Home Lost (Clarion of Destiny Series #1)

Terrific story, bad editing, but worth it

This was a really terrific story. Very interesting, well-developed plot with complex twists, suspense, and even really good flashbacks. Characters were likeable, real, and compelling: honorable people who tried hard to do the right thing even when they had been treated badly. Really engaging read. The one drawback to this story, and one that makes me hesitate to buy the others, is that there were a lot of small copyediting and typographical errors throughout the book. Although the writing overall was good and sophisticated so I could forget I was reading something written by an author, rather than watching the story unfold, I'd be rudely and frequently reminded by encountering these errors. Often, the wrong word was used (like 'sight' instead of 'site'), which changed the meaning; punctuation was bad in a lot of places (lots of missing apostrophes and commas, for example); spelling was mangled here and there;and lots more. Normally, this many errors would cause me to walk away, but this was good enough that I read all 497 pages in spite of the distraction, and wanted more of them. Wish I could proof this for the author just so I'd be able in future to read the stories without the drawback of the disruptive editing flaws! Hate to pay for a book that might have just as many.

7 out of 8 people found this review helpful.

Great read, you'll finish it in no time.

I really enjoyed this volume of Clarion of Destiny. Some complain there is too much back story, or its mostly Darius telling his story, but so what? Darius had a great story. I'm half way through the second book, To Save Elderon, and I'm very glad to have heard Darius' story.

I'd recommend this to anyone. It doesn't get bogged down in details and stuff that just doesn't matter - it gets to the point and keeps the pace going.

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

Fantastic fantasy novel!

This was a great read! The reader is pulled in right from the prologue and can't put it down! The main character, Leena, is chosen by a magical tree to get the Garlan branch: a powerful wand. Thus begins a chain of events that sends Leena on a perilous journey north to find the Great Wizard. Along the way she meets a number of fantastic characters, allies and enemies alike! The characters are all well developed and it is clear that the author put a great deal of thought into the plot and the backstory as well. Leena is still young and untrained and the reader gets to watch her grow and mature as the novel progresses. McLaren paints a beautiful world and the reader can just immerse themselves in it. I felt like I was shivering along with Leena in the cold. Home Lost, the first novel in the Clarion of Destiny series, ended with a satisfying conclusion, but - as any good book in a series does - left the reader wanting more. I highly recommend this book and can't wait to start the next one!

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

I was swallowed up in this imaginative ADVENTURE!!

This is volume 1 of an 8 volume adventure. I was unabashedly carried away into his warm and magical adventure.. Mclaren's character development, imagination and adventurous tale became a passion.........and I am waiting to pounce on his next volume.. I devoured volume 1 and 2 - he has just released volume 3........at smashbooks (it has to go through a stringent review process before it is released to Barnes and Nobel--I am a Nook reader)............and I am anxiously awaiting it's release. He is currently editing book 4. How do I know, because he responded to my email........(how wonderful!) and filled me in. Obviously, his story and writing style really appealed to me. Good BUY!

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Great read

Loved this book. Very entertaining!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Two thumbs up!

Great first book...just bought the second and cant wait to get started! There were some typos, etc but to me didnt distract from the story. I am hooked as i was with Jordans Wheel of Time series...i hope the next books continue to achieve the interest of the first!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

GREAT Read!

This is a great read. Highly imaginative and the writing transports you to the author's world. I could NOT put this book down!

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

super good book.

i couldn't put this one down. it held my attention all the way to the end. i can't wait to read more of this series.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Bluestar

*Bluestars eyes tear up* "I'm so sorry"!!! *Bluestar licks and licks Stormpaw.*

Darkflame

?

Burn

Kises storm

Stompaw

*sobs ino his mothers fur, comforted by her licking*

Amblefoot

I know how u feel

Great story

Not too predictable and kept me gripped from start to finish. Well over 400 pages, this is almosr unheard of in a free novel. Cant wait to read the next book!

Logan

Kisses her bo.oobs. ur turn.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Anonymous

I just wanted to check out a book...amd i see two people having sex!!!! That's nasty

Meh.

I like the story but he has a very elementary writing style and horrible grammer/punctuation. This goes for the whole series.

Great free book

Certainly an enjoyable beginning to another fantasy series! I am ready to continue reading about Leena, her quest to save her family, and her friends she meets along the way.

I'm having trouble.....

Is this book good and how many pages does it have because I don't like to read shory books. The least amount of pages that I can read is around 200 and the most is around 500 or 600.

† N.S †

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Clarion of Destiny vol 1 Home Lost

So hard to put down! Greatest storytelling combining effortlessly the styles of old & modern. Enjoyed it imensely!