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Alrin
Perhaps the highest tragedy is that the one thing we all share is our greatest divide — the void within that drives us. Our insatiable desire for greatness is shadowed only by our overwhelming hatred for complacency. Whether for fame or fortune, aware of it or not, we strive for the highest rung only for our grasp to instantly crave the next ladder. Yet still we reach, for the void must always be filled. Seventeen-year-old Alrin Turner lives in a place where power is everything, and pursuing it is the only thing that seems to ebb the burning desire. Each person is born with three numbers on their hand that show the might of their strength, magic, and intellect, so seeing the full extent of one’s power is as simple as glancing in the mirror. In a world teeming with such illustrious competition, qualities like kindness and humility are in short supply and Alrin knows it all too well. He cares nothing of power and holds firm to the belief that there is more to life than what is found on your hand, despite the relentless insults he receives for it. While hunting in the woods with his brother, a selfless act forces Alrin off the edge of a cliff only for him to stop feet above the ground by a flash of brilliant light and a mysterious symbol that appears over his hand. The source of this power intrigues a sudden benefactor, who takes Alrin under his wing to train him in his magic guild—an honor never before given to someone so insignificant. When mighty warriors start to appear in his town, Alrin not only learns that the power that saved him has been sought out for thousands of years, but like it or not, he has fallen into a story much larger than himself. Everyone he loves is either taken or cursed and Alrin is faced with an impossible delve deeper into the realm of power to unlock the riddle of the void and save his family, yet somehow cling to the part of himself that was worthy of power at the start.
- GenresFantasy
324 pages, Paperback
Published September 14, 2016
44 people are currently reading
57 people want to read
About the author
Kyle King
1 book12 followersKyle King lives in Fort Worth, TX with his wife Jennifer, where in addition to writing, he has worked as a pharmacist for over 5 years. When not "pushing pills" to appease the bills, Kyle pursues his dream of becoming a full time writer, and loves getting blissfully lost inside the worlds between bookends.
Although he has several pharmacy-related suspense novels up his sleeve, Christian fantasy is where Kyle has found his home, and he loves to find mystical and enchanting ways to answer his calling of sharing it with the rest of the world.
Although he has several pharmacy-related suspense novels up his sleeve, Christian fantasy is where Kyle has found his home, and he loves to find mystical and enchanting ways to answer his calling of sharing it with the rest of the world.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
June 18, 2016
Almost 5 stars
I am between a 4 and 4 1/2 star on this review solely because the ending is so ridiculous, preachy and awful after a fun premise. Some of the twists are obvious and others less so. I appreciate the character development although at times it seems redundant (we get it, he's perceived by absolutely everyone as weak). Easy, fun read and if not for the truly awful ending, I'd say it's worthy of a repeat read.
I am between a 4 and 4 1/2 star on this review solely because the ending is so ridiculous, preachy and awful after a fun premise. Some of the twists are obvious and others less so. I appreciate the character development although at times it seems redundant (we get it, he's perceived by absolutely everyone as weak). Easy, fun read and if not for the truly awful ending, I'd say it's worthy of a repeat read.
May 20, 2016
Very interesting book. It has a few unexpected twists. I really enjoyed it.
November 5, 2016
An enjoyable read
To me a good book is always one that gets the imagination flowing and this book is definitely one. Great one to read on a cold weekend morning by the fire.
To me a good book is always one that gets the imagination flowing and this book is definitely one. Great one to read on a cold weekend morning by the fire.
April 2, 2020
Riddles and Puzzles
The reader's plight is not unlike Alrin's. Alrin is faced with perplexing riddles and puzzles during his entire quest. The true purpose of the quest doesn't become clear until it's end.
And so I struggled throughout the read. But the reader's quest pays off. The metaphor of life that King reveals is worth the wait.
Yet a huge question rises from the climax. With the ending he has created, How can King turn this into a series?
Moltrix, the catlike creature King has created is endearing, nearly steals the show (and I don't particularly like cats.) Some fantasy author's fill their books with a a myriad of odd creatures. King uses restraint. The time he takes weaving this one into the tale makes it very memorable.
Although I struggled throughout to understand the author's purpose in permeating the book with magic, the climax showed that it was appropriate and necessary to the plot.
Good read. Excellent book.
The reader's plight is not unlike Alrin's. Alrin is faced with perplexing riddles and puzzles during his entire quest. The true purpose of the quest doesn't become clear until it's end.
And so I struggled throughout the read. But the reader's quest pays off. The metaphor of life that King reveals is worth the wait.
Yet a huge question rises from the climax. With the ending he has created, How can King turn this into a series?
Moltrix, the catlike creature King has created is endearing, nearly steals the show (and I don't particularly like cats.) Some fantasy author's fill their books with a a myriad of odd creatures. King uses restraint. The time he takes weaving this one into the tale makes it very memorable.
Although I struggled throughout to understand the author's purpose in permeating the book with magic, the climax showed that it was appropriate and necessary to the plot.
Good read. Excellent book.
January 28, 2019
Quite an enjoyable surprise.
This story was a random pick which turned out to be a refreshing read. In a world where your capability score is on the hand for all to see, Alrin's score was amongst the lowest. Three powerful guilds ruled all: strength, magic and wisdom. Despite this, Alrin was able to look beyond stats and see all at face value. However, an accident brings out an unexpected result from him causing an evil king to pursue him and take away his happy family in one fell swoop. The writing style is very descriptive and allows the reader to visualise the story, its environs and its characters quite easily. Highly recommend.
This story was a random pick which turned out to be a refreshing read. In a world where your capability score is on the hand for all to see, Alrin's score was amongst the lowest. Three powerful guilds ruled all: strength, magic and wisdom. Despite this, Alrin was able to look beyond stats and see all at face value. However, an accident brings out an unexpected result from him causing an evil king to pursue him and take away his happy family in one fell swoop. The writing style is very descriptive and allows the reader to visualise the story, its environs and its characters quite easily. Highly recommend.
March 12, 2017
Not the usual
While it is the usual tale of a young boy coming into his own and discovering "he is the one", its entertaining,easy to read and different enough to be thoroughly engaging from start to finish.
While it is the usual tale of a young boy coming into his own and discovering "he is the one", its entertaining,easy to read and different enough to be thoroughly engaging from start to finish.
September 3, 2017
Fresh, moving
It's what I needed to hear. More! Keep up the writing, Kyle - more and more people need to hear it.
It's what I needed to hear. More! Keep up the writing, Kyle - more and more people need to hear it.
February 20, 2018
Fantastic and entertaining story from start to finish. Some people complained about the ridiculous ending, but I thought that the book was wrapped up nicely. Recommended highly.
February 17, 2017
I loved it. The introduction is so good. The world setting is really interesting, and I like the stories that stretch the believable one notch up.
The only sad thing is that in the end it failed somehow its mission. Points did make a difference and that was pretty sad.
Still a very good fantasy overall
The only sad thing is that in the end it failed somehow its mission. Points did make a difference and that was pretty sad.
Still a very good fantasy overall
September 28, 2016
Average
Although I'm sorry to leave critical feedback, the main character becomes what is well established to Superman level without almost no passage of time. All a lot was spent on establishing how this kind of strength would be impossible, but since he's part of the world's central plot, he and his friends can skip all that.
Although I'm sorry to leave critical feedback, the main character becomes what is well established to Superman level without almost no passage of time. All a lot was spent on establishing how this kind of strength would be impossible, but since he's part of the world's central plot, he and his friends can skip all that.
May 18, 2016
Full circle
This book seems to go in a full circle. That is not necessarily a bad thing. I have to admit though I really enjoyed it. There is an ending to the book. I will be watching for more books by this author.
This book seems to go in a full circle. That is not necessarily a bad thing. I have to admit though I really enjoyed it. There is an ending to the book. I will be watching for more books by this author.
January 21, 2017
Great arc, shaky ending
I gave this four stars only because of the ending. The storytelling is outstanding and flowed without any sign of issue. Until you reached the finality. It was like eating a deli pious gourmet pizza, only to bite into a frozen crust. Epic, until the ending
I gave this four stars only because of the ending. The storytelling is outstanding and flowed without any sign of issue. Until you reached the finality. It was like eating a deli pious gourmet pizza, only to bite into a frozen crust. Epic, until the ending
June 29, 2016
Not entirely sure what happened there which is actually rather invigorating. One that I will think about for a time.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews