What do you think?
Rate this book
The Broken Key #1
Shepherd's Quest
Shepherd's Quest begins a story about three lads from the small town of Riyan Borenson, Chadric Kelon, and Bartholomew Agreani. When Riyan stumbled upon an ancient burial tomb, he and the others soon discovered they had found the fabled King's Horde. A place reputed to hold a vast fortune.However, before they could gain access to the King's Horde, they must first recover the segments of the key that will open the sigil inscribed portal. One key they found within the ancient burial tomb in the hand of a long dead thief.Somehow they must find the segments of the key and open the Horde before word gets out. For should others learn that they have found the fabled King's Horde, less scrupulous men will be after them to claim the Horde for themselves.Their quest for the rest of The Broken Key ultimately leads them to a place located deep within hostile goblin territory, a place where even the goblins fear to go.
350 pages, Paperback
First published February 9, 2007
About the author
Brian S. Pratt
23 books161 followersBrian was born in Modesto, California. He graduated high school in 1985 and went straight into the Air Force where he was trained as an Avionic Specialist on the F-117A Stealth Fighter.
When his tour of duty was over, he joined Pizza Hut as a delivery driver where he quickly rose to become a General Manager of a delivery unit in Edmonds, WA.
Then after a short stint as a taxi driver, he spent two years as a driving instructor and now writes full time.
He currently lives in Boswell, OK and missing the three most wonderful children in the world: Joseph, Breanna, and Abigayle. They truly are the lights of his life.
When his tour of duty was over, he joined Pizza Hut as a delivery driver where he quickly rose to become a General Manager of a delivery unit in Edmonds, WA.
Then after a short stint as a taxi driver, he spent two years as a driving instructor and now writes full time.
He currently lives in Boswell, OK and missing the three most wonderful children in the world: Joseph, Breanna, and Abigayle. They truly are the lights of his life.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 12, 2024
Fantastic, edge of seat stuff.
If you like Raiders of the lost Arc then you'll love these books. All his books are brilliant, should be made in to films. Thank you Brian for a fantastic read once again.
If you like Raiders of the lost Arc then you'll love these books. All his books are brilliant, should be made in to films. Thank you Brian for a fantastic read once again.
August 16, 2015
What I liked about the book:
1. The plot was solid and all the sub-plots wove themselves into the main plot and held it together.
2. The characters were believable. The young men appeared by their actions and the actions of their families that they were close to being adults and at an age where going beyond the rules to prove their manhood wasn't unusual.
3. The action was continuous!
4. The four main characters had varied backgrounds that gave the team balance. One was a shepherd's son with a great deal of experience being outdoors and a deadly expert with a sling. One is a miller's son, physically strong and a solid person.
The third young man is an enigma. He arrived in the small village about 18 months before the adventure begins and has been supporting himself by doing odd jobs and hiring himself out to local farmers. He also carries a set of lockpicks, and the village boys learn he has a 1000 golds bounty on him. He's also a natural leader.
The fourth boy is acquired after the adventure starts. He and his Master, a Magician, are in a fight to the death against dozens of goblins. The three boys help to rescue the young apprentice but the magician dies.
What I didn't like:
1. The abrupt change from one tense to an incorrect tense.
2. The start of the book read like a low level role playing game and I almost gave up right there. It turns out Chad and Reyan were telling each other adventure stories.
3. The hundreds of incorrect word choices and missing words.
4. The ability of the boys to skate through situations that trained "adventurers" would have difficulty handling. So much went on in such a short period of time that a Seal team would have been worn out.
This was a free Kindle read and I will probably spend a little money to see how things work out.
1. The plot was solid and all the sub-plots wove themselves into the main plot and held it together.
2. The characters were believable. The young men appeared by their actions and the actions of their families that they were close to being adults and at an age where going beyond the rules to prove their manhood wasn't unusual.
3. The action was continuous!
4. The four main characters had varied backgrounds that gave the team balance. One was a shepherd's son with a great deal of experience being outdoors and a deadly expert with a sling. One is a miller's son, physically strong and a solid person.
The third young man is an enigma. He arrived in the small village about 18 months before the adventure begins and has been supporting himself by doing odd jobs and hiring himself out to local farmers. He also carries a set of lockpicks, and the village boys learn he has a 1000 golds bounty on him. He's also a natural leader.
The fourth boy is acquired after the adventure starts. He and his Master, a Magician, are in a fight to the death against dozens of goblins. The three boys help to rescue the young apprentice but the magician dies.
What I didn't like:
1. The abrupt change from one tense to an incorrect tense.
2. The start of the book read like a low level role playing game and I almost gave up right there. It turns out Chad and Reyan were telling each other adventure stories.
3. The hundreds of incorrect word choices and missing words.
4. The ability of the boys to skate through situations that trained "adventurers" would have difficulty handling. So much went on in such a short period of time that a Seal team would have been worn out.
This was a free Kindle read and I will probably spend a little money to see how things work out.
January 19, 2017
It starts:
“Riyan looked out over the landscape, his position on the ridge afforded him a commanding view of the valley. The moonlight overhead painted the world in shadows, among which who knew what sorts of beasts may lie.”
Author raises hand, "I know! I know! I know what sort of beasts lie" cuz a half dozen paragraphs later:
“Then all of a sudden, one of the mountain wolves that infested these parts launched itself out of the shadows.”
Yeah, okay. Gimme a bib and spoon feed me like a baby.
NOT
“Riyan looked out over the landscape, his position on the ridge afforded him a commanding view of the valley. The moonlight overhead painted the world in shadows, among which who knew what sorts of beasts may lie.”
Author raises hand, "I know! I know! I know what sort of beasts lie" cuz a half dozen paragraphs later:
“Then all of a sudden, one of the mountain wolves that infested these parts launched itself out of the shadows.”
Yeah, okay. Gimme a bib and spoon feed me like a baby.
NOT
December 19, 2014
Hard to get into. Jarring changes of tense every few paragraphs, and an excess of description.
Also, one other note. It should be the King's Hoard, not Horde (unless the king has a long forgotten army).
Also, one other note. It should be the King's Hoard, not Horde (unless the king has a long forgotten army).
July 15, 2013
This was an awesome read. I was captivated with the storyline and kept on the edge with all the daring exploits in the trap invested places.
A definite must read for all those that love adventures.
A definite must read for all those that love adventures.
January 7, 2016
Another interesting read Mr. Pratt.
I am a fan. I have really enjoyed your work, Brian. I hope all is well. Looking forward to more!
I am a fan. I have really enjoyed your work, Brian. I hope all is well. Looking forward to more!
March 27, 2016
from 10 points 10. . . wery good book. i buyed most of his book.
June 10, 2015
Ehhh, it was ok... But I am curious where book2 will take us
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews