Imago Book 3: A Warrior's Tale Review

Imago Book 3: A Warrior's Tale by L.T. Suzuki, 2003, 460 pages

This opener is taken from Lorna Sukuki's website. I found this so poetic that I wanted to start out my review with this as a way to bring you into this beautifully imagined world created by Lorna Suzuki.

 

Just Imagine

There is a secret place that exists; unknown to most,

forgotten by many and lives on only for the few who believe.

Though you cannot look to a map to find this magical realm, it is still very real. In this world, lost on a plane that hangs in the twilight where one enters a dream as sleep takes over the body and mind; Imago lives on.

Here, as in all places where man dwells, the eternal struggle between good and evil plays out. There are places fair and foul, heroes that are larger than life and villains that one hopes exist only in our nightmares.

In this mystical world life is an extraordinary adventure where revenge and redemption, betrayal and salvation, and love; lost and found are woven together to create this rich tapestry of life.

Where is this realm you ask?

To find Imago all you must do is close your eyes and believe...

Synopsis

"This prequel to ‘Imago Book One: Tales From the West’ begins at the height of the turmoil that shall determine if indeed there will be a Third Age of Peace. Besieged by the enemy from the east and now immersed in war with solders of the Dark Army from the west, Nayla Treeborn and her People are about to engage in the next great war that will decide the fate of all mankind and Elves in Imago.

In a desperate attempt to deliver word to the Elf King of Wyndwood and those of the old alliance for a call to arms, she is the last surviving messenger sent forth by her people. Now, trapped in a storm at the top of the world, she fights to survive the deadly elements in a strange land.

Despised by Elves and shunned by mortals, she must now find the courage to make a place in this world, and the compassion to save those who keep her at arm’s-length. This adventure recounts the defining moments in her life that had forged her into a deadly warrior, a great captain and a legend amongst the people of Imago."

© Copyright 2003 L.T. Suzuki. All rights reserved

Review

I was pleased to begin the series with Imago Book 3: A Warrior's Tale as it takes you to the beginning of Nayla Treeborn's harrowing journey from abused child to heroic warrior. I was totally immersed in this fantasy realm upon reading the first chapter. It transports you to another world and having such a strong female warrior as the main character was indeed refreshing. This book was so well written that I could feel all of the emotions that Nayla was feeling - when she was sad, I was sad, when she was angry, I was right along with her. The powerful emotions evoked for each of the characters was truly exceptional. 

Nayla faces many challenges including the fact that she is half elf and half mortal and does not fit into either world. She must create her own niche and find her true calling - which is being a warrior. She is very dedicated and must work harder than everyone else to prove her worth. She is caring, loving, strong, determined, resilient, scared, loyal - could go on and on with the depth of this character...

The action scenes were incredible and I felt transported to those battle fields - surrounded by mud, warriors, swords, chaos - the descriptions were so vivid that you felt like you were actually in the melee. Your are first taken through the training so when it comes time for the actual battles, you can easily envision all of the movements and plans which are being carried out.

Lorna Suzuki's Imago series is a phenomenal achievement and one that I am sure everyone would enjoy reading. Her writing is so poetic and vivid that she really does transport you to another world.

Please check out Lorna Suzuki's website at: http://web.me.com/imagobooks/IMAGO_FANTASY_REALM/Welcome.html as she has a very informative Q&A section and so much information about her and the Imago book series.

I truly enjoyed this book and am eager to read the entire series.

Rating 4 1/2 out of 5

The Sea Captain's Wife

The Sea Captain's Wife by Beth Powning, 2010

We read this selection for book club and we all enjoyed it very much.

Premise:

Azuba Galloway, daughter of a shipwright, sees ships leaving for foreign ports from her bustling town on the Bay of Fundy and dreams of seeing the world. When she marries Nathaniel Bradstock, a veteran sea captain, she believes she will sail at his side. But when she becomes pregnant she is forced to stay behind. Her father has built the couple a gabled house overlooking the bay, but the gift cannot shelter her from the loneliness of living without her husband. When Azuba becomes embroiled in scandal, Nathaniel is forced to take her and their daughter, Carrie, aboard his ship. They set sail for London with bitter hearts.

Their voyage is ill-fated, beset with ferocious storms and unforeseen obstacles that test Azuba's compassion, courage, and love. Alone in a male world, surrounded by the splendour and the terror of the open seas, she must face her fears and fight to keep her family together.

Review:

This was a well written novel and found that the subject matter was very interesting. The story takes place in the 1860's and it portrayed the ups and downs of seafaring at that time. The research which went into this was meticulous and I learned a lot just from reading it. I had a clear picture of how life what life was like and Beth Powning brought everything to life from her characters to the ship to the voyage. Azuba was a very strong and determined woman who wanted so much to travel and be with her husband and she got her wish although life on board a ship at that time was far from easy. The simple pleasures that we take for granted were not available at this time.

It was amazing to hear how the weather played such an important role in the success or failure of the job. They would sometimes be left adrift waiting for the winds to blow the right way so they could continue to their destination.

It must have been terrifying sailing at that time when food and hygiene were luxuries and you also had to worry about pirates and the captain had to be very tough or else one small mistake could jeopardize all his sailors and cargo.

A riveting tale which I could not put down. I would recommend this book to everyone.

Rating 4 1/2 out of 5

Forever Yours Review

Forever Yours by MJ Smith, 2009, 262 pages

Synopsis

Forever Yours is an engrossing and sweeping saga of a novel about love, war and bittersweet reunions. Europe is torn apart by World War II and a feisty and beautiful heroine, Liz, answers the call to battle as a pilot in the Royal Air Force. Philip, her childhood friend and superior in the air force, is in a position of authority to stop her, but Liz is determined. Before she leaves on a dangerous reconnaissance mission, the two share a passionate night and Philip proposes, giving her his grandmother's ring. Liz's plane goes down during her mission in enemy territory while Philip is sent to train with an elite team of paratroopers. The two discover other loves during their time apart, each thinking the other is lost forever. Will these two star-crossed lovers find each other or will a war that has destroyed so much destroy the greatest love each has ever known? Smith's characters come to life and this perfectly constructed novel captures the mood of war-torn Europe.

Review

I love the character of Elizabeth who is a very strong and resilient woman. It was refreshing to see a woman play such an important role in the War as usually only the men are highlighted. She was very brave and loved to fly.

Her love, Philip MacLeod, is also a pilot in England's Royal Air Force during World War II. He proves to have outstanding leadership skills and is well liked and respected by his superiors and peers and is given promotions. He is shocked when he discovers that his childhood friend has joined the Air Force as a pilot.

Philip and Liz have always had feelings for each other but had not acted upon them before now. They are brought together and then torn apart but even after years of separation, there love and bond still remains strong and they are able to find their way back to each other.  

Forever Yours is a truly touching, romantic novel who discover love for each other and their country. They suffer through much loss but their devotion to each other and their missions is commendable.

I really enjoyed the book apart from the editing. There were some mistakes and enough of them that I found it distracting sometimes and found that it took away from the enjoyment of the novel.

All in all, a very good debut novel and I look forward to reading more from Ms Smith.

Rating: 3 out of 5

Please feel free to check out the interview I did with Ms. Smith which can be found under http://bookgoddessno1.blogspot.com/2010/02/jackie-m-smith-interview.html

I WAS SPOTLIGHTED

I was delighted when I found out that I was being featured on bookishwonderland's site. What a sweetie!!! Thanks!! Check her out at her link below.

http://bookishwonderland.blogspot.com/

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan Review

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See, 2009, 288 pages

Synopsis

In nineteenth-century China, in a remote Hunan county, a girl named Lily, at the tender age of seven, is paired with a laotong, an "old same," in an emotional match that will last a lifetime. The laotong, Snow Flower, introduces herself by sending Lily a silk fan on which she's written a poem in nu shu, a unique language that Chinese women created in order to communicate in secret, away from the influence of men. As the years pass, Lily and Snow Flower send messages on the fan and compose stories on handkerchiefs, reaching out of isolation to share their hopes, dreams, and accomplishments. Together they endure the agony of footbinding and reflect upon their arranged marriages, their loneliness, and the joys and tragedies of motherhood. The two find solace in their friendship, developing a bond that keeps their spirits alive. But when a misunderstanding arises, their relationship suddenly threatens to tear apart.

Review

Lisa See's Snow Flower and the Secret Fan is an engrossing and interesting story of women's friendships set in rural China in the 1800's. It is an excellent, well-written novel and is fascinating on so many levels. Lily, the main character and the narrator of the novel is in her eighties (which is exceptionally long lived during the 19th Century) and is looking back on her life. She shares the stories of her foot binding, women's secret writing, and the various friendships that she experienced.

Lily starts out as a young girl from a poor family who has "beautiful" feet and it is decided when they are bound they might become perfect lilies and thus secure a marriage of high standing. She also finds out that she will be getting a laotong or "old same" - a special contractual friendship with a girl in a higher family- named Snow Flower which will help her family over time as well. This novel chronicles Lily and Snow Flower's lives and the messages they write on their secret fan. It transports you to a world we know nothing about. It is a book about the depth of their friendship, deceits, strengths and it is quite fascinating to read about a society and entire culture so different from our own.

It takes you on an emotional roller coaster and culminates with peace, understanding and acceptance in the end. If you have not yet read it, I would recommend doing so.

Rating 4 1/2 out of 5