≡ Read The Shard Chronicles of Xax Ted Cross 9780990987734 Books

The Shard Chronicles of Xax Ted Cross 9780990987734 Books

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The Shard Chronicles of Xax Ted Cross 9780990987734 Books

Once you understand that this is an homage to Tolkien and accept it as such, this is an enjoyable read. Bear in mind that it is not written in the style of Tolkien, but rather its plot is simply very much like the Hobbit and LOTR mixed well. The characters were not as solid as I had hoped and I found myself not getting very sad at their loss (the body count is high in this book), with the exception of the core characters whose back stories and personalities were fleshed out a little better. I really like the back story of the Wizards' origin, but of course those details were purposely held back for another book. Overall, you'll enjoy this book if you like Tolkien-esque fantasy.


Tags : The Shard: Chronicles of Xax [Ted Cross] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. A dying king. A mysterious invader. The seer's vision was clear: find the lost shard from the Spire of Peace or the realm would drown in blood. The problem: eight hundred years ago the elven hero Kathkalan took the shard with him into the lair of the most vicious dragon ever known to mankind...and he never returned. Reluctantly drafted to lead the quest is the minor noble Midas,Ted Cross,The Shard: Chronicles of Xax,Breakwater Harbor Books,0990987736,Fiction Fantasy Epic,Fiction Fantasy General,JUVENILE FICTION Fantasy & Magic

The Shard Chronicles of Xax Ted Cross 9780990987734 Books Reviews

This book definitely is your classic epic fantasy tale. It could hold its own next to Tolkien, and not only hold its own, but...no, I'm getting ahead of myself.

Extensive world building, detailed descriptions of landscape and people, even horses (who even have names.) The dwarves refuse to ride on horseback and are the best weaponsmiths, rivaled only by the elves, who are ethereal and beautiful and hide away in their woods not wanting to interfere in mortal matters. So far, familiar epic fantasy ground.

The dwarves were driven away from their home by a dragon, who now is said to lie sleeping there on a huge treasure ammassed over the centuries. A fellowship composed of humans, dwarves, an elf and the one wizard left in the Known Lands sets out to retrieve an artefact from there and, if possible, kill the dragon. They find the old dwarven home overrun by goblins and trolls. There's even a scene where the only thing between them and more or less certain safety is a narrow bridge across an underground chasm. Seriously, Ted! I half expected a balrog to appear. Luckily, this is where the Tolkien similarities ended.

I'm not telling you this to put you off the book - quite the opposite, in fact. Because, you see, just as I was about to yell, 'One more Tolkien reference and I quit!' the oddest thing happened. I found myself completely engrossed. Ted Cross managed to take all those rather familiar details, and completely make them his own. And you can't help rooting for the characters, especially the Lord of Welby, Midas, a minor noble who isn't only chivalrous and a hero, but also a complex person with fears and faults he openly admits. And Orcbait, of course. How could anyone not like a character named Orcbait?

The ending I found rather predictable, but nevertheless beautifully executed.
This was an impulse download. I had just given His Dark Materials to a youngster and other-worldliness was in my mind.
I am not a lover of fantasy, so that makes these 5 stars especially well-deserved.
One strength of the novel, first of a series, is the convincing and sympathetic character, Midas. He isn't even a king, a fact I liked. He is a father, the vicissitudes of his sons and the dilemmas of his fathering being no mean part of the narrative.
This is a classic fantasy, with a wizard, magic powers, a precious shard to desire and protect, and an on-going desperate conflict. Humans are not the only walking, thinking, speaking species but merely one arm of an earlier form that broke into orcs, dwarves, goblins and the most superior beings - elves. I particularly loved the importance of the trees, essential to elves. At one point they send out their own form of defence. Like other authorly devices, this is imaginable and effective.
This is a long novel, well-written, and divided into chapters from different points of view. The characters are well developed.
The position of the elves heightens the drama. In Alvanaria, Cross has created a character who can stand for the perfect woman somewhat unattainable, pure, loving, beautiful and subtly powerful. I imagine Alvanaria's actions will colour the later books in this series.
If Lord of the Rings is important to you, you'll love The Shard.
This is an exceptional piece of work and thoroughly enjoyed it. I saw it on the website Rate Book Cover and it looked enticing so I got it on my kindle. For those who like to read fantasy, I highly recommend this one. It's long and took me a while to read it with my busy schedule but glad I stuck with it. Looking forward to other books from this author.
I just finished reading "The Shard" and it is now one of my favorite "Epic" like works. For me, the characters are easy and fun to identify with, both, in their joyful and sorrowful experiences. The storyline was interesting and the results or conclusions to different subplots were not very often predictable and foreseen but had satisfying conclusions. Unfortunately, I couldn't read the novel in one sitting but when I came back to it after interruptions, it was easy to continue on.
I found the story based on strong family ties, Midas and his sons and friendships Antos, Alekas and Geldrath; Edo and Orcbait, all whose relationships I value highly. There were enough unusual encounters that I was intrigued and couldn't second guess the outcome. It was a great read.
Stunning fantasy. Cross is fast becoming one of my favorite authors. He weaves such a well thought out and fantastical novel that I struggle to put his books down. My favorite character here is Midas, a nobleman with a strong and caring heart, who struggles like all mortal men and who sees the world before him with persevering clarity. The hardships he endures strengthen him as a man, a father and as a character we consistently root for. The reader finds themselves more and more invested in him and the world around him. The other characters in this book are equally as engrossing and entertaining. I finish the read wanting to know where Cross will go next and hoping that he revisits this realm. The best part of The Shard is towards the end. I want to give it away so badly, but I will refrain. It shows the brilliance of Cross' mind. I am a reader and fan for life.
Once you understand that this is an homage to Tolkien and accept it as such, this is an enjoyable read. Bear in mind that it is not written in the style of Tolkien, but rather its plot is simply very much like the Hobbit and LOTR mixed well. The characters were not as solid as I had hoped and I found myself not getting very sad at their loss (the body count is high in this book), with the exception of the core characters whose back stories and personalities were fleshed out a little better. I really like the back story of the Wizards' origin, but of course those details were purposely held back for another book. Overall, you'll enjoy this book if you like Tolkien-esque fantasy.