The Elves' Prophecy: The Book of Being [Paperback]

Jodie Forrest (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1996

What would you do if you suddenly became both infinitely psychic and unable to tell even the smallest lie? And if you were also exiled from your homeland, destitute, and unhappily in love with a darkly seductive Elf who'd forced you to undertake an impossible quest? Such is the Fate of Tomas the Rhymer, the reluctant poet-hero of this historical fantasy, wherein the Celtic and Norse realms of Elves, gods and spirits converge with Viking Age Europe's real events and shifting world-views -- and evoke some haunting parallels with our own era's rapid changes.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Forrest is a natural storyteller for whom the veils between the worlds are transparent." -- Renewal, vol. 3, no. 4, Mar. 1997

"Written with great passion and no small understanding of the magic of Northern Europe. A rollicking good yarn, well worth a read." -- Chaos International, # 22, spring 1997

From the Back Cover

"Takes us yet deeper into the strange realm where Elfin and human worlds intersect. More than ever, Forrest's writing is infused with a dark beauty that spans century and transcends genre." -- Poppy Z. Brite, author of Lost Souls; Drawing Blood; and Exquisite Corpse.

"Even more powerful, moving and magical than Forrest's first novel. It makes one's heart long to actually encounter an Elf someday--the right one, of course." -- Dag Rossman, Nordic storyteller, Skandisk audiocassettes Hammer and Mistletoe and The Ring of Doom.

"If you're intrigued with the arts magical, the land of faery, astrology or Nordic-Celtic mythology, this book is a real page- turner you'll not want to put down." -- Maria K. Sims, president, ACS Publications; author of Your Magical Child and The Witch's Circle.

"'...Loki strolled along whistling and let the salamanders gather at his heels.' Forrest's second novel comes to us a trance of season and wave. Where the magics of an Elf's gift call again, asking us to join the Old Gods among the pages." -- Michael Rank, Atlantic recording artist, author of Feast.

"An intricate tale of intrigue, initiation, passion and enchantment. A place I'd love to linger longer, like 'magic hour' on a summer's eve." -- Meg Switzgable, Emmy & Academy-award nominated director.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Seven Paws Pr; 1st edition (November 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0964911310
• ISBN-13: 978-0964911314
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,768,227 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book snuck into my dreams -- and my nightmares!, July 22, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Elves' Prophecy: The Book of Being (Paperback)

I loved the first book in this series so much -- "The Rhymer and the Ravens." I was almost scared to read the second one, thinking it couldn't possibly live up to the level of the first one. But it did! It's sort of slower in the middle, but that's ok because it just kept me turning pages anyway -- there's something going on here that's almost like an initiation into being a druid or a Norse shaman. The hero encounters real teachers and elemental Spirts and there's all this stuff about how to deal with them that seems almost like a manual of sorcery, except that it's also a great story, and kind of romantic and sexy, but also just as full of a real three-dimensional sense of the world a thousand years ago. I'm just itching to get to the third book in the trilogy. This one ends in a pretty satisfying way -- it's not like it leaves you hanging or anything. But there's still a sense that there's "more to come" and I can't wait. Jodie Forrest is doing so! mething sort of like what Tolkien did, except it's more adult and darker. It's actually entered my dreams, and once I had a nightmare about the character Isolde, who's the evil Fairy queen...it sinks into your bones that way.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Pleasantly Surprised, September 6, 2001

By 

Tomas Rofkahr (The Darkest Heart of Africa...er...Arkansas.....) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Elves' Prophecy: The Book of Being (Paperback)

After truly enjoying "The Rhymer and the Ravens" - I was a bit worried that the second book in the series was going to be a let down (they so often are). To my sincere pleasure - The Book of Being was excellent. The characters in these books get under your skin unlike any (regardless of genre) that I have read in quite a long time. I've just started on the "The Bridge" and I'm excited about the possibilities left for Tomas, Moira, and the Twins. These are genuinely good books that are as strong as any contemporary fantasy I've read (period) - and stronger (IMHO) due to excellent characters, enough genuine history and mythology, astrology, and homebrew to describe the authors personal love of the subjects. I hate that you have to special order these - they should be on the shelf at all book stores.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Jodie has outdone herself again!!, January 20, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: The Elves' Prophecy: The Book of Being (Paperback)

Continuing with the travels of Thomas, the Rhymer, we travel to another place...another time...a land of magic and incredible possibilities! This book, along with her first in this series, "The Rhymer and The Ravens", has given me a new outlook on life and assisted me in finding a 'path' that is mine. The story gives one hope and belief in magic, faeiries, and "more" than we see in this physical plane of existance. If you just want to "get away" for a bit, its good for that too! I am telling everyone about these books and anxiously awaiting the third!!! Thank you, Jodie!! Never, Never stop writing!!! Becky Jackson ([e-mail]