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Mira Brand Adventures #1
The World Beneath
“When I ran away, aged seventeen, I didn’t do it for the usual reasons...I did it because I was looking for adventure.”
My name is Mira Brand, and I'm a Seeker – a treasure hunter who can cross between worlds seeking long-forgotten treasure hoards of ancient races. My home is London, but I work in the worlds beneath our own, traipsing through places where no one has walked in a thousand years.
Except for that time I happened to cross paths with another Seeker. Wealthier than me, less pleasant in disposition...okay, downright angry, especially when I made off with the loot. I didn't expect he'd chase me, but he did, and he's not the only one.
Pursued by my foes, outnumbered by enemies, running short on friends, it's all part of the life of a runaway and a treasure hunter.
My name is Mira Brand, and I'm a Seeker – a treasure hunter who can cross between worlds seeking long-forgotten treasure hoards of ancient races. My home is London, but I work in the worlds beneath our own, traipsing through places where no one has walked in a thousand years.
Except for that time I happened to cross paths with another Seeker. Wealthier than me, less pleasant in disposition...okay, downright angry, especially when I made off with the loot. I didn't expect he'd chase me, but he did, and he's not the only one.
Pursued by my foes, outnumbered by enemies, running short on friends, it's all part of the life of a runaway and a treasure hunter.
263 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 22, 2017
464 people are currently reading
188 people want to read
About the author
Robert J. Crane
176 books1,168 followersRobert J. Crane was born and raised on Florida's Space Coast before moving to the upper midwest in search of cooler climates and more palatable beer. He graduated from the University of Central Florida with a degree in English Creative Writing. He worked for a year as a substitute teacher and worked in the financial services field for seven years while writing in his spare time.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
August 21, 2019
**Warning: this text may contain spoilers** I wanted to like this book. I really did. There is some beautiful description of various multiverse worlds. Clockwork butlers! I loved the abandoned library the main character lives in, which does not get half the attention it deserves.
But, OMG, I wanted to bitch slap all these characters! Mira, the seventeen year old protagonist alternately whines and snarks. Her internal dialog is so very annoying! And her external dialog is worse. She is, supposedly, famous for her skills--none of which do we see. Mostly she just stumbles through on dumb luck and is saved by her companions. Her companions, who out of the blue start following her, clearly have their own agendas, but Mira doesn't see it. Even the big bad, a hunky delicious stud of a guy, is all whiny and pathetic when his orc army is lost. Not defeated. Lost. Pffft!
Also, what is with all the references to Harry Potter? This author has a serious case of J.K. Rowling envy. Puleeze!
I finished it, but it was a struggle. Go read Patrick Rothfuss instead. Same kind of beautiful worlds and actual believable characters. I will not be reading more in this series.
But, OMG, I wanted to bitch slap all these characters! Mira, the seventeen year old protagonist alternately whines and snarks. Her internal dialog is so very annoying! And her external dialog is worse. She is, supposedly, famous for her skills--none of which do we see. Mostly she just stumbles through on dumb luck and is saved by her companions. Her companions, who out of the blue start following her, clearly have their own agendas, but Mira doesn't see it. Even the big bad, a hunky delicious stud of a guy, is all whiny and pathetic when his orc army is lost. Not defeated. Lost. Pffft!
Also, what is with all the references to Harry Potter? This author has a serious case of J.K. Rowling envy. Puleeze!
I finished it, but it was a struggle. Go read Patrick Rothfuss instead. Same kind of beautiful worlds and actual believable characters. I will not be reading more in this series.
September 6, 2017
It is no secret that I am a huge fan of this author. He is so prolific, and accomplished, in such wildly varying genres, that it is difficult to keep up.
But this series really is something a bit different. Much younger in tone. And whilst it is true that the author's narrative voice has not been lost, it is muted a little which reflects the overall feel of this book and its characters.
Now. Please don't misunderstand. That is not a criticism, merely an attempt to manage expectations for die hard fans. This is not more of the same.
Yes, there is an Orc. Yes, there is sarcasm. But no, this is not the Sienna Nealon chronicles for a younger audience. Think Lara Croft-esque action with a hint of Jumper or something along those lines.
There is a lot of necessary world building in this book; scene setting; character creation. It's hard to do that within a reasonably restricted number of pages. Yet, for my money at least, the author pulls it off.
This is an intriguing set of characters. I look forward to seeing where Mr Crane goes with them.
A solid 4* from me.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.
But this series really is something a bit different. Much younger in tone. And whilst it is true that the author's narrative voice has not been lost, it is muted a little which reflects the overall feel of this book and its characters.
Now. Please don't misunderstand. That is not a criticism, merely an attempt to manage expectations for die hard fans. This is not more of the same.
Yes, there is an Orc. Yes, there is sarcasm. But no, this is not the Sienna Nealon chronicles for a younger audience. Think Lara Croft-esque action with a hint of Jumper or something along those lines.
There is a lot of necessary world building in this book; scene setting; character creation. It's hard to do that within a reasonably restricted number of pages. Yet, for my money at least, the author pulls it off.
This is an intriguing set of characters. I look forward to seeing where Mr Crane goes with them.
A solid 4* from me.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.
June 4, 2018
Parallel Worlds Beneath Earth
At first it was like, "uh, what? Too confusing." But as the story developed and the multiverse started to make sense, it gets very interesting. This is a parallel world adventure unlike any other. Seekers find long lost treasures scattered or hidden throughout the worlds beneath Earth.
Yes, you read that right. Parallel worlds that are beneath Earth… literally. Earth is the central hub, travel between the parallel worlds must always pass through Earth. But it gets interesting that creatures and beings from there other worlds mostly stay away from Earth but Seekers loves to enter their worlds and bring back something.
This is the story of Mira Brand, a Seeker out to prove something, together with her unlikely friends, they set out to find treasures no one else have ever found… until now.
At first it was like, "uh, what? Too confusing." But as the story developed and the multiverse started to make sense, it gets very interesting. This is a parallel world adventure unlike any other. Seekers find long lost treasures scattered or hidden throughout the worlds beneath Earth.
Yes, you read that right. Parallel worlds that are beneath Earth… literally. Earth is the central hub, travel between the parallel worlds must always pass through Earth. But it gets interesting that creatures and beings from there other worlds mostly stay away from Earth but Seekers loves to enter their worlds and bring back something.
This is the story of Mira Brand, a Seeker out to prove something, together with her unlikely friends, they set out to find treasures no one else have ever found… until now.
June 13, 2019
Good clean fun
An interesting and enjoyable book. Probably not the deepest thing that you’ll read, but for what it is, it’s really well done.
I don’t know if the book is intended for young adults, but I didn’t see anything objectionable. Take that with a grain of salt, though, as I’m hard to offend :)
An interesting and enjoyable book. Probably not the deepest thing that you’ll read, but for what it is, it’s really well done.
I don’t know if the book is intended for young adults, but I didn’t see anything objectionable. Take that with a grain of salt, though, as I’m hard to offend :)
February 21, 2020
I didn’t like it
Fair enough the book was for free but The girl In/Out of box series by this author is a way better choice. I’m a big fan.
Mira and friends are 2D flat characters. The story is neither interesting nor new. Perhaps it just not what I expected and maybe the book should be advertised as for young teenagers.
Fair enough the book was for free but The girl In/Out of box series by this author is a way better choice. I’m a big fan.
Mira and friends are 2D flat characters. The story is neither interesting nor new. Perhaps it just not what I expected and maybe the book should be advertised as for young teenagers.
October 18, 2021
Not going to lie, this one was hard for me ... took me a long while to grasp what I was reading. I eventually got into it. Not sure if it was just me but will be giving the next book a try, I did however like the adventures and just hope the start of the next book does better job of setting things up as this one did not do that for me.
September 28, 2017
Great start
So another saga starts, great Introduction to a new series, I'm already looking forward to book two, full of adventure and entertaining. Oh and a little twisted mystery at the end.
So another saga starts, great Introduction to a new series, I'm already looking forward to book two, full of adventure and entertaining. Oh and a little twisted mystery at the end.
October 5, 2017
new epic campaign for Robert J Crane. coming to this book from his other work in girl out the box books. I really enjoyed this. granted this is only his first for this run, it struck me more a a young adult title with minimal gore, next to no swear words and no sexy bits.
that said if his other works are your thing this will an enjoyable 300 odd page turner.
that said if his other works are your thing this will an enjoyable 300 odd page turner.
December 2, 2019
Only made it through 3 1/2 books of this series
Mira Brand is just unlikeable. I am taking the VERY rare option (for me) of tossing this book and the entire series. I have read other Crane books and enjoyed them, but he has created a pretty unpleasant character this time.
Mira Brand is just unlikeable. I am taking the VERY rare option (for me) of tossing this book and the entire series. I have read other Crane books and enjoyed them, but he has created a pretty unpleasant character this time.
May 27, 2020
2.5 A cool idea, but I wasn’t invested in the characters, the villains were boring, and the inclusion of orcs and elves felt lazy, any alien races could’ve existed, but those 2 were the ones the author chose. I liked the basic ideas behind the book but I won’t continue with the series.
October 22, 2022
Kept me busy!!!
Such a great group of characters with an excellent storyline, I cannot wait to delve into the second book. I think "The Girl in the Box" series will always be may favorite but this series has me hooked.
Such a great group of characters with an excellent storyline, I cannot wait to delve into the second book. I think "The Girl in the Box" series will always be may favorite but this series has me hooked.
January 26, 2023
Honestly, I found myself speed reading and skimming the last third of the book just to see what happened. I kept expecting a real twist, surprise, back stab - anything! Didn’t happen. Sort of a flat, dimension-less book to me.
September 10, 2017
Good read
Different from Roberts usual, but if you like the girl in the box series you should really enjoy this. Just a little on the lighter side.
Different from Roberts usual, but if you like the girl in the box series you should really enjoy this. Just a little on the lighter side.
September 27, 2017
Good
Good book, but not my favorite by Robert J. Crane. I will read the second to see if it picks up.
Good book, but not my favorite by Robert J. Crane. I will read the second to see if it picks up.
October 21, 2017
Interesting
This book touches on a subject I haven't read about before. Very interesting! I'm looking forward to reading the next book.
This book touches on a subject I haven't read about before. Very interesting! I'm looking forward to reading the next book.
October 13, 2018
Probably OK
I didn't quite make the 50% mark before I bailed. It's probably not a bad book but I began questioning the plot early on. By the time I quit, the questions became too distracting. It's not the sort of thing that might bother most people, I think.
The main character is way too trusting for a seventeen year old having spent about six months on the streets of London. At a certain age, a lot of people get cocky, and add some magical items and you get a bad mix. Still, to trust a total stranger, trade a future favor for a spell, not question how she's being tracked by the bad guys and to not get rid of a stray tourist of whom she is suspicious was too much.
Probably not bad but not for me.
I didn't quite make the 50% mark before I bailed. It's probably not a bad book but I began questioning the plot early on. By the time I quit, the questions became too distracting. It's not the sort of thing that might bother most people, I think.
The main character is way too trusting for a seventeen year old having spent about six months on the streets of London. At a certain age, a lot of people get cocky, and add some magical items and you get a bad mix. Still, to trust a total stranger, trade a future favor for a spell, not question how she's being tracked by the bad guys and to not get rid of a stray tourist of whom she is suspicious was too much.
Probably not bad but not for me.
September 18, 2017
Ok
It didn't grab me like the Girl in, and Girl Out of the Box series did, but it kept me relatively well entertained for a couple of hours. The books are on KU, so it won't cost me anything to keep reading :)
It didn't grab me like the Girl in, and Girl Out of the Box series did, but it kept me relatively well entertained for a couple of hours. The books are on KU, so it won't cost me anything to keep reading :)
September 18, 2017
Big difference to what I'm used to from this author but definitely no less enjoyable. This first book outlines a story and characters which look set to become a great series. very much looking forward to how it develops
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews