Azlander: Second Nature

by Gabriel Brunsdon

Beneath the dual carriageways of Faerie and this World, are the Underworlds - where souls are often in need of help - grave help, one might say. Puck, the Elvish adept, travelled all of the realms throughout centuries, overseeing the incarnations of many. In this volume, Puck finds love. He saves Humanity. He fights Demons. He searches for the lost souls that he can recover. He also has a bespoke Heritage seed business, and a best friend called Goober. In earlier times, he is also known as 'The Hode', or 'Robin of the Forest' - and there are some choice backward glimpses into his adventures during this time as was then.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction

556 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 11, 2012

Reviews

[Tony Laplume · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the hierarchy of authors writing about strange and unusual individuals converging, Gabriel Brunsdon would probably fall just below A. Lee Martinez, who falls just below Terry Pratchett, who falls just below Martin Millar, who falls just below the master, Douglas Adams. (There are others worth noting in this particular genre, including Neil Gaiman, who would fall in between Millar and Adams.)

The point being, Brunsdon writes a rough version of things you might have enjoyed already. If you really like that stuff, then you might enjoy Azlander as well. The biggest problem is that Brunsdon would probably have benefited from brevity. He seems to have realized this to an extent already, given that individual chapters tend to be incredibly short, but the whole of the book could have served the same judicious crafting.

The main character is Puck, the very character who previously inhabited Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. He takes an active interest in a particular girl, and then her reincarnation, and then tries to keep up as a number of interesting developments transforms her life, some by his own doing, and others from other peculiar persons.

(Of course, I was only listing genre authors previously. My very favorite practitioner of this form is Dave Barry. Because he alone seems to realize it's not the individuals who drive these events, but the weird convergence of their personalities, which is something he shares with the late Adams. So it would be a tie between them for top outside of strictly genre consideration.)

Anyway, with a little more practice Brunsdon could more securely fix himself in these ranks. This is a start.

[Keeley · Rating 5 out of 5]

No one actually realises how excited I am to have won this. As soon as I read the description, I prayed to the Literary Gods to grant me this book.

And I've won! I won it in the goodreads First Reads giveaway!

I can't wait to get started! Thank you Gabriel Brunsdon!

[Jessy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book through the goodreads first read for free.Thankyou goodreads.It was a totally different book to which I usually read.But it was a good change.The chapters were small and well written and hold's one's attention.


The story is about Puck, who fell in love with a mortal girl, one christmas day as she lay dying.He followed her into heaven and beyond.His story narrates about the demons he opposed ,of the ghosts that pursued him into his lifetime to follow .

Azlander tells the story of the spiritual worlds. The story takes you on the journey through Myth and uncertainity. Sometimes walking the path of gloom and often beauty.There are two natures that co-exist side by side--- the physical and the Heavenly world, from where the spirits come and go.

Its a question whether Puck can save humanity from the dark being who killed his friends,burnt down his house, slept with his girlfriend and now controls the globe ?

The tale winds its way back to a dark past into the forests of Nottingham and further back to the time of Christ and the mysteries still yet to be discovered.

[Hilary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It was the kind of story that makes you feel like your right there with the characters throughout their journey. It gave me a very clear picture, that made me feel like it was very real and happening. I thought the short chapters were brilliant because it allowed me to take in what had just happened. This book made me think, laugh and cry. I often find myself reflecting on it throughout the day. Thank you for writing it and I look forward to your next book.

[Ihatethatguy]

I have won this book via Goodreads Giveaways and am completely excited to read it.

I've always been a fan of Robin Hood and Puck (along with other mythological tricksters such as Loki or the coyote). I haven't read fantasy novels in a long time but the description of the book has made me excited to read it.

I will update this review as soon as I've finished the novel.

[Staesha Drage · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very interesting book, it really gives you something to think about. When it comes to virtual reality you really need to set boundaries for ourselves so we don't loose our morals. Love the romance involved to love someone over that amount of time is very endearing.

[Teresa Lavender · Rating 2 out of 5]

Great book! Loved it! Won it here on goodreads