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Protectors of Pretanni #1
Becoming a Druid
A Struggle for Survival
Grahme has wanted to be a druid for as long as he can remember. Talented but headstrong, he runs afoul of a despotic, Mind-controlling mage during his initiation quest. The price of failure is death. Intrigue and distrust has turned the druids against him. Haggard and hunted, he must make impossible sacrifices or lose everything.
Grahme has wanted to be a druid for as long as he can remember. Talented but headstrong, he runs afoul of a despotic, Mind-controlling mage during his initiation quest. The price of failure is death. Intrigue and distrust has turned the druids against him. Haggard and hunted, he must make impossible sacrifices or lose everything.
337 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 14, 2021
54 people are currently reading
372 people want to read
About the author
Mike Mollman
7 books41 followersMike Mollman is a charming individual graced with good looks, undeniable charisma and humility. These descriptions come straight from his keyboard, so they must be treated as unimpeachable facts. When he’s not self-aggrandizing, Mike lives in the Richmond, Virginia area with his two dogs and the many voices in his head.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
November 9, 2023
My complete review is published at Before We Go Blog.
“I welcome the stinging rain and the discomfort it brings me. I deserve much worse.”
Mike Mollman channels the classic epic fantasy feel of Lloyd Alexander and T.H. White with his debut novel, Becoming a Druid. The year is 819, and the land is Pretanni, a fantasy version of medieval Wales and southwest England.
Becoming a Druid is a coming-of-age tale of sorts for our narrator, Grahme, a druid-in-training who must prove himself on a quest to retrieve the legendary ghost orchid from the dreaded Obsidian Lord. Grahme is a treat as narrator, projecting hubris that might mask his inner feelings of inadequacy for the task at hand.
The novel is built around two mentor-mentee relationships, with Grahme sandwiched in the middle: Grahme is a student of the master druid, Boswen, but he also serves as a mentor for his nephew, Figol, who joins the quest.
I love the nature-based magic system in Becoming a Druid, which includes animal communication and animorphing, i.e., humans adopting animal forms. Other druidic masteries include herbology and runes, elemental summoning, and the difficult-to-master weather magic.
The animal morphing action reminds me of Merlyn’s scenes from the first part of T.H. White’s The Once and Future King. Grahme proves himself to be a fluid druid with his animorphing skills, and he has a special penchant for avian forms. Becoming a Druid is a special treat for bird lovers, with a variety of owls, kites, kestrels, puffins, and (appropriately) merlins all making an appearance:
“I let the avian brain take over and I flee north to safety.”
The Welsh-inspired setting and mythology of Becoming a Druid recall Lloyd Alexander’s masterpiece series, The Chronicles of Prydain, except with more druids and fewer assistant pig-keepers. We discover much more of the Pretanni lore and worldbuilding along Grahme’s journey.
Mike Mollman’s writing doesn’t achieve the same level of artistry as Alexander or White, but his straightforward, accessible style works well to convey the tale at hand. Mollman’s choice of first-person, present-tense narration gives a sense of immediacy to the quest. There is a great buildup of action in Becoming a Druid, culminating with a twist that I didn’t see coming.
There is something immensely satisfying about a traditional quest fantasy, and Mike Mollman has done an excellent job with Becoming a Druid. The story continues with To Speak with Elders, the second volume of the Protectors of Pretanni series.
“I welcome the stinging rain and the discomfort it brings me. I deserve much worse.”
Mike Mollman channels the classic epic fantasy feel of Lloyd Alexander and T.H. White with his debut novel, Becoming a Druid. The year is 819, and the land is Pretanni, a fantasy version of medieval Wales and southwest England.
Becoming a Druid is a coming-of-age tale of sorts for our narrator, Grahme, a druid-in-training who must prove himself on a quest to retrieve the legendary ghost orchid from the dreaded Obsidian Lord. Grahme is a treat as narrator, projecting hubris that might mask his inner feelings of inadequacy for the task at hand.
The novel is built around two mentor-mentee relationships, with Grahme sandwiched in the middle: Grahme is a student of the master druid, Boswen, but he also serves as a mentor for his nephew, Figol, who joins the quest.
I love the nature-based magic system in Becoming a Druid, which includes animal communication and animorphing, i.e., humans adopting animal forms. Other druidic masteries include herbology and runes, elemental summoning, and the difficult-to-master weather magic.
The animal morphing action reminds me of Merlyn’s scenes from the first part of T.H. White’s The Once and Future King. Grahme proves himself to be a fluid druid with his animorphing skills, and he has a special penchant for avian forms. Becoming a Druid is a special treat for bird lovers, with a variety of owls, kites, kestrels, puffins, and (appropriately) merlins all making an appearance:
“I let the avian brain take over and I flee north to safety.”
The Welsh-inspired setting and mythology of Becoming a Druid recall Lloyd Alexander’s masterpiece series, The Chronicles of Prydain, except with more druids and fewer assistant pig-keepers. We discover much more of the Pretanni lore and worldbuilding along Grahme’s journey.
Mike Mollman’s writing doesn’t achieve the same level of artistry as Alexander or White, but his straightforward, accessible style works well to convey the tale at hand. Mollman’s choice of first-person, present-tense narration gives a sense of immediacy to the quest. There is a great buildup of action in Becoming a Druid, culminating with a twist that I didn’t see coming.
There is something immensely satisfying about a traditional quest fantasy, and Mike Mollman has done an excellent job with Becoming a Druid. The story continues with To Speak with Elders, the second volume of the Protectors of Pretanni series.
September 17, 2022
4.5/5
A great coming of age story with twists and turns about a head strong Druid prodigy. Grahme is strong willed and sure of his abilities. Which constantly gets him in trouble with his masters until he is given a final last ditch chance to become a Druid.
Test and given a dangerous quest he must risk his life and that of many others to prove he has what it takes to be a Druid.
At times early on I struggled with Grahme’s attitude towards others. He almost has an aggressive arrogance about him which makes sense when taken into account that his skill far outstrips not only his peers but also the majority of his masters.
I loved watching him grow and struggle throughout this story all while fighting to prove to others that he is a Druid at heart.
Great quest
A thrilling conspiracy
Well executed coming of age
And awesome druids make Becoming a Druid a great start to this series.
A great coming of age story with twists and turns about a head strong Druid prodigy. Grahme is strong willed and sure of his abilities. Which constantly gets him in trouble with his masters until he is given a final last ditch chance to become a Druid.
Test and given a dangerous quest he must risk his life and that of many others to prove he has what it takes to be a Druid.
At times early on I struggled with Grahme’s attitude towards others. He almost has an aggressive arrogance about him which makes sense when taken into account that his skill far outstrips not only his peers but also the majority of his masters.
I loved watching him grow and struggle throughout this story all while fighting to prove to others that he is a Druid at heart.
Great quest
A thrilling conspiracy
Well executed coming of age
And awesome druids make Becoming a Druid a great start to this series.
March 27, 2023
Full text review: https://jamreads.com/reviews/becoming...
Becoming a Druid is the first book in the Protectors of Pretanni series, written by Mike Mollman; a strong debut in my opinion, with a world that I personally loved, as it takes a lot of influences from folklore, coming close the what could be called historical fantasy, putting the emphasis in the fantastic elements.
A coming-of-age story that will be following Grahme, an unusual druid's apprentice, on his path to complete a crazy quest in order to earn his robes. While really skilled and secure in his abilities, Grahme suffers due to his hubris, something that has made him cut by his previous masters; but he finally has the opportunity to become a druid completing a quest, retrieving a quasi-mythological flower, which has only been seen in the hands of the Obsidian Lord.
The quest will be a great excuse to travel with Grahme, and to know more places in Pretanni, an excellent way to introduce us to the world Mollman has created; and at the same time, start unveiling the fantastical elements that are part of the world. I have to admit that at some point I felt a little bit overwhelmed by the amount of information we are given, but once you start feeling Pretanni, it all becomes much more natural.
Grahme has the spotlight most of the time, and while at the start was a character that I didn't really connect with, mostly due to how much self-confidence he has, he grew in me during the journey, as he changes his attitude towards the other members of the order. Having to endure difficult situations, and being close to death certainly tame his anger and his hubris.
While the rest of the cast doesn't get as much time in the spotlight as Grahme, I would like to talk a little about Grahme's niece, who proves to be an inventive and intelligent guy, and being crucial to his uncle.
The pacing was in a good spot, not being excessively fast, but not getting slowed by the amount of information we are given by the characters, which is probably another of the aspects I liked from Mollman's writing. Instead of using info dumps to introduce us to certain aspects of the world, they are introduced using short conversations between the characters, something that worked marvels.
On the other hand, I think the writing could have been clearer in the action scenes, they kinda feel too chaotic for my taste, needing sometimes to slow down a little to get clear what was happening.
Becoming a Druid is a great debut novel, perfect for those that look for a folklore-inspired fantasy. If you like coming-of-age stories, go and give this a try to this novel, because it makes the start of an awesome series.
Becoming a Druid is the first book in the Protectors of Pretanni series, written by Mike Mollman; a strong debut in my opinion, with a world that I personally loved, as it takes a lot of influences from folklore, coming close the what could be called historical fantasy, putting the emphasis in the fantastic elements.
A coming-of-age story that will be following Grahme, an unusual druid's apprentice, on his path to complete a crazy quest in order to earn his robes. While really skilled and secure in his abilities, Grahme suffers due to his hubris, something that has made him cut by his previous masters; but he finally has the opportunity to become a druid completing a quest, retrieving a quasi-mythological flower, which has only been seen in the hands of the Obsidian Lord.
The quest will be a great excuse to travel with Grahme, and to know more places in Pretanni, an excellent way to introduce us to the world Mollman has created; and at the same time, start unveiling the fantastical elements that are part of the world. I have to admit that at some point I felt a little bit overwhelmed by the amount of information we are given, but once you start feeling Pretanni, it all becomes much more natural.
Grahme has the spotlight most of the time, and while at the start was a character that I didn't really connect with, mostly due to how much self-confidence he has, he grew in me during the journey, as he changes his attitude towards the other members of the order. Having to endure difficult situations, and being close to death certainly tame his anger and his hubris.
While the rest of the cast doesn't get as much time in the spotlight as Grahme, I would like to talk a little about Grahme's niece, who proves to be an inventive and intelligent guy, and being crucial to his uncle.
The pacing was in a good spot, not being excessively fast, but not getting slowed by the amount of information we are given by the characters, which is probably another of the aspects I liked from Mollman's writing. Instead of using info dumps to introduce us to certain aspects of the world, they are introduced using short conversations between the characters, something that worked marvels.
On the other hand, I think the writing could have been clearer in the action scenes, they kinda feel too chaotic for my taste, needing sometimes to slow down a little to get clear what was happening.
Becoming a Druid is a great debut novel, perfect for those that look for a folklore-inspired fantasy. If you like coming-of-age stories, go and give this a try to this novel, because it makes the start of an awesome series.
June 6, 2025
The author very kindly sent me an audible code for this one, and my last year being what it was, it took me longer than I expected. I’m so glad I got to it though. “God this was fantastic,” was my mini review as I clicked 5 stars and that pretty much sums up how I felt the entire read.
In this novel we follow Grahme on his journey to become a druid. Through personality clashes, disagreements and deceptions, as well as some outright tampering, he finds himself filtering through multiple mentors. These clashes get so severe that he is appointed leader of his own quest to prove himself just so the option isn’t taken away from him. He must return with a ghost orchid, a little know flower with heavy implications. Family issues, the druid council on his heels, and a mind-controlling mage in play, this is a multi-layered, coming-of-age, sprawling epic fantasy.
The main character of Grahme was absolutely stellar. His personality feels spot on, and even with all his flaws and mistakes, he still has enough hero built in to carry a story. He shapes up to be a pretty awesome reluctant hero, and as you experience his growth, his power even surprises you. The author gives the reader heavy emotional scenes, tasking revelations and payoffs, and still enough wit and humor to keep the reader grounded. The narration by James Meunier was fantastic, and his portrayal of Grahme gripped me from the jump.
The way the druid magic works felt reminiscent of the Animorphs series, but in a way that tickled nostalgia but also felt like its own thing. It also felt much more adult, and although it’s a fantasy, it felt almost real in its explanation. Grahme and the other druids can take the shape of various animals. All they have to do is know the animal’s shape as well as allowing themselves to truly become them. That’s not to say there aren’t some shocking limitations, but I loved reading through all of their differing choices.
The action sequences are spaced well, with gripping descriptions, and I found that I cared for everyone as I felt for them through Grahme. The scene of the druids holding off the approaching attack until they could escape under the cover of night was so tensely plotted that I had to finish it even though I had made it home…just sat and listened in the parked car. You have to give this one a go
https://fanfiaddict.com/review-becomi...
In this novel we follow Grahme on his journey to become a druid. Through personality clashes, disagreements and deceptions, as well as some outright tampering, he finds himself filtering through multiple mentors. These clashes get so severe that he is appointed leader of his own quest to prove himself just so the option isn’t taken away from him. He must return with a ghost orchid, a little know flower with heavy implications. Family issues, the druid council on his heels, and a mind-controlling mage in play, this is a multi-layered, coming-of-age, sprawling epic fantasy.
The main character of Grahme was absolutely stellar. His personality feels spot on, and even with all his flaws and mistakes, he still has enough hero built in to carry a story. He shapes up to be a pretty awesome reluctant hero, and as you experience his growth, his power even surprises you. The author gives the reader heavy emotional scenes, tasking revelations and payoffs, and still enough wit and humor to keep the reader grounded. The narration by James Meunier was fantastic, and his portrayal of Grahme gripped me from the jump.
The way the druid magic works felt reminiscent of the Animorphs series, but in a way that tickled nostalgia but also felt like its own thing. It also felt much more adult, and although it’s a fantasy, it felt almost real in its explanation. Grahme and the other druids can take the shape of various animals. All they have to do is know the animal’s shape as well as allowing themselves to truly become them. That’s not to say there aren’t some shocking limitations, but I loved reading through all of their differing choices.
The action sequences are spaced well, with gripping descriptions, and I found that I cared for everyone as I felt for them through Grahme. The scene of the druids holding off the approaching attack until they could escape under the cover of night was so tensely plotted that I had to finish it even though I had made it home…just sat and listened in the parked car. You have to give this one a go
https://fanfiaddict.com/review-becomi...
July 29, 2023
4.5 stars rounded up for a solid book 1 in a refreshingly unique feeling historical fantasy series! I didn't know going in if it was going to lean more hist fic or fantasy, but on the first page we have our protagonist doing lots of fun animal transformations, so in this world Druid magic is very real (and so cool!). The setting of Britain around 300 BC well before the Romans ever came is very new to me, and with the prominent magic and overarching storyline of needing to overcome a dark mage who employs mind control magic, the overall feel is very much epic fantasy.
Maybe it was the title and the cover art combined with some discussion I'd heard about it that led me to believe it was going to be much lighter in tone than my usual dramatic sff reads, but while the single POV Grahme does have something of a sardonic internal monologue, the setting is brutal and unforgiving, and the plotting is extremely high stakes with plenty of dark and gritty events throughout the book. So on the whole, it's not a palate cleanser type light read but really something you can turn to if you're looking for dramatic adult epic fantasy with some wit to it.
The premise is that a slightly older than usual Druid apprentice (since he did not get along with his first two mentors) is sent on his Druid quest (by his much wiser third mentor) to retrieve a certain object in order to become a full Druid. The quest seems dangerous and tied to the Obsidian Mage who has been gaining power in the land recently and who the Druids are trying to oppose. As with most book 1s it took me a bit of time to feel totally immersed in the setting and hooked into the POV character, but around halfway through this slim-ish novel I was completely engaged and invested in the plot and the main character along with many of the side characters we meet along the way during the quest. Grahme is a fun kind of protagonist since he's extremely good-hearted and competent, but a bit dense when it comes to dealing with people and dangerous situations. He can be endearingly frustrating, but he was easy for me to relate to and root for.
One of the joys of the book was experiencing the Druid worldview, and I loved spending time with their insular quirky culture and sub-cultures, where religious devotion to their pantheon and being honor-bound to their oaths and protecting nature and communing with animals are all so important. There is also some tremendously dramatic action in the book, and even though it didn't make up a large proportion of the read, Mollman wrote some absolutely top-tier small-scale battles and fights full of tension and stakes.
I did this one mostly immersively since the audio narration is really solid, and the naked hardcover also felt great to read from (and looks fantastic). I'm so happy I gave this one a try and can't wait to continue on in the series! 4.5 stars rounded up!
Maybe it was the title and the cover art combined with some discussion I'd heard about it that led me to believe it was going to be much lighter in tone than my usual dramatic sff reads, but while the single POV Grahme does have something of a sardonic internal monologue, the setting is brutal and unforgiving, and the plotting is extremely high stakes with plenty of dark and gritty events throughout the book. So on the whole, it's not a palate cleanser type light read but really something you can turn to if you're looking for dramatic adult epic fantasy with some wit to it.
The premise is that a slightly older than usual Druid apprentice (since he did not get along with his first two mentors) is sent on his Druid quest (by his much wiser third mentor) to retrieve a certain object in order to become a full Druid. The quest seems dangerous and tied to the Obsidian Mage who has been gaining power in the land recently and who the Druids are trying to oppose. As with most book 1s it took me a bit of time to feel totally immersed in the setting and hooked into the POV character, but around halfway through this slim-ish novel I was completely engaged and invested in the plot and the main character along with many of the side characters we meet along the way during the quest. Grahme is a fun kind of protagonist since he's extremely good-hearted and competent, but a bit dense when it comes to dealing with people and dangerous situations. He can be endearingly frustrating, but he was easy for me to relate to and root for.
One of the joys of the book was experiencing the Druid worldview, and I loved spending time with their insular quirky culture and sub-cultures, where religious devotion to their pantheon and being honor-bound to their oaths and protecting nature and communing with animals are all so important. There is also some tremendously dramatic action in the book, and even though it didn't make up a large proportion of the read, Mollman wrote some absolutely top-tier small-scale battles and fights full of tension and stakes.
I did this one mostly immersively since the audio narration is really solid, and the naked hardcover also felt great to read from (and looks fantastic). I'm so happy I gave this one a try and can't wait to continue on in the series! 4.5 stars rounded up!
April 24, 2024
4.5/5 Stars Rounded to 5 Stars
An intoxicating coming-of-age story packed with action, high stakes, a dangerous quest, conspiracy, and twists. Mike Mollman dishes out a gripping classic fantasy that kept me on my toes.
In Becoming a Druid we meet a young man named Grahme. His dream? To become a Druid! What stands in his way? Himself and a mind-controlling mage.
Let me explain, Grahme is talented but can often be his own worst enemy. Often angering those he meets due to his hubris and quick tongue, including his mentors. After his second master refuses to continue Grahme’s training, Lord Boswan, takes him under his wing and tasks him with his final quest to become a druid. On his quest Grahme learns he is not the only one seeking a flower of myth as a tyrannical mind-controlling mage and his own people hunt him down.
There were several aspects I loved about this, the first being how effortless it was to delve into the world of Pretanni, despite being thrown in. As Grahme is traveling through the world I enjoyed exploring Pretanni alongside him. From factions, religious differences, druids, animorphing, magic, gods, centaurs and more, the world is rich.
I will say, I wasn’t immune to Grahme’s hubris. Often, I found myself mad with Grahme due to his behaviour. And before you ask, yes, I did yell at Grahme through the pages…a few times. Yet despite this, I continued to cheer him on. I couldn’t help but feel for him and grow to like him as he journeyed for his quest. His personality and choices all felt believable, and his arc was thoughtfully executed.
The magic system is nature based and added a sense of realism to the fantasy elements. There were several aspects from the magic, tone and intrigue that often reminded me of various tales of Merlin, King Arthur, and the Mists of Avalon by Marrion Zimmer Bradley. The religious aspects also felt familiar with some similarities to paganism.
Now, the quest itself felt episodic and spans several months with a decent side cast. While Mike Mollman’s storytelling is efficient, I appreciated the small moments that helped further build tension, relationships and thickened the plot.
Speaking of the plot, it never failed to keep me guessing and I often felt compelling to continue reading. Through everything that goes on, you’re often kept in the dark and there were plenty of twists to keep me fully invested.
In addition to reading the physical copy (review copy provided in exchange for an honest review) and listening the audiobook (purchased myself) I thoroughly enjoyed the narrator, James Meunier’s performance.
I’d highly recommend this for fans of classical fantasy. It also works as an accessible entry to classic fantasy for anyone interested in the genre. Personally, I look forward to continuing the series and exploring more of the Pretanni and Mike Mollman’s writing.
An intoxicating coming-of-age story packed with action, high stakes, a dangerous quest, conspiracy, and twists. Mike Mollman dishes out a gripping classic fantasy that kept me on my toes.
In Becoming a Druid we meet a young man named Grahme. His dream? To become a Druid! What stands in his way? Himself and a mind-controlling mage.
Let me explain, Grahme is talented but can often be his own worst enemy. Often angering those he meets due to his hubris and quick tongue, including his mentors. After his second master refuses to continue Grahme’s training, Lord Boswan, takes him under his wing and tasks him with his final quest to become a druid. On his quest Grahme learns he is not the only one seeking a flower of myth as a tyrannical mind-controlling mage and his own people hunt him down.
There were several aspects I loved about this, the first being how effortless it was to delve into the world of Pretanni, despite being thrown in. As Grahme is traveling through the world I enjoyed exploring Pretanni alongside him. From factions, religious differences, druids, animorphing, magic, gods, centaurs and more, the world is rich.
I will say, I wasn’t immune to Grahme’s hubris. Often, I found myself mad with Grahme due to his behaviour. And before you ask, yes, I did yell at Grahme through the pages…a few times. Yet despite this, I continued to cheer him on. I couldn’t help but feel for him and grow to like him as he journeyed for his quest. His personality and choices all felt believable, and his arc was thoughtfully executed.
The magic system is nature based and added a sense of realism to the fantasy elements. There were several aspects from the magic, tone and intrigue that often reminded me of various tales of Merlin, King Arthur, and the Mists of Avalon by Marrion Zimmer Bradley. The religious aspects also felt familiar with some similarities to paganism.
Now, the quest itself felt episodic and spans several months with a decent side cast. While Mike Mollman’s storytelling is efficient, I appreciated the small moments that helped further build tension, relationships and thickened the plot.
Speaking of the plot, it never failed to keep me guessing and I often felt compelling to continue reading. Through everything that goes on, you’re often kept in the dark and there were plenty of twists to keep me fully invested.
In addition to reading the physical copy (review copy provided in exchange for an honest review) and listening the audiobook (purchased myself) I thoroughly enjoyed the narrator, James Meunier’s performance.
I’d highly recommend this for fans of classical fantasy. It also works as an accessible entry to classic fantasy for anyone interested in the genre. Personally, I look forward to continuing the series and exploring more of the Pretanni and Mike Mollman’s writing.
May 18, 2024
Fast paced story about a young man who longs to be a druid, but has a rebellious streak that continually lands him in conflict with his teachers. I really enjoyed the elemental magic in this one - especially the "animorphing" or shape-changing into various guises of animals - and the story itself was very well plotted and paced. My main issue as a whole was that I did not enjoy the writing style; the author relies upon dialogue so much that at times it felt like reading a stage play. I won't be continuing the series, but did mostly enjoy my time with the first installment.
July 24, 2023
A special thanks to the author for providing a copy of Becoming a Druid to read and review.
I’m going to start by saying Becoming a Druid: Book 1 of the Protectors of Pretanni was not at all what I expected. There is a story here with some dark undertones, with some intense events, and with a no room-for-error setting. This to me was the perfect read when I went into it as I had just come from reading two lighter-in-tone books prior. So don’t let the cover fool you into thinking our protagonist is out for a casual stroll in a crisp green world.
Speaking of our protagonist, Grahme admittingly does take some time to get used to. I’m ok with this as I’m a patient guy and trust that the author will reward the reader for sticking with him. Grahme can be arrogant, brash, and downright frustrating, but his story arc does indeed improve, and yeah, I’ve come to enjoy following the guy.
The world-building here is well executed. Mike keeps the story at a nice steady pace, so we learn much of what we need through dialog and observation. There are no places I can remember where info-dumping occurred. The book showcases a blend of fantasy and a bit of historical fiction The magic of this world is Druid magic and Mike showcases several varieties of it being used. It’s nothing too complex to follow, as the Druids just have the ability to practice it so the magic is on the soft side when it comes to what system is in place.
As to plot, I’m a sucker for a good ‘ol classic fetch quest. As is the main plot point of Grahme well… becoming a druid. It works well here because it does tie well into Grahme’s character growth and the world we explore: its cultures, religion, politics, and nature.
A great solid 1st novel here. I will be continuing with this series for sure.
I’m going to start by saying Becoming a Druid: Book 1 of the Protectors of Pretanni was not at all what I expected. There is a story here with some dark undertones, with some intense events, and with a no room-for-error setting. This to me was the perfect read when I went into it as I had just come from reading two lighter-in-tone books prior. So don’t let the cover fool you into thinking our protagonist is out for a casual stroll in a crisp green world.
Speaking of our protagonist, Grahme admittingly does take some time to get used to. I’m ok with this as I’m a patient guy and trust that the author will reward the reader for sticking with him. Grahme can be arrogant, brash, and downright frustrating, but his story arc does indeed improve, and yeah, I’ve come to enjoy following the guy.
The world-building here is well executed. Mike keeps the story at a nice steady pace, so we learn much of what we need through dialog and observation. There are no places I can remember where info-dumping occurred. The book showcases a blend of fantasy and a bit of historical fiction The magic of this world is Druid magic and Mike showcases several varieties of it being used. It’s nothing too complex to follow, as the Druids just have the ability to practice it so the magic is on the soft side when it comes to what system is in place.
As to plot, I’m a sucker for a good ‘ol classic fetch quest. As is the main plot point of Grahme well… becoming a druid. It works well here because it does tie well into Grahme’s character growth and the world we explore: its cultures, religion, politics, and nature.
A great solid 1st novel here. I will be continuing with this series for sure.
November 14, 2021
What a great debut for the author, Mike Mollman. For a brand-new world, Mollman fills Pretanni with history, cultures, gods and intrigue without letting all the necessary world-building bog down the story. The plot flows at a quick pace with plenty of trials for our hero, Grahme as he builds not only his power but his association with it. As with any fantasy book, some characters are destined not to see 'the end' but that is a testament to Mollman's ability to make the reader actually care about the secondary characters, giving them depth and agency in a limited roll. Bravo to Mollman, and I eagerly look forward to what I hope is another quest around Pretanni.
July 17, 2023
4.5 of 5
Unexpected Adventure
Part of what makes this book great is that you have no idea where it's going next. The author does a great job of threading the needle between danger and humor. His main character is a delightfully smart without always being right, and has gravitas while remaining funny. The result is great balancing act that keeps you on your toes. This is a tromp through the woods worth taking.
Unexpected Adventure
Part of what makes this book great is that you have no idea where it's going next. The author does a great job of threading the needle between danger and humor. His main character is a delightfully smart without always being right, and has gravitas while remaining funny. The result is great balancing act that keeps you on your toes. This is a tromp through the woods worth taking.
November 12, 2021
This book kept me wanting to turn to the next page. The main character grows in strength and maturity to become the protector. There are a number of twists and excitement to keep you from putting this book down. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
June 27, 2024
Okay I’m bumping this to 5 because Mike has the best About the Author section ever
“Mike Mollman is a charming individual graced with good looks, undeniable charisma and humility. These descriptions come straight from his keyboard, so they must be treated as unimpeachable facts. Mike lives in the Richmond, Virginia area. When he’s not self-aggrandizing, he likes to spend time with his two dogs and the many voices in his head.”
“Mike Mollman is a charming individual graced with good looks, undeniable charisma and humility. These descriptions come straight from his keyboard, so they must be treated as unimpeachable facts. Mike lives in the Richmond, Virginia area. When he’s not self-aggrandizing, he likes to spend time with his two dogs and the many voices in his head.”
July 19, 2021
To begin with, I enjoyed the plot of this book. It had a lot of different threads that came together, and I loved how it all played out. In particular, I liked that the plot became more complex as the book went on; in the beginning, it seems like Grahme just has a simple quest to complete, but it only grows more complicated from there.
I also enjoyed all the different characters involved in the story. Grahme himself, of course, was well-written, and I liked his characterization. He had a sort of fluidity; he was equal parts serious and light-hearted, with different sides of his character coming out at different moments. All in all, I loved reading about him and his adventures.
As for the side characters, while I do think some of them could have been given a little more depth, most of them were very well-written. Honestly, I don’t think I could pick a particular side character I liked more than the others; they all had things I loved about them and contributed their own uniqueness to the book.
Finally, I can’t end this review without talking about Mollman’s presentation of the druids and druidesses. As I mentioned before, I liked his take on them. They had a lot of different interesting abilities, most notably their power to transform into different animals. But aside from that, I just loved how much detail Mollman put into everything. I fully understood all the different aspects of their order and how things worked, and I appreciated that.
So, in the end, I recommend checking this one out! If you’re a fan of fantasy, then you’ll most likely enjoy this book. It has excellent world-building and an enjoyable plot, in addition to a lot of other amazing elements. And since this is just the first book in the series, I can’t wait to read the future installments and find out what happens next!
I also enjoyed all the different characters involved in the story. Grahme himself, of course, was well-written, and I liked his characterization. He had a sort of fluidity; he was equal parts serious and light-hearted, with different sides of his character coming out at different moments. All in all, I loved reading about him and his adventures.
As for the side characters, while I do think some of them could have been given a little more depth, most of them were very well-written. Honestly, I don’t think I could pick a particular side character I liked more than the others; they all had things I loved about them and contributed their own uniqueness to the book.
Finally, I can’t end this review without talking about Mollman’s presentation of the druids and druidesses. As I mentioned before, I liked his take on them. They had a lot of different interesting abilities, most notably their power to transform into different animals. But aside from that, I just loved how much detail Mollman put into everything. I fully understood all the different aspects of their order and how things worked, and I appreciated that.
So, in the end, I recommend checking this one out! If you’re a fan of fantasy, then you’ll most likely enjoy this book. It has excellent world-building and an enjoyable plot, in addition to a lot of other amazing elements. And since this is just the first book in the series, I can’t wait to read the future installments and find out what happens next!
November 14, 2021
I bought this book at an event and I had an opportunity to talk to Mr. Mollman and he was the nicest guy and though it took me a while to get to reading it I was interested in the plot rather quickly. I thought it was a great paced book and pretty easy to read in spite of the difficult to pronounce names of individuals and locations. I enjoyed it tremendously and really only had one small issue with one part and that was a suggestion of violence towards a druidess that I felt was somewhat out of place however I remembered Mr. Mollman discussing future books to continue with the series and thought maybe it might have been a well-placed deepening for the feelings of some of the characters and the development of a future bond between a couple of the characters as the series continues so I don't want to read too much into my reaction. I will most likely keep an eye out for the second and third books because I did enjoy the writing style and feel like there was enough to suggest only more excitement and challenges as the series continues.
February 1, 2023
Please read my review at the following link:
https://escapistbookcompany.com/2023/...
Thanks for taking the time to read my review. As always, happy reading and Stay Great!!
https://escapistbookcompany.com/2023/...
Thanks for taking the time to read my review. As always, happy reading and Stay Great!!
July 12, 2024
An enjoyable read. I love Grahme! Full review to come.
July 17, 2023
I had a great time with this story. Adventure stories aren't usually my thing but this was action packed with twists and turns that made it highly entertaining.
I also enjoyed the lore in this novel. That can go a long way with me, as I enjoy learning about the magic, the past and the ways of the Druids just as much as I enjoyed the the plot of the story.
There were some things that I saw coming in the end, so it did make that part a little underwhelming but other than that, a great book.
I'd definitely recommend this if you love epic fantasy with good twists and fun characters to follow.
I also enjoyed the lore in this novel. That can go a long way with me, as I enjoy learning about the magic, the past and the ways of the Druids just as much as I enjoyed the the plot of the story.
There were some things that I saw coming in the end, so it did make that part a little underwhelming but other than that, a great book.
I'd definitely recommend this if you love epic fantasy with good twists and fun characters to follow.
August 5, 2023
4.5 stars because I love Druids!
This was a very fun story on a subject which fascinates me greatly. The brutal realism here is very much appreciated and it’s safe to say that the story takes some dark turns.
Mollman’s writing style is never too descriptive and he excels in giving weight to scenarios with few words. This also works very well with the first-person POV.
The time-jumps provided for a unique structure and did away with any tedious moments of reading for me.
While there are many themes here, including faith, honour and loyalty, what I appreciated the most was the value put on patient storytelling. It’s quite refreshing to hear a tale told in its full glory and experience the jumps in emotion within, the same way a crowd can be vigorously enchanted or filled with awe.
I will absolutely be continuing the Protectors of Pretanni series!
This was a very fun story on a subject which fascinates me greatly. The brutal realism here is very much appreciated and it’s safe to say that the story takes some dark turns.
Mollman’s writing style is never too descriptive and he excels in giving weight to scenarios with few words. This also works very well with the first-person POV.
The time-jumps provided for a unique structure and did away with any tedious moments of reading for me.
While there are many themes here, including faith, honour and loyalty, what I appreciated the most was the value put on patient storytelling. It’s quite refreshing to hear a tale told in its full glory and experience the jumps in emotion within, the same way a crowd can be vigorously enchanted or filled with awe.
I will absolutely be continuing the Protectors of Pretanni series!
November 9, 2021
Good story
I think it was a worthy story well told. I’m not always sure why things have to be certain ways in stories, that is, if I was telling it, then it would be different. But the storyline is probably better than I could write.
I think it was a worthy story well told. I’m not always sure why things have to be certain ways in stories, that is, if I was telling it, then it would be different. But the storyline is probably better than I could write.
October 24, 2023
I really enjoyed this story and the journey that Grahme took to complete his quest. Never before has any character been able to make me complete change my opinion about them within the end of a single book. When Grahme starts his Quest he is selfish, temperamental, cocky, overconfident in his powers and a total 'know it all' which didn't endear him to me at all. After finishing the book I realized that I truly connected to Grahme and started liking him when the trials and tribulations he faces on his quest completely changes him into a more matured, even tempered and overall an empathetic man who finally understands what is means to be a Druid at heart and that powers doesn't help in the long run rather friends and family are the only thing that matters in the end and that realization he had is what won me over.
I fell in love with this fantastical world and hope to see more places in the next installment. Druid magic is so cool especially for Grahme who can be whatever animal he likes. Some of the fight scenes were awesome especially when Grahme fights along with a group of his peers against mind controlled well trained soldiers. I was at the edge of my seat to know the result of that fight which was bittersweet.
I liked the writing style and the prose but I had issues with the pacing because it was quite erratic. Moreover we didn't get the journey part much just Grahme jumping from one place to the next with no in between pauses which was hard to follow. Sadly we didn't get much character development for the side characters and we meet so many characters that it got quite overwhelming to keep up with who is who at the end. I wish we got more of Figol and Alfswich because I really liked their characters and loved their magic of mind manipulation. I guess we get to see more of Alfswich in Sins and Sorrows (Book #1.5) and more of Figol in To Speak with Elders (Book #2) which I'm really excited about.
Definitely recommend if you want to read a shorter fantasy read with awesome Druid magic!
I fell in love with this fantastical world and hope to see more places in the next installment. Druid magic is so cool especially for Grahme who can be whatever animal he likes. Some of the fight scenes were awesome especially when Grahme fights along with a group of his peers against mind controlled well trained soldiers. I was at the edge of my seat to know the result of that fight which was bittersweet.
I liked the writing style and the prose but I had issues with the pacing because it was quite erratic. Moreover we didn't get the journey part much just Grahme jumping from one place to the next with no in between pauses which was hard to follow. Sadly we didn't get much character development for the side characters and we meet so many characters that it got quite overwhelming to keep up with who is who at the end. I wish we got more of Figol and Alfswich because I really liked their characters and loved their magic of mind manipulation. I guess we get to see more of Alfswich in Sins and Sorrows (Book #1.5) and more of Figol in To Speak with Elders (Book #2) which I'm really excited about.
Definitely recommend if you want to read a shorter fantasy read with awesome Druid magic!
June 25, 2023
We need more stories with druids that aren’t Arthurian related
This was a refreshing story to read. Although some of the writing choices were quite simplistic, I enjoyed the overall story. Maps are always a plus too!
Right away we get to see the magical abilities of a Druid in the making. I particularly liked the animorphing skill. And we see this throughout the book too.
There is a quest and some underlying motives which aren’t revealed until the end.
One action or event quickly leads into another and we get to see this Druidic world and many of its members.
We have a bad guy and his mind-controlled followers. There is a good twist to the Obsidian Mage’s relationship to someone else. There are many sad deaths, which I wasn’t expecting. Sometimes the story felt like a YA novel, but then wham! Something very dark and deadly happens and you realize it’s an adult fantasy. But young people can definitely read and enjoy this.
Looking back at my notes, I realize I was suspicious of Boswen’s motives, but didn’t remember by the end of the book. Grahme, the MC, takes a while to warm up too. But I think it’s because he’s young, brash, and naive. He’s a reluctant hero I think.
I highly recommend this book. It keeps you guessing when you think you know, but then you are surprised by events. I truly enjoyed this more quiet version of druids even though they have their certain powers.
This was a refreshing story to read. Although some of the writing choices were quite simplistic, I enjoyed the overall story. Maps are always a plus too!
Right away we get to see the magical abilities of a Druid in the making. I particularly liked the animorphing skill. And we see this throughout the book too.
There is a quest and some underlying motives which aren’t revealed until the end.
One action or event quickly leads into another and we get to see this Druidic world and many of its members.
We have a bad guy and his mind-controlled followers. There is a good twist to the Obsidian Mage’s relationship to someone else. There are many sad deaths, which I wasn’t expecting. Sometimes the story felt like a YA novel, but then wham! Something very dark and deadly happens and you realize it’s an adult fantasy. But young people can definitely read and enjoy this.
Looking back at my notes, I realize I was suspicious of Boswen’s motives, but didn’t remember by the end of the book. Grahme, the MC, takes a while to warm up too. But I think it’s because he’s young, brash, and naive. He’s a reluctant hero I think.
I highly recommend this book. It keeps you guessing when you think you know, but then you are surprised by events. I truly enjoyed this more quiet version of druids even though they have their certain powers.
October 24, 2023
Good, fast paced heroic fantasy set in pre-Roman Britain.
July 20, 2023
I loved this book! Buy it! Read it! Listen to it as the narrator’s great! It’s a fun coming of age fantasy quest.
June 15, 2024
Blown away and converted
I rarely read novels in first-person present tense. Becoming a Druid has forced me to reconsider this undue bias. I was blown away.
With a playful, simple, and fast-paced style but dealing with more than a few heavy themes and rich in lore, I was spellbound all the way through and thoroughly pleased by the conclusion. Highly, highly recommend.
I rarely read novels in first-person present tense. Becoming a Druid has forced me to reconsider this undue bias. I was blown away.
With a playful, simple, and fast-paced style but dealing with more than a few heavy themes and rich in lore, I was spellbound all the way through and thoroughly pleased by the conclusion. Highly, highly recommend.
July 12, 2023
This was a great story about a young Druid apprentice who is struggling to earn his place in the druid community. I really enjoyed the world building and many of the magic elements we're introduced to. The stakes were high, and there were roadblocks the protagonist Grahme had to overcome throughout. The author did a great job building the tension and making me feel the stakes as they continued to climb. There was one element of the magic that wasn't my favorite, but I don't want to spoil that here. It was a minor thing though, and a personal preference more than anything. I'm definitely going to continue the series.
February 22, 2022
Enjoyed reading
Started out slow but I became engrossed and had to keep reading. Stayed up most of the night reading. Loved the characters
Started out slow but I became engrossed and had to keep reading. Stayed up most of the night reading. Loved the characters
January 8, 2022
I help run Books & Brews - Book Club at Intermission Beer Company and we often like to have authors come join us to talk about writing or their books. This book was dropped off by the author and so it fell into my hands to read. And although I do read fantasy now and again, it isn't a genre I love, especially when you need a map, a glossary and to make up how you pronounce names in your head. But this was a pretty decent book. It kept my interest and I did enjoy some of the concepts. It basically felt like one big D&D game, only fleshed out in book form. You can tell it's the first book by this author, but not to the detriment of the book. If your teen or adult is looking for a good introductory fantasy novel and plays D&D, I'd suggest it.
February 28, 2023
Thanks to the author for gifting me a code for the audio edition of this book! I greatly appreciate it, but that does not affect the honesty of this rating/review
While the sort of classical adventure quest narrative isn't always my thing, I have to say that I had quite a nice time with this, even if I wasn't entirely invested in every aspect of the story.
CHARACTERS
Grahme serves as our main character for this story. As the title implies, he is in the process of becoming a Druid, but he's had a rough track record with his mentors and his future within the Druid ranks is very much in question when one of the nine Druid lords takes him under his wing. At first, I can't say that I found Grahme all that likeable. He is petulant and frequently disobeys direct orders from his superiors. He also had a bad temper. This dislike made it a little hard for me to feel too invested in the stakes that he was up against in the early parts of the quest that he is assigned to in order to prove himself worthy of being a full druid. Over the course of his journey, Grahme meets a variety of other characters from his family, other Druid clans, thieves, a mysterious merchant and people from a dark kingdom that is infamous for being home to people born with mind-control magic. Some of these were definitely more memorable and likeable than others, but my favorite side character definitely has to be Grahme's nephew who accompanies him for a decently long stretch of time. Even though it would not have made sense for the boy to have continued on the journey, I was sad when he was written out of the adventure since having him around made Grahme a lot more likeable for me. Grahme also has a romantic interest who comes in at a later part of the story and while the dynamics that created were interesting, I wasn't particularly bought into this subplot at all and actually felt like the story might have been stronger without it. One thing that works a lot to the story's benefit is that Grahme seems to mature quite a bit by the end of the story, thanks in no small part to the losses he's suffered and the trials he's endured. Seeing him grow into a much more serious and responsible person was something I found to be appropriately rewarding.
SETTING/WORLD
As the title indicates this is a story about Druids. While this type of mage isn't necessarily rare, it's also not often that Druid magic is given the spotlight in this way. The "animorphing" is handled brilliantly and I think this lesser-seen kind of magic will be a big draw for many. I also appreciated that there were other types of magic that the book explored. There is a dark mind-control magic that a number of both friendly and antagonistic characters have as well as weather and elemental magic. I wouldn't say that there are any "magic systems" in play here, but I think for a story like this, it was much better that the magic was "soft" (A.K.A. not defined to the point where it almost feels like a science).
Grahme doesn't stay in any one place for too long, but he also rarely passes through somewhere without there being some kind of episode that gives us a chance to explore it a little. While this type of storytelling where the narrative hops from one place to the next isn't always my cup of tea, I did feel like each location had a distinct vibe to it and offered interesting characters and/or environments. I definitely appreciated the variety of moving from calm woodland zones to bustling cities, dingy prisons, and dark caverns. No one place ever overstayed its welcome and the near-constant motion helped things from getting stale, though it did also keep me from developing attachments to any particular locations.
PLOT/TONE
As you might have guessed, this is sort of a classical, "go fetch a magical item of great power and return" type of setup. Due to this adventure-quest being the main narrative anchor, the story had sort of a nostalgic feel to it in the way that reading classic fantasy might. That said, the way action and magic is depicted had a much more modern vibe. It's an interesting mix that I though worked pretty well and made this feel rather special. The morality in this story was also interesting to me because on on hand, there are some characters who are very clearly "the bad guys," but then there are the Druids who aren't always the purest of the pure either. Throughout the story, we get a lot of insight into Druid politics. The "Nine Lords" are a somewhat dysfunctional bunch with infighting, deception, and general distrust. If there wasn't an "evil empire" type of threat looming over them, I am actually not sure if I would have found myself really routing for the Druid groups as much. I'd be interested to know if their moral grayness is expanded upon in future books since that might be a cool concept to play with going forward.
I had a nice time with the story overall and found the questing to be a fairly relaxing aspect of it. Unfortunately, I don't think the stakes ever felt as intense as I think they were meant to outside of a gripping heist sequence that occurs somewhat early on in the story. A lot of this is probably due to the fact that I didn't get too invested in many of the characters rather than any actual issues with the prose or pacing.
THE AUDIOBOOK
I rather liked this narrator, particularly because his voice/accent sometimes reminded me of Sam from THE LORD OF THE RINGS films. That said, I did feel like a lot of the characters sounded kind of the same. Some may also want to know that you will frequently hear him inhaling. This audible breathing is more pronounced in some chapters than others and it didn't really bother me too much, but I imagine in might drive some people crazy, so just be aware that this is a thing. On a more positive note, I have to give this guy some serious credit for performing an entire song in the middle of the book. I don't know if I've ever heard this done before, but he nailed it.
CONCLUSION
BECOMING A DRUID will be a great read for anyone who enjoys modern renditions of classical fantasy storytelling as well as those who just like druids. I found this to be a satisfying read and this world has enough potential with unexplored places and unmet peoples that I imagine the next books in the series will be just as good.
(+) Lots of awesome Druid magic with several different types of magic detailed
(+) Action and adventure throughout
(+) Some memorable characters
(+) Detailed lore pertaining to the old gods and various mystical peoples
(+) An ending that ties everything together while leaving the door open for what's next
(+) Grahme develops from an irritatingly petulant apprentice into a battle-hardened Druid
(-) A romance that didn't really do anything for me
(-) I found my attention drifting at certain parts of the story
(/) Highs and lows with the narration that will likely draw different reactions from different people
While the sort of classical adventure quest narrative isn't always my thing, I have to say that I had quite a nice time with this, even if I wasn't entirely invested in every aspect of the story.
CHARACTERS
Grahme serves as our main character for this story. As the title implies, he is in the process of becoming a Druid, but he's had a rough track record with his mentors and his future within the Druid ranks is very much in question when one of the nine Druid lords takes him under his wing. At first, I can't say that I found Grahme all that likeable. He is petulant and frequently disobeys direct orders from his superiors. He also had a bad temper. This dislike made it a little hard for me to feel too invested in the stakes that he was up against in the early parts of the quest that he is assigned to in order to prove himself worthy of being a full druid. Over the course of his journey, Grahme meets a variety of other characters from his family, other Druid clans, thieves, a mysterious merchant and people from a dark kingdom that is infamous for being home to people born with mind-control magic. Some of these were definitely more memorable and likeable than others, but my favorite side character definitely has to be Grahme's nephew who accompanies him for a decently long stretch of time. Even though it would not have made sense for the boy to have continued on the journey, I was sad when he was written out of the adventure since having him around made Grahme a lot more likeable for me. Grahme also has a romantic interest who comes in at a later part of the story and while the dynamics that created were interesting, I wasn't particularly bought into this subplot at all and actually felt like the story might have been stronger without it. One thing that works a lot to the story's benefit is that Grahme seems to mature quite a bit by the end of the story, thanks in no small part to the losses he's suffered and the trials he's endured. Seeing him grow into a much more serious and responsible person was something I found to be appropriately rewarding.
SETTING/WORLD
As the title indicates this is a story about Druids. While this type of mage isn't necessarily rare, it's also not often that Druid magic is given the spotlight in this way. The "animorphing" is handled brilliantly and I think this lesser-seen kind of magic will be a big draw for many. I also appreciated that there were other types of magic that the book explored. There is a dark mind-control magic that a number of both friendly and antagonistic characters have as well as weather and elemental magic. I wouldn't say that there are any "magic systems" in play here, but I think for a story like this, it was much better that the magic was "soft" (A.K.A. not defined to the point where it almost feels like a science).
Grahme doesn't stay in any one place for too long, but he also rarely passes through somewhere without there being some kind of episode that gives us a chance to explore it a little. While this type of storytelling where the narrative hops from one place to the next isn't always my cup of tea, I did feel like each location had a distinct vibe to it and offered interesting characters and/or environments. I definitely appreciated the variety of moving from calm woodland zones to bustling cities, dingy prisons, and dark caverns. No one place ever overstayed its welcome and the near-constant motion helped things from getting stale, though it did also keep me from developing attachments to any particular locations.
PLOT/TONE
As you might have guessed, this is sort of a classical, "go fetch a magical item of great power and return" type of setup. Due to this adventure-quest being the main narrative anchor, the story had sort of a nostalgic feel to it in the way that reading classic fantasy might. That said, the way action and magic is depicted had a much more modern vibe. It's an interesting mix that I though worked pretty well and made this feel rather special. The morality in this story was also interesting to me because on on hand, there are some characters who are very clearly "the bad guys," but then there are the Druids who aren't always the purest of the pure either. Throughout the story, we get a lot of insight into Druid politics. The "Nine Lords" are a somewhat dysfunctional bunch with infighting, deception, and general distrust. If there wasn't an "evil empire" type of threat looming over them, I am actually not sure if I would have found myself really routing for the Druid groups as much. I'd be interested to know if their moral grayness is expanded upon in future books since that might be a cool concept to play with going forward.
I had a nice time with the story overall and found the questing to be a fairly relaxing aspect of it. Unfortunately, I don't think the stakes ever felt as intense as I think they were meant to outside of a gripping heist sequence that occurs somewhat early on in the story. A lot of this is probably due to the fact that I didn't get too invested in many of the characters rather than any actual issues with the prose or pacing.
THE AUDIOBOOK
I rather liked this narrator, particularly because his voice/accent sometimes reminded me of Sam from THE LORD OF THE RINGS films. That said, I did feel like a lot of the characters sounded kind of the same. Some may also want to know that you will frequently hear him inhaling. This audible breathing is more pronounced in some chapters than others and it didn't really bother me too much, but I imagine in might drive some people crazy, so just be aware that this is a thing. On a more positive note, I have to give this guy some serious credit for performing an entire song in the middle of the book. I don't know if I've ever heard this done before, but he nailed it.
CONCLUSION
BECOMING A DRUID will be a great read for anyone who enjoys modern renditions of classical fantasy storytelling as well as those who just like druids. I found this to be a satisfying read and this world has enough potential with unexplored places and unmet peoples that I imagine the next books in the series will be just as good.
(+) Lots of awesome Druid magic with several different types of magic detailed
(+) Action and adventure throughout
(+) Some memorable characters
(+) Detailed lore pertaining to the old gods and various mystical peoples
(+) An ending that ties everything together while leaving the door open for what's next
(+) Grahme develops from an irritatingly petulant apprentice into a battle-hardened Druid
(-) A romance that didn't really do anything for me
(-) I found my attention drifting at certain parts of the story
(/) Highs and lows with the narration that will likely draw different reactions from different people
January 30, 2023
The author sent me the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
This is a very enjoyable, fast paced read. An interesting world filled with fun magic. I tend to enjoy quest stories, and that was no different here. Overall just a really solid fantasy novel, and I’m very excited to read more.
My rating is probably closer to a 4.5* on this one.
I’ll have a full review up on the channel in the coming weeks, so keep an eye out for that.
This is a very enjoyable, fast paced read. An interesting world filled with fun magic. I tend to enjoy quest stories, and that was no different here. Overall just a really solid fantasy novel, and I’m very excited to read more.
My rating is probably closer to a 4.5* on this one.
I’ll have a full review up on the channel in the coming weeks, so keep an eye out for that.
December 2, 2021
I absolutely recommend this book for lovers of fantasy. Graham was so wonderful to follow and thanks to the exquisite writing and visual descriptions I felt like I was right there with him. For the first time in my life I read 2 books at the same time because I just couldn't put this one down for very long. AWESOME READ!
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