by
3.3 of 5 stars
Hello Reader...

...or should I say, "lost soul." I truly hate to be the bearer of bad news, but since there's no tender way to deliver the b... read full description

reviews

Aug 27, 2010
s. rated it: 1 of 5 stars
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here
1 comment like (6 people liked it)
Jun 24, 2010
Kimberly rated it: 1 of 5 stars
I had seen this at Costco and the cover caught my attention and I thought about buying it every time I went in, but I never did. Until my daughter came home from school one day wanting to read it. The author had visited her school and talked about it and there's a movie coming and she was super excited and it was all she could talk about for a while.
I decided to read it so I picked it up at Costco. I started it when I got home and my jaw just about hit the floor. I can't believe this is r More...
5 comments like (6 people liked it)
Jan 01, 2012
Karen rated it: 1 of 5 stars
What, no 0-star rating? What a shame. This book needs it. I bought this at Costco from the author, who had no one talking to him, so I felt sorry for him. That was my first mistake.
I have a 9-year-old who likes fantasy books, and we're deperate to find him things to read because he blows through books pretty quickly. So, even though it looked uninteresting to me, I asked the author if he thought it would be a good read for my 9-year-old son. He said (without batting an eye!) that it was c More...
1 comment like (2 people liked it)
Sep 18, 2009
Phillip rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Here are the first 7 pages of the final edition of the book. Enjoy!

Chapter 1 Coma

Soul to Soul

Hello Reader…

… or should I say, “lost soul.” I truly hate to be the bearer of bad news, but since there’s no tender way to deliver the blow, I’m just going to come right out and say it. You see, you and I, well... we’re dead, or if it makes it easier to hear, we have perished. And, if a softer delivery is still necessary... we have passed on. More...
2 comments like (2 people liked it)
Aug 25, 2011
Vicky rated it: 1 of 5 stars
Ugh.
How can anyone enjoy this drivel? I'm suffering just making it through the first book. 'Big Dog' (I can't take him seriously with that name) is just a terrible excuse for a writer. However, he's a perfect example of why no one should try and publish the first thing that they write.
Avoid this book like the plague. I knew what I was buying having heard of the book from a few youtubers who review books such as the Maradonia series (another poor example of self-publishing) and as su More...
2 comments like (2 people liked it)
Dec 06, 2011
Shannon rated it: 1 of 5 stars
I had very high hopes because a friend suggested it to me and I’ve met the author. I very rarely not finish a book but this might be the one. I like the story concept so far but the writing (cringe) is very annoying. Every character could almost step out of a romance novel. With brains and brawn Sam is a irritating lead. I hate the accent writing. Thrown in one every once in a while maybe but when its that constant and to that degree you have to almost decipher the text. And if every time someon More...
1 comment like (2 people liked it)
Feb 25, 2010
Taylor Mefford rated it: 4 of 5 stars
I e-mailed this review to Phillip recently:

Hello, Mr. Jones,

My name is Taylor Mefford. I have taken the time to read your book, and with to give you feedback. But first, a few remarks.

I got a copy of your book for Christmas. When I talked to my mom about it, she told me of the conversation you two had at Costco on November 12. I must say, it was pretty interesting. A few things I heard:
1. You self published this book
Response: That's More...
0 comments like (4 people liked it)
Sep 01, 2009
Brady rated it: 5 of 5 stars
This book is a book that i head of from a friend and wasn't really at the moment thinking much about it. But then i went to a store and saw him sitting there sighing books i decided to go and take a look. when i walked up the Author called to me and asked me if i liked dragons and sword fights and adventures. I said i loved books like that and bought it. So far i am very glad i did. its one of the best books i have read in a long time and am exited to read even more.
1 comment like (1 person liked it)
Apr 25, 2010
Kristen rated it: 4 of 5 stars
This is a fantasy book and the story is pretty fun, but the style of writing kind of bugs me. In many ways, it is very immature and is way too full of Utah slang. I guess we'll see what the rest of the series holds. Maybe the style of writing will invovle with each book.
*UPDATE* Ok, I've finally finished the book and I really enjoyed it. And as an after thought, it's not so much as the style of writing that bothered me, but one of the characters. I finally realized that George reminding me More...
2 comments like (1 person liked it)
Oct 20, 2009
Evon rated it: 5 of 5 stars
This is a marvelous book full of wonder and adventure. The well written characters are great and brilliant. I love George! George is so bad it makes him good. The kind of person you love to hate. The story is so imaginative, taking science to a new diverse level. It was definitely a page turner, I was so eager to find out what would happen next. Crystal Moon took me on a roller coaster ride that I didn't want to get off of. I cannot wait for the rest of the books to come out. I would absolutely More...
0 comments like (1 person liked it)
May 02, 2010
Alyssa rated it: 1 of 5 stars
This book, in a word, SUCKS. The characters, world, and plot were so shallow that if you added up their depths, a kiddie pool would still look deep beside World of Grayham. There's nothing really defining or unique about anything in this entire book. I've read a lot of bad fantasy in my life, but there was always a secondary or tertiary character that kept me reading. Not in World of Grayham.

The plot was stupid and not really all that original. I never felt an imminent danger to anyo More...
6 comments like (3 people liked it)
Sep 20, 2009
Valerie rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Worlds of the Crystalmoon may very well be the beginning of a new era in fantasy writing. Phillip E. Jones is not the next Tolkien nor is he the next JK Rowling and he most assuredly is not the next Terry Goodkind. These other three authors have been my absolute favorites for most of my adult life – but Phillip is without a doubt not the “next” anyone but rather the very first of a new kind of author. I sincerely believe he is ready to stand along side of these three greats and hold his head More...
Aug 18, 2009
Michelle rated it: 5 of 5 stars
World of Grayham was a perfect start to what may be one of the best fantasy series I’ve ever read. The imagination of Philip Jones is incredible, the worlds he created and characters that he develop are unbelievably good. As I read through each chapter I instantly found myself immersed in their world, it was spellbinding; everything you’d wish for in a good fantasy book.

One of my favorite cool features in the book is … “The Grayham Inquirer”. Jones provides a tabloid of sort to help More...
Jul 31, 2009
William rated it: 5 of 5 stars
I am a 48 year old man and I initially read the Crystal Moon, World of Grayham, only because I met the author at Costco in Salt Lake. I decided to purchase it through Amazon and have since found myself to be pleasantly surprised. Some of the reviews I read before my purchase ranged from terrible, to exceptional, and I wasn’t sure what to expect.

I found the characters to be enjoyable. There are so many different beings introduced within the story that I imagine the depth of ea More...
0 comments like (1 person liked it)
Jul 29, 2009
Tina rated it: 5 of 5 stars
All I can say is WOW, WOW, WOW! This novel is so fun and I was so proud to have a chance to read one of only 5000 copies of the Crystal Moon, World of Grayham's second edition. The author was so nice when I met him and he told me that his book was going to have the final version of book 1 released this December when book 2 comes out as well.
I originally bought my book off of Amazon and when I heard of the author signing I went to it and learned about who Phillip Jones was. I was able t More...
0 comments like (1 person liked it)
Jul 31, 2009
Pat K rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Crystal Moon is one of the most entertaining books I've read in quite some time.
It's a hard book to put down. In fact I finished it in just a couple of days.
So where the hell is the next BOOK ?????
I love the way the Gods and the people mess with each other.
It's way to everyday life like (if you substitute Gods for Boss's or that kind'a thing.)
And the Grayham Inquirer is sweet!
It definitely adds to the book. A lot of Authors would benefit from Phill More...
0 comments like (1 person liked it)
Jan 14, 2012
Michelle added it
JUST AN FYI...I am reading the 2010 edition of this book. It's the third edition and supposedly the last. I have not heard good things about the first two, and this one's not giving me much to write home (or on Good Reads) about, so if you are thinking of reading it, make sure it's the latest edition!

Didn't finish it. . . that's all I'm going to say. Maybe when the fourth edition comes out it will miraculously catch my interest.
6 comments like (1 person liked it)
May 25, 2009
Hollie rated it: 2 of 5 stars
If you take Lord of the Rings, Narnia, Xanth, and Fableheaven, put them together you have this book.

In introduction:

Sam Goodrich, a strong, friendly, dark-haired man with brown eyes, lowered himself to the edge of the bed. He couldn't grasp everything he had just heard. It all weighed on his heart, suffocating his every thought. Even though he was brilliant-studying with some of the best scholars on Earth and surpassing even their Knowledge-he now felt lost, strugglin More...
11 comments like (4 people liked it)
May 03, 2010
Suzy rated it: 1 of 5 stars
If I could give this less than one star, I would.

I see positive reviews on the Crystal Moon books and I cannot help but feel indignant and disappointed. I am an avid sci-fi/fantasy reader and books like these cheapen and demean the genre. The books are poorly written and cannot hold a candle to such classics as Tolkien, or even less acclaimed authors like Christopher Paolini.

The story had potential to be something entertaining, but became so bogged down with crude humor, More...
3 comments like (5 people liked it)
Jul 14, 2009
Gena rated it: 1 of 5 stars
TAKE IT BACK TO COSTCO!!!!! And never look back!!!
Oh my gosh! I don't really know why I'm even continuing to read this piece of work. It's geared to the 13 year old and up group and wow, you'd think you just walked into the 1960's with a 2009 overlay. It reads like a dirty minded tween wrote it. The sad truth about this book(from what I can figure) is it's self published. And, it shows. The editing is none existing, the characters are undeveloped and nonsensical. The author tells people it More...
9 comments like (11 people liked it)
Jun 06, 2010
Kimberly rated it: 1 of 5 stars
I bought this book and wish I had not. It says it is written for 13 and older, but it feels more like it is written by a 13 year old. I feel the characters lack depth, the women are written like they are Valley Girls,who acts like that? Maybe if I was a male I would connect to some character in this book, but as a female I felt it was shallow, choppy and I regret buying this. I felt some of the content was inappropriate, especially if a 13 year old boy was reading it. It seemed to jump from More...
4 comments like (4 people liked it)
Aug 04, 2009
Chris rated it: 5 of 5 stars
This book was a breath of fresh air. It caught me from the first sentence. The action is packed into a twisting plot with wonderful characters. This is a wonderful alternative to the constant video games that so many play. A great adventure to read!

I have to add further remarks in response to those who don't understand the appeal of this story...

This book is nothing like anything you've read because it's not a copy-cat story. It does follow the truest of fantasy rules - t More...
0 comments like (1 person liked it)
Sep 18, 2009
Sharan rated it: 5 of 5 stars
This is an extremely fascinating book. The characters are quite different and interesting. I enjoyed all of the different creatures I met along the way. They were incredibly unique. The vivid descriptions of everything from the beautiful scenery to the brutal fights were excellent. The writers imagination and creativity is unbelievable. I have read many books and have never found any of them as exceptional as I find this one. It held my attention throughout the entire book. I could hardly put it More...
0 comments like (1 person liked it)
Sep 13, 2009
Scy311 rated it: 4 of 5 stars
The author has a very creative imagination. He has created a world unlike others of the fantasy Genre. I have been engaged in the reading since the introduction. The journies of the characters are unique in a way not many authors would attempt. If you find you can't relate to a character just wait and either the character will transform before your eyes into one that you can or a new character will be brought about to draw you into the story. Very detailed and a fun read for pre-teen though a More...
0 comments like (1 person liked it)
Jul 31, 2009
Mark rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Wow, that was fun! I truly enjoyed this book, with enough twists and turns to keep me intrigued. I was always wondering what was going to happen next. I personally cannot wait for the next book to find out what havoc George is going to cause the other characters. I found the tone and speech of the characters to be fresh and playful, just like my nieces and nephews that are of the same age as the younger characters, Sam and Shalee. This book was entertaining and not a drudge to read, unlike More...
0 comments like (1 person liked it)
Jul 28, 2009
Bill rated it: 5 of 5 stars
I am an avid reader of fantasy. I found Mr. Jones' book engaging and visually descriptive. His character development is solid and makes me look forward to the next in the series. I have both the first and second editions and I know from speaking with Phillip that the third edition of Book 1 will be the final version and all the adjustments to the story will be made. For his first novel and as a new author, Phillip is creating an epic on the scale of some of the most popular famtasy stories ever More...
0 comments like (2 people liked it)
Dec 27, 2011
Karen rated it: 5 of 5 stars
My 14 year old daughter came home from the Space Needle the other day and was carrying this book in her hand. Apparently, her best friend found it at her uncle’s house when she visited her uncle in Salt Lake City. After the book sat on my kitchen counter for a few days, I snagged it and read it. This novel was a refreshing change from the Danielle Steele novels I usually read. I am hooked and will read the entire series.

After logging onto Facebook, I was able to engage the author an More...
Jun 02, 2011
Sierra rated it: 1 of 5 stars
The book was just OK. The story line was very confusing at times, plots didn't always seem to add up the way characters said they would. The characters were often very one dimensional, they were one thing and extreme about it. There was more gore and sexiness than I like, and it seemed to be handled strangely, almost like the author was shoving it in the reader's face. There also isn't much physical character description, which the author tries to make up for my having some terrible CG art image More...
Aug 07, 2011
Kj rated it: 4 of 5 stars
This book was the largest I have ever read. I wanted to force myself back into reading and this seemed to be a good candidate. It has gone through several incarnations, but I picked it up at its "final" print at a Costco warehouse.

I plunged into this story with no expectations, and finished it and its sequel rather quickly. The writing style is easy to follow and the characters do manage to generate emotion in me.

There was a "therapeutic" tone to the More...
Apr 18, 2011
Catherine rated it: 1 of 5 stars
Let's just say I quit at page 108.
1 comment like (2 people liked it)