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RingDancers #1
Ring of Lightning
Three brothers, caught in a web of lies and corruption, must overcome a lifetime of misconceptions and distrust to find the united strength needed to save their City.
A land of myth and magic...and ruled by the power company.
a powerful city-state built around the massive, energy-producing Rhomatum Node.
a node city second only to Rhomatum herself.
an exceedingly attitudinal satellite of Rhomatum---with notions of autonomy.
The Rhomandi Family are the descendants of Rhomatum's founding father, and heirs to the Ley Tower which controls the node's life-giving energy. Anheliaa Rhomandi, the despotic Ringmaster of Rhomatum, a woman of legendary Talent, is aging rapidly and is desperate for an heir to the unprecedented web of power she has created.
Her nephews, Deymorin, Mikhyel and Nikaenor, three singularly unTalented young men, brothers torn apart by mistrust, jealousy and polarized political views---are not the Masters she has in mind.
Mauritum senses weakness in her long-time rival and sees an opportunity to add Rhomatum---and all Rhomatum's satellite nodes---to her already glittering crown.
All she must do is wait for Anheliaa to die.
But Anheliaa has plans for her precious heir, plans that involve her three nephews---will they or nil they. Those plans will set them all, brothers, cities...and the ley itself...on a collision course with destiny. Whether or not any of them survive depends on whether or not Deymio, Khyel and Nikki can set aside their differences and become the brothers nature intended them to be.
A land of myth and magic...and ruled by the power company.
a powerful city-state built around the massive, energy-producing Rhomatum Node.
a node city second only to Rhomatum herself.
an exceedingly attitudinal satellite of Rhomatum---with notions of autonomy.
The Rhomandi Family are the descendants of Rhomatum's founding father, and heirs to the Ley Tower which controls the node's life-giving energy. Anheliaa Rhomandi, the despotic Ringmaster of Rhomatum, a woman of legendary Talent, is aging rapidly and is desperate for an heir to the unprecedented web of power she has created.
Her nephews, Deymorin, Mikhyel and Nikaenor, three singularly unTalented young men, brothers torn apart by mistrust, jealousy and polarized political views---are not the Masters she has in mind.
Mauritum senses weakness in her long-time rival and sees an opportunity to add Rhomatum---and all Rhomatum's satellite nodes---to her already glittering crown.
All she must do is wait for Anheliaa to die.
But Anheliaa has plans for her precious heir, plans that involve her three nephews---will they or nil they. Those plans will set them all, brothers, cities...and the ley itself...on a collision course with destiny. Whether or not any of them survive depends on whether or not Deymio, Khyel and Nikki can set aside their differences and become the brothers nature intended them to be.
576 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 10, 1995
8 people are currently reading
390 people want to read
About the author
Jane S. Fancher
29 books42 followersOn October 24, 1988 in Oklahoma City, OK, at a suggestion from SF author C.J. Cherryh, I began writing. I kept writing because two hours after starting, I had to find out what happened. A little over a year later, I was the startled owner of a three book contract based on the rough draft of my first novel.
I've been writing ever since.
What appeals to me about writing in general is the constant challenge. I'm a generalist and writing is the one thing that will happily use every bit of information and experience you have to put into it. It's constant problem solving, method acting and soul-searching all rolled up into one 24/7 job.
What I love about writing SF/F is...everything. I love the optimism of believing there is a future for humanity. I love the challenge of imagining what that future might be. But most of all, I love the thrill of exploring that future with the interesting and courageous people I find living in it.
But SF/F has another, less obvious, appeal: the ability to write with a social conscience without preaching. It lets writers create worlds in which they can shed light on aspects of current society in a less charged environment. Its a way to help raise awareness without pointing fingers at anyone.
Yes, I have same gender relationships. Yes, I have gender-identification-challenged characters. Yes, sex and obsessive attraction are definitely issues in my books, as are power and its use and abuse. But the genre's one-step-removed perspective also lets me explore the human ramifications of a too-effective educational system (be careful what you wish for), or the curious problems of being siblings and growing up with the kind of misconceptions only close association can create, or what it means to a culture to lose an entire generation's knowledge.
Can you do this in contemporary fiction? Absolutely. But SF/F lets you add extreme ramifications...like what if those sibling misconceptions were suddenly stripped away with the ability to know exactly what those sibs were thinking? What if the educational system were so effective, the subsequent misinformation threatened the very fabric of the universe itself?
In my contemporary vampire fantasy...I hesitate to call it urban fantasy, because in all honesty, it hasn't the right tropes...I'm enjoying exploring the perspective of virtual immortality and what might make life worth living after three thousand years.
And with SF/F you can do all this while have a rip-roaring adventure! What more can a writer ask for?
My formal educational background is in Math, Physics, Astrophysics and Anthropology. I've raised and trained horses, flown planes, and at 51, took up figure skating. I love building things, from costumes to computers, model ships to koi ponds. I play a little guitar, some piano and like to sing.
I actually got started in the publishing world doing art. I worked on WaRP Graphics' Elfquest, helping with inking on the last few volumes of the original black and white, also helping with the colors in the original color volumes. After that, I moved on to my own project, an adaptation of C.J. Cherryh's first novel, Gate of Ivrel.
These days, after many years away from art, I find myself returning to it to do covers for my newest venture, Closed Circle Publications. A couple of years ago, C.J., Lynn Abbey and I decided to join the ebook movement and bring out both our orphaned backlist and some new works that weren't quite what NY was looking for but which our loyal readers were demanding.
I absolutely love hearing from my readers. My blog should echo here, but feel free to join us at:
http://www.janefancher.com/TheCaptain...
I've been writing ever since.
What appeals to me about writing in general is the constant challenge. I'm a generalist and writing is the one thing that will happily use every bit of information and experience you have to put into it. It's constant problem solving, method acting and soul-searching all rolled up into one 24/7 job.
What I love about writing SF/F is...everything. I love the optimism of believing there is a future for humanity. I love the challenge of imagining what that future might be. But most of all, I love the thrill of exploring that future with the interesting and courageous people I find living in it.
But SF/F has another, less obvious, appeal: the ability to write with a social conscience without preaching. It lets writers create worlds in which they can shed light on aspects of current society in a less charged environment. Its a way to help raise awareness without pointing fingers at anyone.
Yes, I have same gender relationships. Yes, I have gender-identification-challenged characters. Yes, sex and obsessive attraction are definitely issues in my books, as are power and its use and abuse. But the genre's one-step-removed perspective also lets me explore the human ramifications of a too-effective educational system (be careful what you wish for), or the curious problems of being siblings and growing up with the kind of misconceptions only close association can create, or what it means to a culture to lose an entire generation's knowledge.
Can you do this in contemporary fiction? Absolutely. But SF/F lets you add extreme ramifications...like what if those sibling misconceptions were suddenly stripped away with the ability to know exactly what those sibs were thinking? What if the educational system were so effective, the subsequent misinformation threatened the very fabric of the universe itself?
In my contemporary vampire fantasy...I hesitate to call it urban fantasy, because in all honesty, it hasn't the right tropes...I'm enjoying exploring the perspective of virtual immortality and what might make life worth living after three thousand years.
And with SF/F you can do all this while have a rip-roaring adventure! What more can a writer ask for?
My formal educational background is in Math, Physics, Astrophysics and Anthropology. I've raised and trained horses, flown planes, and at 51, took up figure skating. I love building things, from costumes to computers, model ships to koi ponds. I play a little guitar, some piano and like to sing.
I actually got started in the publishing world doing art. I worked on WaRP Graphics' Elfquest, helping with inking on the last few volumes of the original black and white, also helping with the colors in the original color volumes. After that, I moved on to my own project, an adaptation of C.J. Cherryh's first novel, Gate of Ivrel.
These days, after many years away from art, I find myself returning to it to do covers for my newest venture, Closed Circle Publications. A couple of years ago, C.J., Lynn Abbey and I decided to join the ebook movement and bring out both our orphaned backlist and some new works that weren't quite what NY was looking for but which our loyal readers were demanding.
I absolutely love hearing from my readers. My blog should echo here, but feel free to join us at:
http://www.janefancher.com/TheCaptain...
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
June 24, 2014
FINALLY finished this awful, tedious book, one of the few I've ever read that I can honestly say I strongly considered giving up on, more than once. Part of a trilogy (and you couldn't get me to read the other two at gunpoint), it's set in an interesting semi-steampunk setting where magic energy (ley) is harnessed and used like electricity by wizards (ringmasters, so called because of the giant rotating magic rings they utilized) to fuel an early Industrial Revolution era technology. The story itself however, involves the endless angst-filled plots and counterplots between the members of the ruling family of the city of Rhomatum, three brothers and their sister, the ringmaster. For chapter after plodding chapter, the brothers think about themselves and each other and whether they can be trusted and their late abusive father. Over and over and over again. Distilled of all this endless introspection, the "action" would fill a book 1/3rd the size. This book was an unpleasant chore to struggle through.
September 23, 2018
This took quite a bit of time to get through, but I thought it was worth it.
A story about politics, intrigue and brotherly love set in a pretty unique fantasy world sprinkled with interesting characters. So right up my alley. I just had to get how the world looks and works into my brain (would have loved a map!) to really enjoy the story.
What mostly kept me going through the whole book was the relationship between the brothers. It constantly shifted, but was always intense (if only they could have stopped slapping each other, that would have been nice). As were their individual relationships to their (evil?) aunt. A formidable foe the reader can hate and root against quite easily, but still complex.
The back and forth between some of the characters (everyone constantly suspecting everyone of everything) was a bit annoying and there were times where I had to read really slow to understand everything (fantasy accents are no fun to this ESL person!)... but otherwise I really liked it and already ordered the next two volumes.
A story about politics, intrigue and brotherly love set in a pretty unique fantasy world sprinkled with interesting characters. So right up my alley. I just had to get how the world looks and works into my brain (would have loved a map!) to really enjoy the story.
What mostly kept me going through the whole book was the relationship between the brothers. It constantly shifted, but was always intense (if only they could have stopped slapping each other, that would have been nice). As were their individual relationships to their (evil?) aunt. A formidable foe the reader can hate and root against quite easily, but still complex.
The back and forth between some of the characters (everyone constantly suspecting everyone of everything) was a bit annoying and there were times where I had to read really slow to understand everything (fantasy accents are no fun to this ESL person!)... but otherwise I really liked it and already ordered the next two volumes.
September 30, 2015
I'M FINALLY DONE WITH THIS BOOK.
This is probably not the author's best work. I hope.
It's mostly character-driven, but the problem is that the characterizations are far from perfect. Or interesting. It feels a bit like the author doesn't know how to write men - they're wimpy, think a LOT about their feelings (like wayyyyy too much), and are overly-emotional. And they sometimes feel a bit... unstable. Like they need some meds. The women were nicely written though.
The plot... I don't even remember what the plot was. Was there one? I think so. I got lost in the overly-dramatic relationship between the three brothers and all their complicated feelings toward each other. *shrugs*
OH! And it also features one of my biggest pet peeves! CHARACTERS CALLING EACH OTHER BY THEIR NAMES IN NEARLY EVERY SENTENCE. It was SO incredibly annoying. Normal people do not talk that way. Stop it. Author, you need a beta reader.
This is probably not the author's best work. I hope.
It's mostly character-driven, but the problem is that the characterizations are far from perfect. Or interesting. It feels a bit like the author doesn't know how to write men - they're wimpy, think a LOT about their feelings (like wayyyyy too much), and are overly-emotional. And they sometimes feel a bit... unstable. Like they need some meds. The women were nicely written though.
The plot... I don't even remember what the plot was. Was there one? I think so. I got lost in the overly-dramatic relationship between the three brothers and all their complicated feelings toward each other. *shrugs*
OH! And it also features one of my biggest pet peeves! CHARACTERS CALLING EACH OTHER BY THEIR NAMES IN NEARLY EVERY SENTENCE. It was SO incredibly annoying. Normal people do not talk that way. Stop it. Author, you need a beta reader.
August 28, 2018
Awful - 20% into the book and there's still no real plot. I don't have time for that.
August 22, 2020
Tried, but DNF. Might try again.
March 29, 2021
Too slow-starting and loaded down with infodump for me -- DNF.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 28, 2015
The main heroes are three brothers - Deymorin, Mikhyel and Nikkaenor. The older two - Deymio and Khyel - fight with each other all the time because of a misunderstanding that happened over 13 years ago, but they both love their youngest brother Nikki. They live in a world where technology and magic come together and they all have to face their grandaunt, the Mistress of the Rings that supply their town with sorta "electricity". She is an old tyrant who would misuse and abuse anybody - even her own family - to get what she wants.
The story is not action driven. It's all about the characters and their interaction with each other. It's actually about the youngest brother finally growing up and the older two finding their way back to each other. It's a family saga. In this story, the middle brother, Mikhyel, is the target for their grandaunt's wrath. He pushes himself so far to appease her that he actually collapses. And then finally, the truth is revealed. About their abusive father, about Khyel's past and about what he did for his brothers' sake, to keep them safe.
I loved the ending where Deymio and Nikki were forced to feel the torment of Khyel's past through a telepathic link. Nikki, the rather spoiled brat, had to finally face reality. And - what I love the best - Deymio's sudden obsession with Khyel. He had to touch him and watch him all the time, they were inseparable.
About the females: Kiyrstin, Deymorin's lover, was so not possessive of Deymio. She accepted the fact that the recuperating Khyel needed his brother, needed the link with him. She is a really cool character who wears her hair cut short, dresses in breeches and a jerkin and is ready to go through anything for Deymorin's sake. Other than this female character there are Anheliaa (the grandaunt), Lidya (the woman Nikki was forced the marry), the mute Mirryn and Mother (a strange serpent-like creature).
And then there is Dancer. The he/she/it, the male and female in one body... ;)
This book has everything! Great male and female characters, intriguing relationships, gender-bender and incestish hints. Oh and strange sex: there is the scene where all the brothers have sex with their female lovers during one night and even though they are miles apart, they kinda sorta share the sex. Mirryn - who had sex with Khyel in the scene - admits that it got a little "crowded" :D
The story is not action driven. It's all about the characters and their interaction with each other. It's actually about the youngest brother finally growing up and the older two finding their way back to each other. It's a family saga. In this story, the middle brother, Mikhyel, is the target for their grandaunt's wrath. He pushes himself so far to appease her that he actually collapses. And then finally, the truth is revealed. About their abusive father, about Khyel's past and about what he did for his brothers' sake, to keep them safe.
I loved the ending where Deymio and Nikki were forced to feel the torment of Khyel's past through a telepathic link. Nikki, the rather spoiled brat, had to finally face reality. And - what I love the best - Deymio's sudden obsession with Khyel. He had to touch him and watch him all the time, they were inseparable.
About the females: Kiyrstin, Deymorin's lover, was so not possessive of Deymio. She accepted the fact that the recuperating Khyel needed his brother, needed the link with him. She is a really cool character who wears her hair cut short, dresses in breeches and a jerkin and is ready to go through anything for Deymorin's sake. Other than this female character there are Anheliaa (the grandaunt), Lidya (the woman Nikki was forced the marry), the mute Mirryn and Mother (a strange serpent-like creature).
And then there is Dancer. The he/she/it, the male and female in one body... ;)
This book has everything! Great male and female characters, intriguing relationships, gender-bender and incestish hints. Oh and strange sex: there is the scene where all the brothers have sex with their female lovers during one night and even though they are miles apart, they kinda sorta share the sex. Mirryn - who had sex with Khyel in the scene - admits that it got a little "crowded" :D
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 1, 2010
I've got to say, for being so "unknown", Jane Fancher really crafted a masterpiece here. The book is absorbing and never did I find myself breaking my suspension of disbelief.
The world she has created feels and THINKS as if it's just as real as ours. This is due in no small part to the politics, economics and greed entwined in the fabric it's made up of. This isn't some idyllic fairy tale land. This is a real place where floods and drought starve people to death, where families harbor dark secrets of severe abuse, where the Earth itself is being bled dry in the name of progress, profit and power. In other words, it feels just like home.
The characters are even more on point. I've read various criticisms about the Rhomandi brothers being to unrealistic and that men would never act like that, but I think it's all poppycock. I grew up with two younger siblings and I think all their attitudes and roles are so dead on with my sibling dynamics that I immediately felt 'at ease' with them.
My little brother is constantly fighting to control his inner demons and to show a stone hard face to the outside world so no one finds out about his inner turmoil. Mikhyel to a T.
My little sister, while not male, grew up the youngest sibling with two older brothers. She was as good as a brother from time to time. But, she's always been flighty even if she is smart and she's always struggled to form an identity of her own amongst brothers with such strong personalities.
I'll continue my review later. Bus ride beckons.
The world she has created feels and THINKS as if it's just as real as ours. This is due in no small part to the politics, economics and greed entwined in the fabric it's made up of. This isn't some idyllic fairy tale land. This is a real place where floods and drought starve people to death, where families harbor dark secrets of severe abuse, where the Earth itself is being bled dry in the name of progress, profit and power. In other words, it feels just like home.
The characters are even more on point. I've read various criticisms about the Rhomandi brothers being to unrealistic and that men would never act like that, but I think it's all poppycock. I grew up with two younger siblings and I think all their attitudes and roles are so dead on with my sibling dynamics that I immediately felt 'at ease' with them.
My little brother is constantly fighting to control his inner demons and to show a stone hard face to the outside world so no one finds out about his inner turmoil. Mikhyel to a T.
My little sister, while not male, grew up the youngest sibling with two older brothers. She was as good as a brother from time to time. But, she's always been flighty even if she is smart and she's always struggled to form an identity of her own amongst brothers with such strong personalities.
I'll continue my review later. Bus ride beckons.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 16, 2011
Ring of Lightning is the story of three brothers, their relationships with each other and their relationship with an elderly aunt. The actual 'magic' in the book actually consists of rings and ley-lines which kinda sorta act like electricity with some other special powers. For the most part the story revolves around the relationships of the major players noted above.
While I wouldn't say that this is the greatest fantasy book ever, I enjoyed it very much. I never abandon a book, but I can always tell how much I like it by how easy it is to put down, including putting it down when I explicitly would normally be reading. In this case the story flowed very well. The brothers were interesting and different enough to make for a good story and the overall arc of the story flowed nicely as well. It was slow to get going so if you find yourself bored (or confused) after the first 100 pages or so, keep going, it gets better.
I have just started the next book - Ring of Intrigue - which I am looking forward to finishing.
While I wouldn't say that this is the greatest fantasy book ever, I enjoyed it very much. I never abandon a book, but I can always tell how much I like it by how easy it is to put down, including putting it down when I explicitly would normally be reading. In this case the story flowed very well. The brothers were interesting and different enough to make for a good story and the overall arc of the story flowed nicely as well. It was slow to get going so if you find yourself bored (or confused) after the first 100 pages or so, keep going, it gets better.
I have just started the next book - Ring of Intrigue - which I am looking forward to finishing.
November 4, 2007
Continuing where Ring of Lightning left off, the politics gets a lot more intense as does the middle brother's relationship with a dancer. At a time when it seems that he needs to be cooler headed than ever, could this throw everything out of orbit? Also the newly found ability to be aware of their brother's thoughts may drive them apart more than it can keep them focused and together. With rebellion, assassination attempts, and external enemies set on conquest events have never been more unsure.
This book contains descriptions of homosexuality, heterosexuality and violence.
This book contains descriptions of homosexuality, heterosexuality and violence.
March 31, 2013
Good fantasy series. Interesting characters,not in the usual fantasy mould. Some family angst and identity crises thrown in. Story and ploy may be customary with what you'd expect in fantasy but the dyynamics between the characters are 'modern'.
May 26, 2013
I am always on the lookout for new authors and Jane S Fancher delivers in DANCE OF THE RING SERIES book one: RING OF LIGHTNING. In this new world I found great characters, intriguing Mother and complex storyline that kept me guessing and wanting more.
March 31, 2007
Pretty good. Sort of a sci-fi/fantasy hybrid. Never got around to reading the sequels.
January 2, 2014
Enjoyed it very much. Kept me interested and intrigued enough to move straight on to book 2 in the series.
November 16, 2016
I loved this whole series. The characters are well rounded and human. The relationships between the characters are well portrayed and help the reader to really care what happens in the story.
July 10, 2010
The first in a great trilogy if you can get through a lot of unnecesary crap.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews