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Elysia
In the far future, technology is known as magic. That magic preserves a tenuous peace between two countries in the hands of its seemingly immortal Earthling inventor, the Sovereign. But Will Darkwood knows nothing about that.
Will lives a simple life by a lake, spending most of his days dreaming of what things are like beyond the far-off mountains. One morning, Will opens a strange letter with no return address. Inside is the source of the Sovereign’s ancient power.
The next thing Will knows, he’s on the run from an infamous assassin. He manifests dangerous abilities that he can't control. He’s a threat to everyone around him.
The world has been thrown into chaos. Will is the final move in a thousand-year chess game between the Sovereign and her ancient enemy. And the only way to set things right may lie with the brutal killer on his trail.
Will lives a simple life by a lake, spending most of his days dreaming of what things are like beyond the far-off mountains. One morning, Will opens a strange letter with no return address. Inside is the source of the Sovereign’s ancient power.
The next thing Will knows, he’s on the run from an infamous assassin. He manifests dangerous abilities that he can't control. He’s a threat to everyone around him.
The world has been thrown into chaos. Will is the final move in a thousand-year chess game between the Sovereign and her ancient enemy. And the only way to set things right may lie with the brutal killer on his trail.
399 pages, Paperback
First published March 28, 2019
119 people are currently reading
189 people want to read
About the author
C.C. Francis
2 books20 followersC.C. Francis is an eternal optimist who writes fantasy and sci-fi books. He lives in sunny La Jolla, California. His fiancé is a bookstagrammer (IG:@spinatale), and the two can often be spotted at the local independent bookstore shopping for the latest in the adult and YA fantasy.
Francis once tamed a feral cat named Nicholas. He likes photography, corgis, and the ocean. He's addicted to cold-brew coffee, reading, 3d art, burritos, and homemade toffee.
Francis once tamed a feral cat named Nicholas. He likes photography, corgis, and the ocean. He's addicted to cold-brew coffee, reading, 3d art, burritos, and homemade toffee.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
May 14, 2019
The first thing I noticed about this book was the absolutely breathtaking cover. The simplicity of it is phenomenal and the colors are so calming and serene. I would buy a physical copy of this book just so I can look at it on my bookshelf.
C.C. Francis didn't waste any time getting into the story. We were immediately throw into a fast moving and intriguing plot with a protagonist we could sympathize with. The premise of the story was so original and I LOVE the thought of our present day technology being considered "magic" for a distant future.
The writing style was clean and precise, though at times wordy. I felt like I got a very clear grasp of the scene the author was trying to paint. The imagery was stunning and I wish I could see these places in person.
I do wish we could have connected with the secondary characters more. At times, I had trouble remembering who was who and who did what because we didn't really spend a lot of time getting to know a character before the next one was introduced.
Overall, this was a great read and I am highly anticipating more from C.C. Francis.
C.C. Francis didn't waste any time getting into the story. We were immediately throw into a fast moving and intriguing plot with a protagonist we could sympathize with. The premise of the story was so original and I LOVE the thought of our present day technology being considered "magic" for a distant future.
The writing style was clean and precise, though at times wordy. I felt like I got a very clear grasp of the scene the author was trying to paint. The imagery was stunning and I wish I could see these places in person.
I do wish we could have connected with the secondary characters more. At times, I had trouble remembering who was who and who did what because we didn't really spend a lot of time getting to know a character before the next one was introduced.
Overall, this was a great read and I am highly anticipating more from C.C. Francis.
May 6, 2019
This book was thoroughly unsatisfying
I thought I would try out this book because the premise seemed interesting. But for the first 40% I actually thought this was the worst book I had ever read. It starts out nice enough but suddenly all the action starts, without any sort of build-up. I cannot explain it but I felt I missed whole books in between pages because what happened was so random. You never get to know any of the characters at all and therefore don't care for them in the least. About most of the supporting Cast I wondered why they were even in the book because they had no use whatsoever. At 40% the action gets at least slightly more interesting, and by that I mean it was at least easier to get through the pages. At 70% it actually seemed okay for a while, in a sense that I had an actual desire to know what would happen. Then the end. Sooo bad. And I think it was meant to be emotional but instead it just seemed ridiculous. And it's impossible to care for anyone anyways.
This might be a really uninspired and bad review, but for sure not as bad as this book. I have read stories by first graders that held my interest more.
If you want to waste hours of your life, this is the book for you. But if you want to have an experience that is even slightly enjoyable, don't go near this book.
I thought I would try out this book because the premise seemed interesting. But for the first 40% I actually thought this was the worst book I had ever read. It starts out nice enough but suddenly all the action starts, without any sort of build-up. I cannot explain it but I felt I missed whole books in between pages because what happened was so random. You never get to know any of the characters at all and therefore don't care for them in the least. About most of the supporting Cast I wondered why they were even in the book because they had no use whatsoever. At 40% the action gets at least slightly more interesting, and by that I mean it was at least easier to get through the pages. At 70% it actually seemed okay for a while, in a sense that I had an actual desire to know what would happen. Then the end. Sooo bad. And I think it was meant to be emotional but instead it just seemed ridiculous. And it's impossible to care for anyone anyways.
This might be a really uninspired and bad review, but for sure not as bad as this book. I have read stories by first graders that held my interest more.
If you want to waste hours of your life, this is the book for you. But if you want to have an experience that is even slightly enjoyable, don't go near this book.
April 26, 2019
C.C. Francis' Elysia was the story to get me back into fantasy. I started reading this the other day to choose a quote, and next thing you know, it was extremely late and I was halfway through!
⠀⠀
What happens when an ordinary man is catapulted into a position of power? What happens when an ordinary man is given the tools to rule but doesn't know the first thing to do? And, what happens when an ordinary man is chased by an assassin only because he wants the power?
⠀⠀
I wanted to know, and wow did Francis have answers for me. This book! The world that Francis built, paired with these characters? I was engaged and I definitely was captivated. Did I mention the insane adventure with twists and turns? Ya, so good.
⠀⠀
But more than that, Elysia made me think of who we are. We're everyday people, looking for something greater.
Great writing, amazing world, engaging characters. Looking forward to read more from Francis.
⠀⠀
What happens when an ordinary man is catapulted into a position of power? What happens when an ordinary man is given the tools to rule but doesn't know the first thing to do? And, what happens when an ordinary man is chased by an assassin only because he wants the power?
⠀⠀
I wanted to know, and wow did Francis have answers for me. This book! The world that Francis built, paired with these characters? I was engaged and I definitely was captivated. Did I mention the insane adventure with twists and turns? Ya, so good.
⠀⠀
But more than that, Elysia made me think of who we are. We're everyday people, looking for something greater.
Great writing, amazing world, engaging characters. Looking forward to read more from Francis.
June 4, 2019
I don't usually read fantasy books but I was totally hooked by Elysia. A great read from start to finish, loved it.
June 26, 2019
This was an excellent read. Francis builds a world that blurs the line between fantasy and science fiction, then peoples it with an unusual cast of characters that play off each others personalities in ways that range from humorous to horrified. The story builds in intensity as it becomes more complex with each chapter.
The character of Khel was my favorite, dark, cynical, and funny at the same time. I hope to see more of him in the future.
The character of Khel was my favorite, dark, cynical, and funny at the same time. I hope to see more of him in the future.
May 11, 2019
Nicely thought out story
I will admit I was taken in by the blurb and the really good book cover. Upon starting the story i quickly recognised Tolkien similarities. A journey for our hapless hero and his witty friend that carries a lot of the humanity tagging along.
This continued throughout the book and there were moments where the words were beautifully written and the descriptive paragraphs brought vivid imagery.
The main negative I had was that the dialogue was written in a way which didn't really allow me to connect to the characters. So the ending didn't impact me the way I suspect the writer intended.
A good story that has really clever elements and if you like fantasy then give this one a read. It won't be for everyone but if it's for you I expect you'll enjoy it immensely.
I will admit I was taken in by the blurb and the really good book cover. Upon starting the story i quickly recognised Tolkien similarities. A journey for our hapless hero and his witty friend that carries a lot of the humanity tagging along.
This continued throughout the book and there were moments where the words were beautifully written and the descriptive paragraphs brought vivid imagery.
The main negative I had was that the dialogue was written in a way which didn't really allow me to connect to the characters. So the ending didn't impact me the way I suspect the writer intended.
A good story that has really clever elements and if you like fantasy then give this one a read. It won't be for everyone but if it's for you I expect you'll enjoy it immensely.
April 28, 2019
I won a giveaway and received this book. I’m not a fantasy reader in general, but that being said I really enjoyed this book. The main character, Will, has a wanderlust I relate to. When he receives a necklace with a mysterious stone, his life is forever changed. Departing on what has to be an epic adventure, he goes through worlds and meets people beyond his wildest dreams. The author builds beautiful landscape, fanciful worlds and memorable characters. I love Khel’s character. Sarcasm and dry humor are my favorite languages. I also related well to Lewis and his bag of cookies. If you enjoy epic adventures and brave new worlds, you enjoy this book. The author builds a world just as beautiful as the cover, which is what caught my eye in the first place. The ending is fantastic as well, I loved the symbolism. Read it, it’s a good one.
Read
July 8, 2022I'm the author, so I may be biased. But I think this book is awesome, and you should read it.
It features:
-Vibrant fantasy settings with a unique Sci Fi backstory
-Dueling immortal masterminds with a secret history
-Swashbuckling pirates on a flying ship, with a corgi mascot
-An infamous assassin with a sharp tongue and questionable allegiances
-A naive, bumbling main character with unshakable loyalty to his best friend
-A diverse cast of characters
-Delicious scones!
It features:
-Vibrant fantasy settings with a unique Sci Fi backstory
-Dueling immortal masterminds with a secret history
-Swashbuckling pirates on a flying ship, with a corgi mascot
-An infamous assassin with a sharp tongue and questionable allegiances
-A naive, bumbling main character with unshakable loyalty to his best friend
-A diverse cast of characters
-Delicious scones!
May 6, 2019
I haven't quite finished this yet, but it has been a great read! Fast paced and full of surprises, it's your classic adventure story that still manages to keep you engaged. I would suggest it to others, and hope people all give it a chance!
June 5, 2019
I found this book to be a sweeping fantasy read. Fans of Lord of the Rings or Star Wars would most likely enjoy it. Since it's such an encompassing story, there is a lot to be done, but I think the author did it really well. I found the dialogue engaging (and even funny sometimes) and the characters were great, Will and Khel specifically. If you want to get lost in an engrossing summer read, I'd definitely recommend adding this to your TBR!
June 25, 2019
First I would like to say, I hate giving bad reviews, but this book was hard to stomach. My husband and I only made it through part one before we had to put it down for good. So, this is a review on the portion we read and a DNF.
Usually I start off these reviews with the positives, but there’s honestly nothing I can think of to salvage this book. The level of anger and disgust I felt at the end of part one, was something that couldn’t be overlooked.
The prologue explained nothing. Sometimes they give a little bit of insight or background to the setting and lore of the story. I feel as though the prologue could’ve just been a chapter on its own, if in the story at all. It was very needless and out of place. Perhaps if it had more to get into, it’d be better.
The descriptions of the areas and landmarks were very confusing. Reading other reviews, I was excited to be immersed in a new world. I love to see what authors can paint with their minds. The way this was described, I had to call my best friend and ask her if she saw anything. We both concluded with nothing. We saw, nothing. I wanted to get into the fantastical, whimsical world, but it fell flat. I’m sure the author sees wondrous beauty when he imagines this world, but unfortunately it didn’t convey well on paper whatsoever.
The descriptions were also repetitive and wordy. After a while, other than it being a cave or forest, they all blended together and looked the same. There was too much in one sentence to describe the sun, or the mist, or the sky. Perhaps it was to extend the pages so they could charge more? (At one point, I believe this eBook was being sold for 8.99 before I downloaded it for free, but I could be wrong. I do know the price was high.) Or…to make this fantasy longer than what it truly is.
Another point is one minute the characters couldn’t see through the mist along the mountain, but then the next second they could see the world around them. Like the mist was never there. I found many errors, so to say, in continuity contradicting the scenery. (I also could have the scene wrong, but that isn’t surprising given that I couldn’t understand what was being described.)
The dialogue seemed unnatural and forced for almost the entire book. There were some scenes that were awkward as well. Will cracked jokes even though his life was constantly in danger. Lewis was mouthy and angry without reason. Always trying to put what was going on around them down. Anaia was in a league of her own. I have never seen such a woman who hated her job, as much as her. Especially with her treatment towards Will. She is set to protect him and treats him like absolute garbage. To the point where she shares a laugh, a genuine smile, and conversation with the antagonist. A moment later she looks at Will with disdain and practically insults him. She is constantly putting him down, and if I was Will, I wouldn’t stand for it. Sovereign or not, he deserves some respect. He’s the main character and treated as though he’s scum from someone he’s supposed to trust.
Now, I hate bringing up another person’s ethnicity, background, or anything sensitive in that nature. I don’t like to step on toes, and I understand that preferences are tailored for each individual. But, to a person who tries to have inclusivity with anyone I come across, and in an interracial marriage myself, this book left a bad taste in my mouth. Sour and bitter. If I could slam this book shut and throw it out, I would do so with pleasure.
The only person of color in the story was fat, ugly, clumsy, unintelligent, negative, and had a hard time controlling his mouth. Everyone else…was beautiful and perfect. Could do wonderous things, had all the magic in the world, etcetera, etcetera. Even Will and his naivety was complimented by the antagonist. Lewis (POC) was the only one hurt and attacked in part one (Other than Anaia, but she magically healed a page later.). He could barely run on his two feet without someone else picking him up and helping him. It was blatantly painful to watch him get the short end of the stick while everyone else blossomed.
The moment that made me put this book down was when the antagonist gave Will an ultimatum to end someone’s life out of a choice between Lewis (His best friend) and two people that were introduced (Who’d forced their way on this adventure) maybe ten minutes prior. Will said nothing. He couldn’t even defend his best friend (Who’d already been attacked once by the antagonist previously) or do something to protect him. Instead of attacking at random, the antagonist singled Lewis out and said, “I don’t like the look of THAT one over there.” The man he’d already attacked and almost killed the first time. It just added to the blatant fact that Lewis is the patsy and the one who is going to get the brunt of everyone’s BS in this story. If he doesn’t die in the end, he will surely get enough bumps, scrapes, and bruises to show his worth as a character.
I felt physically sick afterward with that thought. They needed someone to harm and Lewis was their scapegoat. I could be wrong since I only made it 45 pages in, but from what we read, it felt as though it was headed down a spiral I want no parts of.
I will not read another book by this author, but I wish them luck in their writing endeavors and hope this review, as well as the others who weren’t impressed either, will take the repeated offenses into account and do better.
Usually I start off these reviews with the positives, but there’s honestly nothing I can think of to salvage this book. The level of anger and disgust I felt at the end of part one, was something that couldn’t be overlooked.
The prologue explained nothing. Sometimes they give a little bit of insight or background to the setting and lore of the story. I feel as though the prologue could’ve just been a chapter on its own, if in the story at all. It was very needless and out of place. Perhaps if it had more to get into, it’d be better.
The descriptions of the areas and landmarks were very confusing. Reading other reviews, I was excited to be immersed in a new world. I love to see what authors can paint with their minds. The way this was described, I had to call my best friend and ask her if she saw anything. We both concluded with nothing. We saw, nothing. I wanted to get into the fantastical, whimsical world, but it fell flat. I’m sure the author sees wondrous beauty when he imagines this world, but unfortunately it didn’t convey well on paper whatsoever.
The descriptions were also repetitive and wordy. After a while, other than it being a cave or forest, they all blended together and looked the same. There was too much in one sentence to describe the sun, or the mist, or the sky. Perhaps it was to extend the pages so they could charge more? (At one point, I believe this eBook was being sold for 8.99 before I downloaded it for free, but I could be wrong. I do know the price was high.) Or…to make this fantasy longer than what it truly is.
Another point is one minute the characters couldn’t see through the mist along the mountain, but then the next second they could see the world around them. Like the mist was never there. I found many errors, so to say, in continuity contradicting the scenery. (I also could have the scene wrong, but that isn’t surprising given that I couldn’t understand what was being described.)
The dialogue seemed unnatural and forced for almost the entire book. There were some scenes that were awkward as well. Will cracked jokes even though his life was constantly in danger. Lewis was mouthy and angry without reason. Always trying to put what was going on around them down. Anaia was in a league of her own. I have never seen such a woman who hated her job, as much as her. Especially with her treatment towards Will. She is set to protect him and treats him like absolute garbage. To the point where she shares a laugh, a genuine smile, and conversation with the antagonist. A moment later she looks at Will with disdain and practically insults him. She is constantly putting him down, and if I was Will, I wouldn’t stand for it. Sovereign or not, he deserves some respect. He’s the main character and treated as though he’s scum from someone he’s supposed to trust.
Now, I hate bringing up another person’s ethnicity, background, or anything sensitive in that nature. I don’t like to step on toes, and I understand that preferences are tailored for each individual. But, to a person who tries to have inclusivity with anyone I come across, and in an interracial marriage myself, this book left a bad taste in my mouth. Sour and bitter. If I could slam this book shut and throw it out, I would do so with pleasure.
The only person of color in the story was fat, ugly, clumsy, unintelligent, negative, and had a hard time controlling his mouth. Everyone else…was beautiful and perfect. Could do wonderous things, had all the magic in the world, etcetera, etcetera. Even Will and his naivety was complimented by the antagonist. Lewis (POC) was the only one hurt and attacked in part one (Other than Anaia, but she magically healed a page later.). He could barely run on his two feet without someone else picking him up and helping him. It was blatantly painful to watch him get the short end of the stick while everyone else blossomed.
The moment that made me put this book down was when the antagonist gave Will an ultimatum to end someone’s life out of a choice between Lewis (His best friend) and two people that were introduced (Who’d forced their way on this adventure) maybe ten minutes prior. Will said nothing. He couldn’t even defend his best friend (Who’d already been attacked once by the antagonist previously) or do something to protect him. Instead of attacking at random, the antagonist singled Lewis out and said, “I don’t like the look of THAT one over there.” The man he’d already attacked and almost killed the first time. It just added to the blatant fact that Lewis is the patsy and the one who is going to get the brunt of everyone’s BS in this story. If he doesn’t die in the end, he will surely get enough bumps, scrapes, and bruises to show his worth as a character.
I felt physically sick afterward with that thought. They needed someone to harm and Lewis was their scapegoat. I could be wrong since I only made it 45 pages in, but from what we read, it felt as though it was headed down a spiral I want no parts of.
I will not read another book by this author, but I wish them luck in their writing endeavors and hope this review, as well as the others who weren’t impressed either, will take the repeated offenses into account and do better.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 10, 2019
C.C Francis's Elysia is a wonderful fantasy story.
I highly enjoyed the book from page 1, also for the beautiful cover alone.
The entire world is beautifully described, fantasy description on par with the likes of Tolkien.
I would highly recommend this book to any epic fantasy fans.
I highly enjoyed the book from page 1, also for the beautiful cover alone.
The entire world is beautifully described, fantasy description on par with the likes of Tolkien.
I would highly recommend this book to any epic fantasy fans.
May 30, 2019
This was a fun read. I was impressed by the description and detail. The story brings up thought-provoking themes about agency and opposition. The plot is exciting and the characters relatable. I did struggle remembering who was who with some of the secondary characters--or remembering why they're important. I also would have liked a little more explanation about what exactly was happening, but I'm chalking that one up to genre--I usually read YA. This is in the style of an adult fantasy, and I think readers of that genre will love this book.
May 12, 2021
Elysia is a novel with an interesting concept that shines from time to time, but more often fails to deliver on it’s promise. There are two issues in particular that could stand improvement to make the story better:
1) Many members of the supporting cast don’t feel fleshed out. Some of them feel like they don’t have any real purpose in the story. As such, they feel like names on a page and not people who’s fate I’m drawn towards. I don’t feel their pain or their struggle. And as a reader, as interesting as a world may be, I need to care about the characters to feel invested.
2) Pacing. The first 100 pages or so feel rushed. The story moves on with little explanation or character development, and this is when many of the support characters are introduced. As such, the two problems really feed into each other. It smooths out after that, but unfortunately, many readers won’t make it that far. And the ones that do will still have a hard time connecting with some of the characters due to the reasons posted above.
That’s not all to say that the author doesn’t have some promise. There’s an interesting and creative world to explore in this book. It feels more like a draft than a finished novel however. With some impartial beta readers and further revision, this could have been a gem.
1) Many members of the supporting cast don’t feel fleshed out. Some of them feel like they don’t have any real purpose in the story. As such, they feel like names on a page and not people who’s fate I’m drawn towards. I don’t feel their pain or their struggle. And as a reader, as interesting as a world may be, I need to care about the characters to feel invested.
2) Pacing. The first 100 pages or so feel rushed. The story moves on with little explanation or character development, and this is when many of the support characters are introduced. As such, the two problems really feed into each other. It smooths out after that, but unfortunately, many readers won’t make it that far. And the ones that do will still have a hard time connecting with some of the characters due to the reasons posted above.
That’s not all to say that the author doesn’t have some promise. There’s an interesting and creative world to explore in this book. It feels more like a draft than a finished novel however. With some impartial beta readers and further revision, this could have been a gem.
May 6, 2019
Gave up
I couldn't quite get into the story and I gave up at the end of chapter 12. Anaia is the sovereign's guard, and supposedly Will is the new sovereign, yet she treats him like a dumb kid, and frankly I felt like me, the reader, was being treated that way too. It may get better the deeper into the story you go, but I just couldn't get there.
I couldn't quite get into the story and I gave up at the end of chapter 12. Anaia is the sovereign's guard, and supposedly Will is the new sovereign, yet she treats him like a dumb kid, and frankly I felt like me, the reader, was being treated that way too. It may get better the deeper into the story you go, but I just couldn't get there.
October 19, 2019
Not for me. Really struggled with this story.
May 28, 2020
Elysia's cover attracted my attention, and the blurb seals the deal. So I started reading it. It is an interesting story however, it was an intermittent state of interest for me. In the end, it failed to deliver on its promise from the blurb. I get a little perturbed when the blurb promise something, and the books are something else. It is like ordering a sirloin steak, expecting to get a sirloin steak from the menu but in the end, you get served spam. I had a few issues with this story, but I'll only comment on three.
First, the characters felt incomplete. Some had no rhyme or reason to be in the story, and the important ones lacked a defined character arc. I didn't connect with any of the characters, which made this story a chore to read.
Second, the author uses an omniscient third-person past. However, there were moments were the author uses the present tense PoV. That into itself doesn't bother me at all. What bothers me is when the author doesn't know how to use it. In this case, when the author jumped from one to the other it got so confusing, adding head-hopping (I don't mind Head-hopping if the author knows how to use it), but the worst part was the monologing commentary. All of that jumbles together gave me a mini anxiety moment reading some parts. Finish reading this book was such a struggle to work out what was happening.
The third issue I had was the pacing. I was rushed at the start moving like a sprinter, not giving me details of characters or anything else. The then story slowed down, and it was as slow as a Sunday mass in Latin, for my taste.
There are so many other things wrong with this story. However, I am giving it two stars because it also has so much potential. When I read this, I kept thinking this book was rushed through the editing process. This book needs the tender loving care of a developmental editor and for the Author to have spent some time fleshing out the characters. It needs a heavy line editing. I liked the Plot and the Author is one creative and imaginative person and if this author slows down and takes advantage of editors the books will be a real treat.
First, the characters felt incomplete. Some had no rhyme or reason to be in the story, and the important ones lacked a defined character arc. I didn't connect with any of the characters, which made this story a chore to read.
Second, the author uses an omniscient third-person past. However, there were moments were the author uses the present tense PoV. That into itself doesn't bother me at all. What bothers me is when the author doesn't know how to use it. In this case, when the author jumped from one to the other it got so confusing, adding head-hopping (I don't mind Head-hopping if the author knows how to use it), but the worst part was the monologing commentary. All of that jumbles together gave me a mini anxiety moment reading some parts. Finish reading this book was such a struggle to work out what was happening.
The third issue I had was the pacing. I was rushed at the start moving like a sprinter, not giving me details of characters or anything else. The then story slowed down, and it was as slow as a Sunday mass in Latin, for my taste.
There are so many other things wrong with this story. However, I am giving it two stars because it also has so much potential. When I read this, I kept thinking this book was rushed through the editing process. This book needs the tender loving care of a developmental editor and for the Author to have spent some time fleshing out the characters. It needs a heavy line editing. I liked the Plot and the Author is one creative and imaginative person and if this author slows down and takes advantage of editors the books will be a real treat.
June 17, 2019
Overall I found this title to be enjoyable. It's easy to read and not too bogged down like many Fantasy books can be. I enjoyed the lead character and a few of the side characters. It almost had a Wizard of Oz feel to me with the journey of the characters and their quest. The ending threw me a little (in a good way) because I was expecting it to go an entirely different way. Definitely worth a look if you're a fan of lighter Fantasy.
August 26, 2019
This book was fun and engaging. The world-building is solid and detailed, but a lot of it is between the lines; if you like your epics with twenty-page narratorial musings on the nature of government and culture, look elsewhere. This book dives into the action and develops the world and characters along the way. It was hard to put down, and I look forward to the next volume.
Judging from the wide spread in reviews, I'd suggest you sit and read a dozen pages or two. You'll either love it or hate it, and then you can move on...
Judging from the wide spread in reviews, I'd suggest you sit and read a dozen pages or two. You'll either love it or hate it, and then you can move on...
May 12, 2020
I did not finish this book.
July 9, 2019
A quest for...?
This could have been a great story. The plot is a typical quest story, with stops along the way in some well imagined places. Unfortunately, there are too many characters in the quest party, making it hard to keep up with who is who. Even attrition whittling down the group's numbers doesn't really help this issue.
The other problem is that there is never any clear goal for the quest. There's a *destination,* but no definite goal. This is apparently deliberate, an attempt to make the hero more rounded by being unsure of what he's doing. It doesn't quite work, though. The story just seems like a hapless meander through a really well imagined world. The challenges along the way don't seem to have much bearing on the final goal, nor do they help the hero's growth. The hero just bumbles along, never knowing what's going on and solving problems more by accident than any real strength or ability. And he never really improves in terms of his thinking.
This book was quite disappointing. It really could have been great, but it missed the mark by a good bit.
-- Matt
This could have been a great story. The plot is a typical quest story, with stops along the way in some well imagined places. Unfortunately, there are too many characters in the quest party, making it hard to keep up with who is who. Even attrition whittling down the group's numbers doesn't really help this issue.
The other problem is that there is never any clear goal for the quest. There's a *destination,* but no definite goal. This is apparently deliberate, an attempt to make the hero more rounded by being unsure of what he's doing. It doesn't quite work, though. The story just seems like a hapless meander through a really well imagined world. The challenges along the way don't seem to have much bearing on the final goal, nor do they help the hero's growth. The hero just bumbles along, never knowing what's going on and solving problems more by accident than any real strength or ability. And he never really improves in terms of his thinking.
This book was quite disappointing. It really could have been great, but it missed the mark by a good bit.
-- Matt
May 10, 2021
What is to be Human ?
I enjoyed this book and its twists and turns. For me, it explores what it is to be human . Change is the only constant. We don't experience any thing but bliss, how can we truly know ourselves?
I enjoyed this book and its twists and turns. For me, it explores what it is to be human . Change is the only constant. We don't experience any thing but bliss, how can we truly know ourselves?
July 18, 2021
A disappointing 2 out of 5 stars for this tangled hodgepodge of a story.
Read my full, spoiler free, review on my website.
Read my full, spoiler free, review on my website.
June 7, 2019
Elysia. Where do I begin?
The debut title of C.C. Francis, Elysia follows the adventures of Will Darkwood, a new hero on a planet where technology is indistinguishable from magic. It’s a fun premise; a world disconnected from humanity’s home by Millennia, watched over by immortal guardians with conflicting philosophies for the future of the species.
And in the middle of it all, an ordinary man from a backwoods town is plopped into a position he didn’t ask for, but he’s perfect for the job.
I loved C.C. Francis’s exploration of the future, the philosophical inquiries (especially at the end of the book), and the creative environments the story plunges through page after page. There’s so much good in this book! And I look forward to future writings from Francis.
At the same time, The Two Doctors Review must stick by its principles and discuss the good and the bad of every book read. And there are two significant points that, for me as a reader, made it difficult to fully engross myself in Elysia.
First. And I don’t want to belabor this point, because I know other reviewers have pointed it out; Elysia has a few significant formatting issues Francis needs to fix in the novel. Fortunately, they don’t detract from the narrative itself, but they do detract from the reading experience. I purchased a paperback of the book, and the type-setting was only left-aligned, not block justified to the right, creating a jagged edge on each page. And the half-inch indent was also frustrating.
Similarly, the lack of commas connecting dialogue tags to the dialogue slowed down the pace of reading the dialogue, every period causing a longer than necessary pause.
Second. The story included too many side-characters whose significance was lost upon me as I read. Fortunately, there are three of the supporting cast that blow the others out of the water (Khel, Tiberian, and Anaia). But other stragglers attached to Will Darkwood’s story detracted from what otherwise could have been a tighter, thrilling plot.
That all being said, I encourage people to give Elysia a chance, especially if you have a Kindle Unlimited membership. As an indie author debut, Francis has a lot of room to grow, and I’m incredibly excited to see what future fantastical adventure he conjures into his mind next.
Now onto the scores!
Writing: 5/10. This score results from the issues identified above: Improper formatting and jarring dialogue punctuation. If Francis re-releases this book and fixes these issues, the score would most likely rise to a 7 or 8. It’s otherwise very good prose, though I do wish the chapters were a bit longer to fully engross myself in a few of the more fascinating scenes.
Character: 6/10. Khel and Anaia and Tiberian felt like the real protagonists of the story. Will Darkwood acts as a great “naive” blank slate through which readers can observe and learn about the world, but I wish we’d seen him grow a bit more throughout. Though there’s something endearing about his reckless nature.
Setting: 8/10. The highlight of Elysia, the world takes you for a tumble throughout the novel. In particular, two particular locations at the end of the book, and their accompanying societal commentary, make the entire book worth reading.
Plot: 7/10. I wish Will was more in the driver’s seat, and I think a few sub-plots could have been cut. More importantly, the conflict between [SPOILER] and [SPOILER] was the real story we observed through Will’s eyes. I would have loved to see that fleshed out even more. Francis explores the conflict briefly through a piece of really cool magic tech (not gonna reveal the awesome name he uses), but that storyline slides to the wayside halfway through. All that being said, Khel’s role in pushing the plot toward it’s conclusion raises the score from a 6 to 7.
Overall: 6.5/10. Elysia receives three stars! I’m excited to follow Francis’s future works; Elysia is a masterclass in worldbuilding. Francis has endless room to grow in building stories to fill the worlds inside his head.
The debut title of C.C. Francis, Elysia follows the adventures of Will Darkwood, a new hero on a planet where technology is indistinguishable from magic. It’s a fun premise; a world disconnected from humanity’s home by Millennia, watched over by immortal guardians with conflicting philosophies for the future of the species.
And in the middle of it all, an ordinary man from a backwoods town is plopped into a position he didn’t ask for, but he’s perfect for the job.
I loved C.C. Francis’s exploration of the future, the philosophical inquiries (especially at the end of the book), and the creative environments the story plunges through page after page. There’s so much good in this book! And I look forward to future writings from Francis.
At the same time, The Two Doctors Review must stick by its principles and discuss the good and the bad of every book read. And there are two significant points that, for me as a reader, made it difficult to fully engross myself in Elysia.
First. And I don’t want to belabor this point, because I know other reviewers have pointed it out; Elysia has a few significant formatting issues Francis needs to fix in the novel. Fortunately, they don’t detract from the narrative itself, but they do detract from the reading experience. I purchased a paperback of the book, and the type-setting was only left-aligned, not block justified to the right, creating a jagged edge on each page. And the half-inch indent was also frustrating.
Similarly, the lack of commas connecting dialogue tags to the dialogue slowed down the pace of reading the dialogue, every period causing a longer than necessary pause.
Second. The story included too many side-characters whose significance was lost upon me as I read. Fortunately, there are three of the supporting cast that blow the others out of the water (Khel, Tiberian, and Anaia). But other stragglers attached to Will Darkwood’s story detracted from what otherwise could have been a tighter, thrilling plot.
That all being said, I encourage people to give Elysia a chance, especially if you have a Kindle Unlimited membership. As an indie author debut, Francis has a lot of room to grow, and I’m incredibly excited to see what future fantastical adventure he conjures into his mind next.
Now onto the scores!
Writing: 5/10. This score results from the issues identified above: Improper formatting and jarring dialogue punctuation. If Francis re-releases this book and fixes these issues, the score would most likely rise to a 7 or 8. It’s otherwise very good prose, though I do wish the chapters were a bit longer to fully engross myself in a few of the more fascinating scenes.
Character: 6/10. Khel and Anaia and Tiberian felt like the real protagonists of the story. Will Darkwood acts as a great “naive” blank slate through which readers can observe and learn about the world, but I wish we’d seen him grow a bit more throughout. Though there’s something endearing about his reckless nature.
Setting: 8/10. The highlight of Elysia, the world takes you for a tumble throughout the novel. In particular, two particular locations at the end of the book, and their accompanying societal commentary, make the entire book worth reading.
Plot: 7/10. I wish Will was more in the driver’s seat, and I think a few sub-plots could have been cut. More importantly, the conflict between [SPOILER] and [SPOILER] was the real story we observed through Will’s eyes. I would have loved to see that fleshed out even more. Francis explores the conflict briefly through a piece of really cool magic tech (not gonna reveal the awesome name he uses), but that storyline slides to the wayside halfway through. All that being said, Khel’s role in pushing the plot toward it’s conclusion raises the score from a 6 to 7.
Overall: 6.5/10. Elysia receives three stars! I’m excited to follow Francis’s future works; Elysia is a masterclass in worldbuilding. Francis has endless room to grow in building stories to fill the worlds inside his head.
August 25, 2019
The concept of Elysia is really fantastic. When I read the blurb, I couldn’t wait to get into it. The world building is by far the strongest concept of this novel. I could see myself in this world easily. I loved reading this book for that.
There were some things that irked me a bit. Some of the characters were a bit cookie cutter and didn’t seem to have a ton of reason in the story. I really wanted to love the characters, but I think they needed a bit of fleshing out.
I think this book was good despite its flaws and I would definitely read more by this author. I recommend checking this one out and I’m looking forward to seeing what else this author writes.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from YA Bound Book Tours in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.*
Find this review and more on my blog: https://www.jessicabelmont.wordpress.com
There were some things that irked me a bit. Some of the characters were a bit cookie cutter and didn’t seem to have a ton of reason in the story. I really wanted to love the characters, but I think they needed a bit of fleshing out.
I think this book was good despite its flaws and I would definitely read more by this author. I recommend checking this one out and I’m looking forward to seeing what else this author writes.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from YA Bound Book Tours in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.*
Find this review and more on my blog: https://www.jessicabelmont.wordpress.com
October 6, 2019
For anyone on the fence about reading fantasy, or anyone curious about the genre, I highly suggest this book. The author doesn’t build up the
story slowly. The moment you pick up the book it throws you into the premise of the book. You are given a character that you can easily sympathize with. As magic and technology intertwine, the main character is
thrown into a position of power, with no idea how to rule. Francis could keep me engaged in the story and want to find out. There were so many unexpected twists and turns that I absolutely loved it even more. The overall world, characters, and great writing is an easy read for many readers alike.
story slowly. The moment you pick up the book it throws you into the premise of the book. You are given a character that you can easily sympathize with. As magic and technology intertwine, the main character is
thrown into a position of power, with no idea how to rule. Francis could keep me engaged in the story and want to find out. There were so many unexpected twists and turns that I absolutely loved it even more. The overall world, characters, and great writing is an easy read for many readers alike.
March 28, 2020
A little too much "Dante's Peak" for me but a rather good story line. It is sad that Will doesn't get to stay with his friends yet heroic that he sacrifices his life for the lives of many others. I think most people who like a fast moving sci-fi would enjoy reading this. Thanks CC Francis for keeping it clean and tasteful.
May 2, 2020
Awesome!!
It was a little hard to get into, but well worth the effort. I loved it. Will was perfect as a bumbling hero, and by the time I got towards the end, I read through the night. I enjoyed it and was sorry when I turned the last page. Any more adventures for Will and company?
It was a little hard to get into, but well worth the effort. I loved it. Will was perfect as a bumbling hero, and by the time I got towards the end, I read through the night. I enjoyed it and was sorry when I turned the last page. Any more adventures for Will and company?
June 10, 2020
I couldn't finish this. I hate leaving bad reviews for anything, but it was so poorly written I couldn't push myself to read any further than chapter 28. A promising idea and plot but not executed to its best advantage, hence the single star rating.
June 8, 2021
This book never clicked with me. The premise was interesting, and the concepts cool, but a lack of tension failed to drive the story forward, and because I never connected with any of the characters, the ending fell completely flat for me.
2.5 stars
2.5 stars
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