Category: Special Reviews

Special Review: The Mushroom Knight Book 1: The Cube

7/2/2025

"HIGHLY RECOMMENDED" - A highly enjoyable reading experience

This book provides the reader a fully entertaining experience, and may appeal readers outside the genre. This indie novel met or exceeded the level of a contemporary traditionally-published books in its genre. This novel met or exceeded the editing quality of traditionally published novel. If spelling or mechanical errors were present, they were rare, hard to notice, and didn't detract from the novel's overall experience. The novel's structure (plot, characters, flow, dialogue, etc) immersed the reader and provided an effortless reading experience. The story not only met genre expectations , but brought something original to the literary form.

Read more about Rule One Book Reviews rating system.

TITLE: The Mushroom Knight Book 1: The Cube
PUBLISHER: Indie
AUTHOR: Richard Massie
GENRE(S): Epic Fantasy
PUBLICATION DATE: December 5, 2022

Mila, a young apprentice knight, belongs to a unique magical order that harnesses the power of mushroom spores for both combat and healing. The novel opens with Mila traveling alongside her Aunt Alicia and Uncle Mycal, legendary Mushroom Knights from the Island of Mycelium, on a quest through neighboring kingdoms. During their journey, the party is ambushed by malevolent magical creatures. In the ensuing skirmish, Mila is separated from her companions, launching her hero’s journey and the reader’s adventure. Soon, she discovers a powerful and malevolent artifact—the Cube—that threatens everything she holds dear. Joined by new and old friends, Mila must find a way to destroy the Cube and save the world. This summary oversimplifies a complex novel. The Mushroom Knight is a love letter to epic high fantasy, crafted by an author who clearly understands the genre’s appeal. Richard Massie masterfully incorporates all the genre’s essentials: an expansive world, a structured magical system, mythical creatures, heroes, villains, and grand quests. While the novel embraces these tropes, it infuses them with remarkable originality.

The magical system, known as Ka, is elementally based and meticulously structured, resembling a magical science. Massie avoids overwhelming readers with lengthy exposition, instead revealing the system’s intricacies through character interactions and plot progression. This creates an enjoyable and digestible experience for readers. Hardcore fantasy fans will appreciate this attention to detail, though for some, it may feel like a genre formality. The novel’s true depth lies beyond its magical framework.

Massie’s handling of religion and culture sets The Mushroom Knight apart. Stark contrasts between kingdoms—spanning faith, social norms, art, morality, fashion, politics, and human sexuality—are woven seamlessly into the narrative through character interactions and plot, not heavy-handed exposition. This is world-building at its finest.

Characters and their relationships form the foundation of the novel’s plot and world. Beyond Mila, several key figures enrich the story. Mycal, Mila’s uncle and a revered Mushroom Knight, serves as a paternal figure to many characters. Alicia, his wife and fellow knight, embodies beauty and maternal strength. Flank and Kand, two brothers divided by tragedy, represent themes of faith, fate, and destiny. Lash, a magical “beast girl” and exile, searches for a new home and "pack". Bal’Bra, a formidable warrior from a race of fire elementals, seeks to restore her family’s honor. Shai, a magician grappling with her shortcomings, is accompanied by her warrior protector, Talish, whose honor binds him to her despite her flaws. Through these well-crafted characters, Massie forges not a conventional quest party but a quest family, united by diverse backgrounds, unique gifts, and shared purpose. The novel’s overarching theme of family—built on trust, respect, and love despite differences—elevates it within the genre. Each character, incomplete or broken on their own, becomes part of a powerful whole when united.

As the cliché goes, a story is only as good as its villain. Massie treats evil as a contagion, a force that infects some antagonists while others choose it willingly. The Dark Wizards, aware of “Corruption’s” grip, exist in a morally blurred space between free will and enslavement, their humanity eroded as they serve a dark master. While the novel initially seems to underemphasize its villains, a surprising twist near the end reframes their role, adding depth and complexity.

I recommend The Mushroom Knight for older teens and adults. Human sexuality is portrayed in a “coming-of-age” manner, with characters like Mila exploring their emerging identities. A single non-explicit sexual encounter is included. Violence is prevalent but not gratuitous, primarily directed at non-human creatures. When violence involves humans or sentient races, it is handled with care, emphasizing its moral weight, especially through Mila’s perspective. Massie’s battle scenes, particularly a war between two kingdoms, are expertly crafted, showcasing the consequences of violence.

At 1,173 pages, The Mushroom Knight is a formidable epic fantasy, longer than many genre classics like The Fellowship of the Ring (432 pages) or The Eye of the World (753 pages), though comparable to The Way of Kings (1,137 pages). Such length might intimidate readers unfamiliar with the genre, and it nearly deterred me from purchasing the book. In my experience lengthy indie novels often suffer from sagging middles, excessive exposition, or unnecessary subplots. However, The Mushroom Knight avoids these pitfalls. Each chapter is tightly constructed around a theme, event, or character development, with seamless transitions that propel the reader forward. Even for a slow reader like me, the pages fly by. In retrospect, I found little that could be cut without diminishing the story. Massie deserves credit for executing such an ambitious debut.

I highly recommend The Mushroom Knight to fans of epic fantasy authors like Tolkien, Sanderson, Jordan, and Martin. Does it transcend the genre to appeal to newcomers? Possibly, but its length and complexity may challenge readers without prior exposure to epic fantasy. The Mushroom Knight Book 1: The Cube earns standing as a noteworthy, perhaps extraordinary, addition to the genre.

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Special Edition Review: The Watchman by Matt Langford

6/25/2025

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This review was originally published on Underground Book Reviews May 13, 2013. I've modified the format to fit this blogs review format, but otherwise the review is exactly how it was written in 2013. The Watchman by Matt Langford is an example of what would classify as a EXCEPTIONALLY RECOMMENDED novel.

"EXCEPTIONALLY RECOMMENDED" - A transformative reading experience (Click here for explanation of Rule One rating system)

The overall story experience challenges and elevates the reader on an emotional and intellectual level. This book transcends genre. and is "must-reading" for a wider audience. The reader is transformed by the experience, and will think of the book often and perhaps occasionally reread it. The book not only brings something new to the genre, but something completely new to literature itself. This book is a potential award-winner.

TITLE: The Watchman
PUBLISHER: None Listed
AUTHOR: Matt Langford
GENRE(S): Literary Fiction
PUBLICATION DATE: April 22, 2013
CURRENT AMAZON REVIEWS: 31/3.6 Star Average

What is the difference between a good book and a great book? People talk about a good book, perhaps recommend it to a friend or even rate it on Amazon. On the other hand, a great book connects in a very personal way. A great book is inherently honest, without a shred of manipulation. It gets inside you... tugs, digs, and performs reconstructive surgery on your heart and soul. A great book leaves you no place to hide and forever changes you to the day you die. Is The Watchman by debut novelist Matt Langford such a book?

Adam is a mentally disabled teenager caught up in the everyday maelstrom we call life. He cannot speak beyond a few simple words. Most of his language is made up and known only to him. He possesses a very limited grasp of the past, with even less understanding of the future. Everything exists in the now, and revolves around him. Adam’s family, which is the same as saying his entire universe, is falling apart. His younger brother and sister are growing up and changing in ways he cannot comprehend. His parents’ marriage slowly grows cold under strain of a father’s joblessness and alcoholism. Adam is also changing, physically becoming a man, imposing more unrelenting demands and needs upon an already stressed family. The book begins with a short entry from an expecting mother’s journal, full of hope and love for the baby she carries inside. The Watchman ends with a father’s touching connection with his oldest son. The Watchman is an ambitious book by any standard, but Matt Langford took this challenge to a higher level.

The author tells this story exclusively through Adam’s perspective. In doing so, he forces the reader to actively participate and make their own translations of Adam’s world, their own conclusions about the motivations of the “normal” people surrounding him. Langford pulls this off masterfully. With short, simple and brutally effective prose, Langford creates more character development, more humanity, in a few sentences than most authors can create in whole chapters. In only 180 pages Langford boils a family’s existence down to its raw essence.

This is the point in my review where I usually point out something I found wrong with the book. If there were editing problems with The Watchman, I didn’t notice. I was too busy losing myself in the story. For two days it took over my life. A book hasn’t done that to me since I was a kid.

Is The Watchman a Five Star novel? Of course, but good books can earn Five Stars. Five Stars seems like such a small kudo for such a profound novel. So, does The Watchman qualify as a great book?

A few nights ago I attended my child’s school play. During the presentation loud, inappropriate laughter and other strange noises emanated from the back row. There, an obviously mentally disabled boy of perhaps thirteen squirmed next to his mother. He smiled, touched, flailed and spoke in a language known only to him. Tenderly, and with the utmost patience, his mother tried to simultaneously restrain her boy while watching her other child in the play. It could have been a scene right out of The Watchman. Until the day I die I will never look at a mentally disabled person, or their family, again without thinking of Adam.

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Special Edition Review: The Quill Pen by Michelle Isenhoff

6/18/2025

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I'm reposting my review of The Quill Pen by Michelle Isenhoff as an example of what would classify as a STRONGLY RECOMMENDED book. This review was originally Posted on Underground Book Reviews February 6, 2012. It was also published in HOW WRITING WORKS With Readings 1st ed. by Jordynn Jack and Katie Rose Guest Pryal (Oxford University Press) as an example of a properly written book review. I've modified it to fit this blogs review format, but otherwise the review is generally how it was published in 2012.

"STRONGLY RECOMMENDED" - A rewarding and memorable reading experience (Click here for Rule One ratings system)

This book provides the reader of any genre a deeply rich, rewarding and memorable experience. This novel fully met or exceeded the editing quality of traditionally published novels. Spelling or mechanical errors were virtually undetectable to the average reader. The novel's structure (plot, characters, flow, dialogue, etc) sweeps up the reader, . exceeds genre expectations, and introduces a new dimension to the art form

TITLE: The Quill Pen
PUBLISHER: None Listed
AUTHOR: Michelle Isenhoff
GENRE(S): Middle Grade Historical Fantasy
PUBLICATION DATE: October 19, 2011
CURRENT AMAZON REVIEWS: 49/4.5 Star Average

Like most of the books I review here on the Underground, I found Michelle Isenhoff’s The Quill Pen in Amazon’s discount slush pile. I didn’t look at the cover and I skipped the description. I just dove right into the sample and was immediately hooked.

The Quill Pen is the story of Micah, a boy on the cusp of manhood living in an east coast harbor village in the early 1800s. He dreams of life on the western frontier but cannot escape the shadow of his stern merchant father. Life is a series of mundane drudgeries for Micah until he discovers a mysterious quill pen while cleaning an old widow’s attic. Not only can it write without ink, whatever one writes with it comes true. Micah eventually discovers the pen’s dark secret, but not before it exacts a terrible price.

As I flew through the book, I kept thinking to myself how much my kids would love this. Then it dawned on me - this must be a middle grade or young adult novel. I usually don’t read MG, or even YA, but I didn’t care. I had to find out what happened next.

The young protagonist and supporting characters clearly put this novel in the MG/YA category. However, The Quill Pen is one of those rare books that defy being pigeon-holed because it is so well written. Isenhoff’s quality prose, well-crafted dialogue, and richness of the historical setting make The Quill Pen entertaining for adults as well. She paints the characters with masterful strokes. Micah’s post-colonial village comes alive with detail older readers will appreciate while keeping the plot clipping forward for kids. Isenhoff’s prose is smooth, effortless, and sucks readers in immediately. Combined, these strengths give The Quill Pen a classic, almost Twain-like feel. This book is so well edited it could have come out of any major publishing house, a worthy feat for any indie author.

Quill’s only fault is it slows slightly in the middle, which might lose some MG readers. For older readers, this won’t be an issue. It could also use a snappier cover worthy of the content inside.

The Quill Pen is suitable for any age capable of understanding the subject matter. Nothing here should concern parents.

The Quill Pen is delightful on every level. Isenhoff is an indie author worth keeping an eye on. This entertaining story of adventure, magic, and history is one of those gems of self-publishing that make this job so enjoyable.

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Special Review: The Calling: ALAANA'S WAY Book 1

6/11/2025

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The search for candidate indie books for the August review goes on, and next week I'll post 5 more. However, before I start reviewing candidate books, I want readers and authors to understand how I rate books. Over the next few weeks I'll be posting "Special Reviews" as examples of my rating system. I'm reposting my review of The Calling: ALAANA'S WAY as an example of a HIGHLY RECOMMENDED book. This review was originally published on Underground Book Reviews. I've modified it to fit this blog's review format, but otherwise the review is generally how it was presented on December 7, 2015.

"HIGHLY RECOMMENDED" - A highly enjoyable reading experience. (Click here for Rule One's ratings system)

This book provides the reader a fully entertaining experience, and may appeal readers outside the genre. This indie novel met or exceeded the level of a contemporary traditionally-published books in its genre. This novel met or exceeded the editing quality of traditionally published novel. If spelling or mechanical errors were present, they were rare, hard to notice, and didn't detract from the novel's overall experience. The novel's structure (plot, characters, flow, dialogue, etc) immersed the reader and provided an effortless reading experience. The story not only met genre expectations , but brought something original to the literary form.

TITLE: The Calling:ALAANA'S WAY Book 1
PUBLISHER: None Listed
AUTHOR: Ken Altabef
GENRE(S): Fantasy (Teen & Coming of Age, Historical Fantasy)
PUBLICATION DATE: October 30, 2014

Ambitious. That’s how I would describe Ken Atlabef’s saga of a twelve year old Inuit girl and her perilous journey of transformation. In bringing THE CALLING to life, Altabef had to tackle several formidable challenges. Not only did he have to bring a native American culture to life for the average reader, but make their legends and spiritualism real. He had to do all this through the eyes of a young girl.

Alaana is a young Inuit girl on the edge of womanhood. Her tribe, the Anatatook, thrive somewhere in the frozen north. In this world modern technology is unknown and white men are only distant, seldom encountered trading partners far to the south. The story opens with three shamans fighting a desperate battle against a deadly fever ravaging Alaana’s people. This novel quickly sets itself apart as the author treats the spiritual world no differently than the real world. In the course of the story, the venerable shaman Manatook reveals Alaana is destined to become a shaman, and personally undertakes her training. However, women are not supposed to become shamans and Alaana finds herself torn between the calling of a powerful god, and the equally powerful call of her family. However, there is something Manatook isn’t telling her about her calling, and his own past.

The story starts quickly, and then settles into a rhythm which alternates between three distinct settings. The first setting is daily life in Alaana’s tribe as they struggle to survive on the frozen tundra. Altabef does an excellent job breathing life into the heartaches, joys and conflicts of Anatatook life. He makes Alaana’s family life real and relatable, despite the huge cultural barriers he must overcome to translate a very different culture into our own. No doubt, some readers will be dissuaded by the difficult names, but that’s not the authors fault. In fact, Altabef masterfully compensates for this by quickly imprinting each unique character into the reader’s mind.

The second setting is the spirit world where Manatook takes Alaana during her shaman training. These journeys are wrought with wonder and peril and are beautifully written. Here, Alaana finds both friends and terrifying enemies. To the reader, these spiritual characters become every bit as real as those in the flesh and blood world.

The third setting isn’t really a place, its the relationship between Alaana and her mentor, Manatook. I say that, because together, Alaana and her mentor exist in a place between worlds and become catalysts for events in both. Not only are they catalysts, they are lynchpins, bending and fusing the two realms into one.

I can say so many great things about this novel, from the dialogue to the sweeping scenery to its solid editing. While I think Altabef succeeded bringing this ambitious vision to life, there were a few minor issues. Sometimes the switch between settings could be a bit jolting and confusing. Also, he often switched character perspectives from paragraph to paragraph, making the blending of the spiritual/physical characters difficult to sort out. It tended to slow down in a few places, too. While Alaana’s interactions with her family, tribe and spirit creatures were fascinating (and well written), about halfway through the book I wanted the overarching conflict to reveal itself more clearly and the story to progress.

This cross-cultural fantasy epic may not be for everyone, but THE CALLING is my kind of book. Original in both scope and execution, I highly recommend it.

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Special Review: Spireseeker by E.D.E. Bell

6/4/2025

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I'm still finding candidate indie books for the August review, and next week I'll post 5 more. However, before I start reviewing candidate books, I want readers and authors to understand how I rate books. Over the next few weeks I'lll be posting "Special Reviews" as examples. I'm reposting my review of Spireseeker by E.D.E. Bell as an example of a RECOMMENDED book. This review was originally published on Underground Book Reviews. I've modified it to fit this blog's review format, but otherwise the review is generally how it was presented on July 28, 2014.

"RECOMMENDED" - A positive reading experience (click here to read about Rule One's rating system)

This book provides the reader a satisfying experience, especially if the reader is already a fan the genre. This may not hold true for readers outside the genre. This book approaches the level of a contemporary traditionally-published book in its genre. This book met or exceeded the minimal editing quality of a traditionally published book. If spelling or mechanical errors were present, they were rare, hard to notice, and didn't detract from the novel's overall experience. The novel's structure (plot, characters, flow, dialogue, etc.) allowed reader to reasonably experience the story without unnecessary effort or distraction. The story met genre expectations, though did not necessarily bring anything new to the literary form.

TITLE: Spireseeker
PUBLISHER: None Listed
AUTHOR: E.D.E. Bell
GENRE(S): Epic Fantasy
PUBLICATION DATE: October 15, 2013

I never try to review a novel from a writer’s or editor’s perspective. Instead, I try to focus on what the average reader, for that specific genre, would realistically expect. This is the only way to be fair to both author and reader. As I waded into E.D.E. Bell’s debut novel, Spireseeker, keeping this focus became increasingly difficult. The writer and editor in me kept coming out.

Spireseeker is the story of Beryl, a young woman who lives a sheltered existence with her grandparents on a quaint island. She knows she’s different, but not how different until agents of an evil power attack her home. In the course of the story, Beryl comes to discover she is really an elf, an ancient race charged by the “Creator” with, well, protecting Creation. Soon, Beryl discovers her destiny and that she possesses extraordinary powers. Sometimes running to danger, sometimes away, Beryl encounters a host of allies and enemies on her way to confront Aegra, an elf gone bad and bent on enslaving the world.

While adding a few unique twists, Spireseeker doesn’t stray far from the common fantasy tropes. I would classify it as “elf fantasy,” one of high fantasy’s many sub-genres. Elf fantasy has, of course, elves. It also possesses Tolkien-esque world building, complex magical lore, and an organic, earthy spirit. When well written, I enjoy this genre. Spireseeker clearly falls in this category. E.D.E. Bell’s love and knowledge of this genre obviously shines through. Let me be clear about this, E.D.E Bell can write, and when she is 'in the zone' Spireseeker is enjoyable, and sure to please fantasy purists.

However, Spireseeker is excessively long, especially for a debut novel. Epic fantasy novels are usually lengthy, and we all know that sometimes a good book can’t be long enough. Length would not have been an issue for Spireseeker if the book kept me engaged. It didn’t, because the novel’s plot and action were repeatedly interrupted by vast stretches of unproductive dialogue and narration. In my opinion, its almost 600 pages could have been easily cut by half. Now, with that said, let me explain why I might be wrong.

There is a breed of fantasy fan out there that can’t get enough elf lore, backstory, and mystical world building. To them, The Silmarillion, the ultimate elf lore book (and only 365 pages), is a light snack. It is this kind of material that fills much of Spireseeker’s long, static stretches. If you are a hardcore elfphile, Spireseeker might be your kind of novel.

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Rule One
Book Reviews
(Curating Books Worth Reading)

Special Review: The Mushroom Knight Book 1: The Cube

"HIGHLY RECOMMENDED" - A highly enjoyable reading experience

Special Edition Review: The Watchman by Matt Langford

Special Edition Review: The Quill Pen by Michelle Isenhoff

Special Review: The Calling: ALAANA'S WAY Book 1

Special Review: Spireseeker by E.D.E. Bell

CURATED BOOKS

Rule One Book Reviews

Archives

Rule One​Book Reviews(Curating Books Worth Reading)

Special Review: The Mushroom Knight Book 1: The Cube

"HIGHLY RECOMMENDED" - A highly enjoyable reading experience ​

Special Edition Review: The Watchman by Matt Langford

Special Edition Review: The Quill Pen by Michelle Isenhoff

Special Review: The Calling: ALAANA'S WAY Book 1

Special Review: Spireseeker by E.D.E. Bell

CURATED BOOKS

Rule One Book Reviews

Archives

Rule One
Book Reviews
(Curating Books Worth Reading)

"HIGHLY RECOMMENDED" - A highly enjoyable reading experience