A must read for fans of high fantasy. (5 stars)

I read a lot of fantasy and mythology books, so this is a genre I'm familiar with. Having read another of J.W. Webb's books recently – "The Haven" and really enjoying it, I was curiousto see how he would deliver in this one "Gol – The Legends of Ansu". Mr.Webb is unarguably a very talented writer, but more than that he genuinely impressed me with his thorough worldbuilding and sheer creativeness on many levels. All too often I read works that feel clearly derivative of other books, and although I appreciate literary influences (as is felt here as well), when something this original comes along it is a refreshing change of pace! Some of the writing was downright lyrical in the simple elegance of the prose, and other times I was nearly breathless from the intensity and violent passion. For such a long book I finished it in less than a week, and went through so many highs and lows, it felt like a rollercoaster. I was hoping for a different ending, but it was bittersweet (and more powerful this way) nonetheless. reading this! (5 stars)

I really enjoyed "Gol" by author J.W. Webb, even though "epic" fantasy isn't usuallyone of my more preferred genres (don't dislike it, just don't generally gravitate). But I recently read another book by this author, "the Haven" , and I like watching "Game of Thrones" so I gave it a shot. I was really impressed! I really liked the drawings (and the map), and thought that Mr. Webb did such a wonderful job with the descriptions of the world and the different characters. There are SO many of them it's hard to keep track (there is a useful guide at the end), but I did fall in love with Lissane and Erun and was so shocked at some things that happened. Emotionally engaging and with lots of action. Some language, especially towards the last half (book 2) but other than that it feel pretty suitable for mature teens on up. I had a great time

Looking forward to the next one of the Legends of Ansu!

I'm ready for the next one! (4-5 stars)

Fast-paced, well written and creative, "Gol" (Legends of Ansu book 1) from J.W. Webb is an absolute must-read for fans of novels such as Lord of the Rings, Game of Thrones, Merlin, Mists of Avalon, etc. "Gol" holds its own with the top-notch writing and plot structure, and an exciting, varied cast of colorful characters and plenty of magic and thrills to go around. There are some familiar tropes here (as with most fantasy), however, I feel Mr. Webb did a great job of bring in a unique voice and making the story wholly his own, and giving it a fresh feel. I didn't feel like I've read this million times before. A few things, I thought at times there was way too much "telling" instead of showing. Not too bad, but some parts dragged toward the middle. But an engrossing story with near perfect editing.

(5 stars)

I'd already read another book by J.W. Webb called "The Haven" so I knew that he could write and tell a great, captivating story. But I was in no way prepared for how totally addicting this novel would be, and the sheer magnitude of the world, the characters, the multi plots, the magic and lore… I was really impressed. The way Webb writes is captivating from thebeginning and you just want o keep reading and reading and not stop. It is both descriptive and has great world building (important for a fantasy-sci/fi) but also is fast moving so that you aren't bored. I was reading as fast as I could, and even though it's a really long book, I was disappointed when it was over, especially because it ends after something sad happens and you keep hoping it will change. But the ending is amazing as is the rest of the book – loved the letter and am really curious to see what else lies in store for us is the rest of the Legends of Ansu stories. Recommend for fans of fantasy/action and has a romantic element. (5 stars)

Looking forward to more great stories from J.W. Webb and will be recommendingto my friends. (5 stars)

Brilliantly crafted and written, "Gol" by author J.W. Webb is the first in a thrilling new fantasy series that I will definitely be following through (The Legends of Ansu). This world iswholly conceived, and I was pleased with the level of character development. The plots arecomplex and intelligent, yet quirky enough to keep you guessing. There are several big reveals that continue to shift the dynamic of the storyline in unexpected ways, something that even a jaded reader like myself can fully appreciate and still be shocked by. This is great because nothing I hate more than predictable clichés. I would also like to commend the level of
professionalism in this novel, from the cover, to the formatting, to the editing and the drawings – all top notch.

I enjoyed this much more than expected and would recommend to others as well. (4-5 stars)

Usually I tend to gravitate towards more literary, romance, or character-driven novels, but I like this author fromm another book of his I'd just read (The Haven) so even though fantasy isn't really my thing, I decided to give it a shot. Well, I can definitely say that a lot of people would love this book! First off the characters are awesome, and I liked the relationship with Erun and Lissanne and their romantic dilemmas. Heartbreaking! But there is also so much goodaction, sorcerers, fire demons, and Water Spirits to keep us invested emotionally and mentally all the way through. There are a lot of characters, some more fleshed out than others, but all are
realistic enough and don't seem like cardboard cutouts. I especially like the darker psychological angle that Mr. Webb employs that gives this story an edge over many I've read lately.

(5 stars)

Fantastic! Wow what an ending! Actually the whole thing was pretty great, but I don't think I put my kindle down once after the 70% mark. This is an impressive effort from author J.W. Webb, and it is quite clear that he is an author to keep an eye on in the future for sure. I can't wait to read the next book in this series… I don't want to give away anything at all, but let's just say that there is a lot of chaos and some pretty crazy drama that goes down that makes you just need to know what will happen to everyone! There are some surprises that I didn't expect, and I could totally see this being a movie or miniseries (or it should be!) It's quite long, and has that big "epic fantasy" feel to it which I love. A great read that will appeal to fans of many genres, as it encompasses so many different aspects of literature, not just fantasy.

(4 stars).

"Gol" by J.W. Webb was an interesting mix of fantasy, romance, action, high-stakes drama, and dare I say, a psychological adventure? I can't quite say that I've ever really read anything like it before, and it took me awhile to become fully invested in the book, I loved the level of detailing and thought to the character development… There are many complex subplots woven throughout and while this is a pretty long book, it was enjoyable and very well written. Can see fantasy/sci fans really liking it, even those who maybe it's not their thing, there is a lot of action and has a mild romantic element. Probably best suited for adults as there is some
language and adult content.

(3 stars)

I almost feel like I just read 5 different books instead of just one – SO much happens, it would be impossible to sum up (I don't do that anyways). And based on just the description, I think I expected something different… I think I expected more of a romance, and while that aspect is definitely there, it takes a side seat to the bigger picture. However, overall this book felt a bit flat to me as I never felt as connected to the characters as I would have liked. There seemed to be an emotional disconnect that would've made us feel more sympathetic towards them. We are always kept at arm's length, watching the characters go through the steps and sequences of events, but I didn't really feel the emotional investment that I like to while reading. But there is some great world building and terrific action, fight scenes and some really creative storylines with the Elementals and with Ashmale. So overall a decent book that will appeal to fans of high fantasy, and is probably most appropriate for adults as there is some sex, language, and violent scenes, as to be expected. (3 stars)

Highly recommend!! (5 stars)

"Gol" (Legends of Ansu)" is the first book that introduces us to the mythical world of author J.W. Webb and what a crazy, fantastical, marvelous world it is! It is imaginative pulls no punches in drawing from almost every available literary element available. This is a rare novel that I thought had almost everything, from heart pounding battle scenes, to romantic love scenes, to twisted (and I mean twisted) family relationships, magical/supernatural elements, danger… it's hard not to find something you like. There are dark secrets revealed throughout, and nothing is predictable or what you think will happen. Kept me turning the pages late into the night! One thing I'll say is that I was impressed with how well the author J.W. Webb wrote it, there were almost none of the mistakes I frequently see in new writers (slow beginnings, adverb abuse in dialogue tags, telling v. showing, etc.). Mr. Webb writes like a seasoned pro and I'm looking forward to the next book in this series.

Ready to read more from J.W. Webb soon. (5 stars)

Wow, I'm actually surprised by how much I loved this book! Fantastic fantasy adventure suitable for adults and *really* mature teens. Although there are the familiar tropes present to make it a standard fantasy, it really struck me as so much more due to the depth of the characters and the fact that even for a fantasy the rules seemed to go out the window a few times and really threw me for a loop (no spoilers). The writing very strong and the plot is compelling and intelligent enough to really jeep our interest – which is honestly saying a lot considering I got bored reading "Lord of the Rings" trilogy! (Shhh, don't tell). This one just flows so much
smoother and faster and keeps picking up steam as it goes along. Recommend for fans of the fantasy genre, as well as action or adventure.

(4 stars)

Although not my normal cup of tea, "Gol" from J.W. Webb delivers on the things I like in a book – great writing, vivid, atmospheric scenery that transports me to another time and place, characters I can connect to on some level, and plots that are complex enough to challenge me and make me think, but not so convoluted so that I need to be taking notes as I go along
(although I do admit to losing track of some characters from time to time…)This is a long and action/story-packed book where so much happens, and there are so many cool characters and magical creatures, it's hard to describe, you just have to experience it for yourself. I loved the letter at the end and really can't wait to see what happens with the next books, although this novel does seem to work as a standalone.

Adults only. (5 stars)

I praise "Gol" by J.W. Webb not just for the fine writing and clean editing (THANK YOU!!) but also for the deeply emotional and multi-layered complexity of themes that made it such a rich and rewarding reading experience. Rarely do I get so sucked into books like this where it feels like every page is something that affects me on some level, whether just enjoying the lovely prose, or being mad at characters, or worrying about them, or laughing at something they said… . It was such a brutal, heart-tugging experience from the beginning all the way through to the end. And just when it looked like things might be all fine, the author had a huge
twist in store for us. Ugh. But so, so good. Ready for more from this amazing series and can't recommend highly enough to fans of the genre.

A compelling read, one I wholeheartedly recommend. (5 stars)

I just finished another novel by J.W.Webb, and really thought it was written well even if the plot itself didn't blow me away. However, in "Gol" color me impressed!!! Once again I was impressed with the author's narrative skills, but this one combined with a vivid imagination, a profound wisdom of love, hate, and human nature, action and adventure… and you have a truly unforgettable book that surpassed even my loftiest expectations. I found this installment to be superior in terms of pacing and overall tightness of prose. I never felt myself wandering away from the story, but was invested all the way through, which is pretty amazing considering the length (over 500 pages). The character development was fantastic and detailed, and I appreciate the well-roundedness of the players – no one is flatly "good" or "bad", and we see their strengths and weaknesses.

(4 stars)

"Gol" by J.W. Webb was an enchanting and magical read that will appeal to lovers of fantasy and action alike. It is highly inventive and imaginative, with clear, crisp writing and an engaging tone. All the characters stand out in their own ways, and are fully realized and not simply stock characters. While there are some familiar concepts at play here that might be reminiscent of other well-known fantasy novels, Webb tells his own story in a fresh way that makes the journey unpredictable and interesting. Warning, it is not a short book by any means, so be prepared to spend some time. But in my mind it was highly worth it and I almost wished it
were longer!

Will be happy to read more from Webb. (3 stars)

There were things I loved about this book, "Gol (Legends of Ansu) and a few things that I didn't so much love. First, the writing was great, which is VERY important to me. I read a lot of indie authors and nothing makes me more bonkers than poor editing. This novel was excellently edited as far as I saw. I thought the plot was great, and the tone of the book felt authentic for fantasy-style. The pacing was solid, and the characters felt real and three dimensional. The world-building was inspired and picturesque, and described in vivid and creative way. What I didn't like, however, was the fact that I felt the real action took too long to really get started, and that a good portion of the beginning feels like things were too normal. Took a while to feel real tension or high stakes, like where I felt I had to keep reading to find out what would happen next. And at times I wondered if we really needed so many characters (nice reference guide in the end though) because they seemed to get lost in the mix. And some parts felt really dark, for lack of a better word, and I wasn't happy with the fates of some characters. Just disappointing. But It does pack an emotional punch and has a whole lot of story in these pages.

A worthy addition to the high-fantasy genre and a recommend read for adults. (3 stars)

"Gol" is a great book that felt familiar, but still original and unique in its own way. Author J.W. Webb creates a wonderful world that once we visit, we don't want to leave anytime soon! Some of the best characters (and creatures) I've encountered in a long time, anywhere, and I thought the descriptions and characters were wonderful, and could picture everything happening perfectly. I think the story as a whole could have benefitted from some tightening, and at times it seemed to lose some focus. But the battle/fight scenes were so dramatic and paced well – usually I skip those because they are repetitive or poorly written (or in an unbelievable
manner) but these really added to the plot and character development- especially with Erun. Was satisfied, if not a bit saddened, with the ending.

(3-4 stars)

I thought "Gol: by J.W. Webb was simply marvelous and had many of my favorite themes and elements (pardon the pun) of my favorite types of fantasy novels.However I did feel that at times the pace slowed down a lot, and I found myself skipping ahead at some places, but there was so much going on, I was never bored, just anxious to move faster to where more action was happening (if that makes any sense). Like there was too much narrative sometimes and I wanted more dialogue and character interaction to pull the story forward. One thing I noticed though was that not once did I feel like the story was being "told" to me, but I whole time and experiencing it in real time through the various characters' eyes, for better or worse. I felt a real connection to this amazing, tragic, treacherous world the author created and to the unforgettable characters, and aside from the occasional slow pace thought it was a wonderful read.

So even if you aren't a die-hard fantasy fan, give it a try – you won't be disappointed. (4-5 stars)

I personally think that "Gol" by J.W. Webb is one of those rare books that will appeal to fantasy and non-fantasy fans alike (like how everyone loves "Star Wars" even if you aren't a science fiction geek). It just tells a darn good story and comes at you from so many different angels you don't even know what hits you…. Webb demonstrates considerable talent for penning a fabulous fantasy that almost anyone who reads it will connect to. It has a good, positive message, secrets, danger, action, intrigue, and fantastical characters and amazing energy! I chuckled at several points, and cried at others. I think the author is highly creative and has
beautiful, passionate natation skills and can deliver the emotional payoff.