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Mana

by Asher Tensei (Goodreads Author)

4.4 of 5 stars 4.40 · rating details · 42 ratings · 20 reviews

Eurich is thrown into a seemingly ill-fated destiny. After learning of his legendary magic, he is convinced that he alone must stop an impending doom, but nothing is ever as it seems. His best friends Jason and Raine try their best to help him save the world, but help isn’t what he needs —he needs a way across the barrier.

Despite this fate thrust upon him, Eurich knows wh...more

Kindle Edition, 304 pages

Published September 7th 2012 by Malachite Quills Publishing

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Sep 29, 2012 Kirstin Pulioff rated it 4 of 5 stars

Asher Tensei has created the beginning to an epic fantasy in his debut novel, Mana. Set in both the Earth world and an alternate world, Asher cleverly entwined the two in an understandable and cohesive way to create a wonderful read.
Eurich, the protagonist is a relatable character, growing throughout the book as his powers are discovered and developed. You find yourself routing for him as he discovers more about himself, his family, and the prophesy he is set to fulfill. The side characters also...more

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Sep 11, 2012 Arie rated it 5 of 5 stars

For a first time writer this book is outstanding! I am a very picky reader, who happened to come across this book and it's author, and him having asked me to read it. I won't lie, at first I was thinking "this is not going to be very good..." we'll he proved me very wrong. This is a book you could never get bored of reading, one of those books that every time you read it you find something new that you hadn't read the first or first few times. Though like every book it may have a few flaws, but...more

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Jul 07, 2012 Ashley Byland rated it 4 of 5 stars

There is an interesting story to how I came upon this book. So, I run another site, Support Indie Authors, because I just love indie authors and want to get them as much exposure as possible. Anyway one night I was searching twitter for more authors to add to my website, and that’s when I met Asher Tensei. We got to chatting and he asked me to check out his first chapter of his book on his website and asked me if I would like to be the first one to read and review his book. I was very touched an...more There is an interesting story to how I came upon this book. So, I run another site, Support Indie Authors, because I just love indie authors and want to get them as much exposure as possible. Anyway one night I was searching twitter for more authors to add to my website, and that’s when I met Asher Tensei. We got to chatting and he asked me to check out his first chapter of his book on his website and asked me if I would like to be the first one to read and review his book. I was very touched and of course I said yes because I absolutely LOVED the first chapter. So here is my review.

For a debut novel, I have to say Asher hit it out of the park. I have read a lot of books where a lot of detail is missing. You can still imagine everything but it can be kind of vague. Not in this book. It is a gripping story from the get go and the details in this book make this an easy read and a very easy place to imagine in your head when you are reading. If magic isn’t your thing, it may not be as exciting for you, but if you do like magic, this is right up your alley.

We start off the book right away with meeting Eurich, the main character, and it doesn’t take long for Eurich to realize something very weird is going on. I have to say how quickly the magic comes to life in this book is pretty cool. I don’t like it when books drag on forever waiting for things to happen, that you already know are going to. Once all this magic stuff does start to happen though, if you are not a very attentive reader or you kind of read a bit on the faster side, my advice is to slow down. There is a LOT of detail thrown at you and if you are not paying attention you can get confused. This was my only “problem” with this book. I do love all the detail, but it can get very confusing if you are not paying attention.

There are a couple chapters that I talked to the author about and he had told me they were very important to keep in this book. I agree with him there, but these chapters are very detailed and long and take you away from the main story maybe a bit too long. I understand the importance of these chapters, so when you get there, hold on because they are important. These 2 things were the only reason I didn’t rate this book a 5/5. All the characters in this book were very real and well written. The story was one I haven’t ever read before and I was very glad to be introduced to this story.Overall this book was a fun ride, I was very weary about certain characters, but I kept wanting to read more to see what would happen. I am very happy that I was able to read this book and I cannot wait for the next book because the way this one ended, will leave you wanting more!!(less)

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Jul 07, 2012 Step Into Fiction rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: ashley

For a debut novel, I have to say Asher hit it out of the park. I have read a lot of books where a lot of detail is missing. You can still imagine everything but it can be kind of vague. Not in this book. It is a gripping story from the get go and the details in this book make this an easy read and a very easy place to imagine in your head when you are reading.

Review originally posted at Step Into Fiction

Review completed by: Ashley

1 like · like · see review

Feb 18, 2013 Lindsey rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2013, 2-february, love-is-all-around, nook, stand-alone

For a book that I got online for free was worth the read. When I started reading this I was not expecting the book I got. This was a book that I'm glad I read.

This is the authors first book and I have to say that Asher did a great job.

The first character we meet is Eurich and he knows that something weird is going on. He feels different. In a way he is living a pretty normal life but then he starts seeing things. He starts having visions about another world. He also sees a future disaters that...more

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Jan 29, 2013 Jo rated it 5 of 5 stars

Source: amazon.com via Jo on Pinterest

How would it be to find out one day that you don’t entirely belong to this world and your parents have kept your true origin secret to protect you? Eurich was living a normal life until he started having strange visions about a parallel world and a future disaster that would lead to the destruction of both Earth and the hidden universe of Samsera. If these two worlds collide, no one knows what will be left of them, so what Eurich has to do is find a way to reinforce the barrier between them. But why him? He is no hero. Or is he?

As much as he wanted to be an average boy, Eurich is half dragon (dragoon, as these noble, powerful creatures are called in Samsera) and he has a mission: to stop the imminent collision between the two worlds. Unnatural phenomena start happening and no one knows why, or what should be done. Extra moons are rising in the sky and panic spreads among people. Eurich has to make a hard decision and make it fast: is humanity worth sacrificing his own life? His best friends, Jason and Raine, are right beside him, supporting him and offering their help. But this is not enough. Eurich has to learn how to use his newly discovered magical abilities and become the hero he was meant to be.

“Mana” is a fascinating story about loyalty, jealousy, friendship and self-discovery that will appeal to both teenagers and adults.

Asher Tensei has managed to create a unique universe where everything is opposite from what we see on Earth. The world building in this novel is absolutely brilliant and the amazing descriptions and details make the action unfold before your eyes like a fast-paced movie. The world of Samsera is full of incredible creatures and magic abilities. The characters are complex and well-developed, each having their own mysterious past, which makes this novel even more addictive. Readers will find themselves deeply engrossed in the story, turning the pages as fast as possible to find out what happens next, but also to learn more about the characters’ backgrounds. There’s no doubt that “Mana” is the perfect addition to a fantasy lover’s bookshelf.

To read more about “Mana” and the next book in the series, visit the author’s website: http://ashertensei.blogspot.com/.
Find it on Amazon: http://amzn.to/WoPa5p.
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Dec 31, 2012 Preston rated it 2 of 5 stars

The Plot of the story is an interesting one, though I'm not sure I'd agree with the Author that it is "unique". My problem with the book is that it's all over the place, there are sections that make no sense, Chapters, that I understand the author feels the need to have in the story, they just scream about being out of place. Areas that seem just tossed in to add meat to the book, but no real substance. All of this along with the poor editing, and hard to understand areas made this a difficult r...more

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Dec 21, 2012 Serenity rated it 4 of 5 stars

This book is great as a debut book. I like this book, very good detail that can make you imagine. Now about the book. Eurich is the guy with a good heart, who is also a foster kid. Atleast he has a good couple taking care of him. He is starting school today and is mainly excited to see his two best friends, Raine and Jason. Albert (foster parent) says Raine like Eurich may have some feelings for her. As he heads off to his day, he is stopped because he forgot his stone. Serra (Foster mum) had ma...more This book is great as a debut book. I like this book, very good detail that can make you imagine. Now about the book. Eurich is the guy with a good heart, who is also a foster kid. Atleast he has a good couple taking care of him. He is starting school today and is mainly excited to see his two best friends, Raine and Jason. Albert (foster parent) says Raine like Eurich may have some feelings for her. As he heads off to his day, he is stopped because he forgot his stone. Serra (Foster mum) had made it into a necklace so that he wouldn't keep forgetting it. This stone has history and is very very important. More important than he may know. His parents are keeping something from him, and it won't be long until it comes into play. On his first day something happens, which leads him to learning about his history. Like when he came home from school he found some homes on fries, including his. He went in and found that the flames can't touch him. Yep that's just totally normal... Eurich thinks of this as a dream and tries to jump thinking it will wake him up. Well not exactly, he hears this voice saying Samsera and then this figure appears saying how fate has sealed the day. The figure also mentions he must go there to set things right. She also mentions the word Mana. Then Eurich remembers! He has seen that word in the book the teacher had given him. He goes to get the book and finds the page on Dragoon Oblivion. He is so confused by this, and wonders why he was even given this book. Beofre he can do anything more the book desolves into sand. The woman tells him to say a word, which becomes his first spell. The stone drops and breaks, leaving an orb in it's place. Then suddenly he is being told to wake up. Raine is by him, telling him to wake up and that he can't be sleeping at the school. And so now his history shall start to be revealed.Now his history reveals things he never thought of, but before I say more, here is where you want to pay attention. This part of the book give a ton of details about him and his life.He finds that his parents are wizards, who live in another universe. There, the two of them can never be together. His real parents are Aster who is a dragon living in Samsera. His mum somehow crossed into his world and got pregnant. Since she was a human, giving birth to Eurich was more difficult. She ended up dying giving birth to him. So then his foster parents decided to take him to Earth and raise him there. Later he learns the Raine is his secret lover. So good thing he had feelings for her before knowing the truth behind his life. I do like that he thinks all these cute things about her. To bad took him forever to say anything. Time goes on and Eurich is able to find a way into Samsera. There he must figure out how to save the world before it ends. Before he can even do that he must have the people around him teach him. He must learn to harness the power before he can do anything else. I'll stop there. As for the ending, it will leaving you crazy waiting for the next book.(less)

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Dec 10, 2012 Cindy Smith rated it 5 of 5 stars

Asher has written a wonderful beginning to a fantasy series! In this first part, he develops his characters and sets the tone for the rest of the series.

We are introduced to Eurich, who lives with his foster parents, and his two friends Jason and Raine. The three have been friends for years and it starts with Eurich's discovery that they both have feelings for Raine.

Eurich's parents have kept secrets about his heritage from him, which are now coming into play. He finds he is part dragon, from...more

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Dec 09, 2012 Zrinka Jelic rated it 5 of 5 stars

Eurich is a teenage boy on his last year of high school. He lives with his adoptive parents, Serra and Albert. From outside they appear like a normal, everyday family. Except there's a lot more beneath what eye can see. First is is a magic stone he wears all the time as a pendant. The strange things start to happen on his first day of senior year. Soon he discovers that his parents are two wizards from the world known as Samsera, the world existing parallel to Earth, yet the two can never see ea...more

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Sep 18, 2012 Betlehem Fekade rated it 3 of 5 stars

Title: Mana
Author: Asher Tensei
Rating: 3.5 out 5

Review also featured in www.skyrosereviews.com - Also featuring interview with Asher Tensei

My friend once told me that he could never write a book because no matter how well he described it no one will ever see the things he saw when he wrote it and with some author’s I agree that’s the case. The story will be just a dialogue with no spatial awareness what so ever but with Mana I would have to disagree. This book is written beautiful with vivid des...more

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Sep 02, 2012 Camila Aracellis rated it 4 of 5 stars

*A copy was provided by Enchanted Book Promotions exchange for a honest review . The following review is my opinion and not a paid review.*

My thought:
Just looking the cover you can figure what is waiting for you inside the books, with this neon purple and the necklace.
I've ended the book, and I can say that I really like it. It's so interest, and amazing how the author manages to introduce you into the magical world he has created in this novel. Tensei have made an impressive work in his debut n...more

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Jan 03, 2013 Krystal Milton rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: review

We live in a world where vampires are the most coveted fantasy; Werewolves are an exotic delicacy to be had, Fairies as well as pixies are the center of innocent imaginaries, where animals talk and magic is smoke like clouds floating over the horizon. Simply put, we live in a world where fantasy is sought and kept.

Asher Tensei has sailed beyond all of that with his debut novel Mana. He creates a symbolic contrast between our world and the fantasy of others, where magic, myth and fantasies collid...more We live in a world where vampires are the most coveted fantasy; Werewolves are an exotic delicacy to be had, Fairies as well as pixies are the center of innocent imaginaries, where animals talk and magic is smoke like clouds floating over the horizon. Simply put, we live in a world where fantasy is sought and kept.

Asher Tensei has sailed beyond all of that with his debut novel Mana. He creates a symbolic contrast between our world and the fantasy of others, where magic, myth and fantasies collide.

I am a true lover of Mystery, thriller, suspense as well as personal conflict and Asher nailed all of these elements in the heart of the story where the lead character Eurich Aurion finds himself torn between the present and his destiny.

One of the things I dislike about most books is how characters are introduced. Many of the main characters have no real substance; the smaller characters have no value. But in this book, Mana, we are introduced to Eurich’s lineage. His father’s past is outlined so beautifully. We follow the story of his power, how he was created, where it came from, how he wields it against his enemies. We follow Eurich’s foster parents and how they came to care for a boy with inevitable power that he can use to save the world. Asher describes his fantasy world in so much detail I would swear it were real. He gives the reader intense detail on the power this world inhabits. He describes history of this magic, the culture, the atmosphere as well as the dangerous animals that dwell there.

The catch I loved most was the conflict between earth and the world Asher created. What would Eurich decide? Where would this journey of finding his past and figuring out his future lead us? There was no stone left unturned. From the moment I began to read I felt in sync with the characters, I was able to follow the plot, I was able to imagine the goings on as if I were watching it on a Flat screen in my living room with a bowl of popcorn in my lap.

Mana is a great read. I found myself not wanting to put it down. I did find some of the chapters to be long; I wanted to get to the goods! But after careful consideration I realized that Asher wants his readers to know everything. You get so much of an in-depth look into each character and their circumstance you find that after you are finished you wouldn’t want to lose such valuable information.

Every writer has their own style. While I did feel like I just wanted to skip a page of two, that’s not something you can do with this book. It’s like a puzzle, every piece fits and if you do happen to skip a page you will definitely miss an important piece. Good Job Asher! Waiting on the next installment!
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Oct 24, 2012 Mary Grace rated it 4 of 5 stars

Mana has proven to be a fantastic read from the very start. This is one of those books that will make you enjoy reading novels by indie authors. What really interested me was the story and how Tensei provided us with a detailed enough story to savour from page 1 to the end. MAna exceeded my expectation a lot. It was very descriptive, the characters were written very well and the pacing of the story was just right.

Okay, maybe there was something that I didn't like. It's the characters internal mo...more

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Jan 31, 2013 Jane Geddis rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy

I found this another book that could have benefited greatly from an editor. The characters of Asher, Jason and Raine are all fully realized, and the element of teen narcissism refreshing to see a fantasy book where most heroes of the genre are selfless. Just because someone has magical powers doesn't mean he'll without question sacrifice himself to save the work, especially when life hasn't been that great anyway. That said some of the prose is awkward and hard to follow, not that its not worth...more

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Mar 22, 2013 DelSheree rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Eurich is fairly content with his life. Sure, he may fantasize about something really exciting happening one day, but overall, he has great parents, good friends, and a bright future. All of that changes when his teacher gives him a book filled with stories and creatures not of this world. Eurich doesn't really believe the book could be real at first, not until people around him start changing, until he finds himself in a strange world with an otherworldly guide. Soon, Eurich realizes fantasies...more Eurich is fairly content with his life. Sure, he may fantasize about something really exciting happening one day, but overall, he has great parents, good friends, and a bright future. All of that changes when his teacher gives him a book filled with stories and creatures not of this world. Eurich doesn't really believe the book could be real at first, not until people around him start changing, until he finds himself in a strange world with an otherworldly guide. Soon, Eurich realizes fantasies aren't all fun and games. The power he is beginning to recognize brings with it a destiny he may not be able to fulfill, let alone survive.

Mana gets off to an interesting start when Eurich witnesses, or seems to witness, his entire neighborhood being destroyed by fire. He is shocked when he realizes the fire was not real, but the strange creature he met while trying to stop the fire is real. The overall idea behind this book was very interesting. Tensei sets up a well developed storyline and backstory that drives the plot forward. At one point the reader even gets to jump back in time to experience some of the backstory through the eyes of Eurich's adoptive parents. This flashback was a bit lengthy, but interesting. I felt there were no big gaps in the plot, and I was interested throughout the book to see what would happen next. I did, however, think some of the plot points were more obvious that the characters seemed to think, which was a little frustrating at times, but overall it was interesting.

The characters showed promise in this book. Each one had an element of uniqueness to them that made them memorable. I enjoyed the conflict Tensei created between characters at different times that kept the relationships from feeling flat. I didn't see as much depth to the characters as I would have liked, but I feel fairly confident that this will develop more as the series continues. The dialog was also a bit stilted throughout the book, but I've found that this is common among new writers and the flow of the dialog often improves with each book. At times some of the characters had a very "young" feel to them because of their occasionally simplistic reactions and lack of deep emotional connection. I saw this particularly with Euirch and Raine mainly because they did not seem to take things as seriously as I would have expected and brushed off things that should have been more emotional of thought provoking at times. One time where this happened was regarding the hooded man. Raine and Jason both discuss him, and it seemed pretty clear that this was a bad guy, someone to be concerned about, yet Eurich and Raine brush it off like it is nothing.

The magic system was a little bit of a struggle for me. I didn't feel like it was ever explained well enough that I could get a good handle on it. When the magic was being used, especially in combat, I was often a little unsure of what was going on. I was also not a huge fan of the system being word based. This also contributed to giving the book a younger feel than what I think Tensei was going for. I did, however enjoy the progression Eurich went through to develop his skills, and the interesting abilities Raine developed along the way. I think there is potential here with the magic system, but it needed a little more explanation and I hope the use gets more complex throughout the series.

Overall, this was an intriguing idea for a book. I think it has potential as a series, but there is room for improvement and growth in the writing. The emotion was often lacking where it should have been impactful, the characters seemed unaware mainly to benefit the plot, the editing could have been much better, and the magic system needs to be a little more developed. I think the concept will compel readers to want to know what will happen next, but the weaknesses may be a struggle for some readers. The young feeling may also make this more suitable for younger teen readers than the 17-18 age group.

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Dec 02, 2012 Elaine Katumu rated it 5 of 5 stars

LOVED Mana, one of my favorite books. Gives a new twist to fiction books like I've never seen before. Recommend it to everyone!!!

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Sep 01, 2012 Deja rated it 5 of 5 stars

Mana is the most amazing book and I really think everyone should be reading it! :)

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May 24, 2013 Katiria rated it 3 of 5 stars

Mana was a very unique and interesting read for me I loved the characters and loved the fantasy world that Asher created but I do think the book needs some improvement in the story but I really enjoy reading Mana and I can't wait to continue to read the next book!

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Dec 26, 2012 Mariah Olave rated it 5 of 5 stars

Best book I've ever read! It has an awesome story, scenery that pops off the page, and characters that are very natural and real! Everyone really should be reading this!!

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About Asher Tensei

Asher Tensei went to college for psychology, but later felt that writing was more his speed.

He had an idea, and after the fruition of the Twilight Saga, he was sure that writing was a life-long passion. The ability to portray a world vividly in his writing meant that he could, in his mind, stand up to some of the big players in the young adult genre.

Asher decided to write in a genre dominated by...more

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