Friday, May 30, 2008

Melanie Rawn

From the moment I started reading this author's first book, I was hooked. Dynastic kingdoms full of intrigue and battle, mages and dragons populate the complex Fantasy worlds of writer Melanie Rawn. Her works are full of intriguing characters, vivid settings and well drawn plots. Readers will be surprised and astonished with her works.

Ms. Rawn got an idea about a man hunting dragons. She spent an entire weekend writing about this hunt. That is how Dragon Prince was born. This book begins a series of Epic Fantasies about Rohan, Sioned, Pol, Sunrunners and dragons. Rawn's world is made up of several kingdoms ruled by vicious High Prince Roelstra. Rohan, a desert prince, meets and marries the powerful Sunrunner Sioned. Together, they fight against Roelstra to free the kingdoms.

Sunrunners are the mages of Rawn's world. They have the power to use sunlight for communication, healing, battle and other things. Weaving sunlight is a powerful talent that can corrupt at times. The dark mages of the world weave starlight. Rohan must contend with the three angry, ambitious grandsons of Roelstra in the next two books Star Scroll and Sunrunner's Fire.

The next three books take place a generation later with the story of Pol, Rohan's son. He is faced with filling his father's rule, an invasion by Viking like invaders and dealing with his powerful Sunrunner cousin Andry. Stronghold, The Dragon Token and Skybowl are darker than the first three books. They tell excellent stories of love and adventure with a very good climax. All the books are long and satisfying.

Rawn's next series takes place in a new Fantasy world of Lenfell. Three mage sisters fight a private battle among rival factions of Mageborn people. The Mageborns nearly destroyed this world in the past, so are under tight rules. A renegade mage wants to start a new war. Striving to overcome their differences, the sisters must stop this mage. The Ruins of Ambrii and The Mageborn Traitor are the two books published so far. The last book, The Captal's Tower, is forthcoming some day.

Ms. Rawn collaborated with two other Fantasy authors, Jennifer Roberson and Kate Elliot, for The Golden Key. The book is about the civilization of Tira Verte and the painter mages. Artwork is highly prized in this world. Paintings are used as official records of everything like weddings. One family has the power to manipulate time and reality with their paintings. This book tells the tale of Sario, a member of this family, that uses his power to get the woman he loves and sets off world shaking problems. With tree top writers of the Fantasy field collaborating on this work, readers are left with a book of depth, complexity and beauty that few books have these days.

After a long time of not publishing any books, Ms. Rawn has returned with a new one. The book is an Urban Fantasy called Spellbinder.This new book takes place in modern day Manhattan. Holly McClure is a witch who is special to her coven. Her blood makes their spells last. She is in love with a U.S. Marshall named Evan Lachlan. Together they must help her coven to fight a sociopath Satanist called Noel. The book is an interesting different type of book for the author.

Melanie Rawn is a wonderful Fantasy author of books with complex plots, memorable characters and imaginative settings. She has a clear writing style that keeps the adventure, court intrigue and action going at a steady pace. Readers might find her books hard to put down once started. They will not be disappointed with any of her books.

Further information about Melanie Rawn and her books can be found at:

http://www.melanierawn.com

1 comment:

Andrew Clarke said...

Hi, if you like fantasy may I suggest another one to try? "Outcasts Of Skagaray" is a fantasy action adventure. To see a free preview, go to www.threeswans.com.au and check the sample chapters. If you read it and like it your comments would be treated with interest.
Best wishes anyway.