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Kindle Price: | $2.99 Save $6.96 (70%) |
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Scepter Kindle Edition
When Argyle's men come to take Daniel, Aidan uses his little-known gift to fight off the gathering party. He does so with only two goals in mind: to save his older brother from a lifetime of serving Argyle, and then escape together. Fleeing the only home they have ever known, they must avoid Argyle's men, werewolves, and a fire-breathing dragon looking for an easy meal.
What begins as a fight to save one boy and then disappear unexpectedly turns into a battle against the evil forces of Argyle, a war that may affect the lives of not only the many children waiting to be taken, but the existence of the kingdom itself.
- LanguageEnglish
- Publication dateDecember 21, 2012
- File size832 KB
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Editorial Reviews
Review
About the Author
Product details
- ASIN : B00ARQMR5I
- Publisher : Scott L Collins (December 21, 2012)
- Publication date : December 21, 2012
- Language : English
- File size : 832 KB
- Simultaneous device usage : Unlimited
- Text-to-Speech : Enabled
- Screen Reader : Supported
- Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
- X-Ray : Not Enabled
- Word Wise : Enabled
- Sticky notes : On Kindle Scribe
- Print length : 228 pages
- Page numbers source ISBN : 1482741563
- Best Sellers Rank: #3,892,793 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #3,813 in Teen & Young Adult Myth & Legend eBooks
- #6,024 in Teen & Young Adult Myths & Legends
- #20,061 in Children's eBooks (Kindle Store)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author
Scott Collins was born and raised in Southern California but relocated to the Denver area following the birth of the first of his two sons. Days' End was his debut novel but has since switched to Middle Grade Fantasy so he can share his writing with his young boys. In addition to writing, he enjoys spending his free time (with two kids that's not much time) running and cycling. Please feel free to visit his website at www.scottlcollins.weebly.com.
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Top reviews from the United States
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Getting near the end I wondered how Scott was going to end it so quickly, unless of course it had a sequel. Yup, that is what's going to happen because the next adventure must commence especially since this one wasn't really a finale. It certainly reached a summit, but there is a realization when reading the story that a whole lot of things can happen in the end, and of course while getting there.
Creating a story of characters that are already friends is one thing, but bringing in strangers to become friends and weaving their lives together can be a task. Scott does that with a charm and detail that brings them to life. You enjoy meeting them, and really enjoy joining them on their journey. You wonder, revel and sympathize with their situations, thoughts and emotions. Turning the pages to find out what happens next is the only thing you can do. Unless of course it becomes a movie, then you can watch that too, which is really what you see in your mind as you read this book. Honestly traveling with these characters was fun and exciting.
This book is one of the reasons I really love to read fantasy. You can create anything you want and the readers will gobble it up asking for more. The story can weave, dodge or jump with something new, and well written stories keep you seated easily adapting to the change. The story marches forward and you are steadily beating the drum stomping forth for more.
One of the things I hate with some books is beginnings that drone on trying to set the stage for the storyline or characters. This book's beginning set the stage if you will, but you really didn't realize it until further into the story. Then you had your ah ha moment that tied it up with a bow. And then realizing what was going to have to happen still didn't dampen the enthusiasm of the story. That's due to not only the story, but how it was written. The moving forward never stopped or slowed down; it just flowed like a river over an obstacle course as you thought about what pool it would settle in.
Scott created a story of two brothers and then two sisters and then two more brothers who become not just friends but comrades, allies and fighters for not only themselves and their families, but strangers and creatures alike. Their special gifts allow them the abilities needed to help and succeed whether others felt no hope. Their greatest gift to others was not the fighting they did, but the hope and love they offered.
Get this book for your children, nieces, nephews, grandchildren and strangers. They will love the characters and truly enjoy the tale.
The two main characters are brothers that have developed special abilities after falling ill years earlier. These abilities give them an almost superhuman advantage over their contemporaries. After their parents are taken as slaves, they live alone, dreading the day they will be taken as well. Their encounters with other children follows this same tact.
The characters are likeable and the storyline should make YA fantasy fans happy. Or I might say "Younger" Young Adult Fantasy fans. What "Scepter" has in spades is imagination and possibility. What it lacks is realism (battles), struggle (Things come relatively easy) and grit. While the individual encounters present a temporary obstacle, the reader easily outthinks the characters to a more viable solution. They are kids that survived for years on their own, but seem to make mistakes easily. They are also a little too lucky with who and what they encounter.
I kept waiting for the angst and effort that should accompany these characters as they are striking out on their own in a very cruel world. It is missing or downplayed. While the "abilities" of the main characters give them an advantage in their world, their ease at success makes their efforts somewhat cartoonish. The premise that the antagonist would have never faced or at least heard of others with similar abilities (and then have his minions prepared for just such an interaction) is a questionable tact by the author.
I wanted the characters to really overcome the worldly adult obstacles that they should have faced in their adventures and encounters. I cut my teeth on Dune and LOTR when I was 12-13. Scepter would have seemed too light and fairy tale-like to the average tween of my generation.
I did enjoy the read and really like the story (and its companion sequel). It is good clean fun. In the end, the series needs a little less "Gee, look what I found" and a little more "Hey, it's us or them and we better make it them!"
Top reviews from other countries
The story itself is good, trundling along at a pace you would expect of a fantastic struggle for survival. There are times when I wish certain magical characters were given more of an introduction as they sometimes seem to be introduced in a rather matter-of-fact manner despite the heroes stating that nobody has seen them for decades. However, the excellent descriptions of the beasts and their cultures and folklore completely make up for that small qualm. The action is great and you can tell that the author has given more thought to the monsters than just introducing them purely for the point of having more action scenes.
As for the characters themselves - of which there are many - I was pleasantly surprised that this story gives each of them ample "screen time" so they don't become a whirlwind of names, which can often be the case with books that have a large cast. Indeed, each character has their own unique personality and idiosyncrasies, so much so that the world is entirely believable.
If I had to give one criticism it would be that the heroes don't seem very bothered after killing minor “evil henchmen” type characters. I would like to see a little more inner conflict and remorse when it comes to them, albeit not graphically, murdering baddies that are ultimately following the orders of a dictator, especially as the heroes start the narrative completely innocent.
Having said that, I'm not going to let a "justice for henchmen" campaign get in the way of a good story. Sceptre is a fun, swashbuckling fantasy adventure that the twelve-year-old in me loved.
Imaginative world building that puts the two young heroes right at the centre of things. Exciting adventures, magical creatures, friendship and sibling rivalry - all without an adult in sight!
The magic of the area has been destroyed by the evil usurper Argyll. He has taken the parents as slave workers and now he is coming for the eldest son, Daniel. His younger brother Aiden has different ideas. As children both Daniel and Adian suffered Witches Breathe an unpleasant childhood disease. However, those who survive are left with special powers. Aiden's is to communicate with animals and shapeshift. When Argyll's men come for Daniel he calls on the animals of the forest to help.
Once Argyll's men are dealt with the boys realise they are fugitives. They use their experience and special skills to save other children being captured by Argyll's men. Along the way, they help the fairies in a battle against the gnomes and are given the very scepter that kept their kingdom safe before the arrival of Argyll. And so their fate is sealed.
Fast-paced, action-packed read. I'll definitely be reading the rest of the series.
Recommend.
Daniel and Aidan are brothers, their parents were taken into slavery by the cruel ruler and now it is their turn to fight if they are to remain together and remain free. Along their way they befriend two sisters who join them on their quest.
This novel is full of magic and enchanting scenes which come alive at the hands of the writer. Expertly told this is a story which has to be read.
Brilliant!
I loved the interaction and sibling rivalry between Daniel and Aidan. It actually reminded me of the fights I got into with my younger brother.
The magic in this world is subtle, yet powerful, and instead of the usual fireballs and lightning bursts, its used in a graceful way. I loved it. Especially with the Faeries.
I can't wait to see the characters grow, and they already develop in this first book of what will be a great series. The girls, Olivia and Lilly are sassy, and up for whatever the world throws at them. It's impossible to think of the relationships in a romantic way as they are so young, but I'd love to see this as the series unfolds and they grow up.
Oh, and there are lions and dragons and bears...oh my!