Five Star Science Fiction/Fantasy - Trouble In The Forest: Book 1 - A Cold Summer Night [Hardcover]

Trystam Kith (Author)

Book Description

Series: Five Star Science Fiction/Fantasy | Publication Date: August 5, 2004

From talented newcomer Trystam Kith comes the first book in the Trouble in the Forest duology, a medieval fantasy that turns all too quickly to terror. Deep in the forest, trouble is brewing. No one is safe in the thick, dark forest - no peasant, monk, minstrel, merchant, traveler, forester, or King's man may go into the forest without taking his life and his soul in his hands. Those who dare the deep green are found dead soon after, or worse - disappear. Only former Crusader Hugh deSteny is prepared to lead the fight against the bloodthirsty denizens of the forest, and he knows that the enemy he faces could damn him eternally if he loses the battle. Armed with precious knowledge, deSteny must undertake the fight of his life to preserve the forest and all who live within it from certain catastrophe - and a fearsome enemy the likes of which none save him have ever faced before.

Trystam Kith is a lifelong student of folklore, fairy tales, legends, myths, superstitions, religions, and cultural anthrolopology. Kith is a native Californian. (20021201)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"From a darkly humorous tale of the power of words (Death and the Librarian) to a never-before-published response to events of September 11 (Ilion), Friesner's 12 stories illustrate the author's acutely sensitive vision of wonder in the everyday world... Known primarily for his 'Star Wars' novels... Zahn's short stories also deliver strong plots and memorable characters... Zebrowski's many novels (e.g. Macrolife) mark him as a visionary as well as a master of hard sf. The ten short stories collected in In the Distance provide a benchmark of his creativity... the author expands his concept of the human condition to embrace the stars. Part of Five Star's continuing commitment to showcasing the short fiction of the genre's most prominent author's, these three volumes belong in most libraries where short sf is popular."
-- Library Journal (December 2002) (Library Journal 20020615)

"...Part of Five Star's continuing commitment to showcasing the short fiction of the genre's most prominent authors, these three volumes (Death and the Librarian and Other Stories/ Star Song and Other Stories/ In the Distance, and Ahead in Time) belong in most libraries where short sf is popular."
-- Library Journal (December 2002) (Library Journal 20040901)

"Four more titles in Five Star's new series (God Is an Iron and Other Stories/ Generation Gap and Other Stories/ The Lady Vanishes and Other Oddities of Nature/ Suppose They Gave a Peace and Other Stories) of short fiction by noteworthy sf authors offer a variety of tales that illustrate the depth and staying power of the genre...Most of the stories in these volumes have only appeared in periodicals. Libraries wishing to augment their sf or short fiction collections should consider any of them."
-- Library Journal (June 2002) (Library Journal 20041101)

"A Cold Summer Night is an original rendition of the vampire myths and Robin Hood legend...This dark fantasy comes highly recommended."
--To appear at Baryon-Online.com (September 2004) (Baryon-Online.com )

"... the story is excellent and the reversal of the usual roles of good and evil is very effective."
-- Science Fiction Chronicle (November 2004) (Science Fiction Chronicle )

From the Publisher

From talented newcomer Trystam Kith comes the first book in the Trouble in the Forest duology, a medieval fantasy that turns all too quickly to terror.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 332 pages
• Publisher: Five Star; 1 edition (August 5, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1594142246
• ISBN-13: 978-1594142246
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,322,350 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars strong dark fantasy, September 1, 2004

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Five Star Science Fiction/Fantasy - Trouble In The Forest: Book 1 - A Cold Summer Night (Hardcover)

The Sheriff of Nottingham, Hugh deSteny listens with dread to the account of how a crofter family died with only small punctures on their necks. He has fought these creatures on Crusade in the holy land. He fears they have arrived on England's shores and have made their base of operation Sherwood Forest, a dark and foreboding place where the sun never shines. Sir Gui de Gisbourne who has placed deSteny in his position doesn't give credence to the sheriff's belief but deSteny sends messenger to inform Prince John of the dangers of this infestation.

Hugh is ordered to travel to Arundel to bring Lady Marian De Beauchamp to her betrothed Sir Gui. However the vampire leader Robin Hood and his men including Little John, Will Scarlet and the Red Friar kill the guard but take Lady Marian to Hood to her satisfaction because he treats her as are equal. Hugh with Sir Gui's approval sets a trap to bring the vampires out into the open where they can be destroyed. A roaming minstrel romanticizes Hood and his followers in ballads and a legend is born.

A COLD SUMMER NIGHT is an original rendition of the vampire myths and Robin Hood legend. Trystam Kith's vampires are evil and under the domination of Robin Hood but they still remember to mourn the loss of their humanity. They know they are damned and intend to put off the moment of reckoning as long as possible. Prince John comes across as a caring leader who is trying to do what is right for his country by helping deSteny destroy the vampires in his country. This dark fantasy comes highly recommended.

Harriet Klausner

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Get it Today!, December 3, 2004

By 

Kelly - See all my reviews

This review is from: Five Star Science Fiction/Fantasy - Trouble In The Forest: Book 1 - A Cold Summer Night (Hardcover)

The plot is unconventional, symptomatic and will monopolize your entire day. Using the legend of Robin Hood as a backdrop, Kith reels you in using your questioning nature. The basis of the tale unfolds as it is told and the key players are all in attendance. What is different, besides the bloodsuckers, is the 180-degree-turn that plays out. Intrigued and needing to satisfy your curiosity, you will soon disregard the skeletal outline and immerse yourself in a fresh story that promises abounding bloodshed.

The pace is subtle, keeping you parallel to the story while moving posthaste. Carrying along the journey while still allowing you enough time to absorb all the details. The atmosphere is stagnant and oppressive, and the air reeks of hawthorn trees and dirt. Kith's style of writing is crisp, concise and innovational. Keeping faithful to the outline of the original myth, Kith adds a fresh perspective and a completely distinctive dimension to the tale. The only problem with the book was the editing. Some pages had too much space in between words and grammatical errors were abundant.

The characters are passionate, authentic and as deep as a river. All of the players have their flaws, their own personality which distinguishes them. Even the antagonists eventually sway your sympathy and garner understanding. Although you have previous understanding of these characters and their fundamental traits, Kith presents an entirely different story that delivers, without your mind trying to reject it like yesterdays' Chinese.

In what is sure to become a classic, Kith transports you to the time of Robin Hood with a twist; where chivalry lived, kings ruled, and evil hid in every shadow.