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Ancient Dreams #0
Marin's Codex
This is a prequel to the Ancient Dreams trilogy, but is best read after the other volumes.
Some mysteries are shrouded by both time and wars long since past. One of these mysteries revolves around the discovery of the true nature of magic, and the High Mage who ushered in a new era of understanding. Her name was Marin, and her life's work was consumed in the writing of her research.
This is Marin's story, and that of her only student, Emonael, as they completed her research. They faced many trials together, and grew to respect one another as few have ever understood, even as others sought to silence the threat she posed to their power.
This volume also contains a novella, Into the Eternal Wood, a story about Sistina Constella of the Kingdom of Everium.
Some mysteries are shrouded by both time and wars long since past. One of these mysteries revolves around the discovery of the true nature of magic, and the High Mage who ushered in a new era of understanding. Her name was Marin, and her life's work was consumed in the writing of her research.
This is Marin's story, and that of her only student, Emonael, as they completed her research. They faced many trials together, and grew to respect one another as few have ever understood, even as others sought to silence the threat she posed to their power.
This volume also contains a novella, Into the Eternal Wood, a story about Sistina Constella of the Kingdom of Everium.
424 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 22, 2018
81 people are currently reading
173 people want to read
About the author
Benjamin Medrano
47 books308 followersI was born in October, 1985. Not much of my history would likely be of interest, but I grew up primarily in Utah, a land of ultra-conservative people, and yet oddly open to Science Fiction and Fantasy.
I started trying to write in high school. That didn't go well, and I mostly lost the spark for a long time, only rarely finishing writing a story, as most of my inspiration instead went into tabletop role-playing games, like Dungeons & Dragons and Pathfinder. In the process I developed a possibly unhealthy obsession with elves and succubi. If I ever write a story without either, it's probably Science Fiction...and there are even odds that someone will body-mod themselves to look like an elf. Trying to be honest here.
My writing tends to focus on the relationships between characters, though it may not seem like it at times. The stories in the background are just that, a backdrop for the development of the characters and situation. I try to fully think them through, but it's not always the case.
Anyway, not much more to be said. I'm an oddball, and I know it. I'm also somewhat stunned at the success my work has attained thus far, and am trying not to panic over it.
I started trying to write in high school. That didn't go well, and I mostly lost the spark for a long time, only rarely finishing writing a story, as most of my inspiration instead went into tabletop role-playing games, like Dungeons & Dragons and Pathfinder. In the process I developed a possibly unhealthy obsession with elves and succubi. If I ever write a story without either, it's probably Science Fiction...and there are even odds that someone will body-mod themselves to look like an elf. Trying to be honest here.
My writing tends to focus on the relationships between characters, though it may not seem like it at times. The stories in the background are just that, a backdrop for the development of the characters and situation. I try to fully think them through, but it's not always the case.
Anyway, not much more to be said. I'm an oddball, and I know it. I'm also somewhat stunned at the success my work has attained thus far, and am trying not to panic over it.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
February 1, 2018
Warm, comfortable love, with a sadness for this prequel
Five stars for being of such impeccable quality, and for invoking my heart to such breaking and mending, to breaking again since (minor spoiler if you have not read the previous books) I do know what happens to Marin after she is seen happily dancing as an angel with her beloved God.
This book cannot be properly appreciated if read before the first three books of "Ancient Dreams". It might be fine as a stand-alone book, but if you really loved this book, you will then want to read the first three as well, so why go about this backwards, and just go read them in the right order so that you get your full enjoyment out of them?
This book is high fantasy, and it does have some death in it, but no sexually explicit scenes despite the main character being a succubus, while it does focus on the relationships (not just romantic) between people as they also discover how to reshape their views and values on what is most important to them.
Five stars for being of such impeccable quality, and for invoking my heart to such breaking and mending, to breaking again since (minor spoiler if you have not read the previous books) I do know what happens to Marin after she is seen happily dancing as an angel with her beloved God.
This book cannot be properly appreciated if read before the first three books of "Ancient Dreams". It might be fine as a stand-alone book, but if you really loved this book, you will then want to read the first three as well, so why go about this backwards, and just go read them in the right order so that you get your full enjoyment out of them?
This book is high fantasy, and it does have some death in it, but no sexually explicit scenes despite the main character being a succubus, while it does focus on the relationships (not just romantic) between people as they also discover how to reshape their views and values on what is most important to them.
May 21, 2018
Marin's Codex is a prequel to the Ancient Dreams trilogy with a novella as a bonus. Click here for Goodreads and here for Amazon. For those that did read Ancient Dreams, you would know exactly what Marin's Codex is about and how it ends. So, you can skip the following.
This prequel basically tells the story of an important character from the trilogy redefining magic and ushering a new era of using magic. The book description sounds better but that description basically boils down to the above sentence. If you ask me, this book does not sound that unique. A lot of magic and fantasy books do have their protagonist finding a new, or unique, way of using magic, or something, and end up being strong and kicking ass. Yeah, this book is nothing like that. The book description is misleading.
There are conflicts, but it's not a major part. But all stories need a conflict of some kind. They all need an antagonist(s), something to stir and progress the plot. For Marin's Codex, others simply do not want a revolution in magic. They want to keep things the way they are. This is the conflict. But the book isn't really revolved around this conflict.
The book is about the journey, or the quest, to redefining magic, including all the obstacles, hardship, relationship, bonding and everything else Marin and her student Emonael had to go through. It revolves more around magic building (world building) and character development than actual conflict. If these are what you like, then you'll enjoy Marin's Codex. You get to learn about a new magic system and how character relationships are built. What you don't get is an action/conflict packed rise to power type of story.
My favourite part about Marin's Codex, as compared to Ancient Dreams, is the feeling and passion I felt from reading/listening to it. Sarah Beth Goer did an excellent job in showing these feelings. I personally enjoyed her narration a lot because it really suited Marin's Codex. Sarah has a lighter, cheerier voice so I personally feel it fits Marin's Codex better. Gabriella Cavallero is also a great narrator but her darker, rougher voice doesn't suit Marin's Codex.
If you ask me, I would say this book can be a stand-alone book. It works better as a prequel, but not completely required. If you read the main series first, you'll understand where some things came from and why certain characters did what they did. The emotions and feelings you get from reading Marin's Codex is so much stronger than reading as a stand-alone.
Conclusion? I find this book underappreciated, but it is expected as it's not action packed and a prequel.
Would I recommend it? Yes, I would.
Would I read/listen to it again? I finished this book three times now, minus the novella part.
P.S. I totally forgot about the novella, Into the Eternal Woods. It is okay. Let's just say, it's nice to know more about Sistina Constella but compared to Marin's Codex, it's a bit lacking.
This prequel basically tells the story of an important character from the trilogy redefining magic and ushering a new era of using magic. The book description sounds better but that description basically boils down to the above sentence. If you ask me, this book does not sound that unique. A lot of magic and fantasy books do have their protagonist finding a new, or unique, way of using magic, or something, and end up being strong and kicking ass. Yeah, this book is nothing like that. The book description is misleading.
There are conflicts, but it's not a major part. But all stories need a conflict of some kind. They all need an antagonist(s), something to stir and progress the plot. For Marin's Codex, others simply do not want a revolution in magic. They want to keep things the way they are. This is the conflict. But the book isn't really revolved around this conflict.
The book is about the journey, or the quest, to redefining magic, including all the obstacles, hardship, relationship, bonding and everything else Marin and her student Emonael had to go through. It revolves more around magic building (world building) and character development than actual conflict. If these are what you like, then you'll enjoy Marin's Codex. You get to learn about a new magic system and how character relationships are built. What you don't get is an action/conflict packed rise to power type of story.
My favourite part about Marin's Codex, as compared to Ancient Dreams, is the feeling and passion I felt from reading/listening to it. Sarah Beth Goer did an excellent job in showing these feelings. I personally enjoyed her narration a lot because it really suited Marin's Codex. Sarah has a lighter, cheerier voice so I personally feel it fits Marin's Codex better. Gabriella Cavallero is also a great narrator but her darker, rougher voice doesn't suit Marin's Codex.
If you ask me, I would say this book can be a stand-alone book. It works better as a prequel, but not completely required. If you read the main series first, you'll understand where some things came from and why certain characters did what they did. The emotions and feelings you get from reading Marin's Codex is so much stronger than reading as a stand-alone.
Conclusion? I find this book underappreciated, but it is expected as it's not action packed and a prequel.
Would I recommend it? Yes, I would.
Would I read/listen to it again? I finished this book three times now, minus the novella part.
P.S. I totally forgot about the novella, Into the Eternal Woods. It is okay. Let's just say, it's nice to know more about Sistina Constella but compared to Marin's Codex, it's a bit lacking.
February 13, 2018
Beautiful. Honestly can't believe how much I enjoyed this story. Brought tears to my eyes at least 4 times, and not because it was sad, but because the story telling was so... perfect. This is absolutely the best book I've read in several years and I will be making other people read it.
I was already a massive fan of the other books in the series, but I always hated the POV of the slavers and dungeon divers because they all felt unneeded and tacked on to make the story longer. This book though, every word had meaning from start to finish. This is the first time I've read a cliffhanger and not gotten irrationally angry. Thank you for writing this story.
I was already a massive fan of the other books in the series, but I always hated the POV of the slavers and dungeon divers because they all felt unneeded and tacked on to make the story longer. This book though, every word had meaning from start to finish. This is the first time I've read a cliffhanger and not gotten irrationally angry. Thank you for writing this story.
December 11, 2025
Thank you for the short visit with my relatives
I think this was 1 of your better books The The look into The world I don't know this was your 1st book or What are the things you may have written I have copies of everything you written through amazon I find your writing and your view into other worlds and realities marvelous and beautiful I thank you for all that you have created and I thank you for a chance to visit my relatives and to see what is coming and what may come And I wish you good health and a wonderful life.
I think this was 1 of your better books The The look into The world I don't know this was your 1st book or What are the things you may have written I have copies of everything you written through amazon I find your writing and your view into other worlds and realities marvelous and beautiful I thank you for all that you have created and I thank you for a chance to visit my relatives and to see what is coming and what may come And I wish you good health and a wonderful life.
March 26, 2018
I loved it this was pure candy to me I couldn't stop devouring it. It was so sad though almost made me cry :). I just couldn't stop listening to this amazing book. I got so many answers to questions I had about Marin and her life before The Ancient Dreams Trilogy. I am looking forward to more books in the world of Ancient Dreams. I can hardly wait.
January 27, 2018
A dream of a book.
A well thought out and entertaining read. The answers to a lot of questions from the series are answered here, but he warned, it just makes you want more!! Excellent!
A well thought out and entertaining read. The answers to a lot of questions from the series are answered here, but he warned, it just makes you want more!! Excellent!
February 7, 2019
I loved this book. I listened to it via Audible. The back story on Marin really gave depth to Sistina in the other books. Knowing she later became an angel and then was corrupted is rather sad though. It was wonderful to see where she started as it were and where shen ended.
June 1, 2023
A perfect beginning to an amazing series
A perfect beginning to an absolutely amazing series! …Another awesome, entertaining story with captivating characters & a compelling narrative. I wish there was more Marin/Sistina for us to enjoy.
A perfect beginning to an absolutely amazing series! …Another awesome, entertaining story with captivating characters & a compelling narrative. I wish there was more Marin/Sistina for us to enjoy.
January 28, 2018
Another great
Another great book by Medrano. A truly talented writer. I am definitely looking forward to the next book. I truly enjoyed this one.
Another great book by Medrano. A truly talented writer. I am definitely looking forward to the next book. I truly enjoyed this one.
January 31, 2018
This book contains wonderful written Backstories about the main Character of the previous books and i highly recommend reading it if you liked Ancient Dreams 1-3.
March 19, 2018
Amazing!!!
This book was incredible and actually helped clear up some questions I had about the other books. I definently suggest reading this if you liked the other three books!
This book was incredible and actually helped clear up some questions I had about the other books. I definently suggest reading this if you liked the other three books!
January 22, 2019
great background story.
for LOVERS of the ancient dreams series only
if you only liked the first 3 books...you won't care about this.
thnx for this bonus story in your great fantasy world.
for LOVERS of the ancient dreams series only
if you only liked the first 3 books...you won't care about this.
thnx for this bonus story in your great fantasy world.
September 16, 2019
a fine addition to the series
Works very well as a stand alone novel.
Works very well as a stand alone novel.
January 5, 2020
A beautiful story with a bittersweet ending.
May 28, 2020
Interesting prequel if you liked the original trilogy.
It's not as good as the main story, but it does complement it a bit. Not very good as a standalone, though.
It's not as good as the main story, but it does complement it a bit. Not very good as a standalone, though.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews