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The Shayton Chronicles #1
Destiny Sets
Lightning sears a scene against the eye. Trapped between reality and death, every scrap of life is fighting for existence. To stop fighting is to die. Some precious moments of peace can be stolen from small pockets of calm. Life can take a breath and wonder at the harsh beauty, but only for a moment, then struggle resumes. And others watch... One man is the drop of chaos that can spell success or failure. Born from a vampiric race of slaves, genetically moulded to provide comfort for their masters, he alone decides to be truly free. Irreverent humour and a fierce need to know 'why', war within him and entire worlds will change as he fights his shackles.
287 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2004
6 people want to read
About the author
Karen Fainges
8 books8 followersAuthor of the Shaytonian Chronicles, a life time of telling stories and laughing at anything that takes life too seriously and not seriously enough, shows in all the tales she writes.
Karen passed away on 14th Dec 2015 (Written by her husband Keith Fainges)
Karen passed away on 14th Dec 2015 (Written by her husband Keith Fainges)
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 11, 2013
Destiny Sets is a story that fans of the paranormal genre will most definitely enjoy. Why? Because it’s got everything you guys will be looking for: shape-shifting, vampires, otherworldly creatures, aliens, and sensual scenes.
What makes this story different from other stories on the same shelf?
Two things in my opinion:
First, in Destiny Sets vampires are nothing like the scary, bloodsuckers that threaten and intimidate humans or even aspire to turn them (for their own reasons of course!). Shaytonians are a new species in the mythical vampiric universe: they come form another planet and their struggle for survival has brought them to Earth demanding their “mingling” with humans. Even more, they are superior, wise and cultivated beings entangled in their own spiritual pursuit. More often than not, they resemble ethereal creatures you’d find in fantasy books.
Second, Karen Fainges’ language is teeming with lyricism as she handles speech skillfully and includes elements that reminded me of classic literature.
My favorite scene: the enticing, sensual, vampire dance while on a legendary train like Orient Express...
Would I change anything?
I found that the easiness of vampire acceptance by humans has taken away from the story any last sense of realism. But of course, one might argue here; why would I be looking for realism in a paranormal story?
What makes this story different from other stories on the same shelf?
Two things in my opinion:
First, in Destiny Sets vampires are nothing like the scary, bloodsuckers that threaten and intimidate humans or even aspire to turn them (for their own reasons of course!). Shaytonians are a new species in the mythical vampiric universe: they come form another planet and their struggle for survival has brought them to Earth demanding their “mingling” with humans. Even more, they are superior, wise and cultivated beings entangled in their own spiritual pursuit. More often than not, they resemble ethereal creatures you’d find in fantasy books.
Second, Karen Fainges’ language is teeming with lyricism as she handles speech skillfully and includes elements that reminded me of classic literature.
My favorite scene: the enticing, sensual, vampire dance while on a legendary train like Orient Express...
Would I change anything?
I found that the easiness of vampire acceptance by humans has taken away from the story any last sense of realism. But of course, one might argue here; why would I be looking for realism in a paranormal story?
December 29, 2013
Destiny Sets by Karen Fainges is a well crafted story. I was quickly absorbed from the start wondering why there was so much heaviness surrounding Melinski and a sense of mystery with a poem on Earth - It didn't take long for characters to be introduced in a very graceful way never rushed into the pages without some reasoning even ever so briefly.
I liked the description of Lisa's dance troupe with a mixture of sensuality around clothes and scents. Tony was just awesome to say the least. An amazing man yet, gifted with a remarkable simplicity. There was an aura of mystery around him keeping me from putting down this book. I liked his keen sense of observation. His silence. His tenderness. His abilities or maybe perception. For instance, how he interacted with Professor Swan and Lisa - making it more than purely interesting.
When I got to Head and Politic; I had to re-read it a few times. Not quite understanding. I will leave it up to you to decipher what those two words really mean.
The dialogue is great. Words were written to be read with an ease. The flow was certainly there au rendez-vous of the story forming a formidable blend. I do recommend this book and please, I hope to meet you all on the Orient Express some day soon! Sounds like there could be more stories to be had - All aboard!
Adriana LG
I liked the description of Lisa's dance troupe with a mixture of sensuality around clothes and scents. Tony was just awesome to say the least. An amazing man yet, gifted with a remarkable simplicity. There was an aura of mystery around him keeping me from putting down this book. I liked his keen sense of observation. His silence. His tenderness. His abilities or maybe perception. For instance, how he interacted with Professor Swan and Lisa - making it more than purely interesting.
When I got to Head and Politic; I had to re-read it a few times. Not quite understanding. I will leave it up to you to decipher what those two words really mean.
The dialogue is great. Words were written to be read with an ease. The flow was certainly there au rendez-vous of the story forming a formidable blend. I do recommend this book and please, I hope to meet you all on the Orient Express some day soon! Sounds like there could be more stories to be had - All aboard!
Adriana LG
December 5, 2008
In a world where survival is all-important, two children will be conceived by an exiled vampire princess and a journalism student from Earth, and then born to two different women. Leila, the godChild, is a genetically modified weapon that will protect Shayton in her time of need. Talkar is the demonChild, who, in his unmodified glory, will bring balance to Leila. Follow the story of Talkar as he is raised amongst a people that set him apart for being an unauthorized birth and a Loner with no apparent sibling...
For the entire review please go to the Best Paranormal & Urban Fantasy Review site on the web, Bitten By Books for the review of Destiny Sets in it's entirety. You won't be sorry.
For the entire review please go to the Best Paranormal & Urban Fantasy Review site on the web, Bitten By Books for the review of Destiny Sets in it's entirety. You won't be sorry.
January 4, 2014
Vampires have overtaken common lore. Well, vampires and zombies (not sure which I would be more freaked by during a chance encounter....each in their own way...). Just take a look at the recent popularity of shows and books dedicated to each. But what if the vampires have more of a story than we realize....and what if they are from another dimension?
Overall, I give this book a 3 out of 5, and here is why.......
THE GOOD
Given that vampire stuff has been done, and done and done and done, it can be hard to find anything truly original in the area of vampire lore. Fainges, however, has here fashioned something truly original.
Here we have a vampire who bleeds purple (kind of made me think of Vulcans and their green blood), loves passionately, defends vehemently, and Survives stubbornly. Born under a shroud of conspiracy and secrecy, this vampire is determined to wrest his will out of life and not be used as a pawn. If only he knew the true manipulation happening behind the scenes....
Fainges has here tended the character development of a very interesting vampire caught in very interesting circumstances. We learn that he is from a planet that literally wrests itself to pieces and rebuilds constantly, uses the 'old power' (read: magic), is kind of related to a woman who was bred as a weapon against the "Enemy", and fights to control the vampire beast within who threatens to gain control and turn him into a "fear eater" (one who feeds on prey's fear...and loses control). Doesn't that sound intriguing?
It is. :)
I enjoyed the story here. Vampires from alternate dimensions? People used as pawns? Science fiction presented in a way that is new and intriguing? I definitely was hooked on the story and characters and found myself constantly reading away far past the time I intended to lay the book down.
Characters are interesting, unique, distinct, have fairly clear motivations (well, most of them) and EACH HAVE THEIR OWN CLEAR VOICE!! YAY!! (okay, I'm over excited, but this is one of my sticking points as a reader, so there). Settings are just as interesting. Not only does Fainges have the vampires on Earth, but also in their own planet...as well as on a few others. The plot is engaging, writing style is accessible, all in all a fairly nice read.
Oh, and did I forget to mention that there are some really interesting philosophical/ethical questions raised in much the same kind of way as they appear in Star Trek: The Next Generation? ("Nora, your geek is showing...")
The Bugly (bad/ugly)
Now, I'm gonna be super nitpicky here. Keep in mind that I do enjoy this story and this book. Just...
--While the plot is intensely original and interesting, it jumps around a bit and almost feels as fragmented in places as the constantly shifting soil of planet on which the vampires originate. Transitions from various settings and time periods are rather unclear, and at times it was hard for me to figure out where/when the vampires were located. Things did not flow real well.
--There were enough grammatical errors to distract me while reading. Seriously, my editing fingers were itching. :P
--More more more....I wanted more! While we are given lots about the characters and their motivations, it often felt as there was a back story that we needed in order to truly understand just what in the heck was going on. Why was this vampire bred specifically? Just who is the Enemy? Huh what why? Now, keep in mind that I've always been the pesky one constantly asking "why" about everything (I've driven a few employers and friends to distraction by doing so), but this made me ask "why" constantly. Argh. Rather than feeling like the first book in the series that this work is, it felt like a second book that was depending on the first book to fill in some gaps.
--On that kind of note, how things work in this universe did not make sense to me in some places....just how could certain beings watch other beings? How did things work?
To find more cool stuff, go to my blog: onlygodwritestrees.blogspot.com
Overall, I give this book a 3 out of 5, and here is why.......
THE GOOD
Given that vampire stuff has been done, and done and done and done, it can be hard to find anything truly original in the area of vampire lore. Fainges, however, has here fashioned something truly original.
Here we have a vampire who bleeds purple (kind of made me think of Vulcans and their green blood), loves passionately, defends vehemently, and Survives stubbornly. Born under a shroud of conspiracy and secrecy, this vampire is determined to wrest his will out of life and not be used as a pawn. If only he knew the true manipulation happening behind the scenes....
Fainges has here tended the character development of a very interesting vampire caught in very interesting circumstances. We learn that he is from a planet that literally wrests itself to pieces and rebuilds constantly, uses the 'old power' (read: magic), is kind of related to a woman who was bred as a weapon against the "Enemy", and fights to control the vampire beast within who threatens to gain control and turn him into a "fear eater" (one who feeds on prey's fear...and loses control). Doesn't that sound intriguing?
It is. :)
I enjoyed the story here. Vampires from alternate dimensions? People used as pawns? Science fiction presented in a way that is new and intriguing? I definitely was hooked on the story and characters and found myself constantly reading away far past the time I intended to lay the book down.
Characters are interesting, unique, distinct, have fairly clear motivations (well, most of them) and EACH HAVE THEIR OWN CLEAR VOICE!! YAY!! (okay, I'm over excited, but this is one of my sticking points as a reader, so there). Settings are just as interesting. Not only does Fainges have the vampires on Earth, but also in their own planet...as well as on a few others. The plot is engaging, writing style is accessible, all in all a fairly nice read.
Oh, and did I forget to mention that there are some really interesting philosophical/ethical questions raised in much the same kind of way as they appear in Star Trek: The Next Generation? ("Nora, your geek is showing...")
The Bugly (bad/ugly)
Now, I'm gonna be super nitpicky here. Keep in mind that I do enjoy this story and this book. Just...
--While the plot is intensely original and interesting, it jumps around a bit and almost feels as fragmented in places as the constantly shifting soil of planet on which the vampires originate. Transitions from various settings and time periods are rather unclear, and at times it was hard for me to figure out where/when the vampires were located. Things did not flow real well.
--There were enough grammatical errors to distract me while reading. Seriously, my editing fingers were itching. :P
--More more more....I wanted more! While we are given lots about the characters and their motivations, it often felt as there was a back story that we needed in order to truly understand just what in the heck was going on. Why was this vampire bred specifically? Just who is the Enemy? Huh what why? Now, keep in mind that I've always been the pesky one constantly asking "why" about everything (I've driven a few employers and friends to distraction by doing so), but this made me ask "why" constantly. Argh. Rather than feeling like the first book in the series that this work is, it felt like a second book that was depending on the first book to fill in some gaps.
--On that kind of note, how things work in this universe did not make sense to me in some places....just how could certain beings watch other beings? How did things work?
To find more cool stuff, go to my blog: onlygodwritestrees.blogspot.com
April 30, 2014
Reviewed for Readers Favorite
Here on Earth the stories of vampires are a bit twisted and not so true, but in another parallel dimension there is a world called Shayton that is inhabited by real vampires and they are nothing like the stories. On Shayton the world is in danger of collapsing and the ruling Council is always on the lookout for ways to correct the issues and stave off the collapse. Lisa is the daughter of the king, but she has been banished from Shayton and lives on Earth. Now the council wants her back, and selects a human to bring with her for a purpose, providing a godChild. The Shayton Chronicles Book 1: Destiny Sets follows Lisa as she is brought back and conceives not one but two children and the lives of Lisa and Tony, the children and Shayton that follows their conception and birth. Karen Fainges takes a paranormal or fantasy novel and adds the elements of a family saga to give a new and different novel on the idea of vampires and their coexistence with our world.
The Shayton Chronicles Book 1: Destiny Sets begins what promises to be a unique and fun novel series. Even though it could be called paranormal or fantasy, I think the best genre label for it should be family saga. It follows Lisa and Tony, then their children around through life to the point where they are once again reintroduced to their parents. Talkar is followed as he fights for his place in the world of Shayton, then as he leaves and finds a fulfilling life on Earth with Molly, and later a child with another species. Karen Fainges does a wonderful job of creating a story that you want to follow from the beginning, characters that you relate to and feel for. Although this book spans a great deal of time, it almost feels as it is all happening within moments of each other. This is definitely a good book for adults, highly mature young adults and those loving the idea of a new approach to vampires.
Here on Earth the stories of vampires are a bit twisted and not so true, but in another parallel dimension there is a world called Shayton that is inhabited by real vampires and they are nothing like the stories. On Shayton the world is in danger of collapsing and the ruling Council is always on the lookout for ways to correct the issues and stave off the collapse. Lisa is the daughter of the king, but she has been banished from Shayton and lives on Earth. Now the council wants her back, and selects a human to bring with her for a purpose, providing a godChild. The Shayton Chronicles Book 1: Destiny Sets follows Lisa as she is brought back and conceives not one but two children and the lives of Lisa and Tony, the children and Shayton that follows their conception and birth. Karen Fainges takes a paranormal or fantasy novel and adds the elements of a family saga to give a new and different novel on the idea of vampires and their coexistence with our world.
The Shayton Chronicles Book 1: Destiny Sets begins what promises to be a unique and fun novel series. Even though it could be called paranormal or fantasy, I think the best genre label for it should be family saga. It follows Lisa and Tony, then their children around through life to the point where they are once again reintroduced to their parents. Talkar is followed as he fights for his place in the world of Shayton, then as he leaves and finds a fulfilling life on Earth with Molly, and later a child with another species. Karen Fainges does a wonderful job of creating a story that you want to follow from the beginning, characters that you relate to and feel for. Although this book spans a great deal of time, it almost feels as it is all happening within moments of each other. This is definitely a good book for adults, highly mature young adults and those loving the idea of a new approach to vampires.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews