Monday, May 20, 2013

INSIGHT, Terron James' YA high fantasy



INSIGHT, a 426-page young adult high fantasy is Terron James’ debut novel and the first installment of four in the Beholders series. James has masterfully crafted the mystical land of Appernysia, a world brimming with rich history and magic that an audience of all types will find delight in discovering. Readers will be impressed and fascinated by James’ meticulous narrative and detailed maps of Appernysia. The maps, as well as some amazing concept art not appearing in the book, can be viewed at: http://terronjames.blogspot.com/p/world-of-appernysia.html

Synopsis:
Rumors are surging through Appernysia that a Beholder has been born, the first wielder of True Sight in over a millennium. Seventeen-year-old Lon Marcs discovers he has been blessed—or cursed—with this gift. He cannot control the power of True Sight and feels it killing him with each passing day. He realizes that the only people who might possess the knowledge to save his life are the sworn enemies of his king. To obtain their help, Lon would have to journey into exile, leaving behind his village, family, and beloved Kaylen. Although this is the hardest decision Lon has ever made, it is only the first of many that will test his strength and challenge his interpretation of right and wrong. (synopsis by Jolly Fish Press)

INSIGHT was released June 1, 2013 through Jolly Fish Press.

Watch the book trailer on Youtube!

My review of INSIGHT:
INSIGHT, Terrons James’ first story in his young adult “Beholders” fantasy series, gripped my interest from the first page. His fantastical world of Appernysia (complete with detailed maps and a glossary of terms), and the main character's dilemmas, was like a cross between Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings and the BBC’s miniseries, Merlin, both of which I love. Though the first third of the book flowed at a leisurely pace, taking time to introduce the reader to the main character, Lon, and his background and trials, it really picked up in the second portion of the story, making INSIGHT a page-turner. I itched to learn what would happen next in Lon’s quest to control his new-found powers in perceiving and utilizing the invisible essences of nature. As he’s drawn into enemy territory and forced to become one of them, Lon is torn and confused over who he is and who he needs to become in order to save his life and the lives of those he loves. James' descriptions of settings, weapons and events are fascinating, allowing the reader to really picture the scenes in great detail, but that in no way slow the story. Of course, I was completely hooked by the end of the book and eagerly looking forward to the next installments in the “Beholders” series, especially with James leaving the reader with a hint of events that will unfold in the next books. Well done, Terron James!

Find INSIGHT at:
Or order it from any other bookstore!

About the author:
Born in the wrong age, Terron James continually fantasizes of shining steel, majestic stone architecture, thundering cavalry rushes, and opportunities to prove his honor. James is an English teacher and a member and recent president of the Tooele Chapter of the League of Utah Writers. He currently lives in Tooele, Utah, with his wife and four kids.

Follow Terron James on:
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2 comments:

  1. Nice, get 'em hooked young. :-) Page count surprises me just a bit for YA, but in a good way.

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    1. The book length surprised me too, but I trust it's good enough to keep a young readers' interest throughout the entire story. I haven't read it yet, but I'm looking forward to it. I'm a little behind in my stories, however, with working on my own as well, so it might be a month or so before I get a chance to read INSIGHT.

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