Cas PeaceBesprekingen

This was my first book by Cas, silly of me ,yes, as it is rather far down the line, in the series. However, I still completely and utterly enjoyed it. I have now gone back to read the previous books, as I loved it so much.

I found Peace's writing style very good. There was a tone of doom and gloom, throughout the book, and actually a good bit of the series, which I thought was true to the horror aspect. However, she also has a way of making even the darkest moments have their little bits of hope and light. The story is woven in a way that you feel completely hopeless, but are hopeful, for those we are focused upon.

The level of detail put in to the writing was superb. It meant that not only did the characters come to life, but the world was real and the very actions taken were real. This really brought out the dark aspect, as it was very easy to get caught in what was happening, and even almost forget that you aren't there with them.

The pace was good. Having gone back and read the previous, I will say it is a bit slower, but only so much in that it builds the tension even more. It was swift enough to keep me completely enthralled, but definitely leant enough time to allow for build up. It was very well written, with regards to this, and I honestly think it is one of the reasons I loved the book so much.

Overall, I was impressed and very entertained. I highly recommend this book for those who like to read a little on the darker side. It is well-written and keeps you hooked until the last page.

** This is my honest and unbiased opinion and was not affected in any way.

That is a problem with writing a novel, is that you tell a tale and it has a beginning, a middle, and an end... This has a beginning, and it could have had a middle but as you keep reading you find that this is really only the beginning, and at th end of this part, the characters who you may like are not developed enough to like.

Are hero is Taran, no Sully, no Robin... No you don't know who the hero is and the structure is so poorly developed. There is an invasion of two platoons of thirty men, and then several companies of 400 men each are needed to stop it. One company led by a captain who never had to command before, but he is a Captain and has been one for many years.

They live in a manor that has hallways so long and intersecting that you can get lost and closed common rooms instead of ones that are open affairs that barracks would have instead of a building so massive that thousands of men, and a stable for as many horses can support.

World building is not strong here. Nor a reality that people could live in. Or why is our lead Taran really such a fool who says he has searched for other spell users but could not find them, when there are several not but a days ride away? There are places in the narrative that are clear info dumps, and what could have been a stronger tale are mired in that our heroes country has no one at all smart enough to understand what are villains are about. Yet those who live in the country of our villain all can see the plots.

So aside from the bad guys doing bad things, they seem to be the side with the brains. Why then should we like the heroes?½

My full review will be posted next week in conjunction with the blog tour. In the meantime, here is the general book information, my basic recommendations, and the synopsis for your perusal.

Please note: If you are reading this review on a site that does not allow formatting, please follow the link in my profile to my blog, Now is Gone, to view formatting and links.

Book Info: Genre:
Reading Level: Adult
Recommended for: Fans of the series, fans of epic fantasy
Book Available: Paperback was released August 15, 2013
Trigger Warnings: violence, murder, killing, treachery
Extra Stuff: Music to go with the book can be found at the author's website, linked here where permitted.

Series Information: Artesans of Albia trilogy
Book 1: King's Envoy review linked here
Book 2: King's Chamption review linked here
Book 3: King's Artesan full review to be posted August 22
Another series is planned, to be called Circle of Conspiracy. I have no additional information as to book titles or publication dates at this time.

Disclosure: I received an e-book ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review in conjunction with a blog tour. Follow the link to see tour dates and locations. All opinions are my own.

Synopsis: Unable to purge herself of the poison that is slowly killing her, Major Sullyan remains trapped in Andaryon. The only thing that can save her is the Staff, which still lies buried in Taran’s cellar.

Robin Tamsen sets out on a desperate quest to recover the artifact, but the enemy is two steps ahead of him. Sonten knows where the Staff is, and he will stop at nothing to get it back. If he does, Sullyan’s life will be forfeit and no Artesan will be safe.

The race for the Staff has begun.

Book Info: Genre: Fantasy
Reading Level: Adult
Recommended for: fans of the series, of great world-building and character development, good stories in general
Trigger Warnings: Torture, rape, violence, war, murder
Animal Abuse: Rykan abuses several horses in various ways

My Thoughts: This is the second book in the Artesans of Albia series, following King’s Envoy, which I read and reviewed in July of 2011 (review here where formatting is allowed). I wanted to re-read that book before I started this one, since it had been so long, but I have fallen far enough behind on my reviewing, so I will press ahead and hope for the best instead.

This book was thoroughly as enjoyable as the first. Peace is a very talented storyteller, and able to create characters that resonate with the reader. Whether hero or villain or just a regular person, you feel connected, like you know them yourself. This is a rare talent, and I’m very honored to have had the opportunity to experience such wonderful storytelling.

This book ends on a cliffhanger, but the next book in the series is scheduled for release later this year, also by Rhemalda. Be sure to watch for it; I know I will! Highly recommended.

And now a private message to Cas Peace. This is a major spoiler, so you have been warned!
(view spoiler)

Disclosure: I received an ARC e-book copy of this novel from Rhemalda Publishing in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Synopsis: After surviving brutal torture and escaping from Lord Rykan s dungeons, Major Sullyan is trapped in Andaryon, too injured to cross the Veils. Slowly dying and determined to find some purpose in the shattered remains of her life, she travels to the Andaryan capitol to offer the Hierarch her sword and Artesan gifts in the fight against Rykan and his vast army. Because women hold no power in Andaryon, Sullyan is met with prejudice, hostility, and suspicion. Before she can seek vengeance on the field of battle, she must prove herself to the Hierarch s generals. Finding support from the unlikeliest sources, Sullyan sets a plan into motion to defeat Lord Rykan and end his bid for the throne. The fate of two realms depends on her success, but her strength is fading fast and time is running out.

Please note: I originally read and reviewed this book in July 2011. I am updating the formatting and adding the disclosure that I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Book Info: Genre: Fantasy
Reading Level: Adult
Recommended for: Fans of epic fantasy
Trigger Warnings: Violence, torture

My Synopsis: The world in which Albia exists is a strange and wonderous one – Albia is the fourth realm of five, which, while all being on the same world, have no contact other than through the Veils, a metaphysical force that separates the realms. Only Artesans, those who are able to control metaforce – or life force, as it is also known – through the elements of Earth, Air, Fire and Water, are able to pierce the Veils and travel to other realms, although that is not always wise, as some of the other realms are war-like and dangerous.

In Albia, the Artesan gift is in disfavor and decline, because Artesans from the Third Realm, Relkor, and the Fifth Realm, Andaryon, have raided Albia for so long; most Albians believe all Artesans are only out for power and gain. Therefore, when Taran’s father died two years before the start of the story, Taran was stranded at Journeyman level and had no one with whom to train so that he could advance to higher levels of prowess. He decides, in a moment of despair, to try crossing to Andaryon – which has many strong Artesans – to see if he can acquire a teacher there. To say things do not go well is an understatement. Upon his return to Albia, and his recovery, he learns that the Andaryons, who had signed a pact 20 years previously to stop their raiding, have started to raid again; Taran decides that this is his fault, due to what occurred in Andaryon, and he, his apprentice Cal, and Cal’s lover – the healer Rienne – set out for the local garrison to report what he knows to Major Sullyan, who he has heard from a family friend (and village elder), Paulus, he should contact.

When Major Sullyan is sent to Andaryon as an ambassador of Albian’s king, it is decided that Taran will accompany her, along with her captain, Robin, and Bulldog, a retired military man and member of Sullyan’s staff. However, the men are recalled the next day due to an increase in the raiding in Albia, and forced to leave Sullyan alone among the Andaryons. When she disappears, they must go back to try to discover what happened.

My Thoughts: I fear I’ve given too much away, although I’ve tried to be vague and left many things out; however, it is difficult to describe the plot otherwise. Ms. Peace is wonderfully inventive and has created a most unique world. Based upon the glossary, details given about the various realms and other addenda at the end of the book, she’s spent a great deal of time working out all the details to make sure she is able to mesh everything together smoothly. She’s even plotted the geography very carefully – I was much impressed with this, and also with her character development, which was done in stages and worked into the plot to a degree where we learned a great deal about the characters, but the action was hardly slowed down at all. All in all, a most impressive book and I will eagerly look forward to the upcoming completion of the trilogy – King’s Champion scheduled for August 2012 and King’s Artesan scheduled for August 2013. I highly recommend that fans of fantasy adventure books check this one out – it’s a great read and you will not be disappointed.

Taran Elijah and his apprentice, Cal, are Artesans. Unfortunately, Artesans - with their powerful ability to travel between realms, use their psyche for metaphysical strength/healing, and manipulate the four elements - aren't accepted in Albia, the fourth realm, where Taran, Cal, and Cal's lover, Rienne, live. There, Artesans are seen as little more than witches. In fact, if not for Rienne's status as a popular healer and Taran's close relationship with the innkeeper, Taran and Cal would probably be treated a lot worse.

In spite of that, Taran is eager almost to the point of desperation to advance his training, but he is confident there are no Artesans left in Albia to help him. However, in Andaryon, the fifth realm, Artesans are revered. Taran travels to Andaryon in the hopes that if he challenges an Artesan and wins or forces a draw, he can choose knowledge about the Artesan craft as his prize.

The plan was a dangerous one from the get-go. Taran has to leave the portway between his realm and the fifth realm open, meaning that, while he can quickly get back to the fourth realm, so can anything else that decides to jump into the portway. He knows very little about the fifth realm and the Andaryon's fighting customs (which, of course, works to his disadvantage).

When he gets into a fatal battle with a noble and returns back to his realm with an extremely deadly Staff way beyond his power and understanding, his simple plan to learn more sets a series of destructive actions into motion that will forever change his life and the lives of everyone in the realms - especially the fourth and fifth realm.

I remember exactly when I became emotionally invested in King's Envoy. My heart quickened and my thoughts stopped jumping around. I remember reading the sentences with a greedy quickness, like I would miss the battle if I didn't read fast enough. What I loved most about Taran's battle with the noble was the dreadful and excited feeling the outcome gave me. The moment Taran won that battle, you KNEW the story was about to take an intense turn.

There were two other times where I felt very emotionally invested. The second time came when Rienne connected with Major Sullyan (an integral character you'll meet halfway through the story). They basically had a girl's night just to drink and talk. It's been a while since I've read such a heartwarming and realistic beginning of a true friendship. The third time? At the very end, when the characters were escaping from enemy forces. There I was, way immersed in the escape, when 'The End' snuck up on me and left me eager for more.

The only thing that bothered me was that the Staff, the powerful and mysterious item that Taran took back to his own realm, was basically put on the backburner for the entirety of the novel. I'm certain it will play a vital role in the second and/or third book, but just leaving something that powerful sitting around in the background of all the action didn't sit well with me.

All in all, I thought this was a really great book. While I found it both frustrating and great that the main character was inexperienced and often prone to mistakes, I felt a lot more connected to the secondary characters - namely Rienne, Major Sullyan, Bull, and Robin - and a little sorry for Cal, since there didn't seem to be anything particularly special about him in comparison to the other characters. Than again, it's not like that's a bad thing.

Every time I read a book published by Rhemalda, I am always amazed by the beautiful cover art and art within. Rhemalda did not fail to deliver with King's Envoy. Even more, I absolutely loved the addition of a glossary and maps.

In August 2012, the second book in this series - King's Champion - will be released. King's Envoy ended on such an awesome cliffhanger! Like I said above, 'The End' snuck up on me and left me eager for more.

Beautiful typography and cover art complete this engaging fantasy that draws the reader into a well-fleshed-out other-worldly realm. Or I should say "realms," as there are five. The book begins innocently enough, with Taran, a young, inexperienced artesan trying to learn his craft, desperate to reach the next level in his training, and willing to do almost anything to achieve his goal. Unfortunately, his efforts nearly kill him and don't do his friends much good, either. He enters another realm looking for assistance and finds instead a fierce fight, near death, and a magical staff that is nearly his undoing. His misadventures lead him though, to his destiny, which seems to be with the nearby garrison of soldiers, led by the mesmerizing Sullyan. He falls in love with her almost instantly, as does every man except her own superior, General Blaine. Taran and his compatriots, Cal and Rienne, join with Sullyan, Robin and Bull in a quest to discover what this mysterious staff has done and why their land is being systematically invaded by hostile forces from another realm. It turns out there are darker, more evil forces in play that neither Sullyan or any other adept has foreseen.

The author has obviously pondered this series very carefully. Every detail is clearly etched so that the reader becomes fully engaged with the setting as well as the characters. She understands, and with a skillful pen, shares, the politics, intrigues, customs, and traditions of these fantasy worlds, all the while drawing comprehensive character studies of her protagonists. The reader grows to understand the metaphysical abilities certain people are born with, and how they groom & strengthen these abilities until they master and can control Earth, Water, Fire and Air--not an easy task. At the same time we get to know the very human personalities, emotions, weaknesses and loves of our heroes and heroines.

I found little details fascinating: for instance, a magical silver called "spellsilver," which seems completely innocuous and is used as common silverware for eating, yet has the power to drain the strength of a metaphysical adept, rendering him/her helpless. I was moved by a dream that came to all our heroes simultaneously when their leader was in the gravest danger, waking them all at once, and intrigued by their efforts to find her, and as frustrated as they by their failure. I was also happy to discover a generous helping of humor in King's Envoy. Good old-fashioned humor lends that little extra to any dramatic fiction.

I requested a copy of King's Envoy before it was published and so received an advance reader's copy. I regret I am such a slow reader that I am just now writing my review, but I will say that I read the book deeply and carefully because I was so engrossed.

King's Envoy is the first of a trilogy. The second book is scheduled for release in August, 2012.

Cas Peace's King's Envoy weaves a magical tale that's a supremely masterful fantasy.

Taran Elijah will do anything for knowledge and to rise above his Journeyman rank. When he crosses into the fifth realm, his quest goes terribly wrong. He flees to his own realm, but he returns with a powerful magical object. Now he, his apprentice, and a healer must journey to the Manor to speak with Major Sullyan. The fifth realm is attacking Albia, but the complexities of politics and war might be too much. Taran has to learn quickly or they all might be lost.

King's Envoy reads like an old friend. The magic, characters, setting are so well-written that it's easy to slip into the story and not want to leave the world Peace has created. Whether on the battlefield or sipping fellan (a type of tea), every scene adds another complexity to this novel. The pacing speeds along, and I found myself reading to the next scene, the next chapter to know what would happen next. The magic of the Artesans bases itself off the elements, but how the characters learn and use the magic is unique. Like Taran, I thirst for the knowledge of what will happen next.

The Artesans of Albia is a great new fantasy series and will appeal to fans of Mercedes Lackey. King's Envoy by Cas Peace is powerful and easy to read. I don't know how I'll wait until 2012 to read book two!

Readers will love this fantasy world carefully crafted by Cas Pearce. The difference between the "fourth realm" and the "fifth realm" is both intriguing and disturbing-the reader will get to visit both. Taran, the main character, acts as the reader's guide. He is slightly reckless, caring, and strong-willed. He is mostly a likable character; he is flawed, but his flaws add to the story. The reader will get to know Taran very well during the novel...almost to the point of guessing his next decision/action.

The plot is interesting, especially to fantasy readers. It concerns otherworldly skills, mentors, and intrigue. To help him to better understand his craft, Taran ventures into the fifth realm in the hopes of finding a mentor. Instead, he meets evil, unusual characters, and a very different place than his home. When he discovers a very underhanded plot, he knows he must do everything in his power to prevent the plot from succeeding. This is the catalyst for the story and where it truly takes off. This book is recommended to fantasy readers, young adult/adult.