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Heartstone #1
The Drowned Tower
If the future was bared before you, would it still be yours?
If the past could chase you, would you run from it?
If the world crumbled tonight, would you carve your own?
Freedom is out of the question for practitioners of the Institute, and any supporters otherwise are dealt with violently. A system Sylvie Sirx neither refutes, nor endorses--born from an enviable family, talented in her skills, and entirely too content with her position, her path has always been a straight one... until now.
Her qualifications backfire when an elder from the north descends upon her home for a Choosing. He calls upon the Drowned Tower's most sought after practitioners for a simple job that ends in blood, and then Sylvie's blissful world erupts. She finds herself in the company of the Elementalist, Jacques Dace, an insufferable but deadly enthusiast of personal reform. Together, they're swept into a spiral of powerful magic and ancient grudges. Where truth bends, stones whisper secrets of the past, and their home lies at the heart of what could very well be Ferus Terria's next recorded war.
And for once, she is forced to choose a side, learning for herself what it means to master fate.
If the past could chase you, would you run from it?
If the world crumbled tonight, would you carve your own?
Freedom is out of the question for practitioners of the Institute, and any supporters otherwise are dealt with violently. A system Sylvie Sirx neither refutes, nor endorses--born from an enviable family, talented in her skills, and entirely too content with her position, her path has always been a straight one... until now.
Her qualifications backfire when an elder from the north descends upon her home for a Choosing. He calls upon the Drowned Tower's most sought after practitioners for a simple job that ends in blood, and then Sylvie's blissful world erupts. She finds herself in the company of the Elementalist, Jacques Dace, an insufferable but deadly enthusiast of personal reform. Together, they're swept into a spiral of powerful magic and ancient grudges. Where truth bends, stones whisper secrets of the past, and their home lies at the heart of what could very well be Ferus Terria's next recorded war.
And for once, she is forced to choose a side, learning for herself what it means to master fate.
- GenresFantasy
386 pages, Paperback
Published April 18, 2017
461 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
June 19, 2017
The drowned tower is the first fantasy novel in the Heartstone Series written about a girl named Sylvie. Sylvie possesses magical powers and works for the Zenith Council by doing their biddings. The Drowned Tower is at the Eastern Branch of the land, which is called, Ferus Terria. The Practitioners Institute of Magic picks one child as the “Chosen” and just like any other institute, it teaches kids to enhance their magical abilities.
Things begin to change when an Elder comes to Ferus Terria. He has a mission and is seeking for people with best abilities. Sylvia is sent to the drowned tower. Those with special blood that have magical powers live in the drowned tower. The Nebbin are called the non-magic folks that live nearby. As Sylvie gets sent to the tower and begins her schooling she begins to make friends and have a better understanding of how the system works. Her path and background are revealed and she has to make some tough decisions about her future.
Everything begins to unravel while she is there and that is where the excitement begins. I particularly liked Sylvie’s personality. Although she was a girl, there was nothing girly about her. Her spirit was strong and her will was even stronger. The story had epic battles and much backstory, creating a well-balanced foundation for any future sequel.
I found the literature standard and the lyrical storytelling to be strong. The plot may not be as novel and unique, however, the picturesque descriptiveness of the book is in my opinion, the reason why this book is special.
I recommend this book to Sci- Fi/ Fantasy lovers and people that like to read on magical encounters.
Things begin to change when an Elder comes to Ferus Terria. He has a mission and is seeking for people with best abilities. Sylvia is sent to the drowned tower. Those with special blood that have magical powers live in the drowned tower. The Nebbin are called the non-magic folks that live nearby. As Sylvie gets sent to the tower and begins her schooling she begins to make friends and have a better understanding of how the system works. Her path and background are revealed and she has to make some tough decisions about her future.
Everything begins to unravel while she is there and that is where the excitement begins. I particularly liked Sylvie’s personality. Although she was a girl, there was nothing girly about her. Her spirit was strong and her will was even stronger. The story had epic battles and much backstory, creating a well-balanced foundation for any future sequel.
I found the literature standard and the lyrical storytelling to be strong. The plot may not be as novel and unique, however, the picturesque descriptiveness of the book is in my opinion, the reason why this book is special.
I recommend this book to Sci- Fi/ Fantasy lovers and people that like to read on magical encounters.
November 1, 2017
This is a classic fantasy world and the start to a new series, Heartstone. In this story, you have a beautifully created world where those that have magic abilities can be selected to be sent to the Drowned Tower. Sylvie Sirx is part of this world working her magic and living day by day. Then an Elder comes by Ferus Terria and chooses Sylvie to go to the Drowned Tower. There Sylvie learns more about her abilities, how to strengthen them, and has to make some tough decisions about her future.
This is a great start to a new fantasy series. I loved the world building and the descriptions of the different locations. I really liked Sylvie. For a little girl she is very mature and about to grow up a lot faster. There is some great action and a lot of foreshadowing.
This is a great start to a new series and well executed. I think this is a great new world and there is room for a great adventure. I can’t wait to read what is going to happen in the next book in this series.
I received The Drowned Tower from Reading Addiction Virtual Book Tours for free. This has in no way influenced my opinion of this book.
This is a great start to a new fantasy series. I loved the world building and the descriptions of the different locations. I really liked Sylvie. For a little girl she is very mature and about to grow up a lot faster. There is some great action and a lot of foreshadowing.
This is a great start to a new series and well executed. I think this is a great new world and there is room for a great adventure. I can’t wait to read what is going to happen in the next book in this series.
I received The Drowned Tower from Reading Addiction Virtual Book Tours for free. This has in no way influenced my opinion of this book.
November 3, 2017
Nicholas Rinth has a very clear and concise way to tell his story. The attention to detail really helped me as the reader understand and get invested in the world he has created. That in turn helped me become invested in the characters who were all very well developed as well.
There is a lot going on in this novel, but I liked the way that Rinth kept me informed and not confused throughout it.
The climax of the novel really reeled me in and I was on the edge of my seat. A wonderful Fantasy!
There is a lot going on in this novel, but I liked the way that Rinth kept me informed and not confused throughout it.
The climax of the novel really reeled me in and I was on the edge of my seat. A wonderful Fantasy!
January 24, 2018
Nicholas Rinth has no problem getting the story started.
I was surprised several times over the course of this novel. I liked how balanced the characters were, I felt like each one served their own purpose and had a valid place in the novel.
I was very intrigued by the story. Rinth's writing style is very direct. There is no skirting around things. Characters and plot are both well developed.
I was surprised several times over the course of this novel. I liked how balanced the characters were, I felt like each one served their own purpose and had a valid place in the novel.
I was very intrigued by the story. Rinth's writing style is very direct. There is no skirting around things. Characters and plot are both well developed.
November 3, 2017
This is an imaginative fantasy/adventure. Nicholas Rinth has really raised the level of fantasy with this novel. There are so many aspects that show a great level of creativity. I liked that the main characters had their flaws but redeeming qualities as well. A wonderful take on fate and the way our choices and actions affect our lives.
June 2, 2017
Magic abounds and a world is turned upside down. Entertaining, though no depth.
March 14, 2020
Without a doubt, this is a book for fantasy lovers. There’s proper lore, a brand new world, deities, classes, religion, and of course, magic… everything you need for fantasy tbh. But with that said, there’s also nothing crazy new about it that hasn’t already been done by the thousands of fantasy novels that have come before it. Old and true. It was a good read, regardless.
I was pleasantly surprised to find the romance in this book to be just a sub-genre. Usually when its listed, there’s so much focus on it that it ruins the rest of the story by giving the characters less time to shine. But here the author gives subtle hints that show you which direction the relationship is going, yet doesn’t focus on romantic relationship building during the story. While reading the first book, I found it to be more about personal growth for the characters, either showing their dreams and aspirations or giving them some. The author also sheds light on the characters's backgrounds and the overall plot of the story---as well as what’s to come. I hope the relationships get expounded on in the future though. If done right, they could be perfect.
If you’re looking to read this, be sure to be a good fantasy reader and read every bit of world-building because you need to pay attention to certain names or else you won’t get the VERY subtle twist near the end. There are some plot points touched upon in this book like the Mentalists and the First Zenith that I would like to know more of. From the ending, I can tell that the author will (hopefully) explore them in the future.
I eagerly await the sequel.
I was pleasantly surprised to find the romance in this book to be just a sub-genre. Usually when its listed, there’s so much focus on it that it ruins the rest of the story by giving the characters less time to shine. But here the author gives subtle hints that show you which direction the relationship is going, yet doesn’t focus on romantic relationship building during the story. While reading the first book, I found it to be more about personal growth for the characters, either showing their dreams and aspirations or giving them some. The author also sheds light on the characters's backgrounds and the overall plot of the story---as well as what’s to come. I hope the relationships get expounded on in the future though. If done right, they could be perfect.
If you’re looking to read this, be sure to be a good fantasy reader and read every bit of world-building because you need to pay attention to certain names or else you won’t get the VERY subtle twist near the end. There are some plot points touched upon in this book like the Mentalists and the First Zenith that I would like to know more of. From the ending, I can tell that the author will (hopefully) explore them in the future.
I eagerly await the sequel.
December 16, 2018
Sylvie is an apprentice at the Drowned Tower, the centre for magical study in the east of Ferus Terria. Renowned for its Amorphs, Sylvie is the only Conjurer in residence and shares several floors of archives with the only Elementalist, Jack Dace. They’ve never been more than acquaintances until an Elder comes to the tower and Sylvie’s master tells her to prepare for a choosing. Sylvie has no desire to leave the tower and takes comfort from the thought that Jack, with all his connections and influence, will be chosen by the Elder to travel to the Diamond Alps. Nobody expects that Sylvie and Jack will have to work together on a task for the Elder, or that danger will come from within the Drowned Tower itself.
Nicholas Rinth has created a world that’s both imaginative and rich with authentic detail. I love Jack and Sylvie. Both these characters have strong personalities and the chemistry between them is elevated to a new level of entertainment by its lack of an overt romantic tone. Another point worth mentioning is how refreshing it is to read a book where the main characters look like average people and aren’t constantly aware of appearances. The apprentices of the Drowned Tower are the most realistic group of teenage and child characters I’ve encountered in years. The Drowned Tower is an adventure veiled by intrigue. It’s impossible to guess at the antagonist’s motives, or even to identify whether they are mastermind or pawn until the climax. Tension is thick throughout and Rinth’s information control is excellent. The Drowned Tower is a YA Fantasy masterpiece.
Reviewed for Reader's Favorite
Nicholas Rinth has created a world that’s both imaginative and rich with authentic detail. I love Jack and Sylvie. Both these characters have strong personalities and the chemistry between them is elevated to a new level of entertainment by its lack of an overt romantic tone. Another point worth mentioning is how refreshing it is to read a book where the main characters look like average people and aren’t constantly aware of appearances. The apprentices of the Drowned Tower are the most realistic group of teenage and child characters I’ve encountered in years. The Drowned Tower is an adventure veiled by intrigue. It’s impossible to guess at the antagonist’s motives, or even to identify whether they are mastermind or pawn until the climax. Tension is thick throughout and Rinth’s information control is excellent. The Drowned Tower is a YA Fantasy masterpiece.
Reviewed for Reader's Favorite
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews