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Reviews
and Press Articles:
The
following review was contributed by:
Emily Burson:
To Read Emily's Reviews
The Sons of Maeve Banish the Winters Blahs
If you have a
child (or spouse) that has fallen in love with
high adventure books such as “The Lord of the
Rings” and “Harry Potter” then this fantastic
new work could be just what you need to keep the
longer winter days short and exciting.
“The Sons of Maeve
Trilogy” is actually three separate books bound
and sold together as one. While it may appear
lengthy at first, the book is fast-paced and
interesting enough to keep even the most
skeptical and easily distracted reader
entertained. “The Sons of Maeve” books quickly
and efficiently transport readers from their
couches and beds into a world full of fun,
fantasy, fear, and friendship.
Following the
journey of two friends, Than & Gimble, “The Sons
of Maeve Trilogy” is a journey of self-discovery
and the everlasting bonds of friendship. It is a
chance meeting with a mysterious hermit that
convinces the friends that it is time to find
out what really happened to Than’s father.
Beyond the safety of their world, they discover
a land steeped in mythology and superstition and
at war. Will a war between good and evil stop
Than from discovering what really happened to
his father?
As the book moves
on, readers are transported deeper and deeper
into a world where there is no such thing as
simply black and white, good and evil, but
different levels and parts of both. From one
epic battle to the next, Than and Gimble make
new friends, challenge old beliefs, and journey
from children into men.
Reminiscent of
many of the great epic books of our time, “The
Sons of Maeve Trilogy” is well-written and
well-conceived. The world inside the world of
the Sons of Maeve is both believable and
unbelievable at the same time. Constructed with
relevant mythology and cultural history in mind,
there is just enough ‘reality’ in the world
these young boys journey through for any reader
to find the relevance to their own lives.
A promising
beginning to a writing career decades in the
making, “The Sons of Maeve Trilogy” is the
perfect new book for the voracious reader in
your life. Like all good stories, the epic
journey of Than and Gimble begins with a first
step and a promise that there is more to life,
more to the world, more to themselves than
anyone has yet to give them credit for in life.
Universe Pathways Magazine Review (George Sotirhos): (http://www.innerzed.com/sites/kosmic/index_files/page0003.html)
available at lulu.com
Starting from this issue our magazine will attempt to present as many as
possible from the unknown jewels of the literature of the fantastic. Writers
who are beyond the mainstream limits who can’t sign up with a big publishing
house in order to have the promotion that they deserve and who preferred to
publish their work either through internet companies like lulu or through small
and independent publishing houses.
One of these small jewels is «The Sons of Maeve
Trilogy» by Dave and Rose Cox. Two
Maryland authors who would definitely never accept a commission in order to put on paper
someone else’s dreams. They have worked on this book for 27 whole years, ever
since they were in college together. One can presume that this book indeed
represents their visions, their dreams and maybe their nightmares. The writing is
mature and confident and the writing flows pleasantly without any verbosities.
From the very beginning, you forget everything and loose yourself within the
magic world that the two charismatic writers have created for us and you keep on
reading until you feel that you’re part of the story. The influences from the
worlds of Edgar Rice Burroughs and – to a lesser extent – from the ones of J.R.R. Tolkien are evident. Also in the book, there are quite a lot of elements
from the Celtic mythology and history.
The
story begins in a village that lies in the shadow of a huge mountain. The
village is surrounded by an area of wild vegetation full of ferocious beasts and
terrible monsters that protect their habitat and the passages to the mountain,
by slaughtering any intruder who dares to come near. Thann, marked by fate,
because of the loss of his father, will not be able to resist the call of the
mountain and the urge for mysterious adventures and along with his loyal friend,
Gimble, will set off for the great adventure, defying their fears and
prejudices. As soon as they find one of the passages, they get in the mountain
and a new magic world will untangle in front of them. The element of the myth of
the “hollow earth” is constantly present and from what is seems apart from the
Greek mythology - and the modern pseudo scientific researches - it can also be
found in the Celtic myths. The heroes will find themselves in one of the worlds
of the hollow earth and from the very first moment, they are faced with a series
of adventures. Herds of huge spiders – hunters, unknown trees and vegetation,
new wonderful animals, bright and violent civilizations…all of these before
their feet, waiting to be discovered by them.
With the help of their new friends, Darmid – who
is one of the Lords of this world, Rhianna – who is a female healer - and
Fenris – who is a warrior-philosopher monk, they will fight, in
any way they can the evil that is represented by the “black” Shaman Pallig. False religious symbols, fanatical sects, religious wars, genetic
mutations and hopeless loves. All of these have something to say and maybe
something to teach. A fiction of high standard. Indeed few writers have the
talent to create vivid fantastic
worlds.
A great
book that you’re sure to read without being able to put it down. It is certain
that even the most demanding readers will be delighted. Pleasant reading to
everyone.
Soteriamag.co.uk Great review by the
folks at Soteria; (Sneak Peek: Split up into 3 separate stories this book is a
great adventure totaling in all around 420 pages it will keep you interested
although some plot points escape me, such as why it is never night in Darmid.
This is a good first work however it is not going to be widely publicized due to
being a relatively obscure publisher, which is a shame. However any teens
looking for a good romp through a different world without the difficulty of
navigating pages of descriptive prose that you find in Tolkien will enjoy this
adventure. With three more books on the way (four is half completed!) this is a
nice series that will last a good day or two!)
The T4J Library (http://www.t4jlibrary.com/reviews/book_sec/fiction/sonsofmaeve.htm)
says:
I happened on this book completely by accident. Found the author's site
while surfing (www.bablbar.com) and it
linked to Amazon. A read from the site gives a pretty good feel for what the
books are about and I would recommend anyone truly interested in buying them
check it out first. While the site does not sell the book, I have written the
authors, and they have written back (unusual these days). The artwork and site
description drew me in. These books are really great! They are a quick and
enjoyable read spiced with memorable, real characters (and not so many of them
you get lost in the numbers). Once I started reading, I couldn't put it down.
The main characters, Thann and Gimble are introduced to their nemesis, Pallig,
during adventures with the Darmid in book 1. His recurring character (as Shaman
in book 1 and Leader of the Army of the Allodial in 2 & 3) ties the three
books together quite nicely. Book 1 moves well and has an interesting twist at
the end, but books 2 and 3 are really terrific! The author's clever postscript
obviously leaves room for a sequel. I would recommend it to anyone and am
looking forward to the next.
The Warrior
Librarian (Australia) Librarian's web magazine. Romancing
The Story - And Each Other by Karen Rivers, 2 March 2005; The View from
Western Howard County (Local Maryland Authors)
Sykesville's
own authors are leaving their legacy by Katie Champion, 24 Feb
2005, The Sykesville/Eldersburg (Local Authors) Book
series was couple's 30-year journey
By Alex Gayhart, 16 March 2005, The Eldersburg
Eagle (Local Authors)
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