by Jane | Feb 11, 2019 | Books
Court of Fives by Kate Elliott is the story of Jessamy
(Jes for short), a girl who lives in a society in which the Patrons rule and the
Commoners are seen as inferior. Her father is a Patron, a well-respected
military officer, and her mother is a Commoner. She lives with them and her
three sisters raised as Patrons, although her parents could never marry.
Though raised as a Patron, Jes longs to take part in a
game known as the Fives, which she does behind her father’s back. She meets a
Kalliarkos, a Patron boy, in the competition, and they become unlikely friends.
When her family is torn apart by Kaliarkos’ evil uncle, Jes sets herself on a
mission to save the Commoners from their oppression and to uncover secrets of
the Patrons and of the Fives.
Adventure, mysticism, and a growing love between Jes and
Kalliarkos mark this book as a must-read young adult fantasy.
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!
