Rayna of Nightwind (Taren Novels) [Hardcover]

R. A. Baker (Author)

Book Description

Series: Taren Novels | Publication Date: April 1, 2008

From the stunning imagination of R. A. Baker comes the first novel in his Taren series. In the troubled land of Taren rules a bitter, oppressive regent named Nephredom, who alone maintains the Gate a Psi-magical barrier that contains thousands of mutated beasts, that were once men. However, the strain of keeping the Gate has pushed Nephredom to the edge of madness, and it is only a matter of time before the Gate opens. . .Into this world comes an outsider. Following a bizarre lightning storm, college student Rayna Powell finds herself lost and alone in Taren with only her stubborn instincts and logical mind to guild her. She is a student of science, but what she experiences in Taren defies science, and forces her to come to terms with the unknown powers growing inside her. Many of the people of Taren believe Rayna to be a Power , the greatest kind of mage, who holds wields the legendary magic chaotic".Treachery and political strife run rampant as opposing factions clash, with Rayna caught in the middle. She reluctantly joins forces with a mysterious woman with a bounty (imposed by Nephredom himself) on her head, who in exchange for Rayna s help promises to assist Rayna in her quest to return home. However, as they flee and hide from Nephredom s red-robed minions, the price of the stranger s help may be higher than what Rayna is willing to pay. Rayna of Nightwind is a bold sci-fi/fantasy hybrid, resonating notes of Silverberg and Terry Brooks, yet starkly painted with the author s unique brush. Compelling, and often humorous, the richly imagined world of Taren beckons.

Editorial Reviews

Review

When Rayna Powell seeks to avoid running into a woman standing in the middle of the road on a rainy night, the ensuing crash hurtles her into another world, where she crosses a barren, lightning-filled plain to emerge in a land that hails her as a god returned. Rayna reluctantly gets drawn into an ancient conflict between the folk of West Taren and their eastern kin. Confronting inhuman magicians known as Red Robes and their ruthless king, Rayna and her newfound allies uncover a startling secret about the world's origin --Library Journal

From the stunning imagination of R. A. Baker comes the first novel in his Taren series. In the troubled land of Taren rules a bitter, oppressive regent named Nephredom, who alone maintains the Gate a Psi-magical barrier that contains thousands of mutated beasts, that were once men. However, the strain of keeping the Gate has pushed Nephredom to the edge of madness, and it is only a matter of time before the Gate opens. . .Into this world comes an outsider. Following a bizarre lightning storm, college student Rayna Powell finds herself lost and alone in Taren with only her stubborn instincts and logical mind to guild her. She is a student of science, but what she experiences in Taren defies science, and forces her to come to terms with the unknown powers growing inside her. Many of the people of Taren believe Rayna to be a Power , the greatest kind of mage, who holds wields the legendary magic chaotic. Treachery and political strife run rampant as opposing factions clash, with Rayna caught in the middle. She reluctantly joins forces with a mysterious woman with a bounty (imposed by Nephredom himself) on her head, who in exchange for Rayna s help promises to help Rayna in her quest to return home. However, as they flee and hide from Nephredom s red-robed minions, the price of the stranger s help may be higher than what Rayna is willing to pay. Rayna of Nightwind is a bold sci-fi/fantasy hybrid, resonating notes of Silverberg and Terry Brooks, yet starkly painted with the author s unique brush. Compelling, and sometimes humorous, the richly imagined world of Taren beckons. --The Publisher

About the Author

R.A. Baker was born in North Carolina in 1971, and was raised in Richmond, Virginia. A writer since high school, the author went on to receive an undergraduate degree from Virginia Commonwealth University, having double majored in psychology and rehabilitative counseling. Presently living in Southern Virginia, Taren marks his debut as a novelist.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 328 pages
• Publisher: Apollo House Press (April 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0978751876
• ISBN-13: 978-0978751876
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,099,361 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

R.A. Baker is the author of the sci-fi/fantasy novel "Rayna of Nightwind". He was born in a small town in North Carolina before moving to Virginia, and grew up watching science fiction shows like "Star Trek" and "The Twilight Zone".

The author went on to write stories throughout school and college, winning several writing awards and competitions. Soon after college, he began work on the novel "Rayna of Nightwind" and finished it several years later.

R.A. Baker is now working on the second novel in the "Taren" series tentatively titled, "Beyond the Band of Death". In addition to writing, the author enjoys gardening, art, reading, and listening to jazz. He lives with his wife and two children in Virginia.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting approach to magic, April 28, 2008

By 

Ross Heard (North Carolina) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rayna of Nightwind (Taren Novels) (Hardcover)

Rayna Powel is a college student, who one nights decide to take her car for a ride, to figure out how to tell her mother that she's moving out. A storm comes up, and she swerves to avoid hitting a women standing in the street. She is caught in a strange lightning storm and she's transported to another, exotic world. She starts off in Kuara, an agricultural province. Rayna is not there long before she is caught up in a political struggle between an exiled princess named Keris and a power-hunger king named Nephredom.

Keris promised to help Rayna get back to her world if Rayna helps Keris defeat Nephredom. The only problem is that Keris doesn't have an army. So they must first journey to Soren so Keris can try convincing the leader Ciredor and his men to fight with them. Along the way, they encounter Beast- people that were turned into hideous creatures during a recent war.

The people of Taren use "Psi-magic", which is kind of like psychic powers. The story has sci-fi elements to it, but is fantasy at its heart. The author did a good job creating a world with a rich history and culture. The main characters are not predictable and in fact, Rayna often unwittingly does things that defy logic or good judgment. That's funny because she is a science major. But that is what makes her character believable and likeable.

It's was a very entertaining book and I can't wait for the next book in the series to come out.

4.0 out of 5 stars A Fun Read With Much Promise, October 1, 2008

By 

Apex Reviews (Durham, NC USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Rayna of Nightwind (Taren Novels) (Hardcover)

(Official Apex Reviews Rating: 3.5 Stars)

Rayna Powell is fresh out of college and ready to begin a new adventure, but as she drives home from school to tell her mother that she plans to move out, something happens that changes her plans more than she ever could have imagined. After a freak lightning storm and accident, Rayna is thrust into another world, far from her own.

Rayna soon finds herself in Taren, a small agrarian country surrounded by a deadly band of red air and continuous lightning strikes that destroy anyone who tries to pass through it--except Rayna. However, this is not the only thing that sets her apart from the Taren inhabitants. Tareners also have pointed ears, and some of them can perform magic. Rayna soon joins forces with a mysterious wanderer named Keris - who turns out to be a princess - and a diligent worker named Arstinax - with whom Rayna soon falls in love.

Keris convinces Rayna to accompany her on her quest to convince an old friend to join forces with her to overthrow the Queen's regent, who is an evil usurper to the throne and tyrannical ruler who has framed Keris for murder and wants her dead. When her quest is unsuccessful, Keris takes Rayna to a guild of scientists to try to discover a way back to her own world--but Rayna discovers a terrible secret instead. Meanwhile, the Queen dies and the regent takes over, learns where to find Keris, and sends his minions after her.

In Rayna Of Nightwind, R. A. Baker has created a fascinating world with a rich history and a fascinating cast. While the main character is a bit flat and annoying (so much so that she does not seem real), other characters in the book are quite admirable and likeable. The author puts some interesting new twists on the swords and sorcery genre with the juxtaposition of Rayna's scientific mind and the medieval, magic-wielding Tareners. The story is a fun read, filled with intrigue, betrayal, friendship, and adventure. Although the book is in dire need of editing, it is quite enjoyable and promises to deliver more exciting adventures in further installments of the series.


Jennifer Walker
Apex Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book, A Must Read, August 15, 2008

By 

The Real Deal (Richmond, VA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rayna of Nightwind (Taren Novels) (Hardcover)

It is my opinion that R.A. Baker is a masterful story teller and his debut novel, "Rayna of Nightwind" is a must read. I enjoyed the concept of a modern day electrical storm that plummeted Rayna into a whole new world of fantasy and adventure. I believe Baker did an excellent job with imagery which allowed me to travel on this magical journey with Rayna and build my own vivid images of the characters and the scenery in my mind. Baker kept me involved with each character as each adventure unfolded on every page. I believe R.A. Baker has a bright future in sci-fi fantasy and I can't wait to read the other two books in the Taren series. Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of "Rayna of Nightwind" and take the journey for yourself.