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Albert Camus

Don't walk behind me; I may not lead. Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend.

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Review and Giveaway Skeleton & Dust (The Ferryman and the Flame #0.5) by Rhiannon Paille

REVIEW:

Skeleton & Dust is part of The Ferryman and the Flame Series, and is a story that, although it has as subject actions that happened before volume 1, was published two years after this (and a few months after the second volume). Therefore, I think Skeleton & Dust can be analyzed from two distinct perspectives: freestanding short story and a story within its Series.

I liked as the independent story because is compliant with the genre’ requirements. Deals with one aspect, a certain event (developed on two levels: Tor’s and Aria’s) and, although the end of the battle between good and evil is only a beginning and a promise for other adventures, there is a finality. Skeleton & Dust focuses on making and keeping the decisions on choosing what you want to be and do, even against what you were intended (or appointed) to do. Moreover, it seems to explain the double meaning of the word "flame": love and blaze.

I liked Skeleton & Dust also for the atmosphere that the author created. Rhiannon Paille shows care and flair for details that will contribute to this atmosphere, ensuring hero’s emotional weight (Tor doesn’t express himself) and highlighting Area’s feelings. From captive ghosts to the volcano tumult from which the Flames will rise, from the decision regarding Tor’s love and relationship with Desaunius to Area’s meetings with Ferryman, everything sustains and fuels the narration.

I must say that, although I am very curious about this series (which is on my short list and the reason why I presented it whenever I had the chance), I have not read yet any volume. I still don’t know if this story came as a necessity or just for the pleasure of its fans, but I think that Skeleton & Dust provides some necessary elements to explain or motivate better future decisions and actions of the characters. The way the Flames are created, their first contact with the world, and with Tor, the way they were (initially) considered weapons I think are important for what has happened or will happen.

In conclusion (and as a warning), I liked this short story that can be read independently, but you must have in view that it will be very hard to resist to the temptation and curiosity rise by it and you’ll get to read the entire series!

Happy reading!

I received the book for review as part of Book Tour - Thank you!

Romanian:
Skeleton &Dust face parte din seria The Ferryman and the Flame şi reprezintă o povestire care, deşi are ca subiect întâmplări petrecute înainte de acțiunea volumului 1, a fost publicată la doi ani după acesta (şi la câteva luni după al doilea volum). De aceea, cred că Skeleton&Dust poate fi analizată din două perspective distincte: povestire de sine stătătoare şi povestire în cadrul seriei.

Mi-a plăcut ca poveste de sine stătătoare pentru că respectă cerințele stilului. Tratează un aspect singular, o anumită întâmplare(dezvoltată pe două planuri: a lui Tor şi a Ariei) şi, deşi sfârşitul luptei dintre bine şi rău reprezintă doar un început şi o promisiune pentru alte aventuri, există o finalitate. Skeleton& Dust se axează pe decizii şi menținerea lor, pe alegerea a ceea ce vrei să fii şi să faci, chiar şi împotriva a ceea ce ai fost destinat (sau desemnat) să faci. În plus, pare să explice dublul sens al cuvântului „flame”: dragoste şi flacără.

Skeleton&Dust mi-a plăcut mult şi pentru atmosfera creată. Autoarea arată o grijă şi fler pentru detalii care vor contribui la această atmosferă, asigurând încărcătura emoțională a eroului Tor (care nu se exteriorizează) şi subliniind sentimentele Ariei. De la spiritele captive până la clocoteala vulcanului din care se vor naşte Flăcările, de la decizia privind dragostea şi legătura lui Tor cu Desaunius până la întâlnirile Ariei cu Ferryman, totul susține şi alimentează acțiunea povestirii.

Trebuie să precizez că, deşi sunt foarte curioasă cu privire la această serie (care se află pe lista mea scurtă, motiv pentru care am prezentat-o de câte ori am avut ocazia), încă nu am citit niciun volum. Nu ştiu dacă a venit ca o necesitate sau doar pentru plăcerea fanilor, dar cred că Skeleton&Dust oferă unele elemente necesare pentru a explica sau motiva mai bine decizii şi acțiuni viitoare ale personajelor. Modul în care se nasc Flăcările, primul lor contact cu lumea şi cu Tor, modul în care au fost (inițial) considerate arme cred că prezintă mare importanță pentru ceea ce s-a întâmplat sau se va întâmpla.

În concluzie (şi ca avertisment), mi-a plăcut această povestire care poate fi citită independent, însă trebuie să aveți în vedere că vă va fi foarte greu să rezistați tentației şi curiozității născute de ea şi veți ajunge să citiți întreaga serie.

Lectură plăcută!

EXCERPT:

Tension seemed to coil his shoulders. “You wouldn’t remember my name if I told it to you.”
“Why?” Aria spoke the question aloud but only because another part of her was working so hard on memorizing every detail of him, from the lines of his face, down to the way the corner of his mouth tightened whenever she opened her mouth. If it were up to her, she’d never forget a single thing about him. 
“You ask too many questions, youngling.”
“Aria…my name is Aria.”
The Ferryman huffed, putting his hands into the opposite sleeves of his cloak and folding them across his torso. He changed direction at a fork in the road, and Aria wondered how he knew where the cairn was. “Kallow.”
“I’m sorry?”
“Kallow is the name I prefer.”
“And the long name?”
“Krishani Mekallow Mekelle Tavesin,” he rattled off, slurring the words together so, to Aria, they didn’t make a lot of sense.
She let out a sigh. “I like Kallow.”
“It means hero.”
Surrender, first book, is FREE now

About the author:
Rhiannon writes about things that were lost and while most of her books are fictional you can be sure that her characters are not—fictional that is. She has a PhD in Metaphysical Science and is a world renowned Metaphysical Therapist. When she’s not writing books she’s reading minds, singing karaoke, burning dinner and sipping iced cappuccino despite her allergy to coffee. Some day she’d like to own a unicorn—as long as it doesn’t eat her. SURRENDER is her first novel.

Author's US Giveaway

2 comments:

Andreea said...

Bafta celor din US :)) .

Unknown said...

So excited for the chance at this.. thanks for the chance and for sharing the info!