Ahren

Der 13. Paladin #1

by Torsten Weitze

Von seinem trunksüchtigen Vater verprügelt und von der Dorfjugend schikaniert, kann der heranwachsende Ahren sein Glück kaum fassen, als er bei der alljährlichen Eignungsprüfung von Falk dem Waldläufer als Lehrling auserwählt wird.
Bei ihm lernt er das Bogenschießen und den Kampf gegen Dunkelwesen, bis am Tag der Frühlingszeremonie etwas Unerwartetes geschieht: Als Ahren den Götterstein berührt, beginnt dieser zum ersten Mal überhaupt zu leuchten. Kurze Zeit später taucht ein mürrischer Magier auf und treibt Falk und Ahren zur Eile an, denn etwas Böses ist dabei, zu erwachen.
Gemeinsam mit seinen ungleichen Gefährten begibt sich der junge Waldläufer auf eine gefahrvolle Reise zum Immergrün, dem Reich der Elfen, um deren Hilfe zu erbitten. Doch die Zeit ist knapp, denn ER, DER ZWINGT hat es auf Ahren abgesehen und ER setzt alles daran, ihn zu vernichten.

Lassen Sie sich mit Der 13. Paladin: Ahren (Band I) in die fantastische Welt Joraths entführen. Für alle Fans von J. R. R. Tolkiens Der Herr der Ringe und David Eddings Belgariad-Saga.

Genres: Fantasy, Audiobook, Young Adult, Fiction, High Fantasy, Magic, Adventure

433 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 19, 2017

About the author

I was born in Krefeld, Germany in 1976 and still live there under the caring eyes of my wife and two Norwegian Forest cats. Originally a publishing salesman, I couldn't resist the lure of writing, and after over a dozen years of playing the gamemaster in pen-and-paper groups, not to mention reading hundreds of fantasy novels, I decided to finally try to write a story myself that I thought might be worth telling. And so my novel Ahren was published in Germany, the first in the best-selling series The 13th Paladin.

When I am not creating new worlds and stories, I like to relax by playing pen-and-paper and story rich video games, reading or binging on TV series. I also practise Jiu Jitsu and the art of handling ancient Japanese weapons like the Katana or the Bo Staff.

Reviews

[feafeny · Rating 2 out of 5]

INTRODUCING: THE BOOK GIRL! full size

Anyway, lets GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tell me, does this remind you of anything?

Ahren can hardly believe his luck. His normal life consists of being beaten up by his drunkard father or bullied by the village lads. But at the annual suitability tests for apprenticeships, the young boy finds himself selected by Falk, the guardian of the forest, to be his apprentice and his world is turned upside down.

[Every fantasy ever?]

With Ahren: The 13th Paladin, Torsten Weitze seeks to answer the age-old question: How generic can a high fantasy novel be? One week ago, I would have said it's impossible to be more derivative than Eragon. I was naïve and wrong. Ahren […] is borderline satire, with every high fantasy trope in existence intact. A story, like a computer program would've written it. Ahren's father is a raging loser-alcoholic and his mother died in childbirth. Guess whom his father is blaming for her death. His name starts with A and ends with Hren. Ahren tames a wolf. Do you think it's extraordinarily big and clever? Obviously, duh. There are also dwarves and elves in this novel and behave and look like Lord of the Rings-creatures. I think Ahren: The 13th Paladin might be an elaborate joke.

Second biggest offence is the god-awful pacing and a 350-page novel with no substance or content. The plot has no villain. The main antagonist Ahren has to face and fight is a featherless crow. The book ends without any resolution because there was nothing to resolve. Not even a cliff-hanger or a dun-dun-dun ending, just a pathetic nothingness after a vague "Let's go to X in the next book maybe". This is not how you hook an audience.

I don't always agree with the Goodreads-Community and that's fine, but people who are rating Ahren: The 13th Paladin five stars are clearly paid off or friends with the author. This book has not a single shred of originality. It's obvious nerd-bait from page one and the plot has nothing resembling a dramatic curve: The entire book is exposition, nothing else. Also, Torsten Weitze clearly doesn't understand what an epilogue is and how to use it. An epilogue is not "just another chapter". What the f-

Do not read this.

[Royal · Rating 1 out of 5]

A multitude of niggling problems
DNF @80%
It's not very often that I find a book on the precipice of being a good popcorn fantasy. Books usually either annoy me early one with one or two massive flaws or I'm able to ignore it's small faults and enjoy the experience. Ahren doesn't fall into either category and instead wore me down through a multitude of annoying little faults (hence why I made it so far in).

Just to make something clear, the second half of the book is where most of the problems began cropping up.

Information Dumping
If you wanted a spoiler free summary of the second half of this book here it is: Falk and Ahren go sight-seeing. They go from place to place and our oblivious protagonist is enlightened by paragraphs upon paragraphs of lore. It honestly felt like Mr. Weitze had sat me down and then started lecturing me about his "grand" fantasy setting. I wanted to read a story not a fantasy history textbook.

Worthless Protagonist
I really don't like it when author's cop-out and write a generic main character so that the readers can self-insert themselves. I get that a complex character is hard to easily relate to but starting with a clean slate isn't the right answer as an author. If Ahren was bread, he'd be white bread. There's just nothing memorable about his character and thus no special reason for him to be "chosen". He is led by the nose from scene to scene and nothing he actually does impacts the plot at all! In fact, he does nothing to be worthy of Falk's attention and was simply chosen because his mentor felt was sorry for him. I'm guessing that he gets more agency later on, but if I can't see a spark of that in the first book then I'm not going to slog through the others just to get to it. That's on the author.

Poor Prose and Grammar
Let's begin with the writing. It's not terrible, it's not good, it's just ordinary bad and it makes sense that this is a translation. There are misspelled or missing words, punctuation (full stops and speech marks primarily) that are missing as well and a scattering of sentences that just don't make sense.

Overall it does have good characters with more personality than most of the fantasy fare these days and events are paced at an interesting and fast pace. However, after reading through 80% of the book and finding no reprieve from the above problems, I can't help but slam this book closed.

[Mark S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tantalizing story

I couldn't put this book down. It's beautifully written and has a realism to it. The description of the places, the struggles and risks that the characters take don't just seem like a fairytale. It's not a fast pace, high action book, but it's not slow either.

I love that it's a clean book (no sensual scenes), and it still grasps your attention. I gave it 4 stars because their are a few translation issues (minor grammar issues) and the paragraphs are long. Yet, these things don't distract from the story.

Well worth the read. I'm on to book 2.

[Bine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gute Fantasy-Geschichte mit spannenden Ideen und Charakteren, die man schnell ins Herz schließt. Vor allen Dingen die verschiedenen Wesen des Waldes konnten mir Vergnügen bereiten. Ich habe mich immer darüber gefreut, ein neues kennenzulernen. An sich haben wir hier das bekannte Personal von Magiern, Waldläufern, Elfen und Zwergen, und doch hatte ich nicht das Gefühl etwas zu hören, was ich so schon kannte. Ich mochte es außerdem, dass die Geschichte sich Zeit genommen hat und nicht sofort zur großen Action geprescht ist - dabei hat sie es auch noch geschafft, nicht langweilig zu sein. Ich bin gespannt, ob sich das über die vielen Teile, die diese Reihe hat, fortsetzen wird. Etwas traurig macht mich, dass ich immer mal wieder das Gefühl hatte, ein weiterer Lektoratsdurchlauf wäre nötig gewesen. Zu Orthografie kann ich nichts sagen, da ich das Hörbuch gehört habe, aber mir sind einige Wortwiederholungen, Füllwörter und unnötig komplizierte Satzkonstruktionen aufgefallen. Außerdem: Wenn etwas Epilog heißt, sollte es auch ein Epilog sein und nicht einfach ein letztes Kapitel. Aber auch hier bin ich gespannt, ob sich das in den kommenden Teilen verbessert. Auf die bin ich in jedem Fall gespannt!

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Ahren," the 1st book of Torsten Weitze's "13th Paladin" series, is a captivating entry into the world of epic fantasy, brought to life through the compelling narration of Gildart Jackson. This audiobook, published in 2020, quickly establishes itself as a commendable blend of traditional fantasy elements with a fresh narrative perspective.

At its core, "Ahren" is a coming-of-age story set in a richly imagined world where magic and myth intertwine with the harsh realities of human life. The protagonist, Ahren, begins his journey from a bleak existence marked by the cruelty of his alcoholic father and the scorn of his peers. His life takes an unexpected turn when he is chosen by Falk, the guardian of the forest, as an apprentice. This selection is not just a change of fate but a plunge into a life filled with archery, combat against the Dark Ones, and the discovery of his own latent powers.

Weitze's storytelling is particularly strong in character development. Ahren's evolution from a downtrodden boy to someone wrestling with newfound responsibilities and the complexities of heroism is both poignant and relatable. His mentor, Falk, is not the typical omniscient guide but is painted with his own set of flaws, adding depth to their relationship. The addition of a cantankerous wizard further enriches this trio, offering both comic relief and critical insights into the world they inhabit.

The narrative is structured around several key events, including the dramatic moment at the Spring Ceremony where Ahren's touch illuminates the Stone of the Gods, marking him as someone extraordinary. This event sets the stage for a perilous journey to the elfish kingdom of Evergreen, driven by the urgency to combat an awakening evil. The world-building here is exquisite, with Weitze painting vivid landscapes and cultures that feel both otherworldly and intimately human.

Gildart Jackson's narration deserves special mention. His voice brings a dynamic range to the story, from the youthful enthusiasm of Ahren to the gruff wisdom of Falk. Jackson's ability to convey emotion through tone and pacing enhances the storytelling, making the audiobook a particularly immersive experience. His performance adds layers to characters, making the listener feel connected to their struggles and triumphs.

The plot weaves together elements of adventure, friendship, and the classic battle between good and evil. However, what sets "Ahren" apart is its exploration of moral ambiguity and the personal growth of its characters amidst these larger-than-life events.

Overall, "Ahren" is not just a story about a boy becoming a hero; it's a tale about understanding one's place in a complex world, the weight of destiny, and the power of choice. It's a commendable start to a series that promises even more depth and excitement in subsequent books.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a random suggestion by Kindle. I needed something to read and thought "Why not?"
I am so glad I did. I had initially grabbed it, then read something else before starting it.. what a mistake, I could have read this even sooner!
The storyline grabbed me and reeled me in from the first pages. It then held on tight, not letting go for a moment.
This is one of those books I struggled with, and by struggle I mean I fought to keep my eyes open far past my normal bedtime because I did not want to stop reading.
The characters are all well developed, the world itself is interesting and unique.
Everything about this book is engaging, and I could not download the second book fast enough.
It's a teen coming of age story, but not like what you normally see.. it is certainly not, to me, aimed at kids, although I think many might enjoy it.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable read!

[Awen Eibner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ahrens Leben scheint verpfuscht, ehe er bei der Lehrlingsprüfung vom Waldläufer Falk aufgenommen wird. Es scheint, als ob es ab jetzt nur noch bergauf gehen würde, als er einen verbannten Gott weckt – und prompt in einem Konflikt steckt, der vor siebenhundert Jahren pausiert wurde.

Mal wieder gräme ich mich, denn die orthographischen Fehler sind eindeutig zu viele, um sie nicht in die Wertung miteinzubeziehen. Kommata, Groß-/Kleinschreibung, Genitivbildung von Namen wie „Likis“, Satzzeichen, Platzzeichen – ein Korrektor wäre hier dringend nötig gewesen.

Schade nur, dass keiner hinzugezogen wurde, denn ansonsten hat „Ahren“ viel zu bieten. Der Schreibstil weist eine Tendenz zu längeren Sätzen auf, reißt mit seinen Gefühlsbeschreibungen nicht nur in einen Lesefluss, sondern den Leser vollends mit, die Umgebungsbeschreibungen zaubern mit wundersamer Regelmäßigkeit Bilder und Atmosphäre in den eigenen Kopf und die Handlungen werden bis auf wenige Ausnahmen flüssig beschrieben. Es gibt genau einen Satz GEBRÜLLE und einzelne Stilblüten oder schlecht gewählte Wörter, ansonsten kann ich mich nicht beschweren.

Die Handlung ist nicht besonders vorhersehbar, da auch Ahren nicht weiß, wohin es gehen soll und wieso, und es gibt mehrere größere Überraschungen. Dennoch lassen sich einzelne Szenen ein paar Zeilen zuvor erschreckend genau vorhersagen. Es gibt überdies ein paar Ungereimtheiten, denen aber positive Aspekte wie die sehr glaubhaft geschilderte Ausbildung Ahrens gegenüberstehen.

Die Charaktere sind gut durchdacht, vielschichtig und ich hatte keine Probleme damit, mit ihnen mitzufiebern. Im weiteren Verlauf der Reihe würde ich mir wünschen, dass mehr auf Selsena und den, der zwingt eingegangen wird, da gerade bei den beiden noch einiges herausgeholt werden könnte, aber auch sie sind keineswegs abschreckende Beispiele einer Figurenzeichnung.

Die Elfen wirken besonders uninspiriert, aber auch bei ihnen gibt es einige Variationen und die Hintergründe sind mir so noch nie untergekommen – ich hoffe, dass sich dasselbe nach Band zwei über die Zwerge wird sagen lassen, denn bisher wurden hier kaum Wagnisse eingegangen. Die nicht unbedingt gut verborgenen Moralen der Geschichte sind alles andere als schädlich und meinetwegen könnte Torsten Weitze gerne noch etwas mehr in die Philosophien hinter diesen eintauchen.

Zusammenfassend ist „Ahren“ ein hervorragendes Beispiel dafür, dass man auch aus einem altbekannten Stoff etwas Schönes und Eigenes schaffen kann, denn viele der Elemente sind keineswegs neu, sondern wurden teilweise so oft ge- und missbraucht, dass sie sonst leicht auf der Liste mit den Kritikpunkten landen. Torsten Weitze versteht es, seine eigene Geschichte aus ihnen zu spinnen, diese mit interessanten Charakteren und einem angenehmen Schreibstil auszustatten und sich so wenige Schlamperein zu leisten, dass es mir geradezu leidtut, einen Stern aufgrund der Orthographie abziehen zu müssen.
Daher mein Fazit: Die Geschichte ist es allemal wert, gelesen zu werden. Das nächste Mal aber bitte, bitte, bitte mit Korrektorat, damit ich die verdiente Zahl an Sternen vergeben kann.

Eine ausführlichere Rezension folgt auf meinem Blog: https://www.aweneibner.at

[KayDee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ahren is a very like able character. It’s an enjoyable story building of Ahren’s character. His companions are memorable. I like the wizard the most and he is nothing like what I anticipated.

I enjoy Wietze perspective of the Elves which is a change from many previous books I have read. I love the green sea, the pillars and all the dangers that come with it. It’s a fresh world building which bring me to my conflict on this book…

The beginning of the story line is very similar to The Ranger Apprentice by John Flanagan, very similar. The parallels between this story and Lord of the Rings is evident as well. I feel this story is 1/3 John Flanagan, 1/3 J.R. Tolkien and 1/3 Torsten Wietze. Which is sad because on his own he can come up with some great world building.

I wish I had a pet wolf!

[Fred Tyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and will continue this series. It wasn't a top 5, like the last one I read. Yet, it was still a very enjoyable read. We don't want bad things to happen to the good characters, but when it does it builds a sense of comradery between the reader and the characters involved (as long as they survive). I still feel close to the characters, but they feel a little bit like super heroes, too. In any case, it isn't a bad read. I am distracted at the moment as I want to continue the series, but have a rule that I have to leave a review for a book after reading it.

[Sugarpop · Rating 2 out of 5]

Es fühlt sich die ganze Teit an, als müsste etwas kommen, aber es kommt nie was und dann ist das Buch zu Ende. Wie ein Tutorial in einem Fantasygame. Man merkt richtig, dass das Ganze als Anfang einer Reihe geschrieben wurde, weil ohne Folgebände lässt sich das nicht lesen. Die Geschichte ist auch sehr oberflächlich und klappert hauptsächlich eine Checkliste ab, ohne die Charaktere tiefgehender zu entwickeln.

Witzig finde ich vor allem, dass der Hauptcharakter einen Wolf zähmt und der Wolf am ende die Lösung zu jedem Problem ist.

[Kris Ivy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Apprentice

I love apprentice books and this one doesn't disappoint. It actually takes it to another level when adding a big bad and quest. Can't go wrong with a quest.

[Jesper Schmidt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ahren, The 13th Paladin by Torsten Weitze is an epic fantasy novel that tells the story of a young man named Ahren, who discovers that he is the chosen one and must become a paladin to fight against evil forces. The book is set in a richly imagined world full of magic and fantastical creatures.

One of the biggest flaws of the book is that the story feels like a video game, with Ahren leveling up in a very predictable and uninteresting way. Each time he gains a new ability, it feels like a checkbox that needs to be ticked off before he can move on to the next level. There's no sense of true growth or struggle, and the process becomes monotonous after a while.

Additionally, the pacing of the book can be slow, and some of the plot twists are predictable, making the story feel formulaic at times. The world-building, while imaginative, can also be overwhelming, with an excessive amount of exposition that slows down the narrative. Some readers may find themselves skimming through these sections to get back to the action.

Despite these flaws, the book still has some enjoyable moments, particularly in its action scenes. The author does an excellent job of creating a likable protagonist in Ahren, and the supporting characters are well-drawn and add depth to the story. However, there are too many instances where the book falls into tropes that are all too familiar to fans of the fantasy genre.

Overall, while Ahren has its merits, it falls short of being a truly memorable work of fantasy fiction. I would give it a three out of five stars.

[Haylie Yeats · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know when a book just hits the spot and comes into your life right when you needed it? That was this book for me. I think I loved it more because I crossed paths with it at just the right time. The characters and the world really grew on me throughout and I’m now quite attached and can’t wait to read more. A great start to a big epic fantasy quest.

If you like your fantasy to be a bit more romantasy and YA-ish then this might not be for you. It’s definitely more high fantasy but with a warmth to it that resonated with me throughout.

[George Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first foray into a lengthy series,
I'm excited to see what the next entries hold

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though the book follows the typical tropes alot of these fantasy books do, Oddball boy has bad life, shows there's more to him than his weak outer frame, wise old man takes him in and teaches him and he is discovered to be part of a prophecy.

Though personally it threw enough curves that made it refreshing. I first thought he would be a boy ousted from the village but the villagers for the most part are friendly towards him. The typical brute of a bully I expected some revenge arc but the bully eventually apologises and befriends Ahren.

The priest of the village that I initially thought would be a zealot and tyrant, was actually genuinely kind and fostered a kind community.

The characters interact well and more than once I found myself chuckling at some of the humorous moments.

The fact that there's no overarching villain at first, and with many more books left, I initially think that it's simply a book that's fostering the main characters origins and training.

Where I think it's harsh giving this 1 or 2 stars like some have, as I don't think it's in that ball park, at most I'd say it's a good 3 and a half stars at LEAST.

It was enjoyable, and just different enough to keep me going to the next.

[Jan Mc · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of a long series of sword and sorcery fantasies following a young boy with hidden talents and powerful friends. The audiobook was narrated excellently by Gildart Jackson. Nothing groundbreaking, but a pleasant story. One must continue the series after a rather abrupt ending, but I knew that going in.

Similar:
The Wolf of the North by Duncan M. Hamilton
Sword in the Storm by David Gemmell
The Ruins of Gorlan by John Flanagan (Ranger's Apprentice series)

[Laurenz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Die Geschichte war für mich sehr fesselnd, weshalb ich dieses Buch nun auch schon so relativ schnell gelesen habe. Vor allem sieht man bei den Charakteren eine schöne Charakter Entwicklung.
Man hatte an keinem Punkt das Gefühl, dass es zu langatmig war oder dergleichen.
Durch die sehr plastischen Worte und Beschreibungen habe ich mich immer wieder in den Orten wiedergefunden, die gerade erzählt wurden.
Wer lange Buchreihen mag, ist hier sicherlich gut aufgehoben. Habe direkt nach dem beenden dieses Buches den zweiten Teil angefangen.

[Kylie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would best describe this as a cosy fantasy story, and it was refreshing.
*No over the top complex storylines
* No smut (let alone over the top unrealistic crap to sell a book)

im not sure if this is a YA book but I would very much let my son read this.

[Justine Tinúviël · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mir gefällt besonders, dass der Fokus auf den Beziehungen und Gefühlen liegt. Fesselnde Geschichte, ich kann nicht aufhören.

[Redfeather · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

[Lara Redmond · Rating 4 out of 5]

Closer to a 3.5 stars. It’s not a horrible book but I definitely don’t think I’m the target audience. I didn’t enjoy it but will carry on with the series regardless.

[Aeneas · Rating 2 out of 5]

There are nearly no women in the story and only one of them actually have agency... And that one is a sentient animal.
Would be ok if it was a plot point, part of the story, but it's just the order of things in this book.

Too bad, world building and most life lessons are quite good, but the equality stuff is a deal breaker for me.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wholesome YA hero's journey story. Found it based on the recommendation from a friend and enjoyed it a lot.

audiobook narrator was good!

[Justine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, but there are twelve more of them and, instead of not sleeping for the next two weeks so I can consume the entire series, I kinda just don't care?

[Sydney Pierce · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I read the whole series twice and every time I read it I notice something new. it’s an amazing start to the series and I really like it! I will say it uses a lot of describing words and I think that may be because it was originally in German so the translation is a bit different, If you notice something off that’s probably why. I kinda ignore that because over all I really like the book, I really enjoy Ahren’s character and the plot line is very creative. I know a some people will tell you not to read it but I would try it. I also acknowledge that it starts of like a lot of other books but it is very different and if you enjoy reading or trying new things, I think you would like it!

[Stefan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ursprünglich auf Deutsch geschrieben, natürlich auf Deutsch gelesen. Noch nie davon gehört gehabt, und zu Weihnachten geschenkt bekommen.
Wie es mir gefallen hat fragst du dich?

Direkt den nächsten Teil bestellt :D

Gutes Worldbuilding, eigene Story, zwar ähnlich von den Geschöpfen wie andere Werke durch Menschen, Elfen und Zwerge; aber außer den Bezeichnungen kann man sie nicht für Geschöpfe eines anderen Werkes halten: wirklich eigene Schöpfung mit einzigartigen Charakteristiken. Und auch, wenn paar Stellen sich 08-15 anfühlen, ist ed trotzdem neu und angenehm zum lesen! The over-arching-plot is auch sehr spannend, hoffentlich erfahre ich hier bald mehr!
Und das größte Plus: zum ersten Mal seit Langem, dass der Hauptcharakter wirklich eine ausführliche und lang dauernde Ausbildung IM Buch erhält, und nicht einfach ein Naturtalent ist.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review is for the first book, and the rest of the series as well.
I am a big fan of adventurous fantasy, no matter whether it is more traditional fantasy (dwarves, elves, humans, magic, fairies, etc), or a bit more off the beaten path (such as the Death Gate Cycle or Ranger's Apprentice series). I would definitely consider this series to be more traditional, as it follows a sort of typical storyline (a gathering of characters quests to bring down a tyrannical and magical overlord).
A few things I LOVED about the series. The relationships between the Paladins and their companion animals. Also the many different types of characters, and each has their own intricate backstory with depth and intrigue, as well, each has their own personal conflicts. Even each of the paladins, although they are hundreds of years old, still offer great character development and interest to the overall plot.
The books are legitimately funny at times, with a wonderful dry humor that I definitely enjoyed. At other times, quite touching, and it's easy to invest interest in the characters.
Although the female characters were strong, they all follow that sort of warrior stereotype, and after reading a lot of fantasy, you start to realize that most female protagonists follow this stereotype, and this series was no exception. However, I really loved the depth of storytelling for these characters, especially Khara.
I gave it 4 stars for overall readability, enjoyment, and the well-written nature. I left out the 5th star because really, its the same plot one would expect from a fantasy epic. I would give it 4.5 stars, if I could, because of the awesome character development (in pretty much every single character, and there are a LOT of characters), lots of "The Heroes Journey" (again, in nearly every character), the adventure, and the fact that pretty much every book of the series left me on the edge of my seat, even though I was pretty certain I knew how it would end. It was certainly not lacking in excitement, or detail over the beauty of the world, or the depth of the character's emotions. So, 4.5/5 is my actual rating.
Great series, would definitely read again.

[Robyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read several books of this series before throwing my hands up and quiting. Even overlooking the numerous grammar errors, (I understand that the writer is not a English speaker, but that is not an excuse with the free online grammar courses such as the one at UC Irvine), the book is flawed. The premise is excellent and intriguing which is why I gave the book two stars. The execution is dreadful. If the only way you can make the hero look successful is to make the sages and Kings around him look like idiots, you have failed. The book needs a complete overhaul. The presentation of the hero is unrealistic. No one goes from knowing little about the world, politics and battle in a.matter of days. Fantasy does not mean you can throw away common sense. Please rewrite the series. There is much potential in it. Take ESL courses and read widely. Learn how to make a character strong without demeaning other key characters. Do this and you can have an incredible story that can be widely appreciated.

[Pete Stolz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dies ist eine epische Geschichte um den jungen Waldläufer Ahren in einer Welt voll von fantastischen Wesen wie Elfen und Zwerge. Als Einstieg in das Genre ist sie perfekt geeignet, da die Welt mit ihren Charakteren noch recht überschaubar ist.

Sie ist, aufgrund ihrer für High-Fantasy doch recht einfachen Sprache, wie gemacht für Heranwachsende. Sie sprüht regelrecht vor Emotionen, Humor und Weisheiten. Worte die eben für Jugendliche so wichtig sind. Der Autor geht hier wirklich mit sehr viel Liebe zum Detail vor.

Ich freu mich schon sehr auf weitere Abenteuer 🤩🥰