Author M.E. Lorde creates a gripping story set in the Earth’s future, where the youth of the world have the privilege and burden of saving humanity from extinction. Tolomay Ramey has travelled the world to get where she is… or more precisely, she travelled through time to get to the renewed Earth, fifteen hundred years in the future of our world. Her goal? To lead and keep safe all candidates coming to the replenished Earth. A brilliant, giving soul ‘as stubborn as gravity’, Tolomay was the first to survive passage into the clean world, where humanity begins anew. After three years alone, more have arrived. Now that she has fallen in love with Kenter, the arrogant first male to come, how will Tolomay react to Sandra, the female from the pods who lives and breathes for Kenter’s affections? What happens when others show up with destructive intentions? Will she have the strength to deal with the more than uncomfortable so-called family situation she’s presented with? Can she adapt to a way of thinking she though died over a thousand years ago? More importantly, does she want to? None of those concerns, nor the ones of her own blond hair and blue eyes will compare to the great horror she uncovers at the Mountain of TEGI. What will she do when her peace of life and those around her are suddenly threatened? Will the war Tarron spoke of come to pass?
Author Bio- Author M.E. Lorde grew up in the rural community of Victor, NY, surrounded by farms, orchards, and the Finger Lakes, with miles of grape vineyards in neighboring towns. M.E. Lorde wanted to be a writer from an early age. She wrote her first book at the age of ten – a story about a bird, called ‘Babbly’. M.E. has raised four children, primarily as a single parent. Writing was put on the back burner while she worked two unrelated jobs for many years. Her first book series 'Tolomay's World' was conceived while she was standing on her front porch. Nearly the entire seven novel series came to her in its entirety as she pondered the possibilities of those characters. The story is a dystopian/romance/fantasy involving our Earth, its slow destruction, and how humanity can begin anew. There are small elements of sci-fi sprinkled in the story... after all it does take place in our future. However, Tolomay's World is still an earthy fantasy collection, rather than a sci-fi series. It's language is a bit quirky and flows delightfully as the plot carries its readers into a new world. The first book of the seven novel series, 'Tolomay's World and The Pool of Light' was published in 2012. It's main character, Tolomay, is a pure soul, ever intent on protection and peace for all. She soon discovers that's easier said than done. The second novel, 'Tolomay's World and The Mountain of Tegi', was published in 2013. To date, four of the seven book series have been published ('Tolomay's World and the Splitting of the Trunk' 2014, Tolomay's World 'The Wall' 2016), with the fifth to be released in late 2017. M.E. also wrote, illustrated, and published a children's book against bullying in 2008. In March of 2017, M.E. Lorde published her first Contemporary Romance 'Devin's Chance'. It's her hope that her writing touches her reader's hearts, that she can affect the greater good of humanity through her writing.
This story is so rich in detail it's a joy to read. Candidates are coming through faster as conditions in the past deteriorate more rapidly. In the next group that comes through is Sandra, a selfish girl with her eyes set on Kenter, in spite of being told repeatedly he's not interested. Hurt when she sees Sandra kiss Kenter, Tolomay runs off and finds herself kidnapped by people she had no idea were on Clean Earth.
Taken to their home underground, Tolomay learns there are hundreds of people, if not thousands, living here. She has a lot to learn from them. Tolomay gets many surprises from these new people, not all of them good. Why do these people say they are her family? She is mocked and belittled for believing Tarron was her father, and her actions are strictly controlled. Do they really accept her as a long lost relative, or is something more sinister going on that she isn't be told about? Who finally believes in her comes as a surprise.
I enjoyed the way the author portrayed the evils of society in a microcosm. Greed arrogance, self-serving behavior are all very evident. In the Mountain of TEGI, we see the very worst that can happen when a few people put themselves in charge of what everyone else is allowed to do and believe. Tolomay is ridiculed as ignorant because she didn't grow up with these people, yet manages to hold on to her dignity. And why do the keep referring to her as a goddess?
How she loses and regains her sense of self makes for an engrossing story. How she learned to survive and stay mentally and emotionally strong kept me turning page after page. I loved this second installment of Tolomay's World as much as the first book.
Lorde took the story in a completely different direction from the Pool of Light. Instead of people who have learned the lessons of the past, Tolomay must face the horror of a people who refuse to change lest they lose the power they have over others, and gives us a young girl who won't give up on herself, what she knows is right and the boy she loves. I am very much looking forward to Book 3.
"Tolomay's World The Mountain of TEGI" by M.E.Lorde is a great second in this original and lovely series. Tolomay is by now well established in the future where a renewed, clean earth will be the habitat for people sent through the Pool of Light. The teenage girl had been espcially chosen to go there first and await other arrivals. When others arrive they bring more chaos than seems necessary. I expected from the ending of the first book more personal problems between the young cast but the second book changes direction and we explore more about why Tolomay was sent first and about her origins and her special talents. The unexpected turn of events and the new themes brought into the book are a credit to this writer whose attention to detail and descriptive prose makes this an excellent read. I also enjoyed the narrative style. Some chapters see the world only from her perspective, in others the reader learns more than her. I also loved the fact that Tolomay is a healer and in touch with the unspoilt world, but has more strings to her bow than I had expected. This tale is a lovely cross of the fantasy found in books like Narnia and the suspense of more modern dramas such as Lost. A remote destination, some survival skills needed and a group of people that need to get on. Yet, all is told in a beautiful understated manner. I predict great things for this series.
The characters all felt so real especially the evil Father (King) because although it is hard to imagine how someone could treat their people with such cruelty, Lorde made it very believable.
The ending was fantastic; I can't wait to read the next book and find out if they manage to find Tarron, and who manages to escape! I do hope David doesn't get left behind, and I want to see how Kenter reacts to Eric..... :S
Favourite Quotes:
I could not see him, not now. My back settled against a surviving piece of wall near the logs he had stacked just this morn. Not a tear escaped. I refused them their glory. The only thing present of me in this place was the breathing of the air in my lungs and the death of my heart.
"Do you think it I brought her here for the pleasure of your tortures? No brains live in your rotting skull..." (Tolomay's Father to David)
"We have spoken of this before. You are my son, yes, but you know this in that you are not nearly the favourite of my children and are in fact the least, now including, and most especially, your sister."
Throughout the rest of dinner, eyes fell upon Eric and me. I was glad to share the burden and he knew my need to. I found the heart of a friend in this place without a soul.
Having enjoyed the first book in Tolomay's World (The Pool of Light), I waited for the book two quite impatiently, wishing to know what would happen to Tolomay, Kenter, Lethy and their new world.
Well, disappointed I was not!
This story picked right away, going into all sorts of unexpected directions, taking turns I never expected it to take. The tension kept mounting as the action peaked and new characters came in, claiming their rightful places, all of them delightfully real, never two-dimensional. It kept me on edge most of the times, getting worried, or angry, or sympathizing, wishing for the daring deeds of young Tolomay to succeed, while rooting for some of her newly gained friends, or allies, or even enemies. Like delightfully controversial David, who had my heart pretty quickly, I'm ready to admit that.
This series is a whole new world, beautifully detailed and wonderfully presented. I hope there are more sequels on their way.
M.E. Lorde Tolomay's World and The Mountain of Tegi Tolomay's World #2
Having loved reading The Pool of Light, I really couldn't wait to start reading this once I realised it had been released. I'm always nervous reading sequels, but I was so glad this book exceeded my expectations and I was soon immersed in Tolomay's world again as she discovered she wasn't who she thought she was. The world building is exceptional and still growing, letting the reader easily imagine everything with the descriptive nature used. I'm glad we still saw things through Kenter's eyes, and I'm really looking forward to seeing how that develops. With plenty of action and adventure, there was never a dull moment and I just couldn't stop turning page after page. The author seems to know exactly how to end a book to leave us wanting more, and in my opinion book 3 cannot come out fast enough.
I received an e-copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
As an author as well as a reviewer I'm not always sure about the books I'm sent to read - but I knew this one would be just as great as the first book in the series.
Again plunged into Tolomay's world, it is wonderful to join her progress as her 'adventures' push her into something unexpected.
We learn more of her past, her origins and how she deals with increasing pressure from unknown sources. As she grapples with 'truths' and 'untruths' we wonder how she'll manage - or even live - through such cruelties and revelations.
I don't give spoilers but will say that readers will not be disappointed with this great read - but now comes the agonising wait for book three.
I really loved Book #1 in this series - learning about the destruction of the world and what Tolomay's people were doing to save their civilization. I loved discovering every fact about this fierce protagonist who is brilliant, strong and resourceful, but yet has one of the strongest hearts of a heroine I've seen in a long time.
In Book #2, I was completely unprepared for where the author took me! All of a sudden my heart was racing as Tolomay was completely thrust out of her home and from the people she had come to love. Once that happened, I had a very hard time putting this book down and finished it that very day. M.E. Lorde has created an absolutely fascinating world, with really interesting characters that I have come to care about greatly. I can't wait for Book #3! Great job!
The author throws us right back into the action in 'Tolomay's World The Mountain of TEGI' by M.E. Lorde. After reading Tolomay's World and The Pool of Light, I couldn’t wait for more and I wasn’t disappointed. It’s actually even better. Lots of detail more tension and plot twists that continued to surprise. And this writer’s greatest strength is characters. Really exciting series! As with Tolomay's World and The Pool of Light, anyone who likes an intense dystopian fantasy will enjoy this series. Highly recommended 5-stars.
Just like the first book in the Tolomay's World series, I could not put this book down! The pace picks up right at the beginning as Tolomay is kidnapped and taken to the Mountain of TEGI. It's difficult to explain this one without giving away the story. Suffice it to say, this book takes a deep look at prejudice and inequality. Tolomay is thrown into a situation whereby only she can change things for the better, but with so much standing in her way, will she be able to uncover the truth and do what is necessary without getting herself killed? This one is definitely worth your time!
Tolomay's World #2 held many surprises for me along the way. Picking up where The Pool of Light left off, Tolomay is abducted by unknown residents of the clean world. The surprises come when you find out who they are and they don't stop until the very end. Where thankfully we are left with the next chapter of #3. I'm definitely hooked on Tolomay's World! It is fantasy combined with the reality of human nature.
Very good. The style of writing took a little to get used to, but it was very pretty and had a great flow. I did receive this book for free from Goodreads First reads, and did not read the first book, but it was very easy to pick up here, and it makes me want to get the first and 3rd,