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The Noricin Chronicles #1
The Lost Boy
Dan Regal has always been alone, having been left on the steps of an orphanage when he was only a baby. He has never had any visitors, nor made any true friendships with the other children at the orphanage. Aside from this utter, inescapable aloneness, Dan Regal is an entirely normal, unremarkable young boy.
But all of that is about to change...
But all of that is about to change...
- GenresFantasyYoung Adult
238 pages, Paperback
First published January 10, 2011
About the author
Mark Sheldon
28 books131 followersMark Sheldon is the author of "The Noricin Chronicles" and "Sarah Killian: Serial Killer (For Hire!)." He has also published "Mores of the Maelstrom," a collection of short stories. Mr. Sheldon lives in Southern California with his wife, Betsy.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
January 20, 2011
In order to explain my view of this book, I want you to imagine this scene (I should note, this is a first reads win):
You are sitting down in a theater, not a movie theater mind you, a real theatre with a stage, orchestra pit and heavy red velvet curtains. Put yourself in one of the boxes if you wish. Now you don't know a lot about this play you are here to see but it is opening night and you are sure it will be good. You open your playbill and see a slip of paper fall out. Anyone who has seen a play knows what that paper means, someone is going to be playing the part of someone else in the play. You reach down to read the slip and another slip falls out of your program. You think this is rather odd since this is opening night. That is when you notice it... Another paper sticking out of your program. Curious, you open the program and find dozens of slips of paper. It seems like every actor must have a substitute tonight. You start to look through the slips
"The part of Harry will be played by Dan Regal"
Seems straightforward enough...
"The part of Ron will be played by Mike"
"The part of Hermoine will be played by Shelly"
You seem to think you have heard those names before...
"The part of Lucius will be played by Marcus"
"The part of Snape will be played by Ms Virgus"
"The part of Dumbledore will be played by Neval Loren"
"The part of Voldemort will be played by The Scorpion"
And an odd one...
"The part of magic will be played by psychic powers"
Seriously, unless you know of a different story where a young orphan boy has mysterious powers and goes off to school to learn how to use them. While he is there he somehow resists magic that should have killed him, he gets the local pure-blood bully on his bad side. Has dreams about an enemy that everyone else believes is dead, though he knows little or nothing about the person. Faces said enemy in a challenge during a school exercise and wins and winds up feeling good about having a family.
The story isn't bad, it is afterall a best seller, but it feels like it was lifted in chunks from the Harry Potter books. What does get left out is the character development. The book feels unpolished. I wouldn't mind reading more since even the few differences were interesting but I might just go and read the Harry Potter series instead.
One more thing that I did not appreciate was the inclusion of several swear words including the F word. For a book that looks like it is targeted at kids, the language is inappropriate.
You are sitting down in a theater, not a movie theater mind you, a real theatre with a stage, orchestra pit and heavy red velvet curtains. Put yourself in one of the boxes if you wish. Now you don't know a lot about this play you are here to see but it is opening night and you are sure it will be good. You open your playbill and see a slip of paper fall out. Anyone who has seen a play knows what that paper means, someone is going to be playing the part of someone else in the play. You reach down to read the slip and another slip falls out of your program. You think this is rather odd since this is opening night. That is when you notice it... Another paper sticking out of your program. Curious, you open the program and find dozens of slips of paper. It seems like every actor must have a substitute tonight. You start to look through the slips
"The part of Harry will be played by Dan Regal"
Seems straightforward enough...
"The part of Ron will be played by Mike"
"The part of Hermoine will be played by Shelly"
You seem to think you have heard those names before...
"The part of Lucius will be played by Marcus"
"The part of Snape will be played by Ms Virgus"
"The part of Dumbledore will be played by Neval Loren"
"The part of Voldemort will be played by The Scorpion"
And an odd one...
"The part of magic will be played by psychic powers"
Seriously, unless you know of a different story where a young orphan boy has mysterious powers and goes off to school to learn how to use them. While he is there he somehow resists magic that should have killed him, he gets the local pure-blood bully on his bad side. Has dreams about an enemy that everyone else believes is dead, though he knows little or nothing about the person. Faces said enemy in a challenge during a school exercise and wins and winds up feeling good about having a family.
The story isn't bad, it is afterall a best seller, but it feels like it was lifted in chunks from the Harry Potter books. What does get left out is the character development. The book feels unpolished. I wouldn't mind reading more since even the few differences were interesting but I might just go and read the Harry Potter series instead.
One more thing that I did not appreciate was the inclusion of several swear words including the F word. For a book that looks like it is targeted at kids, the language is inappropriate.
January 9, 2011
Although the book seems to be written in a simplistic style and is presented in a way which makes it seem to be more appealing to preteens and young adults, it is, according to the author, not even meant for young adults, since as the series progresses the books grow darker and darker. It is good to be forewarned so the appropriate target market can be reached. I am giving it four stars because it has great promise as a series and it was very creative and original. If you read the first one as kind of an introduction, you will have a different sense of appreciation for it.
Since this is the first book in a series of twelve, it basically sets the stage for the future, introducing the characters, creating the setting and preparing the reader for possible problems that might arise for the Norcinites and the Commen as they try to coexist peacefully. As you read, the book gets more and more exciting and draws you into the mysterious world of the New Race.
The opening scene takes place in an orphanage where Daniel Regal has lived for pretty much his entire life. He has no idea who is parents are and is essentially friendless and truly alone in the world. On his 12th birthday, he is attacked by the resident bully, Tommy, and his thoughts turn violent in his anger. He has no defenses against the bully and he thinks to himself how nice it would be if he could “just set Tommy on fire”. To his utter surprise, the bully is engulfed in a ball of flame.
This event leads to Dan’s discovery by the Norcinites (The New Race), a group of people with special powers. They believe he is one of them and wish to take him into their school, Snisnar, (founded by Steven Noricin) to train him to control these powers. There he will learn to move objects with his mind, create protective shields, control his own thoughts and read the minds of others. Since he has few options in the world, and would have to submit to frequent episodes of mind control if he refuses to enroll, he eventually decides to go. From here on in, his life is changed. He has friends (as well as enemies), he has a place to live that he enjoys, he has good meals and a comfortable bed, an interesting roommate and seems to feel happy for the first time in his life. He has a sense of belonging somewhere, finally. Soon, Dan, Mike and Shelley develop a friendship and become a triumvirate, a working team who care for each other.
At Snisnar, the school for the New Race, Nevar Loeren is the principal. While he is there, Dan begins to have nightmares and is attacked on several occasions by an unseen enemy. Apparently, at one time, there was a group of Norcinites who believed they were superior to the lesser race of Commen (the Old Race) and they wanted to eliminate the lesser race, including those Norcinites who married Commen and their children, and Margatheans who did not directly descend from Steven Noricin, believing that they were inferior. They were led by a man dubbed “The Scorpion”, who was thought to have been destroyed by Mr. Loeren. The book is about what could possibly be the resolution of that conflict or the foreshadowing of more to come.
I had some confusion with a few of the terms and the setting and I hope in the following books it will be more clearly developed. For instance, are we meant to believe that the book takes place in the present time, in the USA, without our being aware of it? How do the Norcinites keep track of all the children who come of age at 12, with powers, when there are so few of them? What is the difference between the Commen and the Comman? Do any Commen realize that the Norcinites are actively training others? Is there any angst in the Commen community, concerning them? A book that makes you question and think, is generally a good one.
On the other hand, I found the confusing name of the principal to be an enigma, that probably would have been appreciated by Steven Noricin. The name sounds very much like a play on words and I thought long and hard about whether it was a positive or negative play…Nevar Loeren=never learn…is that a good thing or a bad thing? Does it imply remaining childlike, hopeful? Does it imply their secret must never be learned?
The book was rather easy to read and in a book group or online discussion, it could lead to conversations on several controversial subjects: on dealing with differences in each other, how to deal with loneliness, being different yourself and how to respond appropriately to bullying and peer pressure at any age, how to respond to problems in peaceful ways rather than violent, vengeful ones, (a problem so prevalent today), and perhaps as a side effect, this book could help enhance our younger and older generation’s ability to respect the rights of others. It could be used as a tool to teach teamwork and to encourage hard work in order to achieve or accomplish a goal.
At the end of the book, I would have liked to have been baited a bit stronger to read the next one with some hint at what was coming down the pike at Daniel. As we read, we encounter some violence (not yet over the top), and an occasional use of foul language and sexual inference. The book is exciting as super powers are explored, secret passages are discovered and puzzling riddles are solved which the reader will enjoy, as well. However, I am conflicted a bit, because on some level, the kind of naïve presentation and sort of “innocence” of the theme, makes one feel it should be for younger readers. Make no mistake, the author says the main character may be twelve, but the reader should be a great deal older. I hope it is marketed properly so it reaches the right audience and can be enjoyed in the way it was meant to be and not lost in the shuffle of misunderstanding.
Since this is the first book in a series of twelve, it basically sets the stage for the future, introducing the characters, creating the setting and preparing the reader for possible problems that might arise for the Norcinites and the Commen as they try to coexist peacefully. As you read, the book gets more and more exciting and draws you into the mysterious world of the New Race.
The opening scene takes place in an orphanage where Daniel Regal has lived for pretty much his entire life. He has no idea who is parents are and is essentially friendless and truly alone in the world. On his 12th birthday, he is attacked by the resident bully, Tommy, and his thoughts turn violent in his anger. He has no defenses against the bully and he thinks to himself how nice it would be if he could “just set Tommy on fire”. To his utter surprise, the bully is engulfed in a ball of flame.
This event leads to Dan’s discovery by the Norcinites (The New Race), a group of people with special powers. They believe he is one of them and wish to take him into their school, Snisnar, (founded by Steven Noricin) to train him to control these powers. There he will learn to move objects with his mind, create protective shields, control his own thoughts and read the minds of others. Since he has few options in the world, and would have to submit to frequent episodes of mind control if he refuses to enroll, he eventually decides to go. From here on in, his life is changed. He has friends (as well as enemies), he has a place to live that he enjoys, he has good meals and a comfortable bed, an interesting roommate and seems to feel happy for the first time in his life. He has a sense of belonging somewhere, finally. Soon, Dan, Mike and Shelley develop a friendship and become a triumvirate, a working team who care for each other.
At Snisnar, the school for the New Race, Nevar Loeren is the principal. While he is there, Dan begins to have nightmares and is attacked on several occasions by an unseen enemy. Apparently, at one time, there was a group of Norcinites who believed they were superior to the lesser race of Commen (the Old Race) and they wanted to eliminate the lesser race, including those Norcinites who married Commen and their children, and Margatheans who did not directly descend from Steven Noricin, believing that they were inferior. They were led by a man dubbed “The Scorpion”, who was thought to have been destroyed by Mr. Loeren. The book is about what could possibly be the resolution of that conflict or the foreshadowing of more to come.
I had some confusion with a few of the terms and the setting and I hope in the following books it will be more clearly developed. For instance, are we meant to believe that the book takes place in the present time, in the USA, without our being aware of it? How do the Norcinites keep track of all the children who come of age at 12, with powers, when there are so few of them? What is the difference between the Commen and the Comman? Do any Commen realize that the Norcinites are actively training others? Is there any angst in the Commen community, concerning them? A book that makes you question and think, is generally a good one.
On the other hand, I found the confusing name of the principal to be an enigma, that probably would have been appreciated by Steven Noricin. The name sounds very much like a play on words and I thought long and hard about whether it was a positive or negative play…Nevar Loeren=never learn…is that a good thing or a bad thing? Does it imply remaining childlike, hopeful? Does it imply their secret must never be learned?
The book was rather easy to read and in a book group or online discussion, it could lead to conversations on several controversial subjects: on dealing with differences in each other, how to deal with loneliness, being different yourself and how to respond appropriately to bullying and peer pressure at any age, how to respond to problems in peaceful ways rather than violent, vengeful ones, (a problem so prevalent today), and perhaps as a side effect, this book could help enhance our younger and older generation’s ability to respect the rights of others. It could be used as a tool to teach teamwork and to encourage hard work in order to achieve or accomplish a goal.
At the end of the book, I would have liked to have been baited a bit stronger to read the next one with some hint at what was coming down the pike at Daniel. As we read, we encounter some violence (not yet over the top), and an occasional use of foul language and sexual inference. The book is exciting as super powers are explored, secret passages are discovered and puzzling riddles are solved which the reader will enjoy, as well. However, I am conflicted a bit, because on some level, the kind of naïve presentation and sort of “innocence” of the theme, makes one feel it should be for younger readers. Make no mistake, the author says the main character may be twelve, but the reader should be a great deal older. I hope it is marketed properly so it reaches the right audience and can be enjoyed in the way it was meant to be and not lost in the shuffle of misunderstanding.
January 17, 2011
I finished reading the book early this morning and I've been thinking about how to review it for most of the day. Where to start...
I liked the premise behind the book, I liked the concept, and I think that this could be a very interesting series. But, I think that it seemed more like a rough draft than a completed novel. By that I mean that the characters needed more development. Why were Mike, Dan, and Shelly such good friends? I wish I could have read more instances of their interactions to give me a sense of why they trust each other and why their such good friends. Did they all have an interest in playing frisbee between classes? Did they all play chess together? Something. I had a better grasp of Dan and who he was than I did of Mike, Shelly, or Mr. Podmore, but I still needed more.
Also, I think I agree with a previous review in that the pace of the novel was a bit fast. I dislike books that are stuffed with "filler", but sometimes you need some to create a world that seems comfy and real.
This book (as indicated by the author) is intended for adults, not children. But, why chose names like Tommy Tuttle and the use of the acronym Snisnar? I felt like I was reading a book to my 10 year old (who enjoys all of the Percy Jackson books and others similar to that). At times I felt like the book had a multiple personality disorder - at times, it was written like it was intended for young teens while at other times it was obviously not written for them. My only other concern for this series is that it is intended to have 12 books - that's a huge commitment for a reader, not to mention a lot of money to continue with the series. Just saying ...
Okay, I know it sounds like this isn't a good book and that I didn't like it. I did like it and it is an interesting read. It kept my attention and I didn't get bored reading it - I never felt like I had to keep myself from simply not finishing it. All those are good signs that this can be a good book/series. I just think that it needs to be made more for the adult audience than a child - since that is its intended audience.
I liked the premise behind the book, I liked the concept, and I think that this could be a very interesting series. But, I think that it seemed more like a rough draft than a completed novel. By that I mean that the characters needed more development. Why were Mike, Dan, and Shelly such good friends? I wish I could have read more instances of their interactions to give me a sense of why they trust each other and why their such good friends. Did they all have an interest in playing frisbee between classes? Did they all play chess together? Something. I had a better grasp of Dan and who he was than I did of Mike, Shelly, or Mr. Podmore, but I still needed more.
Also, I think I agree with a previous review in that the pace of the novel was a bit fast. I dislike books that are stuffed with "filler", but sometimes you need some to create a world that seems comfy and real.
This book (as indicated by the author) is intended for adults, not children. But, why chose names like Tommy Tuttle and the use of the acronym Snisnar? I felt like I was reading a book to my 10 year old (who enjoys all of the Percy Jackson books and others similar to that). At times I felt like the book had a multiple personality disorder - at times, it was written like it was intended for young teens while at other times it was obviously not written for them. My only other concern for this series is that it is intended to have 12 books - that's a huge commitment for a reader, not to mention a lot of money to continue with the series. Just saying ...
Okay, I know it sounds like this isn't a good book and that I didn't like it. I did like it and it is an interesting read. It kept my attention and I didn't get bored reading it - I never felt like I had to keep myself from simply not finishing it. All those are good signs that this can be a good book/series. I just think that it needs to be made more for the adult audience than a child - since that is its intended audience.
January 12, 2011
I just won a signed copy through Goodreads. I'm excited to receive and read it.
***
Just finished. It's a nice quick read, which was great. I read the other reviews for this book and I agree that the simple presentation could lead to confusion about the intended age. As for the occasional bad language, it's completely realistic, as I recall myself starting to swear when I was 11.
The book deals with young orphan Dan's introduction and initiation into the world of Norcinites, a powerful group of humans with psychic powers. Many aspects of the book reminded me of Harry Potter, particularly the defeated villain whose body was destroyed while his spirit lived on, who is now attempting to regain his former power. However, I love Potter, so there's nothing wrong with similarities between the two.
I didn't find the characters all that compelling, but it's tough to do with the speed the book traveled.
Overall, it was enjoyable, and I was still surprised by who had been attacking Dan all year. I'm curious to read more and see how the series progresses. Marcus Noricin needs a good ass-kicking.
***
Just finished. It's a nice quick read, which was great. I read the other reviews for this book and I agree that the simple presentation could lead to confusion about the intended age. As for the occasional bad language, it's completely realistic, as I recall myself starting to swear when I was 11.
The book deals with young orphan Dan's introduction and initiation into the world of Norcinites, a powerful group of humans with psychic powers. Many aspects of the book reminded me of Harry Potter, particularly the defeated villain whose body was destroyed while his spirit lived on, who is now attempting to regain his former power. However, I love Potter, so there's nothing wrong with similarities between the two.
I didn't find the characters all that compelling, but it's tough to do with the speed the book traveled.
Overall, it was enjoyable, and I was still surprised by who had been attacking Dan all year. I'm curious to read more and see how the series progresses. Marcus Noricin needs a good ass-kicking.
January 27, 2011
The book is now available to order! Follow this link to find out where you can buy it: http://www.noricin.webs.com/wheretobu.... There are only two vendors currently listing it (Smashwords for e-Books and CreateSpace for hard copies), but I will be updating the list as more vendors open up. It should also be available to order through your local bookstore within the next week or two.
For those that were holding out for Amazon, the page for the paperback edition of "The Lost Boy" is now up! Here's the link: http://www.amazon.com/Noricin-Chronic...
And now it is up on Barnes and Noble, as well! http://search.barnesandnoble.com/The-...
For those that were holding out for Amazon, the page for the paperback edition of "The Lost Boy" is now up! Here's the link: http://www.amazon.com/Noricin-Chronic...
And now it is up on Barnes and Noble, as well! http://search.barnesandnoble.com/The-...
January 10, 2011
I received this book through a giveaway. I had mixed feelings about this book while reading it. I find the characters and the circumstances that they find themselves in intriguing, but some details of the book brings to mind the Harry Potter series. However, I still found the book to be interesting and fun to read. I look forward to reading more about Dan Regal, his friends and they adventures that they find themselves in as they learn more about themselves. Overall, I found this book to be an enjoyable read and look forward to reading more of Mr. Sheldon's books.
January 8, 2011
It was hard to believe that such strong wording came from a 12 year old boy. I couldn't really get into the book as I usually do, but I finished it, and I'm glad I stuck it out.
There are points in the book where I can kind of "know" what's going to happen in later books... but then again, I've been wrong before! I did like this read, just hope it picks up more...and maybe Dan will act like more his age, considering I forgot he was 12 until they would bring it up (and i'd be shocked all over again).
There are points in the book where I can kind of "know" what's going to happen in later books... but then again, I've been wrong before! I did like this read, just hope it picks up more...and maybe Dan will act like more his age, considering I forgot he was 12 until they would bring it up (and i'd be shocked all over again).
January 27, 2011
Mark Sheldon has written likable characters who stick together through adversity as first year students at The Steven Noricin School for the New Race. The story plot reads easily for young readers with interesting twists to also lure an older audience who prefer the fantasy/adventure genre. I can't wait to follow Daniel and his friends into The Noricin Chronicles Part 2.
Want to Read
December 30, 2010I hope to read and review this book soon.
March 10, 2011
Fans of Harry Potter, Percy Jackson and the like do not pass up Dan Regal!!! This is the first book in a 12 part series, it was great! Fast reading, page turner to the very end.
April 9, 2011
Gerry B's Book Reviews - http://www.gerrycan.wordpress.com
At first blush Chronicle the First Part 1: The Lost Boy (The Noricin Chronicles) by Mark Sheldon [Mark Sheldon, 2011], is a hard story to categorize. It is, I understand, not intended for younger readers, and yet it is written in a style that would most appropriately appeal to such an age group. Even some of the characters’ have juvenile names, i.e. Tommy Tuttle. So, superficially, one might be tempted to set it aside it aside as being immature. On second thought, however, that would be at the cost of overlooking a very talented writer; a marvelously witty sense of humour; a charming story; and a fresh approach to adult reading.
Briefly, Daniel Regal has lived pretty much his entire life in an orphanage. He is an average boy in every respect, but on his 12th birthday he is attacked by the resident bully, Tommy, and at the time he thinks how satisfying it would be if he could “just set Tommy on fire”. To his utter surprise, the bully is engulfed in a ball of flame.
He is next visited by a suave and mysterious man, Nevar Loeren, who tells him that he is far from average. In fact, he is a “Norcinite,” a group of people with special powers, and invites him to attend their school, Snisnar, to train him to control these powers. There he will learn to move objects with his mind, create protective shields, control his own thoughts and read the minds of others. Since he has few options in the world, and would have to submit to frequent episodes of mind control if he refuses to enroll, he eventually decides to go.
From there on in, his life is changed, and he develops a friendship with Mike and Shelley who become a triumvirate, a working team who care for each other.
However, At Snisnar Dan begins to have nightmares, and is in fact attacked on several occasions by an unseen enemy. Apparently, at one time, there was a group of Norcinites who believed they were superior to the lesser race of Commen (the Old Race), and wanted to eliminate these and those Norcinites who married Commen and their children—i.e. those who did not directly descend from Steven Noricin—the founder of Sisnar.
Key to getting to bottom of all this are some cryptic puzzles that Steven Noricin left behind, and knowing something of how Mark Sheldon’s thinking works—from postings on his Facebook page—I suspect there is quite a parallel between the two.
The quibbles I have are minor. Yes, I did find the story somewhat under developed at this stage, perhaps a bit rushed as well, but it is the first of a 12-part series, and I am sure it will gain depth as the other parts unfold.
Altogether I found it delightfully refreshing, and it took me back to when I sat in a fence corner of our family farm reading about wizards and villains. Enthusiastically recommended. Four stars.
Gerry Burnie
"Two Irish Lads" & Soon to be released "Nor All Thy Tears: A Canadian M2M Romance"
At first blush Chronicle the First Part 1: The Lost Boy (The Noricin Chronicles) by Mark Sheldon [Mark Sheldon, 2011], is a hard story to categorize. It is, I understand, not intended for younger readers, and yet it is written in a style that would most appropriately appeal to such an age group. Even some of the characters’ have juvenile names, i.e. Tommy Tuttle. So, superficially, one might be tempted to set it aside it aside as being immature. On second thought, however, that would be at the cost of overlooking a very talented writer; a marvelously witty sense of humour; a charming story; and a fresh approach to adult reading.
Briefly, Daniel Regal has lived pretty much his entire life in an orphanage. He is an average boy in every respect, but on his 12th birthday he is attacked by the resident bully, Tommy, and at the time he thinks how satisfying it would be if he could “just set Tommy on fire”. To his utter surprise, the bully is engulfed in a ball of flame.
He is next visited by a suave and mysterious man, Nevar Loeren, who tells him that he is far from average. In fact, he is a “Norcinite,” a group of people with special powers, and invites him to attend their school, Snisnar, to train him to control these powers. There he will learn to move objects with his mind, create protective shields, control his own thoughts and read the minds of others. Since he has few options in the world, and would have to submit to frequent episodes of mind control if he refuses to enroll, he eventually decides to go.
From there on in, his life is changed, and he develops a friendship with Mike and Shelley who become a triumvirate, a working team who care for each other.
However, At Snisnar Dan begins to have nightmares, and is in fact attacked on several occasions by an unseen enemy. Apparently, at one time, there was a group of Norcinites who believed they were superior to the lesser race of Commen (the Old Race), and wanted to eliminate these and those Norcinites who married Commen and their children—i.e. those who did not directly descend from Steven Noricin—the founder of Sisnar.
Key to getting to bottom of all this are some cryptic puzzles that Steven Noricin left behind, and knowing something of how Mark Sheldon’s thinking works—from postings on his Facebook page—I suspect there is quite a parallel between the two.
The quibbles I have are minor. Yes, I did find the story somewhat under developed at this stage, perhaps a bit rushed as well, but it is the first of a 12-part series, and I am sure it will gain depth as the other parts unfold.
Altogether I found it delightfully refreshing, and it took me back to when I sat in a fence corner of our family farm reading about wizards and villains. Enthusiastically recommended. Four stars.
Gerry Burnie
"Two Irish Lads" & Soon to be released "Nor All Thy Tears: A Canadian M2M Romance"
December 15, 2013
So...I'm sure I can't be the first person to say this, and I kinda hate to do so, but this book is Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone.
Harry Potter Dan Regal is an orphaned boy with no friends, when one day weird things start happening. Namely that he causes someone to spontaneously combust. A strange man comes and tells him he's a wizard Noricin, which means he has psychokinetic abilities. He's invited to attend Hogwarts the Steven Noricin School for the New Race, or Snisnar (aside: what kind of name is Snisnar? It's barely even a word). On the way there he meets Ron and Hermione Mike and Shelley with whom he quickly becomes firm friends, and the superior Draco Malfoy Marcus Noricin, who believes pure-blood families are better. Even though the Noricin thing started about six generations earlier from one man and this would have required some serious levels of incest to achieve. They arrive at the school to be greeted by Dumbledore Nevar Loeren, the quirky, slightly mad head teacher, who also defeated and killed Voldemort The Scorpion twelve years earlier after he and his followers began killing 'Common' - the non-Noricin population.
Mysterious events and attempted murders follow, and this is really the focus of the book, without much development of the characters or the setting. Mike is a bit of a hypochondriac and a bit geeky, but these are literally the only pieces of information I can think of in regards to any of the central characters.
But for all that, I still kinda enjoyed reading it. It was easy, and probably a bit familiar because of all the similarities. I kinda always knew what was coming next without actually knowing. Mark Sheldon's writing style is very easy to read, even if the start was a bit info-dumpy in places when lessons started out. And this book is probably aimed at an older audience then Harry Potter, even if the characters themselves are the same age. There's actual bad language rather than it just being implied, and a bit more violence, though still not a significant amount by any means.
Will I be continuing this series? Possibly. It wasn't bad by any means, just a bit unoriginal, though I'm sure this can't continue for the rest of the books (I believe it's a series of 12) and I think I'll give it a bit more of a chance.
EDIT: I've just noticed that the next book in the series is The Gottlehrling Goblet. I've got images of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire in my head...
Mysterious events and attempted murders follow, and this is really the focus of the book, without much development of the characters or the setting. Mike is a bit of a hypochondriac and a bit geeky, but these are literally the only pieces of information I can think of in regards to any of the central characters.
But for all that, I still kinda enjoyed reading it. It was easy, and probably a bit familiar because of all the similarities. I kinda always knew what was coming next without actually knowing. Mark Sheldon's writing style is very easy to read, even if the start was a bit info-dumpy in places when lessons started out. And this book is probably aimed at an older audience then Harry Potter, even if the characters themselves are the same age. There's actual bad language rather than it just being implied, and a bit more violence, though still not a significant amount by any means.
Will I be continuing this series? Possibly. It wasn't bad by any means, just a bit unoriginal, though I'm sure this can't continue for the rest of the books (I believe it's a series of 12) and I think I'll give it a bit more of a chance.
EDIT: I've just noticed that the next book in the series is The Gottlehrling Goblet. I've got images of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire in my head...
February 14, 2012
If you’re expecting a Harry Potter rip-off, don’t. Dan is a gifted youngster in a school for gifted youngsters but there the resemblance ends. He’s more of an X-Man if anything, though Steven Noricin, his Professor Xavier, has been dead for many years before the story begins, in spite of the fact that some of the teachers believe their mentor’s spirit still lurks in the halls and corridors of Snisnar, silently monitoring everything.
Don’t think this is a Young Adult’s fairy tale, either. It contains very adult themes. The students aren’t trained in magic, but in how to control and perfect their extraordinary skills. Upon graduation, they’re given the choice of returning to blend into the world of the ordinary and helping Mankind, or continuing in the perfection of the New Race. The hunting down and killing of the Scorpion by his old teachers and the subsequent murders that follow Dan’s coming to the school, as well as his mistreatment by the orphanage bully as well as one of Noricin’s direct descendants, are anything but glossed over though not described in excessive, graphic detail.
This is an intriguing story, of a young man’s attempts for acceptance in both our world and another one where, while he’s similar to its inhabitants, he’s still a bit of an anomaly. It’s full of witty and sharp dialogue, and is a story that I’m looking forward to following in the coming volumes.
Don’t think this is a Young Adult’s fairy tale, either. It contains very adult themes. The students aren’t trained in magic, but in how to control and perfect their extraordinary skills. Upon graduation, they’re given the choice of returning to blend into the world of the ordinary and helping Mankind, or continuing in the perfection of the New Race. The hunting down and killing of the Scorpion by his old teachers and the subsequent murders that follow Dan’s coming to the school, as well as his mistreatment by the orphanage bully as well as one of Noricin’s direct descendants, are anything but glossed over though not described in excessive, graphic detail.
This is an intriguing story, of a young man’s attempts for acceptance in both our world and another one where, while he’s similar to its inhabitants, he’s still a bit of an anomaly. It’s full of witty and sharp dialogue, and is a story that I’m looking forward to following in the coming volumes.
August 6, 2011
I was expecting great things from this book after reading the blurb and I wasn't disappointed! After reading the first page I was hooked and literally fell asleep still reading and picking it up again straight away at the first opportunity the next day. After I had finished I needed more and read book two within hours of finishing the first!
Mark Sheldon has now made it to my top 5 author's of all time! I eagerly await the rest of his books and have started book 3 today! I cant wait to read what happens next to Dan Regal and if my suspicions of his true parentage are correct?
For those who have enjoyed Harry Potter, Septimus Heap etc... and are looking for the 'next' book to sink your teeth into then this is the book for you. Filled with excitement, adventure, and humour Dan Regal and friends capture your heart and imagination.
I love trying to guess what happens next, 'who done it' etc... and I am always secretly disappointed when I always get it right but this book and plot has surprises around every corner, who would of guessed the scorpion was .....I wont spoil it for those who have not read it yet!
Mark Sheldon has now made it to my top 5 author's of all time! I eagerly await the rest of his books and have started book 3 today! I cant wait to read what happens next to Dan Regal and if my suspicions of his true parentage are correct?
For those who have enjoyed Harry Potter, Septimus Heap etc... and are looking for the 'next' book to sink your teeth into then this is the book for you. Filled with excitement, adventure, and humour Dan Regal and friends capture your heart and imagination.
I love trying to guess what happens next, 'who done it' etc... and I am always secretly disappointed when I always get it right but this book and plot has surprises around every corner, who would of guessed the scorpion was .....I wont spoil it for those who have not read it yet!
February 19, 2011
First off I will state that I enjoyed reading this book.
However, it felt a lot like reading a different version of Harry Potter. There were some slight differences and it was interesting enough to keep reading but I must say that if I am going to fisnish reading the series (all 11 of them) the author must veer off in a substantial way from being so Harry Potter-ish. Also, it was very shy on details, the characters and their relationships were underdeveloped and I didn't like the cursing. Hopefully the author is going to do things in reverse of other series authors and the books will improve, not get worse as the series goes on...
However, it felt a lot like reading a different version of Harry Potter. There were some slight differences and it was interesting enough to keep reading but I must say that if I am going to fisnish reading the series (all 11 of them) the author must veer off in a substantial way from being so Harry Potter-ish. Also, it was very shy on details, the characters and their relationships were underdeveloped and I didn't like the cursing. Hopefully the author is going to do things in reverse of other series authors and the books will improve, not get worse as the series goes on...
August 24, 2011
I enjoyed the book, although it is strikingly similar to Harry Potter. Literally every one of the story's characters is representative of a character within Harry Potter (including Draco Mallfoy, Severus Snape, Hermione Granger, Albus Dumbledore,and even Professor Tralleawney). I think that the author is a gifted writer, and I'd love to see some original stories by him, crafted purely from his own imagination. I am committed to reading the entirety of this series, though, and hopefully the plot and characterization will eventually evolve differently than JK Rowling's series. (BTW, I'm a huge fan of Harry Potter)
I'll be looking forward to the next installment and will reserve judgment until I see how it all ends.
I'll be looking forward to the next installment and will reserve judgment until I see how it all ends.
July 28, 2015
I really like this book
I am on to part two. I have just finished part one and I can not wait till I get to see what happens during the summer and next school year. It will be a treat. I have already purchased book two and I am going to start it.
I am on to part two. I have just finished part one and I can not wait till I get to see what happens during the summer and next school year. It will be a treat. I have already purchased book two and I am going to start it.
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