New in the Bookstore: Raven Son A fantasy novel by Nicholas Kotar
Young Voran is the envy of all Vasyllia. He is a favorite of the king, the military establishment, even the king's daughter. But Voran is strangely restless. Every evening, he hears a melody so beautiful that he forgets everything but the music. Every night he searches for the singer, but every night he fails. One night he finds her – a Syrin, a paradise bird with the face of a queen, who sings of wonders not of this world. But she is not the only legend to come to life out of the old tales. She warns Voran of the return of the Raven, an ancient soul-reaver with an insatiable grudge against Vasyllia. As invaders ravage Vasyllia and plague sweeps through the countryside, Voran tries to warn Vasyllia of the true danger – the Raven's return – but Voran alone sees the Syrin, and there are few who believe him. To save his love and his country, Voran must leave it behind to find a way to destroy the Raven forever, but first he will have to overcome a more insidious danger – the darkness within himself.
Review by Nigel Fields: For those who enjoy fantasy and the richness of Russian fable, this is a well-written gem. I enjoyed my read of Raven Son, which is much to the author's credit since I am not naturally drawn to the fantasy genre. Raven Son is a tapestry of hinterland imagery and vivid characters, effective elements that compel the reader along. It is also a tale of intrigue and purpose.
Review by Alexandra Weber: To read Raven Son is to forget the banal niceties of modern literature and to be swept up in a world of passion, ancient tradition, magic, and faith. The book evokes a tapestry – each richly-colored thread interweaves with the other, drawing the reader deeper and deeper into its intricate pattern, only to reveal a breathtaking image when all the loose ends are tied. There is something in the story for everyone – the philosopher, the theologian, the lover of fairy tales and myth, the poet, the artist, and the child at heart. Nicholas Kotar has managed to take all these fields and combine them together, infusing them with his love of Russian culture, folklore, and religious heritage. The result is a living portrayal of Vasyllia, a land richly gifted and at one time intrinsically connected to its Creator, but one which haslost its way and stands to be destroyed from within. Its only hope lies inVoran Raven Son, a warrior who must conquer his inner demons beforehe can become strong enough to bring salvation to his storied homeland.
This book is available now in the parish bookstore for $15 and is also available as an e-book from Amazon.
