REVIEW: Treespeaker by Katie W Stewart. -

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kaska Reading Song of Jikhoshi by Katie W Stewart

13 Oct 2012, 09:25 AM | Post: #1

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REVIEW: Treespeaker by Katie W Stewart.

I delighted in reading this story from start to finish.

Based in a village, this fantasy of old centres around the Tree speaker & it's people. A simplistic way of life continues to reign within the veil, a shield that protects the forest & it's people from the outside world.
As in any culture, the young are anxious to experience what's beyond the veil as they hear stories of a greater world.

The willingness to trust newcomers & the eagerness to branch into pastures new is exciting & consequences are ignored when a stranger arrives but there is deeper deception at stake here as the Elders become involved. Loyalties are challenged, families scattered & death awaits the innocent, as the story heads on into a battle of good verses evil, magic verses faith.

Meaningful & spiritual messages are woven in the storyline & at times I found myself taking a step back & pondering the thoughts of Jaken & Dovan & how it readily applies to our life today.

For me i saw a journey through the soul, one of doubt & abandonment while trying to trust the path you're on regardless of circumstances. Knowing that everything has meaning yet experiencing the confusion & loneliness that this brings.

Stepping out into the unknown is not without it's fears & frustration & as Jaken is forced to leave the village in order to save his people he learns the changes that are taking place are meant to be.

Highly recommended to any fantasy reader with or without a spiritual interest.

It is beautifully written, flows without pause & the characters feel real.

One to read again.

Treespeaker Katie W Stewart

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B J Burton Reading Complete Works of H P Lovecraft

15 Feb 2013, 10:24 AM | Post: #2

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RE: REVIEW: Treespeaker by Katie W Stewart.

I really enjoyed this book, and I’m sure that I would have enjoyed reading it any age from about twelve. This is the sort of fantasy that really appeals to me. There are no great battles, no super-heroes, no super-weapons. The struggle of good against evil is at a spiritual level in a world where the mind is open to the ancient magic.
Jakan’s tribe live in the forest, protected from the outside world by the veil. He is the Treespeaker, blessed with the gift of communication with Arrakesh, the spirit of the forest. He uses the gift to advise his tribe of actions they must take to preserve the balance of life in the forest and so protect their way of life.
A stranger arrives from the outside world who has somehow broken through the veil. Jakan senses the evil within him – a force so strong that Jakan cannot resist it alone. Arrakesh speaks to him and tells him to leave the safety of the forest to seek help. And so we have that other ingredient of many fine stories – a quest.
The book is beautifully written with excellent characterisation. There are no sub-plots to distract the reader; the tale flows from beginning to end with ample twists and turns to keep me turning the pages and to make me resent any interruption.
What’s so good about this forum is that I can thank an author directly for the pleasure they have given. Thank you, Katie.

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skate Reading Pompomberry House by Rosen Trevithick

15 Feb 2013, 11:24 AM | Post: #3

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RE: REVIEW: Treespeaker by Katie W Stewart.

(15 Feb 2013 10:24 AM)B J Burton Wrote: I really enjoyed this book, and I’m sure that I would have enjoyed reading it any age from about twelve. This is the sort of fantasy that really appeals to me. There are no great battles, no super-heroes, no super-weapons. The struggle of good against evil is at a spiritual level in a world where the mind is open to the ancient magic.
Jakan’s tribe live in the forest, protected from the outside world by the veil. He is the Treespeaker, blessed with the gift of communication with Arrakesh, the spirit of the forest. He uses the gift to advise his tribe of actions they must take to preserve the balance of life in the forest and so protect their way of life.
A stranger arrives from the outside world who has somehow broken through the veil. Jakan senses the evil within him – a force so strong that Jakan cannot resist it alone. Arrakesh speaks to him and tells him to leave the safety of the forest to seek help. And so we have that other ingredient of many fine stories – a quest.
The book is beautifully written with excellent characterisation. There are no sub-plots to distract the reader; the tale flows from beginning to end with ample twists and turns to keep me turning the pages and to make me resent any interruption.
What’s so good about this forum is that I can thank an author directly for the pleasure they have given. Thank you, Katie.

What's so good about this forum is being able to say thank you for the review! I'm glad you enjoyed it. I'll now redouble my efforts to get the sequel edited and ready for publication.

Kate

Enter a world of Fantasy for all ages! www.katiewstewart.com

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B J Burton Reading Complete Works of H P Lovecraft

15 Feb 2013, 11:53 AM | Post: #4

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RE: REVIEW: Treespeaker by Katie W Stewart.

(15 Feb 2013 11:24 AM)skate Wrote: What's so good about this forum is being able to say thank you for the review! I'm glad you enjoyed it. I'll now redouble my efforts to get the sequel edited and ready for publication.

I didn't realise there's a sequel on its way. I'm looking forward to it already.

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davidwailing Reading The Naked Sun by Isaac Asimov

15 Feb 2013, 12:07 PM | Post: #5

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RE: REVIEW: Treespeaker by Katie W Stewart.

Congratulations, Kate! A good review is high-grade fuel for the writing engines, isn't it?

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skate Reading Pompomberry House by Rosen Trevithick

15 Feb 2013, 01:46 PM | Post: #6

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RE: REVIEW: Treespeaker by Katie W Stewart.

(15 Feb 2013 12:07 PM)davidwailing Wrote: Congratulations, Kate! A good review is high-grade fuel for the writing engines, isn't it?

It certainly is, David, though I have to admit it makes me nervous, too, writing a sequel. What if it's not as good? Blush

Kate

Enter a world of Fantasy for all ages! www.katiewstewart.com

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davidwailing Reading The Naked Sun by Isaac Asimov

15 Feb 2013, 02:04 PM | Post: #7

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RE: REVIEW: Treespeaker by Katie W Stewart.

(15 Feb 2013 01:46 PM)skate Wrote:
(15 Feb 2013 12:07 PM)davidwailing Wrote: Congratulations, Kate! A good review is high-grade fuel for the writing engines, isn't it?

It certainly is, David, though I have to admit it makes me nervous, too, writing a sequel. What if it's not as good?

What if it's twice as good?! Thumbs Up

And one thing you can be fairly sure of is that having a second book will boost sales of the first book!

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skate Reading Pompomberry House by Rosen Trevithick

15 Feb 2013, 02:18 PM | Post: #8

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RE: REVIEW: Treespeaker by Katie W Stewart.

(15 Feb 2013 02:04 PM)davidwailing Wrote:
(15 Feb 2013 01:46 PM)skate Wrote:
(15 Feb 2013 12:07 PM)davidwailing Wrote: Congratulations, Kate! A good review is high-grade fuel for the writing engines, isn't it?

It certainly is, David, though I have to admit it makes me nervous, too, writing a sequel. What if it's not as good?

What if it's twice as good?!

And one thing you can be fairly sure of is that having a second book will boost sales of the first book!

I like the way you think! Tongue

Kate

Enter a world of Fantasy for all ages! www.katiewstewart.com

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