Tag: writing

Book Review: A Voyage to Arcturus

~ I. Graham Smith ~ Leave a comment

Authored by: David Lindsay

This is a fantasy book from 1920. I read it because the blurb was pretty good and because it was old. It reminds me a bit of C.S. Lewis’ Space Trilogy (Out of the Silent Planet, Perelandra, That Hideous Strength). I call it fantasy because the book is set in a different place and the story is old enough and odd enough to in some ways defy the science fiction label. Maybe it is science fiction. The story arc is sometimes described as metaphysical with characters that are points of view or principles similar to C.S Lewis’ Space Trilogy and Pilgrim’s Progress characters.

Interestingly, this book was also made into a movie (1979) (Youtube). It’s a 70’s movie, so be prepared for pretty terrible.

In A Voyage to Arcturus, Maskull (the protagonist) the book opens with a seance, and Maskull is convinced to visit a certain place on earth by a mysterious man. He travels to a planet called Tormance which orbits a double-star called Arcturus.

The description of that travel is bizarre. The climbs steps in a house on Earth and experiences Tormantic gravity the further upward he travels. With help, he gets to the top and after ingesting something, he travels in to Tormance.

Maskull ends up alone there and he grows new sensory organs. His journey is troubling and nightmarish. The land and characters on Tormance are supposedly allegorical and represent philosophical and states of mind. It’s weird and hard too follow.

All existence is pain… Perhaps the philosophical nature is what makes it still a good read 105 years later. Still, at times I found this book to be a bit of a slog.

All told, there is a lot of depth in the story and writing. The reader just has to wade through the older language and writing style.

Overall, this book isn’t for everyone. If you’re into strange stuff and want to broaden your reading horizons, I recommend it.

Malki’s Choice

~ I. Graham Smith ~ Leave a comment

I crept on bleeding knees a thousand meters under the shining meadow, the path wending downward between crystalline structures of every shape and size. My eyes were finally adjusted now, after an hour of walking past green and blue crystals. Soon, I began to crouch and then crawl as the cavern diminished into ever smaller arteries and the colors changed to russet and violet. My mind wandered as I moved forward and the space became cooler, pondering Helel’s suggestion. It was an idea harmless on its face, benign and guileless, yet infinitely attractive in a way I had never contemplated.

“Why are you here, Malki?” I muttered to myself. “Can’t just enjoy the Maker’s sunshine?” The thought occurred to me, Is curiosity a sin?

Even in the silence, the whisper from my conscience was small, and yet…I knew, and I continued on. Ahead as the path curved to the left I heard a faint whistle, a moaning entirely foreign to my blessed ears. At the bend a breeze gently ruffled my hair and robe, and I saw a deeper hue of red in the gems that lined the walls. Maybe Helel was right after all.

I remember how he had stated quite emphatically that this place was different, a way to the outside. I remember thinking that nobody would want to see the outside Father’s realm. There simply is no better place. Yet, Helel said this path was kept from us for dark reasons. I had to know for myself.

The walls soon opened up like an embrace and those ruby crystals beckoned with a welcoming light. I rose to my feet and my robes flapped wildly now, my hair violently whipping my face. Palm on the wall, I staggered closer to the shrieking void in the cave floor. My sash pulled away from me and was quickly sucked into the vacuum.

It was just as Helel said. Father had lied…hadn’t he? I turned to look back at the narrow cleft I had emerged from. Then I gazed down at my knees covered in drying blood and remembered the chill of the tunnels. I had to see.

Bending, I reached to touch the void and the wind pulled me inward and through into a dark blue sky. The air buffeted and a white, sizzling glow surrounded me as I fell crackling toward the earth.

I had escaped.

Book Review: Deathbringer

~ I. Graham Smith ~ Leave a comment

Authored by: Blake Carpenter

This is book 1 of “The Spellswords Saga”

I don’t think I’ve read a book like this before. The steampunk world in combination with a unique fantasy “magic” system makes for an interesting read. The idea of the spellsword (a magic sword with a specific personality and powers) is unique and the story explains just enough to leave a hint of mystery. The combination of the swordbearer and spellsword together works well to create a partnership that can achieve great things… at some cost.

The main characters are understandable with solid motivations and actions. I felt like Inga’s intro and the story that followed was great, and I could relate a little bit to Kale as well. I came away feeling like Kale’s future direction was unknown, which is not what I hoped for him. The antagonist is an absolutely vile person, and she came off as being a bit of a spoiled kid from a powerful and rich family who finally grew up and seriously applied herself to evil. Effective.

The writing is really well done, easy to read and follow. The characters are well-defined. Excellent editing. The story pacing is well-done, and I like the point of view switch to from 1st person for Inga to 3rd for others. It really works.

Overall, the world is broad and yet unique enough to see many more stories come out. There is a fleshed-out world in place, including a map and historical references that promise future depth. There are currently two other books out and there are even more spellswords that are listed in the index, which means plenty of reading ahead!

Book Review: Last Warriors on the Llano

~ I. Graham Smith ~ Leave a comment

Author: Howard Pelham

This book is not terribly old, but it feels old… and it’s a western, which has fallen out of style in recent years.

I do like older books because they tend to be less frantic and less desperate to meet the modern idea of what keeps readers engaged. The style is excellent and simple.

Last Warriors on the Llano is such an easy read. The writing is so direct that I, as a writer, thought to myself, “Graham, you’ve gotta learn this art!” In the end, the straightforward sincerity of the two main characters is what I loved most.

Cody Carson is a Texas Ranger whose well-earned vacation is interrupted by the murder of a local rancher. While on the ensuing mission to save lives, he meets an unlikely ally, an Indian named Red Wind. Red Wind takes Cody to the Llano Estacado – the Staked Plains – a vast expanse of desert where their friendship and honor are forged in fire.

I could feel the character exuding from these men who became fast friends. This was my first Howard Pelham book, but I plan to read more of his work.