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J Lenni Dorner
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Fractions of Existence: Book One of the Existence Series Kindle Edition

by J Lenni Dorner (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.2 out of 5 stars 11 ratings
Once they were humanity's exalted protectors— now they are being hunted.
Xavier will weigh all human life against Gwendolyn's ignorant happiness. The good news is that her choice can blow his away.
Omnipotent beings find each other while playing an online game. Xavier has been searching for Gwendolyn, his true mate and the missing member of the Existence. Only if reunited can the group regain the rest of their memories and access all of their powers. Hidden in plain sight, disguised as humans, they help who they can, as best they can, when they can.
The Eyes in the Shadows, a religious sect, has been trying to free humans from the “prison” of life on Earth for millenniums. The Existence has always been able to thwart them… until now. They've discovered a way to end the world that no one will see coming.
Gwendolyn has her future all laid out. There is a plan. She knows what her parents want for her and how to get it. Then Xavier, a friend from a virtual game, makes her question everything. He's full of secrets, one being an understanding of her fear of the wind.
She tries to suppress her intense attraction to the mysterious and frustrating Xavier. She's engaged, after all, and the thoughts she's having aren't proper. Gwendolyn is swept into a whirlwind of secrets, danger, and a forbidden attraction. She'll drive across the country in her beat-up old car, not knowing if he is genuinely interested or just being polite. (He refuses to kiss her!) Gwendolyn's journey is full of self-doubt, sacrifice, and dark visions that invade her sleep. Will she uncover the truth about herself?
The following TRIGGER WARNING may contain spoilers :

This urban fantasy is 99k long and contains some strong language, sexual situations, alcohol, a scene with medical marijuana, violence (including a memory of the murder of a sadist seconds before he commits rape), an arranged marriage, and college student debt. The majority of this book takes place in 2005.
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  1. Book 1 of 2
    Existence
  2. Print length
    525 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    September 19, 2017
  6. File size
    2.1 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

Review

⭐⭐⭐⭐


I liked the opening: Xavier sniffing everyone on a crowded Manhattan street. LOL.

"Quiet, hiding, broody people were always suspects. Attractive, well-mannered, charming people could easily distract others." Though this is meant to protect those of the Existence, I think it rings true for most villains, too.

I like that the spiral on the cover is the tattoo on the faces of their enemies. I would have liked to know more about why they are hunting the Existence, even though Xavier's scars and some flashbacks show that they are serious.

This book is a bit difficult to shelve in a specific genre... I'd say that if you enjoyed "Avatar: The Last Airbender" with its manipulation of different elements and different benders coming together to protect the world, you'll like the elemental magic in this book. Though it's definitely urban fantasy, has elemental magic users who were revered as deities at some point, tattooed adversaries out to destroy them, and has some spectacular actions scenes when these two groups clashed, it's hard to compare it with other books out there. It has an ensemble cast with more than one POV MC - like Rick Riordan's "Heroes of Olympus" series, but without specific chapters dedicated to one POV: you go seamlessly from one character to another in the same scene (much like in a movie) and they all make the MC together. As they call themselves the Existence, I believe this is the author's way to show that they only truly function properly as a unit - a stylistic choice that works with the pacing of the book. The book has a bit of a literary bend as the journey of the characters is more important than some big plot goal. Literary Urban Fantasy?

Wend's life couldn't be more different to that of Xavier, Heath and Jez's. She's a poor, pious Mormon - and they have drug and alcohol fuelled parties (orgies?) in their expensive Manhattan apartments. And she has no idea that she has magic - even though the wind reacts to her emotions.

What bothered me about Wend's life (besides her younger sister invading her privacy by reading her diary) is the fact that she has no agency: she allows others to decide how her life should go (her mother and younger sister not liking her clothes and dressing her in her mother's clothes; her father arranging her marriage to a man twice her age). Wend's also a bit fickle - which probably had always been her nature as Caleb says at one point that she is as fickle as ever.

What bothered me about the others' lifestyle choice was the emptiness of drugs, alcohol and meaningless sex. Oh, they have their moments of being kind and thoughtful, but for the most part they are lost.

All which to say, they have plenty of growth to go through in the rest of the series.
There are some typos (mostly missing words) in later chapters, but not a big issue.
The way their powers work, the flashbacks Wend gets from past lives -and then that ending! I need to read the next book right now.

A trigger-warning I would add to the author's blurb is that some parts might be unsettling for readers with emetophobia as Wend is prone to vomiting.

I think I know how to recommend this book: The elemental magic and friendship of "Avatar: The Last Airbender" with mature themes and a literary bend that shows that true love can survive clashing cultures, past mistakes, and travelling across a country.

Ronel Janse van Vuuren- ronelthemythmaker.com

(Author's note- This review is the honest and unbiased opinion of Ronel, as published on Goodreads on Jan 17, 2023. An ARC was provided to this individual.)

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B075SG1Q3K
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 19, 2017
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ 3rd
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.1 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 525 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 1 of 2 ‏ : ‎ Existence
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 out of 5 stars 11 ratings

About the author

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J Lenni Dorner

J Lenni Dorner

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While embracing the ancient tribal traditions, J Lenni Dorner learned a legend originated by The Grandfathers.

J Lenni Dorner is best known for the Existence book series. Book one- Fractions of Existence, and book two - Proof of Existence, are available now.

Also known for the writer's reference books, "Preparing to Write Settings that Feel Like Characters" and "Writing Book Reviews As An Author: Inspiration To Make It Easier."

(he/him 👨🏽 or 🧑🏽 they/them)

In May 2016, J became a member of the Operation Awesome Team, running the Debut Author Spotlight on Wednesdays. Blogging from A to Z Challenge #AtoZchallenge international bloghop co-host since 2017.

J weaves fantasy with lore to unhinge your mind.

This speculative fiction and reference author is happily married and living in Pennsylvania (USA) on the original lands of the Lenni-Lenape people. When not reading or writing, J enjoys video games, funny cat videos, and watching movies.

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
11 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book fun to read and appreciate its readability, with one noting how the revelations are metered out throughout the narrative. The character development receives mixed feedback, with one customer mentioning the characters are not likable.

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3 customers mention "Enjoyment"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book enjoyable, with one mentioning it provides enough content to satisfy readers' curiosity.

"...The story is well-written, giving the readers enough to almost satisfy their curiosity but withholding enough to keep them riveted...." Read more

"...Readers who don't mind the latter and enjoy this genre will like the book. Warning: You won't be able to stop at just one...." Read more

"Its a fun read. A book I can digest quickly but at the same time have trouble putting down...." Read more

3 customers mention "Readability"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to read, with one mentioning it reads like a YA novel and another noting how the revelations are metered out.

"...I was lost in this tale from the time I started reading it. The story is well-written, giving the readers enough to almost satisfy their curiosity..." Read more

"...To me, this book reads like a YA novel but the characters are adults. I suppose this could be a New Adult book, but I'm not sure of that either...." Read more

"...Love how the revelations are metered out while still leaving such a big mystery for further books...." Read more

3 customers mention "Character development"0 positive3 negative

Customers have mixed reactions to the character development in the book, with one customer finding them difficult to connect with and another noting contradictions in their dialogue.

"...In general, the characters are not likable, but that leaves plenty of room for them to grow...." Read more

"...to represent cultural diversity but I had a difficult time pinpointing the characters' cultural, racial, and or ethnic identities...." Read more

"...No matter how good the story is, characters the reader can’t connect with make a book hard to read. That is not the case with Fractions...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars giving the readers enough to almost satisfy their curiosity but withholding enough to keep them riveted
    Reviewed in the United States on January 26, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Just wow. I was lost in this tale from the time I started reading it. The story is well-written, giving the readers enough to almost satisfy their curiosity but withholding enough to keep them riveted. I am an avid reader who consumes masses of books like this, but this one truly stood out for me. I found myself getting involved with the characters... liking some.. loving others.. despising Tred. I've reread the book several times as I try to hang onto the characters. Each time I read it, I find nuances that I'd missed before. I could talk about structure, grammar and vocabulary, but I think it's suffice to say that this is a must read. J. Lenni Dorner, please write book 2!
    One person found this helpful
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  • Sherry Ellis
    4.0 out of 5 stars A Gripping Start to the Series
    Reviewed in the United States on August 24, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    In this first installment of the Existence series, readers meet god-like characters who seek each other in order to defend humans against a religious sect called The Eyes in the Shadows. Xavier, one of these "super-humans" is trying to unite with Gwendolyn, his lost love. Trouble is, she doesn't remember her past and is set to marry someone her father has chosen.

    There's a lot to take in as the stage is set. Many questions remain unanswered—like why are the Eyes in the Shadows after them? Who exactly are they, anyway, and what was the horrible thing in the past that happened? Perhaps these will be answered in future installments. The characters, although superheroes are clearly flawed. Gwendolyn is a pathetic, insecure, childish person who has no control of her life. Xavier is a self-absorbed philanderer. It begs the question if he's so in love with Gwendolyn, why is he messing around with other women? In general, the characters are not likable, but that leaves plenty of room for them to grow.

    The strength of the story is that readers want to see if the two get together and what will happen when they do. One thing after the other gets in the way. And then there's the cliffhanger ending. You have to get the next book to find out what happens next.

    It's an Urban Fantasy Romance with a considerable amount of adult material. Readers who don't mind the latter and enjoy this genre will like the book. Warning: You won't be able to stop at just one. You'll need to get the next.
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  • Toinette
    3.0 out of 5 stars Cool concept
    Reviewed in the United States on February 28, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    This is a tough book to review. There are many elements of the story I adore. There are some elements of the story that don't do much for me, and there are some elements I just didn't like. To me, this book reads like a YA novel but the characters are adults. I suppose this could be a New Adult book, but I'm not sure of that either. These are not two genres that I read a lot, so my experience may be marred simply because of my personal issues with the genre and not the story itself.

    Overall, I love the concept of the story and the fantasy attributes of the characters. I'm interested in knowing where this is all going and what ultimately happens to this world. However, I don't really like any of the characters. It's possible there is an element of mental illness that is being subtly addressed but if so, I wish it was more clear. It's difficult to get a handle on whether I'm supposed to like or dislike these characters because they all seem to be gaslighting me. There are many contradictions in what characters say, do, and mean, from scene to scene.

    The mature sexual content didn't really work for me. I'm no prude but some of it seemed pointless and was a turn-off instead of a turn-on, but that could just be me. It really wasn't that graphic compared to some other things I've read (though it is not suitable for teens and children) but it just had no context for me.

    The main female character vomits a lot. I don't know if that's a thing but thought it was worth mentioning here.

    I think the characters are supposed to represent cultural diversity but I had a difficult time pinpointing the characters' cultural, racial, and or ethnic identities. I know the MC female is U.S. Morman and the MC male is of European descent.

    I think I have more questions about these characters than I should have after reading this book.

    This book ends on a cliffhanger, which I usually don't like, but I don't think it made a difference to my overall experience.

    I believe the second book is out or will be out soon and I'm still deciding if I should pick it up. I really do enjoy the sense of danger depicted, the magic, and the mystery of the world. A follow-up read is TBD.
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  • Bill
    5.0 out of 5 stars Its a fun read. A book I can digest quickly but ...
    Reviewed in the United States on January 26, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Its a fun read. A book I can digest quickly but at the same time have trouble putting down. Having some memory issues I often have to read things twice if I put a book down for a day or two but this one stayed fresh in my broken little mind and when next I picked it up I was dropped neatly back into the plot.
    I feel I get to know the characters very well but not so much that I begin to predict their actions.
    I am being careful here not to spoil anything like in chapter six when....LOL just kidding
    Life does not allow me much time to read but I am anxious for another book in this series and will be watching for it.
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  • Alex
    5.0 out of 5 stars Pick it up and you wont put it down
    Reviewed in the United States on July 19, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    I don’t know if Fractions of Existence is just a fast read or that I just got so sucked into the story that I couldn’t put it down. Either way I went through the book in a couple of days. This book succeeds were a lot of books fail. No matter how good the story is, characters the reader can’t connect with make a book hard to read. That is not the case with Fractions. The characters in this world immediately draw you in and you care about what happens to them (this was unlike the last book and a half of The Hunger Games series where I just wanted something heavy to fall on Katniss and end everyone’s pain).
    From a story standpoint, this was modern mythology meets the MCU. It’s a fantastic read and well worth investing the time in.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Reader Kindle
    4.0 out of 5 stars Tangled, fascinating narrative
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 29, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    I’ve been looking for light reads this year because somehow those are the only books that keep me reading— Fractions of Existence did not disappoint. I like characters like Xavier— ridiculously rich and creating college funds for orphans, and Wend, who makes her own clothes and gets by on very little.

    I liked that the characters were introduced slowly through a maze of back stories, though I did wish to know more, quicker.

    I started the book over the weekend , and wanted the story to go on and on. Waiting for the next.
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