The First Ring Bearers

A novella

Young Adult - Fantasy - Epic
37 Pages
Reviewed on 09/06/2022
Buy on Amazon

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Author Biography

For his work, N.A. (Nick) Turner draws inspiration from philosophy, human virtues and vices, technology, travel, myths, fairy tales, history, and more. He wants to hold up a mirror, to highlight certain aspects of our lives and put them in perspective. His stories are places where reality meets fantasy. From a magic tree, technology gone bad, societies shaken, and time travel.

On Turnerstories.com he shares short stories and tips about writing, creativity, and freelancing. The First Ring Bearers is his first novella and serves as a prequel to the upcoming The Ring Bearers Novels.
He previously published a non-fiction book that helps readers successfully write their own short stories plus a collection of 13 of his short stories.

Turner is a traditionally published author in the Netherlands, known for his family history set in the art world of 1900s Amsterdam, where his ancestors befriended Piet Mondrian and were part of the art scene. In his research, he discovered new Mondrians.

Nick is currently writing his first novel which is set to release end of 2023. In addition, he is looking for US/UK representation for his The Ring Bearers fantasy series he's working on.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Edith Wairimu for Readers' Favorite

In the captivating fantasy story, The First Ring Bearers by N.A. Turner, a shepherd finds magical stones and embarks on a worldwide mission to seek bearers of his magical rings. Cartius notices shining lights coming from a cave on a mountain while taking care of his flock. He finds stones which he eventually forges into one powerful ring. Not wanting to be corrupted by his newly-found power and burdened by the responsibility of protecting the world by himself, he forms rings that can control the earth’s seven elements. He sets out on a quest to find seven ring-bearers from different continents who can share his power. He first meets Sigurd, a young man eager to learn from Cartius, who becomes the first ring bearer. Still, Cartius must figure out a way to protect the bearers from possibly destroying themselves due to their fallibility.

The First Ring Bearers by N.A. Turner is an insightful story that examines human character and explores human beings’ tendency to be corrupted by power. As the lead character, Cartius is a fitting depiction of a person who is aware of his weaknesses and protects himself from them. The story is a remarkable demonstration of how greed can destroy a person and the world around them. I found each quest to find a suitable bearer of each element engrossing. I was fascinated by the differences between the magical world and the human world as well as each character’s cultural background. There are also many tense, absorbing scenes that arise as evil tries to overcome good. The First Ring Bearers by N.A. Turner is a compelling short story with important lessons. Highly recommended to all readers.

Sadiyah Bhamjee

N.A. Turner lays out the foundations for a new fantasy world in the magical novella The First Ring Bearers. Set in medieval times, this story begins a long time ago and makes a great prequel. When Cartius discovers magical gemstones, he creates rings of power. He decides that he alone cannot be responsible for all this magic. Follow his journey as he finds fellow ring-bearers to take on the responsibility for the magic. Cartius finds a parallel universe, free of humans. Along with his ring-bearers, Cartius builds a new world with only magical beings. Will they be willing to use the power to help the communities, both magical and human, to prosper or will they abuse their newfound magic? Fans of myths and legends will adore this novella.

I love the way N.A. Turner provides information about the fantasy world while keeping the story fun and exciting. It is a beautiful balance between scenic beauty, exciting adventure, and background information. It feels like reading an old myth or legend. I feel that I should read The First Ring Bearers in front of a roaring fire thanks to its beautiful medieval setting. I love sweet Cartius with his harmonious ideals. The sense of community is incorporated into the novella neatly and I liked their togetherness. No time is wasted and everything gives the reader new information or moves the plot forward. However, this doesn’t make the story feel rushed, thanks to the beautiful pacing. The characters are quickly introduced but well-differentiated.

Alex

Really enjoyed this story! Very curious about the upcoming books :)