Fledgling

The Ashen Levels #1

by C.F. Welburn

When Balagir awakens at the fire with no recollection of his past, he discovers he is an ashen—a mysterious group of black-eyed vagabonds, addicted to the smoke they must pay the ghostly piper in exchange for power. With the help of the kalaqai (a sentient spark) and a band of nefarious companions, Balagir will have to traverse the northern wilds, cross seas and survive foreign wars if he is to discover the truth behind the Ashen Levels.

Genres: Fantasy

150 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 1, 2018

About the author

Craig Farndale Welburn is an award-winning author for his series: The Ashen Levels.

He was born in the year of Star Wars, in the birth town of Charles Darwin, and caught the fantasy bug as a child at the top of a faraway tree, in a hole in the ground and through a snowy wardrobe.

He left Shropshire to study literature, travel the lands and seek his fortune. (He’s still seeking…)


He lives in Madrid with his wife Jessica and son Otis.

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you like riddles? And how about games of trickery and deceit? All within a tale written in a wonderful, poetic and expressive prose?

You do?
Then this is a must read!



Fledgling is one of the most unique and refreshingly original reads I have stumbled upon. It turns deception and trickery into a game one must not only master but also balance on a knife's edge. And it's so very beautifully written!!!

Balagir awakened at a fire with no recollection of his past and discovered he is an ashen—a mysterious group of black-eyed vagabonds. Addicted to the smoke they must pay the ghostly piper in exchange for power.
He had nothing save an empty pouch, the garments on his back, an awkward belt with disks reflecting oaths he would be compelled to take, and an inkling of destiny. Well, that and that nagging feeling 'he had walked into a trap without truly understanding what the trap might be.'

Hoping to somehow have his memory restored, Balagir sets off on a path, not quite of his choosing. He must traverse the northern wilds, cross seas and survive foreign wars if he is to discover the truth behind the Ashen Levels. All the while trying to fulfill oaths and escape curses, and juggling trickery and deceit, set as traps along his path in the most unexpected places, by the unlikeliest foes.

In Fledgling, Welburn gives us a dark and riveting tale with a distinctive Gothic atmosphere, unique and wonderfully creepy characters and an ingenious debt and reward system that involves oaths, with smoke for currency. All told in a beautiful and at times downright poetic prose that is an absolute pleasure to read.

From the world, to the atmosphere, plot, pacing and characters, everything here conveys an otherworldly feeling, typical to that of a gripping fairytale. Even the lack of a fully fleshed out background for the characters themselves, only adds to the mystery of the story itself.

Fast paced and with an intriguing mystery, this little page turner is one hell of an adventure that will have you ensnared from the very first chapter.

If you are on the lookout for a unique and truly imaginative read, dark, fascinating and wonderfully written, Fledgling (The Ashen Levels #1) is A MUST READ.

Give it a chance and I guarantee you won't be disappointed.

Find this review and more on my book review and cover art blog The Magic Book Corner

[Lee Conley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A review of
Fledgling
By C.F. Welburn

Fledgling is the first book in Welburn’s Ashen Levels. It’s a relatively short read but I found it thoroughly enjoyable.

The story follows Balagir as he wakes up beside a fire without any memory of how he got there. It appears he is now one of the ashen, but has no idea exactly what that is. Balagir quickly discovers he can complete tasks and receive the gift of smoke which is then traded to the strange piper at the fireside. There are other strange creatures in this book, not all human, some are ashen too some are not. Balagir discovers other ashen around the fire and the mysterious piper is always there to take their smoke, and no matter where he is, he will stumble across the campfire and the piper.
This story follows Balagir as he undertakes a number of tasks, almost like a series of short connected adventures, each time revealing another small piece of the mystery. The characters are interesting and often treacherous – it seems the life of an ashen is one of treachery and smoke. I really enjoyed the different humanoids that Balagir comes across or journeys with, the world is dangerous and yet interesting, Welburn really captured the lost in a world of which the character has no knowledge of, Balagir is literally a fledging learning his way in this strange new world.

One of the things that struck me about this book is the prose, Welburn has a style of writing that has managed to achieve a timeless, almost classic feel. It’s a story full of questions and mystery which all serve to drive the reader onward to discover more of the nature of the Ashen, which is a mystery that has me curious so I will certainly be reading on to discover what happens to Balagir.

I very much enjoyed this first taste of The Ashen Levels, I look forward to the next instalment (which is already available, the entire series is complete and released – it’s also available as an epic omnibus edition). I would recommend this book to any fan of fantasy looking for something well written and intriguing.

Thanks for reading,
Lee C. Conley

[Fee Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fledgling by C.F. Welburn is the first book in The Ashen Levels. Balagir discovers that he is an Ashen. Paying the piper in exchange for power, Balagir must unravel the past to save the future.

Plot 5/5: An intriguing story that kept me wanting more.

Characters 4/5: Interesting characters, but I would have liked to see a little more descriptions as to get a better picture of the characters in my mind.

World building 5/5: An interesting world with a magic system that I have never encountered before in my adventures.

Pacing 4/5: A steady pace throughout the story.

Writing 5/5: Beautifully written prose.

Overall 4.6

I loved this story so much that I bought the next two books. I highly recommend this book.

[F.T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This dark, intriguing little tale is one of the best things I’ve read in a while. It has a Gothic, uncanny air, elements of fairy tales, and an engaging plot. It features a motley bunch of human and non-human characters who are ensnared by a mysterious Dionysian figure who pits them against each other using a debt and reward system involving oaths. Known as ashen and marked with black eyes, these characters are an ugly lot, with odd names and creepy, monstrous physical traits outdone only by unsavory, conniving, cutthroat personalities.

The protagonist, an ashen named Balagir, awakens to this weird landscape as a fledgling, and soon discovers he has little choice but to play. During a series of oaths in which every bad thing that can happen, does, he decides to play rough and starts outwitting his more experienced companions, making enemies while developing a hunger for the rewards of keeping his oaths, which usually if not always involve trickery.

This is beautifully written, in a style that excellently conveys the otherworldliness of the story. It has a rich, heady feel that made me keep wanting more. Fantastic work, and I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.

[Angel Haze · Rating 5 out of 5]

I kept hearing rave reviews about this book and WOW they weren't kidding!! This was one helluva an adventure, one that was truly imaginative!! I've never seen anything like the ashen. And using the smoke as currency was so unique. Countless quests and oaths took Balagir on such a gripping adventure. It was non-stop action and sooo beautifully written.

Perfect for fans of Peter Brett, Michael J. Sullivan, JT Williams, and Andy Peloquin. Highly recommend!

[ShannaBanana✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was different and it held my interest for the most part. I would have liked for one of the other side characters to become a friend/companion to Balagir but they did not and all went their own way. Personally, I’m more of a fan of side characters than the main one. That’s the only reason I held back on five stars. Other than that, the story was compelling and the characters were definitely interesting.

[Tiny Elf Arcanist · Rating 5 out of 5]

Balagir is resourceful and tenacious. In a world of perpetual danger, his wits are his best weapon. Essential in a heavily character-centred story, he is a character you can root for.

This book is mysterious, captivating, and written elegantly without falling into purple prose. This is my first dive into LitRPG, and I'm having trouble believing other works will reach this level of craftsmanship. I loved every second of it. I'm eager to keep reading this author's work.

[William Penney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well before the 150 pages are over you feel like you're deep in the mysterious and hostile world the author has created.A fantastically realised world and a host of intriguingly nefarious characters meant the pages flew by.
Can't wait to read the next installment.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the dark tale of Balagir- a man who wakes up with no idea of who he is and nothing but an amulet to suggest who he might be. He finds out he is an Ashen, a mysterious group of people of many races who are connected only by their black eyes and trade of smoke - a currency paid to a mysterious piper in exchange for strength. In fact everything about the world is mysterious. Stuck in a cycle of oath after oath and quest after quest, Balagir fights to survive in a world of tricks and treachery. I listened to the audiobook and the narration is fantastic- it’s the best audiobook I’ve ever listened to! It’s worth listening to just for the narrator. Plus the prose is stellar which made the book a joy to listen to! I’m looking forward to the rest of the series!

[Jonathan Lees · Rating 5 out of 5]

-About-

Fledgling is the first book of five in The Ashen Levels, and tells the story of Balagir, a man who has woken amidst a strange world and even stranger company.

Bereft of any useful memories, he finds himself thrown down a path etched out by cunning and dangerous tasks.

Discovering that he is an 'Ashen' only adds to the pile of mysteries he must sort through, and it is through this toil that the story reveals itself.

-Plot-

In Fledgling, the plot for me started out small and gradually grew in intensity as the story unfolded, something I enjoyed and thought worked well.

The presentation of details useful for the reader followed this pace too, and I think was done in a way that fit the overall theme of the book; I could definitely grasp the reality of Balagir having to deal with what he was given, which initially is very little.

There is definitely strong inspiration from fantasy and role playing genres/games, but this is used with originality and balance, giving us a believable trail of events with the right amount of imagination.

The use of deception and trickery was also masterfully done, and added an element unique to itself.

-Characters-

The denizens who feature in this world are well written and relatable: everyone felt as if they belonged in the place they held. The way they were established in the book greatly eased the world building too.

I found that the balance between characters was also very good, and Balagir's own development was natural and believable. His adaption to the world around him was clear and logical, and as a reader I was able to feel connected to him.

What I feel was missing in parts, however, was more depth in the description of some characters overall. This is not a major issue as it wasn't something which got in the way of the story, but it would have been nice to have more padding to the world in this regard.

-World Building-

The more I read into Fledgling, the more I could see the things which also inspire myself, and understand where those elements have come from. Don't get me wrong, this is a good thing, as it is done well and with creativity.

The pacing helps this a lot, as information is given more or less 'as needed', which works because we have a character who is also experiencing this. Personally, I believe that a reading experience isn't just about having your hand held by the author.

Welburn creates a world that fits perfectly well within its scope, and all of the elements within feel natural because of this. As something new is revealed, it does not feel out of place. In fact, it feels somewhat familiar, and no doubt because of the authors inspiration.

Personally, I hope that more world building is done further along the series.

-Writing-

Overall this was a book I greatly enjoyed, not just in story, but also in the way it is written.

The style feels complex enough with bowing out to over simplification, something which I feel deflates fiction.

There is a good scope of words that imply meaning without needing additional sentence length.

Minus a few occasions where some wording felt a little odd for me, there was nothing which stood out as bad, and felt like a solid piece that had time poured into it.

-Summary-

Welburn manages to take intrinsically opposing elements, like black and white, good and evil, and somehow create colour with them.

The way actions impacted others and plot-lines fell into place was effortless; everything played out just right, with nothing seeming like a 'get out of jail free card'.

One of the strongest aspects of Fledgling is its ability to take deception and trickery, and turn it into something that felt balanced and justified. A negative moment felt universally accounted for, but until we received the outcome, it created a tangible atmosphere.

I've said it before and I will say it again: I am a slow reader. I am also very good at starting things, but finishing? I think it is the Aries in me.

Despite this, with Fledgling I found myself able to fight back against these tendencies of mine, and this was a book I really wanted to finish - not because I was suffering, but because I was enjoying.

So in conclusion, this definitely worth picking up if you enjoy the fantasy genre in any way. I received it for free through a promotion, but would not bat an eyelid if I paid full price in a store for a physical copy.

Do yourself a favour.

[Patti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall rating:4.3

Between the names, the types of characters, their inherent abilities, my brain is just totally bewildered! For me, this was very challenging but in an awestruck way! This author gives new meaning to the words unique and creative! The ashen, the oaths, smoke oh just all these new and wondrous details! My brain just needs another read through to be able to fully absorb this great tale! At first I thought Baldagir was just the unluckiest character ever but this storyline evolved into so much more. Totally worth a recommend! All my reviews are always voluntarily written.

[Lisa Maughan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is great story. It is written precisely. It definitely will open your imagination.

[Jamie Edmundson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wasn't sure what to expect, this turned out to be a really unique read and I encourage people to try it. The prose is top notch and the setting is strange and atmospheric.

I've tried gamelit stories before and every time they made me want to spew hot liquid all over the room. There was something about the focus on collecting points and going up levels that made them feel pointless, inane and just too damn nerdy.

What's great about this book is the sense of mystery. It's almost poetic or fable-like. Balagir, the main character, could be in a computer game, but we don't know for sure, even by the end, and he certainly doesn't. All he knows is that he's an ashen, surrounded by delightfully dark and backstabbing characters. It's a setting that allows the author's imagination to run riot and there's a lot of cleverness in the story to admire here.

The downside of a prolonged mystery is a lack of detailed worldbuilding that prevented me from getting the realistic setting that gets me fully invested in a story. The same can be said for characters. The danger plot wise is that it becomes a repetitive set of oaths/challenges that Balagir has to negotiate - to be fair there are signs that there is more than this to come in the rest of the series, but nonetheless at the end I was left feeling that Balagir is moving on to the next level in a game, and this makes me care a bit less.

All of these are criticisms of the sub-genre rather than the book itself and are reasons why I will never love gamelit. If you like the genre, this is a no-brainer must read. For those in the middle this is an entertaining read, fast-paced, very well edited, and refreshingly different.

[Paul Mouchet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book by C.F. Welburn.
A book where paying the piper is a literal thing.
The tale is wonderfully written. The world is bizarre. The characters, strange as they are, are relatable.
It seems none of the Ashen can trusted, but trust must be extended in order to survive. And yet, each time the protagonist Balagir extends his trust, he finds himself fighting for his life. The story, in many ways, felt like quests in a video game. With each quest, Balagir gains some strength in one way or another. If recall, there is at least one point where leveling up is mentioned.
There were a good number of things that left me scratching my head, but I think it’s by design. The way the story is crafted, and the way it ended, left me wanting to read book 2 right away. It didn’t end with a cliff-hanger, but it clearly left the door open for the next part of the story.

[Christina Morley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you like adventure, misfits, shady characters, riddles, and puzzles? This story has all of that and more! How can I describe this book? I feel like Alice in Wonderland who fell down the rabbit hole. It really does have a little bit of everything.

I love the underdog. It's one of my favorite tropes for main characters. Balagir is the underdog of this story. He starts out knowing almost nothing and gets taken advantage of from the get-go. He keeps his wits about him even in the trickiest of situations. His wits and sheer determination keep him alive in a world where anyone will use you for their own gain. As he succeeds at different challenges, he levels up like in a role-playing game. I love how he starts getting the hang of things. The first book ends with him sailing away in search of answers. The tone is hopeful as he heads towards his next adventure.

I listened to the audiobook, which is masterfully narrated by Jez Jameson. The audiobook is the complete series, The Ashen Levels: Omnibus Version.

[M. Vess · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the first sentence I was excited by the clean, yet old-world style of prose. Every sentence was a delight. The dialogue is so well written I feel like I’m eavesdropping on real conversations. Let’s talk about Balagir, because he’s my new best friend, and I already know I will be with him till the end of his journey. He wakes up at a campfire and has very few memories, only his name and mysterious old medallion no one can decipher. Through many trials and errors he figures out how the oaths, smoke, and paying the piper, all work for what he’s become, a black-eyed Ashen. The Ashen are like a tribe drawn from nearly every race, and have bad reputations almost everywhere they go. It seems to be “every Ashen for themselves,” but Balagir is often torn between helping others and making his own way to find the truth of his origins. Eventually he decides his answers lie South, and makes his way as far as he can.

[John Pepe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was different from many others I have read of late, in a good way. Wellburn, in the manner that he wrote, reminded me of Homer's style in The Iliad and The Odyssey. It also had a bit of the Odyssey feel through out most of the book in that there were several quests that his MC, Balagir found himself undertaking. Also the idea of the Ashen-which made me think people reborn of Hades-was a unique take for his MC and his brethren. The world felt refreshing, even if it reminded me of the classic Greek poems. His creatures and characters felt familar but were definately the author's own. I enjoyed the journey and I would definately recommnend this story.

[David Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poetic and gothic, The Ashen Levels 1: Fledgling is a seriously dark and moreish tale.

It reminds me of Dark Souls - in fact, this could be a perfect novella set in that world; the trappings of Gamelit are present and correct but the hints of worldbuilding elevate the tale, as does the wonderful writing.

As a gamer myself, I appreciate the subtle and obvious nods to videogame progression and structure, but I feel Fledging would definitely appeal to those outside of that fanbase, Welburn manages to mix these elements organically into his world and story.

[Alan Behan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A reread for me, and It was if even better the second time round, after downloading the audio omnibus, I had to experience it in audio form and the narrator Jez Jameson brings the madness and the characters to another ashen level, Dark, Gritty and such a fun read, C.F. Welburn has you enthralled from start to finish, the main protagonist Balagir finds himself awake at a fire with three men for company and no memory of his past or how he got there, for such a short story, it packs a punch, what can go wrong for Balagir, everything, time to level up and pay the piper, highly recommended...😁

[Rally Russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A dark, yet fabulous tale about a man called Balagir, Fledgling begins as he awakens without memory of his past. Penniless and lacking any means to defend himself, he resides in a world he knows nothing about. Or does he? Some events spark a memory, but most do not. Balagir is forced to go through trials and riddles, one more dangerous than the next as he tries to uncover what has happened to him.

Written in most exquisite prose, this tale is expertly told, weaving an intricate web of events as the reader is taken through adventures, world-building and character development. The book gives off an intriguing and creepy, almost fairytale-like, feel (the old kind, mind you) which I found highly entertaining. Everywhere Balagir turns, there is a challenge he must face and it is absolutely fantastic! C.F. Welburn has outdone himself on this one, and I will most definitely continue the series (pst! I already have...)!

As an extra note: I listened to the audiobook version of Fledgling, and the narrator is insanely good.

I highly recommend this book!

[H.M. · Rating 1 out of 5]

I’m confused

This story confused me. Was this book supposed to be something like a LitRPG? Because multiple times throughout it, the main character would “level.” Level…what? What does the leveling do? It would have been nice if the main character was able to remember who he was, but it didn’t feel like he cared to find out at all. And it felt like there wasn’t a story. It was just Balagir being betrayed over and over. I really liked the first paragraph of the book, but not much else.

[Barbara Harrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quest

Allow a day for this strange PG quest of amnesiac Balagir, which has all the illogic of a role-playing game.