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The Wrylin
Kathely and Joel begin life on their father's farm where a broken thatch roof is all that protects them from the elements, and their mutual loyalty is all that protects them from their father. They escape to find the world, too, filled with peril. Joel grows up to hold a sword against the onslaught of war, while Kathely is tangled in the political web of the Deusian Cathedral. Ultimately, the life of the King rests in their hands just as their lives rest in his - all under the shadow of their father.
- GenresFantasy
436 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 5, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 10, 2018
In a beautifully written tale of good and evil in a fantasy mediaeval / dark ages setting, Allen Lamb delivers characters I really care about (even the minor ones), wrestling with their lives in an unpredictable and gripping story.
Lamb reveals an original and creative vision, and I was very impressed with the quality of the writing (although there are a few proofing flaws), and read the whole book within 24 hours. Some will feel that the language is, at times, foreign to the setting, but this is a fantasy, not a historical novel, and I thought that the use of modern US idiom and, sometimes, cowboy-speak, contributed helpfully to characterization. I do think most readers will agree that the plot is something of a work of art.
For me, Kathely is the clear heroine in the book, while Joel surprises with a powerful sting at the end. (One of the best last lines ever!)
The story has some dark moments and themes, and should not be considered a YA read just because the characters are children at the start.
While this is 'Book 1', it can easily be read as a stand-alone, so there's no commitment to look for the rest of the series. Which I will eagerly be looking for anyway! Great read for fantasy / historical fiction fans.
Lamb reveals an original and creative vision, and I was very impressed with the quality of the writing (although there are a few proofing flaws), and read the whole book within 24 hours. Some will feel that the language is, at times, foreign to the setting, but this is a fantasy, not a historical novel, and I thought that the use of modern US idiom and, sometimes, cowboy-speak, contributed helpfully to characterization. I do think most readers will agree that the plot is something of a work of art.
For me, Kathely is the clear heroine in the book, while Joel surprises with a powerful sting at the end. (One of the best last lines ever!)
The story has some dark moments and themes, and should not be considered a YA read just because the characters are children at the start.
While this is 'Book 1', it can easily be read as a stand-alone, so there's no commitment to look for the rest of the series. Which I will eagerly be looking for anyway! Great read for fantasy / historical fiction fans.
July 7, 2018
This book is about two siblings - Kathely and Joel.
It has everything from poverty to war to serving people to kings and princes.
It spans over a period of several years. And years pass by quickly, a little too quickly. But I understand that the story needed to cover a lot of ground and needed time leap.
It was quite a slow and tiring read for me. A few things that stand out.
Poor Joel as kid when he worked in their yard. I cried when he was being beaten up by his father when the scythe was broken.
A quote from part two.
"Sometimes we must pass through the thorns to reach the lake."
Did anyone else observe any editing errors? Full stop missing in a place or two. Then it became more frequent.
"Conversion" instead of "conversation".
"Here" instead of "her". And more, but not listing it here.
I end the review with another quote from the book, as this described my feeling exactly.
I still don't believe it myself. It feels like a bizarre dream.
It has everything from poverty to war to serving people to kings and princes.
It spans over a period of several years. And years pass by quickly, a little too quickly. But I understand that the story needed to cover a lot of ground and needed time leap.
It was quite a slow and tiring read for me. A few things that stand out.
Poor Joel as kid when he worked in their yard. I cried when he was being beaten up by his father when the scythe was broken.
A quote from part two.
"Sometimes we must pass through the thorns to reach the lake."
Did anyone else observe any editing errors? Full stop missing in a place or two. Then it became more frequent.
"Conversion" instead of "conversation".
"Here" instead of "her". And more, but not listing it here.
I end the review with another quote from the book, as this described my feeling exactly.
I still don't believe it myself. It feels like a bizarre dream.
September 15, 2018
The Wrylin is a fantasy with a refreshingly original premise, something that is sorely lacking these days. However, its greatest flaw is the lack of editing.
The tone of the book reminded me of Eddins' Belgariad and the characters, especially Kathely and Joel, had the same kind of folksiness, which rapidly endeared them to me. For the most part, the setting is well drawn. But the narrative itself is uneven. Some of the the plot twists are predictable, but many others are jarringly unexpected without adequate foreshadowing, which made them seem contrived. That is doubly true for the ending, which I found cynical and unsatisfying. A lot of the verbiage would have been cut by a good editor, producing a story with a more even flow and perhaps a more appropriate resolution.
I wish I could give The Wrylin five stars because of its originality, but the lack of editing was its downfall.
The tone of the book reminded me of Eddins' Belgariad and the characters, especially Kathely and Joel, had the same kind of folksiness, which rapidly endeared them to me. For the most part, the setting is well drawn. But the narrative itself is uneven. Some of the the plot twists are predictable, but many others are jarringly unexpected without adequate foreshadowing, which made them seem contrived. That is doubly true for the ending, which I found cynical and unsatisfying. A lot of the verbiage would have been cut by a good editor, producing a story with a more even flow and perhaps a more appropriate resolution.
I wish I could give The Wrylin five stars because of its originality, but the lack of editing was its downfall.
May 15, 2018
I am grateful to have had the opportunity to read an earlier version of this book in 2017. Despite taking place in another world, The Wrylin is hardly a fantasy book. You won't find any elves here; no dwarves, or dragons, or orcs, or goblins; no magic or sorcery or anything like that. Instead, Allen Lamb's debut novel is just a very solid pre-technology drama with compelling characters and great world building that just happens to take place on another planet.
I originally read this in front of my computer via Microsoft Word, so I'm thrilled to now have the book on my Kindle, complete with maps and beautiful chapter headings. I hope to someday own it on paperback as well (hint!).
I originally read this in front of my computer via Microsoft Word, so I'm thrilled to now have the book on my Kindle, complete with maps and beautiful chapter headings. I hope to someday own it on paperback as well (hint!).
March 12, 2019
Good book
This book is about a brother and sister who escape a violent father. Their lives go separate ways but something brings them back together. A very interesting story with an unusual twist. I can’t wait for the next book.
This book is about a brother and sister who escape a violent father. Their lives go separate ways but something brings them back together. A very interesting story with an unusual twist. I can’t wait for the next book.
June 27, 2018
Fantastic!! Can't wait for the next book!!
August 18, 2018
To me, the selling point of ‘’The Wrylin’’ is its simplicity and a velvety old-world feel that harks back to classic novels where inns dealt in gold and silver coins, horse-drawn carriages clattered in the streets, wars depended on swords and treachery and people from humble backgrounds would undergo one quirk of fate after another to end up being much more significant that they could ever hope to be.
The story is interesting enough with a brother and sister finding a life beyond their father’s abusive shadow, their different paths tasseled with some colourful characters and events, the fictional kingdoms of Faylinn and Marcinia embroiled in political intrigue, the politics and machinations that seem to pervade a house of religion (I was reminded of the Vatican), the anguish of a woman finding herself in shoes too big to fill, the battles which test a young man’s mettle and wisdom and end up bringing the best out of him, the tongue-in-cheek terms like a ‘hornblower’ for a woman who blows something other than horns for money, but overall it seems to lack a common thread which can weave it all together and smoothen out the kinks which are quite a few. Some stricter editing could have turned it into a taut thriller with all the elements of a pageturner.
The story is interesting enough with a brother and sister finding a life beyond their father’s abusive shadow, their different paths tasseled with some colourful characters and events, the fictional kingdoms of Faylinn and Marcinia embroiled in political intrigue, the politics and machinations that seem to pervade a house of religion (I was reminded of the Vatican), the anguish of a woman finding herself in shoes too big to fill, the battles which test a young man’s mettle and wisdom and end up bringing the best out of him, the tongue-in-cheek terms like a ‘hornblower’ for a woman who blows something other than horns for money, but overall it seems to lack a common thread which can weave it all together and smoothen out the kinks which are quite a few. Some stricter editing could have turned it into a taut thriller with all the elements of a pageturner.
September 11, 2018
The Wrylin by Allen Lamb -
It stretched me out of my comfort zone, outside my preferred genre. The Wrylin is a fantasy, but not—it’s a historical fiction, but not— a contemporary write, but not. Now, having said that—what is it? It is all the above. The story is original.
It took too long for me to find out what a Wrylin was. When it was finally explained, there was a little bit of a let-down. Knowing I was reading a fantasy, the word/name Wrylin sounds like a mythical creature. So not.
Many of the characters, while each unique in the story, seemed written with the same voice or too close to really give them a distinct identity. In dialogue, I got a better sense of some of the characters, like Gavin. Everyone had an excellent grasp on words, even those that did not know how to read and write. Some of the minor characters were fleshed out really well, and I could see and hear them in their antics, and get a sense of their nature.
The planning for war and battle scenes seemed to have been given more attention than the protagonist’s major pitfalls or issues. I never did know what garment Kathely wore? (afterward – no spoiler here) What did she look like? There was nothing about that monumental event in her life vs. the war scenes. I hope you understand what I mean. I don't want to give anything away.
I enjoyed the story. At times it was a page turner and other times it fell flat. It would be an easier read if put into the hands of a good editor.
It stretched me out of my comfort zone, outside my preferred genre. The Wrylin is a fantasy, but not—it’s a historical fiction, but not— a contemporary write, but not. Now, having said that—what is it? It is all the above. The story is original.
It took too long for me to find out what a Wrylin was. When it was finally explained, there was a little bit of a let-down. Knowing I was reading a fantasy, the word/name Wrylin sounds like a mythical creature. So not.
Many of the characters, while each unique in the story, seemed written with the same voice or too close to really give them a distinct identity. In dialogue, I got a better sense of some of the characters, like Gavin. Everyone had an excellent grasp on words, even those that did not know how to read and write. Some of the minor characters were fleshed out really well, and I could see and hear them in their antics, and get a sense of their nature.
The planning for war and battle scenes seemed to have been given more attention than the protagonist’s major pitfalls or issues. I never did know what garment Kathely wore? (afterward – no spoiler here) What did she look like? There was nothing about that monumental event in her life vs. the war scenes. I hope you understand what I mean. I don't want to give anything away.
I enjoyed the story. At times it was a page turner and other times it fell flat. It would be an easier read if put into the hands of a good editor.
November 6, 2018
At first, I expected this book to be a high fantasy given it’s setting, but it quickly took me by surprise. Turns out this is more Westworld and less Lord of The Rings. While you won’t find any magic or mystical beasts here (a bit disappointed on the beasts), you will find a delightfully original story line which keeps you turning the page.
I found the characters of Kathely and Joel to be relatable and felt a connection with them, which is hard to do these days. And while I noticed that some had a hard time with “distinct voice” of the characters, I did not have that problem. The only issue I had was the length of the book, which at times felt a bit daunting, yet was necessary to tell the story, and I still finished it in two days.
Overall, if you are expecting the Wrylin to be a high fantasy full of magic and dragons, then this book is simply not for you. However, if you are a fan of the more nontraditional fantasy stories which trespass into the realm of something like Firefly, then you should definitely read this book. But a word of warning, be prepared to set aside a weekend to read this as you will not be able to put it down.
I found the characters of Kathely and Joel to be relatable and felt a connection with them, which is hard to do these days. And while I noticed that some had a hard time with “distinct voice” of the characters, I did not have that problem. The only issue I had was the length of the book, which at times felt a bit daunting, yet was necessary to tell the story, and I still finished it in two days.
Overall, if you are expecting the Wrylin to be a high fantasy full of magic and dragons, then this book is simply not for you. However, if you are a fan of the more nontraditional fantasy stories which trespass into the realm of something like Firefly, then you should definitely read this book. But a word of warning, be prepared to set aside a weekend to read this as you will not be able to put it down.
August 6, 2018
I purchased and read this novel through Reviews Community for Indie Books. The book is well written and edited, although tends to take some time to ready the plot and arrange the action lines for the protagonists. It was not, as I wrongly suspected, a true fantasy story, although did have some original 'twists' on the genre.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews