Hi Folks

Well the new year is off to a disastrous start with the devastating fires in California.  As someone who grew up on a farm in a bushfire prone area and who now lives in another such area, my heart goes out to all those affected.

News on the writing front is slow, but steady and the Tale of Nagi as a type of book to transition younger readers into fantasy and into novels continues.  I’m envisioning something that has a good balance of pictures and text so kids will feel like they’re reading a novel, but won’t be overwhelmed.

Book Review

Drylands by Thea Astley

Thea Astley was a brilliant Australian novelist who won the Miles Franklin award four times.  The novel is set in the fictional town of Drylands in Queensland and is comprised  of multiple stories, some over different timelines, all connected by life in the town.  I grew up in a rural area and so much of this novel struck a deep chord within me; I loved it, I was confronted by it and disturbed by it, but at no time did I feel that it was unrealistic.

Astley has captured the many nuances of life in a small town in a harsh rural setting. There is an accurate depiction of how life on the land can be extraordinarily hard for farmers and the toll that that takes on them physically and psychologically and on their families, yet they persist because of a deep connection to the land. She does not shy away from portraying the racism, misogyny, domestic violence and corruption within this parochial environment.

A central theme that runs throughout many of the stories is the role of women and the lack of power of many in an environment where too often their role is limited to the confines of the kitchen and the bedroom.

Astley’s anger at anti-intellectualism is clear and in Drylands the reader sees the notion that we are a society being “dumbed down” by our constant need for visual stimulation, while a love of reading wanes, played out. It results in the decline of values and behaviour – the crime rate within Drylands rises.  

You may think that this now sounds depressingly gritty and not want to bother reading it, but it is a wonderful, superbly written book.

Five Stars

Coming up…

Upcoming reviews:

The Crown Tower by Michael J. Sullivan, The Yomigaeri Tunnel by Kelly Murashige and Daughters of the Fatherland by Jericho J Johnson.

New Release

Eldrick Keeper of Dragons by J.A. Culican

Eldrick, poised for glory as the Elf Prince and heir, veered tragically into darkness, captivated by the forbidden allure of dark tillium, the most potent of elven magic. His relentless pursuit of dominance not only estranged him from his royal lineage but also transformed him into the catalyst of his realm’s despair. This profound betrayal shattered the familial bonds at the kingdom’s heart, inflicting scars that reached far beyond the throne. Through his actions, Eldrick gave rise to the Elden,a faction of elves lured by the allure of power, wreaking havoc and instilling fear across the kingdom.

In the wake of this darkness, Prince Gaber and Princess Clara, Eldrick’s siblings, are thrust into a battle for the soul of their kingdom. They stand not only against the tangible threat of their brother’s making but also against the widespread shadow that threatens to engulf their realm. Their journey is fraught with challenges as they strive to mend a world torn apart by betrayal and war.

Jericho, a dragon shifter whose destiny once seemed intertwined with the elves, now faces his own crisis. The chaos unleashed by Eldrick’s fall has thrown the delicate balance of alliances into disarray, affecting even the ancient pact with the dragons.

“Eldrick” lays the foundation for the acclaimed and now complete “Keeper of Dragons” series, delving into the origins of darkness that engulfs the realm. Here, Eldrick emerges not as a hero, but as the villain whose insatiable hunger for forbidden magic sets into motion the epic saga. Witness the rise of the Elden, the chaos sown by one elf’s betrayal, and the indomitable spirit of the heroes who rise to challenge him. This tale is a journey into the heart of ambition and the battles fought in its shadow, inviting readers to explore the very beginning of the darkness that the heroes of the “Keeper of Dragons” must overcome.

Get it here!

Free Fantasy Read!

The Gilded Dagger by Shane Morgan

A mismatched band of thieves, assassins, and a reluctant mage sets out on the ultimate heist—to retrieve the legendary Gilded Dagger before it falls into the wrong hands. But with a sarcastic rogue, a former assassin trying to outrun her past, and a mage whose powers are as unpredictable as her temper, the real question is not just if they’ll survive the quest—but if they’ll survive each other. Perfect for readers who enjoy sharp humor, high-stakes adventures, and lovable anti-heroes, The Gilded Dagger delivers an action-packed ride through a world of magic, mischief, and mystery.

Get it here!

Tracy


Discover more from Tracy M Joyce, Epic Fantasy Author

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