Gaea-Robina Williams

Gaea

Robina Williams

Twilight Times, Sep 2009, $18.95

ISBN: 9781606191835

 

Gaea the earth goddess fears mankind has gone too far in destroying the planet.  The sea, land and air are toxic.  The forests are barren.  Animals and fish have no home and those who still survive are hunted or fished for play.  Earth has become a wasteland for the avarice humans.

 

Gaea decides the time has come to teach mankind a lesson to force humanity to change its wicked ways.  However Gaea’s partner, Quant the seraph worries she may go too far; besides his “employer” The God of All created Mankind with the hope that humanity will find their own but just way.  Other gods from places like Mt. Olympus agree with Gaea that time has run out so they try to bring a scare to the shaken sons and daughters of Adam.

 

This is an intriguing vivid allegorical fantasy as mankind is being judged by the Gods.  Ironically the cul de sacs that detract from the prime plot are fascinating in of themselves as the audience will be spellbound with a tour of the design laboratory where species for new planets are created as well as other locales like the Court of the Serpent and of course Mt. Olympus and Hades.  Although too many engaging detours happen in this entertaining tale, fans will appreciate this fine look at Judgment Day.  Whereas Gaea and her allies find humanity guilty of planetary destruction, the God Of All prays whether divine intervention either with a miracle or the apocalypse is a fair judgment on his part when his beloved favorite was bestowed with free will, which includes potentially species suicide.

 

Harriet Klausner

 

 

The Silver Skull-Mark Chadbourn

The Silver Skull

Mark Chadbourn

Pyr, Nov 2009, $16.00

ISBN 9781591027836

 

Will Swyfte may be Elizabethan England’s greatest spy, but he is used to thwarting no one as his image is just that, a façade to give the beleaguered people a hero.  However, this time his superior Walsingham assigns Swyfte to a real project.  He must prevent the Faerie and their Spanish minion from acquiring the Skull, the Key and the Shield; if the enemy obtains the three magical artifacts Britain as we know it will be no more.

 

The Cold War between England and Spain appears ready to turn hot as Spain and its ally Faerie are posed to invade.  However, the Queen’s sorcerer Dr John Dee has brought back some balance between the adversaries.  It is now up to the swashbuckling showman to prove he is the real deal with Dee providing him the latest in magical and mundane technology.

 

The first Swords of Albion Elizabethan historical fantasy is a fun swashbuckling thriller with a James Bond in a late sixteenth century paranormal England and somewhat Spain set up.  The story line is fast-paced and filled with action while also somewhat reminding readers of Elizabeth Bear’s Prometheus Age series.  From Drake with love to the Armada, to a deep connection to modern issues of national security vs. personal freedoms including the torture debate, THE SILVER SKULL is a fabulous Swyfte thriller.

 

Harriet Klausner

The Blue Umbrella-Mike Mason

The Blue Umbrella

Mike Mason

David C. Cook, Oct 2009, $14.99

ISBN: 9781434765260

 

Ten years old Zac Sparks has lived with his single mom on a golf course all his life.  He loves his mom who raises him with love.  Zac’s mother dies when she walks the course at night and is struck by a single bolt of lightning.  Zac’s two aunts whom he never met attend the funeral.

 

The Aunties inform him he will live with them in Five Corners, but the moment everyone leaves the trio alone, they turn from friendly to nasty.  Not allowed to take anything with him except the clothing he is wearing, at Five Corners, the Aunties are even more abusive to a stunned Zac, who they call Boy and hammer him with canes when they do not lock him in his room for anything and everything.  He meets Dada who claims to be the Aunties’ father; Dada demands he steals the blue umbrella from Mr. Sky Porter who runs the general store where Zac works after school or else.  Zac refuses to steal the umbrella because Mr. Porter is the only nice and seemingly sane person in Five Corners.  His relatives are nasty and others he meets are weird, but he is only beginning to learn that Five Corners is the focus for eerie strangeness

 

This is an exhilarating unusual middle school fantasy starring a tweener who has the weight of the world collapsing on him when his mom dies.  Filled with vivid descriptions starting with extremely tall but extremely thin Auntie and the extremely fat but extremely short other Auntie and never slows down as Zac goes form nurturing maternal love to abuse.  Fans will want to join him as he deals with his Aunties, Dada, Butler and others, but especially when though frightened to being almost paralyzed he bravely goes up the staircase to who knows where.  This is an inspiration winner with an allegorical nod to biblical Job.

 

Harriet Klausner

Elric In the Dream Realms-Michael Moorcock

Elric In the Dream Realms

Michael Moorcock

Del Rey, Oct 27 2009, $16.00

ISBN: 978-0345498663

“Fortress Of The Pearl”.  Lord Gho Fhaazi wants a position on the Council of Seven that rules over the city of Quarzhasaat, but he knows he needs help to overcome his rivals.  He chooses Prince Elric of Melnibone as his tool to obtain the Pearl at the Heart of the World that will insure his spot on the council.  To insure Elric cooperates, he poisons him using a slow acting agent in which he has the serum.  Elric begins his escapades as the affluent class’ minion the Sorcerer Adventurers try to prevent his success and eventually trap his mind inside that of a comatose teenage female, but with the Dreamthief to guide him through the Dream Realm, Elric continues his quest.

The novel above is half of Elric In the Dream Realms.  It is one of his greatest early tales and makes the book worth reading.  The short story “A Portrait in Ivory” is terrific also as the albino hero is confronted by his worst enemy, the mirror reminding him he should be known as Elric Kinslayer filled with remorse for Cymoril more so than Imrryr.  The other entries like “Elric: The Making of a Graphic Novel”, the essay “Aspects of Fantasy”, and the background material of “Earl Aubec of Malodor”, etc. target die hard fans of Michael Moorcock only.  Overall the fifth Chronicles of the last Emperor of Melnibone is an engaging look at Elric In The Dream realms.

Harriet Klausner

By Darkness Hid-Jill Williamson

By Darkness Hid

Jill Williamson

Marcher Lord, Apr 2009, $14.99

www.marcherlordpress.com

ISBN: 9780982104958

 

Since he has no family to protect him, Achan Cham is an orphaned stray with fewer rights than that of a slave.  He survives at Sitna Manor because he can feel what others think so he knows when abuse is coming and can elude it in spite having to drink the slave tonic.  With no hope for a future except kitchen duty serving Lord Bathak and Prince Gideon, Achan is stunned when Sir Gavin a knight observes his uncanny skill of handling two bullies and selects him as a squire.  He begins life as a squire being trained with hopes to become a Kingsguard Knight, something almost impossible for a stray to achieve.  However, since he no longer takes the tonic, he begins to hearing voices that are driving him crazy.

 

To avoid a marriage to the prince she loathes, Vrell Sparrow hides out as a male stray.  When she realizes what is happening to Achan with the bloodvoicing, as she has the same skill Vrell concludes he is the heir to the throne.  However, before they can pursue what she learns, a wizard is aware of her bloodvoicing ability and sends henchmen to abduct her.  Only Achan can save her if he believes in her mentally calling him for help.

 

Rotating perspectives between Achan and Vrell, BY DARKNESS HIS is a super coming of age fantasy thriller with an underlying inspirational message of the one voice of God is the light in any darkness.  The story line is fast-paced from the onset and never slows down as the lead couple struggles to survive in a world filled with enemies whom mostly they do not know.  Jill Williamson provides a strong sword and sorcery thriller starring two fully developed heroes and the mentor guiding them as villains search for them.

 

Harriet Klausner

Flight of the Renshai-Mickey Zucker Reichert

Flight of the Renshai

Mickey Zucker Reichert

DAW, Oct 2009, $25.95

ISBN 9780756402730

King Griff of Bearn has no time to mourn the loss of his son Prince Arturo from a pirate assault as the menace on the Southern Sea  has gown out of control.  Likewise the Renshai who lost loved ones protecting the prince have no time to grieve as they are under assault too.

The Northmen have persuaded many in Erthyame that the Renshai stole their land from them.  Pressure mounts on King Griff to make reparations starting with exiling the Renshai  from the Westlands to the Eastlands at a time he needs their warrior skills to complement his Erthyane Knights.  As the Northmen mounts attacks abetted by the organized pirates and Giants on the retreating Renshai, the sons of heroic Kevral Tainharsdatter try to bring leadership to the trek, but Saviar and Calistin Ra-khirsson and Subikahn Taesson have personal demons and issues to overcome as well.

This opening act of another Renshai chronicle is a terrific entry into the wonderful swashbuckling fantasy world of Mickey Zucker Reichert.  The story line occurs about two decades after the last trilogy (see The Children of the Wrath)) ends and starst the next generation of heroes.  Readers of the saga will fully relish the return to the Westlands and beyond as this is a fresh beginning to the third saga yet it contains all the sword and fantasy play fans expect.

Harriet Klausner

First Lord’s Fury-Jim Butcher

First Lord’s Fury

Jim Butcher

Ace, Nov 2009, $25.95

ISBN: 9780441017690

 

Having come a long way since he was a fifteen years old shepherd assistant concerned with preventing predatory “herdbanes” from stealing his sheep, Gaius “Tavi” Octavian must find a way to unite ancient enemies to fight against the evil Vord.  He knows none of those who he recruits will be docile like his sheep was; which is a positive in the sense of saving the world from destruction yet also a negative because each has a previous grudge with their new ally. Making matters worse for the recently named First Lord of Alera he has learned the Vord has swamped the Canim Blood Lands.  To prove he is worthy of his title, Tavi must rally the forces in a desperate final defense in the Calderon Valley where his ascendancy and his people’s dependency started.

 

Meanwhile all the news he receives s disheartening with desertions expected as the Vord Queen has gained control over elemental Furies; a magic that previously only those of Aleran blood could perform.  Still Tavi knows he has no choice but to send people to die in battle so that others may survive; still not grasping idiots from within his side are betraying Alera.

 

This is an entertaining and great super finish to the Codex Alera coming of age fantasy saga.  The story line is fast-paced and ties up the major overarching threads in a satisfactory way summed up by Kitai the female Marat who upon a Tavi explanation on a ceremony says “Alerans” in a frustrated mocking tone that denotes the word is a curse.  Fans will relish the saga as Jim Butcher leaves Dresden in its’ respective urban fantasy setting for an exciting quest fantasy.

 

Harriet Klausner

Silver Silence-Joy Nash

Silver Silence

Joy Nash

Love Spell, Nov 2009, $6.99

ISBN: 9780505527172

Rhys the Druid seeks surviving Druids to bring them home to Avalon.  Breena the seer loves Rhys, but knows it must remain unrequited as he is forbidden to love any female.

She travels to a holy shrine to pray for divine guidance as Rhys has been away for almost a year; which is something he has never done in his decade and a half time traveling mission.  Breena meets Myrddin, who asks her to save Igraine in the Lost lands.  Tracking Breena, Rhys travels into the future to find her and bring her home.  Breena discovers a scheme to harm Igraine; Rhys, who has caught up to her, acquiesces to assist her in reuniting the woman with her beloved. Although he knows the price, Rhys can no longer deny his love for Breena.

Returning to the pre-Camelot Druid realm of THE GRAIL KING and DEEP MAGIC, Joy Nash provides a fantastic romantic fantasy as the hero continues his quest to save the Arthurian future.  Breena and Rhys are strong protagonists working the mists of time to save those who they believe should dwell in Avalon while also struggling with love, a forbidden emotion for the hero.  Fans of Camelot will relish Joy Nash’s latest entry in her super saga as SILVER SILENCE is a terrific tale in a strong series.

Harriet Klausner

Queen of Song And Souls-C. L Wilson

Queen of Song And Souls

C. L Wilson

Leisure, Nov 2009, $7.99

ISBN: 9780843960600

To save their species, they may be forced to use the forbidden dark magic. However, both Fey King Rain Tairen Soul and his Truemate the woodcarver’s daughter Ellysetta Baristani know the cost would be exile. They accept the price to continue to fight to prevent the spread of evil transmitted by the malevolent Eld Mages.

Ellysetta also fears the High Eld Mage soon will be able to control her as she has four marks on her. The only way to prevent this from happening is if she and her Truemate Rain complete the mating bond ritual as the enemy army marches forward with little resistance. Rain tries to raise a counter offensive, but finds obtaining allies almost nonexistent as the Eld Mages have infiltrated the inner circles of power.

Although more a bridge book, the fourth Tairen and Ellysetta high fantasy is still a super entry in an incredible saga.  There are numerous subplots that move forward though none major reaching completion as the lead couple struggle to survive and prevent the Eld mages from winning with their only hope being the release of Tairen’s soul, which might have unintended consequences.  Not a stand alone, the audience would be better suited to read the previous novels to grasp how the heroes got to hanging over the abyss and full relish this fabulous fantasy.

Harriet Klausner

Dragon Rule-E. E. Knight

Dragon Rule

E. E. Knight

Roc, Dec 2009, $15.00

ISBN: 9780451462954

They may be siblings, but the dragons are as different from one another as night is from day.  AuRon the scale-less grey wants nothing to do with humans as he prefers isolation with his mate.  Wistala the female believes dragons and humans cal live in harmony together.  Copper lives in the Lavadome at the bottom of a dormant volcano; as the Tyr emperor of the Upper World and Protector of the Grand Alliance. He believes dragons are superior to humans.

He forms an alliance with the crumbling Hypatian Empire, providing a dragon protector to each province.  The Hypatian increasingly become dependent on the dragons to maintain and even expand their power.  AuRon and his mate Natasatch are appointed Protectors of Darius, the only dragons King Nef will accept.  Darius was part of the old Ghioz Empire and the Hypatians fear he will withdraw from the Grand Alliance; an act they oppose.  AuRon’s mate convinces him to take the position while the Tyr’s crippled qeen asks Wistala to be the Queen-Consort as she fears there is a plot a foot to dispose Copper.  After being on the job awhile Wistala agrees with the assessment of her brother’s mate, but no one has made a hint of a move so far.

The fifth and final Age of Fire fantasy has the three dragon siblings going their separate ways but the threat to one is perceived as a menace to all so they reunite as part of the Grand Alliance.  AuRon has still not forgiven his brother for what he did when they were hatchlings, but finds to his surprise that blood is thicker than resentment most of the time.  This is an exciting finish filled with many escapades, but it will be much more fulfilling by reading the previous entries to better understand how the dragon threesome got to this point where they must rely on one another or their species becomes extinct.

Harriet Klausner