• Blog
  • About Me
  • Argetallam Saga
  • Daindreth’s Assassin
  • Fanged: A Novella Series
  • For Reviewers

Inkspelled Faery

~ Where words are magic.

Inkspelled Faery

Tag Archives: legend of the gatekeeper

Review: Land of Shadows (The Legend of the Gate Keeper #1) by Jeff Gunzel

25 Monday Aug 2014

Posted by Elisabeth in review

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

adult, epic fantasy, fantasy, jeff gunzel, land of shadows, legend of the gatekeeper, new adult, swordsand sorcery, upper ya

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xaf1/v/t1.0-9/427302_446748638698819_2059126538_n.jpg?oh=9ce997a395a73cec9ee4ef301be46d9c&oe=546A61EB&__gda__=1416116794_e01c0294285a094dc1c4ad49997d5d32

The gorgeous lands of Tarmerria are full of magic and beauty. But the virtually lawless cities contain no shortage of darkness and greed. A land where daily survival in the harsh realm takes priority over all else. But the world is about to change. The ancient prophecies, written during a time long forgotten, just might be true after all.

Join in as unlikely companions from completely different worlds set out on the adventure of a lifetime. A search for answers. A search for the truth.

This book is intended for mature audiences

Blurb and cover from Goodreads

3.5 out of 5 stars
Great idea, great premise, interesting execution, dire need of editing. I liked this book enough to say I’m curious about the rest of the series, but it’s more than a little disappointing because I think if a few things were fixed I could love it.

The third person perspective was close in some places and omniscient in others and that irritates me in any book. There were three or four perspectives that could have been cut altogether and not been missed. In some places the author tells instead of showing and I think there were a lot of opportunities for good scenes that were missed. Mr. Gunzel came up with a fantastic idea, I just feel it wasn’t followed through.

The plot:
The plot was decent. It didn’t drag and for the most part was pretty focused. I saw most of the twists coming, but that’s forgivable. The world building was measured at about just right and I don’t recall any holes in the storyline.

On a side note, it is definitely for mature reader as the blurb states. There wasn’t detailed description of certain things, but this is still not something I’d hand to anyone under fifteen.

The characters:
It has been some time since I have read a warrior-girl type who I not only liked, but who was my favorite chracter. This is one thing Mr. Gunzel must be credited with—writing a human, sympathetic virago. I adore Jade and if I read any more of the books, it will be to find out what happens to her.

I didn’t like Eric so much. He was okay and the early development of his character was pretty good, there was just this thing at the end of the book that has kind of colored my judgment since.

There is a demon hybrid with exceptional villain potential and his puppet master with even more. The more I think about it, the more I consider downloading the next book.

I did yearn for a fat red pen when reading this book. I saw lots of ingredients for a good fantasy, there are just a plethora of flaws that badly need weeding. This is one I hope the author will consider reediting and re-releasing, because it really has potential.

Find Land of Shadow on Goodreads

Find Land of Shadow on Amazon

Find Land of Shadow on BN.com

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)

Like this:

Like Loading...

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 9,330 other followers

Social

  • View ElisabethWheatleyYAFantasyAuthor’s profile on Facebook
  • View wheatley_e’s profile on Twitter
  • View inkspelledfaery’s profile on Pinterest

Recent Posts

  • NEW BLOG
  • Interview: Tenaya Jayne @TenyaJayne
  • Girls that defy society for absolutely no reason
  • 7 ways to identify a fantasy villain
  • Reading Outside: Does it even happen?

  • Follow Following
    • Inkspelled Faery
    • Join 9,330 other followers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • Inkspelled Faery
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
%d bloggers like this: