Review
– Progeny - R.T. Kaelin
Published in The West Georgia Living Magazine - Nov/Dec Edition 2012
Book: Progeny (The Children of the White Lions #1)
Author: R.T. Kaelin
Publisher: Terrene Press
Genre: Fantasy
Publication Date: November 27, 2010
Nikalys and his sister Kenders
have grown up living a peaceful life in the small village of Yellow Mud. On a
blistering hot day, brother and sister head to the lake for a swim. There, they
witness a mysterious stranger send forth a massive, living wave that swallows
their village. Believing they are the sole survivors, the two strike out on
their own, hoping to discover why their home and family have been destroyed.
They must make their way through a countryside where magic is outlawed while
struggling with the revelation that one of them can “weave the Strands.”
Through their travels, these
siblings discover that their simple life was an illusion. An epic, divine
struggle has been underway for ages, and Nikalys and Kenders are at the center
of it. Ancient, powerful forces have sought them since before their birth and
hunt them to this day. Some wish to eliminate the threat they pose while others
want to help the pair fulfill a destiny of which they are unaware. Myths and legends
come to life, whisking the pair along a grand journey neither could have
imagined possible.
Review:
There are many reasons authors write stories. Sometimes it’s to share a little bit of magic
in a practical world. Sometimes it’s
cathartic, a release of pent up emotions and hurts that others can identify and
share. Sometimes it’s to take a break from the harsh realities and escape in a
bit of fantasy. Sometimes it’s a vehicle
used to spread a message, a moral code, a bit of wisdom or advice to pass down
to the next generation. There are many
reasons. In history, story-telling was
very crucial to the development and understanding of humanity’s way of life,
passing down traditions, values and knowledge to educate and survive. Today, with the easy access to
self-publishing and lowering of standards of excellence by traditional
publishing, bookshelves and eBook readers are being filled most often with
sensationalized stories, demoralizing values and re-telling of superficial
history. I’m guilty of a bit of this
myself. But, it has me wondering what
future generations will look like because of this practice. It also caused me to pause and re-evaluate
the stories I read.
R.T. Kaelin has reminded me in his Children of the White Lions series
of what it was that first had me fall in love with reading as a child. It’s not full of sensationalism, pushing the
boundaries of the moral code, or even re-writing history to fit modern-day
ideals. It’s about coming-of-age magic,
destiny and first loves. It’s about
discovering who you are, regardless of what you’re told. It’s about facing fears and adversity, but
finding the strength to overcome them within yourself – not waiting on a
superhero to swoop down out of the sky to rescue you – most often from your own
messes. It’s about failing and finding the courage to get back up. All these wonderful elements are brilliantly
placed within a beautiful story centered on two brave teenaged boys and their
rambunctious sister.
Surrounding the central heroes are powerful minor characters, full of
flaws, beauty, scars and well-developed personalities, along with a refreshing
and straight forward magical system, and a battle for dominance from an
imperfect and fallible antagonist. This
story isn’t just about the battles, the quest, freedom from oppression or
victory of the war, but it’s about the lives that are involved. This is a character-driven story, my favorite
kind. Kaelin stays true to the youth and
inexperience of the main characters, allowing plenty of room for growth and
development through the series. I
absolutely love them all – including many of the minor characters.
I would recommend this book from young adult (10yrs – up) to
adult. It’s a wonderful story of loss,
love, and leadership. It’s a great
example of reluctant heroes rising to the greatness that’s been thrust upon
them. It’s clean, it’s magical and it
leaves the reader with hope instead of despair.
I can’t wait to read more.
Till next time,
~T.L. Gray
Author of the Arcainian Series
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