Knights: The Eye of Divinity (A Novel of Epic Fantasy) (The Knights Series) [Kindle Edition]

Robert E. Keller (Author)

Book Description

SERIES INFORMATION:

Knights: The Eye of Divinity is part of a planned series that will be released book by book on the Kindle. However, it stands alone as a complete novel. None of the books in the Knights series will be left off abruptly at the end, but each will instead have a satisfying conclusion.

BOOK SUMMARY:

Strange and legendary Dremlock Kingdom is facing destruction from both within and beyond its stone walls in the form of goblins--creatures spawned by evil that come in all shapes and sizes--and the Deep Shadow, a hungry and spreading force of dark sorcery that infects people with madness.

To save their kingdom, the knights recruit a lonely and isolated boy named Lannon who lives in a wooded valley with his crazy father, who bears a dark illness of the soul, and his foul-tempered mother. Lannon is sought out because he possesses a rare power called the Eye of Divinity. The knights need Lannon's gift to see through the fog of evil that shrouds Dremlock Kingdom and give them the advantage they need to turn the tables on their ancient foe.

With the help of his friends, Lannon tries desperately to unlock the Eye of Divinity in time to save Dremlock Kingdom from otherwise certain doom. With the Deep Shadow creeping around the kingdom and infecting hearts and minds, Lannon isn't sure if anyone in Dremlock can even be trusted. Lannon finds himself, and his fellow squires, caught in a web of mystery and magic in a kingdom where anything can happen.

AUTHOR'S BACKGROUND: Robert E. Keller has published more than 30 fantasy short stories in online and print magazines. He lives in Northern Michigan with his wife Tracy.

Product Details

• File Size: 551 KB
• Print Length: 303 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: Smart Goblin Publishing (June 14, 2011)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B005620I2M
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,057 Free in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Free in Kindle Store)
  • #67 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Fantasy > Fairy Tales
  • #81 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > World Literature > Mythology

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Just what you would look for in a fantasy fiction. September 4, 2012

By Paul

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I will try to explain as much as I can without revealing anything, there may be spoilers, you are forewarned.

Plot
I would say there is a solid plot. In simple speak, the good guy starts weak and gathers strength. The kingdom of Dremlock and the world are under threat of being conquered by "evil". The unique ability the main character has is key in fighting back this evil.

Character Development
-The Divine Knights are what you would expect of hardened veterans each having unique abilities. Their personalities are solid and remain true throughout the book.
-The main character is not your typical hero, and at times his character flaws give cause for wanting a little more, however the writer does show progress in his development giving hope for the sequel. Sadly he is not the character most would be drawn to. The example of this is Taris, a much more interesting character.
-The supporting characters are really well done up, the female is a little typical of fantasy fiction support as the attractive mage.
-The warrior's character was the biggest failing in the developing of the story. At random times his alignment goes from chaotic good to neutral with no good cause. He is also considered the intelligent one but his actions are completely contradictory.
-The thief character is one that I think original, mysterious and one that draws more interest than the majority of the other characters in the story.

Enviroment
Gloomy. There is a pervailing heaviness that is constantly impressed through numerous direct and indirect influences. Such as landscape, architecture, emotional and physical presence. The shadow reached out of the book to inflict its gloom as I read, I mean that as a praise to the authors writing.

Grammar and Spelling
For an E-book I only found a handful of mistakes, such as bit was spelled "bi" and singing was "signing". Other than that I was pleased that I could read and not get caught up on little things such as that.
I didn't find any speach grammar issues through dialogue, which made it easier to follow.
As far as punctuation and formating his skills surpass mine as a writer. (kudos)

Originality
Well constructed with subtle personal touches. Plot is standard. Characters are rich but main character may have been overdone in the negative light but great job breaking from the almighty hero. The world is not laid out for the lack luster imagination; the author clearly wants to express character interactions and empahisizes alot on back history in present tense.

Pros
-Great characters
-Story moves at a the right pace
-Plenty of action

Cons
-The warrior support friend
-The use of GOBLIN this GOBLIN that. (Obvious the factor that ties every evil thing in this story together is... orcs... NO! G O B L I N -_- )

I really enjoyed this book. I will read this series through to the end based soley off this first one. As an avid fantasy fiction reader and writer I highly recommend this for a good read.

If my summary left something out or you have anything you'd like to discuss or just get my recommendations on other fantasy fiction books, please feel free to leave a comment. =) Happy reading!

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Like Harry Potter - even in the bad ways. October 3, 2011

By M. C Wallace

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Other reviewers have commented on the similarities between this and the Harry Potter opus. Not unjust. But it shares some of the flaws of the Potter books too. Too many people are determined to hide crucial information from anyone who might make use of it. I grew tired of reading variations on "you're not ready for that knowledge yet", and "...decided not to share that information just yet." The middle third of the book simply wouldn't have happened if the protagonist had followed instructions. There weren't any good reasons for suddenly concealing one of the most important events in the book; just a whim. Also like Potter the book contains long expository sequences that don't seem to develop the character or plot. Lots of riding hither and thither and descriptions of the world. Some readers may prefer that style - it does expose the full scope of world building. I like world building, but I prefer a tighter novel with an emphasis on plot emerging from character.

I think that much of the flaws result from the fact that this is a first book. Two of the characters (Varden and Timlin) are described inconsistently. I think this is to give the author room to explore their complexity in future novels, but the effect in this novel is to make them incomprehensible plot devices. The protagonist, like Potter, reminds me of the Japanese "silent but good" protagnist, but I think is much more effectively characterized than Potter. It is difficult to portray the fact that adolescents can be weak willed and subject to peer pressure without reminding us that we used to be that way. I think the author has done this exceptionally well. (at times it is uncomfortable to read; I want to slap the protagonist upside the head, but I recognize the difficulty of standing up against a strong willed but blockheaded friend).

I liked the world (I just wish it were described tersely) and the suspense as I tried to identify the true antagonists. (wish we'd been a bit more fair there).

If you're looking for a quick, easy read to entertain, this is probably at an appropriate price point. But I wish I'd known the above in advance so that I wouldn't be expecting more than I received.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars I wish I could recommend this one, but . . . . December 30, 2012

By AvidReader

Format:Kindle Edition

I can appreciate the effort that went into creating this world. The story began with much potential but ultimately fell flat. The author seemed to be at a loss when it came to delivering an actual story.

We begin with our hero, a rather unremarkable teenager with no special skills or aptitude and little native intelligence. Unhappy with his situation at home, his days are spent wandering around aimlessly and feeling sorry for himself. Although he could have been an enormous help to one or both of his struggling parents, our hero lacks the energy and initiative to effect any positive change in his life.

Our hero is scooped up by some brave knights and brought to the realm of the divine knights to be tested. If found worthy he will be taken into the order to be trained as a knight himself. Of course he is chosen. He makes some friends, and his training begins. During training, our hero distinguishes himself thus: he is lazy, dishonest, and he is easily led around by his equally snake-like friends. Every exercise of judgment further cements the image of this young knight as somebody who has no judgment at all. In general it isn't fun to read about these kids because you can't help but root against them. At every turn, you think these idiots will somehow redeem themselves, but they never do.

The main characters really never accomplish anything worthwhile - seriously, nothing at all. The divine knights manage to fight and win an entire war while the story is going on, but the reader never gets to participate in any of the action. You just know there is a war happening. The main characters are regarded as too young to be given any information about the war. Instead the reader is treated to all of the excitement and suspense of drying paint.

I give this book two stars only because the world itself was interesting. That alone, however, is not a reason to read the book. You have been warned.

More About the Author

Robert E. Keller was born in Northern Michigan in 1972. He had a very active imagination from the time he was old enough to become self aware, and he would invent elaborate fantasy and science fiction stories in his mind.

Robert published his first work of short fiction, Spirit Wolves, in the fall of 2008. After that he went on to publish more than 30 stories in various online and print magazines. Meanwhile, he was hard at work on epic fantasy novels, and he released his first novel for sale, Knights: The Eye of Divinity in June of 2011 for the Amazon Kindle.

Robert lives with his wife Tracy in Northern Michigan.