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Darrion
A short story of Tir Athair, by the author of Minstrel.
The first time Darrion struck her, Lana loaded her wagon and left Cynegil. Two-year-olds should not hit like that. She draped the windows of her cottage with dense cloth and worked by a single candle. If she timed her flight well, she could pass through the market during changing of the guard. In another era, under another king’s reign, Lana would have rejoiced that Darrion had inherited his father’s gift. Now, if Lana does not present her son to the king, she could lose her head.
The first time Darrion struck her, Lana loaded her wagon and left Cynegil. Two-year-olds should not hit like that. She draped the windows of her cottage with dense cloth and worked by a single candle. If she timed her flight well, she could pass through the market during changing of the guard. In another era, under another king’s reign, Lana would have rejoiced that Darrion had inherited his father’s gift. Now, if Lana does not present her son to the king, she could lose her head.
- GenresFantasy
42 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 10, 2013
20 people want to read
About the author
Marissa Ames
13 books19 followersUsing details from a lifetime of research, Marissa Ames entertains both adults and teens with tales of action, adventure, and a little romance. Her novels Minstrel and Vassal immerse readers into the medieval-based fantasy world of Tir Athair. She is currently working on Huntsman, the third novel in the Tir Athair series, and collaborates with many worthy writers on diverse anthologies. In her real life, she manages a day job, a husband and two teenage children, and an entire urban farm just a mile south of downtown Reno, Nevada, in the United States. You can follow her blog at http://www.marissaames.com
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 15, 2013
Marissa Ames is an up-and-coming author. Her foray into fantasy was well-appreciated. Bottom line: I want to read more from her, and I relish any news of new projects.
Some spoilers below! If you're interested in reading "Darrion"--go go go!
"Darrion" is a short about a mother's struggles with her magically-imbued son. The kingdom is at war. The violence of Cynegil's war is brought home by the glimpses that we see of Kellan returning from the front. His time as a healer on the front has become something dark. With the ravages of Kellan, we see the horrors of fight.
Though the book presents as a quick read, I found the pace to be quickened by the cross-cutting between Lana's present--the almost unbearable task of raising a gifted son with a body-racking illness--and her past, when she fell in love with, and married, Kellan. The read was quick because I absolutely needed to know what happened next. Now that I'm finished with my fairly breathless first read, I will go back to enjoy the emotional highs and lows for a second time.
Some spoilers below! If you're interested in reading "Darrion"--go go go!
"Darrion" is a short about a mother's struggles with her magically-imbued son. The kingdom is at war. The violence of Cynegil's war is brought home by the glimpses that we see of Kellan returning from the front. His time as a healer on the front has become something dark. With the ravages of Kellan, we see the horrors of fight.
Though the book presents as a quick read, I found the pace to be quickened by the cross-cutting between Lana's present--the almost unbearable task of raising a gifted son with a body-racking illness--and her past, when she fell in love with, and married, Kellan. The read was quick because I absolutely needed to know what happened next. Now that I'm finished with my fairly breathless first read, I will go back to enjoy the emotional highs and lows for a second time.
March 3, 2014
This was an absolutely beautiful short story that despite its short length, tugged at my heartstrings on every page leaving me sobbing whilst smiling.
This story is gorgeous not only from Marissa Ames' stunning writing style that just flowed so well, but also in the message that the story presented, which is the strength of a mother's love.
I was close to tears all the way through reading this book. I connected so much with Lana as a character, and my heart broke for her as she struggled through raising her magically gifted son, making sure he was not only happy, but safe from the threat of the Kingdom and its soldiers. The way the present day scenes alternated with Lana's life with her gifted lover and later husband Kellan, was just so clever. It showed so clearly the way that the memories of her deceased love gave her the strength to continue on, despite the pain that trying to raise their son alone was causing her. My heart broke for Darrion as well, as he was just as helpless as Lana, and being gifted, came with his own problems that would not have occured with a non-gifted child. My heart broke for these two wonderful characters, and I spent the whole book desperately hoping for their safety, and for them to find their happiness.
A wonderful story! 5 Stars!
This story is gorgeous not only from Marissa Ames' stunning writing style that just flowed so well, but also in the message that the story presented, which is the strength of a mother's love.
I was close to tears all the way through reading this book. I connected so much with Lana as a character, and my heart broke for her as she struggled through raising her magically gifted son, making sure he was not only happy, but safe from the threat of the Kingdom and its soldiers. The way the present day scenes alternated with Lana's life with her gifted lover and later husband Kellan, was just so clever. It showed so clearly the way that the memories of her deceased love gave her the strength to continue on, despite the pain that trying to raise their son alone was causing her. My heart broke for Darrion as well, as he was just as helpless as Lana, and being gifted, came with his own problems that would not have occured with a non-gifted child. My heart broke for these two wonderful characters, and I spent the whole book desperately hoping for their safety, and for them to find their happiness.
A wonderful story! 5 Stars!
June 25, 2014
In a few crisp, emotional strokes, Ames paints a promising backdrop for the coming sequel to Minstrel. Magic that can be used to heal or destroy, a man forced to use his gift for evil, a woman who loves him anyway, and a child hunted for his power before he's even out of diapers.
Yep, I'll bite.
Is there a rich and developed magical system and extensive world-building? Not really, but for a short story (or a stand-alone prologue), there shouldn't be. The story is about the characters, with hints at the world that I expect will be fully explained in the book.
My only complaint is that there's a disconnect between Darrion and Minstrel. Darrion apparently happens 20 years after Minstrel, in the same country / cities as Minstrel, and yet Darrion has magic, while Minstrel does not. The magic had apparently been going on for "generations". I'm left wondering why the chapters of Minstrel that dealt with curing Molly never mentioned a magical solution.
But I'm not stressing over it. If Vassal's going to have magic, I say bring it on.
Yep, I'll bite.
Is there a rich and developed magical system and extensive world-building? Not really, but for a short story (or a stand-alone prologue), there shouldn't be. The story is about the characters, with hints at the world that I expect will be fully explained in the book.
My only complaint is that there's a disconnect between Darrion and Minstrel. Darrion apparently happens 20 years after Minstrel, in the same country / cities as Minstrel, and yet Darrion has magic, while Minstrel does not. The magic had apparently been going on for "generations". I'm left wondering why the chapters of Minstrel that dealt with curing Molly never mentioned a magical solution.
But I'm not stressing over it. If Vassal's going to have magic, I say bring it on.
May 23, 2015
This is a short tale that will enthral its readers right from the very first sentence.
The story switches between present and past with ease as you are drawn immediately into a romance, which will haunt you by the end of the story, and a mother’s fierce struggle to save her gifted son.
The author’s world building in such a short story is also to be commended as I was drawn right into their realm and politics. The pace is controlled, building up tension and fear with both vivid and powerful description.
The final scenes totally immersed me, brought me to tears and gave me chills. This is a tale that satisfies, but leaves me with a desire to read more by this author.
The story switches between present and past with ease as you are drawn immediately into a romance, which will haunt you by the end of the story, and a mother’s fierce struggle to save her gifted son.
The author’s world building in such a short story is also to be commended as I was drawn right into their realm and politics. The pace is controlled, building up tension and fear with both vivid and powerful description.
The final scenes totally immersed me, brought me to tears and gave me chills. This is a tale that satisfies, but leaves me with a desire to read more by this author.
October 14, 2013
What happens after a young woman marries her magically gifted lover? This is a short, emotional tale of a woman raising a son with unusual gifts -- not the polite, easy kind of gifts that are charming and harmless, but the kind that are dangerous and difficult. Ames doesn't pull any punches in this short, and the crackling attention to detail that characterized MINSTREL is here as well. You can finish it in one sitting, but it's worth your buck.
November 20, 2013
A short story of a mother's struggle to keep her mage-gifted son safe, Ames quickly sucks you into the sadness that is covering the land. The story bounces between past and present seamlessly and you quickly come to love the characters within and it is a great lead-up to Ames' newly released novel Minstrel (to be reviewed within the next month!). If you're looking for a story that will give you a glimmer of hope, this is definitely worth the $1!
October 15, 2013
At heart a tale of just how strong a mother's love can be, this short introduction to the world of Ms. Ames' startlingly good debut novel Minstrel will captivate you from the start. Splendid characterisation and beautifully woven scenes attest to the author's talent as a wordsmith. Read this. You won't be disappointed.
August 16, 2015
Originally posted on Tales to Tide You Over
This is a melancholy short story about a mother’s struggle to protect her son from a corrupt king. The writing is rough in places, but still the life presented is a rich portrayal of a poor woman in medieval times.
Like Minstrel, which comes before this story, Darrion is set in Tir Athair, a medieval monarchy based on European history. Unlike Minstrel, Darrion introduces a new element into the world: magic.
The story comes to us in a dual vision of a young girl chosen by a promising healer who falls in love and the older, soldier’s widow trying to hide her son’s talents from the king’s corrupt eye. It’s a sharp contrast, much like how the bluebells of her courting become fragile, dried flowers.
To add to their troubles, Lana is seriously ill and yet bringing her son into the presence of a healer would give everything away. Power calls to power, and despite her prayers, Darrion is full of it.
The story is powerful, evocative, and as I said from the start, melancholy. The description offers a full-featured view of life in those times while the powerlessness is seen more through Lana’s reactions and fears at first. As the story unfolds, though, you begin to see this is not her overactive imagination but rather a poor woman without friends or resources trying to do the impossible.
This is a melancholy short story about a mother’s struggle to protect her son from a corrupt king. The writing is rough in places, but still the life presented is a rich portrayal of a poor woman in medieval times.
Like Minstrel, which comes before this story, Darrion is set in Tir Athair, a medieval monarchy based on European history. Unlike Minstrel, Darrion introduces a new element into the world: magic.
The story comes to us in a dual vision of a young girl chosen by a promising healer who falls in love and the older, soldier’s widow trying to hide her son’s talents from the king’s corrupt eye. It’s a sharp contrast, much like how the bluebells of her courting become fragile, dried flowers.
To add to their troubles, Lana is seriously ill and yet bringing her son into the presence of a healer would give everything away. Power calls to power, and despite her prayers, Darrion is full of it.
The story is powerful, evocative, and as I said from the start, melancholy. The description offers a full-featured view of life in those times while the powerlessness is seen more through Lana’s reactions and fears at first. As the story unfolds, though, you begin to see this is not her overactive imagination but rather a poor woman without friends or resources trying to do the impossible.
December 8, 2013
My Review: This short little prequel accomplished what it set out to do, sucked me in and made me want more. As with most of these little novellas or prequels it is way too short. Lucky for me I have the next book to work on now and I am looking forward to it. I loved the death scene and that’s all I will say or I will give away to much. The diaper scene with the poo cooking on I had to chuckle at even though it might not have been meant to be humorous. In summary I liked the book and recommend it. Now on to the next. I give it 5 stars
July 20, 2014
I was pleased and relieved to love this tale, finding in it all the emotional heart, narrative drive and convincingly detailed world-building that I associate with Marissa Ames’s flash fiction. Relieved? Because it means I can put getting stuck on Minstrel down to my own ill-humour and give it the second chance it so richly deserves.
December 17, 2014
THIS WAS A GREAT READ FOR ME! I TRULY ENJOYED THIS BOOK! IT NOT ONLY INTRIGUED MY IMAGINATION, IT KEPT ME READING IT OUT OF PURE PLEASURE! THE STORY CAPTIVATED ME UP TO THE VERY END! I READ IT ALL IN ONE SITTING! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT AND I HOPE TO READ HER OTHER BOOKS! THIS AUTHOR HAS GREAT NATURAL TALENT! " AWESOME BOOK!"
January 26, 2015
Quick, powerful read. Can't wait to read Vassal. Ames is a gifted writer.
July 8, 2014
Oh what a cliff hanger! Great story telling and a fun read or listen!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews