Welcome, friends!
It was my intention to give an update before now in regards to my posting schedule for May, but instead, today I bring you something FAR more exciting: a book blog tour! *cue fangirl squeals*
This is a fantasy. It has Elves. ELVESSSSSS. It's a beautiful story of redemption & hope. And the truths it conveys: reminds us that our great God will leave the 99 to find that one that's lost & hurting---no. Matter. WHAT. TT_TT You may cry. You'll certainly laugh! And overall, this story might give you a sense of peace & comfort reminding you that there's always a Light even in the darkest of Darkness.
Keep reading below for more info on the tour, including a review from yours truly. *^ - ^*
Moonscript
H.S.J. Williams
"It is said that Darkness is empty and whatever vanishes into its depths is lost forever. I know this better than anyone. For I have suffered here in the shadows, and there are none who might find me."
Seventy years. Seventy years the elven prince has been lost to the darkness, assumed dead by his people and endlessly broken for a book that connects to the hidden realm of his ancestors, a land untouched by evil.
And now a light in the shadows. A chance for freedom. But those willing to help him come from the unlikeliest of worlds.
The orphan girl, yearning for a loving family, and the boy who won't leave her side. A healer maiden given an unexpected chance for a life beyond narrowed expectations. A grieving creature flown far from home.
They all search for something and now their fates are tied to his. If their quest for life can pull him from the dark mire in which his soul drowns, then perhaps he can be saved.
Or else he will drag them all down to a fate worse than death.
The beginning of an epic saga, MOONSCRIPT is a journey of innocence, despair, and redemption.
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Seven illustrations by the author exclusively included in the paperback edition!
Order now!
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Kindle
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Book Depository
GoodReads
About the Author
From the beginning, H. S. J. Williams has loved stories and all the forms they take. Whether with word, art, or costume, she has always been fascinated with the magic of imagination. She lives in a real fantastical kingdom, the beautiful Pacific Northwest, with her very own array of animal friends and royally loving family. Williams taught Fantasy Illustration at MSOA. She may also be a part-time elf.
You can check out and follow William's art page over here: https://hsjwilliams.wordpress.com/
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Tour Schedule
May 7th
H.S.J. Williams—Tour Launch
May 8th
Light and Shadow—Book Spotlight
E. E. Rawls—Book Spotlight
May 9th
Tracey Dyck—Book Spotlight
Elizabeth’s Universe—Book Review
Grace M. Morris—Book Spotlight
May 10th
Allison’s Well—Book Spotlight
Amelia Nicole—Book Spotlight
May 11th
Ester S. (Instagram)—Book Spotlight
Imperial Scribis—Book Review
May 12th
Liv K. Fisher—Book Spotlight
The Labyrinth—Book Review
May 13th
Dreams & Dragons—Book Spotlight
Bookish Musings—Book Review
May 14th
Unicorn Quester—Author Interview
Embers Reviews—Book Review
May 15th
Unicorn Quester—“3 Reasons Why” Video Review
Writing in Rivendell—Book Spotlight
Sarah, Plain & Average—Book Review
May 16th
Jane Maree—Book Review
May 17th
Jemma the Dragon Slayer (Tumblr)—Book Spotlight
The Bookish Raven—Book Review
May 18th
Words of Hannah Kay—Book Review
Purely by Faith Reviews—Book Review
May 19th
Functionally Fictional—Book Spotlight
Jenelle Schmidt—Book Spotlight
May 20th
Beka Gremikova—Book Spotlight
Seven Billion Smiles—Book Review
May 21st
Today by Bryn—Tour Conclusion & Art Gallery
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{I was provided a copy thanks to the author, in exchange for my honest review.}
WARNING: Possible Spoilers!
{The Basics}
GUYSSSSS. This was one of the BEST stories I've read all year. The plot, the characters, the world building, the REDEMPTION story---GAAAAAAHHHHHH. It was SO GOOD. Amazingly well-written, with complex, lovable characters, & ultra-dark baddies.
A beautiful allegorical tale, this is certainly a Christian fantasy story at its best. There's an obvious battle between Light & Darkness, but I did not feel that the spiritual, Christian side of things was pressured on the readers (though some who are more of the world may see it differently). It was an incredible story of hope & redemption---one that reminds us that even when we may give up on ourselves, or others, God NEVER stops chasing us down. And He'll move heaven & earth to do so.
Tellie was an adorable little girl---innocent to a fault! And quite lovable. I did feel myself getting a little annoyed at her at times, however, but only because I felt she acted far younger than her fourteen (?) years of age should have been a little too often. Kelm was the fun, steady friend, who attempted humor in even the darkest times, and never gave up even when he didn't really know what was going on. He was simply there, and loyal to a fault! ;D
Errance was the epitome of tortured heroes that I feel I've EVER read. Even when he had given up all hope, it seemed a tiny piece of him held on to it, however unconsciously it was. When he finds himself in the company of Tellie, Kelm, & Tryss, he slowly & gradually seems to find he still has a purpose. And just like we do, he still fell---often---back into the Darkness that had plagued his soul for decades, because he felt that was what he deserved. How often do we do the same??
Tryss was the stalwart glue that held the ragtag company together, and of them all, I admire her the most. Again, I did find it slightly irritating that she & Errance all too often referred to Tellie & Kelm as 'children', when, yes, they were young teens, but still old enough to be a little more mature. In my personal opinion, it almost felt like they were supposed to be younger. But that's no biggie in any way, just the impression I got. Tryss' race as a chema was sooooo interesting also! She could literally turn herself transparent/invisible---I LOVED that.
COREN. GAHHHHHHHHH. I need an entire BOOK on this guy. A red-haired [SPOILER word removed becuz you just gotta READ IT to find out] smuggler with tricks & twisters up his sleeves---he was probably the most intriguing character. His partner in crime, Zizain, has a story of her own, I'm sure, and she's another, I'd love to read more about.
And The Daisha! HAHAHA!! I LOVED her snark. GUYS. She's a flying dragon-like, furry creature with so. Much. SASS. Some of her dialogue & replies had me laughing aloud. LOVE HER SO MUCH.
I could probably go on about the amazing world building & overall epicness of the characters & all that, but on to the content!
Men slain by stone monsters known as "shards"---impaled by their stone bolts. We never see the actual creatures attacking, but the aftermath is at least implied to be very gory.
Slaves labor in a mind; cruel overseers whips & berate them mercilessly. We see a man restrained & bound at his hands & feet, obviously beaten to a bloody mess by the guards. That man known as the Prisoner is almost idolized like a god by the other slaves, because he somehow gives them hope. No matter how much he is tortured, he still manages to survive.
A man slices his knuckles with a knife, letting the blood drip onto a black sphere. Mention of animal carcasses hanging in a butcher's shop. A man is horribly bleeding & beaten nearly to death.
There's a forest battle---a couple men killed, including a shadow monster slain by a sword to the chest. At one point, the characters come across bones & the decaying body of a slave left where he fell. Men are run through with swords & slashed by daggers. A girl's neck is nicked by a knife. Huge battle at a fortress, much destruction, slaves overrun the guards---some killed in the process.
{Spiritual Content}
A matron asks a young girl if she was speaking to God---startled, she replies, "Is He listening?"
Tellie converses with Rendar in a spirit dream realm---called the Unseen; together they combat the Darkness. There's much talk of the battle between Darkness & Light. Those who serve the Light have high callings, like Tellie, who discovers she has the ability to see the Unseen realm. There, she encounters a Person who can be none other than Aiyeshune (I dearly hope I spelled that right... love the creativity there!), another name for God---He's a shining person, cloaked in Light that gives Tellie the comfort of love & belonging she's always desired.
Some baddies use a small black sphere to transport them from one place all the way across the world to another. There's mention of black magic & sorcery. The rooms & hallways of a terrible fortress don't always lead to where it would seem---one could enter a doorway & find themselves someplace else entirely.
{Language // Alcohol & Drugs}
None, other than fantasy slang such as "gore!", "That's rot," "drat," "dratted bird," and "golly."
Mention of an innkeeper & her husband going to bed drunk every night. Spirits, ale, and something called Brivani beer served to patrons in taverns and/or inns.
{Romantic Content}
There are some romantic elements, but it's certainly not pressured on us as the reader. The relationships slowly grow from tolerance to deeply caring for one another---mostly to the point of love, yet not in THAT kind of way (at least not yet for a certain couple or two), if ya know what I mean. It was very sweetly done, and so refreshing as opposed to fantasy romance that's all too often forced down our prospective throats.
{Conclusion}
Overall, I enjoyed this epic fantasy & seriously CANNOT wait for the sequel. I received an ARC copy from the author & after reading it, promptly preordered the paperback so's I can gush over the story AND the illustrations Hannah herself created. GUYS. How often do authors include illustrations in modern fantasy? Really? And to have illustrated them herself??? LOVE IT SO MUCH. Such a treasure!!! Also, I couldn't pass up the preorder goodies. xD
But to conclude, if you enjoy good, clean fantasies, with a big touch of Christian allegory mixed in with some hard truths (gently given & very well done, imo), then I would highly recommend this one. :]
a whoppin' SIX out of FIVE stars
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Well said.
ReplyDeleteEver since the author first started talking about this one I knew I NEEDED IIIITTTT. It just sounds so up my alley, and now reading your review is making me even MORE excited to read it sometime. IT JUST SOUNDS SO AMAZING AKJLSDJLFKJDS.
ReplyDeleteYes! I think you'd like this one. :DDD
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