THE SANDS OF ETHRYN By C.S. Lakin

ABOUT THE BOOK

The ancient and acclaimed land of Ethryn is dying from pervasive drought, and while the king searches to find water, a mighty tower is uncovered in the desert. King Kael hopes the scroll found near the altar will tell of water sources, but when he touches the gemstone set in the altar, he falls into a coma that transports him back five thousand years, where he is a slave building the tower. Thus begins the tale of God's appointing the first Keeper of the sacred site, revealing heaven's intolerance for wickedness and his relentless pursuit of the ones he love.

MY REVIEW

I was very excited when C.S. Lakin contacted me in regards to reviewing her sixth book of The Gates of Heaven series, The Sands of Ethryn. When the book finally arrived I impatiently tore open the package so I could begin to read it. 

From the first book in The Gates of Heaven series, The Wolf of Tebron, to this one, I have been captivated with the imagery, allegories, and masterfully woven tales Lakin has created.

The Sands of Ethryn is extremely well written. Lakin weaves her characters with love, life and a beautiful tale of the pursuit of God and the ones he loves. I couldn't help but be carried away to Ethryn. 

Each description and detail transported me to Ethryn. I could feel the sand against my skin, the heat of the desert, the coolness of the fountain. I could hear the sound of the footsteps behind me, feel the evil emanate from the vizir. My favorite character is a young woman named Ra'daf. Her love for her grandfather,kingdom and king and a certain young man leaps from the pages. 

There is just so much to enjoy about this sixth book. I couldn't stop reading it. The tale carried me away to another time and place yet left me grounded knowing no matter where I am or where I go, God never leaves me. 

This review was made possible by AMG Publishers and of course my favorite fantasy author, C.S. Lakin. They provided me with this free Advanced Readers Copy.

Look for this sixth book to become available in your favorite bookstore soon!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

   

C.S. Lakin works professionally in California as a freelance copyeditor and writing coach, and teaches workshops at writing conferences and assists new writers with polishing their books. Her websites for writers www.LiveWriteThrive.com and www.CritiqueMyManuscript.com provide detailed instruction for aspiring novels, and she often guest blogs on top writing site.

The Sands of Ethryn, the sixth installment in the seven-book fairy tale series, will release in March 2014 in print book form. In addition to writing her fantasy series, she has penned a teen sci-fi adventure called Time Sniffers and has written five contemporary drama/mysteries, including Someone to Blame, winner of the 2009 Zondervan First Novel Contest (released October 2010). You can learn more about her writing and editing at www.cslakin.com.

THE CRYSTAL SCEPTER by C.S. LAKIN

ABOUT THE BOOK

A new fairy tale in The Gates of Heaven series presents a twist on the Greek legend of Perseus and the Gorgon

Book five in Lakin's series for adults takes you on a magical journey that explores honor, bravery in the face of terrible odds, and loyalty. It spins a tale of Pythius, the wicked king of Paladya, who journeys to the hidden realm of Elysiel to steal the crystal scepter that protects that northern land. But his defiant act unleashes a terrible curse, and the Seer foretells his death one day at the hand of his son. To thwart the prophecy, he attempts to murder his newborn child, but the queen flees and sends the babe off in a trunk across the sea, where he is found and raised by a humble fisherman.

Years later, Perthin, the babe now grown, hears his call of destiny, and is visited by a specter who tells him of the land of Elysiel and of the Gorgon, the evil creature fomenting war in the Northern Wastes. Perthin's village of Tolpuddle is being ravaged by a monstrous sea beast sent by this enemy, and Perthin accepts the challenge to kill the creature by cutting off its head - although anyone who looks upon it turns to stone. With the help of heaven's army, Perthin bests the enemy and returns to stop the sea monster as the beast is ravaging the kingdom of Paladya. Through his heroic efforts he unknowingly fulfills the prophecy foretold by the Seer. He returns to Tolpuddle a hero, where many surprising revelations await him as to his heritage and legacy, for he learns he is not truly a fisherman's son but a king foretold.

ABOUT C.S. LAKIN

C.S. Lakin works professionally in California as a freelance copyeditor and writing coach, and teaches workshops at writing conferences and assists new writers with polishing their books. Her websites for writers www.LiveWriteThrive.com and www.CritiqueMyManuscript.com provide detailed instruction for aspiring novels, and she often guest blogs on top writing site.

The Sands of Ethryn, the sixth installment in the seven-book fairy tale series, will release in fall 2013. In addition to writing her fantasy series, she has penned a teen sci-fi adventure called Time Sniffers and has written five contemporary drama/mysteries, including Someone to Blame, winner of the 2009 Zondervan First Novel Contest (released October 2010). You can learn more about her writing and editing at www.cslakin.com.

MY REVIEW

I am such a huge fan of Susan and to have the opportunity to review book five of this wonderful series is such a treat. I look with much anticipation for her review copies so when this one came in the mail, I immediately began to read it.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It has sea monsters, the Gorgon, trolls, and more. Her characters are flawless and her plot is superb. I know she based this book on Greek legend but I also couldn't help but see biblical characters in her allegories. Baby Moses in the ark, young David facing Goliath and well, you will just have to read the book to see what I mean.

I also appreciate how though each book in this series can stand alone, every one of them has something in them that reveals more about the Gates of Heaven and explains a bit more about a previously written book in this series. Like the scarlet thread that weaves its way throughout the Bible, there is a thread of truth that weaves throughout each one of these books that points us to the King of kings.

The Crystal Scepter is worthy to be added to the Gates of Heaven series; and may I say, this series is a worthy addition for all of those who collect great works of writers.

Many thanks to C.S. Lakin and AMG Publishers who provided me with this free review copy.

THE UNRAVELING OF WENTWATER by C.S. Lakin

In case you missed my review the first time I posted it, I am re-posting it with great news! THE UNRAVELING OF WENTWATER is now available for purchase at Amazon. So be sure to stop by there and get your copy of this 4th book in the Gates of Heaven series by C.S. Lakin!

MY REVIEW - AGAIN!

Teralyn, the babe born in Wentwater, is the one who will unravel Wentwater. On her naming day, the marsh witch appeared unexpectedly and placed a curse on her. The villagers banished the parents out of the village and set the cottage to burn with Teralyn in it. 

The villagers of Wentwater are extremely superstitious. Sweeping away the footprints of chicken feet, a loose button will cause untold trouble if it comes off the garment, stopping in a doorway and spinning around so the shadows don't hold evil.... Every bit of their lives, thoughts and relationships are tied to superstitions.

Then there are those who live in the Heights of Wentwater. Nary a superstitious thought among them. They are scholars, thinkers, seekers after knowledge and wisdom, until they have reduced their world into a logical, intellectual world that has only room for their words. Forget magic and wonder, there is no place for that.

Justyn is one of those who lives in the Heights. He used to be a villager, in fact, he was there when the tragedy of Teralyn happened. His brother, Fromer, still lives in the village. Only Justyn has no use for his brother, thinking he is above him and all of those who live in the village.

Teralyn, who has lived in the Heights for all of her life, or so she believes, goes down to the village for a music fest and from that point on things begin to happen.

C.S. Lakin has written another wonderful book. Focusing this tale on words and their importance, she unravels the two extremes of Wentwater. Then revealing the necessity of both logic and superstition, intellect and emotions, she weaves together two communities that need each other with the greatest word of all. 

I can't wait to read this book again. I highly recommend The Unraveling of Wentwater to anyone who enjoys an extremely well-written fantasy. 

This book will be available in July through your favorite bookstores including Amazon.com and Christianbook.com

I was able to review this book through the courtesy of C.S. Lakin and AMG Publishers. They provided a review copy for the purpose of writing this review.

The Land of Darkness by C.S. Lakin

After waiting forever and believing this review copy had gotten lost in the mail it finally arrived. The packaging was a bit worse for the wear, but the book was in fine condition. I believe it traveled through its own land of darkness to get to me, but it made it.

I eagerly tore the package open and dove right into the book. Can I say it took me much less time to read it than it did waiting for it to arrive? 

C.S. Lakin has done it again. She has written another beautiful story full of allegory, strong characters and always pointing her characters and readers to the one King.

Jadiel, a twelve year old girl, is grieving for her dead mother and her father unwittingly marries a witch who has bewitched him and blinds him to his daughter's needs. The wicked step-mother and her two evil daughters make Jadiel's life more than difficult. (Sounds a little like another story but don't worry, this one is much better.) 

Callen is a young man who is a wood-carver for Jadiel's uncle. He happens upon a drawing of an ornate bridge that stirs his imagination and desire to see this bridge for himself. 

As Callen sets out to find this exquisite bridge made from wood, Jadiel finds herself sent on an adventure of her own. Her step-mother wants the leaves of a particular tree that promises eternal youth and beauty. Specifically the leaves of the Eternal tree. She has until the next full moon to find them and bring them back or her father will die.

Jadiel and Callen end up traveling together and find out that what they are searching for turns out to be something otherly different. 

I would say more... but I don't want to spoil the story. It is truly a wonderful tale. Rich characters, strong imagery, a masterfully written book. This is definitely a keeper. I look forward to reading it again and again.

C.S. Lakin is now my number one author for fantasy, next to C.S. Lewis, of course. Her Gates of Heaven series is worth reading, writing about, talking about and sharing with any one who enjoys a well written book.

C.S. Lakin lives in the otherworldly kingdom of California where she works professionally as a book copy editor and writing coach (when she isn't writing novels). She has two amazing daughters, a dedicated and encouraging husband, a demanding but loveable black lab puppy, and three persnickety but irresistible cats. Whenever possible, she disappears for days atop mountain peaks or explores the ocean sixty feet below the surface. The rest of her life is spent between sea and sky waiting for a city not made by human hands.

www.MapAcrossTime.com
www.GatesofHeavenSeries.com


This book was provided graciously by C.S. Lakin and AMG Publishers/Living Ink Books for the sole purpose of reviewing. I am under no obligation to provide a positive review.

THE MAP ACROSS TIME By C.S. Lakin

Greetings friends and fellow book-lovers! I had planned on having this review posted before today, but, my youngest daughter decided to have her baby! So reality took over and I am glad because I now have another beautiful granddaughter to share my love of books with!


Now... let me tell you a little bit about this book, The Map Across Time. 


From Hansel and Gretel and Little Red Riding Hood to Thumbelina and the Emperor's New Suit, fairy tales are timeless stories of good versus evil. In her new series, "The Gates of Heaven," prolific author and editor C.S. Lakin celebrates the reinvention of the fairy tale in the tradition of C.S. Lewis's The Chronicles of Narnia.


With the series' first book, The Wolf of Tebron, being compared to the work of the legendary Lewis, the next installment, The Map Across Time introduces readers to the fairy tale land of Sherbourne and shares time-travel adventures of the king's children. Their tumultuous journey reveals the power of God's unfailing love and trust and encourages readers that everyone serves a purpose, no matter how hidden or complicated to understand.

Here's a little about the author:

C.S. Lakin is working on the remaining books in “The Gates of Heaven” series. Her contemporary mystery, “Someone to Blame,” released to much acclaim in October, and her thriller, “Innocent Little Crimes,” was a semifinalist for the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award. Upcoming installments of “The Gates of Heaven” series are set to release every six months. She is a copyeditor, writing mentor and a member of numerous writers and editing groups, including Christian Authors Network, Christian Proofreaders and Editors Network, and American Christian Fiction Writers. Lakin lives in Boulder Creek, Calif., with her husband of 27 years. For more information about C.S. Lakin and her writing, please visit www.cslakin.com

My Review:


First let me say, if you enjoy The Chronicles of Narnia or The Lord of Rings series, then you will want to add The Gates of Heaven series to your collection. 


The second book of the series, The Map Across Time, is a wonderful, delightful fairy tale. The lives of Adin and Aletha are intricately woven through-out the story with all of the skill of a master story teller. 


Adin finds himself going on a journey he didn't plan on taking and Aletha ends up following him. They discover their lives have purpose and they do make a difference.


Without giving away the plot and details of the story, I found myself relating to both of the children for various reasons. I also found the story intriguing. It was quite difficult to set it aside and read anything else. I couldn't wait to discover what else would take place in their lives. One of the characters in the tale, Winston, was a real delight. He had me laughing on many occasions. This whole series can truly stand side by side with Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia and Tolkein's Lord of the Rings. 


You will find yourself so deeply involved in the tale that when you reach the end of the book you will feel a little as if you lost a close friend. But the best thing is you can always read the book again!


This book was provided by Phenix & Phenix Literary Publicists for the purpose of writing a review. I am under no obligation to write a positive review.