A New Beginning

The updating process has begun. Check out the link above for my new book, Tyrian!

Another Look at Draegnstoen and Highland King

Draegnstoen and Highland King are two halves of a multi-generational family saga.

A single family member bridges the two stories – Frydissa.

The sister of one king and mother of another, her unwavering determination and support helped secure the peace in two different kingdoms.

• 

A Review of The Infinity Mantle

The Infinity Mantle – by Elaina Davidson

The Infinity Mantle is the third novel I’ve read by Elaina Davidson, the first two being stand alone titles, The Tinsal Deck, and Ilfin of Arc.  The Infinity Mantle is different, the first book in a Tetralogy called Lore of Arcana. The subsequent books are The Kinfire Tree, The Drowned Throne, and The Dragon Circle. And if that weren’t an ambitious enough project, it is just the first of three tetralogies, the other two being Lore of Reaume, and Lore of Sanctum. In addition, there are related short stories.

I mention the above because the epic scope of this work is impressive; a twelve-book series of high fantasy, taking place on worlds that stir the imagination. 

Every chapter begins with an epigram. Some are humorous or quirky, others are profound, and each is attributed to a fictional text that is part of this universe. It’s always pertinent, and  adds a great depth to a universe that already feels so very real.

The Infinity Mantle takes place on multiple worlds, primarily Valaris, over a vast period of time. There are so many ideas explored here, but the story is never rushed, just patiently laid out, layer upon layer. Many different cultures interact with each other. Some of those encounters reflect humanity at our best; others at our worst. At one point we learn the origin story of Valaris and how later explorers of this planet claimed this world for themselves

“Discovery does not mean ownership,” Saska states. Rayne of the Mantle answers, “Perhaps we humans should harken to that.” It reminds us of our own history, echoing the ‘discovery’ of the New World by Europeans.

Another facet Davidson adds are names and titles derivative of Valaris. The original people are the Valleur. The title of their leader is Vallorin, and the name of the one holding that title now is Vannis. All these things make us feel we are reading a work of historical fiction and Davidson instinctively understands these careful details are necessary. When we read stories that take place on earth, we may already be familiar with some aspects of culture. But on a different world, in a different time and place, these things are important to know.

This is the story of journey of a group of fourteen different members, bringing unique strengths, from different societies, cultures and species, who embark on a quest to solve various puzzles. It’s part of  a perverse game that holds their world hostage to a threat of invasion by beings from another dimension.

It’s a story of inspiration and reminds us that although truth is often learned from external sources, it’s also something that comes to us on a more personal level.

Dreams are real; dreams exert influence ~ Anonymous Valarian sage –  is the epigram from Chapter 4. The characters in this story learn much from dreams, and one character, Averroes, realizes at one point, “There are no rules in dreams.” That was an epiphany to me.

It’s is a story of conflict; of those who want peace and prosperity battling against those forces who would bring greed, chaos and darkness. It’s a great adventure.

And lastly, it’s a story of friendship, loyalty, alliances, and trust. Amazingly, Davidson juggles three different protagonists, Taranis, Vannis, and Rayne of the Mantle. It’s different, but it works, and we’re excited to have these three all on the same side, knowing how powerful they are together.  Some of the fourteen have minor roles, but they are all well drawn, fleshed out and three dimensional.

As I said at the beginning, this is the first of twelve books. I’m sure there is much more to learn of this world and its characters. We feel a part of this quest and we care about the outcome. Davidson invites us to continue and I accept the invitation. The adventure has barely begun.

Five out five stars, without question. Available on Amazon.com

The Hero’s Journey

Joseph Campbell was a professor of Literature who focused on mythology and comparative religion. He’s credited with defining the idea of the Hero’s Journey, a story telling device which has been used in thousands of stories for thousands of years. We see it in the Odyssey, and the journey of Odysseus coming home from the Trojan war. It’s evident in stories as like the Wizard of Oz, and George Lucas consciously followed this formula in writing the Star Wars movies. Tolkien uses the Hero’s Journey in The Lord of the Rings.

I’m not sure if I was aware of the Hero’s Journey when I published my first two novels, Draegnstoen and Highland King, but was pleasantly surprised to see I’d pretty faithfully followed the formula. I attribute that to much reading of fiction and having a subconscious understanding that this is the way such things are usually written.

Gears of Uriel did not follow this path. That novel was about the creation of an artifact and the lives of the numerous people who protected it over the course of many lifetimes. Finally, the last main character in the book took the journey above.

In Tyrian, my next book, the main character took this path. But in writing Tyrian, it became very evident that the markers on this journey are not evenly spaced. Every story is different. Road of Trials, Approach, and Ordeal probably take up three fourths of Tyrian, and the last few steps are wrapped up within 20-30 pages.

It has been said there are no new stories. That is probably true as far as the way stories are written, and even for the themes we write about. But we will always find new ways to tell those stories, because we all have different ways to learn the truths they teach.