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70 of 73 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
wonderful new series from a writer with "Heart", January 18, 2005
This review is from: Guardian of Honor (The Summoning, Book 1) (Paperback)
Lladrana is in a desperate situation and they need help or their world could perish. But the help they seek is not for the asking, they must "summon" their warriors, their marshalls. They are bound by magic, yet within the universe where they live the magic is waning, so they cannot fight the terrible monsters waiting to invade their beautiful kingdom. The Marshalls of Lladrana are bound to follow their ancient traditions to fight in the only way they can...summon the warrior from a distant land, one who leaves behind the desire for their own world, one who will pick up the sword. Or else Lladrana is doomed.
Alexa Fitzwalter is an everyday lawyer on unmagical earth. She's on an errand in the mountains of Colorado that has her doubting her sanity - she's following a song. Her life is at a point where she's not happy. She's filled with remorse over the death of her close friend, and worse, she is hearing things no one else does, such as chants and a gong. Only, this isn't the Gong Show. She's not expecting to be "summoned". To Alexa a summons is a legal paper served, telling you need to show up in court. This summons as is far from that as...well Alexa is in for a BIG shock. Alexa's journey starts with the words, "Help us. Come to us. We need you here as no one there ever will." Unable to resist the lure, she follows the summoning, dropping into Lladrana almost Alice-through-the-rabbit's-hole, into a realm of monsters, of guardians losing their power, and a whole world that will depend upon her to save them. She lands - literally in this foreign realm, no by your leave, no welcome wagon, no take me to your leader. And that is just the beginning.
She little understands the intricacies of this unusual land, cannot understand the language. Yet, armed with only her wits, the help of a mystical companion and the sexy chevalier Bastien, Alex must assume her new role as one of the Marshalls of Lladrana. Alexa must discover skills from within herself she had no idea existed in order to battle the encroaching menace. Then she will have to face the ultimate decision, return to her world or stay with Bastien in this new land where she is needed.
Once again, Robin D. Owens gives us an alternative world, as richly defined as few futuristic/paranormal writers can deliver. In this one, instead of the Heartmates and kitty Fams of Celta, we have the first of three ordinary women, who are summoned to save Lladrana and learn they have the power within them to make a difference, to be more than they thought they could be. Owens has always impressed me with her magical ability to create a paranormal realm, people it with interesting characters that you care about and within a highly developed alternative universe. You just don't read about her 'worlds', you enter them. I especially compliment Owens on her deft use of Multi-POV (Point of View) that permits the readers the fullest enjoyment of knowing all the characters and their emotions. It's the difference between a paint-by-numbers landscape and the sheer brilliance of a Turner watercolor.
In a time when the market is screaming for new directions within the Romance Genre, looking for stories with more substance, this is just what you need. Futuristic/Fantasy with heart, soul and endless adventure. On occasion, I see comments on this style of book as not an "easy" read. Maybe. It depends upon the commitment of the reader. Frankly, I think it's so much more - it a worthwhile read, that delivers on all levels that take you away to a magic world where all things are possible, even within yourself. 'Guardian" is the first of three "Summoning Books". Based on this tale, I eagerly await the next two.
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20 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!, February 7, 2005
This review is from: Guardian of Honor (The Summoning, Book 1) (Paperback)
Alexa Fitzwalter is pulled from our world to Lladrana through a gate. The Sword and Shield Marshalls of Lladrana are seeking a hero to save their world. Only at certain times can help be summoned. As soon as she arrives Alexa is subjected to several tests. Unable to speak the language she doesn't understand what is going on at first. Nevertheless she passes the tests and with courage confronts those who have kidnapped her. However, she is very cautious in trusting these people.
The Marshalls have their own agenda but Alexa is stronger than they know or expect. It takes her a little while to figure out what is going on. The amount of power a person has is reflected in the amount of silver in his black hair.
Bastian is a black and white, he has no silver in his hair, only white and black. They are considered flawed because they cannot control their power. Alexa meets Bastian the son of her most vocal opponent, while she is in disguise. During a volitile encounter with him she corrects his flaw.
Now with her power and his they must somehow work with the Marshalls to reset the guardian boundary between Lladrana and the monsters outside it. Neither of them are able to fully trust the Marshalls. And even if they are bonded they have trouble trusting each other.
At the end we find more heros are to be summoned. I look forward to the next book. Just as wonderful as her Celta series.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Ohhhh, this book is so good..., February 21, 2005
This review is from: Guardian of Honor (The Summoning, Book 1) (Paperback)
This book is SOOOOO good. I rarely write reviews, generally only for books I've absolutely hated or absolutely loved. This book is one I absolutely love. When describing this book only superlatives come to mind! The world she's created is absolutely incredible. The people and images and ideas from her mind are wonderful, strong, and convincing. She has an awesome imagination. Everything about the book is so over the top, it's hard to pinpoint any one thing.
The heroine, Alexa, is strong and vulnerable at the same time. If ever one were to find oneself in such a circumstance (!) one can hope to behave as she did. And although Alexa was in a disadvantageous position, (being in a different world, a different language, etc), she was still brave and strong. I also like the fact that she was not treated badly by the natives, but treated with reverence and respect. The people of the land wanted and needed her. Also, the author gave her great power so that she was not taken advantage of.
Another thing I loved was the songs created between those who had a link or tie to each other, how they could hear the music when they linked minds. The more minds linked, the stronger and richer the song. How they could hear the individual chords that each person contributed to the song, and they could SEE the chords in colors that reflected each person's aura. That was beautiful and shows an incredible imagination.
The author's descriptions of the monsters, of different people's personalities, of the land, of the castle, of the Nom de Nom tavern, all of these things were richly described. She also gave us lots of other people's thoughts. It was very interesting to know what others' thoughts were regarding circumstances.
I was so wrapped up in the story that I read until 4 in the morning. Thankfully, it was Friday and I didn't have to work the next day! I slept for 3 hours (and dreamed about the book) then woke up and read again till I was finished. The story was truly wonderful, incredible. It takes you away, to a different land and time. I want to read it again, and I hate that the next book does not come out until 2006. This is only February now, I have so long to wait!!!
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