It is difficult to say when the Immersion happened. There is little doubt as to where it began. It was in a village. Despite an impoverished life, the village held a community. A community that was rich in the love of life and each other. People that worked together to ensure that all were fed and taken care of. Some would say these conditions are the essence of an Immersion.
Mik and his friends are at that age when the future looks infinite in all its possibilities. Life in The Village has never seemed so good. This year they attend the county fair as adults. But there is a world outside that cares little for the country people and their yearly celebrations of life together. A world where monster's prey on innocents. A world of evil. In the aftermath of the destruction of their world, ten refugees struggle to stay alive. But the Immersion has happened, and they have a greater role yet to play.
Immersion was an amazing surprise for me. I just happen to stumble upon it while searching. It is a mix of H.P and LOTR. If you like / love those books you will LOVE Immersion. I can't wait until the next book comes out. I'll be watching out for this new author L.R. Maley.
One of the Best fantasy books I have read in a very long time. I loved that the battles and fighting were not drawn out with every gory detail. I really liked that you could feel the love between the characters in there quests, like Frodo and Sam, Merry and Pippin from Lords of the Ring.
A fantastic fantasy novel set in a world long ago. Mik and his friends are in a race against time to defeat the evil that has plagued their world. You will be on the edge of your seat reading this novel.
The book was very entertaining from start to finish. This was one of the greatest fantasy novels that have come out in a while. Looking forward for the continuation of the book.
The cover and title of this book really intrigued me, and when I started reading it, I was blown away by the amazing story. This book is a YA fantasy novel that follows a group of friends from a village. They are excited to reach Windbeck County with their village folks, where an annual fair is organized. Mik is the protagonist of the story. He is excited to dance with Nareed at the annual fair. Little did he know, the night of the dance would change everything!
The original and refreshing story filled with action, adventure and a lot of twists and turns is the best thing about this book. The author takes it slow during the initial pages, giving the reader enough time to understand this ancient fantasy world and getting familiar with the characters. Things keep getting more and more interesting and intense as we keep turning pages. The book is an exciting and enjoyable read. It is a great fantasy book, which I thoroughly enjoyed reading.
Immersion was a great start to what promises to be an exciting new series. L. R. Maley does a phenomenal job weaving together the many elements of this part adventure, part fantasy story. When you feel totally immersed in a tale, you know the author is a gifted story teller. I felt part of the action from the first page to the last. Facing enemies, both of this world and beyond, the 6 young manaars must learn to channel their increasing powers if they hope to complete their quest and save what’s left of their home. I’m hooked and can’t wait to read the next book in The Chronicles of the Manaar.
The characters were well developed and likable. I felt wholly invested in the main characters and the events that were shaping their lives. The story waa interesting, original and captivating. I can't wait to see where their adventures take them next. I hope we will read many more books from this new author.
Genre.. Sword & Sorcery Fantasy 5🗡🗡🗡🗡🗡 Beautifully written, a story of great imagination. Superb world building and amazing characters. I loved the band of friends and their adventure. It's mysterious and magical. "They are coming!" were words that projected and enhanced the terror. What "they" were was at the heart of the hysteria. ‘'They'’ were evil incarnate.
Lucky to have found this new book by chance. The story and character development was both refreshing and captivating. Looking forward to the next “Chronicle of Manaar”!! This author truly has the gift of storytelling. 😉
I read this in 2 days and loved every aspect of this book! I was told to expect a slow start as character building is really emphasized in the first few chapters and then the pace would pick up from there. For me personally, I really enjoyed the pace of the book and don't feel it was slow/dragging at any point nor did it get crazy/overwhelming. It was very well paced and balanced (something I appreciate greatly)! This is a clean book, 0 spice, but maybe some more detailed grisly/tragic scenes - I agree with the recommended age of 14-18 personally
From the beginning, Maley wove together a beautiful, close-knit village of hardworking parents/children/friends who loved and supported each other. Fond friendships, sweet budding romances, and it was easy to relate to so much already. These people are generous, kind, funny, and the epitome of good and you are sucked into their world of simplicity and innocence easily!
At this point you have a great layout of the world as they know it, the main characters, and a good idea of what to expect from the main characters; as in what kind of people they are and what kind of path they are likely to lead! However, when their village is attacked and they are torn from everything they know and love, their resilience, bravery, wisdom/growth and strong connections to each other will amaze you! On the run and forced to deal with enemies they'd never expect, they learn that some of them are gifted with magic (the lore of the immersed and the magical system in this world is easy to follow, yet original) and now will need to know what to do, where to go and who to trust on top of everything else. New friendships are formed and the safety of the survivors and themselves is key, but revenge is sweet and surely needed after all they've been though.
Maley doesn't forget to keep the core of the main characters strong and consistent throughout, he doesn't leave out the small details that make you feel for and with the main characters! This is set in a time where there are lords and ladies, knights and Kings men's, Bards and militant ranking. If you're not familiar with what a bard is, then simply put - a professional story teller - in this case, someone who traveled the lands and shared tales and stories of all that was going on and to spread news or etc.. With Maley's narration style, I felt like I was there at the bards feet listening to a fantastical story!
This is book one of two, and I will be diving into the next book as soon as I can!
Immersion: The Chronicles of the Manaar by LR Maley, is an extremely emotionally dense book of high fantasy that delivers a wallop of a story to the reader. It is a book that takes you by the hand, and then also forces you to stop, and then DEMANDS your attention, no matter how long it takes, to integrate the message it is trying to convey. Immersion is above all else, trying to impart the lesson of how sometimes people are thrust into the most unlikely of circumstances, and these circumstances impart the experiences that are able to lead to the unexpected growth of those that have humble beginnings, to ones that demand respect in who they are, and what they are able to accomplish.
I admit that this book was a much slower read for me than is normal. However, because of the merit of the book from the opening paragraphs, I was determined to see this book through, no matter how challenging the emotional content was. Because I was constantly challenged by this book by how much world building he had with regards to how idyllic the main character's life with his parents was, and how much the 11 other main characters go through with their escape from calamity, to saving hordes of people further in the book.... the author does a really good job of depicting their emotional plight every step of the way, that isn't sugarcoated like a lot of modern fantasy is. It is much closer to Tolkien's Silmarillion and Lord of the Rings, in regards to the emotional scope of the survivors of the incident that happens in the first part of the book, as opposed to more modern "romantasy" tropes that are more common and popular right now. If you're wanting a spicy romantic fantasy, this book is not for you. If you want emotional content that goes beyond most modern fantasy novels, and approaches high fantasy in scope and content, then Chronicles of the Manaar is the series for you! Even though it took me longer to read than is normal for me, I appreciated the story, and felt deeply for all of the characters. I look forward to reading more of his work!
Immersion is a captivating tale filled with friendship, family love, fantasy, and adventure. Mik is a sixteen-year-old boy, the son of a goat herder in "The Village". He is going along with other kids and fellow village folks to take part in the annual county fair. Mik is excited for the dance event as this is the first time he will be able to participate in it and he will be dancing with his friend (and maybe more) Reed.
When joined by a bard named Gris, Mik becomes intrigued about the past of their land and asks many questions, he wants to now if magic is real and did wizards exist? Are all these just stories or there is a world where monsters still exist?
The book is very captivating and gripping to read. The story is very interesting and the world building is great. The writing style is simple and beautiful and it also makes it very easy to keep reading the book. The story is well paced and very enjoyable.
There are many likeable characters in the book and the author has done a great job with characterization. The world that the author has created in this book is very well developed and doesn't feel fictional as the author has developed it intricately. Overall, it's a great book with a unique and interesting story. I am excited for the sequel.
This book was fantastic! I am a heavy fantasy reader so I am no stranger to the genre but this was a very cool journey into a world with a unique magic system. The world building was rich and detailed. I felt like I could easily see what the characters were seeing as the story progressed, as though I were part of it myself. I also really liked the magic system. These characters learn more about it as things happen and I loved that approach. It was cool to feel it unfold as the story did.
The character development was also great and I loved seeing how each one of them found their place among the group while everything unfolded. Each character brought something to the story that helped to keep me invested. This book is focused around a group of people, but I was able to keep them all straight as no two characters felt the same. They were all fleshed out and unique individuals.
I listened to this as an audiobook and that too, was excellent. The narrator did a great job bringing the story and the characters to life. The pacing for the story is nice, not too fast or too slow- something that I feel is notoriously a challenge in fantasy writing. My only regret now is that I don’t have book 2 ready to start immediately!
Immersion : The Chronicles of the Mannar is a wonderful YA fantasy novel by L. R. Maley. The Village people are going to Windbeck County to attend an annual fair. Mik and his friends are excited to attend the fair as they will be able to participate in dancing for the first time.
On their way to Windbeck County, a bard named Gris joined them. The young adults were excited to find the truth about the oonim's attack. Do they still exist? But Gris was clever and told them other stories.
On reaching the fair, they noticed something different. There were people from outside the king's country. What were they doing there? What were they planning?
If you like slow-paced storytelling with subtle world building, this book will be a great reading choice. If you like books that have a found family trope, this book will be a great read as it portrays friendship and community life beautifully and realistically.
The book is an interesting and gripping read. The book belongs to the YA fantasy genre, but it also has elements of mystery and suspense. Many unanswered questions make you keep turning pages. Overall, it's a wonderful book. The title and cover are beautiful and apt.
Immersion : The Chronicles of the Manaar is a young adult fantasy novel penned by the author, L. R. Maley. It revolves around a group of friends from a small and insignificant village, who live a simple life like other people from the village. Mik, son of a goat herder, is the protagonist of the story. We follow Mik as he asks Reed for a dance at the annual fair of Windbeck County and receives an affirmative response.
When the group of friends reaches the fair, they notice something strange. There are many people at the fair who are not performers and even don't belong to the king's land. Why are these people here? What are they planning?
The author has built a gripping world in this fantasy fiction and he reveals layers of it for the readers gradually. Besides the world building, the engaging story with many twists and turns and well developed characters makes this book a great read. The book is a nice fantasy fiction and it is a great pick for readers of all age groups. The author's excellent writing makes visualizing scenes very easy and the book runs like a movie in reader's mind. It is a great read that people shouldn't miss.
Mik and his friends are excited to go to Windbeck County for the annual fair. This time it's going to be special as they will be able to participate in the dance event as adults. Mik is elated and is looking forward to dancing with Reed. The future looked happy and full of hope, but little did they know that soon those parts of this world would be uncovered before them which were ugly and evil and had been hitherto hidden.
In this book, "Immersion : the Chronicles of the Mannar", the author has weaved an interesting story with simple yet captivating narration and a host of interesting, likeable, and memorable characters. The many twists and turns and unpredictable storyline make this book worth reading. The book has not only exciting elements of thrill, mystery, and suspense as a fantasy novel, but it also has drama and emotions and presents beautiful bonds.
The cover and the title are apt. The book is a great start to the series, and anyone who reads it will definitely be interested in the sequel, which I am also excited about.
The prologue of this book was so great that I could easily foresee what a great read this book would be. The prologue talked about immersion and how the village, with its community life, was a perfect place for the immersion to begin. Then, we get introduced to the protagonist, Mik, who is a teenager, and his friends, who are going to attend the annual fair along with their parents and other village people. We hear about the attack that is supposedly caused by an oonim. We learn about mana and people who could wield it in the past, but do manaars really don't exist now? Read the book to find out!
This book was an enthralling read for me. I devoured it in no time and kept thinking about it long after finishing it. It is one of the best books I have read this year. I am not someone who only reads fantasy or reads fantasy a lot, but this book was just a perfect read for me. I liked everything about it, from the story to the characters and the ending. It is an amazing book, and if you love reading books, you should definitely check it out.
I was very intrigued by the blurb of this book, which talked about an Immersion. I wanted to know what it was. How did it occur? and the prologue made me even more curious. The author is a master storyteller. The magical world in this book is based on mana, and Manaar are people that can harness and manipulate mana. However, no true manaar are left east of the Choke Breath Canyon. Creatures like oonims and threats like them, of pure evil, are considered a thing of the past, but is it?
This book is definitely one of the best YA fantasies I have read this year. It was an easy and enjoyable read and I devoured it as soon as I could. It was very exciting as the threats were introduced and Mik discovered his powers. All the characters were used nicely in the story and none of the character was one dimensional. The book is very gripping, exciting and thrilling and also sometimes emotional. I can't wait for the sequel.
Immersed in the enchanting world crafted by L. R. Maley, I found myself captivated from the very start. The intricate characters, particularly the children and the fair, were expertly portrayed, each with a distinct essence. The narrative took an exhilarating turn post-fair, unleashing a cascade of events that held my attention effortlessly. The journey with these empowered teenagers, drawn into battles against witches and wars, blurred the line between youth and adulthood. Maley's adept world-building pulling me into the story from the fair to the climactic end of the war. The possibility of a continuation adds an exciting layer to the narrative. Tailored for young adults, the author skillfully maintains a vibe befitting the age group. The narration, a true highlight, delivered a flawless performance, dispelling any concerns of monotony or sluggish pacing. L. R. Marley's narrator truly elevated the experience, making it nothing short of extraordinary.
What a wonderful and splendid book this was! Immersion : The Chronicles of Manaar is a young adult fantasy book written by the author L. R. Maley. Mik, a goat herder's son, is looking forward to the dance event at the Windbeck County annual fair. He will be able to dance with Nareed, and he couldn't be happier. However, things take an adverse turn when they are attacked at the fair! Who are these attackers? Is the lore and history of magic wielders merely myths and relics of the past?
The cover is stunning and so is the story of this book. The storytelling is great, I could easily visualize some of the scenes in my mind's eye. I really liked the friendship in this book. There were no dull moments while reading this book and reading it was an exciting journey. The author has developed the characters well, and the story is splendid. I am looking forward to the next book in this series.
This book, with its splendid, gorgeous cover, has an amazing storyline. It is a story of five friends who are on their own after an invasion or attack at the annual fair of Windbeck county. Immersion : The Chronicles of the Manaar is an adventure fantasy book that will keep you on the edge of your seat throughout the entire reading time.
This book is a page turner and I liked how the author told the story, gradually introducing new characters and revealing the world with fantasy creatures like oonims, witches etc. The character development is well done and the characters are teenagers as this book is YA fantasy and they are all likeable and quite relatable.
The intensity and excitement increases as one keeps reading the book, which was something I really enjoyed. Apart from this, I liked the story as a whole and I think it is a great start of the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Immersion: The Chronicles of the Manaar is the first book that starts an amazing fantasy fiction series based on "mana" (force/magic system). This book is a YA fantasy based on a group of friends from the village. Mik is the protagonist of the book, and we follow him and his friends as they try to protect themselves and their village, their people, while many hidden realities of their world come to the fore.
The thing that I liked most about this book is how well the author used and blended the elements of magic and adventure with the warmth of friendship and community. Characters keep getting introduced as we move forward in the story and the main characters go through a power up/character development. I had no dull moments while reading this book. For me, it was a very captivating read, and I am excited for the next book in this series.
I very much enjoyed Immersion from beginning to end! I became thoroughly invested in the characters while enjoying the story and world building. L.R. Maley does a fanatastic job at creating rich scenes with interactions between characters that is very well done. I thought the plot twists were well done while the character were engaging and likeable. Immersion is a great story and has me very excited to begin reading the second book in the series "Redemption: The Chronicals of the Manaar". Highly recommended!
My biggest problem with this one was the pacing. Most of the book is really slow and it's hard to feel you care about the characters. Several of the characters (Tom, Parnell, Margrit, Alan, and Kel) didn't seem to have any real purpose in the book. Parnell/Margrit and Alan/Kel could easily have been combined. When the book does pick up it is quite good, I just wish the characters had more personality sooner. I would mainly reccomend this for younger YA readers except there was one instance of swearing in the book which seemed quite unnecessary.
This story is pure magic. It’s a beautiful journey full of love and fellowship. You can’t help but to fall in love with the characters and the story. I can’t say enough great things about it, I highly recommend to anyone who loves adventure, I patiently await the next book with great anticipation ♥️
I recently read this book called "Immersion : The Chronicles of the Manaar" by L.R. Maley, and may I say it was just fantastic! I wasn't expecting much, but this book turned out to be so amazing. Although it started out slowly, it soon became unputdownable for me. What I liked the most is definitely the story of this book. It is well-layered and interesting. I loved how it progressed.
Another thing that I really loved was the character development, especially that of Mik. The book had many well-written characters, and I enjoyed reading about them and seeing their journey in this book. It is a really good young adult fantasy book, with magic and adventure, and it was a great read for me.