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Solem: A far future coming of age romance novel with a stunning end
The world of The Green forbids demons. They have always been sent away whilst still young children, over the river to an unknown fate...until Janeen.
Ignorant of her true nature, she unwittingly bewitches the folk of her forest village until, on the cusp of womanhood, the inevitable finally happens. As a young woman demon, she soon brings chaos to the ordered ways on the other side, and with it profound consequences not only for herself, but for her previously unchanging world.
She may not know what she really is, but the wonder that makes her a demon finally brings back something long lost to the preservation of a fragile Earth; something far vaster than anyone could ever have imagined.
Ignorant of her true nature, she unwittingly bewitches the folk of her forest village until, on the cusp of womanhood, the inevitable finally happens. As a young woman demon, she soon brings chaos to the ordered ways on the other side, and with it profound consequences not only for herself, but for her previously unchanging world.
She may not know what she really is, but the wonder that makes her a demon finally brings back something long lost to the preservation of a fragile Earth; something far vaster than anyone could ever have imagined.
290 pages, Hardcover
Published October 14, 2021
3 people are currently reading
5 people want to read
About the author
Clive S. Johnson
12 books360 followersBritish author of Speculative Fiction, Science Fiction and Timeslip Historical Fiction, as well as Poetry and Short Stories.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
February 5, 2016
I’m a huge fan of Mr. Johnson’s style of writing. I traveled every single mile of each and every journey he walked us through in his Dica Series, so a few months ago when I saw he had posted the first chapter for a new book, Solem, I devoured his words and wanted more. Of course that only whetted my appetite, so it was with great and impatient excitement I waited for Solem’s release.
When it finally was born I was not disappointed in the least in Mr. Johnson’s new creation.
This new story once again took me on a wonderful journey of personal struggle and growth. Mr. Johnson drew me in and made me care about his charming characters. There is a sweet undertone of a love story that teased and made me cross my fingers in the hopes that Craith and Jeneen would overcome all the odds and find happiness.
While Solem is by no means a romance, I really did love the way it was written into the story. It was almost an intangible thing. I think that was what made it more powerful to me. I’m certain each reader will carry away something different from this book, but that’s only because Mr. Johnson is gifted enough to layer his stories so they will mean something different to each and every one of us.
Mr. Johnson is a master wordsmith. His journeys of the heart are worth the price of the ticket.
When it finally was born I was not disappointed in the least in Mr. Johnson’s new creation.
This new story once again took me on a wonderful journey of personal struggle and growth. Mr. Johnson drew me in and made me care about his charming characters. There is a sweet undertone of a love story that teased and made me cross my fingers in the hopes that Craith and Jeneen would overcome all the odds and find happiness.
While Solem is by no means a romance, I really did love the way it was written into the story. It was almost an intangible thing. I think that was what made it more powerful to me. I’m certain each reader will carry away something different from this book, but that’s only because Mr. Johnson is gifted enough to layer his stories so they will mean something different to each and every one of us.
Mr. Johnson is a master wordsmith. His journeys of the heart are worth the price of the ticket.
February 14, 2016
I sometimes wonder where an author writes, sad, I know. For Pratchett, it would have been a log cabin that clung to a cliff next to a magical waterfall and overlooking an ancient forest. Zelazny had an austere desk that sat upon a cloud from which he looked down and observed. With Clive, I can’t make up my mind. His desk should be where ploughs and rakes are littered after a hard day’s toil; or maybe by a cozy, inglenook fire – a front room or country inn.
Such is the earthy feel of Solem.
It is a beautiful tale of love, a journey of discovery, and a comment on belief. I will not reveal much about the plot, suffice to say the book didn’t pull me along; more let me float atop its river of words; the meanders slowly revealing a whole, new, created world. That land is painted with, for those that have read Dica, Clive's usual exacting prose. There are demons, there are fears, there are answers and there are questions, but above all, there is a story that is great. Isn't that what it is all about?
Craith demands a special mention – what a fantastic character. He should get his own book…
Such is the earthy feel of Solem.
It is a beautiful tale of love, a journey of discovery, and a comment on belief. I will not reveal much about the plot, suffice to say the book didn’t pull me along; more let me float atop its river of words; the meanders slowly revealing a whole, new, created world. That land is painted with, for those that have read Dica, Clive's usual exacting prose. There are demons, there are fears, there are answers and there are questions, but above all, there is a story that is great. Isn't that what it is all about?
Craith demands a special mention – what a fantastic character. He should get his own book…
March 13, 2016
Wait for it...wait for it.
Clive's books are original. Each reader might see a different world and Solem is no different. I felt very uncomfortable in this new world world he'd created and I wasn't sure why? It was beautifully written, of course, but somehow the characters were odd and perhaps even in that first chapter I'd put my finger on it? However, as Clive leaves it to the reader's imagination I couldn't be sure. As always with his excellent books I was looking for a reason for my feelings and I like that. I like to think and with the authors books you are always wondering what is this really about? When I got to the end I wasn't disappointed and knew exactly why I didn't fit in. Excellent.
Clive's books are original. Each reader might see a different world and Solem is no different. I felt very uncomfortable in this new world world he'd created and I wasn't sure why? It was beautifully written, of course, but somehow the characters were odd and perhaps even in that first chapter I'd put my finger on it? However, as Clive leaves it to the reader's imagination I couldn't be sure. As always with his excellent books I was looking for a reason for my feelings and I like that. I like to think and with the authors books you are always wondering what is this really about? When I got to the end I wasn't disappointed and knew exactly why I didn't fit in. Excellent.
March 2, 2016
Another Terrific Story
As I was totally absorbed by Clive Johnson's Dica series, so too did I lose myself, wandering through the country and meeting the people in "Solem." There are four authors that really get me involved in their worlds, immersed in their natures. Clive Johnson is one and he is in good company with Tolkien, Sanderson, and Jordan. Thank you, Clive, for another gem.
As I was totally absorbed by Clive Johnson's Dica series, so too did I lose myself, wandering through the country and meeting the people in "Solem." There are four authors that really get me involved in their worlds, immersed in their natures. Clive Johnson is one and he is in good company with Tolkien, Sanderson, and Jordan. Thank you, Clive, for another gem.
July 11, 2016
Believe: Solem by Clive Johnson
I'm glad Clive didn't change his way of writing with this new book, still using old tongue language. Clive's style of writing draws me in, I haven't read another author like him. I'm glad I got the paperback to read poolside as it added to the spookiness of the book, I'm surrounded by woods. Janeen had to leave her village because she had a demon in her, she stayed longer than most children with a demon in them by bewitching the villagers. She didn't know this, but her father and a friend did. There came a day when her dad knew it was time for her to leave, she was seventeen then. I wonder if the parents know what happens to the children they send away? Luckily she has Sharman, Craith and Dwelgefa. They realize this isn't a normal case, so the journey begins through the countryside, up rivers and through dense forest. I can visualize the countryside because the description the author writes is so clear I got the goose bumps running up my arms and legs at times. This book is full of mystery, adventure, demons and a little romance. The characters I came to look forward to being with each time I opened the book will be missed. I took the journey, felt the fear, adrenaline and faith with the characters and their creator. You should to! Clive never disappoints, I've read his Dica series which blew me away also. This author is one of the best story tellers of the written word. He makes maps to help you visualize the countryside he's writing about and his drawing blow my mind. Don't miss out, take the journey!
I'm glad Clive didn't change his way of writing with this new book, still using old tongue language. Clive's style of writing draws me in, I haven't read another author like him. I'm glad I got the paperback to read poolside as it added to the spookiness of the book, I'm surrounded by woods. Janeen had to leave her village because she had a demon in her, she stayed longer than most children with a demon in them by bewitching the villagers. She didn't know this, but her father and a friend did. There came a day when her dad knew it was time for her to leave, she was seventeen then. I wonder if the parents know what happens to the children they send away? Luckily she has Sharman, Craith and Dwelgefa. They realize this isn't a normal case, so the journey begins through the countryside, up rivers and through dense forest. I can visualize the countryside because the description the author writes is so clear I got the goose bumps running up my arms and legs at times. This book is full of mystery, adventure, demons and a little romance. The characters I came to look forward to being with each time I opened the book will be missed. I took the journey, felt the fear, adrenaline and faith with the characters and their creator. You should to! Clive never disappoints, I've read his Dica series which blew me away also. This author is one of the best story tellers of the written word. He makes maps to help you visualize the countryside he's writing about and his drawing blow my mind. Don't miss out, take the journey!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews