Customer Reviews

Ard Magister

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Some writers are noted for the temprament they bring to the work. Zelazny could always be counted on to be witty and erudite. Edgar Pangborn was wise and gentle. This is the second book I've read by Ms. Underwood, and she seems to bring a warmth to her writing that few others achieve. The story moves, it has some interesting touches, including a ghost who leaves the reader and the character trying to guess at what he wants. If you've read and enjoyed BOGIE WOODS, you must read this book. If you haven't, and you enjoy well-written fantasy, get them both.

Many writers have borrowed bits and bobs of Celtic culture and mythology when building their worlds, but in Laura J. Underwood's Keltora, it all hangs together with no feeling of patchwork. The fighting scenes are extremely solid, but this is unsurprising, given Ms. Underwood's experience as a fencer. The healer Eithne is a marvelous individual, not like the standard issue milksop so often found in lesser fantasy books, but more like the kind of caring person who will fight for your life with defiant words as well as fervent prayers. All in all, a very entertaining read.

Many of Laura Underwood's short stories, some of which are collected in _Bogie Woods_, deal with the adventures of Conor and Eithne (say "Enya") Mac Manahan and their foster son Rhoyd Smytheson. This book is the story of how they became a family.

Since it is the beginning of their story, you needn't have read any of the previous short stories in order to enjoy this book.

So, for adventure with good and bad mages, bandits, ghosts and a really good story, try this book.

with fighters, mages, and healers. Conor is fighter and husband. Eithne is his wife and a healer. They chance upon a young 9 year old mage who has chosen to runaway rather than continue living with the abuse of his father. Bandits find Rhoyd and the couple saves him. Little do they know that the rare mageborn is being hunted down by Socorro, a brilliant man who needs mages in order to extend his own life.

Book Review
Ard Magister
by: Laura J Underwood
Published: by Sky Warriors Book Publishing
Maggie Bonham Editor in Chief
To whom it may concern:
Ard Magister is a Young Adult book that to me seems to be based on on of the Fantasy Role Playing Games. which makes it a wonderful story that any fantasy reader will enjoy. As a confirmed reader of everything from medicine bottle labels to the Bible if nothing else is available I have some well developed likes and a few real dislikes.
One of my pet peeves is character development. I was really happy with this book. The story lines allow for character development one at a time in a manner that allows the reader to come to really understand each character even the evil guys. That is rare in many authors because many people do not like the idea that the bad guys are people too!
Another thing I look for is does the story move along. Some of my favorite stories are travelogues with a little movement in the story; however, the author must be a master storyteller. This author if she survives in the brutal Darwinian environment of the commercial author will be a master storyteller. Her story moves along at a quit acceptable speed.
Last but not least does a story entertain. I am always looking for a story that makes me suspend belief in my world and enter the story to the point that I forget which one is real. Laura comes close to doing this rare event. A bit of polish and a bit of experience and she will achieve this quite well in the future!
Allow me to recommend this eBook to all who love roll playing games or even are just looking for a good read!

I just finished the book and found it facinating. It has a good story line and the characters are well developed and facinating. She created a world of magic and made it real. This is the first one of her books I have read, but I will read them all. Yard Dog Press has really great books and wonderful authors.

If you want to be entertained and get lost in a good story, Ard Magister is for you. It doesn't have huge sweeping social comment that tends to plague a lot of SFF nowadays, but it is a good old fashion good versus evil story which has believable characters, a driving plot, and enough action to prevent it from being boring (another problem with many SFF books). Good guys win; bad guys lose. The author puts enough twists into the book to make it interesting.

You won't be disappointed if you choose this book as your next read. I chose this book to see the type of books Yard Dog Press publishes and I was very pleased.