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The Vacant Realm
When Sam Shelton appeared in Avalon nearly a year ago, it was fate that joined him together with Willow, Cornelius, and Roanna. They've since toppled unbeatable generals, bested champions in combat, and fought back hordes of terrifying monsters. The Mavericks had the emperor on his heels, or so they thought. The wizard ruler of Avalon has retaliated and toils away on his secret plan from the bowels of his mountain stronghold. As Sam and his group journey northward to test their wits and skills against the famed Trials of Olen, both old and new demons threaten to pull the group apart from the inside. Can Sam keep the group together and claim Olen's fabled prize or is the emperor one step ahead? Will Sam ever find the location of the Gate Minder's Key? Find out that and more in The Vacant Realm!
386 pages, paperback
Published August 7, 2019
About the author
Mike Thayer
11 books46 followersMike Thayer is a proud father of three, lucky husband of one, passionate author, lifelong gamer, degreed engineer, decent impressionist, inept hunter, erstwhile jock, and nerd.
He has cast a ring on the slopes of Mt. Doom, eaten a feast at the Green Dragon Inn, cemented Excalibur in a sandstone block, tasted butter beer at Diagon Alley, built a secret door to his storage room, and written a few fantasy books. What else is left, really?
He has cast a ring on the slopes of Mt. Doom, eaten a feast at the Green Dragon Inn, cemented Excalibur in a sandstone block, tasted butter beer at Diagon Alley, built a secret door to his storage room, and written a few fantasy books. What else is left, really?
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
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November 7, 2019This series is great and my twins and I really enjoyed reading book three together—we could hardly put it down as we approached the final, epic showdown. The main characters keep growing on me more and more with every book, and I really enjoy watching them face interesting personal challenges as well as the big external challenges. We’re looking forward to the next book!
May 14, 2025
I filled out a Summarizing-Fiction sheet for this book.
TOPIC: Boy from Earth magicked to another planet and uses his technology to help the people and himself. he sends videos back home to sell for money.
CHARACTERS: SAM, the hero character, a 14 year old boy. ROANNA is a warrior and love interest for Sam. WILLOW is a tree girl and another love interest for Sam. (Sam loves Roanna, she is clueless and Willow loves Sam. She tries to turn herself human to gain his affection and it does not go well. He can't change his heart.) OLEN is the bad guy who does magic. (all the participants in the magic trial were there by his choice. He seems like a spoiled, bored, rich kid who gets pleasure messing with peoples lives.) RINNI is Sam's friend back on Earth who uses live videos sent by Sam to produce websites, books, and movies of Sam's adventures, it makes money as well as gives Sam viewers that help him solve his problems.
SETTING: The land of Avalon, a mysterious world with "aether" a tangible magic power.
PROBLEM: Sam must fight a tyrannical ruler and free the people and find a way home. He takes part in a magic trial.
SOLUTION: Successfully completes a series of magic trials and makes a new and powerful ally.
MY SUMMARY: So much is going on in this book. It can stand alone almost no information about previous adventures is mentioned but it takes real effort to keep track of everybody. The characters would appeal to the appropriate audience. I liked Willow. Young tec. lovers will enjoy the gadgets. The action was consistent, with new dangers always coming up. I really liked the final stadium game that needed skill and thought to play, and the clever riddles and puzzles were just the right amount of difficulty. In my opinion you need to read all the books to truly understand all the new elements, people and language that are introduced.
TOPIC: Boy from Earth magicked to another planet and uses his technology to help the people and himself. he sends videos back home to sell for money.
CHARACTERS: SAM, the hero character, a 14 year old boy. ROANNA is a warrior and love interest for Sam. WILLOW is a tree girl and another love interest for Sam. (Sam loves Roanna, she is clueless and Willow loves Sam. She tries to turn herself human to gain his affection and it does not go well. He can't change his heart.) OLEN is the bad guy who does magic. (all the participants in the magic trial were there by his choice. He seems like a spoiled, bored, rich kid who gets pleasure messing with peoples lives.) RINNI is Sam's friend back on Earth who uses live videos sent by Sam to produce websites, books, and movies of Sam's adventures, it makes money as well as gives Sam viewers that help him solve his problems.
SETTING: The land of Avalon, a mysterious world with "aether" a tangible magic power.
PROBLEM: Sam must fight a tyrannical ruler and free the people and find a way home. He takes part in a magic trial.
SOLUTION: Successfully completes a series of magic trials and makes a new and powerful ally.
MY SUMMARY: So much is going on in this book. It can stand alone almost no information about previous adventures is mentioned but it takes real effort to keep track of everybody. The characters would appeal to the appropriate audience. I liked Willow. Young tec. lovers will enjoy the gadgets. The action was consistent, with new dangers always coming up. I really liked the final stadium game that needed skill and thought to play, and the clever riddles and puzzles were just the right amount of difficulty. In my opinion you need to read all the books to truly understand all the new elements, people and language that are introduced.
March 5, 2020
the best book I've ever read (:
September 4, 2019
Another great book from the Techno Wizard series. Each book is so unique and The Vacant Realm certainly has some SciFi and modern elements that I liked while still keeping it set in the world of Avalon. I love the ideas of the trials and escape room like games that the characters had to get through. I also enjoyed the quests outside the main city. Each time they come up against something big and impossible, I always wonder how they are going to get out of it, and am always surprised at the outcome. While there is definitely humor in this book, I felt like it was pared down a bit from the last two installments, which, considering what happened in the last book, is not too surprising. There are new kinds of monsters, allies, villains, and some familiar faces that keep the book fresh and yet connected to the others in the series. Again, I think the real hero of this book is Willow. I love her! She is such a great character. I think the plot is really ramping up and the characters each have their own little development that pulls them together, but also apart. I can't wait to see what is next.
September 11, 2019
I LOVE the Vacant Realm! Mike Thayer continues to impress in his third book in the Technowizard series, with fresh new ideas applied in fun and unique ways. He takes the concept of escape rooms, for example, and transforms them into magical-death-trap-puzzles. The end-result is storytelling genius that makes for a ridiculously enjoyable read.
The characters continue to be delightful, both in their distinctive personalities and their tremendous character growth. I especially love Willow's character arc, in which she faces her greatest trials yet and ultimately develops the strengths she needs to make the hardest choices she's ever had to make.
As always, a strong theme of friendship ties it all together and is what truly makes the book magical!
The characters continue to be delightful, both in their distinctive personalities and their tremendous character growth. I especially love Willow's character arc, in which she faces her greatest trials yet and ultimately develops the strengths she needs to make the hardest choices she's ever had to make.
As always, a strong theme of friendship ties it all together and is what truly makes the book magical!
August 27, 2019
Get ready for another epic adventure with Sam the Techno-wizard! He and his intrepid crew must solve new obstacles and work as a team as they get closer to solving the mysterious Trials of Olen. As they forge ahead against the emperor and his minions, secrets are revealed, bonds are strengthened, and new allies are formed. This series is great for all ages, I love the characters’ wit and seeing how they develop and grow as they overcome hardships. 👍🏼👍🏼
August 28, 2019
Another wild, entertaining adventure by Mike Thayer. The Vacant Realm continues Sam and company’s quest in Avalon with a new spin and delightful twists. The reader can’t help but try to solve the puzzles encountered by Sam’s crew before they do. As always, Mike hits a balance of humor, epic thrills and adolescent romance that engages readers of all ages. But this for your kids, read it for them, or just treat yourself. It’s a very entertaining series!
August 27, 2019
This series keeps getting better!
September 27, 2019
Techno Wonderful
Great story that continues to grow and enthrall. These books are great because they appeal to all ages that enjoy a great fantasy book.
Great story that continues to grow and enthrall. These books are great because they appeal to all ages that enjoy a great fantasy book.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews