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The plot and characters are well developed and interesting. Each personality is distinct and uniform throughout the story (all three books). The details within the story are just enough so the read's own imagination can form the images easily. The story is fluid, comedic, serious, heartfelt, and reads easily. I do not remember there being any vulgarity, there isn't any sexuality, and is a very clean, exciting read. The length of the novels is over 900 pages, an unprecedented amount for a free book. This is the kind of novel I look for because I want more book for my buck. I am an avid reader and I average about 150 pages an hour. So an "average" novel is nothing more than a magazine article to me. The length is amazing and I am extremely pleased to say that I enjoyed every word! One of the greatest failings I find in some authors is that they spend too much time with the details. I really don't need to be told that the leaf on the tree has 5 main veins running through the center etc etc. A clearer example, recently I read a novel where the author spent 5 pages describing a tree. A tree that didn't have any direct bearing on the story line other than it was in front of the character. This is what I refer to as book filler or fluff. Unnecessary detailed information for the sole purpose of filling the bare minimum of 10,000 words. I am thrilled to say that Joseph Lallo does not suffer from the affliction of detail diarrhea. If the characters in the story can make me laugh out loud more than once, I usually find it's a good story. I love quick intelligent wit. Countless times while reading this story my husband would say to me, "You are smiling at the book." "You are giggling at the book." "Stop laughing at the book." We read the same kind of books and I can't wait for him to finish the novel he is currently on so I can repeat those same lines back to him! I LOVE the fact that there isn't any detailed sex or seedy romance in the story. Yes, there is a touch of romance, but it is kid friendly, and it is more like a dash rather than a sprinkle. My son (16 yrs old) reads the same genres that my husband and I read, it's a family event. I enjoy being able to pass my books onto my son and then all of us discuss them afterwards. Sorry this is such a long review but stating, "Great read" just didn't seem to do this justice. I am greatly looking forward to more novels from Joseph Lallo. "Jo" is becoming one of my favorite authors. Keep up the good work Jo! And if you need and editor to proof read sometime for you, just let me know! (Seriously)
82 out of 86 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted February 27, 2011
I could not put this book down! Shockingly, It was about 900, yes 900 pages long. Most FREE books are not that long. It is the first in a series and the other books, "The Great Convergence" and "Jade" (tie in story), are reasonably priced. A lot of magic and mystic happenings involved! Would recommend to any fellow reader that likes mystic and magical happeings. No harsh lauguage. Well written! Can not wait to start the second book!
31 out of 32 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted November 21, 2011
I am always skeptical of the free ebooks. They usually are very poorly written and edited or the plot and characters are two dimensional, at best.
That being said, I was so delighted and very surprised to find The Book of Deacon a rare exception. The characters are complex and unique. They all have flaws and redeeming qualities. They are complete human beings and the reader will love to cheer them on.
As for the plot: "A hero to bring peace and redemption to a war torn land" is common. But the author gives this cliche subtle twists. You are questioning who is that hero or if there is more than one. The people of the land seem to enjoy the long war. And magic is, once again, a talent heavily reliant on the elements fire, water, earth, air, and illusion or "the mind".
The author makes the plot enticing with these small differences. He writes well and has created a unique world He doesn't go into long-winded descriptive paragraphs yet the book still 926 pages long! (Abnormal for a free ebook.)
In conclusion, this is a lovely novel and it should be in physical print. Read it.
25 out of 26 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Fantasy_mom
Posted June 25, 2011
When you combine several tired, overdone fantasy elements with some questionable grammar in a much too long book? Apparently, with a dash of talented character building and a pinch of clever dialogue, a rip-roaring good read! I thoroughly enjoyed every page, even the ones I thought would be silly (mermaids and fox men? Really?) It is also clean, so appropriate for younger readers. But defintely thoughtful enough for the older folk as well! I must go get started on the sequel now...
15 out of 15 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Its 905 pages, but it reads smoothly and captures your attention from the beginning. Ir's the story of Miranda, a girl orphaned by a war that has raged for centuries. She comes across a dead solider who is carry a precious treasure that will forever change her world. Filled with magic, mystical creatures, wizards all in an epic journey that will having you rushing out to get book 2 as soon as you finish it.
11 out of 14 people found this review helpful.
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Posted July 5, 2011
loved it so much in going to buy the next book
9 out of 13 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted December 27, 2011
The quick overview makes this book seem interesting & a must read. Upon starting the book I was quite disappointed. The beginning starts a little slow (I wasn't sure if he was going for Star Wars or something from the Middle Ages) & overall thr book is written in an extremely simplistic manner. The customer reviews was a big decision factor to read this and I found myself disappointed. I could not finish this book because if the writing style. Might be a good read for younger readers.
5 out of 7 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted September 20, 2011
this book and the rest of the series are a must for sci-fi readers. read through the book in one day because i couldn't put it down.
5 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 3, 2012
This is an amazing book and I can't believe that it's free! Can't wait to read the next one!
4 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
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Posted December 31, 2011
I cant beleive that this is free! I will definately get the other books in the series
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted December 2, 2011
After almost 2000 pages of the first two books, I find that I cannot go on to the third. The constant never ending sequence of battles was like being imprisoned in a horrible video game with characters that had no sensitivity. The author set the characters up to have some potential for relationships, but none ever developed. What a shame. This would be a fantastic series if there were less battles and more relationship development. It definitely needs a little romance. All the violence and gore keeps this from being a PG book, but it is far from satisfying as an adult book. Come on, Joseph Lallo, you can do better than that, or don't you believe in romance?
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.The Book of Deacon was the first book to grace my new Nook. I got it on Friday and finished it today ( Monday ). I can't tell you how much I enjoyed this tale! It had everything I look for in fantasy. Joseph Lallo is quite talented, and I greatly look forward to the rest of the series. Can't believe this was free!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted April 29, 2012
Beautifully mastered storyline. Well thought out characters. Extremely captivating. I devoured this book and the rest of the trilogy in one week! A record for me. Down side being an annoying use of the word fairly and the occassionally difficult forms of sentences peppered throughout the book. That being th only reason it didn't get five stars. I would liken this auther to David Eddings and Terry Brooks in captivation.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted February 28, 2012
This book is very well written. I could not stop reading. I am greatly surprised that it was free...I will purchase the 2 remaining ones
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted February 28, 2012
I ended up reading the whole series, really good, a lil wordy at times but u get passed that. Its a must read!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted February 19, 2012
I truly enjoyed this book. It was captivating from start to finish. I am purchasing the next book in the series as soon as i post this review!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted January 29, 2012
I love sci fi books with depth and aventure, the characters were written well I believe. When you began laughing out loud and wiping tears from your eyes, you know its a good book. I was really surprised how young the author was. So buy the second book, only 2.99, because it does leave you in a cliff hanger.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted December 31, 2011
Excellent novel
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted December 29, 2011
A very good story and introduction to a broader story. There are some annoying inconsistencies in writing style and some distracting name changes or mistakes in the character names. Seems as if it hadn't been thoroughly proofread. All that aside I still found it a story worth finishing. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
Don
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.The writing is very good. It flows and the author didn't describe or leave out details that were important. There are few or no grammar mistakes and the characters are very 3 dimensional with real relatable personalities. I would definitely recommend others to read this book.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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LendMe™
Overview
The tale of Myranda Celeste, a young woman orphaned by a century long war, and her chance discovery of a fallen soldier's priceless cargo. The find will change her life, sending her on an adventure of soldiers and rebels, wizards and warriors, and beasts both noble and monstrous. Each step will bring her closer to the truth of her potential, of the war, and of the fate of her world.