Born of Metal (Rings of the Inconquo, #1)

Rings of the Inconquo #1

by A.L. Knorr

A powerful artifact, a secret society, an ancient evil. Can Ibby embrace her destiny as Inconquo guardian before an ages-old demon is unleashed on London?

Ibby’s parents gave up everything for a chance at a better life. So, after a terrible accident leaves her alone in London, Ibby works her internship at the British Museum and goes to her classes to make them proud.

But when Ibby finds a strange artifact and encounters a mysterious professor in the bowels of the museum, she learns that her lineage means bigger responsibilities than good grades. Training in the secrecy of a ghostly underground tube station defunct since 1933, her waking powers means Ibby must face the wrath of a titan with a vendetta against her kind...and she has to do it alone.

If you love strong female characters and millennia old secrets, you’ll love the origin story of Ibukun Bashir, metal elemental. Welcome to the world of the Inconquo.

Genres: Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal, Audiobook

278 pages, ebook

Published August 31, 2019

About the author

A.L. Knorr is a USA Today Bestselling Author and award-winning Canadian conjurer of clean fantasy for teens and the young at heart. Her stories blend elemental magic, epic adventure, fierce female leads, and just enough romance to make your heart flutter (without needing to hide the book from your grandma).

Whether you’re chasing fire demons through Venice, swimming with mermaids off the coast of Poland, or unraveling supernatural conspiracies in ancient ruins, her immersive worlds pull you in—and don’t let go.

No explicit content. No f-bombs. Just page-turning plots, vivid magic, and characters you'll wish were real.

And if you like your fantasy with a little more grit, danger, and fallen angels? Check out Shadows of the Fallen—where secrets are deadly, powers come at a price, and trust is the rarest magic of all.

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Reviews

[Alina Tache · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing Elemental novel

I have read this because I've accidentally discovered A.L.Knorr's Elemental novels and they instantly caught my interest! I am a fan of Fantasy/Urban Fantasy/sci-fi, and yet her universe felt like a breath of fresh air.

This particular novel is sort of a prequel - the action happens a bit earlier (chronologically) than the main series. While in the main series we get to know a group of girls who end up elementals related to water, earth, fire, aether and air, this book shows us the story of a character that appears shortly in the main series: Ibby, who is a metal elemental, also called an Inconquo. I've loved finding out how she discovered her powers, she is a very relatable character and the things she goes through kept me on the edge and wanting to read on.

This book is mostly about her beginnings as an elemental. I can't wait for the next book, in which I hope we get to see her more confident in her abilities.

[Sadie Forsythe · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was a middle-of-the-road enjoyable read (or listen, rather). I liked Ibby. I liked the immigration aspect of her character. I liked the idea of the ability to control metal. I liked her self-sufficiency and smarts. However, I never felt particularly immersed in the world. This may be because the book is a spin-off from another series (which I didn’t know when I decided to listen to it). It may be because the book is all running here, being attacked there. It never settles enough for the reader to catch a breath and start caring. Plus, there’s a pretty big deus ex machina moment toward the end.

I see several people in the reviews complaining about the narrator. I had little problem with her. I thought she was a little dry with some characters (the demon, for example), but was mostly fine. I’d listen to her again.

[〰️Beth〰️ · Rating 1 out of 5]

Props for wanting to have a first generation immigrant as the mc but not enough to help this story. Maybe if the character was part of the original series it could have helped. I had to dnf it was so poorly executed. I actually looked to make sure this was the same author. Decided at 66% and 10+ attemps to finish over three days I needed to move on.

[Ariel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed some of the world-building; the protagonist, not so much. I had trouble relating to her and that caused trouble with being invested in her journey.

[TXBRITGAL · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exciting new supernatural series that brings us into a unique new world. Ibby is an archaeology student that accidentally discovers some odd metal rings. Little does she know this is the beginning to learning about the origins of her unique bloodline. Along the way she meets a century old ghost who was also an archaeologist, and an interesting female that's beyond centuries old and not exactly as she seems. Bad guys galore and an ancient trapped being desperate for release from his cage, and you have the makings of one unique and thrilling read! Using her wits, huge heart and every ounce of willpower within, we see Ibby fight with all she's worth for good. I'm greatly looking forward to the next book!

[Mayhem-RW · Rating 5 out of 5]

Her name is Ibukun (Ibby) Bashir, and her mother and father left Sudan for a better life for their unborn baby, her. Now, she was nearly done with the university and hoped to get a good-paying job with the Museum of Natural History. That is why she took this internship and suffered under Doctor Adrian Shelton, a man who scrutinized and criticized everything she did, making her life a living hell. She has been cataloging the artifacts as they are pulled from storage to be displayed and cataloged again on their way back to storage to ensure nothing is missing and doing an inventory on items that were never displayed. They were inventoried every now and then to ensure nothing was missing. On this day, however, she found two rings that seemed out of place since they were with pottery. She would ask Meredith what to do, but Meredith told her to put it back where it belongs and forget about it. Meredith told her that the box was more of a landmine to her than a find of all time. On her way to storage, she heard someone walking with hard soles, and she knew only Doctor Shelton wore hard sole shoes because everyone else didn’t like the noise they made in the hallways. She hastily took the box and put it into her bag to hide the damage to it. It was not Shelton in the hallway, but she was so rushed to get to her afternoon lectures at the university that she forgot all about the box in her bag and left the museum with it. Then she remembered it and almost freaked out. She swore to herself she would return the box after meeting up with her best friend. But that did not go as planned either, as she once again heard footsteps. Then, on her way home, she interrupted a mugging and possibly a murder, some ladies or maybe hers, but the knife the man was wielding, its blade, got caught in her purse when she raised it to block the knife from cutting her. But that was not the weirdest thing that happened to her that night. She believed the rings gave her power over metal. To sense it, to distinguish it, and to control it.

Now, this series starter is like an origin story for some mutant or something, and I liked it! Which reminds me, I think you could have added science fiction to the genre list. Although, I had a problem with a person who grew up in a rough neighborhood but was reluctant to incapacitate her attackers. I liked the Mr. Lowe twist. It caught me off guard. The physical world-building put pictures in my mind, while the ethereal world-building appeared with a soft, underrated presence. The various character interactions seemed very realistic.

If you believe all the television and movie parallels, this dark fantasy series starter could be a reality. I give this tome five stars out of five stars.

[Keith Bornmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jackie is a college-aged archaeology researcher, who's coworkers don't seem to admire or appreciate her. She accidentally stumbles upon an artifact that gives her powers over metal. In this book, the main character seems to be struggling with achieving success in life. This seems to be a different approach that the heroine in the other Knorr books.

There are multiple conflicts going on at the same time, Jackie trying to keep her job. An enemy of her uncle seems to be coming against her. The change that she experiences as she goes from depending on the approval of others to coming into her own power is fascinating. This is a very interesting read. I didn't put it down until I completed it. Also, I'm reading it again.

There are mystery and adventure. It's a clean read, suitable for any age.

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ibukun Bashir, known as Ibby, an orphaned Sudanese refugee has a dream of working at the Museum of Natural History in London. It is a a hope that needs to come true if she has a hope of getting her last relative, uncle Iry to safety.
I love that this novel starts out with high stakes and takes me into an unfamiliar world of a woman struggling being alone, being foreign, critical supervisors, and unexpected and a dangerous find that holds as much danger as power. The problem is that others are determined to take it from her.
From the beginning I was taken into the story, liked the lead and was excited to learn the mystery behind her find, allies and enemies. I thoroughly enjoyed the perspective of the story and recommend this book. Now I need to get my hands on the next one in the series!

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

We meet Ibby in the elemental series and she gets her own book here. I have loved all of A L Knorr’s stories but this one just didn’t hold my interest as well as the others. It is still good with lots of adventure. I have listened to one other story with this narrator and although she has a great English accent I just haven’t been as impressed as a couple of Abby’s other narrators. Ibby has to overcome many adversities as everything she once knew changes and shifts as she becomes what she thinks of as a super hero. She gains powers over metals. She can hear each different type of metal and has powers to move it and shape it to her will. But powers come with great responsibilities and in Ibby’s case a whole lot of danger.

[Noxwitchbooklife · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so good, ghosts, a seemingly creepy museum with a crazy professor and a female main character who doesn't know she's essentially a superhero with shady organisations, some heartwarming relationships and demons - this was a fantastic introduction to Ibby's trilogy.

It was fast paced and I enjoyed every word of it.

I like particularly how interesting it was to read about being a metal elemental essentially in a modern day world with it being everywhere and in almost everything.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ibby is doing her job and falls into so much more. She learns she learns she has power over metals, but life is not easy. It took awhile to get into the plot, but once I was hooked it was a great story. There is a lot to enjoy the manipulation of metal, ghosts, and action. I look forward to seeing what Ibby has to face next. I highly recommend this story. I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Myra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the Earth elemental series and had fun with it but that was a few years ago. I finally got back into the universe...but I'm done. It's not like any of the books were spectacular but this one (Born of Metal) was just...so...groan. Every dialog. Every fight where a bad guy sneers and speaks with an adjective to show he's bad. and how many times can a person get beat up and shrug it off after a couple of days of rest?
Got about 65% of the way through the kindle book.

[Jeb Holt · Rating 2 out of 5]

Born of Metal didn't have the same "ring" to it as other books in the Elemental series. Unfortunately there was never really a point in Ibby's origin story where I was unable to put the book down and more or less it just felt like someone going through the motions. I do hope that the other Rings of the Inconquo provide more of the story that reader's have come to crave from A.L. Knorr.

[Windy Blevins-tolliver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Smelting!

Full disclosure: received the audiobook free and the ebook on kindle unlimited...

Not really familiar with the ancient myths associated with this novel, but did enjoy the book.

A unique heroine...

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!

I couldn't put the book down. I just had to finish it. One thing that was disappointed with was that it was a cliff hanger. It teases you to find book two and get it. I will have to save up for it.

[Dorothy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ibby is an interesting young woman! Enjoyed this book that shows ancestry and fantastic traits as being related. Family is important to her so this is a clue to more relationships. I’m looking forward to reading more of her journey!

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as quick to jump to the plot as the normal A.L. Knorr book but did get there.
Fast paced from about half way when the story became more riveting.
Would recommend, enjoyed it.

[Sharon Bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book but I'm not sure if I like the metal stuff.

[Scott Shjefte · Rating 5 out of 5]

A young woman strives to succeed under harsh financial restraints and then finds a 'magical' item at work. Purchased this item on Sept. 5, 2023, from Amazon for free.

[Luna · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,75⭐

[L. · Rating 3 out of 5]

dnf - I thought I would come back to it, because I almost finished it, but it started to feel like a chore. I really wanted to like the book like the others but it just wasn’t it for me…

[Nicole · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF. I got about 70% through and decided it wasn't worth investing even a couple more hours when there are so many great books out there.

[Robert Rozell II · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was fantastic, I was enthralled by Ibby. what a wonderful woman. I hope I will see more of her.
The plot is fast-paced and makes this very hard to put down.

[WyoGal · Rating 2 out of 5]

Stopped reading at 61%

This book is slow to get going, and when it finally does, it’s just not compelling. There are no real stakes for the main character—where is the pressure to act now or else someone she loves is going to get hurt? Who does she really love? That person is already off the page and waaay in the background. The bad guys that appear about halfway are meh: Vaguely described and stereotypical with vague motives. The protagonist is somewhat smart, gets sassy with her jerk boss and loses sight of her goals. When she mysteriously barfs ashes without aspirating and developing pneumonia, I lost my willingness to trust the author in developing the story.

The author has good overall skills in writing about setting, characters, and describing action scenes, but the plot pacing is off. I just found myself wishing things would hurry up or that I was reading something else. There are little errors sprinkled throughout the book, which also tells me better editing is needed.

[The Mysterious Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love, no, I adore A.L. Knorr’s books. I’ve gobbled up (and separately reviewed) pretty much everything she’s published as they’re just sooo good. So it’s no surprise that I welcomed Born of Metal: Rings of the Inconquo with open (mental) arms. “A powerful artifact, a secret society, an ancient evil.” Who knew that a job at the British Museum could turn out to be so exciting? Luckily for us, the heroine here, Ibby, ends up turning out to just the sort of kick-a** gal I totally fangirl over and she’s quite capable to take on her newly discovered family mantle as Inconquo guardian in time to handle the minor little pest (ok, that’s an understatement ) that is an ages-old demon now in London. If you enjoyed the author’s Elemental Origins Series you’ll be guaranteed to love this book which is set in the same world. If you are a total newcomer to this author you’ll still totally love this book as it works perfectly as a stand-alone (but if that you then I urge you to read the Elemental Origins Series anyway, as it’s too darn great to miss out on). About the only criticism I have of this book is that, as warned, it’s part 1 of a duology so it will leave you hungering for the second book. It’s worth it though as this book is wonderfully delicious. Frankly, but for the fact that I’m literally dictating this review to my husband from my hospital bed I could go on and on with praises. The book definitely deserves it. Since I can’t do that I will simply note that the book is most definitely one to read, and it is easy to highly recommend. I’m definitely looking forward to that second and final book, which is promised to be released before the end of 2019.

[Nicola Torrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

The tone of Born of Metal is quite different from Ms Knorr's other books. But I loved it. So exciting!

Ibby originally appeared as a secondary, but powerful, character in the Elemental Series.

'Born of Metal' takes place at an earlier time from those and follows Ibby as she comes into her powers as an Inconquo. She's a harried student, studying archeology, and interning at the British Museum. She has a horrible boss there, who is intent on making her life miserable, an uncle she is determined to bring to the UK, a best friend with terrible taste in men, advisors who can't keep a secret... what could go wrong?

When she accidentally finds an ancient artifact (rings that are broken off from what would appear to be part of a larger set), and encounters a mysterious professor (who is definitely not as he seems), her life takes a major turn. She learns of her family's lineage, that they were unique and powerful; and that there are people (and an evil being) who have a vendetta against her kind. They are after her artifact, and will stop at nothing to acquire it.

Wonderfully descriptive prose. ❤

[Sara Henry · Rating 3 out of 5]

This isn't badly written, exactly, but it was incredibly difficult to get into. It was so slow and the pacing just kept taking me out of it. I literally had to push myself to finish, because I wanted to see if it actually got to where I *thought* it was going to go when I picked it up to start reading it. It was difficult to connect to this character because I felt like she was not... reasonable about some things. Like, I wouldn't have reacted the way she did several times, and it kind of took me out of the action too. Also, it felt like there were... too many steps taken by the author to... get to the point of the book, if that makes sense. Like, you could have cut a lot of crap from the first half of the book that didn't have to be there, and I wonder what purpose the author thought it served... because it definitely wasn't there for better pacing or better connecting with Ibby.

This is one of the slowest paced, most boring books that SOUND interesting in the synopsis, that I have ever personally experienced. To the rest of this series, and possibly anything else by this author, I must say "no thank you".

[Elda · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a ride! Such excitement is extremely palpable in this adventure. Don’t let the slow start deceive you. Just continue reading and you will not be disappointed. Our heroine, Ibby, will knock your socks off. She never gives up in spite of all the challenges she faces. With the help of an ancient artifact, she fights against an ancient, evil metallic demon. This is a very well written book and I would expect nothing less from these authors. I have read many of Ms Knorr’s books and loved them all. This one fits right in with her Elementals series. And if Mr Schneider had anything to do with the excellent descriptions in this story, then I am motivated to read more of his work. I am definitely looking forward to reading the next book in this duology. I can’t recommend reading this book enough. I can easily say you will not be disappointed.

[Angela Higgs · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic book! Be prepared to have trouble putting it down to do unimportant things like cooking dinner and sleeping.

Ibby is a college student who is taking classes and completing an archaeology internship at the British Museum of Natural History (I may have the museum name wrong) and finds a mysterious artifact that doesn't seem to belong. She is trying to find where the artifact belongs since it isn't labeled like the other artifacts she is cataloging as part of her internship.

Strange things start happening and Ibby no longer knows who she can or can't trust. From this point everything is fast paced and she has to make decisions quickly using "gut instinct" instead of logic.

The book has wonderful characters who bring you into the story and has you both fearing for Ibby's life and cheering her victories.

[Jennine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Firstly this book is a collaboration between my favourite author and a fellow author A.D. Schneider. Frankly, l didnt want to share her and really didn't know what to expect. And truth be told it wasn't her usual all consuming, emotion grabbing, l can't put this book down type of experience for me. What l can ,with all honestly, say is it was very very detailed and the fight scenes were graphic and l certainly felt at one stage like l was being suffocated by the metal sheet as described. I also enjoyed the relationships in those hidden places l can't mention for spoilers. The museum scenes and then Libby herself were very relatable and l did enjoy the story. I will have to read it again as l am sure l missed little details in my rush to see how the next scene unfolded. RECOMMENDED.