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The World Walker #3
The Seventeenth Year
What if every choice you ever made had the power to reshape reality?★★★★★"One of the best fiction writers I've come across."★★★★★Joni, the daughter of World Walker Seb Varden, has never met her father. And the world he left behind has become a dangerous place for the last generation of Manna users. Mee and John insist Seb will return, but what if they’re wrong?Could it be possible she has none of Seb Varden’s powers? Or might her abilities reveal themselves as she leaves childhood behind? In her seventeenth year, Joni will be forced to leave those she loves, face a great evil, and finally learn the truth about her father.
★★★★★"The best yet!"★★★★★
★★★★★"Original, imaginative, a real gem!"★★★★★
★★★★★"Absolutely excellent writing and story telling."★★★★★
★★★★★"Not just a fantasy book, not just science fiction, but much more."★★★★★
★★★★★"One of those authors whose new books I will look out for and read as soon as I can."★★★★★
★★★★★"The best yet!"★★★★★
★★★★★"Original, imaginative, a real gem!"★★★★★
★★★★★"Absolutely excellent writing and story telling."★★★★★
★★★★★"Not just a fantasy book, not just science fiction, but much more."★★★★★
★★★★★"One of those authors whose new books I will look out for and read as soon as I can."★★★★★
366 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 28, 2017
511 people are currently reading
248 people want to read
About the author
Ian W. Sainsbury
28 books219 followersIan W Sainsbury is a musician, composer, writer, comedian and puppet wrangler (yes, that's a real job). Obviously, he doesn't know what to do when he grows up and - now that he's in his forties - he's resigned to the fact that he probably never will.
His first novel was published in 2016.
Subscribe at http://bit.ly/1VSg2tT for a copy of the unpublished prologue from The World Walker.
email Ian: ianwsainsbury@gmail.com
His first novel was published in 2016.
Subscribe at http://bit.ly/1VSg2tT for a copy of the unpublished prologue from The World Walker.
email Ian: ianwsainsbury@gmail.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews
August 9, 2017
The first book was good, second was ok, but this was utter trash undermining all that was good in books one and two.
Ooh, alien nanotechnology! I better pull out my secret weapon, 9V battery (attached to a tazer)! The author isn't even clear if it's the EMP or the electricity that disrupts the nanotech, so he allowed for both. This book makes no sence, for most of the book I was thinking to myself "Who cares!" when something happened.
My advice, stop reading after second book.
Ooh, alien nanotechnology! I better pull out my secret weapon, 9V battery (attached to a tazer)! The author isn't even clear if it's the EMP or the electricity that disrupts the nanotech, so he allowed for both. This book makes no sence, for most of the book I was thinking to myself "Who cares!" when something happened.
My advice, stop reading after second book.
December 7, 2020
Book 1 - Pretty Good! Engaging characters, nice flow good premise and handy conclusion.
Book 2 - Not bad as a sequel, took care of some loose ends gave us a bittersweet ending.
Book 3 - very little connection with earlier events. See seems to have lost here fire and the daughter Joni seems to have been deprived of any sort of guidance in the 'maybes' of her situation, she's hSeb Vardens daughter, has she inherited his power (does one 'inherit' nano-technology??)? Characters are thrown in with little relevance - possibly to line up later - but there was so much jumping around and 'filler' that I just got bored. Joni could have been a much more well-rounded character with a solid story but she wasn't given the space to breath and so I lost interest. After the decent meals of the first two book, this is a very thin soup.
Book 2 - Not bad as a sequel, took care of some loose ends gave us a bittersweet ending.
Book 3 - very little connection with earlier events. See seems to have lost here fire and the daughter Joni seems to have been deprived of any sort of guidance in the 'maybes' of her situation, she's hSeb Vardens daughter, has she inherited his power (does one 'inherit' nano-technology??)? Characters are thrown in with little relevance - possibly to line up later - but there was so much jumping around and 'filler' that I just got bored. Joni could have been a much more well-rounded character with a solid story but she wasn't given the space to breath and so I lost interest. After the decent meals of the first two book, this is a very thin soup.
June 28, 2017
Disappointing book
Nothing like the first book, and filled with major plot holes and just plain bad writing. I would suggest skipping this book.
Nothing like the first book, and filled with major plot holes and just plain bad writing. I would suggest skipping this book.
December 18, 2017
Fantasy babbling.
Waste of time.
Waste of time.
November 10, 2017
3.5
It took me a long time to get absorbed in this story. It might have been because I've got a lot of new things diverting my attention in real life, but I do feel like I had to work to connect with the new MC. Admittedly, reading about teenagers isn't generally my cuppa even when they are mature, likeable teens. That said the story was ultimately quite good and I'm looking forward to seeing how it all comes together in book 4.
It took me a long time to get absorbed in this story. It might have been because I've got a lot of new things diverting my attention in real life, but I do feel like I had to work to connect with the new MC. Admittedly, reading about teenagers isn't generally my cuppa even when they are mature, likeable teens. That said the story was ultimately quite good and I'm looking forward to seeing how it all comes together in book 4.
January 27, 2018
Another worthy addition to the series, again the authors ruthless streak comes out to make you expect someone you'be become attached to get whacked. Great writing.
November 6, 2017
YA book, It was really good! I loved the simple use of her powers, though I felt the author left a major plot hole / oversite that any gamer will see right away.
Minor spoilers ahead
The main character has the ability to set a save point in her life, so that anytime she's about to die, someone she loves is going to die, or she wants to do a re-do she can reset and live that sequence of time over again.
Maybe she'd just an idiot, but she starts setting save points every 10 min or so because it makes her feel safe, she then can't go back and re-live time further than that. I get that Sainsbury needed to make the book interesting, but "come on" at one point in the book she's able to rewind months. At other times she losses her diary because she can't go back 2 min.
Anyone with a small bit of intelligence would understand that if you know a gunman is going to break through a window in 7 minutes you don't try to shorten that time down to 3 minutes. then if it doesn't work your stuck and you can never go back.
She should Make a save every night before bed, or every morning when she wakes up, and only then, or just save one from when she's 18 and live to be 80 something then go live her life again like "the first fifteen lives of Harry August"
Minor spoilers ahead
The main character has the ability to set a save point in her life, so that anytime she's about to die, someone she loves is going to die, or she wants to do a re-do she can reset and live that sequence of time over again.
Maybe she'd just an idiot, but she starts setting save points every 10 min or so because it makes her feel safe, she then can't go back and re-live time further than that. I get that Sainsbury needed to make the book interesting, but "come on" at one point in the book she's able to rewind months. At other times she losses her diary because she can't go back 2 min.
Anyone with a small bit of intelligence would understand that if you know a gunman is going to break through a window in 7 minutes you don't try to shorten that time down to 3 minutes. then if it doesn't work your stuck and you can never go back.
She should Make a save every night before bed, or every morning when she wakes up, and only then, or just save one from when she's 18 and live to be 80 something then go live her life again like "the first fifteen lives of Harry August"
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 26, 2017
May contain spoilers
Although I'm relatively new to fantasy I have thoughoutly enjoyed reading Ian SAinsburys books so far I'm about to start on the fourth and final.
The first book had me hook line and sinker and although I amit I was slightly confused in the second about all the physics involved I still found the second to be fascinating and thrilling.
The third book I was waiting waiting waiting to see if Seb came home to rescue his daughter! Much to my delight he did as I love a happy ending!
I would have liked Joni to develop a little bit more skill in her manna-like gift but I wasn't disappointed overall. The books followed a fairly logical but unpredictable order and the writer respects your intelligence and doesn't waste time repeating what we already know which I love, and have found often with other fantasy books, sometimes writer's, I feel, make the mistake of becoming repetitive in an attempt to keep us up-to-date which is boring and somewhat insulting.
Any constructive criticism? I can't think of any. Not the most engaging book of the series but the fact I can't wait to find out where the hell Seb has been while Mee's been an effective single parent says a lot about how overall enthralling the series has been!
Off to see what battles Seb's been fighting...
Although I'm relatively new to fantasy I have thoughoutly enjoyed reading Ian SAinsburys books so far I'm about to start on the fourth and final.
The first book had me hook line and sinker and although I amit I was slightly confused in the second about all the physics involved I still found the second to be fascinating and thrilling.
The third book I was waiting waiting waiting to see if Seb came home to rescue his daughter! Much to my delight he did as I love a happy ending!
I would have liked Joni to develop a little bit more skill in her manna-like gift but I wasn't disappointed overall. The books followed a fairly logical but unpredictable order and the writer respects your intelligence and doesn't waste time repeating what we already know which I love, and have found often with other fantasy books, sometimes writer's, I feel, make the mistake of becoming repetitive in an attempt to keep us up-to-date which is boring and somewhat insulting.
Any constructive criticism? I can't think of any. Not the most engaging book of the series but the fact I can't wait to find out where the hell Seb has been while Mee's been an effective single parent says a lot about how overall enthralling the series has been!
Off to see what battles Seb's been fighting...
December 4, 2022
Gripping and full of excitement!
I really enjoyed this third book of the World Walker series. Like the first and second books, this one is full of drama, strange things that keep happening, and excitement, as good and bad clash with each other.
I think that the author picked a really good backdrop in a place with no internet, no computers, or mobile phones, basically nothing connected electronically to the mainland, as the main area of safety for the main characters. Yet still there is danger lurking around every corner.
I love the idea of manna: a special 'power' that some of the population have the ability to use.
It's an exciting idea for sure, and how the author arranged the story is brilliant, because if only a few of the population had superpowers in real life, then you better believe they would be persecuted by the authorities who would feel threatened by it. Manna users would be prosecuted, just as the author described.
I loved this story because it's written in such a way, that it makes you wonder which way things would go on our real world.
I am off to buy the last book in the series because I have to know where the main character of the three books, has been for 16 years!
Enjoy your reading of this fun book!
I really enjoyed this third book of the World Walker series. Like the first and second books, this one is full of drama, strange things that keep happening, and excitement, as good and bad clash with each other.
I think that the author picked a really good backdrop in a place with no internet, no computers, or mobile phones, basically nothing connected electronically to the mainland, as the main area of safety for the main characters. Yet still there is danger lurking around every corner.
I love the idea of manna: a special 'power' that some of the population have the ability to use.
It's an exciting idea for sure, and how the author arranged the story is brilliant, because if only a few of the population had superpowers in real life, then you better believe they would be persecuted by the authorities who would feel threatened by it. Manna users would be prosecuted, just as the author described.
I loved this story because it's written in such a way, that it makes you wonder which way things would go on our real world.
I am off to buy the last book in the series because I have to know where the main character of the three books, has been for 16 years!
Enjoy your reading of this fun book!
September 4, 2018
So it took me a while to get into this book and I was thinking I wasn't going to be giving 5 stars, that this was more of a teen coming of age novel.
I couldn't put the book down once I was a third of the way through. (SPOILER ALERT) Yes Seb isn't around, yes manna doesn't play a big part, .but once again Sainsbury has you engaged with the characters, in this case mainly Joni and you follow her story watching her wondering at times helpless wondering what the hell is going to happen, because Sainsbury is not a "super hero swoops in to save the day guy", cringing at each page page turn worrying for each character knowing any one of them might die!
Having said that Sainsbury can't resist a good wrapper and he gives one at the ending of The Seventeenth Year, nearly wrapping everything up in a satisfying way.
A good read and you are left once more excited and also apprehensive, wondering where is the next book going to take us?!
I couldn't put the book down once I was a third of the way through. (SPOILER ALERT) Yes Seb isn't around, yes manna doesn't play a big part, .but once again Sainsbury has you engaged with the characters, in this case mainly Joni and you follow her story watching her wondering at times helpless wondering what the hell is going to happen, because Sainsbury is not a "super hero swoops in to save the day guy", cringing at each page page turn worrying for each character knowing any one of them might die!
Having said that Sainsbury can't resist a good wrapper and he gives one at the ending of The Seventeenth Year, nearly wrapping everything up in a satisfying way.
A good read and you are left once more excited and also apprehensive, wondering where is the next book going to take us?!
July 15, 2017
Best of Mr. Sainsbury
In book two I wrote a review that despite a good rating had a few criticisms. Namely the pacing of the book itself and how over powered Seb had become. There wasn't a whole lot of organic growth that let the reader experience the changes Seb was going through as he did. It was just a story of a normal guy getting powers from an alien to being superman who has a new power with each crisis. It was a good book but it could have been much better.
Enter book 3. It doesn't go into Seb much, but don't let that discouraged you from picking this up. This represents Mr. Sainsburys best technical work to date. Full of rich experiences and well written characters at a pace of development that I wish he had wrote book two.
Pick it up. You won't regret it.
In book two I wrote a review that despite a good rating had a few criticisms. Namely the pacing of the book itself and how over powered Seb had become. There wasn't a whole lot of organic growth that let the reader experience the changes Seb was going through as he did. It was just a story of a normal guy getting powers from an alien to being superman who has a new power with each crisis. It was a good book but it could have been much better.
Enter book 3. It doesn't go into Seb much, but don't let that discouraged you from picking this up. This represents Mr. Sainsburys best technical work to date. Full of rich experiences and well written characters at a pace of development that I wish he had wrote book two.
Pick it up. You won't regret it.
June 28, 2019
All of the good of the first two books in the series, and none of the bad.
Since nano-technology is not a significant plot driver in this book, the inconsistencies of the first two books are out of the lime-light. Joni is a well thought-out character, whose immaturity, fortunately for the reader, is short-lived. Joni's ability is nicely developed and reasonably practiced by her. The romance was kind of hit-and-miss, but reasonable to the story development.
The arch-villain gives Mason a run for his money as the most baddest guy. Adam is wonderfully cruel and evil. A true megalomaniac. It was so fun to hate him, he
Since nano-technology is not a significant plot driver in this book, the inconsistencies of the first two books are out of the lime-light. Joni is a well thought-out character, whose immaturity, fortunately for the reader, is short-lived. Joni's ability is nicely developed and reasonably practiced by her. The romance was kind of hit-and-miss, but reasonable to the story development.
The arch-villain gives Mason a run for his money as the most baddest guy. Adam is wonderfully cruel and evil. A true megalomaniac. It was so fun to hate him, he
December 18, 2025
Having read the two previous volumes in The World Walker series and having given both of them five star ratings, I was eager to begin this third volume, especially as it had the highest Goodreads rating of the three. I was immediately disappointed that the protagonist of the first two books was a no-show in this volume, but read on based on my interest in the two previous volumes. The more I read, the more this volume started feeling like Young Adult SF with the NEW protagonist being his adolescent daughter with a strange "new" mental power. While I don't dislike YA SF per se, they tend to be more simplistic and aimed at a younger audience than what might be called "real" SF. As such, I am disappointed at the path that the author has taken with this installment of the series.
May 20, 2017
Wow! Didn't see that coming.
My previous review stated this was a trilogy, I stand corrected, it is a continuing series.
Part three of this series has so many differences to the first two books that it almost stood alone, the saving grace was that you could not discount the otherworldly 'gift' factor.
Once again the author managed to juggle mortal danger versus extraordinary powers in a realistic setting and a believable plot.
I am thoroughly enjoying this series and I'm looking forward to the next exciting instalment.
My previous review stated this was a trilogy, I stand corrected, it is a continuing series.
Part three of this series has so many differences to the first two books that it almost stood alone, the saving grace was that you could not discount the otherworldly 'gift' factor.
Once again the author managed to juggle mortal danger versus extraordinary powers in a realistic setting and a believable plot.
I am thoroughly enjoying this series and I'm looking forward to the next exciting instalment.
May 21, 2021
Great follow up
These books are something else and the story very original. In the first two books we mainly followed Seb and his adventures after beeing rescued by an alien but in this one it focused on his daughter growing up, getting a strange power and a mad and twisted hitman with the idea he have to sacrifice her to please his dark god, Seb is back in the history again in the last part and of course we get a cliffhanger you need to read the forth and last book to get answeres to where he he has been for 17 years and what the future brings for this strange family
These books are something else and the story very original. In the first two books we mainly followed Seb and his adventures after beeing rescued by an alien but in this one it focused on his daughter growing up, getting a strange power and a mad and twisted hitman with the idea he have to sacrifice her to please his dark god, Seb is back in the history again in the last part and of course we get a cliffhanger you need to read the forth and last book to get answeres to where he he has been for 17 years and what the future brings for this strange family
June 27, 2023
Did the same person write this one??
Seeing that I REALLY enjoyed the first two books, it was a huge let down reading this third one. It didn’t even feel like the same author and only barely tied into the previous books. Why he came up with this random ass Adam and then based most of the book around him wanting to kill Seb’s daughter is unreal. Instead of further exploring Seb, his power, the aliens, we got a completely uninteresting and barely related story. I’m so disappointed.
Seeing that I REALLY enjoyed the first two books, it was a huge let down reading this third one. It didn’t even feel like the same author and only barely tied into the previous books. Why he came up with this random ass Adam and then based most of the book around him wanting to kill Seb’s daughter is unreal. Instead of further exploring Seb, his power, the aliens, we got a completely uninteresting and barely related story. I’m so disappointed.
June 17, 2017
Loving it
Fast read. I would advise starting with part 1 of the series. It just refreshing to read an total new concept. I just love to be surprised by what's next. I really loved the effort that is put in characters, even though they might not makeit tothe next chapter. The villain has a central role and you get to know him well. Can't wait for the next and absolutely +1 for a novel on Sym! Would be nice to read his journey. Will he get the chance to develop even further??
Fast read. I would advise starting with part 1 of the series. It just refreshing to read an total new concept. I just love to be surprised by what's next. I really loved the effort that is put in characters, even though they might not makeit tothe next chapter. The villain has a central role and you get to know him well. Can't wait for the next and absolutely +1 for a novel on Sym! Would be nice to read his journey. Will he get the chance to develop even further??
August 2, 2017
Both the 'World Walker'-series and its author Ian Sainsbury are getting better by the book.
Very much recommended.
Book 4 - here I come!
Very much recommended.
Book 4 - here I come!
September 21, 2017
Couldn't put it down
So, book 3 in the series had me hooked throughout and completed the read in 2 days despite having to continue with the general activities of daily living! Total escapism and sci fi adventure. Thoroughly enjoyed both the story and the style of writing. Loved the characters and now about to fling money to purchase book 4! Apologies to my family as I will be practising my Seb Varden coma stare until book completed!
So, book 3 in the series had me hooked throughout and completed the read in 2 days despite having to continue with the general activities of daily living! Total escapism and sci fi adventure. Thoroughly enjoyed both the story and the style of writing. Loved the characters and now about to fling money to purchase book 4! Apologies to my family as I will be practising my Seb Varden coma stare until book completed!
June 14, 2020
I dithered between 3 & 4 stars for this one. I really liked it and wasn't terribly disappointed that it was such a skip ahead in time. I liked that the main character was a teenage girl, but it didn't get all angsty nor did I find myself annoyed by her stupidity (because she isn't stupid, annoying nor angsty, lol). It only took me awhile to finish due to life getting in the way of my reading time.
August 29, 2021
I have a huge problem with multiverse based stories - since all we are seeing is one path through an infinite number, anything that happens isn't happening on an alternate path, every success is a failure on another path, every hero a coward and every villain a hero. The whole thing becomes totally pointless (somewhere I am giving this five stars and saying it is the best thing I have ever read....)
May 7, 2017
Just keeps getting better!
I love the fact that this book was mostly about Seb's daughter and the journey she had to make to adulthood. Was great seeing him again taking an active part continuing to protect Seb's Family. I can't wait to read the next book in the series and I look forward to many more.
I love the fact that this book was mostly about Seb's daughter and the journey she had to make to adulthood. Was great seeing him again taking an active part continuing to protect Seb's Family. I can't wait to read the next book in the series and I look forward to many more.
May 9, 2017
I enjoyed this book
Spoiler warning:
***The first half of the book I was wondering when the MC was going to make an appearance and was a bit annoyed and then I got sucked into it and didn't really notice how much I was enjoying the book. The story was fun and added to the depth of the characters and the ongoing plot. I'm looking forwarded to the next installment.
Spoiler warning:
***The first half of the book I was wondering when the MC was going to make an appearance and was a bit annoyed and then I got sucked into it and didn't really notice how much I was enjoying the book. The story was fun and added to the depth of the characters and the ongoing plot. I'm looking forwarded to the next installment.
July 17, 2017
Brilliant
I enjoyed this book thoroughly. There are a few typos that need sorting out (Sym was typed as Sam at one point) but those aside the relationships between the characters are really very good. And the story had me turning the pages to find out what happened next. I must admit to preferring mason as the villan to adam i just thought mason was more involved.
I enjoyed this book thoroughly. There are a few typos that need sorting out (Sym was typed as Sam at one point) but those aside the relationships between the characters are really very good. And the story had me turning the pages to find out what happened next. I must admit to preferring mason as the villan to adam i just thought mason was more involved.
October 27, 2017
The book got a bit long - I was able to barely skim a few chapters without losing the thread of the story, but overall it was quite good. My only complaint about Sainsbury's writing is his tendency to see the world in black and white. The good guys are too good, too pure. The bad guys lack any redeeming qualities. That one dimensionality makes them difficult to relate to.
July 26, 2020
Wow! This book is more than I had expected.
The third novel is different. It starts out nearly 17 years after Seb left on his journey into other worlds. Then the author leaves him on the outside edges of the story.
I won't spoil the book, but the story builds by itself, only mentioning him as a missing piece of the puzzle.
Have fun reading this one.
The third novel is different. It starts out nearly 17 years after Seb left on his journey into other worlds. Then the author leaves him on the outside edges of the story.
I won't spoil the book, but the story builds by itself, only mentioning him as a missing piece of the puzzle.
Have fun reading this one.
October 29, 2022
Phenomenal
I really enjoyed reading this book. Ian's character development is all on, as it was in the first two books. No words waisted on unnecessary characteristics. He kept me guessing as to what would happen next. The plot flows smoothly, with some unexpected twists. And the ending answered ma y questions asked a!omg the way.
I really enjoyed reading this book. Ian's character development is all on, as it was in the first two books. No words waisted on unnecessary characteristics. He kept me guessing as to what would happen next. The plot flows smoothly, with some unexpected twists. And the ending answered ma y questions asked a!omg the way.
January 16, 2023
I liked the series, I really did, its very engaging and well written, but if you read all the hype around this author you'll see this touted as his best ever series. Now of course, taste is subjective but I loved the half hero series so much more. I am looking forward to delving in to more works from the author, he's very talented!
September 4, 2024
Didn’t really get into the direction the story took. I really enjoyed the first book, but this one spent an inordinate amount of time on Joni and every little thing about her that I just got seriously bored. Forced myself to finish it though, but not going to keep beating my head against the wall with the next one.
May 11, 2017
Can't wait for book 4!!!
I have just gobbled up these books! I can't wait for my son to find some time to read these books. Thank you Ian, these of been some of the most enjoyable books I have read in a while!
I have just gobbled up these books! I can't wait for my son to find some time to read these books. Thank you Ian, these of been some of the most enjoyable books I have read in a while!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews