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Morevi: The Chronicles of Rafe and Askana

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My reading history in fantasy is somewhat limited. I began with Piers Anthony and his Xanth series, continued to Tolkien, Terry Brooks with the Shannara series, David Eddings with Belgariad/Mallorian series, Foster with the Spellsinger series, and other scattered works of authors I cannot recall.

I dare to say, none compare to the exquisite balance kept within this story. Morevi is a tale of high adventure and epic romance that does not waver towards the edge of its paper confines...it lives beyond, and to me such a thought is happy indeed. I am caught between holding the story in my hands (which I suspect shall be read again and again), and anticipating the next in the series with a mixture of fear and elation. I feel the obsession taking hold, the want of escape and the fleeting moment of a child's imagination relieving my travel-weary adult mind. To feel the innocence again! It is the greatest effect an author can achieve, in my opinion. There are some elements to which this story rhymes with my life experience, so ever closer to this tale did my heart bind.

For a book that rekindles your inner child with fantasy and high adventure...and still nurtures the tale of a love between two souls in such detail...

You need look no further.

by Kassandra Washington

Morevi: The Chronicles of Rafe and Askana is an excellent book that challenges its readers with a fantastical tale by thrusting the reader into the depths of another world that is both mystical yet includes a tinge of the Far East. The writers' details reminiscent of the period and places succeed in immersing the reader into believable alternate worlds where Elf-folk and mortals coexist, and magic endures alongside the conventional weapons of man.

The reader begins the journey in 1492, after the "New World" has been discovered and King Henry VIII's privateers roam the seas acquiring what bounty they may, commonly referred to as stealing in lands not of England, hence the name pirate is born. A lone ship "The Deviant", accustomed to battle and desperate circumstance, is being pursued by three Spanish ships whose captains will surely pronounce a death sentence for each and every privateer captured. With the captain and first mate dead and ship heavily damaged, the navigator Rafe and a Moor, Nassir, rally the crew to embark on their only chance for survival; they must navigate the Graveyard of Lost Ships.

The very name, Graveyard of Lost Ships, known also as the Rift, spoken in fear by every seaman; no ship was known to have tackled the Rift and survived, yet the young navigator convinced the crew, it was their only chance. As the ship's course deviates toward the Rift, the three Spanish captains opt not to follow. At first a brilliant light enticed the crew to believe that they would survive, just before the darkness of Hell descends upon them. Had they a choice, their resolve would have wavered. Alas, the crew of the Defiant discovers a portal to a new world, where new adventures, alliances, and an unlikely romance await.

In the years to come, the Defiant finds itself navigating the Rift often, acquiring loot found only in this new world where Eyrie, Arathelle, and especially Morevi lay. It was a world where magic and potions were widely in practiced, though the most ancient and dark powers of these arts are forbidden, not that everyone obeys. In these lands, the defiant English possess a faster ship and the black powder. Ships and crews fall easily to their cannons, rifles, and guns. Captain Rafe's favorite ships to plunder belong to Morevi and carry the most exotic wares, silks and teas; though the warrior women who guard these ships are formidable foes. The privateer's success earned him a death sentence if ever his feet touched Morevi soil.

Askana Moldarin, the First Queen of Morevi proved to be the most cunning and deadliest. Having ascended the throne during a rebellion that overthrew the King, ended the patriarch system, and purged hoards of men from the land, her country and matriarch was threatened by treason at home and threats abroad. Having no one she could trust, she meets with the privateer, Rafe, the most successful pillager of her merchant ships. Why? The young King of Eyrie, finding the new matriarch distasteful, yearned for the conquest and overthrow of the Morevian queen and sought to take her lands for himself. The Merchant Circle on behalf of the Eyrie often paid Captain Raft for the bounty he seized from Askana's ships. The Merchant Circle assumed Rafe would gladly join them in a plot to unseat the queen. Unfortunately, for Eyrie, Rafe was the only privateer to refuse their money for such an endeavor and because of that one fact, Queen Askana gambled that somewhere deep within this scoundrel's soul was a man of honor, who if given a chance, would choose valor over greed.

A queen, a privateer captain, a couple of younglings from the Royal Guard and an unlikely assortment of pirates set out to discover who threatened the throne. An unexpected assassination attempt and deceit from an unlikely source force improvisation and send the motley crew sailing to the one person who may turn the tide of an uprising, King Henry VIII; though his vices bar initial negotiations, he proves to have a few surprises of his own.

The Morevi's writing is superb and detailed down to the proper language of the time and the multitude of weaponry. The reader immediately recognizes elements of Morevi that are evocative of the orient and martial arts. The patriarch of England in contrast to the new matriarch of Morevi is vivid. At first it seems the two worlds are completely different, yet as the account progresses, the reader realizes that England and Morevi are extremes of a sort and that the best world is one in which there is an equalization of the power between men and women. Such a land is portrayed in the Elvin kingdom, which is the only domain to remain neutral and outside the conflict... though the elves are not infallible and if their uncharacteristic failure to fulfill an undesirable duty lets the more just cause prevail, well no one is perfect.

This book pulled me into the action from the start. The characters are more true to life, the style of writing paints such a visual depiction of everything, there's very good fight scenes and just enough romance without going over the top. The plot has a refreshing feel to it. There were quite a few places that I could not put the book down because I had to find out what came next! It has strong female characters that don't insult my intelligence. Like Harry Potter books, this will be one that I read more than once. Hoping there will be a Morevi II!

Tee Morris and Lisa Lee have created a rich, meaty read... full of political scheming hidden within kingdom alliances, swashbuckling matched only by verbal sparring, undeniable attraction combatted by insufferable pride.....

There is just the right mix of gorgeous scenery, cultural traditions, historical accounts, and political intrigue. And yet, none of it overwhelms the importance of the characters. They draw you into their emotions, struggles and triumphs, and you find yourself unable to put down the book for fear of missing what happens next.

As a self-avowed fan of plain old trashy romance in any setting, MOREVI took me to a new level of literary appreciation. I can't wait to find out what happens next... to Rafe, Askana, and their worlds.

Look out Errol Flynn, there's a new guy in town and his name is...Rafe Rafton!

Morevi is jam packed with intrigue and excitement every time you turn the page. This epic novel is fast paced and filled with characters that emerge from the written words to delight the reader's imagination as you join them on their fantastical journey.

Through Tee Morris and Lisa Lee's gifted prose, they take you on a wild voyage through time to an entirely new world that will keep you in awe at every new discovery. If that's not enough for you--there's more: The preciseness of the historical aspects of this novel blended into the fantastical world of Naruihm and the realm of Morevi was so seamless, I couldn't tell where one ended and the other began-a perfect blending of fact and fiction!

Still need more of a reason to read this fabulous story? How about political intrigue-back stabbing-forbidden love-and mystical creatures and magical powers...oh my! It's all here folks waiting for you to read it.

If you don't want to miss out on one of the best written fantasy novels around, you better get yourself a copy, take a couple days off, and travel to the mystical realm of Morevi and let the adventure sweep you away--as it did to us...

This fantastic fantasy novel, the debut offering for both Lisa Lee and Tee Morris, creeps up on the reader like a dream: there is no escape, nor is there the desire for one.

From the very start the characterization and the action are a constant draw on your attention and all you can possibly want is more, not because the story is lacking, but because it is addictive. With a variety of vividly portrayed settings you enter a world that is like no other you have ever seen, meeting there characters that you either love or love to loath. In either case they are masterfully done.

I would highly recommend this novel to anyone looking for a rich read and to the authors I would say: Let's see how you intend to top this one... No, really... There better be a sequel : )

reviewed by Sherryl King-Wilds for www.fantasynovelreview.com

A rift between our world and another tentatively joins them.

In Morevi, a land across the rift, powers align against Askana Moldarin, First Queen of Morevi. A female-dominated religion dictates politics in Morevi while politics embroil the plot of this book. At Askana's request along comes the dashing Rafe Rafton--a privateer, or a pirate better known as the Sea Wolf, working in service of England's King Henry VIII. Rafe is exactly the kind of man Askana and her female Court despise, but Askana needs him more than she cares to admit.

Together, Queen Askana and Captain Rafton hatch a plan to catch the conspirators against Morevi's crown. The plan leads Rafe and Askana into adventures at sea, on land, across rift worlds, and within their hearts. Finally, the conspirators are found to be embedded within Askana's twisted past, but these enemies ascend far beyond the ordinary; these enemies desire to inhabit the throne of Morevi in body, mind, and spirit.

This story caught me in its throes, tossed me about, and just refused to let go. The characters of Rafe and Askana are deeply drawn and provide for dynamic interplay, keeping the pace of the story tense and brisk.

In Morevi, male and female characters are treated with equality--one point of view does not dominate the other. Ladies, this is not a testosterone trip written solely for men; there is plenty of estrogen to go around as well--thank you, Mr. Morris and Ms. Lee!

MOREVI: The Chronicles of Rafe and Askana also acts as many adventures in the guise of one. This is one wild ride no fantasy lover will want to miss!

Let me tell you, I love pirates. And mythology, and the Asian mythology is one that is not used nearly as often or as well as I would like to see. Tee and Lisa took both to new heights in this book. The characters, especially Rafe and Askana, leap out of the pages, grab you by the throat and say, "Listen to my story! No, forget that, come in here with us!" It's a book that forces you to pay attention to it. The descriptions are dense without being overwhelming, and the scenery flows better than many movies I've seen lately.

The best part is that Tee and Lisa seamlessly blend their stories together. Try as I may, I could not tell where one stopped and the other started. I've read other collaborations where the transitions were jarring and very irritating - there was none of that here.

What more can I say? I hear there's another coming, and all I can say is, I enjoyed this ride. I can't wait to go back to Morevi.

Tee and Lisa have created a wonderful world full of rich characters and mystical settings. The story is skillfully told and a delight to read.

Morevi is well worth buying and would be a worthy addition to anyone's fantasy collection.

During the reign of King Henry VIII, Rafe becomes head of the pirate ship following the deaths of the previous captain and first mate during a battle with the Spanish. He leads the crew of the aptly named Defiant to safety when they traverse through the dangerous Rift that takes them to Naruihm. However, that haven is short lived as Rafe realizes this is no longer the Atlantic.

The threat is real and even her most trusted advisors are suspect as Queen Askana of Morevi struggles to regain the throne of the land locked country. Desperate for someone to trust and help her, Askana hires the outworlder Rafe as a mercenary to unmask the female noble spies working for her enemies. As Rafe and Askana skirmish with her dangerous foes, they also begin to fall in love with one another. However, a permanent relationship is doubtful for if they lose to her opponents they die and if they win she is a queen and he is a pirate.

MOREVI: THE CHRONICLES OF RAFE AND ASKANA is a strong historical fantasy that connects the world of the last decade of the fifteen-century with that of another orb. The lead characters are heroic and seem real and the support cast augments the action. However, the key to the powerful story line is that Morevi and its neighboring nations seem genuine as history and culture are cleverly interwoven into the plot. Fans of sword and sorcery novels will gain plenty of pleasure from this fine work.

Harriet Klausner