Customer Reviews

Veil of Darkness (The Earthsoul Prophecies, Book 1)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Since Tolkien, writing fantasy has been about creating a world with its own peoples, cultures, and histories. To draw in readers and get them to care about the world they have created, writers unleash a plot that drives interesting action and characters who add an emotional element. The best fantasies carefully balance these three elements to create a world the reader cares about because he or she has an emotional tie to it and wants to learn more. While it doesn't have the best balance, Veil of Darkness has a detailed and intricate world with good characters and an interesting plot.

The world Greg Park created is the strongest part of his book. It has a rich history of people interacting with gods, magic, and each other. The ancient prophesies and recent wars create a solid foundation for the story to build on. The cultures are intricate and fun to see. Park even uses a language he developed for the book to give the setting more substance. The rich detail given to the setting creates a world you want to care about.

The emotional ties created by the characters hold you to the story. The heroes are all likable and easy to emphasize with. For the most part, all the characters are believable with only a couple cliche caricatures. The area where the characters can be improved is in the villains and the main female characters. The villains definitely chose the wrong cause and I cheered for the downfall of their organizations, but I didn't feel much drive to hate the individuals pulling the ropes behind the curtains. The lead female characters seemed to fill one of two roles; they were either the warm motherly types or enigmatic love interests for the male leads. Fortunately, this was passable for a story of a young man who didn't understand women.

The plot, although very enjoyable, is derivative. In a nutshell, it involves a young man who must accept spectacular abilities and a destiny he didn't know he had while the forces of evil combine against him. It's not new (Star Wars, Wheel of Time, or even historical figures) and Park's unique contribution on the theme is just his setting. His writing style, however, makes it enjoyable enough to want to read the familiar drama. The story flows through the characters' personal growth and journeys (both emotional and physical) punctuated by battles. The fights are generally fun and exciting. This book might not keep you up all night holding your breath to see what will happen, but it will engage you enough to want to finish it. Unfortunately, the book ends without a sense of completion or a cliff hanger. It blatantly leaves the story unfinished without giving you a sense of urgency for the characters or a sense of completion for one important step in a set of crucial tasks.

Despite its lack of strong components, Veil of Darkness was a fun, enjoyable read. With no bad language, sexual content, or descriptive graphic violence, the book is an ideal read for adolescent fans of the genre and one I'll probably pass on to my younger brother and nephews.

I bought this book from the author a few weeks ago and once I read the prolouge I was hooked. The narration and dialoug are amazing and i couldn't keep my hand off of this book. I could relate to some of the characters and I never got lost on locations of where the characters were and i could see the places in my head. Greg Park is an amazing writer (and teacher for that matter) and i would highly recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of the Robert Jordan books or Lord of the Rings trilogy. You will not be dissapointed if you buy this book and I myself can't wait to read the next one in the series

In an epic fantasy novel, Greg Park has managed to combine exciting story with well-rounded characters. With gripping battles and life-like situations, we are given insight into the details of this world. The book goes the perfect pace, never slacking off or speeding up to confuse the reader. It is a book that will not confuse you, but may cause you to reconsider deeper meanings of life- the choices we have to make, whether or not they are good, or evil. Park takes the reader on a journey they will never forget, a shadow of Jase Fairimore couldn't have been written more clearly or perfectly; This book is something that leaves you waiting for more, begging to know what comes next. An engaging, thrilling story, with only better yet to come. It is worth every penny it takes to buy it, and never will your money have been better spent.

Honestly? It's a once-in-a-lifetime book, something you won't see daily. Thankfully, we have the chance to read more, in four coming books. In the meantime, we have one of the best pieces of literature at our fingertips... Veil of Darkness is simply the best.

I didn't think I would like this book when I started but after I got about 130 pages in I knew I was hooked for good. It is now on my list of favorites and I'm looking forward to the release of the next one. I would reccommend this book to anyone who reads fantacy. It is clean and full of suspence. I especially loved how well developed the characters are.

Book one of the Earthsoul Prophecies: Veil of Darkness 586 pages
Greg Park
"He didn't feel brave, but at least he was calm." Jase lives in Kindels Grove and his whole world is about to change when he finds out he can wield Ta'shaen a power from the earth soul. Then when shadow hounds try to kill him he learns that if he can't figure out how to control Ta'shaen he will soon be a kill for all those who want him dead.
The Earthsoul has been dying for the last twenty years and the only one who can stop that is one young man of Fairimor birthright. As the prophecies begin to be fulfilled, the veil that separates life from death gets thinned and the demon god Maeon gets stronger and closer to the world of men. Shadan the dread lord comes back and is refleshed and gets ready for one final war against the nine lands.
Gideon dymas, Jase, Elliot, Seth, and a Chunnin named Thorac begin on the quest of healing the Earthsoul. This book has a lot of fun, exciting, and intense thrills. You never know if or when someone will die or get seriously injured. Of all the problems Jase has he struggles with focusing on his troubles with his heart which distracts him from focusing on the one thing that will be his destiny healing the earth soul.
I for one really love reading this book it is enjoyable to read and it feels like I am there everywhere at once. I would recommend this book if you are a good reader and like books pact full of action, romance, and fate leading characters from one place to another. This book at time may be confusing but still is a great book; will inspire new ideas.

Anyone who has read Greg Park's book can appreciate the immense scrutiny and care that he has taken with his works. Immaculate and beautiful descriptions allow the readers to see the places clearly in their minds, leaving them free to explore the world that Park has created. Along with the vivid scenery, Park tantalizes his readers with an enthralling plot, full of foreshadowing, unexpected secrets and the everlasting battle between good and evil. With this and his quick dialogue and explicit writing, Park's greatest achievement and crown jewel are his characters. Each character has a distinct personality, giving them authenticity and concrete quality. When reading Park's books, it feels as if the characters themselves are writing the story, moving through the perils of their world as they see fit, creating their own lives and fulfilling their own fates. He captures human nature with a matchless accuracy.

Throy Shadan is out to destroy the world, again. With his minions it appears that he is almost unstoppable, with only one person to change the tide of the war. That person is Jase Fairimor a simple young man with great talents.
This is must read for every fantasy lover. I couldn't put this book down until I had finished it. I heard about this book from many of my good friends who had nothing but praise for it, thus leading me to read it myself. I was not disappointed, it is a great book. With Jase Fairimor as the main character I really had somebody to relate to. A young man who has been gifted with earthpower, driving monsters and humans alike to try and kill Jase. Add on top of that the fact that Jase is the nephew to the king of Kelsa, and you get a story filled with action, adventure, and even some romance.

I bought this for my son(14) and he couldn't put it down and is now bugging me to buy book #2. He said it was one of the best books he's ever read.

I really enjoyed this novel. It took some time to get in to because the prologue bogs you down with a lot of new information, but once you get into the main part of the story, it's pretty enjoyable. There are some spots that lag somewhat, but considering this is Park's first novel, I was very impressed. I was starting to rush through to find out what happened at the end. I'll definitely be looking forward to the sequel, although I hope they do better with the cover art for it. I did not like the art for this edition.

I found Veil of Darkness to be a wonderfully gripping book with lively characters, brilliant battles, and intense scenes. It is obvious that the author has nurtured and cared incredibly for this novel and the rest of its series since it was an inkling in the back of his mind. I was enthralled as the book played out the characters' personal struggles and triumphs. I've always enjoyed love triangles and one presented by this book has become an all-time favorite. Should you only read a single book this year, I implore you to choose Park's Veil of Darkness.