The First Pillar by Roy Huff

By: Anonymous on Thursday, June 27, 2013

Title:  The First Pillar

Author:  Roy Huff

Series:  Everville #1

Published:  April 1st 2013 by Roy Huff

Page Count:  230

Genre:  Young Adult Fantasy

Shelf:  Review Copy

Rating:  ★★★★

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Owen Sage is the emblematic college freshman at Easton Falls University. With all the worries about his first year in college, he was not prepared for what would happen next. His way of life was flipped upside down when he mysteriously crossed into another dimension, into the beautiful land of Everville. His excitement was abruptly halted when he discovered that there was a darkness forged against both the natural world, which he knew well, and the new land which he discovered, Everville. He must devise a plan to save both worlds while joining forces with the race of Fron and The Keepers, whom both harbor hidden secrets he must learn in order to gain power over the evil that dwells in The Other In Between. With a race against time to save both worlds, his short time at Easton Falls did not quite prepare him for the evil, dark forces he must fight in order to conquer The Other In Between.

My Review:

Huff uses an upbeat and captivating writing style throughout this novel and combines it with a story that you can really get into. He creates a phenomenal world that he shows you rather than telling you about it. Through it Huff takes the fantasy genre and runs in circles with it. You become drawn into this world, just like the characters are. You’re also kept guessing, just like them. This technique really draws you in and keeps you going.

Above all, Huff’s storyline is as structurally and fundamentally sound as his writing. He has a forward progression to the story, each event leading up to the next. He also illustrates the interconnectedness between the events and characters, however separate they may seem at the time. By flipping between characters and places Huff is able to show many perspectives, including the ability for good and evil to switch sides and the lines in between the two to blur. He does, however, keep everything quite clear through minute changes in writing style and tone. Combine all of this with the author’s descriptions, which are complete and awe inspiring yet worked right into the body of the story without interrupting the flow, and you have a captivating whole.

If Huff’s very approachable writing style draws you into the novel, his characters keep you there. A variety of characters and their personal stories intertwine and combine to create a unique and intricate whole. Each is uniquely developed to suit its purpose in the story, while becoming a well-developed and realistic individual.

With this story Huff incorporates all the elements of a typical fantasy tale – mythical creatures, magical realms, war of good vs evil, etc. – into a story that can’t be compared to anything I’ve ever read before. It was a fun and quick read that was a phenomenal escape from reality and I can’t wait to read the sequel.

Buy your copy online here today!