Weekly Reader: One If: A Virago Fantasyby Carol B. Allan; Thrilling YA Science Fiction Adventure Set In A Beautiful World of Bird and Fish Like Creatures

 

Weekly Reader: One If: A Virago Fantasyby Carol B. Allan; Thrilling YA Science Fiction Adventure Set In A Beautiful World of Bird and Fish Like Creatures

By Julie Sara Porter

Bookworm Reviews

Spoilers: Besides Reincarnation and Time Travel, the other trend this year seems to be Science Fiction and Fantasy novels set in worlds of bird like creatures. After Kill Three Birds by Nicole Givens Kurtz, One If: A Virago Fantasy by Carol B. Allan is the second book that I have read this year with this very odd and very specific premise. Unlike Kill Three Birds which combines Fantasy with Murder Mystery, One If combines elements of Fantasy and Science Fiction with three lead protagonists who seem to come straight from the YA files. However, it's a thrilling tale with an interesting premise and great characters mammalian, avian, and piscine. 

The plot opens with Parker Kitteridge,a natural sciences genius, witnessing the oddity of a hummingbird outside her New York apartment in the dead of winter. (Hummingbirds in the United States migrate south for the winter. Not to mention hummingbirds fly low and are rarely seen outside the highest levels of apartment buildings in New York City.) As she tries to lure it inside, she stumbles out the window.

When Parker comes to, she is bemused to find that she's not dead or  in the hospital. She isn't even on Earth. She is in the so-called Upper World of the continent of Katamoor on the planet,.Spyridon. She is surrounded by bird-like beings with feathers, beaks, with human voices and features. The leader of the Upperworld is an eagle named Stefanos, the Sky King. The hummingbird, Beliza, brought Parker to Spyridon because Stefanos needs some help.

Parker isn't alone either. Stefanos also ordered two other humans plucked from Earth: Henley Wang, a sardonic engineering student from California and Edison Baker, a gregarious and talented public speaker and singer from Michigan. Stefanos explains that Spyridon is in the grips of an environmental disaster and those on the Upperworld are in a long war over depleting resources  against the fish-like beings of the Underworld. The three Earthlings are summoned by Stefanos to help save their planet from certain disaster. If they agree, Stefanos says that they will return within moments of their departure so it will be like they never left. What can the trio do but agree?

One If is a wonderful YA Science Fiction with a stong sense of character, plot, and setting. The Earth Trio's first visit to Katamoor does not disappoint. The description of the lone continent with its lush green grass, life giving sentient trees like the Virago which sustains the Upperworlders is beautiful. The denizens of this odd planet have evolved into combinations of animal and human to adjust to the environment. The bird creatures live in cities in the clouds and the fish and reptilian ones live under waters and in caves. There are also combinations of animals unique to their works like wolfbirds who are just what the name suggests: wolves that have grown wings. (Or birds that have a unique talent for yipping and howling.) 

There is a definite struggle between the opposing forces of Upper and Underworld that is explored as the two sides fight for dominance in a world that appears beautiful but is in the grips of decay.

The characters are brilliantly handled. Parker, Henley, and Edison are a very realistic trio of protagonists, confused and suspicious of this situation, overwhelmed by this strange planet and the task that they are given, and sometimes at odds with each other but still willing to help. Henley and Parker are particularly memorable when they often vie, as if trying to prove which one is the smartest in the room. Edison tries to play peacemaker,  reminding the two women to put their personality conflicts aside and focus on the task at hand.

The three humans also use their talents to their fullest. Parker uses her experience in natural sciences to study the characteristics of the Upper and Underworlders to identify any health issues or environmental conflicts. Henley uses her skills in engineering to create and build sustainable equipment that replenishes the Upperworld's water supply and improve their life spans. Edison, the moderator, uses his talents in public speaking to draw the skeptical residents in and be a go between amongst himself, his friends, and the planet's residents.

By far the two most interesting characters are Stefanos, the Sky King of the Upperworld and Diadora, Empress of the Underworld. The two rulers had an uneasy truce for over 20 years but both are aware that the truce could end anytime and it does in a moment of sabotage. As the plot unfolds both leaders reveal many of their best and worst qualities that are used to protect and care for their people.

Stefanos is analytical and far reaching but he can also be detached and unyielding in his opinions. He is obviously willing to trust outsiders but refuses their advice if it means sharing or communicating with Underworld.

Diadora is more emotional and zealous in her protectiveness but she is also reckless and capricious. She is particularly concerned for her niece and nephew whom she is raising after the death of their father, her brother. She is suspicious of the newcomers, even at one time trying Parker for the death of her brother.

This is not a clear case where one side is wholly good and the other evil. Both alternate between right and wrong.

 Both Stefanos and Diadora suffer much by losing family members and close friends and both leaders clearly care for their people and want to protect them from any looming disaster. Their actions and behaviors are at times questionable but their love for their people and their drive to save their world at any cost is never in question. 

The plot has some very exciting moments such as when Parker is held prisoner and she is rescued by

Edison, Henley, and Cole, another Earthling who came to Spyridon as a child and has sprouted wings so he can't return home. Violence and acts of sabotage lead

the characters to suspect one another. There is also a betrayal and questions about where certain allegiances actually lie. Another character goes through a physical change that is unsettling and will no doubt change things in the next volume of the series.

One If is an evocative Science Fiction novel that has  strong themes about cooperation in times of conflict, recognizing the beauty and uniqueness of nature, and preserving the environment around us before it's too late. 

Weekly Reader: Gol (Legend of Ansu Book 1) by J.W. Webb; Brilliant and Dark Epic Fantasy With Great Characters, Themes, Narration, Plot, and Suspense

 

Weekly Reader: Gol (Legend of Ansu Book 1) by J.W. Webb; Brilliant and Dark Epic Fantasy With Great Characters , Narration, Themes, Plot p, and Suspense

By Julie Sara Porter

Bookworm Reviews

Spoilers: No joke, I am in the process of reading or reviewing five Epic Fantasies this month, one of the most popular genres for independent authors. I have often weighed the reasons why this genre is so popular for authors and I believe because it calls for the highest amount of creativity to not only develop a plot and put believable characters in it but to create the world around them including the history, geography, mythology, socio political environment, flora, fauna, and magical creatures as well as the rules that magic users follow so that they don't seem too powerful or too invincible. It also helps that many authors are echoing the favorite books of their youth like The Lord of the Rings, Chronicles of Narnia, A Song of Ice and Fire, The Wheel of Time, The Sword of Truth, The Harry Potter series, His Dark Materials, The Mortal Instruments, and so on. People who are raised as fantasy geeks write books for fantasy geeks and let's be proud of it. 

It's a fun experience for Authors and Readers alike to fall into a new magical world and embrace that fantasy from within. If the first book of these Epic Fantasies, Gol (The Legend of Ansu) is any indication, then it shall be quite a ride. I am warning future authors, J.W. Webb has set the bar pretty high already so they will have to be something to catch up. Gol is a brilliant and dark Epic Fantasy that is filled with terrific characters and thrilling plot and suspense as the characters prepare for what amounts to the end of the world.

What is particularly engaging about Gol is that it is written in the style of ancient historical documents like the narrator is gathering together legends and myths that they have heard in their childhood and putting them together in written form. This shows in some moments when the Third Person Omniscient Narrator suddenly becomes intrusive. 

For example, one character is trained on an island to become a warrior. The Narrator skips over the training session saying that this section was incomplete and that they do not possess the research to reveal anything more about his education. 

From an author's standpoint it allows Webb to write future short stories and novellas to tie up those loose ends. On a storytelling standpoint it puts the Narrator and the Reader on the same level so that the Reader experiences the world of Gol as the Narrator is describing it. The Omniscient Narrator isn't a god who sees everyone and everything. They are more like a bard, a historian, or a storyteller who reveal the important points but leave enough interest for the Reader to listen and want to hear more.

The cast of characters are a well written group. While there are some cliches and tropes (The Heroic Paladin, The Wise Magical Mentor, The Corrupt Sorcerer, The Star Crossed Lovers), Webb does some brilliant unique things with them that make them three dimensional and stand out from their archetypal origins.

In the center of this cast are lovers, Erun Cade and Lissane Barola. They are the lovers from opposite sides of the economic scale. He is the son of a blacksmith and she is the daughter of a wealthy baron. Her corrupt father, Baron Eon Barola has arranged her marriage to Prince Varentin Gallante. While plotting their escape, Erun runs afoul of Lissane's brothers. They kill his father and kidnap him while Lissane is forced into marriage to the not so Gallante Varentin.

Meanwhile an evil wizard, Ozymandeus is possessed by a fire demon called Ashmali destroying everything in their path. Armies, lords, kings, and an emperor are torn between fighting or siding with this unstoppable force. The plots between Erun, Lissane, and Ozymandeus cover various characters, plots, and situations only to unite in a very violent and destructive end that gives only two options: fight an unstoppable force or flee to new worlds.

One of the interesting aspects to the book are the separate paths that Erun and Lissane take. Erun befriends outlaws and warriors like Red Torrig, a rough mannered Prince and a strange cranky but experienced old man, Irulan.

Some of the more intriguing chapters are when he is trained by the giantess, Scaffa. Scaffa is the type of mentor who challenges not only with tasks but gives him instructions that are purposely unclear but leaving him to figure them out on his own. In a way she is reminiscent of Scatheach, the druidess who trained Cuchulain in Irish mythology (In fact many times in Irish history and lore, boys were trained by women and girls by men.).

Scaffa also leads Erun in his most dangerous tasks to capture the other three elemental spirits of Earth, Air, and Water to fight against Ashmali. They are very dangerous and clearly play on Erin's fears and desires so these are difficult feats, but he realizes that they are tests so Scaffa can observe  his interaction with them. Through her instruction and guidance, Scaffa becomes one of the more intriguing characters that Erun and Lissane encounter, fiercely independent and wise, willing to make a fighter out of this young man or see him die in the attempt. It pays off in the end. Erun becomes a scarred fierce skilled warrior named Kell. 

While Erun takes a warrior's path, Lissane is thrown directly into palace intrigue, that of a queen. Varentin is a sociopath who has affairs and hangs on his mother's every word. Speaking of which Varentin's mother, Sophistra openly flaunts her lover and when her husband dies under not so mysterious circumstances, her lover Torlock becomes king in all but name. The dangerous couple conspire against and do away with multiple enemies. Living with such maniacs, Lissane learns survival skills and to bury her deeper feelings up to a point.

Finding no love from her alcoholic backstabbing father and or her scheming sadistic in-laws, Lissane looks for love elsewhere. She finds it in Estorian Sarfe, a charming but kind hearted baron's son. She eventually runs away with Estorian and is accepted by his family. Through the Sarfes, Lissane is finally accepted and learns to use her power to protect those close to her.

One of the strangest bonds that Lissane develops is with Morwella, Sophistra's younger daughter. Morwella is a mentally ill girl who lives in her own world where she imagines violent scenes and declares herself Queen of Cats. In fact the people of Gallante often call Lissane, Lady of Light and Morwella, Lady of Darkness. They complete each other in a strange way like Jane Eyre and Bertha Rochester, where Morwella serves as Lissane's dark shadow self acting on the impulses that Lissane buries. It makes sense that after Morwella finally does commit murder, Lissane takes a protective sisterly role in her life. Morwella is another interesting colorful character in this cast.

What makes Erun and Lissane's path so memorable is how their feelings for each other mature. They still care for each other and cite one another as catalysts for their desires for revenge and survival, but they realize that their feelings for each other were immature and brought on by childish emotion. In fact there is a moment where after they have been through so many struggles and have learned and changed so much that when they see each other again, they don't recognize one another. In a fantasy novel, it is nice to have this true to life scenario in which lovers do grow and change when they are separated. Their feelings aren't going to be the same and their situations are going to change accordingly.

Another interesting feat is how Webb handles Ashmali and what the characters do to fight against him. It is graphic to read about Ozymandeus being eaten from within by fire and him knowing it too. Even though he's egocentric and ambitious, it's not hard to feel sorry for him as he is being tortured and eaten alive.

 What is particularly compelling is that Ashmali is literally unstoppable. Yes, the other Elementals are destined to fight against him and blah blah blah. The Elemental battles are exciting and well worth the build up. However, there is a realization that Ashmali leaves so much destruction behind him as a fire demon that he is still destroying the world. 

Even if he loses and is defeated, there is so much destruction that he in effect has already won. While the characters prepare to fight, they are also preparing to leave the subcontinent of Gol to another world. They need to start over somewhere else. Again that is a very unique touch that sometimes the bad guys win and all you can do is move on, regroup, and start over somewhere else.

With it's brilliant cast of characters, dark themes, tight suspense, brilliant narration, and wide reaching plot, Gol could stand to be a future classic in the world of Epic Fantasy.