Progeny (Children of the White Lions, #1)

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Progeny (Children of the White Lions, #1)

by R.T. Kaelin (Goodreads Author)

4.06 of 5 stars 4.06 · rating details · 126 ratings · 52 reviews

Nikalys and his sister Kenders grew up living a peaceful life in the quiet farming village of Yellow Mud... until the blistering hot day when they go to the nearby lake for a swim. When they reach the lake, they spy an unknown mage conjure a massive water creature hundreds of feet tall. They watch in horror as the water creature plunges toward their home, apparently drowni...more Nikalys and his sister Kenders grew up living a peaceful life in the quiet farming village of Yellow Mud... until the blistering hot day when they go to the nearby lake for a swim. When they reach the lake, they spy an unknown mage conjure a massive water creature hundreds of feet tall. They watch in horror as the water creature plunges toward their home, apparently drowning all in its path, including their parents and older brother, Jak.

As the only survivors, brother and sister strike out on their own, hoping to discover the reason their home and family was destroyed. They must make their way through a countryside where magic is outlawed, punishable by imprisonment or even death while struggling with the revelation that Kenders has magical abilities herself.

Although Kenders can feel and touch the many-colored "strands" of magic she has no idea how to use them until she and Nikalys are attacked by a pack of wolves and Kenders instinctively summons a bolt of lightning, immediately collapsing when the effort drains her of all her energy. From nowhere a giant lynx appears and saves the pair from certain death and then miraculously morphs into his natural self, a seven-foot-tall man. The shape changer's name is Broedi and when the time is right, he reveals to the siblings that he is one of the original White Lions and he recites to them an ancient prophecy that tells of the coming of a new and even more terrible war than the one centuries ago. The evil Gods of Chaos, Strife, and Sorrow and Pain would combine efforts to unite the orcs, gnolls and razorfiends --- normally sworn enemies. The forces of good would be led by two children of other White Lions; those children are Nikalys and Kenders, the Progeny.

As brother and sister struggle with the revelation that the only parents they could remember were not their birth parents, some of the Gods and Goddesses were busy setting other events in motion. Others people - strangers at first - would gather and become allies of the Progeny. Together, they were about to be caught up in the greatest conflict the world had ever seen.

Ancient, powerful forces still seek the Progeny on their travels, some intent to eliminate the threat they pose, some hoping to help them fulfill a destiny of which they are unaware. Myths and legends come to life, whisking the pair along a journey they never could have imagined possible.(less)

Kindle Edition, 636 pages

Published February 3rd 2011 by Terrene Press (first published November 27th 2010)

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Sep 10, 2012 Rachel's Book Reviews rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: reviewed, fantasy

Progeny by R.T. Kaelin
Synopsis from the back cover- “Nikalys and his sister Kenders grew up living a peaceful life in the quiet farming village of Yellow Mud…until one blistering hot summer day when they went to the nearby lake for a swim. When they reached the lake, they saw and unknown mage conjure a massive water creature hundreds of feet tall. They watched in horror as the monstrous creation plunged toward their home, apparently drowning all in its path, including their parents and older br...more Progeny by R.T. Kaelin
Synopsis from the back cover- “Nikalys and his sister Kenders grew up living a peaceful life in the quiet farming village of Yellow Mud…until one blistering hot summer day when they went to the nearby lake for a swim. When they reached the lake, they saw and unknown mage conjure a massive water creature hundreds of feet tall. They watched in horror as the monstrous creation plunged toward their home, apparently drowning all in its path, including their parents and older brother, Jak.
As the only survivors, brother and sister strike out on their own, hoping to discover the reason their home and family was destroyed. They must make their way through a countryside where magic is outlawed, punishable by imprisonment or even death, while struggling with the revelation that Kenders has magical abilities herself. Ancient, powerful forces seek them on their travels- some intending to eliminate the threat they pose, and some hoping to help them fulfill a destiny of which they are unaware. Myths and Legends come to life, whisking the pair along a journey they never could have imagined possible.”
This book was the hardest book I have ever read. Not in the good way either. You may have read my review for ‘Allon’ by Shawn Lamb, I mentioned that it had a unique style that would be most appreciated by experienced readers. This is totally different. To be blunt, this was a major waste of my time. Tons of reviewers have given it good reviews (haven’t seen one below five stars yet.) I don’t see where they get ‘almost as good as the Chronicles of Narnia.’ I suppose it’s all up to opinion. The syntax was muddled, and the content was constantly redundant. I would sometimes have to re-read ENTIRE paragraphs to understand what was going on. Or, one of my favorite mishaps was learning that after four pages that the view had switched to a completely new character in a completely different place. I almost felt physically exhausted after reading it. I would stop after about twenty pages and do something else (within the course of one hundred pages, I read four other books), it was sucking the energy right out of me. I really do not like being a negative person, but I couldn’t find anything positive. Cussing was a medium amount and I would definitely not recommend this book.
(After reading the book, I read the back synopsis and realized there are five grammatical errors, I corrected them in this review.)
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Mar 15, 2011 Tad rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: first-reads, fantasy

I was fortunate to win this book in a first-reads giveaway. Very entertaining epic fantasy. The world-building and system of magic are impressive. The heroes are easy to root for and identify with.

After seeing their village destroyed by an evil mage in a land where magic is outlawed, brother and sister Nikalys and Kenders flee, leaving behind the only life they have known. As they journey towards a fate greater than either of them imagined lay in store for them, they assembly a group of allies...more

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Feb 10, 2011 Uriah rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, epic

I first heard about this book when it was listed as a first reads giveaway. As an avid devourer of fantasy books I signed up to win and didn't think much of it beyond that. I was surprised when the author contacted me a few days later and invited me to join a sub forumn about the group where we could ask questions and discuss the book. I could tell that this was an autor who was passionate about his story and wanted it to succeed. This piqued my curiosity and I went and read the intro to the sto...more I first heard about this book when it was listed as a first reads giveaway. As an avid devourer of fantasy books I signed up to win and didn't think much of it beyond that. I was surprised when the author contacted me a few days later and invited me to join a sub forumn about the group where we could ask questions and discuss the book. I could tell that this was an autor who was passionate about his story and wanted it to succeed. This piqued my curiosity and I went and read the intro to the story. I could tell then that he author had good reason to be enthusiastic, this was not your run of the mill fantasy. I crossed my fingers to win a first reads copy but knew that if I didn't, I would purchase one on my own, which I ended up doing.

The world presented in Progeny is an evocative mix of the normal and the supernatural. I found myself easily slipping into the world and capable of seeing it as they did. The settings are imaginative yet grounded in the possible. The people of this world are "people" instead of falling into racial stereotypes. The characters are visibly but not fatally flawed(in a good way), giving them depth and evoking emotion. All this combines to present a recognizable world in an extraordinary setting.

A couple of the things I like most in the book are the magic system and the sense of history. The magic is understandable but also invisible. You see people using it but your imagination must fill in the details. While parts of the language may remind of other books, the use is obviously original. The history and interplay between nationalities and nations is also rich and well executed. Part of me can't decide wether I would rather see the next book or a prequel. The sense of history is not only apparent in exposition but also in the settings and interplay.

The book is well written. The first couple of chapters are the roughest but then it falls into an easy rythem. It was a pleasure to read. I won't give any spoilers here but he plot does twist at times. The development of the characters is obvious and real as are their relationships.

I hope we do not need to wait long to see another installment in this series.(less)

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Jan 18, 2013 Nikki rated it 4 of 5 stars

This was super. If you like magic, and big battles. New heroes discovering their power. It did lose a star for editing. At one point one of the character said orcs. This pulled me right out of the story. This tail didn't have orcs. It made me pause to wonder if the big grey bad guys had been called orcs and then the author changed it. It had a few other grammar issues, but what book (or review) doesn't. Overall really great. Really full length. Some of these free kindle books are a little on the...more

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R.T. Kaelin Nikki -

You're 100% right on the typos thing. I did my best, had some beta readers help me out, but we missed a bunch. So, I went out and hired a copye...more
Jan 17, 2013 06:01pm

Nikki R.T. wrote: "Nikki -

You're 100% right on the typos thing. I did my best, had some beta readers help me out, but we missed a bunch. So, I went out and...more
Jan 18, 2013 02:28pm

R.T. Kaelin Perhaps for the big publishers they do, but for us independent authors, I don't think so. At least I've never received one when I update a file (and I...more
Jan 18, 2013 02:46pm

Jan 17, 2013 Elizabeth rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: read-reviewed

I got this for free as one of the bookbub daily deals, and I was pleasantly surprised. (Most of the other free books have been quite terrible, but amusing, if that makes sense.) I quite enjoyed this one.

I really enjoyed the characters, and there wasn't a lot of angst, which can be a bit of a turn off. There was, however, some character development, and I appreciated it. For the most part, it's a light read, and it feels a bit unpolished, but there's something solid to the world Kaelin has built,...more

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May 11, 2012 Betty-Anne rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Without a doubt, R. T. Kaelin’s Progeny goes on my list of high fantasy to be re-read. With the number of books currently competing for my attention, that is saying a lot.

At first glance, it seems that Kaelin has written a formulaic quest-type fantasy story. He has elves, mages, orcs and Halflings, a sword and magic. I’ve seen all of these elements appear in stories before. The thing is, I still read many of them, because I’m always looking for one thing I want above all else when I read fantasy...more Without a doubt, R. T. Kaelin’s Progeny goes on my list of high fantasy to be re-read. With the number of books currently competing for my attention, that is saying a lot.

At first glance, it seems that Kaelin has written a formulaic quest-type fantasy story. He has elves, mages, orcs and Halflings, a sword and magic. I’ve seen all of these elements appear in stories before. The thing is, I still read many of them, because I’m always looking for one thing I want above all else when I read fantasy. That one thing is story – and without a doubt, Kaelin delivers.

Teenagers Nikalys and his sister Kenders live in a country where magic is outlawed and viewed as something to be feared. When they witness an act of magic that ultimately destroys their tiny village, along with their parents and all the people they know and love, they are forced to leave the only home they’ve ever known.

Along with their older brother Jak, they undertake a journey that begins with the intention of finding the elf responsible for the destruction of their home. Meetings with several different persons, almost from the start cause Nikalys and Kenders to find out more about a destiny that had been hidden from them. Much more is at stake than they could ever have believed. Progeny is the story of the first step to them becoming who they were meant to be.

Let me backtrack a little however. I have actually read two different versions of this book. The first version (which I received from the author) was longer, but had fewer chapters. There was more setup before the action, and a somewhat slower pacing. The second version I read is the one that’s now available for purchase. It has an entirely different prologue, almost twice as many chapters … but is actually a shorter book.

I was so impressed with the level of storytelling in the original version that I simply had to have the new version, even if it meant that I was basically reading the same book again. I wanted not only to see what had changed, but to know whether Kaelin actually did a better job on the story than the first time around. The changes made the story move along much more quickly. The shorter chapters in particular added a welcome level of tension that resulted in a tighter, more exciting book.

I became quickly caught up in the characters’ lives – not only Nikalys and Kenders, but also Broedi, Zecus and especially Nundle – and with each page, wanted to know what was happening with them next. By the ending, I was satisfied with where the story had gone and how the first level of resolution had taken place.

This is an excellent fantasy that you will find yourself wanting to share when you’re done. Like me, I think you’ll be anxiously awaiting the second book in the series. In the meantime, however, Kaelin also has a series of four collections of short stories which expand on the world created in Progeny. These are also an excellent read, and helped feed the addiction just a little.
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Apr 21, 2012 Sandie rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Rarely, readers are honored to discover a book that is so entrancing, so fascinating, that they are carried away to another land. Progeny is such a book, and those who read it will be changed by the experience.

Nikalys and his sister, Kenders leave their small farm to go swimming for the afternoon. Little do they know their trip will change their lives forever. Returning after their swim, they are horrified to observe a Sun Elf using magic to destroy their village and everyone they have known, in...more Rarely, readers are honored to discover a book that is so entrancing, so fascinating, that they are carried away to another land. Progeny is such a book, and those who read it will be changed by the experience.

Nikalys and his sister, Kenders leave their small farm to go swimming for the afternoon. Little do they know their trip will change their lives forever. Returning after their swim, they are horrified to observe a Sun Elf using magic to destroy their village and everyone they have known, including their parents and brother, Jak. They flee, unsure what to do or why their village has been targeted.

Fearful, they are unwilling to trust anyone, but find themselves in the company of a giant man who somehow wins their trust. This man, Broedi reveals much to them as they travel. He reminds them of the story underlying their society, that of the White Lions who came together to save humanity when the God of Chaos decided to destroy the world. The ancient stories that tell of the White Lions also foretell of new heroes that will emerge when the world needs them--the Progeny. Nikalys and Kenders are shocked to find that Broedi is one of the White Lions and a Shapeshifter, but totally disoriented when they come to realise that they are the Progeny of the legends.

For Chaos is again making an attempt to destroy all that is known. As they determine to fight the forces of evil, their group is joined by others. Wonderfully, they discover that Jak has somehow escaped the carnage that destroyed the village and is able to join them. A Halfling with magic powers becomes one of the band. A company of soldiers that is sent by the Sun Elf to find and destroy them instead become part of the group. They save a family out on the remote plains, and the surviving members of that family also start to travel with them. Together, this small band must attempt to fight the overwhelming forces of evil that are determined to destroy everything they hold dear.

Robert Jordan. George R. R. Martin. Stephen Donaldon. Brandon Sanderson. These are the masters of fantasy and readers of Progeny will be able to discover a new voice that is destined to match those authors. R.T. Kaelin has created a complex world that his original and creative storytelling manages to make realistic and believable. The characters are fresh and engaging. While the story of good versus evil and a band who comes together to fight overwhelming odds is a staple of the fantasy genre, Kaelin manages to make it seem new again. He draws the reader along marveling at the story that unfolds and willing to go wherever he leads. The book is very highly recommended for all readers, and especially for fantasy fans. When the last page is read, readers are left satisfied, fulfilled and impatient for the next book in the series. (less)

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Mar 27, 2011 Tina Peterson rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Progeny is the debut novel of a brand new author who visions that this story will take place in a series of books (he's thinking 5 at this time). Fast moving, engrossing and action packed you will find yourself feeling like you are part of the landscape as you follow the characters through a story with much depth.

This is story of a planet (Terrene), several different races, magic, the paranormal and a prophecy by the "gods" involving young adults Nikalys, Kenders and Jak and the race to save an...more Progeny is the debut novel of a brand new author who visions that this story will take place in a series of books (he's thinking 5 at this time). Fast moving, engrossing and action packed you will find yourself feeling like you are part of the landscape as you follow the characters through a story with much depth.

This is story of a planet (Terrene), several different races, magic, the paranormal and a prophecy by the "gods" involving young adults Nikalys, Kenders and Jak and the race to save and make the world a better place. The story opens with a cataclysmic event that starts our 3 main characters on the journey of a lifetime. As that journey continues we meet many different characters that play a specific purpose throughout the story and have a strong influence on the decisions that Nikalys, Kenders and Jak make.

RT Kaelin has taken the time to think through his storyline, he has created a history and personality for each of the characters and I'm sure as the books are published we will find that each has their own individual story "behind the main story". I found the book to immediately capture my attention since as you know I am a BIG Lord of the Rings fan. I found the author carefully planned out the topography, the language, the poetry, the events and the battles just like Tolkien did and I think that is partly why I loved the book so much - the nice thing about RT Kaelin's writing though is that I didn't have to concentrate as much to keep the events straight, the language used by the writer made it very easy to follow along and wasn't "difficult" like Tolkien's was.

You will find the elves, the dwarves, the longlegs (the race of men), there are the magician's (I took them as warlocks almost), the orcs and the halflings. In addition, Kaelin has added the soulwraiths (similar to the black wraiths mentioned in LOTR), the razor fiends, the demons and bullockboars, One thing that caught my attention is the choices that those on the wrong side and those on the good side make that has an effect on future events for themselves and the world.

I would give this book 5 stars! I personally would suggest this book for young adults 15/16 on up due to the dark nature of the magic and feeling I got of the soulwraiths, demons and warlocks being possessed (you'll see what I mean when you read the book). I am definitely looking forward to Book 2!(less)

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Mar 09, 2011 Mandy rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

R.T. Kaelin has begun a new phenomenon with his debut book, Progeny. Rarely do we see such work come from a new author. The first in a new series, Progeny promises an exhilirating ride.

After watching the destruction of their entire village, siblings Jak, Nikalys, and Kenders, soon learn that little they accepted as fact was true while myths turn out to be real. Faced with a new reality and a challenge to fulfill their role in a prophecy, the siblings begin a coming of age journey of self-realiz...more

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Feb 24, 2011 Lisa rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Nikalys and Kenders Isaac have lived a simple life as children of a farmer in the town of Yellow Mud. When a summer day leads them away from their village, they never predicted that it would also save their lives. From a distance, the two witness the magical destruction of their town - including their friends and family - by a mysterious elf and several robed figures. After watching the terrifying encounter, the two siblings flee. Magic has always been outlawed in their home, but even more start...more Nikalys and Kenders Isaac have lived a simple life as children of a farmer in the town of Yellow Mud. When a summer day leads them away from their village, they never predicted that it would also save their lives. From a distance, the two witness the magical destruction of their town - including their friends and family - by a mysterious elf and several robed figures. After watching the terrifying encounter, the two siblings flee. Magic has always been outlawed in their home, but even more startling than seeing it destroy their lives is the discovery of unique powers within themselves. Setting out to notify the authorities, Kenders and Nikalys soon cross paths with a giant of a man named Broedi. Possessing the rare talent of shapeshifting, he is a fortunate ally who holds the secrets to their past - as well as their future.

Progeny by R.T. Kaelin is a stunning work of epic fantasy. The story is wonderfully told and full of action and adventure. Along with the Isaac siblings and their large companion, the book is populated with well-developed characters. The story lines are beautifully woven together and each new multi-dimensional hero or villain that is introduced adds a new layer of perspective to the tale. These characters flourish in the the expansive fantasy landscape that Kaelin has created. A single village or kingdom is not enough to contain the story, so the setting is an entire nation with multiple terrains, laws, races, and cultures. Along with a pantheon of gods - good, neutral, and evil - the story refers to seasons, history, education, politics, ancient prophecy, customs, and legends of the land, all of which contribute to bringing the world to life. The universe also contains a richly detailed and unique system of magic. The system is built upon the concept of Strands - nine of them, each with a unique color and property - and those with a gift for magic wield it by weaving together the types of Strands they are able to use. Some users can control multiple types such as fire, air, water; some can only touch a few; others have no knowledge of magic at all; while some can sense it but not use it.

Cleverly conceived and expertly crafted, Kaelin demonstrates great talent as a writer with this work. The grand scale world-building, rarely seen in a debut novel, is on par with current greats of the genre such as Brandon Sanderson and Jim Butcher. Though it nears seven hundred pages long, the epilogue comes far too soon; but the story holds great promise for future adventures in the series. Overall, Progeny is a fantastic book! It is appropriate for young adults or fans of high fantasy of any age. While it does tell a succinct story, it will definitely leave readers eagerly anticipating its sequel! (less)

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Jun 07, 2012 Mike rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: partly-read, needs-editing, indie

Why I stopped reading this book:

I read a lot, and almost all of it is fantasy. I tend to avoid epic fantasy, though, because it's so often the same story tediously retold at unnecessary length. I pick up a book, read the blurb, and see one (often more than one) of the following described, and I quickly put it down again.

Epic fantasy plot #1: The Chosen One must find the Lost McGuffin in order to defeat the Dark Lord, who… [at this point I stop reading]

Epic fantasy plot #2: A corrupt empire is at...more

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Jan 31, 2011 Michelle (Clover Hill Book Reviews) rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book knocked my socks off! I highly recommend it - this review is also on my blog.

The cover on this symbolizes the essence of the story, the White Lions, a select few originally chosen by the gods to defend and maintain balance, fighting evil in its many guises, including those that incarnate (e.g. God of Deception), among many.

From the first chapter I was completely hooked. I was drawn into a community where magic is outlawed, and had just met Nikalys and his sister Kenders, before being...more This book knocked my socks off! I highly recommend it - this review is also on my blog.

The cover on this symbolizes the essence of the story, the White Lions, a select few originally chosen by the gods to defend and maintain balance, fighting evil in its many guises, including those that incarnate (e.g. God of Deception), among many.

From the first chapter I was completely hooked. I was drawn into a community where magic is outlawed, and had just met Nikalys and his sister Kenders, before being immersed into an utterly devastating event for their community, which sees their village being destroyed and the probability of their family having died as a result. Nikalys and Kenders are hurtled into an unknown fate, as they put distance between themselves and the incredibly powerful (but outlawed) magic which they were the witnesses and survivors of.

This novel is a fantasy about family, legacies, strengths, coming of age and also magical powers..."the strands". Anyone who enjoys adventure stories or magical and paranormal I would suggest you give this a try. For me, Progeny is in league with both The Chronicles of Narnia and Lord of the Rings and far better than Harry Potter - Progeny has a wealth of depth to it that I haven't seen in many books.

Progeny has many layers of stories within its pages, and I found it totally awe inspiring as a read, with each character that is developed really coming to life and adding weight to the story telling. It's hard for me to pick a favorite character to be honest, as they were all of a fantastic quality. We get to see flaws, weaknesses and the loathsomeness in the most evil characters of the plot. The Sun Elf is exceptionally evil and self centered, leaving both chaos and death in his wake, I loved some of his creations which added to his dastardly deeds. Broedi is a strong, relaxed and fairly easy going character who oozes control with a mindset of a protector and true friend. Nundle the Halfling is a joy to read about. I loved the way a character of such small stature could make such a big difference - not only do we get to see him as he rises from being under the thumb of a horrible teacher, we see him in a setting which he deserves to be part of with his magical talents. The progressions of both Nikalys and Kenders if fascinating, alongside that of their friends.

There's also a wealth of villages and backdrops which characters are either from, pass through or end up at, all of which have their own story which we also see and become part of as the story continues. Progeny is well paced, and seamlessly weaves lots of stories and characters without effort or flaw.

My favorite quote from Progeny:
"I feel like an arrow. For thirty-six years, I remained inside a quiver. Now suddenly, I've been shot and am flying through the air, trying to glimpse and grasp everything as it all rushes past."

I thoroughly enjoyed the build up to the last couple of chapters. We are left knowing that there is more to come, so I hope Sabine makes her mind up, and that it's clarified in the next book if Eliza and Aryn Atticus are no longer living - this was hinted at, but not confirmed. I loved the idea of the gods aiding and making pacts behind closed doors on either sides, and I also loved the use of "the strands"...the use of magic...for me reminiscent of a dvd which I adore for its use of T'ai Chi & energy working -The Last Airbender.

For all of its 650+ pages, Progeny is the biggest book I've read for a while - however it is also substantial in content and storyline. I've enjoyed it immensely from start to finish and am really looking forward to whatever happens next - it's sure to be good after the high bar R.T. Kaelin has made with Progeny. A highly recommended read, this is a great story of epic proportions, which I would love to see this as a film. My only question now is...when can we expect the next one?!(less)

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Sep 03, 2011 Lydia Presley rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2011, fiction, fantasy

Original review posted here.

I don’t normally read and review self-published books, but when Mr. Kaelin contacted me with the pitch for Progeny (and after seeing numerous five star reviews – and a few one star) I decided to give this one a go. My package arrived complete with Progeny bookmark and business cards and a bright, shiny, HUGE book.

Overall, I was not disappointed by Progeny. On a scale of 1-5 I’d give it a solid 3 1/2 stars. There were things that needed fixing, but there were some mast...more Original review posted here.

I don’t normally read and review self-published books, but when Mr. Kaelin contacted me with the pitch for Progeny (and after seeing numerous five star reviews – and a few one star) I decided to give this one a go. My package arrived complete with Progeny bookmark and business cards and a bright, shiny, HUGE book.

Overall, I was not disappointed by Progeny. On a scale of 1-5 I’d give it a solid 3 1/2 stars. There were things that needed fixing, but there were some masterful parts of the story as well and, let’s face it, it’s hard work writing a high fantasy novel the size and length of this one.

In a way, Kaelin’s magic system reminded me of Brandon Sanderson. It was thrilling, unique and very interesting and came across as well thought out. A thorough explanation provided in the story, as well as an Appendix, helped with grasping its intricacies as well as made certain parts of the story even more astounding. I think that the magic system was the best part of this book and will be enough to keep me reading to see if Kaelin has made improvements to the style of the story in Book 2.

So what needed improvements? The length. It was much too long, and much of that was travel time, endless repeating of the background of the characters (we know most of it, we don’t need to hear it retold), some editing errors here and there (pg 627, second to last paragraph for example), and the pace was just too slow. It is possible to give the illusion of time passing without spelling out the endless meals, talks and flirting? of the characters with one another. I felt as if there was this huge story just simmering beneath, this massive conflict, but the book gave me 500 pages of set-up with very little actual action that fit with the storyline.

And I don’t even want to talk about the history that came with the introduction of the character Nundle (whom I loved, the history lesson.. I did not). That soon into the story, when the reader is so overwhelmed with everything, it just induces yawns and made me want to skip over the whole thing.

But I did love the characters! I found Nundle to be perfectly cast, given that he’s a halfling. I found Broedi to be intimidating and comforting at the same time. I’m harboring a bit of a crush on Sargeant Trell, and I loved seeing Zecus come into his own. Sabine was a bit of an annoying distraction, I have to admit, but the addition of Helene made for some great comedic moments.

And most of all, the siblings. I found the bond between Jak, Nik and Kenders to be tightly woven and I admit to even shedding a tear now and then when circumstances and fate seemed to want to play with them more than was necessary.

Overall, Progeny is a promising beginning for R.T. Kaelin, and I’ll be looking for his second book, with the hopes that some of the things I’ve talked about here will be addressed. I’m sure he’s heard them from more than me – and as this was his first venture, it shows great promise!(less)

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Oct 28, 2012 Diane Kistner rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

In this impressive first novel by R. T. Kaelin, we are introduced to the White Lions—champions-in-hiding from an ancient war against one of the nine evil gods, Chaos—and a prophecy only partially come to pass. With assistance this time from other gods in the evil cabal, Chaos is rising again, "unraveling what has been made." It now falls to the children of the mysterious White Lions and those who aid and befriend them to rise up and fight—as the prophecy tells, to "seek to make it right."

When I...more In this impressive first novel by R. T. Kaelin, we are introduced to the White Lions—champions-in-hiding from an ancient war against one of the nine evil gods, Chaos—and a prophecy only partially come to pass. With assistance this time from other gods in the evil cabal, Chaos is rising again, "unraveling what has been made." It now falls to the children of the mysterious White Lions and those who aid and befriend them to rise up and fight—as the prophecy tells, to "seek to make it right."

When I picked up the advance uncorrected proof of "Progeny," I was soon swept up into a world so large, and a tale so relentless, that I could not put it down. The plot flows as strongly as a waterfall but manages to pace itself and keep the reader guessing. The disparate characters we meet along the way are intriguing and richly nuanced, reminding one of Tolkien's without being derivative. Although good is classically pitted against evil in this tale, there are few black-and-white characters here. (Interestingly, in the pantheon of 33 gods and goddesses listed in the Appendix, nine are good, nine are evil, and the rest are "neither.") We find terror and confusion, petulance and pettiness—but also patience, humor, compassion, and the will to grow into one's best potential. With one vividly nasty exception, even the "bad guys" sometimes "do good."

The concept, I am told, of "weaving the strands" came to the author in a dream. We learn that most mages in "Progeny" can see and touch but a few of the nine strands of magic, and a rare few can touch all nine. Some who cannot see certain strands can still recognize their absence and guess at how the magical patterns might have been made. The author himself is adept at weaving: legend and modernity, numerology and alchemy, democracy and psychology, shamanism and string theory—and much more—shimmer through the patterns of this tale. Astute readers will bring their own instincts and insight to "Progeny," rewarded for their effort by no less than a heightening of their own consciousness of themselves and the world around them.

I am struck by the similarities between the prodigious young Kenders learning to weave the strands of magic—sometimes clumsily but always extraordinarily—and the way Kaelin weaves his story. This is a big book and a big world, surprisingly well conceived for a first novel. Although there are errors in the proof I read that a light editorial gloss should fix, the writing as a whole is strong and engaging. At the end of its 662 pages, the larger story for which the stage is set in "Progeny" has only just begun. Many books (not to mention movies and video games) could be spun from the magical foundational pattern R. T. Kaelin has woven in "Progeny."

I very much look forward to the next book in the series, and I strongly encourage Mr. Kaelin to keep writing.(less)

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Aug 24, 2011 Gene Webb rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

So, I was asked to read Progeny and then give my honest thought about the book and how I liked it. I jumped at the idea. I was excited that possibly something I would write about a book could have an impact on if someone read it or not. I told them “bring me the book”. Bring me the book they did. And it was brought to me on a fork lift. 600 plus pages of a book, I asked myself if I knew what I was getting into. I didn’t have an answer. But I knew two things: One, any book that could be used to k...more So, I was asked to read Progeny and then give my honest thought about the book and how I liked it. I jumped at the idea. I was excited that possibly something I would write about a book could have an impact on if someone read it or not. I told them “bring me the book”. Bring me the book they did. And it was brought to me on a fork lift. 600 plus pages of a book, I asked myself if I knew what I was getting into. I didn’t have an answer. But I knew two things: One, any book that could be used to knock out Professor Plum in the library, was a book that had one strike in my opinion, and two, that I could use said book in place of my dumbbells for working out.

All that aside though, I picked up the book and took a journey into a land that from page one had me captured. I dove into a world that was well created, immensely planned out and describe in almost Tolkien fashion. In short, a new planet had been created in my solar system and I was there discovering it for the first time and I was enraptured with the beauty and time the author had put into it. The first strike had been erased and it was as if the slate hadn’t been clean, but was born of immaculate conception. Then something else happened. I was bonded with the characters. I cared what happened to them. I wanted to know what they would do next, how they would make it to their next leg of the tale, and who planned to help them on their way. Very much an important part of books for me, this kept me reading this monstrous tale. The story flowed very well, few slow spots to me, and when it did become a bit slow it was only for a moment and needed.

The plot was well written though somewhat able to be figured out and nothing much left me going “I didn’t see that coming!!!”. Though not all books need to have twist in them, this in no way took away from the book, but actually made it easier to read and made the pages fly by instead of drag on. The only thing that really bothered me in this book was the length. The fact that you read almost 700 pages only to find out that the story doesn’t end there, kind of makes me mad. More in the fact that I just spent all this time reading and I don’t have any closure, but hey, it’s why we read right? For that next book. All in all, I give this book a solid 4.5 out of 5 stars.
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Jul 08, 2012 Lewis Dix rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Progeny is a story about a pair of children destined to thwart an evil god's attempt to plunge the world into chaos. They are the Children (IE Progeny) of the White Lions, who in ages past were the chosen champions of the gods, empowered to restore balance to the world.

The children, Nikalys and Kenders, have inherited their parent's gifts, and it seems they will even surpass them, given time. But the evil gods know this and have designs of their own for the siblings...namely death.

For starters,...more

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Dec 10, 2011 Nathan Washor rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites

Progeny is the first chapter in what could easily become one of the great high fantasy stories of our time. Plainly said, Progeny is just a lot of fun! This novel sets up a backdrop for a much greater tale than is portrayed in the book – this is not to say the picture painted by this book is not great in and of itself! I can easily see this series becoming a trilogy, tetralogy or more.

Terrene, the world in which this story takes place, is rife with elves, men, halflings, giants, orcs, demons, et...more Progeny is the first chapter in what could easily become one of the great high fantasy stories of our time. Plainly said, Progeny is just a lot of fun! This novel sets up a backdrop for a much greater tale than is portrayed in the book – this is not to say the picture painted by this book is not great in and of itself! I can easily see this series becoming a trilogy, tetralogy or more.

Terrene, the world in which this story takes place, is rife with elves, men, halflings, giants, orcs, demons, etc. – all the goodies and baddies that make up high fantasy. They all have their own racial tendencies already familiar to the reader, but the author has not locked his individual characters into these pre-established racial roles. For instance, one of the main bad guys is what I would equate to a “high elf” – a race almost always portrayed as the embodiment of goodness – and he is a real baddie!

The world that has been created by Kaelin feels very “clean” to me. There is a highly ordered calendar complete with evenly spaced lunar cycles and seasons. An established pantheon of gods and goddesses walks the world it shares with its followers – remaining withdrawn from society for the most part, but acting in ways unseen until after the effects of its transgressions have passed. Add to this, a logical and beautiful magic system based off of Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time series and made original by the author, you have a clean canvas for great works of art to be produced.

The story itself is written very well – especially considering this is the author’s own first novel. Sure there are some minor grammatical errors not caught before publishing, however these are few and he does not even have an established publishing house proofing his work before it goes to release. Kaelin is a self published, Indie author! Considering this I give the author a lot of credit for doing such a good job with both the writing and editing before it got to my hands!

Multiple plotlines intertwine to develop a rich story that is both enjoyable and quick reading. It was fun to see how the different characters came together and I appreciated the lack of “soap opera tactics” I find in so many books (i.e. characters somehow neglecting to share crucial details with their companions to further a specific bizarre story line that otherwise would have fallen apart before progressing far enough to matter). Instead, Kaelin builds the story in a manner with which real people might react if they were put in a similar situation.

All of the characters have their own unique personalities that you will fall in love with and they remain true to their idiosyncrasies throughout the book. You really get a feeling you know a character soon after he or she is introduced to you. You will find yourself associating with their different aspects as the plots develop and come to a harmonious conclusion.

I am pleased to give this book five stars and I look forward to the next novel in what I anticipate will be a series on the same level as the Wheel of Time series, The Inheritance Cycle, and the Shannara series.(less)

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Jan 14, 2013 Madbuzz rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Reading the book reminded me of Lord of the Rings and The Wheel of Time books in the fact that it was a large world, there were similar, but different races, and it wasn't a simple "hack and slash" novel, but rather an interesting story line. There were certain events in the book that were predictable, and others that I hadn't expected. I really found how magic worked in Progeny to be different but interesting.

I found the reading to be easy, it flowed well, and kept my attention. There are few...more

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Mar 23, 2012 Josh rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Bought the book on my nook app on IPad......felt like I couldn't put the book down, had free time at work and then the next morning almost read the book.....yes....all 747 pages that were in it, in less then 13 hours.

Not entirely sure what people were talking about that gave the book low ratings, thought the chapters were well thought out and hardly noticed any errors in the book, and IMO I'm glad the book was longer....lately, I've been disappointed with books that are to short to fill in all t...more

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Jun 05, 2012 Jodi rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This was a difficult read. The characters are wooden, the dialogue is clumsy and the content repetitive. And if I have to read one more character saying another character's name over and over again during a conversation I will throw my kindle into a wall. People do not speak like this, ever. I'm glad I didn't pay for this book.

Also, as a knitter and a weaver the two are not interchangeable. You either weave by bringing yarn (or "strands") over and under the warp, or you knit by looping yarn toge...more

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Aug 14, 2011 T.Y. rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

What in the Nine Hells made me check out this book, after I groaned out loud when I read the mechanical plot synopsis on the back? This was like a D&D campaign turned into a book. (That is not a compliment).

The story itself was a bit too generic and formulaic, like one gigantic stereotype (if you read about it in any other fantasy fiction book ever, you'll read it here too), and the plot was extremely predictable. The one unique element I enjoyed was the "weaving of the strands" and the hist...more

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Jan 11, 2011 Molly rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book was filled with three dimensional characters; there are no perfect good guys or one dimensional bad guys, just people with strengths and flaws like any person you would meet on the street. Over the course of the book, they started to feel like friends. The world felt similarly real too. The history of the world could be seen in the current political climate and events. The system of magic was original and well-thought out.

Add to that a plot that sucks you in and keeps you reading far i...more

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Oct 30, 2012 T.L. Gray rated it 5 of 5 stars

*Review Published in The West Georgia Living Magazine - Nov/Dec 2012

There are many reasons authors write stories. Sometimes it’s to share a little bit of magic in a practical world. Sometimes it’s cathartic, a release of pent up emotions and hurts that others can identify and share. Sometimes it’s to take a break from the harsh realities and escape in a bit of fantasy. Sometimes it’s a vehicle used to spread a message, a moral code, a bit of wisdom or advice to pass down to the next generation....more *Review Published in The West Georgia Living Magazine - Nov/Dec 2012

There are many reasons authors write stories. Sometimes it’s to share a little bit of magic in a practical world. Sometimes it’s cathartic, a release of pent up emotions and hurts that others can identify and share. Sometimes it’s to take a break from the harsh realities and escape in a bit of fantasy. Sometimes it’s a vehicle used to spread a message, a moral code, a bit of wisdom or advice to pass down to the next generation. There are many reasons. In history, story-telling was very crucial to the development and understanding of humanity’s way of life, passing down traditions, values and knowledge to educate and survive. Today, with the easy access to self-publishing and lowering of standards of excellence by traditional publishing, bookshelves and eBook readers are being filled most often with sensationalized stories, demoralizing values and re-telling of superficial history. I’m guilty of a bit of this myself. But, it has me wondering what future generations will look like because of this practice. It also caused me to pause and re-evaluate the stories I read.

R.T. Kaelin has reminded me in his Children of the White Lions series of what it was that first had me fall in love with reading as a child. It’s not full of sensationalism, pushing the boundaries of the moral code, or even re-writing history to fit modern-day ideals. It’s about coming-of-age magic, destiny and first loves. It’s about discovering who you are, regardless of what you’re told. It’s about facing fears and adversity, but finding the strength to overcome them within yourself – not waiting on a superhero to swoop down out of the sky to rescue you – most often from your own messes. It’s about failing and finding the courage to get back up. All these wonderful elements are brilliantly placed within a beautiful story centered on two brave teenaged boys and their rambunctious sister.

Surrounding the central heroes are powerful minor characters, full of flaws, beauty, scars and well-developed personalities, along with a refreshing and straight forward magical system, and a battle for dominance from an imperfect and fallible antagonist. This story isn’t just about the battles, the quest, freedom from oppression or victory of the war, but it’s about the lives that are involved. This is a character-driven story, my favorite kind. Kaelin stays true to the youth and inexperience of the main characters, allowing plenty of room for growth and development through the series. I absolutely love them all – including many of the minor characters.

I would recommend this book from young adult (10yrs – up) to adult. It’s a wonderful story of loss, love, and leadership. It’s a great example of reluctant heroes rising to the greatness that’s been thrust upon them. It’s clean, it’s magical and it leaves the reader with hope instead of despair. I can’t wait to read more.

Till next time,
~T.L. Gray
Author of the Arcainian Series
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Jul 10, 2012 Jessica rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

After getting behind on my book reviews I finally am posting my review for "Progeny" by R.T. Kaelin. I feel like I spent quite a while recently reading outside my comfort zone and this book was no exception. I don't typically pick up high fantasy books, but I met R.T. at a convention less than a year ago and heard him describe his book several times throughout the weekend. By the third day, I had decided that I really wanted to read this book. It turns out that by the time I had worked my way do...more After getting behind on my book reviews I finally am posting my review for "Progeny" by R.T. Kaelin. I feel like I spent quite a while recently reading outside my comfort zone and this book was no exception. I don't typically pick up high fantasy books, but I met R.T. at a convention less than a year ago and heard him describe his book several times throughout the weekend. By the third day, I had decided that I really wanted to read this book. It turns out that by the time I had worked my way down the book pile to it, he had released a second edition, so this review is actually based on that second edition.

The reason I typically don't read high fantasy, is because it usually feels too similar to the big players in the genre (e.g. The Lord
of the Rings). Progeny doesn't even come close to feeling similar to any of them. The world that is created in this book is unique, fascinating, and quite rich. The magic system is a new concept, or at least it was to me, and the races or beings are very cool creations unto themselves, except humans, of course! Tombles are the closest thing there is to hearkening back to a traditional high fantasy creature, because they're short like hobbits, but that's the biggest similarity I have seen so far. I can overlook that simply because I love the word tomble. :-) This book was refreshing to me because it was a truly original new world I got to explore.

Characterization is very well done in "Progeny". The main characters' personalities are defined pretty early on, and stay consistent
throughout. I quite enjoyed watching how the relationships between the siblings had to grow and evolve in reaction to what was happening to them. She was by no means my favorite character, but the character of Sabine who shows up later in the book, was the most intriguing to me. R.T. does a great job of dropping just enough clues to make you uneasy about her but not enough to make you to think bad of her. I think I have to say that Nundle was my favorite character (the tomble, of course).

One other thing I took note of was the pacing of the story and, kind of tied into that, the dispensing of the background information. The pacing was right on throughout the book; there's no losing steam halfway through the Dead Marshes in this book! Part of the reason is that the information about the world and its history is broken up into nice bite-sized chunks. Those chunks are sprinkled throughout the book in just the right places. You always know just enough to understand what is going on at the moment but not too much more, just like J.K. Rowling did in Harry Potter. The finished effect of this being done so well is that I looked forward to the background information bits just as much as I looked forward to the action bits.

I recommend this book to everyone, really. If you like any kind of adventure story (And who doesn't, really?) then you will enjoy this
book. The magic is very logical and has to operate within certain rules, so it might even appeal to science fiction lovers as well. I know it did to me! This is actually the first of the White Lion trilogy, and the second book is in the works. R.T. Kaelin also has some short stories available that take place in the same world.(less)

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Aug 20, 2011 Michelle rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: review-on-blog, kindle

Progeny will transport you to a completely different world! I really enjoyed this book. There is a lot to keep up with, there are all sorts of fantastical creatures and a new language to grapple with, and a whole world filled with very different cities and countries. I loved how different it was, and I loved the idea of the strands and weaving them to create magic.

Because there are so many characters that play a part in Progeny, there are multiple story lines going on at once. I really liked it...more

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Aug 30, 2011 Seth rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: misc-fantasy

An excellent read that kept my attention the whole time. The cast of characters are well thought out and interesting. Each is given enough show time to develop and allow the reader to get to know them. I found Brodi to be an excellent guide through the story with his slow and deliberate pace. Nundle was one of my favorite characters. It is good to see a halfling get some respect. He is comical at times, but always witty. His bravery is admirable while his enthusiasm is endearing.

The system of m...more

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Feb 01, 2012 Meaghan R. (YA-aholic) rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: first-reads, 2012-reading-challenge

i don't even know where to begin!
★★★★ for the storyline/plot
☆☆☆☆☆ for the writing and grammar
(that's 0 stars)

I WOULD ONLY RECOMMEND THIS VERSION TO THOSE THAT AREN'T BOTHERED BY INNUMEROUS TYPOS AND GRAMMATICAL ERRORS.

i mean, it was reallllllyyyyyyy bad. it started out horrendous. just careless mistakes that any third grader would have been able to catch, and a lot of extra words...like, you could tell that the author went back to change something but didn't delete it in it's entirety...stuff li...more

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Oct 16, 2011 Ashley rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: review-copy

DISCLAIMER- I DIDN'T FINISH THIS BOOK. I stopped at the 2/3 point because I just couldn't take it anymore.

But, my original post about Why I couldn't bring myself to finish was originally posted on my blog, Books from Bleh to Basically Amazing.

Progeny by R.T. Kaelin is an epic fantasy novel, and honestly, as much as it pains me to admit this, it has reminded me, once again, why I spent years of my childhood blatantly refusing to touch any book labeled fantasy.

I'm going to apologize up front, be...more DISCLAIMER- I DIDN'T FINISH THIS BOOK. I stopped at the 2/3 point because I just couldn't take it anymore.

But, my original post about Why I couldn't bring myself to finish was originally posted on my blog, Books from Bleh to Basically Amazing.

Progeny by R.T. Kaelin is an epic fantasy novel, and honestly, as much as it pains me to admit this, it has reminded me, once again, why I spent years of my childhood blatantly refusing to touch any book labeled fantasy.

I'm going to apologize up front, because I don't really have anything nice to say about this book. I'm going to try really, really hard not to get mean, but I'm going to be honest about what I thought of what I did read, and why I just honestly couldn't bring myself to finish the last third of the book.

I started this book, knowing that I wasn't in the mood for it. It's high, epic fantasy, something I don't read a lot of, and right now, I'm definitely wanting to sit back and read Contemporary fiction. But this is a tour book, and I had a deadline, so I picked it up and started reading. And, during the first paragraph, I knew I was going to have problems with the story. That's a terrible thing to say, and I'm aware of that, because it means I haven't really given the story a chance. But, the first line is- "The day was unbearably hot." And then the author spends a whole paragraph explaining the hot. This is why the book is a massive 660 pages, and why I struggled to read it.

This is a book that really would have benefited from an editor. And, I'm not talking an editor who reads through your paper to make sure that your grammar, punctuation and spelling is correct. I'm talking about an editor who isn't afraid to tell you that it's not a good idea to use 30 words when 10 will suffice, or to spend 5 pages describing how a boy gets out of a tree. (<-- True story... Really happens) I really struggled reading through this book, because the author is really heavy on the detail, and back story, and side stories, and sub characters and sub plots and he lets you take a peak into every single character's mind.

It made the main bad guy we get to 'see' unscary, because really, he's nothing more than a snob who takes his superiority out on people he believes to be less than himself, and he just happens to have the magic to do it on a large scale. I got really tired of him repeating that his nose wrinkled at every movement of a 'lesser' or that he had to force himself to let the weak and sniveling humans live. Sigh.

I also didn't care about a single character. I was never interested in their fates, and I found the parts of the book I did read to be quite predictable. Because, while the story itself was quite good, it was also wholly unoriginal and rather unremarkable. It's been done before, many times and I didn't think that this particular version brought anything new to the telling. And honestly, the characters interactions with each other were... weird. And awkward. Their dialogue was unrealistic and their expectations of each other were... off. I don't know exactly how to explain it without giving specific examples from the book, but none of their relationships or communication or interaction actually felt like something that could realistically or believably transpire between people, which only increased my disinterest in them and their story.

I managed to get about 2/3 through the book before calling it quits, although I will admit right now that much of that 2/3 ended up being skimmed, because so much of it was, in my opinion, unnecessary and tedious. But I finally decided to give up for two reasons. One, was that the entire reading experience had felt like a chore and I cannot think of one section that was enjoyable to read. But the second reason, and why I finally did decide to give up on it was because the author mentioned he plans to make this a 5 book series. There is no way I'm going to be reading the other books in the series, and it just seemed pointless to waste my time being bored while reading to the end of a story that wasn't even over yet anyway. So, I gave up on the book.

Don't let this totally discourage you though. There are a lot of really positive reviews on Goodreads for this book, and I know that one of my good blogger friends read and really enjoyed this one herself. So maybe you will like it. If it sounds like a book you would really enjoy, give it a shot. Epic fantasy definitely has a large and loyal following, so there will be some people out there who love this one. (less)

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Oct 06, 2011 Mary rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: books-2011, ya, fantasy

Hey R.T.,
You've written a good book and at times a very delightful book. I like your magic system quite a lot. It's very organic and logical- it makes sense. Your world building is good and some of your action- you really get going. The scene with Zecus escaping through the port- quite brilliant and suspenseful - want more of this. I liked teh relationship between teh 3 siblings- very believable- I liked their kindness with each other. You are in desparate need of a good honest editor, then, I...more

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Jun 22, 2011 CorLostForWords rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: for-review, favorites

Source: Received from author. Many thanks goes to R.T. Kaelin for sending me a copy of his book for review. I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review.

My rating: 5/5

Nikalys and Kenders have a monumental destiny thrust on them when they find themselves watching a water monster, created by magic, ravage and destroy their small town. With everyone and everything they had ever known wiped out on one sunny, hazy afternoon, they are left desperate and alone. Past consoling,...more Source: Received from author. Many thanks goes to R.T. Kaelin for sending me a copy of his book for review. I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review.

My rating: 5/5

Nikalys and Kenders have a monumental destiny thrust on them when they find themselves watching a water monster, created by magic, ravage and destroy their small town. With everyone and everything they had ever known wiped out on one sunny, hazy afternoon, they are left desperate and alone. Past consoling, they move on, as they try to figure out why this happened, and how they can avenge the deaths of so many innocent people. What they don't realize, is that this is the first step to unveiling their legacy, and destiny, and they will meet many who will stand with them, and partake of the journey ahead.
I don't think I can do this book justice. Honestly, Progeny is right up my alley. It is one of those reads that just sucked me in and wouldn't let me go. Progeny is an exceptional read. The characters are well-defined, and I immediately found myself invested in their story. Kenders, Nikalys, and Jak, as well as their parents are so approachable, and credible. I found myself connecting to them almost immediately. I rooted for them throughout the story, and hoped that things would turn out for them, even in the face of tragedy. The world-building is absolutely amazing, and from the beginning the read is intense. We're thrown into a world where magic is outlawed and feared, yet it is still practiced behind closed doors. Along the way we meet a host of colourful characters, including Broedi, and Nundle. They all add to the read, as does the villainous Preceptor, Jhaell Myrr.
Fantasy is one of my favourite genres to read, and when it is done right, it will keep me coming back for more. Progeny is absolutely done right. Between the world-building, and the character-building, I was thoroughly enthralled. I found myself reading and re-reading every page, devouring the words, all the while savouring them as I did not want to miss a single thing. Even within reading the first few pages, I knew this one would be a favourite read and re-read of mine. It is an absolutely phenomenal, and prolific read. I want the next book now! R.T. Kaelin has penned an exceptionally exquisite first novel, and I'll be waiting with bated breath for the rest of this series, as well as any of his future works not tied to the series.
All in all, this is certainly a read you will want to savour. Between the characters, and the world enticing you in, you won't want to put Progeny down. It has crossover appeal for both teens and adults alike. Kaelin has a way with words that fully immerses the reader, demanding they invest themselves in the world he has created; much like Terry Goodkind and Christopher Paolini. It is such an explosively amazing book and has made my top reads list for 2011 with ease. I'll be re-visiting it shortly, because it is just that good. (less)

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About R.T. Kaelin

R.T. Kaelin grew up in Cincinnati and now resides in Columbus, Ohio with his beautiful wife and the two best kids ever. For years, he worked in information technology, but felt there was something more waiting for him. He always had an active imagination, so one day he decided to do something with it. R.T. Kaelin's son and daughter are too young to grasp it fully, but they are the reason he writes...more

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BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10389735-progeny?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1328312963l/10389735.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10389735-progeny?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Progeny by R.T. Kaelin[/url]

Progeny (Children of the White Lions, #1)

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