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The Scarred King I: Exile
From the moment he could walk, Bowmark has trained for a fight to the death. The Disc awaits a giant bronze platform suspended over a river of lava. He dreads the day of proving—when he must kill or be killed—to claim the throne.
His people have hidden from the rest of the world for generations. But when the discovery of a mysterious Atlas reveals forgotten lands and peoples, Bowmark begins to question his culture's traditions and laws. His unavoidable future seems grim and pointless when contrasted with another world full of unique civilizations populated with other intelligent species and marvelous creatures.
Meanwhile new threats arise from the depths, hidden enemies emerge from within, and soon everything and everyone Bowmark knows and loves will be changed forever.
Torn between a desire to fulfill his duty, and his empathy for others, Bowmark must use all his intelligence and courage to navigate an uncertain future.
Perfect for fans of Salvatore's Drizzt.
His people have hidden from the rest of the world for generations. But when the discovery of a mysterious Atlas reveals forgotten lands and peoples, Bowmark begins to question his culture's traditions and laws. His unavoidable future seems grim and pointless when contrasted with another world full of unique civilizations populated with other intelligent species and marvelous creatures.
Meanwhile new threats arise from the depths, hidden enemies emerge from within, and soon everything and everyone Bowmark knows and loves will be changed forever.
Torn between a desire to fulfill his duty, and his empathy for others, Bowmark must use all his intelligence and courage to navigate an uncertain future.
Perfect for fans of Salvatore's Drizzt.
Kindle Edition
Published April 16, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
September 11, 2019
All I can say is wow! The worldbuilding here is amazing. At first, I thought I was on earth but at another time and in an exotic locale. Then I began to read about creatures not of this earth and realized I wasn’t in Kansas any longer. A seamless transition. The world of Talifar is vibrant and alive and I had been magically transported there.
I’m not saying everything is pure and beautiful; it isn’t. There is a gritty realism to Bowmark’s existence. Life is tough and Bowmark knows there will come a time when he must to kill another person in order to prove himself worthy to become the next king. And a fight to the death on the disc isn’t Bowmark’s only problem. Political unrest spawned by certain royals/nobles seethes just below the surface, questioning not only Bowmark’s right to become the next king, but even his father’s right to rule.
And Bowmark … sigh … It’s been said readers relate to characters like themselves. I disagree. I am about as far removed from Bowmark as I can get. Modern. A grandmother. Physically weak. (There’s a lot more; but I think you get the point.) I fell in love with this boy who grows into a coming of age youth. His courage, humility, compassion, strength, and integrity. I became immersed in his story and his world because, though I am different from him, his character is compelling and alive.
If you like fantasy that draws you into another place and time where you can lose yourself for a spell, you will enjoy The Scarred King 1: Exile. I highly recommend this book even if you’ve never read fantasy before. Now … the only negative … I need to wait for the next book. I am waiting!
I’m not saying everything is pure and beautiful; it isn’t. There is a gritty realism to Bowmark’s existence. Life is tough and Bowmark knows there will come a time when he must to kill another person in order to prove himself worthy to become the next king. And a fight to the death on the disc isn’t Bowmark’s only problem. Political unrest spawned by certain royals/nobles seethes just below the surface, questioning not only Bowmark’s right to become the next king, but even his father’s right to rule.
And Bowmark … sigh … It’s been said readers relate to characters like themselves. I disagree. I am about as far removed from Bowmark as I can get. Modern. A grandmother. Physically weak. (There’s a lot more; but I think you get the point.) I fell in love with this boy who grows into a coming of age youth. His courage, humility, compassion, strength, and integrity. I became immersed in his story and his world because, though I am different from him, his character is compelling and alive.
If you like fantasy that draws you into another place and time where you can lose yourself for a spell, you will enjoy The Scarred King 1: Exile. I highly recommend this book even if you’ve never read fantasy before. Now … the only negative … I need to wait for the next book. I am waiting!
April 27, 2019
Intriguing story, characters, and story world
The story showed a lot of imagination with all sorts of creatures and an incredible story world. Lots of interesting characters ncluding the protagonist who has some hard lessons to learn if he is to rise from prince to king. I loved the training he had to go through, other challenges he faced such as his cousins hatred, and the political intrigue. Ssome of w writing was rather stilted in places but overall was a very good read. I would reccomend this book for fourteen and up. Definitely geared for teens and young adults As a senior adult, I enjoyed it too. I understand this is a series but I still like to see more resolution at the end of a book.
The story showed a lot of imagination with all sorts of creatures and an incredible story world. Lots of interesting characters ncluding the protagonist who has some hard lessons to learn if he is to rise from prince to king. I loved the training he had to go through, other challenges he faced such as his cousins hatred, and the political intrigue. Ssome of w writing was rather stilted in places but overall was a very good read. I would reccomend this book for fourteen and up. Definitely geared for teens and young adults As a senior adult, I enjoyed it too. I understand this is a series but I still like to see more resolution at the end of a book.
April 21, 2024
A Very Imaginative Story
I confess the beginning of this book bored me so much I put it down for several years before I decided to finish it. There was a little too much world building without enough character initially, but I was glad I eventually stuck with it. After 40% of the way through, it became a REALLY good story, and all that world building helped set the stage even though it was elongated.
The MC is a character worth supporting, even though his naivety made me scream sometimes. I am very interested to see how he grows, him and his strange creature companion as the journey continues.
The illustrations were a nice touch that I quite enjoyed. I'll be reading book 2 for sure!
I confess the beginning of this book bored me so much I put it down for several years before I decided to finish it. There was a little too much world building without enough character initially, but I was glad I eventually stuck with it. After 40% of the way through, it became a REALLY good story, and all that world building helped set the stage even though it was elongated.
The MC is a character worth supporting, even though his naivety made me scream sometimes. I am very interested to see how he grows, him and his strange creature companion as the journey continues.
The illustrations were a nice touch that I quite enjoyed. I'll be reading book 2 for sure!
October 9, 2020
A very good read
I found this book recommended on a YouTube channel. It sounded great and had some art in it as well. If not for the added art i would have given 4 stars. The author clearly put a lot of work into this world. There are 2 or 3 mistakes so not too bad but wish there weren’t any.
There is a spot in this book where i was mad and angry and just as wrought as the mc. Also another when the mc and his monkey found a box. I’m really looking forward to more of this story
I found this book recommended on a YouTube channel. It sounded great and had some art in it as well. If not for the added art i would have given 4 stars. The author clearly put a lot of work into this world. There are 2 or 3 mistakes so not too bad but wish there weren’t any.
There is a spot in this book where i was mad and angry and just as wrought as the mc. Also another when the mc and his monkey found a box. I’m really looking forward to more of this story
April 15, 2020
An original story that takes place in a unique world. This book was hard to put down. The illustrations are a wonderful bonus. I can’t wait to continue the adventure in this world of Talifar.
Thank you Foremans, for this lovely tale.
Please write more soon!
Thank you Foremans, for this lovely tale.
Please write more soon!
April 28, 2020
Great sense of 'other'
I enjoyed the sense of 'other' that this book gives. It takes you into a credible new world that feels entirely different from what I'm used to, similar to perhaps The Red Badge of Courage or Pratchett's Nation. The characters feel real and the story is engaging. Toward the end, I feel like the plot thread frayed, but I still enjoyed it.
I enjoyed the sense of 'other' that this book gives. It takes you into a credible new world that feels entirely different from what I'm used to, similar to perhaps The Red Badge of Courage or Pratchett's Nation. The characters feel real and the story is engaging. Toward the end, I feel like the plot thread frayed, but I still enjoyed it.
April 23, 2019
Fun
Starts off a bit slow with a very young character doing kid stuff, but quickly evolves into intrigue and exploring a really interesting world.
Can’t wait for book two!
Starts off a bit slow with a very young character doing kid stuff, but quickly evolves into intrigue and exploring a really interesting world.
Can’t wait for book two!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews