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kayshiddenshelf's review against another edition
5.0
4.5/5 Stars Rounded to 5 Stars
An intoxicating coming-of-age story packed with action, high stakes, a dangerous quest, conspiracy, and twists. Mike Mollman dishes out a gripping classic fantasy that kept me on my toes.
In Becoming a Druid we meet a young man named Grahme. His dream? To become a Druid! What stands in his way? Himself and a mind-controlling mage.
Let me explain, Grahme is talented but can often be his own worst enemy. Often angering those he meets due to his hubris and quick tongue, including his mentors. After his second master refuses to continue Grahme’s training, Lord Boswan, takes him under his wing and tasks him with his final quest to become a druid. On his quest Grahme learns he is not the only one seeking a flower of myth as a tyrannical mind-controlling mage and his own people hunt him down.
There were several aspects I loved about this, the first being how effortless it was to delve into the world of Pretanni, despite being thrown in. As Grahme is traveling through the world I enjoyed exploring Pretanni alongside him. From factions, religious differences, druids, animorphing, magic, gods, centaurs and more, the world is rich.
I will say, I wasn’t immune to Grahme’s hubris. Often, I found myself mad with Grahme due to his behaviour. And before you ask, yes, I did yell at Grahme through the pages…a few times. Yet despite this, I continued to cheer him on. I couldn’t help but feel for him and grow to like him as he journeyed for his quest. His personality and choices all felt believable, and his arc was thoughtfully executed.
The magic system is nature based and added a sense of realism to the fantasy elements. There were several aspects from the magic, tone and intrigue that often reminded me of various tales of Merlin, King Arthur, and the Mists of Avalon by Marrion Zimmer Bradley. The religious aspects also felt familiar with some similarities to paganism.
Now, the quest itself felt episodic and spans several months with a decent side cast. While Mike Mollman’s storytelling is efficient, I appreciated the small moments that helped further build tension, relationships and thickened the plot.
Speaking of the plot, it never failed to keep me guessing and I often felt compelling to continue reading. Through everything that goes on, you’re often kept in the dark and there were plenty of twists to keep me fully invested.
In addition to reading the physical copy (review copy provided in exchange for an honest review) and listening the audiobook (purchased myself) I thoroughly enjoyed the narrator, James Meunier’s performance.
I’d highly recommend this for fans of classical fantasy. It also works as an accessible entry to classic fantasy for anyone interested in the genre. Personally, I look forward to continuing the series and exploring more of the Pretanni and Mike Mollman’s writing.
An intoxicating coming-of-age story packed with action, high stakes, a dangerous quest, conspiracy, and twists. Mike Mollman dishes out a gripping classic fantasy that kept me on my toes.
In Becoming a Druid we meet a young man named Grahme. His dream? To become a Druid! What stands in his way? Himself and a mind-controlling mage.
Let me explain, Grahme is talented but can often be his own worst enemy. Often angering those he meets due to his hubris and quick tongue, including his mentors. After his second master refuses to continue Grahme’s training, Lord Boswan, takes him under his wing and tasks him with his final quest to become a druid. On his quest Grahme learns he is not the only one seeking a flower of myth as a tyrannical mind-controlling mage and his own people hunt him down.
There were several aspects I loved about this, the first being how effortless it was to delve into the world of Pretanni, despite being thrown in. As Grahme is traveling through the world I enjoyed exploring Pretanni alongside him. From factions, religious differences, druids, animorphing, magic, gods, centaurs and more, the world is rich.
I will say, I wasn’t immune to Grahme’s hubris. Often, I found myself mad with Grahme due to his behaviour. And before you ask, yes, I did yell at Grahme through the pages…a few times. Yet despite this, I continued to cheer him on. I couldn’t help but feel for him and grow to like him as he journeyed for his quest. His personality and choices all felt believable, and his arc was thoughtfully executed.
The magic system is nature based and added a sense of realism to the fantasy elements. There were several aspects from the magic, tone and intrigue that often reminded me of various tales of Merlin, King Arthur, and the Mists of Avalon by Marrion Zimmer Bradley. The religious aspects also felt familiar with some similarities to paganism.
Now, the quest itself felt episodic and spans several months with a decent side cast. While Mike Mollman’s storytelling is efficient, I appreciated the small moments that helped further build tension, relationships and thickened the plot.
Speaking of the plot, it never failed to keep me guessing and I often felt compelling to continue reading. Through everything that goes on, you’re often kept in the dark and there were plenty of twists to keep me fully invested.
In addition to reading the physical copy (review copy provided in exchange for an honest review) and listening the audiobook (purchased myself) I thoroughly enjoyed the narrator, James Meunier’s performance.
I’d highly recommend this for fans of classical fantasy. It also works as an accessible entry to classic fantasy for anyone interested in the genre. Personally, I look forward to continuing the series and exploring more of the Pretanni and Mike Mollman’s writing.
theliteraryapothecary's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Book 1 in the Protectors of Pretanni series
There was so much that I enjoyed in Becoming a Druid. Where do I begin? I loved the pacing, the tone, the characters, the world. I loved at least a little bit of everything. It was a fun time reading this and I'm glad that I have the other 2 books in the series to read as well.
Spoiler Free Summary: (Taken from Goodreads)
Grahme has wanted to be a druid for as long as he can remember. Talented but headstrong, he runs afoul of a despotic, mind-controlling mage during his initiation quest. The price of failure is death. Intrigue and distrust has turns his order against him. Haggard, hunted and without his magic, Grahme must make impossible sacrifices or lose everything, or worse, be banished.
CAWPILE Breakdown:
Characters: 8.5 - I loved almost all of the characters that we met along the way in Becoming a Druid. I wanted to follow all of them! (I was fortunate enough to help edit a few standalone companion novellas for Mollman in which we may follow one or two of the characters introduced here!)
Atmosphere/Setting: 9.5 - Y'all I loved this Druid world so much! Every aspect of it I was in awe.
Writing Style: 8 - I enjoyed Mollman's writing style. It was easy to follow; the pacing was good. Characters and setting were great (as already stated). There were high stakes but not too many. It was believable and also magical. Tense but also light hearted.
Plot: 8 - I loved the idea of a student sent off an journey. One of my favorite tropes is the Teacher/Student trope. This book took that trope and turned it sideways. The student is sent on a journey to complete a trial (in a sense) to become a full fledged Druid. He must do this without his teacher, but while also remember what all his teachers have taught him. It was a great twist on the classic trope.
Intrigue: 8 - There was so much intrigue in this. I had a feeling on the overall outcome in the end, and some things I had inclinations toward "what if this is happening..." type of things, but I never was 100% certain how anything would turn out and that kept me reading until the very end.
Logic/Relationships: 8 - Everything made logical sense, even when it didn't at the moment - it was all revealed at the end and came to a logical conclusion. I loved seeing all of the different types of relationships that Grahme made along the way.
Enjoyment: 8 - The more I read, the more I enjoyed Becoming a Druid and I look forward to reading more in this series to come.
CAWPILE Total: 58/7 = 8.2 = 4.5 stars
clayjones's review against another edition
4.0
Mostly Positive
This book does very well with limited scope, stays focused, and really accelerates in the second half.
The plot feels like a fetch quest at the beginning, but Mollman is able to introduce topics and characters which builds to a worthwhile conclusion.
The Druidism is incredibly interesting, and sits within an intentionally familiar fantasy setting.
I really enjoyed this book, but I have an existing fascination of druids and don’t mind a classically meandering fantasy plot. I’m not sure it’s an instant recommend for anyone
This book does very well with limited scope, stays focused, and really accelerates in the second half.
The plot feels like a fetch quest at the beginning, but Mollman is able to introduce topics and characters which builds to a worthwhile conclusion.
The Druidism is incredibly interesting, and sits within an intentionally familiar fantasy setting.
I really enjoyed this book, but I have an existing fascination of druids and don’t mind a classically meandering fantasy plot. I’m not sure it’s an instant recommend for anyone
matte4's review against another edition
4.0
This was a great story about a young Druid apprentice who is struggling to earn his place in the druid community. I really enjoyed the world building and many of the magic elements we're introduced to. The stakes were high, and there were roadblocks the protagonist Grahme had to overcome throughout. The author did a great job building the tension and making me feel the stakes as they continued to climb. There was one element of the magic that wasn't my favorite, but I don't want to spoil that here. It was a minor thing though, and a personal preference more than anything. I'm definitely going to continue the series.
bookish_satty's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.0
I really enjoyed this story and the journey that Grahme took to complete his quest. Never before has any character been able to make me complete change my opinion about them within the end of a single book. When Grahme starts his Quest he is selfish, temperamental, cocky, overconfident in his powers and a total 'know it all' which didn't endear him to me at all. After finishing the book I realized that I truly connected to Grahme and started liking him when the trials and tribulations he faces on his quest completely changes him into a more matured, even tempered and overall an empathetic man who finally understands what is means to be a Druid at heart and that powers doesn't help in the long run rather friends and family are the only thing that matters in the end and that realization he had is what won me over.
I fell in love with this fantastical world and hope to see more places in the next installment. Druid magic is so cool especially for Grahme who can be whatever animal he likes. Some of the fight scenes were awesome especially when Grahme fights along with a group of his peers against mind controlled well trained soldiers. I was at the edge of my seat to know the result of that fight which was bittersweet.
I liked the writing style and the prose but I had issues with the pacing because it was quite erratic. Moreover we didn't get the journey part much just Grahme jumping from one place to the next with no in between pauses which was hard to follow. Sadly we didn't get much character development for the side characters and we meet so many characters that it got quite overwhelming to keep up with who is who at the end. I wish we got more of Figol and Alfswich because I really liked their characters and loved their magic of mind manipulation. I guess we get to see more of Alfswich in Sins and Sorrows (Book #1.5) and more of Figol in To Speak with Elders (Book #2) which I'm really excited about.
Definitely recommend if you want to read a shorter fantasy read with awesome Druid magic!
I fell in love with this fantastical world and hope to see more places in the next installment. Druid magic is so cool especially for Grahme who can be whatever animal he likes. Some of the fight scenes were awesome especially when Grahme fights along with a group of his peers against mind controlled well trained soldiers. I was at the edge of my seat to know the result of that fight which was bittersweet.
I liked the writing style and the prose but I had issues with the pacing because it was quite erratic. Moreover we didn't get the journey part much just Grahme jumping from one place to the next with no in between pauses which was hard to follow. Sadly we didn't get much character development for the side characters and we meet so many characters that it got quite overwhelming to keep up with who is who at the end. I wish we got more of Figol and Alfswich because I really liked their characters and loved their magic of mind manipulation. I guess we get to see more of Alfswich in Sins and Sorrows (Book #1.5) and more of Figol in To Speak with Elders (Book #2) which I'm really excited about.
Definitely recommend if you want to read a shorter fantasy read with awesome Druid magic!
jennthebookwyrm's review
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
brian1911's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
kyraliagal's review
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I really enjoyed this! It was so much fun. The narration took a little getting used to, but once I got past this I was hooked. This is a druid centric quest fantasy which a great cast of character. I can't wait to try out the next in the series!
tythereaderguy's review
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
If you like quests and druids in your fantasy, then this book is for you. Interesting characters, great world building, and a cool quest. Audio was excellent as well. A really good debut. Will most definitely read more Mike Mollman books.