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Legends of Gilia #1
Sword of Ruyn
Kingdoms will fall. Men will reign. Washed ashore on the land of Ruyn, Ealrin Bealouve is a man with no memory of his past. Desperate to discover who he was and return to his homeland, Ealrin journeys through a continent ruled by elves, dwarves, and men. But a growing hatred threatens to destroy the peace that has held the continent together for centuries. Ealrin must choose. Will he abandon his quest to remember his past, or join the fight against genocide? Magic and betrayal, war and legend, his journey through Ruyn will change Ealrin’s fate forever. Begin an epic tale. Buy Sword of Ruyn today!
- GenresFantasyEpic Fantasy
332 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 10, 2018
382 people are currently reading
332 people want to read
About the author
R.G. Long
51 books97 followersMy name is RG Long and I've written an epic fantasy series I can't wait to share with you. It's called "Legends of Gilia" and it is going to be one wild ride. The very first one is called Sword of Ruyn and is available now!
I grew up on Final Fantasy video games, Dragonlance novels, RPG Maker computer programs, and Warhammer table-top gaming armies.
All this epic fantasy is probably why I have planned such an epic series. The Legends of Gilia is a 15-book-long series! Now I'm working on my newest series: The Origins of Gilia!
I live in San Antonio with my wife and wonderfully creative daughters.
I grew up on Final Fantasy video games, Dragonlance novels, RPG Maker computer programs, and Warhammer table-top gaming armies.
All this epic fantasy is probably why I have planned such an epic series. The Legends of Gilia is a 15-book-long series! Now I'm working on my newest series: The Origins of Gilia!
I live in San Antonio with my wife and wonderfully creative daughters.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
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October 3, 2019* I read this as it's one of the #SPFBO entries for this year's contest *
This is classic fantasy at it's core. We have quite a few stereotypes, goblins, elves, men, and a world which is very typical of medieval fantasy books. The story starts with a young man called Eaolin who wakes up on a beach shipwrecked and without any memory. This, unfortunately, is a trope which I kind of have a pet peeve against as it often leads to a lot of info-dumping, and I think this book does fall a little into that trap.
We also have some other PoV characters including a Goblin who wants to prove himself and an Elf. These characters could have been more interesting than the human plot, but by 35% unfortunately I just wasn't feeling much of an attachment to any of them. I think it's a case of I have read so many typical fantasy stories that, at this point, if your book doesn't have something extra to keep me reading then I probably won't.
I DNF-ed this one at 35% because the story just wasn't quite living up to the adventure I wanted to see and I know some of the other #SPFBO titles have drawn me in more. I think this could easily be a title that people who have less experience with classic fantasy may enjoy, but if it's a genre you have read a lot then you may recognise quite a few of the traits in this one.
This is classic fantasy at it's core. We have quite a few stereotypes, goblins, elves, men, and a world which is very typical of medieval fantasy books. The story starts with a young man called Eaolin who wakes up on a beach shipwrecked and without any memory. This, unfortunately, is a trope which I kind of have a pet peeve against as it often leads to a lot of info-dumping, and I think this book does fall a little into that trap.
We also have some other PoV characters including a Goblin who wants to prove himself and an Elf. These characters could have been more interesting than the human plot, but by 35% unfortunately I just wasn't feeling much of an attachment to any of them. I think it's a case of I have read so many typical fantasy stories that, at this point, if your book doesn't have something extra to keep me reading then I probably won't.
I DNF-ed this one at 35% because the story just wasn't quite living up to the adventure I wanted to see and I know some of the other #SPFBO titles have drawn me in more. I think this could easily be a title that people who have less experience with classic fantasy may enjoy, but if it's a genre you have read a lot then you may recognise quite a few of the traits in this one.
September 10, 2018
Generic, boring and vanilla
Author took the existing Tolkien races and did nothing with them. The characters are generic and underdeveloped and I found no reasons to care for them. I kept asking my self why do I care if this or that character lived or died.
The main characters amnesia was interesting but his character development was uninspiring. Holve is vanilla version of Lan from the wheel of time books. He is also a less compelling version of Aragon by Tolkien.
The battles were predictable. The build up to the big war takes up so much space early on in the book. I found my self not caring about it and disinterested due to its predictability. I couldn’t figure out how the main character became the Calvary captain of an elite band of warriors with nothing but his friendship to Holve? How does Holve survive the infected leg wound, but no mention of it being healed? Why is Holve so interested in a boy, really a man, with amnesia? Why does the protagonist have a weird fascination with a 14 year old girl? Who he refers to in his mind as his daughter? I found no answers to these and many more questions.
The author seems to be caught up on the idea of race relations in his world. It’s great he’s asking these types of questions, like why people don’t see the benefits of all the races working together in harmony. Too bad he fell into the predictable previously used explications, such as elves being snobbish. Dwarves having hot tempers with inferiority complexes. Men being vile, greedy and short sighted. We’ve heard these before give us something else that encourages me to read the story.
Ultimately you will have to ask, is this book’s empty calories worth the time it will take to exercise them off?
Author took the existing Tolkien races and did nothing with them. The characters are generic and underdeveloped and I found no reasons to care for them. I kept asking my self why do I care if this or that character lived or died.
The main characters amnesia was interesting but his character development was uninspiring. Holve is vanilla version of Lan from the wheel of time books. He is also a less compelling version of Aragon by Tolkien.
The battles were predictable. The build up to the big war takes up so much space early on in the book. I found my self not caring about it and disinterested due to its predictability. I couldn’t figure out how the main character became the Calvary captain of an elite band of warriors with nothing but his friendship to Holve? How does Holve survive the infected leg wound, but no mention of it being healed? Why is Holve so interested in a boy, really a man, with amnesia? Why does the protagonist have a weird fascination with a 14 year old girl? Who he refers to in his mind as his daughter? I found no answers to these and many more questions.
The author seems to be caught up on the idea of race relations in his world. It’s great he’s asking these types of questions, like why people don’t see the benefits of all the races working together in harmony. Too bad he fell into the predictable previously used explications, such as elves being snobbish. Dwarves having hot tempers with inferiority complexes. Men being vile, greedy and short sighted. We’ve heard these before give us something else that encourages me to read the story.
Ultimately you will have to ask, is this book’s empty calories worth the time it will take to exercise them off?
October 2, 2018
Poorly written
Poor composition. Appears only the first half was edited. Nonsensical plot twists, for example, why were the elven archers able to quickly shoot down all but the mercenary leader? Plot required him to survive but no explanation. Main character had absolutely no confidence in anything including himself. Okay at first but became intolerable to the point I disliked him. Will not continue this series.
Poor composition. Appears only the first half was edited. Nonsensical plot twists, for example, why were the elven archers able to quickly shoot down all but the mercenary leader? Plot required him to survive but no explanation. Main character had absolutely no confidence in anything including himself. Okay at first but became intolerable to the point I disliked him. Will not continue this series.
March 30, 2018
Good story i did enjoy myself with this one. Strange we still don't know where our main character came from?
I think I like that
I think I like that
August 16, 2018
Sword of Ruyn (Legends of Gilia #1) - a review by Rosemary Kenny
This is the first in a great new epic rival to Lord of the Rings, but with a human MC, Ealrin Belouve. He is destined for great deeds - if he can only get over his amnesia, following a shipwreck during which most of the crew and passengers were drowned.
Where does Ealrin awaken? Who is his companion? What relationship develops between man and boy?
What is the other's purpose in coming to the Southern Republic?
Who is Blume - and what secret does her family hide? Can it help in the coming invasion?
When does the invading force come to engage in battle? Who is their evil leader?
When Blume's family secret is revealed to Ealrin, will he use its power to his own advantage, or for the greater good of the whole continent's population?
R.G Long's amazing first novel in the Legends of Gilia series, will engage the reader from the very first page to the end, with its imaginative characters, inventive scenarios and events and a gripping ending that can be satisfactory as a stand alone novel, or as a further introduction (a prequel and a map of the Kingdoms are available as an aid (if needed) for younger readers or to enhance older readers' overall experience). I can highly recommend it to fans of fantasy epic and all-action paranormal thrillers, plus Lord of the Rings addicts.
Buy the whole series, (to date) and buckle up for a fabulous ride you'll remember for a long time!
This is the first in a great new epic rival to Lord of the Rings, but with a human MC, Ealrin Belouve. He is destined for great deeds - if he can only get over his amnesia, following a shipwreck during which most of the crew and passengers were drowned.
Where does Ealrin awaken? Who is his companion? What relationship develops between man and boy?
What is the other's purpose in coming to the Southern Republic?
Who is Blume - and what secret does her family hide? Can it help in the coming invasion?
When does the invading force come to engage in battle? Who is their evil leader?
When Blume's family secret is revealed to Ealrin, will he use its power to his own advantage, or for the greater good of the whole continent's population?
R.G Long's amazing first novel in the Legends of Gilia series, will engage the reader from the very first page to the end, with its imaginative characters, inventive scenarios and events and a gripping ending that can be satisfactory as a stand alone novel, or as a further introduction (a prequel and a map of the Kingdoms are available as an aid (if needed) for younger readers or to enhance older readers' overall experience). I can highly recommend it to fans of fantasy epic and all-action paranormal thrillers, plus Lord of the Rings addicts.
Buy the whole series, (to date) and buckle up for a fabulous ride you'll remember for a long time!
February 14, 2019
Decent
3.5 stars. Decent epic fantasy. Liked the main character. Hoped for a magic sword but nope. Alright. Will look into reading book two.
3.5 stars. Decent epic fantasy. Liked the main character. Hoped for a magic sword but nope. Alright. Will look into reading book two.
May 8, 2018
Bound in mystery
An action based adventure that introduces s excellent cast of characters that come to life that leaves gripping our seats with anticipation of needing to hear more.excellent
An action based adventure that introduces s excellent cast of characters that come to life that leaves gripping our seats with anticipation of needing to hear more.excellent
March 6, 2018
Wow
Really liked this book. Do not get attached to anyone. LOL. Good story and excellent characters to cheer for. Some things in the story seems a little rushed but they do not take away from the story. I will pick up book 2.
Really liked this book. Do not get attached to anyone. LOL. Good story and excellent characters to cheer for. Some things in the story seems a little rushed but they do not take away from the story. I will pick up book 2.
December 11, 2019
Bland
DNF @ 30%
There isn't much about this novel that hasn't been said already below (see the sub 3 star reviews) and so my own review will simply be on what I think is this works most glaring flaw. I don't want to offend the author, but this novel is boring. This isn't your stock standard boredom caused by lack of plot development either. It's a fundamentally different kind born from apathy and detachment to the story portrayed.
Explain!
I'll try to but it's a hard concept to articulate and even harder to remedy since you can't point at a single event (or even multiple events) and "fix" the mistake. It's a more pervasive problem. Fundamentally, the reason why traditional fiction succeeds is due to the characters involved. The reader is interested (notice I didn't use the word "relates to") in the character/s and thus invested in the plot events that happen to said character/s.
The Sword of Ruyn does not have any interesting characters, at least to me though I'm willing to say it would apply to a larger audience as well. They lack personality beyond their physical characteristics, which is exemplified mostly by the fact that the central cast have no common goal (let alone an intricate web of individual goals). Much of it reads as if the author needed these characters to be together so he wrote them to be so without any explanation (character or plot-wise).
So if you can't endear yourself to the characters (despite having read 30% of the novel), then the events that follow have no importance to you.
DNF @ 30%
There isn't much about this novel that hasn't been said already below (see the sub 3 star reviews) and so my own review will simply be on what I think is this works most glaring flaw. I don't want to offend the author, but this novel is boring. This isn't your stock standard boredom caused by lack of plot development either. It's a fundamentally different kind born from apathy and detachment to the story portrayed.
Explain!
I'll try to but it's a hard concept to articulate and even harder to remedy since you can't point at a single event (or even multiple events) and "fix" the mistake. It's a more pervasive problem. Fundamentally, the reason why traditional fiction succeeds is due to the characters involved. The reader is interested (notice I didn't use the word "relates to") in the character/s and thus invested in the plot events that happen to said character/s.
The Sword of Ruyn does not have any interesting characters, at least to me though I'm willing to say it would apply to a larger audience as well. They lack personality beyond their physical characteristics, which is exemplified mostly by the fact that the central cast have no common goal (let alone an intricate web of individual goals). Much of it reads as if the author needed these characters to be together so he wrote them to be so without any explanation (character or plot-wise).
So if you can't endear yourself to the characters (despite having read 30% of the novel), then the events that follow have no importance to you.
March 6, 2019
Umm...wow... the entire continent is unraveling! The POV hops around a good bit in this book but ultimately it comes together and makes sense. This was a good book that felt like a set up for the rest of the series- there was action and a lot of wondering what the heck is going on and how will they get out of this? I loved learning of the different races and how they are all so different but they all bring something special and important to the table. And who is Ealrin, really? I’d still like to know
May 30, 2018
Great story and lovable characters will keep you reading. It will have you cheering for them and wonder what is going to happen next. There are some slow points and you may get a little mixed up but it becomes clear. I have a question though, "Where does the main character come from?" "What is their backstory?" I guess that is two questions or both the same, LOL! Well any ways great book and great reading will keep the pages turning. Great Reading Everyone!
July 23, 2018
4.5 stars
This book seems to be the begin of an epic story. I enjoyed the story, although, there seems a slight lack in descriptive details and possibly this story could be enhanced with more action too. I am hoping some of this is solved by the continuation of the series. Great start though!
This book seems to be the begin of an epic story. I enjoyed the story, although, there seems a slight lack in descriptive details and possibly this story could be enhanced with more action too. I am hoping some of this is solved by the continuation of the series. Great start though!
October 30, 2020
Excellent writing style. My only complaint, which is a very small one, is that we only read about races that have already been created and written about. I would love to read about the cultures of some new races.
May 24, 2018
Good read
I enjoyed this book. It kept me diverted and entertained. I am going start book 2 next and I plan on finishing the series.
I enjoyed this book. It kept me diverted and entertained. I am going start book 2 next and I plan on finishing the series.
June 21, 2018
Awesome Story
Full of action and suspense. I loved this book. When will our hero discover who he is? I can’t wait to get the next book in the series.
Full of action and suspense. I loved this book. When will our hero discover who he is? I can’t wait to get the next book in the series.
July 19, 2018
Good read
Good read. Looking forward to the next book and following the journey of Ealrin. Lots of questions remain so a good read I say.
Good read. Looking forward to the next book and following the journey of Ealrin. Lots of questions remain so a good read I say.
September 26, 2018
An exciting read!
I had a very hard time putting the book down! It was a very exciting story full of adventure, good versus evil, and old fashioned high fantasy.
I had a very hard time putting the book down! It was a very exciting story full of adventure, good versus evil, and old fashioned high fantasy.
November 7, 2018
Pretty good introduction to the series, goes along at a good pace with a good storyline, and some interesting characters.
May 5, 2020
Enjoyable, captivating story.
August 25, 2021
Adventure awaits!
Great story that will no doubt have expanded as the series progresses. Many unanswered questions to keep my attention going!! Love it
Great story that will no doubt have expanded as the series progresses. Many unanswered questions to keep my attention going!! Love it
July 21, 2020
It is fairly basic but well written and a crisp read. It is a nice escape and I hope we get a little more character development in the books to come.
unfinished
August 16, 2018I received this book as a free audiobook from the author on a reddit post. I do believe that the author deserves feedback for giving out these codes.
Unfortunately, the story didn't hold my interest. I was about two hours into the book and was not engaged. It is possible that this was due to the narrator, not the story, but I do think the story contributed to my lack of interest. The POV switched several times, never developing any of the people. I found myself two hours into the story, following characters I didn't know who were going somewhere for some reason... and I didn't care. It wasn't bad or dreadful, just not engaging for me.
Unfortunately, the story didn't hold my interest. I was about two hours into the book and was not engaged. It is possible that this was due to the narrator, not the story, but I do think the story contributed to my lack of interest. The POV switched several times, never developing any of the people. I found myself two hours into the story, following characters I didn't know who were going somewhere for some reason... and I didn't care. It wasn't bad or dreadful, just not engaging for me.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews