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The Game #1
The Book of the Forsaken
A sarcastic storyteller traps three characters in his web in order to get hold of a special book.
Daniel, Cassidy and Igor are three unique individuals, considered outcasts for different reasons. They are about to meet and stick together, as coincidences and forced situations lead them to a journey all around Europe.
As everyone is after the Book of the Forsaken, the coming Game is about to take place on the dark side of the moon. But there is a cost to that knowledge. Let alone to the wish to partake.
"The Book of the Forsaken" got the gold medal on authonomy.com's HarperCollins UK hosted competition on Feb 1. 2012.
Daniel, Cassidy and Igor are three unique individuals, considered outcasts for different reasons. They are about to meet and stick together, as coincidences and forced situations lead them to a journey all around Europe.
As everyone is after the Book of the Forsaken, the coming Game is about to take place on the dark side of the moon. But there is a cost to that knowledge. Let alone to the wish to partake.
"The Book of the Forsaken" got the gold medal on authonomy.com's HarperCollins UK hosted competition on Feb 1. 2012.
304 pages, Paperback
First published July 3, 2012
3 people are currently reading
1980 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
August 27, 2013
The mini-dossiers at the start of the story that sort of introduced us to the characters hooked me up and made me want to read more. I like that the plot is fast-paced, there are elements of action and suspense I found very interesting, and that there's a somewhat cozy mystery feel to the narrative. Keeping up with the narrator as he jumps from one character to the next was a bit of a challenge for me though. That said, I think using a "storyteller" instead of just writing in a 3rd person omniscient POV is very creative albeit confusing at times. And yes, I also thought the footnotes were a bit distracting. Even so, I really think the concept upon which the novel was based is brilliant. I had fun weaving through the many twists and turns and I can't wait to read the next book.
Disclosure: A free copy of the book was sent to me by the author in exchange for an unbiased review.
Seen on Eat Read Shop.
Disclosure: A free copy of the book was sent to me by the author in exchange for an unbiased review.
Seen on Eat Read Shop.
September 14, 2013
So, I've had some time to let things sink in, as I've been reading other books. And now that I'm finishing the 2nd book in the series I feel comfortable enough to leave an opinion regarding the 1st.
The premise is powerful. It's what will knock you out in the first place, and will draw you in again if you're put off at some point. It's an entirely new take on the supernatural creatures. That's what it's about. And it's gripping.
The writing style is one thing in the 1st book and a different one in the 2nd. But both changes in voice serve a purpose, as the 1st book is fast-paced laced with black humor, whereas the 2nd is darker and more magical.
The characters are flawed. All the time in this series, all you'll find is people you probably wouldn't like in the real world, only because you don't get to see inside their heads. In this series you'll get a glimpse of how it is to be part of a gritty and dark supernatural side of this world. Problems, flaws, wrong decisions all thrown in a mix of supossed chaos. And there's the puppet master, the narrator of the story who's trying to do the unbelievable, to control this chaos. Moreover, to control it to its favor.
The aftertaste is that there are things unexplained -always- and it's a subjective matter whether you like this sort of thing. It left me wanting more of this world and its chaotic but magical and meaningful nature.
Recommended to YA-NA-A alike, because the author has expertly avoided to add explicit violence or sex scenes. Fans of urban fantasy will find this a refreshing read, because of the new concepts introduced. Not Recommended to readers of PNR, as there is no R to be found ;P It's ok though, it might be worth the try regardless.
The premise is powerful. It's what will knock you out in the first place, and will draw you in again if you're put off at some point. It's an entirely new take on the supernatural creatures. That's what it's about. And it's gripping.
The writing style is one thing in the 1st book and a different one in the 2nd. But both changes in voice serve a purpose, as the 1st book is fast-paced laced with black humor, whereas the 2nd is darker and more magical.
The characters are flawed. All the time in this series, all you'll find is people you probably wouldn't like in the real world, only because you don't get to see inside their heads. In this series you'll get a glimpse of how it is to be part of a gritty and dark supernatural side of this world. Problems, flaws, wrong decisions all thrown in a mix of supossed chaos. And there's the puppet master, the narrator of the story who's trying to do the unbelievable, to control this chaos. Moreover, to control it to its favor.
The aftertaste is that there are things unexplained -always- and it's a subjective matter whether you like this sort of thing. It left me wanting more of this world and its chaotic but magical and meaningful nature.
Recommended to YA-NA-A alike, because the author has expertly avoided to add explicit violence or sex scenes. Fans of urban fantasy will find this a refreshing read, because of the new concepts introduced. Not Recommended to readers of PNR, as there is no R to be found ;P It's ok though, it might be worth the try regardless.
August 27, 2012
"A sarcastic storyteller traps three characters in his web in order to get hold of a special book. Daniel, Cassidy and Igor are three unique individuals, considered outcasts for different reasons. They are about to meet and stick together, as coincidences and forced situations lead them to a journey all around Europe. As everyone is after the Book of the Forsaken, the coming Game is about to take place on the dark side of the moon. But there is a cost to that knowledge. Let alone to the wish to partake"
Daniel, Robert and Igor are the three main characters (or are they?)of this most unique and splendid novel. While it certainly can be classified as a fantasy - The Book of the Forsaken is so much more than a "by the dots" Quest novel.
Each character is introduced to the reader with what appears as a dossier- and an introductory chapter perfectly capturing the essence of each. Yanni Karatsioris has so brilliant a narrative style that the word images of each character literally pop off the page. The dialogue is taut and fast moving, and never seems the least bit contrived. By the time the reader,and the three characters understand what is to be done...or attempted to be done!, each has developed a scalpel sharp personality all their own.
This is a rare book in many ways. The feature I truly found utterly captivating is Mr. Karatsioris' use of "The Narrator". He is every bit a character- in many ways THE PIVOTAL character in the book. And what a character he is!!! Biting, sarcastic and highly intelligent, he evokes a Svengali-like image over Daniel, Robert and Igor. His asides during the novel are quite original and very much the glue that binds all the characters and action together in what is more of a true and wonderful experience for the reader than a simple book reading.
The many varied locations we visit in the search for The Book of the Forsaken are vividly brought to life with deft prose and wonderful vignettes. Yes, this is the first book in the series- and if it is any indication of what is to come..I say most enthusiastically..."LET THE GAME BEING"!!!
AN OFFICIAL JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB MUST READ
RICK FRIEDMAN
FOUNDER
THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB
Daniel, Robert and Igor are the three main characters (or are they?)of this most unique and splendid novel. While it certainly can be classified as a fantasy - The Book of the Forsaken is so much more than a "by the dots" Quest novel.
Each character is introduced to the reader with what appears as a dossier- and an introductory chapter perfectly capturing the essence of each. Yanni Karatsioris has so brilliant a narrative style that the word images of each character literally pop off the page. The dialogue is taut and fast moving, and never seems the least bit contrived. By the time the reader,and the three characters understand what is to be done...or attempted to be done!, each has developed a scalpel sharp personality all their own.
This is a rare book in many ways. The feature I truly found utterly captivating is Mr. Karatsioris' use of "The Narrator". He is every bit a character- in many ways THE PIVOTAL character in the book. And what a character he is!!! Biting, sarcastic and highly intelligent, he evokes a Svengali-like image over Daniel, Robert and Igor. His asides during the novel are quite original and very much the glue that binds all the characters and action together in what is more of a true and wonderful experience for the reader than a simple book reading.
The many varied locations we visit in the search for The Book of the Forsaken are vividly brought to life with deft prose and wonderful vignettes. Yes, this is the first book in the series- and if it is any indication of what is to come..I say most enthusiastically..."LET THE GAME BEING"!!!
AN OFFICIAL JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB MUST READ
RICK FRIEDMAN
FOUNDER
THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB
February 8, 2013
The Book of the Forsaken by Yannis Karatsioris
First in a series
Genre: Contemporary Fantasy
The first time I ever saw this book I was skeptical. The moment I started reading it all skepticism left. This book is exceptional in the fact that the narrator himself is a character in the book and is made out to be the one that wrote the book. Yes I know that's confusing, but you'll have to read the book to see what I mean. He is the one leading the other characters.
The narrator seems to be some kind of Demi-god type character. He chooses three others, that he refers to as puppets and manipulates them to do his bidding, each having some kind of special power. All along in the book the narrator is making footnotes about some of the scenes that are happening as well as helping to explain others, a unique addition to the book and unlike anything I have ever read.
As you read this book you won't realize how far you have read until you either happen to look at your clock or the page numbers. It is fast-paced and keeps the reader turning the pages wondering what will happen next. Murder, mystery, cliffhangers, an unexpected conclusion, this book has it all. Mr. Karatsioris, congratulations, although not my usual genre I read, your book caught me. I look forward to reading your others too.
~Bethanie Armstrong
First in a series
Genre: Contemporary Fantasy
The first time I ever saw this book I was skeptical. The moment I started reading it all skepticism left. This book is exceptional in the fact that the narrator himself is a character in the book and is made out to be the one that wrote the book. Yes I know that's confusing, but you'll have to read the book to see what I mean. He is the one leading the other characters.
The narrator seems to be some kind of Demi-god type character. He chooses three others, that he refers to as puppets and manipulates them to do his bidding, each having some kind of special power. All along in the book the narrator is making footnotes about some of the scenes that are happening as well as helping to explain others, a unique addition to the book and unlike anything I have ever read.
As you read this book you won't realize how far you have read until you either happen to look at your clock or the page numbers. It is fast-paced and keeps the reader turning the pages wondering what will happen next. Murder, mystery, cliffhangers, an unexpected conclusion, this book has it all. Mr. Karatsioris, congratulations, although not my usual genre I read, your book caught me. I look forward to reading your others too.
~Bethanie Armstrong
August 5, 2015
What HARPER COLLINS UK had to say about THE BOOK OF THE FORSAKEN
"The writing is of a very high standard, The text is engaging and the story is highly original. By introducing chapters/sections with quotations from ‘The Emerald Tablet’, the guiding principles of the alternate universe the author creates are ever present, hinting at the greater significance of events and making us want to read on to find out more."
"The writing is of a very high standard, The text is engaging and the story is highly original. By introducing chapters/sections with quotations from ‘The Emerald Tablet’, the guiding principles of the alternate universe the author creates are ever present, hinting at the greater significance of events and making us want to read on to find out more."
November 21, 2014
The Book of the Forsaken (The Game, #1) by Yannis Karatsioris
Cassidy, Daniel and Igor are three people thrown together in unusual circumstances. Pretty much social outcasts they find themselves on a quest , a search for a book known as The Book of the Forsaken. Soon these three men are traveling across Europe on an adventure of their lifetime.
A well written unique story. I really liked the three main characters, Cassidy, Daniel & Igor. They all had their own likable qualities, we learn a bit about each character right from the start.
I also liked the way the chapters started with quotes from The Emerald Tablet. It made the story so much more interesting. The vivid details and dialog pulls the reader right into the story, and won't let you go until the very last page.
I highly recommend The Book of the Forsaken to those who love fantasy/adventure. I really enjoyed this story and would like to read more books by Yannis Karatsioris.
Cassidy, Daniel and Igor are three people thrown together in unusual circumstances. Pretty much social outcasts they find themselves on a quest , a search for a book known as The Book of the Forsaken. Soon these three men are traveling across Europe on an adventure of their lifetime.
A well written unique story. I really liked the three main characters, Cassidy, Daniel & Igor. They all had their own likable qualities, we learn a bit about each character right from the start.
I also liked the way the chapters started with quotes from The Emerald Tablet. It made the story so much more interesting. The vivid details and dialog pulls the reader right into the story, and won't let you go until the very last page.
I highly recommend The Book of the Forsaken to those who love fantasy/adventure. I really enjoyed this story and would like to read more books by Yannis Karatsioris.
October 9, 2014
The Book of the Forsaken is a tale narrated by a sarcastic, and somewhat twisted Demi-God sat between two competing factions - the Magi (men of magic), and the Forsaken (ousted supernatural creatures). Although the Narrator clearly has his own agenda, whether he sides with the Magi or the Forsaken is unknown.
The three main pawns in the latest Game between the factions are introduced ‘Top-Trumps’ card-style. While I disliked the manner of presentation, it did bring to mind a group of higher beings sat around a card table, using their players attributes (or lack thereof) to score points and take the pawns of others for their own team.
The pawns, or puppets as the Narrator likes to call them are sent into the Game - Robert Cassidy is tasked with shooting the Russian Minister of Defense, Igor Rubenstein; the trickster-come-assassin for hire’s latest target is the Minister of Finance along with his agenda, and quiet, introverted Daniel Maladie must steal a rare book from the German Ambassador.
These men are from different backgrounds, different countries, and they have never met each other but each possesses a unique supernatural ability which has been honed to perfection. Placed in close proximity to one another by their tasks, they are quickly thrown together by circumstance (or by another roll of the dice from the powers that be).
Their individual actions set off a chain reaction which soon sees them running for their lives, when a mysterious rescuer (later introduced as Alexandru) steps in and tells them to stick together so he can get them out of Russia, pronto. Packing them onto a train bound for the Carpathian Mountains, Alexandru seems to be manipulating the players; maneuvering Cassidy, Igor, and Daniel into position. At this point his motives are unclear, but he seems to have a vested interest in keeping the trio together, and in the book that Maladie stole.
Shortly, we learn more about the Forsaken, the Game itself, and how the book can be opened - or most importantly, by whom - while the trio rest in the luxury of Alexandru’s employer’s mansion house. Once again, the dice are rolled and the wheels are set in motion.
A trip on the Occident Express; a train which exists outside of time, brings the unlikely trio almost full circle where events unfold slightly differently, and a lot more dangerously.
At this point the Narrator does a complete one-eighty and introduces the reader to two new Game players; a Bringer of Death, and a man who has nothing to live for. Their small part of the story (around the final 10% according to Kindle) is by far my favourite, where the Bringer of Death’s role is explained and executed (no pun intended) on a grand scale before we see where the two sets of players are connected, and the machine that is the Game begins to grind again…
I’ve got to admit to being really on the fence with this one. In spite of its compelling blurb I found that the story itself didn’t quite live up to my expectations and I started, stopped, and restarted it a couple of times before I got into the flow of things.
While The Book of the Forsaken may not appeal to everyone, it’s worth a read simply because it stands out in the current market. For me, I found the action to be a little inconsistent, feeling at times as though I was dropped into it instead of the tension being built up layer by layer, but mainly my enjoyment of the story was tamped down by the character of Robert Cassidy who seemed to have no redeeming qualities to offset his brackish personality.
That aside, I’ve got to say that I’d be interested in reading book two although I wouldn’t run to buy it. The Book of the Forsaken gets a three out of five from me.
Reviewed for Bit'N Book Promoters
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The three main pawns in the latest Game between the factions are introduced ‘Top-Trumps’ card-style. While I disliked the manner of presentation, it did bring to mind a group of higher beings sat around a card table, using their players attributes (or lack thereof) to score points and take the pawns of others for their own team.
The pawns, or puppets as the Narrator likes to call them are sent into the Game - Robert Cassidy is tasked with shooting the Russian Minister of Defense, Igor Rubenstein; the trickster-come-assassin for hire’s latest target is the Minister of Finance along with his agenda, and quiet, introverted Daniel Maladie must steal a rare book from the German Ambassador.
These men are from different backgrounds, different countries, and they have never met each other but each possesses a unique supernatural ability which has been honed to perfection. Placed in close proximity to one another by their tasks, they are quickly thrown together by circumstance (or by another roll of the dice from the powers that be).
Their individual actions set off a chain reaction which soon sees them running for their lives, when a mysterious rescuer (later introduced as Alexandru) steps in and tells them to stick together so he can get them out of Russia, pronto. Packing them onto a train bound for the Carpathian Mountains, Alexandru seems to be manipulating the players; maneuvering Cassidy, Igor, and Daniel into position. At this point his motives are unclear, but he seems to have a vested interest in keeping the trio together, and in the book that Maladie stole.
Shortly, we learn more about the Forsaken, the Game itself, and how the book can be opened - or most importantly, by whom - while the trio rest in the luxury of Alexandru’s employer’s mansion house. Once again, the dice are rolled and the wheels are set in motion.
A trip on the Occident Express; a train which exists outside of time, brings the unlikely trio almost full circle where events unfold slightly differently, and a lot more dangerously.
At this point the Narrator does a complete one-eighty and introduces the reader to two new Game players; a Bringer of Death, and a man who has nothing to live for. Their small part of the story (around the final 10% according to Kindle) is by far my favourite, where the Bringer of Death’s role is explained and executed (no pun intended) on a grand scale before we see where the two sets of players are connected, and the machine that is the Game begins to grind again…
I’ve got to admit to being really on the fence with this one. In spite of its compelling blurb I found that the story itself didn’t quite live up to my expectations and I started, stopped, and restarted it a couple of times before I got into the flow of things.
While The Book of the Forsaken may not appeal to everyone, it’s worth a read simply because it stands out in the current market. For me, I found the action to be a little inconsistent, feeling at times as though I was dropped into it instead of the tension being built up layer by layer, but mainly my enjoyment of the story was tamped down by the character of Robert Cassidy who seemed to have no redeeming qualities to offset his brackish personality.
That aside, I’ve got to say that I’d be interested in reading book two although I wouldn’t run to buy it. The Book of the Forsaken gets a three out of five from me.
Reviewed for Bit'N Book Promoters
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October 7, 2013
Note: This review was originally published on GR in September 2012.
This review also appears on my blog, The Bookworm Experiment.
Rating: 5 stars
The author kindly provided me with a digital copy of the book in exchange for an honest review, which follows:
Dossier-like, we are introduced to the three puppets – Robert Cassidy, Daniel Maladie and Igor Rubinstein – and their special abilities. They are sent to Russia to accomplish a different mission, each. The events in a castle and a restaurant in Moscow bring the three of them together, and along with a mysterious biker who helps them escape, they leave to Romania.
During their train ride to Bucharest, they learn that the book Daniel’s been sent to steal is not just an ancient and rare piece of writing, but also The Book of the Forsaken, which is being sought after by many other people that are willing to kill for it. After that, they must discover the book’s contents in order to unravel the mystery that connects their original missions to the Game.
Throughout most part of the book, we have an omniscient narrator, who laces the explanation of this dark magic world with doses of sarcasm and witty footnotes.
I must say that although there are lots of Urban Fantasy books published now, few authors succeed in creating a refreshing story, with a whole new take in the paranormal world. I’m grateful for having had the opportunity to read Karatsioris’s novel The Book of The Forsaken, as it is one of the most intriguing books I know, and as such, I look forward to the sequel in The Game series.
This review is also available here: Amazon
This review also appears on my blog, The Bookworm Experiment.
Rating: 5 stars
The author kindly provided me with a digital copy of the book in exchange for an honest review, which follows:
Dossier-like, we are introduced to the three puppets – Robert Cassidy, Daniel Maladie and Igor Rubinstein – and their special abilities. They are sent to Russia to accomplish a different mission, each. The events in a castle and a restaurant in Moscow bring the three of them together, and along with a mysterious biker who helps them escape, they leave to Romania.
During their train ride to Bucharest, they learn that the book Daniel’s been sent to steal is not just an ancient and rare piece of writing, but also The Book of the Forsaken, which is being sought after by many other people that are willing to kill for it. After that, they must discover the book’s contents in order to unravel the mystery that connects their original missions to the Game.
Throughout most part of the book, we have an omniscient narrator, who laces the explanation of this dark magic world with doses of sarcasm and witty footnotes.
I must say that although there are lots of Urban Fantasy books published now, few authors succeed in creating a refreshing story, with a whole new take in the paranormal world. I’m grateful for having had the opportunity to read Karatsioris’s novel The Book of The Forsaken, as it is one of the most intriguing books I know, and as such, I look forward to the sequel in The Game series.
This review is also available here: Amazon
November 6, 2012
Edit: It kept going that way! I think this is a very unique book. The narrator makes the difference compared with other fantasy books, but even if the narrator wasn't this intriguing, I think the ideas and the atmosphere would be enough to put this book on its own pedestal, apart from the rest of the books in the same genre.
The only thing I can find as a negative is that the story doesn't end. We are left with a cliffhanger (an awesome one IMO) and thus the books in "The Game" series cannot be counted among stand-alone novels. Obviously the author didn't think (or didn't care?) about the marketability of the series.
If you read the book, you might agree with me, that the author might even win the bet...
Oh, also, there's no romance at all in the book -note to the ones who are after some romance in their fantasy.
Initial review:
This book was suggested to me by my husband, since he's the one who opened up the window to fantasy. He said "this is how contemporary fantasy should be written these days."
I have to say, so far, this book has brilliance written all over it. Wit and action, mystery and suspense. Great atmosphere and a fast pace. Let's hope it keeps going that way...
The only thing I can find as a negative is that the story doesn't end. We are left with a cliffhanger (an awesome one IMO) and thus the books in "The Game" series cannot be counted among stand-alone novels. Obviously the author didn't think (or didn't care?) about the marketability of the series.
If you read the book, you might agree with me, that the author might even win the bet...
Oh, also, there's no romance at all in the book -note to the ones who are after some romance in their fantasy.
Initial review:
This book was suggested to me by my husband, since he's the one who opened up the window to fantasy. He said "this is how contemporary fantasy should be written these days."
I have to say, so far, this book has brilliance written all over it. Wit and action, mystery and suspense. Great atmosphere and a fast pace. Let's hope it keeps going that way...
February 26, 2016
- My Description -
Three men come together through different situations, but for the same reason in the end.
Two men have to assassinate two different men.
One has to acquire a book, The book of the Forsaken.
They all run into trouble from people and beasts who want that book.
What is so special about that book? What does it foretell?
- My Review -
This was a pretty decent read.
The characters are easy to get to know, and were likeable for the most part.
My favorite character was Cassidy.
This book is fantasy but also has dramatic moments.
The comedy is provided by Cassidy.
The book has one drawback.
It has confusing moments, but wasn't enough confusion not to enjoy the book.
It has a part 2 which I've already added to my want-to-read list.
October 11, 2012
This was a fun book to read. I enjoyed the way the book opened with the background for the "miraculous trio". The trio is brought together to find a special book, but not in the way you would think. That's when the story really starts to roll. The story kept me interested and wanting to read on. It was funny and had quite a bit of good action. I am looking forward to picking up the next book. Oh and don't forget to read the footnotes. I typically skip over those, don't skip over these ones. You may miss a few laughs if you do.
June 30, 2014
Oh well, my problem with books is that I get bored easily... and that didn't happen at all with this book! Not even for one second!
I loved the details of the "puppets", I think that even the dates of birth have to do with astrological signs hehe!
I really enjoyed that bit of confusion, even the loose ends didn't bother me... because I thought: "The author has a plan"!
Highly recommended book!
I loved the details of the "puppets", I think that even the dates of birth have to do with astrological signs hehe!
I really enjoyed that bit of confusion, even the loose ends didn't bother me... because I thought: "The author has a plan"!
Highly recommended book!
October 12, 2012
Note: A copy was graciously provided to me by the author.
I always feel bad when a decent story theme that appeals to me ends up not working out, and given that I love fantasy/urban fantasy as a collective genre in all age ranges, I was all for reading this particular book in the get-go. Yannis Karatsioris has an interesting premise in "The Book of the Forsaken" in terms of the ideas and layers behind it - I saw what he was trying to do in some aspects of the narrative here, but I think the execution of it left much to be desired. It didn't engage me as much as I hoped it would. This is one of those instances where the idea behind the novel is sound, but the way it's told completely threw me for a loop - and not in a good way. More on that after I give a brief synopsis of the tale.
The base idea behind the first book in "The Game" series is that there's a master puppeteer (in the form of the narrator of the story) manipulating a group of rather flawed individuals - Daniel from Paris, Cassidy from Ireland, and Igor from Russia - into coming together and retrieving a special book. Now, I had no problem with the men being morally skewed. A devious thief and two murderers might sound alarming to read perspectives from, but as long as the narrative can present the framework of their experiences and make me invested in what's happening to them, I'm willing to see where the plot goes. Nor did I have a problem with the dark tone of the story. Give me dark humor any day, I love a good twisted tale with stakes that keep me on the edge of my seat and guessing until the end.
However, I think many of the techniques used for this particular story (or lack thereof) didn't really give me a full connection to the narrative as a whole, and ended up throwing me out of the tale several times.
First thing one should know - this is very much the narrator's tale. You're being told the story through the narrator's observances and how he manipulates the characters (a la players) in the work. There are times when the narrator is a bit of a charmer and humorous with his wry commentary, but pulling off a narrative style with footnotes in a fictitious work is very difficult to do well - and it's employed as a key device in this narrative. The idea is that you have to develop your narrator in order for your reader to care for the story that's being told/observed in the narrator's vision. You have to address the measure of the stakes that he/she's facing in addition to the ones that are faced by the other parties in the narrative. Granted, it may not be as "deep" for the outside characters, but there has to be a level of depth for the narrator. I was never able to connect to the narrator nor the players in this work. The players were many, the intimacy was far and few between.
I think I saw the problem with Igor, Cassidy and Daniel from the get go, because when they're introduced - their introductions are told rather than shown. They're given in a series of listed profiles, and while that might be more appropriate for a graphic novel or something with a more visual stance, it's not when you're considering a full length novel. The character actions, backgrounds, personality traits and aims need to speak for themselves and be shown through the narrative itself, not told. Thus, I never had a chance to connect to either of them, even as the narrative went on and the stakes were increased at a certain point in the story. The odd transitions between the different players were also a distracting element for me, and I spent a good amount of time wondering why some of the characters acted the way they did.
The worldbuilding in this was a smorgasbord of different, interesting things, as were the abilities of the players themselves, but I don't think they were ever developed into fully realized coherency because of the presentation. I think if the world had been further developed/established and more focus lent on the abilities the characters had, it could've made for a more immersible read. I was disappointed when I came to the ending which didn't really have a conclusive note, thus not making the work a self-contained entry in this series. Sure, it does leave one wondering what will happen in future installments, but not in a way that makes you want to leap out to see.
The only other narrative that I can cite off the top of my head that had a similar structure to this novel - though it's considerably for a different audience and had very different stakes/brand for humor - is the children's/young adult novel "The Amulet of Samarkand" by Jonathan Stroud. Stroud used footnotes and had a very quirky narration in the form of Bartemeaus, a genie who presides over a young magician in training who deals with a very realized threat to his life after coming into possession of a magic amulet. And Bartemeaus was made a central character in the progression of that novel with attention given to his aims, desires, history and role in the world, even as he narrates his experiences. I think Karatsioris probably would've benefited more in "The Book of the Forsaken" to take a deeper POV with each of the characters he established, including the narrator, and even out the flow of the narrative.
I do give credit for the interesting ideas presented in this work, but again, the execution didn't appeal to me.
Overall score: 1.5/5
I always feel bad when a decent story theme that appeals to me ends up not working out, and given that I love fantasy/urban fantasy as a collective genre in all age ranges, I was all for reading this particular book in the get-go. Yannis Karatsioris has an interesting premise in "The Book of the Forsaken" in terms of the ideas and layers behind it - I saw what he was trying to do in some aspects of the narrative here, but I think the execution of it left much to be desired. It didn't engage me as much as I hoped it would. This is one of those instances where the idea behind the novel is sound, but the way it's told completely threw me for a loop - and not in a good way. More on that after I give a brief synopsis of the tale.
The base idea behind the first book in "The Game" series is that there's a master puppeteer (in the form of the narrator of the story) manipulating a group of rather flawed individuals - Daniel from Paris, Cassidy from Ireland, and Igor from Russia - into coming together and retrieving a special book. Now, I had no problem with the men being morally skewed. A devious thief and two murderers might sound alarming to read perspectives from, but as long as the narrative can present the framework of their experiences and make me invested in what's happening to them, I'm willing to see where the plot goes. Nor did I have a problem with the dark tone of the story. Give me dark humor any day, I love a good twisted tale with stakes that keep me on the edge of my seat and guessing until the end.
However, I think many of the techniques used for this particular story (or lack thereof) didn't really give me a full connection to the narrative as a whole, and ended up throwing me out of the tale several times.
First thing one should know - this is very much the narrator's tale. You're being told the story through the narrator's observances and how he manipulates the characters (a la players) in the work. There are times when the narrator is a bit of a charmer and humorous with his wry commentary, but pulling off a narrative style with footnotes in a fictitious work is very difficult to do well - and it's employed as a key device in this narrative. The idea is that you have to develop your narrator in order for your reader to care for the story that's being told/observed in the narrator's vision. You have to address the measure of the stakes that he/she's facing in addition to the ones that are faced by the other parties in the narrative. Granted, it may not be as "deep" for the outside characters, but there has to be a level of depth for the narrator. I was never able to connect to the narrator nor the players in this work. The players were many, the intimacy was far and few between.
I think I saw the problem with Igor, Cassidy and Daniel from the get go, because when they're introduced - their introductions are told rather than shown. They're given in a series of listed profiles, and while that might be more appropriate for a graphic novel or something with a more visual stance, it's not when you're considering a full length novel. The character actions, backgrounds, personality traits and aims need to speak for themselves and be shown through the narrative itself, not told. Thus, I never had a chance to connect to either of them, even as the narrative went on and the stakes were increased at a certain point in the story. The odd transitions between the different players were also a distracting element for me, and I spent a good amount of time wondering why some of the characters acted the way they did.
The worldbuilding in this was a smorgasbord of different, interesting things, as were the abilities of the players themselves, but I don't think they were ever developed into fully realized coherency because of the presentation. I think if the world had been further developed/established and more focus lent on the abilities the characters had, it could've made for a more immersible read. I was disappointed when I came to the ending which didn't really have a conclusive note, thus not making the work a self-contained entry in this series. Sure, it does leave one wondering what will happen in future installments, but not in a way that makes you want to leap out to see.
The only other narrative that I can cite off the top of my head that had a similar structure to this novel - though it's considerably for a different audience and had very different stakes/brand for humor - is the children's/young adult novel "The Amulet of Samarkand" by Jonathan Stroud. Stroud used footnotes and had a very quirky narration in the form of Bartemeaus, a genie who presides over a young magician in training who deals with a very realized threat to his life after coming into possession of a magic amulet. And Bartemeaus was made a central character in the progression of that novel with attention given to his aims, desires, history and role in the world, even as he narrates his experiences. I think Karatsioris probably would've benefited more in "The Book of the Forsaken" to take a deeper POV with each of the characters he established, including the narrator, and even out the flow of the narrative.
I do give credit for the interesting ideas presented in this work, but again, the execution didn't appeal to me.
Overall score: 1.5/5
June 3, 2019
1.5
Book source ~ ARC. My review is voluntary and honest.
Three very different guys with supernatural/unusual powers are brought together by some dude to get some weird book. The guy may be a god of some sort? Or maybe just some mythological entity? I have no idea. This story left me scratching my head. A lot. I have no idea what’s going on or why these three were chosen. Well, I can guess why the one was chosen because he’s obviously connected to the book. But other than that I couldn’t say. The book is weird and disjointed and not in a good way. It’s hard to follow and makes even less sense. One of the guys is completely unlikeable. The other two are just ok. The writing is mediocre. I will note that my copy is a few years old, so I have no idea if it’s been revised or not. In any case, I’m not interested in continuing with this series.
Book source ~ ARC. My review is voluntary and honest.
Three very different guys with supernatural/unusual powers are brought together by some dude to get some weird book. The guy may be a god of some sort? Or maybe just some mythological entity? I have no idea. This story left me scratching my head. A lot. I have no idea what’s going on or why these three were chosen. Well, I can guess why the one was chosen because he’s obviously connected to the book. But other than that I couldn’t say. The book is weird and disjointed and not in a good way. It’s hard to follow and makes even less sense. One of the guys is completely unlikeable. The other two are just ok. The writing is mediocre. I will note that my copy is a few years old, so I have no idea if it’s been revised or not. In any case, I’m not interested in continuing with this series.
December 12, 2014
http://openbooksociety.com/article/th...
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Scott
From the prologue on The Book of the Forsaken sets you up for an urban fantasy that you’re not likely to forget. Exquisitely written and plotted, this novel engages the reader in a web of deceit and lies, never sure of whom the real main antagonists are. It weaves these webs so deep that even with the authors prodding, you don’t get the immediate “big picture.”
The “puppets” (alternatively called “pawns” – the chief antagonists) and the “players” are the characters involved in “The Game” and are introduced rag-tag with a delightful playfulness and the viewpoints often shift amongst third person and third person or first person omniscient within paragraphs. Karatsiorus seems to enjoy the play of reader response theory, and that’s what immediately caught my interest. The writing is a treat to behold.
The second thing that endeared me to the novel was a unique cast of characters: the black magic wielding Russian assassin Igor, the perpetually drunk Irishman, who can see through others eyes, Cassidy, and the reclusive French teleporter Daniel; all made compelling characters that held my interest throughout the book. At no point were their actions contrived or out of character. Their individual mannerisms completed the task of building living, breathing, three dimensional characters. Time travel by train sealed the deal.
“The Game” itself, of which you only get glimpses into, permeates the story and revolves around the Forsaken: the trolls, vampires, shapechangers, and other fantastical creatures saved from extinction by folklore. It is played out every 5000 years or so with, so-far, the winners being the secret orders over the Forsaken. It’s this slightly alluded to (and strongly in other places) premise upon the crux of the series will assumedly follow. Coupled with the staples of myth and Tolkien-esque legend, and an underlying conspiracy between mysterious factions, the Order of the Dragon and the Magi, the novel had me hooked. Not to mention the time travelling Occidental Express (I just love time travel in novels).
As a first book in the series, this clearly shows promises of strong sequels. At no point do things feel pushy or rushed, and there is enough of an infrastructure present that you just know the author has planned events for later works. It’s self-sustaining, and stands on its own quite well, providing just enough closure, although there are a few stray ends left open. What would you expect, however, from the first book in a series?
Overall, anyone who enjoys urban fantasy, conspiracy literature (with a twist) or a good solid read that makes you think. The Book of the Forsaken is a definite pick-up for anyone’s reading list. The writing is especially well done and it’s a smooth and slick ride’s reading to the end of the book, leaving hopefully, like me eager to get the second book in The Game.
*OBS would like to thank the author for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Scott
From the prologue on The Book of the Forsaken sets you up for an urban fantasy that you’re not likely to forget. Exquisitely written and plotted, this novel engages the reader in a web of deceit and lies, never sure of whom the real main antagonists are. It weaves these webs so deep that even with the authors prodding, you don’t get the immediate “big picture.”
The “puppets” (alternatively called “pawns” – the chief antagonists) and the “players” are the characters involved in “The Game” and are introduced rag-tag with a delightful playfulness and the viewpoints often shift amongst third person and third person or first person omniscient within paragraphs. Karatsiorus seems to enjoy the play of reader response theory, and that’s what immediately caught my interest. The writing is a treat to behold.
The second thing that endeared me to the novel was a unique cast of characters: the black magic wielding Russian assassin Igor, the perpetually drunk Irishman, who can see through others eyes, Cassidy, and the reclusive French teleporter Daniel; all made compelling characters that held my interest throughout the book. At no point were their actions contrived or out of character. Their individual mannerisms completed the task of building living, breathing, three dimensional characters. Time travel by train sealed the deal.
“The Game” itself, of which you only get glimpses into, permeates the story and revolves around the Forsaken: the trolls, vampires, shapechangers, and other fantastical creatures saved from extinction by folklore. It is played out every 5000 years or so with, so-far, the winners being the secret orders over the Forsaken. It’s this slightly alluded to (and strongly in other places) premise upon the crux of the series will assumedly follow. Coupled with the staples of myth and Tolkien-esque legend, and an underlying conspiracy between mysterious factions, the Order of the Dragon and the Magi, the novel had me hooked. Not to mention the time travelling Occidental Express (I just love time travel in novels).
As a first book in the series, this clearly shows promises of strong sequels. At no point do things feel pushy or rushed, and there is enough of an infrastructure present that you just know the author has planned events for later works. It’s self-sustaining, and stands on its own quite well, providing just enough closure, although there are a few stray ends left open. What would you expect, however, from the first book in a series?
Overall, anyone who enjoys urban fantasy, conspiracy literature (with a twist) or a good solid read that makes you think. The Book of the Forsaken is a definite pick-up for anyone’s reading list. The writing is especially well done and it’s a smooth and slick ride’s reading to the end of the book, leaving hopefully, like me eager to get the second book in The Game.
*OBS would like to thank the author for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*
October 8, 2015
Every now and again you read a book which might not be in your comfort zone, maybe its the author who's sparked your interest, maybe its the book cover - in this case its the synopsis. This alone had me intrigued, it was unique and different. Something these days I feel is hard in popular genres like Urban Fantasy.
Firstly, the thing I loved mostly about this book is how its almost narrated like a play with the narrator sitting on the stage telling you the actions of the characters through his own voice. The opening chapter we meet our mysterious narrator and know very little about him. It is hinted that he may be a 'demi god' of some kind, a trickster with a wry, wicked sense of humour. I really liked the opening as again, it was new and different to other books I've read recently and certainly helped keep my attention.
We meet the 3 main characters of the story - Cassidy, Daniel and Igor, each with their own strengths, weaknesses and talents. I don't think you could come across 3 different characters. Another addition given to us by our mysterious narrator was the 'profile' (If you like) as we were introduced to each character. Again, I liked this added touch - I just loved the narrators wit. If I were to choose a favourite character it would be the smart witted irish boy Robert Cassidy. At first I hated him as a character with his cocky attitude and his way of nicknaming people he didn't know (With unflattering names), but I grew to like the action around him. He certainly kept me amused in a dark twisted way.
We are treated in depth scene setting, I felt like I was actually in the places described. This was amazing for someone who has never travelled to Russia before! For some the scene sets may be a little too much, but again they are told to you in such a manor that it feels like you are laying back, relaxing, much like you may have done as a child while your parent told you a bedtime story - that's how the narration came across to me.
At first the story wasn't too fast paced, the descriptions and characters are what kept me reading. Then as soon as the characters come together the action heats up! I personally feel things really came together in Chapter 2 and then sped on at a rate of a train.
I don't want to talk about how the story unfolds or what happens to the characters - this is a story that should be told from the 'storytellers' POV and not mine - after all i don't feel I could carry it across as well as the narrator if I tried!
Yannis has really captured a unique story here, I wonder if this story was told to him by a demi god? If not, he has an amazing mind and I look forward to seeing where The Game Book 2 takes us. This book would work amazingly well as an audio book too.
I gave The Book of Forsaken 5 stars, the book captivated me, kept me intrigued and is extremely unique. I feel any people will enjoy this book and would aim it at adults and older.
Firstly, the thing I loved mostly about this book is how its almost narrated like a play with the narrator sitting on the stage telling you the actions of the characters through his own voice. The opening chapter we meet our mysterious narrator and know very little about him. It is hinted that he may be a 'demi god' of some kind, a trickster with a wry, wicked sense of humour. I really liked the opening as again, it was new and different to other books I've read recently and certainly helped keep my attention.
We meet the 3 main characters of the story - Cassidy, Daniel and Igor, each with their own strengths, weaknesses and talents. I don't think you could come across 3 different characters. Another addition given to us by our mysterious narrator was the 'profile' (If you like) as we were introduced to each character. Again, I liked this added touch - I just loved the narrators wit. If I were to choose a favourite character it would be the smart witted irish boy Robert Cassidy. At first I hated him as a character with his cocky attitude and his way of nicknaming people he didn't know (With unflattering names), but I grew to like the action around him. He certainly kept me amused in a dark twisted way.
We are treated in depth scene setting, I felt like I was actually in the places described. This was amazing for someone who has never travelled to Russia before! For some the scene sets may be a little too much, but again they are told to you in such a manor that it feels like you are laying back, relaxing, much like you may have done as a child while your parent told you a bedtime story - that's how the narration came across to me.
At first the story wasn't too fast paced, the descriptions and characters are what kept me reading. Then as soon as the characters come together the action heats up! I personally feel things really came together in Chapter 2 and then sped on at a rate of a train.
I don't want to talk about how the story unfolds or what happens to the characters - this is a story that should be told from the 'storytellers' POV and not mine - after all i don't feel I could carry it across as well as the narrator if I tried!
Yannis has really captured a unique story here, I wonder if this story was told to him by a demi god? If not, he has an amazing mind and I look forward to seeing where The Game Book 2 takes us. This book would work amazingly well as an audio book too.
I gave The Book of Forsaken 5 stars, the book captivated me, kept me intrigued and is extremely unique. I feel any people will enjoy this book and would aim it at adults and older.
October 13, 2012
"I’m a tool. I execute anyway I understand. I don’t need to know the details. We only need to be on the scene and act with intention. Fate takes care of the rest."
I wasn't entirely sure what I was getting myself into when I opened up this book. (And compliments to Mr. Yannis Karatisioris for providing me with a copy of it in exchange for an honest review.) And when I finished it, I still wasn't sure what I had gotten myself into. But I am perfectly OK with being in this state of uncertainty. I think it just fits with the novel so well.
To begin, the omniscient narrator just baffles me. But in a good way. His witty way of explaining the world that he paints for the reader fits right along with the mysterious and almost God-like demeanour he expresses at the same time. He walks on the thin line between superiority and pomposity and he does it well. But sometimes the little footnotes that he added throughout the novel detracted me as a reader from the world he was painting.
Out of the main characters Robert, Daniel and Igor, I found myself liking Robert the best, from his distinct accent all the way down to his unique fire abilities. There was just something about him that made him so endearing, even if he was sitting in jail at the beginning of the novel. Daniel bored me a bit, teleporting abilities aside, but I also enjoyed Igor with his rather commendable ability to lie without qualms, whenever the situation demanded it of him.
Which brings me to plot. The plot line was very well thought out. It moved rapidly at some points and snail-like at others, jumping from each spectrum of the Earth; the movement really kept the plot steady and the mystery of the Book of the Forsaken, well a mystery.
Suspense played a vital role in the story which Karatsioris gently weaved throughout in a very blatant way at times. Yet the diction he used throughout the novel was refreshingly crisp, even down to the choice of names. Actually the diversity and uniqueness of the names in the novel were really a clincher for me; Karatsioris nailed the character's perfectly by giving them names which suited them to a T.
The quotes from the elusive Emerald Tablet were at the beginning of the every chapter, adding to and setting up each one of them. And I actually found myself liking one chapter above the rest, which is unusual for me. Chapter VII - The Bringer of Death was by far my favourite; Mr. Crow was hilarious and Mr. Scales was oddly likable in a Robert kind of way.
All in all, I think Karatsioris has created an interesting world that I personally would like to see more of. Bring on the sequel.
I wasn't entirely sure what I was getting myself into when I opened up this book. (And compliments to Mr. Yannis Karatisioris for providing me with a copy of it in exchange for an honest review.) And when I finished it, I still wasn't sure what I had gotten myself into. But I am perfectly OK with being in this state of uncertainty. I think it just fits with the novel so well.
To begin, the omniscient narrator just baffles me. But in a good way. His witty way of explaining the world that he paints for the reader fits right along with the mysterious and almost God-like demeanour he expresses at the same time. He walks on the thin line between superiority and pomposity and he does it well. But sometimes the little footnotes that he added throughout the novel detracted me as a reader from the world he was painting.
Out of the main characters Robert, Daniel and Igor, I found myself liking Robert the best, from his distinct accent all the way down to his unique fire abilities. There was just something about him that made him so endearing, even if he was sitting in jail at the beginning of the novel. Daniel bored me a bit, teleporting abilities aside, but I also enjoyed Igor with his rather commendable ability to lie without qualms, whenever the situation demanded it of him.
Which brings me to plot. The plot line was very well thought out. It moved rapidly at some points and snail-like at others, jumping from each spectrum of the Earth; the movement really kept the plot steady and the mystery of the Book of the Forsaken, well a mystery.
Suspense played a vital role in the story which Karatsioris gently weaved throughout in a very blatant way at times. Yet the diction he used throughout the novel was refreshingly crisp, even down to the choice of names. Actually the diversity and uniqueness of the names in the novel were really a clincher for me; Karatsioris nailed the character's perfectly by giving them names which suited them to a T.
The quotes from the elusive Emerald Tablet were at the beginning of the every chapter, adding to and setting up each one of them. And I actually found myself liking one chapter above the rest, which is unusual for me. Chapter VII - The Bringer of Death was by far my favourite; Mr. Crow was hilarious and Mr. Scales was oddly likable in a Robert kind of way.
All in all, I think Karatsioris has created an interesting world that I personally would like to see more of. Bring on the sequel.
August 3, 2012
The Book of the Forsaken is written on the intriguing premise that the storyteller himself is a character. That is, the words on the page, the words that you and I, the readers, are seeing, were put there by a narrator who mischievously refuses to identify himself. The brief prologue hints that this narrator is a demi-god of some kind, one with the power to manipulate the destinies of the people he calls his “puppets.”
The first three chapters of the book introduce us to these puppets: Robert Cassidy, Daniel Maladie, and Igor Rubinstein. Each has individually discovered that he has a supernatural ability, a fact that binds their destinies. Cassidy, the most entertaining of the three, is a trash-talking Irishman with a penchant for nicknaming people whose names he doesn’t know. The more sympathetic Daniel, who at the beginning of the story is a bookstore assistant in Paris, is mocked by the narrator as being a coward and an idiot. But although he is meek and insecure, he nevertheless accepts an assignment to steal an ancient book. And then there’s Igor, a somewhat psychopathic Russian magician who moonlights as an assassin.
The book that Daniel was instructed to steal turns out to be the Book of the Forsaken, a magical tome with great and unknown powers. It is the pursuit of this book that brings him together with Cassidy and Igor. Driven together by extraordinary coincidences and paranormal circumstances, the three are forced to work together as they encounter enigmatic figures who are after the Book, tangling with supernatural beings, ancient truths, and even time travel.
What makes The Book of the Forsaken unique is the narrator’s role in the story. The bulk of the book appears to be written in third person omniscient, peering into the minds of all three men, but it is actually, on a higher level, a first person narrative. The narrator routinely interrupts the action to insert his own brand of humor through sarcastic commentary, sometimes in the form of footnotes. Karatsioris’ experimental style can be confusing in some places and brilliant in others. I must give him kudos for thinking outside the box and daring to try something that challenges conventional ideas about storytelling. He keeps his writing crisp and to-the-point, wasting no words on flowery descriptions or lengthy monologues. The sparseness of the sentences coupled with the vividly imagined fantastical elements makes The Book of the Forsaken an exciting and fast-paced read.
[This is a condensed version of a full review on my blog, Zigzag Timeline.]
The first three chapters of the book introduce us to these puppets: Robert Cassidy, Daniel Maladie, and Igor Rubinstein. Each has individually discovered that he has a supernatural ability, a fact that binds their destinies. Cassidy, the most entertaining of the three, is a trash-talking Irishman with a penchant for nicknaming people whose names he doesn’t know. The more sympathetic Daniel, who at the beginning of the story is a bookstore assistant in Paris, is mocked by the narrator as being a coward and an idiot. But although he is meek and insecure, he nevertheless accepts an assignment to steal an ancient book. And then there’s Igor, a somewhat psychopathic Russian magician who moonlights as an assassin.
The book that Daniel was instructed to steal turns out to be the Book of the Forsaken, a magical tome with great and unknown powers. It is the pursuit of this book that brings him together with Cassidy and Igor. Driven together by extraordinary coincidences and paranormal circumstances, the three are forced to work together as they encounter enigmatic figures who are after the Book, tangling with supernatural beings, ancient truths, and even time travel.
What makes The Book of the Forsaken unique is the narrator’s role in the story. The bulk of the book appears to be written in third person omniscient, peering into the minds of all three men, but it is actually, on a higher level, a first person narrative. The narrator routinely interrupts the action to insert his own brand of humor through sarcastic commentary, sometimes in the form of footnotes. Karatsioris’ experimental style can be confusing in some places and brilliant in others. I must give him kudos for thinking outside the box and daring to try something that challenges conventional ideas about storytelling. He keeps his writing crisp and to-the-point, wasting no words on flowery descriptions or lengthy monologues. The sparseness of the sentences coupled with the vividly imagined fantastical elements makes The Book of the Forsaken an exciting and fast-paced read.
[This is a condensed version of a full review on my blog, Zigzag Timeline.]
October 7, 2012
3.5 stars
Well there are two reasons i accepted the book for review. First, well..it's fantasy and seems pretty interesting. Second, it's written by a Greek author. And i always try fantasy from Greek authors when i can. This is obviously in English of course and even got an award from HarperCollins.
The story..no the whole book is completely different than everything i've read before. You see the narrator is part of the story. He is the puppet master. He controls the characters..or not. You don't really know what he is doing exactly. You can only guess. At the same time you follow the story of the 3 characters, but there are times he writes about himself or he just writes in first person. Now, i know this seems a little confusing but it's actually easier to follow that you think. I have to say i was surprised so congrats to the author, for actually making the story easy enough to follow despite how many POVs are changing.
I have to admit the first half of the book was a little weird because you can't really see the connection between the story and the characters clearly. Still, there is something that totally holds you in. The mystery around the book, the plot, the characters, the narrator's cheesy comments? I'm not sure but there was just something that didn't let me stop. And then you get at the second part of the book where pretty much everything is clear. And oh my...the story is really good! With vampires, magic, time travel, action, mystery! It was like a reward for the little confusing waiting of the start.
At the end, you just want a little more. It feels like it ended so fast when i actually took my time reading it. So if you want to try something COMPLETELY unique and original, with bits of fantasy give it a chance. This book holds more than it is letting you see.
Well there are two reasons i accepted the book for review. First, well..it's fantasy and seems pretty interesting. Second, it's written by a Greek author. And i always try fantasy from Greek authors when i can. This is obviously in English of course and even got an award from HarperCollins.
The story..no the whole book is completely different than everything i've read before. You see the narrator is part of the story. He is the puppet master. He controls the characters..or not. You don't really know what he is doing exactly. You can only guess. At the same time you follow the story of the 3 characters, but there are times he writes about himself or he just writes in first person. Now, i know this seems a little confusing but it's actually easier to follow that you think. I have to say i was surprised so congrats to the author, for actually making the story easy enough to follow despite how many POVs are changing.
I have to admit the first half of the book was a little weird because you can't really see the connection between the story and the characters clearly. Still, there is something that totally holds you in. The mystery around the book, the plot, the characters, the narrator's cheesy comments? I'm not sure but there was just something that didn't let me stop. And then you get at the second part of the book where pretty much everything is clear. And oh my...the story is really good! With vampires, magic, time travel, action, mystery! It was like a reward for the little confusing waiting of the start.
At the end, you just want a little more. It feels like it ended so fast when i actually took my time reading it. So if you want to try something COMPLETELY unique and original, with bits of fantasy give it a chance. This book holds more than it is letting you see.
June 17, 2014
The Book of the Forsaken is one of the most unusual and original fantasy stories I’ve read. Basically centred around three main characters, all of whom possess special powers of one sort or another; a petty-criminal Irishman who can manipulate fire and project his sight to see what is happening elsewhere, a suave French bookseller who can teleport anywhere, and a Russian magician who can perform much more than mere illusions, particularly when it pertains to death; handy as he doubles as an assassin. A fourth character who is also the narrator and some sort of demi-god, not only tells the story but becomes actively involved in order to manipulate events.
The three men are each given separate tasks which brings them all together at a live event – a magic show performed by the Russian trickster in Moscow. The Irishman is aided in his release from prison in order to assassinate a Russian government minister at the event. The Frenchman is instructed to steal a rare book from the German ambassador, and finally the Russian magician is also instructed to murder a government minister, but not the same one as the Irishman. All three perform their tasks and are brought together with much manipulation by the narrator who enters the scene as a character.
With the three main characters now together and in possession of the book, a whole mystery opens up to them, twisting and turning, involving two fantastical groups, The Magi and The Forsaken Races. The Book of the Forsaken is the key to a deadly game played out between these two groups. What part does the narrator have to play in this game? And what is the fate of the three main characters? Intriguing question to be found in The Book of the Forsaken!
The three men are each given separate tasks which brings them all together at a live event – a magic show performed by the Russian trickster in Moscow. The Irishman is aided in his release from prison in order to assassinate a Russian government minister at the event. The Frenchman is instructed to steal a rare book from the German ambassador, and finally the Russian magician is also instructed to murder a government minister, but not the same one as the Irishman. All three perform their tasks and are brought together with much manipulation by the narrator who enters the scene as a character.
With the three main characters now together and in possession of the book, a whole mystery opens up to them, twisting and turning, involving two fantastical groups, The Magi and The Forsaken Races. The Book of the Forsaken is the key to a deadly game played out between these two groups. What part does the narrator have to play in this game? And what is the fate of the three main characters? Intriguing question to be found in The Book of the Forsaken!
October 20, 2014
I had the chance to win this book through a goodread giveaway, thanks to its author.
I was first intrigued by the original introduction of the different characters, and loved the way they were described. The narrator gives a mysterious setting that just make you want to know what is happening and continue with the story. However, once passed the beginning, I found myself a bit confused with the events, the new characters and their involvement in the "game". At some points, a little more background information could have been appreciated. Still, the narrator's voice was very appealing and got me to finish the book, and so, I very much liked how was displayed the ending, when the story began to make a little more sense; but not that much ! - This ending was nonetheless very interesting, and definitly got me to want to read the sequel.
Aspects I liked about the book: how original the characters are, as well as the story, and the narrator's voice; the new/old mixed aspects of magic, and the funny references scattered around the book.
Things I liked less: the fact that so little information is given us at the beginning can make it difficult to put the different events in perspective, and up until the very end, what happens and why is still hanging in a quite thick fog.
I was first intrigued by the original introduction of the different characters, and loved the way they were described. The narrator gives a mysterious setting that just make you want to know what is happening and continue with the story. However, once passed the beginning, I found myself a bit confused with the events, the new characters and their involvement in the "game". At some points, a little more background information could have been appreciated. Still, the narrator's voice was very appealing and got me to finish the book, and so, I very much liked how was displayed the ending, when the story began to make a little more sense; but not that much ! - This ending was nonetheless very interesting, and definitly got me to want to read the sequel.
Aspects I liked about the book: how original the characters are, as well as the story, and the narrator's voice; the new/old mixed aspects of magic, and the funny references scattered around the book.
Things I liked less: the fact that so little information is given us at the beginning can make it difficult to put the different events in perspective, and up until the very end, what happens and why is still hanging in a quite thick fog.
August 23, 2013
I was given this book by the author in return for an honest review.
This was a unique read!
I found the start a bit hard going with the character info but once I had got past that I was completely hooked.
The character's were all so different an yet they were all working towards the same goal, being orchestrated by one person like puppets on a string.
I enjoyed following them in their endeavours to get the book of the forsaken!!!
I can't wait to read book 2
This was a unique read!
I found the start a bit hard going with the character info but once I had got past that I was completely hooked.
The character's were all so different an yet they were all working towards the same goal, being orchestrated by one person like puppets on a string.
I enjoyed following them in their endeavours to get the book of the forsaken!!!
I can't wait to read book 2
September 5, 2012
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author to review.
I came down very midline on this one. There were aspects of it that I thought were fantastic, parts that had me baffled, and moments where I could only shake my head.
The introduction to the book is very smart and quirky, where we specifically don't get to know the narrator who poses an intriguing challenge with quite the attitude. I have to say that the narrator was easily my favorite part of the story. It's a practically omniscient viewpoint with an opinion, and a jokey, frequently sarcastically clever one at that, added to the story in footnotes as well as occasional commentary. However, the next part of the book went on to present the three major players in the story, and practically gave character outlines to do so rather than allowing the reader to get to know the character through actions so that we believe in those traits. Especially after having just learned that we have a fairly unreliable narrator who slants things the way he sees them.
After that initial speed bump, things settled decently well. Despite the character outlines, the author did an amazing job with the three 'puppets', giving them each very distinctive personalities and mannerisms. However, after the opening salvo and once the adventure really began, I had to continually question the characters' motivations. Why were they continuing on with one another and the story when with their powers they could just walk away from all the bother? They don't even know what side they're on, which leaves the reader quite confused and wondering why to care. There's no passion there for any of them.
The story kind of fell apart for me after that. There were a lot of other little tripups that didn't make a lot of sense, and as I became disenchanted with the story, I was finding more and more. One character would be crying and fearful in one scene and teasing in the next, with nothing happening to justify the change. I wasn't able to stay onboard with random coincidences that happened to work out, such as the stuff with Igor, which all seemed really abrupt. And while I enjoyed the character interaction, I was confused as to where the instant camaraderie came from, seeing as the three really have no reason to trust one another.
It still had a lot of nice touches. The book sought to mash together practically every type of mythos out there, from fairies and mermaids to Greek Gods and Jesus. I couldn't help but wonder if the author had taken on a little too much for one book. I did however very much enjoy the take on vampires as well as the concept of the time train, though it did create some paradoxes for the author later on.
The end is really no end at all. I would assume that the three puppets would come back in the next book, but I wouldn't guarantee it, seeing as they've served a decent purpose. I was rather disappointed in the lack of use of most of their talents, aside from Daniel, in the middle and end of the book. They were interesting plays, and I would have liked to see more of them. But the final part of the book doesn't conclude anything but rather opens a new chapter of curiosity that one assumes will come up in the next book. In other words, I can't get no satisfaction. That doesn't mean that it wasn't interesting, but it did mean that I kind of sighed over the ending rather than being engaged by it.
All in all, the novel is a smart twist from the usual, which I appreciate. However, it does tend to trip over its own feet content-wise, which in the end it threw me too much to give it a better rating. But unlike many self-published works out there, it's very clean and readable, and is conceptually appealing, especially in terms of its enjoyably snarky narrator. I am kind of interested in knowing how things play out in later books, since there's such a mess of things to explain, but I'm not sure how motivated I am to pick up another book of this style that may yield more questions than answers.
I came down very midline on this one. There were aspects of it that I thought were fantastic, parts that had me baffled, and moments where I could only shake my head.
The introduction to the book is very smart and quirky, where we specifically don't get to know the narrator who poses an intriguing challenge with quite the attitude. I have to say that the narrator was easily my favorite part of the story. It's a practically omniscient viewpoint with an opinion, and a jokey, frequently sarcastically clever one at that, added to the story in footnotes as well as occasional commentary. However, the next part of the book went on to present the three major players in the story, and practically gave character outlines to do so rather than allowing the reader to get to know the character through actions so that we believe in those traits. Especially after having just learned that we have a fairly unreliable narrator who slants things the way he sees them.
After that initial speed bump, things settled decently well. Despite the character outlines, the author did an amazing job with the three 'puppets', giving them each very distinctive personalities and mannerisms. However, after the opening salvo and once the adventure really began, I had to continually question the characters' motivations. Why were they continuing on with one another and the story when with their powers they could just walk away from all the bother? They don't even know what side they're on, which leaves the reader quite confused and wondering why to care. There's no passion there for any of them.
The story kind of fell apart for me after that. There were a lot of other little tripups that didn't make a lot of sense, and as I became disenchanted with the story, I was finding more and more. One character would be crying and fearful in one scene and teasing in the next, with nothing happening to justify the change. I wasn't able to stay onboard with random coincidences that happened to work out, such as the stuff with Igor, which all seemed really abrupt. And while I enjoyed the character interaction, I was confused as to where the instant camaraderie came from, seeing as the three really have no reason to trust one another.
It still had a lot of nice touches. The book sought to mash together practically every type of mythos out there, from fairies and mermaids to Greek Gods and Jesus. I couldn't help but wonder if the author had taken on a little too much for one book. I did however very much enjoy the take on vampires as well as the concept of the time train, though it did create some paradoxes for the author later on.
The end is really no end at all. I would assume that the three puppets would come back in the next book, but I wouldn't guarantee it, seeing as they've served a decent purpose. I was rather disappointed in the lack of use of most of their talents, aside from Daniel, in the middle and end of the book. They were interesting plays, and I would have liked to see more of them. But the final part of the book doesn't conclude anything but rather opens a new chapter of curiosity that one assumes will come up in the next book. In other words, I can't get no satisfaction. That doesn't mean that it wasn't interesting, but it did mean that I kind of sighed over the ending rather than being engaged by it.
All in all, the novel is a smart twist from the usual, which I appreciate. However, it does tend to trip over its own feet content-wise, which in the end it threw me too much to give it a better rating. But unlike many self-published works out there, it's very clean and readable, and is conceptually appealing, especially in terms of its enjoyably snarky narrator. I am kind of interested in knowing how things play out in later books, since there's such a mess of things to explain, but I'm not sure how motivated I am to pick up another book of this style that may yield more questions than answers.
June 4, 2013
This was a slight step out of my comfort zone as it sits more in the urban fantasy genre. It took a while to get used to but the style slowly grew on me. What I got was an enjoyable story with believable character, but slight problems with pacing prevented me from rating this book higher.
STORY: An unknown narrator walks us through the story of (mostly) three men; Igor, Cassidy and Daniel. Each have their own quirks and flaws and will eventually form an unlikely alliance as they chase after a mysterious book.
The world building elements were strong here; I got a real taste of Eastern Europe, and the individual powers of the three were well done. The plot was generally okay, but I felt it was very slow to get going, and just when things get interesting the book switches gear and kinda loses momentum, leaving somewhat of a anti-climactic ending.
CHARACTERS: At first I didn't really like any of the three main characters bar Daniel, as (and I'm guessing this was deliberate) Igor and Cassidy aren't particularly likable. However as the plot went on their personalities softened and it was easier to connect with them.
Their introductions were a bit confusing, Cassidy's in particular, as there was a whole scene filled with dialogue that was almost impossible to follow.
The other downside is that while their powers are introduced early on, they barely use them when they could be useful.
Daniel is easily my favourite as he's perhaps the less 'evil' of the group and has funny eccentric characteristics that grow on you. Igor was pretty dull initially as a 'dark trickster' but the moment he gets more invested in the story he seems to undergo a personality shift and becomes a more central focus. It would have been nicer to have this earlier as by the time we grow to care about Igor the book's pretty much done. Cassidy I think was supposed to come off as charming brute but it didn't really hit the mark with me and I ended up resenting him the most.
The narrating is unusual and it took a long time to get used to, as from third person it suddenly jumps to first person and it takes a moment to realise we're not in the character's heads, particularly as with some scenes it isn't clear what's happening.
The only other thing that bothered me was the constant switching between first names and surnames. So in one sentence Daniel will be described as 'Daniel' and then 'Maladie' and then 'insert-whichever-characteristic-describes-me-best'. This was really distracting and brought me out of the story several times. It would've been better to keep it simple.
SETTING/ VOICE: The narrator's voice was supposed to come off as witty and sarcastic, but there are long gaps between his voice and what he's describing is happening, so it doesn't really work. I didn't get a 'feel' for the narrator aside from occasional dropped-in lines which felt very forced.
PRESENTATION: The formatting was clear and easy to follow. I didn't really like the footnotes- they're not something I've seen done well in many books bar one, so I ignored them (at my peril, I guess). The cover is well done and is reflective of the book's tone and content.
OVERALL: I didn't think I'd like this book much but I'm glad I gave it a go. Its strengths lie in its story, world-building and its main cast of characters. What detracted from my enjoyment included the inconsistent pacing, the weak narrator's voice, and sudden shift to other characters towards the end, making the ending somewhat anti-climactic after such impressive build up. Not sure I'm convinced to read the next installment but do give it a try, as it has several refreshing ideas and is generally ambitious in what it sets out to achieve.
STORY: An unknown narrator walks us through the story of (mostly) three men; Igor, Cassidy and Daniel. Each have their own quirks and flaws and will eventually form an unlikely alliance as they chase after a mysterious book.
The world building elements were strong here; I got a real taste of Eastern Europe, and the individual powers of the three were well done. The plot was generally okay, but I felt it was very slow to get going, and just when things get interesting the book switches gear and kinda loses momentum, leaving somewhat of a anti-climactic ending.
CHARACTERS: At first I didn't really like any of the three main characters bar Daniel, as (and I'm guessing this was deliberate) Igor and Cassidy aren't particularly likable. However as the plot went on their personalities softened and it was easier to connect with them.
Their introductions were a bit confusing, Cassidy's in particular, as there was a whole scene filled with dialogue that was almost impossible to follow.
The other downside is that while their powers are introduced early on, they barely use them when they could be useful.
Daniel is easily my favourite as he's perhaps the less 'evil' of the group and has funny eccentric characteristics that grow on you. Igor was pretty dull initially as a 'dark trickster' but the moment he gets more invested in the story he seems to undergo a personality shift and becomes a more central focus. It would have been nicer to have this earlier as by the time we grow to care about Igor the book's pretty much done. Cassidy I think was supposed to come off as charming brute but it didn't really hit the mark with me and I ended up resenting him the most.
The narrating is unusual and it took a long time to get used to, as from third person it suddenly jumps to first person and it takes a moment to realise we're not in the character's heads, particularly as with some scenes it isn't clear what's happening.
The only other thing that bothered me was the constant switching between first names and surnames. So in one sentence Daniel will be described as 'Daniel' and then 'Maladie' and then 'insert-whichever-characteristic-describes-me-best'. This was really distracting and brought me out of the story several times. It would've been better to keep it simple.
SETTING/ VOICE: The narrator's voice was supposed to come off as witty and sarcastic, but there are long gaps between his voice and what he's describing is happening, so it doesn't really work. I didn't get a 'feel' for the narrator aside from occasional dropped-in lines which felt very forced.
PRESENTATION: The formatting was clear and easy to follow. I didn't really like the footnotes- they're not something I've seen done well in many books bar one, so I ignored them (at my peril, I guess). The cover is well done and is reflective of the book's tone and content.
OVERALL: I didn't think I'd like this book much but I'm glad I gave it a go. Its strengths lie in its story, world-building and its main cast of characters. What detracted from my enjoyment included the inconsistent pacing, the weak narrator's voice, and sudden shift to other characters towards the end, making the ending somewhat anti-climactic after such impressive build up. Not sure I'm convinced to read the next installment but do give it a try, as it has several refreshing ideas and is generally ambitious in what it sets out to achieve.
September 22, 2012
3 men, 3 exceptional men. One can remote view and control fire. One can teleport. One can do all kinds of dark and dangerous things – and uses them to horrify and even kill. All 3 of them lead very different lives – but all 3 of them are brought to Moscow, 2 of them to kill and 1 of them to steal
Yet it becomes clear that all of their tasks are linked – and there is a grand conspiracy they don’t even see and the book they have stolen is in high demand. Told through the eyes of a sarcastic being that is playing a game all of his own, we see them cross Europe, travel through time, discover vampires and monsters, magic and shapeshifters and who knows what else –all for the sake of the Book which could change the world.
This book has a style I think you will either love or hate. It is told from the point of view from a seemingly all knowing narrator, with immense powers who has no wish to share what he knows – and only nudges things along. He is sarcastic, occasionally given to tangents and funny foot notes and a lot of wry commentary. Some of it is immensely amusing and massively funny. Some of it… isn’t. I think it was generally more funny than not and, on the whole, I liked it, but I can also see how it can be annoying to others. The actual protagonists are manipulated puppets to begin with who slowly start to express themselves onto events, going from following instruction to setting their own path and deciding to make the story their own – rather than a story someone else is telling ion which they are used. Maybe… because they’re still being poked and prodded by outside manipulators, even when they seem to be setting their own path, it’s clear they’re being influenced and as the book progresses we begin to see how wide that influence is.
In a way this is how the unusual storytelling method works – because we get to see the wider world beyond their understanding and the way their strings are being pulled – while at the same time not having an omniscient narrator infodumping everything.
The characters themselves are… odd, rather unique. Robert is a crude, drunken ex-convict who is generally unpleasant but has just enough charm to prevent him from being completely unlikeable. Daniel is collected, refined, well read – but cowardly and timid, prone to crashes of self-confidence. And Igor is sinister, dark, deep but inclined to be amused by situations. Despite them all being rather non-endearing, I like them. They have personality, they have substance. Despite that, they’re not pleasant people – 1 of them is a thief and 2 of them are murderers and none of that has been addressed, called out or challenged, yet who would in the circumstances? It’s a testament to their character that these unrepentant murderers are still pretty relatable, even if it does make me question the realism of the story – especially with Robert killing on a stranger’s instruction.
I liked the story – these 3 people brought together in Moscow for seemingly different, nefarious purposes which ended them all thrown together and hip deep in all kinds of problems and completely lacking any kind of answers – just knowing they’ve hit something big. And just when I thought it was getting convoluted that these 3 didn’t just walk away having no personal stake – a personal stake was introduced, something to keep them hooked in.
Read More
Yet it becomes clear that all of their tasks are linked – and there is a grand conspiracy they don’t even see and the book they have stolen is in high demand. Told through the eyes of a sarcastic being that is playing a game all of his own, we see them cross Europe, travel through time, discover vampires and monsters, magic and shapeshifters and who knows what else –all for the sake of the Book which could change the world.
This book has a style I think you will either love or hate. It is told from the point of view from a seemingly all knowing narrator, with immense powers who has no wish to share what he knows – and only nudges things along. He is sarcastic, occasionally given to tangents and funny foot notes and a lot of wry commentary. Some of it is immensely amusing and massively funny. Some of it… isn’t. I think it was generally more funny than not and, on the whole, I liked it, but I can also see how it can be annoying to others. The actual protagonists are manipulated puppets to begin with who slowly start to express themselves onto events, going from following instruction to setting their own path and deciding to make the story their own – rather than a story someone else is telling ion which they are used. Maybe… because they’re still being poked and prodded by outside manipulators, even when they seem to be setting their own path, it’s clear they’re being influenced and as the book progresses we begin to see how wide that influence is.
In a way this is how the unusual storytelling method works – because we get to see the wider world beyond their understanding and the way their strings are being pulled – while at the same time not having an omniscient narrator infodumping everything.
The characters themselves are… odd, rather unique. Robert is a crude, drunken ex-convict who is generally unpleasant but has just enough charm to prevent him from being completely unlikeable. Daniel is collected, refined, well read – but cowardly and timid, prone to crashes of self-confidence. And Igor is sinister, dark, deep but inclined to be amused by situations. Despite them all being rather non-endearing, I like them. They have personality, they have substance. Despite that, they’re not pleasant people – 1 of them is a thief and 2 of them are murderers and none of that has been addressed, called out or challenged, yet who would in the circumstances? It’s a testament to their character that these unrepentant murderers are still pretty relatable, even if it does make me question the realism of the story – especially with Robert killing on a stranger’s instruction.
I liked the story – these 3 people brought together in Moscow for seemingly different, nefarious purposes which ended them all thrown together and hip deep in all kinds of problems and completely lacking any kind of answers – just knowing they’ve hit something big. And just when I thought it was getting convoluted that these 3 didn’t just walk away having no personal stake – a personal stake was introduced, something to keep them hooked in.
Read More
August 17, 2017
THE BOOK OF THE FORSAKEN by Yannis Karatsioris
“The Book of the Forsaken” by Yannis Karatsioris is the first book in “The Game” Series.
From the very beginning this manuscript stands out with its unique voice that can rarely be found in fantasy books. This is the voice of an omniscient narrator who traps three puppets in his web, in order to get hold of a special sought-after artifact, the Book of the Forsaken, that holds the knowledge of the Forsaken races and of the mystical Game that takes place once every five centuries on the dark side of the moon.
Daniel, Cassidy and Igor are the three puppets. I enjoyed reading the characters’ introductions. All of them are very different, yet brought together to fulfill the storyteller’s task. I really enjoyed reading about them separately, and loved the chapters where they are together just as much.
The action takes place in a variety of locales that are all well-described, therefore easy to visualize. I commend the author’s choice of the settings. My favorite chapter would probably be Chapter 5 “The Occident Express” where there are twists and turns that I never expected to find in this book and that made me read the rest literally non-stop. After the character’s introductions the action keeps coming, faster and faster, make The Book of the Forsaken a rollercoaster of a read.
I love the author’s use of footnotes and also the way Yannis Karatsioris combines epic and modern fantasy concepts. I was glad to find that the author refrained from following the modern take on the myth of vampires and werewolves, but rather preferred to present a different one that really appealed to me. This is without a doubt an evocative read that will stay with you long after you’ve finished it.
I look forward to reading Book #2 of “The Game” Series.
“The Book of the Forsaken” by Yannis Karatsioris is the first book in “The Game” Series.
From the very beginning this manuscript stands out with its unique voice that can rarely be found in fantasy books. This is the voice of an omniscient narrator who traps three puppets in his web, in order to get hold of a special sought-after artifact, the Book of the Forsaken, that holds the knowledge of the Forsaken races and of the mystical Game that takes place once every five centuries on the dark side of the moon.
Daniel, Cassidy and Igor are the three puppets. I enjoyed reading the characters’ introductions. All of them are very different, yet brought together to fulfill the storyteller’s task. I really enjoyed reading about them separately, and loved the chapters where they are together just as much.
The action takes place in a variety of locales that are all well-described, therefore easy to visualize. I commend the author’s choice of the settings. My favorite chapter would probably be Chapter 5 “The Occident Express” where there are twists and turns that I never expected to find in this book and that made me read the rest literally non-stop. After the character’s introductions the action keeps coming, faster and faster, make The Book of the Forsaken a rollercoaster of a read.
I love the author’s use of footnotes and also the way Yannis Karatsioris combines epic and modern fantasy concepts. I was glad to find that the author refrained from following the modern take on the myth of vampires and werewolves, but rather preferred to present a different one that really appealed to me. This is without a doubt an evocative read that will stay with you long after you’ve finished it.
I look forward to reading Book #2 of “The Game” Series.
October 21, 2012
Book of the Forsaken
About half way through the book the thought occurred to me that this is a book for chess players, not for checkers players. I’ve read more than a thousand books over many years and this is the first time I’ve had such a thought. To be a bit more specific, the plot or story line is not easy to follow as it shifts from one character to another. There is also moral ambiguity since two of the three main characters are killers and the third is a thief. Is the reader to identify with such dubious characters?
In addition, there is reference to ‘a game’ or ‘the game’ in the book and it is up to the reader to figure out what the game is. Clearly this is not a book for a lazy reader looking for simple minded entertainment. However, for a reader looking to be intellectually challanged and willing to put in the effort to figure out what is happening and why, it is an excellent book.
So, is it a book I would recommend? That depends totally on what you like and on how much effort you are willing to put in. If you like Fantasy stories with ambiguity, and if you are willing to read carefully and slowly taking careful note of the plot as it develops, then I am certain you will find the book highly interesting and enjoyable. However, there is one catch: This is the first book in a series so you must be willing to be hooked and patient enough to wait for the other books to find out how things end. And to be honest, after finishing the first book I am still in the dark as to what will happen.
Bottom line: This is a skillfully crafted and well written story that will grab the attention and provide a challenge to the most dedicated reader. The author has an incredible imagination and has clearly spent a lot of time creating what I will call a ‘mystery fantasy’ that is challenging but rewarding to read.
David Welch
About half way through the book the thought occurred to me that this is a book for chess players, not for checkers players. I’ve read more than a thousand books over many years and this is the first time I’ve had such a thought. To be a bit more specific, the plot or story line is not easy to follow as it shifts from one character to another. There is also moral ambiguity since two of the three main characters are killers and the third is a thief. Is the reader to identify with such dubious characters?
In addition, there is reference to ‘a game’ or ‘the game’ in the book and it is up to the reader to figure out what the game is. Clearly this is not a book for a lazy reader looking for simple minded entertainment. However, for a reader looking to be intellectually challanged and willing to put in the effort to figure out what is happening and why, it is an excellent book.
So, is it a book I would recommend? That depends totally on what you like and on how much effort you are willing to put in. If you like Fantasy stories with ambiguity, and if you are willing to read carefully and slowly taking careful note of the plot as it develops, then I am certain you will find the book highly interesting and enjoyable. However, there is one catch: This is the first book in a series so you must be willing to be hooked and patient enough to wait for the other books to find out how things end. And to be honest, after finishing the first book I am still in the dark as to what will happen.
Bottom line: This is a skillfully crafted and well written story that will grab the attention and provide a challenge to the most dedicated reader. The author has an incredible imagination and has clearly spent a lot of time creating what I will call a ‘mystery fantasy’ that is challenging but rewarding to read.
David Welch
July 29, 2013
“The Book of the Forsaken” by Yannis Karatsioris is the first book in “The Game” Series.
From the very beginning this manuscript stands out with its unique voice that can rarely be found in fantasy books. This is the voice of an omniscient narrator who traps three puppets in his web, in order to get hold of a special sought-after artifact, the Book of the Forsaken, that holds the knowledge of the Forsaken races and of the mystical Game that takes place once every five centuries on the dark side of the moon.
Daniel, Cassidy and Igor are the three puppets. I enjoyed reading the characters’ introductions. All of them are very different, yet brought together to fulfill the storyteller’s task. I really enjoyed reading about them separately, and loved the chapters where they are together just as much.
The action takes place in a variety of locales that are all well-described, therefore easy to visualize. I commend the author’s choice of the settings. My favorite chapter would probably be Chapter 5 “The Occident Express” where there are twists and turns that I never expected to find in this book and that made me read the rest literally non-stop. After the character’s introductions the action keeps coming, faster and faster, make The Book of the Forsaken a rollercoaster of a read.
I love the author’s use of footnotes and also the way Yannis Karatsioris combines epic and modern fantasy concepts. I was glad to find that the author refrained from following the modern take on the myth of vampires and werewolves, but rather preferred to present a different one that really appealed to me. This is without a doubt an evocative read that will stay with you long after you’ve finished it.
I look forward to reading Book #2 of “The Game” Series.
From the very beginning this manuscript stands out with its unique voice that can rarely be found in fantasy books. This is the voice of an omniscient narrator who traps three puppets in his web, in order to get hold of a special sought-after artifact, the Book of the Forsaken, that holds the knowledge of the Forsaken races and of the mystical Game that takes place once every five centuries on the dark side of the moon.
Daniel, Cassidy and Igor are the three puppets. I enjoyed reading the characters’ introductions. All of them are very different, yet brought together to fulfill the storyteller’s task. I really enjoyed reading about them separately, and loved the chapters where they are together just as much.
The action takes place in a variety of locales that are all well-described, therefore easy to visualize. I commend the author’s choice of the settings. My favorite chapter would probably be Chapter 5 “The Occident Express” where there are twists and turns that I never expected to find in this book and that made me read the rest literally non-stop. After the character’s introductions the action keeps coming, faster and faster, make The Book of the Forsaken a rollercoaster of a read.
I love the author’s use of footnotes and also the way Yannis Karatsioris combines epic and modern fantasy concepts. I was glad to find that the author refrained from following the modern take on the myth of vampires and werewolves, but rather preferred to present a different one that really appealed to me. This is without a doubt an evocative read that will stay with you long after you’ve finished it.
I look forward to reading Book #2 of “The Game” Series.
October 19, 2012
3.5 stars.
I really enjoyed the narrator of the story and I thought they way he told the story was unique however I found the footnotes distracting. I thought the asides could have been incorporated in the dialogue more rather than being specifically pointed out to the reader. I like to read the sarcasm myself rather than have it shown.
I have the same criticism of the characters. When we first meet the puppets they are first introduced quite literally. I thought the character intros and POVs were more appropriate for a graphic novel. Typically in a novel such as this, I would expect the characters to be introduced to the reader in a more settle way with room for development and growth as the story unfolded, but when they were introduced they came across as character sketches instead.
I appreciated that Karatsioris kept things short, but a story with this much potential needed a little more length for me. I liked the concept of the story and thought it had something fresh and new to offer but felt the characters and plot needed a little more work.
Overall it was a decent read and with a little refinement and polishing this book could really shine.
See my full review here
I really enjoyed the narrator of the story and I thought they way he told the story was unique however I found the footnotes distracting. I thought the asides could have been incorporated in the dialogue more rather than being specifically pointed out to the reader. I like to read the sarcasm myself rather than have it shown.
I have the same criticism of the characters. When we first meet the puppets they are first introduced quite literally. I thought the character intros and POVs were more appropriate for a graphic novel. Typically in a novel such as this, I would expect the characters to be introduced to the reader in a more settle way with room for development and growth as the story unfolded, but when they were introduced they came across as character sketches instead.
I appreciated that Karatsioris kept things short, but a story with this much potential needed a little more length for me. I liked the concept of the story and thought it had something fresh and new to offer but felt the characters and plot needed a little more work.
Overall it was a decent read and with a little refinement and polishing this book could really shine.
See my full review here
December 3, 2012
Review of The Book of the Forsaken (Game #1)
First in a series, this novel is a [tongue-in-cheek] contemporary fantasy set in the framework of narration by Logos (The Word), who has decided that playing games with humanity is more fun than playing games with God (since God is omniscient). He chooses three humans he refers to as Puppets, each of whom of course has different sensibilities and each a different, unusual gift.
An Irishman, Robert, has the gift of spatial sight-that is, he can see “around” to view objects and locations not in his human line of sight. Daniel of Normandy is a bookstore clerk who has taught himself geolocation: he can be in any location to which he wills himself. Igor of Russia is both a stage magician and a paid covert assassin, who also practices forbidden magic.
The three are covertly directed to Moscow, but the real quest is to locate the mysterious “Book of the Forsaken.” Everything they do, of course, is impelled by Logos, as part of “The Game.” So they really are just “Puppets,” no matter how much they believe they control their own actions.
First in a series, this novel is a [tongue-in-cheek] contemporary fantasy set in the framework of narration by Logos (The Word), who has decided that playing games with humanity is more fun than playing games with God (since God is omniscient). He chooses three humans he refers to as Puppets, each of whom of course has different sensibilities and each a different, unusual gift.
An Irishman, Robert, has the gift of spatial sight-that is, he can see “around” to view objects and locations not in his human line of sight. Daniel of Normandy is a bookstore clerk who has taught himself geolocation: he can be in any location to which he wills himself. Igor of Russia is both a stage magician and a paid covert assassin, who also practices forbidden magic.
The three are covertly directed to Moscow, but the real quest is to locate the mysterious “Book of the Forsaken.” Everything they do, of course, is impelled by Logos, as part of “The Game.” So they really are just “Puppets,” no matter how much they believe they control their own actions.
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