Entrancing Tale for All Ages - Can stand alone, but I suggest you start with the first book!

The Quality of Mercy by Robin Chambers
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I wish more people would understand that sometimes the most merciful thing you can do is to allow someone to reap what they have sown.

As a writer, you are encouraged to read. This series is one of three that I have been reading as I write. Mr. Chambers has a unique style that incorporates literature and history; so well embedded into the story that it does not detract but only adds to the tale. By reviewing the glossary when I hit a work or historical point with which I was unfamiliar, I found myself only further drawn into the world of Grace and Gordon. I must say I learned a thing or two.

However, it is the story for which a review is written. I found myself entranced by the insight and belief systems of the core characters. If we could raise more of our children with this strong of a belief system our world would be a much better place. I have been following the protagonist since he was a baby. Mr. Chambers weaves a magical tale of growing up in the real world with the fae and mystical. I loved the development and the interaction of the four friends. This is a tale that will entrance children of all ages, even those of us that are children at heart.

The only constructive point I have to make is that the protagonists seem to triumph just a little too easily for their age. I totally understand the concept that they are graced, but I would have liked to see it be a little harder. Hopefully this will be the case as they continue to grow up.



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Interview With Fantasy Author - Robin Chambers

  

Today's interview is with Robin Chambers, author of the Myrddin's Heir series.  So Robin, when did you first realize that you wanted to be a writer?

When I was Head of English at Hackney Downs Boys School in East London (1971-6) I heard myself say one day to a class of year 9 pupils: “Some of you can write better stories than I ever could.”  An inner voice asked me how I knew that was true, when I hadn’t tried since I was at school.  It also told me I shouldn’t be asking pupils to do anything that I didn’t know I could do myself.

So during school holidays I started writing short stories for children.  In 1974/5 I sent a batch to Penguin, and they published them in 1976.  That encouraged me to think that maybe one day I could write something really good.  It would have to be after I retired from teaching, because I was on the way to becoming a headteacher of a large comprehensive school in one of the most stressful social services areas in the UK – and that was more than a full time job.

An Imaginary Friend with a Twist!

A Wizard of Dreams by Robin Chambers
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This tale is told with a perspective I would have never considered. At first I was a little surprised to find the tale told when Gordon was just a small baby, but as the time passed, an exquisite tale began to unfold that has the power to capture both the young and adult reader. Gordon's unique view of the world is one that many of us could learn from.

Who can not find a smile when a bully has his comeuppance? Who would not wish for an imaginary friend who could really stand between you and the harm a world full of inadequacies a child may experience. By his pre-school year, I was hooked. The plot matures with the protagonist, sucking you into a well built world with subtle plots and well-developed characters.

The writing is superb and makes for an easy afternoon of reading. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a fantasy tale that is outside the canned fiction that many authors are putting out these days. Mr. Chambers' unique style of writing, his imaginative twist of a world where fairies, ghosts and wizards are real, and his use of time snapshots leads to a spectacular novel for any fantasy genre fan.


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An Amazing Review for Outcast!

I received this amazing review for Outcast.  Robin Chambers is the author of A Wizard of Dreams .  After such an amazing review, I picked up his kindle version for only .99 cents.  I really encourage everyone to pick this tale up.  I will be posting a review as well when I am done but I am only in Chapter twelve and I am totally entranced.  It is a tale of growing up just a bit differently from the rest of us.  A magical journey from birth...

Robin's Review of Outcast: You can read the full review on the Amazon site for Outcast or Robin's Goodread's page. 

Outcast

"Cheryl Matthynssens is a master of her craft. She suspends her readers’ disbelief early on with exquisite detail in her opening four chapters about the Daezun, from the structure of their village through the appearance and habits of the korpen (their beasts of burden) to the distinct advantages of Ketchen’s lucrative invention of a more efficient plowhead. The way the Daezun control the lives of everyone in their community reminded me of Lois Lowry’s “The Giver” (one of my favourite children’s books). You see and hear and taste and touch and feel this place and everyone in it.

The characterisation is assured. The main character has the classic elements of the legendary hero: an outsider in childhood, apparently clumsy – less adroit than the practical, efficient, ‘pure-bred Daezun’ (his father was Lerdenian, a race skilled in magic). Alador has hidden strengths...." (click above for full review)