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Corona
Long past the Age of Wonder, several thirty-somethings form an unlikely band of adventurers in the fair land of Jaenrye. Can they keep at bay the seemingly inevitable rule of a man determined to destroy the magic they can't bring themselves to believe in?br/br/Tom Strausser is a lonely failed musician with a day job he hates. Rose Smith thinks she could be a best-selling novelist, but can't be bothered to spend time writing. Father Rey Lopez was a rising star in the Catholic church until depravity got the best of him.br/br/All three of these everyday nobodies are pulled from the world they know and are forced to find out what they're really made of, confronting their own cowardice, malice, and complacency. Will they rise to the challenge, despite themselves? br/br/Special Edition published 2011 by Phoenix House Press in cooperation with Literary Underground.
- GenresFantasy
Nook
First published February 10, 2010
16 people are currently reading
158 people want to read
About the author
M.J. Heiser
5 books58 followersMJ Heiser (aka Mary Johnson Heiser) was born in the Philippines to an American Navy man and a Filipino woman, who realized quickly that her clumsiness was incompatible with her native land and relocated her to the United States. She learned to read at the age of three, started doodling stories at the age of eight, obtained her first typewriter at the age of 12, and finished her first book at the age of 13.
"When I write, I'm liberated. I'm not trapped by my gender, skin color, age, weight, or marital status. The only thing before me is the act of creation; it's all I am, and it's my only purpose."
When she's not busy being so liberated, she's probably writing, editing for the Literary Underground, working, walking her dogs, planning trips with her loving husband, or trying not to trip over something.
"When I write, I'm liberated. I'm not trapped by my gender, skin color, age, weight, or marital status. The only thing before me is the act of creation; it's all I am, and it's my only purpose."
When she's not busy being so liberated, she's probably writing, editing for the Literary Underground, working, walking her dogs, planning trips with her loving husband, or trying not to trip over something.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 6, 2011
It's not so easy to write a book that both keeps you entertained and makes you think, and it's a rare gem of a find when you come across an author capable of meshing both seamlessly. MJ Heiser is exactly that author.
Which is good, because I paid my hard earned cash on this book and getting ripped off tends to make me as happy as a weepy, Lindsay Lohan in her tiny, tiny jail cell.
With Corona, the good Ms. Heiser has created a word that feels both real and imagined but never for a moment fake. The characters are living, breathing, and relatable. You care about the choices they make, you get worried when they're threatened, and you can feel it in your bones when they hurt. I know people like this. I've met people like this. I am people like this. While skillfully avoiding the all too common pratfall of becoming overly preachy, Heiser offers up tidbits on life, and art, al while delving headfirst into the creative process in a way that feels entirely heartfelt, honest, and never for a minute forced or overdone.
Long story short, this ones a page-turner of the highest order.
There are books, there are good books, and then there are books like Corona - books that quite simply stand alone.
Though the sequel hasn't yet been released she already has my money. Which says an awful lot, because I like my money. I like it a lot, and I don't nearly have enough of it to toss around willy-nilly and fancy-free like a half naked Lindsay Lohan in a vat full of cocaine. I like my money so much I try not to spend it on crap. Corona's the opposite of crap - which I guess is food.
Corona is nourishment for the brain.
Which is good, because I paid my hard earned cash on this book and getting ripped off tends to make me as happy as a weepy, Lindsay Lohan in her tiny, tiny jail cell.
With Corona, the good Ms. Heiser has created a word that feels both real and imagined but never for a moment fake. The characters are living, breathing, and relatable. You care about the choices they make, you get worried when they're threatened, and you can feel it in your bones when they hurt. I know people like this. I've met people like this. I am people like this. While skillfully avoiding the all too common pratfall of becoming overly preachy, Heiser offers up tidbits on life, and art, al while delving headfirst into the creative process in a way that feels entirely heartfelt, honest, and never for a minute forced or overdone.
Long story short, this ones a page-turner of the highest order.
There are books, there are good books, and then there are books like Corona - books that quite simply stand alone.
Though the sequel hasn't yet been released she already has my money. Which says an awful lot, because I like my money. I like it a lot, and I don't nearly have enough of it to toss around willy-nilly and fancy-free like a half naked Lindsay Lohan in a vat full of cocaine. I like my money so much I try not to spend it on crap. Corona's the opposite of crap - which I guess is food.
Corona is nourishment for the brain.
July 25, 2011
I am going to try my best to write this review without any spoilers. When I was first offered a copy of Corona, I thought the synopsis sounded really awesome. But usually between the time I accept a review request and the time I start reading the book, I’ve read several books in between. I’ve also usually forgotten what the synopsis was about. It’s that personality quirk of mine that makes reading books like Corona great.
I knew that I was going to like this book as soon as I started reading the prologue. It’s hard to describe this story without giving away spoilers, and I’m sorry that I’m not going into a lot of detail, but if you read this book you’ll understand. It’s kind of a story within a story; part real-life, part fantasy. It’s darker fare than I normally read, but suits the context of the story.
The story flows well between the fantasy world and the modern day aspect seamlessly and doesn’t stay in one time frame to a point where you tend to forget the other threads of the story. There are a lot of elements to the story to keep track of, but I love that by the end of the novel, most of these loose ends were brought together in a satisfying way and left plenty of options for the story to continue throughout the series.
The characters are engaging and I found myself rooting for the good guys, hoping for the downfall of the bad and wondering how the next book could top this one. I think there may be some scenes that are harder than others to get through, but overall the book is worth it. The characters grew and evolved as the novel progressed which I look for in a book, and at 221 pages, this was a breeze to get through in a couple afternoons.
There are even moments where they author alludes to the story within a story, especially near the end, which I found amusing and continued with the sort of (forgive the expression) mind fuck that MJ Heiser has set up. Judging from the epilogue, I’m assuming that the story within a story format will continue throughout the series.
I am looking forward to the next installment: Canticle.
I knew that I was going to like this book as soon as I started reading the prologue. It’s hard to describe this story without giving away spoilers, and I’m sorry that I’m not going into a lot of detail, but if you read this book you’ll understand. It’s kind of a story within a story; part real-life, part fantasy. It’s darker fare than I normally read, but suits the context of the story.
The story flows well between the fantasy world and the modern day aspect seamlessly and doesn’t stay in one time frame to a point where you tend to forget the other threads of the story. There are a lot of elements to the story to keep track of, but I love that by the end of the novel, most of these loose ends were brought together in a satisfying way and left plenty of options for the story to continue throughout the series.
The characters are engaging and I found myself rooting for the good guys, hoping for the downfall of the bad and wondering how the next book could top this one. I think there may be some scenes that are harder than others to get through, but overall the book is worth it. The characters grew and evolved as the novel progressed which I look for in a book, and at 221 pages, this was a breeze to get through in a couple afternoons.
There are even moments where they author alludes to the story within a story, especially near the end, which I found amusing and continued with the sort of (forgive the expression) mind fuck that MJ Heiser has set up. Judging from the epilogue, I’m assuming that the story within a story format will continue throughout the series.
I am looking forward to the next installment: Canticle.
Want to read
October 8, 2011I have to admit, I was there during the very dramatic creation and birthing of this story. I was very honored to be one of the few to see the before and afters!
My friend Mj Heiser is absolutely a breathtaking storyteller. She gives such vibrant and stunning imagery in the "movie" playing while I read.
I love the characters..and you may possibly, if you know me, catch one character that resembles me! Thanks for that Mj!
This Epic tale begins with a group of unlikely heroes, blossoms into an adventure of magic, mayhem, evil, and good...and it crescendos into something that will leave an imprint forever on your literary soul.
I've read this and the one after, and I will own them all and keep them close to read over and over again.
This is one group of books that you want on your shelf...and will be dogeared and loved....and hopefully shared for generations.
This will be one of the classic fantasy novels, I'm sure of it.
My friend Mj Heiser is absolutely a breathtaking storyteller. She gives such vibrant and stunning imagery in the "movie" playing while I read.
I love the characters..and you may possibly, if you know me, catch one character that resembles me! Thanks for that Mj!
This Epic tale begins with a group of unlikely heroes, blossoms into an adventure of magic, mayhem, evil, and good...and it crescendos into something that will leave an imprint forever on your literary soul.
I've read this and the one after, and I will own them all and keep them close to read over and over again.
This is one group of books that you want on your shelf...and will be dogeared and loved....and hopefully shared for generations.
This will be one of the classic fantasy novels, I'm sure of it.
June 24, 2010
Read the this when it came out on Kindle and have now purchased the paperback version from amazon. I loved it and had a hard time putting it down. It kept me coming back for more. I loved the way she kept you going between the two different worlds. It's a book I would recommend to anyone who loves fantasy.
July 6, 2010
A fantastic debut from this author. A fantasy novel that will cross reading audiences. I don't consider myself a fantasy reader, and this one caught me from the beginning. I love the rich cast of characters and the fantasy setting.
The reader will be hauled along at a breakneck pace and be ready for the next installment!
The reader will be hauled along at a breakneck pace and be ready for the next installment!
June 28, 2010
I love the concept MJ Heiser has illustrated so eloquently here. It makes me wonder about my own unfinished stories. Five stars!
May 9, 2012
Corona: Special Edition is a unique, deeply imaginative story that fuses together the author’s brilliant fairytale land with likable, modern day characters. I found myself comparing the intricate storyline and deeply complex characters to Neil Gaiman’s or J.R.R.Tolkien’s. It is obvious that Heiser spent a good deal of time on character development—they feel authentic, as if they were pulled straight from the world around her. Rose, one of the story’s heroines, has her own insecurities and flaws to deal with. But she is likable; she is the embodiment of a little sister, or a best friend. Tom too suffers from his own insecurities. It is those insecurities that were most endearing. Even Father Rey, resident bad guy in this book, garnered some sympathy from me—but not for long. I gave high scores for Characterization and Originality.
With the length of the novel and the complexity of the story, the Plot/Pacing were also spot on. MJ Heiser knows how to tell a story, and she knows how to keep you moving along at the right pace. There were only a few minor issues with formatting , but nothing that retracted from the reading experience. The language was rich, the storyline was intricately woven, and I came away feeling satisfied that I’d read something of substance.
Corona is not a simple read. It is a not a book you will speed through in a day. Heiser has put work into building this world, and she didn’t do it lightly. She seems to be seeking a more involved audience, in much the same way that some of those classic novelists of yesteryear did.
(Originally posted at EasilyMused.com)
With the length of the novel and the complexity of the story, the Plot/Pacing were also spot on. MJ Heiser knows how to tell a story, and she knows how to keep you moving along at the right pace. There were only a few minor issues with formatting , but nothing that retracted from the reading experience. The language was rich, the storyline was intricately woven, and I came away feeling satisfied that I’d read something of substance.
Corona is not a simple read. It is a not a book you will speed through in a day. Heiser has put work into building this world, and she didn’t do it lightly. She seems to be seeking a more involved audience, in much the same way that some of those classic novelists of yesteryear did.
(Originally posted at EasilyMused.com)
March 7, 2012
This is a really fun and imaginative work. A young girl's imaginary friends become very real as she creates, in her mind and then on paper, a fictional world. But, as the girl grows into womanhood, other priorities take over, leaving that fictional world vulnerable those who would destroy it. There is much to like about this work; memorable characters, a great deal of allegory (which I particularly appreciate and reminds me of C.S. Lewis), luscious setting, clever dialogue and a storyline that never lags. Fans of fantasy and folklore should find their time well rewarded in this book. I'm looking forward to more by M.J. Heiser.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews