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Elk Riders #1
In the Darkness Visible: Elk Riders Volume I
In the Darkness Visible tells the story of two brothers, Sade and Vondales, and their attempt to wrest control of a portal to the world of the dead. A young village girl, Gabriella Carlyle, resists them with the help of her mentor Omanuju and his companion elk. While the brothers’ lust for power corrupts them, Gabriella finds herself on a quest that leads to new friends, exotic lands, and great peril.
- GenresFantasy
Unknown Binding
First published August 10, 2016
2 people are currently reading
67 people want to read
About the author
Ted Neill
93 books74 followersGlobetrotter and writer Ted Neill has worked on five continents as an educator, health professional, and journalist. His writing has appeared in The Washington Post, Recovery Today, and he has published a number of novels exploring issues related to science, religion, class, and social justice. He is the 2013 winner of the Martin Luther King Jr. Torch of Peace Award. His 2017 novel, The Selah Branch, attempts to confront issues of racism and the divided political environment of the US today and the 1950s. His debut novel, City on a Hill, examines the fault lines of religious conflict in the Middle East. His most novel, Reaper Moon, takes place against the backdrop of a global virus pandemic and how the aftermath unfolds along familiar social divides of race and politics. His most recent young adult novel is, Zombies, Frat Boys, Monster Flash Mobs & Other Terrifying Things I Saw at the Gates of Hell Cotillion, doesn’t need a blurb, the title says it all.
He is also author of two award winning memoirs, Two Years of Wonder which chronicles his time living and working at an orphanage for children with HIV/AIDS and Finding St. Lo a combined account of his grandfather Robert Fowler’s WWII experience as well as a decorated medic in his unit, Gordon Cross. Follow Ted on Facebook and Instagram @therealauthortedneill
He is also author of two award winning memoirs, Two Years of Wonder which chronicles his time living and working at an orphanage for children with HIV/AIDS and Finding St. Lo a combined account of his grandfather Robert Fowler’s WWII experience as well as a decorated medic in his unit, Gordon Cross. Follow Ted on Facebook and Instagram @therealauthortedneill
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
December 25, 2022
On an island called Harkness, the villagers live an isolated but peaceful life. On this island there’s also a magical gateway between this world and the afterlife. All of a sudden, the peace on the island is disturbed by a ship. The ship carries an army led by two brothers. And they’re here to buy a piece of sacred land for themselves. The villagers don’t want to sell, but they might not have a choice.
We follow Gabriella, a young village girl. During a festival, Gabriella seemingly gets possessed by a god. While possessed she says something about a lost treasure that will stop the island from falling into the wrong hands. So she sets sail to find the treasure.
In between Gabriella’s chapters we go back in time and experience the terrible childhood of the two brothers, slowly revealing who they really are. Their story starts with the death of their mother and them as little boys being kicked out of their house by an angry landlord, who actually searches their pockets for money as the body of their mother is still being carried out. So it’s easy to state this is a gripping descent into madness as they figure out the true meaning of the word survival.
Definitely a tale of two halves. One half deals with the brothers and everything leading up to their invasion of the island. This is emotional, gripping and very much character-driven. The other half starts with the invasion of the island, following Gabriella. It’s much more plot-driven and grabs your attention with interesting fantasy world building and a few short action scenes. Considering how different these two halves are, one will probably appeal more to you than the other. The plot, the ending in particular, can also leave you wanting a bit more. Though it does the job of setting things up for the rest of the series.
It’s well written, has great world building and some strong characters. Overall, a pretty good start to a series.
We follow Gabriella, a young village girl. During a festival, Gabriella seemingly gets possessed by a god. While possessed she says something about a lost treasure that will stop the island from falling into the wrong hands. So she sets sail to find the treasure.
In between Gabriella’s chapters we go back in time and experience the terrible childhood of the two brothers, slowly revealing who they really are. Their story starts with the death of their mother and them as little boys being kicked out of their house by an angry landlord, who actually searches their pockets for money as the body of their mother is still being carried out. So it’s easy to state this is a gripping descent into madness as they figure out the true meaning of the word survival.
Definitely a tale of two halves. One half deals with the brothers and everything leading up to their invasion of the island. This is emotional, gripping and very much character-driven. The other half starts with the invasion of the island, following Gabriella. It’s much more plot-driven and grabs your attention with interesting fantasy world building and a few short action scenes. Considering how different these two halves are, one will probably appeal more to you than the other. The plot, the ending in particular, can also leave you wanting a bit more. Though it does the job of setting things up for the rest of the series.
It’s well written, has great world building and some strong characters. Overall, a pretty good start to a series.
November 17, 2017
This book had a lot of potential. Boasting some great characters, especially the brothers Sade and Vondales, it is the structuring of the narratives that ultimately detracts from the entire plot. There are two divergent threads that exist. The first is Gabriella's story. She is on a quest to save her village from the brothers. The second is the brothers' story, which is set in the past, and seeks to reveal how they came to be in the village. Ultimately, the narratives are left open-ended, with no real closure for either narrative threads. An enjoyable read, it leaves a fair bit to be desired in its unfolding.
October 31, 2019
This story grabs you and overruns your imagination. It is extremely original in its characters and plots. It is written in a way so that as outrageous some things are, like a magical elk, they are quite acceptable to the reality of the story.
There are two stories being told at once with alternate chapters devoted to each story. We start with Gabriella who is a young girl living in a small out of touch village that at times can be cruel to its inhabitants; such as bullying Gabriella 's brother who is content to sit on the beach with sand running through his fingers or calming down by counting as far as he can by sixes. In our world he most likely would be diagnosed on the Autism spectrum
Kudos to the author, Ted Neill, for including a character who is autistic and is a major part of the story in a very positive way. I picture in my mind a person with autism reading this book and seeing themselves represented or a parent reading it to their child and smiling as they realize they and their child are not alone in this world.
In the first story Gabriella has a vision of sorts and realizes her village is in danger. Along with her brother, her mentor and his special elk, they set off on an adventure worthy of anything Alice went through in Wonderland in order to save her village.
The second story, which begins in the past, is about two brothers who lose their mother and lose their moral compass. They set off on a journey to find the portal to the dead and rule over that realm. They are so obsessed with gaining power from this portal that they have no remorse for who they harm or even kill to get to it.
When reading this book you will be made aware of how these two stories connect but will not learn how they end. This is not a stand-alone novel. There are five volumes to this magical adventure and they are all available now. I wish these books were available when my children were young. I would love to have shared Gabriella and her brothers journey with them through the imaginative eyes of children. It's suggested this book is for ages eleven and up. I'm far from eleven and this fantasy not only kept my interest but brought me joy in discovering a new world.
I received a free copy of this book for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
There are two stories being told at once with alternate chapters devoted to each story. We start with Gabriella who is a young girl living in a small out of touch village that at times can be cruel to its inhabitants; such as bullying Gabriella 's brother who is content to sit on the beach with sand running through his fingers or calming down by counting as far as he can by sixes. In our world he most likely would be diagnosed on the Autism spectrum
Kudos to the author, Ted Neill, for including a character who is autistic and is a major part of the story in a very positive way. I picture in my mind a person with autism reading this book and seeing themselves represented or a parent reading it to their child and smiling as they realize they and their child are not alone in this world.
In the first story Gabriella has a vision of sorts and realizes her village is in danger. Along with her brother, her mentor and his special elk, they set off on an adventure worthy of anything Alice went through in Wonderland in order to save her village.
The second story, which begins in the past, is about two brothers who lose their mother and lose their moral compass. They set off on a journey to find the portal to the dead and rule over that realm. They are so obsessed with gaining power from this portal that they have no remorse for who they harm or even kill to get to it.
When reading this book you will be made aware of how these two stories connect but will not learn how they end. This is not a stand-alone novel. There are five volumes to this magical adventure and they are all available now. I wish these books were available when my children were young. I would love to have shared Gabriella and her brothers journey with them through the imaginative eyes of children. It's suggested this book is for ages eleven and up. I'm far from eleven and this fantasy not only kept my interest but brought me joy in discovering a new world.
I received a free copy of this book for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
December 4, 2017
In this novel, there are two parallel stories at play. One is about a young girl named Gabriella who ended up fainting during a religious festival and speaking a prophecy of some sort. As a result, she and another villager and his pet elk go off on a quest. They’re joined by a blue-skinned individual who’s not quite alive but is very skilled when it comes to managing the airship they need to get them places. They naturally encounter numerous problems on their journey. The other story is about two brothers whose mother dies, leaving them to fend for themselves at a young age. Unfortunately, they end up leaving a trail of bodies in their wake. However, they eventually become members of the organization that wants to buy land on Gabriella’s island.
There are a number of battle sequences in this book and I’m not a fan of those because they tend to bore me. Even so, those weren’t extensive and the story was otherwise interesting. I liked the protagonists and wondered what was going to happen next. I was nonetheless a little bit more interested in the boys’ story than Gabriella’s because I kept wondering if they were ever going to get caught. Plus, it seemed like anytime I thought the group on the airship was safe something else happened to them. I never thought the two boys were safe from retribution, not considering what they’d done in the past. There's also the fact that Gabriella was constantly having to deal with her fear of heights by being exposed to them, which isn’t too much fun to read about for someone who is also terrified of heights. Still, it’s a solid read if you don’t mind the occasional fight scene.
There are a number of battle sequences in this book and I’m not a fan of those because they tend to bore me. Even so, those weren’t extensive and the story was otherwise interesting. I liked the protagonists and wondered what was going to happen next. I was nonetheless a little bit more interested in the boys’ story than Gabriella’s because I kept wondering if they were ever going to get caught. Plus, it seemed like anytime I thought the group on the airship was safe something else happened to them. I never thought the two boys were safe from retribution, not considering what they’d done in the past. There's also the fact that Gabriella was constantly having to deal with her fear of heights by being exposed to them, which isn’t too much fun to read about for someone who is also terrified of heights. Still, it’s a solid read if you don’t mind the occasional fight scene.
August 2, 2018
This story has two parts. The first is about two brothers, Sade and Vondales. They are just trying to survive in a world that doesn’t care for them after their mother dies. It’s partially survival yet they make some bad decisions that make their lives darker than they started out to be. Then we have Gabriella, she faints during a festival and starts speaking about a prophecy. Together with her mentor, his elk, and her ostracized brother. Gabriella goes on a quest to help protect her island from the brothers Sade and Vondales.
The story bounces between the brothers and Gabriella. Sade and Vondales story is in the past explaining what happened to the brothers while Gabriella is in the present while she tries to protect the Tower of the Dead. The more I read about Sade and Vondales story I couldn’t help feel a little bad for them. They had a tough break in life and it just seems that things just kept getting worse at every turn.
But then again it’s not like Gabriella had everything given to her. Her brother suffers from autism like behavior which leaves her family as outsiders to their own village. But I did love having him in the story, it made it more realistic and wider.
I think this is a great start to the series. It does end abruptly but that is to be expected in a sense with a series. It was a quick read and I have to say that I’m excited to dive into The Voyage of the Elawn.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.
The story bounces between the brothers and Gabriella. Sade and Vondales story is in the past explaining what happened to the brothers while Gabriella is in the present while she tries to protect the Tower of the Dead. The more I read about Sade and Vondales story I couldn’t help feel a little bad for them. They had a tough break in life and it just seems that things just kept getting worse at every turn.
But then again it’s not like Gabriella had everything given to her. Her brother suffers from autism like behavior which leaves her family as outsiders to their own village. But I did love having him in the story, it made it more realistic and wider.
I think this is a great start to the series. It does end abruptly but that is to be expected in a sense with a series. It was a quick read and I have to say that I’m excited to dive into The Voyage of the Elawn.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.
November 27, 2017
The First Part of a Great Fantasy Story
Often the success of fantasy novels hinges on the author's ability to create a fictional world that we, as readers, will enjoy visiting. In this novel, Ted Neill has created a world that is refreshingly original. It doesn't feel derived from or dependent on anything I've seen before. At the same time, it is rich and intricate with fascinating legends and hidden powers. In particular, the Tower of the Dead and the ceremony performed there was both ominous and fascinating. Unfortunately, much in this world goes undiscovered -- the book ends leaving the reader feeling we've only scratched the surface. This is to be expected, I suppose, from a book clearly labeled "Volume I." The plot moves fast, with danger and adventure around every corner. It does not, however, reach any kind of resolution within this volume. This story writes a lot of checks that are not cashed by the end. It is apparently left to "Volume II" (and on) to balance the account. This is not at all uncommon, but is still a frustration to me as a reader. I'm not against a novel being an episode in a larger story, but even an episode needs a climax and resolution. I should note that there is an scene of sexualization of a 14-year-old girl that some readers may find uncomfortable. Overall, this is a well-written beginning to what I'm sure will be a great fantasy story.
Often the success of fantasy novels hinges on the author's ability to create a fictional world that we, as readers, will enjoy visiting. In this novel, Ted Neill has created a world that is refreshingly original. It doesn't feel derived from or dependent on anything I've seen before. At the same time, it is rich and intricate with fascinating legends and hidden powers. In particular, the Tower of the Dead and the ceremony performed there was both ominous and fascinating. Unfortunately, much in this world goes undiscovered -- the book ends leaving the reader feeling we've only scratched the surface. This is to be expected, I suppose, from a book clearly labeled "Volume I." The plot moves fast, with danger and adventure around every corner. It does not, however, reach any kind of resolution within this volume. This story writes a lot of checks that are not cashed by the end. It is apparently left to "Volume II" (and on) to balance the account. This is not at all uncommon, but is still a frustration to me as a reader. I'm not against a novel being an episode in a larger story, but even an episode needs a climax and resolution. I should note that there is an scene of sexualization of a 14-year-old girl that some readers may find uncomfortable. Overall, this is a well-written beginning to what I'm sure will be a great fantasy story.
November 30, 2017
"In the Darkness Visible: Elk Riders Volume 1 by Ted Neill" starts off an epic fantasy series by delving into two ongoing stories set in different periods of time. In one you have Gabriella and her traveling companions who set off on a quest. In the other you have two brothers, Sade and Vondales, who are trying to survive in a world that doesn't care whether they live or die. The first story is set in the present and the second in the past. It's an oddity that these characters could differ so much. Gabriella and company feel formulaic and unpolished whereas the two brothers are interesting and their decisions realistic.
It's not just about the characters either. The setting comes off as unnatural when reading Gabriella but fine when reading Sade and Vondales. In Gabriella's story there are more modern ideas such as birthday presents packed in wrapping paper. While this could exist in a fantasy world, there wasn't enough time put into the story explain this. The world doesn't feel as fleshed out as it needs to be resulting in parts of the story that struggle to suspend your disbelief. Contrary to that, the brothers world feels much more natural and engaging and their actions within it make sense, albeit in a twisted way. Lastly, the ending of the book is not the end of either of the stories; I don't even know if it's the middle. It feels like half of a larger book.
It's not just about the characters either. The setting comes off as unnatural when reading Gabriella but fine when reading Sade and Vondales. In Gabriella's story there are more modern ideas such as birthday presents packed in wrapping paper. While this could exist in a fantasy world, there wasn't enough time put into the story explain this. The world doesn't feel as fleshed out as it needs to be resulting in parts of the story that struggle to suspend your disbelief. Contrary to that, the brothers world feels much more natural and engaging and their actions within it make sense, albeit in a twisted way. Lastly, the ending of the book is not the end of either of the stories; I don't even know if it's the middle. It feels like half of a larger book.
December 12, 2017
In the Darkness Visible is an engaging, fast-paced fantasy adventure. The story does not take long to get going -- we seem to have barely met Gabrielle before she becomes a vessel for prophecy and part of a quest to save her island home. Fortunately, after shoving us off a metaphorical cliff, the author does a good job of letting us get to know Gabriella, and showing us the world she lives in as she discovers in herself. There's a lot going on in the story -- from Gabriella's complicated relationship with her autistic brother (deemed "cursed by the gods" and virtually outcast in Harkness society) to her discovery of dragons, magic, and a mysterious flying ship captain from a lost race -- but it doesn't feel cluttered or crowded. Gabriella's story is also interspersed with the back story of the mysterious strangers who have shown up on Harkness wanting to purchase land with access to the island's sacred tower and a gateway between this world and the afterlife. As the first in a series, we obviously don't get all the answers, but by the time I got to the cliffhanger ending, I was fully invested and eager to continue. This would be a great read for someone who likes their fantasy fast-paced and magical.
December 5, 2017
Like no fantasy novel you've ever read before
A smorgasbord of genres and themes, the first installment of the Elk Riders series seems to set the stage well for an exciting and unique twist on fantasy adventure. In a quest to prevent the conquest over darkness and death from two deceiving brothers, main characters Gabriella and Omanuju travel across treacherous lands with many companions such as a remarkable elk and Gabriella's ostracized brother. One of the greatest aspects of Ted Neill's novel is highlighting a young boy with developmental disabilities (in a time or world before such things were fully understood) and how his particular capacities truly offer distinct and essential help on their quest; such a character being virtually unheard of before in a fantasy novel. While this first book seems to end rather abruptly for my interests, I'm still insatiable for more from this series.
A smorgasbord of genres and themes, the first installment of the Elk Riders series seems to set the stage well for an exciting and unique twist on fantasy adventure. In a quest to prevent the conquest over darkness and death from two deceiving brothers, main characters Gabriella and Omanuju travel across treacherous lands with many companions such as a remarkable elk and Gabriella's ostracized brother. One of the greatest aspects of Ted Neill's novel is highlighting a young boy with developmental disabilities (in a time or world before such things were fully understood) and how his particular capacities truly offer distinct and essential help on their quest; such a character being virtually unheard of before in a fantasy novel. While this first book seems to end rather abruptly for my interests, I'm still insatiable for more from this series.
December 10, 2017
I think "In the Darkness Visible," by Ted Neill is another young adult book that is also a fun read for adults.I thought the story was interesting, it is about two brothers and their lust for power and how it turns the world upside down. So it is up to Gabriella, her younger brother, and her mentor to stop them from controlling the world of the living and the dead. It was a pretty fast pace story. I thought that Gabriella was a well-written character as was her brother. I felt bad for him because the other villagers weren't exactly kind to him. It is the first part of a five-part series, so I wasn't too surprised when the book just ended without feeling finished. If you have time to get into a series, then I would say you should start reading it. Now if you don't have time, then you might want to wait, but don't way too long either!
November 14, 2017
A terrific start to the series. This is the only book I have read of the Elk Riders series so far, but I fully intend to carry on with it. Ted Neill has managed to build a world that may feel familiar to some fantasy fans - magic exists, though forbidden - but he has crafted a beautifully unique alternative to those who have come before him. It is atmospheric and brilliant.
The characters are life-like, multi-dimensional and, at times, mysterious. The plot is unpredictable: whatever reservations I had about it from the beginning of the novel soon disappeared as I realised I wasn't prematurely anticipating much of the action at all. Overall a wonderful introduction to the series - and hopefully a foundation for still better things to come.
The characters are life-like, multi-dimensional and, at times, mysterious. The plot is unpredictable: whatever reservations I had about it from the beginning of the novel soon disappeared as I realised I wasn't prematurely anticipating much of the action at all. Overall a wonderful introduction to the series - and hopefully a foundation for still better things to come.
December 8, 2017
Tom Neill’s first Elk Rider’s installment 14-year-old Gabriella Carlyle and her 11-year-old brother’s mission to save her people from a cruel military regime. Neill delivers an epic that stimulates the reader’s mind. It is almost impossible to put the book down for even a minute. The author uses social clashes, conflicts, and one young girl’s determination to rise above her torment to bring the story to life.
Neil brings each character to life using backstories and meticulous description, all while maintaining the mysterious facets that excite audiences. Readers will fall in love with the young, witty heroine and her brother. The characters are life-like, multi-dimensional and, at times, mysterious.
Neil brings each character to life using backstories and meticulous description, all while maintaining the mysterious facets that excite audiences. Readers will fall in love with the young, witty heroine and her brother. The characters are life-like, multi-dimensional and, at times, mysterious.
December 8, 2017
This is an exciting and action-packed adventure. The charming young protagonist, Gabriella Carlyle, is a breath of fresh air. Her coming-of-age story, contrasted with the origin story of two other characters, Sade and Vondales, two brothers who craft their lives around numerous disadvantages, is an entertaining read. The book is well-written, with unique characters and the fast pace of the plot keeps things interesting. While this is obviously the first book in a series, the ending was still somewhat sudden. A bit abrupt and awkward. Having said that, the reader can look forward to the second installment.
June 5, 2018
Ok an easy read
Ok. An easy read but also enjoyable because of it. . . . .
Read the rest? Maybe. .
.
Ok. An easy read but also enjoyable because of it. . . . .
Read the rest? Maybe. .
.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews