Review of Arcane Arrivals: Those Who Follow

[Peace Odii]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Arcane Arrivals: Those Who Follow" by Kael Platt.]

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2 out of 4 stars

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Arcane Arrivals: Those Who Follow by Kael Platt is a romance book. The book centers on the life of a troubled young assassin named Garrick. He had escaped illegally from his town of origin in search of a better life in the Northern Reach. Despite the progress it seems he is making concerning his hit jobs and his affair with King Azarin. His past keeps haunting him. Garrick, as a commoner, desires nothing but total freedom and restoration from the enslavement of his past. Will he ever be able to successfully pay off the debts he owes to his awful and agonizing past and move on? Or will history repeat itself but this time with the king? He hopes that his affair with the king will earn him a peaceful future. He struggles to protect his relationship with the king as opposition arises to tear them apart.

The book is fraught with many adventurous trips and mission-fulfilling tours. The writer's ability to blend the nature of these tours with the roles of the characters is quite exquisite. The king's travels mainly were for festivities in other friendly and allied territories. These festivities were also laced with political affairs. Even those he accompanied the king, Garrick's trips were mainly to accomplish a mission. This mission, in most cases, involved bounty hunting or performance of hit contracts. Also, the author adopted the use of certain mysterious characters, whose arrival at the various destinations of the travels was strange and suspicious.

These characters had their motives hidden at first and generated specific questions in the readers' minds. It is beautiful how these mysterious characters, in time, the author uncovered their identity. This enabled the audience to understand what roles they were meant to play and why they came into the picture.

The author's ability to establish these characters vis-a-vis the main characters is excellent and entirely in tune with the book's title, Arcane Arrivals: Those Who Follow. It may also interest you that while the mysteries relating to the "arcane" characters were being unraveled by the author, the underlying mysteries behind the mission and roles of the main characters were eventually revealed. Also, the existing links between the masterminds and their intended victims (main characters) were divulged in the process. This book is a mystery book with a mixture of romance. It is no wonder why it ended with some surprises and a mystery. I considered these aspects positive.

The book, as well structured and composed as it is, ended in suspense. As good as it appears, I don't consider it appropriate. My reason is that the author did not indicate his intention to continue the book. This he could have done by promising to write and publish the subsequent series or parts of the book, which would be the continuation of the storyline of this particular one. This is not fair for the readers, as they would be kept in the dark, touching on the final fate of most of the characters, especially Garrick, the protagonist.

Also, the epilogue introduced a scene that appeared quite confusing. A character that most readers would have reasonably considered dead appears alive at the end of the book. This gives rise to many questions (mysteries or suspicions, or even speculations), and the author could not provide answers to these questions or solve the mysteries. I think the audience would crave to know how this character survived a near-death experience and what happened after the last scene in Chapter 40. I believe the author should have at least commented, assuring the audience that he will attend to those questions or solve the mysteries in his subsequent part of this same book or a sequel. Most authors would have done such. If there's no hope of revealing those hidden game-changing facts, I think the audience is left to speculate. These are the negative aspects of the book for me.

I would rate the book 2 out of 4 stars. It has some errors. I think it was professionally edited. I deem this rating appropriate for this book due to my earlier comments.

This book is for adult readers due to its explicit sexual content. Lovers of romance and mystery may appreciate this work. This book may also suit persons who enjoy territorial relations and political stories. The book incorporates fight scenes, so I think that persons who relish action novels may find this one fascinating. However, before reading this book, I warn persons who detest gay practices to consider it carefully.

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Arcane Arrivals: Those Who Follow
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[wmeki510]

This looks like quite an intriguing storyline. Would definitely love to add this to my shelf! Great review.

Please do. You will be happy for taking this decision.

[wmeki510]

Thank you for the honest feedback.

The review is really honest and in-depth.

[Itz Savaga]

Seeking for freedom from the mistakes of our past will really help alot in making our future. This book seems amazing. Great review.

[ellimctreph]

Garrick sounds like an amazing character. This book seems amazing, especially since I love assassin's fiction. Great review.