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The Silvan #1
Path of a Novice
A land at war, a failing king, a light in the forest ...
Centuries ago, the powerful Alpine lords colonised the Great Forest. The native Silvan elves were accepting at first, but one elf's lust for power is threatening peace and driving a wedge between the two, immortal races. Leaders against followers, commanders against warriors.
Fel'annAr is an orphan with a million questions and no answers - his Silvan mother died and no one speaks of his Alpine father. With the face of an Alpine and the heart of a Silvan, the boy steps into this conflicted world with nothing in his pocket but a dream: to be a Silvan captain in an army commanded by Alpines, an army desperately struggling to hold its borders.
Fel'annAr's path as a novice warrior will teach him more than warfare. Embarking on a journey of self-discovery, he must learn to deal with his personal conflicts and with an emerging power he is yet to understand.
From recruit to novice warrior and beyond, Fel'annAr is the Silvan that could change the balance of power and alter his world forever.
Centuries ago, the powerful Alpine lords colonised the Great Forest. The native Silvan elves were accepting at first, but one elf's lust for power is threatening peace and driving a wedge between the two, immortal races. Leaders against followers, commanders against warriors.
Fel'annAr is an orphan with a million questions and no answers - his Silvan mother died and no one speaks of his Alpine father. With the face of an Alpine and the heart of a Silvan, the boy steps into this conflicted world with nothing in his pocket but a dream: to be a Silvan captain in an army commanded by Alpines, an army desperately struggling to hold its borders.
Fel'annAr's path as a novice warrior will teach him more than warfare. Embarking on a journey of self-discovery, he must learn to deal with his personal conflicts and with an emerging power he is yet to understand.
From recruit to novice warrior and beyond, Fel'annAr is the Silvan that could change the balance of power and alter his world forever.
252 pages, Paperback
First published October 20, 2017
1519 people are currently reading
2044 people want to read
About the author
R.K. Lander
17 books318 followersI'm R.K. Lander and I have always loved fantasy.
I read Tolkien and Hobb. I read Robert Jordan and Will Wight. I read all those classic fantasy books and when there was nothing left to read, I wrote my own stories, the ones I wanted to read but couldn't find.
I love epic fantasy. The battles, the creatures, the riveting stories and sweeping worlds. But I love the characters just as much. I love the intrigue, the politics, the strategy and the philosophy behind the magic systems. I love imaginary worlds that make sense, and I love characters that think logically.
I love exploring the depths of the warrior mindset. I love the emotions that life-changing events bring about, and if I can make my readers feel all those things, then that is what I most love about writing.
I hope you will read my stories and enjoy them, and if you do, I would love to hear from you.
I read Tolkien and Hobb. I read Robert Jordan and Will Wight. I read all those classic fantasy books and when there was nothing left to read, I wrote my own stories, the ones I wanted to read but couldn't find.
I love epic fantasy. The battles, the creatures, the riveting stories and sweeping worlds. But I love the characters just as much. I love the intrigue, the politics, the strategy and the philosophy behind the magic systems. I love imaginary worlds that make sense, and I love characters that think logically.
I love exploring the depths of the warrior mindset. I love the emotions that life-changing events bring about, and if I can make my readers feel all those things, then that is what I most love about writing.
I hope you will read my stories and enjoy them, and if you do, I would love to hear from you.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 219 reviews
July 5, 2017
I absolutely loved this book. This is definitely one of the most delightful fantasies I have ever read. I could not pronounce or spell any of the names if my life depended on it. . . but it made it more fascinating. I loved the characters. I loved the plot. I loved the writing style. I loved everything about "Path of a Novice". I sincerely believe this should be a best seller and that R. K. Lander is truly gifted. This is a MUST-READ for ALL fantasy lovers and especially for those who love J.R.R. Tolkein's books! I can't wait for the next book!
January 10, 2022
I've had this book pop up on my recommended lists on Amazon, and I've had several people mention it to me, so I figured it was time to try it out.
And I'm HOOKED. If you like elves in an epic, high fantasy world with lots of intrigue and gritty battles, then you'll want to check out this series!
Note: This book (and series) has some mild language and gritty battle scenes.
And I'm HOOKED. If you like elves in an epic, high fantasy world with lots of intrigue and gritty battles, then you'll want to check out this series!
Note: This book (and series) has some mild language and gritty battle scenes.
February 4, 2018
What a start to a new series. As the name suggests, its a journey of a young Elf in a war ravaged world, want to becoming a leader of his people. It's a good book that doesn't just glorify him, and, also shows his insecurities, challenges and his inner fight.
Must read for any fans of fantasy fiction!
Must read for any fans of fantasy fiction!
August 8, 2018
"She called him Fel'annar, Green Sun, immortal child with the heart of a Silvan and the face of an Alpine"
From the beginning, we know this is a story about a legend ... and this legend is Fel'annar, Green Sun. The author introduces us to a lush world of forests and elves in which two different cultures exist; those that are suppressed, the Silvan - and those that are the suppressors, the Alpines. And the heart of it all: a half-breed, an abandoned son without a father - one who aspires to be a Silvan captain in a world built for Alpines.
Overall, a very interesting premise and one that, for the most part, delivers. Before I go into what caused the book to deliver/not deliver, I just want to state that I read the second book first (for reasons detailed in my review for Road of a Warrior) and that I'm measuring the first book by the standards of it's sequel - which happens to be very high. As with my other review, I cover several parts of the book that could have been done better, but by no means do they stop my 4 star rating from being deserved. I really liked this book and it is most certainly worth reading.
I do feel that the issues I raised in my review for the second novel are more pronounced in the first. The writing, while excellent, feels more unrefined and in places, could clearly have been better. Keeping in mind that it is a debut novel, it is extremely impressive, but it does interrupt the flow of the book just a little. However, you can see from the first book alone, merely from the beginning to the end, that the flow of the writing improves. Additionally, by the second book, I could find absolutely no issue with it. Quite the opposite actually - the writing was beautiful.
I did find that some issues were more pronounced in this first novel - namely the way the main character was described. While extremely likable, Fel'annar is just a little too perfect. Examples include: "The boy's eyes were blazing pools of spring moss akin to the venerated woodland plant he was named after, a plant that only bloomed once, a flower of such beauty that many gave as tokens of esteem" ... "this - boy - this, green child had fired so fast they had barely been able to follow his moves, and as their eyes traveled now to the target, they found five quivering arrows deeply embedded at dead centre ... "he is the best warrior I have ever seen, even before training" ... "he was good - nay he was excellent" All in all, you can gather that Fel'annar is exceedingly beautiful and talented - this even though he has never received any formal training, is still a child in the eyes of the elves and yet he is skilled enough to be called excellent by the standards of warriors hundreds of years older than him.
I would have liked to see more of Fel'annar's childhood and how he came to be so talented. In this way, it would have been more understandable that he is possessed of such talent. As it is, the only development we see is of his magical talent and some of his character growth (though this is limited only to his anger against his father which he allows to extend to some of the Alpine race).
I also wanted to hear about his childhood. It is implied that it was rough through statements such as when Turion says "It must not have been easy - your childhood." and through Fel'annar's own reluctance to speak of it. Given that this book is epic fantasy, I was expecting the book to start at an earlier age so that we could find out what drove him to very hard to train and self-teach until he became the formidable warrior described. By starting later, I feel that this may have been lost a little - the reasons are touched on, but not experienced. It makes the book feel a little rushed.
Other than that, the world-building is more than adequate - there is political intrigue, mystery and a fascinating world to explore. I loved the way the story was told - it was the creation of a legend to be told for millennia. The characters are highly likable - particularly Lainon - and I would recommend this novel to all my friends. Despite the first novel being extremely good, the second book is definitely an improvement which just goes to show that the author has much further to go from an already highly promising start. At the very least, this series can only get better from here.
From the beginning, we know this is a story about a legend ... and this legend is Fel'annar, Green Sun. The author introduces us to a lush world of forests and elves in which two different cultures exist; those that are suppressed, the Silvan - and those that are the suppressors, the Alpines. And the heart of it all: a half-breed, an abandoned son without a father - one who aspires to be a Silvan captain in a world built for Alpines.
Overall, a very interesting premise and one that, for the most part, delivers. Before I go into what caused the book to deliver/not deliver, I just want to state that I read the second book first (for reasons detailed in my review for Road of a Warrior) and that I'm measuring the first book by the standards of it's sequel - which happens to be very high. As with my other review, I cover several parts of the book that could have been done better, but by no means do they stop my 4 star rating from being deserved. I really liked this book and it is most certainly worth reading.
I do feel that the issues I raised in my review for the second novel are more pronounced in the first. The writing, while excellent, feels more unrefined and in places, could clearly have been better. Keeping in mind that it is a debut novel, it is extremely impressive, but it does interrupt the flow of the book just a little. However, you can see from the first book alone, merely from the beginning to the end, that the flow of the writing improves. Additionally, by the second book, I could find absolutely no issue with it. Quite the opposite actually - the writing was beautiful.
I did find that some issues were more pronounced in this first novel - namely the way the main character was described. While extremely likable, Fel'annar is just a little too perfect. Examples include: "The boy's eyes were blazing pools of spring moss akin to the venerated woodland plant he was named after, a plant that only bloomed once, a flower of such beauty that many gave as tokens of esteem" ... "this - boy - this, green child had fired so fast they had barely been able to follow his moves, and as their eyes traveled now to the target, they found five quivering arrows deeply embedded at dead centre ... "he is the best warrior I have ever seen, even before training" ... "he was good - nay he was excellent" All in all, you can gather that Fel'annar is exceedingly beautiful and talented - this even though he has never received any formal training, is still a child in the eyes of the elves and yet he is skilled enough to be called excellent by the standards of warriors hundreds of years older than him.
I would have liked to see more of Fel'annar's childhood and how he came to be so talented. In this way, it would have been more understandable that he is possessed of such talent. As it is, the only development we see is of his magical talent and some of his character growth (though this is limited only to his anger against his father which he allows to extend to some of the Alpine race).
I also wanted to hear about his childhood. It is implied that it was rough through statements such as when Turion says "It must not have been easy - your childhood." and through Fel'annar's own reluctance to speak of it. Given that this book is epic fantasy, I was expecting the book to start at an earlier age so that we could find out what drove him to very hard to train and self-teach until he became the formidable warrior described. By starting later, I feel that this may have been lost a little - the reasons are touched on, but not experienced. It makes the book feel a little rushed.
Other than that, the world-building is more than adequate - there is political intrigue, mystery and a fascinating world to explore. I loved the way the story was told - it was the creation of a legend to be told for millennia. The characters are highly likable - particularly Lainon - and I would recommend this novel to all my friends. Despite the first novel being extremely good, the second book is definitely an improvement which just goes to show that the author has much further to go from an already highly promising start. At the very least, this series can only get better from here.
February 15, 2019
As usual, I'll start with the narrator.
His voice is smooth and pleasant, and has good inflections and tempo. Unfortunately, his voices leave a lot to be desired. His default "elf" voice was natural and sounded good, but there the good ends. His "deep" character voice sounded really contrived, almost like Raze from the Underworld movies. And his female voices literally made me burst out laughing. I don't mean to be rude, but it was awful.
Now for the story.
The writing itself is skillful and free of errors, apart from the overuse of the word "albeit." The characters are well written and interesting.
Even though these elves are VERY strongly based on Tolkien's work, there are a few neat things going on in the world (the disparity between the two races of elves being high on that list) that make it very interesting.
I'm giving the story one more star than I feel it deserves because this comes down to personal preference. In general, I really dislike omniscient POV. I much prefer a tight POV that allows for getting inside the heads of just a few characters. This one gives a shallow glimpse into a lot of different characters, and while it might just be my perception, it seemed that quite a lot less than half the time was spend from the perspective of the main character.
The story itself starts out looking like a pretty classic ambitious young man entering the military, but his training is glossed over and we're introduced to others who present the major intrigue of the story.
I was pretty interested in where things were going at that point.
Unfortunately, from there things start to bounce around and get rather convoluted.
I'm not exactly certain why the author chose to end the story where she did. I wouldn't classify it as a cliffhanger, as it does make a relatively neat end point, but there really wasn't anything that I would classify as a climax. There was no major event, battle, or character change that could be considered climactic.
I have a pretty good idea of where this might be going and I'll read at least the next one in the hope that it goes somewhere interesting, but as a standalone I found this one a little bit unsatisfying.
His voice is smooth and pleasant, and has good inflections and tempo. Unfortunately, his voices leave a lot to be desired. His default "elf" voice was natural and sounded good, but there the good ends. His "deep" character voice sounded really contrived, almost like Raze from the Underworld movies. And his female voices literally made me burst out laughing. I don't mean to be rude, but it was awful.
Now for the story.
The writing itself is skillful and free of errors, apart from the overuse of the word "albeit." The characters are well written and interesting.
Even though these elves are VERY strongly based on Tolkien's work, there are a few neat things going on in the world (the disparity between the two races of elves being high on that list) that make it very interesting.
I'm giving the story one more star than I feel it deserves because this comes down to personal preference. In general, I really dislike omniscient POV. I much prefer a tight POV that allows for getting inside the heads of just a few characters. This one gives a shallow glimpse into a lot of different characters, and while it might just be my perception, it seemed that quite a lot less than half the time was spend from the perspective of the main character.
The story itself starts out looking like a pretty classic ambitious young man entering the military, but his training is glossed over and we're introduced to others who present the major intrigue of the story.
I was pretty interested in where things were going at that point.
Unfortunately, from there things start to bounce around and get rather convoluted.
I'm not exactly certain why the author chose to end the story where she did. I wouldn't classify it as a cliffhanger, as it does make a relatively neat end point, but there really wasn't anything that I would classify as a climax. There was no major event, battle, or character change that could be considered climactic.
I have a pretty good idea of where this might be going and I'll read at least the next one in the hope that it goes somewhere interesting, but as a standalone I found this one a little bit unsatisfying.
August 11, 2018
It could've been a really good reading. Could've been... if the author had not loved her main character too much. This book may serve as a good example of what happens when a writer is so emotionally attached to their creation that WRITES about how loved they are instead of MAKING them loveable. The former makes the said creation simply irritating, the latter makes them worth reading about.
Other than the extremly annoying main character the plot is a cliche. We have a troubled kingdom with a BIG secret overshadowing its past. Of course, in the very middle of this mystery is the LOVELY main character, who in his PERFECTION (by the way, nothing explains the mentioned excellence), apparently is a long missing... oh... you might guess at this point. By the way, if you wander who might be a holder of an ultra-rare-and-source-of-all-prestige-skill, you might want to stop. You probably already know.
I know I am ranting, but seriously, the main character is so irritating that the book is hardly readable.
Other than the extremly annoying main character the plot is a cliche. We have a troubled kingdom with a BIG secret overshadowing its past. Of course, in the very middle of this mystery is the LOVELY main character, who in his PERFECTION (by the way, nothing explains the mentioned excellence), apparently is a long missing... oh... you might guess at this point. By the way, if you wander who might be a holder of an ultra-rare-and-source-of-all-prestige-skill, you might want to stop. You probably already know.
I know I am ranting, but seriously, the main character is so irritating that the book is hardly readable.
March 8, 2019
Eлфите са любимите ми същества от епичното фентъзи и поради това си отварям очите на четири, за да видя дали не се е появило нещо ново с тяхно участие, макар вътрешно за себе си да съм се примирил, че по-добро от книгите за стария свят на Warhammer от Гав Торп едва ли ще намеря. Все пак, когато погледът ми се спря на поредицата “The Silvan” на писателката R.K. Lander, реших да дам шанс на първата книга.
Заслужаваше ли си това, може да прочетете на линка:
http://citadelata.com/path-of-a-novic...
Заслужаваше ли си това, може да прочетете на линка:
http://citadelata.com/path-of-a-novic...
March 28, 2018
It took me a little while to get into it, it was more getting used to the style and the names. The names I didn’t really get used to them, but that was more to do with me being dyslexic than anything else. Once I did get into the book, I was hooked and thoroughly enjoyed myself reading the story.
I enjoyed the gradual expansion of the world being built, of the story unfolding with every single page. It was one of the stories where you read through the pages eager for the next gem that added more layers and context to the story.
The main thing that sucked me in was how the main character was done. You could see, some of the other characters could see how huge a role he was going to become. It took you on the start of that journey, it made you get excited about what was around the corner. It made you go oo that part could mean this or that. That and the fighting was so on point. I got extremely invested in the important scenes. Some I had to reread because they were just that good.
I enjoyed the gradual expansion of the world being built, of the story unfolding with every single page. It was one of the stories where you read through the pages eager for the next gem that added more layers and context to the story.
The main thing that sucked me in was how the main character was done. You could see, some of the other characters could see how huge a role he was going to become. It took you on the start of that journey, it made you get excited about what was around the corner. It made you go oo that part could mean this or that. That and the fighting was so on point. I got extremely invested in the important scenes. Some I had to reread because they were just that good.
September 29, 2020
More on Chill and read
I love a good Elf story and this one was amazing! It made me feel Lord of the Rings and in genera Tolkien vibes! I totally recommend it!
This is a world of elves, human and a few more species I would not like to reveal at the moment. Fel’annár is a half blood elf. He is Silvan from his mother’s side and he is Alpine from his father’s side. Alas, he has none of them in his life. He is growing up with his aunt Amareth at the forest, the land of the Silven and he considers himself a Silven, even though he doesn’t look like one. His dream is to become a warrior, to become a Captain, so, at the right age he aims to become a Novice. On his side he has two friends and the three of them are called “The Company” for they will look after each other and will guard each other’s back. They all share the same dream, but even if they get separated during training or afterwards on their missions, they know that they will find each other again, and so they do.
On his first assignment Fel’annár is accompanied by his mentor, Lieutenant Lainon. His fellow warriors are treating him wrongly, because even if he looks like an Alpine, the tribe that rules their land, he declares himself to be a Silvan, a humble forest person and warrior. The young novice is patient with them and he does as his told, until some day his patience is rewarded. Following his mentor’s and his commanding officer’s advice and orders he learns his job and he becomes better by each passing day. But Fel’annár has a gift that doesn’t take long to reveal itself. His abilities are beyond average and he is so close to the trees that he can listen them. He is a listener.
But he is not only that. He is a son of a king and this truth has been kept from him for his own safety. Now that his reputation spreads and everyone wants to meet The Silvan, as his nickname is, this truth becomes visible to more people. Be it either powerful, or dangerous or even both. He must be protected and so must be his father and they both need to know the truth before it is too late, but at the same time not too early either.
The world building reminds me so much of middle earth and the rules by which Tolkien’s elves lived by. Only in this case we have more magic and more abilities. We even have the two tribes and the racism and differences between them, which brings more into the story. And so is the politics, the story about the main character’s parents and what caused his existence but also what made them be apart. Secrets and society rules have brought happiness and sorrow to the king, his wife and children, to Fel’annár’s mother and finally Fel’annár himself. It’s a mighty and captivating story of a gorgeous and strong elf that sets his path to fulfill his destiny. And I love it!
I love a good Elf story and this one was amazing! It made me feel Lord of the Rings and in genera Tolkien vibes! I totally recommend it!
This is a world of elves, human and a few more species I would not like to reveal at the moment. Fel’annár is a half blood elf. He is Silvan from his mother’s side and he is Alpine from his father’s side. Alas, he has none of them in his life. He is growing up with his aunt Amareth at the forest, the land of the Silven and he considers himself a Silven, even though he doesn’t look like one. His dream is to become a warrior, to become a Captain, so, at the right age he aims to become a Novice. On his side he has two friends and the three of them are called “The Company” for they will look after each other and will guard each other’s back. They all share the same dream, but even if they get separated during training or afterwards on their missions, they know that they will find each other again, and so they do.
On his first assignment Fel’annár is accompanied by his mentor, Lieutenant Lainon. His fellow warriors are treating him wrongly, because even if he looks like an Alpine, the tribe that rules their land, he declares himself to be a Silvan, a humble forest person and warrior. The young novice is patient with them and he does as his told, until some day his patience is rewarded. Following his mentor’s and his commanding officer’s advice and orders he learns his job and he becomes better by each passing day. But Fel’annár has a gift that doesn’t take long to reveal itself. His abilities are beyond average and he is so close to the trees that he can listen them. He is a listener.
But he is not only that. He is a son of a king and this truth has been kept from him for his own safety. Now that his reputation spreads and everyone wants to meet The Silvan, as his nickname is, this truth becomes visible to more people. Be it either powerful, or dangerous or even both. He must be protected and so must be his father and they both need to know the truth before it is too late, but at the same time not too early either.
The world building reminds me so much of middle earth and the rules by which Tolkien’s elves lived by. Only in this case we have more magic and more abilities. We even have the two tribes and the racism and differences between them, which brings more into the story. And so is the politics, the story about the main character’s parents and what caused his existence but also what made them be apart. Secrets and society rules have brought happiness and sorrow to the king, his wife and children, to Fel’annár’s mother and finally Fel’annár himself. It’s a mighty and captivating story of a gorgeous and strong elf that sets his path to fulfill his destiny. And I love it!
March 31, 2017
Path of a Novice, book 1 of The Silvan Trilogy is a stunning masterpiece of fantasy adventure writing.
The author, R.K. Lander, effortlessly transports the reader into the fascinating, colourful & evocative universe of Bel’arán, where elves & mortals dwell together in discordant, dissident harmony.
The reader is adroitly pulled in, eagerly following the exciting & thrilling exploits of Fel’annar, the precocious elvish warrior-to-be whose path tosses him headlong into a huge, boiling cauldron of intrigue even as he is stretched to the utmost in the epic clashes between good and evil.
Surprisingly relevant issues of this day are deftly incorporated into masterfully weaved tapestries of this extraordinary adventure series, leaving the reader hooked & looking for more.
Path of a Novice is a superb must-read for any one who loves a good adventure story. If you only have time to read one book this year, it has to be this one!
[This is an editorial review]
The author, R.K. Lander, effortlessly transports the reader into the fascinating, colourful & evocative universe of Bel’arán, where elves & mortals dwell together in discordant, dissident harmony.
The reader is adroitly pulled in, eagerly following the exciting & thrilling exploits of Fel’annar, the precocious elvish warrior-to-be whose path tosses him headlong into a huge, boiling cauldron of intrigue even as he is stretched to the utmost in the epic clashes between good and evil.
Surprisingly relevant issues of this day are deftly incorporated into masterfully weaved tapestries of this extraordinary adventure series, leaving the reader hooked & looking for more.
Path of a Novice is a superb must-read for any one who loves a good adventure story. If you only have time to read one book this year, it has to be this one!
[This is an editorial review]
September 7, 2018
I was 11 when I read The Hobbit, and 27 years later I am truly and completely hooked on fantasy. I do not descriminate, but, I've always had a week spot for elves. When I stumbled on The Silvan I could see the story is not finished, and I do have the rule- don't start reading if it's not finished. Well I couldn't stay away. And now that I read the first book I'm sorry I broke it. And then again, I really am glad I did. From the first page you become a part of the beautiful, magical world. It has a specific pace, but perfectly measured. I often get bored with too long battle descriptions, they make me feel like I am reading ninja tutorial. Or, YAWN, writers force us to spend so much time inside the characters heads, that we forget they can actualy talk to each other! But not in this book. This book has it all, and in just the perfect quantities.
Enough from me now, Road of The Warrior was just downloaded on my Kindle, off I go to the Deep Forest!
Enough from me now, Road of The Warrior was just downloaded on my Kindle, off I go to the Deep Forest!
March 8, 2019
Elves like you’ve never known before
I haven’t enjoyed elves this much since I met Drizzt back in the day. I couldn’t give it five stars, even though I loved it, because it’s a story about warriors that lacks good battle scenes. But it’s exciting, with great characters and decent world building. It’s just too obviously written by a woman. These are the most emotional elves I’ve ever encountered. They spend a little too much time braiding each other’s hair. The magic system is largely undefined so it’s use comes without context. The military situation feels unexplained. They are raided regularly, but not by an army seeking to conquer. The enemy seems to have no purpose other than destruction. Also, there is a large back story of how a minority of Alpine elves came to conquer the Silvan nation which could have been explored but is largely ignored. Perhaps it will be explored in future volumes. Which I look forward to, in spite of my rating.
I haven’t enjoyed elves this much since I met Drizzt back in the day. I couldn’t give it five stars, even though I loved it, because it’s a story about warriors that lacks good battle scenes. But it’s exciting, with great characters and decent world building. It’s just too obviously written by a woman. These are the most emotional elves I’ve ever encountered. They spend a little too much time braiding each other’s hair. The magic system is largely undefined so it’s use comes without context. The military situation feels unexplained. They are raided regularly, but not by an army seeking to conquer. The enemy seems to have no purpose other than destruction. Also, there is a large back story of how a minority of Alpine elves came to conquer the Silvan nation which could have been explored but is largely ignored. Perhaps it will be explored in future volumes. Which I look forward to, in spite of my rating.
March 31, 2018
The Gift
The book begins with a mystery. A young boy without a father wants to be a warrior and trains himself constantly. He has three friends and they call themselves “The Company.”
As they head off for training to protect the Silva’s and their Forrest, they are soon separated as one leaps ahead of the others and is taken on petrol. He meets the Sand Lords and the Deviants who seek to destroy the Sivan’s and the Forrest. He fights them in such an amazing way, his tutors are astounded and they begin to discover who he really is. The book ends as he is promoted to being a full fledged warrior and his mentors are going to tell him who he really is. His name is F——-. Can not wait for the next book.
The book begins with a mystery. A young boy without a father wants to be a warrior and trains himself constantly. He has three friends and they call themselves “The Company.”
As they head off for training to protect the Silva’s and their Forrest, they are soon separated as one leaps ahead of the others and is taken on petrol. He meets the Sand Lords and the Deviants who seek to destroy the Sivan’s and the Forrest. He fights them in such an amazing way, his tutors are astounded and they begin to discover who he really is. The book ends as he is promoted to being a full fledged warrior and his mentors are going to tell him who he really is. His name is F——-. Can not wait for the next book.
April 16, 2018
2.5 stars
There is a great deal of potential in this story. However, it is held back by a narrative style that pushes me away from the story and the characters. The distance keeps me from caring as much as I should and the narratorial intrusion is annoying to say the least. The writing is additionally plagued by a number of awkward spots that frequently leaves it feeling stilted at the most inconvenient times. Finally, it ends on a hook, whichis always disappointing. The MC had a solid character arc and achieved his first main goal. It should have ended there. In the celebration. Without the threats and hook.
There is a great deal of potential in this story. However, it is held back by a narrative style that pushes me away from the story and the characters. The distance keeps me from caring as much as I should and the narratorial intrusion is annoying to say the least. The writing is additionally plagued by a number of awkward spots that frequently leaves it feeling stilted at the most inconvenient times. Finally, it ends on a hook, whichis always disappointing. The MC had a solid character arc and achieved his first main goal. It should have ended there. In the celebration. Without the threats and hook.
April 8, 2019
I love this book - RK pulled me into her world, and I lost myself in it. The world building is fantastic and I loved the characters. I am eagerly awaiting the next book!
December 14, 2017
What a wonderful fantasy story with lots of hard to pronounce names. This makes it so delightful and intriguing. Received a free story.
March 31, 2018
Great story, must read for all elf fans out there!
This story grabbed me from the beginning and I couldn't stop reading, now I can hardly wait for volume 2 to come out.
This story grabbed me from the beginning and I couldn't stop reading, now I can hardly wait for volume 2 to come out.
November 17, 2017
Path of a Novice, the first book in The Silvan Trilogy by R.K. Lander, made me think back to those days when I dreamed about being a warrior in a magical world whose name is chanted everywhere I would go. One would have to train to wield a sword, an axe, or shoot arrows while in battle. One would have to be fearless, risk one’s life to save others. Or, one could just read this book and see the path a half-Silvan, half-Alpine elf with silvery blond hair and moss green eyes named Fel’annár has to walk towards becoming a warrior.
Before Fel’annár and his two friends Ramien and Idernon can be promoted to warrior status, they must first complete their novice training. For Ramien and Idernon, this might be nothing but a simple first step in their military careers, but Fel’annár doesn’t yet know what effect his fighting talents and his deeds will have among those that he encounters. He is also to discover that he has a gift, one which allows him to fight like an extraordinary warrior and also, to listen to the very trees. As Fel’annár’s training leads him to battle against Deviants and Sand Lords, others secretly make moves to keep his true identity as the illegitimate son of a king a secret from himself and those that would use it against the father he never knew.
Expect to see the Silvan people, a people that have come to be famed in the military as master archers, for what they are: a people at one with their forest home. This home of the Silvans, known as the Deep Forest of Ea Uaré, you are able to see clearly as if you were an eagle soaring over their villages that are scattered throughout a most natural, green landscape.
Fel’annár, whose name translates to “Green Sun”, might’ve grown up among Silvan elves, but with the face of an Alpine elf, he cannot possibly be a pure Silvan. His aunt Amareth had protected that face of his, a face that would cause him to be both loved and hated, for fifty-one years. Through reactions from those he encounters, I saw Fel’annár as an elf that girls would certainly see as a beautiful specimen, but inserting details about his hands being rough and calloused and how he can pull an arrow and shoot from a horse in a split second, the author shows us that beauty, in general, shouldn’t be mistaken for softness in any way.
The great thing about The Company, the group consisting out of Fel’annár, Ramien, and Idernon, is that their differences make them the perfect team. Fel’annár is shown as a great fighter with a temper he must learn to control. One mental trigger that stokes that temper of his is being called an Alpine. The big Ramien, nicknamed the Wall of Stone, has a paradoxical quality about him which leads him to fuss over food. Idernon is an elf of wisdom who is quick to drift away and ponder philosophical questions; he has known for a long time that his half-Silvan, half-Alpine friend has the qualities of a leader.
The Company, as a minor disappointment for readers, get broken up. The advantage in this is that we see Fel’annár grow as a leader in the making without his friends there with him. Though he can fight well enough, there are lessons about battle that he will have to learn, one of which being that to shoot for the head with an arrow is not always what keeps those that fight on your side alive. Fel’annár holds back with his fighting skill in the beginning, but Turion, his commanding officer, knows this and wishes to simply understand the boy’s behavior at first. When Turion asks Fel’annár what it is that he wants, he looks at Turion with “conviction, surety, and single-minded determination” and says that he “wants to be a captain.”
What Fel’annár, and readers, do not yet see at first is how great the boy’s destiny really is, something that Lander slowly shows us and when it all comes together, readers will surely feel the impact of something divinely powerful. Mentoring Fel’annár is Lieutenant Lainon, Prince Handir’s ex-charge. Prince Handir, seeing Fel’annar for himself from a distance, is to discover the truth about Thargodén, the king, and what led to his mother’s disappearance and his father becoming but an almost empty shell of himself. He knows about Fel’annár, thanks to Lainon, and does what he can on his part to come up with a plan to keep the identity of Fel’annár secret. His brother, Prince Rinon, is one elf that should not find out.
With the Silvans, the boy is popular, but obvious hatred comes his way from a few Alpine elves because he looks like an Alpine but chooses to be a Silvan. But there is more to it than that. Fel’annár’s mother, who he believes to be dead, had been Silvan and he knew nothing about his father. Amareth, his aunt, never gave him much in the way of answers. Even during his novice training, we learn more about him than he learns about himself, but at least he grows and changes with each lesson and experience.
There is a time when Turion approaches Fel’annár from behind and Fel’annár is able to tell exactly that it is Turion. The author doesn’t tell readers how Fel’annár knows this exactly. Three races of elves, besides the Ari’ator, are mentioned. “The Silvans of the great forests, the Alpines of the mountains and the Pelagians of the sea.” If readers are looking to meet all three of them they will be disappointed when they don’t get to meet any Pelagians.
Race discrimination, terrible secrets, spiritual wounds, paying more attention to nature, are all secondary themes explored by R.K. Lander as she begins her trilogy with a first installment powerful enough to draw courage, determination, world-improving action out of any who chooses to read it. Her protagonist, Fel’annár, is a brand new beacon of hope for young readers everywhere. It is more than a fun read – it is screamingly unforgettable, spiritually stimulating, and extraordinarily effective.
Before Fel’annár and his two friends Ramien and Idernon can be promoted to warrior status, they must first complete their novice training. For Ramien and Idernon, this might be nothing but a simple first step in their military careers, but Fel’annár doesn’t yet know what effect his fighting talents and his deeds will have among those that he encounters. He is also to discover that he has a gift, one which allows him to fight like an extraordinary warrior and also, to listen to the very trees. As Fel’annár’s training leads him to battle against Deviants and Sand Lords, others secretly make moves to keep his true identity as the illegitimate son of a king a secret from himself and those that would use it against the father he never knew.
Expect to see the Silvan people, a people that have come to be famed in the military as master archers, for what they are: a people at one with their forest home. This home of the Silvans, known as the Deep Forest of Ea Uaré, you are able to see clearly as if you were an eagle soaring over their villages that are scattered throughout a most natural, green landscape.
Fel’annár, whose name translates to “Green Sun”, might’ve grown up among Silvan elves, but with the face of an Alpine elf, he cannot possibly be a pure Silvan. His aunt Amareth had protected that face of his, a face that would cause him to be both loved and hated, for fifty-one years. Through reactions from those he encounters, I saw Fel’annár as an elf that girls would certainly see as a beautiful specimen, but inserting details about his hands being rough and calloused and how he can pull an arrow and shoot from a horse in a split second, the author shows us that beauty, in general, shouldn’t be mistaken for softness in any way.
The great thing about The Company, the group consisting out of Fel’annár, Ramien, and Idernon, is that their differences make them the perfect team. Fel’annár is shown as a great fighter with a temper he must learn to control. One mental trigger that stokes that temper of his is being called an Alpine. The big Ramien, nicknamed the Wall of Stone, has a paradoxical quality about him which leads him to fuss over food. Idernon is an elf of wisdom who is quick to drift away and ponder philosophical questions; he has known for a long time that his half-Silvan, half-Alpine friend has the qualities of a leader.
The Company, as a minor disappointment for readers, get broken up. The advantage in this is that we see Fel’annár grow as a leader in the making without his friends there with him. Though he can fight well enough, there are lessons about battle that he will have to learn, one of which being that to shoot for the head with an arrow is not always what keeps those that fight on your side alive. Fel’annár holds back with his fighting skill in the beginning, but Turion, his commanding officer, knows this and wishes to simply understand the boy’s behavior at first. When Turion asks Fel’annár what it is that he wants, he looks at Turion with “conviction, surety, and single-minded determination” and says that he “wants to be a captain.”
What Fel’annár, and readers, do not yet see at first is how great the boy’s destiny really is, something that Lander slowly shows us and when it all comes together, readers will surely feel the impact of something divinely powerful. Mentoring Fel’annár is Lieutenant Lainon, Prince Handir’s ex-charge. Prince Handir, seeing Fel’annar for himself from a distance, is to discover the truth about Thargodén, the king, and what led to his mother’s disappearance and his father becoming but an almost empty shell of himself. He knows about Fel’annár, thanks to Lainon, and does what he can on his part to come up with a plan to keep the identity of Fel’annár secret. His brother, Prince Rinon, is one elf that should not find out.
With the Silvans, the boy is popular, but obvious hatred comes his way from a few Alpine elves because he looks like an Alpine but chooses to be a Silvan. But there is more to it than that. Fel’annár’s mother, who he believes to be dead, had been Silvan and he knew nothing about his father. Amareth, his aunt, never gave him much in the way of answers. Even during his novice training, we learn more about him than he learns about himself, but at least he grows and changes with each lesson and experience.
There is a time when Turion approaches Fel’annár from behind and Fel’annár is able to tell exactly that it is Turion. The author doesn’t tell readers how Fel’annár knows this exactly. Three races of elves, besides the Ari’ator, are mentioned. “The Silvans of the great forests, the Alpines of the mountains and the Pelagians of the sea.” If readers are looking to meet all three of them they will be disappointed when they don’t get to meet any Pelagians.
Race discrimination, terrible secrets, spiritual wounds, paying more attention to nature, are all secondary themes explored by R.K. Lander as she begins her trilogy with a first installment powerful enough to draw courage, determination, world-improving action out of any who chooses to read it. Her protagonist, Fel’annár, is a brand new beacon of hope for young readers everywhere. It is more than a fun read – it is screamingly unforgettable, spiritually stimulating, and extraordinarily effective.
May 30, 2023
This isn't a bad book, it just wasn't for me.
We have elves fighting against monsters, but there are also problems among their owns. The MC is a bit different from his friends and all the other elves who are training to become warriors, and to be honest the revelation of his identity did not come as a surprise...
I think this is a bit too much plot-driven for my taste. It was very difficult for me to care about the characters, about any of them.
We have elves fighting against monsters, but there are also problems among their owns. The MC is a bit different from his friends and all the other elves who are training to become warriors, and to be honest the revelation of his identity did not come as a surprise...
I think this is a bit too much plot-driven for my taste. It was very difficult for me to care about the characters, about any of them.
January 27, 2019
Delightful and Captivating
This was a great read for me. The story was enchanting with likeable characters. It is not so dark as the other fantasy I've read recently, which is refreshing. Only reason I didn't give 5 stars was due to some grammatical errors. Regardless, I would recommend this to anyone who is a fan of elves and fantasy.
This was a great read for me. The story was enchanting with likeable characters. It is not so dark as the other fantasy I've read recently, which is refreshing. Only reason I didn't give 5 stars was due to some grammatical errors. Regardless, I would recommend this to anyone who is a fan of elves and fantasy.
January 15, 2022
This was an interesting start to a series by a new-to-me author. The storytelling style was a bit didactic for my tastes (think: heavy handed racism and info dump of names), but overall I appreciated the multiple povs and the clean content. I'm curious to see where the author takes this story arc and if her writing style develops as the series unfolds.
August 4, 2018
Highly recommend! A superb, well written plot. R.K Lander has been added to my favorite author list.
January 17, 2023
Didn't know I liked fantasy. But, really enjoyed this book.
December 7, 2018
Spellbinding!😀
Very different concept for a fantasy book. I highly recommend it to those who like fantasy. I can't wait to read the next book.
Very different concept for a fantasy book. I highly recommend it to those who like fantasy. I can't wait to read the next book.
November 8, 2018
Wonderful story.
Kindle Unlimited. Yay!
I'm so glad I decided to check out this series. There's a certain genre of storylines that I've really come to love (when they are well told) but I'm not sure it's been "named". It's really a treat to find one and this certainly qualifies. Honor. Loyalty. Heart. Time spent in/with/around beautiful, restorative, natural places.
This reminds me of the things I enjoyed in reading Red Rowan and Battle Mage. As these are completed series, it's so nice to find another enjoyable "place" to visit.
Kindle Unlimited. Yay!
I'm so glad I decided to check out this series. There's a certain genre of storylines that I've really come to love (when they are well told) but I'm not sure it's been "named". It's really a treat to find one and this certainly qualifies. Honor. Loyalty. Heart. Time spent in/with/around beautiful, restorative, natural places.
This reminds me of the things I enjoyed in reading Red Rowan and Battle Mage. As these are completed series, it's so nice to find another enjoyable "place" to visit.
July 27, 2018
Very good read
I enjoyed this book very much. It has good well- written characters, good story, and a good overall feel to it. It's hard to say exactly what makes a story click, but you know it when you see it, or read it. Good book!
I enjoyed this book very much. It has good well- written characters, good story, and a good overall feel to it. It's hard to say exactly what makes a story click, but you know it when you see it, or read it. Good book!
February 25, 2019
2.5 to maybe 3 stars, not sure what all the hype was about for this one. I found it just okay (maybe) and not sure I wish to read the next book in this series. It did start out pretty good but faded and never really recovered.
October 21, 2018
A very good tale given the strong characterisation throughout. Everyone seems real but although most are elves, I didn't see a great distinction between these and mankind. Nevertheless readers need to be able to relate to persons in a story and Lander does this well. Every page is a pleasure to read and the story is admirably resolved just gagging for Book II to be read. And I have ordered book II. Very much look forward to reading all of this series. The plot thickens and the politics and machinations therein are realistic and compelling. A very good book which is pretty well a must-read.
October 10, 2018
A great book
I was immediately a part of the story, struggling along with them all. I was so engrossed in this book that I hadn't realized that I had come to the end. I wish I had read slower, but at least an happy that there is a second book in the series!
I was immediately a part of the story, struggling along with them all. I was so engrossed in this book that I hadn't realized that I had come to the end. I wish I had read slower, but at least an happy that there is a second book in the series!
September 16, 2018
3.5 Stars
Don’t let the 3 star review fool you, I loved this book! The storyline is awesome and it’s action packed. Great first release from a new author! I rarely read YA books anymore but I highly enjoyed reading about The Silvan and cannot wait to read the book. Once I picked this book up I didn’t want to put it down. I kept wanting to know what was going to happen next, because throughout the whole book something was Happening on each page. She did this while simultaneously world & character building. Very impressed. It does feel a little raw and unpolished but that’s something that comes to authors after years of publishing. And it doesn’t take away from the brilliance of her work. If you love elves as much as I do I definitely recommend you read this book.
Don’t let the 3 star review fool you, I loved this book! The storyline is awesome and it’s action packed. Great first release from a new author! I rarely read YA books anymore but I highly enjoyed reading about The Silvan and cannot wait to read the book. Once I picked this book up I didn’t want to put it down. I kept wanting to know what was going to happen next, because throughout the whole book something was Happening on each page. She did this while simultaneously world & character building. Very impressed. It does feel a little raw and unpolished but that’s something that comes to authors after years of publishing. And it doesn’t take away from the brilliance of her work. If you love elves as much as I do I definitely recommend you read this book.
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