Wings Over Talera

Talera Cycle #2

by Charles Allen Gramlich

Talera is a world of warriors and heroes, not all of them human, a world where sailing ships ply the skies as well as the waters, and where beasts are as likely to hunt men as be hunted by them. On Talera, beauty and steel are equally dangerous companions, and sorcery is the deadliest of them all. Ruenn Maclang is a 19th-century Earthman mysteriously transported to this wondrous world. His sword is his constant companion, and war a daily promise that is seldom broken. But now he must battle the woman he loves, and either kill his own brother-or die in the attempt!

A grand fantasy adventure in the tradition of Edgar Rice Burroughs and Robert E. Howard!

Genres: Fantasy, Sword and Planet, Science Fiction, Sword and Sorcery

224 pages, Paperback

First published June 11, 2007

About the author

I grew up on a farm in Arkansas, and I fully intend to retire right back to that same farm. But not yet. I came to Louisiana in 1986 to teach Biological Psychology at Xavier University in New Orleans. I've been there ever since, although I now live in a semi-rural area outside Abita Springs, Louisiana.

My primary writing interests are in Fantasy and Horror, which are the genres where my books and most of my short stories fit. I also write nonfiction, however, and poetry.

Reviews

[Jim Kuenzli · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second book in the series was even better than the first. Great sword and planet book! Non stop adrenaline rush from start to finish. Gramlich has a firm grasp on what sword and planet should be. You feel for the characters, and the world of Talera has endless possibilities. Good stuff!

[Steve Malley · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a kid, I *loved* the work of Robert E Howard and Edgar Rice Burroughs. That spirit lives on in the work of Charles Allen Gramlich.

His hero, Ruenn Maclang, is an earthman stranded on the alien world of Talera. With a quick wit and a strong right arm, Ruenn has made a life for himself and won the love of a beautiful princess.

But in this second book, Ruenn faces a villain like none he's encountered before. Without giving away any spoilers, a strong right arm can only do so much when it's caught in a web of lies and deceit.

'Wings Over Talera' has all the swashbuckling adventure you would expect in this genre: swordfights and chases, crashing airships and daring escapes, frightful magic and eery temples to dark gods.

The scheming new villain made my blood boil, and the climax had my heart in my mouth. I can hardly wait to see how book 3 turns out!

[Travis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! This book was cover to cover action. The main character, Ruenn Maclang, went from one fight to the next to the next to the next. The book is about 220 pages and I read it through in a day. I just couldn't put it down.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read. Second in a series inspired by John Carter, but only so far as a late 19th century man is mysteriously transported to a strange new world populated by a myriad of races and creatures who wield swords, bows, and other medieval type weapons. The world is not Mars but an artificial world built and "created" by mysterious "gods" who use a mysterious "science" (or sorcery)by wielding gems called Milkstones for their power. In this second of the series, Ruenn McClang searches for his missing brother Bryce, his cousin Eric, and their shipmates with whom they have also been transported to the world of Talera and finds they have been working in the service of Vohanna, one of the original "gods" or "witch" of Talera, who has plans to conquer the kingdom of his bride-to-be, Rannon, princess of the island nation of Nyshphal. This is non-stop action! I felt breathless by the end. Pure escapist fiction in the vein of Edgar Rice Burroughs and Robert E Howard.

[Bernard DeLeo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ruenn Mclang battles across Talera in search of his brother, Bryce. A misunderstanding with Rannon puts Ruenn's new found love at risk, and alienates her Father. Setting off with warriors loyal to him, Ruenn survives numerous traps and run-ins with the witch Vohanna, and the death of his cousin Eric. I enjoyed this second part of the Talera trilogy very much. The introduction with Ruenn delivering a new manuscript of his adventures at the beginning enhances the tale. First rate sword and sorcery pulp fiction.

[Charles]

I wrote the first few chapters of this book right after I finished with Swords of Talera, but then stopped because I wanted to try and sell the first book before I spent time writing the second one. After Swords was serialized, I finished up Wings and it was serialized by the same magazine group. Again, it was revised for book publicaiton.

[Randy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book two continues Maclang's adventures across the planet of Talera. Sword fights, the love of a good woman, all the elements are there. If you love this type of story, this series is the one to go for.

[Tony Petry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 2nd book in the Talera Cycle. An outstanding story, that is packed full of action and emotions. Charles Allen Gramlich gives another steller book that is a must read.