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Ian W. Sainsbury
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The Blurred Lands Kindle Edition

by Ian W. Sainsbury (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 out of 5 stars 811 ratings

★★★★★"One of the most weird and wonderful books I've ever read!"★★★★★

A fantastical, terrifying journey into a realm we prefer to believe doesn’t exist.

In an abandoned cottage, John Aviemore faces a mystery that grows more unnerving every night. And he’s trapped there. Trapped in the place where worlds overlap.

Trapped in the Blurred Lands.

A disappearing city, a curse that unravels minds, and a caged, power-hungry god.

John’s only chance of escape lies with an ancient family secret and a character straight out of a fairytale.

★★★★★"Compelling dark, deliciously intriguing."★★★★★

★★★★★"Another deeply cool book from Sainsbury."★★★★★

★★★★★"Dark, mischievous and intriguing. Yet another best seller!"★★★★★

★★★★★"Trod the fine line between fantasy, myth and a modern thriller very well."★★★★★

★★★★★"An addictively dark and spine tingling fantasy with a dollop of science fiction and time-bending thrown in."★★★★★

From the Amazon and Audible bestselling author of The Picture On The Fridge, The World Walker and Halfhero series.

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  1. Print length
    326 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Accessibility
    Learn more
  4. Publication date
    December 22, 2018
  5. File size
    4.1 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Born at an early age, Ian W Sainsbury quickly learned to talk about himself in the third person, meaning a career in the arts was all but inevitable. In 1987, he ran away from university to join the circus, playing in a band providing accompaniment for monkeys riding on pigs.

Finding it hard to match such early success, Ian played piano on cruise ships before spending over a decade singing in European piano bars. He also ran (and still does) a choir or two, singing pop stuff in a pub.

The next career move was obvious, and no one was surprised when Ian spent five years as a stand-up comic. He also began writing music and material for ventriloquist Paul Zerdin, including co-writing Zerdin’s Vegas show in 2016.

After music, circuses, puppets, comedy and choirs, Ian pooled his earnings to date and was able to buy a palatial two-man tent and a skateboard. It was at this point that he decided the world might be ready for a novel or two.

Since The World Walker appeared on Amazon in 2016, Ian has—to his amazement—found he is one of those people who does what he loves for a living without having to sell a kidney.

He lives in East Anglia with Mrs S, two daughters and a flatulent dog.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07LGC7Y82
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ December 22, 2018
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 4.1 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 326 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 811 ratings

About the author

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Ian W. Sainsbury

Ian W. Sainsbury

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Winner of the Kindle Storyteller Award 2019 for The Picture On The Fridge

Born at an early age, Ian W Sainsbury quickly learned to talk about himself in the third person, meaning a career in the arts was all but inevitable. In 1987, he ran away from university to join the circus, playing in a band providing accompaniment for monkeys riding on pigs.

Finding it hard to match such early success, Ian played piano on cruise ships before spending over a decade singing in European piano bars. He also ran (and still does) a choir or two, singing pop stuff in a pub.

The next career move was obvious, and no one was surprised when Ian spent five years as a stand-up comic. He also began writing music and material for ventriloquist Paul Zerdin, including co-writing Zerdin’s Vegas show in 2016.

After music, circuses, puppets, comedy and choirs, Ian pooled his earnings to date and was able to buy a palatial two-man tent and a skateboard. It was at this point that he decided the world might be ready for a novel or two.

Since The World Walker appeared on Amazon in 2016, Ian has—to his amazement—found he is one of those people who does what he loves for a living without having to sell a kidney.

He lives in East Anglia, UK, with Mrs S, two children, and a flatulent dog.

Email ianwsainsbury@gmail.com, and/or visit ianwsainsbury.com

(Thanks for reading - I've loved reading all my life, and my ambition is to write the kind of books that readers can get lost in. Ian.)

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
811 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book a truly great adventure that is well-written and highly entertaining. They appreciate the well-developed characters, with one customer noting how the main character discovers his magical abilities, and another highlighting the believable relationships. Customers praise the book's pacing, with one describing it as "so out there," while another appreciates the descriptive passages about magic tricks.

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24 customers mention "Story quality"24 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's story quality excellent, describing it as a truly great adventure that is quite intriguing and delightfully imaginative. One customer particularly appreciates the descriptive passages about the magic tricks.

"...Regarding the book, we have a fairly unique slant on magic, coupled with a strong central character and supportibg narrative...." Read more

"...The author has a rich and wonderful imagination and I would love to read more of his work." Read more

"...But it’s a truly great adventure just the same. His writing has become much more nuanced with this work. The effort he put into it shows...." Read more

"...The opening was unusual and stirred up the curiosity. then you get invested in the characters and come back eagerly to see how their story unfolds...." Read more

16 customers mention "Readability"16 positive0 negative

Customers find the book highly readable, describing it as brilliant and well put together, with one customer noting it's very different from the author's other works.

"...'d read them without question, as a stand alone novel this book was satisfyingly compete." Read more

"I choose the rating because it is a well crafted book. The characters are believable, even the unbelievable ones...." Read more

"...very well done" Read more

"...This one was so unlike his other books. There's a lot of heart and whimsy here and the ending was perfect." Read more

10 customers mention "Character development"10 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the well-developed characters in the book, with one customer noting how the main character discovers his magical abilities.

"...book, we have a fairly unique slant on magic, coupled with a strong central character and supportibg narrative. While there were a few "huh?"..." Read more

"...I found him to be a very likable and understandably flawed character. A perfect character would not be believable but massively boring...." Read more

"...then you get invested in the characters and come back eagerly to see how their story unfolds. very well done" Read more

"...follows typical fashion: Something weird happens, main character discovers he is magical and goes off to fight the bad guy...." Read more

7 customers mention "Entertainment value"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the book highly entertaining.

"Fun book. It started a bit slow but picked up and kept my interest. I liked the story, the characters, and would recommend." Read more

"Lush character development and a all round treat...." Read more

"...The worlds this author takes you to are at once stunning, entertaining, and makes you Want to believe. It's like Disneyland for adults!..." Read more

"Highly entertaining..." Read more

4 customers mention "Writing quality"4 positive0 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, with one describing it as a well-edited fantasy noir.

"...The author has a rich and wonderful imagination and I would love to read more of his work." Read more

"...I think you are a very gifted writer blessed with humility, creativity, and a practicality of how things connect...." Read more

"...Well written, well edited (a pleasant treat these days), and mesmerizing from start to finish...." Read more

"Supremely well written fantasy noir..." Read more

3 customers mention "Heartfelt romance"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the heartfelt romance in the book, with one review noting the believable relationships.

"...This one was so unlike his other books. There's a lot of heart and whimsy here and the ending was perfect." Read more

"...It was comfortable to read, the relationships were believable...." Read more

"Fascinating world(s) concepts, magic, adventure, myths, love, and more. I won't describe too much here, as I don't want to spoil. Highly recommended...." Read more

3 customers mention "Mythology"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the mythology in the book, with one mentioning the inclusion of mythical creatures.

"Expertly weaving fantasy, magic, mythical creatures and heartache to create a compelling story of the quintessential anti-hero, once again Ian..." Read more

"Fascinating world(s) concepts, magic, adventure, myths, love, and more. I won't describe too much here, as I don't want to spoil. Highly recommended...." Read more

"A great take on the origin of magic and mythology..." Read more

3 customers mention "Pacing"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the pacing of the book, with one mentioning its incredible world and another describing it as so out there.

"...It was so out there and delightfully unpredictable, I was hooked. I have read everything he has published to date...." Read more

"Loved the world building. Hopefully, Sainsbury revisits The Blurred Lands sooner than later. This one was so unlike his other books...." Read more

"...An incredible world that you’ll be intrigued by, yet feel perfectly comfortable being there...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Highly entertaining
    Reviewed in the United States on December 28, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Having discovered Ian via a book recommendation a few months ago, all books have now been read.

    Like the others, this did not disappoint. I had no idea what story I was descending into, but it gripped me and two days later I'm left wanting a lot more. Please Ian, continue!

    Regarding the book, we have a fairly unique slant on magic, coupled with a strong central character and supportibg narrative. While there were a few "huh?" moments early on, they all tied together beautifully and the story finished, cleanly. While there is a lot of potential for more stories from the realms, and I'd read them without question, as a stand alone novel this book was satisfyingly compete.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Felicia
    4.0 out of 5 stars Oddly alluring, sucks you in, a good read.
    Reviewed in the United States on January 4, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I choose the rating because it is a well crafted book. The characters are believable, even the unbelievable ones. It’s not your average predictable story and thats why I liked it. You start reading it and it’s so odd that you have to keep going to see how it plays out. Another reviewer said they didn’t like John. I found him to be a very likable and understandably flawed character. A perfect character would not be believable but massively boring. You don’t always know where this story is going but it won’t bore you. The author has a rich and wonderful imagination and I would love to read more of his work.
    Helpful
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  • Flying tinbasher
    5.0 out of 5 stars Mr. Sainsbury, the psychedelic bard
    Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    I stumbled on World Walker, his first published work as far as I know. It was so out there and delightfully unpredictable, I was hooked. I have read everything he has published to date. I would recommend any of his work to you without hesitation. I truly enjoy his unique vision that takes us to unexpected worlds/dimensions/mindsets all at once.

    About the Blurred Lands, it has some similarities with World Walker but the adventure is more cerebral. But it’s a truly great adventure just the same. His writing has become much more nuanced with this work. The effort he put into it shows. His writing feels very honest and soul bearing. His expression of (sorry, don’t want to spoil it for you) suffice it to say he writes like he’s been through these things himself. This book feels more like an epic piece of music.

    At the back of the book, Ian asks for the readers advice how to proceed from here. To continue with the Blurred Land or write another story he has in mind. In the World Walker series I was worried at the direction you were going at times and was afraid you would ruin a great concept. But I trusted you and was glad that I did. You guided us like some kind of freaking Shaman through marvelous places I never would have thought to go. I think you already have the answer. I’m saying keep following YOUR vision. If your fingers are itching to make this a series, and your mind is bursting with ideas then do it. If you feel more strongly about the other ideas, go with them. You can always revisit any of the previous series whenever you want. I think you are a very gifted writer blessed with humility, creativity, and a practicality of how things connect. I would hate to see you lose that in an effort to please the masses.
    8 people found this helpful
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  • Lynn Kelly
    4.0 out of 5 stars Fresh and Compelling
    Reviewed in the United States on November 14, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I haven't been pulled through a book like this in a long time thank you author. The opening was unusual and stirred up the curiosity. then you get invested in the characters and come back eagerly to see how their story unfolds. very well done
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  • UnctuousFowl
    5.0 out of 5 stars More please!
    Reviewed in the United States on April 7, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Loved the world building. Hopefully, Sainsbury revisits The Blurred Lands sooner than later. This one was so unlike his other books. There's a lot of heart and whimsy here and the ending was perfect.
    Helpful
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  • kate the great
    5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing story, very reminiscent of the world walker series
    Reviewed in the United States on December 7, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    I've now read all of Ian.W.Sainsbury's books, and have not yet been let down. This story follows typical fashion: Something weird happens, main character discovers he is magical and goes off to fight the bad guy. It is the way the story is told that makes it amazing. It has novel ideas and names, and follows the story in an awesome fashion. HIGHLY recommend for any one who likes Ian.W.Sainsbury. Won't let you down. PS Ian if you're reading this O think it should be a standalone book.
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  • Aric Krause
    5.0 out of 5 stars A welcome respite
    Reviewed in the United States on February 5, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    What an incredible book. A welcome relief from real life. Reading this is like walking out your front door, taking a left, and finding yourself in a whole new world. An incredible world that you’ll be intrigued by, yet feel perfectly comfortable being there. Well written, well edited (a pleasant treat these days), and mesmerizing from start to finish. No spoilers here - it when you’re done, you may find yourself looking left and right for signs of a different world.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • DS
    4.0 out of 5 stars enjoyed and would recommend
    Reviewed in the United States on March 2, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Fun book. It started a bit slow but picked up and kept my interest. I liked the story, the characters, and would recommend.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Jay Reaperman Arscott
    5.0 out of 5 stars Thrilling and enticing and need of its genre
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 28, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    I was hooked from the very first chapter and felt compelled to turn the page to discover what lay next. I beautiful example of what we perceive magic to be and the countless possibilities it conjures up. The characters all speak to you and draw you into the story as it unfolds making them become as known to you as your own family are.
    It can be a nightmare when using time and the possibility of going back and forward without creating a jumble of timelines that simply don't work, but with this tale it is easy to understand and connect the dots. The idea that other lands that lay in the shadows just beyond the reach of mortal man has always appealed to me and Ian has got it as near to my perfect as possible. If magic and magical lands exist then this is how will be, so next time something moves in a shadow of at the corner of your eye don't be so quick to dismiss it.
    I am looking forward to the next instalment and hopefully will be able to give it six stars as i would have liked to have done with this one.
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  • Laura Stephenson
    5.0 out of 5 stars Delicious
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 20, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    This book, quite literally, sang to me. Every chapter building on the next and filling me with excitement. Even when I thought I knew what was going on and an inkling of what was coming next I was sideswiped and offered an alternative I loved even more.
    This is the kind of book that is easy to read but asks you to think as a reader. In my mind the perfect mix.
    I would love to read more of these characters, I certainly don't want our intriguing protagonist to give up magic, illusion or otherwise.
    Those who enjoy the unusual will probably enjoy this book, but anyone with an imagination who has ever been a child wanting so desperately to know magic is real will love it.
    Magic is real, it's books like this.
    Report
  • JJ
    4.0 out of 5 stars Ian W. Sainsbury's stories are just so interesting
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 20, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    I am really surprised that I have never come across this book before now, as it has been around for a while but I'm glad I have eventually found it.

    I do love Ian W. Sainsbury's books and I was not disappointed with this interesting adventure. I thought of it as like Narnia on acid. This book contains other worlds, magic, strange creatures, a confused grieving human and lots of sex. Thankfully the latter is not graphic and leaves it mainly to your imagination but the story kind of revolves around it, as attraction, temptation and entrapment is the main goal of one of the characters.

    The book is also moving, as we join the main character, a magician in the entertainment industry, as he grieves for his wife of many years. He relives some of their moments together as the story unfolds. Sometimes grief can make us do things we wouldn't normally do. Sometimes we can be easily led astray.

    This is a stand alone story that really kept my interest. The ending is neat, if not without sadness, and I felt satisfied. However, in the acknowledgements the author does wonder whether to write more books about these worlds, with, I assume, this story forming the basis for the others. I would like to see that. This story definitely leaves a way open and I would read them. I hope Mr Sainsbury decides to.

    I definitely recommend this book. 👍
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  • C L Walker
    5.0 out of 5 stars Compellingly dark.. deliciously intriguing.. treat yourself to The Blurred Lands for Christmas
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 22, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    An absolutely fantastic and unputdownable story in a somewhat different genre to this author’s usual (brilliant) books (World Walker and Halfheroes.. also brilliant and highly recommended series’ in case you’re not already familiar).
    This one is an addictively dark and spine tingling fantasy with a dollop of science fiction and time bending thrown in. If you love a story that makes you ponder the possibility that life is perhaps more than it appears to be, you’re going to love this. It brings myth and legend to life with some imaginative multi-dimensional twists that have left me wanting to know more about the Blurred Lands and what can happen there.
    The main characters are intriguing and likeable.. apart from those that are intriguing and alarming.. and actually quite scary. If you manage to put the book/Kindle down long enough you’ll find you haven’t quite got your head out of the Blurred Lands.. the ethereal quality of tale is not easy to shake off.. so be unsurprised if you just want to put your real life on pause while you give yourself over to this absorbing first look at all happens in the Blurred Lands. (because I’m sincerely hoping there is m more to come)... a place you feel that you too, can get to just by letting go of everyday life.. half closing your eyes and mentally jumping in....
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  • A Spenser fan
    5.0 out of 5 stars Clever, moving and compelling
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 29, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Stumbled across IWS by accident and very glad I did.
    I read the Jimmy Blue series and found them to be excellent.
    Took a chance on this one as it is a completely different genre and, in my experience, very few authors can manage the world view shift required. IWS exceeded my expectations and then some.
    Superbly plotted, thought-provoking and compelling. Skilfully crafted characters placed in a perfectly believable, self-consistent world that just makes sense.
    Sublime.
    Report

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