True Life

Legends of Tye Series - Volume 1

Young Adult - Adventure
Kindle Edition
Reviewed on 08/19/2017
Buy on Amazon

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Author Biography

"I hear young people of all ages saying they never really thought they could make any of their dreams come true" says RJ Tolson, an international charity founder, award-winning novelist and Whittier College alumnus...."But I'm here to tell you, where there is inspiration there's a way."

At only 17 years of age and while still attending high school at Cheshire Academy in Cheshire, CT, RJ Tolson began posting chapters to his Chaos Chronicles Book 1: Zephyr The West Wind, an action filled extravaganza of superheroes and paranormal power and creatures, to Wattpad.com, a youtube equivalent for writers. Tolson's Wattpad fan base grew rapidly and unbeknownst to Tolson, London's Universal Kingdom Print Publishing Group was amongst his followers. In less than a year Universal Kingdom Print signed the then 18-year-old to a five book series with Zephyr The West Wind the first in the installment.

Within a year of signing with Universal Kingdom Print, Zephyr The West Wind garnered Tolson a Finalist Award in the 2013 Beverly Hills Book Awards and National Indie Excellence Book Awards and later a 2015 Reader's Favorite Honorable Mention Award. At only 19-yrs-old, Tolson launched a National Literacy Campaign. Traveling from New England to Florida and across the West, he urged students to forge new paths and excel chiefly through the skills of reading and writing. This movement became the impetus for his self-help book, Project Limitless Vol I: The Success Initiative.

Tolson's creative talents don’t stop with literary works. He is a musician, lyricist and composer.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Divine Zape for Readers' Favorite

True Life is the first entry in the Legends of Tye Series by R.J. Tolson, an adventure that will delight young adult readers and fans of comics. The reader is introduced to a magical setting and a clan known as the Astra Clan, comprising people gifted with the ability to see the Aura, the mystical energy. But the Astra has suffered a lot from powerful neighbors who would capture and enslave them to exploit their magical abilities, so they found a small community in a hidden village in which to conceal the stones from which they derive their abilities. Seventeen-year-old Venn isn’t one of the powerful ones in his clan, and is often derided as the weakest link, but things change for him when a dark figure captures his sister and uses an ancient dark power to curse his people. Now Venn must rescue his sister and his clan, and as he goes off on this dangerous mission, he has only one thing that gives him hope; the legendary book of secrets: True Life.

This is a great story, well-written and the perfect length. It feels like the author crafted this story just to have readers teased and longing for what is to come in the next installment in the series. I enjoyed the compelling cast of characters and loved the fact that Venn, the protagonist, isn’t the toughest guy in his clan. It is interesting to see how he grows, thanks to necessity. True Life is fast-paced and engaging, featuring awesome illustrations and intelligently crafted dialogues. R.J. Tolson’s tale is a breezy read for those who enjoy well-crafted and beautifully illustrated work.

Tome Tender Book Blog

Reviewed by Dii Bylo for Tome Tender Book Blog

Fans of Zephyr the West Wind and other books from R.J. Tolson are going to be fascinated with True Life - Fate Calls as Mr. Tolson takes us back nine years to hear the tale of a poor young boy, Venn, who fails to manifest the power of seeing the “Aura”, an ability his clan is known for. At best, his powers are weak, but the night his sister was kidnapped because of her much stronger sight, Venn vowed to save her and release his clan from a curse place on them by the kidnapper. To do so, he must uncover the legendary book of secrets, known as “True Life”

Follow Venn’s quest as he goes in search of the True Life and save his people.
Once again, R. J. Tolson has shown his astute ability to know what children will like and the presentation format they can relate to. Enjoy the fast-paced tale, the beautiful graphics that encapsulate his words into pictures, giving a child the opportunity to tell their own version while enjoying what is in front of them.

As a huge advocate for reading, I cannot express how impressive R.J. Tolson’s work is, especially when seen through the eyes of youth or the subtle lessons he weaves into the heart of his story. Any book that will encourage a child to read is a book to be treasured.

Readers1990

This is an adventure story that I enjoyed! The graphics will capture young readers' attention and the vivid depictions not only make reading a delight for kids but expand their imagination.

The author also wrote Chaos Chronicles Book 1: Zephyr The West Wind and my kids loved it! The Legends of Tye series entertains the way RJ Tolson's Chaos Chronicles series does.

CB Hopkins

True Life is a descriptive, exciting fantasy in a vivid world. The most poignant and important parts of this book are the relationships that blossom and grow. If you like suspenseful, action packed books with a heroic storyline and character drawings to boot then look no further.

CBW

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a story filled with action and adventure. It's well written and perfect for young readers .

LAW

True Life is an exceptionally well-written book. Great story line, fast-paced and appealing to readers of all ages.

Anjeza Gega

Oh - new book from RJ. How exciting, Can't wait to read it.
The book review sounds so interesting,
Mystical world - inspiring story - fighting for honor - fighting for family

It's not uncommon for RJ to inspire his audience with work that comes with few great messages : to be empowered- believe in yourself - fight -overcome ...

Alinka Rutkowska

Congratulations on your five stars, R.J.!

Shelly Parisi

R.J. - Congratulations on your continued success!!! Very exciting to see your creativity being enjoyed worldwide!!