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The Gate of Aleph: Seven Gates of the Kingdom
Shammah is a scholar-soldier who can't overcome his past. He’s haunted by the deaths of thirteen men during a skirmish with the Mikana giants. Because Shammah disobeyed his father's military orders, King Aikah exiles him. For three years, Shammah sails the seas, roaming the world. He's an heir without a throne.While Shammah is away, Aikah falls ill. Even the moon goddess Livnath refuses to save his life. Meanwhile, the Mikana threaten to seize the kingdom. Aikah knows he won't live to lead his people into battle, so he summons Shammah back home. Shammah returns with reluctance. Before he reaches Aikah, four mysterious creatures guide him to Mount Aleph. On the mountain's rocky terrain, Shammah wrestles with his inner fears. Will he vindicate himself and find rest and love? Will he become the king his ruthless father never could?
274 pages, Paperback
Published October 15, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
September 8, 2022
The Gate of Aleph is the first instalment of the Seven Gates of the Kingdom book series by J.H. Ellis. The plot aligns well with teen and young adult readers.
Receiving an unexpected inheritance is a dream for many, but in J.H. Ellis's novel, The Gate of Aleph, legacy can have dangerous consequences. Shammah was not destined to be a ruler of the City of Kings; he was adopted and named the heir to Aikah's throne, his birthright. Amidst his father's orders and not being a true warrior, thirsty for battle, Shaman can’t escape his past. He goes against his father's orders. Shammah's decisions have severe consequences; his choices have cost the lives of thirteen soldiers. The result of his actions is banishment, where he would be compelled to enthrone himself among the nomads. The king becomes sick and expects Shammah to fulfil his duty and return. However, it was not in Shammah’s plans to do so. Things take a turn for the worst, and the king, his father, dies, which forces him to act upon the role bestowed upon him. He would become King and rule. He contemplates the character of the dead king and thinks about how he would rule; he questions whether he would be a good ruler. The final chapters tell of the rule of Shammah and the many changes he makes under his rule.
While Ellis’s novel is exciting, entertaining, and easy to read, and the premise is well-executed. The author defies chronology and doesn’t shirk from emotionally taxing details; this intelligent tome somehow remains compulsively readable.
Receiving an unexpected inheritance is a dream for many, but in J.H. Ellis's novel, The Gate of Aleph, legacy can have dangerous consequences. Shammah was not destined to be a ruler of the City of Kings; he was adopted and named the heir to Aikah's throne, his birthright. Amidst his father's orders and not being a true warrior, thirsty for battle, Shaman can’t escape his past. He goes against his father's orders. Shammah's decisions have severe consequences; his choices have cost the lives of thirteen soldiers. The result of his actions is banishment, where he would be compelled to enthrone himself among the nomads. The king becomes sick and expects Shammah to fulfil his duty and return. However, it was not in Shammah’s plans to do so. Things take a turn for the worst, and the king, his father, dies, which forces him to act upon the role bestowed upon him. He would become King and rule. He contemplates the character of the dead king and thinks about how he would rule; he questions whether he would be a good ruler. The final chapters tell of the rule of Shammah and the many changes he makes under his rule.
While Ellis’s novel is exciting, entertaining, and easy to read, and the premise is well-executed. The author defies chronology and doesn’t shirk from emotionally taxing details; this intelligent tome somehow remains compulsively readable.
September 10, 2022
A good fantasy novel.
The Gate of Aleph by J. H. Ellis is the first book of the Seven Gates of the Kingdom series. It is a fantasy novel that includes kingdoms, wars, mysterious creatures and a unique mount.
The author joined many different elements and created an interesting and entertaining story. This well-written book develops around Shammah, a throneless heir who was exiled by his father, King Aikah, but when he falls ill asks him to return.
I didn't know what to expect when I started reading the first chapters but it finally engaged me. The plot is well written and I liked how the characters interacted with each other. Also, I think the next book can be just as interesting as this one or even more. All in all, I recommend it!
The Gate of Aleph by J. H. Ellis is the first book of the Seven Gates of the Kingdom series. It is a fantasy novel that includes kingdoms, wars, mysterious creatures and a unique mount.
The author joined many different elements and created an interesting and entertaining story. This well-written book develops around Shammah, a throneless heir who was exiled by his father, King Aikah, but when he falls ill asks him to return.
I didn't know what to expect when I started reading the first chapters but it finally engaged me. The plot is well written and I liked how the characters interacted with each other. Also, I think the next book can be just as interesting as this one or even more. All in all, I recommend it!
September 10, 2022
The Gate of Aleph is an ancient historical fiction meant for adolescents and young adults and Ellis proves to be a great writer by putting together a fictional tale that almost seems realistic.
The narrative style used by Ellis is one that mingles prose with dialogues which are so lively that one can even hear what the characters are saying as if they were right next to us. By allowing us to create mental pictures in our minds, the author catches our attention and seizes it throughout the entire book until the very last word.
This is the first book out of 2 in a series and after reading this one, I would certainly go for the other one and I am pretty sure I would wish there were more installments after finishing that one.
The narrative style used by Ellis is one that mingles prose with dialogues which are so lively that one can even hear what the characters are saying as if they were right next to us. By allowing us to create mental pictures in our minds, the author catches our attention and seizes it throughout the entire book until the very last word.
This is the first book out of 2 in a series and after reading this one, I would certainly go for the other one and I am pretty sure I would wish there were more installments after finishing that one.
September 12, 2022
The Gate of Aleph: Seven Gates of The Kingdom follows the story of Shammah, an heir to the throne who has been exiled by his own father for disobeying orders.
After years of traveling the world, he comes back during the worst time his kingdom ever lived. On the edge of a bloody war and dealing with the ghosts of his past and King Aikah's imminent death, he needs to decide which kind of king he will become.
Personally, I really liked this novel. J.H. Ellis makes a description of this antique world that transported me to the past. It is one of those stories that require more than one reading to fully understand the big picture, a challenging coming-of-age story
After years of traveling the world, he comes back during the worst time his kingdom ever lived. On the edge of a bloody war and dealing with the ghosts of his past and King Aikah's imminent death, he needs to decide which kind of king he will become.
Personally, I really liked this novel. J.H. Ellis makes a description of this antique world that transported me to the past. It is one of those stories that require more than one reading to fully understand the big picture, a challenging coming-of-age story
September 11, 2022
The Gate of Aleph is the first book in the promising series “Seven Gates of the Kingdom” written by J.H.Ellis.
It is the story of a young soldier cast out by his own father. He disobeyed orders and provoked the death of countless men. This wonderful novel relates the adventures of this homeless heir and his return home to save his kingdom.
I was fascinated by the content of this story and the writing style. It was a great company during my resting hours, I couldn’t stop reading it. I shared it with my family and they loved it too. It is entertaining and I strongly recommend it.
It is the story of a young soldier cast out by his own father. He disobeyed orders and provoked the death of countless men. This wonderful novel relates the adventures of this homeless heir and his return home to save his kingdom.
I was fascinated by the content of this story and the writing style. It was a great company during my resting hours, I couldn’t stop reading it. I shared it with my family and they loved it too. It is entertaining and I strongly recommend it.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews