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Aleth #1
Shadows
A stolen text...When the Book of Aleth is stolen, Aaron, captain of the Royal Guard, is ordered by Emperor Therion to reclaim the ancient tome. The mission thrusts Aaron into a world he's never known'a world of elves and dwarves, races long thought extinct; a world where everything he has known and believed is a lie.A secret past... Forced to challenge his long-held beliefs, Aaron and his companions, two soldiers of the Royal Guard and two men of the Dwarvish kingdom of Brekken-Dahl, set out on a quest to recover the Book. Aaron resolves to discover the truth, and rescue the empire he is sworn to protect.
- GenresFantasy
278 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 2011
2 people are currently reading
130 people want to read
About the author
Michael Duncan
65 books28 followersMichael has spent more than 20 years preaching and teaching God's Word. After serving in the U.S. Air Force, Rev. Duncan entered into public ministry and has served in four churches. He currently resides in Washington State with his wife and three children and serves as pastor.
When Michael is not preaching or teaching God's word, he spends time writing. His first novel, Shadows, released October 1st, 2011. He is an apprentice-level alumnus of the Christian Writer's Guild. Michael is also a member of the Northwest Christian Writers Association and serves as a board member and a critique group facilitator.
Given the opportunity, he also enjoys time on the golf course.
When Michael is not preaching or teaching God's word, he spends time writing. His first novel, Shadows, released October 1st, 2011. He is an apprentice-level alumnus of the Christian Writer's Guild. Michael is also a member of the Northwest Christian Writers Association and serves as a board member and a critique group facilitator.
Given the opportunity, he also enjoys time on the golf course.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
January 4, 2019
My thanks to NetGalley and Harbourlight Books Pelican Book Group for an eARC copy of this book to read and review.
Meh, got 30% of the way into this book and realized that 1) there was a gapping plot hole that had to be there in order for the book to go the way it was going and 2) it just wasn't grabbing me enough to want to follow the book to where it was going.
The word usage was not quite right in places, it was somewhat ponderous and heavy feeling and the book came across as thinking it was important and what was happening was deep and I just wasn't feeling it. It was telling me it was important and deep, but it wasn't convincing me of it.
Also, if you are commanding a military group and your orders to find a thief and retrieve what he stole, do you allow your unit to burn down the cottage the thief is in and once the fire is out, just leave the cottage without leaving behind a guard or going into the ruins to try to find the body and see if any of the stolen item remains to bring back to your leader?
What do you think the MC did? Yup, abandoned the cottage without attempting to retrieve the body or the stolen artifact, so when he went back in the morning, the item was re-stolen! Now he needs to track it down AGAIN. Sigh.
Not a bad book, if you like fantasy and the whole "quest to find the One Object that can bring balance to the Force/Save or Destroy the World, depending on who holds it" random object. 3 stars because I didn't hate it and I can see others enjoying it, but it wasn't quite for me.
Meh, got 30% of the way into this book and realized that 1) there was a gapping plot hole that had to be there in order for the book to go the way it was going and 2) it just wasn't grabbing me enough to want to follow the book to where it was going.
The word usage was not quite right in places, it was somewhat ponderous and heavy feeling and the book came across as thinking it was important and what was happening was deep and I just wasn't feeling it. It was telling me it was important and deep, but it wasn't convincing me of it.
Also, if you are commanding a military group and your orders to find a thief and retrieve what he stole, do you allow your unit to burn down the cottage the thief is in and once the fire is out, just leave the cottage without leaving behind a guard or going into the ruins to try to find the body and see if any of the stolen item remains to bring back to your leader?
What do you think the MC did? Yup, abandoned the cottage without attempting to retrieve the body or the stolen artifact, so when he went back in the morning, the item was re-stolen! Now he needs to track it down AGAIN. Sigh.
Not a bad book, if you like fantasy and the whole "quest to find the One Object that can bring balance to the Force/Save or Destroy the World, depending on who holds it" random object. 3 stars because I didn't hate it and I can see others enjoying it, but it wasn't quite for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 4, 2012
SHADOWS: BOOK OF ALETH PART ONE is a fantasy. I think. It has people in it who I have seen somewhere else. A veteran soldier, an impetuous younger one, and another who is brave beyond his rank. I have known people like that. It also has a few people who can think of no one but themselves, and I have known some like that, too. Most of us have known (or known of) people like these. So, when they trudge through snow until their feet go numb, or walk for days on end until they are almost too tired to stand up, we can relate to that. Everybody has been cold or tired at some time. But when all things that they have believed and been familiar with suddenly come into question; when the possibility arises that everything they have ever been taught might have been one, great, deceptive lie…
Well, that is probably one of the worst things anyone -- extraordinary, or otherwise -- could ever experience in their lives. And while not many of us would go to the lengths these three do to find out the truth, all of us will have at least wondered, once or twice, about them, ourselves. Which is what draws the reader into traveling along on their long quest. Their journey -- like life -- is a mixture of the beautiful and the terrible. Many times, it is uncertain as to who will survive. And most of the time, they aren't truly sure who their friends or enemies are, either. Life is like that, too.
SHADOWS is a fantasy tale, full of wilderness places and strange creatures, fighting against and fighting for things, and even legendary races of people that you can either believe in, or not, depending on how you were raised. All wrapped up in the age old struggle between good and evil. If you like this kind of story, you will not be disappointed. But I would have to caution that even if such things aren't your "usual cup of tea," and you decide to give it a try, anyway… watch out. There is something inside it that reaches out and grabs you with a very disturbing thought.
What if this book is true?
And (like me) it may take you quite some time to stop thinking about it and rationalize yourself back into your own normal world, again. Except I'm not sure if the thought, itself, will ever go away. But then isn't that the sign of a good storyteller? Well, of course, it is. So, thank you, Mr. Duncan. What else can I say, dear readers? Only that you have been fairly warned, now, and must read it at your own risk. The truth is, it could leave you wary of shadows for a long time to come.
Well, that is probably one of the worst things anyone -- extraordinary, or otherwise -- could ever experience in their lives. And while not many of us would go to the lengths these three do to find out the truth, all of us will have at least wondered, once or twice, about them, ourselves. Which is what draws the reader into traveling along on their long quest. Their journey -- like life -- is a mixture of the beautiful and the terrible. Many times, it is uncertain as to who will survive. And most of the time, they aren't truly sure who their friends or enemies are, either. Life is like that, too.
SHADOWS is a fantasy tale, full of wilderness places and strange creatures, fighting against and fighting for things, and even legendary races of people that you can either believe in, or not, depending on how you were raised. All wrapped up in the age old struggle between good and evil. If you like this kind of story, you will not be disappointed. But I would have to caution that even if such things aren't your "usual cup of tea," and you decide to give it a try, anyway… watch out. There is something inside it that reaches out and grabs you with a very disturbing thought.
What if this book is true?
And (like me) it may take you quite some time to stop thinking about it and rationalize yourself back into your own normal world, again. Except I'm not sure if the thought, itself, will ever go away. But then isn't that the sign of a good storyteller? Well, of course, it is. So, thank you, Mr. Duncan. What else can I say, dear readers? Only that you have been fairly warned, now, and must read it at your own risk. The truth is, it could leave you wary of shadows for a long time to come.
December 13, 2011
The author does a wonderful job of world building. He painted a picture of the scenery and visuals very well. The book is a good clean read, and I passed it along to my 11 year old son who is a fan of Eragon, and other High Fantasy novels. Personally, I am not a fan of High Fantasy, and prefer Light Fantasy with modern characters or Urban Fantasy.
We both found the jumping around of POV a bit hard to follow at times, and the action a little slow going in the first half of the novel. Once the Dwarves show up, it kicks into high gear. My son can't wait for the next one, and I'll be buying it for him.
We both found the jumping around of POV a bit hard to follow at times, and the action a little slow going in the first half of the novel. Once the Dwarves show up, it kicks into high gear. My son can't wait for the next one, and I'll be buying it for him.
January 28, 2012
*Goodreads Giveaway*
Excellent book, the story kept flowing and it kept me reading. I loved the little map that was given in the front of the story to show what the area is like. The characters and areas were well described so much so it felt like you were actually there with them.
If you are a fan of Tolkein you will definitely love this book as I have.
Well worth a read and I can't wait for the next in the series!
Excellent book, the story kept flowing and it kept me reading. I loved the little map that was given in the front of the story to show what the area is like. The characters and areas were well described so much so it felt like you were actually there with them.
If you are a fan of Tolkein you will definitely love this book as I have.
Well worth a read and I can't wait for the next in the series!
October 25, 2011
I was hooked on this book when I saw the trailer. Rarely do I read fantasy, but the winged monsters, elves, dwarves, and trolls combined with brilliant descriptions in mythical worlds swept me away. I wanted to keep reading the hero's continued journey as he is determined to fight evil with good.
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December 31, 2019Please see blog for [K]'s review: https://thepturnersbookblog.wordpress...
February 6, 2023
I listened to the Audiobook version of this. The narrator is Jarret Lemaster, a host on The Babylon Bee podcast. He was talking on an episode about his narration work and I wanted to check it out. It was actually pretty good. The story is good as well. I will definitely be listening to the next book too because the first one was a cliffhanger. It is funny though because Jarret is definitely American but uses a pretty good British accent for the reading.
April 14, 2012
If you enjoyed Tolkien's world in the Lord of the Rings series, then you will certainly enjoy Shadows, The Book of Aleth.
Michael Duncan has masterfully created a fantasy world riddled with evil, sometimes unseen. And through it all, the great hope inspired by The Book of Aleth touches the hearts of even the staunchest unbeliever, and all who learn of it begin to see through the lies of their world.
It's been years since I've read anything in the fantasy genre, but I must commend the author for a well-inspired, well-written work. This story truly deserves recognition in the fantasy realm...I'm sure Gandalf would agree.
Michael Duncan has masterfully created a fantasy world riddled with evil, sometimes unseen. And through it all, the great hope inspired by The Book of Aleth touches the hearts of even the staunchest unbeliever, and all who learn of it begin to see through the lies of their world.
It's been years since I've read anything in the fantasy genre, but I must commend the author for a well-inspired, well-written work. This story truly deserves recognition in the fantasy realm...I'm sure Gandalf would agree.
December 30, 2012
*NOTE: This is my husband, Seth's, review as he is helping me get through my gigantic review pile.*
Shadows started out fairly stereotypical to anyone who has ever read a medieval fantasy book. It did not get much better from there. I'm not saying it was a bad book. I'm not saying it was good. The characters were strongly written. There wasn't any lagging in the story. It flowed fairly nicely. I just felt underwhelmed by it as I felt I have read it half a dozen times in the past already.
Shadows started out fairly stereotypical to anyone who has ever read a medieval fantasy book. It did not get much better from there. I'm not saying it was a bad book. I'm not saying it was good. The characters were strongly written. There wasn't any lagging in the story. It flowed fairly nicely. I just felt underwhelmed by it as I felt I have read it half a dozen times in the past already.
March 18, 2012
This month we're discussing this book in the ACFW reading group. I found this an interesting book and am looking forward to the discussion.
April 28, 2018
Shadows: Book Of Aleth Is a very intense, mystifying book. The author has you able to picture the world he has created in detail and has also given you the ability to visualize what the characters look like to a T. Mr. Duncan really keeps you on your toes while he throws a ton of twists and proverbial turns at you and you love it. He also brings to your awareness that not all things are as it seems. Like good isn't always good or bad isn't always bad - isn't that the way it truly is though? Evil disguises itself as good like as far back as in the Garden and continues to today. The author does a great job keeping you captivated and enthralled the whole time - what a journey.
July 5, 2018
Its always hard with books in this genre to not compare them to Tolkien's world in the Lord of the Rings even though you try your best not to!
And the same goes for reviewing them!
Its a huge cliche to say "If you loved Tolkien's Lord of the Rings then you will enjoy this book"
But that is what I want to write!!
The action a little slow going in the first half of the novel but once the Dwarves came into it it really gets going.
Very enjoyable read and i will definitely be reading the rest in the series!
And the same goes for reviewing them!
Its a huge cliche to say "If you loved Tolkien's Lord of the Rings then you will enjoy this book"
But that is what I want to write!!
The action a little slow going in the first half of the novel but once the Dwarves came into it it really gets going.
Very enjoyable read and i will definitely be reading the rest in the series!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews