For the Rank of Master [Paperback]

Hollie Snider (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 2003

On the world of Darkanth, an ancient evil threatens the land of Kyritia, domain of elves, humans and dwarves, home to the Gods themselves. Shadows are falling where sunlight once shone, and life is being drawn away from the very land where man and beast tread. Forced to face the vampiric wizard, Elidor, or sacrifice their world to darkness, the elven healer Tehan leads a ragtag group of companions on a quest to end the threat.

Along the journey, deceit and betrayal surface. Things are discovered to not be who, or what, they seem. As they travel, truths are revealed, some threatening to destroy their individual willpower, others drawing them closer together. Tehan and his friends must find the kinship lost years ago to overcome their battles. From cursed lake to hellish towen, the comrades must overcome ever-increasing odds or lose themselves as well as their world.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Hollie Snider is a founding member of the Colorado Springs Fiction Writer's Group. Her background in mythology and historical lore adds authenticity and realism to her writing. This child of the muses balances her time between writing, painting and quilting.

Snider's fantasy works bring rules to the lands of monsters, myth and magic. "I've grown tired of magic being a crutch. In creating a land where magic is used, I feel three rules should be followed; 1) Magic is not a cure-all. Why have weapons if one can simply 'wish' the problem away (or zap it into oblivion)? 2) There should always be a price for casting a spell, such as physical exertion or pain. 3) Death is the end. If a character dies it should create an emotional response in both characters and reader. There is no impact if anyone can simply be resurrected."

She lives near Colorado Springs, Colorado with her husband, son and a multitude of neurotic animals.

Hollie is currently at work on For the Rank of Master’s sequel, Shadowfest.

Product Details

• Paperback: 385 pages
• Publisher: Gardenia Press (June 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 097293040X
• ISBN-13: 978-0972930406
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 6.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,216,000 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Hollie Snider is the Executive Editor for Hidden Thoughts Press and editor of the "Live and Let Undead" anthology from Library of the Living Dead Press, an imprint Twisted Library Press. She is a founding member of the Colorado Springs Fiction Writer's Group, member of the Wicked Women Writers and the Horror Writers Association. She has over 15 years of writing and freelance editing experience, has taught creative writing workshops and has written several writing related articles.

Snider's fantasy works bring rules to the lands of monsters, myth and magic. "I've grown tired of magic being a crutch. In creating a land where magic is used, I feel three rules should be followed; 1)Magic is not a cure-all. Why have weapons if one can simply 'wish' the problem away (or zap it into oblivion)? 2)There should always be a price for casting a spell, such as physical exertion or pain. 3)Death is the end. If a character dies it should create an emotional response in both characters and reader. There is no impact if anyone can simply be resurrected.'"

Snider's horror works tend toward the psychological, revenge and twisted fairy tales. "Blood and guts can be scary," she says, "if used to the story's advantage. But I don't think readers need anatomy lessons. Sometimes what isn't exposed is more frightening."

Her background in mythology and historical lore adds authenticity and realism to her writing. This child of the muses balances her time between writing, painting and quilting.

She lives near Colorado Springs, Colorado with her husband, son and a multitude of neurotic animals.
More info can be found at

www.holliesnider.com
www.csfwg.org

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Engrossing and Never Predictable, November 14, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: For the Rank of Master (Paperback)

For the Rank of Master is a rich, compelling read. Author Snider has created a wild, colorful world. Her characters are unreal, as befits a work of fantasy, but believable and deeply textured - likable or hateful as appropriate, but never one-dimensional. Her story pulls the reader along with her characters (the elf Tehan and his compatriots, elven, human and others) as they battle across their world on a last-stand quest to save it from the evil Elidor. Along the way they must defeat far stronger forces and face trials, tragedies and constant surprises, including betrayals from unexpected quarters.

For the Rank of Master is a great accomplishment, always engrossing and never predictable. I recommend it highly and eagerly await a sequel.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For the Rank of master, September 12, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: For the Rank of Master (Paperback)

This an Asome book that just keeps you reading Love it.

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Fantasy, July 25, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: For the Rank of Master (Paperback)

Other than "The Lord of the Rings", I'm not much of a fantasy buff. However, I enjoyed "For The Rank of Master" by Hollie Snider.

The writer knows her world thoroughly and guides us through it with well-drawn characters, vivid descriptions, and action that keeps the pages turning. Many of the major players are capable of magic, but they pay a price to work it. This makes it more "believable" somehow. Why would there be any conflict or danger or reason for the book in the firstplace if one person can just "abracadabra" everyone out of trouble?

I'll keep all three eyes (you'll understand if you read the book) open for the next novel from Ms. Snider.