The Dragonkin Legacy Omnibus FREE for FIVE DAYS

My book The Dragonkin Legacy Omnibus is FREE on Kindle for FIVE DAYS on Amazon, starting today and ending on August 5th.

“An enthralling epic teeming with valor, camaraderie, and searing battles.” – Kirkus Reviews
“À la Ursula K. Le Guin’s Earthsea saga.” – BlueInk Reviews

The Dragonkin were slain long ago. Yet they are humanity’s only hope.

The Dragonkin are gone – slaughtered to extinction in an ancient genocidal war, leaving humanity to rule the shattered Archipelago of Cynnahu. Now, millennia later, a prophecy unfolds, declaring that five – Traveler, Orphan, Survivor, Student, and Lord – shall save, or fail to save, the Archipelago in humanity’s Last War against the mireborn of Nag Isle.

Sakura’s life is shattered when her family is slaughtered and her home isle destroyed; now orphaned and homeless, she seeks vengeance. Myrriden is a weary mage and devoted single father drawn into a war he never wanted. Emrys, his nervous son, fears he will never live up to his father’s name. Volcan is the enigmatic Fire Mage whose past and powers remain a mystery. And Archmage Hoth, their unflappable leader, carries the weight of countless lives upon his shoulders.

Guided by a riddle unearthed from a mage’s tomb, the five race through a world of swords, spells, and forgotten scrolls to rediscover the Elder Song – the lost magic of the Dragonkin and humanity’s only hope. But time is their greatest foe. As war spreads across land and sea, they must uncover secrets deliberately erased from humanity’s past and reunite the scattered Song before the forces that predate human rule in Cynnahu rise again. Only three things are certain: the past is not dead, where swords fail scrolls may prevail, and humanity stands on the edge of extinction.

My father and I just finished reading The Firework-Maker's Daughter by Sir Philip Pullman

My father and I just finished reading The Firework-Maker's Daughter by Sir Philip Pullman.

A charming, whimsical, and terribly short tale of courage, talent, and luck whose real lesson is that the best artists put love into each piece. I cannot help but feel that Pullman used this book to channel the wisdom of a quote of his, "children are not less intelligent than adults; what they are is less informed," for it shows the danger of not telling children what they need to know, of societal expectations thwarting their very real passions and desires. But Lila, daughter of Lalchand, would not be thwarted by anyone, the fire in her heart and those of her friends enough to overcome all challenges for ludicrous to lethal. From the Grotto of the Fire-Fiend Razvani to a most explosive and beautiful competition.

Farewell and be well Lila, Lalchand, Chulak, and Hamlet the white elephant.

Avatar: Seven Havens - Official Teaser

"If anyone is to blame for the state of the world, it is me. I should have seen this war coming and prevented it. You inherited my problems and my mistakes. But I believe you are destined to redeem me and save the world." - Avatar Roku to Aang
I get the feeling Korra may end up saying something similar to Pavi. Bottom line, looks like Korra is Seven Havens' Roku: an Avatar who failed to prevent the disaster that shaped the current world. Roku failed to prevent the 100 Years War, and Korra failed to stop...whatever this is. That said, Korra only saved the world a few times previously - and I am a LOK fan to my dying day. On a side note, please notice that Korra has grey hair; meaning that this apocalypse occurred likely fifty years or so after the end of Legend of Korra. Pretty impressive considering the sheer number constantly trying to kill her.

“Humanity is not ready for the Avatar’s return. And yet, it’s the one thing this world needs the most.”

Personally I feel very ready and eagerly await October 9th. I am also desperately hoping that Korra's name is redeemed. Speaking of, I heard a very convincing argument on twitter/X: Korra fans and haters sincerely believing the obvious misdirection set up of all time is so baffling. "Korra isn't the reason the world ended, she's the reason there's anything left of it at all" is so obviously going to be the big twist that it almost doesn't even qualify as one

I have started The Shadow of What Was Lost, Book One of The Licanius Trilogy by James Islington

I have started The Shadow of What Was Lost, Book One of The Licanius Trilogy by James Islington.

We all need to go back to our roots and passions, which for me amount to the same thing: Epic Fantasy in the tradition of Tolkien. So what better way than a series hailed as the next Wheel of Time? Powerful praise, and interesting given that The Licanius Trilogy is eleven books shorter than the justly named American Tolkien's heavyweight, but if the Rhapsody Trilogy of Elizabeth Haydon's Symphony of Ages could accomplish the same thing (at least in my mind) then I am ready to jump in. So begins the journey of Davain, whose forbidden powers of the fallen formerly ruling Augurs will... well, if The Wheel of Time is the point of reference... cause nothing short of apocalyptic war as a ancient foe rises while political intrigue hinders most everything. A perfectly relaxing summer read (though doubtless this series will outlast the summer).

I have finished Dreams Lie Beneath by Rebecca Ross

I have finished Dreams Lie Beneath by Rebecca Ross.

Thus ends the curse set by the betrayed Duke of Seren, freeing the realm of Azenor and letting the diaspora of mountain folk return to the city of Ulla and the fortress in the clouds. The price? Everything  Clementine Madigan believed about her life and a fundamental change in future plans. A resurrection of the ancient betrayal turned terribly ironic yet utterly stellar considering how everything turned out. For dreams are as necessary as forgiveness, ambition and greed the bane of trust and love, no nightmare cannot be defeated, and no stone heart can forever endure; just ask Brin of Stonefall.

So ends another Fantasy with a setting based upon Victorian England and, like the others, twas wonderful. Filled with passion, secrets, betrayals, and magicians wearing cravats and top-hats. Dream-taxes and facing down literal nightmares was a new yet delightful twist I shall not soon forget.

Long lives and happy dreams to Clem and Phelan, Olivette and Nura, Ambrose and Sigourney, Imonie, Mr. Wolfe, and Mazarine.

My father and I just finished rereading Enchanted Glass by Diana Wynne Jones

My father and I just finished rereading Enchanted Glass by Diana Wynne Jones.

Per typical Jones, simple seeming writing belies a plot that gradually grows thick as a vegetable patch with secrets both familial and magical that, by the ending, blooms into a hornets' nest of chaos and mind-bending complexity. There is a reason why the Garth Nix says of it "a great book from Diana Wynne Jones, which means, of course, another classic British fantasy. I loved it." You, and the characters, may have to take your glasses off to see Jones paying tribute to another great British author, but more I cannot say for fear of spoilers. Will say, however, that there is never a dull moment at Melstone House and its field-of-care, which encapsulates so much of Jones' trademark humor.

Happy days to Andrew Hope & Stashe, Aidan Cain, Tarquin, Rolf, Groil, Shaun, Trixie, and the unrelated Mr. and Mrs. Stock.

Repost: Redwall

Given how long I have been doing this mostly humble blog, it feels wrong that I should post a great piece then we never see it again. So here is a re-post of one of my favorites:

The Redwall series by Brian Jacques: one of the most notable Fantasies in the genre not just for its length of 22 books, but also for its animal cast of characters centered around the peaceful sanctuary that is Redwall Abbey. Well, ideally peaceful were it not for its turbulent history both past and present in an Epic Fantasy world that fills the mundane with wonder.

Redwall has long held a special place it my heart not because I read it but, ironically, because I watched it – the first, third, and sixth books forming the Redwall animated series that, as subsequent research revealed, is a more than worthy adaptation. 

So worthy that, having watched it as a small child, what scattered memories I had of it stuck out and year after year returned to me until, finally, I sought out and found it again online. A touching tale, perhaps, but now that personal history it out of the way one can delve into what makes Brian Jacque's work (both in ink and on screen) so evocative. Three elements that build upon and support one another: rhyming riddles, a true warrior code of peace, and limited magic of the subtlest kind.

The Tapestry of Martin the Warrior

Tomb of Abbess Germaine

Beginning with the first – and I am going to try my level best to avoid spoilers here – are the rhyming riddles left by long dead creatures to guide their decedents and/or spiritual heirs. Martin the Warrior for example, Redwall's greatest hero, is only slight less mighty in death as he was in life as his spirit often acts as a guide to creatures of the Abbey, usually its future Warriors, Abbots, and Abbesses. Generally, he appears in dreams and will present the young creature with a riddle or puzzle of some sort that they must solve in order to survive or save a friend. The quote I will note, however, is from Abbess Germaine, one of Redwall's founders and formerly the last Abbess of Loamhedge Abbey. As aforesaid, I am trying to avoid spoilers, so suffice to say that the ancient mouse left this to held future generations find the exact location of Loamhedge Abbey should they need it (which they did):

"Those who wish to challenge fate,
to a jumbled shout walk strait.
Sunset fires in dexteree,
Find where Loamhedge used to be.
At the high place near the skies,
Look for other watchful eyes.
Sleep not ‘neath the darkpine trees,
Be on your guard, take not your ease.
Voyage when the daylight dims,
Danger in the water swims.
Make no sound with spear or sword,
Lest you wake the Longtail Horde
Shades of creatures who have died,
Bones of warriors who have tried.
Shrink not from the barren land,
Look below from where you stand.
This is where a stone may fall and make no sound at all.
Those who cross and live to tell,
See the badger and the bell.
Face the lord who points the way,
After noon on summers day,
Death will open up its grave.

Who goes there . . . ? None but the brave."

This may sound convoluted but, believe me that it outlines the dangers of a certain rescue mission fairly well. Read (or watch) Mattimeo to learn more.

Moving right along, here one of the best quotes I have heard in a long time. Simple yet deep and wise on multiple levels, epitomizing the morally of the High Fantasy as well as Redwall's true warrior code of peace:
"Always use the sword to stand for good and right, never do a thing you would be ashamed of, but never let your heart rule your mind." - Brian Jacques

Finally, the use of magic in the series at large is quite limited. Recall how in The Lord of the Rings one does not see Gandalf casting a lot of spells or throwing fireballs; rather, when danger comes Gandalf draws Glamdring (his sword). Yet there is still a steady presence of magic in Middle-earth, subtle yet bright, clear, and elegant. Much the same in true in the Redwall series, mostly in the form of Martin's spirit, though there are other examples such as the crow Mangiz being a successful seer. Granted that this magic is technically even more limited than that which Tolkien employs, yet its presence, elegance, and potent role in the story is no less.