Category Archives: Reviews

Action, Fantasy, Reviews

Hero’s Metal: How Black the Sky

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by TJ Marquis

Reviewed by

“Taking life is hard. Neither of us had ever killed so much all at once, and I could only imagine how he was feeling.”

 

To summarize this first book of the Hero’s Metal series with one word, I’d have to use the word FUN. And this book is first and foremost just that: a fun ride with cool fantasy/action and just enough comedy thrown into the mix! 

The author credits his inspiration to progressive heavy metal, dungeonsynth music, nature itself, very good people, and Jesus. The result is a very distinct narrative with its own unique undertones.

 

CHARACTERS:

Our MC is Pierce, a young man whose battle skills are only surpassed by his sheer (and at times reckless) courage. Pierce joins the most legendary group of justice-seeking warriors, the Gorgonbane, composed of Axebourne and wife Scythia, Agrathor, and supra-gen Ess (she’s kinda like a mage, we could say). Later on the group will be joined by  Forgemaster 77 (aka Sev) who betrays his lord and main villain of the Underworld to join Pierce and his friends.

 

THE WORLD:

This world we are catapulted into is divided into Overland and Underland, with the latter ruled by Overlord Kash. Kash is amassing an army to take over Overland for reasons we will find out by the end of the book.

Underland is populated by big scary creatures like the Gen and the Monstrosity. In addition you also have supra-Gen and supra-Monstrosity with even greater lethal powers.

BATTLE SCENES:

The siege of the city of Grondell was very well executed particularly in the aftermath of this epic clash between the Gorganbane and city militia against the hordes of Underland. The taste of defeat, the dismay that follows, the disappointment of failing at defending the city, at being the heroes they ought to be, all transpire through the words of Marquis very effectively.

 

A TWIST:

What I really enjoyed mostly about Book 1 is how the author lures the reader into a specific path and outcome but then with a big reveal he unmasks some truths that one might not expect. This element of surprise is what really made this story worthwhile, particularly since without that, some characters might have seemed weak or incoherent at best.

 

CONCLUSIONS:

How black the Sky is a solid beginning to introducing readers to this fantasy world which can be at times suspenseful but at other times funny enough as to not take itself too seriously either.

Based on the unexpected plot twist I have mentioned above, my curiosity ignited, I will have to pick up book 2 and see where this might be leading next!

 🦀

Fantasy, Reviews

Spiral of My Destiny by Michael Schultheis

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THE SPIRAL OF MY DESTINY: Book 2 of the Rosteval Saga

By Michael R. Schultheiss

Reviewed by

As always, if you haven’t read our review of Book 1 and, furthermore, picked up a copy of the book, I strongly encourage you to do so! This is not your average epic fantasy series!

Book 1 introduced us to a mythical world where warriors live in the pursuit of fighting and conquering. The weak will be weeded out from the strong. Glory is reserved for those who dare stand up in defiance of adversities. 

But power comes with a responsibility to be fair and just as well, for power without honor means nothing.

PLOT:

And so once again we join Kastorak Rosteval and his slave-girl-turned-wife, Ghaitta, as they expand their new kingdom and authority throughout the lands of the South. 

Aided by the Bright Zayastura, divine beings led by Bright Apshendarin, Rosteval’s reputation grows throughout every corner of every land. Speaking of the Bright Zayastura, these are immortals. When they get killed bodily, they simply turn into a Core, which looks like a sphere of marble until they are given back human form. They are almost ‘angelic beings’ for all intents and purposes. I hope we will get more in-depth lore about them soon!

A NEW THREAT:

But a new threat is rising in the form of a Rishvanti by the name of Soltapyral. The Rishvanti are mortal beings who achieved immortality. In book 1 we met Rishvanti Haldua, whom Rosteval eventually defeated. But now our hero must ask for Haldua’s aid in order to best this new foe.

Soltapyral counts with his own Bright Zayastura and you can imagine a clash for the ages will be inevitable!

WEAPONS:

What I find intriguing about this world is that every warrior relies on two types of weapons: physical weapons (spears, swords, bow/arrows, shields) and supernatural weapons called rishva-shades or ‘emanations’.

When a battle takes place, both armies must use both types of weapons intelligently and effectively. This creates a visual feast for the mind, as epic scenes of both mortals and immortals clash in explosions of lights and roaring sounds.

CLOSING REMARKS:

Book 2 is the result of passion, dedication, but above all respect for our ancestors and mythos. Michael is a good friend, husband, and father and last but not least, a great writer who is dedicating himself to creating NEW LEGENDS!

Pick up a copy of the Rosteval Saga today and give us your feedback!

Alternate HIstory, Reviews

Nach Schema F by Shaun Stafford

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“What’s the difference between communism and National Socialism?”

“Communism is the exploitation of one man by another man, whereas National Socialism is the other way round.”

 

Nach Schema F is the title of Book 2 of the alternate history series The Greater German Reich. This was written several years after Book 1 so it was interesting to see how the author’s style changed, if at all. Book 1 was an excellent dystopian drama and I was excited to see whether Stafford was able to even maintain that same level of compelling storytelling. If so, I’d be a happy reader!

 

PLOT:

We pick up exactly where book 1 left us. Combat UK is down but not out, in fact there are still members of the English insurrection group working unceasingly on the next move to sabotage the Reich’s control over Großbritannien (German-invaded Great Britain).

Nazi agent Ellen, whom we already encountered in Book 1 is now going through a personal journey of regrets and second thoughts regarding her loyalty to the current regime. Nevertheless, she reluctantly fulfills her duties along with her new partner agent Himmler, nicknamed ‘Willy’.

Things heat up as Marcus Dauny (who works on the launch control system for Missile Command) teams up with American undercover agent  Barry Rhodes. Rhodes is ultimately detained, tortured, and interrogated by the German secret service. He gives the name of an SS officer working at a missile bunker in Grenoble. And this is how the Nazis find out that Combat UK’s master plan is to nuke Germania, killing the Fuhrer along with over 20 million people!

Will the plan succeed?

ALTERNATE REALITY:

What I really admire about Stafford is how he is able to infuse a certain level of realism to an alternate world. German-ruled Great Britain feels quite believable thanks to the depth of the characters and the description of locations. Not once we are prone to say “That could never happen!”. On the contrary, everything feels even too real at times.

 

TORTURE/INTERROGATION:

As you recall, I mentioned the vivid brutality in book 1, when it came to Nazi’s interrogation techniques. Nothing is off the menu when it comes to the means by which the German SS will inflict fear and pain to make a prisoner talk. However, in Book 2 the physical violence and abuse is toned down a notch, and instead we get to learn about other, more subtle interrogation techniques which involve administering psychedelic drugs to the prisoners in order to relax them and thus be able to get more information out of them.

 

CLOSING REMARKS:

Nach Schema F is another tremendous success by my standards. Never a dull moment, great pace, straightforward prosaic style, compelling characters and unpredictable plot lines! 

We will definitely cover Book 3 soon! 

Historical, Reviews, TRENDS DIE OUT; LEGENDS LIVE ON

Idolatry: a Romance by Julian Hawthorne

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A Review by

Welcome back to TRENDS DIE OUT/LEGENDS LIVE ON. Today we will look at the second book by Julian Hawthorne in this series. All through the book, the author writes as the reader’s personal guide, and as if we were ethereal spirit beings not bound by either space or time, invisible to human eyes. 

And so chapter 1 (The Enchanted Ring) becomes one of the most brilliant opening chapters that I’ve ever read. The prosaic style is a thing of LEGENDS and it transports us first-hand into an old and majestic hotel in Boston circa 1850s, where two guest rooms will be of particular interest all throughout the story. Room 1 occupied by Egypt-born Manetho and Room 2 occupied by Balder Helwyse.

How the lives of these two men intertwine will represent the heartbeat of the plot.

PLOT:

You will learn the backstory of how Thor Helwyse was an American by birth, descendant of a Danish family of high station and antiquity. Inheriting the restless spirit of his ancestors, he falls in with Dr. Hiero Glyphic (his name was Henry but purposely changed it). Hiero embraces Thor as a brother once they come back from their adventures in foreign lands along with a young Egyptian lad, Manetho (during one of their trips to Egypt, Hiero rescues and adopts a young Manetho who carries a very unusual and ancient diamond attached to a necklace, which later will be turned into a diamond ring). 

Thor falls in love and marries Glyphic’s step-sister, Helen. Helen and Manetho have a secret affair. Tragically and mysteriously Helen dies. Manetho blames Thor for her death. Thor, now with a young son Balder, decides to once again go abroad and get lost in the sea and in distant lands. He drowns. 

Balder, now in his adult age, comes back to Boston to reconnect with uncle Hiero. Manetho has harbored revenge ever since the death of Helen, mother of Balder. With a striking resemblance to his dad, Balder soon becomes the target of vengeful thoughts for Manetho, who meanwhile inherited Hiero’s property after he passed. 

 

REVENGE:

This is a story of revenge but also a story of redemption. The fabulous prose of Hawthorne is a thing of LEGENDS and the deep inner exploration of each character’s psyche is so rich and complex that it can be challenging at times to dissect but also very rewarding.

 

CLOSING REMARKS:

Is this a slow-burner? It is, but the richness of the writer’s grammar, the emotions he is able to infuse in his characters will leave you in awe. This is not your typical piece of fiction, but it stands as a LEGEND that will stand the test of time, and that I strongly encourage you to pick up!

🦀

Fantasy, Reviews

The Mysteries of Zillah Harvey

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By Paul Leone

Reviewed by

~“I think there’s loads of things that ‘appen in London that don’t make the papers.”

Zillah nodded. She knew that all too well.~

 

When I think of Paul Leone, I think of an author that embodies my concept of creating NEW LEGENDS, A concept that I continuously ‘spam’ all over social media. I don’t exaggerate when I place Leone in the same club as Tolkien or C.S. Lewis, and deservingly so.

But oftentimes, we wrongly assume that great authors will always and undisputedly write great books… which is not the case.

 

PLOT:

The Mysteries of Zillah Harvey revolves around a young lady-Zillah Harvey-who becomes a member of the Savant Club: “the most prestigious gathering place for those who belonged to either London’s occult community or its Bohemian, if not both.” 

After nearly being stabbed to death in a dark alley by none other than Jack The Ripper, Zillah mysteriously gains what seem to be paranormal faculties. It’s thanks to those acquired faculties which allow Zillah to communicate with the dead that she earns a membership to the prestigious paranormal organization the Savant Club, whose members include peculiar characters such as Hazel Payton, Newell Ashwood and Colonel Christie.

Zillah is now licensed to perform seances and make a decent living at that…And here is where I find issues with this story.

 

MAIN CHARACTER/FLAWS:

Zillah, for all intents and purposes, feels like a very shallow and self-absorbed character. She has very promiscuous tendencies (literally sleeping with a man after just 2 hours of having met, sometimes even dating/sleeping with multiple partners); uses her ‘gift’ not so much to help people but to make herself wealthier; shows utter ungratefulness towards Peggy, her landlady, who always caters to her needs and always making sure that she is well fed and cared for.  She doesn’t give us any redeemable features that would make us want to care about her, quite frankly.

THE WORLD:

Where the novel shines is in the reconstruction of 1800s England along with her folklore, legends, myths, and peoples. Leone is very diligent at doing his homework and giving due respect to our beloved European culture which has been in decay as of late.

The way all characters maintain their distinguished accents going from one region to another is also a positive point I need to highlight.

 

STRUCTURE:

The novel is a group of short stories or ‘cases’ that Zillah finds herself at the center of, but they are all part of one long thread all pointing at Zillah and the mystery surrounding her newly acquired psychic powers.

 

CONCLUSION:

Overall, this is a good novel worth reading, if for nothing besides the accuracy of the myths and folklore surrounding the British island. As mentioned before, I found the MC shallow and at times, and quite insufferable due to her promiscuous tendencies and overall selfish behavior. But I am being overly harsh here because I know what Leone is capable of writing. 

*To the author’s credit, this was an earlier work of his, so I am sure he went through personal growth and development as a writer, which would be quite understandable indeed.

🦀

Adventure, Reviews, TRENDS DIE OUT; LEGENDS LIVE ON

AYESHA: The Return of SHE by H. R. Haggard

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TRENDS DIE OUT/LEGENDS LIVE ON

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“She was all loveliness in one shape; She was like the dawn upon the snows; She was like the evening star above the mountains; She was like the first flower of the spring.”

 

Welcome to our next installment of TRENDS DIE OUT/LEGENDS LIVE ON. As a reminder, this is a series of reviews in relation to what I believe to be legendary classics of fiction literature that are a must-read. They changed my life and keep doing so to this day, in many respects.

 

If you missed our review of SHE (link) I’d strongly suggest you go back and check it out. If not, welcome to Volume 2 of what I am convinced it is the best adventure/exploration/new world fiction literature ever written.

INDIANA WHO?:

Ayesha was written by Haggard following the success of She. That first book came out during a time when England in particular was enamored with tales of exploring new worlds and adventures into exotic and strange lands. In that sense, She was the first of its genre, and frankly it still remains the best of all.

So enthralling is Book 1 that there is no way we could read it and not feel compelled to dive headfirst into Book 2! And so here we are, once again entering the ‘lost world’ of Haggard; anticipating more adventures, more legends…more SHE!

 

PLOT:

Again, this is an account as told by our original main character Horace Holly. After surviving his adventures with Leo in Central Africa, and making it back to England more or less in one piece, reintegrating into ordinary life was not easy for either of them. Both experience some sort of PTSD related to having witnessed and interacted with Ayesha, “for what mortal mind can be touched by an immortal mind and be left unscathed?”.

Leo even contemplates suicide but Holly rebukes him out of love. Until one night Leo has a dream in which Ayesha appears to him and seems to direct him to a place where her reincarnated being is awaiting them. After convincing Uncle Holly, they set for Central Asia, based solely on Leo’s dream! Yes, this is a desperate mission, and deep inside both of them know that it will certainly mean their end!

 

TRAVEL/MYSTERY:

Where Haggard’s narrative really shines is in the description of these long and dangerous explorative trips to exotic and mysterious lands. Holly and Leo have to fight against hunger, against weather conditions, against the harshness of these lands where the biggest enemy becomes the sheer solitude they inflict on the psyche. Witness their staying at a monastery of monks forgotten by civilization; marvel at the sheer magnitude of the mountains covered in unforgiving snow; gasp at the threat of random snow avalanches, deadlier than boulders of stone:

“The screaming of the blast caused by the compression of the air, the dull, continuous thudding of the fall of millions of tons of snow as they rushed through space and ended their journey in the gulf.” (Chapter 4)

 

FACING ‘THE IMMORTAL ONE’:

As Holly recounts:

“It was like the fragment of a nightmare preserved by the awakened senses in all its mad, meaningless reality.

We have seen the very Light of Life roll by in majesty; we have been the guests of an Immortal…”

 

The moment of interaction between our main characters and Ayesha represents the culmination of all the trials and tribulations…with a shocking twist at the end!

 

CLOSING REMARKS:

Ayesha as a book was not quite as successful as Book 1, but in terms of quality this doesn’t feel like a modern sequel, the result of  greedy minds trying to capitalize on the success of the previous work. In fact I’d dare say that some of the dynamics in Book 2 depart a big deal from Book 1 while preserving the essence that made Book 1 so special.

I encourage you all to read this LEGEND yourself. Pick up Book 1 and 2 and let us know what you think in the comments below!

🦀

 

Action, Fantasy, Reviews

The Eagle and The Dove – a Review

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From The Girl with the Fire in Her Hair by Robert Victor Mills

Part 5 of a 6-Part Series by

“You have not retched for the metal of hot blood in your mouth, nor revolted at the mud and gore brimming your boots to the knee, nor been deafened with the mewling of new-murdered men while hedged in the thickest press!”

 

The opening premises of this 5th tale included in The Girl with the Fire in Her Hair are quite intriguing as we read on…

 

PLOT:

Rugosto, Ealdorman of Oltisa finds himself challenged to a duel by Baron Wulfiolo over a matter of honor. Since he cannot walk due to war injuries, and cannot stand , the law allows him to pick a champion to fight on his behalf. Things get complicated since that same law requires the chosen champion to be a family member. Rugosto only has one daughter, just barely 18 years old and no combat skills: Celesta.

But what Celesta lacks in physical prowess she makes up for with courage and intelligence. She seeks the help of Royhe and her power of conviction is here in full display: 

“Most mortal of weapons, a woman’s tears, to the heart of a true man. For against that soft stiletto of feminine woe can be raised no shield, nor any armour ward the chivalrous breast from the plunge of so delicate a blade.”

 

As it goes, Celesta pleads with Royhe to teach her sword fighting, since she is the only next of kin who can fight for Rugosto, her father. Naturally Royhe thinks this madness, considering that she is but a small young lady with no experience with the sword, whereas the Baron is a seasoned soldier but most importantly, a man with twice her size and strength!

ASTROPHO AGAIN:

So if you guess that Astropho will be the one to save the day yet again, you guessed right! But what I loved about this is how the author is able to create a sense of anticipation regarding how the cunning bard will be able to solve this conundrum. To let young Celeste fight would surely mean her death, yet by law only a relative could fight for the challenger, if the latter is injured or disabled.

CLOSING REMARKS:

This is thus far one of my favorite tales in the book. The specific circumstances in which our heroes find themselves require more than brawn to get resolved. Particularly considering that neither Rohye nor Astropho are willing to break the law in order to help Rugosto and Celeste. The end result was brilliant and left me smiling. 

This is how you write NEW LEGENDS!

🦀

 

Reviews, Steampunk

Bound for the Styx by Bonsart Bokel

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A Review by

~She couldn’t help but sob. There were bleeding cuts all over her hands, and the dodo’s beak had scratched her cheeks. Her dress was all dirty and covered in dust. Her pretty hat was all bent and riddled with peck marks. As tears started to flow, she pulled Anwin from her pouch.~

 

I’ve gotta be honest, when I was first introduced to Igraine Mortuba in Book 1 (A Wrench in The Machine) I was not completely  sold on her character. She  came off as an ungrateful little brat, especially toward Ol’ Barrow, who saved her life on more than one occasion. But in Book 2 her charm and spontaneity are quickly winning me over. This is one of the two main reasons why I think Bound for The Styx is yet another solid publication by author/youtuber Bonsart Bokel.

PLOT:

Even if you haven’t read Book 1, Book 2 can be followed without any previous knowledge of events. Basically it’s an account of Igraine’s journey to Arkology as told by Igraine herself to former inspector and now RFA member Mr. Ol’ Barrow.

Due to needing new implants to survive the ongoing ‘decay’ the body goes through when traveling over multiverses, the Association of Ishtar sends Igraine to Arkology, on Elysium, where she can get this unique procedure done. Little does she know that in exchange, she will have to undertake a mission on behalf of the Founder, who rules Arkology. Joined by a group of resourceful scavs (Cheff, Cutter, Breach, Cabby, and Neir), Igraine has no choice but to delay her return home and get involved in the local affairs of Arkology.

ALICE IN WONDERLAND/IGRAINE IN ARKOLOGY:

What I really like about this story is that I see a parallel with classic childrens’ tale Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, albeit in a steampunk setting. Our Igraine is a seemingly timid yet resourceful young girl thrown into a world where nothing seems to function as in her own world, and where the ‘unconventional’ becomes the norm. 

And just like the classic Lewis Carroll children’s tale, Bound for the Styx could have had all the potential to become a new and original classic for all ages (more on that later). Igraine’s French accent, with her “Oui” and “Non” exclamations and gentle demeanor really serve as the finishing touches on a character that both children and adults could easily feel drawn to.

PACE:

The pace feels at times a little slow but if you consider what Bokel is trying to create here, it is quite understandable. This is not just about telling one story but rather about adding another piece to the world of multiverses of the Association of Ishtar. 

 

ARKOLOGY:

After reading about Elysium in Bokel’s graphic novel-Journey to Elysium-we finally find out what this body revolving around the moon is all about. Elysium is basically this massive satellite structure with life and civilization within it. Its capital is Arkology, and this is where Igraine finds herself right now. The place is like the Wild West, where only the strong survive, and where different social classes fight in the struggle for dominance.

CLOSING REMARKS:

The only negative remark has to do with some of the sexual content. I was really hoping that the author would have kept this rated PG all the way, but by adding those sexually-charged scenes, this automatically turns into a 14-and-over rated book. I understand that it’s the author’s personal choice, but like I said before many times, what we need today is more content that is appropriate for all ages while getting both children and adults fired up for more. 

Think about Lord of the Rings; 3 books, not one single sex scene or even profanity, and yet people of all ages love it today as much as ever. You can still have love stories develop, that is not what I’m inferring at all. Yet no current author has been able to pull that off, and that’s exactly the type of content we so dearly need, or at least that I personally hope to see.

Other than that, the story is fun, the world building is as always compelling, and the characters all memorable!

🦀

Action, Fantasy, Reviews

ISLANDS OF LOAR: Rebellion

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by Ernie Laurence, Jr.

Reviewed by

“What we do after, where we go from here when we have won, that is going to depend more on folks like you than we blowhards up at the Hall.  You will all have to dig deep and find the will to rebuild.  To become stronger.”

 

If you’re curious to know why I decided to go on and review book 3 of this series, the answer is simple: why not?

This entire world created by Laurence is exactly what readers of all ages deserve at this time. With modern media entertainment becoming more ‘progressive’ and deranged, it is refreshing to find content that the whole family can enjoy together again. Disney, Netflix, and the other big networks at this point no longer care about creativity and good content, so if you finally got the memo and realized that it’s now the time to seek good, wholesome storytelling elsewhere, there is no better place to start than at the Islands of Loar!

If you’ve missed our previous two reviews go back and check them out:

Sundered

Causality

If you haven’t, join us on this third ride into ‘fantasy done the right way’!

PLOT/CHARACTERS: 

In Book 2, we saw how Doogan took charge of the island of Bethairia, and along with bard/ best friend Serah and the other characters we got to know throughout Books 1 and 2, created an organization called the Restorationist League. The League includes some of the most powerful and resilient beings, from elves, to dwarves, to fairies, and men and women skilled in the arts of battle, hunting, and magic. It is without saying that this will obviously cause tension with the Council, led by Doogan’s father, Lord Riftwind. A conflict of interests will certainly be inevitable over the issue of the bards.

Remember that Islands of Loar is known for featuring a multitude of characters moving about many different stages where the action takes place. It’s important that the reader keeps tabs and stays FOCUSED! I counted in total approximately 7 stages with 7 different groups of characters. But there might be more! It can be challenging but it is also fun and much rewarding! This is not Disney’s The Acolyte, after all.

THIS IS WAR:

As Loar seems to undergo civil turmoil, with persecution of the bards by the Council of Wind, and the League standing up for their rights, an alien invasion of the Xenotaur is unfolding. The Xenotaur, previously believed to be just another form of Aberration, turn out to be aliens, and their sheer numbers alone prove to make them an unstoppable force.

Unlike in the previous books where we’ve seen scattered fights here and there with the Xenotaur invaders, in book 3 things escalate to full-blown war. Feats of bravery and courage are in full display, and all the forces of Loar are tested to their limits.

The battle scenes are massive. The loss of lives, a cold harsh reality of war.

 

NOBODY’S SAFE:

Unlike other franchises of this kind, where powerful beings use both super strength and magic to fight their battles, here in Loar death is real and death is blind. I think frankly that’s a great way to keep the reader invested. No matter how powerful or central a character may seem, he/she could be the next victim to be claimed by the ongoing conflict. This is something that instills an added sense of humanity to these super-beings. We hold our breath every time danger is upon them because frankly the author has already shown us that nobody is safe indeed!

MAGIC MEETS HIGH-TECH:

We were already introduced to the high-tech flying ship and golem of Optrinicus in Book 2, but in Book 3 these really take center stage as I was hoping and expecting. This creates a very exciting universe where you have both the power of magic at display but also the advanced technology applied to ships, space suits, and other cool gadgets. The enemy is powerful and every weapon available must be used to deter them!

 

CLOSING REMARKS:

I think perhaps at a subconscious level I decided to read and review Book 3 in face of the grim reality of the current fantasy genre content that mainstream media is promoting. With abominations like Prime’s Rings of Power or Disney’s Star Wars, Islands of Loar is a strong reminder that it’s time to accept the idea that good content does exist, we just gotta know where to look to find it. Laurence is an extremely smart individual and understands how to create a world that can be easily accessible to audiences of all ages, yet without ultimately presenting a dull product. When was the last time a franchise was able to appeal to both children and adults equally? Maybe The Hobbit comes to mind. But what about new content? Where is the new content that can get dad, mom, son, and daughter equally excited about?

It’s right here. And it’s found on the Islands of Loar!

Adventure, Reviews, TRENDS DIE OUT; LEGENDS LIVE ON

SHE by H. Rider Haggard – a Review

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TRENDS DIE OUT/LEGENDS LIVE ON

Reviewed by

SHE is arguably the best adventure/exploration story ever written…But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. What this really is about is a soul-searching/mind-bending LEGEND disguised as the former. Haggard has set the standards so high that no other book, movie, game, or AI generated content can ever surpass what Haggard has been able to project in the mind of the reader via his written words.

Haggard raised the standards of adventure/mystery narrative to heights that to this day have not been matched, and most likely never will. Haggard redefined what can be done with the genre. I feel spoiled but also humbled, being able to read, study, and review his body of work.

PLOT:

What we read here is the memoir of main character Horace Holly. When Leo Vincey was still a toddler, his biological father (and Holly’s only real friend) reveals a dark secret to Holly just before he dies of a disease he contracted on a trip to Central Africa. As a result, Holly assumes guardianship of Leo (who was 5 at the time) along with his  family wealth and a suitcase for Leo only to open on his 25th birthday.

Without spoiling things too much, the contents of that suitcase will see Holly and Leo travel to a mythological civilization named Kôr, in Central Africa.

Holly’s memoir is an account of that voyage.

 

ADVENTURE/PERILS/HARDSHIP:

This is where Haggard really pushes the envelope of what can be achieved in what we would call the ‘Indiana Jones’ adventure genre. The path to Kôr is dangerous and life-altering. The scene of the storm while they’re at sea (chapter 4) is probably the most gripping scene of its kind. Out of a crew of about 20 only 4 make it to shore. Once they reach land our protagonists will have to deal with the harsh elements of the region, its animal kingdom (witness the most brutal fight between lion and alligator in chapter 5!), and a local tribe of flesh-eaters who adopt the most sadistic ritual called ‘hot-potting’ to kill their victims before they eat them (it seems like the human body dying in fear and pain tastes better to them!)

And this is just the beginning!

FEMALE VILLAIN:

Another bar that Haggard manages to set very high is that of the female villain character. Today’s writers for the most part fail miserably at capturing what should really define a female villain. Here is where we get introduced to Ayesha who is simply known as She or She-who-must-be-obeyed, as the locals call her.

Ayesha is mysterious, evil, scary…But also beautiful, irresistible, wise beyond any mortal, and truthful. Her beauty is so otherworldly that she has to wrap herself in thin white veils. As Holly writes in his memo: “The truth is veiled, because we could no more look upon her glory than we can upon the sun. It would destroy us.”

KÔR:

Haggard is very detailed with the geographical account of this lost nation called Kôr. Located north of the Zambezi river and once a very advanced civilization, it was eventually decimated by a plague. The few who survived fled and eventually funded what we know as Ancient Egypt. All the cities of Kôr were abandoned, including the enormous cave system they had created. Only a few scattered tribes eventually settled in the area but never dared to go near the cities for fear of the ghosts of those who died by the plague. About 400 B.C. Ayesha (who seems to be from the line of Ishmael) moved to the area and made her kingdom out of the caves, whereby she ruled the local tribes through fear and terror ever since.

 

CLOSING REMARKS:

Is this an action/adventure story? Yes and no.

This is a psychological and spiritual masterpiece disguised as an action/adventure book. It pushes the boundaries of how a finite human mind would handle the interaction with a god-like creature of infinite beauty and wisdom. How much could the human psychic take before snapping? Ayesha interacting with Holly and Leo is comparable to trying to pour a gallon of water into a 16-ounce cup. Too much beauty, too much knowledge, too much wisdom. As Holly himself puts it: “No man who once had seen She unveiled, and heard the music of her voice, and drunk in the bitter wisdom of her words, would willingly give up the sight for a whole sea of placid joys.”

This deals harshly with the finite limitations of the human psyche. Today we live in a society where the self is exalted. The worship of the self is probably the most widespread ‘religion’ in the West. I am strong, I am brave, I can accomplish anything! But reality is, man is puny and the human mind has limitations.

 

Before closing, I’ll leave you with this excerpt from Holly’s memoir, and please go read SHE!

 

“Who would so load up his back with memories of lost hours and loves, and of his neighbour’s sorrows that he cannot lessen, and wisdom that brings not consolation?”