space
Reader Reviews | |
Review by Molly Martin (010120) Rating (9/10) Review
by Molly Martin I like being able to study maps and depictions of the settings where action takes place, particularly as I read a fantasy type account. Continuing events in standpoint assists my understanding of the account with more lucidity. A yarn populated with authoritative female characters, Quondam is the final of the four-part series of writer Gibson’s The Ancient Mirror Series. The narrative originates in the prologue as we read concerning the loud din of men’s angry, fuming voices along with sounds of apprehensive mounts squealing their trepidation concerning entering the gloom of the spirit woods. Readers find themselves drawn into the account, as they match pace with the wood nymph, Karid’s, servant whilst she treks soundlessly along the side wall of a noisy tavern; she knows, there can be no survivors. Summoning a veil of invisibility she stepped into the pub. We pause with Malaia as she struggles through the wrenches of giving birth, we listen in as the spright Flida counters her sister Karid’s spell against the dragon-spawn who will grow up motherless subsequent to Malaia’s expiry during his birth. From that inaugural episode, we keep step along with Cwen; the chief character of the account. Vindictive Queen Karid sent a fire-breathing cutthroat through an enchanted portal, into another realm in her determination to devastate those she most believes to be an appalling peril for her. Karid's homicidal exertions will be enough to propel two women through the entrance and into Quondam. This was not what she had in mind. And, to her vexation it will have overwhelming costs for her. One of those hauled through is Cwen who embraces an astonishing influence which will commit her to D'raekn, the dragon-spawn. D'raekn, half man/half dragon has been displaced in exile to an island for over a thousand years. Queen Karid's energies to overturn the prophetic connecting of Cwen to D'raekn, will unavoidably bring the pair together. From a slaying, to quest, to a recompense, Magick, insurgency and dreams; the chronicle is advanced at a furious pace. Gibson’s writings validate her principles, beliefs and viewpoints. Characters are multifaceted, multi-layered, and engaged in complicated activities causing the action-packed story line to be chockfull of details, environments, trickery and reader welcoming circumstances. The multi layered accounts are spellbinding in depth and particulars; thrashing out human deficiency securing reader attention from the preliminary paragraphs and continuing to the last sentences found on the final page. Themes have become more resolute, unswerving, and reliable for the simple reason that Gibson’s characters do exhibit the very oddities, warts and feebleness as trouble, plague, or devastate us all. |
|
Column Ends |
space