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Willden #1
Rojuun
Ryallon is a vast world with enormous forests, great mountain ranges, and vast oceans. Large human populations live on a few of the continents, but many areas of the world are unexplored and filled with magical creatures of all sorts. It is in this magical world that our story occurs.
Tathan left home at the age of fifteen in order to travel the world and live a life of adventure. Fourteen years later, he has come home to the valley where he was raised. He found the adventure along the way, but it hadn’t always been the sort of adventure one dreamed of; with dragons, maidens, knights and treasure. Most of it was much darker; with dark alleys, knives, and a primal struggle for life at the lowest levels.
Liselle is a young woman of 17 years whose parents wish her to marry soon. However, marriage is the last thing on her mind when she has never seen anything beyond the lonely valley where she lives. Liselle spends much of her time talking to the flowers about how she feels and they listen to her intently.
Vevin is . . . well . . . something else entirely. His home was recently stolen from him by a terrible creature who hurt him badly. Now he is looking for a new home. Preferably something with a large area to keep his treasure . . . once he acquires some.
Sir Danth is the greatest of the Knights of Morhain . . . of course, he’s the only Knight of Morhain still alive . . . sort of alive . . . only different.
Rumors are spreading about a new race called “Rojuun”, who appeared from the depths of the mountains eight hundred years ago with the intention of taking over the world. It is their understanding that humans exist to serve them. They are a bit disappointed that the humans don’t seem to be aware of that fact.
The companions are charged with finding out more about this race of Rojuun. Will they be entranced by beautiful music flowing through the air, or will they die a horrible death in the darkest depths of the world? And who, or what exactly is Vevin anyway?
Tathan left home at the age of fifteen in order to travel the world and live a life of adventure. Fourteen years later, he has come home to the valley where he was raised. He found the adventure along the way, but it hadn’t always been the sort of adventure one dreamed of; with dragons, maidens, knights and treasure. Most of it was much darker; with dark alleys, knives, and a primal struggle for life at the lowest levels.
Liselle is a young woman of 17 years whose parents wish her to marry soon. However, marriage is the last thing on her mind when she has never seen anything beyond the lonely valley where she lives. Liselle spends much of her time talking to the flowers about how she feels and they listen to her intently.
Vevin is . . . well . . . something else entirely. His home was recently stolen from him by a terrible creature who hurt him badly. Now he is looking for a new home. Preferably something with a large area to keep his treasure . . . once he acquires some.
Sir Danth is the greatest of the Knights of Morhain . . . of course, he’s the only Knight of Morhain still alive . . . sort of alive . . . only different.
Rumors are spreading about a new race called “Rojuun”, who appeared from the depths of the mountains eight hundred years ago with the intention of taking over the world. It is their understanding that humans exist to serve them. They are a bit disappointed that the humans don’t seem to be aware of that fact.
The companions are charged with finding out more about this race of Rojuun. Will they be entranced by beautiful music flowing through the air, or will they die a horrible death in the darkest depths of the world? And who, or what exactly is Vevin anyway?
280 pages, ebook
First published November 24, 2010
About the author
John H. Carroll
41 books76 followersJohn H. Carroll was the youngest of seven children and was born in Atlanta, Georgia in 1970 where he was kept in a dresser drawer with the clean socks. Luckily, he wasn’t kept with the dirty socks or else he might have grown up to become slightly warped.
As a child, John spent most of his time wandering through the Mojave Desert in an attempt to avoid people. He would stare at the sky, imagining what it would be like to explore different worlds. One of his favorite memories is watching his dad build the fuselage of Evel Kneivel’s skycycle in their garage. One of his least favorite moments was watching that skycycle fall into the Snake River. (Not his dad’s fault and he has documentation to prove it, so nyah)
As a teenager, John spent most of his time driving wherever he could in an attempt to avoid people. He would stare at the road, imagining what it would be like to explore different worlds. He was the captain of the chess team, lettered in golf and band while in high school, and wasn’t beaten up anywhere near as much as one might imagine.
As an adult, John spends most of his time gazing at a computer screen in an attempt to avoid people. He stares at the monitor for hours, imagining what it would be like to explore different worlds. Occasionally, he looks around to see what’s happening on planet Earth.
Quite frankly, it frightens him. He’s just going to do his best to write as many books as he can before aliens disintegrate humanity for being so irritating.
Emo bunny minions surround John at most times. He is their imaginary friend and they look to him for guidance. At one point, they took over the world. No one noticed because they left everything exactly as it was. They gave the world back after a week because it was depressing.
The Ryallon Series is his most popular endeavor into the field of writing. His Stories for Demented Children have lightened the hearts of many strange children and adults. He writes in the evenings and weekends whenever possible.
As a child, John spent most of his time wandering through the Mojave Desert in an attempt to avoid people. He would stare at the sky, imagining what it would be like to explore different worlds. One of his favorite memories is watching his dad build the fuselage of Evel Kneivel’s skycycle in their garage. One of his least favorite moments was watching that skycycle fall into the Snake River. (Not his dad’s fault and he has documentation to prove it, so nyah)
As a teenager, John spent most of his time driving wherever he could in an attempt to avoid people. He would stare at the road, imagining what it would be like to explore different worlds. He was the captain of the chess team, lettered in golf and band while in high school, and wasn’t beaten up anywhere near as much as one might imagine.
As an adult, John spends most of his time gazing at a computer screen in an attempt to avoid people. He stares at the monitor for hours, imagining what it would be like to explore different worlds. Occasionally, he looks around to see what’s happening on planet Earth.
Quite frankly, it frightens him. He’s just going to do his best to write as many books as he can before aliens disintegrate humanity for being so irritating.
Emo bunny minions surround John at most times. He is their imaginary friend and they look to him for guidance. At one point, they took over the world. No one noticed because they left everything exactly as it was. They gave the world back after a week because it was depressing.
The Ryallon Series is his most popular endeavor into the field of writing. His Stories for Demented Children have lightened the hearts of many strange children and adults. He writes in the evenings and weekends whenever possible.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
December 4, 2013
Rojuun is the first book in a trilogy featuring a fun mix of characters questing through a fantasy world. Rojuun would make a great video game, with plenty of creative characters, spells, items, creatures, action, and settings. It's funny at times, although I'm not always sure it's intentional.
Unfortunately the character dialog is overly simplistic and often feels unnatural. The low points are a weak attempt to mix in romance and a character that kept reminding me of Jar Jar Binks.
Rojuun is an enjoyable book overall, and I will consider reading the later books in the series.
Unfortunately the character dialog is overly simplistic and often feels unnatural. The low points are a weak attempt to mix in romance and a character that kept reminding me of Jar Jar Binks.
Rojuun is an enjoyable book overall, and I will consider reading the later books in the series.
December 4, 2013
some men should just not write female characters and this is one of them. while liselle has the potential to be great and powerful heroine, all of that is destroyed toward the end of the book. instead of realizing just how strong she is, she develops these amazing powers and yet still whines about how she wishes a man would come save her. i would have been far more impressed if she had stumbled out of the tunnels to find her male counterparts wringing their hands and wondering what to do.
i feel like this was supposed to be some epic adventure story but it was just too silly. i did enjoy the humor but it outweighed the seriousness of the situation. also, we are told repeatedly that tathan is a serious and deadly man, and while that impression holds up in the beginning, as the adventurers travel on he becomes more like a carefree boy. i get that we are supposed to see how his companions changed him but it was a bit too much change a bit too fast.
lastly, i kept picturing vevin as jar jar binks and thus was unable to take a love story with him seriously. but that may have just been me.
all in all, it was fun and entertaining but that is about it.
i feel like this was supposed to be some epic adventure story but it was just too silly. i did enjoy the humor but it outweighed the seriousness of the situation. also, we are told repeatedly that tathan is a serious and deadly man, and while that impression holds up in the beginning, as the adventurers travel on he becomes more like a carefree boy. i get that we are supposed to see how his companions changed him but it was a bit too much change a bit too fast.
lastly, i kept picturing vevin as jar jar binks and thus was unable to take a love story with him seriously. but that may have just been me.
all in all, it was fun and entertaining but that is about it.
December 4, 2013
Started off slow but it did get better towards end. I thought that the humor almost made the story almost... Less serious? You have her cousin which is supposed to be dark and scary but then he does something that makes you lose faith in that, like link arms with Vevin (another male) and walk. Overall a good story though.
April 3, 2012
I have never been a fantasy fan, but I read this one anyway. The main problem for me was that neither the story nor the characters were really well fleshed out. It just all seemed so superficial.
December 4, 2013
Not a bad book, was a slow development. Felt like whole book was character development for next book in series (which I have not started reading yet. Just left me feeling "that's it?"
September 5, 2015
Fun, light fantasy adventure
Rojuun was fun little adventure. It follows a small eclectic group of friends as they meet each other and join up. At first they don't have much of a destination in mind they are just moving away from danger that two of the companions had encountered at the start of the story. Eventually they meet up with a group of druids and finally are given a quest to carry out.
Unlike some of the reviewers I enjoyed the way the story started. Where others thought it was slow I thought it gave us a chance to see the different sides to each character. One of the characters has been described as Jar Jar Bind like and I have to disagree. He was confused and affected by a head trauma that had become infected. As soon as he started talking I knew exactly what he was but apparently a lot of readers were just as shocked as his traveling companions once his true identity was openly revealed.
Another complaint some had was feeling that the heroine was weak because she asked for help from a man. I did not feel that way at all. Through out the story she keeps admonishing the men that she is just as capable as them in fighting and proves it repeatedly. It wasn't until she had endured a horrible attack and was fighting her way out and collapsing from exhaustion that she finally screams out for help. Even then it wasn't done thinking someone was going to truly answer but from desperation and as she was collapsing as she no longer had the strength to keep going.
In all I think the author did a great job creating a new world and some new creatures. I felt the characters developed nicely as not all is revealed all at once. Rather it feels like you get to know them just as you would in real life, a little at a time. I can't wait to read the next two in the trilogy.
Rojuun was fun little adventure. It follows a small eclectic group of friends as they meet each other and join up. At first they don't have much of a destination in mind they are just moving away from danger that two of the companions had encountered at the start of the story. Eventually they meet up with a group of druids and finally are given a quest to carry out.
Unlike some of the reviewers I enjoyed the way the story started. Where others thought it was slow I thought it gave us a chance to see the different sides to each character. One of the characters has been described as Jar Jar Bind like and I have to disagree. He was confused and affected by a head trauma that had become infected. As soon as he started talking I knew exactly what he was but apparently a lot of readers were just as shocked as his traveling companions once his true identity was openly revealed.
Another complaint some had was feeling that the heroine was weak because she asked for help from a man. I did not feel that way at all. Through out the story she keeps admonishing the men that she is just as capable as them in fighting and proves it repeatedly. It wasn't until she had endured a horrible attack and was fighting her way out and collapsing from exhaustion that she finally screams out for help. Even then it wasn't done thinking someone was going to truly answer but from desperation and as she was collapsing as she no longer had the strength to keep going.
In all I think the author did a great job creating a new world and some new creatures. I felt the characters developed nicely as not all is revealed all at once. Rather it feels like you get to know them just as you would in real life, a little at a time. I can't wait to read the next two in the trilogy.
July 8, 2013
4.5 stars! Ryallon is a vast world full of magic and strange creatures. War torn, but this book doesn't center on this, in fact you see very little of it. Instead this story centers on Tathan and his cousin Liselle. Tathan returns home after being gone for 14 years doing heaven knows what, but he comes home haunted by mysterious things in his past, and carries a dark sword that he won't allow out of his sight. After their family is murdered by marauding warriors, Tathan and his cousin Liselle journey north looking for a safe place. Along the way, they meet up with Sir Danth and Vevin, strange beings in their own right. After they meet up with some druids, they take up a quest to find out more about a strange new race of beings called the Rojuun.
This book is fast paced with lots of action, laugh out loud minutes, and a small romance in the beginnings as you are introduced to characters that you have never heard of. What I love about this story is that it is clean (no swearing or sex), and that the world is not some strange other world that you have to try and learn new words, so it is easy to picture this world in your imagination. The only thing I did not like about it is that it kept too many mysteries about Tathan's past. Why does he jump at shadows all the time? Who is he hiding from, and what is so special about his sword? It also doesn't end with a true ending, but leaves a cliffhanger at the end making you need to buy more of the series in order to get more of the story. But since this world is so well crafted, and the characters so engaging, I am definitely going to be looking for more of this world and series.
This book is fast paced with lots of action, laugh out loud minutes, and a small romance in the beginnings as you are introduced to characters that you have never heard of. What I love about this story is that it is clean (no swearing or sex), and that the world is not some strange other world that you have to try and learn new words, so it is easy to picture this world in your imagination. The only thing I did not like about it is that it kept too many mysteries about Tathan's past. Why does he jump at shadows all the time? Who is he hiding from, and what is so special about his sword? It also doesn't end with a true ending, but leaves a cliffhanger at the end making you need to buy more of the series in order to get more of the story. But since this world is so well crafted, and the characters so engaging, I am definitely going to be looking for more of this world and series.
May 28, 2013
This book was a free offering and looked interesting so I tried it.
What a gem I found!
From the time you start reading you realize this is not your ordinary fantasy book. The author has a really unique sense of humor that comes through in the dialogues between his characters. You are presented, subtly, with secrets, mysteries, shades of things to come... or not... and characters that feel like you could know them. You might not like all of them, but you could know them. :)
At first you think... ok I have the usual cast of characters...
Thief, damsel in distress, knight and a very odd, noone knows who he is, fellow they pick up along the way.
Now I would love to tell you more about them, but to do that would spoil the many surprises that are gradually revealed about them. Those surprises start to unfold right from the moment you meet them, but are revealed so elegantly, so just in passing at times, that you find yourself getting drawn along just to see what happens next.
I couldn't wait to buy the next book, and while I was dubious about whether the author could keep up this level of interest, I found my worries completely unneeded.
If you really want to get a laugh also...read the author's bio section. You realize once you read what he has to say about himself, that his characters will never be run of the mill or ordinary.
What a gem I found!
From the time you start reading you realize this is not your ordinary fantasy book. The author has a really unique sense of humor that comes through in the dialogues between his characters. You are presented, subtly, with secrets, mysteries, shades of things to come... or not... and characters that feel like you could know them. You might not like all of them, but you could know them. :)
At first you think... ok I have the usual cast of characters...
Thief, damsel in distress, knight and a very odd, noone knows who he is, fellow they pick up along the way.
Now I would love to tell you more about them, but to do that would spoil the many surprises that are gradually revealed about them. Those surprises start to unfold right from the moment you meet them, but are revealed so elegantly, so just in passing at times, that you find yourself getting drawn along just to see what happens next.
I couldn't wait to buy the next book, and while I was dubious about whether the author could keep up this level of interest, I found my worries completely unneeded.
If you really want to get a laugh also...read the author's bio section. You realize once you read what he has to say about himself, that his characters will never be run of the mill or ordinary.
January 31, 2015
Starting off slow, the book follows Tathan, a thief/killer/mercenary, who finally returns home after 14 years away. Of course, things are very different but he still settles in for a while, catching up on some much needed rest. However, an attack on his home by some wild warriors leaves everyone dead but Tathan and his cousin Liselle. Deciding that there was not much left for them there, they decided to travel north and see where it leads them.
It leads them to some interesting ruins where they meet Vevin (when it is uncovered what exactly Vevin is I was like the minion in Despicable Me as he goes Whhhhaaaattttt?!). They also comes across another surprising character, Sir Danth, and together the four of them set off on a merry adventure.
The story was written well, although I did come across a few errors in my kindle edition. There was also some well done humour that often had me laughing out loud.
This book started off being 2 stars, a few chapters in it grew to 3 stars and by chapter 9 it was 4 stars. I was really happy with this book and will definitely have to read more about their adventures in books 2 and 3.
It leads them to some interesting ruins where they meet Vevin (when it is uncovered what exactly Vevin is I was like the minion in Despicable Me as he goes Whhhhaaaattttt?!). They also comes across another surprising character, Sir Danth, and together the four of them set off on a merry adventure.
The story was written well, although I did come across a few errors in my kindle edition. There was also some well done humour that often had me laughing out loud.
This book started off being 2 stars, a few chapters in it grew to 3 stars and by chapter 9 it was 4 stars. I was really happy with this book and will definitely have to read more about their adventures in books 2 and 3.
March 3, 2013
I lost my first review before I could finish, so sadly I have to start over.
This has a great deal of ups and downs, and is a multilayered storyline, which I like. I am intrigued by the rojuun and their culture.
I'm also intrigued by the relationship between the (literal) flower child and the dragon. I saw it coming, as dragons and maidens just go together so often, but I really enjoyed the spin on it here. I also noticed that he solved the age-old speculations about the physics of dragons and virgins/maidens. He actually solved it similar to how I did with my own stories. His twist though is slightly different.
There is a lot of humor in the tale. My favorite humor moment is an exchange between Tathan and Sir Danth, after Vevin and Liselle publicly declare their love. There is also a lot of action, with plenty of very well done fight scenes and a great balance of physical prowess to magic. The party is very well balanced and I look forward to obtaining the next books (after paying bills) to continue with the party's travels.
This has a great deal of ups and downs, and is a multilayered storyline, which I like. I am intrigued by the rojuun and their culture.
I'm also intrigued by the relationship between the (literal) flower child and the dragon. I saw it coming, as dragons and maidens just go together so often, but I really enjoyed the spin on it here. I also noticed that he solved the age-old speculations about the physics of dragons and virgins/maidens. He actually solved it similar to how I did with my own stories. His twist though is slightly different.
There is a lot of humor in the tale. My favorite humor moment is an exchange between Tathan and Sir Danth, after Vevin and Liselle publicly declare their love. There is also a lot of action, with plenty of very well done fight scenes and a great balance of physical prowess to magic. The party is very well balanced and I look forward to obtaining the next books (after paying bills) to continue with the party's travels.
March 8, 2012
It is time for another book review and this time I want to tell you about Rojuun by John H. Carroll. I quite enjoyed this little flight of fantasy. Rojuun is John first book, and also the first in a three part series. John is a natural storyteller, and sets up an interesting cast of characters. There is the rogue thief, the ghost of a long dead knight, the dragon in human form, and the naive country girl with a serious talent for magic.
John sends this unlikely troupe out into a magical forest filled with druids, abandoned cities, castles, and underground cities built by alien creatures. This is a rollicking good tale with dangers lurking around every corner for our adventurers. Great fun.
You can find Rojuun here:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view...
The only rough spots here are the unpronounceable names and occasionally a little too much description, but these things are minor. I give this five stars for a debut novel. A nice fun read.
John sends this unlikely troupe out into a magical forest filled with druids, abandoned cities, castles, and underground cities built by alien creatures. This is a rollicking good tale with dangers lurking around every corner for our adventurers. Great fun.
You can find Rojuun here:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view...
The only rough spots here are the unpronounceable names and occasionally a little too much description, but these things are minor. I give this five stars for a debut novel. A nice fun read.
June 29, 2012
I greatly enjoy fantasy quest books. I really love witty, snarky dialogue. Mix these elements together with interesting characters and an energy compelling you to read the next word, line, page - and you have this book. It will have you laughing out loud in many, many places. I had a super hard time putting it down when it was already way past my bedtime or when lunch break was over. ~sigh~
My favorite character is Vevin. ~insert happy-to-meet-Vevin dance here~
Maybe it's the innocence despite his age. Maybe it's that he always tries to be happy as a default mood and enjoys exploring. Maybe it's because he just wants so much for the others to like him and not be afraid of him. Whatever the case, Vevin has become my favorite character from this series - and I know that Tathan, Liselle, and Sir Danth wouldn't mind too much. ~grin~
My favorite character is Vevin. ~insert happy-to-meet-Vevin dance here~
Maybe it's the innocence despite his age. Maybe it's that he always tries to be happy as a default mood and enjoys exploring. Maybe it's because he just wants so much for the others to like him and not be afraid of him. Whatever the case, Vevin has become my favorite character from this series - and I know that Tathan, Liselle, and Sir Danth wouldn't mind too much. ~grin~
February 22, 2012
I loved this book! It was very creative with a lot of unique and interesting new ideas. I loved the descriptions of the species of Rojuun, I've never heard of anything quite like them. The characters are also all very interesting and fleshed out. I feel like I know each of them personally and wont soon forget them. I especially loved Vivin, because not only was he unique, but he was extremely funny and cute. No matter what was going on in the book, Vivin seemed to bring a smile to my face. The adventure the friends start on was never boring, with new things around every corner. I can't wait till the next installment in this series to see the next vividly imagined adventure they have!
May 19, 2012
I felt it started off a little slow and I would get a little confused about what exactly was going on but it picked up quickly and then I flew through the pages. I hit the end of the book begging for the seconf book. I liked the dynamic of the four characters and always quessing who really is the most dangerous out of them all. I wonder where the series will go from here because I ended with too many questions I wanted answered.
August 23, 2014
I truly enjoyed this book. It has inspired to go out and purchase all his connected titles thus far. His characters, humor, and imagination are interesting and very worthy of investing in.
Thank you sir for the entertainment. This is my highest compliment, for I will never review if I am not entertained.
I am anxiously awaiting any further titles produced, and absolutely love your Tathan character, as well as Pelya from Dralin. Thank you for your literary efforts.
Thank you sir for the entertainment. This is my highest compliment, for I will never review if I am not entertained.
I am anxiously awaiting any further titles produced, and absolutely love your Tathan character, as well as Pelya from Dralin. Thank you for your literary efforts.
October 12, 2016
Very interesting world although it comes across a little simplistic relationally like a lot of going adult books often are. Still had me hooked. Will read the rest of the trilogy for sure but I'd have preferred the story in one book as it felt a little bit like it was just chopped up into chunks. There was a climactic ending of sorts but several plot points felt unresolved even without a cliffhanger ending.
Loved the characters and the world building and really can't fault the variety there.
Loved the characters and the world building and really can't fault the variety there.
February 11, 2015
I didn't read this
I read a little bit, but my dad had just got me a new book so I barely got to read 2 chapters, but from the little part I read it looked super good to me. Of course, that's just my opinion and I haven't read the whole book, so it can turn out to be stupid, but that's my opinion so nobody can change or judge it.
I read a little bit, but my dad had just got me a new book so I barely got to read 2 chapters, but from the little part I read it looked super good to me. Of course, that's just my opinion and I haven't read the whole book, so it can turn out to be stupid, but that's my opinion so nobody can change or judge it.
May 31, 2012
A bit awkward from time to time but was fairly imaginative. It wasnt bad or even terribly paced but didnt quite have enough attachment to the plot or characters to find and read the next book of the series.
March 30, 2012
I really enjoyed the pace of this story and I feel very connected to the group of characters and look forward to reading the rest of their adventures. Mr. Carroll is very gifted at creating a new world and making you feel a part of it. A true fantasy/sci-fi writer.
January 7, 2014
Could not read this. Language lacks imagination. Over reliance on state of being verbs makes this book too painful... even if it is free on Amazon. ...lack of imaginitive language makes for a droll book and more base a review. not what I want in a fantasy.
September 25, 2013
excellent so far
September 4, 2011
Interesting read, very different then my normal reads. Held my attention more then I expected considering I don't normally read alien books. Interested me enough to try another book of his.
October 18, 2012
i found this book very interesting and it didn't lack excitment what is what i loved about this book
April 5, 2017
eBook
July 4, 2013
Imaginative and enthralling with lovable and fascinating characters.
July 1, 2014
All the "types" of characters you normally see in fantasy novels, but not necessarily the cliches you might expect..
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews