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Seeking Solace: Book I Solace (2014)

by Anna Steffl(Favorite Author)

3.73 of 5 Votes: 4

ISBN

0988273977 (ISBN13: 9780988273979)

languge

English

genre

Romance

publisher

evenSO Press, LLC

series

Solace Trilogy

review 1: This was a very light yet interesting read. I could easily see myself continuing this series. I probably would've given it 4 stars except that it was really hard to grip the setting/story at first, the author could've done a better or more detailed job explaining things, and all character and place names are similar making it a challenge to follow or know exactly who you are reading about. I know there is a pattern of name choices I.e. "chancellor" or "madre" at the beginning of each name but since the author gives no history or backround as to the setting of things going on and the placing of them, it makes it difficult to keep up. I can imagine she has lost many a reader due to this. I almost threw in the towel because of it but I am happy to say that I stuck with it. O... moreverall, an intriguing and breathless world full of strong women and dashing warriors.
review 2: Whoa. First, a disclaimer. I do know the author and I bought the book because I do. But, fact is, I know a lot of authors and I don't read all their books -- I couldn't possibly. Anna, herself, though, is smart & witty with a funky, unique vibe I dig. I suspected her writing would be the same and I was not disappointed. Three pages in my attention was firmly rooted in Steffl's world. By the time I'd finished the first chapter featuring Arvana, the nunesque heroine (in every sense of the word, I suspect we shall find), I was a goner. Let me explain what that means. I read a lot of good books, books that engage me mentally and occasionally prompt me to read way past whatever time I've allotted. But I just don't sink into a book the way a lot of readers can. I don't disappear into its world and become part of the story. I'm almost always aware that I'm reading -- analyzing and pondering as I go. Same thing with movies and TV. I just don't get "lost." Almost never, I repeat. Every blue moon or so, a book or movie truly pulls me into its magic. The Harry Potter series managed it, some of the Robin Hood tales and retellings do it, and now I have Solace. Great, great stuff.So what's so darn compelling? Well, there are the classic and beloved fantasy elements: the chaste heroine, the handsome Prince, the self-sacrificing champion, the wise old woman, the evil wizard, the dangerous monsters and, of course, the all-but-impossible noble quest -- plus more! But while Steffl pays homage to these important archetypes and tropes, she definitely does it in her own way and with her own twist. For one thing, the story is clearly post-apocalyptic, but it read like an ancient, which I love. For another, the archetype characters have been recombined in atypical arrangements, which keeps the interactions fresh and makes for some great surprises. The characters are interesting and occasionally swipe each other's traits and Steffl teases you with backstory and foreshadowing throughout pretty masterfully. Most of all, there's the point that others have made: the world-building is excellent without being excessive. I got a clear picture of the "countries" and characters without being bogged down with reams of description and the pace kept moving, even when the characters were reflecting within themselves. That's fairly unusual for fantasy. In short, Steffl created the all-important air of mystical elsewhereness and world-threatening tension so critical to a successful fantasy and she did it with a short, concise spell. I'm not entirely sure how and, strange for me, I'm not inclined to go back with a paper copy and an array of colored highlighters to figure it out. This is one of those magic books that just needs to stay a fascination. I had a marvelous time in the other world and I can't wait to go back for the sequels. less

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