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A Beggar's Apprentice
THE TRUTH IS IN THE TALE His father dead from wounds received in a calamitous battle, Sorley sets sail for rugged, lonely Innisiar, farthest west of all the isles, with little more than the shirt on his back. But Sorley bears a tale, one with deep roots in Innisiar, one he believes will help him cheat the cold finality of his father’s death and claim the magical rune their forefathers wielded. And with it, Sorley’s place in the world. Innisiar and its folk are not what Sorley expects, and he finds himself drawn to the most unlikely soul for the cunning, silver-tongued beggar, Liath. Yet nothing can stop Sorley’s tale from taking an abrupt turn to darkness, from casting him into a sea of perilous secrets. Among them are those of Innisiar’s folk, but most terrible are those of Sorley’s ancestors. All must be brought to light, for a malignant force threatens Innisiar, one Sorley alone can sense. In this epic fantasy featuring storytelling and magic, a young man embarks on an adventure to fight for his home, people, and purpose.
356 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 11, 2022
2 people are currently reading
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
December 16, 2022
Thanks to NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I found the book hard to rate. On one hand the prose, the style, the poetic touch to the writing was astonishing and I was amazed how beautiful the sentences sounded while reading the book.
I like how the author described the culture, the history and stories/songs/poems very expressively, gave life to, otherwise pretty simple, story.
I found the characters very believable, and layered. The main character was loveable and I admired his persistence.
The only problem was that, the story seemed a bit dull, not much happening. Or maybe it was just not my cup of tea or I had other expectations. I didn't feel like the story engaged me, so I can only give 3 stars to this book.
I still recommend the book to high fantasy, coming of age story fans!
I found the book hard to rate. On one hand the prose, the style, the poetic touch to the writing was astonishing and I was amazed how beautiful the sentences sounded while reading the book.
I like how the author described the culture, the history and stories/songs/poems very expressively, gave life to, otherwise pretty simple, story.
I found the characters very believable, and layered. The main character was loveable and I admired his persistence.
The only problem was that, the story seemed a bit dull, not much happening. Or maybe it was just not my cup of tea or I had other expectations. I didn't feel like the story engaged me, so I can only give 3 stars to this book.
I still recommend the book to high fantasy, coming of age story fans!
March 20, 2023
I saw the cover of A Beggars Apprentice and I have to be honest, it drew me with the swirling beautiful colours, a bit like a dream.
After reading this fantasy novel, the cover is well suited! It took a while for me to get into the flow of the 'story telling' side of this culture, but it lead me in and I slipped right into this world and raced through the rest of story.
I thoroughly enjoyed learning about the different isles with their history (a bit like Game of Thrones vibes), understanding how life may be on a restricted island and understanding the uncertainties of strangers and how to build trust.
I am also happy to learn that this is just book 1 in the Aftermath Series!
Thanks to Netgalley and BooksGoSocial for allowing me to read A Beggars Apprentice for free in return for an honest review.
After reading this fantasy novel, the cover is well suited! It took a while for me to get into the flow of the 'story telling' side of this culture, but it lead me in and I slipped right into this world and raced through the rest of story.
I thoroughly enjoyed learning about the different isles with their history (a bit like Game of Thrones vibes), understanding how life may be on a restricted island and understanding the uncertainties of strangers and how to build trust.
I am also happy to learn that this is just book 1 in the Aftermath Series!
Thanks to Netgalley and BooksGoSocial for allowing me to read A Beggars Apprentice for free in return for an honest review.
October 10, 2022
This book was a wonderful read for anyone who loves a magical coming-of-age tale set in a faraway land where secrets are ancient and many. Bain weaves a story of a sixteen-year-old's quest to find his place in his world. Losing his parents too soon, with a father who left him with more questions than answers, Sorley is on a quest to find the “truth in his tale”. With help from a very unlikely source, the town’s beggar, our young Sorley taps into his family's past, makes a few friends along the way, and unlocks a mystery no one could have expected.
February 21, 2023
A wonderfully written and unique take on fantasy!
It's great to finally find a fantasy novel which doesn't rely on chosen ones, kings and queens, or an all powerful dark lord. The magic here is also subtle and psychological. The story is slow burning, but when it grabs you it does so hard, and then never lets go to the end.
Others have mentioned the beauty of Bain's prose, but there is also some of the best verse I have read in a fantasy novel here, and it is used to stunning effect in certain scenes.
I can't wait to see where the story goes next.
It's great to finally find a fantasy novel which doesn't rely on chosen ones, kings and queens, or an all powerful dark lord. The magic here is also subtle and psychological. The story is slow burning, but when it grabs you it does so hard, and then never lets go to the end.
Others have mentioned the beauty of Bain's prose, but there is also some of the best verse I have read in a fantasy novel here, and it is used to stunning effect in certain scenes.
I can't wait to see where the story goes next.
November 17, 2022
"What secrets will Sorley find on his epic quest? You won't believe it until you read it in this book.
This fantasy was so good and kept my attention throughout the entire adventure. This story, at its core, is a tale of a young man trying to find out more about his father's death and, in turn, goes on an epic journey toward meeting his own fate and destiny. The fact that the author tells Sorley's story in first person brings an intimacy to the plot that really worked for me. Furthermore, I was drawn in with all the twists and turns. I felt for Sorley, and I felt like I was him as I read.
Moreover, the author does a masterful job of world-building--from the island that Sorley starts his journey on to where he must go to learn more about his father, himself, and the world. And the other-worldly things make sense, too. I was never lost (I mean, only when Sorley was, which was intentional :)).
There's so much tension, action, culminating to a satisfying ending and this reader's need for more books in this series. I cannot wait!!!!"
This fantasy was so good and kept my attention throughout the entire adventure. This story, at its core, is a tale of a young man trying to find out more about his father's death and, in turn, goes on an epic journey toward meeting his own fate and destiny. The fact that the author tells Sorley's story in first person brings an intimacy to the plot that really worked for me. Furthermore, I was drawn in with all the twists and turns. I felt for Sorley, and I felt like I was him as I read.
Moreover, the author does a masterful job of world-building--from the island that Sorley starts his journey on to where he must go to learn more about his father, himself, and the world. And the other-worldly things make sense, too. I was never lost (I mean, only when Sorley was, which was intentional :)).
There's so much tension, action, culminating to a satisfying ending and this reader's need for more books in this series. I cannot wait!!!!"
October 19, 2022
“The truth is in the tale; the tale’s in the telling.”
Robert Bain has an amazing way with words. This is a beautifully told coming-of-age story about Sorley. After the tragic death of his father, Sorley leaves to seek the magic he remembers hearing about when he was younger. While he discovers the truth and wonder behind his own tale, he discovers there’s a much darker magic at work.
Readers really discover the magic in the words themselves alongside Sorley because Bain has some of the most gorgeous phrases written throughout his book. He makes reading or listening to stories seem like the most important magic there is. As he says “…there’s a whole world in even the simplest spoken word”, and I absolutely believe it.
I loved the story, so many of the quotes, and the magic he gives storytelling. It’s such a good read, and I’m so excited for the rest of the series! If the first is this good, I can’t wait to see where the rest of it goes!
Robert Bain has an amazing way with words. This is a beautifully told coming-of-age story about Sorley. After the tragic death of his father, Sorley leaves to seek the magic he remembers hearing about when he was younger. While he discovers the truth and wonder behind his own tale, he discovers there’s a much darker magic at work.
Readers really discover the magic in the words themselves alongside Sorley because Bain has some of the most gorgeous phrases written throughout his book. He makes reading or listening to stories seem like the most important magic there is. As he says “…there’s a whole world in even the simplest spoken word”, and I absolutely believe it.
I loved the story, so many of the quotes, and the magic he gives storytelling. It’s such a good read, and I’m so excited for the rest of the series! If the first is this good, I can’t wait to see where the rest of it goes!
November 7, 2022
This novel was brilliant from start to finish. The world that Robert Bain has brought to life came across as very believable and I thought the characters in this novel were wonderfully drawn. The story itself was incredibly fast paced, and the action was non-stop.
If you enjoy quality fantasy this this book will be right up your street. I highly recommend this novel.
*I received a copy of this book from NetGalley for review consideration.
If you enjoy quality fantasy this this book will be right up your street. I highly recommend this novel.
*I received a copy of this book from NetGalley for review consideration.
November 17, 2022
I wasn't able to put this book down. Robert Bain has a way of making his characters truly engaging and relatable. I felt like I was on the journey with Sorley, a 16-year-old orphan who sets out on a quest to learn his family's truths after his father passes away. As he dives deeper into his ancestry and comes face to face with otherworldly forces, he finds an endearing mentor in Liath, the town beggar. This is the perfect tale for anyone who wants to be whisked away to an enchanting new world!
December 29, 2022
It’s beautifully written and I loved the world building, but I found the story quite dull. For me, the plot didn’t really get interesting until about 75% of the way through and it took me over a month to finish it. If I hadn’t have been given the arc through NetGalley to review, I probably would have DNFd it early on.
October 19, 2022
An absolutely stunning tale of epic proportions. Robert Bain has woven elements of classic high fantasy and modern literary style together in a seamless tapestry full of death-defying feats of wonder. Sorley as a character carries you through the plot magnificently in a way I haven’t experienced in a very long time. Furthermore, there is something about the way this book ends that leaves me feeling breathless, as though I have run through the text alongside our protagonist. I eagerly look forward to the next installment.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews