The End of Time (The Books of Umber)

The Books of Umber

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Lists with This Book. Aug 20, Abby Johnson rated it really liked it Shelves: What a pleasant surprise this book was! Action and intriguing characters make for quite a page-turner. The ending resolves nicely, while still pushing readers to seek out the sequels. Hand this one to fans of fantasy adventure like Fablehaven or Pendragon. Oct 25, Laura Kyahgirl rated it really liked it Shelves: I think it would be perfect for that age group but I also think most adults who enjoy fantasy would like this story. Right from the beginning there is danger and adventure and all sorts of unusual magical characters.

I found enough of a hook in the story about Lord Umber, to make me want to read more about this world and find out if he ever gets home.

Oct 27, Lana Krumwiede added it Shelves: Good solid world building. Some original ideas for a fantasy. Nothing really blew me away, but it was an excellent read that held my interest. Count me in for book 2. Jan 11, Austin H rated it really liked it. This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. There is a kid named happenstance who start off not knowing anything about himself or anyone.

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He is found in an underground city with a thing called a worm in it and it is not just an average worm. He then gets taken by those people onto a boat were he learned he is afraid of water. The theme of the book is you should expect the unexpected. I also like when they figure out that the worm is able to see.

I like it when they run out and they figure out the mountain volcano is about to erupt. I like the overall story and i that it was very interested. Apr 13, Jenalyn rated it really liked it Shelves: A fresh new take on the "someone from our world who's taken to a fantasy world" trope. Umber is a fun character to read about. But he's also relatable, especially as he deals with depression. And he's not even the main character! Apr 08, Aubrey rated it really liked it. I felt the book was very original in its storytelling and had a very fast pace to it.

I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series and finding out what happens to Umber and Happenstance. Sep 07, Eva Mitnick rated it really liked it Shelves: Young Happenstance awakens in a dark cave, not remembering who he is or where he came from. A voice tells him his name - and then a group of explorers discovers him and the sealed note in his pocket.

It seems that the owner of the mysterious voice wants Happenstance to go with this group - the dapper and indefatigable Lord Umber, a teenager with a missing hand named Sophie, and a strong man named Oates - and so he does. Lord Umber is a collector of mysteries, preferably magical ones, traveling al Young Happenstance awakens in a dark cave, not remembering who he is or where he came from.

Lord Umber is a collector of mysteries, preferably magical ones, traveling all over the world to uncover them and to bring information back home to his home in Kurahaven. He is also an inventor, a merchant, a conqueror of an evil witch, and rather a mystery himself. Most of all, Umber is one of those vivid and charismatic characters whose ebullience and complexity make him stand out from everyone around him. The story may take place from Hap's perspective, but he remains a bit of a cipher, even to himself, due to his amnesia.

He's a nice enough lad, and certainly his strange powers and green eyes are intriguing, but this story belongs to Umber. There are a couple of other interesting characters, but they are not nearly so well developed as Umber and in some cases seem woefully sketchy - the biggest example being Sophie, who is almost never mentioned after we first meet her. I very much want to learn how a young artist like her got a job illustrating Umber's manuscripts.

Although not all that much happens plot-wise a Bad Creature comes hunting Happenstance; Happenstance starts uncovering his own puzzling powers; a tiny man wields a mighty sword during a kidnapping , I was quite happy with the quirky writing, the atmospheric setting, and most of all the strange mysteries of Hap and Umber. An imaginative new fantasy series is always cause for joy. Sin embargo, lo que acaba de encontrar en las ruinas de una ciudad perdida excede todas sus expectativas: Lord Umber se lo lleva consigo a su Atalaya en Puerto Kura "Lord Umber es un aventurero entusiasta que recorre el mundo de cabo a rabo en busca de monstruos, milagros y maravillas para describirlos en su obra magna, Los libros de Umber.

Sep 30, Collin rated it it was amazing Shelves: Best day of my life. July 7th, Fifth read date: October 16th, Sixth read date: December 3rd, Seventh read date: July 29th, Sixth read: I don't know what I find so enchanting and adoration-worthy about this book. The prose is crisp and simple, perfectly suited to the story, but not exceptional. The characters are lovely, beautifully written, but no more so than other characters in other books that I love less.

The First read date: The plot is intriguing, original in many ways but more familiar in others. But this is still honest to God my favorite trilogy, and this book, especially, holds one of the highest places of regard in my heart. I don't know why. I read it in about three hours straight, and when I finished it again yesterday, I really wanted to just start over from the beginning. I couldn't give any reason why it's so good to me.

But it is, and it'll always be a favorite, because I love Hap and Umber and Sophie and Oates and this story and the tears I know it'll inevitably end with. I just love it. May 18, Shawna rated it it was amazing. Catanese dazzles in the first of the planned Books of Umber series by wittily subverting genre tropes. Happenstance, a boy with strange green eyes, wakes up in a cave with no memories of who he is or anything about the fantastic world in which he lives.

The Books of Umber Books by P. W. Catanese and David Ho from Simon & Schuster

He soon encounters Lord Umber, an adventurer who seems familiar with our world as well as his own, and his two companions-a brute cursed to be forever truthful and a one-handed artist and archer. En route to Umber's home, they discover that H P. En route to Umber's home, they discover that Hap can see in the dark, leap many feet in the air, speak numerous languages and go without sleep. As the group attempts to learn about his origins, they're forced to confront a supernatural assassin and secrets from Umber's own mysterious past.

Catanese packs a lot into the book: As auspicious start to the series. I just don't think I can wait another year for the next installment to come out. Jan 09, Kino Kino rated it really liked it. It's a world building book yes, but I think it is one that is done right. The last world building book I read was The Beyonders by Brandon Mull and though the ending made the flimsy story made sense, the journey was still a little too bland for me.

But even if this book is similar with a lot of other books, the unknowing main character that provides exposition, the charismatic leader, the mindless muscle and the shy girl to win over among others, and though similar with other world or series b It's a world building book yes, but I think it is one that is done right. But even if this book is similar with a lot of other books, the unknowing main character that provides exposition, the charismatic leader, the mindless muscle and the shy girl to win over among others, and though similar with other world or series building books.

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It was done right with characters that you can relate with that would do things with motivations you can understand and even uses the deus ex "magic" we all love sparingly and focuses on the characters based on characters written before but yet not quite the same: TLDR I love this first book, short, but who can argue with the wonderful results? View all 4 comments. Jun 22, Carrie rated it really liked it. I was happily surprised by this book, it was exciting, fresh, and over all fun. I bought it out a whim and then set it on my island where I began to wonder why the heck I got it.

I'm not really into this genre I hated Beyonders and the cover is just awful. But despite the gaudy design and the annoying double-spaces, I really enjoyed this book. The villain was one-dimensional, but he served hi I was happily surprised by this book, it was exciting, fresh, and over all fun.

The villain was one-dimensional, but he served his purposes well. Happenstance, the main character, wasn't your typical aw-crap-I-forgot-my-life character and the mystery surrounding his past and what he is was really interesting and creative.

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Perhaps I'll read them some day. Aug 23, Sandra Evans rated it it was amazing. My 12 year old son loved this book. He either loves a book or doesn't read it, so I know this one has to be something special. He basically couldn't put it down for the last 50 pages, so today I felt like Mom of the Year as I walked the streets of the city with him at my side, the only tween for miles around who was endangering fellow pedestrians by walking and reading instead of walking and Pokemon Go-ing.

He didn't put it down at lunch, in the doctor's office, or on the long drive home. When h My 12 year old son loved this book. When he finished he asked, "Is there a sequel? Get it right away, okay? So I will be reading this book Aug 07, Teresa Garrett rated it really liked it Shelves: Happenstance, Hap for short, is found by Lord Umber in a subterranean city buried beneath an active volcano and guarded by a gargantuan worm-type beast.

He has no memory of any life prior to being found but little bits of knowledge flow through his mind allowing him to speak and read - in fact he can read and speak several languages. More than anything he wants to know about his past but is worried about his future since he is being hunted by a strange creature known as the "Creep". Lord Umber k Happenstance, Hap for short, is found by Lord Umber in a subterranean city buried beneath an active volcano and guarded by a gargantuan worm-type beast.

The End of Time

Lord Umber knows more than he is telling because Hap caught a glimpse of a letter outlining his future but wants Umber to tell him more. Lots of magical creatures and spells round out the story. I am sad that all the questions are not answered by the end leading into the next two books of the series. Aug 30, Kate rated it it was amazing Shelves: I am not that far into the book, but I am already blown away by the beautiful and simplistic writing and the premise.

I love the fantasy world as well, so fun! I finished the book! What I loved about this book was the mystery- who is Happenstance?

Don't Miss These Previous Books in the Series!

That was utterly fascinating! I loved the distinct characters as well. Nothing turns me off more than undistinct characters who you can only tell apart by their names. So, I loved the colorful characters, Umber and Oates and so on. My only compl I am not that far into the book, but I am already blown away by the beautiful and simplistic writing and the premise. My only complaint was that the fluidity towards the end or crux of the book threw me off a little. But I understand why it was done that way.

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Loved it and couldn't wait to read the next. Apr 30, Ronna rated it really liked it Recommends it for: Catanese has created some of the most lovable characters I have encountered in a fantasy! For me, Umber's appeal lies in his uncanny happiness despite his underlying psychological trials, his constant curiosity amid danger, and his amiable appeal to all those he encounters.

My other favorites include Oats, with his absolute truth, and Malfor with his compassionate truth. Of course, Hap is a fantastic main character in his quest for identity. Overall, I really enjoyed the action, mystery and ques Catanese has created some of the most lovable characters I have encountered in a fantasy! Overall, I really enjoyed the action, mystery and quest of this book. I look forward to the remaining books! Apr 13, Miriam rated it liked it Recommends it for: A boy awakens in darkness, with no memory and no idea where he is.

Almost at once he is found by a group of explorers, led by Umber, a man of great inventiveness and curiosity. He has been directed to this island of ruins by an anonymous note, and another note to Umber is found next to Hapenstance. Narrowly escaping the island, they return to the city where Umber dwells as an adviser to the king, but are pursued by a mysterious enemy. This a creative fantasy and entertaining read. Its main weakn A boy awakens in darkness, with no memory and no idea where he is.

Its main weaknesses are heavy-handed writing and insufficient character development. What a wonderful kick-off novel to the world of Umber. It all starts in the dark blindfold. Happenstance wakes on his back on a stone floor, a. Then three people enter his world, Lord Umber, Oates and Sophie and a mad dash insues, you they are on an island with a volcano starting to blow its top.

Travel the path of Hap Happenstance as he discovers who he is, where he is and why he is. Absolutely delightful mid-sized reading. Oct 08, Shadowshock rated it really liked it Shelves: There wasn't a whole lot of action in it except at the very end yet it somehow kept me reading. There was no over long descriptive pages, but it was detailed enough for me to get a clear picture of the area.

I guess what kept me reading was I was very curious as to who Hap was and what was going on with him. The writer invoked a good sense of mystery with the character without making the reader frustrated about never finding anything solid. May 16, Kelly rated it it was amazing. The characters and story are as rich as Weaveworld or The Deathgate Cycle. I read this in one sitting and still craved more. You won't be disappointed. Hope you've read "The Books of Umber" and hope you like this piece.

Happenstance watched the mishaps and the mayhems plaguing the streets below him. He had just come out of the Neither from the other world to begin his work of saving Umber's world. He listened to the sounds of the filaments. They sounded of much despair and destruction.

Hap knew a lot of meddling was yet to come. How he loved the idea. Happenstance had promised Willy Nilly, a dying Meddler, he would save this woman who had made Willy care. Happenstance entered the Neither to search in a earlier time for the woman, in a time when there was peace in this world. Sorry for such a short chapter, but I wanted to start off slow especially since I've had this idea for a while, but never decided to write it.

I'm also glad "The Books of Umber" have finally been added to this website, thank you fanfiction staff! Just In All Stories: Story Story Writer Forum Community. Books Books of Umber.

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