The Chalice of Life (Adventurers of the Carotian Union, Book 1) (Paperback)

by Karen Anne Webb (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Thalas a world on the brink of civil war. The Carotian Union a nascent confederation of planets at the edge of destruction. Eliander a prince lost millennia ago to the flow of normal space-time. On a world where both magic and technology function, seven extraordinay souls set out on the Quest of the Lost Prince. Passionate mystics, honest thieves, and a silver-tongued bard with a penchant for instigating barroom brawls: what the Carotian goddess Minissa was thinking when she selected them, she alone knows. Inconceivable dangers await them around every turn on worlds they never knew existed. But such trivialities never deter a band of true heroes...

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Dragon Moon Pr (December 7, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1896944337
• ISBN-13: 978-1896944333
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,742,277 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars From a world traveler, February 8, 2007

By	E. F. Penico - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is like a good vintage wine with shades of Narnia, Potter, and the Ring,and even Eragon but with an originality all it's own which makes it extra flavorful with a memorable finish. The characters are quite memorable and keep coming back to visit long after the book is put down. I can't wait to see the movie.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A captivating adventure, August 13, 2007

By	Bookworm - See all my reviews

I found this book to be a real page turner, an engrossing, imaginative adventure, a fine bit of storytelling. It's set in a universe all its own that is highly developed, many-faceted and internally consistent, with many different cultures and many races of sentient creatures; but somehow none of that gets in the way of the story.

It contains elements of many of my favorite movies, books, and TV series: Lord of the Rings (obviously!), Narnia, Star Trek, Star Wars, Dr. Who, Quantum Leap, etc. but all blended seamlessly into a style all its own. This is a great antidote to the hard-edged, doomsday, horrible things happen and then everybody dies sort of nihilism that I often run into. Instead it's filled with heart, compassion, optimism, and humor. It also has more depth that most of the fantasy that I've seen: it has a clear moral center and a rich underpinning of spirituality.

Doomed planets, magic portals to different worlds, ancient treasures from ancient ruins, a noble night, a magical bard, a lovable little thief, a giant talking cat, a lost king, a magic talking sword, dragons, sorcerers, spells, laser blasters, magic gems: what's not to like?!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Fantasy, July 5, 2007

By	L. Larsen - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

WOW! The Chalice of Life is a book for any one who likes inventive fantasy. The author has created new worlds and creatures with a touch of science fiction and deep spiritual exploration. I highly recommend this book. I could have used an appendix that described the characters but by the end the seven crusaders felt like family. Obviously this is a series and I can't wait to read the rest.