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 | Nov 8, 2018 | Television
In April 2017 I gave a lukewarm review to the Netflix series 3%, but now that I have seen the second season I am liking it much better. Season 2 occurs about a year after Season 1 and focuses mostly on the Cause and how they plan to stop the upcoming Process. (If you haven’t seen it or read the first review, the Process is a procedure whereby 20-year-olds can compete and hopefully be chosen to leave their miserable lives in the Inland to live in the utopic society of the Offshore.)
The plot involves Cause members both Offshore and Inland working together, most of whom we’ve seen before, and through flashbacks we get to see what happened to them in the intervening year. As befits this series, there are many surprises, betrayals, and deaths to keep the viewer interested. I won’t give away the ending, but I will say it’s one of those which could end the series or pave the way to something new.
After finishing the second season, I did something I never do – I rewatched the entire first season. I did this mainly because I remembered how intriguing the Process itself was and wanted to experience it again. Of course, it also reminded me of what happened with each character and why they were in their current situation at the beginning of Season 2.
I don’t often change my opinion of a show this much. One of the things I said originally was that I didn’t like the acting. Now I believe it was just the dubbing I found annoying. The concept and plot are really quite good. If you get a chance, watch 3% and join me in hoping there’s a Season 3.
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 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!
