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O P E N I N G H O O K:
Kemplan sat in front of the fireplace watching the salamanders dance among the flames. His eyelids were droopy, and he needed sleep. He drifted, and then shot up, realizing he needed to add another log to the fire. He pushed off the old leather chair with the high back and waddled over to the stack of logs beside the fireplace. He picked one up with his chubby hands, removed the gold fencing that surrounded the fire, and threw it on top of the other logs. The new log was instantly devoured by the flames. He smiled and turned towards his chair.
There, perched on the bottom cushion, was a piece of parchment. Kemlan glanced into the skies of the library. It was vast, the ceiling too high to see due to the shadows that collected above him. Eyes back to the cushion, Kemplan paused and gawked at the parchment. Never in all his time had a page appeared like that. He waddled over to the chair and delicately grasped the parchment.
He turned it over and stared at the images before him. A Ferryman perched on a throne, wearing the royal colors of black and gold, across from him, a Flame. They stared at each other with a look that meant one thing--soul mates. Kemplan blinked and shook his head. He wanted to shove the parchment back into the high shelf it had come from. Memories clouded his mind as he revisited the past he barely survived. He nervously cleared his throat, clenched his fist. There weren't many things in the Great Library that were forbidden, but this was one of them.
(page 11, US e-book edition)
The Ferryman and the Flame series by Rhiannon Paille is a story of forbidden love, that kind of love that is devastating and destructive when it blossoms, but impossible to avoid. Paille warns us about the roots of the tale and her own ambitions for creating the series before it ever begins, but the lore of the book is impossible to resist. If, like me, you're a fan of mythology, you'll want to read this. There's homage to so many different tales in this series, from the Ferrymen of Greek mythology to the Flames of Asian Mythology. The world is an earlier version of Avalon, long before King Arthur lived, currently called Avristar. There's also reference to Titania, Oberon, and Puck from William Shakespeare's A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM. Oh, and there are mermaids. We can't forget about the mermaids!
Krishani and Kaliel both meet in the first chapter, where they're in a forbidden cave. They're instantly attracted and can't stop thinking about one another once apart, even though they aren't together again for quite a while. Both are supposed to "marry the land" and never fall in love, so their attraction has a dangerous twist, especially once the two are reunited. There are prophecies that hint at their destinies, and Kaliel's is especially perplexing. By being together and going against their planned paths, Krishani and Kaliel will change the course of Avristar's destiny--and of their own.
I'm still reading this book so I can't comment on my overall thoughts of the series, but the review was scheduled for today's tour stop. It's taking me longer than normal to read because the ARC formatting bleeds the story into the edges of my nook. There are no margins, and every time I begin reading a new sentence, I have to figure out what the first word on the page is supposed to be, which makes reading hard. Margins don't exist, and my nook's margins aren't able to rectify this formatting issue. I'm sure this is an issue that will be fixed when the revised version of SURRENDER (Previously titled FLAME OF SURRENDER) goes live. I am, however, loving the mythology and lore of SURRENDER. It feels like I'm reading traditional lore. It has prophecies, fantastic creatures such as mermaids, and a unique history to Avristar that lets readers learn about the various races and their obligations as they read. I'm enjoying the world building a lot and hope to see a better-formatted final draft when SURRENDER and its sequels go live.
I believe this series is also getting a cover re-design before it goes live; stay tuned for an upcoming Cover Re-Reveal blog post on March 19th!
Also, have you seen the video for SURRENDER? I think it suits the book and makes me want to finish reading ASAP!
~*~
C O V E R D E S I G N:
I'm not going to comment on the cover since there will be a new design on March 19th!
I can't wait to see it, though I did like this one as well!
~*~
O F F I C I A L S E R I E S I N F O:
Title: Surrender (The Ferryman and the Flame #1)
Author: Rhiannon Paille
Author: Rhiannon Paille
Release Date: Out Oct. 2, 2012
Publisher: Rhiannon Paille
Received: For Review
Received: For Review
SUMMARY:
How far would you go to save everything you ever loved?
Kaliel was warned about her love for the Ferryman. One day he will marry the land and leave Avristar forever. She doesn't listen, and because of what she is-- a Flame-- one of nine apocalyptic weapons, she sparks a war. In a desperate attempt to save her home and her love, Kaliel tries to awaken Avred, not knowing she may have to make the ultimate sacrifice.
Title: Lantern & Poison (The Ferryman and the Flame #1.5)
Author: Rhiannon Paille
Author: Rhiannon Paille
Release Date: Out Dec. 11, 2012
Publisher: Rhiannon Paille
Received: For Review
Received: For Review
SUMMARY:
This is SURRENDER from the villain's POV.
Hadwen is no more. The Daed have no choice but to travel to Avrigost to awaken Crestaos. They're thrown into a whirlwind quest for the Flames, not knowing how ruthless and sadistic Crestaos can be.
Meet Isadora The Iolite Flame, Lotesse The Emerald Flame, Cossisea The Ruby Flame, Shezeel The Quartz Flame and Tiki The Carnelian Flame in this novella that dives deeper into Kaliel and Krishani's nightmare.
Title: Justice (The Ferryman and the Flame #2)
Author: Rhiannon Paille
Author: Rhiannon Paille
Release Date: Out Jan. 22, 2013
Publisher: Rhiannon Paille
Received: For Review
Received: For Review
SUMMARY:
How far would you go to destroy yourself?
Krishani always knew he would have to go to the Lands of Men, but he never thought it would be like this. Enemies everywhere, an ancestor he can't respect, elders he can't trust, a curse he can't stop and friends he can't help but hate. Desperate to end the pain, he sets out on a quest to find the other Flames and face the enemy that took everything from him.
Title: Blood & Gold (The Ferryman and the Flame #2.5)
Author: Rhiannon Paille
Author: Rhiannon Paille
Release Date: Out June 2013
Publisher: Rhiannon Paille
Received: For Review
Received: For Review
SUMMARY:
This is JUSTICE from the villain's POV.
The Daed are pawns to one of the most powerful members of the Valtanyana. Crestaos is insane, his hunger for the Flames insatiable. The closer the Daed get to achieving his goal, the more expendable they become.
~*~
Rhi was never a normal girl. Her life was an urban fantasy wrapped in a paranormal romance and served with a side of horror. To escape her everyday weirdness she began writing fantasy. She studied at U of Sedona and MIMT, obtaining a PhD in Metaphysical Science and Parapsychology. She's married to a chef/comic book shop owner and has a fondness for architecture. She frequents twitter and facebook, but if you really want to get to know her you should visit her site: www.yafantasyauthor.com
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Oops, I clicked the wrong banner. Thanks for pointing it out! :)
ReplyDeleteA better-formatted version would be perfect! I didn't want to read the old version before the new title/etc. because I didn't know what changes were made. I'll look forward to the email! :)
I haven't read Mabinogian, but maybe I have to!! Thanks for the recommendation. Traditional lore in original fiction is one of my favorite things!
Thanks for replying! <3