I’d always intended to
reveal the full wraparound cover for the paperback today. And here it is. I
love it
By sheer coincidence, I
also got my first review this morning, and it’s a 5 star affair. So, rather
than me wax lyrical (as if!) I give you the words of a reader who bought the
book. May many more be forthcoming like this!
Joinings is the first book in Stuart Aken’s Seared Sky
trilogy. And that guarantee of more to come will be music to the ears of
fantasy fans. It is hard to imagine anyone getting to the end of this and not
thirsting for more. The opening scene is gripping. It hooked me in and then I
was compelled to read the rest. Aken weaves a complex tale through a
meticulously constructed fantasy world showing us fascinating glimpses of
different ways of life, different beliefs. The dangers of a society in thrall
to superstition and corrupt government are well drawn, as are the characters.
There are no pantomime baddies here, no clichéd heroines, but well-rounded
characters whose destinies we can’t help but follow. Tumalind and Okkyntalah;
Dagla Kaz, Jodisa-Li, Aklon and the rest of the cast create a very real world
with real problems and challenges. But it doesn’t get lost in big picture
stuff. There are solid and compelling human stories at the core of this
excellent book. The only real problem: it’s a big book and it’s hard to put
down. But when it comes to books, that’s just the sort of problem I love to be
faced with. I’m watching out for the next.
Review by Dr.P.Grubb
