Kindle Price: $2.99

Save $9.00 (75%)

Promotions apply when you purchase

These promotions will be applied to this item:

Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. For details, please see the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions.

Read with our free app
You've subscribed to ! We will preorder your items within 24 hours of when they become available. When new books are released, we'll charge your default payment method for the lowest price available during the pre-order period.
Update your device or payment method, cancel individual pre-orders or your subscription at
Your Memberships & Subscriptions

Buy for others

Give as a gift or purchase for a team or group.
Learn more

Buying and sending eBooks to others

  1. Select quantity
  2. Buy and send eBooks
  3. Recipients can read on any device

These ebooks can only be redeemed by recipients in the US. Redemption links and eBooks cannot be resold.
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Anna Tan
+ Follow
More books from this author
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Amok (Absolution Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Anna Tan (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 14 ratings
See all formats and editions

What is faith, except hope in desperation?

All Putera Mikal wants is to gain the Amok Strength, the supernatural power granted by Kudus to the Mahan royal family. No matter how religiously Mikal keeps his vows, Kudus still denies him the Strength—whilst his father, Sultan Simson, flaunts the Strength despite his blatant defiance of the Temple and the priests’ visions of coming doom.

Then the prophecies come true.

Taken captive, Mikal must find a way to liberate his people and restore his throne in Maha—and the key to this is the Amok Strength. But what does it take to gain Kudus’ favour?
Read more Read less
Previous page
  1. Book 1 of 3
    Absolution
  2. Print length
    258 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  5. Publication date
    June 1, 2021
  6. File size
    1060 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
Next page
Add a debit or credit card to save time when you check out
Convenient and secure with 2 clicks. Add your card
All 3 for you in this series See full series
See included books
Total Price: $12.97
By clicking on above button, you agree to the Kindle Store Terms of Use

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08YXQKPN7
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Teaspoon Publishing (June 1, 2021)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 1, 2021
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1060 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 258 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 14 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Anna Tan

Anna Tan

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Anna Tan grew up in Malaysia, the country that is not Singapore. She writes fantasy stories and fairy tales, and helps people figure out their publishing goals at Teaspoon Publishing. She also wrangles writers and deadlines for the Malaysian Writers Society (MYWriters) and Penang Art District.

Anna has an MA in Creative Writing: The Novel under a Chevening scholarship and is the current President of MYWriters. She is interested in Malay/Nusantara and Chinese legends and folklore in exploring the intersections of language, culture, and faith.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
14 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Unique and Heartwrenching
Reviewed in the United States on July 5, 2022
Verified Purchase
WOW!!! You guys, just WOW!!! I really really enjoyed this one!! I tend to be pretty picky about my reads but this totally hit the spot 🫶

The narrative is unique and paces the story well! Mikal's struggles are immediately relatable to me: being told you're destined for great things while simultaneously being told you're not enough yet--- being pressured to do better, being kicked around, and being completely misunderstood. Sounds like life to me!

But Mikal isn't your typical hero. He fears greatly, tussles with his emotions, and speaks pessimistically. In short, he's *human*. I enjoyed seeing someone who struggles to pick themselves back up as it's so very real.

The Biblical aspects are fantastic too. They aren't overbearing or forced, they fit beautifully in with the tale and give readers a true sense of God and His mysterious yet loving and powerful ways. The story in itself is very akin (a re-telling I believe) to the story of Samson with some nods to the story of Joseph as well. It is tastefully done!

The addition of Malay culture is truly fascinating, too. It's a little tricky to keep up with terms at first but there's a super helpful glossary in the back. Once I got settled into the story, I didn't have to reference the glossary much or at all. I really love the addition of Malay words. I truly enjoyed learning about (although likely somewhat fantasized) culture!

❗Content Warnings ❗

One thing I wanted to mention is that this is a heavy read. While content is mild, it is still written well enough to give you an idea what's going on.

Content includes:
mildly graphic beatings (details are spared and scenes rarely last longer than a paragraph or two, but we see some reactions to what's happening)

undescriptive nudity (a few times the slaves are publicly humiliated through these means but no description is given of their nudity)

Mild cruelty (we see a character that has obviously been mistreated in ways not mentioned above but no details are given).

_________________________________

All in all, I definitely enjoyed this story! I really love the characters and enjoyed seeing them grow and change. I wish we could have gone a little deeper into some of the more emotional scenes---the ones where big events or surprising news shows up. But I still felt I knew the characters and could be close with them.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Christine S. Wachter
5.0 out of 5 stars More Than Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on June 22, 2021
Verified Purchase
With elements reminiscent of the Bible story of Samson, Anna Tan creates a stunning fantasy tale of love, betrayal, courage, and faith. The story is told from the perspective of fifteen-year-old Mikal ayell Simson, only son of Sultan Simson of Maha, the ruler of Terang. Simson’s Amok Strength is a gift from Kudus (God) and flows from him to members of the military. It protects Terang and passes down through the generations from father to son. But Mikal has a problem. Though the Amok Strength flowed to his father at a young age, it has not yet manifested in Mikal.

Mikal’s father plans to marry Permaisuri Layla Regis Ishi, the newly-crowned queen of Bayangan, Terang’s historical enemy. He plans to unify Terang and Bayangan and cement good relations between the ancient foes through the union. But, like Deliah in the Bible, Layla has other plans.

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. Having read it on Kindle, I now plan to purchase the paperback. It is that good! (And the cover is gorgeous.) I want this on my shelf. Ms. Tan’s prose is flawless and beautiful with a perfect mix of narrative and dialogue as well as plot-driven action and character development. Told in first person, present tense I experienced every event along with Mikal.

Do not let the unusual terms (at least for me they were unusual) drive you away from reading Amok. There is a glossary in the back if necessary. I never needed to use it as Ms. Tan’s story flows so well, the titles and other foreign words made sense within the context as I read. Her selection of terms allows for a wonderful Asian fantasy feel to the novel, while at the same time, the tale remains accessible to western YA readers and teens, as well as older folks like me.

Though there is some violence, it is not graphic or glorified, just appropriate to the plot. There is no sex or—thank goodness—no love triangle. Instead, there is friendship that survives and grows despite all the world would throw against it.

I highly recommend Amok. If I could give it more stars, I would.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Elisabeth W.
5.0 out of 5 stars So good!
Reviewed in the United States on February 3, 2023
Verified Purchase
I love this allegory of the story of Samson, as told by “Samson’s” son. What an amazing story of faith, friendship, trust, all without an awkward love triangle!!! I’m excited to read the rest in the series!
Helpful
 Report
Amazon Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Well written, meaningful, but...
Reviewed in the United States on June 23, 2021
Verified Purchase
This story of a young man's reckoning and redemption is emotionally intense and the world building is quite interesting. The part that didn't quite land was the relationship between him and his servant/master. I *think* the author may have been trying to imply a gay romance between them while tip-toeing around the idea so as not to offend a religious audience. There was so much going on with the pair that the ambiguity just sent their story off it's axis.
Helpful
 Report
AmazonCustomer1
5.0 out of 5 stars Exceptional Read!
Reviewed in the United States on October 19, 2021
Verified Purchase
A gripping, immersive experience that I enjoyed from start to finish. Tan does an exceptional job with all aspects of storytelling. I'm picky about books that draw some inspiration from Bible stories, and this one knocks it out of the part. At times I had way, way too many feelings! I look forward to reading other books by Tan. This one will likely make my top ten list of the year.
Helpful
 Report
Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars A heart-wrenching twist on the tale of Samson...
Reviewed in the United States on January 8, 2024
Overall, this book was intense! Mikal was a character I could relate to all too well. He wants to do the right thing and to prove himself to both God, his father, and his people. Yet, he continued to make mistakes, relying more on himself instead of God to give him strength. He wrestles with trusting God when he loses everything and almost everyone he loved. His raw vulnerability and questions were both painful and refreshing to read, as I understand all too well how hard it is to trust God when things don't go your way. His character arc absolutely made this book what it was: compelling.
I highly recommend reading it.
Helpful
 Report

Top reviews from other countries

Mrs R
5.0 out of 5 stars This is a fantastic book!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 8, 2021
Verified Purchase
I really enjoyed this book.
Although I will never face the trials that Mikal faces, I could empathise with his frustrations as he tried to make sense of his faith and commitment. The author takes us on a fast-paced journey as he discovers how to trust in God and not in his own understanding.
The world created was so real and the characters well developed. The plot was well thought out and I was completely involved.
I look forward to reading any future books by this author.
Report
Report an issue

Does this item contain inappropriate content?
Report
Do you believe that this item violates a copyright?
Report
Does this item contain quality or formatting issues?
Report