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

Robert E. Keller (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product 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

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 623 KB
• Publisher: Smart Goblin Publishing (June 14, 2011)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
• Language: English
• ASIN: B005620I2M
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #17,100 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

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.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thumbs Up, July 2, 2011

By 

Toby Smith (Across The Big River) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Knights: The Eye of Divinity (A Novel of Epic Fantasy) (The Knights Series) (Kindle Edition)

I loved this book from start to finish and can't really find any major fault with it. The characters seem like real people who live and breathe and the setting was outstanding. After reading a lot of boring fantasy lately this book really stood out. I hope Mr. Keller is serious about a series because I simply must read more of the little world he's created. Weaknesses? There is background stuff told through dialogue that drags a bit, and I found myself wanting to hurry those parts along. But that's only in a couple places and the rest is pretty fast paced. And the characters were so interesting I wanted to learn much more about them, and I almost felt teased by Keller for drawing me in and yet leaving a lot of mysteries. There is a lot of capitalization in the book too, as even the word "ranger" was capitalized for some reason. But other than that, this book is outstanding.

Okay let's break it down. Editing: 10 of 10. Pretty darn polished overall. Plot: 9 out of 10. Left too many mysteries for a 10. Setting: 9 out of 10. This drew me in totally with its originality. Must deduct a point because the mines under the kingdom reminded me slightly of Moria. Characters: 10 out of 10. Far and away the strongest aspect of this book. Pacing: 8 of 10. Slow in a couple spots but solid overall. Satisfaction: 10 out of 10. Keller knows his stuff for this type of fantasy. The book seemed aimed at young adults at times, but it has a lot of dark stuff in it too that seems a bit more mature. The conclusion left some loose ends but the book definitely felt complete. What can I say other than that I'm extremely impressed? Overall, comparable in quality to some of the best fantasy I've ever read.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Always Building, August 7, 2011

By 

Chester Derong - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Knights: The Eye of Divinity (A Novel of Epic Fantasy) (The Knights Series) (Kindle Edition)

I've been on a fantasy kick for a while now, and Robert E Keller's "Knights: The Eye of Divinity" did not let me down. I believe that this is the author's freshman novel attempt, and with that in mind, he leaves you fairly impressed. On his website, he states that Knights is in the vein of Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter. While bits and pieces of this book resembles those series, it is much more impressive as its own creation.

Keller focuses a great deal on world building. There is an extensive, unique history to his series, and it all has a mystical aura about it. This doesn't detract from the more present actions and events that follow the main character. Like Potter, the first book in the Knights quintet focuses on young adolescents. Other more seasoned wizards and warriors round out the characters. The author does a good job of distinguishing the features, actions and emotions from one group and the other. Stylistically, the book seems to give many nods toward the Forgotten Realms/Dungeons and Dragons books. You can almost visualize someone playing out this story with a group of friends at a table.

I really enjoyed this book. There were some issues with editing that seems to happen a little bit with some ebooks I've read, and a few more that just need sharper eyes. There was a good deal of exposition in the beginning as well, but once you get past that, you can really begin to formulate the beginnings of an excellent story. With more on the way, this could be a series you don't want to pass up.

4 of 6 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 "CryptoSenex" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Knights: The Eye of Divinity (A Novel of Epic Fantasy) (The Knights Series) (Kindle Edition)

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.