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Conquest of the Veil #1
The Open Portal
But with dreams, there can also be nightmares
Lonely and plain-featured, Mona Parker is just another faceless teenager at Spring Hill High School when she angers a beautiful and arrogant classmate. Bullied relentlessly and with nowhere to turn, Mona’s colorless life turns into a hellish existence. Mona considers suicide until one night, Thaddeus Finkle, her guardian angel, appears and offers her a way out;
Swap lives with another.
Mona takes the angel up on his offer. She awakes on Meredith, a parallel world of Earth where magic has replaced technology. Mona discovers she is Alexandria, a woman of stunning beauty, and the daughter of a Duke complete with servants and riches. Her wildest dreams have come true.
Then she discovers the price of her bargain.
Trapped behind the Veil, an impenetrable curtain of magic, the Duchy of Wheel is the last major province still unconquered by the cruel sorceress, Marlinda, the creator of the enchanted barrier.
And Marlinda has special plans for Alexandria.
Tal, the hotheaded, impulsive Prince and Heir of the Empire of Meredith, has been banished to a remote garrison for his reckless behavior. There he happens upon a group of raiders—one whose leader possesses the means for opening a way through the Veil.
Alexandria and Tal’s paths will cross…but in ways neither could ever have imagined.
Lonely and plain-featured, Mona Parker is just another faceless teenager at Spring Hill High School when she angers a beautiful and arrogant classmate. Bullied relentlessly and with nowhere to turn, Mona’s colorless life turns into a hellish existence. Mona considers suicide until one night, Thaddeus Finkle, her guardian angel, appears and offers her a way out;
Swap lives with another.
Mona takes the angel up on his offer. She awakes on Meredith, a parallel world of Earth where magic has replaced technology. Mona discovers she is Alexandria, a woman of stunning beauty, and the daughter of a Duke complete with servants and riches. Her wildest dreams have come true.
Then she discovers the price of her bargain.
Trapped behind the Veil, an impenetrable curtain of magic, the Duchy of Wheel is the last major province still unconquered by the cruel sorceress, Marlinda, the creator of the enchanted barrier.
And Marlinda has special plans for Alexandria.
Tal, the hotheaded, impulsive Prince and Heir of the Empire of Meredith, has been banished to a remote garrison for his reckless behavior. There he happens upon a group of raiders—one whose leader possesses the means for opening a way through the Veil.
Alexandria and Tal’s paths will cross…but in ways neither could ever have imagined.
- GenresFantasy
338 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2019
23 people are currently reading
511 people want to read
About the author
Michael Scott Clifton
10 books255 followersMulti Award-Winning Author Michael Scott Clifton, a public educator for over 38 years as a teacher, coach, and administrator, currently lives in Mount Pleasant, Texas with his wife, Melanie and family cat. An avid gardener, reader, and movie junkie, he enjoys all kinds of book and movie genres. His books contain aspects of all the genres he enjoys...action, adventure, magic, fantasy, and romance. His fantasy novels, The Janus Witch and The Open Portal, received 5-Star reviews from the prestigious Readers' Favorite Book Reviews, and he has been a finalist in a number of short story contests with Edges of Gray winning First Place in the Texas Authors Contest. Professional credits include articles published in the Texas Study of Secondary Education Magazine. Clifton's latest book, The Open Portal, won The Feathered Quill Book Finalist Award, and launches the fantasy book series, Conquest of the Veil.
He is not only an author, but also a blogger and speaker as well.
He is not only an author, but also a blogger and speaker as well.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
May 17, 2019
The Open Portal by Michael Scott Clifton is a 2019 Book Lift Off publication.
An intriguing start for this new fantasy series-
Mona is an orphaned teenager with a special needs brother. She is bullied incessantly by the ‘mean girls’ at school and has a very negative self -image. When she is nearly at the breaking point, her guardian angel, Thaddeus Finkle, offers her an alternative.
Believing she will be given the opportunity to make a real difference in her life, she agrees to switch places with another person, leaving Texas in the rearview mirror to live on ‘Meredith’, becoming Alexandria, the daughter of a Duke.
However, she will soon realize she is trapped behind an impenetrable barrier, put in place by an evil sorceress.
Meanwhile, Tal, who is the heir to the Meredith Empire, has been sent to a secluded garrison to cool his heels, in hopes of taming his impulsiveness. However, he stumbles across a group of raiders, whose leader may know of a way to pass through the veil.
Alexandria and Tal will eventually cross paths, setting the stage for an ongoing epic fantasy saga-
One thing is for sure- Michael Scott Clifton has a HUGE imagination! I truly enjoyed the first book I read by this author, so it didn’t take much to convince me to give this new series a try. However, to be completely honest, high fantasy is not my usual fare. Therefore, I may not be the best judge, as I am not as familiar with the genre.
For me, this first book in the series, probably by necessity, spends a lot of time on world building. All the main characters are introduced, and the reader gets a fair idea of their temperament and if we feel empathy for them or not. The scenery and landscapes are vividly described and there are even a few illustrations sprinkled throughout the book.
The story is an ambitious one, however, with three different scenarios and three different sets of cast members to keep up with. I must be totally honest here and admit that at times I felt the foundation was a little shaky. It takes a long while to see any progress on the convergence of these threads, and of course, by the time I’m finally beginning to get everything straight in my mind, the book comes to a ‘to be continued’ conclusion. ARRGGH!
However, I realize this is standard operating procedure within the fantasy realm, and I knew going in this first chapter in the series would set the stage for the real epic dramas to come.
It also crossed my mind a few times, while reading this book, that this one just might appeal to readers who enjoy YA Fantasy. I’m no expert on what passes for YA these days, but I’m told that if the main character is a teenager or young adult, then that qualifies, even if the book is more geared towards an adult reading audience. So, I’m just going to toss that out there.
There are a few poignant moral lessons involved in the story, too, giving it a touch of emotional depth amid the intrigue and adventure.
Overall, this first installment has piqued my curiosity. I am very interested in seeing how all of this is going to play out, and of course, I’m already attached to Mona/Alexandria and will have to see if the ‘guardian angel’ has her best interest at heart.
I wholeheartedly recommend this one to fans of high fantasy. I think you will want to get in on the ground floor of this new series, which shows a great deal of potential.
3.5 rounded up
An intriguing start for this new fantasy series-
Mona is an orphaned teenager with a special needs brother. She is bullied incessantly by the ‘mean girls’ at school and has a very negative self -image. When she is nearly at the breaking point, her guardian angel, Thaddeus Finkle, offers her an alternative.
Believing she will be given the opportunity to make a real difference in her life, she agrees to switch places with another person, leaving Texas in the rearview mirror to live on ‘Meredith’, becoming Alexandria, the daughter of a Duke.
However, she will soon realize she is trapped behind an impenetrable barrier, put in place by an evil sorceress.
Meanwhile, Tal, who is the heir to the Meredith Empire, has been sent to a secluded garrison to cool his heels, in hopes of taming his impulsiveness. However, he stumbles across a group of raiders, whose leader may know of a way to pass through the veil.
Alexandria and Tal will eventually cross paths, setting the stage for an ongoing epic fantasy saga-
One thing is for sure- Michael Scott Clifton has a HUGE imagination! I truly enjoyed the first book I read by this author, so it didn’t take much to convince me to give this new series a try. However, to be completely honest, high fantasy is not my usual fare. Therefore, I may not be the best judge, as I am not as familiar with the genre.
For me, this first book in the series, probably by necessity, spends a lot of time on world building. All the main characters are introduced, and the reader gets a fair idea of their temperament and if we feel empathy for them or not. The scenery and landscapes are vividly described and there are even a few illustrations sprinkled throughout the book.
The story is an ambitious one, however, with three different scenarios and three different sets of cast members to keep up with. I must be totally honest here and admit that at times I felt the foundation was a little shaky. It takes a long while to see any progress on the convergence of these threads, and of course, by the time I’m finally beginning to get everything straight in my mind, the book comes to a ‘to be continued’ conclusion. ARRGGH!
However, I realize this is standard operating procedure within the fantasy realm, and I knew going in this first chapter in the series would set the stage for the real epic dramas to come.
It also crossed my mind a few times, while reading this book, that this one just might appeal to readers who enjoy YA Fantasy. I’m no expert on what passes for YA these days, but I’m told that if the main character is a teenager or young adult, then that qualifies, even if the book is more geared towards an adult reading audience. So, I’m just going to toss that out there.
There are a few poignant moral lessons involved in the story, too, giving it a touch of emotional depth amid the intrigue and adventure.
Overall, this first installment has piqued my curiosity. I am very interested in seeing how all of this is going to play out, and of course, I’m already attached to Mona/Alexandria and will have to see if the ‘guardian angel’ has her best interest at heart.
I wholeheartedly recommend this one to fans of high fantasy. I think you will want to get in on the ground floor of this new series, which shows a great deal of potential.
3.5 rounded up
July 18, 2019
Thank you so much to Book Liftoff, LSBBT, and the author for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
As you can surmise from the book's synopsis, there's a lot going on in Clifton's newest fantasy series. Toggling (initially) between the magic-filled world of Meredith and present-day East Texas, we're quickly introduced to two worlds that seemingly shouldn't intersect. But thanks to a trio of POVs, we quickly see how Mona's world of bullying, harassment, and fear easily parallels the battle-plagued planet of Meredith. And when given the opportunity to leave her grim world behind in order to save thousands of lives in another, it's easy to see why she leaps at the chance.
After deciding to leave the familiar behind, Mona awakes as Alexandria DeChane Duvailer, the stunning daughter of the Duke of Wheel. Immediately she is given everything she feels she lacked in her former world: beauty, attention, and parental love. But all is not what it seems in the land of Meredith, and our heroine soon faces the problems with stepping into another person's shoes -- no matter how glamorous they might be. In addition to sorting out the people in Alex's life, Mona also has to challenge her natural instincts in favor of Alex's established mannerisms. Facing this loss of identity, Mona learns that this "gift" from her guardian angel will come at a cost.
"Remember what lies within you is far greater than what lies on the outside. Trust your heart, Mona, and it will guide you through the doubts and dangers to come..."
Watching the timid and soft-spoken Mona transform into a powerful and game-changing Alex was my favorite part of this fantasy novel. Getting to know Mona first, experiencing her pain, and learning her heart, provided a perfect portal into the vast world of Meredith. We're able to take in the experience through her eyes, and delve into the deeper mystery of the Veil. Coupled with the other two POVs (Prince Tal and Razor's), which depict a gruesome (and detailed) battle and backstory into the two dueling armies, Clifton makes it clear that we've just begun to unearth the secrets of Meredith.
And while only an introductory novel, The Open Portal, feels like it already has decades-worth of history behind it. There's so many ways the sequel could go, and I personally can't wait to see what's to become of Alex, Tell, Tal, and the Veil.
All quotes were taken from an advanced ecopy and may not match the final release.
As you can surmise from the book's synopsis, there's a lot going on in Clifton's newest fantasy series. Toggling (initially) between the magic-filled world of Meredith and present-day East Texas, we're quickly introduced to two worlds that seemingly shouldn't intersect. But thanks to a trio of POVs, we quickly see how Mona's world of bullying, harassment, and fear easily parallels the battle-plagued planet of Meredith. And when given the opportunity to leave her grim world behind in order to save thousands of lives in another, it's easy to see why she leaps at the chance.
After deciding to leave the familiar behind, Mona awakes as Alexandria DeChane Duvailer, the stunning daughter of the Duke of Wheel. Immediately she is given everything she feels she lacked in her former world: beauty, attention, and parental love. But all is not what it seems in the land of Meredith, and our heroine soon faces the problems with stepping into another person's shoes -- no matter how glamorous they might be. In addition to sorting out the people in Alex's life, Mona also has to challenge her natural instincts in favor of Alex's established mannerisms. Facing this loss of identity, Mona learns that this "gift" from her guardian angel will come at a cost.
"Remember what lies within you is far greater than what lies on the outside. Trust your heart, Mona, and it will guide you through the doubts and dangers to come..."
Watching the timid and soft-spoken Mona transform into a powerful and game-changing Alex was my favorite part of this fantasy novel. Getting to know Mona first, experiencing her pain, and learning her heart, provided a perfect portal into the vast world of Meredith. We're able to take in the experience through her eyes, and delve into the deeper mystery of the Veil. Coupled with the other two POVs (Prince Tal and Razor's), which depict a gruesome (and detailed) battle and backstory into the two dueling armies, Clifton makes it clear that we've just begun to unearth the secrets of Meredith.
And while only an introductory novel, The Open Portal, feels like it already has decades-worth of history behind it. There's so many ways the sequel could go, and I personally can't wait to see what's to become of Alex, Tell, Tal, and the Veil.
All quotes were taken from an advanced ecopy and may not match the final release.
May 18, 2020
Rating: 3.5/5.0
This book is two stories in one. There is Mona's story, set on what the reader will recognize as Earth and the story of Prince Tal on the planet of Miranda.
Read full review in the 2020 May issue of InD'tale Magazine.
This book is two stories in one. There is Mona's story, set on what the reader will recognize as Earth and the story of Prince Tal on the planet of Miranda.
Read full review in the 2020 May issue of InD'tale Magazine.
May 15, 2019
"Always trust your heart..."
The Open Portal is a fantastic, intriguing, and adventurous beginning to the Conquest of the Veil series! With the planet Meredith, Michael Scott Clifton has created a world that is similar to Earth but is filled with an abundance of both good and evil magic rather than technology. What stands out as unique in this fantasy is that the author transitions the protagonist from Mona Parker on Earth to Alexandria on Meredith, yet rather than lose her original identity, this young woman is now both Mona and Alex. When Mona accepts her guardian angel's request to leave her unhappy life on Earth forever and make a difference on Meredith, the adventure begins!
As with many fantasy/paranormal series, the seemingly disparate scenes can be confusing at first, but it is quite satisfying when the pieces connect and fall into place as battles are fought, characters are solidified, and the line between good and evil is clearly drawn. Meredith is a world of magic, danger, and evil, and Michael Scott Clifton does an amazing job of bringing that complicated world to life and infusing it with several memorable characters and some pretty extraordinary creatures.
As the story switches back and forth between Mona/Alex adapting to her dangerous environment and the epic battle between the Storm Riders and the Veil Raiders, the overall conflict intensifies, and everything begins to meld into a single story of greed, power, and violence entwined with integrity, peace, and truth.
Mona/Alex certainly has her work cut out for her as she navigates her new world and new identity and discovers who her enemies and allies are, which are no easy tasks because she is filled with uncertainties about her own identity and purpose on this strange planet.
On a deeper level, Mona's transition into Alex, both physically and psychologically, offers an interesting study on the human desire to be different because of a lack of self-confidence in appearance and natural abilities/talents. Outward beauty has its advantages because it can boost self-esteem, but it can be dangerous as well if used as a weapon or as a means to manipulate. Through this unique main character, the reader is reminded that while physical beauty can open doors and bring apparent happiness, a beautiful heart is the greater asset. Mona is now Alexandria, but she retains her awareness and gentle understanding of others and their feelings, even as she embraces Alex's beauty as her own.
No less important, Tal is an interesting character in this story. This Blood Prince wields his magic on the side of good, but he is still young and impetuous, so watching his character evolve throughout The Open Portal is exhilarating.
The explosive ending and several loose ends set the stage for the next book, which will no doubt be just as intense and exciting as The Open Portal.
The Open Portal is a fantastic, intriguing, and adventurous beginning to the Conquest of the Veil series! With the planet Meredith, Michael Scott Clifton has created a world that is similar to Earth but is filled with an abundance of both good and evil magic rather than technology. What stands out as unique in this fantasy is that the author transitions the protagonist from Mona Parker on Earth to Alexandria on Meredith, yet rather than lose her original identity, this young woman is now both Mona and Alex. When Mona accepts her guardian angel's request to leave her unhappy life on Earth forever and make a difference on Meredith, the adventure begins!
As with many fantasy/paranormal series, the seemingly disparate scenes can be confusing at first, but it is quite satisfying when the pieces connect and fall into place as battles are fought, characters are solidified, and the line between good and evil is clearly drawn. Meredith is a world of magic, danger, and evil, and Michael Scott Clifton does an amazing job of bringing that complicated world to life and infusing it with several memorable characters and some pretty extraordinary creatures.
As the story switches back and forth between Mona/Alex adapting to her dangerous environment and the epic battle between the Storm Riders and the Veil Raiders, the overall conflict intensifies, and everything begins to meld into a single story of greed, power, and violence entwined with integrity, peace, and truth.
Mona/Alex certainly has her work cut out for her as she navigates her new world and new identity and discovers who her enemies and allies are, which are no easy tasks because she is filled with uncertainties about her own identity and purpose on this strange planet.
On a deeper level, Mona's transition into Alex, both physically and psychologically, offers an interesting study on the human desire to be different because of a lack of self-confidence in appearance and natural abilities/talents. Outward beauty has its advantages because it can boost self-esteem, but it can be dangerous as well if used as a weapon or as a means to manipulate. Through this unique main character, the reader is reminded that while physical beauty can open doors and bring apparent happiness, a beautiful heart is the greater asset. Mona is now Alexandria, but she retains her awareness and gentle understanding of others and their feelings, even as she embraces Alex's beauty as her own.
No less important, Tal is an interesting character in this story. This Blood Prince wields his magic on the side of good, but he is still young and impetuous, so watching his character evolve throughout The Open Portal is exhilarating.
The explosive ending and several loose ends set the stage for the next book, which will no doubt be just as intense and exciting as The Open Portal.
May 20, 2019
I am a sucker for a good fantasy and The Open Portal did not disappoint. This first book in what seems to be a promising series introduces us to Mona - a character we can probably all relate to in some way or another. She is lonely, bullied, and a little plain. When an angel appears to her and offers for her to switch lives with someone she accepts and becomes Alexandria on the planet 'Meredith'. Now she is the daughter of a duke trapped in an alternate reality. This books is told from three points of views which I admit was really confusing for awhile and hard to follow. I found myself rereading some of the chapters that were not told from Mona's point of view because the foundation of this world building seemed to be a little shaky. Once I got into the plot of the story and the different points of view weaved together though, this book kept me captivated. The author has a huge imagination to be able to put all these points of view together the way he did and build the world the way he did with two different warring sides - one of peace, hope. and compassion and the other of evil, greed, and power. This story was emotional, intriguing and adventurous and I was there for the ride. I honestly really liked this novel because of the idea of being able to switch lives with someone, and see the consequences of that action. The way Mona's character grows and changes as she becomes Alexandria is really fascinating. I really think that the world Mr. Clifton set up in this novel will lead to some more epic plot lines in future novels. The illustrations throughout the novel were a really nice touch and really gave you some insight into what the author was visualizing while reading this novel. I really enjoyed the picture of Mona in bed when her guardian angel first appears to her. I recommend this book to readers of high fantasy or YA fantasy. I think fans of Game of Thrones and fairy tale retellings of sorts would enjoy this novel. I gave it 4/5 stars.
May 15, 2019
Escaping a humdrum life to a world of magic is my favorite sort of fantasy book. Who doesn’t like the idea of leaving behind a place where you merely exist for a place where you can truly thrive and be powerful and super attractive? But where most books fail to address the price you pay for such a switch, The Open Portal lays it all out in the open and reminds you every chance it gets.
Clifton paints a very bleak portrait of a young woman who only has her brother and a few church elders to keep her sane. While other fantasy books might describe pretty tame bullying scenarios, this one has situations that are difficult to get past. If you took the grossest bullying scenes from ‘80s movies and multiplied them by 10, you would understand what Mona goes through in the beginning of this book. And just when you think that she escapes all of that by choosing a new life on the gorgeous planet of Meredith, you realize that she has just traded in her old, terrible life for a George R. R. Martin-type situation.
When I wasn’t cringing at the horrible things that happened to the characters, I was admiring Clifton’s descriptions of each character and the different settings. I feel as though so many books are either plot driven or character driven to the point that you have no idea what anything or anyone looks like. That is certainly not the case with this book. I can say that I was truly transported along with Mona and felt like I really got to meet everyone for the first time like she had.
As much as I adore things like shapeshifters and gritty survival situations, I had difficulty getting through the chapters with Tal and Razor. I promise it wasn’t because of their strange names. I actually wasn’t a fan of many of the character’s names in this book: i.e., Lady Anne Golightly and Rodric Regret. But that’s ok, because they didn’t keep me from being disappointed that the story ended so soon. Thank goodness for the sneak preview of the prologue and chapter 1 for the next book in the series. Those tidbits left me in good spirits and in anticipation for Book 2.
Clifton paints a very bleak portrait of a young woman who only has her brother and a few church elders to keep her sane. While other fantasy books might describe pretty tame bullying scenarios, this one has situations that are difficult to get past. If you took the grossest bullying scenes from ‘80s movies and multiplied them by 10, you would understand what Mona goes through in the beginning of this book. And just when you think that she escapes all of that by choosing a new life on the gorgeous planet of Meredith, you realize that she has just traded in her old, terrible life for a George R. R. Martin-type situation.
When I wasn’t cringing at the horrible things that happened to the characters, I was admiring Clifton’s descriptions of each character and the different settings. I feel as though so many books are either plot driven or character driven to the point that you have no idea what anything or anyone looks like. That is certainly not the case with this book. I can say that I was truly transported along with Mona and felt like I really got to meet everyone for the first time like she had.
As much as I adore things like shapeshifters and gritty survival situations, I had difficulty getting through the chapters with Tal and Razor. I promise it wasn’t because of their strange names. I actually wasn’t a fan of many of the character’s names in this book: i.e., Lady Anne Golightly and Rodric Regret. But that’s ok, because they didn’t keep me from being disappointed that the story ended so soon. Thank goodness for the sneak preview of the prologue and chapter 1 for the next book in the series. Those tidbits left me in good spirits and in anticipation for Book 2.
May 20, 2019
The Open Portal was aptly named for its grand use of fantasy, adventure, and dizzying effect of imagery. Often reading through the lush descriptions were like walking through a portal myself. I was reminded of many of my favorite fantasy novels as well throughout this book. Continuously impressed by the details and wild imagination, I’m definitely recommending this one to fantasy lovers.
There was great appeal to Mona. She isn’t the characteristically beautiful protagonist that drives many YA fantasies. She also begins her story as a semi-well adjusted, charitable person that cares for others. Her story is more than the growth she goes through but the journey to discovering more outside yourself. Despite a vicious bully and apathetic caregivers, she continues to be kind to her brother and keep surviving. Complex in many ways, her emotions are wrought with doubts and desperation for shreds of happiness. A weak link taken advantage of by a sassy ‘guardian angel’.
Now in the body of Alexandria, beauty and power come with danger and responsibilities. A thousand year war that has ravaged Meredith with blood thirsty monsters created just for evil purposes. Clifton does not shy away from the graphic nature of their image and misdeeds. Mona’s-or rather Alexandria’s-kindness could be her strength in this whirling and twisted fantasy.
Razor was my second favorite character. As deadly as he is vicious to even his own kind, his scenes immediately gripped me with the turbulent nature of what’s to come. The author had an incredible sense of character development throughout all the many characters we jump to. I did occasionally have to write a note for names and places though. I’m guilty of doing this before so this may just be me.
With all fantasies, I become frustrated with wanting to share everything that’s happened and my thoughts. I’m very anti-spoiler so I’ll say that this book was very enjoyable. I read it in a quiet room to a crowded auditorium and it felt like there was no difference. Distractions didn’t exist when I’d truly become captured in this world.
There was great appeal to Mona. She isn’t the characteristically beautiful protagonist that drives many YA fantasies. She also begins her story as a semi-well adjusted, charitable person that cares for others. Her story is more than the growth she goes through but the journey to discovering more outside yourself. Despite a vicious bully and apathetic caregivers, she continues to be kind to her brother and keep surviving. Complex in many ways, her emotions are wrought with doubts and desperation for shreds of happiness. A weak link taken advantage of by a sassy ‘guardian angel’.
Now in the body of Alexandria, beauty and power come with danger and responsibilities. A thousand year war that has ravaged Meredith with blood thirsty monsters created just for evil purposes. Clifton does not shy away from the graphic nature of their image and misdeeds. Mona’s-or rather Alexandria’s-kindness could be her strength in this whirling and twisted fantasy.
Razor was my second favorite character. As deadly as he is vicious to even his own kind, his scenes immediately gripped me with the turbulent nature of what’s to come. The author had an incredible sense of character development throughout all the many characters we jump to. I did occasionally have to write a note for names and places though. I’m guilty of doing this before so this may just be me.
With all fantasies, I become frustrated with wanting to share everything that’s happened and my thoughts. I’m very anti-spoiler so I’ll say that this book was very enjoyable. I read it in a quiet room to a crowded auditorium and it felt like there was no difference. Distractions didn’t exist when I’d truly become captured in this world.
July 26, 2019
Review of The Open Portal
I loved reading this well written book and look forward to reading many more books written by this author. I would highly recommend this book to everyone who loves reading books about magical places and people. I have found yet another new author to enjoy reading books by.
I loved reading this well written book and look forward to reading many more books written by this author. I would highly recommend this book to everyone who loves reading books about magical places and people. I have found yet another new author to enjoy reading books by.
September 13, 2020
Be Careful What You Wish For:
Mona Parker was bullied in school. Mortified and humiliated, she wished she were anywhere but there. To the point of almost taking her life, a stranger steps in. Thaddeus Finkle is Mona's guardian angel. An interesting character with good intentions, he grants her wish. He allows her to switch lives with the Duke's daughter, Lady Alexandria Duvalier. Alexandria and her family live on a parallel plant called Meredith. Thinking she won the lottery, Mona soon learns what it's like to walk in someone else's shoes. There is more to Lady Alex, than Mona originally thought. With conspiracy swirling around her, she needs to navigate the new life she stepped into.
Michael Scott Clifton weaves a tale, where a parallel world utilizes magic much the same as technology is on Earth. Lady Alex and her family live behind the Veil that separates Wheel from Meredith City. To go through this Veil, there needs to be a portal. Those in Wheel, often raid those in Meredith City. There are shapeshifters, ogres, winged horses, and so much more!
As you dive into the world of Meredith, you feel as if you were transported there yourself! You have to experience for yourself to understand! Cannot wait to read book 2!
Mona Parker was bullied in school. Mortified and humiliated, she wished she were anywhere but there. To the point of almost taking her life, a stranger steps in. Thaddeus Finkle is Mona's guardian angel. An interesting character with good intentions, he grants her wish. He allows her to switch lives with the Duke's daughter, Lady Alexandria Duvalier. Alexandria and her family live on a parallel plant called Meredith. Thinking she won the lottery, Mona soon learns what it's like to walk in someone else's shoes. There is more to Lady Alex, than Mona originally thought. With conspiracy swirling around her, she needs to navigate the new life she stepped into.
Michael Scott Clifton weaves a tale, where a parallel world utilizes magic much the same as technology is on Earth. Lady Alex and her family live behind the Veil that separates Wheel from Meredith City. To go through this Veil, there needs to be a portal. Those in Wheel, often raid those in Meredith City. There are shapeshifters, ogres, winged horses, and so much more!
As you dive into the world of Meredith, you feel as if you were transported there yourself! You have to experience for yourself to understand! Cannot wait to read book 2!
October 14, 2022
OHMYGOD OHMYGOD OHMYGOD THIS WAS SHOCKINGLY GOOD OHMYGOD WOW
okay so the reason why this gets three stars was because the initial 30% had me bawling my eyes out and I ALMOST went to a slump but all thanks to my “suffer but no dnf-ing” oath i made it through and actually liked it!!! It was hard for me to make out things at start and it took me a week and half to find my way into this and it was indeed a shocker. Especially the last 50-60 pages had me gasping way too much. Like, very, very much. It was so very beautifully written and i was swooning over all the dots finally connecting.
I’m looking forward to the next book and wish to see more from our handsome prince and the stunning m’lady!!!!!
(Honestly, i’m expecting a huge huge encounter that’s all fireworks and butterflies so it better serve)
okay so the reason why this gets three stars was because the initial 30% had me bawling my eyes out and I ALMOST went to a slump but all thanks to my “suffer but no dnf-ing” oath i made it through and actually liked it!!! It was hard for me to make out things at start and it took me a week and half to find my way into this and it was indeed a shocker. Especially the last 50-60 pages had me gasping way too much. Like, very, very much. It was so very beautifully written and i was swooning over all the dots finally connecting.
I’m looking forward to the next book and wish to see more from our handsome prince and the stunning m’lady!!!!!
(Honestly, i’m expecting a huge huge encounter that’s all fireworks and butterflies so it better serve)
February 19, 2021
Fantastic book and author!!
April 24, 2022
Review coming soon!
October 19, 2021
Magic, Fantasy and Sci-Fi
I really got hooked into this first of a series, and can't wait to get into the rest of the series.
I really got hooked into this first of a series, and can't wait to get into the rest of the series.
July 6, 2019
Join me in this paranormal suspense, modern fantasy as Mona Parker, a lonely, plain, smart, and bullied teenager, who on the brink of suicide is offered an extraordinary life change by her angel, Thaddeus Finkle. Finkle sees a quality in Mona that makes her the best choice to because she leads with her heart. After negotiating a promise by Finkle that her brother will be safe, she lands in an unimagined place that allows her dreams to be fulfilled but at a cost she hadn’t considered. Michael Clifton provides you a front seat as her journey into a world of magic fills you with as much wonder as it does Mona or Alexandria as she is known in this parallel world. The magical veiled world she becomes trapped within has the best and the worst of power fueled by magic.
This is the second book by Michael Clifton I have read, yet this is delightfully different than The Janus Witch which was full of magical intrigue. Michael's knack for imagery and character development is increasingly better and more believable in this new series. This dual world of good and evil separated by a magical veil is perfect. You feel like you can reach out and touch this Duchy of Wheel and form a realistic picture of the characters from Alexandria’s adoring father, the Duke to her evil stepmother the Duchess, and Lord Rodric who is a fake suitor for her hand in marriage.
As an example of the detailed imagery Michael provides this section that is pivotal for me and Alexandria as a woman not to be taken lightly as she is coming of age.
…She had only a few moments left before she would pass out – an then she would be as good as dead. Deep inside her Alex raged against the unfairness of it all. So I’m to be killed my first night on Meredith? Like this? To a foul creature like Rodric?
Her anger sharpened her determination, and she redoubled her efforts. In her mind, she felt something …open, like a door or gate swinging slightly ajar. She sensed a ripping inside of her like a fabric stretched beyond its limits. A power gushed from the torn opening and spewed out in a rush. Eye-searing white light exploded from Alex’s body to strike the creature.
The technique to shift back and forth between places in a story can be difficult, yet it keeps the story engaging as you are immersed in the conflicts of this world. Tal is an interesting magical hero character with the bravery to match his royal rank. I really liked Pulpit the White Monk who surprised me with his abilities and resourcefulness in caring for the two young men while they all escaped the evil raiders.
The Open Portal is a fascinating coming of age fantasy which will be loved by the YA crowd and those with a fondness for magic and the possibilities of a parallel universe. I look forward to Conquest of the Veil Book Two in 2020 and wish it was coming sooner. His tag line of Beauty Comes with a Price is perfect for this story.
This is the second book by Michael Clifton I have read, yet this is delightfully different than The Janus Witch which was full of magical intrigue. Michael's knack for imagery and character development is increasingly better and more believable in this new series. This dual world of good and evil separated by a magical veil is perfect. You feel like you can reach out and touch this Duchy of Wheel and form a realistic picture of the characters from Alexandria’s adoring father, the Duke to her evil stepmother the Duchess, and Lord Rodric who is a fake suitor for her hand in marriage.
As an example of the detailed imagery Michael provides this section that is pivotal for me and Alexandria as a woman not to be taken lightly as she is coming of age.
…She had only a few moments left before she would pass out – an then she would be as good as dead. Deep inside her Alex raged against the unfairness of it all. So I’m to be killed my first night on Meredith? Like this? To a foul creature like Rodric?
Her anger sharpened her determination, and she redoubled her efforts. In her mind, she felt something …open, like a door or gate swinging slightly ajar. She sensed a ripping inside of her like a fabric stretched beyond its limits. A power gushed from the torn opening and spewed out in a rush. Eye-searing white light exploded from Alex’s body to strike the creature.
The technique to shift back and forth between places in a story can be difficult, yet it keeps the story engaging as you are immersed in the conflicts of this world. Tal is an interesting magical hero character with the bravery to match his royal rank. I really liked Pulpit the White Monk who surprised me with his abilities and resourcefulness in caring for the two young men while they all escaped the evil raiders.
The Open Portal is a fascinating coming of age fantasy which will be loved by the YA crowd and those with a fondness for magic and the possibilities of a parallel universe. I look forward to Conquest of the Veil Book Two in 2020 and wish it was coming sooner. His tag line of Beauty Comes with a Price is perfect for this story.
May 22, 2019
When plain and bullied Mona Parker exchanges her life for another on a parallel world--she gets more than she bargained for. She realizes very quickly that being beautiful, seductive, rich, and the daughter of a powerful Duke may not be what she really wanted. But now she's trapped behind a veil of magic where the Dark Queen Marlinda rules supreme--and she has plans for Mona/now Alexandria. Mona must quickly learn to live in this new world of magic while keeping true to herself and her friends.
Also introduced in this story is Prince Tal. he is on the opposite side of the barrier, banished to the far reaches on the veil where he can't get into trouble. However, raiders from the dark side choose his remote location for a training sortie, and with them comes Tal's chance to finally pierce the veil and save his land.
The booked is packed full of action from the time it begins in our mundane world, to when it jumps to another. It has all the elements of a good fantasy: a cruel queen; a frustrated prince; and beautiful girl with a pure heart. There are brave boys, werewolves, white priests, and watchtowers. I can't wait for the saga to continue.
Also introduced in this story is Prince Tal. he is on the opposite side of the barrier, banished to the far reaches on the veil where he can't get into trouble. However, raiders from the dark side choose his remote location for a training sortie, and with them comes Tal's chance to finally pierce the veil and save his land.
The booked is packed full of action from the time it begins in our mundane world, to when it jumps to another. It has all the elements of a good fantasy: a cruel queen; a frustrated prince; and beautiful girl with a pure heart. There are brave boys, werewolves, white priests, and watchtowers. I can't wait for the saga to continue.
May 12, 2019
I like the lessons woven through the scenes like a muted thread not so bright you pick it out from the rest, but you feel it. Mona is a young girl finding her way through the challenges a teenager experiences when her peers and her circumstances are less than kind.
Because it is from a teenage girl’s perspective, the young adult audience is a natural. But, adults are just older kids, who like to relive and be reminded why we’re glad we grew through the years. So, this is good for a teen-to-adult, broad-based audience.
I highly recommend this fantastical travel through the realms to everyone who needs a little escape from the humdrums.
Because it is from a teenage girl’s perspective, the young adult audience is a natural. But, adults are just older kids, who like to relive and be reminded why we’re glad we grew through the years. So, this is good for a teen-to-adult, broad-based audience.
I highly recommend this fantastical travel through the realms to everyone who needs a little escape from the humdrums.
May 16, 2019
It’s a wonderful life? Meets stargate and Camelot?
There is a lot of world building in the book. It jumps around between several places and multiple points of view. I found one point of view more interesting than the others.
There is a lot of world building in the book. It jumps around between several places and multiple points of view. I found one point of view more interesting than the others.
May 28, 2019
Throughly enjoyed the storyline and read
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February 17, 2021Goodreads giveaway
February 24, 2024
Awful
This book is truly awful. There are waaaay too many “main” characters. Every single chapter is from the perspective of a different character. There seems to be 100 different plot lines going on at once. Yes, perhaps they come together at some point in the series, but the point of a FIRST BOOK IN A SERIES is to solidify and plant the plot. You can’t have 100 different “strings” flying about and still keep track of what the point of the actual story is. This book literally makes no sense. All the characters exist in different parts of the planet, and they are all dealing with different situations there is NOTHING tying anyone together. The synopsis says that Mona is the main character, but from how she’s written in this first book you’d have no idea that she was that important. Every other chapter is from her perspective or every two chapters…and the ENTIRE book has her on earth then on Meridith (the other planet) just bumbling around trying not to get killed by her stepmother (well the stepmother of the body that Mona has possessed, Alexandria) and her would be fiancé, Rodric who are conspiring together to control Alexandria’s latent magic. That plot point is the only interesting thing in this book, the fact that Mona switched bodies with Alexandria and now has latent magic (that she doesn’t know she has). However none of that is explored, because you have the Veil Raiders plot, the prince and his side kick plot, the farm boy and his sister and father plot, the monk and the soldier plot, the evil henchman plot, the wicked stepmother plot, the magical artifact plot, the history of the planet plot…and so many other plots going on simultaneously!! It’s a TRUE MESS OF A BOOK. Save your brain cells and don’t waste your time trying to figure this mess out. In my humble opinion it is not worth the effort.
This book is truly awful. There are waaaay too many “main” characters. Every single chapter is from the perspective of a different character. There seems to be 100 different plot lines going on at once. Yes, perhaps they come together at some point in the series, but the point of a FIRST BOOK IN A SERIES is to solidify and plant the plot. You can’t have 100 different “strings” flying about and still keep track of what the point of the actual story is. This book literally makes no sense. All the characters exist in different parts of the planet, and they are all dealing with different situations there is NOTHING tying anyone together. The synopsis says that Mona is the main character, but from how she’s written in this first book you’d have no idea that she was that important. Every other chapter is from her perspective or every two chapters…and the ENTIRE book has her on earth then on Meridith (the other planet) just bumbling around trying not to get killed by her stepmother (well the stepmother of the body that Mona has possessed, Alexandria) and her would be fiancé, Rodric who are conspiring together to control Alexandria’s latent magic. That plot point is the only interesting thing in this book, the fact that Mona switched bodies with Alexandria and now has latent magic (that she doesn’t know she has). However none of that is explored, because you have the Veil Raiders plot, the prince and his side kick plot, the farm boy and his sister and father plot, the monk and the soldier plot, the evil henchman plot, the wicked stepmother plot, the magical artifact plot, the history of the planet plot…and so many other plots going on simultaneously!! It’s a TRUE MESS OF A BOOK. Save your brain cells and don’t waste your time trying to figure this mess out. In my humble opinion it is not worth the effort.
September 7, 2020
Interesting take on the bullied youth who becomes magical. Definitely a fun read. Actually started book two first but decided I needed to read book one first to better understand the characters.
November 4, 2023
This is the first book I have read by Michael Scott Clifton. It was a very good read. Lots of twists and turns. Looking forward to Book 2.
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