Product Details
| BN ID: | 2940149284979 |
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| Publisher: | Red Adept Publishing, LLC |
| Publication date: | 04/08/2014 |
| Series: | The Tazu Saga , #1 |
| Sold by: | Barnes & Noble |
| Format: | NOOK Book |
| Pages: | 477 |
| File size: | 3 MB |
About the Author
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
Way Walkers: Tangled Paths
4.6 out of 5
based on
0 ratings.
11 reviews.
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Having immensely enjoyed the two gamebooks from J. Leigh that take place within the same universe (Way Walkers University 1&2, which are not to be missed!), I found out that she was releasing this offering, and I have found it so engrossing, I could not put it down. Jathen is an amusing and endearing character, as are his companions. The bond he shares with them makes the events in the book all the more difficult to swallow. That just means the writing is top notch, though! Not many authors can make me feel such strong emotions for their characters.
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World building spot-on, but still an easy flowing read. Hoping the next book comes quickly!
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It is okay, but the author's style of writing did not draw me in.
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Way Walkers: Tangled Paths/ J. Leigh
Ms. Leigh’s world building in this story was taken to epic proportions and is expertly handled. Tangled Paths is the first book and seems to be Jathen’s story as it begins with his atypical hatching. Here we are introduced to his Tazu race as well as some of the hierarchy of this one species. As Jathen grows older and his world view expands so does our knowledge of their entire world. Jathen is of royal birth, but due to his birth defect, and the prejudices surrounding it, he may never rule. So he sets out to seek his true destiny with an elder Clan charms maker where he finds himself being chased by a destiny that was way more than he was seeking.
Jathen’s quest turned into an adventure of a lifetime that will be enjoyed by adventure seekers, conspiracy theorists, and mystery lovers who revel in highly detailed histories. The characters were all well developed and I grew to care about many of them. However their tangled paths were all a bit overwhelming for me. There are twelve different races in this world as well as twelve different spiritual paths (Ways) to follow (Walk) in life, along with varying levels of magical Abilities and Talents. Ms. Leigh has included a glossary of terms, races, people, children, and ways at the end of the book that was helpful.
As Jathen discovers hidden secrets from the past and when some truths are finally revealed all hell breaks loose with devastating results. It is not surprising that he is left with more questions than answers at the end of this story. One of the most pressing is what is this nontraditional Talent of his? It was interesting to watch Jathen’s journey as it unfolded, Ms. Leigh has constructed an elaborate detailed plot and his quest is far from over.
FYI: This novel contains adult language.
Format/Typo Issues: No significant errors.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy.** June 20, 2014
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Rich world, excellent characters
4.5
*Book source ~ A review copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.
Jathen Monortith is the oldest child, in fact the oldest son, of the Queen of the Tazu Nation making him the heir to the throne. Unfortunately, though he was hatched, he is a Moot. In other words, he looks entirely human and can’t shift into dragon form. Growing up with prejudice against is “birth defect” he reaches the age of 19 with a substantial amount of anger burning up his insides. A travel offer from a Clan friend to go to a distant country is something he jumps at and the current king, his great-uncle Kyanith reluctantly agrees to let him go for five years. When he comes back, if he can defeat a Tazu in battle then he will be worthy to sit on the throne, assuming he even wants to. If he loses or does not want the throne he will step aside for his baby brother to rule. Five years is a long time for a sheltered prince to be gone. A lot can happen, can’t it?
I haven’t read an epic fantasy in quite awhile. It took me a bit to get into the rhythm of the story and the world. There is a vast amount of information in this first book and at times, it overwhelms. I found myself confused several times as I sorted out the different races, countries, religion and this world’s history. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a rich world with a wide variety of fascinating people and places. However, I had to deduct a bit for the occasional confusing bits.
Jathen is a great character. He’s a typical teen in some instances and wise in others. As he travels far from everything he’s ever known, that’s when he begins to really shine and start to come into his own. His traveling companions are fascinating and humorous and the situations that crop up keep me reading. I wanted to see what was around the next bend in the road or across the next river. They meet many interesting people along the way, there’s some peril, a bit of action, some mysterious goings on and a touch of romance. And betrayal as well as grief. By the end of the book a year has passed and the Jathen who left the Tazu Nation is very unlike the one who has survived this far and I have a feeling he’s only going to transform further in the next book. I very much look forward to continuing along with Jathen as he digs into the past and tries to figure out who he really is.
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i really enjoyed this book. the fantasy world of way walkers really draws you in. jathen's journey of figuring out who he is and how he grows as person is a story not to be missed. you can tell the author put a lot of time and thought into creating such a captivating magical world that i haven't been this enchanted with since harry potter
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Way Walkers: Tangled Paths
Note: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. No other consideration was offered, expected or received.
I don’t usually do this, but before I sat down to write this review today, I looked at the reviews others had left on Amazon. I have so much I want to say on this book and I wanted to see if others felt the same way that I did. I needed to get my thoughts in order.
First, I want to say that this is a very good book. It is an unusual story, highly unique, and the drama that runs through the story is very interesting. You learn a lot about their world, their city, their people, their religion in this book.
Second, Jathen and Thee are two really great characters – Jathen is not accepted among his people and, because of this, he has a bit of a temper, a bit of a snarky, sarcastic streak; Thee is his little sister and she really cares for him, spends time with him, stands up for him, and, from what I gathered, is his only real friend. There are other characters that, as I read through this book, I got to know more about and I think the character building was done really well. The world building, too – there were things they described (such as the palace) that I could literally see in my head - and isn’t that what we want from the books we read, to be able to see the story play out before our eyes?
Third, the book left me wanting more – more action, more story, more everything. Having interviewed the author, I know that there is more to come, not only with the Way Walkers, but a few novels from “before” that will be coming out when Way Walkers is through, and I am excited to read these.
But then we come to “fourth,” and the reason that I chose to give this book a 4 instead of a 5 – the reason I looked at those other reviews and only noticed one point it out – there is a lack of real action in this book AND there were points that I felt like I was on information overload. This book is full of information and the information is great and written really well - the moments between characters run the gambit of emotion - but I wanted more to happen. Now, I know when people write a trilogy or a series, they have a plan of what is happening in each book and, when you have a longer story like that, you need to give out a lot of info, but I am also one of those people that want action stuck in amongst that.
Please, don’t let that last paragraph stop you from reading this book because I think, as I said before, it is a really good book with great characters – and I can only imagine how much better the series is going to get as each book happens – and, as I saw from the other reviews, maybe I’m one of the minority when it comes to this action thing. I mean, I have been known to grow rather bored with an action packed book when it slows down some.
Great job, Jaime. Let me know when the next book is out because I can’t wait to get my hands on it.
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Are you a lover of epic fantasy, the kind that takes you on a fantastic journey into another place and time with characters that are more than just human? Then you need to pick up Way Walkers: Tangled Paths by J. Leigh and prepare to follow its hero on a journey of discovery and coming of age that lasts years!
Born a crown prince, Jathen, although hatched from a dragon egg, was unable to take his dragon form, making him inferior to those around him. Still, his mother, the queen saw to his every need, championed him, and encouraged him, but the rage he felt at being considered “inferior” was often destructive and uncontrollable. Sent on a journey through an arrangement between the queen and king, Jathen begins a quest that will forever change him. As he searches for acceptance, knowledge and true companionship, somewhere to belong, and to fit in, he learns the ugly truth about deceit, even as he begins to understand how to control himself and think before acting. He and his traveling companions find treachery, betrayal, and danger from both humans and the magical beings, but he also discovers loyalty, bravery, the joy of friendship and the pain of loss. The answer to what Fate has in store for him still eludes him, but gradually, he starts to find himself as he begins coming into his own as a powerful and honorable being. When will his journey end? Who will be left standing beside him?
J. Leigh hasn’t created a huge action-packed, swashbuckling fantasy; she has created an evolving fantasy that grows within the reader’s imagination to epic proportions. Her characters are pure fantasy delights, each unique, some evil, some good and even some that leave you guessing as to their intent. Jathen is becoming the perfect hero, as the reader watches him change and mature. Is he the key to the future of his world? Is he ready to accept the mantle of change? Ms. Leigh has not spared our emotions as Jathen loses close friends to death, betrayal, or change. She rewards us by giving rich descriptions of each scene, and every step of Jathen’s journey. I am eagerly awaiting the next addition to this EPIC tale that is spellbinding, mesmerizing and well worth savoring.
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Jaime Leigh has completely and totally stolen my heart with this book. A good fantasy is sometimes hard to come by, but when you find one, you never want to put it down and that was me with this book. I was jerked around, lulled into a false sense of security and completely entrapped by the life of Jathen Monortith. As far as this book goes, I wanted it to go further, to push some boundaries, and indeed it did, but I wanted so much more and this had left me with an uncomfortable pain to read the next one. This tale is something I can cling to by the barest thread and pull myself in. I see myself in some small part in every one of the characters. I feel as if I really know these character, that it am affected by them, but what they do, the loves, hates, betrayals, torments, confusions, switches and anything in between. Jathen Monortith has secured his place in my heart and my mind, but not only that, he made it to my soul, and that is a hard place to reach.
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I played the games and it was great! But when i heard of a book coming out i got it and couldnt put it down. This book is amazing and great. Hope that they make a sequil
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