In the ancient and mystical land of Muirwood, Lia has known only a life of servitude. Labeled a “wretched,” an outcast unwanted and unworthy of respect, Lia is forbidden to realize her dream to read or write. All but doomed, her days are spent toiling away as a kitchen slave under the charge of the Aldermaston, the Abbey’s watchful overseer. But when an injured squire named Colvin is abandoned … abandoned at the kitchen’s doorstep, an opportunity arises. The nefarious Sheriff Almaguer soon starts a manhunt for Colvin, and Lia conspires to hide Colvin and change her fate. In the midst of a land torn by a treacherous war between a ruthless king and a rebel army, Lia finds herself on an ominous journey that will push her to wonder if her own hidden magic is enough to set things right. At once captivating, mysterious, and magic-infused, The Wretched of Muirwood takes the classic fantasy adventure and paints it with a story instantly epic, and yet, all its own.
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I wish I could put my finger on what it is about Jeff Wheeler’s writing that I find so compelling, because most books that I’d consider similar don’t do it for me at all. Also, there’s so much going on that after the fact, I have a really hard time even remembering what happened! I think it must all come down to three things: compelling characters, a world so rich with detail that I feel like I could get lost in it, and the sense that I’m reading rich spiritual allegory peppered with wisdom. A normal novel is entertaining but offers no lasting satisfaction. Wheeler’s books are full of paraphrased scripture verses, profound insights into human nature, and beautiful descriptions of the character of God (though in the Muirwood series, God is called the Medium, just as in the Kingfountain series, He was called the Fountain.)
13-year old Lia is a servant, a “wretched,” in the abbey called Muirwood. She’s ignored and despised, and yet embued with magic from watching and imitating the Aldermaston whom she serves. Then one day, an injured squire turns up on her doorstep, and she has to help hide him from prying eyes. He despises her too, but she is willing to help him if in exchange he will provide the means for her to receive the thing she wants most: to learn to read. The two embark on a grand adventure, the details of which I can now no longer recall. And yet, I have the non-specific sense that good triumphs, virtue is rewarded, and all is right with the world, without being cheesy. I look forward to continuing the series!
My rating: ****1/2
Political content: none
Sexual content: none
Language: none
Violence: fantasy only (none to speak of)
Love Jeff Wheeler
What an exciting and well written novel. Jeff Wheeler has created a beautiful world with hidden nuances, life, personality, love, bitterness, jealousy… all the features of people and their surrounding world. What a fantastic listen and it has created a hunger to read/listen to more in the series.
I just finished the Audible version of this book and I have to ask myself, Where have I been? This has been on my TBR pile for ages but continually overlooked it for other books. Since listening to this Audible version, I wonder why I kept overlooking it. I do not know; it’s a mystery to me. I enjoyed this Audible version. It was long enough that I had to keep recharging my Bluetooth earbuds to finish it. In the mean time I couldn’t wait to get back to it. The actor reading it was wonderful. She paced her reading well so I could easily keep up. I loved how her voices changed from a woman’s to a man’s with enough inflections to even tell which man’s character and which woman’s character she gave the voice to. Now that I have an audible account, I will continue to listen to these stories. Very well recommended.
Jeff Wheeler has created an amazing vast world full of intricate history and lore. The characters he has placed in that world for us to learn through are just as amazing. Be prepared to tackle this in as few readings as possible because you will not want to put it down. In fact, I’m off to book 2 now.
Jeff wheeler writes the best books
Great series .
The world of Muirwood comes alive in the first book of the series. Many questions are raised and some answered as you follow the lead character. Lia is learning about her self and her world, even if there are obstacles to her journey. Very imaginative.
Astrid’s Description: Lia Cook is a young girl. She is a wretched; an orphan of unknown origin. She was abandoned on the Muirwood Abby doorsteps as a baby. As with all Wretcheds, she is destined to work for the Abby until her eighteenth birthday. After that, she may leave and do as she pleases. But when a Maston pounds on the kitchen door late one night, her perceived destiny changes. She is charged with saving an injured squire and keeping him hidden.
When the squire wakes, he promises Lia and Sowe, the other girl that works in the kitchen with Lia, whatever they desire. Lia immediately asks for him to promise to teach her to read. Wretcheds are not to be taught to read, but the Medium, a power which is bestowed only upon the worthy, whispers to him to agree. When an evil man comes searching for the squire, Lia keeps her promise and hides the squire in a place that no one is allowed to go to.
So begins Lia’s adventure to save those she cares most about. It is a venture in which she will learn much and be tested at every turn. Can she save the people she needs? Can she follow the Medium’s wishes? Can she fulfill her true destiny?
This one started out kind of slow. However, I was not confused about who the character were. Even though there are many, the author introduced them in a timely manner and managed to make them rememberable. Same with all the information you need to understand what is going on. You learn with the main character. I found that when she came to conclusions, you were also lead to the same conclusion with her. So, for me, I did not have any of those moments where I think “Duh, so and so did this and is this. I figured that out three chapters ago, you stupid person!” There are books I have read in the past that made me think that.
As for the plot, I believe it was a pleasant one. I felt like the story was progressing and had a perfect, and unpredictable, climax. To me, it seems as if the author took his time working this story out. It was not choppy or jumping from place to place. I did not notice inconsistencies in the story or characters. Some reviews that I have read said that they felt like this story was like many others, but I disagree. I think that Jeff, the author, brought something new to the table.
Sure at the very basics, it is like others. However, he added so many of his own thoughts and ideas to it, that is what separates it from others. To me, that is what makes an author great. Many plots are the same when you strip it down to the bone, but when the author adds flesh, they should bring something new to the table. I think Jeff did a great job at doing just that.