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The Inner Seas Kingdoms #1
The Healing Spring
Kestrel is a resident and guard in the Elven nation of the Eastern Forest, typical in every way except that his partial human heritage makes him the victim of discrimination by those of pure Elven ancestry. And when the elves face war with the humans of the neighboring nations, Kestrel is distrusted and removed from combat duty. But the gods of both races see a roll for Kestrel to play in a greater, and more sinister battle that will consume humans and elves alike, and they shower him with favors that press him into a new service as an elven spy. Only his superiors never expected Kestrel to find the life of the humans to be so appealing or his adventures to spin so far beyond expectations.
313 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 9, 2012
43 people are currently reading
271 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
November 28, 2015
So, I feel there's a need for a more balanced review of this novel. No one else has takes the time to write something about it that wasn't "Oh my gosh this is awesome!" which isn't very helpful if you're considering reading this. And Yes, there are some minor spoilerish stuff here but nothing too revealing so I'm leaving them visible.
This book has some considerable bad points but also some good ones. Let's start with the good:
The Good
The plot is standard (like the epitome of all fantasy adventure you've ever read in your life) but actually entertaining after the half-way point. I was ready to lay this book down many times because of the bad points but for several reasons I decided to persevere and I ended up liking it in spite of myself.
Like I said, this is completely and absolutely average. Nothing happens here that you haven't already read somewhere else (and maybe better told) but there is a reason why we keep reading the same shit over and over again, don't we? It's because we like it! Let's not be apologetic here, clichés can be good too.
The Bad
The writing is atrocious. Absolutely atrocious. Really. I though I was reading something from a high-school assignment. The dialogue is laughable. I'm pretty sure I read a couple of words that don't exist. The geography is absolutely incomprehensible. I mean, if there is one book, ONE BOOK, that really needs a map it's this one. It makes absolutely no sense whatsoever.
And Kestrel the Spy - the worst joke ever told! I think I would be a better spy than him, and THAT'S SHOCKING! Seriously! He cannot... he cannot lie! He always spills the beans. Every time!! He is supposed to impersonate a human and every single time he ends up telling people he's not. LOL! Seriosly LOL!
He is actually quite incompetent. It is only because of "the goddesses" or some other Deus Ex Machina that he really manages to survive or succeed. And all his thoughts and attitudes are, shall we say, politically correct (for a fantasy hero). Really nothing exciting here.
I think the part I enjoyed and hated the most was Kestrel's tragic (or comic) love life. I laughed so much. I'm guessing the author had to make him bad at something or he would be too good at everything (he's the type that becomes an expert swordsman after a week of practice, you know the type). Something has to go wrong so we can stand reading about this too-perfect-to-be-true hero. So, he has a string of insta-infatuations with about every single beautiful girl he encounters on his journey, has at least one scene of awkward sexual tension that simple leaves a) either him hanging, or b) leaving us feeling like he's twelve (which by the way I though he was until later, it's never specified). Actually, the best way to describe it is that it felt like a dating sim.
Conclusion
But you know, for all the bad that I've written about this book, I am actually already reading the second one. I can't really explain why. The writing has improved a bit now which hopefully will continue. I suppose I am invested now.
So, who should read this?
If you are considering reading this book let me give you my opinion.
1. This is perfect for someone new to the genre or someone just starting a happy-reading addiction (welcome to the family).
2. Also, this is a book for those not looking for something serious, dark or complicated. This is as simple as it gets. It's light hearted (maybe some won't agree, there are some gruesome stuff happening but nothing is shown or expounded on. We always have a level of distance to these events).
3. If you want to pass the time and laugh at some of the horrible sentence structures and dialogues and feel better about your own amateur writing (but still actually get a solid plot), then this is also a good read.
Hope this is helpful.
This book has some considerable bad points but also some good ones. Let's start with the good:
The Good
The plot is standard (like the epitome of all fantasy adventure you've ever read in your life) but actually entertaining after the half-way point. I was ready to lay this book down many times because of the bad points but for several reasons I decided to persevere and I ended up liking it in spite of myself.
Like I said, this is completely and absolutely average. Nothing happens here that you haven't already read somewhere else (and maybe better told) but there is a reason why we keep reading the same shit over and over again, don't we? It's because we like it! Let's not be apologetic here, clichés can be good too.
The Bad
The writing is atrocious. Absolutely atrocious. Really. I though I was reading something from a high-school assignment. The dialogue is laughable. I'm pretty sure I read a couple of words that don't exist. The geography is absolutely incomprehensible. I mean, if there is one book, ONE BOOK, that really needs a map it's this one. It makes absolutely no sense whatsoever.
And Kestrel the Spy - the worst joke ever told! I think I would be a better spy than him, and THAT'S SHOCKING! Seriously! He cannot... he cannot lie! He always spills the beans. Every time!! He is supposed to impersonate a human and every single time he ends up telling people he's not. LOL! Seriosly LOL!
He is actually quite incompetent. It is only because of "the goddesses" or some other Deus Ex Machina that he really manages to survive or succeed. And all his thoughts and attitudes are, shall we say, politically correct (for a fantasy hero). Really nothing exciting here.
I think the part I enjoyed and hated the most was Kestrel's tragic (or comic) love life. I laughed so much. I'm guessing the author had to make him bad at something or he would be too good at everything (he's the type that becomes an expert swordsman after a week of practice, you know the type). Something has to go wrong so we can stand reading about this too-perfect-to-be-true hero. So, he has a string of insta-infatuations with about every single beautiful girl he encounters on his journey, has at least one scene of awkward sexual tension that simple leaves a) either him hanging, or b) leaving us feeling like he's twelve (which by the way I though he was until later, it's never specified). Actually, the best way to describe it is that it felt like a dating sim.
Conclusion
But you know, for all the bad that I've written about this book, I am actually already reading the second one. I can't really explain why. The writing has improved a bit now which hopefully will continue. I suppose I am invested now.
So, who should read this?
If you are considering reading this book let me give you my opinion.
1. This is perfect for someone new to the genre or someone just starting a happy-reading addiction (welcome to the family).
2. Also, this is a book for those not looking for something serious, dark or complicated. This is as simple as it gets. It's light hearted (maybe some won't agree, there are some gruesome stuff happening but nothing is shown or expounded on. We always have a level of distance to these events).
3. If you want to pass the time and laugh at some of the horrible sentence structures and dialogues and feel better about your own amateur writing (but still actually get a solid plot), then this is also a good read.
Hope this is helpful.
September 19, 2015
Not bad, slightly improbable, and a tad less concise than I'd wish, but very enjoyable. You will enjoy it. Now on to the sequel! :)
May 18, 2017
Great book.
This book is great!!! I have read 3 different series by this author and they are all great. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys good writing and great characters. If you are reading this stop and but this book you will not regret it. It is about a 3/4 elf 1\4 human named Kestral who has the worst luck. He is bound by two different sets of gods. Both human and elf, read this book it is awesome.
This book is great!!! I have read 3 different series by this author and they are all great. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys good writing and great characters. If you are reading this stop and but this book you will not regret it. It is about a 3/4 elf 1\4 human named Kestral who has the worst luck. He is bound by two different sets of gods. Both human and elf, read this book it is awesome.
January 21, 2018
Nicely Done
A winning story filled with minutiae, yet skillfully done so that it’s all very interesting and enjoyable. The editing is also excellent, and I look forward to reading more. Recommended.
A winning story filled with minutiae, yet skillfully done so that it’s all very interesting and enjoyable. The editing is also excellent, and I look forward to reading more. Recommended.
June 21, 2017
Great Journey!
Wow, is all I can say. This is a great book if you like elves and such. I'm not giving any details. Read the book. You won't be discouraged.
Wow, is all I can say. This is a great book if you like elves and such. I'm not giving any details. Read the book. You won't be discouraged.
February 13, 2019
I thought Kestrel was a bit of a nong, and his adventures weren’t very interesting.
May 31, 2019
what a slightly random collection of stuff.
July 2, 2020
Elves!!!
I so enjoy a book about elves. I loved how Jeffrey Quyle portrayed them in a real light. The elves have their prejudice same as the human's. This was a great story and I am very much looking forward to reading the next.
I so enjoy a book about elves. I loved how Jeffrey Quyle portrayed them in a real light. The elves have their prejudice same as the human's. This was a great story and I am very much looking forward to reading the next.
August 21, 2013
This was a lively story with elves, sprites, and imps. This first book In the series was well written and the characters were memorable. Anyone who loves an epic fantasy should love this book.
December 14, 2018
Fabulous read and a great beginning to a new series. Mr. Quyle has done it again. The MC has as much promise as Alec in the ingenaiire series. Can't wait for book two!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews