The Last Apprentice

by Marcus Malone

As the kings and kingdoms of Atlantis struggle to seize the ultimate power, Odius, a humble apprentice to the last Great Marce of Atlantis, embarks on an obscure quest to fulfill his Master's dying request. Unwillingly, he becomes a key component in the power struggle, which makes him a wanted man by every the bounty hunter, king, and army across Atlantis.

A continent full of soldiers, however, is nothing compared to the Titan that he must ultimately face; the stakes are his beloved Atlantis… and the entire mortal world.

Approximately 170,000 words (or approximately 510 pages in 5-1/4 X 8 format)

Genres: Fantasy

522 pages, Paperback

First published May 7, 2011

About the author

Marcus Malone served in the USAF. After service he worked in the defense industry writing military maintenance manuals, and authored several non-fiction electronics books under a different name. He is also an accomplished engineer and software developer. His passions include desert hiking, physics, and writing. His background in physics and technology lend itself well to science fiction.

Marcus Malone has been writing science fiction and fantasy since the early 1990’s. His works include novels, short stories, and screenplays. Some of his earlier works are written in the style of the classics, while his later works have a more contemporary feel.

Reviews

[Ron · Rating 1 out of 5]

Normally, if I can not tolerate at least one hundred pages of a book, I just delete it from my book list. However, I selected this book because it had the highest rating in my "to read" list: over four stars. Granted that was only based on seventeen reviews, but I can't imagine how anyone who had ever read any other book could rate this one five stars.

Another Atlantis story. Poorly developed, sophomoric concept and writing. No hook, no drama, nothing special to draw the reader in. Most high school students would have done as well.

Disappointing.

Don't waste your time.

[Jestersinc · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ever wondered whatever happened to Atlantis or why was it so prosperous ?
This awesome story will reveal some mysteries, like what happened to the old gods, where did magic go and what was Atlantis.
Some nice twists and turns along the way and deception which only the gods could conceive.

I certainly hope there is a sequel, would like to learn more about the lady of the forest and where does Marcus journey end.

Thanks Marcus for allowing me to read this fine journey.

[Carmen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very imaginative story and well worth the read for anyone interested in Atlantis and how its end has come to pass. The Gods, as they are, of course, involved, are particularly well presented. And I liked how the end was the end of more than Atlantis, and how everything comes full circle (after a few interesting twists and turns).

The human characters feel a bit artificial at times, mostly moved by the story and not moving it forward, not really feeling like real people but players in something bigger than them. However, I believe It works well in this particular context, as it does increase the feeling of something fated and unavoidable.