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The Raven's Prophecy #1
The Elder Trials
In the Viking village of Greytree, Astrid Mace is different. She is unaware of her roots, her troubled entry into the world and the powers she possesses. Powers she will need if her village is to survive The Elder Trials. All 13 of the Neophytes (children turning 13) in the village must compete and complete in 13 trials. Can the three Lords who rule over Greytree be trusted? What are the Druid’s true motives? Will she uncover the reason behind Erik’s anger and animosity? During an annual trade with another village, Astrid uncovers some dirty dealings. Will she make the right decision? When Greytree is attacked by the Skollreaver Clan will Astrid find her powers, and will they be enough to save those she loves?
299 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 5, 2019
3 people are currently reading
47 people want to read
About the author
Marc Lindsay
13 books48 followersBorn in 1972, Katherine, NT and married with three children I have always loved to read in particular fantasy fiction. My favourite authors include JRR Tolkien, Robert E Howard, Stephen King, Raymond E Feist and the awesome Matthew Reilly. Growing up I was always a bit of a geek, in particular my love of comics and horror movies, something that has stayed with me well into my “mature years”.
I was a soldier in the Australian Defence Force for nearly 20 years, having served on operations in Rwanda and East Timor, and later an instructor at the School of Infantry. I'm a qualified cinema graphic make-up artist, having trained under Oscar winner Peter Frampton, I had high aspirations of being the next Tom Savini. I enjoy keeping fit, reading and annoying my kids.
I still love cheesy B grade movies in particular anything with zombies and I love hanging out with my brothers every chance I get, both of whom are successful writers in their own respective fields.
Writing Perigord has been an immensely satisfying journey and one that has yet to reach its final destination.
I was a soldier in the Australian Defence Force for nearly 20 years, having served on operations in Rwanda and East Timor, and later an instructor at the School of Infantry. I'm a qualified cinema graphic make-up artist, having trained under Oscar winner Peter Frampton, I had high aspirations of being the next Tom Savini. I enjoy keeping fit, reading and annoying my kids.
I still love cheesy B grade movies in particular anything with zombies and I love hanging out with my brothers every chance I get, both of whom are successful writers in their own respective fields.
Writing Perigord has been an immensely satisfying journey and one that has yet to reach its final destination.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
December 17, 2019
An exciting read for anyone who loves adventure, magic and Vikings. Astrid is such a strong young woman who faces impossible odds but with the help of her friends and her unknown heritage meets them head on.
February 13, 2020
This book was fantastic. Great character developments. intriguing over arching story full of unanswered questions. The trials themselves were also very entertaining to read. Could not recommend high enough.
February 27, 2020
:) found it :) have a good day
August 12, 2021
The Elder Trails by Marc and James Lindsay: Middle-Grade Fantasy - Sword and Sorcery. Vikings. Action. Adventure. Coming-of-Age. Games, Contests, and Trails. Family. Friendship. Rivalry. Creatures. Chosen One.
I enjoyed this novel. It has all the ingredients of a fantastic middle-grade fantasy with the voice and tone of an adult novel. There's no sex or explicit language, but there is moderate violence.
It follows thirteen thirteen-year-olds of the village of Greytree as they compete in the Elder Trails in a fight for the fate of their future. See, the Elder Trails is a 500-year-old initiation ceremony that will determine what village apprenticeship they'll be given. The person who amasses the most points and wins gets to choose their own future.
The Elder Trails is exciting and engaging, and I LOVED the creatures and how the author's tackled them. Interestingly, the point-of-view is third person and follows Astrid, the blacksmith's daughter. But, instead of following her entirely, the story jumps between multiple characters and creatures within the same chapter. In this sense, it is very similar to Angie Sage's Septimus Heap Series.
I would have preferred more human intimacy (or human closeness as authors Jodie Archer and Matthew Jockers refer to it) across the board, and there were a few proofreading errors with the punctuation. However, these were few and far between and didn't disrupt my enjoyment of the story.
In any case, if you're looking for an action-packed adventure with Vikings and magic, dangers and creatures, rivalry and friendship, and a child that could change the fate of the world, this book is for you.
How much I liked it: 3 Stars.
Ideas: 5 Stars
Character depth: 3.5 Stars
Execution: 4 Stars
I enjoyed this novel. It has all the ingredients of a fantastic middle-grade fantasy with the voice and tone of an adult novel. There's no sex or explicit language, but there is moderate violence.
It follows thirteen thirteen-year-olds of the village of Greytree as they compete in the Elder Trails in a fight for the fate of their future. See, the Elder Trails is a 500-year-old initiation ceremony that will determine what village apprenticeship they'll be given. The person who amasses the most points and wins gets to choose their own future.
The Elder Trails is exciting and engaging, and I LOVED the creatures and how the author's tackled them. Interestingly, the point-of-view is third person and follows Astrid, the blacksmith's daughter. But, instead of following her entirely, the story jumps between multiple characters and creatures within the same chapter. In this sense, it is very similar to Angie Sage's Septimus Heap Series.
I would have preferred more human intimacy (or human closeness as authors Jodie Archer and Matthew Jockers refer to it) across the board, and there were a few proofreading errors with the punctuation. However, these were few and far between and didn't disrupt my enjoyment of the story.
In any case, if you're looking for an action-packed adventure with Vikings and magic, dangers and creatures, rivalry and friendship, and a child that could change the fate of the world, this book is for you.
How much I liked it: 3 Stars.
Ideas: 5 Stars
Character depth: 3.5 Stars
Execution: 4 Stars
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December 6, 2025James and Marc describe this series as a cross between The Hunger Games and Viking mythology. (Please correct me guys!! I’m tired and may have that slightly wrong!!)
Whether that’s right or wrong, that’s certainly true.
This new world they’ve created has yet to give up most of its secrets I think, and I wonder if there are other beings and things yet to be discovered. Some of the ones in this book are not part of your average Viking world, that’s for sure!!
There are laughs in here (the story behind the name of the tavern in Greytree saw me erupt in laughter!!) as well as some great adventure plots, and I think that Astrid definitely has a long adventure in her future!!
Marc and James, thanks for a great start to another series, now when’s book 2 due out??? I can’t wait to catch up with these characters and see what’s next in their world!!
Whether that’s right or wrong, that’s certainly true.
This new world they’ve created has yet to give up most of its secrets I think, and I wonder if there are other beings and things yet to be discovered. Some of the ones in this book are not part of your average Viking world, that’s for sure!!
There are laughs in here (the story behind the name of the tavern in Greytree saw me erupt in laughter!!) as well as some great adventure plots, and I think that Astrid definitely has a long adventure in her future!!
Marc and James, thanks for a great start to another series, now when’s book 2 due out??? I can’t wait to catch up with these characters and see what’s next in their world!!
November 12, 2019
If you love Vikings and quests and adventure (or your kidlets do), then this book is for you. Coming in at around 250 pages, it's not all that long but wow does it pack a punch.
Full of questing and intrigue as well as friendship and all around happy feels, it was a quick and easy read. I will say though, there are a few parts where it may be a little scary (there's a spider the size of a cow that's just *shudder*).
Basically if you think Hunger Games, a little Percy Jackson with some Warrior of the Wilds thrown in. And that ending is just *chefs kiss*
So I suppose all I can say now is when can I have the next one? Please? Not done yet? How about now?
Full of questing and intrigue as well as friendship and all around happy feels, it was a quick and easy read. I will say though, there are a few parts where it may be a little scary (there's a spider the size of a cow that's just *shudder*).
Basically if you think Hunger Games, a little Percy Jackson with some Warrior of the Wilds thrown in. And that ending is just *chefs kiss*
So I suppose all I can say now is when can I have the next one? Please? Not done yet? How about now?
December 27, 2019
What a great little story! Well done Lindsay brothers. This one kept me interested until the end. Great to see a strong, female main character in this fantasy novel for middle school children. Some of the graphic descriptions of the various trials reminded me of horror movies I watched in the eighties. This book had a little bit of everything: adventure, horror, drama and some sadness. I can see why so many of our year 4-6 students have been enjoying this book. Looking forward to reading the next instalment.
October 25, 2019
I loved this book. Astrid is my new fav character. I wasn’t crying at the end, you were crying. Highly recommend for readers of fantasy, mythology and Vikings.
Please tell me book 2 is coming out soon!
Please tell me book 2 is coming out soon!
November 13, 2019
I loved this book! I really enjoyed the Hunger Games-esque trials and how different they were. I also thoroughly enjoyed Astrid and her family! I found Astrid to be a really compelling character that I couldn’t help but to root for. It was definitely just Norse enough for me to enjoy, but also different enough to find interesting as opposed to the same story being told again. I am really looking forward to the next novel in the series! I couldn’t put this down and finished it in two sittings. Will definitely be passing this on to my daughter when she is a little older!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews