Customer Reviews

Orphan's Quest Book One of The Chronicles of Firma

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Orphan's Quest: Book One of the Chronicles of Firma

By

Pat Nelson Childs

I hope the author doesn't mind a comparison. I do this because I am not really a fantasy reader and so am unsure what is more or less standard in the genre and what isn't. I read Tolkien fifty years ago and that was it.

Orphan's Quest is Lord of the Rings for the rest of us, especially for those who think there might have been more between Sam and Frodo than meets the eye. Orphan's Quest is colorful, action-packed, intricately plotted, filled with vivid descriptions of places, weapons, etc. that have the combined flavor of Medieval Europe and Middle Earth.

There is a group of stalwart friends on a dangerous quest; a handsome, swashbuckling elf with magical ability and deadly aim with an arrow; an Elven city, a mysterious and malevolent evil power out to destroy the friends and, indeed, the entire world. There are noxious swamps, trees that communicate, and poisoned weapons; bizarre creatures that fly, swim, and shift shapes; hideous and deadly Harpies. There are wooden ships, arrows and swords galore, even enslavement by a race of warrior women.

Running through the narrative is a gay love story, that of the elf Flaskamper, nicknamed "Flash," and the orphan, Rokey, who is not quite what he seems to be in the beginning. Rokey is not even quite what he, himself, thinks he is. Repeatedly, his life and the lives of his companions and his true love are threatened and, since this is the first in a trilogy, it ends with a cliffhanger. However, I hasten to add that it is also a very well done stand-alone novel, which some series books are not. I would say more about the plot, but I always try to avoid spoilers.

One of the things I, personally, found very appealing about the book is the way Childs handled the love scenes. Did Flaskamper and Rokey have sex? Yes, they did. Was it described in erotic detail? No, it wasn't. They were written in such a way--without silly euphemisms, incidentally--that a younger reader isn't going to be puzzled or shocked, and the reader who is old enough to know the details can use his or her imagination. I like that. Another thing that struck me as especially poignant was Childs' invention of the appellation "samer" for homosexuals, who were accepted in Firma. Isn't "samer" a lovely, evocative term? Much nicer than any of the words used in our world. I wish someone had thought of it a long time ago.

Though I was a tiny bit hesitant in starting the book simply because of the fantasy factor, I'm so glad I read it. I thoroughly enjoyed Orphan's Quest. Childs is an excellent writer with an elegant use of language that I appreciate. I hope someday, when I have waded through my stack of waiting books, to read the rest of the trilogy.

Though this book is an adult story, it is also geared toward young adults. I feel that any reader who likes good writing will enjoy it, even if fantasy is not normally a reading choice. I've never read Harry Potter but I expect Harry Potter fans would like it.

Christmas is coming. This book would be a great gift, and to book lovers there is no better gift than a book.

Also now available: Book Two/ Scion's Blood

Book Three / Numen's Trust is tentatively scheduled for release in late 2009

Ruth Sims

There is something primal in a quest story that appeals to readers, over and over again. David Eddings made a quest the keystone for every series he wrote. It is what made The Lord of the Rings and Dragonlance such popular fantasy epics. "Orphan's Quest" has all the necessary ingredients for a great quest - the young male hero, his misfit companions, a shadowy menace, elves, faeries, and the lot. The recipe is complete. So, one might expect this to be the same old story. Thankfully, it is not. Childs has imbued the story with enough originality to give readers something different while satisfying the need for the familiar elements.

Rokey is our young hero, an orphan. He has been raised by the Noble Contemplative, an organization something akin to a monastery where learning and knowledge are held in high regard. When a tragic accident forces him from the only life he's known, Rokey sets out to explore Firma. When brigands try to rob him, the young elf Flaskamper (Flash) comes to his rescue. Flash is immediately smitten with Rokey and convinces his companions to take Rokey into their group. The group is led by Stanford and includes Fia the bard and Lorq the giant. After they are attacked by ratmen, they realize Rokey is being targeted. The quest to uncover his past - nay, his destiny - is on!

Rokey and Flash are well developed characters, and their burgeoning romance is captivating. Much like Mercedes Lackey did with her "Last Herald Mage" series, Childs gives us a same-sex couple that is quite natural for the story. Sex occurs, but is not graphic and that works perfectly for this novel. This is not an M/M romance, this is epic fantasy where the main character is a "samer," as Childs describes him in the novel. M/M fans will certainly enjoy this, but traditional fantasy fans will also. The secondary characters are less developed in the beginning, but this is because readers come to know them as Rokey learns about them.

Firma is a classical setting, a medieval type world with many races, magic, kingdoms, just as you find in LOTR. The companions pass through a variety of societies from "Thieves World"-like cities to "Elfwood" and the realm of the Sidhe. There was only one aspect of this world building that I did not like at all. Toward the end of the book, the companions are captured by the "Saebrilites." They're an Amazonian society that keeps men enslaved for laborers and to breed with when necessary. Warrior women who disdain men are so over done. They crop up in many epic fantasies (such as the Wheel of Time and Valdemar) and I can't say I like them in any story. I think an author would knock me for a loop if they actually created a society where women were equals instead of being either Amazons or second class. Childs uses this conceit to introduce a new character to the companions, but I would have preferred her come to the group another way. That said, this was a small part of the story and did not ruin my overall enjoyment of a great novel.

"Orphan's Quest" is the first in a projected trilogy. The story and dialog are both very well-written. A few minor typos do appear here and there, but no more than what I find in big-house published books. The characters have some stereotypical qualities of fantasy characters. Rokey has a mixed-blood heritage that impacts his destiny, and Flash is an Elven prince. But, our beautiful bard is not all she appears to be, and Lorq the giant really wants a pet bunny! Overall, they are fresh, engaging and realistic. I like these companions. Plus, the book has a lot of action and adventure. The companions flee for their lives, fight in skirmishes, visit oracles and have a grand time. The ending leaves many questions unanswered (it is the first book, after all) but the reader is not left hanging on the proverbial cliff. The sequel, "Scion's Blood," will be available soon and I can't wait to dive in. Very highly recommended!

The debut novel of Pat Nelson Childs and first of a trilogy, Orphan's Quest is unusual among epic high fantasy in that the protagonist happens to be a gay person - or "samer", as the people of the mystic land of Firma would say it. Rokey is an orphan of seventeen, who has spent most of his childhood in a monastery; he is concerned when his awakening desires pull him toward another man, though his roommate Ely assures him that being a samer is nothing to feel alarm about. When an opportunity for Rokey to serve the brotherhood is followed by terrible tragedy, he must learn to uncover the identity of a mysterious enemy that seeks to snuff out his life. Aided by a set of unlikely companions, Rokey's quest will bring them through danger and betrayal to discover the power of friendship, the path to making peace with his sexual identity, and even his first love. Orphan's Quest is a fantasy adventure first and foremost, not an erotic novel; Childs has openly states that his choice to write about a gay protagonist is simply to counter the exclusion of such individuals in the traditionally heterosexual fantasy genre. Highly recommended.

As someone who has written six fantasy books, you can take it from me that writing the genre isn't easy. It takes a great deal of skill to weave a literary tapestry with elves, and fairies, and giants, and whatnots, and do so in a manner that's so believable that it captures a reader's belief in the existence of that world, and doesn't have him doubting it, and the characters within it, at each and every turn of the page.

If some authors fail in that task, making the mistake of trying too hard to make their fantasy worlds too complex (with whole new lexicons of individuals, languages, social systems, rules, and regulations), author Pat Nelson Childs in ORPHAN'S QUEST (Book one of the Chronicles of Firma) follows the tried-and-true formula of -- Keep it simple, stupid!

His good guys, although one a giant, one an elf, one a not-so-sure, one a warrior, one a woman, are "human" enough so that they don't conjure incredulity, and the reader can associate. Even his bad "guys" are comfortably familiar in being rat-like, harpy-like, Cyclops-like, Amazon-women-like, wizard-like, toad-like. All making it easy to follow along and be caught up in this tale of an orphaned youth searching out his identify and, in the process, finding friendship and true (gay) love.

If I personally prefer my sex scenes (even the gay ones) a bit more center-stage and not merely hinted at before being shuffled off into the background ... if I prefer my main protagonists usually of a riper, more mature age than Childs's Rokey and/or Flaskamper ... if I prefer my battle scenes and wizardry a tad more bloody and gory with more hell-fire and brimstone ... I suspect that the author has tried to achieve ... and has accomplished ... a novel of positive G-rated gay love and adventure that will appeal to a younger audience ... will sit comfortably on the shelf of each and every local library ... and won't any time soon be banned in Boston (which is, in my humble, opinion: A Good Thing).

Seventeen year old orphan Rokey is a novice at the Nobel Contemplative Monastery where he has been raised for as long as he can remember. He shares his room with the handsome Ely; Ely thinks of nothing but girls leaving Rokey confused for his feelings tend toward other boys, is he perhaps a "samer". But all is soon to change for Rokey, after a surprising apparent promotion in duties he as suddenly finds himself expelled from the Monastery and out in the world of Firma for the first time, left to fend for himself - and so his adventures begin.

He is soon in trouble, but to his aid comes a handsome, appealing, and somewhat impish Elf, Flaskemper. The two are smitten with one another, although at first they make no moves. Joining Flaskemper (Flash) and his three companions: the dark skinned Stamford, beautiful Fia and gentle giant Lorq, Rokey continues his journey only to meet with more troubles. It soon becomes apparent that someone or something is out to kill Rokey, and his new friends vow to help him solve the mystery as well as help him find his origins.

Their adventures lead then across this strange fantasy land of Firma. They encounter many extraordinary beings including a reputedly fearsome ghost, guardian of a long destroyed kingdom; deer that transform to almost human form; a race of giant women samers who keep their ordinary size men as slaves for labour and other necessary services; and near immortal miniature winged beings that instantly transform to full size humans. What soon becomes clear through all this it that there is something special about Rokey, but what they have yet to discover.

Full of magic, mystery and obscure powerful sources, the writer has created a fascinating world, and an even more gripping tale full suspense and discovery involving a most appealing band of characters. The story is all the more enchanting for the beautiful romance that develops between Rokey and Flash; they fall deeply in love the depth of their devotion knows no bounds.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Orphan's Quest, and while I have a few reservations about the slightly uninvolving prose style, this is more than compensated for by the content; I look forward to reading the forthcoming sequel, Scion's Blood.

I have read some of the other reviews , and have to disagree with those that have sour tones, i picked this book up not to be overwhelmed by some literary ingenuity, but simply to be entertained. most of us who pick books within this genre are more often than not looking simply to be entertained,the characters are actually deeper than i expected and i wish i had ordered both books available in the series at the same time, i find myself finished with the first and eagerly waiting the chance to escape into the next. I often pick up books like these to escape reality for however long i can afford to, and let me tell you this book does a good job, i found myself smiling like an idiot at many points.. I feel that my title for this review sums it up pretty well.. the book is Pure Fluff , but sometimes that is what the doctor ordered.

This is, first of all, a romantic story. Rokey and Flash, from very different backgrounds, fall deeply in love with each other during a quest that endangers their lives, the lives of their friends and possibly all of Firma. Seventeen year old Rokey just had his coming out and still blushes when talk turns more "mature", while Flash, though more experienced in that respect, for the first time finds himself in love, over head and pointed elvish ears. And so, regardless of the fantasy setting, the novel is foremost a very tender m/m romantic love story. Amazon's own book description is rather secretive about the fact, so I just wanted to point it out. Others have already written about what may be perceived as shortcomings: the rather stereotypical fantasy world, with giants, elves, fairies, mages and necromancers, not to forget the worthy warrior types (thanks for letting at least dwarves be extinct, I had to laugh when I read that). The world building, that lets you travel between totally different cultures and climates within days. I meanly add: the prominent rather bourgeois view that a happy life consists in marrying (whatever sex) and having children (adopted, if not fathered), a view that remains rather untroubled by the world's mysteries, arts, ideas or deep philosophical questions on the role of the individual. (If you are looking for a really mystical, untraditional, but also romantic m/m fantasy experience, pick up Wraeththu.) But then, so what. Let's give naive m/m romantic fantasy a chance. It's still much better, more touching and faster paced than similarly stereotypical heterosexual fantasy like Paolini's Eragon (yawn). And the best thing is: the second book of the trilogy is already available (Scion's Blood), and the third one. Numen's Trust, will appear in June. So for once no overly long waiting for sequels...

There is something primal in a quest story that appeals to readers, over and over again. David Eddings made a quest the keystone for every series he wrote. It is what made The Lord of the Rings and Dragonlance such popular fantasy epics. "Orphan's Quest" has all the necessary ingredients for a great quest - the young male hero, his misfit companions, a shadowy menace, elves, faeries, and the lot. The recipe is complete. So, one might expect this to be the same old story. Thankfully, it is not. Childs has imbued the story with enough originality to give readers something different while satisfying the need for the familiar elements.

Rokey is our young hero, an orphan. He has been raised by the Noble Contemplative, an organization something akin to a monastery where learning and knowledge are held in high regard. When a tragic accident forces him from the only life he's known, Rokey sets out to explore Firma. When brigands try to rob him, the young elf Flaskamper (Flash) comes to his rescue. Flash is immediately smitten with Rokey and convinces his companions to take Rokey into their group. The group is led by Stanford and includes Fia the bard and Lorq the giant. After they are attacked by ratmen, they realize Rokey is being targeted. The quest to uncover his past - nay, his destiny - is on!

Rokey and Flash are well developed characters, and their burgeoning romance is captivating. Much like Mercedes Lackey did with her "Last Herald Mage" series, Childs gives us a same-sex couple that is quite natural for the story. Sex occurs, but is not graphic and that works perfectly for this novel. This is not an M/M romance, this is epic fantasy where the main character is a "samer," as Childs describes him in the novel. M/M fans will certainly enjoy this, but traditional fantasy fans will also. The secondary characters are less developed in the beginning, but this is because readers come to know them as Rokey learns about them.

Firma is a classical setting, a medieval type world with many races, magic, kingdoms, just as you find in LOTR. The companions pass through a variety of societies from "Thieves World"-like cities to "Elfwood" and the realm of the Sidhe. There was only one aspect of this world building that I did not like at all. Toward the end of the book, the companions are captured by the "Saebrilites." They're an Amazonian society that keeps men enslaved for laborers and to breed with when necessary. Warrior women who disdain men are so over done. They crop up in many epic fantasies (such as the Wheel of Time and Valdemar) and I can't say I like them in any story. I think an author would knock me for a loop if they actually created a society where women were equals instead of being either Amazons or second class. Childs uses this conceit to introduce a new character to the companions, but I would have preferred her come to the group another way. That said, this was a small part of the story and did not ruin my overall enjoyment of a great novel.

"Orphan's Quest" is the first in a projected trilogy. The story and dialog are both very well-written. A few minor typos do appear here and there, but no more than what I find in big-house published books. The characters have some stereotypical qualities of fantasy characters. Rokey has a mixed-blood heritage that impacts his destiny, and Flash is an Elven prince. But, our beautiful bard is not all she appears to be, and Lorq the giant really wants a pet bunny! Overall, they are fresh, engaging and realistic. I like these companions. Plus, the book has a lot of action and adventure. The companions flee for their lives, fight in skirmishes, visit oracles and have a grand time. The ending leaves many questions unanswered (it is the first book, after all) but the reader is not left hanging on the proverbial cliff. The sequel, "Scion's Blood," will be available soon and I can't wait to dive in. Very highly recommended!

I stumbled across this book by accident and to be honest I was not expecting much. I am happy to report I was pleasantly surprised. Some of the elements of the book were a little clichéd (every fantasy romance has to be between a human and an elf and a band of outcast adventurers have to save the world). But the development of the romance in between Rokey and Flash kept me turning pages until I was sadly finished the book long before I wanted to be.

Another few points in the books favour is that it is evident the author went to a lot of work to create a unique magic system based on humans having a demon or spirit patron granting them power. As well the world feels very well developed and I enjoy a few other interesting spins on the archetypal fantasy monsters and races.

Overall I have to say if you are a fantasy fan you will like the book especially if you were a fan of the nightrunner series. Just as in that series it does have a gay romance but it is not the focal point of the book it just happens to be included in it. As a side note I have already purchased and read the sequel before writing this review and like many other fans am unhappy with the delay on the final book in the series.

If you're not already a fan of PNC, pick up a copy of his books and you soon will be!

Orphan's Quest is engaging from front to back and will probably keep you from even setting it down to go and use the necessary. Ha!

I found it incredibly easy to relate to Rokey and was enthralled by his progression. I wish I could better explain why the book is so great but I don't think I have the intellectual ability to compress over 300 pages of rich story into 300 words for a review. Suffice it to say, you won't be disappointed!