Author of LitRPG, Gamelit, Sci-Fi, Progression Fantasy & Historical Fiction Books.
Author of LitRPG, Fantasy, Coming of Age, Sci-Fi, Murder Mystery & Historical Fiction Books.
The Training Grounds
9/10
Jason Clark
magic, swords, sorcery, coming of age, academy, time travel
The Story
Debut author Jason Clark presents an exciting new genre-bending sci-fi/fantasy story set in a brutal future world, where swords settle disputes and those who can control the elements are the most feared warriors. Get ready for a fantastic escape from reality.
When Darius receives an invitation to attend the Training Grounds, he wonders why an insignificant farm boy would be asked to join the most elite training academy in Merchant Valley. The only thing special about him is that he has unsettling visions he can’t understand. Despite the unknown, he accepts this privilege, and with his best friend, they set out on this new adventure. While there, they quickly form alliances with a skilled archer, a talented blacksmith, and a powerful wielder of the elements.
Together, this new band of friends will learn that not all is as it seems at this new school. In fact, secret plots abound. It makes them question everything and everyone, including the head of the school, Dean Anders. Now it’s up to this adventurous group to uncover the truth about their world and find out the meaning of Darius’s vision. Visions that include a weapon known as the reaper that carries with it apocalyptic repercussions. But between classes, finding love, and training, will he and his friends be able to discover the truth before it’s too late?
My Review
You know how you love a specific sub-genre and have no idea how to find great books in it? This was one of the times for me where the narrator reached out and told me to listen to this book, and I’ve never been so accurately assumed.
The story is of a man named Darius, a simple small-town farm hand who receives an invitation to attend The Training Grounds – the most prestigious academy in all of the Merchant Valley. A group of friends quickly form with their own interesting back stories, skill sets and most importantly, wonderfully portrayed voices by a very talented narrator.
Secret plots, ominous visions and a plethora of interesting characters with unknown intent kept me listening, and listening, and listening… and then it was over. But at 19 hours for a single credit too? It’s basically robbery, right?
But then… it turned into something different. It had to, right? Because that’s what always keeps us guessing with the books we love. Suddenly my second favourite genre began to creep in: time travel. No I wont spoil it, and no I wont go into too much detail, but this book really did have everything I wanted but had somehow forgotten along the way.
So many decisions to make of who to trust, who to like and who to just outright hate. I loved this book, and I hope you will too.
Special praise for the narrator too. He goes out of his way to bring the characters to life with voices, actions and everything else you’d want from a book of many characters!