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The Spring
A postulant at a Swiss abbey begins to experience disturbing visions of a new plague called the Delirium. During the day, she drifts between two worlds—one filled with horrific sickness, and one filled with her lackluster life as a young woman halfheartedly aspiring to be a nun. Her nights are filled with bizarre nightmares she can't fully comprehend. She sinks further into insanity, only to realize the incredible power the madness grants her.
138 pages, Paperback
First published March 20, 2014
10 people want to read
About the author
Aubry Kae Andersen
21 books7 followersAubry Kae Andersen (AKA "A. Ka") is a great many things... an artist, an illustrator, a writer, a trivia buff, a lover of MST3K and sleeping till noon. It’s a shame that those things don’t pay very well, but she also designs websites to make ends meet. As a Seattleite, she can be found in various coffee shops, brooding over a laptop and consulting with other artsy types about the viability of her fantasies.
"Isaac the Fortunate" is her first novel, the first book in her "Paradox" series. It's big enough that she’s kindly split it into six parts, starting with "The Winter."
She has a particular obsession with historical settings, philosophical plots, dark humor, and dimensional characters. The complexity of her multilayered plots aren't for the faint of heart, yet the simplicity of her characters and their all-too-human motives still makes her work approachable to readers looking for the shear entertainment of a good story. She goes bold, she goes deep, and often she goes crazy.
"Isaac the Fortunate" is her first novel, the first book in her "Paradox" series. It's big enough that she’s kindly split it into six parts, starting with "The Winter."
She has a particular obsession with historical settings, philosophical plots, dark humor, and dimensional characters. The complexity of her multilayered plots aren't for the faint of heart, yet the simplicity of her characters and their all-too-human motives still makes her work approachable to readers looking for the shear entertainment of a good story. She goes bold, she goes deep, and often she goes crazy.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
April 13, 2014
I rather enjoyed A. Ka's first instalment, The Winter. It was an intriguing little novella that merged 16th century history with fantasy, and was successful too. I was really interested to see where the author would take us with this follow on, and to see if the great personality and Voice the author has built up would continue with a new character.
The Spring, still told by Isaac's narrative, follows the ordeal of Eostre, a nun who has suffered too much already in her young life. Her father was a drunkard, and thanks to him falling into a lake and getting himself killed, Eostre is forced to life the cloistered life in poverty. She finds the spiritual life a little too dull for her, but as talk of a nasty plague known as the 'Delirium' ravages her convent, Eostre begins to struggle with what is reality and what is the effects of the plague.
A. Ka's The Spring is a great little novella. Although the second in the series, you can read it without knowing too much of the first book, however, I fully recommend reading The Winter first as all the little nods to Beltran (the farmer from The Winter) is a nice touch. It reads as a sort of prequel story, but with a timeline paradox. It all sounds complicated, but is masterly told.
I found Eostre an interesting central character, one who is a little ahead of the times. For many in the 16th century, religion would have been a major part in everyone's life. Eostre on the other hand, questions the role of God and what impact the religion has on the world. I couldn't help but feel that this was part of the author's own voice coming through. Skepticism, however, is integral to the plot, as Eostre soon finds the reality too confusing to live in. "People keep dying one moment, then pretending to be alive and well the next' is from the blurb of this book, and it couldn't ring more true.
Eostre is so different from Beltran though. You don't sympathise with her as much. I feel though that the constant flipping of realities are a fascinating feature that will have you guessing as to what really is going on. It's a little puzzle for the reader to work out on their own. The final third of The Spring really grabs hold of you, especially as Eostre is forced to undergo such brutal experiences. I really wouldn't have liked to have been in her situation.
The first book was told in a humble way. The Spring is different. It tells the story of how the Delirium manages to disrupt an entire community. It is less about the community's people though, and more about the fantasy side to the story. I particularly enjoyed the reference to the Hippocrene - a lake of Greek myth, which really adds flavour here. And A. Ka really starts to weave her own mythology creation into her story, and it is a delicious treat let me tell you.
A. Ka has an uncanny gift with being able to tell a story that makes you feel the wonders inside. Her voice is authentic, not forced, and her writing has such an exact crispness to it, it reads and flows so well. I felt that the flipping and changing of realities much more easy to follow here. Unlike Eostre, if you have read The Winter, you can start to pick up on little details, little threads that hold the two books together. and for such short novellas, they are incredibly clever.
I'm still not sure how Isaac fits into everything. He is featured in the both books' first chapter - always recalling events that have passed. His name links the books together - Isaac the Fortunate series, and yet he hardly features. I find it mysterious as to how he fits into the grand scheme of the series - a series that will be told across 6 novellas. I'm already looking forward to the next instalment, The Summer.
The Spring is an addictive little novel, one with hooks in abundance. Eostre is a spunky character, which makes this novel her definitive story, and yet you know she has a bigger part to play in the series as a whole. A. Ka's impressive imagination really shines with the fantastical moments here, and her enthralling weaving of the storyline back and forth is just superb. I may miss Beltran, but this isn't about him. The only constant is the Delirium and the part it plays in destroying whole communities. The sarcasm that shines through Eostre in regards to religion is amusing too, although I may have imagined that.
The Spring, still told by Isaac's narrative, follows the ordeal of Eostre, a nun who has suffered too much already in her young life. Her father was a drunkard, and thanks to him falling into a lake and getting himself killed, Eostre is forced to life the cloistered life in poverty. She finds the spiritual life a little too dull for her, but as talk of a nasty plague known as the 'Delirium' ravages her convent, Eostre begins to struggle with what is reality and what is the effects of the plague.
A. Ka's The Spring is a great little novella. Although the second in the series, you can read it without knowing too much of the first book, however, I fully recommend reading The Winter first as all the little nods to Beltran (the farmer from The Winter) is a nice touch. It reads as a sort of prequel story, but with a timeline paradox. It all sounds complicated, but is masterly told.
I found Eostre an interesting central character, one who is a little ahead of the times. For many in the 16th century, religion would have been a major part in everyone's life. Eostre on the other hand, questions the role of God and what impact the religion has on the world. I couldn't help but feel that this was part of the author's own voice coming through. Skepticism, however, is integral to the plot, as Eostre soon finds the reality too confusing to live in. "People keep dying one moment, then pretending to be alive and well the next' is from the blurb of this book, and it couldn't ring more true.
Eostre is so different from Beltran though. You don't sympathise with her as much. I feel though that the constant flipping of realities are a fascinating feature that will have you guessing as to what really is going on. It's a little puzzle for the reader to work out on their own. The final third of The Spring really grabs hold of you, especially as Eostre is forced to undergo such brutal experiences. I really wouldn't have liked to have been in her situation.
The first book was told in a humble way. The Spring is different. It tells the story of how the Delirium manages to disrupt an entire community. It is less about the community's people though, and more about the fantasy side to the story. I particularly enjoyed the reference to the Hippocrene - a lake of Greek myth, which really adds flavour here. And A. Ka really starts to weave her own mythology creation into her story, and it is a delicious treat let me tell you.
A. Ka has an uncanny gift with being able to tell a story that makes you feel the wonders inside. Her voice is authentic, not forced, and her writing has such an exact crispness to it, it reads and flows so well. I felt that the flipping and changing of realities much more easy to follow here. Unlike Eostre, if you have read The Winter, you can start to pick up on little details, little threads that hold the two books together. and for such short novellas, they are incredibly clever.
I'm still not sure how Isaac fits into everything. He is featured in the both books' first chapter - always recalling events that have passed. His name links the books together - Isaac the Fortunate series, and yet he hardly features. I find it mysterious as to how he fits into the grand scheme of the series - a series that will be told across 6 novellas. I'm already looking forward to the next instalment, The Summer.
The Spring is an addictive little novel, one with hooks in abundance. Eostre is a spunky character, which makes this novel her definitive story, and yet you know she has a bigger part to play in the series as a whole. A. Ka's impressive imagination really shines with the fantastical moments here, and her enthralling weaving of the storyline back and forth is just superb. I may miss Beltran, but this isn't about him. The only constant is the Delirium and the part it plays in destroying whole communities. The sarcasm that shines through Eostre in regards to religion is amusing too, although I may have imagined that.
February 16, 2014
Note: I was given an advance review copy of this work.
The Spring is an interesting dark fantasy tale. I particular enjoyed the use of a nunnery for a setting, and the emotional plight of the young woman who lives there. It's not a setting or a vocation I've ever read used in fantasy before, and I found that intriguing.
For me, the atmosphere of the story was vaguely reminiscent of Pan's Labyrinth. Not in a derivative way, but the story brought that movie to my mind.
A. Ka has a smooth efficiency in her writing style. If I had one to describe it in one word, I'd go with 'graceful.'
Rating the book is a bit difficult, because I enjoyed the first part of the book more than the second. Without giving away spoilers...I really enjoyed the slow-burn build of the first half of the book. While we follow this woman through the story, there is this subtle, but distinctly palpable sense, that something isn't quite right with the world. I thought it was beautifully done.
When the story dove into more overtly fantastical territory, the spell was a bit disturbed for me. Looking back, I think it might have been a matter of pacing. The transition struck me as a bit too quick from the peripheral-fantastic to the overtly fantastic.
The Spring is nicely done and I'd definitely recommend it to fans of dark fantasy. I enjoyed the story and can't wait to see what else comes forth from the imagination of A. Ka.
Also...though I didn't incorporate this into my review for the story's quality, the artwork for the Isaac the Fortunate series is amazing. It's unique and beautiful, and I would hang the covers up on my wall as stand alone art pieces.
The Spring is an interesting dark fantasy tale. I particular enjoyed the use of a nunnery for a setting, and the emotional plight of the young woman who lives there. It's not a setting or a vocation I've ever read used in fantasy before, and I found that intriguing.
For me, the atmosphere of the story was vaguely reminiscent of Pan's Labyrinth. Not in a derivative way, but the story brought that movie to my mind.
A. Ka has a smooth efficiency in her writing style. If I had one to describe it in one word, I'd go with 'graceful.'
Rating the book is a bit difficult, because I enjoyed the first part of the book more than the second. Without giving away spoilers...I really enjoyed the slow-burn build of the first half of the book. While we follow this woman through the story, there is this subtle, but distinctly palpable sense, that something isn't quite right with the world. I thought it was beautifully done.
When the story dove into more overtly fantastical territory, the spell was a bit disturbed for me. Looking back, I think it might have been a matter of pacing. The transition struck me as a bit too quick from the peripheral-fantastic to the overtly fantastic.
The Spring is nicely done and I'd definitely recommend it to fans of dark fantasy. I enjoyed the story and can't wait to see what else comes forth from the imagination of A. Ka.
Also...though I didn't incorporate this into my review for the story's quality, the artwork for the Isaac the Fortunate series is amazing. It's unique and beautiful, and I would hang the covers up on my wall as stand alone art pieces.
June 23, 2014
This is part 2 of Isaac the Fortunate. You can find my review of Part 1 – The Winter here.
Like part one, Issac provides an introductory narrative to the tale, although at this point in the story it isn’t yet clear how he ends up being the thread that ties everything together. I really enjoyed this little narrative my Issac, which is very humorous. The humor helps to balance out the serious/delirious? nature of Eostre’s madness in the convent.
More beautiful illustrations line the pages of this volume, one even is titled ‘Suspiciously normal,’ which just fits this entire book to a tee.
Eostre stumbles through two worlds, unable to distinguish dreams and illusions from reality. She is suffering from the Delirium in one world, but in the other the plague never happened, stopped by the farmer Beltran. Eostre must figure out the truth before it is too late.
This volume gives some insights into events that happen in part one, and a second read through of both books with fresh eyes yielded a treasure trove of missed references. For example, in Part one, Amaranthe, suffering from the delirium, predicts her own death, seemingly seeing into a future that didn’t yet exist. Perhaps she, like Eostre, also saw two worlds. There is more, but I don’t want to spoil anything.
The prose is as solid and engaging as ever, and the reader is swept up by the richly detailed swiss convent filled with engaging three dimensional characters.
Like part one, Issac provides an introductory narrative to the tale, although at this point in the story it isn’t yet clear how he ends up being the thread that ties everything together. I really enjoyed this little narrative my Issac, which is very humorous. The humor helps to balance out the serious/delirious? nature of Eostre’s madness in the convent.
More beautiful illustrations line the pages of this volume, one even is titled ‘Suspiciously normal,’ which just fits this entire book to a tee.
Eostre stumbles through two worlds, unable to distinguish dreams and illusions from reality. She is suffering from the Delirium in one world, but in the other the plague never happened, stopped by the farmer Beltran. Eostre must figure out the truth before it is too late.
This volume gives some insights into events that happen in part one, and a second read through of both books with fresh eyes yielded a treasure trove of missed references. For example, in Part one, Amaranthe, suffering from the delirium, predicts her own death, seemingly seeing into a future that didn’t yet exist. Perhaps she, like Eostre, also saw two worlds. There is more, but I don’t want to spoil anything.
The prose is as solid and engaging as ever, and the reader is swept up by the richly detailed swiss convent filled with engaging three dimensional characters.
April 5, 2014
Spring has sprung and change has come, but the shadows of Winter linger still in the mind of Eostre. Young and fallow, she has much to learn before fate brings her and Isaac together as husband and wife. Her world dances between two corporeal states: in one, death abounds at the hands of the Delirium plague; in the other, life blooms by virtue of a mysterious farmer and his miracle cure. But which world is truth? Light or dark, sun or shadow? A young boy built of golden light, or an old woman cloaked with obsidian ravens; who is Eostre to trust?
Heaven and Hell converge in A. Ka's second fantastical tale in the Isaac The Fortunate series. Delicately balancing confusion and mystery with morsels of mind-twisting revelation, The Spring questions the value of blind faith and ignorance to inquisition while demonstrating the power and importance of human curiosity. Beautifully realised in both prose and pictures, Eostre's adventure deftly avoids the temptation of oblivion to create a memory indelible to even the time-bending Golden Bridle.
Seasons pass, and The Summer cannot arrive fast enough.
Heaven and Hell converge in A. Ka's second fantastical tale in the Isaac The Fortunate series. Delicately balancing confusion and mystery with morsels of mind-twisting revelation, The Spring questions the value of blind faith and ignorance to inquisition while demonstrating the power and importance of human curiosity. Beautifully realised in both prose and pictures, Eostre's adventure deftly avoids the temptation of oblivion to create a memory indelible to even the time-bending Golden Bridle.
Seasons pass, and The Summer cannot arrive fast enough.
March 17, 2014
The Spring is the next book in the Isaac The Fortunate Series.
I loved The Winter and all I can say is wow about The Spring. AoKA’s engaging characters and beautiful descriptions will transport you to medieval Switzerland where you follow Eostre--the mysterious lady from the Winter who gives the farmer Beltran the Golden Bridle.
After the death of her drunken father, she goes to a nunnery. She begins having visions that leave her confused, lost, and in deep trouble with the other nuns. She sees her best friend another novice alive and then she sees her dead from a plague. Then other nuns are alive and dead.
Eostre begins to doubt her own sanity as she wonders what is real. As the timelines converge, well, I don’t want to spoil it for anyone.
AoKA has a beautiful style and the poetic descriptions left me hungering for more. I look forward to The Summer!
I loved The Winter and all I can say is wow about The Spring. AoKA’s engaging characters and beautiful descriptions will transport you to medieval Switzerland where you follow Eostre--the mysterious lady from the Winter who gives the farmer Beltran the Golden Bridle.
After the death of her drunken father, she goes to a nunnery. She begins having visions that leave her confused, lost, and in deep trouble with the other nuns. She sees her best friend another novice alive and then she sees her dead from a plague. Then other nuns are alive and dead.
Eostre begins to doubt her own sanity as she wonders what is real. As the timelines converge, well, I don’t want to spoil it for anyone.
AoKA has a beautiful style and the poetic descriptions left me hungering for more. I look forward to The Summer!
January 25, 2023
Although I've given this book 2 stars like the first book in the series, I will say that it's a bit of an improvement from the first one, with a more coherent plot to follow and a character that isn't as flat as the characters in the first book.
But I'm afraid it's not enough to keep my interest in this series.
But I'm afraid it's not enough to keep my interest in this series.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews