I recently finished reading ‘Beginning of a Hero’, first part of the Legends of Windemere series by Charles Yallowitz. As it happens, I read this very quickly, for one simple reason. It was enthralling. I felt compelled to keep going, constantly wanting to know what happened next. Unfortunately I had to stop to leave for work, and with only a few pages remaining, it was extremely difficult to put it down. I kept saying to myself just one more paragraph, just one more page. Then I was very nearly late for work and spent the rest of the day waiting to get the chance to complete it.
Please do not be deceived by the title of this post however. It is not my intention to write a review of this wonderful book. There have been a number of reviews written about this book recently that have done the job far better than I could. In particular Ionias review is excellent, albeit with an insanely long title and is well worth reading. I do intend to add a quick review and recommendation to Amazon, and probably to Goodreads too.
I did want to make it known to everyone how much I enjoyed this book though. I thought that this book was great and I really liked many of the characters finding myself heavily invested in them from the beginning of the book.
The ending leaves a lot of unanswered questions for me and a real desire to know what happens next. I am eager for the sequel. So Charles, fantastic job, and when is the sequel likely to be out? I am waiting in anticipation.
I’m so happy that you liked it. When I saw the preview in my reader it ended at ‘for one simple reason’, which was rather suspenseful. Thank you in advance for the reviews you mentioned. I look forward to reading them.
Did you have a favorite character? I always ask this when someone says they liked my book. 😀
The sequel is only missing its cover art, which I’m hoping to receive by the end of the month or early June. Aiming to have a 3-month gap between books. I’m really anxious too.
LikeLike
That is great news about the sequel and the later books. My favourite character? Tricky. I actually really liked Aedyn so he was probably my favourite, but there were a lot of very likeable characters, even the evil ones. I enjoyed the humour that you injected into the book. My favourite fantasy authors, Eddings and Feist both seem to use humour to good effect and that always makes things, well, more fun and enjoyable, which is what I like from fantasy.
LikeLike
You’re the first of the Aedyn fans, which I’ve been waiting a long time for. 😉
Terry Pratchett is another that uses a lot of humor in his books to great effect. I’m realizing that even as I hit on some darker parts in the later books, I’m still finding points to put humor in. Nothing that destroys a scene, of course.
LikeLike
I think that humour can be used to very good effect to complement darker scenes, obviously if used wisely, as you say.
I have never read any Terry Pratchett, to my shame. I think he became too popular at the time I was going to read him and I rebelled against that. I often do that with books, films, music, etc. I will have to give him a go sometime.
LikeLike
I do the same thing. I still haven’t read beyond the first Harry Potter books, but it wasn’t so much rebellion. It’s because people told me all about them, so the mystery was tarnished. Also, the hype makes me nervous that the actual thing won’t live up to it. Then I’m the guy who doesn’t like the new trend. It happened with me and Stephen King’s Dark Tower. All my friends praises it and told me how exciting it was. I read the first book and it didn’t meet my expectations. I’m sure this declaration is going to cost me friends. One never says they didn’t like Stephen King.
LikeLike
Don’t worry. I am with you on this. If something is too hyped I will rarely read or watch it. I had never read any Stephen King, until a few days ago that is, when I started ‘On Writing’. Although I suspect that now I am going to make the effort. I don’t worry so much about knowing what is going to happen before I read or watch, but if friends are too effusive about something I am wary. I don’t want to have to say to someone that I didn’t like something they think is perfect, so I avoid it. Sounds a bit cowardly now I write it down 🙂
LikeLike
I read ‘On Writing’ so long ago, but it was a really good book. It was the textbook for my 400-level Creative Writing class. The genre is changed every semester and I got horror. Missed romance by a semester.
I avoid that type of conversation too. I’ve noticed that some people can’t accept that a friend doesn’t like something.
LikeLike
Reblogged this on Legends of Windemere and commented:
Praise for Legends of Windemere: Beginning of a Hero. Check it out and follow Julian Froment’s Blog. Both actions are worth your time.
LikeLike
Thanks for the plug 🙂 I need more followers.
LikeLike
You’re welcome. Don’t we all need more minions . . . I mean, followers. 😉
LikeLike
Absolutely, how else will we achieve world domination (or peace. Take your pick.)
LikeLike
There’ll be peace once we dominate the world. Sort of.
LikeLike
I like that. It sounds like a plan.
LikeLike
Cool! I’m looking forward to reading it 😀
LikeLike
Definitely worth the time. Do it! 🙂
LikeLike
Beginnings of a Hero is on my TBR list.
LikeLike
I definitely think that it should be. I heartily recommend it. I hope that you will enjoy it.
LikeLike