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Fortitude: A Novel
For fans of Toni Adayemi's Children of Blood and Bone or of course Diana Gabaldon's Outlander fans comes the third in the heavily culturally imbued Deliverance series. This one delves deeply into Kanienke (Mohawk) and Haudenosaunee (Six Nations or Iroquois) culture and explores a different timeline where magic changes how colonists and the First Nations interacted.
Once a gregarious little girl, Fortitude has followed in her older sister Liberty’s footsteps to become a strong, competent woman. Although still viewed as a young girl by many due to her lack of magic manifestation, she has soldiered on to become Liberty’s battle sister and the Westland’s only expert on magic ecology. When she finally gets the chance to strike out on her first real mission with her sister, she finds herself faced with more insurmountable odds then she ever imagined. Arcanton forces, led by a mysterious Admiral from Thomas’s past and the nefarious Ned Turner’s half-sister Veronica, mount an assault on the Westlands when they find a rift in the magic ecosystem. Armed with their vastly superior military technology, Arcanton wastes no time using the magic void to rip through in a deadly onslaught. Meanwhile the Westlands Militia scrabbles to hold their territory on the fleeting long shot that Fortitude, the girl with no magic, will be able to figure out how to mend the rift in the ethersphere. Can she do it?
Once again, the descendant women of Nar find themselves in a position to learn what it means to live up to the power in a name.
Praise for the Deliverance
"This story was told so expertly, I just couldn't put it down!" -- Author Amy Proebstel
"Every part of the worldbuilding in this story was so beautifully done that I felt as if I was right there beside Deliverance."-- Author Kayla Krantz
"Riveting tale of YA fantasy!"-- Author M.L. Tompsett
"A story filled with magic, tales of lore, action, adventure...we are swept away on an adventure!" -- Author Susan A. Buchanan
Adventure Fantasy
Historic Fantasy
Historical Fantasy
Magical Realism
YA fantasy to adult fantasy
Dystopian
Alternate Reality
Witches
Magic adventure
By ordering this book, you are supporting small, disabled veteran owned business. Thank you for your support!
Once a gregarious little girl, Fortitude has followed in her older sister Liberty’s footsteps to become a strong, competent woman. Although still viewed as a young girl by many due to her lack of magic manifestation, she has soldiered on to become Liberty’s battle sister and the Westland’s only expert on magic ecology. When she finally gets the chance to strike out on her first real mission with her sister, she finds herself faced with more insurmountable odds then she ever imagined. Arcanton forces, led by a mysterious Admiral from Thomas’s past and the nefarious Ned Turner’s half-sister Veronica, mount an assault on the Westlands when they find a rift in the magic ecosystem. Armed with their vastly superior military technology, Arcanton wastes no time using the magic void to rip through in a deadly onslaught. Meanwhile the Westlands Militia scrabbles to hold their territory on the fleeting long shot that Fortitude, the girl with no magic, will be able to figure out how to mend the rift in the ethersphere. Can she do it?
Once again, the descendant women of Nar find themselves in a position to learn what it means to live up to the power in a name.
Praise for the Deliverance
"This story was told so expertly, I just couldn't put it down!" -- Author Amy Proebstel
"Every part of the worldbuilding in this story was so beautifully done that I felt as if I was right there beside Deliverance."-- Author Kayla Krantz
"Riveting tale of YA fantasy!"-- Author M.L. Tompsett
"A story filled with magic, tales of lore, action, adventure...we are swept away on an adventure!" -- Author Susan A. Buchanan
Adventure Fantasy
Historic Fantasy
Historical Fantasy
Magical Realism
YA fantasy to adult fantasy
Dystopian
Alternate Reality
Witches
Magic adventure
By ordering this book, you are supporting small, disabled veteran owned business. Thank you for your support!
361 pages, paperback
Published October 5, 2019
11 people want to read
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January 16, 2025
“Fortitude” takes readers into a world of alternative history and magical realism, continuing the saga with book 3 of The Deliverance Series. From the first chapter, Dr. Samantha Schinder establishes a dark yet fascinating tone, pulling readers into the twisted inner workings of Veronica’s mind and the willful persistence of Fortitude, the novel’s dual protagonists.
The complex character development of Fortitude is a great strength that Schinder possesses. Veronica is driven by dark magic and calculated ambition, and this sets the stage for the development of an anti-hero. Introducing her paints a detailed picture of manipulation and power struggles as she plots to gain control over her brother Ned, who is incapacitated after a horrible automobile accident. Fans of morally ambiguous characters will find that this adds a layer of psychological depth although it may be seen as unsettling. Quite the opposite of Veronica is Fortitude, who is resilient and has a fiery spirit. She provides a beacon of hope that keeps the readers engaged in the narrative.
The world-building is intricate and another standout feature of the novel. Readers will notice the lore of the Westlands and Arcanton. There’s a looming threat of war stemming from political tension, which adds richness to the narrative. Schinder is very descriptive; for example, at the opening of the story, she describes this rugged climb that Fortitude and her sister, Liberty undertake. This helps to immerse readers in the atmosphere and surroundings, such as the landscape. Even the blend of elements of ether manipulation and ancient rituals is carefully fleshed out without overwhelming the reader who’s being introduced to this magic system.
At its core, there is a two-fold storyline that— while Veronica is setting out to reclaim her place in society and wield her dark powers, Fortitude on the other hand, is trying to prove herself within the Westlands Junior Military Academy. Veronica’s and Fortitude’s storylines are juxtaposed, with one being tinged with elements of Gothicism and psychological suspense and the other being more of a coming-of-age journey. The overarching themes are power, sacrifice, and redemption.
The pacing fluctuates, with some scenes requiring more methodical world-building and other scenes requiring adrenaline-fueled action. There’s introspection and atmospheric tension while at times and where needed, there’s also an acceleration in pace when Fortitude is training or there’s a magical confrontation. Schinder’s writing is poetic and showcases a talent for creating an immersive plot.
There is a good balance between the novel’s darker undertones and the warmer, humorous interactions. “Fortitude” at times does lean a bit too heavily on internal expositions, such as Veronica’s extensive inner dialogue that seems to overshadow the external actions. This may minimize engagement with readers looking for more forward motion. Narrative flow could be enhanced with more dynamic scenes in place of some of Veronica’s repetitive plotting.
Readers who enjoy epic fantasy with a mix of psychological complexity will find that “Fortitude” resonates most with them. “Fortitude” is also a great read for fans of dark fantasy, morally grey characters, and intricate political intrigue. Younger readers will gravitate toward the character of Fortitude, while a more mature audience may be more drawn to Veronica’s chilling descent into dark magic.
“Fortitude” by Dr. Samantha Schinder is a captivating addition to The Deliverance Series, providing a story that is immersive and thought-provoking. It has rich characters, imaginative world-building, and layered themes that will leave readers anticipating the next book in the series. It will stand out for fans who crave morally intricate narratives that challenge the thin line between right and wrong.
The complex character development of Fortitude is a great strength that Schinder possesses. Veronica is driven by dark magic and calculated ambition, and this sets the stage for the development of an anti-hero. Introducing her paints a detailed picture of manipulation and power struggles as she plots to gain control over her brother Ned, who is incapacitated after a horrible automobile accident. Fans of morally ambiguous characters will find that this adds a layer of psychological depth although it may be seen as unsettling. Quite the opposite of Veronica is Fortitude, who is resilient and has a fiery spirit. She provides a beacon of hope that keeps the readers engaged in the narrative.
The world-building is intricate and another standout feature of the novel. Readers will notice the lore of the Westlands and Arcanton. There’s a looming threat of war stemming from political tension, which adds richness to the narrative. Schinder is very descriptive; for example, at the opening of the story, she describes this rugged climb that Fortitude and her sister, Liberty undertake. This helps to immerse readers in the atmosphere and surroundings, such as the landscape. Even the blend of elements of ether manipulation and ancient rituals is carefully fleshed out without overwhelming the reader who’s being introduced to this magic system.
At its core, there is a two-fold storyline that— while Veronica is setting out to reclaim her place in society and wield her dark powers, Fortitude on the other hand, is trying to prove herself within the Westlands Junior Military Academy. Veronica’s and Fortitude’s storylines are juxtaposed, with one being tinged with elements of Gothicism and psychological suspense and the other being more of a coming-of-age journey. The overarching themes are power, sacrifice, and redemption.
The pacing fluctuates, with some scenes requiring more methodical world-building and other scenes requiring adrenaline-fueled action. There’s introspection and atmospheric tension while at times and where needed, there’s also an acceleration in pace when Fortitude is training or there’s a magical confrontation. Schinder’s writing is poetic and showcases a talent for creating an immersive plot.
There is a good balance between the novel’s darker undertones and the warmer, humorous interactions. “Fortitude” at times does lean a bit too heavily on internal expositions, such as Veronica’s extensive inner dialogue that seems to overshadow the external actions. This may minimize engagement with readers looking for more forward motion. Narrative flow could be enhanced with more dynamic scenes in place of some of Veronica’s repetitive plotting.
Readers who enjoy epic fantasy with a mix of psychological complexity will find that “Fortitude” resonates most with them. “Fortitude” is also a great read for fans of dark fantasy, morally grey characters, and intricate political intrigue. Younger readers will gravitate toward the character of Fortitude, while a more mature audience may be more drawn to Veronica’s chilling descent into dark magic.
“Fortitude” by Dr. Samantha Schinder is a captivating addition to The Deliverance Series, providing a story that is immersive and thought-provoking. It has rich characters, imaginative world-building, and layered themes that will leave readers anticipating the next book in the series. It will stand out for fans who crave morally intricate narratives that challenge the thin line between right and wrong.
Displaying 1 of 1 review