The Twins (Gemquest, Book 1) (Gemquest) [Paperback]

Gary Alan Wassner (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 30, 2005 | Series: Gemquest (Book 1)

The mighty Lalas are dying. The great, sentient trees are departing the world that they have protected since the beginning of time, leaving the people bereft and confused. The fabric weaves of its own will, weaving around the Twins, binding them inextricably into the cloth, as they are violently thrust into a threatening world. Separated at birth, Davmiran and Tomas, heirs to the throne of Gwendolen, struggle to find the truth that will save their world. Assisted by a group of extraordinary warriors, scholars, magi and friends, Tomas chooses his battles and demonstrates his strength and fortitude. But Davmiran lies unconscious in the Heights of Lormarion, as the world awaits his revival so that he, too, can fulfill his unique and compelling destiny.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A grand and spectacular narrative of wizardry, dark magic and sentient trees. -- Neil Cladingboel, author of The Erebus Equilibrium

For the first time in a long time, I lost myself in someone else’s creation. -- Steve Savile, author of Angel Road

This is epic fantasy at its best. Wassner keeps readers hooked from page one. -- Dag Rambraut, owner of ssfworld.com

About the Author

Gary Alan Wassner holds a Masters Degree in Philosophy with a concentration in Ethics and Nineteenth Century Continental Philosophy. He is the President and Senior Partner of a commercial finance company in New York City.

Product Details

• Paperback: 379 pages
• Publisher: Windstorm Creative; 1st edition (January 30, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1590920783
• ISBN-13: 978-1590920787
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,466,013 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Review by David Bromden - Author of "Gathering In The Mist", October 15, 2005

By 

David Bromden - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Twins (Gemquest, Book 1) (Gemquest) (Paperback)

Who is this child? And why does he need protection? What motives compel those seeking him out with such frenzied abandon? And what drives the woman trying to save him? Gary Wassner's story opens with the tension of a pivotal moment that fills the reader with concern, curiosity, and dread. As the chapters unfold, answers to questions get doled out masterfully, but they only lead to more involved questions that draw Wassner's audience further into his words. As the exciting introduction to the Gemquest Series, "The Twins" is an action thriller sure to interest fantasy and fiction readers alike.

Wassner's story reveals the structure of a world in jeopardy. It is a world where nature and intelligent life are one and the same; where the ancient Lalas trees protect the good people of their planet through magic and the communicative power of their globe-stretching roots. It is a naturalist's utopia of harmonious existence filled with religious nuance. The trees select extraordinary humans called Chosen to be their life partners, and through that joining they are able to impart knowledge of the world and its elemental magic that could be known no other way. The Chosen are revered among the people, their power is well known, and their words are respected. They are teachers and healers that complete the union between nature and the creatures that live in nature's domain. But there is a stain on the portrait of this perfect world; a smudge that disrupts the harmony. Evil is present and it soils the canvas with its destructive influence.

The Lalas trees are dying and even the Chosen are not completely sure why. With each death, the protective blanket of power the Lalas have over the planet diminishes and evil spreads like disease. Colton D'are Agenathea, the embodiment of evil, threatens the world with dissolution. With his amassed army of abhorrent creatures, he wields the powers of annihilation and ruin. His lust is not for world domination; it is for the obliteration of everything. Evil beyond reason, he is compelled only to destroy.

"The Twins" are two boys who happen to be the heirs to the high throne of Gwendolen. The great books known as the Tomes of Caradon, have prophesied a role for the twins in this struggle between good and evil. They are the best chance the world has to resist the assault of Colton D'are Agenathea. Embraced by the magic of the remaining Lalas, the boys' destiny is central to this growing conflict. Allied with powerful friends, including a Chosen, it is they who must find the First Tree, and retrieve the Gem of Eternity if the world is to live on. Wassner weaves a story of the struggles that surround the twins into a novel of apocalyptic dimension.

"The Twins" is a tale of hope in the midst of great adversity; of life in the face of imminent destruction. Wassner cleverly details a world filled with imaginative creatures, a naturalistic philosophy, and the ever presence of magic. His characters are unusual and interesting. As Wassner chronicles several of their separate struggles, individual adventures quickly turn pages into chapters and fast paced chapters into an action packed novel. Offering an ever-widening plot, "The Twins" is an epic tale with several intertwined sub stories.

Wassner's writing is intelligent and crisp. His well stated phrasing leaves the reader feeling smarter for having read it. From concept to conclusion, the story is unusual and gripping. To this reviewer, there are two things that make a book an excellent read. One is when the story is compelling enough to keep the pages turning and the other is when the foundations of the tale inspire thought even after the cover is closed. Gary Wassner's "The Twins" is an excellent read by both measures.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Epic, February 18, 2005

By 

Mr. Justin J. F. Thorne "J Thorne" (UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Twins (Gemquest, Book 1) (Gemquest) (Paperback)

It's easy to dismiss a book, which is part of a trilogy, featuring elves, orcs, a dark lord and a quest, as simply another Tolkien clone.

As a reader repulsed by Jordan and Goodkind, and a fan of the grittier, new wave of fantasy by the likes of Stover, Meiville and Bakker, why on earth did I read The Twins?

Firstly, a publisher taking a gamble on a new author is rare enough in this over-flooded market place where there are rumoured to be more manuscripts seeking acceptance than actual readers within the market; let alone a publisher releasing the first three books of a series together by a new author! Have you ever heard of such a thing? Okay I can see the strategy there, shelf space and fanbase building, sure, but that is incredible belief from a publisher.

Secondly, this guy can write and you only have to read his recent interview at WOTMANIA to see he is an articulate, talented and passionate author.

So enough hype, is it any good?

The first thing that struck me, is that you will love these characters. There is a depth to Wassner's characterization and some of his creations are brilliant. There is a magic to the world he creates and the author's love of nature and the harmony he must feel himself with our world, bleeds throughout.

The idea of sentient trees and their connection with their humanoid 'chosen' is fascinating and compelling. The Twins is a page turner where you almost wish you weren't coming to the end, but you must continue regardless.

This adventure truly is epic and whilst written with philosophical undertones, the exploration of evil is just as detailed and fascinating as the beauty of the Lalas.

Light and shade give this work resonance and I applaud the publisher for having the vision to release three books and of course, the author for writing excellent, twenty-first century, epic fantasy.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not your typical fantasy novel, February 17, 2005

By 

J. R. Murdock "maus99" (SD, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Twins (Gemquest, Book 1) (Gemquest) (Paperback)

For those looking for a Tolkein clone, you'll not find that here. Wassner weaves a world and positions his characters like a master chess player. Each piece has its part to play in the greater game that is Gemquest. Sacrifices must be made and each move grips your heart and drives you to read onward. You end with a satisfaction, but wanting, no, needing to continue.

It's rare when I read a book and need time before picking up the second in a series. In this case, the ramifications of the characters feel so real that I want to fully digest what I've read before plunging headlong into a second book. I have that book next to me. Waiting. I can already hear the characters' calling me back. I think I'll heed their call.