The Last Prospector

by Cairn Rodrigues

Solstice is a world apart, created by a mysterious Boss and shaped by tempers of warring twin goddesses. Once it was a playground for sisters Ylumya and Ynoirya, but then the wars began. Now Solstice is the stage for the final battle between light and dark. Everyone must choose a side. The Boss sired the first prospector 1,000 years ago. Charged to search for a treasure unnamed, an unbroken line of men have been caretakers, shepherds and warriors for Solstice since the misty times. Now, Grayme Ceruleya is the last prospector, he is destined to find the treasure. But what happens to Solstice when he does? A runaway slave dies giving birth alone in the desert. The nomads who find the baby don’t realize that the child is the pawn of the gods and wields more power than they can comprehend. Except for one boy, broken-hearted Tonyo who makes a tremendous sacrifice to ensure the baby’s safety. In Solstice the unlikely is probable, magicks are mundane and all the stories are true. It’s a land of stunning natural beauty, filled with exotic wildlife and vibrant cultures. Powerful factions like the whore’s guild make the rules, ancient enemies find new strength and dreamers are waking up all across the land with one message. The Final war between the Twins has started. A victor must be decided this time.

Genres: Fantasy

398 pages, Paperback

First published September 3, 2012

Reviews

[Alicia Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A solid, well-paced, wholly-realized Fantasy world and vibrant characters who live there. Clearly the first part of a series. (WHEN CAN I READ THE REST OF THE SERIES?) I enjoyed the whole concept of "Solstice", the world created to achieve balance between light and darkness. The author's voice is steady and sure. It's clear that she loves this world and its people. It makes me as a reader love them, too.

[Alberta Ross · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did so enjoy this book - many times with fantasy I am disapointed - not this time though. The world here is drawn so well - it could almost be ours, but so obviously is not - the characters are real and all interesting. Descriptions are fantastic from the landscape, through different cultures, history down to the mundane - the food, the dirty clothes. I was standing right there eavesdropping.

This is a tale of many, divers people are traveling to unknown destinations led by dreams. Their stories are interwoven very well, it is not always easy to write about so many characters and keep them as distinct beings, or to keep the story untangled.

I also found pleasing the lack of sword and sorcery which seems to dictate so much fantasy these days. There is magic, almost everyday affairs, strange creatures that are such acceptable beings I could wish we had them here in reality:) but this is mainly a story of people caught up in the games of the gods. A story of the power play of some and the helplessness of many.

The opening scene is brilliant and drew me in with excitement to find what happens.

Disclaimer, I was given this book to read and am very pleased I was too - sometimes if I am asked to read I cannot honestly find much to write that would please anyone but I am looking forward to reading the next instalment in this tale. A new author for me to follow.

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

Solstice is a world rich with history and traditions, and fraught with many of the same issues which plague our own. The author has built this world deftly, giving life to many characters and locales which are altogether brilliant. There is much depth to the story and at the end of this first book there is much and more to be revealed going forward.

Prospector is a good man with a heavy burden. Tasked with a mysterious, age-old quest for a "treasure" of which he knows nothing, he travels this fantastic world waiting for enlightenment. Sometimes he finds good news, at others there are dark discoveries. At all times he soldiers on to find his elusive true purpose and his role in the future or the possible end of his world. Much like us all, wandering through our lives never quite sure if the path we are on is the correct one.

There is political intrigue, lust, violence and avarice sprinkled in amongst the varied supporting characters within the story. This is a complete world which includes a developed mythology with a governing trinity. Nothing missing in this tale, and please note, this is not for young eyes as there is much mature subject matter.

[Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful story. Interesting characters of depth and thought fill a fascinating and fully developed world. From the very beginning the description and mystery had me hooked.
Solstice is a beautiful, complex, and busy world through which the last Prospector journeys. Beautiful descriptions of fascinating places and people form a back drop to the Prospector's adventures as he seeks and fulfills his mission, one adventure at a time. You won't be sorry you tagged along..

[Anne-Rae Vasquez · Rating 5 out of 5]

An epic tale that was full of humour and action. Rodrigues' storytelling skills are evident, smoothly weaving in multiple characters over spans of time and locations.

The opening scene of a slave girl giving birth was so well written, I was hooked.
The ending had a fun twist with Kahuna which put a smile on my face.

Delightful read and looking forward to book 2.

[Brett · Rating 3 out of 5]

not much happens.