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A Readers' Favorite 5-Star Review of Nexus Moons
Nexus Moons is the first book in the Tales of the Graal series by Ron Root. Jarek Verity is a sorcerer of the Royal Court and he is on his way to look for his nephew. He has no idea the search for a family member will turn into a search for his friend Lavan who went missing in the most mysterious way. Being a sorcerer of the Royal Court gives him a lot of power and sway, but even he will need help to find his friend who seems to have been taken away by the evil Zakarah. On the flip side, his nephew Gresham is helping his crush Rayna find her mother. While Jarek and Rayna are looking for two very different people, the search brings them to the same place: A’ryth. What will happen when their paths cross? Can they help each other in finding the people that are missing?
Nexus Moons by Ron Root is an epic fantasy with masterful world-building and incredible characters. It is a complex story with layers upon layers of plot that you will enjoy uncovering. Jarek is a smart man and the main protagonist of the story, but my heart belonged to Rayna and her need to find her mother. Her story was very compelling and even though she and her ragtag group of friends weren’t really skilled enough for such a quest, their determination was commendable. I enjoyed how driven each of the many characters was. Rayna and Gresham’s chemistry was great. Jarek’s need to find his friend before it was too late was very well conveyed. The world-building was brilliant, the pace was incredible and the characters grew as the story progressed. This is a fantastic start to a series.
Five Star Review
Reviewed By K.C. Finn for Readers’ Favorite
Nexus Moons is a work of fiction in the science fiction and fantasy sub-genres penned by author Ron Root. Set in a fantastical fantasy world where magic and royalty are the norm, we meet a cast of interesting and endearing misfit characters who are brought together by disaster and begin to seek out friendship and find a place in the world where they belong. The disappearance of the scholar Lavan during a magical experiment causes Magus Jarek Verity to embark on a quest to retrieve him, with many heroes and villains around to either help or hinder the quest. What results is a charming adventure fantasy novel with plenty of characters and hijinks to warm readers’ hearts.
Fans of traditional fantasy novels are sure to love author Ron Root’s approach, which opens the Tales of Graal series and introduces us to his loveable cast of characters. I for one particularly enjoyed Rayna Kent, who traverses the murky waters of the love interest trope and develops into a much more interesting and fully rounded character as the story goes on. Whilst this is very much a character-led story, the overarching plot is well crafted to showcase the excellent worldbuilding and magical lore that has been worked into the novel. As these different elements come together, so the novel builds to its entertaining conclusions and the results of the heroes’ quests are discovered as the characters find their limits. Overall, I would highly recommend Nexus Moons to fans of fantasy fiction and adventure stories alike.
Another Five Star Review
In Ron Root's Nexus Moons, when a magical experiment goes disastrously wrong, Lavan, headmaster of an arcane arts university, finds himself in deep peril. His research suggested a power similar to the ancients could be found at the time of a Nexus moon, and he intended to investigate, luring his old friend, Magus Jarek Verity, along. The two had been inseparable, so his chance arrival had only added more excitement to what he thought he would uncover. Unfortunately, when things go wrong they go wrong in the most catastrophic way. During his experiment, Lavan is tricked and dragged into a dimension parallel to their own. Distraught, Jarek will do everything possible, risking life and limb in an attempt to return his friend. In doing so, he uncovers things he never dreamed possible; myths made flesh and terrors thought fables. There is no guarantee he will succeed -- what he will attempt is unprecedented and he may even change everything people thought they knew in the process.
Nexus Moons is book one in Ron Root's Tales of Graal series. From berserkers to magi, monsters to alternate existences, there is something for everyone who enjoys a good fantasy read. Following the arc of several main characters, you are drawn into a world of magic and control, where to practice can sometimes be viewed as heresy by those worshipping the One God. On a quest to save the headmaster, Jarek is forced to confront things he thought were impossible, creatures he thought were but fables, and he is not alone. Uncovering a new power, Jarek's newly claimed nephew also has a secret, a power he is just coming into which sends him fleeing for his life, lest he be charged for something of which he is innocent. The gripping third-person narrative will keep the reader engaged and invested, and the growth and development of characters will not leave them wanting. I loved the speech and mannerisms, specifically the integration of old-world phrases and insults rarely seen in today's books. Action, mystery, looming threat, and danger drive the plot forward as kinship is forged and rekindled in unexpected ways.
Coming Soon!
KIN'S QUEST
KIN'S QUEST is the exciting sequel to Nexus Moons has been completed, but due to business considerations, will not be released at this time.
Kin's Quest Book Reviews
5-Star Review By Divine Zape for Readers’ Favorite
Kin's Quest is Book Two of the Tales of Graal by Ron Root, a story with a complex plot and memorable characters. This story follows Rayna and Gresham, now married, as they arrive at the heart of Graal where Gresham trains to become a magus while Rayna gets ready for the eventual encounter with a father she has not seen since she was a child. The heroine and the hero of the story have no memories of their mothers, who have disappeared mysteriously. When they receive a letter with a map that offers clues to the whereabouts of their mothers, they set out to find their kin. But the journey is fraught with danger and there are enemies who will stop at nothing to retrieve the map they carry.
This is a story with an intelligently written, twisty plot that transports the characters to another dimension. In the world that Ron Root has created, there is duality and only The Devourer, who steals magic from the magi, does not experience the duality of beings. The One Church is a formidable enemy to face and it is a piece of the puzzle that deepens the plot. Kin's Quest is a tale of adventure and features characters that I adored. I enjoyed the connection between Gresham and Rayna. Their shared desire to reconnect with their kin is at the center of the conflict, a plot point that expands the story and moves it in unexpected directions. Ron Root’s writing is gorgeous and creates a magical world that I enjoyed navigating. This is a novel for die-hard fans of epic fantasy and adventure; the fantastical world of the magi, coupled with the fine-fantasy-tale tradition elevates the writing. The freely flowing dialogues and beautiful descriptions add flavor and richness to an already engrossing reading experience.
5-Star Review by Jessica Barbosa for Readers’ Favorite
Kin's Quest is Book Two of the Tales of Graal and the sequel to Nexus Moons by Ron Root. Gresham had always assumed himself kinless. His mother had been denounced as a heretic and seized while his father had been killed trying to protect her. Raised poor, he always considered himself lowborn but having a Sorcerer of the King’s Court, Jack Verity, for an uncle, suggested that it might not be so. At least that was what his wife, Rayna, believed. Unlike him, Rayna was of noble birth but she considered herself parentless as well, despite having a father that provided her with a monthly stipend and an education. Gresham and Rayna were both motherless, they did not remember their mothers who disappeared when they were both young. However, the arrival of a mysterious letter and map gives them a chance to find their mothers. They embark on a dangerous journey that pits them against a rogue sector of the One Church known as the Ravens. Will Gresham and Rayna find who they are looking for and get through their quest unscathed? Find out and read Kin’s Quest!
Kin’s Quest, by its name, centers around Gresham and Rayna’s perilous adventures as they seek their missing kin. The novel is a steady-paced experience that draws you in with its exciting plot and distinctive characters. Kin’s Quest caught my attention from the first chapter: Ghost Rider. Friar Luc accidentally comes into possession of a map and a letter which is the starting point to Gresham and Rayna’s quest. From then, this book takes us on a dangerous, engrossing adventure. As Gresham and Rayna go forth on their search for their missing kin, they grow together and become stronger. It was truly invigorating to read their determination as they pushed through their perilous journey. With the detailed descriptions of the settings and the feisty, interesting characters, it was easy to visualize the entire book. It was like I was watching a movie play out in my head. Ron Root has managed to create an entertaining, fantastical novel that constantly had me turning the pages in curiosity as to what happened next. Truly brilliant work, a good job!
5-Star Review By Ruffina Oserio for Readers’ Favorite
Kin's Quest is an intriguing second entry in the Tales of Graal series by Ron Root. In this adventure, Gresham and Rayna go on a quest to find their lost kin. In Graal, Rayna is keen on re-establishing contact with a father who has been away since she was a child. An unexpected clue leads the hero and the heroine on a trail fraught with mystery and danger as they embark on the journey to find their mothers who have disappeared mysteriously. But they have something wanted by the powerful one Church — the Ravens. Can they succeed on this quest in a world of magic and powerful enemies who rob others of their magic?
Ron Root is an author with the gift of transporting readers to another land. The author creates a world that abides by a unique set of rules. The different groups or types of people inhabiting this magical world are excellently described and the author integrates them into the conflict in a masterly manner. The characters are multidimensional and I loved the way Ron explores their natures, allowing the magical and the existential realities of their worlds to come out brilliantly in the story. The plot is deviously written as readers encounter two forlorn souls, Gresham and Rayna, who set out to find their lost ones and endure many challenges.
The satisfying ending of this gorgeous tale also offers a bold promise for an even greater adventure. Apart from the key characters, there are supporting characters like Draper and Jorin who aroused my curiosity and I want to see what happens in the next entry in the series. Kin’s Quest is a magical tale with nuanced characters, balanced writing, and slices of well-crafted scenes that touch the reader to the core.
Coming Soon!
KIN'S QUEST
5-Star Review By Ruffina Oserio for Readers’ Favorite
Kin's Quest is an intriguing second entry in the Tales of Graal series by Ron Root. In this adventure, Gresham and Rayna go on a quest to find their lost kin. In Graal, Reyna is keen on re-establishing contact with a father who has been away since she was a child. An unexpected clue leads the hero and the heroine on a trail fraught with mystery and danger as they embark on the journey to find their mothers who have disappeared mysteriously. But they have something wanted by the powerful one Church — the Ravens. Can they succeed on this quest in a world of magic and powerful enemies who rob others of their magic?
Ron Root is an author with the gift of transporting readers to another land. The author creates a world that abides by a unique set of rules. The different groups or types of people inhabiting this magical world are excellently described and the author integrates them into the conflict in a masterly manner. The characters are multidimensional and I loved the way Ron explores their natures, allowing the magical and the existential realities of their worlds to come out brilliantly in the story. The plot is deviously written as readers encounter two forlorn souls, Gresham and Reyna, who set out to find their lost ones and endure many challenges.
The satisfying ending of this gorgeous tale also offers a bold promise for an even greater adventure. Apart from the key characters, there are supporting characters like Draper and Simon who aroused my curiosity and I want to see what happens in the next entry in the series. Kin’s Quest is a magical tale with nuanced characters, balanced writing, and slices of well-crafted scenes that touch the reader to the core.
KIN'S QUEST
The following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Kin's Quest" by Ron Root.
Kin's Quest is the tale of a newlywed couple who desperately hope to find their families. Gresham and Rayna unite in their determination to find the parents they have never known, but where to begin? When Rayna's friend Friar Luc discovers a coveted map, the couple hopes they have found a key to finding their missing kin. However, a zealous group of chevaliers from the One Church has its own designs for the map and will stop at nothing to get it back. When the zealots' pursuit puts the life of the couple's unborn child at risk, Gresham must leave Rayna to reach out to her estranged father for help. Meanwhile, Gresham and his Uncle Jarek must use their sorcery skills to seek out the map's secrets. The map may lead to the missing kin, but the threats along the way may test their magic skills to the limit, and sometimes even magic cannot combat the deadliest of foes.
Book two of The Tales of Graal is a fast-paced fantasy adventure by Ron Root. This sequel picks up after the events in Nexus Moons and can be read first if you don't mind spoilers for book one. It was easy to follow the plot in Kin's Quest, and I immediately loved the characters, worldbuilding, and inclusion of magic. Since I did not read book one, I can honestly say that book two can be read and enjoyed on its own. However, I feel like I missed out on the relationship building and backstories of several protagonists, including Gresham, Rayna, Jarek, and Hagley (another mage that plays a crucial role in the quest). I also believe that reading book one would have given me a better understanding of the undercurrent of the One Church, how it fits into the world of Graal, and why there was so much tension surrounding its operation. Still, Kin's Quest remained a captivating story with robust characters and made me even more eager to go back and read Nexus Moons.
What I loved most about the characters was how easy it was to distinguish their unique voices through various dialogue and accents. Reading the accents was not complex or cumbersome and even added some humor to the context at times. The richness of the royal people's speech was more refined than the rugged text spoken by the villagers and some antagonists, which added vibrant texture to the storytelling. I also appreciated that the magic used in the story was not excessively dominant or the only way to solve problems.
As I mentioned previously, readers can enjoy Kin's Quest on its own, but I'd recommend reading the series in order, starting with Nexus Moons. The Tales of Graal appear to be an ongoing series, so I look forward to reading the next installment. Readers looking for a fantasy adventure that includes various types of magic, portal travel, and inner turmoil within the kingdom will find a satisfying read within this collection.