Parable of the Sower is a dystopian novel by Octavia E. Butler, set in California in the near future, where climate change has wreaked havoc with society. Crime is out of control, poverty widespread, and the government practically useless. People who can afford to, live in walled communities and take their lives in their hands when they venture out. When disaster strikes her community, teenage Lauren has no choice but to set out on foot, trying to find someplace better. Accompanied by two acquaintances from the community, she meets others along the way, but the question is always: Who can she trust?
Lauren is not your usual young woman. She is a “sharer,” a person who possesses hyperempathy, and can feel pain and other sensations that she sees in others. That makes her trip even more dangerous because the government will capture and enslave people with that trait. But her way of coping makes her even more special. She is developing a new belief system known as Earthseed, the culmination of which is to leave the planet and start over again elsewhere.
Parable of the Sower has somewhat of a cult status for its take on climate change, the responsibilities we, as humans, have for the planet, and its relationship to certain Bible passages. It is definitely a book with a message; it is also a well-written science fiction novel, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Come for the story and stay for the message. You won’t be sorry.
Nightmare’s Eve by Stephen H. Provost is a book of sixteen stories and ten poems designed to creep you out. Some border on science fiction and others are pure horror. A man who makes deals against his life. A trip through time which helps two strangers. A horrible tale of reincarnation and dreams. These are just a few examples of Provost’s weird tales.
Some of the plots remind me of stories I have read before but with their own twist, and others are totally original. None were too shocking or gory, and none kept me awake at night, but some did make me shiver. Provost creates a sense of dis-ease in readers to keep them reading one after the other.
In recent years the only books of horror I’ve found worth reading have been those by Stephen King. But as much as I love his work, there’s only so much he can produce. I’m glad there’s another author who can provide me with these tales.
My young adult novel Time Changes Everthing was released on November 15, 2018. It is available in paperback on Amazon and Barnes & Nobles websites. A discounted print version as well as a downloadable pdf are available through my author page on the Outskirts Press website. A Kindle version has been ordered and should be out in a couple of weeks.
I expect to be doing some readings and signing in the New Year and will let you know the dates once they are scheduled.
I just discovered a new fantasy series from the 1990’s – The Wayfarer Redemption by Sara Douglass. The first book has the same title as the series and introduces us to the land of Achar, ruled by King Prium. Prium has no children, so his dead sister’s two sons are pretenders to the throne. Borneheld, Duke of Ichtar is her legitimate son and Axis, a bastard son from an unknown father.
The spiritual needs of the kingdom are served by the Seneschal, who teach love for the god Artor and hatred of the Forbidden, creatures defeated in a great war a millennia ago, who are now relegated to the mountains and forest at the edge of the kingdom. The leader of the Seneschal’s fighting forces is Axis, King Prium’s nephew.
As the book opens, other creatures are threatening from the north and bringing with them unnatural winter. Axis is sent to accompany Faraday, Borneheld’s fiancé, to a sanctuary in the east and to make contact with members of the Seneschal who may have access to writings that could help defeat these creatures.
However, Axis discovers a prophesy which reveals much about himself, Faraday, and the creatures known as the Forbidden. All have a role to play in the wars to come, but like all prophesies, nothing is clear, and there is much to be discovered along the way.
The Wayfarer Redemption held my attention though all 600+ pages. There is intrigue, love, mystery, sibling rivalry, back-stabbing, and magic, everything necessary for a good fantasy series. Pick it up today.
