...or should I say, "lost soul." I truly hate to be the bearer of bad news, but since there's no tender way to deliver the blow, I'm just going to come right out and say it. You see, you and I, well...we're dead, or if it makes it easier to hear, we have perished. And, if a softer delivery is still necessary...we have passed on.
We can no longer call Earth our home. Our souls, whether good or evil, now exist inside the Book, and we're waiting for our chance to be reborn, possibly on one of many new worlds.
Yes, I know - oh, believe me, I know - none of this makes any sense and you're probably asking yourself, "Phillip, what on earth are you talking about?" And I would be forced to answer your question by saying...Earth just doesn't exist any longer!
Just know this. I'm glad your soul was retrieved from the darkness of space and placed in here with me inside the Book. I know you're confused and have many questions, not to mention a fair amount of stress which I'm sure has suddenly surfaced because of my revelation, but it will get better, I promise. You should hang in there while I try to explain further.
The Book, known as The Book of Immortality, has a second name - Gabriel. He asked me to explain some extremely important things which are for your benefit.
First, there was a series of God Wars which lasted nearly 3,000 seasons. It was during this period of constant battling by these so-called "deities" that the entire Cosmos ceased to exist. (I say 'so-called' because I'm still not convinced they should be called gods at all.)
Second, along with our beloved Earth, the places you knew as Heaven and Hell, everything you ever loved, everything you understood, and everything you cherished as your own, exploded into countless pieces of mass, most of which still wander aimlessly through space.
Yeah, this news really sounds like one big pile of garesh...not to mention it's thoroughly depressing to know that your soul is stuck inside a book, but again, hang in there... many answers will be revealed as I move forward with the telling of The Crystal Moon.
You see, prior to The great Destruction of Everything Known, I was an author back on Earth. The Book, after learning this, has asked me to gather the facts necessary to tell a series of stories. I get to share the knowledge I've gained from speaking with the souls residing inside Gabriel's pages, including the deities who perished, most during the God Wars. I will reveal the information acquired from questioning hundreds of fascinating creatures, as well as numerous other races, some of which are immortal, living on the new worlds. I've taken great care to understand everyone's emotions, their desires, their thoughts, and the reasons for doing the things they did, and will now share everything with you.
Thus, I welcome you to: The Worlds of the Crystal Moon. Let us begin with the first of many stories - Crystal Moon, World of Grayham. I do hope you enjoy my recollections. Your friend, and fellow soul inside the Book of Immortaility, Phillip "Big Dog" Jones
Allow me to take you back to a period just over 14,000 seasons ago...to a series of moments just before the destruction of Earth.
Dr. Sam Goodrich put the cold stethoscope on the boy's chest and asked him to take two deep breaths. The child jumped and Sam realized the boy was in good general health. His flu-like symptoms could be treated with a simple over-the-counter medication, so the doctor wrote out a recommendation and handed it to the boy's mother.
"Mrs. Taylor, thanks for bringing Bobby in to see me. This should do the trick. He'll be just fine in a few days." Sam smiled and gave a few other words of encouragement, then shook the woman's hand before leaving the room. As he left, his smile faded and he grimaced at the thought of his
The World of Grayham was a pleasant read. I give it 4 out of 5 stars. Like many fantasy novels I have read over the years, the first 150 pages required some setup to establish a foundation for the worlds the author was trying to bring us into. After this setup, the rest of the story exploded and continued at a satisfying pace all the way through the end of the second novel in the series. I would recommend this novel to anyone who is not too conservative. The author does allow one of his characters to use the words damn, Hell and bastard. There are also some intense battle scenes that can be a bit bloody. I would not have a problem with my 13 year old son reading this novel, but my 14 year old daughter is a bit more sensitive, so it will have to wait for her. Parents who know their children will be fine when making a determination as to which child can read this series.
As for me . . . I am in love with the Worlds of the Crystal Moon. My love for the first book was overshadowed by my love for the second. Both the World of Grayham and the Magic of Luvelles are true gems that sit on my shelves filled with exceptional fantasy reading.
I bought both books at the same time, the books are a Good read. Very enjoyable, the writing is unique and the story line never stops. My only complaint is it's a bit slow in the beginning and surges at the end. It is probably one of the best Sci/Fi books I have read. Overall very good series and I would recommend it basically to anyone who wants a good story that never stops! Waiting for Book #3
I haven’t enjoyed reading a story this much in a long time. A friend passed it on to me for some reading during the holidays. I finished this book in about 3 days. The twists and turns kept me reading it. I think this could be a killer game.
From the opening of the story, using the concept of being 14,000 years into the future, but in an old world setting is intriguing. The author took me from present day to an old world set it in the future.
First impressions of the characters varied. Most of my first impressions remained unchanged throughout this book (i.e., the protagonist’s arrogance and the antagonist’s ruthlessness). There was one character, however, that my opinion changed about. She is an impact character who starts as an irritating, ditsy blonde, but later we see her strength and smarts. Once I saw that side of her, I liked her.
The characters of the gods are enviable. Reading this made me want to be one. Their gritty interactions and debates, the games they play and their competitiveness made me want to keep reading to know more about them.
The towns, villages and cities are interesting and varied and the incorporation of the gods the inhabitants worship lends differences to the locales, keeping them interesting and fresh. Additionally, the names of Mr. Jones’ characters and places are fitting and interesting. From the name of the griffin to the names of kingdoms, to the name of the god group, the Farendrite Collective, Mr. Jones’ naming conventions help the reader keep up with all the activity happening in the story.
By the size of the book, it could appear there is much depth to each character and scene. For some, that could be a deterrent to reading his books. Instead, the opposite is true. Mr. Jones has several sub-plots occurring at once and does not take too long to develop any one scene. His stories within stories approach keeps the overall plot fresh and I enjoyed being enmeshed into the culture of truly a new world. As the reader, I appreciate the latitude Mr. Jones gives to draw minor conclusions and envision visual embellishments. His explanation of scenery is sufficiently descriptive without describing the texture of a flower petal … unless it is germane to the forwarding of the story.
The Grayham Inquirer is helpful in keeping the story straight. It helps with the details and is a terrific complement to the construct of the book.
When I saw the cover, I became immediately interested in this book. Then, I saw the inside art and was drawn in further. The color images really give the characters life while the drawings inside add greatly. As a reader, the artwork definitely enhanced the story and gave great insight into Phillip Jones’ vision for various scenes. One thing I would have liked to see more of was more art.
The storyline keeps moving and although there are lots of characters, Big Dog helps straighten the reader out through the Grayham Inquirers. These newspaper updates were extremely helpful, especially as the story became more twisted and intertwined.
My son and I both read this. We had lots of chuckles about George’s antics and how the Gods toyed with each other, playing games, making bets and then having to pay up. What a scream.
My niece gave me this book about a year ago. But as often happens life gets busy and the book sat on a stack for a long time. When I did read it, I was rooting for my favorites and hissing at my least favorites. It was such a fun story that I finished reading it and I decided that I had to tell my opinion about it.
My favorite characters were Mosley and Kepler, a wolf and a jaguar. Their characters maintained their animalistic tendencies common to their breeds, while dispensing advice, working as a sidekick, and making the story more interesting.
My least favorite characters were George and Lasidious – and that ‘s only because they are so manipulative and evil. I hope they get theirs in future books. I feel sorry for Athena.
I had a cousin read this book and then pass it onto me. I thought the references to contemporary life by George while in this old world setting was the most clever part of the book. I am passing the book onto my sister next.
TAKE IT BACK TO COSTCO!!!!! And never look back!!! Oh my gosh! I don't really know why I'm even continuing to read this piece of work. It's geared to the 13 year old and up group and wow, you'd think you just walked into the 1960's with a 2009 overlay. It reads like a dirty minded tween wrote it. The sad truth about this book(from what I can figure) is it's self published. And, it shows. The editing is none existing, the characters are undeveloped and nonsensical. The author tells people it is right up there with Fablehaven and Narnia which is so far off the mark it's almost hysterical! It's a very sexist "I am male hear me roar" piece of crap. The main character is supposed to be a genius (medical degree at something like 16 yrs old) who really likes to cage fight and would rather be famous for that than for his intelect. He comes across like a panting dog with rage issues. All the characters say goofy things not even normal 13 year olds would say. All the so called "gods" are complete idiots with no depth, intelect or even power. The woman character is supposed to be smart (pretty much a genius in her own right) but is completely shallow and so unbelivable!. She names her staff "Precious" for pete's sake! (All I can think of is Lord of the rings) All in all the characters are crazy rediculous. The only good thing about this book is the world Jones created, and you don't even get enough of that to make it worth reading. If he had put some thought, depth and likability into the characters and left out the sexual under and over tones and maybe didn't write like a middle schooler he might have had a chance. It is really hard to put into words why you should not waste your money on this book but take my advice and walk away. You may be tempted to look at the train wreak but it's just not worth it. You'll never be able to erase it from your mind. Honestly? I have never in my life read a book I hated and if I could I would burn this book it's so bad. In fact I think I might! Come winter that thing is on the top of the wood pile. At least it will be able to provide some degree of warmth.
I do a lot of travelling, so I have time to read. I read all kinds of books and I like reading books by authors I’ve never heard of. When I picked up the Crystal Moon World of Grayham, I was drawn into it immediately by the front and back covers and the art inside. So, good job, Mr. Jones for differentiating yourself in a very competitive market.
When I started reading, it took a bit to get into the meat of the story, but once the pace picked up, it was a great ride. I understand that the backstory is important and so it had to be told. As the story developed, I felt empathy for characters and I enjoyed their escapades (I’m trying not to give anything away). I definitely recommend this book.
My daughter encouraged me to read this book. It sat on a pile for quite a while. I kept looking at it, but everytime I would start to pick it up, I got distracted with something else. I thought I would never get to it. Finally, I did read it. Once I got started, I had a hard time putting it down. All my daughter could say to me was, “I told you it was good.” Okay, okay. (that’s funny…it’s in the book) She was right. George is by far my favorite character. He’s complicated, driven, and willing to do what it takes for those he loves…even if it is destroying someone here or there. This is one of the best books I’ve read in a long time.
This was the most intriguing book I’ve read in quite awhile. The different worlds and characters and 4000 pound jaguars, and unique characters. The way it is written, I’m in the action. I could see Griffin Falls without seeing a picture of it. It’s a different concept. We’re all dead and the story is told in an unusual fashion. It has enough spice in it to keep me reading.
I play WOW and when I picked up this book, the first 30 pages of color pictures reminded me of the game. When I started reading it, I found the story to be engaging and I wanted it to be a game. I could imagine the rides on the griffin from Griffin Falls to Angels Village. The encounter George had with the Saber Lord and the giant cat, Kepler was like going on a quest. It was a blast. There were too many times, I kept thinking to myself, I want to go there. I hope this gets turned into a game before it becomes a movie. That’s much more interactive. Gamers will get this book.
When I first heard of this book, I wasn't sure what to expect. I had heard that the author had been getting input from readers and that he was taking that feedback to "strengthen the story." When my 16 year old nephew read it and was hooked, I knew I had to be next in the family to read it. I found the story engaging, funny, clever, and on occasions, sad. This is a world where "time" has been replaced by "a series of moments," and the interplay between the gods, the mortals and the creatures is strategized like a game of chess. I am looking forward to starting the next book in the series.
I never have read a book like this before. It was so unusual and so funny and violent and filled with innuendo that I found enough variety to keep me engaged. When I saw how thick the book was I was a little intimidated and wasn’t sure if I was interested. But, the cover and the color art got me to buy it. I figured if I didn’t like it, I could pass it onto my daughter. She might like it. Well, I’m not giving this book to anyone. This book was way too good to pass on.
I have read many fantasy novels and what I like about World of Grayham is the mix of old world fantasy and the contemporary world. The writing is casual and laid back and I was rooting for some of the most unlikely of characters. I won’t spoil it for others, but just let me say that I enjoyed the twists and turns. I’m starting book 2 today.
This is the first reveiw I've ever written. This was a very fun book. With each turn of the page, I found myself wanting to go to Grayham and walk in the footsteps of George. His conniving and conjuring along with the love in his heart for those who mattered to him and his off-handed comments, made him the most enviable character. I was intrigued by his complexity and I could identify with his motivations, albeit extreme, but what’s good fantasy without extremes, right?
I also liked how there were so many other characters to identify with. The word pictures were so vivid, I could see giant serpents slithering through the Temple of the Gods, and I could feel each punch delivered by Sam and his opponents. This is a book that has lots of symbolism, banter, laughs, and even some tears. I liked it better than Harry Potter. It’s a fun read and a great escape.
In reading the World of Grayham, this was a captivating read. It doesn’t feel like typical fantasy (if there is such a thing), but all of the elements are there. I enjoyed the storytelling by Phillip Jones and his incorporation of current world pop culture into his fantasy worlds.
I found the characters to be believable with real emotions and the ability to draw a range of emotions out of me. I chuckled, I laughed, I even got teary eyed in one or two parts. The fight scenes were intense and I could feel the breaking of bones and death the characters inflicted. Taking it on its own merit, I would definitely read Mr. Jones’ second book.
A college friend told me about this book. He picked it up from a relative of his in Idaho. It’s funny how good books travel around the country. Anyway, when I saw the cover and the artwork inside, the 3D color work had me hooked. There’s plenty of action and suspense and cool humor. Great storyline. I highly recommend it.
My son read this book and asked me to. I told him I wasn’t really into fantasy, but he implored me, so I agreed. This is a great story. Aside from the fantasy elements, there’s mystery, murder, innuendo, deception, and laughter. All elements that make great storytelling. Mr. Jones is a terrific storyteller.
When I saw this book, I was intigued by the color artwork in the front of the book. When I read it, I found a very interesting twist on fantasy. The author takes a group of earthlings and jets them forward 14,000 years into an old world, fantasy setting manipulated by a group of back-stabbing gods. The intercourse between the gods and the earthlings, the rise to power and magical foundation building of the mortals are fun, suspenseful, romantic, and violent. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who likes to laugh, cry and enjoy an engaging story.
Could this be any funnier? I enjoy fantasy novels, but what is different about this book is how the jokes hit you upside the head when you’re not expecting it. The funnies run the gamut. Toilet humor to sexual innuendo, to humorous actions and reactions by the characters – they were all in there. This is a great casual read.
I do a lot of travelling and am always looking for good reads. I often don’t read books unless someone recommends it to me. I had a friend of a friend recommend this book and I was caught from the beginning. The color artwork in the beginning is fantastic. I’ve never seen anything like it before. That artwork enhanced the story 300 fold.
Once I got into the story, the pace moved quickly and there was lots of action. Phillip Jones has a way of describing a fight like I’ve not read before. I could feel my bones crunch as I was reading. George, by far, is my favorite character. He came from toughness, isn’t afraid of anything or anyone, and loves a good challenge…all for the love of his daughter. I am definitely passing this on.
Reading this book was an escape from the ordinary. I found the humor engaging along with great fighting and beautiful settings. The color artwork is a terrific visual aid and gave the story an extra pop of excitement. With this being the first book in the series, I can't wait to get my hands on the second one.
This would be a great movie. I'd be interested in learning more about this author and the series. I'd love to know his twisted mind better.
This book was very entertaining. The adventure, the satire and sarcasm of the humor, the ability of the author to make the reader feel a range of emotions in a good story line, kept me reading. The style of writing is very relaxed and feels almost like someone is telling a story to a group of enthralled campers surrounding the nighttime bonfire.
The World of Grayham was a great escape from my duties as a mother, but like many fantasy novels, the first 100 pages were slower while the author established a foundation for the premise of the story. Beyond this initial setup, the rest of the story was filled with action, and it was deeply satisfying. I enjoyed the range of emotions that I experienced as the story progressed. I laughed. I cried, and I even threw the book because George Nailer, one of the main characters in the series really pissed me off. In fact, he made me mad more than once. My youngest son saw my reaction and laughed at me. He just turned 12, and his curiosity about my reaction has caused him to start reading. He is now 400 pages into the first book, and we are having some fun discussions. He says his favorite characters are Kepler, the undead demon-jaguar and Mosley, the night terror wolf. Parental guidance is recommended, so parents should read the novels first to ensure they know what their child is reading. The Worlds of the Crystal Moon is a definite recommend.
My 14 year old daughter came home from the Space Needle the other day and was carrying this book in her hand. Apparently, her best friend found it at her uncle’s house when she visited her uncle in Salt Lake City. After the book sat on my kitchen counter for a few days, I snagged it and read it. This novel was a refreshing change from the Danielle Steele novels I usually read. I am hooked and will read the entire series.
After logging onto Facebook, I was able to engage the author and ask questions. I decided to leave this review because of my experience.
I don’t read fantasy, but there were other things about the book that I enjoyed. This book took me on a ride of up and down emotions. I laughed and then I cried. It’s certainly not a romance novel, but there was enough romance to keep me interested. There were lots of characters to keep track of so the Grayham Inquirer was very helpful. I would recommend this book for a great escape.
Reading this book consumed me. There were so many twists and turns…thank the gods for the Grayham Inquirer because otherwise the series of moments it would have taken me to read this book to keep the characters straight would have taken much longer. This book was a lot of fun to read and I will probably read it again to get more of what I missed.
This was a good story. I enjoyed the twists and turns and the fact that the three main characters seemed like people I could identify with. They were varied enough that I could see elements of people I knew in each character. This realism made it easier for me to identify with the emotions each character experienced.
The gods are a blast! I want to be one. This is not typical mythology. It is much more interesting. Their manipulations of the inhabitants of Grayham are like puppeteers manipulating their marionettes. I love that.
If I could give this book a negative star rating I would. I realize that it was an unedited copy of the book, but that said, no amount of editing could fix all of the problems with it. From what I understand it is being pushed as a book for young teens, but it had such bad language and sexual overtones that I could barely bring myself to read it. I would never recommend it for any of my students. On a positive note, my pet rats have enjoyed it as a chew toy! Don't waste your money.