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Forbidden Magic #1
Sworn Guardian
Gone. They're all gone. His level. Magicka points. Memory. Everything... Waking aboard an unfamiliar ship missing all the attributes he spent years earning, Aren remembers little except that his sister, Claire, is in mortal danger."Save me. Save the Empire." Those were the last words she'd said to him... or was that even her?Somehow, he's become an oathbreaker, a pariah, and enemy to the throne. With the help of a fellow new recruit to his clan, Aren set's out to find Claire, all while battling new enemies far beyond his level, and piecing together his broken memory.But still, Aren can't help the nagging feeling that there's something greater at stake. If only he could remember... Fans of Arcane Ascension and Final Fantasy will love this LitRPG/GameLit adventure filled with blood-pumping action and a rich story that'll keep you burning the midnight oil. Also available on Audible narrated by Vikas Adam.
ebook
Published January 1, 2019
About the author
T.L. Branson
18 books303 followersT.L. Branson is the author of the Soul Stones series. Branson started writing when he was eighteen and has contributed articles to several blogs and websites over the years. Soul Render is his debut novel in a planned trilogy. He finds his inspiration from the kings (and queen) of story, J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, George Lucas, and J.K. Rowling. Born in Pennsylvania, he currently lives in California with his wife and two children.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
October 23, 2019
Could have been great. This is a case of having a good idea and messing it up even better.
It has a really cool magic system and the setting in a world with magic and tech is great. But other than that...
I'm sorry to say that I gave up on the book at the halfway point, but there are too many inconsistencies.
Even putting aside that forgetting everything means that you would likely have a few issues, it does not mean that the main character has to behave like a total dumbass. To me he seems brain dead.
Putting the main character aside and looking at the side characters does not help much, as they are neither more consistent in their behaviour nor any more intelligent.
It's like walking into a room with people who all have a multiple personality disorder.
I could live with that. But when I read a book a story unfolds in my mind. I imagine what it would look like. And when something just doesn't fit... And it's not just in one scene...
And now I'm sitting here wasting time writing about a book that could have been great so you don't waste time reading it.
It has a really cool magic system and the setting in a world with magic and tech is great. But other than that...
I'm sorry to say that I gave up on the book at the halfway point, but there are too many inconsistencies.
Even putting aside that forgetting everything means that you would likely have a few issues, it does not mean that the main character has to behave like a total dumbass. To me he seems brain dead.
Putting the main character aside and looking at the side characters does not help much, as they are neither more consistent in their behaviour nor any more intelligent.
It's like walking into a room with people who all have a multiple personality disorder.
I could live with that. But when I read a book a story unfolds in my mind. I imagine what it would look like. And when something just doesn't fit... And it's not just in one scene...
And now I'm sitting here wasting time writing about a book that could have been great so you don't waste time reading it.
November 26, 2019
I'm reviewing this only on Goodreads as I don't want to tank the author's rating in Amazon.
My biggest issue was how the plot was there to drive the story and not the other way around. Things happened because if they didn't, the story wouldn't end up the way it did.
There are 2 main issues that are actually plot breakers that really drove the point home that I wasn't going to enjoy it and I almost stopped about halfway through. These 2 times, there's direct contradiction within the book on pretty salient plot points.
I can see where people would enjoy the story though, since it borrows heavily from FF and it does allow a lot of nostalgia through. The action scenes are also very well done.
Nonetheless, I don't think I'll be reading the next one.
My biggest issue was how the plot was there to drive the story and not the other way around. Things happened because if they didn't, the story wouldn't end up the way it did.
There are 2 main issues that are actually plot breakers that really drove the point home that I wasn't going to enjoy it and I almost stopped about halfway through. These 2 times, there's direct contradiction within the book on pretty salient plot points.
I can see where people would enjoy the story though, since it borrows heavily from FF and it does allow a lot of nostalgia through. The action scenes are also very well done.
Nonetheless, I don't think I'll be reading the next one.
Read
October 3, 2024This was a fun listen. If you are a fan of RPGs like Final Fantasy then this is the LitRPG book for you. The world building is great and I particularly enjoyed the combination of magic and technology in this world. The main character reminded me a lot of Tidus from Final Fantasy 10. Very entertaining listen and that ending though! Excited for more in this series. My one negative would be on the audio end I wasn’t a fan of how the narrator did voices for females. Recommend this one!
January 5, 2020
This is a really interesting LitRPG fantasy story that follows our main character Aren, who wakes up on a ship after having a strange dream of fighting an impossibly strong Villain, and then watching his sister Claire die at the hands of this person, before he is thrown into a strange vortex.
He awakens to find himself in the company of a young lad, Leon, who helps him through this early period, as he has lost all memories of who he is, and how a lot of things work. Worse, he has been reduced to a Level 1.
The story progresses, and we learn that Aren is part of a group called ‘The Oath-Breakers’, as they have broken their sworn oaths to the Kingdom, and now just walk the lands doing various things. Aren’s group look after the various villagers for money.
Aren however, is also desperate to find Claire.
This is an incredibly complex story, with an outstanding amount of detail and thought having been put into the world building. The magic system is a lot of fun, as there are multiple levels of magic, and magic stones, each stone having its own ability (such as fire, ice, lightning, or enrage where you get strength and shield bonuses for a limited time, but are utterly exhausted for several minutes after). There are dozens and dozens of abilities, and each creature when defeated, drops stones of various levels. There are also several different class types, all with very unique abilities. The Author has gone to great depth to create a really interesting and engaging character and magic system that keeps readers entertained and wanting more.
As for the combat aspects, they are just exceptional. The combat is this book is explosive, entertaining, and absolutely full-on at times.
One of the curious aspects of this book was the introduction, and integration of, technology and magic. The Oath-Breakers seemed to rely on magic and medieval weapons (swords, shields, bows, spears etc), but when they reach the Kingdom, suddenly they face Armed Soldiers in Modern Riot Gear with Firearms. The Oath-Breakers use Magical Shields to protect themselves, before doing combat with the force. It is an interesting dynamic, and one that takes some getting used to. The book does not confront the normal issue of Magic and Tech being in conflict, as is the general norm, but in this story, there seems to be a melding of the two, and it makes for a fascinating read, really well written, and totally engaging.
As the story progresses, we learn (without giving too much away), that Aren has been modified by a psychopathic Doctor so that he can perform certain tasks. Aren learns from his sister, Claire that these tasks led to the future that Aren say in his vision at the start of the story.
And thus begins the real adventure, as Aren, Claire, Bella, McKenna, Isaiah and Leon all head off to try and prevent the events that had happened previously, to try and stop a war between the two nations, and the creation of the Villain, the Supreme Commander who ultimately kills everyone in Aren’s vision.
The Main Character in this story was perhaps the weakest link in this epic adventure. Aren spends a lot of time whining or complaining about things, he is meant to be 18, but at times, he acts like a spoilt 14yr old. However, at other times, he acts like he is a Commander who has seen decades of war, and gives orders (that are immediately followed as well) like he has been at this for ages, which was odd for a teenager who has lost his memory, and in most situations, had no authority at all. It was like he couldn’t decide who he wanted to be, the brave Commander, or the whiny 12yr old princess. At times, it did become irritating.
This hiccup with the Main Character though, was easily made up for with the other semi-main characters, Bella and Claire, and to some extent, Leon, McKenna and Isaiah. Bella and Claire are just brilliant as the two dominating female leads in the book. Bella is hilarious at times as she comes to grips with the various changes to Aren’s character since loosing his memory, and she is a fantastic fighter, that adds a lot to the combat scenes.
Claire, as Aren’s sister, the Royal Princess, and easily one of the best fighters in the book, was one of the best characters in the book. She was written so well.
Overall, even with the few minor flaws, this was a really great read, and one that I highly recommend to any Sci-Fi fans, especially those that love LitRPG and Fantasy.
He awakens to find himself in the company of a young lad, Leon, who helps him through this early period, as he has lost all memories of who he is, and how a lot of things work. Worse, he has been reduced to a Level 1.
The story progresses, and we learn that Aren is part of a group called ‘The Oath-Breakers’, as they have broken their sworn oaths to the Kingdom, and now just walk the lands doing various things. Aren’s group look after the various villagers for money.
Aren however, is also desperate to find Claire.
This is an incredibly complex story, with an outstanding amount of detail and thought having been put into the world building. The magic system is a lot of fun, as there are multiple levels of magic, and magic stones, each stone having its own ability (such as fire, ice, lightning, or enrage where you get strength and shield bonuses for a limited time, but are utterly exhausted for several minutes after). There are dozens and dozens of abilities, and each creature when defeated, drops stones of various levels. There are also several different class types, all with very unique abilities. The Author has gone to great depth to create a really interesting and engaging character and magic system that keeps readers entertained and wanting more.
As for the combat aspects, they are just exceptional. The combat is this book is explosive, entertaining, and absolutely full-on at times.
One of the curious aspects of this book was the introduction, and integration of, technology and magic. The Oath-Breakers seemed to rely on magic and medieval weapons (swords, shields, bows, spears etc), but when they reach the Kingdom, suddenly they face Armed Soldiers in Modern Riot Gear with Firearms. The Oath-Breakers use Magical Shields to protect themselves, before doing combat with the force. It is an interesting dynamic, and one that takes some getting used to. The book does not confront the normal issue of Magic and Tech being in conflict, as is the general norm, but in this story, there seems to be a melding of the two, and it makes for a fascinating read, really well written, and totally engaging.
As the story progresses, we learn (without giving too much away), that Aren has been modified by a psychopathic Doctor so that he can perform certain tasks. Aren learns from his sister, Claire that these tasks led to the future that Aren say in his vision at the start of the story.
And thus begins the real adventure, as Aren, Claire, Bella, McKenna, Isaiah and Leon all head off to try and prevent the events that had happened previously, to try and stop a war between the two nations, and the creation of the Villain, the Supreme Commander who ultimately kills everyone in Aren’s vision.
The Main Character in this story was perhaps the weakest link in this epic adventure. Aren spends a lot of time whining or complaining about things, he is meant to be 18, but at times, he acts like a spoilt 14yr old. However, at other times, he acts like he is a Commander who has seen decades of war, and gives orders (that are immediately followed as well) like he has been at this for ages, which was odd for a teenager who has lost his memory, and in most situations, had no authority at all. It was like he couldn’t decide who he wanted to be, the brave Commander, or the whiny 12yr old princess. At times, it did become irritating.
This hiccup with the Main Character though, was easily made up for with the other semi-main characters, Bella and Claire, and to some extent, Leon, McKenna and Isaiah. Bella and Claire are just brilliant as the two dominating female leads in the book. Bella is hilarious at times as she comes to grips with the various changes to Aren’s character since loosing his memory, and she is a fantastic fighter, that adds a lot to the combat scenes.
Claire, as Aren’s sister, the Royal Princess, and easily one of the best fighters in the book, was one of the best characters in the book. She was written so well.
Overall, even with the few minor flaws, this was a really great read, and one that I highly recommend to any Sci-Fi fans, especially those that love LitRPG and Fantasy.
dnf-dnr
February 13, 2019Currently reading chapter by chapter as written on the author's blog.
Update: DNF & DNR - the gaming aspect of the story got to be too much for me and I'm not a gamer. It was like having a third of the book written in a foreign language that I didn't understand. I recommended it to my son who is a Dungeon Master and thought it might be more his style. The action was great, Mr. Branson writes that part very well as always.
Update: DNF & DNR - the gaming aspect of the story got to be too much for me and I'm not a gamer. It was like having a third of the book written in a foreign language that I didn't understand. I recommended it to my son who is a Dungeon Master and thought it might be more his style. The action was great, Mr. Branson writes that part very well as always.
November 2, 2019
So the book starts you out at the end of a large fight, and provides little to no context about what is going on. This was an issue for me and honestly I thought of stopping the book there but I continued and I suggest you do the same. The main character comes through the battle with no knowledge of what has happened and how the world works is explained to the reader through his relearning of everything.
The world itself is an interesting on where magic powers are gained through stones and you need to be certain levels to get access to better stones. Each practitioner is by decree supposed to only have access to one type of magic and if they do explore multiples their mark changes and they are looked on as an oath breaker.
The main character has some depth as do some of the supporting characters but others feel like they are 2-dimensional. Overall the story is good and the progression of the main character is shown well. The ending on the other hand honestly feels rushed and pieced together. I would recommend this book despite some of its short comings. This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.
The world itself is an interesting on where magic powers are gained through stones and you need to be certain levels to get access to better stones. Each practitioner is by decree supposed to only have access to one type of magic and if they do explore multiples their mark changes and they are looked on as an oath breaker.
The main character has some depth as do some of the supporting characters but others feel like they are 2-dimensional. Overall the story is good and the progression of the main character is shown well. The ending on the other hand honestly feels rushed and pieced together. I would recommend this book despite some of its short comings. This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.
October 22, 2019
Wow from the first page to the last this is a fast paced and action packed read. That has twists and turns. I absolutely loved the World building of the storyline. Aren sets out to find Claire with a fellow recruit and wow they have plenty of road blocks to get past. The Author has really brought the characters out to where you feel like you know then. This is a definite must read.
Shauna Joesten
Shauna Joesten
October 30, 2019
Reliving old FF games
This book felt almost like watching a let’s play of an actual Old School FF game. Stats were detailed enough to give you required info, but light enough not to bog down the read. The storyline had just the right amount of hook and action to flow along at a good pace and not feel stretched out or rushed.
This book felt almost like watching a let’s play of an actual Old School FF game. Stats were detailed enough to give you required info, but light enough not to bog down the read. The storyline had just the right amount of hook and action to flow along at a good pace and not feel stretched out or rushed.
October 16, 2019
Received as an ARC, this is an honest review. A unique twist on the Litrpg genre that packs epic fantasy, adventure; a once powerful warrior struggling with the loss of his identity, seeking answers while navigating a mysterious world. Fall into a story you won't forget, highly recommended.
October 28, 2019
Gripping read
Less litrpg, More fantasy thriller. Fantastic story line, gripping, haven’t been able to put it down! Very highly recommend this book!
Less litrpg, More fantasy thriller. Fantastic story line, gripping, haven’t been able to put it down! Very highly recommend this book!
November 2, 2019
Excellent level of world building. Interesting premise. I liked the use of stones to provide magic. Good break from the norm.
November 9, 2019
Wow this was an amazing book from beginning to end. Friendships, lots of death and conspiracy. The depth of the characters and descriptions has you imagining the story. Will not disappoint!
April 11, 2020
It was okay (spoilers)
I thought this story was okay. It was good at the beginning, but I just became weary the further I read. Betrayal after betrayal after betrayal. The main character didn’t really know what was going on, and he didn’t really have to struggle for anything. He earned double XP, and his enemy gave him an entire arsenal of weapons that he didn’t have to struggle to learn. I didn’t really like the main character, and the story seemed a little disjointed. I figured out the twist at the end, of Leon being the bad guy and spy, by around the middle of the book. Leon was kind of useless as a character, and he kept disappearing. And the enemy always knew where they were. And he was really shady about his past and especially his ring. Shouldn’t the characters have realized something was off? Not my favorite story by this author.
I thought this story was okay. It was good at the beginning, but I just became weary the further I read. Betrayal after betrayal after betrayal. The main character didn’t really know what was going on, and he didn’t really have to struggle for anything. He earned double XP, and his enemy gave him an entire arsenal of weapons that he didn’t have to struggle to learn. I didn’t really like the main character, and the story seemed a little disjointed. I figured out the twist at the end, of Leon being the bad guy and spy, by around the middle of the book. Leon was kind of useless as a character, and he kept disappearing. And the enemy always knew where they were. And he was really shady about his past and especially his ring. Shouldn’t the characters have realized something was off? Not my favorite story by this author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 3, 2020
This is a little slow to start but does pick up about halfway through as the overall story and characters are quite good. Some of the storyline i found to be a little easy to read but this does fade as you become increasingly interested towards the end.
By the end i was looking forward to the next in the series so this does have promise.
For those looking to pick up i would hang in there.
Narration was good but a little more softening for the females would be better, a common problem.
By the end i was looking forward to the next in the series so this does have promise.
For those looking to pick up i would hang in there.
Narration was good but a little more softening for the females would be better, a common problem.
Read
April 13, 2023The MC is in a bad situation... that ends in a badder situation... that leads to a worse situation.. and after the next bad situation I lost the fun to read it to end.
It may be a great book coming but at the moment i don't continue a book if i am not getting into it after more than 10 chapters.
As usual no rating for a book i did not finish as i think that would be unfair.
It may be a great book coming but at the moment i don't continue a book if i am not getting into it after more than 10 chapters.
As usual no rating for a book i did not finish as i think that would be unfair.
March 19, 2020
I'm not a huge FF fan so the nostalgia really wasn't there for me. And I couldn't make it more than halfway through the book I think the story could have been great but I have to agree with Gaius. The plot shouldn't drove the story and if it does then you ought to be consistent.
April 18, 2020
This is a great read. Couldn't stop, keep me up late because I didn't want to stop reading. Highly recommend it. Can't wait for book #2 to come out.
November 17, 2019
Sworn Guardian by T.L. Branson is the first book in the Forbidden Magic series, and what a series kick-off this was!
I definitely picked this one up at a bad time because it took me a couple weeks to get through it… But with how interesting and fast-paced the plot was, this is a book I easily could have read over the course of a weekend if I had had adequate time!
I love T.L. Branson’s writing style so much! His tales are always so action-packed and exciting. When I got the email that this one had launched, I was so pumped! I dove in just as soon as I could.
When this tale begins, we’re dropped into the middle of a battle where something just happened that has thrown the main character for a loop. It’s clear that time is running out and that things are not going well… But before we get much more information, an explosion occurs.
In the next chapter, the main character wakes up in a bed on a ship. He has a bad feeling about things, but can’t remember much. Over the course of the book, we follow this character on an epic quest where he tries to save his sister, and the world all while working to re-learn everything that had been wiped from his memory.
Right from the start, it’s clear that there is magic involved in this world. Though as we were dropped right into the action, we didn’t learn more about that detail for a short while. Instead, we learn all the ins and outs of the magic gradually over the course of the book as our main character re-learns the things himself. I really enjoyed this as it was easier for me to digest this information slowly rather than getting the information all at once.
I also really enjoyed the gaming element and how each character had MP, EXP, AP and such things. I’m not a huge gamer, whether that’s with video games or table top campaign-based games, but I have played a few and I could easily follow this theme.
For some reason, when picturing the stones that the characters could use to augment their powers, I was picturing those little plastic stones that were Harry Potter themed that you could collect back in the 90’s…
Anyway! The characters themselves were so fun. They each had their own strengths and weaknesses and I couldn’t help but chuckle at quite a bit of their bickering. I already cannot wait to see who returns in the next book in the series.
The main character was definitely a strong character. I didn’t agree with some of his choices, but keeping in mind how terrifying this world may seem to someone that had had lost most of their memories and is just trying to stay strong and stay alive, it all made sense. This was especially the case with his sister Claire and some of the discussions that they had. I felt that the author walked a find line between having Claire give Alton just enough to see how things would play out based on fate without giving him too much just in case that lead them down the wrong path.
Bring on book two!!
My Favorite Passages:
So, I did what any self-respecting person would do, I ran for my life.
“What’s going on?” Claire asked as she struggled to sit up again. “How am I not dead?”
“You sure looked it when you flew out of that vortex,” Bella said.
“After I did what now?” Claire asked with her eyes wide and mouth agape.
“Love isn’t something you brush aside or save for later because there will never be a later. It’s something you make time for today. Without it, what point is there to all of this? Why fight for our kingdom except to protect the ones we love? Without love, we have nothing worth fighting for.”
My Final Thoughts
After I finished reading this and I went to log it here on Goodreads, I saw it labeled as a “LitRPG.” I had never heard of that before! LitRPG is a literary genre that combines some standard conventions of and RPG (role playing game) with science-fiction and fantasy novels.
It was interesting for me to see that this would be in the same category as Ready Player One because I was getting some of those vibes with the elements of this book. I’m definitely going to have to look into more books like this!
So in that case, if you’re looking for an action-packed LitRPG featuring magic, monsters, friendships, and betrayal, then this is one you gotta check out!
I definitely picked this one up at a bad time because it took me a couple weeks to get through it… But with how interesting and fast-paced the plot was, this is a book I easily could have read over the course of a weekend if I had had adequate time!
I love T.L. Branson’s writing style so much! His tales are always so action-packed and exciting. When I got the email that this one had launched, I was so pumped! I dove in just as soon as I could.
When this tale begins, we’re dropped into the middle of a battle where something just happened that has thrown the main character for a loop. It’s clear that time is running out and that things are not going well… But before we get much more information, an explosion occurs.
In the next chapter, the main character wakes up in a bed on a ship. He has a bad feeling about things, but can’t remember much. Over the course of the book, we follow this character on an epic quest where he tries to save his sister, and the world all while working to re-learn everything that had been wiped from his memory.
Right from the start, it’s clear that there is magic involved in this world. Though as we were dropped right into the action, we didn’t learn more about that detail for a short while. Instead, we learn all the ins and outs of the magic gradually over the course of the book as our main character re-learns the things himself. I really enjoyed this as it was easier for me to digest this information slowly rather than getting the information all at once.
I also really enjoyed the gaming element and how each character had MP, EXP, AP and such things. I’m not a huge gamer, whether that’s with video games or table top campaign-based games, but I have played a few and I could easily follow this theme.
For some reason, when picturing the stones that the characters could use to augment their powers, I was picturing those little plastic stones that were Harry Potter themed that you could collect back in the 90’s…
Anyway! The characters themselves were so fun. They each had their own strengths and weaknesses and I couldn’t help but chuckle at quite a bit of their bickering. I already cannot wait to see who returns in the next book in the series.
The main character was definitely a strong character. I didn’t agree with some of his choices, but keeping in mind how terrifying this world may seem to someone that had had lost most of their memories and is just trying to stay strong and stay alive, it all made sense. This was especially the case with his sister Claire and some of the discussions that they had. I felt that the author walked a find line between having Claire give Alton just enough to see how things would play out based on fate without giving him too much just in case that lead them down the wrong path.
Bring on book two!!
My Favorite Passages:
So, I did what any self-respecting person would do, I ran for my life.
“What’s going on?” Claire asked as she struggled to sit up again. “How am I not dead?”
“You sure looked it when you flew out of that vortex,” Bella said.
“After I did what now?” Claire asked with her eyes wide and mouth agape.
“Love isn’t something you brush aside or save for later because there will never be a later. It’s something you make time for today. Without it, what point is there to all of this? Why fight for our kingdom except to protect the ones we love? Without love, we have nothing worth fighting for.”
My Final Thoughts
After I finished reading this and I went to log it here on Goodreads, I saw it labeled as a “LitRPG.” I had never heard of that before! LitRPG is a literary genre that combines some standard conventions of and RPG (role playing game) with science-fiction and fantasy novels.
It was interesting for me to see that this would be in the same category as Ready Player One because I was getting some of those vibes with the elements of this book. I’m definitely going to have to look into more books like this!
So in that case, if you’re looking for an action-packed LitRPG featuring magic, monsters, friendships, and betrayal, then this is one you gotta check out!
October 22, 2019
ONE INTENSE EXPERIENCE!!!
Thrilling! If you're looking for a non-stop, action packed, fast pace, hard hitting, adrenaline pumping, heart pounding, pulse racing bombshell that hooks you from the start and reels you in for the duration. Congrats my friends you've found it. Branson never hesitates to bring out every shadow, darkness of evil and menance especially when it comes to people. Our character has been plagued with snatches here and there trying to piece together the puzzle that is his life. Fate is tested as drama, suspense and danger blaze this bad boy together smoothly. The courage and strength it takes to face the chaos and mayhem sets the pace for this page flipping bombshell. Branson has such immense talent that grabs you and pulls you into his imagination. He creates a world around us so realistic until everything else ceases to exist. This is one impressive storyline and gripping plot that blasts this bad boy to life flawlessly. The characters are authentic and believable. Their personalities are unique with qualities and traits that balance out perfectly. The scenes are vividly detailed and descriptive it paints a fantastic backdrop that adds more realism and keeps it on point and original. Fantastic job Branson, thanks for sharing this awesome jewel with us.
Thrilling! If you're looking for a non-stop, action packed, fast pace, hard hitting, adrenaline pumping, heart pounding, pulse racing bombshell that hooks you from the start and reels you in for the duration. Congrats my friends you've found it. Branson never hesitates to bring out every shadow, darkness of evil and menance especially when it comes to people. Our character has been plagued with snatches here and there trying to piece together the puzzle that is his life. Fate is tested as drama, suspense and danger blaze this bad boy together smoothly. The courage and strength it takes to face the chaos and mayhem sets the pace for this page flipping bombshell. Branson has such immense talent that grabs you and pulls you into his imagination. He creates a world around us so realistic until everything else ceases to exist. This is one impressive storyline and gripping plot that blasts this bad boy to life flawlessly. The characters are authentic and believable. Their personalities are unique with qualities and traits that balance out perfectly. The scenes are vividly detailed and descriptive it paints a fantastic backdrop that adds more realism and keeps it on point and original. Fantastic job Branson, thanks for sharing this awesome jewel with us.
October 4, 2019
Aren and his sister Claire are in extreme danger when the Supreme Commander of the ship they were on turned against them and became a threat to all those on board, Claire used a force to throw Aren out of the vessel but when he awoke he couldn't remember anything, not even who he was supposed to be. All he remembered was that he had a sister who had yelled out for him to save her and who he knew was in danger. He had lost everything and it seems as though he had travelled back in time somehow and was amidst people he did not know but he made a friend Leon who was trying to make him remember some things and slowly Aren started to piece his past together. This is an litRPG adventure story full of magic, intrigue, a war between the countries of Allyria and Balgyra which had been going on for years, betrayals and traitors, forbidden magics and monstrous creatures which go to make this a thoroughly enjoyable and captivating read. Can Aren save those who needed saving including the Empire, his father and his sister now that he had been given a 2nd chance? Can being sent back in time go towards rectifying what had gone wrong or are things different 2nd time around?
November 26, 2019
This book was nearly very good, you have some good world-building and the mixing of technology with an interesting magic system works really well too, so there was a more than solid foundation laid down.
However, the main character didn't really work for me, while he underwent significant changes, he didn't develop anywhere near enough as a character and due to the others putting up with him as readily as they did then made them seem less believable too. His flaws were so clearly demonstrated by the whole issue of the traitor, a sub-plot that could only have been more obvious if the person in question had spent their time twirling a villainous moustache whenever they were in a chapter.
The narrator gave a good performance, enhancing the book with a suitably distinctive range of tones for the main cast throughout.
Overall, despite my criticisms of the main character, this was still an enjoyable listen and a decent start to this series too.
[Note - I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.]
However, the main character didn't really work for me, while he underwent significant changes, he didn't develop anywhere near enough as a character and due to the others putting up with him as readily as they did then made them seem less believable too. His flaws were so clearly demonstrated by the whole issue of the traitor, a sub-plot that could only have been more obvious if the person in question had spent their time twirling a villainous moustache whenever they were in a chapter.
The narrator gave a good performance, enhancing the book with a suitably distinctive range of tones for the main cast throughout.
Overall, despite my criticisms of the main character, this was still an enjoyable listen and a decent start to this series too.
[Note - I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.]
October 26, 2019
While this most certainly is an LitRPG title, it doesn't really follow the formula most of the books in this genre do when the story unfolds. There's certainly progression, and there's level ups, and there's skills to learn, but the way it's handled in this story isn't your run of the mill LitRPG book, and because of that, some LitRPG fans may not like this book as much as other books they have enjoyed. The story itself is ok, the characters are believable, but the world as a wholeI think would have been served better as a general scifi/fantasy story, rather than an LitRPG one, this story seemed to me to be a story that wanted to be told, forced into a mold it doesn't fit, just because the author wanted to tell a particular kind of story. It's not a bad tale, i just don't think an LitRpG canvas is where this story belongs.
October 25, 2019
Sworn Guardian (Forbidden Magic, Book 1), my fourth read from author T.L. Branson, a new litrpg/fantasy. An entertaining read, well-written with captivating, well-developed main characters. I was given an Audible copy of this book & now I’m voluntarily reviewing it & since I own both the Audible & Kindle editions I was able to follow along while being read to. Vikas Adam’s narration added to the well-written book's enjoyment. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).
November 2, 2019
Wtf how are you going to tell Claire to shut up when she’s literally trying to help you. Also scream and throw a tantrum like a child when the trials are difficult. MC is an idiot with terrible qualities, this is a tripped up power wank story. Terrible characters, terrible story, terrible world building. The longer I think about the story, the more aggravated I get. I was excited for a new litrpg and now I feel like I wasted my time listening to this crap.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 17, 2019
Definitely an interesting story! The main character is young, naive and inexperienced, and does it ever show in some of his choices! The storytelling was a bit rough in the beginning, making some of the scenes and dialogue feel forced, but it settled down after the first few chapters. By the end of the book, I was into the storyline. Will definitely be keeping my eyes open for the sequel! Gotta find out what happens next!
October 30, 2020
This story does not finish, it stops. There is no resolution at all, not even a pretense of it. It ends mid-scene, on the kind of cliffhanger that makes one angry rather than inclined to pick up the next book.
I would have rated this story higher, but its complete lack of a finish killed any interest in it. I will not be continuing the series unless book two seriously raises the bar on endings.
I would have rated this story higher, but its complete lack of a finish killed any interest in it. I will not be continuing the series unless book two seriously raises the bar on endings.
November 5, 2019
Exposition dump opening.
November 12, 2019
Loved it
Loved it. Can't wait for the next one. Little confused with some of events of the story but hoping it's cleared up with book 2.
Loved it. Can't wait for the next one. Little confused with some of events of the story but hoping it's cleared up with book 2.
December 2, 2019
Amazing fantasy book. Aren remember little except that his sister Claire is in terrible danger. He knows that he must save her. Absolutely superb.
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