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Elthea's Realm
Step into an enchanted world where stunning beauty exists next to evil that has evolved from Earth's technology.
Our story begins in Boston with five young adults, once the closest of friends. They were united in college by a rigorous course called The Utopia Project. Now, years later, someone is after them because of that class. When the pursuit turns violent, an explosion knocks them senseless, and they awake in an unrecognizable place.
The world is Elthea's Realm, a seemingly magical land with islands situated high above the ocean, supported by a thin foundation, and stars that float down from the night sky to bestow a rare gift.
They are befriended by a race called the Astari, beings with roots in Earth's software. The ones who pursued them are known as Bots, creatures fashioned from Earth's malware and virus programs, only now they have a physical form, and they continue to hunt the members of The Utopia Project in this new land.
Together with their Astari protectors, they band together to stop the Bots before being killed by them first. What ensues is a harrowing tale of fate and survival, but mostly it's a tale of friendship and brotherhood, without which none would survive.
"The plot is engaging and fast-paced, but the inclusion of a bigger picture translates to a thought-provoking read..." -- Donovan's Literary Services
"The world created by John Murzycki is a wonder to read with his beautifully vivid descriptions..." -- Oh Just Books
"The concept is fresh, and the lessons are compelling." -- Amazon Reviewer
"...a wonderful mix of plot, character and fantasy world..." -- Amazon Reviewer
Our story begins in Boston with five young adults, once the closest of friends. They were united in college by a rigorous course called The Utopia Project. Now, years later, someone is after them because of that class. When the pursuit turns violent, an explosion knocks them senseless, and they awake in an unrecognizable place.
The world is Elthea's Realm, a seemingly magical land with islands situated high above the ocean, supported by a thin foundation, and stars that float down from the night sky to bestow a rare gift.
They are befriended by a race called the Astari, beings with roots in Earth's software. The ones who pursued them are known as Bots, creatures fashioned from Earth's malware and virus programs, only now they have a physical form, and they continue to hunt the members of The Utopia Project in this new land.
Together with their Astari protectors, they band together to stop the Bots before being killed by them first. What ensues is a harrowing tale of fate and survival, but mostly it's a tale of friendship and brotherhood, without which none would survive.
"The plot is engaging and fast-paced, but the inclusion of a bigger picture translates to a thought-provoking read..." -- Donovan's Literary Services
"The world created by John Murzycki is a wonder to read with his beautifully vivid descriptions..." -- Oh Just Books
"The concept is fresh, and the lessons are compelling." -- Amazon Reviewer
"...a wonderful mix of plot, character and fantasy world..." -- Amazon Reviewer
376 pages, ebook and paperback
Published January 24, 2017
6 people are currently reading
30 people want to read
About the author
John Murzycki
6 books15 followersAuthor of The Story of Elthea's Realm series, which includes Elthea's Realm, Elthea's Gambit, Elthea's Parado, and Elthea's Nemesis.
I had previously crafted messages for organizations ranging from international brands to technology startups. That is until I decided to pen a story I could call my own. After leaving the corporate world in my role as high-tech marketing and sales manager, I concentrated on my true love of writing fiction.
I published my debut novel, Elthea’s Realm in 2017.
I write about magical places that have roots in the technology of our world. My characters are unlikely heroes who struggle with frailties and imperfections as they face malevolent forces. Many of my plot ideas stem from the unintended consequences of technology. "What if..." was a thought that persisted and found its way into my writing.
I had previously crafted messages for organizations ranging from international brands to technology startups. That is until I decided to pen a story I could call my own. After leaving the corporate world in my role as high-tech marketing and sales manager, I concentrated on my true love of writing fiction.
I published my debut novel, Elthea’s Realm in 2017.
I write about magical places that have roots in the technology of our world. My characters are unlikely heroes who struggle with frailties and imperfections as they face malevolent forces. Many of my plot ideas stem from the unintended consequences of technology. "What if..." was a thought that persisted and found its way into my writing.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
May 17, 2017
An absolutely gripping read. The world created by John Murzycki is a wonder to read and with his beautifully vivid descriptions, I could perfectly visualise the world. And God, it was a beauty.
I would love to visit the Astari, and the world of the Raised Isles. A utopia in the truest sense. I fell in love with the 5 authors of the Utopia Paper. I was sorry to say goodbye to them when the book ended. However, the author is releasing a sequel soon, so that's okay :)
I absolutely adored all of them, their bond, their growth as people, and their journey with each other. How much they improve as people, it's something that all of us should aspire to. Often you need something life changing in order to know your truest self. When that happens, your priorities and your sense of right and wrong will reveal themselves. The positivity that came through with these five, as well as the Astari's lovely natures, is inspiring.
All of us go through difficult times; there are no exceptions. But it is truly how you react to those situations that set you apart. Trial by fire forges the soul into something stronger.
There is so much I would like to write about this book but I am definite that I do not want to give out any spoilers. This book is an absolute must read and for that I must say that everyone should pick this up.
It might teach you a little about yourself.
*This book was provided to me by the author in exchange for an honest review*
I would love to visit the Astari, and the world of the Raised Isles. A utopia in the truest sense. I fell in love with the 5 authors of the Utopia Paper. I was sorry to say goodbye to them when the book ended. However, the author is releasing a sequel soon, so that's okay :)
I absolutely adored all of them, their bond, their growth as people, and their journey with each other. How much they improve as people, it's something that all of us should aspire to. Often you need something life changing in order to know your truest self. When that happens, your priorities and your sense of right and wrong will reveal themselves. The positivity that came through with these five, as well as the Astari's lovely natures, is inspiring.
All of us go through difficult times; there are no exceptions. But it is truly how you react to those situations that set you apart. Trial by fire forges the soul into something stronger.
There is so much I would like to write about this book but I am definite that I do not want to give out any spoilers. This book is an absolute must read and for that I must say that everyone should pick this up.
It might teach you a little about yourself.
*This book was provided to me by the author in exchange for an honest review*
August 9, 2018
Philip Matherson, slaving away at his inglorious job of Fourth-Level Assistant for Reviews and Reports, receives a strange email requesting information on the Utopia Project, a college paper he completed years before with a group of four other students. When he ignores it, a threat follows. Nor is he the only target. Soon the Utopia Project leader, now a wealthy tech magnate, invites the whole gang for a reunion at his remote cottage in the Berkshires. While there, they are attacked by a terrifying group of adversaries and mysteriously transported to another world where they learn that human technology has spawned several races of sentient beings, some good, some evil. And the most evil of all, the Bots, want to use the Utopia team in their conquest of Earth.
Author John Murzycki characterizes this as a tech-based fantasy novel. That's a fitting description. "Elthea's Realm" straddles the border between SF and fantasy. Aspects of it will remind you of technology-run-amok SF while others call to mind epic quests of the fantasy genre. It's a unique and intriguing story, even for a skeptic like me who looks askance on the very idea of gizmos achieving sentience.
Although engaging, it's not a perfect novel. The writing is clean enough but could stand considerable tightening. There's a bit too much explanatory dialogue, and sometimes the thoughts and feelings expressed by the characters are either too generic or too trite. I like these characters. I just don't think we get to see them in as much detail as we should. The interplay between the main action and the flashback scenes to the days of the Utopia Project are handled well, but the project itself lacks detail. I think Murzycki may have written himself into a bit of a corner by taking on something so big. After all, how do you create Utopia? You don't. (The word literally means "nowhere.") So what's the point of assigning this project to college juniors? Do the students realize their professors have intentionally tossed them off the deep end? And what, specifically, has Phil and the gang proposed?
Given that this is a first novel, I'll go easy on it and allow the story 4 stars and 3.5 for the writing. Overall that's good enough to call it a slightly weak 4.
Author John Murzycki characterizes this as a tech-based fantasy novel. That's a fitting description. "Elthea's Realm" straddles the border between SF and fantasy. Aspects of it will remind you of technology-run-amok SF while others call to mind epic quests of the fantasy genre. It's a unique and intriguing story, even for a skeptic like me who looks askance on the very idea of gizmos achieving sentience.
Although engaging, it's not a perfect novel. The writing is clean enough but could stand considerable tightening. There's a bit too much explanatory dialogue, and sometimes the thoughts and feelings expressed by the characters are either too generic or too trite. I like these characters. I just don't think we get to see them in as much detail as we should. The interplay between the main action and the flashback scenes to the days of the Utopia Project are handled well, but the project itself lacks detail. I think Murzycki may have written himself into a bit of a corner by taking on something so big. After all, how do you create Utopia? You don't. (The word literally means "nowhere.") So what's the point of assigning this project to college juniors? Do the students realize their professors have intentionally tossed them off the deep end? And what, specifically, has Phil and the gang proposed?
Given that this is a first novel, I'll go easy on it and allow the story 4 stars and 3.5 for the writing. Overall that's good enough to call it a slightly weak 4.
May 3, 2017
Elthea’s Realm is part thriller, part fantasy, and part futuristic sci-fi. Its plot revolves around five former college student friends whose almost-forgotten assignment for a course called The Utopia Project becomes of sudden interest for a force's deadly purposes.
Brought together after eight years, the members of the former utopia team have drifted into different careers and lives, but the force of perplexing text messages demands attention ("You have been warned once Philip Matherson. We will tolerate no further delay. Give us all information on the Utopia Project.").
While the story's opening salvo would seem to define it as a thriller, the events that follow rapidly move it into the realm of a fantasy as civilization is threatened, a benevolent force transports the friends to the enchanting world of Elthea's Realm, and they discover the devil in paradise in the form of Bots which they are tasked with confronting in order to save both Earth and their new home.
The desire to create a better society which evolves from the influence of Earth's circumstances, hard lessons learned when the young team first developed their vision of a utopian world, and issues ranging from the nature of evolution and being human to the benefits of failure all coalesce into a story that provides a haunting reflection on the challenges of perfection and the benefits of adversity.
In most fantasies, there are clear focuses on magic and processes that are counterpoints to reality. The result is that too many fantasy stories that involve magic or other worlds are disengaged from reality, which often translates into flat characters and one-dimensional, action-based plots.
The joy of Elthea’s Realm lies in its ability to combine both fantasy and thriller elements, using real-world Earth situations to bring social, psychological and political elements into a setting replete with magic and challenge.
What defines utopia? What happens when the instruments of humanity become its potential overlords?
Elthea’s Realm is an inviting recommendation for cross-genre fans who enjoy fantasy stories imbibed with thrilling action and heartfelt inspection. The plot is engaging and fast-paced, but the inclusion of a bigger picture translates to a thought-provoking read which lingers in the mind long after the story's final revelations about technology and humanity's interconnected futures.
Brought together after eight years, the members of the former utopia team have drifted into different careers and lives, but the force of perplexing text messages demands attention ("You have been warned once Philip Matherson. We will tolerate no further delay. Give us all information on the Utopia Project.").
While the story's opening salvo would seem to define it as a thriller, the events that follow rapidly move it into the realm of a fantasy as civilization is threatened, a benevolent force transports the friends to the enchanting world of Elthea's Realm, and they discover the devil in paradise in the form of Bots which they are tasked with confronting in order to save both Earth and their new home.
The desire to create a better society which evolves from the influence of Earth's circumstances, hard lessons learned when the young team first developed their vision of a utopian world, and issues ranging from the nature of evolution and being human to the benefits of failure all coalesce into a story that provides a haunting reflection on the challenges of perfection and the benefits of adversity.
In most fantasies, there are clear focuses on magic and processes that are counterpoints to reality. The result is that too many fantasy stories that involve magic or other worlds are disengaged from reality, which often translates into flat characters and one-dimensional, action-based plots.
The joy of Elthea’s Realm lies in its ability to combine both fantasy and thriller elements, using real-world Earth situations to bring social, psychological and political elements into a setting replete with magic and challenge.
What defines utopia? What happens when the instruments of humanity become its potential overlords?
Elthea’s Realm is an inviting recommendation for cross-genre fans who enjoy fantasy stories imbibed with thrilling action and heartfelt inspection. The plot is engaging and fast-paced, but the inclusion of a bigger picture translates to a thought-provoking read which lingers in the mind long after the story's final revelations about technology and humanity's interconnected futures.
February 17, 2017
John Murzycki transitions so smoothly from the real world to the magic land of Loralee that you would swear he has actually been there. I was attracted to this science fiction thriller by the struggle between the evil Bots and the threatened Astari, which had evolved respectively from the malware and apps of Earth’s technology. I love the way the book moves seamlessly back and forth between Elthea’s Realm and the college days of the five protagonists through what Murzycki calls “Interludes.” Each time a little more is revealed about the relationship among the five and why their Utopia Project is so important to saving the world. This talented author builds suspense throughout the book until the final skirmish and unexpected conclusion. Yet he leaves us knowing that, although the battle may be over, the war is not won. Please, hurry with your next book, Mr. Murzycki.
February 20, 2019
I am concerned my review may not be taken seriously because I have the same rare last name as the author. He is a distant cousin through marriage and without bias I can confidently say that his book is fantastic! I was pulled in during the first chapter, which surprised me since there are 37. By the sixth chapter I was absolutely thrilled with anxiety and continued to be engrossed all the way to the awesome finish. The interludes, which were flashbacks to the past, provided the reader with a breath of air within the tense main story. I give this book my highest recommendation for science fiction.
June 5, 2018
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for a review.
The book begins with a guy named Phil who starts receiving strange emails and texts about a project he did in college. Phil works at a standard government office job and thinks someone must simply be playing a joke on him until one evening he comes home to find his apartment trashed with another text waiting on his phone: “Next time, it won’t be your apartment.” Soon after the threatening texts he gets a call from a friend who worked on the college project with him to invite him, and the rest of the team, out to a personal cabin to reconnect. The team soon meets up and reminisces about the time they worked on the “Utopia Project” and quickly realize that everyone on the team has been experiencing strange references to the project recently.
As the group is talking at the cabin there is a sudden power outage and tall humanoid beings approach the cabin from the nearby woods. Just as they are about to break in, everything flashes white … and the next thing they know, the team wakes up in another land with smaller, less threatening humanoid beings greeting them. They soon discover that they are now in Elthea’s Realm, home to the Astari (and many other beings) and the Bots, who are at war with each other. Both the Astari and the Bots came from computer programs on Earth but found a way to “evolve” into physical beings and live in this land.
I would give this one a 6 out of 10 for enjoyment and 4 out of 5 for readability. Reading it wasn’t difficult, but I just wasn’t very interested in finishing the book. I am not completely sure why that was, but that was the feeling it left me with. I will say that one thing that stuck out to me was the personality of the main characters. It was easy to identify who was who – each person was distinct and realistic.
You can read the rest of this review on our blog, https://bedroopedbookworms.wordpress....
The book begins with a guy named Phil who starts receiving strange emails and texts about a project he did in college. Phil works at a standard government office job and thinks someone must simply be playing a joke on him until one evening he comes home to find his apartment trashed with another text waiting on his phone: “Next time, it won’t be your apartment.” Soon after the threatening texts he gets a call from a friend who worked on the college project with him to invite him, and the rest of the team, out to a personal cabin to reconnect. The team soon meets up and reminisces about the time they worked on the “Utopia Project” and quickly realize that everyone on the team has been experiencing strange references to the project recently.
As the group is talking at the cabin there is a sudden power outage and tall humanoid beings approach the cabin from the nearby woods. Just as they are about to break in, everything flashes white … and the next thing they know, the team wakes up in another land with smaller, less threatening humanoid beings greeting them. They soon discover that they are now in Elthea’s Realm, home to the Astari (and many other beings) and the Bots, who are at war with each other. Both the Astari and the Bots came from computer programs on Earth but found a way to “evolve” into physical beings and live in this land.
I would give this one a 6 out of 10 for enjoyment and 4 out of 5 for readability. Reading it wasn’t difficult, but I just wasn’t very interested in finishing the book. I am not completely sure why that was, but that was the feeling it left me with. I will say that one thing that stuck out to me was the personality of the main characters. It was easy to identify who was who – each person was distinct and realistic.
You can read the rest of this review on our blog, https://bedroopedbookworms.wordpress....
September 12, 2018
The story starts out like a typical horror-story gathering of friends, only more engaging than most right from the start. The protagonist, Phillip, is easily likeable and relatable. As he delves into the story, the reader is introduced to a college assignment called the Utopia Project and how it connects Phillip to his four closest friends, whom have drifted over the years. The mystery of the project and why anyone would be interested in an old college paper sets them on a path to a much-needed reunion, during which you get to know a little more about each character. Their reunion quickly escalates into a fight for survival against a race they come to know as the Bots. A fight none of them understand.
They are transported to another dimension where they struggle to reconnect with each other and come to terms with their unreal predicament. Between the five friends getting reacquainted and them getting to know a race called the Astari, the author begins a methodical dissection of their relationships (some via flashback chapters), and their introduction into the new world they find themselves in.
After a time, they realize that in order to survive, they must fight back.
At times the dialogue seemed a bit undeveloped but the writing and the story did not; the words and ideas flowed easily from one to the next with seemingly little effort. The author introduces the reader to five easily-relatable, every-day people they can root for who are stuck in an absurd set of circumstances, and to a strange sci-fi, tech-based, fantasy journey which I believe most will enjoy.
I met the author at an author panel and was immediately interested in the story. There was no copy provided in exchange for a review.
They are transported to another dimension where they struggle to reconnect with each other and come to terms with their unreal predicament. Between the five friends getting reacquainted and them getting to know a race called the Astari, the author begins a methodical dissection of their relationships (some via flashback chapters), and their introduction into the new world they find themselves in.
After a time, they realize that in order to survive, they must fight back.
At times the dialogue seemed a bit undeveloped but the writing and the story did not; the words and ideas flowed easily from one to the next with seemingly little effort. The author introduces the reader to five easily-relatable, every-day people they can root for who are stuck in an absurd set of circumstances, and to a strange sci-fi, tech-based, fantasy journey which I believe most will enjoy.
I met the author at an author panel and was immediately interested in the story. There was no copy provided in exchange for a review.
August 24, 2018
“Life is more than survival.” What a lovely surprise this book was. I knew there was a technology connection to the fantasy world going in, but the originality of the idea was a refreshing surprise. Though it plays out in a fantasy world, the possibilities of the evolution of technology are frighteningly realistic and bring up scores of questions that I’ll be thinking about for a long time. And without giving away spoilers, the sense of community was the perfect ending, not just for the book, but as a reminder of our humanity. A great fantasy book that imagines the possibilities of technology
October 6, 2022
At first I wasn't sure what to make of this book. I didn't realise it was a portal fantasy and thought it was one of those NA/college type stories. I'm glad I kept reading.
The human characters and those from the fantasy world are well-developed and interesting.
The world-building is superb. I love the descriptions of the landscapes and can imagine artists like Roger Dean and Rodney Matthews designing them.
The plot had the right balance of thoughtful dialogue and fast-paced action scenes. It allowed plenty of room for the characters to develop and grow with their new experiences.
Looking forward to reading the other books in the series.
The human characters and those from the fantasy world are well-developed and interesting.
The world-building is superb. I love the descriptions of the landscapes and can imagine artists like Roger Dean and Rodney Matthews designing them.
The plot had the right balance of thoughtful dialogue and fast-paced action scenes. It allowed plenty of room for the characters to develop and grow with their new experiences.
Looking forward to reading the other books in the series.
October 31, 2017
I likes Elthea's realm despite not being much of a fan of fantasy/sci-fi. Though I had some trouble suspending some disbelief about the technology the characters were well formed and their relationships evolved to a very surprising resolving of the conflict that I did not expect. This is a good first novel and we should watch for more from Mr. Murzycki.
November 7, 2017
It took me a little while to get into this but once I was hooked, found it to be a fascinating story. John Murzycki's ability to create and convey a fantasy world of extraordinary beauty is truly remarkable. Although I found the story to leave many more questions unanswered than resolved, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
June 19, 2017
I don't typically enjoy science fiction stories, but I found myself immersed in a world that came to life on the page. Beautiful descriptions, likable characters and a well thought out plot. Recommended.
November 1, 2018
What would it be like if anti-spyware became a proper living, breathing being? Viruses, malware came into existence too. All into a new world.
This book engages the reader very well into believing this is all possible! Great read, top marks 😁.
Book given free by author via voraciousreadersonly.
This book engages the reader very well into believing this is all possible! Great read, top marks 😁.
Book given free by author via voraciousreadersonly.
November 4, 2018
I read this hoping for action and interesting characters and I was not disappointed. The book was great, easy to follow and easy to read. Wonderful book
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June 14, 2018Review: ELTHEA' S REALM
A really exciting and engaging contemporary science fiction/Sci fantasy thriller, this novel had me quickly turning pages and I was immediately engrossed in the scary apocalyptic plot. Additionally, character evolution gratified and kept me glued to the page, wondering, "Now what? What's next?" right in company with the several protagonists. I look forward to the sequel.
A really exciting and engaging contemporary science fiction/Sci fantasy thriller, this novel had me quickly turning pages and I was immediately engrossed in the scary apocalyptic plot. Additionally, character evolution gratified and kept me glued to the page, wondering, "Now what? What's next?" right in company with the several protagonists. I look forward to the sequel.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews