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5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant book., October 7, 2002
This review is from: Dayspring Dawning (Elinna Serru, 1) (Paperback)
For as long as she can remember, Ellina has wanted to enter the House of Lohenrin, to become a Preceptor and healer, under the tutelage of the strange alien beings, the S'hazon. It was her mother's dream too, and after her death, Ellina is even more determined to enter the House, with or without her father's blessing. There is growing discontent with the S'hazon, with new followers of the old Temple springing up every day and Ellina is shocked to discover that her friend, Hasmonea, who once promised to enter the House with her, is now an adherent of the ancient superstitions. Hasmonea is convinced that the S'hazon are evil and only wants Ellina to find out the truth. The ruler's brother, Mesor is also concerned that the S'hazon are not all that they appear to be. Both of them want Ellina to try and discover what it is the S'hazon are hiding in the forbidden valley. Once she passes her training, Ellina is invited to go there for further tuition and takes the opportunity to find out. What she discovers is only the first step on her adventure through betrayal, anguish and love and a truth so dark that she is not sure she can share it with anyone... This book was brilliant, from the first page it never lets up, a roller coaster ride of intrigue and adventure, faith and belief. The descriptions are vivid, luring you into the world of Altua and its inhabitants. Ellina's despair at what she sees as the betrayal of her faith is extremely well written and very poignant. There is a growing attraction between Ellina and Mesor, but Ellina has been hurt so much that she does not want comfort from anyone. Who can she trust when she was so badly betrayed before? She is a strong character, but gradually comes to realise that there is strength in numbers and the truth she finds so terrifying, is better shared. A captivating tale....
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4.0 out of 5 stars
Fantasy Romance with Spiritual Underpinnings, July 20, 2003
This review is from: Dayspring Dawning (Elinna Serru, 1) (Paperback)
Elinna Serru is certain she has the khi power it takes to be a Perceptor, maybe even a Master, a priest-like society of people who commune with the S'hazons, ethereal deities who have brought peace and happiness to the land of Altaua for many years with their powers. She's right, too. Her father doesn't want her to go for training, but she does anyway, promising she'll come home and be the resident Perceptor/healer for Ruthher in two years. Elinna's friend Hasmonea doesn't want her to go, either. Though she too has khi, Hasmonea is involved in a cult that worships the ancient, missing Sky Gods and preaches that the S'hazons and khi power are evil.
After she's risen through the ranks, Elinna runs across a man she had a crush on as a child, Mesor Tethays, the spare heir to the throne. He too hates the S'hazons and delivers a letter to her from Hasmonea, which begs her to seek out the rotten heart of the S'hazon institution. He thinks it lies in a place called the Valley of the Caves, where only chosen Perceptors and Masters ever go. Mesor shows her what he feels is proof of the S'hazon's evil. When Elinna is asked to go to the Valley herself, she vows she will prove both Mesor and Hasmonea wrong. But what she finds is more than any of them ever dreamed.
DAYSPRING DAWNING is a spiritual fantasy tale full of twists and turns, some unexpected, some gratifying and some obvious. Elinna is a surprisingly self-centered and naive protagonist. Although she grows slowly through the course of the novel, she finally develops into somebody I wanted to root for at the end. Her determined gullibility was at times hard to take, and the novel wasn't very light in tone. It was difficult for me to understand why Mesor was drawn to her. Of course, there's no rule that proclaims every protagonist has to be best friend material. She certainly isn't a stereotype!
The ending of the novel, though obviously a bid for a sequel (which is available), was left open but not unbearably so. In fact I liked it. I was pleased that the author didn't try to cram the resolution of a complication revealed at the end of the book into a couple pages. DAYSPRING DAWNING was a rather forlorn novel that concluded with a healthy dose of hope. This book leaned toward the plot instead of the romance, if you prefer a lot of sex and relationship development with your fantasy. For me, that wasn't a problem. I definitely intend to read rhe next one.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
Dayspring Dawning is a unique adventure, September 26, 2002
This review is from: Dayspring Dawning (Elinna Serru, 1) (Paperback)
Dayspring Dawning features believable, fresh characters, intriguing settings, and a plot line that keeps you reading at full speed from start to finish. It is to be hoped there is a sequel to this book in the works -- we want to read more about Elinna and her brave and valiant fight to save her fantasy world from destruction.
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