Benjamin Ashwood

This was a great book. The other reviews covered the good stuff, so I'll just say this: you know it's a good book when the fact that the 2nd one isn't out yet ruins your whole weekend. The 2nd won't be here till 2017.

This is a very promising series from a new author. I would say it is a classic adventure story that brings some much needed purity and simplicity to the genre. As some other reviewers have mentioned, staying in a single point of view is a strength in this novel. The only real complaint I can make of this book is that the pacing gets a bit off near the end, excessive time skips appear and the story starts feeling rushed. The conclusion is a bit abrupt so I have a bit of an issue with that. I think any book should be a complete story contained within itself with a clear beginning, middle, and end, though a greater story may be told through sequels in a series. Other than that slight issue, I really found the book to be a refreshing change.

A good beginning to another trilogy with very likeable characters and what appears to be a very complicated plot depending how the second book develops. Which I hope will be finished soon. Highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading an excellent fantasy story.

This book is just okay. There's a magic system but it gets used only once in the first 400 pages. The book is sloooooooowww and there is very little that actually happens. It's too discombobulated by far and has many absolutely irrelevant scenes that add nothing of value except to prolong the book. I enjoyed the ending though where I was finally rewarded by something actually happening.

Strong writhing, good character development, a great read by new author, love it. Keep up the good work, especially like how you dodged the simple pov in the political situations, more depth and complexity thank you normally see.

Pretty slow paced with no outright plot for most of the book. Small town country boy travels around with more interesting companions. That's 90% of the book.

One good thing about it, the book has gratifyingly low amounts of teenage angst. The main character is young, but reacts to new situations well and never broods like a moody moron.

Worst thing about the book is the ending. Super abrupt, it's not quite a cliffhanger but feels almost like the author had a story the length of two books and just chopped it in half right there.

Great character and plot development. Good writing and pace that keeps you turning the pages. Am looking forward to see what the next books hold in store. Am just bummed that there are only 4 books to this author's name, for now. Hoping he's as prolific as he is good as a writer.

I am fascinated with the genre of this story; medieval fantasy with a heavy dose of the supernatural. The author does well with character development, but it can make some chapters drag on a little. However, given that this is just book 1 of a trilogy, I am okay with the level of detail. Overall, this is a great story and I'm looking forward to continuing in the trilogy.

I enjoyed the book but the main character did not hold true to his setting. Ben has outbursts throughout the book where he preaches to an uncaring world about how one should report crimes to the authorities, or avoid killing others. While I do think these sentiments are reasonable, the author wrote these interactions as if someone who was raised in the 21st century experienced these events. In short, Ben was prone to breaking character.

there were other issues but I enjoyed the book so 4\5.

A little slow at times but gets going and gives lots of action. It is edited quite well. Different from many stories of similar plot, the author develops his characters well . I look forward to more from him in the future.

Ashwood writes very well. Clearly a gifted and skilled writer. In dealing with storylines, he places the reader into the characters without falling back on crude, cheap sex scenes or sexual innuendo to sell the story. Hats off to Ashwood.

Watching Benjamin grow as a man as well as gaining skills to survive was fun. He is still learning who he is , but he is coming into his own. I can't wait to see how the adventure continues in the next few books.

This book could have been written in 30,000 words for 1 arc.

More than 75% of the novel is flowery descriptions, histories of things, or honestly, world building that adds little to the story.

Because honestly the world they're in is fairly generic. It's not like it needs alot of background to be understood.

Author needs to stop writing poetry, stop writing the massive amounts of prose, and stick to their story.

This book is so very slow, it feels like a stroll in a park. Not a park like Central Park, but like a park somewhere in the Canadian wilderness where the only time you see some action, that would be a wolf or a bear chasing you. The writer takes lots of time to build the stage, and fill it with rich details, but then there's nothing much going on in this rich stage. You see a war coming, you know you'll be pulled into the maelstrom, but right now it's still on the horizon, lurking ominously while you're still painting the lush vibrant details of the park in the wilderness

This is one of the better series I've read in a long time. Could use a little proofreading (but I'm a grammar nazi). Fast, entertaining and very likable protagonists and despicable antagonists. I'd put it up there with Ranger's Apprentice...although a little bit more mature content.

Very enjoyable and well-paced fantasy. Early on the reader might worry that it will be pretty derivative, but as the book (and the series) develop the story comes into its own. Cobble's prose is simple but not simplistic, and the characters become more complex as the story unfolds. I read the book on a whim and now I look forward to each new release in the series.

Starting off I wasn't sure if I would get into this book. I gave it a chance and next thing I knew I was done.
Love the storytelling, love the adventure that takes place.
Great book recommended to all. And there are currently 3 books total. I think a fourth is on its way.

Mixed feelings about this one. It has a good, if not new, story line but is half again too long for how far the story progresses. Lots and lots of scenes that do nothing to advance the story or evolve the characters. It feels like the author was assigned a specific word count and these were fill. On the plus side, the story has been edited well and doesn't suffer from the annoying typos and such that some do from first time authors. I will read the next one.

Started this book because I️ had already read through most of my library and immediately was hooked. I️ spaced out the reading over the course of two weeks and was sad when I️ finished the first book. I’ll be continuing this series now until the end

I very rarely review books, but this deserves it. One of the best fantasy novels I've read in a long time. The pacing is just right, story is intriguing and I love the characters. I'll be following AC Cobble from here on out - hopefully these books see enough success to make it a career!

If Robert Jordan hadn't wrote "The Wheel of Time" series this book wouldn't exist. Although some of the ideas in this book differ from The Wheel of Time, it's obvious that Cobble borrowed most of his plot from Robert Jordan . Not to say the writing is an exact duplicate. It has it's differences and some very good action.

This is honestly one of the best reads with plot and character development. The writing was exceptional with a perfect balance of character interactions and backdrop settings neither overpowering the other.

I was very skeptical of another the store Unlimited book full of half English and poorly developed characters. Fortunately this book turned into a great read. Still some errors but overall a very enjoyable read. I plan on reading his next Ben Ashwood book. I like how he has developed Ben.

It is an interesting read with sword fighting, sourcery, and everyday life in the Realms of Kings with war looming over everything yet romance involved just enough to keep you interested of The Perils of the people in the story

This story is ok to read. Sometimes it seems that clues are given that don't amount to anything. Also, sometimes politics are explained and it feels kind of preachy. This story seems to move along at a more plodding pace. However, the characters are likeable and the story is fresh. I would say it is an ok story.

Took a flyer on this novel and was immediately drawn into the story. Good character development, fast paced and interesting read. Have already acquired the sequel and am looking forward to tomorrow when I start reading.

Fairly well written, but honestly upsettingly formulaic. Nothing happens in the book that you don't see coming, except a minor twist at the end that you couldn't see coming which isn't a good twist. The prose are good, and I enjoyed it enough to finish, but not enough to continue the series.

Having to establish your characters and plot is always an important part of any story to be told. This story and its players unfolds over the entire book. There were entire sections I simply breezed over because, well, enough is enough. Its a well written and rather engaging story that is simply told a nit too deliberately and sometimes plodding. However, there are some very good elements to the novel that save it and do make it a worth while read. Just could have used a bit more action to keep it moving a more briskly.

This book may be OK for some readers but to compare it to a work by Tolkien is ridiculous. The story is doesn't include the amazing descriptions that the great authors use to show us the worlds they have created.

Every girl falls in love with him.
A few years he could be one of the best swordsmen in the world.
Everything falls in his favor.
He manages to fight a demon with a sword just months after learning for the first time.

I get it. He's the hero. Everything goes right for him. But hell, even a stubbed toe once in a while would be nice. I just can't wrap my head into a book that makes me feel like it's fantasy tropes 101.

I don't like to discourage authors who are just starting out, so suffice it to say that a plot outline and a decent editor could really turn this book around.
As it stands now, however, the book lacks flow and a clear direction.

Good storyline good characters good dialogue and action, and generally just pretty good. Not the best, seemed to be missing all the little details that make a story really good, like something you enjoyed but knew could have been better.

This is one of those books that's not a stand alone book, which is one of my huge pet peeves. The author ended the book in the middle of the story, so I'll have to buy the next book to continue with the story. I probably won't buy it.