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Sacred #1
Eslura's Calling
An orphaned girl. A mysterious new world. One connected fate.When Beatrice Tidal is shipped off to summer camp by her foster parents, she expects the worst, but she does not expect to find herself pursued by a shadowy demon through a strange magical land where she must uncover the mystery of her past and rise to the challenges of her future.Worse, Obellius Kalaar, usurper to the throne of Eslura, will stop at nothing to find Beatrice and prevent her from gathering the Sacred Rulers to reunite the kingdom. Now Obellius has escaped from his island prison confinements and is determined to regain his throne.Can Beatrice help these powerful Rulers and save Eslura from Obellius, or will the shadow of darkness fall forever over this sacred land?Eslura’s Calling is the first book in the Sacred series, a young adult portal fantasy. Steeped in friendship, adventure, and furry creatures, Eslura’s Calling is a thrilling beginning to a fantastic new series.
221 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 24, 2021
10 people are currently reading
164 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
July 20, 2021
Hands down one of the most imaginative books I've ever read.
Sacred: Eslura's Calling is one amazing magical adventure from cover to cover. Unique and ingenious, as well as quirky, quaint and downright whimsical.
If I could sum it up I'd say it gives off a bit of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland vibes, but with the epicness of The Chronicles of Narnia and ingenuity of Fablehaven.
An orphaned girl. A mysterious new world. One connected fate.
When Beatrice Tidal is shipped off to summer camp by her foster parents, she expects the worst. And that's exactly what she seems to get. Bullying and teasing drive her to run off in the middle of the night, straight into a dark dank cave. All she has to do is wait there to be found by the camp counsellor Reagan. Except that fate, or perhaps a magic call, interfere and Bea suddenly finds herself smack down in the middle of a strange land, with Reagan by her side, both running for their lives from a shadowy demon.
It is here that Bea is told she has been chosen as a 'Sacred Head' and has a sacred duty. It is her destiny to guard the Sacred Rulers and their Books as well as protect the elemental balance of Eslura.
Of course our Bea is a bit flabbergasted at the whole thing. She didn't even know what Eslura was, let alone the first thing about protecting some sort of balance in that strange place. But anything is better than the life she'd had in the 'normal world' and Beatrice is determined to do her best in the strange magical land where she's considered special.
And this is how her adventure begins. One full of magic and mystery, alongside the most unusual furry and scaled creatures you have ever seen.
My personal favourite was Barnaby Britto the Olphin. He practically stole the show as far as I'm concerned. And I even loved his downright cuddly interactions with his toad Mauz. Yes! A toad, warts and all. But with tiny little wings struggling to hold up his little body. They are both as adorable as it gets!
The prose is nicely flowing and easy to follow, the pacing is excellent and the plot intriguing, while the worldbuilding is downright amazing. The creatures and setting - just fabulous!
It may take you a while to really get into the story due to the multitude of characters that are originally introduced, but once you get your bearings, things fall nicely into place, threads slowly come together, and you can't help but be drawn into the magic of the tale.
I personally would have liked some of the characters to have a more defined voice alongside particular quirks, and the ending to pack a bit more punch. But then that's just me and that may not be the case for other readers out there.
All in all, M.C. Beeler's debut is a wonderful tale full of magic, adventure and friendship, complete with a few of the most unique and downright amazing furry and scaled creatures I've ever read about.
And I bet it would be a hit on the big screen!
Sacred: Eslura's Calling is one amazing magical adventure from cover to cover. Unique and ingenious, as well as quirky, quaint and downright whimsical.
If I could sum it up I'd say it gives off a bit of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland vibes, but with the epicness of The Chronicles of Narnia and ingenuity of Fablehaven.
An orphaned girl. A mysterious new world. One connected fate.
When Beatrice Tidal is shipped off to summer camp by her foster parents, she expects the worst. And that's exactly what she seems to get. Bullying and teasing drive her to run off in the middle of the night, straight into a dark dank cave. All she has to do is wait there to be found by the camp counsellor Reagan. Except that fate, or perhaps a magic call, interfere and Bea suddenly finds herself smack down in the middle of a strange land, with Reagan by her side, both running for their lives from a shadowy demon.
It is here that Bea is told she has been chosen as a 'Sacred Head' and has a sacred duty. It is her destiny to guard the Sacred Rulers and their Books as well as protect the elemental balance of Eslura.
Of course our Bea is a bit flabbergasted at the whole thing. She didn't even know what Eslura was, let alone the first thing about protecting some sort of balance in that strange place. But anything is better than the life she'd had in the 'normal world' and Beatrice is determined to do her best in the strange magical land where she's considered special.
And this is how her adventure begins. One full of magic and mystery, alongside the most unusual furry and scaled creatures you have ever seen.
My personal favourite was Barnaby Britto the Olphin. He practically stole the show as far as I'm concerned. And I even loved his downright cuddly interactions with his toad Mauz. Yes! A toad, warts and all. But with tiny little wings struggling to hold up his little body. They are both as adorable as it gets!
The prose is nicely flowing and easy to follow, the pacing is excellent and the plot intriguing, while the worldbuilding is downright amazing. The creatures and setting - just fabulous!
It may take you a while to really get into the story due to the multitude of characters that are originally introduced, but once you get your bearings, things fall nicely into place, threads slowly come together, and you can't help but be drawn into the magic of the tale.
I personally would have liked some of the characters to have a more defined voice alongside particular quirks, and the ending to pack a bit more punch. But then that's just me and that may not be the case for other readers out there.
All in all, M.C. Beeler's debut is a wonderful tale full of magic, adventure and friendship, complete with a few of the most unique and downright amazing furry and scaled creatures I've ever read about.
And I bet it would be a hit on the big screen!
June 26, 2021
I fell into the rabbit hole chasing after Beatrice and Reagan and met some interesting and dark characters along the way. There were magical books and talking animals. What a magical ride it was!
Beatrice is an orphan girl whose mother disappeard a year ago and she is forced to join a summer camp by her foster parents. There she met Reagan, her summer camp counseller with fierce red hair. On her first day at the camp, she was being bullied by other girls. Desperate to get rid of them, she ran towards forest and got lost. Reagan came to rescue her but both got sucked into a magical world full of unusual characters like talking gophers, elephants, crocs, mice, cats, hybrids, shape shifters and reapers.
Both Beatrice and Reagan's fate is intertwined to save this mysterious magical world "Eslura" from dark powers.
The writing style is simple. The plot is a bit complicated because of a plethora of characters. I found the side characters more interesting than both protagonists. I wish Beatrice and Reagan were more expressive in terms of showing they were horrified or surprised after meeting those magical creatures because I know I was!
You will enjoy reading this magical tale if you like Alice in Wonderland and Narnia.
Beatrice is an orphan girl whose mother disappeard a year ago and she is forced to join a summer camp by her foster parents. There she met Reagan, her summer camp counseller with fierce red hair. On her first day at the camp, she was being bullied by other girls. Desperate to get rid of them, she ran towards forest and got lost. Reagan came to rescue her but both got sucked into a magical world full of unusual characters like talking gophers, elephants, crocs, mice, cats, hybrids, shape shifters and reapers.
Both Beatrice and Reagan's fate is intertwined to save this mysterious magical world "Eslura" from dark powers.
The writing style is simple. The plot is a bit complicated because of a plethora of characters. I found the side characters more interesting than both protagonists. I wish Beatrice and Reagan were more expressive in terms of showing they were horrified or surprised after meeting those magical creatures because I know I was!
You will enjoy reading this magical tale if you like Alice in Wonderland and Narnia.
November 21, 2022
From the very first line I was immediately hooked! Sacred gives me Narnia meets Last Airbender meets Wonderland vibes. The map at the beginning is stunning and already sets up the world the reader is about to explore.
For a debut novel, I can already tell that M. C. Beeler is going to go far in the author community. The world-building is absolutely phenomenal!! So imaginative and descriptive, it truly was one of the highlights. The cast is so diverse and colourful, a delight to meet every single one.
I love Barnaby so much! I seriously want to give him a big hug! And Mauz is just so darn cute, I'm in love! Bea and Reagan make determined and composed heroines, learning from the new world around them, adapting and growing into their roles. They both have mysteries about their pasts' which I am so eager to learn more.
It's fast-paced with plenty of action and a whole lot of fun, and you can tell that the author, M. C. Beeler has put so much heart into bringing this story to life!
I seriously I want to adopt a gully!!!!! Can I please have one?!
What's even better is that the journey is not yet finished, leading to the anticipation of more books to come in the series! I am so excited for the next read!
IG Post: https://www.instagram.com/p/CRpVN8RLCLu/
For a debut novel, I can already tell that M. C. Beeler is going to go far in the author community. The world-building is absolutely phenomenal!! So imaginative and descriptive, it truly was one of the highlights. The cast is so diverse and colourful, a delight to meet every single one.
I love Barnaby so much! I seriously want to give him a big hug! And Mauz is just so darn cute, I'm in love! Bea and Reagan make determined and composed heroines, learning from the new world around them, adapting and growing into their roles. They both have mysteries about their pasts' which I am so eager to learn more.
It's fast-paced with plenty of action and a whole lot of fun, and you can tell that the author, M. C. Beeler has put so much heart into bringing this story to life!
I seriously I want to adopt a gully!!!!! Can I please have one?!
What's even better is that the journey is not yet finished, leading to the anticipation of more books to come in the series! I am so excited for the next read!
IG Post: https://www.instagram.com/p/CRpVN8RLCLu/
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November 6, 20244 stars
Sacred: Eslura's Calling is a new YA fantasy series by debut author M.C. Beeler. The story ships you off directly into a magical world filled with strange creatures, adventure, prophesies, ancient enemies and reluctant allies forced to cooperate towards their common goal.
A peculiar young girl - Beatrice Tidal lives with her Foster parents after her mother goes missing. However, her days and nights are filled with visions of a strange symbol that apparently only she can see. Confining this to her foster parents, they decide that a little change of scenery will benefit Beatrice and send her off to a one-week summer camp. During the trip she meets a girl named Reagan. However, little do they know that their destinies are intertwined and that a wild adventure awaits in the dark.
After a series of unfortunate events during the camp, Beatrice runs deep in the woods where she inevitably falls ‘into the rabbit hole’ much like Alice in Wonderland. In an attempt to save her, Reagan follows her friend into the unknown and the two begin a new quest filled with danger and peculiar creatures. During the journey, Bea and Reagan find themselves in the company of Alistair - a lizard, Alpin - a gopher, Barnaby Britto - an Olphin and Mauz - his little toad. The strange group of allies has now to work on a plan to prevent the return of Eslura’s longtime enemy - Obellius Kalaar, who is also on the hunt for Beatrice.
Little does the young girl know that her destiny is already foretold. However, she is first tasked with the venture of uncovering the mystery of her past and then accepting the challenges of her future. A future which includes an ancient prophecy stating that in 14 years, a new Sacred Head would be chosen by Eslura who will bring the book of fire to its rightful place and cast Obellius into oblivion.
The story has a large set of characters and is told in multiple POVs, the world-building is presented gradually which is perfect as the reader does not feel overwhelmed with information. It is a wholesome, thrilling read with a pinch of adventure and perfect for any fans of Alice in Wonderland and The Chronicles of Narnia. I do highly recommend it and cannot wait to see where to story takes us next!
Thank you to the author M.C Beeler for providing a copy of this book in exchange for honest review.
Sacred: Eslura's Calling is a new YA fantasy series by debut author M.C. Beeler. The story ships you off directly into a magical world filled with strange creatures, adventure, prophesies, ancient enemies and reluctant allies forced to cooperate towards their common goal.
A peculiar young girl - Beatrice Tidal lives with her Foster parents after her mother goes missing. However, her days and nights are filled with visions of a strange symbol that apparently only she can see. Confining this to her foster parents, they decide that a little change of scenery will benefit Beatrice and send her off to a one-week summer camp. During the trip she meets a girl named Reagan. However, little do they know that their destinies are intertwined and that a wild adventure awaits in the dark.
After a series of unfortunate events during the camp, Beatrice runs deep in the woods where she inevitably falls ‘into the rabbit hole’ much like Alice in Wonderland. In an attempt to save her, Reagan follows her friend into the unknown and the two begin a new quest filled with danger and peculiar creatures. During the journey, Bea and Reagan find themselves in the company of Alistair - a lizard, Alpin - a gopher, Barnaby Britto - an Olphin and Mauz - his little toad. The strange group of allies has now to work on a plan to prevent the return of Eslura’s longtime enemy - Obellius Kalaar, who is also on the hunt for Beatrice.
Little does the young girl know that her destiny is already foretold. However, she is first tasked with the venture of uncovering the mystery of her past and then accepting the challenges of her future. A future which includes an ancient prophecy stating that in 14 years, a new Sacred Head would be chosen by Eslura who will bring the book of fire to its rightful place and cast Obellius into oblivion.
The story has a large set of characters and is told in multiple POVs, the world-building is presented gradually which is perfect as the reader does not feel overwhelmed with information. It is a wholesome, thrilling read with a pinch of adventure and perfect for any fans of Alice in Wonderland and The Chronicles of Narnia. I do highly recommend it and cannot wait to see where to story takes us next!
Thank you to the author M.C Beeler for providing a copy of this book in exchange for honest review.
July 1, 2021
Where to start? I devoured this book today, I just couldn't get enough of it! It really reminded me of the Chronicles of Narnia, and for that reason it gives such a strong sense of nostalgia whilst reading. I felt like I was on this adventure with Bea, Barnaby and Reagan every step of the way. I love the world that Maggie has created, it's not confusing or too complex to grasp, and there's the added bonus of very little info-dumping (which I personally love) as the information flowed naturally and at a smooth pace. This story is a great YA fantasy adventure, and it captivated me from the first page to the last, and for that and all the reasons listed above, I've fallen head over heels in love with this story and it's characters!
Full review to come!
Full review to come!
June 24, 2021
It’s unusual, it’s beautiful... it’s like falling down a rabbit hole! This story is such an adventure. I’m not sure where to start this mini-review because my thoughts are all over the place! But I think that’s a good thing. Definitely shows the book made me feel something and in this case I feel so warm and nostalgic.
The story is about Beatrice who’s mother has gone missing. She feels like an outsider. Enters Reagan, the camp counselor in which Bea is being forced to attend. After chasing a running away Bea they found themself far from the world they know. This is the start of the fun-witty journey of self discovery. (full summary below)
I think the best part of this story is definitely it’s world! It basically Narnia meets Wonderland which is something I didn’t know I needed until now!
The writing is smooth and easy to understand it perfect for all ages...that being said it is definitely going to be like HP or Percy Jackson. We are going to watch these characters grow up and it’s going to be epic!
There is one thing I will say, it can get confusing at time if you now paying attention. There is a big cast of characters and the storyline is more complex than it looks which will definitely help this series grow.
Overall, I’m giving this a 4.5 star rating so definitely check this book out if you looking for a YA adventure.
The story is about Beatrice who’s mother has gone missing. She feels like an outsider. Enters Reagan, the camp counselor in which Bea is being forced to attend. After chasing a running away Bea they found themself far from the world they know. This is the start of the fun-witty journey of self discovery. (full summary below)
I think the best part of this story is definitely it’s world! It basically Narnia meets Wonderland which is something I didn’t know I needed until now!
The writing is smooth and easy to understand it perfect for all ages...that being said it is definitely going to be like HP or Percy Jackson. We are going to watch these characters grow up and it’s going to be epic!
There is one thing I will say, it can get confusing at time if you now paying attention. There is a big cast of characters and the storyline is more complex than it looks which will definitely help this series grow.
Overall, I’m giving this a 4.5 star rating so definitely check this book out if you looking for a YA adventure.
June 13, 2021
What a gorgeous story! I thoroughly enjoyed this magical tale full of whimsy and strange creatures. The pacing was great, and there was never a dull moment with our intriguing cast of characters.
This story gave me Alice in Wonderland vibes mixed with uncertain protagonists who find themselves growing with each step into the unknown. While we find ourselves following Bea and Reagan’s stories, I found myself enjoying the side characters more, feeling their personalities shine brighter, their dialogue much more present than the MCs. I’d love to get to know Bea and Reagan more in book two!
I did find myself confused at times as the lore is significant, and there are many characters and places introduced throughout, but overall, it was a smooth and enjoyable read and I can’t wait to explore this world more!
Fantastic debut by this author!
This story gave me Alice in Wonderland vibes mixed with uncertain protagonists who find themselves growing with each step into the unknown. While we find ourselves following Bea and Reagan’s stories, I found myself enjoying the side characters more, feeling their personalities shine brighter, their dialogue much more present than the MCs. I’d love to get to know Bea and Reagan more in book two!
I did find myself confused at times as the lore is significant, and there are many characters and places introduced throughout, but overall, it was a smooth and enjoyable read and I can’t wait to explore this world more!
Fantastic debut by this author!
August 14, 2021
This book was such a wonderful beginning to a brand new fantasy world! I really enjoyed all the introductions to the characters and what role they had to play in their world.
I had fun trying to pronounce all the names and places while reading 😂 when I finished it, I realized there were pages at the back that told you how to pronounce the names ! Whoops 🤣 The names and places in this book are super creative and fun!
If you love fantasy with dragons, magic, adventure and lots of funky animals, I'd definitely recommend this book to you! Give it a go 😍
I was so glad to be apart of this journey and watch my good friend Margaret create her bookish world! I'm so proud of her and can't wait to see what amazing projects she releases in the future 😍😍
I had fun trying to pronounce all the names and places while reading 😂 when I finished it, I realized there were pages at the back that told you how to pronounce the names ! Whoops 🤣 The names and places in this book are super creative and fun!
If you love fantasy with dragons, magic, adventure and lots of funky animals, I'd definitely recommend this book to you! Give it a go 😍
I was so glad to be apart of this journey and watch my good friend Margaret create her bookish world! I'm so proud of her and can't wait to see what amazing projects she releases in the future 😍😍
July 21, 2021
This book was an out of the norm read for me but man did I enjoy it! The world was such an amazing blend of Narnia and Alice in Wonderland I felt as if I was right there seeing it all for myself. I think my favorite part of the book were the characters however. I loved watching them flourish and grow but screaming at them not to do something and being worried for them made me realize just how real they felt to me and how I wanted them to be okay throughout their journey.
Bea is an absolute character. I adored her, she was so resilient, the perfect YA heroine to go with the amazing story of adventure.
Bea is an absolute character. I adored her, she was so resilient, the perfect YA heroine to go with the amazing story of adventure.
June 25, 2021
This is a great read! Pick it up and down the rabbit hole we go in this fantastic YA fantasy read full of adventure and friendship all set in an incredible world with some amazing characters. It’s here that we meet Beatrice who has been shipped off to summer camp. That doesn’t work out and she finds herself sucked into a crazy magical world full of all the creatures you could possibly imagine. It’s a fun read, a little like Alice in wonderland or Narnia and I could not put it down!
August 15, 2021
Fun YA fantasy adventure! How I wish this book had been around when I was a teenager. It’s funny, quirky, and full of unexpected twists and turns and rich, imaginative world building like nothing I’ve read before. I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
August 5, 2021
Couldn't put this book down. The characters are fun, a little quirky, and very well-developed. I highly recommend this book.
August 13, 2021
Okay, I'll start this by saying that Maggie is a friend of mine and I am SO PROUD of her for writing this book, but that has zero influence on my review.
Now for the good stuff.
Eslura's Calling is a creative fantasy that follows our main character, Bea, as she learns all about the magical world of Eslura, meeting unique characters along the way.
The pacing of the plot was perfect - just enough information was given to make me invested, but there was enough mystery to keep me turning the pages. While we do follow Bea, we also get to follow around different characters, meaning I was never bored for a second!
The world was so rich and magical. It felt like coming home. I kept wishing I could be sucked into the story and experience it for myself.
Remember the unique characters I mentioned? I LOVE THEM. All of them. You may think that, at twenty-one years old, I would not want to read books about taking animals. Well, you'd be wrong. I love it, at least when it's talking animals in this particular book. The characters were so vivid and each had such a unique voice and personality that you can't help but love them.
The writing was... WOW. I have no words. It was the pefect blend of descriptive but not overly descriptive, and, unlike most fantasies, it was not hard to get into at all. In fact, I was hooked from the first page. The writing in this is what you'd expect from an experienced author, not a university student's debut novel.
Now, as for my final thoughts? I am obsessed. I loved everything about this book, and I truly think everyone should read this. Young or old, there's something in it for everyone. Trust me, I've been struggling to read for ages and this book gripped me from the first page to the very last. I need more books in this series like yesterday!!!
Now for the good stuff.
Eslura's Calling is a creative fantasy that follows our main character, Bea, as she learns all about the magical world of Eslura, meeting unique characters along the way.
The pacing of the plot was perfect - just enough information was given to make me invested, but there was enough mystery to keep me turning the pages. While we do follow Bea, we also get to follow around different characters, meaning I was never bored for a second!
The world was so rich and magical. It felt like coming home. I kept wishing I could be sucked into the story and experience it for myself.
Remember the unique characters I mentioned? I LOVE THEM. All of them. You may think that, at twenty-one years old, I would not want to read books about taking animals. Well, you'd be wrong. I love it, at least when it's talking animals in this particular book. The characters were so vivid and each had such a unique voice and personality that you can't help but love them.
The writing was... WOW. I have no words. It was the pefect blend of descriptive but not overly descriptive, and, unlike most fantasies, it was not hard to get into at all. In fact, I was hooked from the first page. The writing in this is what you'd expect from an experienced author, not a university student's debut novel.
Now, as for my final thoughts? I am obsessed. I loved everything about this book, and I truly think everyone should read this. Young or old, there's something in it for everyone. Trust me, I've been struggling to read for ages and this book gripped me from the first page to the very last. I need more books in this series like yesterday!!!
June 1, 2021
ARC REVIEW: Huge thanks to the author for providing this ARC to review! This was a GREAT book. It’s a long one, but it’s paced very well and the writing flows, which doesn’t make it drag along or ever get boring. Also helps that the characters are great. Bea, the MC, is both relatable and admirable. She’s an orphan who, on a trip to a summer camp that she isn’t too stoked about, ends up in the midst of a magic world with amazing characters. This is your classic fantasy with a girl thrust into an unknown world, but it’s also original and so much more than that. Beeler writes an enthralling tale with really witty dialogue - from characters like Trelluby to Lumikki, to Alpin and more- characters you will root for, and a story that feels like it could be a movie. I could TOTALLY imagine seeing this on the big screen, complete with the great settings and the nostalgic fantasy feel I love in the YA-fantasy novels (what can I say, those are my all time favorites)! I also really like how this book ends in a way that sets it up for a sequel - knowing that Obellius (the villain) escaped Morgaedion really ramps up the tension and makes me SUPER exited to read Book 2. The Epilogue as well was also done very well. Overall, this was a really good book. It was adventurous, full of good characters and a good plot, and wonderful world-building. I’ve said it before and I will keep saying it - indie authors have truly, truly blown my mind this past year. These are the books I can see being turned into movies - the books I can see people dressing up as characters from for Halloween, and more! Just wow. I’m thrilled to have read this one, and to all my fellow fantasy lovers, you won’t regret it! This was a treat! Consensus: 5/5
For more reviews and book boards, follow me on IG! @katiebreads
For more reviews and book boards, follow me on IG! @katiebreads
August 18, 2021
I thought this book was a great debut novel to hold the genre of “fantasy.” Eslura is a captivating world where animals talk, Shadow Reapers loom, and the elemental leaders find themselves in danger.
Bea and Reagan are cast into a world unlike any other, one with a sacred stone that is key to the next ruler of Eslura and the other finding themselves to BE that next ruler (not saying who is who because of spoilers).
Of course, there are other characters to be had: Alpin, Aero, Barnaby, Obellius, etc. that make the stakes of each individual apparent and fascinating, whether they be friend or foe.
I have to admit, a few plot points left me wanting or confused—not enough to dissuade me from reading further—but I definitely wanted *more* from this book.
While there are some “tougher” scenes that make this book inappropriate for too young an audience, I feel that this book would be appropriate for anyone 12+, making it more upper middle grade/lower YA.
Beeler did an excellent job weaving in multiple POVs and then consolidating to two. While a bit confusing at first, the separate starting points eventually merge and make sense, so hang in there if you aren’t sure!
I’d give this book a solid 4 stars (which I have done), my only dissatisfaction being the few plot points that I felt were glossed over.
But I definitely want to see what happens in book 2, whenever it should come!
Bea and Reagan are cast into a world unlike any other, one with a sacred stone that is key to the next ruler of Eslura and the other finding themselves to BE that next ruler (not saying who is who because of spoilers).
Of course, there are other characters to be had: Alpin, Aero, Barnaby, Obellius, etc. that make the stakes of each individual apparent and fascinating, whether they be friend or foe.
I have to admit, a few plot points left me wanting or confused—not enough to dissuade me from reading further—but I definitely wanted *more* from this book.
While there are some “tougher” scenes that make this book inappropriate for too young an audience, I feel that this book would be appropriate for anyone 12+, making it more upper middle grade/lower YA.
Beeler did an excellent job weaving in multiple POVs and then consolidating to two. While a bit confusing at first, the separate starting points eventually merge and make sense, so hang in there if you aren’t sure!
I’d give this book a solid 4 stars (which I have done), my only dissatisfaction being the few plot points that I felt were glossed over.
But I definitely want to see what happens in book 2, whenever it should come!
June 12, 2021
I really enjoyed this book - a quick and nice read!
The story follows a misunderstood girl, Beatrice "Bea" Tidal, and the weird things that keep happening to her. After she's shipped off to a summer camp by her foster parents, her life changes forever. She finds herself in a strange, magical land called Eslura, with the girl who was supposed to supervise her at camp, Reagen.
The writing style is beautiful and I really enjoyed it, I liked the world-building and the magic system. There are chapters following different characters, so it might be a little bit confusing at first, but then their stories merge together because they all have the same goal: saving Eslura from the wicked Obellius Kalaar, who is trying to conquer Eslura after he escaped from the Morgaedion prison.
While I did enjoy the story, I found it a little bit hard to follow because there were so many characters' names, places, legends that I didn't understand and they were confusing me. Maybe a guide of Eslura would help or a guide with the characters and who they are, what their role is.
All in all, this book was a really enjoyable one and I would recommend it to anyone who wants a quick and nice escape from reality.
The story follows a misunderstood girl, Beatrice "Bea" Tidal, and the weird things that keep happening to her. After she's shipped off to a summer camp by her foster parents, her life changes forever. She finds herself in a strange, magical land called Eslura, with the girl who was supposed to supervise her at camp, Reagen.
The writing style is beautiful and I really enjoyed it, I liked the world-building and the magic system. There are chapters following different characters, so it might be a little bit confusing at first, but then their stories merge together because they all have the same goal: saving Eslura from the wicked Obellius Kalaar, who is trying to conquer Eslura after he escaped from the Morgaedion prison.
While I did enjoy the story, I found it a little bit hard to follow because there were so many characters' names, places, legends that I didn't understand and they were confusing me. Maybe a guide of Eslura would help or a guide with the characters and who they are, what their role is.
All in all, this book was a really enjoyable one and I would recommend it to anyone who wants a quick and nice escape from reality.
June 3, 2021
What an usual, different story! Very Alice in Wonderland type of book. I felt like I had fallen into the rabbit hole to a wacky new world, where there are creatures of every kind imaginable. It starts with a girl, Beatrice, who's mother had disappeared and how she doesn't fit in. Forced to go to a holiday camp, she is belittled and teased until she runs away. Reagan, a camp counselor goes after her and they both are sucked into a different world. Their confusion only grows as they encounter all sorts of creatures, Dragons, mice, elephants and a host of others! To add to the confusion, it appears both Bea and Reagan are actually instrumental in saving this world. Bea is haunted by visions of a man, Reagan's seemingly innocuous necklace is not what it seems. I found the characters a bit strange at times, a bit confusing, although I got the storyline. It's quite complex, the plot and characters alike but quite a fun read. As I said in the beginning, I felt like I was joining Alice in her adventures
June 24, 2021
I knew by the first couple of chapters that I'd enjoy this book. And I was right!
I enjoyed reading about the characters, there's quite a number of them, but I liked that they each have their own set of adventures. Bea and Reagan are likable and relatable characters, but this story is richer because of all the other characters they met and traveled with. With that said, this book is told in multiple POVs, which I'm not usually fond of, but it's needed and it helped with the telling of this story.
This book is an enjoyable read that quite reminded me of Chronicles of Narnia, with the talking creatures and magical worlds and I'm excited to discover more of its mysteries and learn more about the characters and hear of their adventures.
I enjoyed reading about the characters, there's quite a number of them, but I liked that they each have their own set of adventures. Bea and Reagan are likable and relatable characters, but this story is richer because of all the other characters they met and traveled with. With that said, this book is told in multiple POVs, which I'm not usually fond of, but it's needed and it helped with the telling of this story.
This book is an enjoyable read that quite reminded me of Chronicles of Narnia, with the talking creatures and magical worlds and I'm excited to discover more of its mysteries and learn more about the characters and hear of their adventures.
April 29, 2022
Book 1, Eslura's Calling, is beautifully written. I was impressed with the writing itself, detailed and painting pictures in my mind, while also moving at a pace that keeps the reader engaged and the story moving forward. Being the first in a series, the author spends time developing the characters and world, setting readers up for what I don't doubt will be a wild adventure in the coming books!
♡
A few other things I really enjoyed about this book:
- multiple plots that converge
- diverse and creative characters in species I've never heard of or imagined
- relateable characters you want to cheer for and a few tag along characters that get under your skin
- unpredictable in a way that flows and is purposeful
♡
A few other things I really enjoyed about this book:
- multiple plots that converge
- diverse and creative characters in species I've never heard of or imagined
- relateable characters you want to cheer for and a few tag along characters that get under your skin
- unpredictable in a way that flows and is purposeful
August 11, 2021
This book was amazing! It has been quite some time since I has such a refreshing read! I love the fresh new world of Elsura! The characters were a lot of fun and there was such a wide variety of personalities for you to grow attached to! When reading the book you get multiple different points of view but the main two are through the eyes of Bea and Reagan our two equally lovable main characters! The addition POVs add so much to setting up the main world and future plot. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for our heroines!
October 21, 2021
a truly wholesome and refreshing story, it includes loveable characters that you can't help but root on and twisty crazy adventures. the narnia vibes are strong and i think the idea of a whole hidden world is exciting to read abt
the writing was lovely and immersive, making you feel like you're with the characters in all the scenes
overall loved and recommend <3
the writing was lovely and immersive, making you feel like you're with the characters in all the scenes
overall loved and recommend <3
August 15, 2021
wholesome content! looking forward to more adventures in Eslura
August 13, 2021
This book is a wild ride with a broad cast of impossible characters, talking animal heros and two lost girls from summer camp. If you are tired of the same old story, you will find new and unexpected characters in this very unique and expansive World. It reads like a fable or old time fairy tale but with modern stakes, and a few surprise bouts of violence. (Surprising bc it stems from a weak and shy character). The prose is lovely, the characters are fiesty and it will be interesting to see how book 2 answers some remaining questions and save the world.
February 5, 2023
This book is *chefs kiss*
It took me back to my days playing one all time favorite game Skyrim. The talking animals and the type of people and the world just reminds me so much of Skyrim
I love that the book revolves around a group of people from different points of view and not just one, I love how so many characters link in with each other
One thing I will say is whyyy a cliff hanger
It took me back to my days playing one all time favorite game Skyrim. The talking animals and the type of people and the world just reminds me so much of Skyrim
I love that the book revolves around a group of people from different points of view and not just one, I love how so many characters link in with each other
One thing I will say is whyyy a cliff hanger
June 27, 2021
A fun fantasy/adventure story through the world of Eslura. Beatrice is not looking forward to having to go to Camp Tossbridge, but she must. When she gets there, she meets a camp counselor, Reagan, who seems like she may become a friend. These two girls get transported to the magical land of Eslura, where it seems they both may belong.
A little slow in the beginning, this novel builds a wonderful world and characters and has you wondering what happens next. I’m looking forward to book 2.
A little slow in the beginning, this novel builds a wonderful world and characters and has you wondering what happens next. I’m looking forward to book 2.
June 24, 2021
ARC REVIEW: I really enjoyed this book. It reminded me of some of my childhood faves like Fabelhaven. A nice "portal" fantasy where you start on Earth and find yourself traveling through an interesting, new world. I loved Barnaby and his humorous nature. I loved the character contrasts with Alpin's snooty-ness and Allistar's wisdom? He comes off as a calm, mentor vibe for me.
I am in love with books that are more character focus than storyline/arc focus. Like I care way more to get to know the characters than not. I feel Beeler is really good at showing off the personalities of each of her characters. I just wish there wasn't so much POV switching at the beginning because I did get slightly confused at some parts. I was also sad that we left a certain character who didn't show back up until the end.... but that's just cause I liked this character.
(TBH I don't think there was a single character in this that didn't come to life in their own way, and I love that).
I don't want to blame the writing, more so having attention issues, but I do need to confess that some parts were a little slower than others. Some were a nice breath of air before the storm, and some potentially just scene dragging on. Again, I don't want to say anything bad because I genuinely am not sure if I just had a lack of attention episode.. my brain does that sometimes.
Overall though, my rating would be 7/8 out of 10. The descriptions painted vivid landscapes and the characters were extraordinarily fun to get to know. I do feel the ending lacked a little and could be a little more climatic but I believe that's mainly due to the fact that this is for sure the 1st book in a series to learn more of Reagan's and Beatrice's story. Or at least I hope so, cause I truly am excited to read more.
Some more comments that don't fit in above, and I think contain spoilers-ish:
** I LOVED Lumi so much and Millenium (I love dragons so... not a coincidence that I would love this character) AND the prison scenes were some of my favorite descriptions. I am so excited to see what happened to Lumi and her brother. The more -for lack of a better term- "horror" genre scenes in fantasy are my fave and seeing this villain come to life in the prologue and just all the more horror related scenes - like every time Bea had to deal with the Shadow Reaper- I was so hooked.
I am in love with books that are more character focus than storyline/arc focus. Like I care way more to get to know the characters than not. I feel Beeler is really good at showing off the personalities of each of her characters. I just wish there wasn't so much POV switching at the beginning because I did get slightly confused at some parts. I was also sad that we left a certain character who didn't show back up until the end.... but that's just cause I liked this character.
(TBH I don't think there was a single character in this that didn't come to life in their own way, and I love that).
I don't want to blame the writing, more so having attention issues, but I do need to confess that some parts were a little slower than others. Some were a nice breath of air before the storm, and some potentially just scene dragging on. Again, I don't want to say anything bad because I genuinely am not sure if I just had a lack of attention episode.. my brain does that sometimes.
Overall though, my rating would be 7/8 out of 10. The descriptions painted vivid landscapes and the characters were extraordinarily fun to get to know. I do feel the ending lacked a little and could be a little more climatic but I believe that's mainly due to the fact that this is for sure the 1st book in a series to learn more of Reagan's and Beatrice's story. Or at least I hope so, cause I truly am excited to read more.
Some more comments that don't fit in above, and I think contain spoilers-ish:
** I LOVED Lumi so much and Millenium (I love dragons so... not a coincidence that I would love this character) AND the prison scenes were some of my favorite descriptions. I am so excited to see what happened to Lumi and her brother. The more -for lack of a better term- "horror" genre scenes in fantasy are my fave and seeing this villain come to life in the prologue and just all the more horror related scenes - like every time Bea had to deal with the Shadow Reaper- I was so hooked.
August 13, 2021
I think Sacred might be the next Harry Potter or Narnia.
The world building is amazing, and in such a short duration of time too! Even better, the author didn’t spend pages and pages info-dropping. Rather, she seamlessly blended Eslura’s world building with the story itself. This is something I find is rarely done well in fantasy novels, but MC Beeler did an amazing job at it.
I already love Beatrice as a main character, and I can’t wait to further follow her journey. I really liked Reagan, too. And Barnaby. And Alistair. And pretty much everyone🤣 I also loved Mauz; I mean, a winged toad as a sidekick??? I loved him.
The world of Eslura - and all it’s species, kingdoms, and the plethora of talking animals - already feels so real to me. The story ended in a way that perfectly sets the stage for the next book in the series, and I cannot wait for it.
The world building is amazing, and in such a short duration of time too! Even better, the author didn’t spend pages and pages info-dropping. Rather, she seamlessly blended Eslura’s world building with the story itself. This is something I find is rarely done well in fantasy novels, but MC Beeler did an amazing job at it.
I already love Beatrice as a main character, and I can’t wait to further follow her journey. I really liked Reagan, too. And Barnaby. And Alistair. And pretty much everyone🤣 I also loved Mauz; I mean, a winged toad as a sidekick??? I loved him.
The world of Eslura - and all it’s species, kingdoms, and the plethora of talking animals - already feels so real to me. The story ended in a way that perfectly sets the stage for the next book in the series, and I cannot wait for it.
December 31, 2021
I've thoroughly enjoyed reading Sacred book one: Eslura's Calling this week. It's a refreshingly fun fantasy adventure and introduction to this world. Eslura's Calling is a wonderful debut novel, and I'm so excited for the upcoming tie in, How Shadows Lie, as well as future sequels.
Something I loved about Eslura's Calling was that it wasn't blatantly pretentious as so much of fantasy tends to be.l these days. And although it was YA, the young protagonists were important for various reasons, I appreciate that they weren't instantly able to beat the villain and save the world as is so common in YA fantasy.
I loved that Beeler's world was unique - so many fantasy worlds take after Tolkien and just feel like medieval England, but I never felt that way about Eslura. As others have said, it was reminiscent of Narnia (because of the wonderful cast of anthropomorphic animals) but she kept it from becoming a Narnia clone, creating her own unique creatures and and beings. Some of the animal characters were my very favorites. I loved following along the characters' journey on the beautiful map in the front of the book.
I like books with a large cast of characters, and the ones in this book are all fun. I'm excited to see how they develop and grow in the next book. I can see Reagen becoming a BA lady with her dagger. Some of my favorite characters were the fun side characters, and Mauz steals every scene he's in despite just being a frog.
The epilogue made me very excited for book two - It was very suspenseful, and I hope book two carries that darker tone over.
Book One introduces a theme that I hope hope hope is explored more in book two - the remaining Olphins are blamed for something they didn't do, so there is prejudice against them from everyone in Eslura. That's a real world problem important to me, so I hope the world of Eslura explores it more.
I enjoy crossovers and tie-ins, so it was fun reading the short story first and getting some cameo type moments.
Can't wait for book two!!
I rate this 5/5 Mauzes. 🐸🐸🐸🐸🐸
Something I loved about Eslura's Calling was that it wasn't blatantly pretentious as so much of fantasy tends to be.l these days. And although it was YA, the young protagonists were important for various reasons, I appreciate that they weren't instantly able to beat the villain and save the world as is so common in YA fantasy.
I loved that Beeler's world was unique - so many fantasy worlds take after Tolkien and just feel like medieval England, but I never felt that way about Eslura. As others have said, it was reminiscent of Narnia (because of the wonderful cast of anthropomorphic animals) but she kept it from becoming a Narnia clone, creating her own unique creatures and and beings. Some of the animal characters were my very favorites. I loved following along the characters' journey on the beautiful map in the front of the book.
I like books with a large cast of characters, and the ones in this book are all fun. I'm excited to see how they develop and grow in the next book. I can see Reagen becoming a BA lady with her dagger. Some of my favorite characters were the fun side characters, and Mauz steals every scene he's in despite just being a frog.
The epilogue made me very excited for book two - It was very suspenseful, and I hope book two carries that darker tone over.
Book One introduces a theme that I hope hope hope is explored more in book two - the remaining Olphins are blamed for something they didn't do, so there is prejudice against them from everyone in Eslura. That's a real world problem important to me, so I hope the world of Eslura explores it more.
I enjoy crossovers and tie-ins, so it was fun reading the short story first and getting some cameo type moments.
Can't wait for book two!!
I rate this 5/5 Mauzes. 🐸🐸🐸🐸🐸
July 2, 2021
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This is such a fantastic read, a perfect introduction to fantasy for younger/new readers. Along the lines of classics like Narnia and Alice in Wonderland, and (relatively) newer reads like the Spiderwick Chronicles and Septimus Heap series, this is an incredible adventure with a truely impressive cast of characters.
Each character has their own voice and seeing the world through their eyes is a great way to really learn about it and its history without the giant info-dump that a lot of complex fantasy books have.
Eslura itself is a beautiful and diverse world of fantastic creatures. I loved the descriptions of the environments the characters travelled through and of the people/creatures they met. I was often reminded of the creatures from Alice in Wonderland and the whimsical nature really helped to keep this book light enough for younger/new readers.
The only drawback I had from giving this a perfect 5/5 was that there were times when the POV would change and I wasn't ready for it. When events are happening for one character/group and seemingly in the middle of them the chapter ends and we are taken to the other side of the realm, I got frustrated because I wanted to know what happened next for the first group but by the time the POV switched back to them, the situation they had been in is resolved and you don't really get any details about how. For a lot of readers this wouldn't be an issue, but for me personally, as someone who typically reads more adult fantasy, I prefer to get the whole story worth of details.
That said this book is still fantastic and I definitely plan to get a physical copy for my little sister as a birthday gift.
This is such a fantastic read, a perfect introduction to fantasy for younger/new readers. Along the lines of classics like Narnia and Alice in Wonderland, and (relatively) newer reads like the Spiderwick Chronicles and Septimus Heap series, this is an incredible adventure with a truely impressive cast of characters.
Each character has their own voice and seeing the world through their eyes is a great way to really learn about it and its history without the giant info-dump that a lot of complex fantasy books have.
Eslura itself is a beautiful and diverse world of fantastic creatures. I loved the descriptions of the environments the characters travelled through and of the people/creatures they met. I was often reminded of the creatures from Alice in Wonderland and the whimsical nature really helped to keep this book light enough for younger/new readers.
The only drawback I had from giving this a perfect 5/5 was that there were times when the POV would change and I wasn't ready for it. When events are happening for one character/group and seemingly in the middle of them the chapter ends and we are taken to the other side of the realm, I got frustrated because I wanted to know what happened next for the first group but by the time the POV switched back to them, the situation they had been in is resolved and you don't really get any details about how. For a lot of readers this wouldn't be an issue, but for me personally, as someone who typically reads more adult fantasy, I prefer to get the whole story worth of details.
That said this book is still fantastic and I definitely plan to get a physical copy for my little sister as a birthday gift.
September 22, 2021
Oh what a wonderful and imaginative story! Sacred by M. C. Beeler is a YA fantasy filled with twists, turns, adventure and magic. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story that managed to capture my attention from the very first page.
Years ago Beatrice’s mother disappeared so now she lives with her foster parents, who are sending her away on summer camp. Beatrice doesn’t know what to expect. But this isn’t the only thing on Beatrice’s mind because she keeps seeing the same strange symbol everywhere. On her first day at the summer camp, some mean girls bully Beatrice so she runs out into the woods. The camp counselor, Reagan runs after her and as she is about to save Beatrice, they are both sucked into the magical world, Eslura.
The storyline was unique and reminded me of Alice in Wonderland which I loved. Everything about the beginning was just amazing and I just had to know what happened next. The world of Elsura is filled with all of these intriguing and strange creatures, but I have to say that my all time favorite characters was Barnaby and Mauz. They were just so sweet!
I loved the storyline, but I had mixed feelings about the multiple POVs. It was interesting to hear the different POVs and stories, but it did get a bit confusing at times as the switch between the POVs made it more difficult to fully grasp the plot and world.
This was a great, light and comforting read that was mostly easy to follow. I think it’s a great book if you want something light to read in between heavier stories.
Thank you to the author for sending me a free copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
Years ago Beatrice’s mother disappeared so now she lives with her foster parents, who are sending her away on summer camp. Beatrice doesn’t know what to expect. But this isn’t the only thing on Beatrice’s mind because she keeps seeing the same strange symbol everywhere. On her first day at the summer camp, some mean girls bully Beatrice so she runs out into the woods. The camp counselor, Reagan runs after her and as she is about to save Beatrice, they are both sucked into the magical world, Eslura.
The storyline was unique and reminded me of Alice in Wonderland which I loved. Everything about the beginning was just amazing and I just had to know what happened next. The world of Elsura is filled with all of these intriguing and strange creatures, but I have to say that my all time favorite characters was Barnaby and Mauz. They were just so sweet!
I loved the storyline, but I had mixed feelings about the multiple POVs. It was interesting to hear the different POVs and stories, but it did get a bit confusing at times as the switch between the POVs made it more difficult to fully grasp the plot and world.
This was a great, light and comforting read that was mostly easy to follow. I think it’s a great book if you want something light to read in between heavier stories.
Thank you to the author for sending me a free copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
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