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Tuesday, December 15, 2009

BY DARKNESS HID by JILL WILLIAMSON

THE HOLIDAY SERIES
UNLEASH THE MAGIC
DECEMBER CHAPTER
FALL ON YOUR KNEES

A BOOK REVIEW
BY DARKNESS HID by JILL WILLIAMSON
My Synopsis
Achan Cham is a stray. In the feudal caste system of Er’Rets a stray is the bottom rung of society. Without family, he is forced to work in the kitchens and serve an abusive master.

An offer from a charismatic knight to train for the King’s Guard lifts Achan’s spirits. And yet, as Achan grows more capable with the blade and confident in himself, he hears voices in his head. Despite his new found courage gained from his sword training, he fears he has gone mad.

Meanwhile, Vrell Sparrow, a girl dressed as a male stray hiding from an arranged marriage that will unite her to the most horrific of lords, works in the household of a friend of the family. And a powerful man, who covets her strong blood voicing powers which enable to hear other’s thoughts, sends men to fetch her. Though Vrell is admired by a few of her captors, it looks as if she is on her way to the dungeon.

Both Achan and Vrell meet as they get caught up in the whirlpool battle for the highest seat in the land. As century old lies crumble and cruel secrets melt, shocking secrets are revealed about their families, their identities, and the world as they know it. In the end Vrell and Achan are required to run for their lives into the land which is by darkness hid.

My Review
I have to admit, as a writer this book sent me into a long depression – or writer’s block -- whatever title you want to slap onto it. As I read the last page of BY DARKNESS HID and closed the book, I said aloud, “That’s it. It’s been written. The perfect fantasy tale has been written and it is called BY DARKNESS HID.”

Oh yeah, and I went on to wallow about it. Why write? The perfect fantasy tale had been written.

Okay, rest assured that three weeks later I have emerged from my self-pity and am writing again, and after you’ve assuredly rested go and buy this book.

These characters are alive, loveable and as real as any I have seen. Without endless narrative, you feel like you are in middle of the medieval fantasy world. All that is medieval and fantasy is painted and portrayed in entertaining brilliance.

The action is fast paced without being choppy; the conflict is flashy without being violent. It is my favorite book to date. Aye, my fellow fantasy fan, I said it: This is my favorite book to date!

What more to say? We can look back in admiration at Tolkien and Lewis as they forged the road. We can honor Jordan, Whedon, Lucas, as they constructed their footsteps. But I say, Jill Williamson will be the hero of our time.

You decide. Pick up the book.

7 comments:

LynnRush said...

This book is fantastic. Great writing, great story. I couldn't put the bugger down! Lost lots of sleep staying up to read it, but it was totally worth it.


PS, KM, I LOVE the snow on your blog.

Brandon Barr said...

Wow!! Okay, I'm buying it now...no more delaying!

KM Wilsher said...

One whose read it and one who hasn't nice :) Lynn did you see my snow?
Brandon, I can't wait for you to read it and review it :)

Kat Heckenbach said...

This book is SO on my Christmas list!

Lori Lundquist said...

You found the snow. Cool. :-)
Your review definitely makes me want to check this out!
Don't sweat the writer's block/despair thing. It's common to most of us writers. Even though we can't escape similarities in our writings, no two authors have the same take even on the same situation/plot/event ... ever. So write on, KM!

owo xD said...

Awesome review! Man, I seriously felt the same way after that last page. Best Christian fantasy book. Ever. lol

Even my mom loved it, and she can hardly stand reading fantasy. The second book is coming out soon. :P

Kathryn Hupp-Harris said...

I wasn't really hooked until you started talking about Vrell. Now I'm off to the bookstore.

Once again, thanks for the tip on a great book.