Shatter

The Children of Man #1

by Elizabeth C. Mock

Growing up during the chaos of the Nabosian War, Faela Durante and her entire generation never knew what it meant to live in a time of peace. Though the war ended years ago, the devastation has not. Every decision, no matter how seemingly insignificant, has a consequence and some consequences can never be predicted. But some are foretold.

Less than a year ago, Faela, the first Tereskan mind healer in generations, disappeared from her family home in Finalaran scared and pregnant. Hunted and living as an outcast, Faela searches for a legend that might be her only hope of gaining atonement and returning to her son. When her journey collides with two strangers and a prophecy, she must choose between trusting those around her or endangering her mission. With her past refusing to stay behind her, the consequences of Faela's choices will risk more than her own fate.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Young Adult, Ebooks, Magic, Adventure, Romance

446 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 3, 2010

About the author

Elizabeth C. Mock and her spouse live in Cincinnati, Ohio where they watch too many international shows and plot their next culinary adventure. She is currently a graduate student and continues writing The Children of Man series and other projects. Elizabeth is a speculative fiction author repped by Barry Goldblatt Literary. FORGE is out now! RESOLVE coming 2023!

Reviews

[Elizabeth Mock · Rating 5 out of 5]

But of course, I'm biased. I wrote the book...

[Ravioli Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 out of 5 Stars

Shatter is the first book in "The Children of Man" series. I started this book unfortunately under the assumption that it was a duology and that it was a completely published one at that >.<

Oh ho ho I was wrong. I should probably do a little better with my research next time...

Alas, what can you do. Except not to read this series unless your aware of the fact that the third book is still unpublished (the 2nd was published in Nov. '11) and the author has stated on her website that she has no idea when the third book will be published because she is waiting for her agent to sell this series (which she self-published originally) to a publisher and then that publisher will republish both the first and second book and then it will finally get to the third (in a nutshell).

Personally, I've tried to stop reading series like this unless all the books are completely out. I like some finality when I finish a book, not a cliff-hanger where I am waiting 6 months to a year for the next installment. I blame my friend for this. He told me to read this book because he really enjoyed it and I just picked it up without really researching it completely *shakes fist in anger*.

Okay, so I realize that little rant wasn't exactly a review of the book but, you'll forgive me, right?!?

So now to what I actually thought of the book.

Honestly, it was hard for me to get into this book to begin with. It had a really slow beginning, involving a lot of description of the world and environment and cities and places and while in the grand scheme of things that's usually a good idea in a story because let's face it... we need the back story to fully understand and appreciate the world that Mock is trying to create - it made this story hard for me to get engaged in. It dragged a lot... I think it finally started picking up around the halfway mark, maybe a little before.

There was also a lot of flipping around to different points of view and generally speaking (this is entirely my personal preference), I don't enjoy books that flip POV's a lot -like the series A Song of Ice and Fire or Black Dagger Brotherhood. These are just two series I can think of off the top of my head that while I enjoy them and think they are fantastic, I find that it is hard for them to retain my attention because they flip to different POV's and different story arcs a lot. This series does that as well. It frustrates me, and what ends up happening is that I'll put the book down when it flips to a different story arc and then I have to force myself to continue reading or else I won't pick it back up- ever. I know you're still waiting "A Storm of Swords" - you continue to haunt me.

By the end of the book though I was entirely engaged and eager to read and know what was to come next.

This concept of magic having colors (colours for all you Brits, Auzzies and Kiwis out there) was intriguing and very original (at least for me). Mock does a good job of painting an entirely different world that is more than just surface deep. It was a bit of a struggle to keep up with all the unfamiliar terms in the beginning but the details that her imagination was able to add to this world was quite astounding. I was captivated by the story by the time the end of the book rolled around and eager to know the rest, that is until the incredibly sad and heart breaking ending occurred and I felt the need to throw something.

I was perfectly ready to move onto Render until I found out that this series was not finished and now I'm considering holding off until I know for sure that the second book doesn't end as unhappily as this one or I know that the third book is finally being published. (I actually couldn't tell entirely by the authors website if this series will be a trilogy or a quartet... it was unclear to me).

Overall, after the rocky beginning I really enjoyed the book and this unique world that Mock has taken us to. I look forward to when the third book will be coming out.

Side note - I see some users classified this book as "Romance" and I would have to disagree. Sure, there is a little bit of romance in the book but nothing major, and the romance is not what propels the plot forward at all. So, if you're thinking of picking this up because it's a fantasy romance novel, don't because that's definitely not what it is.

Blog Review

[Louise Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars rounded up

The Children Of Man Book 1

Growing up during the chaos of the Nabosian War, Faela Durante and her entire generation never knew what it meant in a time of peace. Though the war ended years ago, the devastation has not. Every decision no matter how seemingly insignificant, has a consequence and some consequences can never be predicted. But some are foretold. Less than a year ago, Faela, the first Tereskan mind healer in generations, disappeared from her family home in Finalaran scared and pregnant. Hunted and living as an outcast, Faela searches for a legend that might be her only hope of gaining atonement and returning to her son.

There's not much happens in the first half of this book, the plot starts to develop around the halfway mark. The story is told from multiple points of view. The pace is all over the place and it felt dragged out. The characters are unbelievable. The premise showed lots more potential.

#FreeKindleBook

[Jennie · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars, really. And if I were rating on concept I would go with 3.5. However, there are lots of problems with the actualization of this book. The first and foremost is that this novel is drudgery for the first several chapters. Actually, its ponderous through the first 20% of the book. I had to force myself to stick with it due to weird pacing, constantly changing point of view and general confusion about the damn plot. Admittedly, I'm glad I stuck it out as Mock seems to find her footing after that point.

Not that this isn't rife with problems. It is. There are more typos and wrong word choices than I care to bring up (affect for effect, breath for breathe, etc.) and while I can overlook a lot, it was distracting. Mock needs a better editor. Actually several of my complaints might have been resolved that way.

Beyond the editorial nightmare there are problems with the introduction of new information. If this is going to be a Robert Jordan-esque series (and it certainly feels like it is), then please don't torture me. It's going to be long so just give me the information I need to understand this damn world. There are so many cities, factions, orders and races that it is impossible to make any sense of them in the first novel. What's worse is that they are brought up, not explained and then never referenced again. Or brought up like you have a clue what the characters are talking about. It's maddening! Further, the kindle version of this has no maps or glossary (I don't know about the print version) and we could use both of them, thanks! And at the beginning, please.

That being said, I really enjoyed the actual story. I like Faela well enough, she has an interesting story. I actually like most of the characters well enough, but the only one I REALLY enjoyed was Jair. For me at least, his enthusiasm and happy-go-lucky nature make the first book. I liked the concept of magic being colored (although I KNOW I've encountered it before). This is really a very typical fantasy novel, nothing feels new but it does feel like a well-loved article of clothing. Nothing surprising, but comfortable and enjoyable.

[Mickolus Sundquist · Rating 4 out of 5]

I probably would never have read this book or even heard of it, but it was a freebie on amazon kindle a while ago. I've had it on my kindle un-read for months, but finally decided to read it.
Wow, there's a lot going on in this book. Lots of main characters. I would compare the book slightly to how Game of Thrones is (the show, I've never read the books). There are a lot of main characters in Game of Thrones and a lot of things to keep track of. Same with this book, lots of main characters, a lot of war, past and present, and a lot of extra things to learn about like magic.
I wish that the aspects of the war and information on how the magic worked was in the beginning of the book. I was very confused and felt lost reading the 1st half of the book. I'm glad I stuck with it because it really was a good read. I like the characters and I enjoy the subtle romances. I actually really enjoyed that the story was not all about 2 people and a blossoming romance...there's so much more to this story.

[Andi · Rating 5 out of 5]

As many people have experienced in the past few years, coming off the Harry Potter series has left much to be desired regarding many of the other fantasy books out there. I have had a very difficult time finding something that gives me that fix of excitement, intrigue and character likability that HP did. I hate comparing, but what else is one to do when you know the feeling you get from a great series and nothing else you've read comes close? I actually got Shatter for my NooK because it was either $1.99 or free and I thought I'd give it a shot. I was greatly surprised by not only the quality of writing for a first book, but I thought the story was very well put together, kept moving, and kept me interested, and the characters were diverse, likeable, and believable. I have not come across a book that has been anything but simply entertaining or "okay" for a long time. This story surpassed my expectations. I am looking forward to the second one. If you are looking for a new fantasy read that delivers, I would recommend this book. I would compare it to the feeling of reading the Shannara books by Terry Brooks. While I am sure the Shatter series will not be written in epic proportions like the Shannara collection, I was equally impressed with Shatter as I was when I read my first Shannara book.

[Sondra · Rating 4 out of 5]

So I finally started going through all those free Kindle books I downloaded around Christmas time, and Shatter was the first I picked up.
First of all, thanks to Ms. Mock for making it free. I wouldn't have downloaded it otherwise and I would have totally missed out on a good story and a good author to watch.
There are really great things about the Children of Man universe. The set up for the magic is imaginative without being ridiculous--lots of diversity, great history, cool abilities. With the exception of one, the characters are believable and interesting. There seems to be a really well-thought out social structure going on in the background, and the plot is just plain gorgeous.
There are a few minor things that keep me from completely loving this book. The first is the main character, Faela. I really liked her at first, but she's increasingly difficult to understand. I know that there were some extenuating plot things happening to her, but the character's personality seems to hinge on what's convenient for the plot. That sorta bugged me. The writing also sorta gets to me. Some of the language gets really repetitive, and at times sentences are too convoluted and difficult to follow. The last thing is perhaps the most dangerous for the book: it took me about a quarter of the way through the book to get any sort of grasp of how the magic worked. I almost gave up reading the book because I was tired of being so confused (So glad I didn't!!). When an author sets up such a complex and beautiful system of magic, it really needs to be explained much earlier than the conversation with Tobias.
That all said, I was caught between really excited and really angry that Shatter was the first in a series--I just can't wait to read the next book!

[Tyler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book!
It has a lot of different threads, which draw together to form a tightly woven narrative with a rich mythology--leaving the author room to expand on in some prequels...
There is a complex magic system which is handled very well. This is one of the points I look for when reading fantasy (obviously...), because if it's done poorly the suspension of disbelief can fall through.
Moreover, it helps to take a look at the maps which come with the book, as the world is a key element, as this also has the elements of a travel narrative--akin to LOTR, as places are key to the story. The places here have distinct, well-constructed atmospheres. Plus, I LOVE pub names...
One of the things I particularly enjoyed is the dialogue. Each of her characters has a distinct voice which lends more credibility to the dialogue--I can hear their voices clearly, aided through the syntax and the diction.
All the technicalities aside, I was drawn in by the characters and really connected with them, particularly due to their interactions and relationships.
The book ends with desperation, with heartbreak, but it really fits with one of the major themes of the novel, which is brokenness. Each of the main characters, in some way, is broken, and I figure *crosses fingers* that the trilogy is about redemption.
Anyway, pick this up and enjoy!

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a free Kindle book that I got from Amazon. It is a fantasy novel and the plot sounded interesting and it had good reviews so I decided to give it a try. This book was a wonderful surprise. From the get go the story grabbed me and kept me reading. I liked the characters and especially loved Faela. I found the world and the magic system interesting and liked how it was not all explained at once and instead I was able to learn about it as I read. One of the odd parts of the book is that it switched narratives between different characters, this is done between characters involved in the same scene so you get a different perspective of what is going on. There is a break when it switches narratives between scenes. While this was odd at first, it is done well and I never had problems knowing whose perspective I was reading. Somehow this works really well for the story and I actually enjoyed reading it this way. I was extremely disappointed that the story had to come to an end as there was so much more to learn about the characters, the story and the world. I will eagerly await the next book in the series.

[Aeterna Nox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Often I find that in a book that follows many plot threads, divides it's focus between a handful of characters, and also tries to create its own world geography, society, and political climate, there are often rough edges where the one aspect overwhelms the others. In Shatter, Elizabeth C. Mock manages to juggle every task she undertakes. The depths to which she explores the multi-faceted characters makes me wish I could sit down at one of their campfires and enjoy their company for a few hours, but what really draws me in is the way that she weaves multiple plot threads into a fantastically complex tapestry. Never abandoning one thread long enough to cause forgetfulness or loss of interest, nor switching between concepts too quickly to draw the reader in, thousands of miles are breached as she jumps from one circumstance to another, yet the plot flows forward like silk all the while.

But the true measure of how good this one is, I bought the sequel within 5 minutes of reaching the end, but I can't decide if I'm diving in right now, or waiting a bit so as to prolong my time watching everything unfold.

[Jessica Johnston · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review may or may not contain spoilers, and as such has been marked as a spoiler review.

This book was amazing. I fell in love with the new variety of magic almost as soon as I realized what it was.

The characters are amusing and compelling, and if it weren't for obligations, I would have finished this book the first evening I got it, just so I could see and learn more of the characters. Even now, having finished the book, I'm thirsting for its sequel so I can learn more.

The plot is every bit as compelling as the characters. It keeps you guessing, and it left me wanting to re-read various passages of the story, simply because of how subtly intertwined they all are.

The writing of "Shatter" is done in a manner that's accessible to all. You don't need a dictionary by your side to read this book, but Miss Mock doesn't "dumb down" to her audience either.

Even before I finished reading this book, I was recommending this book for my friends.

As well written as it is, I am now in a lull until Miss Mock's second book of "The Children Man" series comes out.

[Merissa (Archaeolibrarian) · Rating 5 out of 5]

What .... a .... book!!! To use some cooking analogy's, this book is hot! It's a slow burner but will keep you simmering all the way through. I stayed up very late to finish this, which is rare for me as I have two young girls that get me up at the crack of dawn!

Even though I read through the synopsis what the book delivers is so much more. The characters are flawed but so well rounded. They all have their strengths and weaknesses which makes them likeable. There is humour in this book, as well as "serious" stuff, like loneliness, the guilt which an abusee can feel, trust to name but a few.

I use my Kindle app to read new books and new authors but not many actually make the transfer over from virtual to reality. This book does! I will be buying the hard copy of this, the second (Rendered) and any other ones that come along in this series.

Highly Recommended





“Information is not understanding,” Tobias replied, his light-hearted tone replaced with sobriety. “You can give information, but you can never give understanding"

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not normally big on fantasy writing as detailed as this, as I find myself lost within the first chapter of the book. However, Ms. Mock kept me intrigued right up to the cliff-hanger of an ending in her first book in the Children of Man Series. She weaves a deep and enticing tale full of magic and Scions, while still creating a vibrant fantasy world so well described that I could probably navigate on my own. Every one of her characters are enchanting, intense and easy to love. And that's saying a lot considering the fact that she introduces MANY leading characters. My only problem is figuring out what I'm going to read while I wait on her next book!

[Snowstorm · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this book up as a freebie ebook from Amazon. I would have definitely paid for it and plan on getting the second book as soon as it comes out.

The book is fantasy set in an alternate universe where magic exists. The book has quite a few "main" characters and the beginning they are all introduced one after the other. Some might find the beginning a little rough, but the story quickly draws you in. Each character has their own unique personality and I thought were well defined. The dialog was easy to read and seemed to flow naturally. I found it well worth the read and had to force myself to put it down so I could play Rift beta with the hubby.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fabulous. Well written imagination with color magic. And the good thing is that people die...not everyone can live in a good adventure story if you are fighting for the "light"

All the "light save us" reminds me of the wheel of time cursing--made me smile!

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Published in 2010. Read in mid 2012. This could use some editing but it's a good start to this series. It's classified as YA but an old adult can read and enjoy too.

[Justyn Rampa · Rating 5 out of 5]

So I picked this up once I first got it and got about 100 pages in and then life got in the way and I didn't have the time to give the book as much attention as I wanted to give it. Fast forward a year or so later and I have a pocket of time when I am suddenly struck that I want to play a Final Fantasy game and read something that puts me in that mindset.

Immediately I picked up Shatter because from the 100+ pages I read initially, it felt like a very distinct type of fantasy book. One with an elaborate magic system, a group of travelers with different abilities who assemble over the course of the book to eventually face a larger than life evil threat. So basically, it was the literary equivalent of a Final Fantasy game. Or at least that is what I thought and after finishing it I felt as though that assessment was pretty fair. Though this book does not have nearly as many Chocobos:-)

I say this all to establish mindset because I am a very emotional reader. I respond to how books make me feel! I select books based on where my head is at the time or what mood I happen to be in that day. My favorite is when a book ends up being exactly what I wanted at that moment in my life and such was the case with Shatter.

I have an early edition with a different cover that was printed in July of 2010. I hear that the author is working on revisions at the moment, which I suspect that shouldn't take too long because all the important parts of the book totally worked for me.

The Plot:
There is a prophecy early on in the book which is great and it is delivered in a very jarring prologue scene that you don't understand until much later in the book which is even greater! I love starting with a sense of disorientation. Now, the prophecy was way too long for me to remember so I would constantly find myself referring back to it to try and figure it out, and by the end of the book we do get some answers. Overall, the plot was very intricate and comes together seamlessly by the end. Elizabeth Mock starts the book with several threads that come together and create something rather compelling! This was definitely one of those books that builds in such a way that I find myself racing to finish it and am left breathless at the end!

The Characters:
By the end of the book, I have long since fallen in love with the characters and care deeply for them. Except the ones that are evil incarnate, but even then I hate them with a burning passion! The only characters I didn't immediately warm too were the twins, Eve and Sheridan. However, each twin quickly distinguished themselves from the other and I found a favorite and it wasn't Eve:-/ The relationships and character development develop organically at a very pleasing pace. Whenever characters got to new points in the relationship, I believed it!

The Magic System:
It was such a part of the book that I will single it out. I loved it! I loved the visual aspect of it and the reasoning behind it and the way it was used throughout the story. It was very clear that the author had a strong sense of the magic system she had created, which is necessary as the magic system is rather foundational to the story.

The Grays:
I just have to say that my absolute favorite part of the book was probably when we learn about the true nature of those that have turned. I won't say more than that so as to avoid spoilers, but to me this is where the book really took off and never came back down for a second.

The Language:
I did struggle a bit with understanding what time period this world inhabited. Much of it felt old-world but the language really seemed quite contemporary at times. Also, I found the inclusion of "yeah"s at the end of a sentence quite jarring. It is such a conscious decision by the author that I'm sure she had reasons behind it, but I never quite got it. This of course made me consider the challenge of writing a language in a book and I don't really have any suggestions. Maybe I would have preferred some more Shatter specific words. I don't know. However, I did find myself thinking about "popping" to places and in fact that imagery invaded my dreams.

The Ending:
So endings are really important to me. You can write the most amazing book, but if you ruin the ending...I will have a hard time forgiving you and I will be left with a bad ending as my final memory of that experience. Thankfully, Shatter has an ending that will BLOW YOU THE FRAK AWAY!!!!

Chapter 17 is one of my favorite moments in the book which starts off a bunch of revelations and although we get a bit of a respite, I really feel like the book kicks up to high gear here and we really don't come down until the last page where we only come down because there is no more text to read.

That being said the final chapters really build even more onto the plot and whip the reader into a greater frenzy. The Big Bad in the book is utterly terrifying because you really can't tell if this character believes in what they are doing or if it is all just an act to mask the terrible evil that lives underneath. I suspect maybe a bit of both although I forget where I read this, but the best villains are the ones written as though they believe themselves the hero. That definitely applies here. Oh, and there is also a character that comes into play a bit later in the book with whom I fell deeply in love and CAN NOT wait to see how they fare in the second book!

Also, the author is definitely willing to make sacrifices as there are some shocking moments in this book that reveal that basically, anything can happen. The danger is real which makes for a much more exciting read.

I basically loved everything about the book and for a first time author, I feel like Elizabeth Mock really wrote the hell out of it. I am somewhat new to high fantasy so I don't have a lot to compare it to, but I will say that I appreciate that everything written had a reason to be in the story. I've read some fantasy authors who seem a bit indulgent and that is a big turn off. The more I read the more I loved spending time in this world, especially with these characters!

Looking forward to the next one!!!

[Conny · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had high hopes for this book, but unfortunately the poor character development was too difficult for me to persevere with this. The story is interesting, but relationships between the characters suddenly appear when they only just met. I found it incredibly frustrating and disruptive to the story as a whole.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, this book totally took me for a surprise. This was incredibly good book for an independent book with no publisher. I have had this thing sitting on my Kindle since 2010, and I have no idea how I originally picked up. I am really glad I read it though.

Shatter features a really strong set of female characters, which i always enjoy. The female characters are strong, capable and each have their own personalities. They are matched equally as well with a nice compliment. At its outset this book feels like it might devolve into a YA romantic fantasy. There are twinges of it here and there in the story, but the author thankfully stays away from these and instead gives us much more interesting relationships tied between these characters based upon their different magic qualities.

The story itself is fairly simple and to be honest that is perfectly fine. I enjoyed that all of the characters so far are "seasoned" and we didn't have to go through a "hero's journey". It really makes to the book setup as a really pleasant lighter fantasy read and the story so far has focused a lot on the personally struggles of each character as they come together rather than on an epic journey they all must solve.

I also really enjoyed the magic system i this world. While a bit difficult to understand at first, the concept of colors really worked well when you juxtapose it against the traditional concepts of "light" and "dark" magic. A simple index at the beginning of the book would have helped tremendously and you unfortunately don't get an explanation until about halfway through.

Ultimately you are not going to get a book here that is a ground breaking and epic. The story is very straightforward, but it is really well written and features just the right amount elements thrown in at the right times to keep me progressing forward. The internal character focus so far has been really enjoyable.

At the time of this writing the book is only $2.99 on all of the ebook stores. Go out there and pick this up.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm giving this four stars because there were several things I loved about the book and only a couple of things I didn't like.

First the good: The author creates a rich cast of characters. She skillfully immerses you in their world so that by the end of the book, you feel attached to them. The use of magic in the book is imaginative and entertaining- I loved that there were different kinds of magic represented by different colors (although they were confusing at first). The plot line was engaging, it reminded me a little of The Lord of the Rings. The protagonist starts off on a quest of great importance, and along the way picks up strangers who insist on accompanying her (all for various reasons) on her journey. Themes of friendship, redemption, paternal protectiveness, and loyalty are all integral to the plotline.

Now, the not so good: The author's constant shifting of point of view between characters was disorienting, especially in the first several chapters. I don't have a problem with the story being told from more than one character's perspective, but I think it is too confusing to switch POV several times in one scene. It makes it more difficult to really identify with the characters if the POV is constantly changing. Also, the novel had a few mistakes that should have been caught in the editing process, but none that truly distracted me.

Despite the minor problems with the book, I would enthusiastically recommend this novel. The author is very talented and I am eagerly anticipating the next installment in this series.

[Avardsin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best way to describe this book is like a jigsaw. You keep getting pieces until you build up a picture. To me that exactly what this book is like.

Roughly, for the first half of the book I felt like I needed a codex and was missing something (like a previous book) as the book keeps throwing information at you like already know what its referring to.

For Example:- Revelation moment "You're a gray." Okay, she's a gray... What's a gray? Have I missed something? What the heck happening?

This book takes patience. Its a journey, but by the end... Well you still won't know a lot of things but you will have a good base understanding of the story.

Character development wise.. I most say this approach makes you feel like you know the multiple characters in the story (though Faela & Jair was my favorite characters). In-fact I would say character development in this book is one of the best I've seen. Each character in this book actually feels like a character in a unique way.

Ok, I know I haven't yet wrote about the actual story, or characters... and i'm not going to in this review. The less you know about this story, the better it will be when its revealed in the book.

As mentioned above patience required for this book, but stick to it and just enjoy the story.

This book does contain fantasy aspects such as magic and magical elements, but not 'high fantasy' and its a human world and if you looking for a compelling story with lots of adventure, then I believe this could be the book for you.

[Chaynyth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this, eagerly awaiting the next one in the series. The world building in this book is amazing and consistent. Magic system is intriguing without all the details being tediously hashed out. Inter-group politics are covered well without seeming far-fetched (a relief, some books tend towards overblown conflict without solid motivation, imnsho). Only gripe is that the perspective shifts drastically between chapters and sometimes the transition to other groups of characters is lacking (leading one to scramble a bit to figure out who the author is talking about). Names for the characters earlier on would have been helpful. At one point, the shifting was bad enough that I was sure that I was reading some other book at the same time with a similar world but some totally different character pair (I wasn't, the author just spent more than four chapters away from the opening pair and it threw me). I probably would have done better with a paper copy instead (read it on Kindle) where I could flip back more easily to be sure of character continuity. Otherwise, though, an incredible book and a lot of fun.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

READER BEWARE: Yes it is certainly the author's right to choose to distribute her books any way she wishes. At the same time it may also be looked at from a reader's perspective. The author independently released the first two books of this series........and has now decided to wait on releasing additional books until her series is purchased and distributed by a publishing agency. So perhaps the series will be purchased in 2014 and then the first book will need to be re-edited and released and then the second book will need to go thru the same process so..................it may 4, 5, 6 years until we are able to read the 3rd book.

Yes I liked this book alot......distinct characters, coherent system of magic and gook plot but..........I will not be reading book two until book 3 is actually available.... I have been burned before (yes I'm still wailing at you grr martin)

Also should note I really liked that the author did not fill in the blanks so to speak letting the reader struggle to some degree figuring our the magic system and history and slowly letting info slip into the story line as the book progresses.

[Ruhegeist · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book would have gotten a 2 if it hadn't been free. There was (as everyone points out) a serious lack in editing. Inconsistencies, contradictions, and lack of thought plagued the plot. I liked the idea behind the magic of this world but this seemed to be something the author was working out during the writing of the book rather then a fully formed concept. Also, certain characters and whole scenes needed much better development. I appreciated the humor (even if sometimes it was too broad and childish) to help get a reader through the epic trial bits. As for the writing, she is too fond of the word 'but' which really bugged me in the last 1/4 of the book and a good read through the whole book by anyone would have solved some very simple errors. Better editing would have given this book far more polish and increased its readability.

Mock has a great story that would have kept me reading the entire series if she hadn't rushed to get this first book out. I would get the second book but again, only if it is free.

[Joshua Macdowall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I kept thinking about how much this reminded me of a final fantasy adventure. There were also alot of parallels with the Wheel of Time series (which is a good thing to me).
The story has a great magic system, well thought out and detailed. It wasn't an info dump in the first chapter but slowly realized throughout the first and 2nd books.
The situation and character developments are realistic and believable - There isn't a stereotypical model for any of main characters.
Around 5-6 Main POV's - they switch back and forth throughout the books, which took a couple chapters to get used to. Afterwards it became a seamless transition.
I loved the writing style, story, plot and character dev. Overall a fantastic read that I'd highly recommend

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

a free kindle book that totally exceeded my expectations!
it's a whole new magical world (especially for me since i'm pretty new to most fantasy). There are different magical orders and colors of magic that seem to use the owner and not the other way around. not even sure it's on the planet earth either...but it was exciting and touching. i looked forward to reading it every day.
i didn't know it was part of a trilogy and it ends pretty abruptly! the next book is expected to be published next year and i'm impatiently going to wait for it.

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book suprised me in many ways, mostly because from my experiance free books on the nook are horridly written, and have sub par plots and character development. This book is very well written, the world, the characters, the magic, it all feels real while you read. You can't help but be sucked into this world.

It did start out a little slow though, which is common to most novel like this, the author has to build up the world, introduce the characters, and sometimes that's just slightly boring to read about.
It does redeem itself soon after.

[Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very few books stick with me for a long time, but this one has. I read it over a year ago and I still find myself thinking of it from time to time. It is a great story with such an imaginative group of characters you will feel like you know them personally. The book is impossible to put down and truly worth the time to read it. You will NOT be dissappointed. I loved every minute and now that the sequel "RENDER" is out, it is even more wonderful. Faela, Kade and Jair are so well illustrated, they come to life! You will fall in love.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Took a bit for me to get into the book and get a grasp on the characters. There are many main characters and it read a bit like a soap opera until the characters started to come together. Each character has their own baggage and it takes a bit to come to the surface as well. Drama. The story ended at a cliff hanger. Once I got into the story I rather enjoyed it. Look forward to the next book. Not a book I would have found on my own. Goodreads recommended it based on another book that I read.

[Jan Nichols · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book as a freebie on my kindle. I had trouble connecting with it the first time I tries reading it. Being new to fantasy it wasn't until I read several others that made me more comfortable with the genre. I went back and re-read it and found the characters come to life in the story...but because of the ending I can't give a full review because I'm too busy ordering the next book. What a cliff hanger!!