Customer Reviews

The Temple at Landfall (Celaeno)

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In the Temple in the city of Fairfield, a young woman named Lynn does the important work of helping women reproduce. She is a sort of psychic DNA-knitting doctor/priest and is called an imprinter. Imprinters are chosen very young for their psychic abilities and are taken from the families to serve Celaeno, the great goddess of the people. Everything about Lynn's world is focused on prayer, imprinting, and the teachings of Celaeno. The imprinting skill she shares brings in a fortune in "offerings" (required by the Church) from eager women desperate for children.. There is no separation of Church and State; they are one and the same.

After a couple of decades of this mind-numbing, psychologically draining work, the book opens with Lynn in a state of depression. Once a month during a religious ritual on the steps of the Temple, she sees the outdoors. Otherwise, she is locked into the tomb-like environment of the Temple, never to have a lover, never to have freedom, never to know anything but a life of service. She is basically held captive, a prisoner of her own abilities-until the day Sister Smith, from the larger Temple in Landfall, appears and wrangles with the authorities to take the talented imprinter far away to a bigger, more powerful Temple. Lynn is excited to make the long journey during which, perhaps for the last time, she can enjoy the forests, the cool air at night, and the freedom to walk on the woodland paths and see the moon.

A squadron of Rangers, including Lt. Kimberly Ramon, is assigned to escort the Sisters and Lynn on the long journey over the mountains and to the south. And this is where the adventure begins. For the first time since childhood, Lynn is among real and interesting women, and she is quite taken with Ramon, who has her own secrets and griefs. "As much as anything, Lynn enjoyed the honest, open banter, although the jokes were frequently bawdy. To Lynn's mind they were fair less offensive than the conversation of the sisters; the intimidation by pious quotes, the political backstabbing disguised in religious platitudes. The soldiers spoke of a world Lynn would never know, but it didn't matter. Their stories were like breathing fresh air after years of choking in incense" (p. 76).

The soldiers are also brave, and when they are attacked on the journey, everything about the trip changes. Lynn's ability to envision herself as a free woman begins to grow. But can she shake free of the grip of the Church? How far will the powers-that-be go in order to keep her to themselves?

This fundamentalist society, operating based upon bits and pieces of lore, abridged history, inaccurate facts, and misguided good intentions, is all the more frightening because it is peopled only by women. In Fletcher's world of Celaeno, it's not men with the compulsion to render matters of life into simplistic and often bone-crushing black and white; women can be and are just as dangerous.

With rich, glorious prose, Jane Fletcher has created a spell-binding world and a variety of fascinating and multi-dimensional characters. The world is so compelling that I couldn't help but wish I could quite literally go there! Lynn's quest, as well as Kim Ramon's quest, make for exciting reading. At its heart, the book is an adventure/quest, but it is also a mystery. Who are these people? Where did they come from? What happened to the men, if, indeed, there ever were any? The back story of the previous 533 years is unraveled slowly, but surely, for the reader so that by the end of the book, all is revealed.

THE TEMPLE AT LANDFALL (which was originally published in England as THE WORLD CELAENO CHOSE) is absorbing and engrossing tale-telling of the highest order, and the really exciting thing is that although this novel is complete and "finished," the door is left open to explore more of this world, which the author has done in subsequent books. I can't wait to read the next Celaeno volumes, and this book is a keeper that I will re-read again and again. I highly recommend it. ~Lori L. Lake, MIdwest Book Review

There are two basic premises to fantasy storytelling. One: the possibilities are endless. Two: don't lose your audience. This book can be held up as the paradigm for all fantasy storytellers. Jane Fletcher creates an engaging central character in Lynn so well that a reader forgets the words and begins to experience the tale. Lynn has an extraordinary skill that is beautifully balanced by grounded, natural human feelings. Fletcher knows her craft and executes it well. Too often, writers attempt to hide their shortcomings with an excess of superflous words or a bombardment of technological wizardry. Fletcher has no need to employ such smoke and mirrors. She is a first class author with an enchanting imagination. I'm glad that this book was written and I'm definitely going to read Rangers at Roadsend and Wall at Westernfort.

I can't seem to put the books in this series down. Like many of you, I read a lot. I have run across many good books in the last several years, but most of those have been stand-alone stories that end when the last page is read. For the most part, I have not found many series that have held my attention from start to finish. However, the Celaeno series by Jane Fletcher has set its hooks in me and won't let go.

I bought these books when they were new releases by Bold Strokes Books. (Admittedly, with the exception of mystery series and anthologies, I buy all their new releases every month, even if I'm not SURE I'll like the stories - simply because I'm almost guaranteed a good book. Note: Not a plug for the publisher, but a personal opinion.) I'm not generally a fan of medieval settings, so the series sat on my `to be read' shelf until recently. I was so wrong to let them sit. The dates in the books are actually set far into the future instead of in Earth's past. `Temple' opens in the year 536, which is actually 536 years after futuristic Earth scientists got lost in space and decided to colonize this new planet. The current residents of the planet are not technologically advanced, but they do have their own special kind of magic. The entire human population is female because males could not participate in the act of reproduction, nor could they survive in the womb.

Here, Fletcher brings Lynn, an imprinter (necessary for reproduction) together with Kim, a Ranger. Imprinters are supposed to remain celibate to keep their reproductive `powers' but Lynn and Kim cannot resist the pull between them. The telling of their tale is as magnetic as their bond.

Note -- My only complaint is that I don't really know what the series order is. As far as I can tell, the series order is - `The Walls of Westernfort' then `Rangers at Roadsend' then `The Temple at Landfall' (originally published as `The World Celaeno Chose') then `Dynasty of Rogues' and finally `Shadow of the Knife.' The books open in the years 553, 533, 536, 561, and 519, respectively. [The first three listed were the first three published, in that order.] Except that the Amazon.com main heading says `Shadow' is Book 1 of the series (as it would seem to be based on the year in which it opens, but is not indicated anywhere in the book), these books are not numbered, nor are they chronological. That said, I have read the first three (in the order above) already and they all seem to be stand-alone stories. Each is enhanced by background information gained from each additional read, but they seem to be enjoyable when read in any order.

Bottom Line - Even if you think you might not like this kind of book, go grab a copy and give it a chance. I was not expecting to enjoy this series, but I can't seem to put it down. I'm even trying to read more slowly to make it last. Great author, great read!

I enjoyed this book immensely. I read it to the conclusion and immediately read it again. This is a wonderfully well written speculative novel (see the description below).

A terrific story, the pages just flow so easily and so enjoyably that you find yourself reading the last page much too quickly considering the book is almost 300 pages. Be prepared, while the character's feelings and actions are authentic to today's world, the setting is much like I would imagine the middle ages had been with all the brutality of that era as well.

The character development is superb, with many quiet moments of huge impact to the reader. I especially remember Lynn speaking to Kim on page 78 about the price she pays because she is an Imprinter and in no control what so ever of her own life. In addition, there are some thrilling scenes that leave you breathless. One thing that I enjoyed immensely was the sense of humor from each of the main characters, they all were very unique to the individual, I am impressed thinking back on it and enjoyed it every much while reading.

What ever you do, do not read the end of the book first, it really will reduce the payoff if you don't wait to read it last. I mainly enjoy romances so this took me by surprise. The romance, while integral to the characters development and the plot, is secondary. It is the story that you become enthralled with. I liked it so much I devoured the other three books in the series in one week. It really doesn't matter which order you read the novels in (I read Temple at Landfall first).

Don't miss any of the books in the Celaeno World Series by Jane Fletcher

The Rangers at Roadsend
The Temple at Landfall
The Walls of Westernfort
Dynasty of Rogues

From the publisher's web site -

Lynn feels more like a prisoner than the chosen of the Goddess. Transfer to another temple is her chance to taste a little freedom on the journey, but all does not go to plan and her dull life is shattered by the dangers and choices that await her. (Previously released as The World Celaeno Chose)

Book Description
In a world without men, imprinter Lynn has a vital gift--the ability to link strands of DNA to create new life. Owned by the Temple, protected and effectively held prisoner there, she leads a life of quiet despair, shut away forever from her family and the world outside.

Then into her life comes Kim; tough, worldly, and courageous, part of a squadron of rangers assigned to protect her on the arduous journey through the mountains to Landfall, the holiest of the Temple sites. Haunted by a tragedy in her own past, Kim is quickly drawn to the lonely young imprinter.

But as the two women grow closer, they know they are putting themselves in grave danger. For in a world where the Church rules the State, there are people who will stop at nothing to make sure Lynn can never escape....

I am not a big fan of the sci-fi genre, in general, but I was drawn to the romance premise in "The Temple at Landfall" - two individuals, who would otherwise never cross paths, brought together on an extended journey. It's a classic "road romance", bringing to mind the good "bad movie" First Knight, with roguish Ranger Kim Ramon assigned to deliver the innocent Imprinter Lynn safely to her new home. The romance doesn't disappoint, as Kim and Lynn have fabulous chemistry!

The setting was also quite intriguing - a society dominated by the Church, Temple Guards, the Sisterhood, etc. - which immediately evoked images of Margaret Atwood's masterpiece The Handmaid's Tale (Everyman's Library). Indeed, the similarities are startling, particularly Celaeno as a theocracy and the state's focus on controlling human reproduction. The "technology" of the time period, however, is more like the middle ages than the future.

Jane Fletcher does considerably more than simply put a new spin on well-trod literary territory; she creates a vivid alternate world, so richly developed and textured, seemingly without weighing down the book with too much backstory. Fletcher does a great job doling out historical details during the story through her characters and then gives us a Celaeno timeline of sorts at the end, which fills in many of the blanks but is not necessary reading in order to enjoy the main story.

I would heartily recommend that readers start with "The Temple at Landfall" prior to reading the rest of the Celaeno series. I purchased it as part of volume one of a three-book, e-book compilation of the series, but didn't realize that the first book in the compilation was the second Celaeno book written by Fletcher. Many of the series' recurring characters are introduced in "The Temple at Landfall". Also, don't miss Chip and Katryn's backstory in Rangers at Roadsend!

Lori Lake gave a thorough review so I'll just add my opinion. This series I believe belongs with the best of sci-fi/fantasy writing. The plot, the history of the planet and the characters all measure up to great writers like Anne McCaffrey and Marion Zimmer Bradley. To leave these stories in the niche of 'lesbian writing' is to do them a great disservice. Like those other authors, Ms. Fletcher's stories entertain while also giving us something to think about as far as our own world is concerned. All-in-all, I think that all of her books are worth having on your shelf to read again and again.

Jane Fletcher's mind sure knows how to weave a sci-fi tale to my liking. I like being dropped in a new world and being left to figure things out, and the world she presents is fascinating indeed.

You have an all-women planet, which offers a unique set of problems which she has good solutions for, a strict theocracy, which leaves room to weave a religion and also room for rebels, a complex military structure that is fascinating to explore and, again, leaves room for rebels. So you have the framework of a planet and need to fill it with life, and oh, Fletcher does. The characters are developed well and are complex, the planet comes alive on the pages.

This story in particular lays the foundation for the religious background, it follows the Imprinter Lynn, a woman gifted with the ability to weave two women's DNA and make one of them pregnant, who feels a prisoner in the temple, seen as the most important women on the planet, Imprinters can't leave the temple or have a life of their own, and Kim, a Captain of the Rangers, one of the military arms, who likes being a Ranger, but struggles with the Guards, the military group that protects the Sisters, the religious rulers of the planet.

The book manages to unfold the planet's present and past and I can see how there is so much more to tell in the Celaeno series, 5 books all in all so far. I'm looking forward to the ride.

Everyone else has done an excellent job of reviewing this book. The only thing missing seems to be comments on the intelligent humor of the book. In several places I found myself smirking, chuckling or even snorting at the very subtle humor of the story.

This was most often found in the dialog. Without giving anything away, one perfect example is the strangest variation of "May the Goddess watch over you" statements ever heard.

While this is not my first Jane Fletcher book, it is my first from the Celaeno World Series, and I assure you that I plan to read every book in this series.

Jane Fletcher is the consummate storyteller and plot wizard. Getting caught up in the action happens as if by magic and the fantasy elements are long forgotten. The world Fletcher creates, the characters she brings to life, and the rich detail described in eloquent prose, all serve to keep the reader enchanted, satisfied, yet wanting more. A 2005 Lammy finalist, "The Temple at Landfall" is surely a winner in this reader's book, and as an author, Jane Fletcher is the Goddess herself.
What could be more important than creating new life and reveling in the joy of having the gifts to perform such miracles? In the world of Celaeno, without men to procreate, women rely on the Imprinters for continuation of the species. Lynn, chosen by the Goddess to function as an Imprinter, also has healing talents and a heart of gold. At the tender age of twelve, the Sisters claimed her for the temple at Fairfield where she soon learned the ropes and proved to be their greatest asset. Before long, word of Lynn's gift spreads and she is whisked away to the temple at Landfall by Sister Smith--an ambitious political fool who longs to be the Chief Consultant at any cost. Only, instead of feeling privileged, Lynn feels like a slave destined for a celibate, hapless, and exhausting life under the rule and watchful eye of the Sisters who truly believe they are doing the Goddess's will. The leaders use religion to justify their less than pious actions where greed, backstabbing, political maneuverings, and ignorance prove the inner sanctum is less than holy. Lynn wonders if the Guards (the Sister's army) are there to protect her or to keep her from running away.
When Lynn meets the fearless, handsome, and brilliant heroine Lieutenant Kim Ramon of the 23rd Squadron of Rangers, the soldier is brusque surmising the Imprinter is asking silly questions. However, Lynn soon finds that she can't deny her lustful thoughts and profound attraction for the noble warrior. Kim knows all too well the prohibition of mingling with the holy ones, but Lynn is not your average Imprinter. She makes it hard for Kim to ignore the woman behind the title.
Fletcher's claim to fame is her compelling narrative, plot twists, intense action sequences, vivid scenery, and the reader's hope that against all odds the heroines will live happily ever after. The intelligence with which Fletcher writes about imprinting verses cloning, religion verses science, religious leaders verses heretics, and her attempt to show the sort of biased, unsupported dogma that religious fanatics pass off as rational unquestionable fact makes The Temple at Landfall not only entertaining but thought-provoking as well. Don't miss it. Once you visit Celaeno, you won't want to leave. "The Temple at Landfall" is a pleasure to read, hard to put down, and is the perfect addition to any library. I recommend everything this 2005 Golden Crown Literary Society winner, for "The Walls of Westernfort," has penned.

Fletcher's Celaneo series is well-written and the character development makes the book.

The main character, Lynn, holds the key to all. The mystery behind who wants to control whom and what they need will keep you on the edge of your seat.