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The Ocean Road
When the magical WoodRock is stolen from the Land of Elyk, a Wizard must find six volunteers to go with him on a dangerous journey to the Land of Nodnarb in the hope of retrieving the stone before something evil can take over the world. Along the way these adventurers will face many obstacles, as well as their own mistrust of one another. On the Ocean Road, teens will be forced to become adults as they battle goblins, wicked trolls and the fiercest creature of them all - the Gothmur.
- GenresFantasy
136 pages, Paperback
First published October 18, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 13, 2019
The Ocean Road by Sonny Collins is fantasy story about saving the world from a great evil. A group of villagers and their local wizard set out to retrieve the mystical Woodrock from the monster Gothmur, who wants to rule the world. The Woodrock is apparently required to be in a specific location, otherwise the world will be destroyed.
The plot is extremely simplistic and cliché filled. We have the old wizard who is the only one who knows how to save the world. For some unexplained reason, the old wizard states that only a group of 6 people can save the world. Of course, they later change number, and the wizard also gives all the group members a free card to skip the quest shortly after they’ve started, because it is a dangerous quest. Why? I do not know, but it made no sense. Why they couldn't just bring an army to kill the monster and his hencemen is never explained, but it seemed by far to be the logical choice.
We have the main character who doesn’t want to go on a trip to save the world, but does it anyway just because. We have the monologue spouting enemy, who is evil just because he is evil. The standard ‘i like this girl but can’t get her but I get her anyway’ romance. Characters who says one thing, but does the opposite. And of course standard fantasy tropes all over the place in general.
I found the writing in general to be very mediocre. Characters were one dimensional and often had no believable sentiment behind their actions. And when you main character says “I have to stop here in order to tell you some information”, then you are breaking the fourth wall and it screams amateur writing. Especially when it happens multiple times! Most descriptions are show, and not tell, so the tale just doesn’t come across as very captivating.
I listened to the audiobook which was narrated by Andrew McDermott. I assume the choice of narrator was deliberate, as he has a very strong irish (?) accent. Unfortunately, he was very hard to understand for someone not british, and on top of that he was extremely monotone and flat to listen to. The sound quality was good, but to me it was one of the worst narrators I’ve come across.
Overall I really have a hard time recommending this. If it was targeted at children, it might be acceptable, but as an adult oriented book, no. Just no.
I received this audiobook for free, in return for a review.
The plot is extremely simplistic and cliché filled. We have the old wizard who is the only one who knows how to save the world. For some unexplained reason, the old wizard states that only a group of 6 people can save the world. Of course, they later change number, and the wizard also gives all the group members a free card to skip the quest shortly after they’ve started, because it is a dangerous quest. Why? I do not know, but it made no sense. Why they couldn't just bring an army to kill the monster and his hencemen is never explained, but it seemed by far to be the logical choice.
We have the main character who doesn’t want to go on a trip to save the world, but does it anyway just because. We have the monologue spouting enemy, who is evil just because he is evil. The standard ‘i like this girl but can’t get her but I get her anyway’ romance. Characters who says one thing, but does the opposite. And of course standard fantasy tropes all over the place in general.
I found the writing in general to be very mediocre. Characters were one dimensional and often had no believable sentiment behind their actions. And when you main character says “I have to stop here in order to tell you some information”, then you are breaking the fourth wall and it screams amateur writing. Especially when it happens multiple times! Most descriptions are show, and not tell, so the tale just doesn’t come across as very captivating.
I listened to the audiobook which was narrated by Andrew McDermott. I assume the choice of narrator was deliberate, as he has a very strong irish (?) accent. Unfortunately, he was very hard to understand for someone not british, and on top of that he was extremely monotone and flat to listen to. The sound quality was good, but to me it was one of the worst narrators I’ve come across.
Overall I really have a hard time recommending this. If it was targeted at children, it might be acceptable, but as an adult oriented book, no. Just no.
I received this audiobook for free, in return for a review.
June 19, 2019
I received a copy of this audiobook for free in exchange for my unbiased review.
Ever wonder how an abridged Lord of the Rings or Name of the Wind would read? Something like this book. The author's biography at the end of the book stated that he thinks of himself as more of a storyteller than a writer, and I can see how that applies to this book. It's an interesting fantasy story on a grand scale condensed down so that there's no emotional resonance or nuance. The author shows instead of tells and that robs the reader of any sense of discovery. There is no nuance to the characters, leaving them flat characters more at home in a fairytale.
Andrew McDermott's narration saved this for me. He does a pretty good job considering the state of his raw material. I'd listen to more books narrated by McDermott just to hear his dulcet Irish tones.
Ever wonder how an abridged Lord of the Rings or Name of the Wind would read? Something like this book. The author's biography at the end of the book stated that he thinks of himself as more of a storyteller than a writer, and I can see how that applies to this book. It's an interesting fantasy story on a grand scale condensed down so that there's no emotional resonance or nuance. The author shows instead of tells and that robs the reader of any sense of discovery. There is no nuance to the characters, leaving them flat characters more at home in a fairytale.
Andrew McDermott's narration saved this for me. He does a pretty good job considering the state of his raw material. I'd listen to more books narrated by McDermott just to hear his dulcet Irish tones.
August 24, 2019
The Ocean Road by Sonny Collins is a fantasy story about six volunteers who go on a dangerous journey in the hope of retrieving the magical WoodRock that was stolen to save the world from evil that I listened to on audio narrated by Andrew McDermott. Andrew did an amazing job narrating. I really enjoyed his accent and the voices he used for the multiple characters. This book is outside my usual reading genre but I received a free copy for an honest review. I really enjoyed the story. I look forward to reading future work done by Sonny.
June 30, 2019
Sonny Collins’ The Ocean Road is a relatively light tale filled with all the hallmarks of a good fantasy story: monsters, heroes, princesses, villains, and, of course, a glowing mythical stone that holds the key to saving the world. Collins’ work is very accessible, geared toward young adults, and could inspire readers of all ages to enjoy letting their mind untether from reality and float in the ether of fantasy for a while.
Yet aspects of The Ocean Road, chief among them pacing and theming, left me both smiling and frowning. While it is clear some themes/characters arcs are ubiquitous within fantasy storytelling, I fell asleep to the dulcet tones of a hero, a warrior, a cook (turned bride), and the fallen outsider. (This also ignores the Wizard too, who seems to be a clone of famous fantasy wizards like Gandalf). Now, as this is not my first rodeo with fantasy and I can respect the nature of the genre, I was disappointed by the lack of development surrounding a good number of the characters and would have liked to see more, particularly for Rose and the main villain. With more development, I would have understood the underlying motivations for some actions within the work. Further, the main character Ecart seemed to be an exact clone of Bobby Pendragon from the Pendragon series. Ecart’s narration was well-written (and I did enjoy it overall), yet more world-building outside of the generous number of asides would have been appreciated.
This is not to ignore the fact that the journey down the Ocean Road filled me with a sense of wonder, fulfilment, and interest for more (especially a sequel!). I remembered what makes fantasy novels great: the travels along the way. And Collins does this well. If you’re reading this please don’t misconstrue my review; I did enjoy the book. I felt as though more plot and character development would send it into the upper echelon or, as it were, get it over the 2nd bridge.
Writing: 6.5/10. The work was accessible and writing was clear, if not derivative at points.
Characters: 6/10. The characters were believable, but more development wanted.
Plot: 6.5/10. Straightforward, but could use some more development.
Setting: 6/10. I like the world and want to hear more about it, but could definitely use more.
Overall: 6.25/10. Congrats on a good three-star review. Good job, Sonny Collins!
I received an advanced copy of this book for a fair and honest review
Yet aspects of The Ocean Road, chief among them pacing and theming, left me both smiling and frowning. While it is clear some themes/characters arcs are ubiquitous within fantasy storytelling, I fell asleep to the dulcet tones of a hero, a warrior, a cook (turned bride), and the fallen outsider. (This also ignores the Wizard too, who seems to be a clone of famous fantasy wizards like Gandalf). Now, as this is not my first rodeo with fantasy and I can respect the nature of the genre, I was disappointed by the lack of development surrounding a good number of the characters and would have liked to see more, particularly for Rose and the main villain. With more development, I would have understood the underlying motivations for some actions within the work. Further, the main character Ecart seemed to be an exact clone of Bobby Pendragon from the Pendragon series. Ecart’s narration was well-written (and I did enjoy it overall), yet more world-building outside of the generous number of asides would have been appreciated.
This is not to ignore the fact that the journey down the Ocean Road filled me with a sense of wonder, fulfilment, and interest for more (especially a sequel!). I remembered what makes fantasy novels great: the travels along the way. And Collins does this well. If you’re reading this please don’t misconstrue my review; I did enjoy the book. I felt as though more plot and character development would send it into the upper echelon or, as it were, get it over the 2nd bridge.
Writing: 6.5/10. The work was accessible and writing was clear, if not derivative at points.
Characters: 6/10. The characters were believable, but more development wanted.
Plot: 6.5/10. Straightforward, but could use some more development.
Setting: 6/10. I like the world and want to hear more about it, but could definitely use more.
Overall: 6.25/10. Congrats on a good three-star review. Good job, Sonny Collins!
I received an advanced copy of this book for a fair and honest review
August 22, 2019
I am always in awe of an author who can create different types of characters. Sonny Collins did that. The villain and the elwyn were particularly unique. And I appreciated the narrator giving additional details as needed when the story was beginning. The world building was creative as well, although it could have benefitted from a stronger back story. I love jumping directly into the action when a story starts, but I need the back story eventually.
The story idea felt similar to one of my favorite books, The Two Princesses of Bamarre. And I always like the idea of a journey and characters who give of themselves sacrificially for their friends. It was a fun read. And I hope that as Sonny continues writing, his stories will stay interesting and develop more depth in the telling.
I received a free audiobook from the narrator and have reviewed it freely.
The story idea felt similar to one of my favorite books, The Two Princesses of Bamarre. And I always like the idea of a journey and characters who give of themselves sacrificially for their friends. It was a fun read. And I hope that as Sonny continues writing, his stories will stay interesting and develop more depth in the telling.
I received a free audiobook from the narrator and have reviewed it freely.
September 12, 2020
Love is the key
Buckle up as you set off on an adventure that keeps you flying high above the clouds! You will learn about the importance of friendship, sacrifice and trust. And that, above all else, love is the key to conquering evil! Loved every minute of it! Excellently written and superbly narrated!
Buckle up as you set off on an adventure that keeps you flying high above the clouds! You will learn about the importance of friendship, sacrifice and trust. And that, above all else, love is the key to conquering evil! Loved every minute of it! Excellently written and superbly narrated!
September 17, 2020
This was a traditional yet new story of a beast that steals from a village and a quest to get their property back.The band is rife with stereotypes and battling among themselves. Andrew McDermot is a good narrator. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.'
August 3, 2019
A magical quest packed with adventure and fun.
I was gifted with an Audible oopy and fully enjoyed this novella. The narrator's magical voice pulls you into the story and brings a smile to your face.
What a lovely way to spend an afternoon!
I was gifted with an Audible oopy and fully enjoyed this novella. The narrator's magical voice pulls you into the story and brings a smile to your face.
What a lovely way to spend an afternoon!
November 26, 2019
The Ocean Road, my first read/listen from author Sonny Collins. Well-written & enjoyable fantasy, I found it very enjoyable. Andrew McDermott’s narration made the 3-hour 30-minute tale pass quickly. I was given an Audible copy of this book & am voluntarily reviewing it. I definitely need to get more by this author. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews