Once in a while a book comes along that sets your imagination on fire. You can't put it down. You want to finish it as quickly as posssible to the exclusion of everything else. That's what happens when you read Song in the Silence by Elizabeth Kerner. There are dragons, adventure and action to catapult readers into this Fantasy world. This Fantasy book has likeable characters, a gripping plot and strong themes.
Likeable characters draw the reader into this book swiftly. Lanen Kaelar is a young woman from a farm who dreams of talking with dragons. She embarks on her quest, unaware of her parentage. Lanen is courageous and stubborn with a streak of wanderlust. She is helped by other characters like Jamie is her mentor and foster father. He gives Lanen the stability needed to survive her quest. The dragons are the other interesting characters that give the story life. Akhor is the silver king of the dragons. He longs for contact with humans. He is drawn to Lanen from the beginning and gets help from his mentor Shikrar the Keeper of Souls. These characters give impetus to a gripping plot.
In Lanen's time, the dragons have withdrawn from humanity to live on an island. Humans can only venture there every few years at the risk of being destroyed by storms. They want to collect a rare plant that heals and restores youth. Lanen ventures on one of these expiditions to meet dragons and befriends Akhor. While on the island, she discovers her father Marik wants to sacrifice her to demons. She must keep a fine balance between helping the dragons and keeping alive. This gives the plot some fast moving action and adventure that readers will enjoy. The plot adds to the strong themes of the book.
Love and sacrifice are the major themes. Akhor and Lanen try to deny the impossible growing love between them. Added to this is her desire to help the dragons free the lost souls of the lesser dragons from their torment. These themes combine to give the book a powerful story that can't be put down.
Characters, plot and themes makes Song in the Silence a must read for Fantasy readers. It is hard to put down once started. Those who like dragons in their books will enjoy Akhor, Shikrar, Idai, Kedra and the others. Romance lovers will find the relationship of Lanen and Akhor different. Elizabeth Kerner has provided a wonderful addition to the genre. Though a complete story, there are enough plot threads for another book. Hopefully the author is working on the next one.
Showing posts with label book review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label book review. Show all posts
Friday, April 13, 2012
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Review: _Tapping the Dream Tree_ by Charles de Lint
What if magic really existed in our world? Magical creatures could be encountered on a city street. this happens in the fantasy sub-genre of Urban Fantasy. Charles de Lint is a master of this sub-genre. His creation of the Fantasy city of Newford has been the center of many collections of stories and books over the years. Tapping the Dream Tree is another collection of Newford stories that range through different aspects of the city and its denizens.
“The Buffalo Man” is a story mixing Native American and Celtic myth elements. It is the story of saving a spirit that lives as a homeless man. He is dying. Meran, an oak king’s daughter, and her bard husband Cerin try to help with their magic, which draws the young girl Jilly into a dangerous situation. This is an entertaining story that leads to a satisfying conclusion.
In “Forest of Stone,” Geordie faces changes with his life that he is not ready to undergo. His story coincides with a homeless who has lived a strange life. He wants to go to a Celtic h eaven but can’t until he dies. Geordie is torn about his long distance relationship and deciding to join his girlfriend. He must meet the request of the homeless man that helps him make a decision. Mr. de Lint creates a vivid story of characters dealing with change and the magic in the world.
“Embracing the Mystery” is an entertaining story with a nice theme. Sue wants to hear her friend’s dog speak again. She does not believe in magic, but explores ways to reconcile her friend’s suicide. Along the way she encounters a living Internet web site and the dream city of Mabon. Mr. de Lint provides a good story with the positive theme of there being some mystery in our lives. It is an entertaining story.
“Granny Weather” is the story of Sophie. Her friends keep telling her that she has fairy blood, but she does not believe it. She is a true dreamer and can enter another world of magic. Sophie is drawn into the dream world to save a witch and her boyfriend, but is not sure how to do it. This is a good story with a lot of twists. Mr. de Lint creates a vivid other world and interesting plot.
The last story, “Seven Wild Sisters,” is the longest in the book. This is the story of seven sisters whose family is touched by the world of fairy. Sarah Jane Dillard helps the older woman Lillian who lives in the hills behind her home. She hears stories about fairies from Lillian but does not believe in their existence. One day she finds a little man made of roots full of tiny arrows, taking him to Lillian. This drags her six sis Bters inadvertently into a struggle between two different groups. The story gives the reader a sense of wonder with its vivid descriptions and memorable characters. Some readers might find it the most entertaining story in the book.
Tapping the Dream Tree by Charles de Lint is another entertaining collection of Newford stories. The stories in this Urban Fantasy collection range from dark and edgy to humorous. Most of the stories are entertaining. They contain interesting characters and moving themes. It is a nice addition to stories of the Fantasy city of Newford.
“The Buffalo Man” is a story mixing Native American and Celtic myth elements. It is the story of saving a spirit that lives as a homeless man. He is dying. Meran, an oak king’s daughter, and her bard husband Cerin try to help with their magic, which draws the young girl Jilly into a dangerous situation. This is an entertaining story that leads to a satisfying conclusion.
In “Forest of Stone,” Geordie faces changes with his life that he is not ready to undergo. His story coincides with a homeless who has lived a strange life. He wants to go to a Celtic h eaven but can’t until he dies. Geordie is torn about his long distance relationship and deciding to join his girlfriend. He must meet the request of the homeless man that helps him make a decision. Mr. de Lint creates a vivid story of characters dealing with change and the magic in the world.
“Embracing the Mystery” is an entertaining story with a nice theme. Sue wants to hear her friend’s dog speak again. She does not believe in magic, but explores ways to reconcile her friend’s suicide. Along the way she encounters a living Internet web site and the dream city of Mabon. Mr. de Lint provides a good story with the positive theme of there being some mystery in our lives. It is an entertaining story.
“Granny Weather” is the story of Sophie. Her friends keep telling her that she has fairy blood, but she does not believe it. She is a true dreamer and can enter another world of magic. Sophie is drawn into the dream world to save a witch and her boyfriend, but is not sure how to do it. This is a good story with a lot of twists. Mr. de Lint creates a vivid other world and interesting plot.
The last story, “Seven Wild Sisters,” is the longest in the book. This is the story of seven sisters whose family is touched by the world of fairy. Sarah Jane Dillard helps the older woman Lillian who lives in the hills behind her home. She hears stories about fairies from Lillian but does not believe in their existence. One day she finds a little man made of roots full of tiny arrows, taking him to Lillian. This drags her six sis Bters inadvertently into a struggle between two different groups. The story gives the reader a sense of wonder with its vivid descriptions and memorable characters. Some readers might find it the most entertaining story in the book.
Tapping the Dream Tree by Charles de Lint is another entertaining collection of Newford stories. The stories in this Urban Fantasy collection range from dark and edgy to humorous. Most of the stories are entertaining. They contain interesting characters and moving themes. It is a nice addition to stories of the Fantasy city of Newford.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Book Review: _The High House_ by James Stoddard
The High House is a wonderful book of High Fantasy. It is the first novel by author James Stoddard. Plot, characterization, setting and theme blend to form a memorable piece of fantastic literature.
"The High House, Evenmere, that lifts its gabled roofs among tall hills overlooking a country of ivy and hawthorn and blackberries sweet but small as the end of a child's finger, has seldom been seen by ordinary men. Those who come there do so not by chance, and those who dwell there abide long within its dark halls, seldom venturing down the twisting road to the habitations of men." ( The High House by James Stoddard )
Thus begins this wonderful book's plot. Readers are introduced to the story of Carter Anderson and the mysterious High House, where a struggle between chaos and order occurs. The plot moves through a story from the loss of the Master Keys to an emotional and exciting climax. Along the way, we are treated to many twists and turns in the battle to defeat the Anarchists. The plot is clear and succinct. It is helped by good characters.
Mr. Stoddard has created wonderful, memorable characters. Carter Anderson, the main character, is filled with doubts and fears. He must overcome several obstacles in the book. His journey through the house brings changes in him. He is helped by several interesting secondary characters. William Hope starts as a lawyer but becomes Carter's advisor. Enoch winds the house's clocks and once talked with God. The lamp lighter Chant talks in poetic, literary quotes. Brittle is the affectionate valiant butler. These characters travel though an unusual setting.
Evenmere, the High House, is a strange and different world. The house is huge on the inside. Different nations exist within the rooms and halls of the house. These nations have doorways out into their own worlds. One of these nations is inhabited by talking tigers and Gnawlings-animals that camouflage themselves as furniture. The attic is occupied by a dragon. This setting helps develop the book's themes.
Thematic content revolves around the house. The house is like a miniature model of the universe. Masters of the House possess powers to combat the Anarchists. This keeps the universe in balance. Masters are chosen by the House like heroes called to serve their people. This book also contains a quest theme in Carter's search for the Master keys.
This book has great depth and wonderful characters. Readers of many genres would enjoy this book. Few Fantasy books published today give readers a sense of wonder. This book certainly does. I think The High House will become a Fantasy classic in years to come, joining Tolkien and many others.
Until next time, keep exploring fantasy worlds.
"The High House, Evenmere, that lifts its gabled roofs among tall hills overlooking a country of ivy and hawthorn and blackberries sweet but small as the end of a child's finger, has seldom been seen by ordinary men. Those who come there do so not by chance, and those who dwell there abide long within its dark halls, seldom venturing down the twisting road to the habitations of men." ( The High House by James Stoddard )
Thus begins this wonderful book's plot. Readers are introduced to the story of Carter Anderson and the mysterious High House, where a struggle between chaos and order occurs. The plot moves through a story from the loss of the Master Keys to an emotional and exciting climax. Along the way, we are treated to many twists and turns in the battle to defeat the Anarchists. The plot is clear and succinct. It is helped by good characters.
Mr. Stoddard has created wonderful, memorable characters. Carter Anderson, the main character, is filled with doubts and fears. He must overcome several obstacles in the book. His journey through the house brings changes in him. He is helped by several interesting secondary characters. William Hope starts as a lawyer but becomes Carter's advisor. Enoch winds the house's clocks and once talked with God. The lamp lighter Chant talks in poetic, literary quotes. Brittle is the affectionate valiant butler. These characters travel though an unusual setting.
Evenmere, the High House, is a strange and different world. The house is huge on the inside. Different nations exist within the rooms and halls of the house. These nations have doorways out into their own worlds. One of these nations is inhabited by talking tigers and Gnawlings-animals that camouflage themselves as furniture. The attic is occupied by a dragon. This setting helps develop the book's themes.
Thematic content revolves around the house. The house is like a miniature model of the universe. Masters of the House possess powers to combat the Anarchists. This keeps the universe in balance. Masters are chosen by the House like heroes called to serve their people. This book also contains a quest theme in Carter's search for the Master keys.
This book has great depth and wonderful characters. Readers of many genres would enjoy this book. Few Fantasy books published today give readers a sense of wonder. This book certainly does. I think The High House will become a Fantasy classic in years to come, joining Tolkien and many others.
Until next time, keep exploring fantasy worlds.
Friday, January 20, 2012
Review: _The Magic of Recluce_ by L.E. Modesit, Jr.
Most Epic Fantasies are stories that follow a group of characters through many events that lead to a final battle between good and evil. These books are exciting to read with a lot of action. Some authors create Epic Fantasies that are slower paced and focus on a smaller part of a story. The Magic of Recluce by L.E. Modesitt, Jr. is one of these books. Readers will find the book entertaining because of its interesting plot, realistic characters and subtle magic system.
First, this book does not move at a fast pace but has an interesting plot to hook the reader. Readers follow the main character is this coming-of-age story through several fateful events. The story begins with Lerris leaving his island home to wander the continent of Candar under orders of the Brotherhood. He becomes involved in various adventures that eventually lead him to a final encounter with a a dangerous mage. A slow pace gives the book more depth as the reader gets to know the fantasy world and the character. Mr. Modesitt brings this plot to life with detailed, lively descriptions of an interesting conflict.
Next, the book is entertaining due to its realistic characters. Lerris is a young man from Recluce where order rules. He is bored and always wants answers to his questions. Trying his hand at wood working as his uncle’s apprentice, Lerris discovers he is bored with that too. Recluce requires its people to have a purpose to spread order or they must leave the island. After undergoing some training as a dangergelder, Lerris is sent to the land of Candar with a group of his fellow young people. There he begins his growth in maturity and magic. He meets other people like Justen, a gray wizard, and a wood worker that helps him grow. The author’s characters are realistic, since many have traits and problems like people such as providing for family and protecting others.
Finally, the subtle magical system keeps the story entertaining for readers. The magic is not of a flashy type like some novels. In this world, there is order and chaos magic. Order magic must be used carefully to strengthen and further order in the world. Chaos magic is of destruction. This magic comes with a price for its users, making them die young. Lerris has a talent for order magic, but gets frustrated at learning about it. He travels through Candar slowly learning the magic as he helps people. Mr. Modesitt weaves the magic system into the book seamlessly, which adds suspense to the book that makes it more entertaining.
The Magic of Recluce by L.E. Modesitt, Jr. is an entertaining book for readers. An interesting plot, realistic characters and subtle magic system provides several elements that keeps a reader hooked on the book. This is the first book in a long series of loosely connected books exploring the history of Recluce and other nations of this world in their struggles with magic.
First, this book does not move at a fast pace but has an interesting plot to hook the reader. Readers follow the main character is this coming-of-age story through several fateful events. The story begins with Lerris leaving his island home to wander the continent of Candar under orders of the Brotherhood. He becomes involved in various adventures that eventually lead him to a final encounter with a a dangerous mage. A slow pace gives the book more depth as the reader gets to know the fantasy world and the character. Mr. Modesitt brings this plot to life with detailed, lively descriptions of an interesting conflict.
Next, the book is entertaining due to its realistic characters. Lerris is a young man from Recluce where order rules. He is bored and always wants answers to his questions. Trying his hand at wood working as his uncle’s apprentice, Lerris discovers he is bored with that too. Recluce requires its people to have a purpose to spread order or they must leave the island. After undergoing some training as a dangergelder, Lerris is sent to the land of Candar with a group of his fellow young people. There he begins his growth in maturity and magic. He meets other people like Justen, a gray wizard, and a wood worker that helps him grow. The author’s characters are realistic, since many have traits and problems like people such as providing for family and protecting others.
Finally, the subtle magical system keeps the story entertaining for readers. The magic is not of a flashy type like some novels. In this world, there is order and chaos magic. Order magic must be used carefully to strengthen and further order in the world. Chaos magic is of destruction. This magic comes with a price for its users, making them die young. Lerris has a talent for order magic, but gets frustrated at learning about it. He travels through Candar slowly learning the magic as he helps people. Mr. Modesitt weaves the magic system into the book seamlessly, which adds suspense to the book that makes it more entertaining.
The Magic of Recluce by L.E. Modesitt, Jr. is an entertaining book for readers. An interesting plot, realistic characters and subtle magic system provides several elements that keeps a reader hooked on the book. This is the first book in a long series of loosely connected books exploring the history of Recluce and other nations of this world in their struggles with magic.
Friday, November 11, 2011
Review: _The Ivory and the Horn_ by Charles de Lint
A winter wind blows down a city street. Out of the corner of an eye, one sees a strange being slip into the shadows. A fairy? Something else? Events like this happen to the people living in the Fantasy city of Newford. This city is the creation of the master of Urban Fantasy, Charles de Lint. In his second collection of stories about Newford, The Ivory and the Horn, Mr. de Lint tells more intriguing stories of the inhabitants of the city.
Sophie Etoile is a woman with a remarkable talent. She dreams of other places that are as real as our world. Most of the time her dreams take her to Mabon, but in “Where Desert Spirits Crowd the Night,” she finds herself trapped in a desert filled with spirits from Native American myth. The trickster god Coyote follows her through the dream until she resolves a problem. This story contains vivid descriptions of the desert dream world. Sophie a ìnd the other characters are realistic. Readers will find this a poignant, entertaining story.
“Bird Bones and Wood Ash” is a story about the subject of child abuse. Jaime encounters strange spirit women with animal heads. They give her magical gifts which she uses to stop those who physically or sexually abuse children by turning them off. Christopher, a jaded social worker, makes a deal with Jaime to tell her where abusers can be found. Even though Jaime acts like a superhero, her acts come with a price. This is a moving story of the darker side of humanity.
Mr. de Lint writes about those living in poverty in “Waifs and Strays.” Maisie is a street kid, homeless until she gets help from Angel and a homeless woman called Shirley. She has adopted a special needs young man named Tommy and several dogs. Trying to provide a home, work and going to school takes its toll on Maisie. Eventually she gets help from a ghost. This is a powerful story with the themes of caring for people, self reliance and courage. The author gives us memorable characters that readers can sympathize with throughout the story.
“The Forest Is Crying” introduces readers to social worker Christopher Dennison. After another child he tried to help is found dead, he resolves to quit his job. He gets drunk and ends up sick in an alley. A young woman helps him, taking him home and staying with him through the night. She says some weird things to him. When she disappears, he finds himself on a last case, which changes his jaded outlook on life. The strength of Mr. de Lint’s characters creates a potent story of the human spirit overcoming terrible situations.
Friendship and loss are the themes of the mournful story “Pal O’Mine.” Sue was a lonely child until she met Gina. They became best friends as children. As they grew up, their lives took different paths. A call from Gina’s mother brings Sue back into the life her depressed friend. Sue learns about the magic in the world on Christmas Eve as she remembers Gina. This story has a bittersweet ending provided by the author’s masterful talent for creating memorable characters and plots.
The Ivory and the Horn by Charles de Lint is a collection of more stories set in the fictional city of Newford. The stories range through different themes and are entertaining. A main theme of all the stories is that magic is not the solution to problems, but strength of character is. Readers will enjoy the stories of people as they encounter the magic of Newford.
Sophie Etoile is a woman with a remarkable talent. She dreams of other places that are as real as our world. Most of the time her dreams take her to Mabon, but in “Where Desert Spirits Crowd the Night,” she finds herself trapped in a desert filled with spirits from Native American myth. The trickster god Coyote follows her through the dream until she resolves a problem. This story contains vivid descriptions of the desert dream world. Sophie a ìnd the other characters are realistic. Readers will find this a poignant, entertaining story.
“Bird Bones and Wood Ash” is a story about the subject of child abuse. Jaime encounters strange spirit women with animal heads. They give her magical gifts which she uses to stop those who physically or sexually abuse children by turning them off. Christopher, a jaded social worker, makes a deal with Jaime to tell her where abusers can be found. Even though Jaime acts like a superhero, her acts come with a price. This is a moving story of the darker side of humanity.
Mr. de Lint writes about those living in poverty in “Waifs and Strays.” Maisie is a street kid, homeless until she gets help from Angel and a homeless woman called Shirley. She has adopted a special needs young man named Tommy and several dogs. Trying to provide a home, work and going to school takes its toll on Maisie. Eventually she gets help from a ghost. This is a powerful story with the themes of caring for people, self reliance and courage. The author gives us memorable characters that readers can sympathize with throughout the story.
“The Forest Is Crying” introduces readers to social worker Christopher Dennison. After another child he tried to help is found dead, he resolves to quit his job. He gets drunk and ends up sick in an alley. A young woman helps him, taking him home and staying with him through the night. She says some weird things to him. When she disappears, he finds himself on a last case, which changes his jaded outlook on life. The strength of Mr. de Lint’s characters creates a potent story of the human spirit overcoming terrible situations.
Friendship and loss are the themes of the mournful story “Pal O’Mine.” Sue was a lonely child until she met Gina. They became best friends as children. As they grew up, their lives took different paths. A call from Gina’s mother brings Sue back into the life her depressed friend. Sue learns about the magic in the world on Christmas Eve as she remembers Gina. This story has a bittersweet ending provided by the author’s masterful talent for creating memorable characters and plots.
The Ivory and the Horn by Charles de Lint is a collection of more stories set in the fictional city of Newford. The stories range through different themes and are entertaining. A main theme of all the stories is that magic is not the solution to problems, but strength of character is. Readers will enjoy the stories of people as they encounter the magic of Newford.
Saturday, September 03, 2011
Book Review: _Changer_ by Jane Lindskold
A hidden people lives among humanity. They are immortals, shapeshifters and magicians. They are called the Athanor. These people spawned humanity's myths and legends. Changer by Jane Lindskold is a novel about the Athanor. This is an intriguing Contemporary Fantasy novel full of interesting characters, an entertaining plot and fascinating culture of the Athanor.
All of the Athanor are interesting characters. The main character is called the Changer. He is an ancient shapeshifter and wild element among his people. Most find him enigmatic and scary. He prefers to live in the wilds and stays away from his people most of the time. Arthur is the king of the Athanor, though he is mostly an administrator in the present day. He tries to keep the peace among his people and humanity from discovering their presence. The king has the help of Vera (Athena) and Eddie (Bedivere). There are many other interesting characters among the Athanor that contribute to the plot.
The plot of the book is very entertaining and keeps the reader wanting to race through the book. Changer starts out when the Changer returns to find his coyote family murdered except one daughter; the runt of the litter. He wants revenge, so goes to King Arthur for help. A triumverate of Athanor (Loki, Circe and the Head) drew him into their plot to overthrow King Arthur unwillingly. Changer doesn't involve himself with Athanor politics. The plot continues to draw the reader in with other subplots against Arthur and a growing movement among the nonhuman members of the Athanor to have a bigger say and tired of living on the fringes of human a civilization.
Lastly, the hidden culture of the Athanor is fascinating. The Athanor are all immortal, but vary greatly. Some are human in form, while others are animals or creatures like sasquatches, yeti and tengu. A few can change their shapes or do magic. The younger ones revere the ancient ones because of their experience. They are all bound by the life force of Harmony, which lets them survive. There is an Accord they all live by. These factors allow them to live remarkable lives among humanity.
Changer by Jane Lindskold is an entertaining Contemporary Fantasy novel. It tells the story of the immortal Athanor that live hidden among humanity in our modern world. The book has interesting characters, an entertaining plot and fascinating culture of the Athanor. Readers will find this book hard to put down. Be sure to check it out if you can.
All of the Athanor are interesting characters. The main character is called the Changer. He is an ancient shapeshifter and wild element among his people. Most find him enigmatic and scary. He prefers to live in the wilds and stays away from his people most of the time. Arthur is the king of the Athanor, though he is mostly an administrator in the present day. He tries to keep the peace among his people and humanity from discovering their presence. The king has the help of Vera (Athena) and Eddie (Bedivere). There are many other interesting characters among the Athanor that contribute to the plot.
The plot of the book is very entertaining and keeps the reader wanting to race through the book. Changer starts out when the Changer returns to find his coyote family murdered except one daughter; the runt of the litter. He wants revenge, so goes to King Arthur for help. A triumverate of Athanor (Loki, Circe and the Head) drew him into their plot to overthrow King Arthur unwillingly. Changer doesn't involve himself with Athanor politics. The plot continues to draw the reader in with other subplots against Arthur and a growing movement among the nonhuman members of the Athanor to have a bigger say and tired of living on the fringes of human a civilization.
Lastly, the hidden culture of the Athanor is fascinating. The Athanor are all immortal, but vary greatly. Some are human in form, while others are animals or creatures like sasquatches, yeti and tengu. A few can change their shapes or do magic. The younger ones revere the ancient ones because of their experience. They are all bound by the life force of Harmony, which lets them survive. There is an Accord they all live by. These factors allow them to live remarkable lives among humanity.
Changer by Jane Lindskold is an entertaining Contemporary Fantasy novel. It tells the story of the immortal Athanor that live hidden among humanity in our modern world. The book has interesting characters, an entertaining plot and fascinating culture of the Athanor. Readers will find this book hard to put down. Be sure to check it out if you can.
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Review: _Highwayman_ by R.A. Salvatore
Like action? Want to read a good story? Readers will find this in the stand alone Fantasy novel The Highwayman by R.A. Salvatore. A veteran author of the genre, Mr. Salvatore provides an entertaining book for readers. The book has an action plot, sympathetic characters and interesting setting.
The setting of the book is the world of Corona, the place for previous books of the author. In the land of Honce, there are several lairds ruling their respective holdings. Goblins and Powries, dwarves that kill people and dip their berets in the blood, prowl the land. Two religions vie for dominance in getting the peasants to believe in each of them. It is a place due for change. Far to the south is another country that has a different culture. Mr. Salvatore’s interesting setting helps create an interesting world for the characters to play out their stories.
Next, sympathetic characters draw the reader into the story. The main character is Bransen, a young boy born with severe handicaps. He is bullied and ostracized by the other villagers. Only Cadayle, a young woman he grew up with in the village, helps him and is friends with him. With his love for his foster father and Cadayle’s support, Bransen discovers ways of overcoming his handicaps to find justice for himself. Cadayle must overcome her troubles to find happiness too. Garibond is a loyal man that loves Bransen and protects him from the religious zealots. These characters are realistic due to the author’s talent for description that allows readers to identify with them.
Finally, Mr. Salvatore’s action plot brings it all together for an exciting read. The book starts with the tragic story of Bransen’s parents. Bran Dynard returns with his wife Sen Wei to his homeland, bringing new teachings to enlighten his religious colleagues of the church of Blessed Abelle. Bransen is born to be raised by Garibond. He finds himself caught between the struggles of two religions while a war rages through the land. Laird Prydae has trouble with a bandit called the Highwayman who is like Robin Hood, helping the people to survive the vicissitudes of war. All of the plot elements blend together to create a story with a lot of action. Mr. Salvatore is a master at describing battle scenes and sword fights.
The Highwayman by R.A. Salvatore is an exciting stand alone Fantasy novel. An interesting setting, sympathetic characters and action plot blend together to create a very entertaining book to read. There is also a bonus Drizzt story for fans of that character. It is a good book by a talented author of Fantasy books with plenty of action.
The setting of the book is the world of Corona, the place for previous books of the author. In the land of Honce, there are several lairds ruling their respective holdings. Goblins and Powries, dwarves that kill people and dip their berets in the blood, prowl the land. Two religions vie for dominance in getting the peasants to believe in each of them. It is a place due for change. Far to the south is another country that has a different culture. Mr. Salvatore’s interesting setting helps create an interesting world for the characters to play out their stories.
Next, sympathetic characters draw the reader into the story. The main character is Bransen, a young boy born with severe handicaps. He is bullied and ostracized by the other villagers. Only Cadayle, a young woman he grew up with in the village, helps him and is friends with him. With his love for his foster father and Cadayle’s support, Bransen discovers ways of overcoming his handicaps to find justice for himself. Cadayle must overcome her troubles to find happiness too. Garibond is a loyal man that loves Bransen and protects him from the religious zealots. These characters are realistic due to the author’s talent for description that allows readers to identify with them.
Finally, Mr. Salvatore’s action plot brings it all together for an exciting read. The book starts with the tragic story of Bransen’s parents. Bran Dynard returns with his wife Sen Wei to his homeland, bringing new teachings to enlighten his religious colleagues of the church of Blessed Abelle. Bransen is born to be raised by Garibond. He finds himself caught between the struggles of two religions while a war rages through the land. Laird Prydae has trouble with a bandit called the Highwayman who is like Robin Hood, helping the people to survive the vicissitudes of war. All of the plot elements blend together to create a story with a lot of action. Mr. Salvatore is a master at describing battle scenes and sword fights.
The Highwayman by R.A. Salvatore is an exciting stand alone Fantasy novel. An interesting setting, sympathetic characters and action plot blend together to create a very entertaining book to read. There is also a bonus Drizzt story for fans of that character. It is a good book by a talented author of Fantasy books with plenty of action.
Saturday, April 02, 2011
Book Review: _The Hallowed Isle_ by Diana L. Paxson
The King Arthur legend is ingrained in our imagination. In every generation some author writes an Arthurian novel, adding new perspectives to the story. Fantasy author Diana L. Paxson recently added her contribution with The Hallowed Isle. Consisting of four books, Paxson wrote a Historical Fantasy about King Arthur. She blended historical material with the legend to creat a story filled with realistic characters, a vivid setting and strong themes.
The first book, The Book of the Sword, starts the story before King Arthur's birth. It sets the stage for the birth of Arthur by telling the story of Merlin. The priestesses of the goddess guard an ancient sword of power. Artoria Argantel, the high priestess, leaves to marry Amlodius to fulfill a prophecy. Her sister is kidnapped by a wild man and after being rescued bears Merlin. He grows up, learns magic and later helps Uthir conceive Arthur. Paxson incorporates the historical details of a Britain after the Roman Empire abandoned it, giving the book a grim reality.
The Book of the Spear revolves around Artor's early years of reign and dealing with the Saxons. Oesc is the grandson of Hengest. He joins his father in Britain. Years after his father's death he becomes a prisoner of Artor. During those years, Oesc's enmity turns to friendship. Eventually he returns to his people and finds his destiny. Throughout this book the reader sees the growth of Artor into kingship. The second book adds new aspects of historical Britain and a growth in the characters. This sets up the third book.
Artor's life and his marriage to Guendivar is the focus of The Book of the Cauldron. Told from the point of view of Guendivar and other women, this book tells the story going on among the women in Artor's life. They strive to protect or possess the mystic cauldron of the pagan goddess, a powerful artefact of healing and magic. Guendivar is a woman gifted with power, but untrained in its use. She is uncertain about being a queen. Morgause, Artor's sister, causes problems with the marriage in her ambition for power. She wants the cauldron to give her even greater power. This book adds an interesting touch to the legend of the Holy Grail and has a conclusion that neatly sets up the last book.
The Book of the Stone concludes the series with the final chapter is Artor's life. Medraut, Artor's son from Morgause, joins his father after his mother joins the priestesses on the Isle of Maidens. Artor has a dream to bring peace to Britannia, so he takes his army to help the Britons settled in Brittany. While he's gone, Medraut seizes power and Qyeen Guendivar. The book proceeds to a satisfying conclusion of this Arthurian tale.
The four books of The Hallowed Isle adds a realistic, mystical story to the Arthurian legend. Diana Paxson created a Historical Fantasy of vivid images, memorable characters and strong themes. The fantasy elements add a special touch to the historical period. One day this series might become a classic in Arthurian literature.
The first book, The Book of the Sword, starts the story before King Arthur's birth. It sets the stage for the birth of Arthur by telling the story of Merlin. The priestesses of the goddess guard an ancient sword of power. Artoria Argantel, the high priestess, leaves to marry Amlodius to fulfill a prophecy. Her sister is kidnapped by a wild man and after being rescued bears Merlin. He grows up, learns magic and later helps Uthir conceive Arthur. Paxson incorporates the historical details of a Britain after the Roman Empire abandoned it, giving the book a grim reality.
The Book of the Spear revolves around Artor's early years of reign and dealing with the Saxons. Oesc is the grandson of Hengest. He joins his father in Britain. Years after his father's death he becomes a prisoner of Artor. During those years, Oesc's enmity turns to friendship. Eventually he returns to his people and finds his destiny. Throughout this book the reader sees the growth of Artor into kingship. The second book adds new aspects of historical Britain and a growth in the characters. This sets up the third book.
Artor's life and his marriage to Guendivar is the focus of The Book of the Cauldron. Told from the point of view of Guendivar and other women, this book tells the story going on among the women in Artor's life. They strive to protect or possess the mystic cauldron of the pagan goddess, a powerful artefact of healing and magic. Guendivar is a woman gifted with power, but untrained in its use. She is uncertain about being a queen. Morgause, Artor's sister, causes problems with the marriage in her ambition for power. She wants the cauldron to give her even greater power. This book adds an interesting touch to the legend of the Holy Grail and has a conclusion that neatly sets up the last book.
The Book of the Stone concludes the series with the final chapter is Artor's life. Medraut, Artor's son from Morgause, joins his father after his mother joins the priestesses on the Isle of Maidens. Artor has a dream to bring peace to Britannia, so he takes his army to help the Britons settled in Brittany. While he's gone, Medraut seizes power and Qyeen Guendivar. The book proceeds to a satisfying conclusion of this Arthurian tale.
The four books of The Hallowed Isle adds a realistic, mystical story to the Arthurian legend. Diana Paxson created a Historical Fantasy of vivid images, memorable characters and strong themes. The fantasy elements add a special touch to the historical period. One day this series might become a classic in Arthurian literature.
Saturday, March 05, 2011
Review: _Owlflight_ by Mercedes Lackey
Valdemar is one of the most popular worlds of the Fantasy genre. Author Mercedes Lackey has written many novels set in this world of her creation. Many novels have centered around the Heralds and their magical Companions. Owlflight is the first book of a trilogy that focuses on different cultures of Valdemar through the eyes of new characters. This book is entertaining because of its sympathetic characters, suspenseful plot and a vivid setting.
Ms. Lackey has a talent for creating interesting characters. The characters in this book are very sympathetic, making them likable. Darian is an orphaned teenager living in the village of Errold’s Grove. He is rebellious because the villagers treat him like an outcast. Apprenticed to the old mage Justyn, Darian must grow through his pain. Help comes from a young Hawkbrother named Snowfire who befriends Darian. Several other characters such as the griffin Kelvrin and others round out a group that keeps readers interested in the plot. The author has interesting nonhuman characters as well with the deer-like dyheli and intelligent lizards called the hertasi.
The suspenseful plot begins with an attack by Northern barbarians on the village. Young Darian flees into the forest followed by some of the raiders. Snowfire saves him and brings Darian to his camp. While Darian slowly makes friends, the small contingent of Hawkbrothers must decide how to save the villagers. The barbarians have a powerful mage working for them while the Hawkbrothers have little access to magic because of the Mage Storms. In the end, it comes down to Darian making important decisions to save his people. Plot elements are woven by the author into - the story of a troubled young boy to create a plot that keeps readers turning pages.
Finally, Ms. Lackey’s vivid setting brings the story to life with realistic descriptions. The forest world of the Hawkbrothers is fascinating with their culture. They have large hawks, owls, falcons and other birds that bond with them. A reader can imagine the great forest trees surrounding them like Darian. Descriptions of the village and the Hawkbrother camp are detailed, making the story more suspenseful with them.
Owlflight by Mercedes Lackey is another entertaining addition to the Fantasy world of Valdemar. Sympathetic characters, a suspenseful plot, and a vivid setting hooks the reader into the interesting story of Darian as he comes of age. This book is a good beginning to another trilogy of Valdemar.
Ms. Lackey has a talent for creating interesting characters. The characters in this book are very sympathetic, making them likable. Darian is an orphaned teenager living in the village of Errold’s Grove. He is rebellious because the villagers treat him like an outcast. Apprenticed to the old mage Justyn, Darian must grow through his pain. Help comes from a young Hawkbrother named Snowfire who befriends Darian. Several other characters such as the griffin Kelvrin and others round out a group that keeps readers interested in the plot. The author has interesting nonhuman characters as well with the deer-like dyheli and intelligent lizards called the hertasi.
The suspenseful plot begins with an attack by Northern barbarians on the village. Young Darian flees into the forest followed by some of the raiders. Snowfire saves him and brings Darian to his camp. While Darian slowly makes friends, the small contingent of Hawkbrothers must decide how to save the villagers. The barbarians have a powerful mage working for them while the Hawkbrothers have little access to magic because of the Mage Storms. In the end, it comes down to Darian making important decisions to save his people. Plot elements are woven by the author into - the story of a troubled young boy to create a plot that keeps readers turning pages.
Finally, Ms. Lackey’s vivid setting brings the story to life with realistic descriptions. The forest world of the Hawkbrothers is fascinating with their culture. They have large hawks, owls, falcons and other birds that bond with them. A reader can imagine the great forest trees surrounding them like Darian. Descriptions of the village and the Hawkbrother camp are detailed, making the story more suspenseful with them.
Owlflight by Mercedes Lackey is another entertaining addition to the Fantasy world of Valdemar. Sympathetic characters, a suspenseful plot, and a vivid setting hooks the reader into the interesting story of Darian as he comes of age. This book is a good beginning to another trilogy of Valdemar.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
_A Cavern of Black Ice_ by J.V. Jones
I apologize for the lateness of this entry. Friday sneaked up and passed me before I realized it. Sorry. On to the entry.
A Cavern of Black Ice by J.V. Jones is the first book of a new fantasy trilogy called "Sword of Shadows." The author's writing is impressive about a fantasy world with dark edges and deep themes. The book is full of interesting characters, a good plot and different magic system.
Characters in the book are well-developed with powerful conflicts. Raif Severance belongs to a clan of people in the North. He is horrified by a terrible event his clan commits, leaving him an outcast from clan and family. Asharia (Ash) is a foundling orphan frightened by physical changes of her body and the motives of her foster father. She struggles to be free of him and her awakening power. The villains in this book have motivations for their evil and are not cardboard characters.
The realistic characters help a good plot move along quickly. It starts out in the far North with the men of the Blackhail Clan on a hunt. Raif Severance and his brother are off fooling around. When they return to the camp, they find their father and everyone else dead. On returning to the clan hold, they discover another member survived the attack. Raif doesn't trust or like this clan member. Things move from there. Ashe's story is told separately until she teams up with Raif and his uncle.
Ms. Jones has created an intriguing magic system for this book. Magic has a price to the user, often embarassing and weakening. People can fight against the magic if they know what is happening to them. Ash is the inheritor of the even stranger magic of being a Reach. Another group of people, the Sul, have their own magic that I hope will be explored in the next book.
A Cavern of Black Ice is not to be missed. Many plot ends are left open to intrigue the reader waiting for the next book. Hopefully the author will explore some other cultures like the Sul in the forthcoming books. If you like serious fantasy with a dark edge, read this book. You won't be disappointed.
A Cavern of Black Ice by J.V. Jones is the first book of a new fantasy trilogy called "Sword of Shadows." The author's writing is impressive about a fantasy world with dark edges and deep themes. The book is full of interesting characters, a good plot and different magic system.
Characters in the book are well-developed with powerful conflicts. Raif Severance belongs to a clan of people in the North. He is horrified by a terrible event his clan commits, leaving him an outcast from clan and family. Asharia (Ash) is a foundling orphan frightened by physical changes of her body and the motives of her foster father. She struggles to be free of him and her awakening power. The villains in this book have motivations for their evil and are not cardboard characters.
The realistic characters help a good plot move along quickly. It starts out in the far North with the men of the Blackhail Clan on a hunt. Raif Severance and his brother are off fooling around. When they return to the camp, they find their father and everyone else dead. On returning to the clan hold, they discover another member survived the attack. Raif doesn't trust or like this clan member. Things move from there. Ashe's story is told separately until she teams up with Raif and his uncle.
Ms. Jones has created an intriguing magic system for this book. Magic has a price to the user, often embarassing and weakening. People can fight against the magic if they know what is happening to them. Ash is the inheritor of the even stranger magic of being a Reach. Another group of people, the Sul, have their own magic that I hope will be explored in the next book.
A Cavern of Black Ice is not to be missed. Many plot ends are left open to intrigue the reader waiting for the next book. Hopefully the author will explore some other cultures like the Sul in the forthcoming books. If you like serious fantasy with a dark edge, read this book. You won't be disappointed.
Friday, March 06, 2009
Patricia Briggs Interview
I did this interview with Ms. Briggs several years ago, but thought readers would enjoy it again.
Debbie Ledesma: How did you decide to become a writer?
Patricia Biggs: I’m not sure it was ever anything so definite as a decision - except perhaps this last year when I began to write full time. I’ve always loved books. When I ran out of horse books to read I started reading my sister’s collection of Andre Norton and branched out from there. Writing just seemed like a natural extension of reading.
DL: Why did you choose the Fantasy genre?
PB: If you could look at my collection of books, you’d know just how good a question that is. I read anything from philosophy to romance and most things in between.
When I was a child, my older sister spent several years reading a different fairytale to me every night. By the time I was out of elementary school I’d read all of Andrew Lang’s color fairy books twice over, as well as all the fairy tale books in the local library. My degree is in history, and I really loved the Middle Ages. I had this wonderful professor who used to bounce up and down on his heels as he described the final moments of the average black plague victim. Finally, I’ve always been a
horse person. It took years for my mother to explain to me that most people like to talk about other things than horses. So when I decided to take the plunge and write a book; folklore, history and horses seemed to point to Fantasy.
After I started to write I found that it was a better choice than I’d expected.
Fantasy is among the least restrictive of all genres. My books can be mysteries, war stories, romances... whatever I feel like writing and they are still fantasies. I read articles about authors who complain how hard it is merely to switch from time-travel romance to contemporary romance because each subgenre has a different readership. Fantasy readers seem to be more forgiving than that. The person who reads Robert Jordan, for instance, probably would still enjoy Emma Bull’s War for the Oaks. I believe the kind of person who opens themselves to different worlds is too adventurous to restrict themselves to one subgenre: Fantasy readers allow authors a lot of leeway.
DL: What authors, Fantasy or otherwise, influence your writing?
PB: Holy, cow. Who didn’t? Not that I planned it that way. When I wrote my first book, I felt like I had done it on my own. Which is particularly silly, in retrospect, because I wrote Masques as an exercise to find out if I could actually write a book from beginning to end. I purposefully chose the most classic plot of fantasy, evil wizard tries to take over the world while the valiant underdogs strive to stop him. So even before I read Tolkien’s LOTR he had a tremendous effect on my writing. For those
of you who caught the implications, yes, this does mean that I read LOTR after I was a published writer - actually it was just this year. I must have read The Hobbit a bizillion times, but I tried to read LOTR when I was too young and unfortunately never got past it. I used to hang my head at SF Conventions...
When I started writing, I turned to other authors’ works to see how to do things - how to punctuate conversation, for instance. The only teacher I had, and I had many wonderful teachers, who taught proper punctuation of conversations was my second grade teacher, Mrs. Searle. To see how to get a conversation to flow, I picked up a few of my favorite character-building authors and picked apart their conversations: Dick Francis, Barbara Hambly, Robert Parker, Jayne Anne Krentz, Anne McCaffery and a dozen or so others.
But the most influential writer would have to be Andre Norton, because if my sister hadn’t taken Black Beauty (which I recently read to my children and realized that I still have large sections of it memorized) forcibly out of my hands and replaced it with Beast Master - I would never have discovered how much fun adventurous reading
could be.
DL: Are you planning to branch out into other genres?
PB: I don’t think so. As I mentioned earlier, Fantasy allows me tremendous scope. When Demons Walk was a mystery with a light touch of politics. Hob’s Bargain was a fairy tale and an apocalyptic/survival novel (which I would have had a hard time selling in
the traditional genre of apocalyptic novels, SF). Dragon Bones is a coming of age novel and a survival story in its own right. I do try to stretch and grow as a writer with each novel, both to keep my interest up and to keep my books from being repeats of earlier books, so I suppose changing genres is not out of the question, just unlikely in the near future.
DL: Do you use any mythology sources for your writing?
PB: Absolutely. Northern European Folklore was steeped into me from childhood. I read a lot of folklorist’s books, including the invaluable Encyclopedia of Fairies by Katherine Briggs (no relation) before I wrote The Hob’s Bargain to brush up on my knowledge of the lesser-known fey. Though I have to confess that I used the pooka
Harvey (from the old movies of the same name) as a basis for my Hob. One of my only two short stories is a retelling of "Rumpelstiltskin" called “The Price” which appears in the Datlow-Windling anthology Silver Birch, Blood Moon. That anthology, BTW, won
the World Fantasy Award for anthologies.
I have read/studied many other mythologies - I even taught Greek and Roman mythology. But other than “The Price” and The Hob’s Bargain, I don’t recall deliberately using mythology in a story.
DL: How long did it take you to write your first book and how long did it take to get that book published?
PB: My first book, Masques, took me about a year to write, once I quit rewriting the first ten pages over and over again. It’s a short book, about 75 or 80,000 words which, set in a small font, came out as just under 200 pages in a book format. It still takes me about a year - except for When Demons Walk, which was a sheer romp. I sent a synopsis and three chapters out to all the Fantasy publishing houses with a letter telling the editors I had a complete novel and asking them if they’d like me to submit the book (submitting a book to multiple publishers at the same time is a Very Bad Thing). After about six months I got back letters from all the publishers except for Ace. Everyone said no except for Del Rey who said - we don’t read samples, either submit this or don’t bother us. So I did another polishing run on the whole book, printed it out ready to send to Del Rey, when I got a letter from Laura Anne Gilman at Ace. (She’s now running the editorial show at Roc.) I submitted it to her. She wrote
me back for revisions, which I did. Miracle of miracles, she bought it. It was probably a year from when I finished Masques until Ace finally made an offer on it, and I took another year before they published it.
Most authors don’t sell their first book -- or even first few books, so don’t get discouraged if you don’t. Luck can compensate for skill -- I was lucky that there was an editor at Ace who liked the kinds of books I write. Laura Anne babysat me through the editing process - and most editors don’t have the time to do that. But skill will compensate for lack of luck as well, it just takes longer.
DL: What do you think is the important function of Fantasy?
PB: This question usually comes up in some variant as a panel topic at science fiction conventions, and I’ve even been a participating panelist on it a time or ten - and I think that the answer varies with the author, the book and the reader. There are some things that Fantasy can do very well - and like its siblings SF and horror - has traditionally done. The first and most obvious is escapism. Allowing people to put aside the trials of their lives to live in a different world is valuable. Art reminds us that there is beauty in the world when our world looks pretty bleak. Sometimes that makes people angry; because art can point out the joy that is lacking in their world. But the best art, whether books, paintings, or music can console us and lift our expectations. I am a firm believer that if you want to be happy, you have to snatch happiness and fight for it. When I was in high school, I used to take Christopher Stasheff’s wonderful novel, The Warlock In Spite of Himself with me to dentist visits - or any other high stress times. I wore out five or six copies -- that was in the days before he made a big splash so those copies were hard to find. No matter how upset I was, I could always laugh when I read that book. It saved me a lot of Valium. When I
write, I try to offer hope. I want people to feel better when they finish my books than when they started them.
Another traditional role of fantasy is to disguise some current issue and examine it from an angle not possible if you were to write about it directly, the style this takes varies from satyrical to serious. In speculative fiction (the genre containing SF, horror, and Fantasy because in them the author speculates about worlds that operate under different laws than our own) we are allowed to change the society that is viewing the subject and use that to try to change the attitudes of our readership. Take the issue of homosexuality for instance. If you take the social stigma away from being
homosexual, how does that change matters? In our society, being homosexual is not only a sexual decision - it is a cultural one, with established roles to play: butch, transvestite and the like. To be homosexual in 2002 in the US is to make that single facet of a person's life the most important single thing about them. But in a different world where such things are normal, how does that change the participants?
How much of that familiar culture is caused by being homosexual, and how much is a reaction to society’s rejection? There are certainly non social issues for homosexual couples -- the most important one is that they cannot have children together without help. Sometimes taking away the familiar norms of our world allows us to see things in a different light. We might disagree about the answer, but posing the question in a different manner might just make us think about it instead of clinging to easy answers we were given by someone else.
Which brings me to another important function fiction, any kind of fiction, does: It allows the reader to see the world through different eyes. When I read, I can be a black man or a young child. I can be an old woman or a deer named Bambi. That doesn't mean that I think hunting is a bad thing -- but I do have sympathy for the deer -- and the little old woman who backs up traffic as she shuffles across a busy intersection. Psychologists say that one of the common difficulties shared by child molesters is the inability to empathize with another human.
Between faster communication and growing population, our world decreases in size every day. In the light of 9/11, it is important for us to be able to “walk a mile in another’s moccasins”. Books are, in my opinion, the single best medium to develop the understanding necessary to live together on our earth.
DL: There are a lot of books by authors like Robert Jordan, David Eddings, Terry Goodkind, etc. that are popular. Do you find a lot of the Fantasy books hitting the bestseller lists derivative? Do you think they’re helpful to further the field?
PB: To a certain extent, all books are derivative. The subgenre of Epic Fantasy is one of the few genres of fantasy that traditionally produces bestselling novels - meaning that people who don’t read fantasy will read Epic Fantasy. We owe this in a large part to the reputation of Tolkien, whose torch was first taken up by Terry Brook’s The Sword
of Shannara, which was the first trade paperback to hit the NYT Bestselling Lists. Now, publishing houses look at epic fantasies and say, “Gee, this might be a bestseller.” So they promote it as a bestseller - and the promotion helps make it come true. Because most of these books are epic fantasies, they share certain similarities. To me a good book is a good book, whether it is a Terry Brooks novel or a Laurell K. Hamilton. I like most of the bestselling fantasy books, and when I don’t like them, it’s not because they were too much like another book I’ve read.
Authors are not in competition with each other. Any author who can pull in readers, benefits the industry as a whole -- as well as their readership. I have a friend who had never read a book since high school. Last year she picked up a Nora Roberts book and liked it. Now she reads all the time, and not just Nora Roberts. The Harry Potter books have brought a lot of young readers into the genre. What do you think of this? Is it helpful to the genre?
I am for almost anything that can get children to read. Sometime in the eighties I read that 1/3 of adult women were functionally illiterate - meaning that their reading level was third grade or below and they could not fill out a job application. The article mentioned that the figure for men wasn’t quite as bad. Reading is such a basic skill, and it takes practice. If peer pressure forces children to read - especially good books like Harry Potter, then I’m all for it.
While Harry Potter fans are eagerly awaiting the next installment, they might try Tamora Pierce, Jane Yolen, or Brian Jacques. Some of them will continue to read Fantasy decades from now - and without Harry Potter, they might never have tried reading anything at all. The more children who read Fantasy now, the more adults will be reading Fantasy in the future. How can that be bad?
DL: Movies are a different medium, but do you think any of your books would make a good movie?
PB: If a good producer and a good scriptwriter (not me) got involved, found good actors and cinematographers, yes. When Demons Walk, in particular had a number of very visual scenes -- though I’m afraid the temptation would be for a producer to turn it into a horror movie. I’d like to see what the special effects people would do for Caefawn’s tail in The Hob’s Bargain . But to be a good movie, the stories would be different. Any industry that can take Andre Norton’s Beast Master and turn out the movie they did (which I enjoyed - but it had very little to do with the novel) is not to be trusted lightly with any book. Just look what they did with “Beast Master 2” & even worse 3! (Although I have to admit laughing myself silly at BM2 about 2am and had a wonderful time as visions of “Attack of the Killer Tomatoes” ran through my head.)
DL: Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?
PB: Make sure you are doing this because you want to write - not because you want to be a writer. You can always sit down and write, but you can’t always publish. The publishing world is not a kind one. There are many, many authors who only ever publish one book, and still more who never publish any.
If you can’t take criticism learn how. Or don’t show anyone your book, ever. I’ve yet to see a book that hasn’t garnished a few nasty comments from someone.
Then write and read. Don’t pay anyone money to doctor your manuscript in the hopes it will be publishable afterwards. It is possible to about how to write that way, but there are less expensive and more effective methods. Don’t pay anyone to publish your book and expect to make money. No matter what they say. Don’t send your manuscripts to agents who charge reading fees. If they’re not making enough money off of selling books, they’re not good enough agents and try elsewhere. Don’t expect to become rich from writing. Some people do ‹ but the average person who claims writing as their main career makes something like $1200/year: that’s with Stephen King’s millions added into the mix.
Write - and don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t.
DL: What books or stories are in your future?
PB: I’ve finished the sequel to Dragon Bones. It's called Dragon Blood and is scheduled to come out from Ace in January of 2003. Right now I’m working on a trilogy proposal for Ace, just to try something new. I’m aiming for an Epic Fantasy novel, but I can never really tell until the book is finished.
Debbie Ledesma: How did you decide to become a writer?
Patricia Biggs: I’m not sure it was ever anything so definite as a decision - except perhaps this last year when I began to write full time. I’ve always loved books. When I ran out of horse books to read I started reading my sister’s collection of Andre Norton and branched out from there. Writing just seemed like a natural extension of reading.
DL: Why did you choose the Fantasy genre?
PB: If you could look at my collection of books, you’d know just how good a question that is. I read anything from philosophy to romance and most things in between.
When I was a child, my older sister spent several years reading a different fairytale to me every night. By the time I was out of elementary school I’d read all of Andrew Lang’s color fairy books twice over, as well as all the fairy tale books in the local library. My degree is in history, and I really loved the Middle Ages. I had this wonderful professor who used to bounce up and down on his heels as he described the final moments of the average black plague victim. Finally, I’ve always been a
horse person. It took years for my mother to explain to me that most people like to talk about other things than horses. So when I decided to take the plunge and write a book; folklore, history and horses seemed to point to Fantasy.
After I started to write I found that it was a better choice than I’d expected.
Fantasy is among the least restrictive of all genres. My books can be mysteries, war stories, romances... whatever I feel like writing and they are still fantasies. I read articles about authors who complain how hard it is merely to switch from time-travel romance to contemporary romance because each subgenre has a different readership. Fantasy readers seem to be more forgiving than that. The person who reads Robert Jordan, for instance, probably would still enjoy Emma Bull’s War for the Oaks. I believe the kind of person who opens themselves to different worlds is too adventurous to restrict themselves to one subgenre: Fantasy readers allow authors a lot of leeway.
DL: What authors, Fantasy or otherwise, influence your writing?
PB: Holy, cow. Who didn’t? Not that I planned it that way. When I wrote my first book, I felt like I had done it on my own. Which is particularly silly, in retrospect, because I wrote Masques as an exercise to find out if I could actually write a book from beginning to end. I purposefully chose the most classic plot of fantasy, evil wizard tries to take over the world while the valiant underdogs strive to stop him. So even before I read Tolkien’s LOTR he had a tremendous effect on my writing. For those
of you who caught the implications, yes, this does mean that I read LOTR after I was a published writer - actually it was just this year. I must have read The Hobbit a bizillion times, but I tried to read LOTR when I was too young and unfortunately never got past it. I used to hang my head at SF Conventions...
When I started writing, I turned to other authors’ works to see how to do things - how to punctuate conversation, for instance. The only teacher I had, and I had many wonderful teachers, who taught proper punctuation of conversations was my second grade teacher, Mrs. Searle. To see how to get a conversation to flow, I picked up a few of my favorite character-building authors and picked apart their conversations: Dick Francis, Barbara Hambly, Robert Parker, Jayne Anne Krentz, Anne McCaffery and a dozen or so others.
But the most influential writer would have to be Andre Norton, because if my sister hadn’t taken Black Beauty (which I recently read to my children and realized that I still have large sections of it memorized) forcibly out of my hands and replaced it with Beast Master - I would never have discovered how much fun adventurous reading
could be.
DL: Are you planning to branch out into other genres?
PB: I don’t think so. As I mentioned earlier, Fantasy allows me tremendous scope. When Demons Walk was a mystery with a light touch of politics. Hob’s Bargain was a fairy tale and an apocalyptic/survival novel (which I would have had a hard time selling in
the traditional genre of apocalyptic novels, SF). Dragon Bones is a coming of age novel and a survival story in its own right. I do try to stretch and grow as a writer with each novel, both to keep my interest up and to keep my books from being repeats of earlier books, so I suppose changing genres is not out of the question, just unlikely in the near future.
DL: Do you use any mythology sources for your writing?
PB: Absolutely. Northern European Folklore was steeped into me from childhood. I read a lot of folklorist’s books, including the invaluable Encyclopedia of Fairies by Katherine Briggs (no relation) before I wrote The Hob’s Bargain to brush up on my knowledge of the lesser-known fey. Though I have to confess that I used the pooka
Harvey (from the old movies of the same name) as a basis for my Hob. One of my only two short stories is a retelling of "Rumpelstiltskin" called “The Price” which appears in the Datlow-Windling anthology Silver Birch, Blood Moon. That anthology, BTW, won
the World Fantasy Award for anthologies.
I have read/studied many other mythologies - I even taught Greek and Roman mythology. But other than “The Price” and The Hob’s Bargain, I don’t recall deliberately using mythology in a story.
DL: How long did it take you to write your first book and how long did it take to get that book published?
PB: My first book, Masques, took me about a year to write, once I quit rewriting the first ten pages over and over again. It’s a short book, about 75 or 80,000 words which, set in a small font, came out as just under 200 pages in a book format. It still takes me about a year - except for When Demons Walk, which was a sheer romp. I sent a synopsis and three chapters out to all the Fantasy publishing houses with a letter telling the editors I had a complete novel and asking them if they’d like me to submit the book (submitting a book to multiple publishers at the same time is a Very Bad Thing). After about six months I got back letters from all the publishers except for Ace. Everyone said no except for Del Rey who said - we don’t read samples, either submit this or don’t bother us. So I did another polishing run on the whole book, printed it out ready to send to Del Rey, when I got a letter from Laura Anne Gilman at Ace. (She’s now running the editorial show at Roc.) I submitted it to her. She wrote
me back for revisions, which I did. Miracle of miracles, she bought it. It was probably a year from when I finished Masques until Ace finally made an offer on it, and I took another year before they published it.
Most authors don’t sell their first book -- or even first few books, so don’t get discouraged if you don’t. Luck can compensate for skill -- I was lucky that there was an editor at Ace who liked the kinds of books I write. Laura Anne babysat me through the editing process - and most editors don’t have the time to do that. But skill will compensate for lack of luck as well, it just takes longer.
DL: What do you think is the important function of Fantasy?
PB: This question usually comes up in some variant as a panel topic at science fiction conventions, and I’ve even been a participating panelist on it a time or ten - and I think that the answer varies with the author, the book and the reader. There are some things that Fantasy can do very well - and like its siblings SF and horror - has traditionally done. The first and most obvious is escapism. Allowing people to put aside the trials of their lives to live in a different world is valuable. Art reminds us that there is beauty in the world when our world looks pretty bleak. Sometimes that makes people angry; because art can point out the joy that is lacking in their world. But the best art, whether books, paintings, or music can console us and lift our expectations. I am a firm believer that if you want to be happy, you have to snatch happiness and fight for it. When I was in high school, I used to take Christopher Stasheff’s wonderful novel, The Warlock In Spite of Himself with me to dentist visits - or any other high stress times. I wore out five or six copies -- that was in the days before he made a big splash so those copies were hard to find. No matter how upset I was, I could always laugh when I read that book. It saved me a lot of Valium. When I
write, I try to offer hope. I want people to feel better when they finish my books than when they started them.
Another traditional role of fantasy is to disguise some current issue and examine it from an angle not possible if you were to write about it directly, the style this takes varies from satyrical to serious. In speculative fiction (the genre containing SF, horror, and Fantasy because in them the author speculates about worlds that operate under different laws than our own) we are allowed to change the society that is viewing the subject and use that to try to change the attitudes of our readership. Take the issue of homosexuality for instance. If you take the social stigma away from being
homosexual, how does that change matters? In our society, being homosexual is not only a sexual decision - it is a cultural one, with established roles to play: butch, transvestite and the like. To be homosexual in 2002 in the US is to make that single facet of a person's life the most important single thing about them. But in a different world where such things are normal, how does that change the participants?
How much of that familiar culture is caused by being homosexual, and how much is a reaction to society’s rejection? There are certainly non social issues for homosexual couples -- the most important one is that they cannot have children together without help. Sometimes taking away the familiar norms of our world allows us to see things in a different light. We might disagree about the answer, but posing the question in a different manner might just make us think about it instead of clinging to easy answers we were given by someone else.
Which brings me to another important function fiction, any kind of fiction, does: It allows the reader to see the world through different eyes. When I read, I can be a black man or a young child. I can be an old woman or a deer named Bambi. That doesn't mean that I think hunting is a bad thing -- but I do have sympathy for the deer -- and the little old woman who backs up traffic as she shuffles across a busy intersection. Psychologists say that one of the common difficulties shared by child molesters is the inability to empathize with another human.
Between faster communication and growing population, our world decreases in size every day. In the light of 9/11, it is important for us to be able to “walk a mile in another’s moccasins”. Books are, in my opinion, the single best medium to develop the understanding necessary to live together on our earth.
DL: There are a lot of books by authors like Robert Jordan, David Eddings, Terry Goodkind, etc. that are popular. Do you find a lot of the Fantasy books hitting the bestseller lists derivative? Do you think they’re helpful to further the field?
PB: To a certain extent, all books are derivative. The subgenre of Epic Fantasy is one of the few genres of fantasy that traditionally produces bestselling novels - meaning that people who don’t read fantasy will read Epic Fantasy. We owe this in a large part to the reputation of Tolkien, whose torch was first taken up by Terry Brook’s The Sword
of Shannara, which was the first trade paperback to hit the NYT Bestselling Lists. Now, publishing houses look at epic fantasies and say, “Gee, this might be a bestseller.” So they promote it as a bestseller - and the promotion helps make it come true. Because most of these books are epic fantasies, they share certain similarities. To me a good book is a good book, whether it is a Terry Brooks novel or a Laurell K. Hamilton. I like most of the bestselling fantasy books, and when I don’t like them, it’s not because they were too much like another book I’ve read.
Authors are not in competition with each other. Any author who can pull in readers, benefits the industry as a whole -- as well as their readership. I have a friend who had never read a book since high school. Last year she picked up a Nora Roberts book and liked it. Now she reads all the time, and not just Nora Roberts. The Harry Potter books have brought a lot of young readers into the genre. What do you think of this? Is it helpful to the genre?
I am for almost anything that can get children to read. Sometime in the eighties I read that 1/3 of adult women were functionally illiterate - meaning that their reading level was third grade or below and they could not fill out a job application. The article mentioned that the figure for men wasn’t quite as bad. Reading is such a basic skill, and it takes practice. If peer pressure forces children to read - especially good books like Harry Potter, then I’m all for it.
While Harry Potter fans are eagerly awaiting the next installment, they might try Tamora Pierce, Jane Yolen, or Brian Jacques. Some of them will continue to read Fantasy decades from now - and without Harry Potter, they might never have tried reading anything at all. The more children who read Fantasy now, the more adults will be reading Fantasy in the future. How can that be bad?
DL: Movies are a different medium, but do you think any of your books would make a good movie?
PB: If a good producer and a good scriptwriter (not me) got involved, found good actors and cinematographers, yes. When Demons Walk, in particular had a number of very visual scenes -- though I’m afraid the temptation would be for a producer to turn it into a horror movie. I’d like to see what the special effects people would do for Caefawn’s tail in The Hob’s Bargain . But to be a good movie, the stories would be different. Any industry that can take Andre Norton’s Beast Master and turn out the movie they did (which I enjoyed - but it had very little to do with the novel) is not to be trusted lightly with any book. Just look what they did with “Beast Master 2” & even worse 3! (Although I have to admit laughing myself silly at BM2 about 2am and had a wonderful time as visions of “Attack of the Killer Tomatoes” ran through my head.)
DL: Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?
PB: Make sure you are doing this because you want to write - not because you want to be a writer. You can always sit down and write, but you can’t always publish. The publishing world is not a kind one. There are many, many authors who only ever publish one book, and still more who never publish any.
If you can’t take criticism learn how. Or don’t show anyone your book, ever. I’ve yet to see a book that hasn’t garnished a few nasty comments from someone.
Then write and read. Don’t pay anyone money to doctor your manuscript in the hopes it will be publishable afterwards. It is possible to about how to write that way, but there are less expensive and more effective methods. Don’t pay anyone to publish your book and expect to make money. No matter what they say. Don’t send your manuscripts to agents who charge reading fees. If they’re not making enough money off of selling books, they’re not good enough agents and try elsewhere. Don’t expect to become rich from writing. Some people do ‹ but the average person who claims writing as their main career makes something like $1200/year: that’s with Stephen King’s millions added into the mix.
Write - and don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t.
DL: What books or stories are in your future?
PB: I’ve finished the sequel to Dragon Bones. It's called Dragon Blood and is scheduled to come out from Ace in January of 2003. Right now I’m working on a trilogy proposal for Ace, just to try something new. I’m aiming for an Epic Fantasy novel, but I can never really tell until the book is finished.
Friday, January 09, 2009
Review: _On the Prowl_
Paranormal Romance or what I call Romantic Fantasy is growing popular among fans. Authors mix fantasy elements with romance to create new types of stories. Readers looking for some shorter Fantasy with romantic elements will find it in On the Prowl. This book consists of four stories from various authors that blend Urban Fantasy and Romance.
First is “Alpha and Omega” by Patricia Briggs, expanding her Urban Fantasy stories set in the same world as her Mercy Thompson books. Anna Latham is an abused, submissive werewolf. Something terrible is going on in her Chicago pack. Things change for her when she meets Charles, a werewolf sent by his father to investigate what is happening with her pack. Charles is a dominant aloof man until he meets Anna. She has a special magic that is rare in werewolves. Ms. Briggs provides an entertaining story to her Urban Fantasy with two new interesting characters.
Kia is a Gifted woman living in a small Texas town. She faces prejudice and danger in “Inhuman” by Eileen Wilks. Magic has entered the modern world. The Gifted are people with magical talents of various kinds. They face hatred from humans who have no magic. Kia is a telepath who sees people’s thoughts in color. Nathan is her friend. He is a police officer and has a secret that Kia keeps. When a murderer begins killing Gifted people, Kian and Nathan must work together to stop the killer. The author writes an enjoyable story with likable characters and an interesting plot.
In “Buying Trouble” by Karen Chance, Claire becomes an unwilling part of an auction. Different people want to buy her because of her magic power to nullify magic. She finds herself on the run with a Fey lord in an action action chase through Faery. Claire discovers her heritage and destiny in the land of Faery. Ms. Chance gives readers an entertaining story full of action.
The final story is “Mona Lisa Betwinning” by Sunny. This story is part of an ongoing series about the Monere, a group of shapechangers who get power from moon. Lisa is the current queen of the Monere, who must deal with picking a mate to ensure her people’s future. Dontaine is one of her body guards that loves her, but she chooses to ignore. An added complication to Lisa’s problems is the involvement of demons in Monere business. The author provides readers with an intriguing story that is sexually explicit.
On the Prowl is a good book to sample the subgenre of Romance Fantasy. The four stories in this book by different authors offer a variety of entertaining stories to experience a growing subgenre. Al the stories are by popular authors with good imaginations. Readers might want to seek out the other books that continue the further adventures of the characters in the stories from this book.
First is “Alpha and Omega” by Patricia Briggs, expanding her Urban Fantasy stories set in the same world as her Mercy Thompson books. Anna Latham is an abused, submissive werewolf. Something terrible is going on in her Chicago pack. Things change for her when she meets Charles, a werewolf sent by his father to investigate what is happening with her pack. Charles is a dominant aloof man until he meets Anna. She has a special magic that is rare in werewolves. Ms. Briggs provides an entertaining story to her Urban Fantasy with two new interesting characters.
Kia is a Gifted woman living in a small Texas town. She faces prejudice and danger in “Inhuman” by Eileen Wilks. Magic has entered the modern world. The Gifted are people with magical talents of various kinds. They face hatred from humans who have no magic. Kia is a telepath who sees people’s thoughts in color. Nathan is her friend. He is a police officer and has a secret that Kia keeps. When a murderer begins killing Gifted people, Kian and Nathan must work together to stop the killer. The author writes an enjoyable story with likable characters and an interesting plot.
In “Buying Trouble” by Karen Chance, Claire becomes an unwilling part of an auction. Different people want to buy her because of her magic power to nullify magic. She finds herself on the run with a Fey lord in an action action chase through Faery. Claire discovers her heritage and destiny in the land of Faery. Ms. Chance gives readers an entertaining story full of action.
The final story is “Mona Lisa Betwinning” by Sunny. This story is part of an ongoing series about the Monere, a group of shapechangers who get power from moon. Lisa is the current queen of the Monere, who must deal with picking a mate to ensure her people’s future. Dontaine is one of her body guards that loves her, but she chooses to ignore. An added complication to Lisa’s problems is the involvement of demons in Monere business. The author provides readers with an intriguing story that is sexually explicit.
On the Prowl is a good book to sample the subgenre of Romance Fantasy. The four stories in this book by different authors offer a variety of entertaining stories to experience a growing subgenre. Al the stories are by popular authors with good imaginations. Readers might want to seek out the other books that continue the further adventures of the characters in the stories from this book.
Friday, November 28, 2008
Review: _The Tainted_ by Glenda Larke
Blaze Halfbreed returns in the final book of the “Isles of Glory” to save a friend from a terrible fate. She is helped by other characters is this rousing book of adventure. The Tainted by Glenda Larke is an action packed conclusion to an immensely entertaining trilogy. The author brings the trilogy to a satisfying climax through the setting, characters and plot.
First, the setting helps the book be entertaining with its realistic portrayal. Ms. Larke creates strong images with the different island kingdoms and cultures that sound like they could exist. One island has its main city built into a cliff along a bay where the palace is at the highest level and the poor live at the lowest. Even more interesting is the island with Tenkor and the Hub. Messages, passengers and cargo are transported up an inlet on the tidal bores. The author's thoughtful creation of the setting energizes the sense of wonder.
Next, the characters bring the book to a satisfying climax b being memorable. Blaze has a part, but it is other characters that are on the main stage in this book. Ruarth Windrider begins his new life following Flame the woman he loves. She is subverted by dunmagic and treats him horribly. He must overcome Flame’s bad treatment and coming to terms with dramatic changes to his life. Elarn Jaydon lives in Tenkor. He is a tide rider, a person who rides the tidal bore to deliver messages up and down the inlet. His father disapproves of him because of his sylv magic talent. These characters interact with Blaze and others that help them grow. Ms. Larke creates memorable characters with interesting lives through strong descriptions and dialogue.
Lastly, the author brings the story to a satisfying conclusion with the plot. The book starts with Ruarth on a shop with Flame, dealing with his new circumstances. He does not understand Flame’s behavior. She heads to an island kingdom to marry a man she hated in previous books. Elarn meets the daughter of the head Keeper. She convinces him to learn to use his sylv power and to help her with her ideas. Events in the lives of these characters pile up to a rousing end involving all the haracters from the other books. Ms. Larke weaves the plot together deftly to provide an interesting, exciting climax to the book.
The Tainted by Glenda Larke is the final book of the “Isles of Glory” trilogy. The trilogy is brought to a satisfying conclusion in this book through its setting, characters and plot. Ms. Larke is a creative writer using her experiences from living in Malaysia and Australia to create imaginative books that stay with readers for a long time. This book was no exception.
First, the setting helps the book be entertaining with its realistic portrayal. Ms. Larke creates strong images with the different island kingdoms and cultures that sound like they could exist. One island has its main city built into a cliff along a bay where the palace is at the highest level and the poor live at the lowest. Even more interesting is the island with Tenkor and the Hub. Messages, passengers and cargo are transported up an inlet on the tidal bores. The author's thoughtful creation of the setting energizes the sense of wonder.
Next, the characters bring the book to a satisfying climax b being memorable. Blaze has a part, but it is other characters that are on the main stage in this book. Ruarth Windrider begins his new life following Flame the woman he loves. She is subverted by dunmagic and treats him horribly. He must overcome Flame’s bad treatment and coming to terms with dramatic changes to his life. Elarn Jaydon lives in Tenkor. He is a tide rider, a person who rides the tidal bore to deliver messages up and down the inlet. His father disapproves of him because of his sylv magic talent. These characters interact with Blaze and others that help them grow. Ms. Larke creates memorable characters with interesting lives through strong descriptions and dialogue.
Lastly, the author brings the story to a satisfying conclusion with the plot. The book starts with Ruarth on a shop with Flame, dealing with his new circumstances. He does not understand Flame’s behavior. She heads to an island kingdom to marry a man she hated in previous books. Elarn meets the daughter of the head Keeper. She convinces him to learn to use his sylv power and to help her with her ideas. Events in the lives of these characters pile up to a rousing end involving all the haracters from the other books. Ms. Larke weaves the plot together deftly to provide an interesting, exciting climax to the book.
The Tainted by Glenda Larke is the final book of the “Isles of Glory” trilogy. The trilogy is brought to a satisfying conclusion in this book through its setting, characters and plot. Ms. Larke is a creative writer using her experiences from living in Malaysia and Australia to create imaginative books that stay with readers for a long time. This book was no exception.
Friday, November 14, 2008
Review: _Chronicles of the Last War_ by Laura J. Underwood
Laura J. Underwood is an author who creates interesting worlds and characters for her stories. Her stories set in the world of Keltora are vibrant with magic, adventures and memorable characters. Chronicles of the Last War is a collection of three stories of Keltora featuring the characters Eithne, Conor and Michan in a land torn by war.
“The Black Hunter” begins the story of these three characters as they meet for the first time. Eithne is a True Healer but her father decrees that she marry a man of his choosing for an alliance. She flees her family to become a healer. After her training, she joins a group of healers with the king’s militia on the war front. Conor Manahan is a sergeant in the militia. As warrior he feels something is wrong in the caste where the militia are staying. Michan is a battle mage who befriends Conor after someone tries to kill him. These three friends must fight a supernatural foe as their relationships grow in interesting directions.
In the next story “Willowherb,” the three main characters return to face new conflicts. They are on the battle field in a camp. Conor and Eithne must deal wit their budding romance. Michan senses a blood mage close by the camp along with the presence of a demon. When the demon attacks the camp, men are killed and the militia leader wants volunteers to kill the blood mage. Other problems put a strain on the characters, creating tension mixed in with the adventure of the story.
The last story, “Wyrd,” follows Eithne and Conor years later. Conor is a guard with a caravan. Eithne and their mageborn son Rhoyd travel with him. Every day the caravan gets closer to a certain place on the route that triggers dreams in Conor. He must deal with a past tragedy while fighting threats to the caravan. This is a bittersweet story with a nice ending.
Chronicles of the Last War by Laura J. Underwood has three entertaining stories set in the Celtic style fantasy world of Keltora. This Celtic Fantasy follows three people during a last fierce war. Supernatural creatures, magic and strong warriors created by Mx. Underwood provide vivid stories of interesting characters for readers. The book is available from Yard Dog Press at : http://www.yarddogpress.com
“The Black Hunter” begins the story of these three characters as they meet for the first time. Eithne is a True Healer but her father decrees that she marry a man of his choosing for an alliance. She flees her family to become a healer. After her training, she joins a group of healers with the king’s militia on the war front. Conor Manahan is a sergeant in the militia. As warrior he feels something is wrong in the caste where the militia are staying. Michan is a battle mage who befriends Conor after someone tries to kill him. These three friends must fight a supernatural foe as their relationships grow in interesting directions.
In the next story “Willowherb,” the three main characters return to face new conflicts. They are on the battle field in a camp. Conor and Eithne must deal wit their budding romance. Michan senses a blood mage close by the camp along with the presence of a demon. When the demon attacks the camp, men are killed and the militia leader wants volunteers to kill the blood mage. Other problems put a strain on the characters, creating tension mixed in with the adventure of the story.
The last story, “Wyrd,” follows Eithne and Conor years later. Conor is a guard with a caravan. Eithne and their mageborn son Rhoyd travel with him. Every day the caravan gets closer to a certain place on the route that triggers dreams in Conor. He must deal with a past tragedy while fighting threats to the caravan. This is a bittersweet story with a nice ending.
Chronicles of the Last War by Laura J. Underwood has three entertaining stories set in the Celtic style fantasy world of Keltora. This Celtic Fantasy follows three people during a last fierce war. Supernatural creatures, magic and strong warriors created by Mx. Underwood provide vivid stories of interesting characters for readers. The book is available from Yard Dog Press at : http://www.yarddogpress.com
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