by Jane | Dec 3, 2018 | Books
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.
by Jane | Nov 17, 2018 | Books
Blood of the Four by Christopher Golden and Tim Lebbon is the story of the kingdom of Quandis. Phela, second in line to the throne, suspects her mother Lysander of using magic, forbidden to all except the highest level of priest. But Lysander is ambitious, as is Phela herself.
On the other end of the social hierarchy are the Bajumen, the most lowly of slaves, hated by all. But Bujumen can elevate themselves by joining the priesthood, as has Blane. Blane also has ambition, but his is noble, the freeing of his people.
As the story progresses, people of all classes (royalty, nobility, priests and slaves) are called upon to take sides, as both Phela and Blane become more powerful, in a battle for control of the kingdom and its magic.
Blood of <the Four is a page-turner, following the journeys of several characters during the difficult times. It’s definitely worth a look.
by Jane | Oct 30, 2018 | Books
Flashmob by Christopher Fransworth tells the story of John Smith, a bodyguard with a twist. He’s psychic. Not only can he read minds, he can put simple thoughts into people’s heads. This skill can help him get out of danger by, for instance, convincing his attacker he had been shot in the leg or has a punctured lung. With his attacker disabled, Smith can make good his escape.
Smith gets into trouble after he foils an attack on a former client while attending her wedding. Using his telepathy, he finds out about an online site called Downvote developed to manipulate people, specifically to attack someone who rises to the top of the online list of hated individuals. His investigation takes him all over the world looking for Downvote’s mastermind, Godwin, who is trying to kill him.
Not a book I would normally classify as “alternative fiction,” Flashmob is more of a thriller, with both fantastical and futuristic elements. The fantastical elements are, of course, Smith’s mental abilities, the futuristic the program behind the scenes at Downvote. This is an excellent book, particularly if you are drawn more to the thriller genre. The “alternative” elements are fun, though perhaps not enough to satisfy true “alternative” fans.
by Jane | Oct 22, 2018 | Books
The King’s Justice is a book of two novellas by Stephen Donaldson. The first novella, “The King’s Justice,” tells of a stranger known only as “Black,” who comes to a village looking to solve a series of strange events and find the person or thing responsible. Possessing magical abilities, Black is able to gain cooperation from the villagers, who just want to be left alone. It is a mystery well-handled, filled with magic and danger.
The second novella is entitled “The Auger’s Gambit.” Told in first person, this is the tale of Gordian, a court hieronomer who continues to see disaster in his prophesies about the island nation he calls home. He serves Queen Inimica Phlegathon DeVry, who seems to be courting disaster by pitting her Barons against each other. But through history lessons from the queen’s daughter, Gordion learns enough to develop a theory and try to come up with a solution. “The Auger’s Gambit” is a lot of fun. It’s another mystery, though not as dark as “The King’s Justice,” making a good pairing for this book.
Pick up The King’s Justice and enjoy both stories. I certainly did!
by Jane | Oct 12, 2018 | Books
Black Helicopters by Caitlin R. Kiernan is a confusing story of a dystopian Earth, in which accounts are given in several voices ranging over different periods spanning almost 200 years. There are two factions, X and Y, some evil creatures emerging from a bay in Maine, and two albino twin sisters at the middle of this tale. There is also a vague reference to psychological experiments done to these women, along with others.
Kiernan does weave a sense of unease throughout this book, but I am the type of person who likes to know at least the essence of what’s going on before the last page. In Black Helicopters, it’s not even clear what has happened to the Earth by the last page, let alone the main characters. Perhaps that was the author’s intent, but it’s just not my style. For that reason, I cannot recommend this book.
by Jane | Oct 4, 2018 | Books
Subway Love by Nora Raleigh Baskin is the story of two teens who reach out to each other across time. Laura is living in the 1970’s, daughter of a Manhattanite father and a divorced hippie mother. She lives in suburbia with her mother and her mom’s unstable boyfriend and has regular visits with her father. Jonas, who lives in the 21st century in New York City, also has estranged parents but rarely sees his father.
On one of Laura’s regular visits to Manhattan, she makes eye contact with Jonas across a subway platform. They both feel an instant connection and do whatever it takes to see each other again. A subway car covered with graffiti and an old camera seem to be elements in this remarkable event, though I choose to believe it is the power of love.
Subway Love is a delightful tale of impossible teenage love. This book is touching, sad, and spooky, but at all times engaging. I would recommend this to both teens and adults. Pick it up and enjoy!
