The Crystal Scepter (Volume 5)

The Gates of Heaven #5

by C.S. Lakin

When Pythius, the wicked young king of Paladya, learns of the hidden realm of Elysiel and the crystal scepter that protects that northern land, he journeys to kill the Keeper and steal the scepter. But his defiant act unleashes a terrible curse, and the Seer foretells his death one day at the hand of his son, now a newborn babe. To thwart the prophecy, he attempts to murder his child, but the queen escapes and sends the babe off in a trunk across the sea, where he is found and raised by a humble fisherman.

Years later, Perthin, the cast-off babe now grown, hears his call of destiny, and is visited by a specter who tells him of the land of Elysiel and of the Gorgon—the evil creature fomenting war in the Northern Wastes. Perthin’s village of Tolpuddle is being ravaged by a monstrous sea beast sent by this enemy, and Perthin accepts the challenge to kill the creature by cutting off its head—although anyone who looks upon it turns to stone. Armed with magical shoes and a legendary sword, Perthin arrives in Elysiel, where the trolls lead him to the ice cavern where the sacred site made of crystal slabs awaits him to show him his future. Perthin feels a strange connection to this land, unaware that he is the heir to Elysiel’s throne.

With the help of heaven’s army, Perthin bests the enemy and returns to stop the sea monster as the beast is ravaging the kingdom of Paladya. He rescues the princess, who has been set out in the harbor as a sacrifice for the beast, and then stops the sea monster by exposing it to the Gorgon’s head, yet through his heroic efforts he unknowingly fulfills the prophecy foretold by the Seer. He returns to Tolpuddle a hero, where many surprising revelations await him as to his heritage and legacy, for he learns he is not truly a fisherman’s son but a king foretold. The Crystal Scepter is an adventurous retelling of the classic story of Perseus and Medusa with a twist, as the heart of the story involves the gates of heaven—the sacred sites erected by heaven to prevent evil from taking over the world of mankind. It also has parallels to the story or Oedipus Rex, the 17th-century play by Spanish playwright Pedro Calderón de la Barca entitled Life is a Dream , and Shakespeare’s The Comedy of Errors .

Genres: Fantasy, Christian Fiction

376 pages, Paperback

First published January 14, 2013

Reviews

[Lili · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book for free through Goodreads First Read and I am reviewing it after giving it a thorough reading.

I suppose before I start my review off I should state that I usually do no enjoy religious fiction. This can be real world religions or fantastical ones created for the setting. The reason being is that the deities in question become too much of a plot device (at least in books of this nature I have read) and it feels too contrived.

This can also be a very large problem when reading mythology, and the myth of Perseus is just that. If you are unfamiliar with the myth the VERY BARE BONES of it is this: farm-boy hero who is really a demigod/king gets given lots of amazing gifts from the gods and pointed in the direction to kill a monster. I always felt that Perseus is a protagonist that just gets moved around by plot devices rather than plot. I was truly excited for a fairy-tale remix of a myth that had flopped potential.

First off, characters. I found it fascinating (and a bit tedious at times) that the first third of the book is essentially backstory setting up the mystical land of Elysiel and the character's whose lives are shaped by it. There is King Cakrin who is the sympathetic and tragic tool of a cruel fate. The human villain King Pythius who is evil for evil's sake and had no redeeming qualities, which made him a boring villain in my eyes. Cruelty is not compelling if it is just done for evil's sake, I thought that when we were introduced to his daughter who he loves we would get some real, if not late, character development but it really did not take much for him to offer her up to the sea monster. The next villain, Vitra is also a nonentity: evil, monstrous, snake lady. A weak gorgon to say the least. Perthin is very much so the baffled, easily led around, heart of gold, farm-boy (or in this case fisher-boy) hero. His point of view was probably the most tedious because it was just him being told what to do by Cakrin's ghost. There are other characters but I honestly found them forgettable or tedious as well.

So, I didn't enjoy the characters very much or the plot, but I did really enjoy the author's writing style a great bit! She kept the plot moving!! A problem with writing is getting bogged down in the details and providing too much information, C.S. Lakin gave me just enough information to form clear pictures in my head and paint characters and scenes so the book flowed beautifully. So even though this book was not for me, it certainly did not bore me so I consider it a win!

I would recommend this to any young adult readers out there with an interest in classic fairy-tales or mythology. The story of Perseus is essential Ancient Greek young adult fantasy at its best and this book is a pretty accurate re-telling. It is also clean enough that it won't rattle an innocent mind.

This book is Christian in nature with Biblical passages at the beginning of sections and the characters relying on faith a lot. If you are offended by this then I suggest avoiding it, but if you are apathetic towards religion showing up in a novel then don't worry, it is not preachy at all.

Thank you Goodreads for the chance to discover a new author, I will be looking into more of her work.

[Orbs n Rings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing journey with non-stop action! A Gorgon, a sea beast and Trolls. Oh my!

In this journey of fairy tales and bible scripture you will find an irresistible sprinkle of Greek myth and legend. In the land of Paladya, Pythius the evil king is wicked, self-centered and a womanizer who kills his own people for sport. Upon learning of the blessed land of Elysiel and the crystal scepter Pythius makes arrangements to find and acquire the crystal scepter and in the process releases a curse upon himself. Later when a Seer predicts his death by the hand of his own son, Pythius becomes completely obsessed with killing his infant son, leading the queen to use desperate measures in trying to save her son. In the tiny village of Tolpuddle a fisherman pulls in his fishing net and finds he has captured more than just fish. A miracle has happened! Could it be that heaven has given him a second chance at fatherhood?

I found the character of Pythius to be the perfect villan, but he isn't the only creepy character in this book. In The Crystal Scepter you will come across a Gorgon, who will turn you to stone if you happen to look its way. Feel the thrashing of the sea beast as it destroys the villages of Tolpuddle and Paladya. And lets not forget the quirky Trolls will like to romp through the towns dump and steal sparkly things, they alone will leave you giggling and laughing all the way to the end of this story.

Another great story from The Gates of Heaven Series. If anyone has inspired me into reading fantasy it has been C.S. Lakin. Her unique characters are so life-like that I have found myself completely immersed in her stories within the first few pages of her books. I have never had this happen when I have tried reading the fantasy genre before. The Crystal Scepter like all the other books in this series can be read out-of-order, however I would highly recommend you read the other books first, as it will help tie together loose ends. Like for example when the village of Shelbourne is mentioned in the story and also because they are so incredibly amazing!

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again, C.S. Lakin captures the imagination with a wonderful story of adventure and the timeless truth that it’s about availability and willingness, in her fifth installment in The Gates of Heaven series.

The author introduces us to a new three lands, Paladya ruled by the wicked young King Pythius, Elysiel the enchanted land and home of another of the scared sites, ruled by the wise King Cakrin, and the fishing village of Tolpuddle. We also meet a new cast of characters and yes we also see some “old” ones. The storyline flows quickly and once again the author paints a picture of these lands and the creatures that live there. I thoroughly LOVED the trolls. They made me laugh during each of their interactions in the story. King Pythius is the most evil character I’ve seen so far in this series, his violence was a little disturbing.

My favorite part of this story is watching Perthin grow into his role in the story. As in many of the books in this series it’s not about the strongest or smartest but the one with the willingness. The author reminds us that it’s about being available and willing to listen to the wisdom of the ages.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys escaping the realities of this world into a land of magic and adventure with sea creatures and heros. There is also strong Biblical truths spread throughout the story. Although this is the fifth book in the series they are independent of each other. The author uses small tidbits such as locations and minor characters from other books, but you do not need to read the other books to enjoy this one.

Disclosure

I would like to thank the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book. I was under no obligation to give anything but my honest opinion.

[Dana McNeely · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Crystal Scepter is a sprawling tale swimming with real and mythic characters you could meet at the farmer's market or Buckingham Palace, whichever you happen to frequent the most. A desperate queen, deceived by a man's lies, must abandon her son to the sea to deliver him from his murderous father. A drunken fisherman, wracked by guilt over the death of his son, decides to end his worthless life. When he discovers a babe in a wooden chest, he vows to spend his life protecting the child. Meanwhile, a monstrous serpent with the head of Medusa, makes war on all that is good and spawns an enormous sea creature that wreaks havoc along the seashore villages. And a young boy, called 'Shrimp' by his friends, dreams of a magical land hidden from human eyes until the day a ghost whispers to him of its reality.

The story weaves elements of mythology, the Bible, and Lakin's own imagination. It has moments of lighthearted comedy, such as the three misunderstood trolls wander through the story stealing lace-trimmed sheets from clotheslines, bead necklaces from boudoirs, and red shoes from closets. Oh, and eating garbage from the village dump. There are also moments of deep emotion, such as the sadness of a daughter's betrayal and a mother's longing for her lost son.

Though 'Scepter' is part of 'The Gates of Heaven Series' it stands on its own - it is the most recent book and I haven't read the others. But it does make me want to read them also. I recommend this book to all lovers of magic, fantasy, and fairy tales. It should appeal to those who read 'Harry Potter', C.S. Lewis's 'The Chronicles of Narnia', Robert Jordan's 'The Wheel of Time'. Suitable for both Young Adult and Adult readers.

[Kat Heckenbach · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have really enjoyed all the books from this series, my favorites being The Map Across Time and The Wolf of Tebron. But so far all the stories have been solid and creative, and Lakin's writing flavorful. Each book is unique and they don't need to be read in order, although they are all related in that they take place in the same story world.

The Crystal Scepter reminded me mostly of The Land of Darkness in tone, and fans who favor that book in this series will definitely enjoy this book.

[Jen]

Definitely the darkest of the five Gates of Heaven series. It mimics the story of Perseus and the gorgon. I enjoyed reading it, but didn't like how horrible one of the kings turned out to be. One of the main themes is "The matter of the heart is the heart of the matter" and this holds true for the protagonist and antagonist throughout the book. One sorely loses the battle for his heart while the other takes what he learns and becomes better for it. The juxtaposition of the two is striking. So maybe it's a good thing that the author has written an antagonist that is so good the reader doesn't like him?

[Victor Gentile · Rating 5 out of 5]

C. S. Lakin in her new book, “The Crystal Scepter” Book Five in The Gates of Heaven series published by Living Ink Books takes us into the life of Perthin.

From the back cover: When Pythius, the wicked young king of Paladya, learns of the hidden realm of Elysiel and the crystal scepter that protects that northern land, he journeys to kill the Keeper and steal the scepter. But his defiant act unleashes a terrible curse, and the Seer foretells his death one day at the hand of his son, now a newborn babe. To thwart the prophecy, he attempts to murder his child, but the queen escapes and sends the babe off in a trunk across the sea, where he is found and raised by a humble fisherman.

Years later, Perthin, the cast-off babe now grown, hears his call of destiny, and is visited by a specter who tells him of the land of Elysiel and of the Gorgon—the evil creature fomenting war in the Northern Wastes. Perthin’s village of Tolpuddle is being ravaged by a monstrous sea beast sent by this enemy, and Perthin accepts the challenge to kill the creature by cutting off its head—although anyone who looks upon it turns to stone. Armed with magical shoes and a legendary sword, Perthin arrives in Elysiel, where the trolls lead him to the ice cavern where the sacred site made of crystal slabs awaits him to show him his future. Perthin feels a strange connection to this land, unaware that he is the heir to Elysiel’s throne.

With the help of heaven’s army, Perthin bests the enemy and returns to stop the sea monster as the beast is ravaging the kingdom of Paladya. He rescues the princess, who has been set out in the harbor as a sacrifice for the beast, and then stops the sea monster by exposing it to the Gorgon’s head, yet through his heroic efforts he unknowingly fulfills the prophecy foretold by the Seer. He returns to Tolpuddle a hero, where many surprising revelations await him as to his heritage and legacy, for he learns he is not truly a fisherman’s son but a king foretold. The Crystal Scepter is an adventurous retelling of the classic story of Perseus and Medusa with a twist, as the heart of the story involves the gates of heaven—the sacred sites erected by heaven to prevent evil from taking over the world of mankind. It also has parallels to the story or Oedipus Rex, the 17th-century play by Spanish playwright Pedro Calderón de la Barca entitled Life is a Dream, and Shakespeare’s The Comedy of Errors.

The early Greeks really knew how to tell a good story. C. S. Lakin knows how to tell a better story. There is nothing better than a Greek Mythology story unless, of course, the story has Biblical allegory overlying it. “The Crystal Scepter” is a partial retelling of the story of Perseus and Medusa however that where the comparison ends. Ms. Lakin has taken elements from the lives of both Moses and King David and mixed them in with her story. Perthin cannot defeat the monster alone so he has the army of Heaven to help him. Not only is this book a page-flipping adventure thriller it is also loaded with spiritual encouragement. I didn’t read the previous books in this series however I will make up for this oversight. I liked this book a lot and am looking forward to more from Ms. Lakin.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a free copy of this book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

[Val · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a review copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

The Crystal Scepter is based on the myth of Perseus and the Gorgon with many other details added. The book follows Pythius, the king of Paladya, who seeks immortal or lengthened life via a fabled crystal scepter found in Elysiel. To accomplish his goal, he marries Calli (a young woman from Elysiel). When she becomes pregnant and too sick to travel to Elysiel with him, he goes himself, meeting a gorgon in disguise and obtaining the crystal scepter. But his plan does not run smoothly. The scepter scars his hand, making it stiff and burning, and he can’t figure out how to wield it. To make matters worse, a prophesy has declared that his own son will kill him, just as he killed his father. Hearing the prophesy, he decides to kill his newborn son. Calli, learning of his plan just in time, sends the infant across the ocean in a trunk. The boy is found by a fisherman, who decides to raise the child as Perthin. It’s up to Perthin to discover his true identity and fulfill the destiny foretold by the seer.

The best part of this book is the plot: it’s engaging and inherently interesting. Pythius’s evil motives will keep you turning the page to see what happens next, and Calli’s situation is sympathetic enough that readers will care what happens to her. The actual telling of the story was a bit weaker than the plot, however. The first quarter of the book, I felt, contained a bit too much “telling” and background information about Calli’s homeland and the history of some of the people and places. This could just be a personal preference, though, as I tend to lose patience while reading fantasy books with too much back-story. About a quarter of the way in, I found the plot had picked up enough that I was turning pages without realizing it.

Because of the complex plot, the book switches from one character to the next. We follow Pythius as he travels to Elysiel to usurp the scepter. Then we shift to Calli as she dotes on her new-born babe. I did feel, however, that I wanted to stick with one character for a bit longer. As soon as I started to settle in to one character’s story, the perspective would switch. Again, this is a personal preference (I haven’t even attempted to read Game of Thrones yet for just this reason!). The first 140 pages comprise Part One, telling the tale of Perthin’s parents. Part Two picks up with Perth at age 15 (and noticeably smaller than the other boys) but with a heart many times as big. I enjoyed Part Two much more than the first part. I found myself turning the pages quickly and burning through the story into Part Three. The ending, which I will not give away here, was enjoyable as well.

Overall, an interesting mix of mythology, religion, and fiction.

[Brittney Tyler · Rating 5 out of 5]

To start with, I absolutely loved this book, and it has become one of my top 3 favorites alongside The Wolf of Tebron and The Unraveling of Wentwater. It tells the story of the scared site of Elysiel, a circle of giant crystals in a cavern, and the holy object, a magic scepter infused with the heart of the 1st king who sacrificed himself to ensure the land's, people's, and site's protection. The present king of Elysiel, Cakrin, is an aging man with no heirs due to them all being killed in war. When an assassin in the form of a wicked, mad king named Pythius comes to the hidden land to acquire the magic scepter that Cakrin has been given by heaven to guard, Cakrin knows that the time foretold through the giant crystals has come. Meanwhile, Pythius's wife, Callandra or Calli, realizes that she has been manipulated into marrying him and giving him information about her hidden homeland and the magic object/site that guards it. Knowing that herself and her newborn infant are in danger, she flees the palace and sets the babe adrift in a watertight, air-hole laden box, hoping he will wash up somewhere safe from harm. The story of that innocent babe and his journey to save everyone and everything he loves is the main premise of this book.

The greatest thing about this book is the allusions to various different forms of media that the author uses to weave her story. There are of course the Biblical connections because this book is a Christian fantasy, but there are many others as well. I, personally, was able to pick up threads from Shakespearean drama, Greek/Roman myth, fairy tales, and the Lord of the Rings trilogy by J. R. R. Tolkien. I really enjoyed this aspect of the book and love the complexity that these allusions add to the story.

The next thing that attracts me to this book is the characters that are featured within. Many of them have been given archetypal names or characteristics, and it was fun to see if I could figure out what the author was trying to tell me about them through their names and personality traits. Some were very easy like Lady Vitra and some are more hard like the name of the main character, Perthin. In my opinion, his name is an allusion to the fact that he goes on an enormous quest in order to achieve his destiny much like fish go on journeys to discover their destiny, including the species he is named after.

To be honest, I believe I loved this book mostly because of the fact it draws up some old feelings of nostalgia. It reminds me of some of my favorite series of all time- The Chronicles of Narnia, The Lord of the Rings, and Tales of Goldstone Wood. As you may have noticed, I tend to enjoy books with positive themes and wholesome adventure due to the fact that I read for escapism and fun. Good thing this series fits that bill perfectly! I can't wait to get my hands on the last two books so I can read them.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

C. S. Lakin has outdone herself again in this thoroughly enjoyable tale. I find myself looking forward with eager anticipation to each book in this series, and I have not been disappointed. She takes themes which are ancient and well-loved, and weaves them into stories which are fresh and unique. I appreciate her artistry and, through this series, have become a loyal fan.

The throbbing scepter, the hideously evil villain, the beautiful love between mother, son, father, daughter ... these and much more make this story an adventure worth reading and reading again.

[Dave · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story, but a fairly predictible plot because its based on a lot of past literary themes. The use of "magic boots" to speed up the plot action was a little irksome and disturbing. The story had a lot of potential that didn't quite live up to my expectations.

[Virginia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A terrific fantasy adventure story, exactly the kind I love. A boy with a destiny to fulfill, an evil king, a secret land, even a sea monster! And a spiritual message as well. I really enjoyed this story.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding! I could not put it down. Elements of Scripture, Greek mythology and classic fairy tales. One of the most cruel villains I have read in quite a while!