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Myadar's Snare
Since the release of the complete novel, The City Darkens, Myadar's Snare is no longer available as an individual ebook. Please message the author if you have any questions or concerns.
Description: For ten years Myadar has tended her estranged husband's estate, far in the south of Ódalnord, when one day he sends for her and their five year old son to come to the island capitol to witness the coronation of the country's latest monarchs. Bewildered by strange, decadent fashions, courtiers' innuendos, and the new ruler's authoritarianism, Myadar is unprepared to succeed there. When Myadar's husband insists that she remain permanently, she must find a way to resist him and take her son back to the safety of their familiar lives.
Myadar's Snare is part one of the serialized novel, The City Darkens.
Description: For ten years Myadar has tended her estranged husband's estate, far in the south of Ódalnord, when one day he sends for her and their five year old son to come to the island capitol to witness the coronation of the country's latest monarchs. Bewildered by strange, decadent fashions, courtiers' innuendos, and the new ruler's authoritarianism, Myadar is unprepared to succeed there. When Myadar's husband insists that she remain permanently, she must find a way to resist him and take her son back to the safety of their familiar lives.
Myadar's Snare is part one of the serialized novel, The City Darkens.
55 pages, ebook
First published March 25, 2013
34 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 20, 2013
Myadar's Snare by Sophia Martin is the first part of a serial, deiselpunk novel named “The City Darkens”. In this instalment, we are introduced to several very interesting characters, including Myadar. She is the wife of Reister, an ambitious courtier, but her life is centred around running their country estate and bringing up their five year old son, Bersi. Soon after Myadar’s mother-in-law arrives to take her daughter-in-law and grandson back to the city, feelings of apprehension begin to arise. They have been summoned by Reister to attend the coronation of the new rulers, but there appear to be doubts about the suitability of Myadar’s appearance and also her attachment to her young child.
One becomes aware fairly quickly, that this is not a world that is altogether familiar to us. The 1920 style clothing worn by many of the women in the city is recognisable, as are the cars. However, this is a world where robots act as servants and the religious system is highly influential. Myadar finds herself having to navigate unknown, dangerous waters, without help from anyone.
This was an intriguing, beautifully written instalment.Sophia Martin has created a fascinating world, which she brings alive with vivid description. I felt empathy for Myadar from the beginning and was completely drawn into her story. So much so, in fact, that I intend to read the whole book as soon as I can. Excellent!
I received this free in exchange for an honest review.
April 4, 2013
(This "book" is the first installment in a serialized novel. I intend to read the whole book, but thought I'd post a few comments now anyway, in case others are thinking about reading it. And this part can be purchased separately.)
The story is a first-person narrative by a young woman named Myadar. She lives with her 5-year old son on a farm, and is married to a husband (a nobleman of some type) whom she never sees because he lives far away. The setting seems to be a near-future alternative-history Earth, in which they have automobiles, telephones, and robot servants. It's like some part of Scandinavia; the old Norse gods are worshipped.
I really like the narrator's voice -- Myadar. She's clear-headed, sensible, grounded, and wants a simple life. And she's the only major character in the story (so far) who doesn't seem seriously uptight. Everyone else has their knickers in a major twist. Obviously Myadar will have some trouble coming up, and by the end of this chapter, it's already started.
Martin's writing is excellent. There are lots of descriptive passages about fashions and modes of dress, which I found remarkably precise and nicely painted. A visual artist or fashion-design person might have loads of fun illustrating this world.
Be fore-warned: this piece of the serial is a cliff-hanger. I'm looking forward to the next part.
The story is a first-person narrative by a young woman named Myadar. She lives with her 5-year old son on a farm, and is married to a husband (a nobleman of some type) whom she never sees because he lives far away. The setting seems to be a near-future alternative-history Earth, in which they have automobiles, telephones, and robot servants. It's like some part of Scandinavia; the old Norse gods are worshipped.
I really like the narrator's voice -- Myadar. She's clear-headed, sensible, grounded, and wants a simple life. And she's the only major character in the story (so far) who doesn't seem seriously uptight. Everyone else has their knickers in a major twist. Obviously Myadar will have some trouble coming up, and by the end of this chapter, it's already started.
Martin's writing is excellent. There are lots of descriptive passages about fashions and modes of dress, which I found remarkably precise and nicely painted. A visual artist or fashion-design person might have loads of fun illustrating this world.
Be fore-warned: this piece of the serial is a cliff-hanger. I'm looking forward to the next part.
May 10, 2013
This serial novel was given to me by the author for an honest review.
Having never read a serial novel before, I wasn't sure what to expect going into this series. However, I was very pleasantly surprised. Each part was like a lengthy chapter, but it made perfect sense to be broken up in this way.
In Myadar's Snare (Part 1), the reader is introduced to Myadar, mother to Berti and wife to Riester, living alone in the family's estate with her son and servants while her husband is away at court in the Capitol city. Before she knows it, she is swept away into this high class city and their strange customs. That's when things get really interesting.
The author did a wonderful job of setting up the scene and getting inside the mind of the main character, Myadar. The reader can feel as if they are Myadar, being stolen away from the only home she's ever known and thrust into this new lifestyle that goes against everything she believes in and who she really is. It's very interesting to learn about the new titles and this strange lifestyle that is so different from our own. It can get a tad confusing in the beginning with the introduction of so many new names and titles to go along with them, however the author consistently uses them to address the characters, so the repetition helps acquaint the reader with the appropriate titles. This was a very good idea for the author, and I must commend her for this. The descriptions were spot on as well, painting a very realistic picture of this sort of dystopian civilization with their mixture of old and new in both culture, fashion, and lifestyles. Well done here!
Soon, we learn more about the strange Capitol city and their belief system, not to mention the lifestyle of these aristocratic families and their lustful habits. I loved reading about how the society transitioned from a polytheistic to monotheistic belief system, and the drastic changes in their lifestyle even according to Myadar's recollection of the old ways. It seems there is so much more going on that we haven't been privy to yet, and there are a lot of dirty schemes going on. The reader learns to hate and love to hate certain characters, while still feeling the emotions of Myadar as she struggles with the sexual tension of a couple of characters, neither of which are her husband. I love this kind of tension, it makes the story so much more appealing. Part 1 leaves the reader breathlessly awaiting Myadar's plot to escape with her son to the simpler lifestyle, and wondering how on earth she can accomplish it.
Between the vivid descriptions, the excellent style of the author's storytelling, and the way the reader is thrust into this world created by the author, I would have to give this story 5/5 stars. I'm really looking forward to continuing Myadar's adventures. Well done, Sophia!
Reviewed by Ashley T of Fae Books (www.faebooks.co.uk).
Having never read a serial novel before, I wasn't sure what to expect going into this series. However, I was very pleasantly surprised. Each part was like a lengthy chapter, but it made perfect sense to be broken up in this way.
In Myadar's Snare (Part 1), the reader is introduced to Myadar, mother to Berti and wife to Riester, living alone in the family's estate with her son and servants while her husband is away at court in the Capitol city. Before she knows it, she is swept away into this high class city and their strange customs. That's when things get really interesting.
The author did a wonderful job of setting up the scene and getting inside the mind of the main character, Myadar. The reader can feel as if they are Myadar, being stolen away from the only home she's ever known and thrust into this new lifestyle that goes against everything she believes in and who she really is. It's very interesting to learn about the new titles and this strange lifestyle that is so different from our own. It can get a tad confusing in the beginning with the introduction of so many new names and titles to go along with them, however the author consistently uses them to address the characters, so the repetition helps acquaint the reader with the appropriate titles. This was a very good idea for the author, and I must commend her for this. The descriptions were spot on as well, painting a very realistic picture of this sort of dystopian civilization with their mixture of old and new in both culture, fashion, and lifestyles. Well done here!
Soon, we learn more about the strange Capitol city and their belief system, not to mention the lifestyle of these aristocratic families and their lustful habits. I loved reading about how the society transitioned from a polytheistic to monotheistic belief system, and the drastic changes in their lifestyle even according to Myadar's recollection of the old ways. It seems there is so much more going on that we haven't been privy to yet, and there are a lot of dirty schemes going on. The reader learns to hate and love to hate certain characters, while still feeling the emotions of Myadar as she struggles with the sexual tension of a couple of characters, neither of which are her husband. I love this kind of tension, it makes the story so much more appealing. Part 1 leaves the reader breathlessly awaiting Myadar's plot to escape with her son to the simpler lifestyle, and wondering how on earth she can accomplish it.
Between the vivid descriptions, the excellent style of the author's storytelling, and the way the reader is thrust into this world created by the author, I would have to give this story 5/5 stars. I'm really looking forward to continuing Myadar's adventures. Well done, Sophia!
Reviewed by Ashley T of Fae Books (www.faebooks.co.uk).
May 11, 2013
Recently, a friend asked me where would someone start reading Dieselpunk, if they were unfamiliar with the genre. I thought that was an intriguing question, and after some pondering, I would say George Mann for the tech aspect, Larry Correia for the magic, and Sophia Martin for the fantasy.
"Myadar's Snare", part 1 of "The City Darkens", is a story of a fictional world where society is highly codified along both religious and social lines. The protagonist, Myadar, and her son, Bersi, find themselves drawn into claustrophobic and decadent court intrigues with Myadar's scheming husband, Reister, when the ruler of that part of the world dies and Reister is given greater power in the royal circle. Basically, Myadar is separated from her son, and is given a hideous ultimatum; play the dutiful wife and do not question her betters, or risk losing her son forever.
It’s a society where finding the right dress to wear at court can be a life-or-death decision, which makes the motivations of the characters a little baffling in the first couple of chapters, but then the world-building kicks in and we get a wider perspective of what’s going on. There is also a religious conflict moving from the background to the foreground, as the acolytes of Alfodr and Frigga find themselves ousted by the priests of the more masculine, militaristic Tyr. This has a direct bearing on Myadar's situation and seems to be a major story arc.
The author’s strengths are her characters, with well-fleshed out individuals, good double-acts, credible backstories, motivations and interactions. There are many examples here and they comprise the book’s best moments – even the guards and the minor officials are memorable, as Myadar realizes that even the people who want to help her are just as trapped by the bizarre, draconian rules as she is.
I'm not sure about the level of technology in this world - there are robot servants and futuristic cities, but we haven't seen much of them yet. Still, that's probably for the next few volumes in the series, and I'm definitely going to buy them to find out.
"Myadar's Snare", part 1 of "The City Darkens", is a story of a fictional world where society is highly codified along both religious and social lines. The protagonist, Myadar, and her son, Bersi, find themselves drawn into claustrophobic and decadent court intrigues with Myadar's scheming husband, Reister, when the ruler of that part of the world dies and Reister is given greater power in the royal circle. Basically, Myadar is separated from her son, and is given a hideous ultimatum; play the dutiful wife and do not question her betters, or risk losing her son forever.
It’s a society where finding the right dress to wear at court can be a life-or-death decision, which makes the motivations of the characters a little baffling in the first couple of chapters, but then the world-building kicks in and we get a wider perspective of what’s going on. There is also a religious conflict moving from the background to the foreground, as the acolytes of Alfodr and Frigga find themselves ousted by the priests of the more masculine, militaristic Tyr. This has a direct bearing on Myadar's situation and seems to be a major story arc.
The author’s strengths are her characters, with well-fleshed out individuals, good double-acts, credible backstories, motivations and interactions. There are many examples here and they comprise the book’s best moments – even the guards and the minor officials are memorable, as Myadar realizes that even the people who want to help her are just as trapped by the bizarre, draconian rules as she is.
I'm not sure about the level of technology in this world - there are robot servants and futuristic cities, but we haven't seen much of them yet. Still, that's probably for the next few volumes in the series, and I'm definitely going to buy them to find out.
April 11, 2013
Nonconforming Tomboy Trapped in Gatsby Era Lion's Den.
Myadar, an independent country girl, is summoned to a big city celebration. She abandons her comfort zone and arrives with her little son Bersi in tow. During the lavish event Bersi accidentally interrupts the pageantry and breeches ceremonial protocol inadvertently causing the ultimate sin to the ruling class... public embarrassment. They retaliate with a cruel form of emotional extortion to ensnare the outsiders in a social trap to transform them into something more palatable to the deco-metro-sensibilities. The young mother is penned in by patriarchal laws defining women and children as property.
Myadar is coerced into a peculiar reverse-pygmailon game in which keeping up the appearance of love is of greater value than love itself.
"Myadar’s Snare" is the first installment of a larger speculative fiction series. It's a well-constructed tale that takes its time setting the scene and acclimating you to its environment. It moves at a steady pace building to a cliffhanger ending. Prohibition era Fashionistas and style conscious readers are sure to enjoy the tactile descriptions of flapper era fashion, and art deco/dieselpunk design elements.
If you're engaged by movies like "Sleeping with the Enemy" or "Not Without My Daughter", of if seek out stories like "The Handmaid's Tale" or the works of Marion Zimmer Bradley and Jacqueline Carey, I suspect you will be trapped by "Myadar’s Snare"... in the good way.
Myadar, an independent country girl, is summoned to a big city celebration. She abandons her comfort zone and arrives with her little son Bersi in tow. During the lavish event Bersi accidentally interrupts the pageantry and breeches ceremonial protocol inadvertently causing the ultimate sin to the ruling class... public embarrassment. They retaliate with a cruel form of emotional extortion to ensnare the outsiders in a social trap to transform them into something more palatable to the deco-metro-sensibilities. The young mother is penned in by patriarchal laws defining women and children as property.
Myadar is coerced into a peculiar reverse-pygmailon game in which keeping up the appearance of love is of greater value than love itself.
"Myadar’s Snare" is the first installment of a larger speculative fiction series. It's a well-constructed tale that takes its time setting the scene and acclimating you to its environment. It moves at a steady pace building to a cliffhanger ending. Prohibition era Fashionistas and style conscious readers are sure to enjoy the tactile descriptions of flapper era fashion, and art deco/dieselpunk design elements.
If you're engaged by movies like "Sleeping with the Enemy" or "Not Without My Daughter", of if seek out stories like "The Handmaid's Tale" or the works of Marion Zimmer Bradley and Jacqueline Carey, I suspect you will be trapped by "Myadar’s Snare"... in the good way.
January 16, 2014
This short work grabbed my attention and I finished it in one afternoon. Anyone who doesn't empathize and sympathize with the heroine should see a cardiologist and have his heart checked because there must be something wrong with it. The story is excellent and the writing is impeccable. Plus, the world the author has created is intriguing. Others have remarked about comparisons to the 1920s in clothing styles and technology (well, the cars anyway but not the robots) but any similarities between this society and the real world seem to be with 16th or 17th century Europe. France maybe, just before the revolution, but with a very different overlay of religious domination. All in all, it is a unique fantasy world.
I don't summarize books in my reviews because I dislike spoilers, and plenty of others have already given a synopsis here. If they haven't already, potential readers should notice this book is described as a 'serial novel.' Consider this the opening chapters of a longer tale. The conclusion is still in the future, but after reading this, I predict you will want to read the rest of the parts soon. The 'adult situation' (as they say about movies) is a bit much for early teens but I doubt that anyone 17-18 and up will be shocked. In case you are a parent, I suspect that future volumes may have more sexual activity.
For adults, I recommend this book highly. It really is fascinating.
I don't summarize books in my reviews because I dislike spoilers, and plenty of others have already given a synopsis here. If they haven't already, potential readers should notice this book is described as a 'serial novel.' Consider this the opening chapters of a longer tale. The conclusion is still in the future, but after reading this, I predict you will want to read the rest of the parts soon. The 'adult situation' (as they say about movies) is a bit much for early teens but I doubt that anyone 17-18 and up will be shocked. In case you are a parent, I suspect that future volumes may have more sexual activity.
For adults, I recommend this book highly. It really is fascinating.
September 15, 2013
I was given this book in exchange for an impartial review.
Myadar's Snare was a little slow to start with, although the story soon quickened to an emotional pace that leaves your heart racing in places.
Written in the first person, we the read gain a valuable insight into the emotions of a mother ripped from her home and separated from her son, all upon the wishes of her husband.
The world into which the main character is thrust is reminiscent of the 1920's, (that a woman is a man's possession to command and do with as he sees fit), although with the interesting and clever inclusion of robots as servants, creating a fantasy world that is so tangible you can practically step into it.
I enjoyed this book, although would have liked it to be longer, or include more / deeper plot twists. The ending of Myadar's Snare left me with several questions, making me want to read on. I hope they will be answered in the second book.
Myadar's Snare was a little slow to start with, although the story soon quickened to an emotional pace that leaves your heart racing in places.
Written in the first person, we the read gain a valuable insight into the emotions of a mother ripped from her home and separated from her son, all upon the wishes of her husband.
The world into which the main character is thrust is reminiscent of the 1920's, (that a woman is a man's possession to command and do with as he sees fit), although with the interesting and clever inclusion of robots as servants, creating a fantasy world that is so tangible you can practically step into it.
I enjoyed this book, although would have liked it to be longer, or include more / deeper plot twists. The ending of Myadar's Snare left me with several questions, making me want to read on. I hope they will be answered in the second book.
May 6, 2013
Myadar's Snare (The City Darkens, #1) by Sophia Martin
Myadar and her five year old son have been taking care of her husbands farm for about a decade. Then she is summoned to accompany him to the coronation of the countries monarchs.
Used to being on her own she reluctantly goes. And once there she finds her husband has different plans for her. It is bad enough she does not fit in, and constantly feels like a fool, but now her husband expects her to stay and do things she does not wish to do. All she can think of is a way to leave with her son and get back to the home and life she had before.
This was a great short story, by the end I was left needing to know what happens in the second book. I certainly will be reading more by Sophia Martin
Myadar and her five year old son have been taking care of her husbands farm for about a decade. Then she is summoned to accompany him to the coronation of the countries monarchs.
Used to being on her own she reluctantly goes. And once there she finds her husband has different plans for her. It is bad enough she does not fit in, and constantly feels like a fool, but now her husband expects her to stay and do things she does not wish to do. All she can think of is a way to leave with her son and get back to the home and life she had before.
This was a great short story, by the end I was left needing to know what happens in the second book. I certainly will be reading more by Sophia Martin
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