Journey through the Land of Shades

by George Straatman

Islena Doraux was an extraordinary woman living an ordinary life. Daughter of the Tempest…this vague yet indelible memory whispered at the edges of her consciousness; echoes of lives lived that were the stuff of legend in a dozen worlds. Compelled by an insatiable desire for dominion, an ancient nemesis would reach across the boundaries of our reality and draw Islena into an antiquated world in search of the Proclamations of omnipotence and compel her on a Journey through the Land of Shades.
Daughter of the Tempest…Champion of Light…Mother of Iniquity; these three ascendant souls stand as sides of an equilateral triangle that has spun endlessly through the eternal river of time...the physical manifestations of an conflict that has been fought at different junctures through the history of a thousand worlds…a thousands realities. With each tragic resolution these three adversaries are set adrift in the current of time until the inevitable moment of confluence when they will fight their battle again. In our world, beyond the veil of legend and myth, they were known as Arthur, Guinevere and Morgana. In an antiquated world, where time seems frozen and progress is measured in centuries, these three will come together yet again to resume the struggle for apotheosis…and should the Mother of Iniquity stand at the apex of the triangle when the final blow is struck, the flow of time will stop and her darkness will extinguish all hope…every flower of salvation and light.

456 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 11, 2011

About the author

I presently live in Timmins, along with my wife Louise and our four-legged children. If I have come to any great epiphany it is that, collectively, we have neglected our obligation to the earth and its creatures.

My Novels can be purchased through my publisher's website www.amberdias.com.

The e-book versions of my novels can be purchased through www.smashwords.com and barnes and noble at
http://books.barnesandnoble.com/searc...
and through the Sony Reader store
http://ebookstore.sony.com/search?key...
and on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_nos...

I invite everyone to follow me or simply be my friend on facebook @
http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.ph...

Reviews

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this unusual conceptual fantasy novel. The author demonstrates his proficient ability to write an exceptional story beginning with the prologue. Comparable to an artist whom creates a picture with paints on canvas, he paints a vivid picture with words emulating a malevolent storm which culminates into the first glimpse of the impending evil to come.

On another planet the ultimate evil reincarnated, Myriah, is a sorceress of unlimited abilities coupled with an unquenchable thirst for absolute power. She has no compassion or empathy and enjoys inflicting terror derived from her disdain for humans in general. Myriah treats her own commanders and armies as pawns in a personal war to conquer and crush her planet. She even possesses the power to change the fabric of time and space to conjure from earth Islena Doraux.

She needs this special woman to procure what all of Myriah's powers can not achieve which is to possess three icons to complete her mission of total conquest of her planet and every other inhabited planet that exists. In part Islena's dark side and deep seeded fury is needed to aid the sorceress since the one task she can never achieve is to obtain these icons by her own accord. The dark side of this woman mirrors Myriah's which could help the tyrant to obtain her ultimate goal.

Islena is forced from earth to a war stricken planet and is subjected to starvation, torture, fleeing for her life and other treacherous obstacles she must overcome. Will Islena with her undaunted defiant attitude bend and pledge fealty to the High Queen despite her best efforts not to?

I recommend this novel to any fantasy fan and I am positive the novel would not disappoint.

[Franz McLaren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since reading his "The Converging" trilogy, I have been a fan of George Straatman's dark brand of horror. So it was with some misgivings that I approached his fantasy novel "Journey Through the Land of Shades". I needn't have worried. With the deft touch of a master, Mr. Straatman weaves a fantasy deep with intricate plotting while exploring a myriad of human emotions. This book is obviously the appetizer to a hefty meal. One I can hardly wait to enjoy.

In this book Mr Straatman explores the life of Islena Doraux, a woman troubled by a failing marriage which is eroding due to her irresistible need to succeed. For Islena ambition is life and all other matters must succumb to it. Pressured by a friend, she agrees to visit to a fortune teller. Although she believes prognostic skills to be a sham and the tool of charlatans, she attends a session. As a result she is soon hurled into a world where her coming is legend and predestination seems to control her every action. This realm is ruled by powers that she is ill equipped to understand. Here she is forced to distrust the motives of everyone she meets. Meanwhile, in spite of her beliefs, she is inexorably pulled into a world shaking conflict that she seems destined to impact.

Islena is a self-dependent, extremely self-centered person. These traits contribute as much to her predicaments as they save her from them. She is a complex leading character caught in a confusing situation. This leads the reader to constantly try to figure out whether she is to be a hero, a villain, or something more than either in this tale.

I wait now for the announcement that the next volume of this tale will be available so that I can mark my calendar and count the days.