A rich tapestry woven out of the bright threads of myth and romance, imbued with the magic of Alice in Wonderland, Middle Earth, and a thousand ancient fairy tales. Darf-Thornton's Erith is a finely detailed world of complexity, depth, and unexpedcted dangers, but Imrhien is a heroine made to match its challenges.
Couldnt get into it
Although its definitely not serious literature, I couldnt help liking this book. A mix of original high fantasy, Celtic legend, and escapist romance come together in a dazzling if not all that substantial mélange.
A youth, face hideously scarred and bearing other marks of violence, is found unconscious and brought to Isse Tower, a Stormriders outpost. Deformed and ugly, and suffering from amnesia, the youth is reviled and works as a drudge the lowest of the low. Driven to escape on one of the floating skyships, an adventure is in the offing - involving pirates, hidden treasure, dangerous wastelands filled with fantastic dangers, brigands, and, of course, a mysterious and gorgeous love-interest.
Dart-Thorntons language is full of rich and gorgeous details. The reader gets to know precisely what each character might be wearing, how rooms are furnished, etc. This might seem annoying but she makes it work. She also works in a wealth of old folktales (with a bibliography of their sources at the end.)
A youth, face hideously scarred and bearing other marks of violence, is found unconscious and brought to Isse Tower, a Stormriders outpost. Deformed and ugly, and suffering from amnesia, the youth is reviled and works as a drudge the lowest of the low. Driven to escape on one of the floating skyships, an adventure is in the offing - involving pirates, hidden treasure, dangerous wastelands filled with fantastic dangers, brigands, and, of course, a mysterious and gorgeous love-interest.
Dart-Thorntons language is full of rich and gorgeous details. The reader gets to know precisely what each character might be wearing, how rooms are furnished, etc. This might seem annoying but she makes it work. She also works in a wealth of old folktales (with a bibliography of their sources at the end.)
THE ILL-MADE MUTE
The Stormriders land their splendid winged stallions on the airy battlements of Isse Tower. Far below, the superstitious servants who dwell in the fortress's lower depths tell ghastly tales of evil creatures inhabiting the world outside, a world they have only glimpsed. Yet it is the least of the lowlya mute, scarred, and utterly despised foundlingwho dares to scale the Tower, sneak aboard a Windship, and then dive from the sky.
The fugitive is rescued by a kindhearted adventurer who gives it a name, the gift of communicating by handspeak, and an amazing truth it had never guessed. Now the girl Imrhien begins a journey to distant Caermelor, to seek a wise woman whose skills may change her life.
Along the way, Imrhien must survive a wilderness of endless danger. For the hearthside tales are all true. The unhuman wights are real in all their legions. They haunt every pool, every turn in the road, and threaten and torment all travelers. Lost and pursued by these monsters, Imrhien is saved by Thorn, a mysterious Dainnan ranger whose gallantry and courage are matched only by his martial skills. He becomes the girl's constant protector, steadfast and unstoppable. But, unknown to them, a deadly plot is unfolding, as a dark force summons the malignant hordes of Unseelie, and foul things amass in the night.
And as the journey grows longer, as the challenges grow more deadly, Imrhien discovers something more terrifying than all the evil eldritch wights combined: The girl with an angel's soul and a gargoyle's face is falling in love with Thorn...
The Stormriders land their splendid winged stallions on the airy battlements of Isse Tower. Far below, the superstitious servants who dwell in the fortress's lower depths tell ghastly tales of evil creatures inhabiting the world outside, a world they have only glimpsed. Yet it is the least of the lowlya mute, scarred, and utterly despised foundlingwho dares to scale the Tower, sneak aboard a Windship, and then dive from the sky.
The fugitive is rescued by a kindhearted adventurer who gives it a name, the gift of communicating by handspeak, and an amazing truth it had never guessed. Now the girl Imrhien begins a journey to distant Caermelor, to seek a wise woman whose skills may change her life.
Along the way, Imrhien must survive a wilderness of endless danger. For the hearthside tales are all true. The unhuman wights are real in all their legions. They haunt every pool, every turn in the road, and threaten and torment all travelers. Lost and pursued by these monsters, Imrhien is saved by Thorn, a mysterious Dainnan ranger whose gallantry and courage are matched only by his martial skills. He becomes the girl's constant protector, steadfast and unstoppable. But, unknown to them, a deadly plot is unfolding, as a dark force summons the malignant hordes of Unseelie, and foul things amass in the night.
And as the journey grows longer, as the challenges grow more deadly, Imrhien discovers something more terrifying than all the evil eldritch wights combined: The girl with an angel's soul and a gargoyle's face is falling in love with Thorn...
