It's a thoughtful story where the protagonist is like a vampire, but isn't quite. I enjoyed it and would recommend it to people who want a unique spin on vampires.
David Olson, Author
read free fiction and poetry at http://www.geocities.com/davidolson22/index.html
"A Book About The Undead Bursting With Heart, Compassion, and Philosophy ... as well as the usual violence and troubled darkness."
That's how Janrae Frank, author of the "Journey of the Sacred King Quartet" describes the first volume of Susie Hawes "Evas' Son."
Don't miss the start of this powerful new work of dark fantasy. As Janrae Frank writes,"Susie Hawes' work offers "a very fine reading experience that isn't often found in contemporary fiction. She captures a quality I thought lost with the Golden Age."
Whispering Spirits review:
K sacrifices his own entrance into the afterlife to save his wife and daughter from the Etruscan's torment. After his death, he's forced to exist by taking life from other creatures. In his quest to find the true meaning of existence, he travels the world over the centuries, absorbing the knowledge of the ages.
Already an old man at the beginning of the story, K's love for his family and willingness to sacrifice himself for them immediately develops reader empathy. This connection remains strong throughout the entire book, even as he is forced to commit distasteful acts in order to survive. He still maintains concern for others who are shunned for being different and helps along the way.
There is a lot of mythological magic and folklore involved within the pages. K is a necromancer at the beginning of the book and continues to do so as he exists after death, creating skeleton servants. He also meets with characters from various areas of mythology and they are portrayed well.
Susie Hawes has created an incredible journey for the reader. Though she announces that everything is not true to historical facts, the attention she's paid to the Etruscan's history and various myths is superb. She's brought us a fascinating story that transcends centuries.
Susie Hawes takes the reader from ancient Etruscan history on up into the rise of Christianity. Her settings and characters are vivid and fascinating throughout.
Time spent on cold evenings in front of the fireplace reading Eva's Son is time well spent. Anyone fascinated by mythological history and the characters of that time will love reading this book.
I tend to avoid dark fantasy, normally preferring epics, but I read about Ms. Hawes and she intrigued me with her scope and use of historical background. I started reading and kept on, unwilling to stop.
Yes it is dark fantasy, but it is also a surprisingly intimate tale and I found K incredibly sympathetic. I am a reader who demands strong characters and Ms. Hawes did not dissapoint. There's plenty of action for those whose preferences lie in that direction, but for those of us who like character driven novels, this is one dark fantasy that will certainly please.
Schelly R. Steelman, Author, The Green Temple -- Archebooks
... to find a new author who writes with a good control of the genre. Sometimes it is hard to get into the world of a fantasy story quickly, as the writer has to develop the setting over time, and the reader is left to embrace it as they will.
Hawes' story, told in first person POV of the main character, K, wastes no time in thrusting the reader into the world she has made.
K's creations, skeletons he presses into service as he chases underworld demons called darklings, aid the old man as he seeks out the evil ones, intent on ridding the world of the demons.
Hawes exhibits mastery of description as she weaves her tale with such vividly worded scenes as --
"...a fire burned in the hearth and the smell of oil permeated the one room hut. In the center, I saw a table piled high with armor, the metal breastplate gleaming in the firelight. I dropped my sack by the door, not caring if the noise woke him..."
A dark tale, to be sure, but one filled with fantastic creatures, as monstrous and primordial as the Etruscan gods.
Kaycee Conners, Author
Reading this book has shown me the author isn't just about being flashy or spooky... or sensational. She knows about human relationships, and she cares about the written word. She has fun with place and character.
Give it a read!
Tabitha Dial -- Poet, photographer, journalist
Necromancer's Curse chronicles the life...
of the Etruscian Kanates, who having traded his soul to a god of the underworld in exchange for his wife and child's safe passage into paradise, battles demons and ignorant humans on a journey to find the meaning of his existence, and the redemption of love.
The story begins with Kanates deep inside a copper mine, armed with his wand and flanked by two skeletons that have been empowered by his magic to serve as his soldiers. The three use bolts of magic and traditional weapons of the time period to slay a variety of demons that are threatening the livelihood of "Kanates's" village.
Already a grandfather, shunned by his son, Kanates is ready to die if need be. His body aches and his energy dims through the long battle, but he never imagines the outcome of defying Evas the two-headed god over the underworld.
The author takes us far from the copper mine north of Rome across the lands of Greece and the Middle East crossing centuries, examining the rise and fall of Rome and the beginnings of the spread of Christian thought. She very cleverly makes us understand how these changes in worship affect the way the people live and the dangers they present to a "monster" such as Kanates.
I was pleasantly surprised at how richly Susie Hawes weaves the landscapes and details of life in the time periods this book covers. She draws the reader into the story immediately, creating a bond with the main character and sympathy for his plight. Together with the characters, the reader battles the underworld and examines what life and death are about.
You can feel every bone crunching, smell the leather and scented oils, and once or twice you will have to wipe your eyes from the sting of the smoke from the candles used to illuminate the village huts so many centuries ago.
Excellent reading, a true learning experience for history buffs, without being overwhelming. You will be eager to read on with the sequel.
I give this book 4 cats (out of five).
Reviewed by Lisa Tyler © 2006
Wild Child Publishing.com © 2006
