A Remarkable Fantasy Novel: A Review of Goddess Fire

It's time for the last review of March, and I've saved the best for last.

My Review of  Goddess Fire by Meg Westley: 

How do you describe the book Goddess Fire by Meg Westley?   Intricate, superb, well crafted, satisfying, and fabulous are the first words that spring to my mind.  From the opening pages in the dark, chilling corners of an underground prison, to the final, gratifying conclusion the book simply sings.

“Gelfan felt his way along the pitch-black tunnel, his fingers brushing the packed dirt walls. Small sounds surrounded him: moans, sighs, airless whispers.  It had been a long time since he’d heard laughter. In this dark prison beneath the city, few had the energy even to speak.”

Goddess Fire tells the story of the imprisoned Sylvani, their enemies, The Vleth, and those allied to the Sylvani:  Joran, Nys and their fellow dissenters; their picture is illustrated against the background of warring Gods, with the fate of a people and a city at stake.  The plot seamlessly switches the story to highlight characters and situations, and has cleverly scattered chapter introductions full of back-story throughout the book in the forms of writings of the prisoners.

“They removed all the holy relics, the ancient gifts from Leil to the Sylvani.  Most of the priests simply stood and watched in tears, for Leil abhors violence and the priests had sworn to be peaceful, always. But a younger priest, enraged, seized the Shard of Seela and used its ray to immobilize a Dame. The other Dames hacked him to death with their axes.”

The author has executed a stellar effort to shape her world, breathing a vibrant life into the settings and the characters, and lures the reader inevitably within the exceptionally woven prose.   The book has a magnificent depth, wonderfully contrasting the underlying evil of the antagonists against the spirited, and sometimes desperate, struggle of the dissenters and their allies.  The author truly creates fully realised characters, be they villain or hero, with hopes, flaws and vivacity.

This is a must-read for lovers of fantasy fiction.

Goddess Fire is available at
Amazon.ca:  http://www.amazon.ca/Goddess-Fire-Westley/dp/1935361074
Amazon.com:  http://www.amazon.com/Goddess-Fire-Westley/dp/1935361074

Sci-fi, Witty and Droll: A Review of Nexus Point

 My Review of Nexus Point- The Fall of the Altairan Empire: Book One by Jaleta Clegg:

Nexus Point- The Fall of the Altairan Empire: Book One by Jaleta Clegg is a jaunty science fiction novel mixed well with a little romance, a little wit and a few skewed medieval legends; at times I half expected someone to show looking for the Holy Grail. 

The plot details the trials of Captain Dace after her spaceship explodes and she makes a crash landing on the planet Dadilan, a world off-limits to outsiders.  Right off the mark she is embroiled in the internal struggles of the planet and manages to get herself enmeshed in a mass of trouble. Along the way, she finds allies, a love-interest of sorts and several villainous types trying to kill her.

“I could stand where I was and wait for Ky to find me or I could follow Tayvis. I didn't want to walk barefoot through the forest. Tayvis offered me a better choice than Ky and Leran.”

This book could easily be subtitled The Misadventures of Dace on the Planet Dadilan as the main character gets into one scrape after another.  The author mostly pulls off the plotline, preventing it from evolving into one big clichéd mess, and turns it into amusing, impudent fun.  It does sag a bit in the middle with a few too many coincidental capture and rescue scenarios, with the heroine turned into a target too often for my taste.  Still, the cheeky tone saves it from any true disaster and the book easily gets back on track for the showdown against the villains that spirals into an entertaining free-for-all ending. 

“A group of men charged up the hill. I snatched the blaster. They kept going over the hill. I lowered the blaster.
I raised it again when I saw the man hiding by the boulders, Flago, the dirty little sneak who had sold me out to Clyvus. I slithered out of the bushes to crouch behind a rock.”

The book is an engaging little hybrid sci-fi novel and a nice lively read.


Author Bio:

Jaleta Clegg was born some time ago. She’s filled the years since with many diverse activities, such as costuming, quilting, cooking, video games, reading, and writing. She’s been a fan of classic sci-fi books and campy movies since she can remember. Her collection of bad sci-fi movies is only rivaled by her collection of eclectic CD’s (polka, opera, or Irish folk songs, anyone?).
Her day job involves an inflatable planetarium, numerous school children, and starship simulators. Her summer job involves cooking alien food for space camp. She writes a regular column in Abandoned Towers Magazine–fancy dinner menus for themed parties.
Jaleta lives in Utah with her husband, a horde of her own children, and two ancient, toothless cats. She wants to be either Han Solo or Ursula the Sea Witch when she grows up. If she ever does.
Her first novel, Nexus Point (www.nexuspoint.info), is now in print from Cyberwizard Productions. She has stories published in Bewildering Tales, Abandoned Towers, and Darwin’s Evolutions.  Links are available at www.jaletac.com

Changes and the Beautiful Blogger Award

Just in time for my layout re-design of my blog, I have been awarded the Beautiful Blogger Award by Renee Miller of Renee's Blog: Dangling on the Edge of (In)sanity.  Many thanks to Renee for the award!
Be sure to pop over and read her wonderful blog.

As a recipient of this award I was directed to pass it on to deserving bloggers.  My criteria was simple:  Art (books, paintings, writing, etc.) equals Beauty.   These blogs are full of books, writing, artists, wit, advice and overall cool stuff.  Do pay them all a visit.

My List:

1. Bertram's Blog
2. JaxPop 
3. Themes on Canvas
4. The Book Buff 
5. Joylene Nowell Butler
6. Prose & Musings
7. Book Hounds
8. Wolf Maiden Chronicles
9. Writing Space
10. Fantasy Pages

Fantastic Authors, Fantastic Stories: A Review of Ménage à 20: Tales with a hook

My Review of Ménage à 20: Tales with a hook:

Ménage à 20: Tales with a hook is a collection of thirty short stories by twenty authors, who also happen to be members of the Goodreads website.  This collaborative effort has produced an eclectic, but highly enchanting compilation.

The stories vary in subject from the softly romantic, to dark fantasy, science fiction and disturbing horror, all tales ending with a twist. Their narrative tones range from creepy to sweet, everyone satisfying to read.  Captivating characters abound, to charm, enthrall, destroy and weep with you as each page turns and the scintillating prose unfolds.

I delighted in all the stories, enjoying each fresh treat presented, but The Knight and the Demon by Henry Lara, The Fine Print by Renee Miller, String of Pearls by Kate Quinn, and Letting Go by Wendy Swore were the standouts for me.  I’m sure other readers will find their own favourites.  There is certainly enough stellar fiction in this book to please and Ménage à 20 is definitely worth recommending.

As a last note, I have something to say in regards to the darkly amusing story Justice; it was cruel and unusual punishment, even for that author!  I still loved reading it, though.

You can find more information on  Ménage à 20: Tales with a hook at this website:
http://www.menage-a-20.com/

or at Goodreads:
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7261620-m-nage-20-tales-with-a-hook

A Substantial Sci-fi Novel: Post-Human

 My Review of Post-Human by David Simpson:

Post-Human by David Simpson is a solid, engaging sci-fi novel.  It’s not flashy or groundbreaking, but it has a nice subtle touch that blends the futuristic elements effortlessly with the more human aspects of the narrative.

"With a 600 degree Celsius surface, Venus might have been hell, and James wouldn’t have had it any other way. His favorite part of the day was his approach to the planet and subsequent descent into the atmosphere."

Post-Human is set some time in the future, in the world of James Keats.  Humans have shaped machines to their own ends, making great advancements, becoming themselves partly machine, with nanobots streaming through their bodies.  Earth seems flawless, until a worldwide catastrophe terminates their idyllic existence.  James and his friends must deal with the aftermath, and the shocking truth of what happened.

"When the clouds began to break, he caught a glimpse of something strange. It was only a momentary glimpse, and he told himself it couldn’t be right. It had looked like flames.  He kept dropping. A moment or two later the clouds abated completely and he saw where he was, over the east side of Vancouver and facing south. His mouth fell open and his eyes widened as he looked at his city. It was on fire."

What I enjoyed most about this book was the matter-of-fact way the author handled the science aspects of the plot.  There were no long-winded, technical explanations; he plunked you right in the middle of the society and whipped you along for the ride.  It was artfully done, creating a complete science fiction backdrop for the novel’s authentic characters.  The book also has some excellent character interactions and nicely written, restrained commentaries on tolerance, humanity and the nature of religion.  The author lets these observations flow naturally from the plot and dialogue and does not thump the reader over the head with his opinions.

I was hoping for a slightly darker ending; things were wrapped up a bit too happily ever after for my tastes, but that is simply a personal quibble.  Post-Human is a great sci-fi novel and a very satisfying read; I definitely recommend it.

You can find David and his book on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Post-Human-by-David-Simpson/75192853532

Post-Human is available at Amazon.ca:
http://www.amazon.ca/Post-Human-David-Simpson/dp/1440136874

And Amazon.com:
http://www.amazon.com/Post-Human-David-Simpson/dp/1440136874


You can read my spolight of the author and the book here:
http://www.examiner.com/x-37362-Canada-Sci-Fi-Examiner~y2010m2d11-A-new-Canadian-scifi-novel