If you know me, you know that one of my main gauges for engagement in a book is that the storytelling comes alive in my head like...well...a film. If a book manages to ignite my imagination in such a way that it's a panoramic, vivid "Vista Vision" epic, complete with memorable characters...that's a good read.
"Journeys: The Archers of Saint Sebastian, #1)" WAS that experience.
I'll admit this era and type of story has never been my "thing." But I'll confess, as a hyper visual person, the COVER was the first thing drawing me to the book. Paintings of Saint Sebastian have always fascinated me: the sensuality, the story behind the renderings, the tragedy. I was too intrigued by that cover and the synopsis NOT to read it.
I won't go into the plot, it's very well described in the blurb. But I WILL say, in regards to the plot, that---even until the very end---I truly thought I had the story figured out. It just SEEMED that way! I felt so smug, so brilliantly sure of where the story was headed, but the author surprised me over and over.
Roland is an Indie Author, and I give high praise to her writing: not only the prose, but the well-crafted story line, its MANY nail-biting-must-continue-to-read-to-the-next-scene moments!
Praise for the marvelously painted characters! These characters were a veritable high-quality cast of memorable, colorful, real-life, bursting-with-personality people!
Before meeting the archers, I had fallen hopelessly for young Marieke's father, Jan. A character, I admit, I'd love to have known more in depth. A character who, though only briefly in the story physically, was a powerful, poignant, proud, strong presence throughout this novel and who---for this reader---was pretty much THE force behind the tale.
Praise for the remarkable pageantry that the author portrayed in the setting! Like a spectacular mix of 'Ivanhoe', 'Robin Hood', 'Camelot', I, even after finishing the book, see the tents, the banners, the chapels, the castles, the archery fields, the woods, the old windmill, crests.
Praise for the (well, infuriating at times) ability to tease the reader through these fabulous characters. One (not going to say who) in particular, drew this reader to him and part of the battle was never really knowing exactly who/what he was: good guy or villain? For ME, the indecision I found myself facing was the result of a well-written character world.
EVERY character was a delight, no matter who they turned out to be by the end.
Praise for...damn! The ending! It was pure perfection. I did not see it coming, and it was brilliant. No way could I read THAT ending and NOT be compelled to read further into the next installment, Book 2?
Yes, Roland deserves high praise for this remarkable contribution to the the ranks of Indie Authors. A MASTERPIECE in every way. A MASTERPIECE that ranks among ALL beautifully-written books, right up there with the literary jewels of the masters.
I highly recommend.
OR
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All 3 for you in this series
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From the Publisher
A MURDER
A VOW
A DECEPTION
Twelve handsome Journeyman Archers, the best in all Ardennes
One girl in disguise, living among them
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Top reviews from other countries
Amber
I was blown away by this story!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 12, 2023M. Whitley
For Lovers of European History and those looking for a Damn Good Story
Reviewed in Australia on December 25, 2022keatsie
Well written and captivating
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 21, 2022