Category: Science Fiction Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
ISBN-10: 1601545576
Pages: 228
Copyright: June 2009
ISBN-13: 9781601545572
Price: $4.99 (eBook)
SF/Fantasy Romance - second in the 'Destiny Trilogy' but is a 'stand alone' novel. Featuring old favourites from 'Starquest' and a sprinkling of new characters determined to save the planet Niflheim from a deadly enemy.
BLURB
Two minds united against a common foe. Two hearts afraid to show their love: Long ago Tamarith fell in love with a man she can never have, and is convinced she will never love another. However, she cannot help but be intrigued by a handsome stranger whose psychic powers exceed even her own. Vidarh seeks only to find his true purpose in life and to win the regard of his father, who eschews his son's psychic abilities.
Thrown together by a common threat to their planet, then torn apart by an evil greater than any they could have imagined, can Vidarh save the lovely Nifl woman who has captivated him, before it is too late? Will Tamarith and Vidarh overcome the deadly enemy who threatens to destroy all they know and love? Will they find the happiness they both seek? Or are they fated to live their lives alone?
Excerpt
Tamarith stopped and gazed for a moment across the water. The G-type sun, now fully risen, caused the lake to shimmer like a veil of golden silk, with scarcely a ripple disturbing its calm. The pastel-colored walls of the graceful buildings on the shore reflected the glow of both suns. In the distance, the mountains encircling the settlement reached high into the cerulean sky. The swirling mist that hid their summits was as much a part of Niflheim as the earth upon which she and Vidarh stood.
She sensed his mind discreetly touch hers and realized he was staring at her keenly. She turned back to face him, returning his questioning glance and studying him in turn. Taller than average, and broad-shouldered, today he wore a sleeveless, belted leather shirt over thick breeches, with long, icecat-wool lined boots. His upper arms were well muscled, his skin tanned as if he were used to working outdoors. His curly, dark auburn hair, kept away from his face with a plain leather band, reached almost to his shoulders. It caught the sun's rays and gleamed like the polished dark red wood of the trees that flanked the feet of the mountains.
She took in his clear, hazel eyes, with their friendly twinkle, the long, straight nose, strong jaw line and smiling mouth. He would have been fighting off the local unattached young women if the situation they found themselves in were not so serious. Not that she was particularly interested in his looks, or those of any other man, for that matter.
No, something else about Vidarh of Ragnak excited her curiosity.
"It's about yesterday."
Professional Reviews
by: Martha E You Gotta Read Reviews
by: Martha E You Gotta Read Reviews
This is a lovely and flowing read! It has wonderful characters, a unique futuristic planet, lots of action and a touching romance.
Tamarith is lovely and strong but shy since she has withdrawn into herself after losing the man she loved. Vidarh is a wonderful, kind, strong and loyal young man. He has developed and improved his psychic skills on his own as his family doesn't encourage him and he is confused about where he fits in his community. As Tamarith and Vidarh fight several threats to their planet, they are drawn together by their strengths and vulnerabilities!
The story is fast paced and filled with interesting action: traveling some beautiful but difficult terrains, facing a deadly virus, and battling evil alien slavers. The psychic powers add an exciting dimension and are an integral part of the plot and romance. The story jumps into action from the very beginning and keeps you engaged to the end! The characters include Jestine and Dahll (Tamarith's first love) who were the heroine and hero from Ms. Lyn’s first book, Starquest. Although this book stands well on its own I definitely want to read Starquest now too! I encourage you to pick up the series for exciting and enjoyable reading.
Long and Short Reviews - Reviewed by Orchid
Children of the Mist by Hywela Lyn
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Action/Adventure, Contemporary, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full (247 pages)
Heat: Sweet
Book: Best Book
Reviewed by Orchid
A viral plague decimates the people of Earth Colony Niflheim. First their telepathic powers disappear cutting them off from the rest of the planet, then death takes them from their loved ones.
The elders call representatives from all the settlements to gather at Gladsheim. Their aim is to send a telepathic message to the stars to the only person who can help.
Vidarh arrives at Gladsheim as the representative from Sleipnir. The manner in which he arrives startles the people of Gladsheim, especially Tamarith. Vidarh takes an instant liking to Tamarith but realizes she is far above him in ability and station. He knows he has no chance to win her affection when he finds out Tamarith is in love with someone else.
In the depths of space Jess Tarron receives the telepathic message from Niflheim. She and Dahl head for Niflheim in their ship Quest. Due to past help received from the Nifls they are only too pleased to offer their assistance. Samples of the disease are collected for them to take offplanet to the Phidians in the hope a cure for the virus can be found.
Everything goes to plan until Jess and Dahl try to leave the planet. They are forced to return to Gladsheim where the Nifls have discovered sinister undertones to the sickness. Strangers on Niflheim are causing death and destruction to the telepaths way of life. The technology and knowledge of Jess and Dahl combined with the telepathic and kinetic ability of Vidahr and Tamarith are needed to save the planet. But is there enough time?
This book is wonderful! There are few books that hold my interest to the point where I can't bear to put it down, but Children of the Mist is most certainly at the top of this list. The attraction between Tamarith and Vidarh is beautifully written. The involvement of telepathy would appear to make it easier for them to share their feelings, but this isn't the case. If anything telepathy makes it harder as they hide their minds from one another. This puts their lives in danger more than once.
Jess and Dahl are not the main characters of this book, but they are not really minor characters either. Their story complements and intertwines with that of Tamarith and Vidarh providing a perfect balance between technology and mind power.
From the beginning I thought I knew what was going to happen but Ms Lyn cleverly develops the story so that I was never quite sure I'd got it right. This kept my interest at its peak to the spectacular, but totally unexpected finale.
Well done Hywela Lyn. I haven't read the first book in this series, but you can be sure I'm going to buy it as soon as I can. This is the type of book I love to read.
Mind Fog Reviews
Hywela Lyn creates a very vivid and wonderful world in Children of the Mist. Her characters have depth beyond any I have seen in a science fiction novel. She has the ability to give them souls in the literary sense, which is a rare talent. The extensive descriptions of the world she has created forms in the mind almost like the memory of a place once visited.
I enjoyed this story and felt as if it carried me along from beginning to end. There was no effort in trying to understand the plot and I found it to be a bit of a mystery as well. It was a journey well worth taking and I highly recommend this book as one of the best I have ever read.
I look forward to reading more books by this author.
5 Stars *****
Author/Reviewer Marilyn Thompson
Mind Fog Reviews
A love that will carry the heroine across the galaxy; a challenge that will threaten her life. Starquest by Hywela Lyn leaps into the deep end of galaxy right from the start, as the Jaii-onboard-computer announces a calamity that is but moments away. The navigational corrections are not enough, the starship’s drive is compromised; prepare to abandon ship…
Starquest kicks off with a literal bang, and you will feel your heart thumping at the race to abandon ship. The heroine, Jestine Darnell, is setting off on a desperate quest and does not quite know why. Her personal trajectory is impossible to predict, as she soon finds herself in the hands of telepaths – who are telepaths and more. Unsought friendships emerge, but can she trust them? And can that sort of reliance (no matter how good a navigator she is) come to matter among a large starship crew? It doesn’t help that she has to start off with a lie, then wonders if they can see through it.
The Destiny’s crew find her competent, but they have reservations. Kerry and Jon acknowledge her competence, and you will find yourself hoping against hope that they will give her the benefit of the doubt. It is a troubled time; from the Union’s stranglehold on Earth, to the dangerous Grakk spies lurking all over the universe. Even as we hope for her to be accepted, you will feel a thread of doubt yourself. In an amazing way, Lyn will make you identify – even if just a little bit – with almost every character.
Some emotions, like a somewhat shared sense of longing, are common among these people that cannot help but remember, a little sadly, the Earth home they left, long ago. What seems like a minor emotion – a loneliness or regret, becomes surprisingly evocative in this tale.
Ms. Lyn does a great job making surprise characters, like Jaii and other ships’ computers, seem ordinary. And, it’s refreshing that various characters share a sense of pride and enthusiasm in their ships’ capabilities.
Dialogue tends to be to the point and believable. Events become more and more unpredictable as the story moves forward. The backdrop is a universe – a beautifully envisioned universe. It seems rare to find a story with a science fiction bent so beautifully described. Read a little slice:
“… watching the rapidly unfolding vista of stars, like shimmering jewels in the black velvet backcloth that was deep space. There was something about the sheer immensity of the Universe that made her feel very insignificant and, at the same time, very tranquil.”
The lovely, lovely descriptions never slow the action, but manage still to convey emotion and carry the narration forward. This is an incredibly original tale, and – for all the science fiction trappings – is truly a classic quest for love, and the romance, which at first seems very much at the periphery, will become not only a primary motivation, but the chief joy of the tale. Adventure may be the main motif, but the heartwarming side will be a surprising bonus.
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