With the release of another new title, VCP asked one of our resident fantasy readers to have a look at our new release, and share their thoughts on it.
In a book world, where for the last serval years, vampires, werewolves, and super-heroes have ruled, Riveria, The Awakening is a very interesting and refreshing change. I found it to be a very thought provoking story with a good mix of fantasy to keep me reading and questioning what I thought may happen next, and was delightfully wrong as the story unfolded with a good few twists and surprises.
One of the age old unanswered questions of the universe, has to be “Is there a Heaven and a Hell?”
I really do think that there is not a single person who at some point in their life has not pondered this question, and just like everyone else who has asked, I am sure they have come up with their own interpretation for an answer, and yet we are all still curious as to what others might believe. I read the following:
“This is heaven?” I asked.
“Not exactly. Heaven isn’t a place where anyone goes, it’s a place where people already are; partly anyway. You are always connected to Riveria, even while you’re alive.”
“I thought we went to heaven when we passed away. Or at least that is the hope.”
“There isn’t one place that everyone will go, because everyone’s idea of what heaven should be differs greatly. So you create your own heaven, when you sleep.”
The above extract is from a new book released through Violet Circle Publishing, by a new Author, G.L. Jackson, and it really caught my imagination, and had me sat in thought for some time. It is so simple, and yet I found it to be a wonderful way to express an all-round answer to this age old question, whilst providing the back drop for this inspired new fantasy adventure.
The book in question is called Riveria, The Awakening, and begins with Deacon Thomas, who is orphaned young, then widowed, and left to care for his disabled daughter Ellie. His life is mundane and his daily routine has ground him down, and driven him to believe his life must be destined for something better, even if that is a mild and wishful dream.
During a chance encounter with a group of youths as he returns home one evening, from yet another dull day at work, his fight or flight response kicks in, and as he runs for his life and to ensure the safety of his daughter, his whole world becomes turned inside out.
Deacon is transported to Riveria, a heaven like realm, where he discovers that maybe his life is meant to amount to something more, and the fate of everything is on his ignorant and untrained shoulders. The story takes you on his journey of discovery; all driven by his inner need to get back and ensure Ellie is safe.
I would like to say this is a tale of Heaven and Hell, but it isn’t, it is more Ying and Yang, in the sense that in all good there is evil, and in all evil there is good, just like life in general, and as the book comes to its conclusion, I was still trying to guess what the next book would hold, which is something I love, as it makes me look forward to the next instalment of in this particular case, Riveria the series, and what is to come.
It has a host of characters who you like the moment you meet them, or you just know they could be the bad apple in the barrel, with a few who I am still not completely sure about, as power struggles and the politics of a fantasy world torn apart unfold. The lives of its inhabitants and creatures are delightfully detailed enough for you to paint your own pictures in your imagination, and as Deacon explores, you do feel you have a privileged position beside him, which carries the story wonderfully.
I have many questions, but obviously do not want to spoil it here for others, but I am curious as to the future of Ellie, and I am actually really interested in the fact that this story features a character that is disabled, something quite unique, which I have not encountered in a fantasy story to date, and it is written in such a way that I had my eyes opened a little to the workings of life around such a character, and the struggles of a parent, so I am looking forward to finding out more.
New VCP Author G.L. Jackson
For G.L. Jackson this is his debut novel, and I think it is great start, and a wonderful foundation from which to launch a follow up. I love that this is an excellent read for the younger reader, but also suits all ages, with a well-balanced blend of myth and fantasy to fuel the imagination. It is an all-round entertaining and interesting read.
Riveria – The Awakening by G.L. Jackson is available in print ISBN: 978-1-910229-24-1 from all online book suppliers, and to order from bricks and mortar stores. It is also available in digital download formats for all digital book readers.
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