About five hundred years ago, Master Magician Mikhail Pilkington III created a magical flying train, the StudyTrain. His vision: to take average teenagers onboard, show them the world, and turn them into leaders. Ethan is invited on to this train, escaping his miserable life in Switzerland. He soon discovers that the train is all but ordinary. It is filled with magic, secrets, people with interesting histories, and much more. Ethan's intrigue and hunger for knowledge and power catches the attention of a hidden, ancient alliance called the Untouchables. Soon, Ethan learns all their mysteries, powers and sorcery. He stands out from the rest of the students and is recognized as the long-awaited leader for the Untouchables. But his dark side - The Dark Fire Inside - grows and becomes much stronger than anyone thought it would. Ethan gets sucked into a web of conflicts and feuds while battling his own inner feelings. Will he go for power, or turn toward good? Kurt Frenier, 41, born in Belgium, author of children's and young adult books, is a senior director at Pepsi Cola. He lives in Dubai with his wife Sanne and two daughters, Julia and Emilie. Kurt has been writing since he was 16 and has published before in The Netherlands. The StudyTrain is his first English-language young adult book. Publisher's Website: http://www.strategicpublishinggroup.com/title/TheStudyTrain.html
The Study Train: Volume 1 - Reunion of the Untouchables
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Most helpful customer reviews
By Karoline
TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:Paperback
I never realized it, but reading this book was fast. Really fast. I didn't even realize I was close to the finish until I saw how many pages I had left to read. It was most definitely a story that can keep your attention and literally does take you for a ride.
What I found really interesting in this novel is Ethan (main character) has issues. A lot of issues. He's been bullied, his family life at home isn't so great, so he retreats to the old ruins for escape. Even with these sorts of issues you do feel sorry for him. Until he steps on the train. Although it's nice to see him finally being liked and being able to be friends, he changes. He starts becoming more cocky, and more of a jerk and then I start to wonder why he was being bullied in the first place (perhaps because he's been a jerk??). Now I'm not sure if this is done on purpose, but if it is, it's a good job. He went from being a nobody to a somebody with a huge attitude problem. So I found him a little hard to like. There really isn't much to say about the other characters. They're secondary and don't really play such a huge part in the novel. Lord Althulos is interesting and reminds me a bit of Dumbledore from Harry Potter (although both have very distinct and different characteristics).
The plot was good and interesting. However I'd like to know a bit more about the magic system and how it worked. It's obvious Ethan is very well gifted in certain aspects and I wanted to know more about it. A little background information would have helped.
I also thought that although the story was very well done, and very good, and the pace just went really quick. Perhaps a little too quick? I felt as if I might have inadvertently skipped pages but it just happened to be that the pace was at almost breakneck speed that it did indeed feel as if the reader missed out on something.
Nevertheless, it was a good book and from what I hear there's going to be more in the series lined up. It does look interesting and I will be looking forward to reading more about Ethan and his adventures.
What I found really interesting in this novel is Ethan (main character) has issues. A lot of issues. He's been bullied, his family life at home isn't so great, so he retreats to the old ruins for escape. Even with these sorts of issues you do feel sorry for him. Until he steps on the train. Although it's nice to see him finally being liked and being able to be friends, he changes. He starts becoming more cocky, and more of a jerk and then I start to wonder why he was being bullied in the first place (perhaps because he's been a jerk??). Now I'm not sure if this is done on purpose, but if it is, it's a good job. He went from being a nobody to a somebody with a huge attitude problem. So I found him a little hard to like. There really isn't much to say about the other characters. They're secondary and don't really play such a huge part in the novel. Lord Althulos is interesting and reminds me a bit of Dumbledore from Harry Potter (although both have very distinct and different characteristics).
The plot was good and interesting. However I'd like to know a bit more about the magic system and how it worked. It's obvious Ethan is very well gifted in certain aspects and I wanted to know more about it. A little background information would have helped.
I also thought that although the story was very well done, and very good, and the pace just went really quick. Perhaps a little too quick? I felt as if I might have inadvertently skipped pages but it just happened to be that the pace was at almost breakneck speed that it did indeed feel as if the reader missed out on something.
Nevertheless, it was a good book and from what I hear there's going to be more in the series lined up. It does look interesting and I will be looking forward to reading more about Ethan and his adventures.
By Heather Pearson
TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:Paperback
This is the story of Ethan, a 16 year old Swiss boy. He is unwanted by his parents and not accepted by his classmates nor by his community. After school, he lives in a fantasy world where he is the supreme ruler and he can punish those who have harassed him.
One day he receives a most unusual invitation. He is invited to embark on an eight year train journey of travel, education, and discovery.
This YA novel explores the value of friendship along with the choice between good and evil. This was an enjoyable read. Sort of a cross between Harry Potter, Oliver Twist, and Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith. As an adult, I wanted more depth, more descriptive details of locations,I wanted more character building. Not the things a teen reader necessarily wants. The concept of a train that travels the world with the goal of training future is leaders is brilliant. I almost wish that it would stop outside my window. Mr. Frenier moves this story along at a good pace keeping Ethan and his train mates dealing with a continuing stream of events.
At the end of the story we are left with unanswered questions. Healing broken friendships, budding romance, and the epic battle between good and evil. There is also an invitation from the author asking readers to write him with suggestions of how they would like to see the story progress.
One day he receives a most unusual invitation. He is invited to embark on an eight year train journey of travel, education, and discovery.
This YA novel explores the value of friendship along with the choice between good and evil. This was an enjoyable read. Sort of a cross between Harry Potter, Oliver Twist, and Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith. As an adult, I wanted more depth, more descriptive details of locations,I wanted more character building. Not the things a teen reader necessarily wants. The concept of a train that travels the world with the goal of training future is leaders is brilliant. I almost wish that it would stop outside my window. Mr. Frenier moves this story along at a good pace keeping Ethan and his train mates dealing with a continuing stream of events.
At the end of the story we are left with unanswered questions. Healing broken friendships, budding romance, and the epic battle between good and evil. There is also an invitation from the author asking readers to write him with suggestions of how they would like to see the story progress.
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Reunion of the Untouchables (StudyTrain, #1)
By Kurt Frenier
Publisher: Eloquent Books, 2010
209 pages, Google Docs
Date Finished: 19/ 11/ 2010
Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, Coming of Age, Adventure, Some Action
~First Line of Book: "Ethan stared out the window."
~Last Line of Book: "He was committed to finding out exactly what the real story was."
"WOW!" That's the first word that came to my mind when I finished this epic author and series debut novel. A big "THANK YOU" shout out to Kurt Frenier for asking me to review this novel. I am really glad that I accepted your offer!
Now, on to my review.
Review: The main character, Ethan, is first met in old castle ruins in Switzerland, acting as a king of a royal court. Ethan doesn't like his life; his father just bosses him around and doesn't care. Then Ethan gets the story-turning letter to come aboard the StudyTrain for 8 years. He accepts the offer.
Ethan makes several new friends onboard the StudyTrain, and learns several new and exciting things, among them how to fly the magical train. Then Ethan, unfortunately, is offered a chance of power and leadership by the bad guy, Krixit.
Of course, in the end Ethan knows that Althulos, the Grandmaster on the StudyTrain, is the good person and not Krixit like he once believed.
This book had some great action and adventure. While o nthe StudyTrain, the children are traveling all over the world learning about different cultures. Ethan definitely went through some crazy times.
The characters were very well established, and you can tell the plot was thoroughly thought about before the actual writing took place. I can't wait to read the sequel to this wonderful series debut.
Quotes from the Book:
" 'Now leave,' Lana said. 'I want to take a bath.'
'I can rub your back if you want,' Ethan said, winking his eye.
'In your dreams!' she giggled."
By Kurt Frenier
Publisher: Eloquent Books, 2010
209 pages, Google Docs
Date Finished: 19/ 11/ 2010
Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, Coming of Age, Adventure, Some Action
~First Line of Book: "Ethan stared out the window."
~Last Line of Book: "He was committed to finding out exactly what the real story was."
"WOW!" That's the first word that came to my mind when I finished this epic author and series debut novel. A big "THANK YOU" shout out to Kurt Frenier for asking me to review this novel. I am really glad that I accepted your offer!
Now, on to my review.
Review: The main character, Ethan, is first met in old castle ruins in Switzerland, acting as a king of a royal court. Ethan doesn't like his life; his father just bosses him around and doesn't care. Then Ethan gets the story-turning letter to come aboard the StudyTrain for 8 years. He accepts the offer.
Ethan makes several new friends onboard the StudyTrain, and learns several new and exciting things, among them how to fly the magical train. Then Ethan, unfortunately, is offered a chance of power and leadership by the bad guy, Krixit.
Of course, in the end Ethan knows that Althulos, the Grandmaster on the StudyTrain, is the good person and not Krixit like he once believed.
This book had some great action and adventure. While o nthe StudyTrain, the children are traveling all over the world learning about different cultures. Ethan definitely went through some crazy times.
The characters were very well established, and you can tell the plot was thoroughly thought about before the actual writing took place. I can't wait to read the sequel to this wonderful series debut.
Quotes from the Book:
" 'Now leave,' Lana said. 'I want to take a bath.'
'I can rub your back if you want,' Ethan said, winking his eye.
'In your dreams!' she giggled."
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