Infinitas

Destiny is an Adventure #1

by David N. Sebastian

For centuries, the world of Aeon has lived in shadow, ruled and oppressed by a great evil. The land is overrun by creatures of the dark. Its people cower without protection, without hope…until now.

Prophecy spoke of a chosen one who will bring an end to the dragon sorceress, and on that day were born two. Kali and Drake. Cousins and warriors, devoted to their duty and to each other. They embrace their fates. Together with their friends, Ferra and Harold, they embark on a perilous journey, tempting evil at every turn, for they are being hunted. With danger and death on their heels, they must battle forces of nature and magic, calling forth their courage to conquer not only the sorceress herself, but an even greater enemy. Fear.

From a small woodland village to the stone keep of Infinitas, only one thing is certain.

Destiny is an adventure.

Genres: Middle Grade

288 pages, Paperback

First published October 13, 2015

Reviews

[Michael Philliber · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're looking for a simple story line, lots of adventure, unexpected twists, dragons, wood gnomes, gypsies, rangers, wood sprites, skeleton armies, wraiths, loads of scary creatures, and a sort-of happily-ever-after ending, then this is the book for you. David Sebastian (a authorial pseudonym) has crafted a blending of story-themes in his recently published 288 page paperback, "Infinitas". This is the first installment in what plans to be a series written primarily for pre-teens and young teens.

"Infinitas" follows the adventures of four teens, Drake, Kali, Harold and Ferra, from their home villa, Kordos, to a climactic conclusion as they face the Dragon Queen at the fortress castle of Infinitas. Drake and Kali are pursuing their destiny, a one hundred year old prophecy that one from the bloodline of Auturo would destroy the Dragon Queen. Both Kali and Drake are of that bloodline. Auturo had wounded the Dragon Queen and made her vulnerable to defeat, but they must find his sword, Ormr, by which alone the heir of Auturo could defeat the Dragon Queen. Harold and Ferra are friends whose strange abilities will give Drake and Kalli added advantages as they face the various obstacles on their way. All four grow in their friendship, their sense of courage, and their understanding of loyalty.

"Infinitas" is a simple, fun read. There is lots of adolescent bantering, and there are some romantic sparks here and there, all of which paint the picture of deepening friendships and strengthened commitments, but shouldn't cause parents any concerns. If you're looking for a present for your pre-teen or young teenage kids this holiday season, I can easily recommend this book.

[Nanette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Infinitas is a fun YA hero's journey fantasy, and for those who are suckers for that kind of tale (as I am) it's quite hard to put down after the first few pages. While I could quibble with the mildly inconsistent voice and vocabulary and the increasing Christian-like religion (in a world that at the start seems more pagan than otherwise), as all of those seem to shift as the story goes along, I would still just be quibbling, as I nonetheless ploughed through the story with enjoyment. Despite an obvious sequel waiting in the wings--one that I look forward to reading--the denoument felt satisfying.

Note: I read this book on my Kindle from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

[Book Gannet · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fairly standard fantasy adventure for teens. There’s an evil dragon sorceress, a prophecy, a legendary sword, four young friends, a forest full of strange creatures, a small town to start out from and more traditional sword and sorcery D&D-style references than you can shake a magic stick at.

The characters are okay. Kali seems to be the default leader, a young girl who is amazing with a bow and is brave when she needs to be. Her cousin Drake is the most stereotypical in that he’s the strong one, a born warrior, is occasionally arrogant and is the least interesting. Their friend Harold is the geeky one who likes books and plants and is the peacemaker of the group. Finally there’s Ferra, the small thief, who starts the book having no interest in saving the world, but goes on an emotional journey throughout finding her courage and her loyalty.

The world itself is a mix of pseudo-Medieval fantasy and the world we know. The characters start talking in a very stilted, formal style that makes them sound as if they’ve just escaped from a reenactment village, but gradually defaults to more modern language (cool, holy crap, etc) and Christianity seems to have somehow implanted itself into this world as well, which is a bit odd. The monsters and magical creatures also mix those you might expect – dragons, sprites, gnomes, harpies – with some you might not – mummies – and some that are completely made up, like the weird kangaboon, the giant bat-thing and the pogo-minotaur creature.

The plot romps along at a fair old speed, lurching from one adventure to another, which helps keep the interest up. However, to be honest, it never really grabbed my attention. Mostly it’s okay, the characters are all right, there’s usually something going on and the whole thing feels familiar if you’re a fantasy fan. If you’re looking for something different and new, this isn’t really it, but if you like quest adventures where there’s always something going on, then you might enjoy this.

(I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)

[Mark Buxton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kali and her cousin, Drake, have just turned sixteen when a dragon barely saves them from an assassination attempt by three harpies. A prophecy says a descendant of Arturo will raise his great broadsword and end the reign of fear and madness of the dragon sorceress, Marigot. Kali and Drake carry the blood of Arturo, and the harpies were sent by Marigot. The teens begin a quest to find the great sword at the bottom of the pool of life, but the journey will not be easy. The sorceress offers a reward for their capture, so everyone they meet is a potential bounty hunter. They encounter fairies, mummies, and kangaboons; some creatures are helpful, while others viciously attack them. Kali and Drake must reach Infinitas and stop the sorceress. However, she's indestructible in her dragon form, and every descendant to face her has been slain, just as Arturo was slain in the beginning.

This book is a fantastic adventure story, climaxing in an exciting battle between good and evil. The author keeps readers guessing about the identity of the true dragon slayer; a "clear" prophecy provided by a seer is still misleading. I always enjoy adventure stories with lots of action, where the odds are obviously against the main characters. Although Drake is very strong and brave and Kali is an amazing archer, the sorceress has magic and has never been beaten. Kali has a charm that protects her from natural dangers, but it doesn't help much against magical creatures and the undead. It seems like this series will at least be a trilogy, since Marigot had two sisters; one sister is specifically mentioned on the last page of the book. I anxiously await the sequel!

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

*I received an ecopy of this book via netgalley*
I found this book to be a lot of fun, it was an exciting adventure from start to finish. There were so many cool creatures, Dragons, Gnomes, wood sprits and Skeleton armies just to name a few. I found the group of Kali, Drake, Harold, and Ferra to be tons of fun and realistic to the situation they were placed in, they had their share of struggles but they came out the other side and along the way they all grew and that was neat to watch, I am very interested to continue on the journey with these characters and read more of this series.
I'm glad the book did not end on a giant cliff-hanger but it did end curiously enough that I want to know what comes next and I'm curious enough to continue this series, there was a satisfying happiness followed by danger and I hope the next installment is just as exciting.
I don't have much else to say about this exciting book but I would recommend it to lots of my friends.

[Sawyer Belle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thrilling adventure sure to satisfy the tastes of the most intrepid young readers!

Kali and Drake are on a dangerous mission to slay the evil sorceress who has ruled the land of Aeon for centuries. Along with their friends, Harold and Farrah, they embark on a journey that will have them facing foes of magic and nature. They will face fear and death, finding courage and lasting friendships along the way.

What a great tale for teens! Not only is it filled with excitement and enchantment, but many wonderful lessons to be learned. I look forward to the second book in the series...and so do my kids!

[Claudia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first book of "Destiny is an Adventure" sets a high standard for the other books in the series. Meant for young teenagers it keeps a beautiful balance of adventure, thrill and magical fantasy without overstepping into the typical world of fantasy games.
Yes, there are the typical creatures, but the story lives from the description and deeds of 4 friends, one - or maybe two - of them destined to destroy the dragon sorceress, whose dark rule was unchecked for too long.
Fun to read and I am sure there will be many waiting for the next book to read asap.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Meredith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book through a Goodreads giveaway.

Set in a world of magic and ruled by an evil dragon sorceress, two cousins descended from a legendary hero must somehow navigate a treacherous world with their two friends. A prophecy was made that foretold a descendent of Arturo would slay the evil dragon sorceress and bring peace. The prophecy has begun and two cousins are charged to save the world. There is a second book as well which I intend to read. I recommend this book.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

They have lived under the evil for so long. They have lived without hope for so long until they came along. Now light is coming and they fight to save them all from the evil. Follow them and see how they will get on

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Debbie Elholm · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great start to a series! I was captivated, not only by the known magical creatures, but also by the unique creatures that the author came up with. The prophecy states that someone of Arturo's descent will kill the Dragon Sorceress and off we go following 2 cousins that are descendents of Arturo. Along with 2 of their friends, the 4 of them make their way to the castle to confront the Dragon Sorceress. Along the way, Kali, Drake, Ferra and Harold meet many great creatures, some good, some bad that help them along the way. My favorites were the wood sprites!
This book is perfect for both kids and adults. I look forward to reading the next one in the series!
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

[Christinaraven · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great epic story. Two cousins Kali and Drake find out they are the descendants mentioned in the prophecy and with their friends Ferra and Harold go on a quest to kill the evil Dragon Sorceress. They make friends along the way and get into trouble but good prevails. The story just sucked me in and i had to finish it in one setting. It reads like the first book in a great epic series (like David Eddings) that I hope the author keeps writing. I will definitely keep my eyes out for the next one. I received a copy of this book from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily reviewed this great book!

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sinister dragon sorceress, a prophecy that has waited one hundred years to come to fruition, and four companions with the courage to overcome their fears and take on a seemingly impossible quest. What more could you want in a story? Kali and Drake are descendants of the famous hero Arturo, and they have finally come of age. Together with their friends, Ferra and Harold, they travel across the world of Aeon to fulfill their destiny and confront the evil Marigot. Of course, they have help along the way, as well as facing the dangers of betrayal. They encounter everything from harpies, wyverns, and wood sprites to unknown creatures like kangaboons. Each of them must face their worst fears and use their special skills to reach their goal.

For those who have played Dungeons & Dragons, the teenagers fall into easily recognized roles: Drake is the brawny warrior with a sword, Kali is the lithe fighter with a bow and arrows, Ferra is the nimble thief, and Harold is the cleric with healing skills and knowledge of plants and herbs. There are other standard items for this type of adventure such as magical amulets, potions, and a bag of carrying that holds seemingly limitless supplies. The action is quickly paced, each character has the chance to use their strengths to help the others, and their journey also gives them a chance to practice their skills and accumulate some of those helpful magic items.

For middle grade readers who enjoy swords and sorcery type adventures, this is an enjoyable start to a new series, with books that are long enough to build the story, but not so long that they are intimidating. There is the added bonus that once the characters have become familiar, another adventure will be coming in the future. Parents and teachers will be pleased that although there are fights and battles, there are no overly gruesome descriptions, nor are there relationships or language that are too mature for younger readers.

I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.

[Ellen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Netgalley suggested I give Infinitas a read as part of a push for independent authors. I like supporting the independent author movement, so I was glad to accept this ARC. This book had a lot going for it. The cover is gorgeous, far superior to many of the independent and self-published covers out there. Say what you will about the old adage, a nice cover helps! The premise looks exciting and fun. On the cusp of adulthood, four young people are set on a quest to free their land from great evil. I liked it at first and made it a quarter of the way in as the quest was just beginning.

Keep in mind that I review books for a very specific audience, advising my students' parents of best options for reading material for their kids. I think I would have found Infinitas a worthy read and enjoyed it to the end. I could not recommend it to my students, however, because of language. I knew a few of the younger readers' parents would be uncomfortable with "butthole" references, and others would reject the "Hell, no" interjection that, in my opinion, also cracked the wonderful fantasy-world shell with something so crass and contemporary. Is the rest of the story worthwhile? Possibly, but I won't be finding out.

[Kate Matson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Summary:
Prophecy spoke of a chosen one who will bring an end to the dragon sorceress, and on that day were born two. Kali and Drake. Cousins and warriors, devoted to their duty and to each other. They embrace their fates. Together with their friends, Ferra and Harold, they embark on a perilous journey, tempting evil at every turn, for they are being hunted. With danger and death on their heels, they must battle forces of nature and magic, calling forth their courage to conquer not only the sorceress herself, but an even greater enemy. Fear.
Plot:
I found the plot to be intriguing, but it was sooo unoriginal. It held classic YA tropes, which I don't have a problem with, but this book held nothing new. The plot twists were interesting, but frankly, I was bored 60% of the book.
Writing:
I was expecting David N. Sebastian to be an okay writer, but instead he wowed me with his awesome writing style. I actually really like his writing.
Characters:
The characters in this book didn't have much depth to them. I found them to be out of place, and a bit awkward.
Overall & Recommendations:
This was an okay read for me. Besides the boring parts, it was actually a fun read. I would recommend it to 11+.

[Karie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The idea of a sorceress/dragon reigning tyrannically over her corner of the world drew me in. The adventure kept me there. Kali and Drake were by no means compelling characters, but they acted honorably when faced with the dark choices in front of them, and they were well-prepared to go on their adventure. The writing skews young--I kept thinking that my pre-teen daughters would enjoy the story--but overall the pace is good and kept me hooked throughout the adventure. The world itself felt a bit like a crazy quilt--species kept popping up to be added to the milieu--but when you read the author's note it makes sense. And to the author's credit, the crazy quilt was colorful and bound together well. I look forward to reading the rest of the trilogy, especially for the backstory on the royal family who started it all.

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

For middle grade readers who have read The Hobbit and are ready for something more, this book offers another taste of fantasy, adventure and a journey with a mission. The world created by the author is well-described and complete; readers can experience it in great depth while enjoying the quest of the youthful team of adventurers. Intent upon fulfilling their destiny and escaping the 100 year wrath of a vengeful dragon, they set out to destroy her and learn which of them is the true dragonslayer. This is the first in a projected series although it is fine as a stand alone book. Ideal for readers with a growing taste for fantasy quests and adventure; book includes dragons shape-shifting into witches, spells, various forest sprites and trolls, and swords with names. I received my copy from NetGalley.

[Montzalee Wittmann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Infinitas is a fantasy book for middle school kids. It has dragons, sprites, gnomes, magic, potions, harpies, a mummy or two, and lots of evil at every turn. There is an evil sorceress dragon that is hunting down those that prophecy says might be the chosen one that could kill the sorceress dragon. Kali and Drake are the two that the prophecy speaks of and they are cousins. Kali and Drake and two of their friends set out to find the items they feel they will need to kill the dragon sorceress before she kills them. Their way leads to lots of adventure, strange creatures, new friends, evil, and action. I received this book for a honest review from NetGalley.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book one of a great new series for middle school, young teen readers. This fantasy adventure has magic, dragons and enchanted swords and a wide variety of creatures both good and evil. Kali and Drake who are cousins, descendants of the great warrior Arturo and are destined to save the land of Aeon from the fire breathing dragon who rules the underworld with the help of the harpies. Wonderfully written with lots of action and adventure. Readers will follow the 4 fighters on their journey and see that sometimes the studious and weak can be big contributors in a victory.

[Carol Keen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book I didn't want to put down. With a bit of a Christian theme in addition to all the classic elements in my favorite fantasy books, this book was good! Prophecy, dragons, gnomes, good vs. evil, magic, castles and that is just some of what is fun and interesting here. Kali and Drake have quite a mission to accomplish. I throughly enjoyed this book, and would love to read more by this author. Maybe they will share who it is, since the current name is not his usual name.

My copy came from Net Galley in exchange for my honest review and nothing more.

[Della · Rating 4 out of 5]

Infinitas, David N. Sebastian. This is an excellent teen book with SF, action adventure, and magic.
A prophecy has spoken of a chosen one who will bring an end to the dragon sorceress and free their land. Two chosen teens and two friends head out on the journey to find the sorceress, kill her and fulfill their destiny. They face danger, death and mystery at every turn. what a great adventure. I highly recommend.

[Ruby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Support your Independent Authors!!

Infintas is a really great book that I think might get overlooked because it's not published by a large company and I think that's sad. The characters are well written, heroic, and have the makings to be a really good series.

If you like Percy Jackson or Narnia or even Hunger Games, please read this book.. It is definitely a diamond in the rough and well worth a look!!

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

This novel may appeal to some middle school age readers. I did not find it original enough to recommend highly though it was a very good first effort. I would recommend Lou Anders' Frostborn as a better choice for this sort of fantasy.

[Karla · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm sorry but this s book wasn't for me. I just couldn't get into it, I tried on many occasions and finally admitted defeat. Thank you Netgalley for giving me the chance to read this book in turn for an honest review.

[Kathryn West · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC from Netgalley. Well paced novel, likeable characters and enjoyed the plot. Will read the next one in this series (dependent upon price)