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Beyond the Forest (Gem Powers Series Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Kay L. Ling (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 130 ratings
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Lana can draw arcane powers from gemstones, a skill that leads to adventures and perils when she travels through a portal to the gnome world.

Lana’s life changes forever when she discovers a woodland gnome from another world. His people are ruled by an ancient being called a woodspirit with highly advanced gem powers, so when the gnome learns Lana has powers too, he assumes fate has brought them together. Lana isn’t so sure, but never one to pass up an adventure, she’s willing to go with him to assess the situation. She begins to have second thoughts when she encounters flying serpents, carnivorous insects, and goblin-like mutant gnomes. Still, it’s hard to say no to the gnomes after seeing their plight. Against her better judgment, Lana confronts the woodspirit and lands in the dungeon, but there’s no time for self-pity. The woodspirit hopes to rule Lana's world next and already has plans in motion. Lana must escape and team up with two potential allies who have gem powers. Unfortunately, she has good reason to be wary of both, but with two worlds in danger, and time running out, she may have to trust them.

This is a standalone novel without loose ends or a cliffhanger ending, but the resolution opens the door for further adventures. Pick up book 2, Shadowglade, and book 3, Runes and Relics, which concludes this series.

A spinoff series, The Gem Lore Series, expands the storyline, featuring gnome viewpoint characters and exciting new adventures in the gnome world. Look for book one, Wards and Wonders, continues the story, featuring gnome viewpoint characters and exciting new adventures in the gnome world.Look for book one, Wards and Wonders.

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  1. Book 1 of 3
    Gem Powers Series
  2. Print length
    300 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  5. Publication date
    October 28, 2016
  6. File size
    5509 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

In this fantasy debut, a gemologist discovers a hidden portal and finds that family secrets are the key to saving more than one world.
Lana Grayson is an expert on gemstones, and she knows all the lore surrounding their various powers. She works at her family's jewelry shop, founded by her great-great-grandfather, Elias Grayson. One night, Lana dreams about the nearby County Forest Park, and she wakes early the next day to the sound of a dog barking, which unnerves her because she's never gotten along with canines. Hoping to rejuvenate and relax in the peaceful outdoors, she drives to County Forest Park; there, she explores an unfamiliar trail, where she finds a heavy, black rock that makes her hands numb when she touches it. She decides to take the rock home, but when she tries to start her car, the battery's dead. She then decides to sleep in the park, but during the night, she's startled by the sounds of voices and hunting horns. She believes that she's in danger because the malachite comprising her bracelet breaks--a prediction of disaster. While escaping, she sees something she's never seen before: a gnome, who introduces himself as Gliaphon and brings her to his Tree Home. This space--much larger inside than it appears outside--is in the realm of Shadow. It turns out that a malevolent woodspirit named Sheamathan rules this realm, and she's determined to spread blight and enslave any who oppose her. In this series opener, Ling spins a character-driven yarn that sheds the gritty violence that's prevalent in the fantasy genre but loses no complexity as a result. She creates an inviting sense of place with lines such as "The dusky gloom felt restful and soothing, as if the gently swaying boughs overhead were absorbing light and noise." Numerous surprises speckle the narrative, such as the origin of Sheamathan's mysterious wolfhound, the true power of Lana's black rock, and the fate of Elias. The book also presents clear, important messages for younger readers, as when one character realizes that "doing a bad thing, even for a good reason, is still bad." Ling's cleverest concept is that gems' powers are amplified in Shadow,which is put to great use here and also holds vast potential for subsequent volumes.

A bright fantasy for readers who are tired of exaggerated violence and slippery morals. -- Kirkus Reviews

"I see a lot of elves, dwarves, orcs, goblins and the like in fantasy, but for whatever reason I just don't see a lot of gnomes. Thumbs up for an under used fantasy race.
Although gems and stones having powers is pretty typical in fantasy, I've never seen an entire lore and magic system based off real world gemology lore, another thumbs up for creativity." -- The Weatherwax Report Blog

From the Author

My books center around one common fantasy trope--a portal to another world. The nice thing about portal stories is that the world on the other side presents endless possibilities for the imaginative writer.

My goal in this series is to transport readers to a world that feels as real as our own but surprises them at every turn with different beings, creatures, and physical features.In my Kirkus review of Beyond the Forest, the reviewer states, "Ling's cleverest concept is that gems' powers are amplified in Shadow,which is put to great use here and also holds vast potential for subsequent volumes." --Kirkus Reviews. Readers call this series delightfully original. It's G-rated and can be enjoyed by fantasy lovers of all ages.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B01M6AIPYX
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Amazon Digital Services (October 28, 2016)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 28, 2016
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 5509 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 300 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 130 ratings

About the author

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Kay L Ling

Kay L Ling

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Kay L. Ling began writing fiction at an early age. In grade school, her stories evidenced a sense of wonder and love of adventure. In one, mythical creatures lived and traveled inside a rainbow, and in another, a bored sixth-grader turned her teacher into a maroon sofa and then teleported herself to London. As she grew up, Kay never lost her ability to imagine strange and wondrous peoples and places, and now she would like to share her unique fantasy adventures with others.

Website: http://www.kaylling.com

Subscribe to my newsletter Gnome Gnotes: http://www.kaylling.com/newsletter.html

Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/KayLLing.author

Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
4.1 out of 5
130 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

W. Stuart
5.0 out of 5 stars Gemstones and gnomes!
Reviewed in the United States on October 4, 2017
Verified Purchase
My readers know I love gemstones. I even based my books on gemstones and their magical properties. When I ran across Beyond the Forest (Gem Powers Series Book 1) by Kay L. Ling and discovered the book also focused on gemstones and magic, I had to read it. Glad I did!

Synopsis (from the author): Lana can draw arcane powers from gemstones. When she started reading the folklore, it sounded farfetched. She should have closed the books right then and walked away. Special abilities are nothing but trouble. Someone always wants you to do something impossible. Or dangerous. Usually both. Like going through a portal to save an oppressed race in another world. In this case, gnomes, whose ruler happens to be a gem master with unimaginable powers.

Lana decides an exploratory mission seems harmless. She can visit the other world and come up with a plan. Who knew there would be flying serpents, mutant insects, and goblin-like mutant gnomes? Or that she'd end up in a dungeon while the queen decides whether to kill her or turn her into an enchanted creature? The gem master hopes to rule Lana's world next and has already put plans in motion. Lana is determined to escape from the dungeon, but then what? She has two potential allies with gem powers, and she's afraid of both. But with two worlds in danger, and time running out, she may have to trust them.

What I liked: Beyond the Forest drew me in immediately. Lana’s interest in gemstones and the folklore surrounding them was a familiar theme for me. The way she meets the gnomes and enters their world was entertaining, and the mystery surrounding the hound was a nice twist. The creatures she meets and befriends provide a bit of comic relief, and there’s even a little romance. Add to all of that, the danger presented by the queen to both worlds and there’s something for everyone!

What I didn’t like: Despite enjoying the story, it did bog down at times. In addition, fleshing out the supporting characters would help the story.

Overall impression: Beyond the Forest (Gem Powers Series Book 1) was a fun and clean read. I identified with Lana and her love of gemstones, the quest was good, and the action entertaining. I enjoyed getting to know the rats and their antics provided comic relief. I would recommend this one to anyone who likes clean fun fantasy!

My rating: 4.5 Stars (rounded to 5 Stars)
3 people found this helpful
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Kindle Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable story
Reviewed in the United States on March 21, 2017
Verified Purchase
I truly enjoyed this story. It starts as a simple fantasy using gem power and becomes something more. The simple rats are not merely rats nor are double crossing boys evil. There are a few multiple layers to this story. Good characters and an evolving storyline make this a good read.
4 people found this helpful
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RoseReader
5.0 out of 5 stars Fun, Fantasy, and Folklore!
Reviewed in the United States on November 2, 2016
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Fantasy lovers of all ages will enjoy this timeless adventure. I found Lana’s story both charming and unique.

Lana has a special sensitivity to the powers from gemstones but doesn’t fully understand the purpose until her life takes and unexpected turn. Reluctant at first, she ultimately sympathizes with the plight of the gnomes and their struggle to rid the forest of the wicked Sheamathan.
Lana must overcome many obstacles when she agrees to help the gnomes heal their land and free those who are forced to work for the cruel wood spirit.

The mixture of folklore and fantasy pulls the reader into a new world filled with gnomes, magic, and my favorite talking rats. There are lots of twists, turns, and surprises thrown in. A true good vs. evil tale. Readers are sure to fall in love with this well-written read.
8 people found this helpful
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Sbullet
2.0 out of 5 stars Awkward Beginning, Weak Character
Reviewed in the United States on June 21, 2018
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I was intrigued by the story idea and description. But honestly, I couldn't get past the beginning where she gets lost in the woods. It's not a smooth story introduction- you can feel the writer's awkwardness trying to set up the story line and it made it too boring for me to want to continue. I ran out of patience at the point where the main character decides it's better to sleep alone in the woods with no shelter instead of in her car when her car doesn't start. I guess I just don't have tolerance for weak lead female characters.
9 people found this helpful
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CM
5.0 out of 5 stars It's Just a Good Read All the Way Through
Reviewed in the United States on December 25, 2016
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Beyond the Forest was an interesting and enjoyable read. The characters were well drawn and the plot well thought out with some unexpected surprises and a light touch of romance. Even though this is not my usual type of read, it was so interesting that I kept coming back to it to learn more about d the characters and find out what happens to them. The world building is derailed enough to visualize without being tedious and the gemology is very interesting. I would recommend this book for ages 10 and up.
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Mike Farris
3.0 out of 5 stars Predictable, but enjoyable
Reviewed in the United States on April 24, 2017
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Enjoyable read but overly predictable. Don't want to be a spoiler, so will only say that any reader of the Harry Potter series should immediately recognize plot devices. Also, somehow comes across a bit thin; don't know how else to say it. Don't expect LOTR or Narnia richness, still worth the read IMO.
8 people found this helpful
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Greg
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful!
Reviewed in the United States on December 22, 2016
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I was pleasantly surprised at how enjoyable this book was and the smoothness of the author's writing. This is a story about a young woman, Lana, who studies gemology and believes in the power of gems. She gets stuck in the woods one evening when her car won't start and thus starts the journey into a fantastic world filled with gnomes, breghlin and magic, reminiscent of classic folklore. Lana decides to help the gnomes fight the evil that is after them. I found the information about gems fascinating. A great read.
One person found this helpful
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Andrew Ceyton
4.0 out of 5 stars I like what the author is doing
Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2017
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I would have no problem handing this to a well-read 6th grader who is starting to get hip to standard fantasy tropes. I like what the author is doing.
3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

George Stratford
5.0 out of 5 stars If you go down to the woods today.....
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 1, 2017
Verified Purchase
It won't be cuddly Teddy Bears enjoying their annual outdoor knees-up that you'll be meeting. At least, not if you go with Lana to County Forest Park. It will be friendly gnomes, most unfriendly breghlin, and a downright evil wood spirit called Sheamathan who has a habit of turning innocent people who wander into her domain into all kinds of despicable monsters just for fun.

Armed only with her (at first) rather limited gem powers, Lana seeks to prevent Sheamathan and her breghlin army from destroying the gnomes and their woodland home. Not content with this, the wood spirit also has ambitions to bring her foul magic to the human world as well. It is a classic good v evil tale, well told and with an interesting variety of supporting characters coming from all points of a moral compass.

I can imagine this story appealing to a wide variety of ages - from ten or eleven years to any senior citizen with a bit of adventure still in their soul. This is fun fantasy for all.
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leah
4.0 out of 5 stars I really liked this book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 12, 2017
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I really liked this book, I love stories which are partly set in our world and then a character is transported into a different land, it's great for the imagination . I not only found it magical and exciting but also interesting because of the gemology and gem lore/power aspects .
The book was well-written with many wonderful characters, the main character being Lana, who finds herself involved on a perilous quest to help the Gnomes from an evil wood spirit and stop her attempts to gain access to our world and destroy it .
She meets many interesting characters along the way and learns more about how to use her gem powers. This book is suitable for all ages, there is the right amount of adventure, drama and some good humourous parts too .
I can't wait to get into the second book !
A wonderful read .
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Jenny O'B
5.0 out of 5 stars A gem of a read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 12, 2016
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I came across an excerpt of this book on KS and as my hobby is jewellery making it immediately caught my eye. This is a magical fun read full of dark mystery. Just what's lurking in the forest and can the gemstones help? Very well written and, as its suitable for younger readers I'm passing it over to my dd
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wendy morgan
5.0 out of 5 stars Good read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 13, 2018
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This is an amazing book, I have really enjoyed reading it
Now I am going to carry on reading the next book in the series
Thank you
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