Book Review: Guardian of Ajalon

by Jeanette O'Hagan @JeanetteOHagan

The Book

Guardian of Ajalon is the third and final book in the Poison Tree Path Chronicles.

The poison tree path is Shara’s road home. . .if she and her companions can survive the journey. In the danger and darkness of the forest, the only respite she finds is in the story unlocked in the Old Tongue book. In this vivid world, Shara finally discovers what she has longed for all her life: the key to the secrets of her past. Yet time is running out for Shara—and all of Tirragyl—as Lord Lucian, King Alexor, and the royal army attack the Guardian Grotto to claim the powerful Guardian Rock.
Publisher: Enclave (September 11, 2018)
Available in print and e-book.

The Author

Joan Campbell is the author of Encounters: Life Changing Moments with Jesus, a collection of short stories, reflections, and prayers. She lives in Johannesburg, South Africa, with her husband, two daughters, and their Labrador, Tabeal, named after one of the characters in her novel.

My Thoughts

Guardian of Ajalon is a fresh epic fantasy with strong allegorical elements. Campbell intertwines the different stories of Shara, Nicco, and Queen Nyla as their different journeys and actions fasten toward a riveting final battle.  All three draw from the Old Tongue book and it's story of he fabled Kingdom of Ajalon and its Prince ‘Eshua and are assisted by the Goldbreast, Talbeal. 

As the story progressed, the biblical allegory of the poison tree path, of the King Ab'El, his son Prince 'Eshua and the Goldbreast become clear. I was fascinated by nature of the two different kingdoms (fabled Ajalon versus troubled Tirragyl), the time-shift or split between them, the death curse and the poison tree path. It is a fresh and powerful way of representing the biblical story. It reminded me of the Narnia stories (especially the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and the Last Battle) and also of Paul Gallico's The Man Who Was Magic. Descriptions of Ajalon and of Ab'El and especially 'Eshua and the Goldbreast are beautiful and the poison tree is an apt analogy.

I hadn't read the first two books, but, except for one or two minor points, I was easily able to understand what was happening and why. The book is full of action, set-backs, danger, desperate situations, and twists, as Shara finds her true identity and Nicco, Nyla and their companions fight to save the Guardian Grotto and Tirragyl. This is not a two dimensional allegory, but a full blooded story with rounded characters, suspense and intrigue. I was moved by Campbell's compelling portrayals of God's love, even the broken and the erring, and the cost of that love.

Of course, now I need to read the first two books (which I understand are less strongly allegorical.)

Overall, a fresh and interesting Christian epic fantasy with strong allegorical tones.
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Jeanette started spinning tales in the world of Nardva at the age of eight or nine. She enjoys writing secondary world fiction, poetry, blogging and editing. Her Nardvan stories span continents, time and cultures. They involve a mixture of courtly intrigue, adventure, romance and/or shapeshifters and magic users. She has published numerous short stories, poems, two novellas and her debut novel, Akrad's Children and Ruhanna's Flight and other stories.

Her latest release, Stone of the Sea, is currently on preorder for 31 October release.


Jeanette has practised medicine, studied communication, history, theology and a Master of Arts (Writing). She loves reading, painting, travel, catching up for coffee with friends, pondering the meaning of life. She lives in Brisbane with her husband and children.


Find her on:

Facebook |Jeanette O'Hagan Writes | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

Book Review - Call of the Wattlebird by Victoria Carnell

by Jeanette O'Hagan @JeanetteOHagan

The Book

Duty’s demand or heart’s call?

In nineteenth century Tasmania, Catherine Nicolson enjoyed the privileged lifestyle on the grand estate of Willowbank, and inspired by her grandmother Kate, she possesses a deep-rooted compassion for those less fortunate.

When her idyllic life is shattered by unexpected tragedy, Catherine’s circumstance becomes difficult and precarious, and she wishes to escape it's drudgery and danger. She is torn between two choices. Should she follow her heart and risk her place in society? Or should she marry well, pleasing her family and securing the means to fulfil her life-long desire to help the ‘Ordinary Folk’?

Will Catherine pursue intimacy or seize convenience? What path will she choose? Where will her faith and choices lead her?


Published: October 2017
Available at Amazon (ebook & print) or from the author.

The Author

Though a late-comer to the field of writing, Victoria Carnell's formative years were influenced by her mother, an avid reader, and by her father who indulged his passion: the philosophy of language. As an adult, serving in Christian ministry in Wesleyan Churches in Australia, alongside her husband, and being employed in the spheres of management and education in the wider community has afforded many valuable experiences. Her children, their partners and her grandchildren delight her life. Due to the many opportunities to interact with people from all walks of life, She have garnered an abundance of subject material to inform her writing. Since She approaches life from the perspective of a Christian worldview, her aim is to encourage her readers to develop a relationship with the Redeemer, by identifying with her characters, as they wrestle with the issues of life and faith.  Find out more on her website.

My Thoughts

Catherine Nichols is a delightful heroine who throws herself into life and has much to learn. Initially, her biggest concern is her annoying younger brother but tragedy shatters the safety of her world and she finds herself searching for a meaningful future. Should she submit to societal expectations or follow a larger vision of the meaning of life and her heart.

Call of the Wattlebird is set in late nineteenth century Tasmania and the setting with its wealth of historical detail is a definite strength of this book. In particular, I liked how Victoria Carnell explored the different strata of society from the landowners to the those far less fortune. In many ways a coming of age story with a Anne of Green Gables vibe, Call of the Wattlebird also includes a faith element and romance, with Catherine having to decide between the family's choice of a moneyed suitor or following her heart.

While not a fast-paced novel, I found it a charming and enriching read and look forward to the sequel.

Disclosure: I designed the cover for the Call of the Wattlebird and helped in the formatting and publishing, but was otherwise not involved.

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Jeanette started spinning tales in the world of Nardva at the age of eight or nine. She enjoys writing secondary world fiction, poetry, blogging and editing. Her Nardvan stories span continents, time and cultures. They involve a mixture of courtly intrigue, adventure, romance and/or shapeshifters and magic users. She has published numerous short stories, poems, two novellas and her debut novel, Akrad's Children and new release Ruhanna's Flight and other stories.

Jeanette has practised medicine, studied communication, history, theology and a Master of Arts (Writing). She loves reading, painting, travel, catching up for coffee with friends, pondering the meaning of life. She lives in Brisbane with her husband and children.


Find her on:

Facebook |Jeanette O'Hagan Writes | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

Book Review: Rose of Admirias by Charis Joy Jackson

by Jeanette O'Hagan

The Book

The Rose of Admirias is a full-sized novel retelling of Beauty and the Beast set in a fascinating and fresh fantasy world.  It is currently available as part of the limited release boxed set On the Horizon (available on Amazon, Kobo, ITunes and other retailers).

Averie Rose has lived the life of a peasant, so when she discovers she’s actually the lost princess of a mythical kingdom - Admirias - she must choose between running from a man who seeks to kill her, or run towards him and claim her rightful throne. 

The Author

Charis Joy Jackson works as a missionary with Youth With a Mission (YWAM) a non-profit organization & is part of The Initiative Production Company as both scriptwriter and actor. She loves creating stories, with stories published in three anthologies - Glimpses of Light, Tall People and other collected stories, and Like a Woman. Her first novel, The Rose Of Admirias, was released this May in a limited release box set called On The Horizon - 22 authors, 22 novels. 

www.charisjoyjackson.com

My Thoughts

When Averie's father doesn't return from a sea-trip, she finds herself in deadly danger from those she trusts. Meanwhile, in his beleaguered kingdom, Brun bewails the curse that has given him a beastly form until such time he fulfils the promise he betrayed. Averie and Brun are destined to meet and must choose whether to acknowledge their faults and fight for what is right and the future of a shattered kingdom.

I was entranced by The Rose of Admirias, which is told as a three braided tale, with hidden secrets and past tragedies weighing heavily on the present and the possibilities for the future. I love the characters --- Averie, as she discovers her secret past, her father Dumont with his dour strength, Brun angry and bitter, Boice wise and faithful in service, and mysterious Ilyria. I also loved the settings, from Averie's simple village life by the sea, Brun's brooding and strange fairy-tale kingdom, to the wonder of Admirias floating on the Ocean. The threads of the story are skilfully woven together with several layers all working together to produce an enthralling tale of secrets, betrayals, broken promises, despair and forgiveness.

This is a wonderful story for lovers of fantasy and fairy-tale retellings with deep Christian allegory.

The Book Bundle On the Horizon contains a range of 22 science-fiction and fantasy novels and, while many are definitely not Christian Fiction, I think it was worth buying (for a couple of dollars) just for Charis Joy Jackson's wonderful debut novel The Rose of Admirias. And I'm looking forward to reading others in the bundle like Aiki Flinthardt's 80AD (since reading her Aurealis Awards finalist science fiction short story A Little Faith in Like a Woman anthology), and I have already enjoyed Connor Sassmannshausen's hard-hitting dystopian thriller, From the Ashes, Judith Rook's fascinating Planet Woman and my own Akrad's Children.)

Jeanette recently published a collection of fantasy and sci-fi Nardvan stories, Ruhanna's Flight and other stories. She started spinning tales in the world of Nardva at the age of eight or nine. She enjoys writing secondary world fiction, poetry, blogging and editing. Her Nardvan stories span continents, time and cultures. They involve a mixture of courtly intrigue, adventure, romance and/or shapeshifters and magic users. She has published numerous short stories, poems, two novellas and her debut novel, Akrad's Children. Find her on Facebook or at her webpages Jeanette O'Hagan Writes or Jenny's Thread.