The Strangeling [Paperback]

Saskia Walker (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 25, 2007

One woman alone holds the power to undo the hundred-year-old curse of an invincible army of dead men who wait to prey upon the living. Maerose, a beautiful, resilient maiden must drive back the evil spirits by mating with a man of faith on the dark night of Samhain at the very gates of the underworld. Her dormant magic can only be unleashed by willing submission to her predestined lover . . . but a mad man aligned with the demonic forces of the underworld threatens to possess her in his place.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Juno Books (January 25, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0809557932
• ISBN-13: 978-0809557936
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,106,986 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Award-winning British author Saskia Walker first dreamed of writing her own stories when she discovered a handful of romance novels stashed away in her school library. An avid reader, she lapped up the adventures and the life-affirming emotion of these stories, but always felt dismay when the bedroom door closed the reader out. She vowed that in her stories all the passion would be right there on the page!

Saskia began writing in the late 1990s. By that time she'd traveled the world, gained a B.A. in art history, an M.A. in literature and the visual arts and she'd worked in several diverse careers--but the stories in her head simply had to be written.

It is the combination of potent eroticism and strong storytelling that has become the leading characteristic of Saskia's work. Fascinated with seduction, she loves to explore how and why we get from saying "hello" to sharing our most intimate selves in moments of extreme passion. She writes across genres, often incorporating elements of history, the paranormal and the fantastic in her work. As well as many novel- and novella-length publications, Saskia's work has now appeared in more than seventy international anthologies. Her debut novel received the Passionate Plume award for the Best Contemporary Erotic Romance of 2006, and her first novel for Harlequin Spice, Rampant, has been nominated for a 2010 RT Book Reviews Reviewers' Choice Award in the Best Paranormal Erotic Romance category.

Nowadays Saskia is happily settled in Yorkshire, in the north of England, with her real-life hero, Mark, and a houseful of stray felines. You can visit her website for more info. www.saskiawalker.co.uk

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hauntingly beautiful...., February 5, 2007

By 

Deborah Wiley (Winter Haven, FL) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Strangeling (Paperback)

An ancient curse is about to be unleashed as prophecy comes to fruition....

Nearly 100 years ago, a prophecy spoke of the undead armies of Crondor and Yaxlan rising up with the power from the underworld. Only a specific maiden can save THE STRANGELING forest from the skeletal place of death it has become. The elders of the Western Tor believe Maerose is this maiden. Two men, Veldor and Bron, believe this as well, although Veldor's desires are sinister in nature. What will happen this Samhain to THE STRANGELING when legends and ancient prophecies come to life?

THE STRANGELING is a hauntingly beautiful tale of good versus evil. An eerie atmosphere permeates the story as Saskia Walker brings her carefully crafted world to vivid life. The lush descriptions of the scenery are stunning as Ms. Walker depicts the stark, almost ghostly reality of THE STRANGELING. The images evoked by the demons will send shivers down the spine of the reader of this compelling tale.

The character development of Maerose, Bron, and Veldor is superb. Maerose demonstrates great strength of character and her purity of heart shines through. She is a phenomenal female lead in this fantasy and her character truly makes this story work. Bron is the perfect male complement for Maerose as he seeks only to do what is right. Veldor provides a stunning contrast as his malevolence is powerfully written.

THE STRANGELING is the sort of story that haunts the reader long after the last page is turned. Saskia Walker has a true gem with this superb fantasy novel coupled with all the elements to make a great paranormal romance as well. This reviewer will definitely be keeping an eye out for further fantasy novels from this fabulous author!

COURTESY OF CK2S KWIPS AND KRITIQUES

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Magical 5 stars for The Strangeling!, April 20, 2007

By 

Terry South "Quality Book Reviews" (Maryville, TN USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Strangeling (Paperback)

The Strangeling
by Saskia Walker
Juno Books
Fantasy
[...]
The setting is Edren a fantasy world created by the author who has a magical imaginative spark in storytelling.

The Strangeling is an erotic fantasy novel that revolves around Maerose, a beautiful young woman with magical powers. Maerose is the heroine and Bron is her hero. Bron is an elder and goes on the quest of rescuing Maerose from her captor, Veldor who is a former elder himself. Veldor's intentions are malicious as he seeks to mate with Maerose in order to master the demons and rule the lands.Veldor is knowledgeable on the prophecy made around 100 years ago; the prophecy is one of a chilling nature where the undead armies of Crondor and Yaxlan rise up from the underworld with great power. As the prophecy has foretold of a maiden that can save the forest and the elders all believe this to be Maerose due to the revelations revealed about the prophecy. Will good conquer evil or will evil prevail in this fascinating fantasy?

The Strangeling is a short fantasy novel that is packed with vivid details and a precise amount of action. Walker writes the story with impact and the story is a superbly crafted erotic fantasy. The characters are well developed with detail and the author manages to tie the characters together well.

This is the first of the author's works I have had the pleasure of reviewing and have to admit I am hooked. I look forward to her new release next month which is also a fantasy entitled "Unveiling The Sorceress".

Saskia Walker is a British author of erotic romance, fantasy and erotica. Her idea for this novel began at a tender age of between 8 and 9 when she first became interested in paganism and her parents took her to visit Stonehenge.Saskia Walker earned her BA with honors from the University of Sussex, and has a MA in Literature and Visual Arts from theUniversity of Reading. She currently resides north of London with her true love Mark.

A Magical 5 stars for The Strangeling!

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Reviewed by Sabrina Williams, February 17, 2007

By 

Front Street Reviews www.frontstreetreviews.com - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Strangeling (Paperback)

A backdrop of Old World magic and virgin woodlands set the scene in THE STRANGELING, a 2007 release by Saskia Walker. Maerose, Veldor, and Bron exist in a world where chivalry reigns supreme and life can be condensed into a battle between good and evil.

THE STRANGELING is an enchanted forest near the land of Edren where fey reside and magic reigns. As prophesied by an elder, a bloody battle ensues between two armies over possession of the land. Hundreds die and as the demons of the underworld devour their souls, the forest becomes cursed.

One hundred years later, the curse is coming to fruition. On Samhain, the spirits of the slain soldiers will rise on the wings of the strengthened underworld demons as evil spreads throughout the ruins of The Strangeling and the surrounding areas. One person has the power to change the terrible fate. "She will be a daughter of Beltane, born in the village known as Riversbend, and she will come of age at the time when the curse will come to pass." She will need to offer herself as a mate to a man of faith on Samhain, at the gate of the underworld, to unleash her magic.

When Maerose is abducted, she has no idea of the prophecy fortelling her future. Her captor Veldor, a former elder, intends to be the man of faith she mates with so he can master the hordes of demons and rule the land. It is elder Bron's task to rescue Maerose from Veldor's clutches so the prophecy may unfold.

The reader does not have much background knowledge of the characters before the book jumps right into the action. This allows the characters to develop and be fully realized as the story progresses. Veldor is the traditional nemesis, evil and willing to go to any means necessary for power. Unfortunately, this makes him a bit predictable, but he falls into the background for the majority of the plot, allowing Bron and Maerose to take center stage.

A great deal of time is devoted to the developing relationship between Bron and Maerose. Bron must guide Maerose to her destiny while she struggles to understand the incredible connection between the two. Approximately 70 of the book's 175 pages are devoted to Bron helping Maerose recognize her power. The way that Maerose harnesses her magic will not leave romance-seekers disappointed. An interesting twist at the end makes the climax worth waiting for.

My only real complaint is that I wish more time was spent developing the setting and exploring the secondary characters. It has a lot of potential as a fantasy story which is overshadowed by the dominance of the romantic theme. However, it just depends on what the reader is looking for. Erotica readers will find the story right on target.

Saskia Walker is no stranger to the erotica genre. Her books include DOUBLE DARE and UNVEILING THE SORCERESS and she has coauthored many other stories, including KINK and several erotica collections.