated until he either tells me WTFIGO or at least enough that I am comfortable continuing to travel with him.
Serialized novellas are so annoying when you want to read a good story that actually gets somewhere.
If you like serialization, enjoy this series... If not, then beware! It probably gets better. I hope.
The book was free and the author must have paid facebook a Ton to advertise his stuff all over my feed. I slogged through the morass of madness and mystery to the end, finding myself still unenlightened and annoyed at the world. All the bouncing around in visions and being the Super Special Dude with a mysterious sword thay gets sent on a mission... slightly annoying. And don't get me started on the Magi who hold themselves aloof and barely share information within their own ranks... and how people teach themselves to read the special language... by reading the special language.
I hate it when people don't tell me what is going on and that is why MY mysterious mentor who knows more than me will probably be interrogated until he either tells me WTFIGO or at least enough that I am comfortable continuing to travel with him.
Serialized novellas are so annoying when you want to read a good story that actually gets somewhere.
If you like serialization, enjoy this series... If not, then beware! It probably gets better. I hope.
November 13, 2019
The arrival of the mysterious Magi, along with their near invincible guardians, signals a change. For Jakob, apprentice historian, and son of a priest longing for adventure, it begins an opportunity.
When his home is attacked, Jakob starts a journey that will take him far from home and everything he has ever known. Studying with a new swordmaster, he gains surprising skill, but also strange new abilities that make him fear the madness which has claimed so many has come to him. He must withstand it long enough to finish the dangerous task given to him, one that with his new abilities he may be the only person able to complete.
With a strange darkness rising in the north, and attackers moving in from the south, powers long thought lost begin to return. Some begin to suspect the key to survival is the answer to a lost prophecy, yet only a few remain with the ability to find it.
March 13, 2023
This is a must-read series
I have held off on writing my review until I finished the series - mostly because I didn't want to have to write 8 reviews. Let me tell you that this story will hold you enthralled.
The author has created complex characters that you will quickly care about, and the world you'll travel through will engulf you. The conflict here is as old as time - good vs evil, light vs dark.
A young man has unwittingly been chosen to fight against the darkness, and in this series you'll walk that twisted path with him. I highly recommend that you download this book as quickly as you can, and don't look back!
I have held off on writing my review until I finished the series - mostly because I didn't want to have to write 8 reviews. Let me tell you that this story will hold you enthralled.
The author has created complex characters that you will quickly care about, and the world you'll travel through will engulf you. The conflict here is as old as time - good vs evil, light vs dark.
A young man has unwittingly been chosen to fight against the darkness, and in this series you'll walk that twisted path with him. I highly recommend that you download this book as quickly as you can, and don't look back!
July 28, 2017
I really liked this book. The characters are interesting and easy to like. The storyline is intriguing and has lots of possibilities for the next book. The main character baffles me I like him and I enjoyed reading about him but what happens to him I can't understand is he a God ? there where bits that suggested that he shared conceisness or power with a God. And what about those dreams and the weirdness of his powers ? I can honestly say I have no idea what is going on but I'm happy to read the next book to find out.
November 27, 2019
This is the start to an amazing series. D. K. Holmberg has created a fantastic story with a protagonist that learns and grows in a very believable way, and is filled with colorful and captivating characters. The world created here is involved and complex and always pulls the reader deeper and deeper into the story... wanting to find out what's going to happen next. I've just finished the eighth book in the series and each book simply gets better and better. I would definitely give the whole series two thumbs up.
January 8, 2024
More good stuff by Holmberg. This one did start out rather slow, but soon I was into the story, which at this point centers around Jakob. Jakob was from a priestly family who was on hard times, and who Jakob believed was cursed because of his own lack of belief.
It was certainly easy to feel for Jakob and his plight, but he is also blessed. Readers will understand as they read. This is the start of a trilogy, so there's more story ahead of me than behind and I'm looking forward to it. I have many questions and am eager for them to be answered!
It was certainly easy to feel for Jakob and his plight, but he is also blessed. Readers will understand as they read. This is the start of a trilogy, so there's more story ahead of me than behind and I'm looking forward to it. I have many questions and am eager for them to be answered!
June 22, 2017
GREAT STORY
This book has many secrets and I believe they are deep seeded. The author has a way of weaving in and out about these secrets and he does it very well.
The characters, as you get to know them, are special people. The bad entities are rising into power with little resistance. The main characters (good guys) have to worry about being infiltrated along with all the other issues. Who can they trust?
This book has many secrets and I believe they are deep seeded. The author has a way of weaving in and out about these secrets and he does it very well.
The characters, as you get to know them, are special people. The bad entities are rising into power with little resistance. The main characters (good guys) have to worry about being infiltrated along with all the other issues. Who can they trust?
January 3, 2018
All around a really good book. Awesome characters, what they showed of the magic system was also cool, and the all around story was excellent. I did have a bit of an issue with how secretive the characters were. I could understand and justify most of it, but there were times when it was completely unnecessary and actually made life a lot harder for the characters, for seemingly no purpose. That is my only real complaint.
April 19, 2023
Well now will have to admit that so far this trilogy has started out slow. With Jakob becoming an orphan. mother died a couple of years earlier and his father killed in an attack on the church he ran and his older brother is in an asylum do to contracting some sort of madness all he's got left is the family sword that was his great grand f'ather's handed down through the family. It was suppose to go to his brother. Now he's got to train to use the sword and help destroy an ancient evil.
February 6, 2017
Well thought out world and story.
A great deal of depth to the characters. Alot of detail given in a manner that leaves you with even more questions than you started with. Looking forward to next book. Writing style has matured and deepened from other series, which were quite good too but this series has the potential to surpass them all.
A great deal of depth to the characters. Alot of detail given in a manner that leaves you with even more questions than you started with. Looking forward to next book. Writing style has matured and deepened from other series, which were quite good too but this series has the potential to surpass them all.
April 26, 2018
Nothing was catching my interest. I kept thinking that these magi would end up being the explanation, but apparently not. Apparently there is no explanation to be given according to too many other reviewers.
I shall waste no more time here.
This book goes on my very short ‘Can’t Force Myself to Finish’ shelf!!
I shall waste no more time here.
This book goes on my very short ‘Can’t Force Myself to Finish’ shelf!!
September 3, 2017
In to book #2!
The first book in tbe series is well written, intriguing, ans got me involved right away. I am not a big fan of polytheism, so I am wondering where this is going. This has been one of the better written tales that I have read in a long time.
The first book in tbe series is well written, intriguing, ans got me involved right away. I am not a big fan of polytheism, so I am wondering where this is going. This has been one of the better written tales that I have read in a long time.
September 28, 2018
This book had the same problem as the _Dark Ability_ series, namely the MC does a lot of angsting about stuff and is generally super annoying.
At least, though, I was able to actually finish this book. Not sure if I'll bother with the rest of the series, though.
At least, though, I was able to actually finish this book. Not sure if I'll bother with the rest of the series, though.
May 16, 2018
There is so much going on it kinda hurts my head. Reminds me of trying to be like Game of Thrones by having multiple story lines, but starts off too big too fast and I forget who anyone is. Would not continue series unless i read first book again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 25, 2020
I started to read it out of curiosity and was quickly captured within the world. There are many unknowns and the more I read the more questions I had... still, it was breathtaking and I just couldn't stop... looking forward to next book and hopefully will get some more answers...
April 22, 2021
A fun read
This series is worth reading if your into classic fantasy/coming of age. The world is engaging and the characters are likeable. However, the stories are quite short and some of the plotting and characterisation is a little clumsy.
This series is worth reading if your into classic fantasy/coming of age. The world is engaging and the characters are likeable. However, the stories are quite short and some of the plotting and characterisation is a little clumsy.
June 28, 2017
A lot of world building but worth the wait. The beginning is a little confusing but by the middle of the book, it's understood. Good book overall.
October 9, 2017
I liked all books in the "Lost Prophecy" series.
Interesting characters coupled with a gripping storyline.
Interesting characters coupled with a gripping storyline.
November 30, 2017
Good read.
Was a good read. Slow at times but always picked up. Can’t wait to read more and see where it leads.
Was a good read. Slow at times but always picked up. Can’t wait to read more and see where it leads.
December 17, 2017
Good story
I enjoyed the book. I Will continue to read the story. I returned to the story without interruption. I wanted more story at the end of the book.
I enjoyed the book. I Will continue to read the story. I returned to the story without interruption. I wanted more story at the end of the book.
January 22, 2018
Fairly confusing, with every character keeping secrets from every other character - didn't make the story intriguing, I was just tired of being out of the loop. I liked the main character but am not going to read more in the series. This book might have been great if gone over by an editor for both repetitive information and lots of grammar issues.
May 30, 2018
Love the character building and relationships. Well written and keeps you turning pages well past bed time. Holmberg is one of my new favorites.
February 1, 2019
Love this fantasy
Great characters. Not a fresh plot but new characters and say of telling the classic good verses evil story. Fun read
Great characters. Not a fresh plot but new characters and say of telling the classic good verses evil story. Fun read
November 14, 2019
Loved this book.
Good book good read.
Start to finish was easy to read good character development story line flows easy.
Must read.
Good book good read.
Start to finish was easy to read good character development story line flows easy.
Must read.
November 22, 2019
Loved this book
In fact I have already started the second. Gripping story for fantasy enthusiasts. Looking forward to the rest of the series
In fact I have already started the second. Gripping story for fantasy enthusiasts. Looking forward to the rest of the series
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews