New Book Alert: Midlife Shadows (Paraval Book 3) by Kate Swansea; Final Elise Clair Fantasy is Her Darkest Adventure Yet

 

New Book Alert: Midlife Shadows (Paraval Book 3) by Kate Swansea; Final Elise Clair Fantasy is Her Darkest Adventure Yet

By Julie Sara Porter

Bookworm Reviews

Spoilers: Here we come to more than likely the final book in Kate Swansea's Paraval Series. We will soon bid adieu to Elise Clair, Theo Stallard, and the other residents of Black Lake Falls, Washington. Swansea has clearly saved the darkest book for last. While Midlife Alchemy is the best book in the series, Midlife Shadows has a dark ominous energy and some unforgettable moments that prove that the Paraval Series definitely has gone out with a bang.

In the previous book, Midlife Incantations, Elise, Dentist and Town Warden, discovered the powerful Book of Mairel, a spell book which includes a spell to close the paraval to Inferium forever and prevent the nasty umbra from entering the world above ever again. The only problem with the spell is that it must be cast by an alchemist from inside Inferium. So, Elise must take a trip inside this book's answer to Hell and they have to do it in three weeks,by the next new moon, or it will be difficult to go through Inferium when it is pitch black. 

Elise is going but she's not going alone. She's going with Theo, her boyfriend, Nina and Jerome, their vampire friends, and Professor Marly Curtis, a scholarly expert on Inferium and Theo's ex-girlfriend. 

Most of the book is set in Inferium which is a marked contrast with Black Lake Falls. It's similar to the Angela Hardwick Science Fiction Mysteries by Russ Colchamiro. In two books, Crackle and Fire and Fractured Lives, we are taken to Eternity, the part of the Universe in which its residents are responsible for the design, creation, and maintenance of the Universe. It's a beautiful, wonderful place with many possibilities and great characters to explore. Then another book, Hot Ash, takes the Reader to the Arcasia System, a system filled with smog, pollution, slavery, and dictators. The Arcasia System is the Hell to Eternity's Heaven.

That is what is at play here in the Paraval Series. Everything that Black Lake Falls is, Inferium is its opposite and its shadow. Inferium is the Hell to Black Lake Falls' Heaven. The buildings and houses are structured the same way they are in Black Lake. But instead of the charming Old World European style, they are gray, dingy, and mostly abandoned. Instead of filled with friendly, eccentric, helpful locals, the houses are abandoned and desolate. Instead of a population of colorful and idiosyncratic witches, alchemists, vampires, and mythological creatures, Inferium is filled with umbra and other creatures deprived of their individuality and attacking others in the shadows like vicious animals at prey. Spending most of the time in Inferium makes the characters and the Reader long for the cozy comforts of Black Lake Falls, a town that for three books they have grown to love.

The Inferium setting puts quite a number on the characters the longer that they stay there. In this land of eternal night, the screams of dark creatures can be heard from beyond. Glowing eyes could peer out from anywhere. Sometimes one's own fears and insecurities can attract the umbra. The umbra attacks themselves are quite bloody, bloodier than they are up above since the protagonists are on their turf. Not to mention with the landscape always staying the same, it's hard to find your way through these dark lands. It's enough to drive anyone insane. One would have to be really brave, really crazy, or really dead to be there. 

 One character, Idris, acts as a guide through Inferium. He is deceased but has yet to become an umbra. He helps the gang while struggling to hold onto his integrity, compassion, memories, all the things that once made him alive. It's a painful and disturbing transformation that could engulf our heroes. Also Elise and the others are in danger of becoming umbra as well, the longer that they stay in Inferium. Idris' transformation is a preview of potential coming attractions for the others.

The landscape already changes the characters mentally and emotionally as well as physically. Their emotions are heightened and their fears and insecurities are more apparent. Elise becomes more doubtful of her alchemist abilities and suspicious of Marley's presence and her involvement in Theo's life. Theo becomes protective of the others to the point that he throws himself in danger and makes dangerous decisions. Jerome disappears for a time and questions about his loyalty are raised. Nina gives into her bloodlust and becomes terrifying to her non-vampire friends.

The one who is extremely difficult to figure out is Marly. Our first encounter with her is before they make the trip and she already acts very snobbish and arrogant by treating the locals like underlings. She demonstrates quite a bit of knowledge of Inferium through her studies but she definitely does not endear herself to Elise when she recommends that Elise remain home (even though the spell has to be performed by an alchemist and Elise is the only one who can read it in the Book of Mairel). Since this is our first impression of Marly, it's not a good one.

In Inferium, Marly gets worse. She makes some bad decisions that puts herself and the others in danger. Her research is sometimes flawed or works on paper but not in practice. She also comes on to Theo making Elise jealous. Considering Elise's marriage ended because of her ex husband's infidelity, this is a sore point with her.

While more than likely Inferium is bringing out Marly's worst qualities, we barely knew her before her entrance into Inferium and in those few chapters, her character doesn't amount to much. Marly is the one weak spot in an otherwise great book. She shows some flashes of insight and intelligence but she is more of a plot device to give some exposition on Inferium and provide Theo some emotional baggage than an interesting character. 

The final confrontation is filled with suspense and frightening chills as the characters gather the ingredients to make the spells and fight the umbra while avoiding being turned into them. The appearance of the Dark Commander is worth the wait when in the previous volumes, he was a voice in someone's head. He is powerful, terrifying, and his identity is a brilliant twist. It is he who is the final test for Elise and her friends to pass before they can cast the spell.

Midlife Shadows is a fine ending to a great series that captures the imagination and brings out the best in its characters.

Weekly Reader: Midlife Incantations: A Paranormal Women's Fantasy(Paraval Book 2) by Kate Swansea; More Magic, More Problems

Weekly Reader: Midlife Incantations (Paraval Book 2) by Kate Swansea; More Magic, More Problems

By Julie Sara Porter

Bookworm Reviews

Spoilers: Now we return to the world of Black Lake Falls, Washington and its Warden, 45 year old Elise Clair, a divorced dentist and mother of two that has to awaken alchemist abilities to fight dark forces.

In the previous volume of Kate Swansea's Paraval series, Midlife Alchemy, Elise accepts the position of Warden when she learns that her late father, Jack Clair had been one before he died. As Warden, their job is to make sure the gate to Inferium remains closed. If it is open even a tiny bit, dark unpleasant creatures called umbra come out and wreak havoc on the town. That's not the worst of it, they act under the bidding of a sinister character known as the Dark Commander who has possessed Black Lake Falls citizens in the past and has done it again.

One of the things that I liked about Midlife Alchemy was that it depicted a middle aged normal woman thrust in an extraordinary circumstance and shows how she adjusts and even thrives in this new world. The sequel, Midlife Incantations, loses a bit of that regular person feel. Elise is now the Warden and while she has to learn some new powers, she is definitely adjusted to her surroundings. However, it's still an effective adventure that tests Elise and her new friends.

In this volume, Elise and her boyfriend, General Theo Stallard, are two of the three Keepers to keep the Umbra out. They have to help the third, Ronath, a minotaur who is also the Gatekeeper. He is the latest to be possessed by the Dark Commander. He disappears but only after leaving destruction in his wake as though he were looking for something. Elise learns that her parents were part of a secret organization of alchemists whose surviving members are dying one by one. Apparently, they had knowledge of a mysterious book called The Book of Mairel, that has spells to open all of the demon gates in the entire world or close the portal to Inferium permanently.

There are some great moments that focus on Elise expanding and testing her powers. She has to learn ritualistic magic from a local witch named Agatha. While she makes many mistakes in practice, she ultimately is able to succeed in this endeavor, even changing events by swapping certain objects used in the rituals.

Her alchemist abilities are also growing stronger. In a couple of great moments, Elisa and Theo combine her alchemical powers with his pyrokinesis to build a working boat and activate a motorcycle. 

Elise's search for The Book of Mairel gives her the opportunity to weigh the powerful implications of that book and its potential consequences. She may have the ability to eradicate all evil and close the portal for good but what does that mean for herself and everyone around her? There will be nothing for her as Warden to do. How powerful can a spell like that be in reality and what if it fell in the wrong hands? 

Another important thing to note about the Book of Mairel is that it contains a spell that would eliminate all vampires. This is hugely problematic because Black Lake Falls is home to many vampires including Elise's friends, Nina and Jerome. Elise vows that no matter the circumstances that she will never use that spell but the fact that such a spell even exists puts her at odds with various vampires. Also there's the unspoken thought that who's to stop someone else from using it. The Book of Mairel may be an easy solution but it ultimately could do more harm than good.

There is also a lot of drama concerning the Dark Commander's possession of Ronath. In the previous volume, he possessed another character but it was treated like a mystery over who was getting possessed and it ended up being one of Elisa's new friends. While she is kind, we barely knew her before her possession. 

This is different. We have known Ronath since Book 1. He is a kindly gentle giant uh minotaur. He and Theo have a bro-like friendship which consists of teasing and riffing each other but constantly having each other's backs. He is a good loyal friend to many and makes Elise feel welcome in her new surroundings. He even has a girlfriend, Agatha, who arrived in Black Lake Falls the same time that he did, centuries ago.

Ronath's a permanent fixture around town and for the Dark Commander to take him removes a large heart from the story.

It also affects Theo personally as he watches his best friend and partner succumb to a madness that he cannot help him with, a madness that can only be cured one way. This leaves Theo  with the heartbreaking dilemma whether or not to kill his old friend.

Even once everything in this book is resolved, there is a cliffhanger ending for the next volume, which will bring the series to a dark, fascinating, and possibly decisive climax.

 

New Book Alert: Midlife Alchemy Book 1: Paravel by Kate Swansea; Fun Enchanting Modern Fantasy With A Protagonist For The Rest of Us

 

New Book Alert: Midlife Alchemy Book 1: Paravel by Kate Swansea; Fun Enchanting Modern Fantasy With A Protagonist For The Rest of Us

By Julie Sara Porter

Bookworm Reviews

Spoilers: A couple of years ago, a meme circulated around various writing groups on Facebook in which its author pondered why Fantasies often had Chosen One leads that were in their teens and twenties. Why couldn't the lead be an older woman in middle or late age, the author asked? At least one fantasy book, Dash Hoffman's Mrs. Parivale and the Blue Fire Crystal was a direct response to that meme, in which a 73 year old woman becomes the one that is destined to save a fantasy world. (I started reading it. It was delightful but after I had to end my Kindle Unlimited account, I lost that book as well and have been unable to finish reading or reviewing it.) 

While Kate Swansea's Midlife Alchemy series may not also be inspired by that meme, it definitely seems to suggest that there is a strong need to fantasy series starring characters that are older than the typical leads. I for one am looking forward to what will hopefully become an official trend.

For among the many positive qualities that Midlife Alchemy's first book, Paravel, possesses (and there are many), is its lead protagonist. Dr. Elise Clair is not some ingenue on her school break. She is a 45 year old dental hygienist with two adult children and is soon to be divorced. She caught her husband, Darryl, in the act with not one, but two, of his assistants. After kicking him to yon curb, as an amateur witch she puts a few hexes on him. They seem to work because the last that we see of Darryl, the overly religious ex is practically getting a bonfire ready for an old fashioned witch burning.

 Unfortunately, since many of the locals in her Minnesota town know Darryl better or are surprised that Elise (who took some time off to raise their children and work in Darryl's office) even is a dental hygienist, her career is faltering. Not to mention that she isn't over eager to remain in a town with so many bad memories.

 However, she gets an offer to work as a full time dentist at Black Lake Falls, WA. The offer is intriguing and so are the pictures of the beautiful Alpine town with Germanic style buildings. Elise accepts the position but is surprised to find that it's not a typical small town by any means.

The first red flag is when she asks outsiders about the town and no one has ever heard of it. It is actually cut off from everywhere else, not on a map or even a GPS locator, because it is described as a "border town." Black Lake Falls is actually a town inhabited by witches and vampires so they are able to use their magic to keep the town invisible unless one is invited. It doesn't just keep tourists away, it also keeps out the umbra.

 The umbra are demonic creatures that come in and out of the shadows and murder anyone that they encounter. The only thing that is keeping the umbra at bay is a gate that is guarded by an amulet held by the Warden. 

The Warden is revealed to be a powerful alchemist and has a connection to Elise. Oh and he's also dying and wants the Warden position to be passed along to another and guess who he selects? I'll give you a hint, she's not just in town to fix teeth.

Midlife Alchemy is a great fantasy for both younger and older Readers that brings a lot of delightful charm and magic. One of the highlights is Elise herself. She is a bit of fish out of water, asking questions about the landscape and the residents as any newcomer.

She is surprised by the role that she has been given and her familial connection to it, but she understands and accepts the gravity of the responsibility of protecting the town and possibly the world from umbra. Perhaps because of her age, she doesn't go through the obligatory "I don't want this responsibility" that many fantasy Chosen Ones have.

Elise is discombobulated because it's an inherited position that until now she didn't know about. But she realizes this is a job that she has to do not just because she is the best choice, she is the only choice. (Two other potentials suffered illness or breakdowns.)  She realizes that protecting the world from the umbra is much larger than herself. She knows that in protecting the people in town, she is also protecting her children and other people's children.

This moment is emotionally realized during a decisive battle between the umbra and the people of Black Lake Falls, Elise, unsure if she is going to make it out alive, sends a text message of love to both of her children. 

This moment shows the awareness of a larger picture that an older protagonist has that younger ones may not. Many times, younger teen protagonists either have terrible childhoods or are orphans. They show also very little acknowledgement to the people that they do like on the outside, that their actions in the fantasy world could affect them and they may never know why. This little act in which Elise remembers her children shows that she is full aware of what she could leave behind if she shirks on her duties.

Elise also shows a middle aged person's patience and adaptability in any situation. Even before she arrives in Black Lake Falls, there is a weird moment where one of her dental instruments turns into a weapon. She later learns that is part of alchemy, changing matter from one form to another. She studies the former Warden's journals which are full of odd symbols and arbitrary phrasing and works to interpret them. 

Even the very act of pushing the pins on the amulet to keep the gates closed and the umbra take awhile to learn but she manages. She also comes up with some clever plans to outsmart the umbra and unmask a traitor that is working with them.

Elise is also uncanny in using her talents as both a dental hygienist and an alchemist to make friends. One of the vampires, Nina, is openly hostile towards her (witches and vampires don't get along in Black Lake Falls) but Elise manages to make the vamp her BFF by fixing her damaged fangs. (Hey, vampires need dental care too.)

Elise also makes some mistakes such as assuming one character is a traitor which causes some lost time in chasing this red herring and fighting with the people with whom she is closest. (Also presumed traitor leaves town with the possibility of playing a bigger more dangerous part because of Elise's suspicions.)

Elise makes friends with many of the locals and in a town as lovely as Black Lake Falls it's easy to see why. It's a beautiful town with plenty of magic. It is the very town for these fantasies and Elise fits right in. 

 She also develops a romance with Theo, the General in charge of protecting Black Lake Falls from the umbra. Their romance seems similar to those Hallmark holiday rom coms where the newcomer becomes involved with a local (usually local law enforcement). 

However their romance is augmented by their fights against the umbra and the dangerous situations in which they find themselves. Bigger stakes like saving the world also can result in stronger emotions, more stress levels, holding onto one of the few people that can help them, and seeing them in a more romantic light. Plus it helps that Theo is a great character to help Elise forget about her unhappy marriage.

Midlife Alchemy is a brilliant start of

not only a potentially great series but a potentially wonderful trend of fantasies starring older female characters.