Review of Xandon and the King's Scepter
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Neena Mary
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- Latest Review: Xandon and the King's Scepter by Tyson Vonn Beck
Review of Xandon and the King's Scepter
[Following is a volunteer review of "Xandon and the King's Scepter" by Tyson Vonn Beck.]
Xandon has always felt alone and unwanted his whole life; what with his obvious lack of a family name and connections. However, he is soon made to confront the truth about his real identity. Is Xandon really an unwanted or is there more to him than what meets the eye?
Xandon and the King’s Scepter by Tyson Vonn Beck find its acme in the mysterious and the magical as the titular character forge comraderies with Berune tiger’s and wisps that are signposts for imminent death. We are getting ahead of ourselves. Let me try again. Xandon, the delightful but slightly tepid, 12-year boy finds himself orphaned and left alone to fend for himself at the hands of the unmerciful McQuibbles. Nevertheless, he finds a place among the animals of the estate as Kumata, Pelly, and Writ becomes his found family. Needless to say, as it is with all narratives, all good things must come to an end, and Xandon is compelled to leave all that behind as a mysterious benefactor by the name of Arlin Frost invites him to join the Avondale guild. There is only one problem – he never applied to join in the first place. Like a fish out of water, Xandon arrives at the Avondale guild only to realise he may not have been as insignificant as he thought himself to be. What else could explain his immunity to all things magical and his ability to open sealed gates with the slightest touch? An unexpected murder, a seer who knows more than she is letting on, and, not to mention, a murderous villain, soon sets Xandon’s life running off course. With his newfound friends, the lovable Zimy, the self-assured Presephone, and the mercurial Raben, Xandon embarks on an adventure that could potentially rewrite his history, and by extension, the whole of Avondale.
It is an absolute delight to join Xandon in this quest for self-discovery as the novel succeeds in mixing all the right ingredients of fun, excitement, and wonder. There are several teachable moments that would be well received among the young readers. Credit where credit is due, Beck’s mastery shines through the first several chapters of the novel as he manages to entrap the readers with curiosity for what’s to come. Xandon’s journey for belonging and finding himself, though an overtly cliched and exhausted trope, is worth reading for the sake of that wistful adventure itself.
However, the novel is far from perfect. Some grammar and editing errors cost the novel somewhat of a harmonious cohesion which, consequently, dwindles its reception. Not to mention, the poignant moments of the novel are glossed over with what can only be described as a callous negligence to the tone and setting. Ironically, this makes its potentially redeeming moments seem like an elaborate spoof. The novel also suffers from a characteristic lack of swift segues that leaves the reader with a nauseating impression of having jumped volumes in a matter of two pages. By the end, though the story was told, I just couldn’t shake the feeling of having missed out on something – something akin to closure.
So, I would rate this book 2 out of 4 stars.It would have merited with a 3 out of 4 stars had it not been for the lack of consistency and editing errors. While a solid plot may not be its strong suit, the embers of its merit reside amongst the characters and their dispositions.
For the young readers who claim themselves to be Harry Potter aficionados, Xandon and the King’s Scepter is for you. While not nearly as enthralling, it has enough to keep you in it till the end. Give it a little time and some of the quotes might just strike a chord. If you are someone who wishes to seek logic and order amidst all things, this book may not be for you. But for those of you who take delight in the mystical and the audacious, I have but one thing to say to you - Happy reading!
******
Xandon and the King's Scepter
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Xandon has always felt alone and unwanted his whole life; what with his obvious lack of a family name and connections. However, he is soon made to confront the truth about his real identity. Is Xandon really an unwanted or is there more to him than what meets the eye?
Xandon and the King’s Scepter by Tyson Vonn Beck find its acme in the mysterious and the magical as the titular character forge comraderies with Berune tiger’s and wisps that are signposts for imminent death. We are getting ahead of ourselves. Let me try again. Xandon, the delightful but slightly tepid, 12-year boy finds himself orphaned and left alone to fend for himself at the hands of the unmerciful McQuibbles. Nevertheless, he finds a place among the animals of the estate as Kumata, Pelly, and Writ becomes his found family. Needless to say, as it is with all narratives, all good things must come to an end, and Xandon is compelled to leave all that behind as a mysterious benefactor by the name of Arlin Frost invites him to join the Avondale guild. There is only one problem – he never applied to join in the first place. Like a fish out of water, Xandon arrives at the Avondale guild only to realise he may not have been as insignificant as he thought himself to be. What else could explain his immunity to all things magical and his ability to open sealed gates with the slightest touch? An unexpected murder, a seer who knows more than she is letting on, and, not to mention, a murderous villain, soon sets Xandon’s life running off course. With his newfound friends, the lovable Zimy, the self-assured Presephone, and the mercurial Raben, Xandon embarks on an adventure that could potentially rewrite his history, and by extension, the whole of Avondale.
It is an absolute delight to join Xandon in this quest for self-discovery as the novel succeeds in mixing all the right ingredients of fun, excitement, and wonder. There are several teachable moments that would be well received among the young readers. Credit where credit is due, Beck’s mastery shines through the first several chapters of the novel as he manages to entrap the readers with curiosity for what’s to come. Xandon’s journey for belonging and finding himself, though an overtly cliched and exhausted trope, is worth reading for the sake of that wistful adventure itself.
However, the novel is far from perfect. Some grammar and editing errors cost the novel somewhat of a harmonious cohesion which, consequently, dwindles its reception. Not to mention, the poignant moments of the novel are glossed over with what can only be described as a callous negligence to the tone and setting. Ironically, this makes its potentially redeeming moments seem like an elaborate spoof. The novel also suffers from a characteristic lack of swift segues that leaves the reader with a nauseating impression of having jumped volumes in a matter of two pages. By the end, though the story was told, I just couldn’t shake the feeling of having missed out on something – something akin to closure.
So, I would rate this book 2 out of 4 stars.It would have merited with a 3 out of 4 stars had it not been for the lack of consistency and editing errors. While a solid plot may not be its strong suit, the embers of its merit reside amongst the characters and their dispositions.
For the young readers who claim themselves to be Harry Potter aficionados, Xandon and the King’s Scepter is for you. While not nearly as enthralling, it has enough to keep you in it till the end. Give it a little time and some of the quotes might just strike a chord. If you are someone who wishes to seek logic and order amidst all things, this book may not be for you. But for those of you who take delight in the mystical and the audacious, I have but one thing to say to you - Happy reading!
******
Xandon and the King's Scepter
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Xandon and the King's Scepter by Tyson Vonn Beck
