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The Immarian Lineage #1
Enlightenment
A Throne of Fire. A Fortress. A Fantastical Adventure … What do all of these things have in common?
Alec Foster
A boy who believes himself to be ordinary, Alec, never in his wildest dreams, would have imagined himself flying on the back of a giant owl, being told a prophecy, or going to war. All he knows is abuse under his father’s hand and misery since his mother’s disappearance.
But on his fourteenth birthday, Alec steps out his front door, unaware that a destiny five hundred years in the making is calling his name. A destiny that forces him into a world that will not only define or destroy him, but the future of all mankind.
Alec will make new friends, cunning enemies, and face deadly creatures. But the one thing he runs into that shocks him the most … his power.
You see …
Alec is a Believer.
Alec Foster
A boy who believes himself to be ordinary, Alec, never in his wildest dreams, would have imagined himself flying on the back of a giant owl, being told a prophecy, or going to war. All he knows is abuse under his father’s hand and misery since his mother’s disappearance.
But on his fourteenth birthday, Alec steps out his front door, unaware that a destiny five hundred years in the making is calling his name. A destiny that forces him into a world that will not only define or destroy him, but the future of all mankind.
Alec will make new friends, cunning enemies, and face deadly creatures. But the one thing he runs into that shocks him the most … his power.
You see …
Alec is a Believer.
306 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 1, 2020
About the author
J.R. McNamee
2 books10 followersJustin McNamee is storyteller, a poet and author to the new Fantasy Adventure novel, Enlightenment. A certified fitness instructor by day, and a hopeful writer by night, Justin has spent the last decade diligently working on the one YA Fantasy series known as The Immarian Lineage. Though he only began writing later on in life, he has been a storyteller from the start, making up stories around campfires at a time when he still pronounced "three" as "fwee".
When not busy teaching people a healthier lifestyle, Justin would often find himself wandering through forests or alonside gurgling rivers, muttering to himself as he tried to flesh out his newest book chapter. At times he would jump about, as if in the midst of a violent sword fight, as he tried to figure out exactly how he wished a sequence would go. But do not worry he is quite harmless if you give him some hot chocolate.
His only wish is to bring joy to people through his work. And hopefully give readers an adventure they will never forget.
Justin's Grandfather passed away from alzheimer's and so, in his Honour, ALL proceeds from the first month, Enlightenment, is launched to the world, will go to the Alzheimer's Society.
Please Consider Supporting.
When not busy teaching people a healthier lifestyle, Justin would often find himself wandering through forests or alonside gurgling rivers, muttering to himself as he tried to flesh out his newest book chapter. At times he would jump about, as if in the midst of a violent sword fight, as he tried to figure out exactly how he wished a sequence would go. But do not worry he is quite harmless if you give him some hot chocolate.
His only wish is to bring joy to people through his work. And hopefully give readers an adventure they will never forget.
Justin's Grandfather passed away from alzheimer's and so, in his Honour, ALL proceeds from the first month, Enlightenment, is launched to the world, will go to the Alzheimer's Society.
Please Consider Supporting.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 31, 2020
Enlightenment REVIEW this book was actually quite a refreshing read, in a one sentence explanation it’s about 14yr old boy who discovers monsters are real and only believers can see them but it’s so much more than that, I love Thea the main girl I related to her strongly she’s a independent girl but she also has insecurities she doesn’t like to show, the main kid Alec throws you through quite a few emotions he actually made me laugh at times he’s quite witty, this story instantly sort of kicks off then just builds from there, there’s no filler or massive context filling moments, it flows really nicely and you feel like you get a real sense of the characters, the monsters are also pretty imaginative and I can kinda visualise them, I really liked the idea of this book and the characters and it’s a fun adventure story! It reminded me of like Percy Jackson type story, and I was happy to read it I’m interested to see where the series goes, I have a lot to say about it but I don’t wanna spoil plot point here so I’m gonna upload a more extensive review on my blog that talks more about the actual plot line but if you like YA/Fantasy I’d definitely give this a read, it’s been a great for me escaping into the world within this crazy week I’ve had! 4.5 ⭐️ it’s not a perfect book but its got a certain charm about it! This book is published tomorrow so I’d definitely recommend checking it out, thank you to @the_immarian_lineage for giving me an ARC copy and for also being one of the nicest indie authors there is! Check back on my blog tomorrow for a more extensive review if that’s what you’re into!
August 21, 2020
I recently had the pleasure of reading an ARC of 𝘌𝘯𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 by J.R. McNamee in exchange for an honest review.
𝘌𝘯𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 is the debut novel in author J.R. McNamee's middle-grade fantasy series, 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘐𝘮𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘯 𝘓𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘢𝘨𝘦.
The book is packed with page-turning action of the world of the "believers" that McNamee has created. Full of adventure, finding one's own individuality, and of course, monsters-galore, this story is told from the perspective of Alec Foster, a teenage boy who has just discovered a world of monsters and magic truly exists. He is on a mission to save someone he loves dearly, but has to figure out how to control his newly discovered powers first with the help of some unusual friends.
This book was difficult to put down, and although it is middle-grade, it is enjoyable to read even as an adult. My favorite part was the developing friendship between Alec and the snarky, but lovable, Thea. I really enjoyed the way the two characters grew chapter by chapter, and their back and forth banter often made me chuckle.
I look forward to reading more from this author in the future (especially since this book ended on a cliffhanger!) and would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a fantasy adventure! Plus, if you have children, this would be a great story to read together!
The book will be available on September 1, 2020, but can be preordered on Amazon now. Don't miss out!
𝘌𝘯𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 is the debut novel in author J.R. McNamee's middle-grade fantasy series, 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘐𝘮𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘯 𝘓𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘢𝘨𝘦.
The book is packed with page-turning action of the world of the "believers" that McNamee has created. Full of adventure, finding one's own individuality, and of course, monsters-galore, this story is told from the perspective of Alec Foster, a teenage boy who has just discovered a world of monsters and magic truly exists. He is on a mission to save someone he loves dearly, but has to figure out how to control his newly discovered powers first with the help of some unusual friends.
This book was difficult to put down, and although it is middle-grade, it is enjoyable to read even as an adult. My favorite part was the developing friendship between Alec and the snarky, but lovable, Thea. I really enjoyed the way the two characters grew chapter by chapter, and their back and forth banter often made me chuckle.
I look forward to reading more from this author in the future (especially since this book ended on a cliffhanger!) and would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a fantasy adventure! Plus, if you have children, this would be a great story to read together!
The book will be available on September 1, 2020, but can be preordered on Amazon now. Don't miss out!
August 21, 2020
No time was wasted getting into the action. You get a small glimpse into the world of the believers within the first couple chapters and it’s just an adventure from there.
The story was told through Alec’s POV and a series of dream sequences. I really enjoyed the plot of this book. The non-believers couldn’t see the monsters and were unaware of the troubles they cause. I thought it was creative how they were linked to so many inconveniences we have in our everyday life. I loved the monsters that Alec faced and the different powers of the believers.
I loved the scenes in the Mad House and the camp and wish I would have gotten a little more detail into the classes that Alec was taking especially the history of believers/monsters. But this is the first in a series so I’m sure we will get more explanation to come.
At times I thought some of the decisions Alec made were a little impulsive and not thought through but I think that was intentional because I forget that he is 14 and still has some work to do. Thea was my favorite character and I loved her and Alec as a team. She was the strong female character I always love seeing in this type of novel. She pushed Alec in a way that was helpful but yet funny at times.
Overall I really enjoyed it. At times it could have used a little more detail/explanation but it was a fun debut novel! I usually don’t enjoy endings with a cliffhanger but I’m interested to see where the story goes from here. I will definitely pick up the second book and continue the story.
If you enjoy a YA fantasy packed with adventure I would recommend you check this out.
The story was told through Alec’s POV and a series of dream sequences. I really enjoyed the plot of this book. The non-believers couldn’t see the monsters and were unaware of the troubles they cause. I thought it was creative how they were linked to so many inconveniences we have in our everyday life. I loved the monsters that Alec faced and the different powers of the believers.
I loved the scenes in the Mad House and the camp and wish I would have gotten a little more detail into the classes that Alec was taking especially the history of believers/monsters. But this is the first in a series so I’m sure we will get more explanation to come.
At times I thought some of the decisions Alec made were a little impulsive and not thought through but I think that was intentional because I forget that he is 14 and still has some work to do. Thea was my favorite character and I loved her and Alec as a team. She was the strong female character I always love seeing in this type of novel. She pushed Alec in a way that was helpful but yet funny at times.
Overall I really enjoyed it. At times it could have used a little more detail/explanation but it was a fun debut novel! I usually don’t enjoy endings with a cliffhanger but I’m interested to see where the story goes from here. I will definitely pick up the second book and continue the story.
If you enjoy a YA fantasy packed with adventure I would recommend you check this out.
August 25, 2020
This is the debut book of the author.
Thanking him for the ARC.
Name:- Enlightenment
Author:- J R McNamee
Release Date:- September 1, 2020
(You can pre-order your copies in Kindle)
Ratings:- ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Synopsis:-
The story is about a 14 yr old kid , Alec who embarks on a journey to find his mother who has disappeared suddenly. And thus marks the beginning of the story and how he is 'Enlightened' about the Land of Believers and eventually becomes one of them.
My thoughts:-
▪️This was my first ever middle grade fantasy fiction read and I definitely liked the story.
▪️A complete page turner with action packed sequences between the good and the evil.
▪️The actual plot of the story starts immediately after a few pages. It will keep you engaged throughout without much slackening with all the fights interspersed with the dumb activities of Alec which adds a tinge of comedy to the story.
▪️ The book ends on a cliffhanger thus keeping it's readers at the edge of what's going to happen next ( adds more to it's suspense)
What I loved:-
🔸A powerful female character, Thea, with whom you'll fall in love almost immediately.
🔸All the battle scenes were described in utmost detail which actually seems real TBH showing as if the author has himself been there and done that.
🔸The bond of friendship which developed between the 2 main leads, Alec and Thea in such a short span of time is something which we would all want to have in our lives.
If you love fantasy/ suspense, this is the book which I would DEFINITELY RECOMMEND.✨
Thanking him for the ARC.
Name:- Enlightenment
Author:- J R McNamee
Release Date:- September 1, 2020
(You can pre-order your copies in Kindle)
Ratings:- ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Synopsis:-
The story is about a 14 yr old kid , Alec who embarks on a journey to find his mother who has disappeared suddenly. And thus marks the beginning of the story and how he is 'Enlightened' about the Land of Believers and eventually becomes one of them.
My thoughts:-
▪️This was my first ever middle grade fantasy fiction read and I definitely liked the story.
▪️A complete page turner with action packed sequences between the good and the evil.
▪️The actual plot of the story starts immediately after a few pages. It will keep you engaged throughout without much slackening with all the fights interspersed with the dumb activities of Alec which adds a tinge of comedy to the story.
▪️ The book ends on a cliffhanger thus keeping it's readers at the edge of what's going to happen next ( adds more to it's suspense)
What I loved:-
🔸A powerful female character, Thea, with whom you'll fall in love almost immediately.
🔸All the battle scenes were described in utmost detail which actually seems real TBH showing as if the author has himself been there and done that.
🔸The bond of friendship which developed between the 2 main leads, Alec and Thea in such a short span of time is something which we would all want to have in our lives.
If you love fantasy/ suspense, this is the book which I would DEFINITELY RECOMMEND.✨
October 6, 2020
“Enlightenment” by J.R. McNamee is about Alec Foster, a 14 year old boy who runs away from his neglective father after his mother disappears. While being chased by monsters, he meets Thea, a no-nonsense archer and seasoned monster-fighter who tells Alec he’s a believer. Together they travel to the Believer’s Fortress, only to learn of an imminent threat that could put them, other believers, and the whole world in danger.
.
I’m going to separate this review into two parts: story and writing.
.
As for the story, I thought it was incredibly well crafted. There were a lot of moving parts, and it was easy to tell the author put much time into considering even the smallest of details. The characters and world gave me Percy Jackson vibes, but they were different enough to be set apart from Rick Riordan’s universe. As someone who enjoyed Percy Jackson, I think this book did an excellent job of creating a story Percy Jackson fans would love without copying every little detail.
I thought Alec’s personality was a little inconsistent; sometimes he would seem shy and timid, while other times he seemed to be more out there and sarcastic. I would’ve liked to see it smoothed out a little more, but it wasn’t terrible.
The side characters were definitely well done. My personal favorite was Carter, and you better believe I was screaming at that ending! But the fact that the end affected me so much shows that you did a good job developing his character.
.
Moving on to the writing, I found it to be a little amateur (Sorry! It hurts me to say this, but it’s something I feel I should point out!). It was written like it was being told orally, which is something I used to do when I first started writing and I’ve seen other newer writers do. There’s definitely a difference (at least, to me) between how a story should be written if you were telling it out loud vs. if it’s meant to be read. When you’re telling a story out loud, there’s room for some ad-libbing and filler words whereas when it’s meant to be read, those should be cut out (except in dialogue). It definitely got better toward the end, but I found the beginning to be a little rough. (This is kind of something that fixes itself as you keep writing and picking up new techniques, so don’t feel bad about it! Just keep practicing!)
There were also a couple spots where characters switched emotions too fast with barely any transition, which was jarring and unrealistic (something I find happening in my writing as well; you’ve just gotta make sure to smooth it over when editing).
Some of the jokes, especially in the beginning, didn’t really land for me, but as the book went on, they definitely got better. Note that I’m someone who laughs at literally anything, so it felt really strange coming across jokes that just didn’t work, but the ones that did work had me laughing out loud (especially with Alec’s initial name for his sword and lines like “this thing was the ugly stepmother of all slides” - I highlighted a ton of stuff like that in the ebook just so I could go back and laugh at it again later lol)
.
Overall, I’m giving this book 4 out of 5 stars. I’d say the story is five stars, but the writing is more like 3 (again, sorry!), which I’ll average together to get 4. I definitely want to see what happens in the next book, so I will eagerly be awaiting its release.
.
I’m going to separate this review into two parts: story and writing.
.
As for the story, I thought it was incredibly well crafted. There were a lot of moving parts, and it was easy to tell the author put much time into considering even the smallest of details. The characters and world gave me Percy Jackson vibes, but they were different enough to be set apart from Rick Riordan’s universe. As someone who enjoyed Percy Jackson, I think this book did an excellent job of creating a story Percy Jackson fans would love without copying every little detail.
I thought Alec’s personality was a little inconsistent; sometimes he would seem shy and timid, while other times he seemed to be more out there and sarcastic. I would’ve liked to see it smoothed out a little more, but it wasn’t terrible.
The side characters were definitely well done. My personal favorite was Carter, and you better believe I was screaming at that ending! But the fact that the end affected me so much shows that you did a good job developing his character.
.
Moving on to the writing, I found it to be a little amateur (Sorry! It hurts me to say this, but it’s something I feel I should point out!). It was written like it was being told orally, which is something I used to do when I first started writing and I’ve seen other newer writers do. There’s definitely a difference (at least, to me) between how a story should be written if you were telling it out loud vs. if it’s meant to be read. When you’re telling a story out loud, there’s room for some ad-libbing and filler words whereas when it’s meant to be read, those should be cut out (except in dialogue). It definitely got better toward the end, but I found the beginning to be a little rough. (This is kind of something that fixes itself as you keep writing and picking up new techniques, so don’t feel bad about it! Just keep practicing!)
There were also a couple spots where characters switched emotions too fast with barely any transition, which was jarring and unrealistic (something I find happening in my writing as well; you’ve just gotta make sure to smooth it over when editing).
Some of the jokes, especially in the beginning, didn’t really land for me, but as the book went on, they definitely got better. Note that I’m someone who laughs at literally anything, so it felt really strange coming across jokes that just didn’t work, but the ones that did work had me laughing out loud (especially with Alec’s initial name for his sword and lines like “this thing was the ugly stepmother of all slides” - I highlighted a ton of stuff like that in the ebook just so I could go back and laugh at it again later lol)
.
Overall, I’m giving this book 4 out of 5 stars. I’d say the story is five stars, but the writing is more like 3 (again, sorry!), which I’ll average together to get 4. I definitely want to see what happens in the next book, so I will eagerly be awaiting its release.
September 4, 2020
Enlightment is a fantasy fiction novel aimed at young adults (age group: 12-16). The book is fast paced and has no dull moments. Its funny, clever and teaches so many life lessons in an extremely charming way. I really liked the fact that Alec, though a normal teenager, fights his own battles everyday- an absentee (and abusive) father, a missing mother, school bullies and no friends. He is shown as someone who would not let the world bring him down- something that teenagers will connect to for sure.
The story continues and Alec finds himself befriending another believer- Thea. She is a headstong girl who is intelligent, strong and determined. I really liked this- girls are often shown as 'damsels who need to be saved' in most books which, i feel, undermines the girls who read them and enforces the gender construct that women are weak and 'need someone to save them'. Theas character was the opposite of this- she is not only capable of saving herself, but she also saves the world
The author also included normal things- like potholes- and made them interesting, something that will no doubt help in increasing imagination. The world building was great and the characters were easy to imagine. The action scenes too, were not cluttered(something i find in many books) and were very clean.
I enjoyed that the book focused on showing famous and great people like Albert Einstein and Amelia Earhart as heroes who saved the world. It will definately generate interest in teenagers to research more about them. Another really good thing about the book was the fact that it implied that people who commit crimes are more often than not monsters. This will definately encourage teenagers to understand that kindness and being good is what makes someone a human.
Courageous, adventurous and an extreme delight- Enlightment is perfect for teens or children who want to get into reading more.
I give this book 4/5 stars
The story continues and Alec finds himself befriending another believer- Thea. She is a headstong girl who is intelligent, strong and determined. I really liked this- girls are often shown as 'damsels who need to be saved' in most books which, i feel, undermines the girls who read them and enforces the gender construct that women are weak and 'need someone to save them'. Theas character was the opposite of this- she is not only capable of saving herself, but she also saves the world
The author also included normal things- like potholes- and made them interesting, something that will no doubt help in increasing imagination. The world building was great and the characters were easy to imagine. The action scenes too, were not cluttered(something i find in many books) and were very clean.
I enjoyed that the book focused on showing famous and great people like Albert Einstein and Amelia Earhart as heroes who saved the world. It will definately generate interest in teenagers to research more about them. Another really good thing about the book was the fact that it implied that people who commit crimes are more often than not monsters. This will definately encourage teenagers to understand that kindness and being good is what makes someone a human.
Courageous, adventurous and an extreme delight- Enlightment is perfect for teens or children who want to get into reading more.
I give this book 4/5 stars
July 13, 2022
You know those stories where the monsters or magic are real – but only if you believe hard enough? That is the foundation upon which Enlightenment is built. Written by J.R. McNamee, this novel immediately captivated my imagination.
Alec Foster is both ordinary and extraordinary, depending on who you ask. And when. Yet even that fact will soon change as magic and destiny come knocking on his door, changing his perspective and future forever.
I enjoyed how imaginative and creative Enlightenment was. It made for a quick read, but primarily because I was so invested that I never realized how quickly I turned the pages! I love it when that happens.
Enlightenment is a surprisingly emotional read as we go along Alec's journey. This kid goes through a lot, and naturally, he reacts accordingly. McNamee did a solid job of capturing these elements, making the story feel even more fantastical and believable simultaneously.
Read more reviews over at The Book Review Crew
Alec Foster is both ordinary and extraordinary, depending on who you ask. And when. Yet even that fact will soon change as magic and destiny come knocking on his door, changing his perspective and future forever.
I enjoyed how imaginative and creative Enlightenment was. It made for a quick read, but primarily because I was so invested that I never realized how quickly I turned the pages! I love it when that happens.
Enlightenment is a surprisingly emotional read as we go along Alec's journey. This kid goes through a lot, and naturally, he reacts accordingly. McNamee did a solid job of capturing these elements, making the story feel even more fantastical and believable simultaneously.
Read more reviews over at The Book Review Crew
November 8, 2020
Nonstop action. Serious, nonstop action. Like, you can't read fast enough because so much is going on. Therefore, this is a definite page-turner with dynamic characters and an ending that will leave you scrambling for the next one.
Alec was so funny and an unforgettable character who was definitely a typical teenage boy. Thea reminded me of a sarcastic, won't-put-up-with-anything Hermione. She was a favorite character.
There were other unforgettable characters who either built up the theme of friendship, betrayal, or were so bad you just wanted to punch them. They all made this book so incredible.
I can't wait to see where McNamee is going to take this world.
Alec was so funny and an unforgettable character who was definitely a typical teenage boy. Thea reminded me of a sarcastic, won't-put-up-with-anything Hermione. She was a favorite character.
There were other unforgettable characters who either built up the theme of friendship, betrayal, or were so bad you just wanted to punch them. They all made this book so incredible.
I can't wait to see where McNamee is going to take this world.
April 27, 2021
A fun adventure with great characters, friendship, monsters, and a cliffhanger ending!! Thoroughly enjoyed reading this and discovering a new world of magic and monsters alongside the MC.
October 21, 2021
3.5⭐️
Fun book for middle grade readers.
Fun book for middle grade readers.
September 4, 2020
Right from the first page this book has you hooked, with a well paced storyline and great character development I was struggling to put the book down.
The interactions between Alec and Thea keep your interest and keep you wanting to find out more. I also really liked how the other side of the story was also told throughout the book as this made it very thought provoking as there is always 2 sides to every story!
I haven't read many fantasy books but now I'm really excited to read more of this genre and the next book by J. R. McNamee. I'd highly recommend this book and its a great introduction into the fantasy genre!
The interactions between Alec and Thea keep your interest and keep you wanting to find out more. I also really liked how the other side of the story was also told throughout the book as this made it very thought provoking as there is always 2 sides to every story!
I haven't read many fantasy books but now I'm really excited to read more of this genre and the next book by J. R. McNamee. I'd highly recommend this book and its a great introduction into the fantasy genre!
August 22, 2020
I can only begin by saying, “WOW!”. I’ve read a few ARC copies before but boy was this one of the best ones! And to think that this is the first work of the author! The story is phenomenal. I love reading about creatures with various magical powers and this story satiated my hunger for it completely. It was so hard for me to stop reading and go to work that I almost wished I had an audiobook so that I could just know what happens next. The writing is absolutely beautiful and so is the editing so much so that when the book ended and I came to the realisation that this is the end of the book and not the story, I just wanted to snatch the sequel from the author. Hands down one of the best Fantasy books I’ve read. I cannot wait to know what happens next.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews