Title: CEPHRAEL’S HAND
Genre: Epic Romantic Fantasy
Pages: 634
Outskirts Press
MY 9 READER
“HOT-BUTTON” CONSIDERATIONS
WORLD’S IMMERSION:
We are directed by author Melissa McPhail, to enter this
fifth Age in the Realm of Alorin. As in
all competent high-fantasy writing, rules exist and delineate the nature of
this world; in Ms. McPhail’s weaving hands, illuminating designs are woven
together as puzzling, intersecting strands of mystery. Alorin is drenched in magic but only
revealed, in lifting veils of revelation as to these components. I could clarify what those five strands are
for you, but from what I know of discerning fantasy Readers, such key details
are best left to be discovered “going in…”
A geography of politics and myth combine to comprise a multilevel, world-at-war, at once tactile and energetic in Nature. On ground level, the kingdom of M’Nador, supported by allied kingdoms, Dannym and Veneisia, are in conflict with the Akkad; a battle at The Cry is where we are initially thrust into the action. This war is not simply a clash of forces, but one of beliefs, as M’Nador is also at war to push back the teachings of Akkad’s Prophet. On a higher plane of awareness, beyond the bleeding grunts of the desert, drapes the tragedy of The Adept Wars; this historic clash, of high magic and blood-shed, all leads back to an ancient citadel, and the current awakening of what is dying in Alorin.
Whether one is in search with Trell of the Tides, dipping
down into elemental uncertainty of a node with Franco Rohre, happening upon
mystical retreat of powerful beings in a sa’reyth, contemplating incandescent
Illume Belliel, or simply following the ethereal passage of a fire princess…
Readers are stepping inside the totality of CEPHRAEL’S HAND: A Pattern of
Shadow & Light, Book 1. This
conception captivates the imagination with story-telling of impressive
scope and invention...
