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The Scimitar Seas #2
Scimitar Sun
Scimitar Sun Gold Medal winner for Fantasy in the ForeWord Reviews Book of the Year Awards 2010The Shattered Isles are at peace. Or so it seems. The vile pirate lord, Bloodwind, has been vanquished, and Cynthia Flaxal has everything she always dreamed the mystical powers of a seamage, a successful shipyard, the love of a great man, and a child on the way. But trouble roils both above and below the waves.A school of vengeful merfolk harbors a secret and terrible agenda. An empire perceives Cynthia's growing fleet as a threat. A small band of surviving pirates hatches a devious plot to regain supremacy in the Shattered Isles. A favor to an old friend leaves Cynthia with a powerful but undisciplined young pyromage on her hands. And as all these forces converge, the Seamage of the Shattered Isles finds herself and her unborn child caught right in the middle. Scimitar Moon Gold Medal winner for Fantasy in the ForeWord Reviews Book of the Year Awards 2009 Scimitar's Heir Gold Medal winner for Fantasy in the ForeWord Reviews Book of the Year Awards 2011
332 pages, Paperback
First published August 20, 2010
42 people want to read
About the author
Chris A. Jackson
90 books192 followersFrom the sea to the stars, Chris A. Jackson’s stories take you to the far reaches of the imagination. Raised on the back deck of a fishing boat and trained as a marine biologist, he became sidetracked by a career in biomedical research, but regained his heart and soul in 2009 when he and his wife Anne left the dock aboard the 45-foot sailboat Mr Mac to cruise the Caribbean and write fulltime.
With his nautical background, writing sea stories seemed inevitable for Chris. His acclaimed Scimitar Seas nautical fantasies won three consecutive Gold Medals in the ForeWord Reviews Book of the Year Awards. His Pathfinders Tales from Paizo Publishing combine high-seas combat and romance set in the award-winning world of the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game. Not to be outdone, Privateer Press released Blood & Iron, a swashbuckling novella set in the Iron Kingdoms.
Chris’ repertoire also includes the award-winning and Kindle best-selling Weapon of Flesh Series, the contemporary urban fantasy Dragon Dreams, as well as additional fantasy novels, the humorous sci fi Cheese Runners trilogy of novellas, and numerous short stories.
To learn more, please visit jaxbooks.com.
With his nautical background, writing sea stories seemed inevitable for Chris. His acclaimed Scimitar Seas nautical fantasies won three consecutive Gold Medals in the ForeWord Reviews Book of the Year Awards. His Pathfinders Tales from Paizo Publishing combine high-seas combat and romance set in the award-winning world of the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game. Not to be outdone, Privateer Press released Blood & Iron, a swashbuckling novella set in the Iron Kingdoms.
Chris’ repertoire also includes the award-winning and Kindle best-selling Weapon of Flesh Series, the contemporary urban fantasy Dragon Dreams, as well as additional fantasy novels, the humorous sci fi Cheese Runners trilogy of novellas, and numerous short stories.
To learn more, please visit jaxbooks.com.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
July 7, 2013
I must say that I do love this series. It is very consistent, so I will just add a comments to the second book.
There is a lot more character development in this book, so there is a little less plot. The characters are rich and full of conflict, so it remains interesting even when there is not much happening.
This book was a bit more sexy than the last book. It was not graphic by any means and was used to move the plot or character development in all but one. It worked, but I just thought that sex was not needed for the character to achieve what he attained.
The magic system is developed a bit more with the introduction of a pyromage and how he interacts with the seamage. I love the magic in this book, I still wish I knew more about how it works. That's me though. I want to know how it works. Are the mages using the will of the god? There is a consequence to using magic, but why and what does it do to their body? All I know is that they can get tired from exerting too much energy. I want more!
The addition of the of the Mer was interesting. I like world building and Jackson build a very cool world under the sea as well. It also poses a question that I could not answer. There was a Mer who was a priestess of Odea and Cyn's power comes from Odea. The priestess used Odea's power against Cyn. Why? Is Odea just a mindless power source or is she a god with a will? I need to know about the gods as well (especially since they are the source of the magic).
I am going to keep going through the series. It is a bummer that they are so hard to find. We had to buy this book direct from the publisher. If you enjoy fantasy, please pick this book up.
There is a lot more character development in this book, so there is a little less plot. The characters are rich and full of conflict, so it remains interesting even when there is not much happening.
This book was a bit more sexy than the last book. It was not graphic by any means and was used to move the plot or character development in all but one. It worked, but I just thought that sex was not needed for the character to achieve what he attained.
The magic system is developed a bit more with the introduction of a pyromage and how he interacts with the seamage. I love the magic in this book, I still wish I knew more about how it works. That's me though. I want to know how it works. Are the mages using the will of the god? There is a consequence to using magic, but why and what does it do to their body? All I know is that they can get tired from exerting too much energy. I want more!
The addition of the of the Mer was interesting. I like world building and Jackson build a very cool world under the sea as well. It also poses a question that I could not answer. There was a Mer who was a priestess of Odea and Cyn's power comes from Odea. The priestess used Odea's power against Cyn. Why? Is Odea just a mindless power source or is she a god with a will? I need to know about the gods as well (especially since they are the source of the magic).
I am going to keep going through the series. It is a bummer that they are so hard to find. We had to buy this book direct from the publisher. If you enjoy fantasy, please pick this book up.
October 1, 2010
Scimitar Sun, Chris A. Jackson, 2010, Dragon Moon Press, paperback, 332 p. ISBN 1-897492-17-0 ; more info at www.dragonmoonpress.com and www.jaxbooks.com.
Following in the wake of his award-winning Scimitar Moon, (2009 ForeWord Sci-Fi/Fantasy Book of the Year), author Chris A. Jackson offers up a new Scimitar Seas tale in the rousing Scimitar Sun. This latest novel continues the adventures of Cynthia Flaxal, the Seamage of the Shattered Isles, and makes one wonder if Scimitar Sun is a sequel, or if Scimitar Moon is more accurately a prequel to the real adventures Mr. Jackson has in store for his readers. In Scimitar Sun, Mr. Jackson takes that timeworn catchphrase "just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water," breathes new life into it, and proves quite handily that it's not only big sharks one has to watch out for.
Life in the Shattered Isles is good for Cynthia Flaxal. She has found love and purpose, and holds great hope for that same peaceful life for her unborn child. The shipyard and docks are flourishing, and the seas are at last safe from the predations of Captain Bloodwind, legendary pirate and scourge of the Scimitar Seas. But the unfounded fears of the empire, the vengeful ire of merfolk, and the boundless greed of pirates set into motion events that threaten to plunge the Shattered Isles into chaos and shatter the tranquility in Cynthia's life. As much as she might wish otherwise, Cynthia finds herself drawn into the unrest as surely as a riptide can pull even the strongest swimmer to a watery grave. Even more factors complicate Cynthia's situation--that matter of a volcano and an untried pyromage, for instance. But, dear readers, perhaps I should keep some secrets and allow you to set sail on your own voyage of discovery.
The unique world Mr. Jackson presents for our reading pleasure may bear some slight resemblance to a mature and carefully blended mixture of "Pirates of the Caribbean" and "Harry Potter", with a dash of old Errol Flynn movies tossed in for good measure. But make no mistake; the story, setting, and characters are as fresh and dynamic as any fantasy creations on the market today, and the author's judicious balance of drama and humor lends variety. If there is one bit of caution I might forward, it might be "Landlubbers beware!" for Mr. Jackson is no stranger to sailing, and this clearly shows in the vocabulary of his work. If one is uncomfortable with nautical terminology, be sure to keep a dictionary handy. That being said, one shouldn't consider this a flaw in the writing, but rather part of its charm. The language throughout doesn't detract from the novel's appeal; instead, it adds layers of accuracy, credibility, and realism.
If Scimitar Sun is your first exposure to Mr. Jackson's writing, he will not disappoint. Likewise, returning fans will also find good reason to applaud. Over several years, I have come to trust this author's sense of pace and to expect vivid descriptions and delightful characters, while often wondering when these talents would fail him. After all the pirates, magic, merfolk, swashbuckling, sprites, warships, and intrigue of Scimitar Sun, Mr. Jackson leaves me to happily consider the possibility he will never fail to deliver. Though this voyage has ended, I find myself looking forward to joining him yet again on whatever further adventures he decides to share with us.
Following in the wake of his award-winning Scimitar Moon, (2009 ForeWord Sci-Fi/Fantasy Book of the Year), author Chris A. Jackson offers up a new Scimitar Seas tale in the rousing Scimitar Sun. This latest novel continues the adventures of Cynthia Flaxal, the Seamage of the Shattered Isles, and makes one wonder if Scimitar Sun is a sequel, or if Scimitar Moon is more accurately a prequel to the real adventures Mr. Jackson has in store for his readers. In Scimitar Sun, Mr. Jackson takes that timeworn catchphrase "just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water," breathes new life into it, and proves quite handily that it's not only big sharks one has to watch out for.
Life in the Shattered Isles is good for Cynthia Flaxal. She has found love and purpose, and holds great hope for that same peaceful life for her unborn child. The shipyard and docks are flourishing, and the seas are at last safe from the predations of Captain Bloodwind, legendary pirate and scourge of the Scimitar Seas. But the unfounded fears of the empire, the vengeful ire of merfolk, and the boundless greed of pirates set into motion events that threaten to plunge the Shattered Isles into chaos and shatter the tranquility in Cynthia's life. As much as she might wish otherwise, Cynthia finds herself drawn into the unrest as surely as a riptide can pull even the strongest swimmer to a watery grave. Even more factors complicate Cynthia's situation--that matter of a volcano and an untried pyromage, for instance. But, dear readers, perhaps I should keep some secrets and allow you to set sail on your own voyage of discovery.
The unique world Mr. Jackson presents for our reading pleasure may bear some slight resemblance to a mature and carefully blended mixture of "Pirates of the Caribbean" and "Harry Potter", with a dash of old Errol Flynn movies tossed in for good measure. But make no mistake; the story, setting, and characters are as fresh and dynamic as any fantasy creations on the market today, and the author's judicious balance of drama and humor lends variety. If there is one bit of caution I might forward, it might be "Landlubbers beware!" for Mr. Jackson is no stranger to sailing, and this clearly shows in the vocabulary of his work. If one is uncomfortable with nautical terminology, be sure to keep a dictionary handy. That being said, one shouldn't consider this a flaw in the writing, but rather part of its charm. The language throughout doesn't detract from the novel's appeal; instead, it adds layers of accuracy, credibility, and realism.
If Scimitar Sun is your first exposure to Mr. Jackson's writing, he will not disappoint. Likewise, returning fans will also find good reason to applaud. Over several years, I have come to trust this author's sense of pace and to expect vivid descriptions and delightful characters, while often wondering when these talents would fail him. After all the pirates, magic, merfolk, swashbuckling, sprites, warships, and intrigue of Scimitar Sun, Mr. Jackson leaves me to happily consider the possibility he will never fail to deliver. Though this voyage has ended, I find myself looking forward to joining him yet again on whatever further adventures he decides to share with us.
November 6, 2011
After finishing Scimitar Moon, I immediately went to pick up Scimitar Sun and began reading. Chris has a very captivating and intricate adventure that he is putting to paper.. and he will not let you down. He is very thorough with the details of the ships and sailing, which enriches the reading with creditably, and his characters continue to grow and come to life. The action and conflicts really begin to escalate and get serious in this second addition to his series as the plot develops. But Chris has a VERY impressive balance between the fears and anxiety, and the comedy that gives you a laughing break.
He even caught me completely off guard with the ending of this novel, which I found interesting, considering I was able to pin point most of his foreshadowing pretty distinctly, although I do not mean that with any negative connotation. I was going to just read a chapter or two before bed.. and I ended up staying awake until 5am NEEDING to finish the story before I could even think about sleep! I went from tears of happiness, to laughing, to being in shock, to anxiety..I seriously couldn't put it down! If you were impressed by the first novel, Scimitar Moon, don't hesitate to start reading this one too. Scimitar Sun is completely captivating and I'd recommend it to anyone with an interest in Fantasy!
He even caught me completely off guard with the ending of this novel, which I found interesting, considering I was able to pin point most of his foreshadowing pretty distinctly, although I do not mean that with any negative connotation. I was going to just read a chapter or two before bed.. and I ended up staying awake until 5am NEEDING to finish the story before I could even think about sleep! I went from tears of happiness, to laughing, to being in shock, to anxiety..I seriously couldn't put it down! If you were impressed by the first novel, Scimitar Moon, don't hesitate to start reading this one too. Scimitar Sun is completely captivating and I'd recommend it to anyone with an interest in Fantasy!
June 1, 2013
This one was not quite as good as the first and was a little predictable but I did still enjoy it.
August 2, 2018
All the tension is generated by detailing the plots of Cynthia's many enemies. Cynthia is totally passive and the plot consists only in waiting for her to fall into some trap or another.
Of course, she also ends up unconcious at critical junctures.
I don't really understand why so many authors seem to think this is a compelling format.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews