Knight's Ransom: The First Argentines, Book 1

'Knight's Ransom' by Jeff Wheeler is a great adventure book! It has all of the flair and action associated with the stories of King Arthur & The Knights of the Round Table. It took me a few chapters to get the feel of the story and understand the power structure or lack thereof. At my age, it's been a while since reading Sir Gawain & The Green Knight. (I wonder if schools still require reading books like this or Chaucer's Canterbury Tales?) Thankfully, this book is much easier to read! I found 'Knight's Ransom' filled with many positive aspects that kept me reading. Honor, respect, determination, and of course, love are just a few nuggets to glean in this story, subtitled, The First Argentines Book 1. I have already purchased Book 2, 'Warrior's Ransom' and look forward to reading the entire series. I highly recommend the Audible books. Kate Rudd does a masterful performance portraying the characters and the action.

Keeps you turning the pages wishing the the story to continue. A must read in this series. Brings the history forward.

Well, I’ve already read five different series from Mr. Wheeler and I have not been disappointed with any of them. so now I’m on this series and I have to say I’m hooked. I can’t wait to start reading book 2 already. I’m pulling for Ransom and Claire but I know there’s gonna be a lot of twists and turns before I find out whatever happens to those two. You’ve done it again Mr. Wheeler. You’ve done it again.

Jeff Wheeler creates entire worlds in a similar manner as Tolkien. Book 1 of the argentines alternately entertains, surprises, frustrates, and saddens the reader with an elaborate tail of a loyalty-bound knight who began as a forsaken boy. He must confront his inner wounds to be able to heal from external wounds. Heading myself directly into book 2.

I like the world building here and the whole fountain thing is kind of like the force. I like most of the character too but marking it down because there were several parts where I was bored. Too much talking not enough doing. I’ll give the next book a chance and see what happens.

With so little character shown of Ransom in this first book, compared to the many others you've written series about. I'm certain the steadfastness of his dedication and loyalty will help build that character into something much more than.i could ever expect. Because I've learned you will.surprisee time and time again Jeff. Good job!

Pro - pacing. It is very direct throughout. All transitions in story are direct and too the point. And extra context never feels needed. I despise when unnecessary context is forced on the reader that is beyond serving it's purpose. Which brings me to my next proPro - world building. Not on par with some epic fantasies. But it isn't trying to be. Despite how direct it is with its story telling you don't feel out of place anywhere. At least through the experiences of our protagonist which brings me to my next proPro - not constantly changing point of view. One reason the pacing is good is I am not sharing the headpace of a dozen people where the story and locale are constantly changing. Worldbuilding isn't on par with the epic tales that use this tactic - it mechanically can't be. Yet it is great where it is limited to our protagonist point of view. Story flow and pace over world building is a trade I will take every time. I have personally grown fatigued on stories with a constantly changing PoV.Con - hard to explain without a spoiler but let me just say the drama as it unfolds near the end of this book was cringeworthy. I was 90% in and almost decided to quit reading. The human motivations and described reasoning behind chosen actions were simply unbelievable and totally absurd. The reader was also being led down a very predictable path. So you know where this is headed while at the same time the path to this known conclusion was just painful and worse than the worse preadolescent drivel you can find.Con - while it’s directness is a pro for me it on the other hand lacks in nuance and shock value. If you enjoy intricacies in motivations and morality and a story with twists and turns that are jarring in their effect then this isn’t for you.Bottomline line is i want to read the next book which is most important. It is 3.5 stars to me and commendable if flawed

The perseverance of the protagonist is quite admirable. He is so honor driven in spite of huge betrayals, it’s amazing he hasn’t left the kingdom entirely. The story would be better with a few nuggets of good cheer, but they are sorely lacking. The plot skips through time to key moments in Ransom’s life, but a little bit of lingering in a tender scene would be good for balance.The story has emotional depth, but it’s mostly dark. The fight scenes are general but interesting. The damaged helmet scene is much appreciated for its levity.Claire’s writing is astute in that the men are acting like eedjits. Keeping her character “off the board” for most of the book is tiresome and sexist. I wish she had more involvement in the story’s action.The writing has few errors and is engaging for readers who enjoy stepping back in time to imagine knights bashing on each other. I like Ransom enough to want to know if he finds happiness, so I might read the next book in the series.

A welcome return to the familiar world of Kingfountain, with the re-emergence of the evanesced enchantment of Fountain magic. It follows the journey of an innocent child, reminiscent of Owen Kiskaddon and his unconventional childhood, on his quest to become a knight of honour and integrity in a world of conspiracy and duplicity. You will be rooting for Ransom and be captivated by his story as he faces many decisions which challenge his desire to cling to what he knows is right, although it defies the world he lives in, facing derision for his choices. It captures a world where there was a chivalric code and despite the jostling for power and position, truth and justice prevail... in the end.The anticipation of this new 'First Argentine' series is like a special evening catching up with a close friend that you haven't seen for a long while. It is as comfortable and satisfying as sipping a luxurious hot chocolate (with whipped cream and marshmallows) sitting in your favourite chair near a toasty log fire. Jeff Wheeler's writing is as familiar as slipping into a bubbling hot tub in an exotic location whilst listening to your favourite music.Basically, READ THIS BOOK!

Read via Kindle Unlimited.What a great start to a new series. It's going to be hard waiting for the rest. I found Jeff Wheeler's books fairly recently so I have benefited from having most of his completed series all ready for a readfest. This is going to be hard. Thank goodness he's a fairly fast writer. 👍🙂I won't repeat the blurb, as you can read that yourself, but I will say I'm sure your support will be with Ransom right from the start and you will urge him on and only want the best for him throughout the following pages. He is a hero to relish. The supporting cast is strong too and I'm sure Lady Claire will come into her own in the later books. She put me in mind of Angharad Rees as Demelza in Poldark. Oops showing my age. Mind you, that is the beauty of Mr Wheeler's books, they appeal to readers all ages.I like the fact Kingfountain still plays a part in this series and there are references to his other books too, ones I have already enjoyed. It makes a fan feel part of something bigger but if you're new to Jeff Wheeler then you won't lose out; you don't need to have read any of his previous work.Definitely recommend. Trouble is, I read too quickly and it was over all too soon. I just wish I could have carried on reading. Roll on book 2. 😎

This started in similar fashion to the Kingfountain series with a very similar central character like Owen Kiskaddon! While the magic is always bubbling gently it has not yet taken central stage yet. I expect magic will have more play in the following books of this series. I enjoyed reading it. I will be reading the other books in this series also. I am always in awe of the author's ability to get the reader invested in his main character(s) very quickly, which makes it a great page turner, as we read, we want to see what happens next! Anyway, excellent book, read it cover to cover almost without stopping. Highly recommend this book. Hope the following books deliver on the promise of this book.

Having read all the previous King Fountain novels I was intrigued about a new series which is set further back in time from the other King Fountain books. Having read volume 1 I found it very enjoyable set back in time with same locations but different characters and a very clever storyline. Would recommend it to all Fantasy fiction readers.

Great read,the characters are believable,you feel as if you are there,in that time. There are plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing,I could only put this book down when my eyes wouldn't stay open,for someone who likes the stories of knights and legends,this is a definite must read