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The Burden of Memory
KIRKUS REVIEW
"A weird, wonderful installment of a fantasy saga that’s inching toward greatness."
This sequel to Cole’s (Henry’s Re-entry, 2014, etc.) epic fantasy The Pleasure of Memory (2013) sees disparate members of an ancient order preparing for battle against a villainous fire mage.
The art of magic, which is based on the mysterious Caeyl stones, is dying out in the land of Calevia. Following the events of the previous book, the thieving rogue Beam is also dying, but luckily he has the Caeyllth Blade, which houses the rare Blood Caeyl stone. Inside a vast crypt, his friend Chance Gnoman, along with the Baeldonian giant Jhom, place the physically ravaged Beam inside a tent so that the magic stone can heal him. Elsewhere, another Baeldon named Wenzil interrogates his captive, the Vaemysh Mawby, and learns that they are both members of the Lamys te’Faht (the Eye of the Faithful), part of a lineage of cleric knights who await signs of impending dark times. According to the occult order’s legends, the rise of a Fire Caeyl Mage will herald the end of civilization and the return of the Divinic Demons. It turns out that Prae the Biled, Chance’s nemesis, is that mage, and it’s up to the Lamys te’Faht to halt his demonic army. Sibling smugglers Lucifeus and Malevolus, however, have already caught some Vaemysh trackers on their lands who appear to be demonically possessed, which escalates the war. This second volume of Cole’s saga, like the first, uses dialogue-heavy chapters to illuminate the meticulously crafted corners of his world; one of the most thrilling tells of the exorcism of a demon being. The difference in this installment is that the stakes have risen sharply, and fantasy readers should strap in for a dark, twisted ride—even if most of the narrative merely sets up a potentially more intense third volume. Cole’s prose is evocative, as always; he describes Beam’s injuries, for example, as a “torn map of flesh.” There are also great philosophical moments, as when Wenzil says, “Hope’s a deep well....Sometimes there’s water at the bottom, sometimes there just ain’t.” The very best chapters deal with Beam’s inward journey and expose the startling history of Calevia. Overall, this book offers great rewards for Cole’s loyal readers.
A weird, wonderful installment of a fantasy saga that’s inching toward greatness.
"A weird, wonderful installment of a fantasy saga that’s inching toward greatness."
This sequel to Cole’s (Henry’s Re-entry, 2014, etc.) epic fantasy The Pleasure of Memory (2013) sees disparate members of an ancient order preparing for battle against a villainous fire mage.
The art of magic, which is based on the mysterious Caeyl stones, is dying out in the land of Calevia. Following the events of the previous book, the thieving rogue Beam is also dying, but luckily he has the Caeyllth Blade, which houses the rare Blood Caeyl stone. Inside a vast crypt, his friend Chance Gnoman, along with the Baeldonian giant Jhom, place the physically ravaged Beam inside a tent so that the magic stone can heal him. Elsewhere, another Baeldon named Wenzil interrogates his captive, the Vaemysh Mawby, and learns that they are both members of the Lamys te’Faht (the Eye of the Faithful), part of a lineage of cleric knights who await signs of impending dark times. According to the occult order’s legends, the rise of a Fire Caeyl Mage will herald the end of civilization and the return of the Divinic Demons. It turns out that Prae the Biled, Chance’s nemesis, is that mage, and it’s up to the Lamys te’Faht to halt his demonic army. Sibling smugglers Lucifeus and Malevolus, however, have already caught some Vaemysh trackers on their lands who appear to be demonically possessed, which escalates the war. This second volume of Cole’s saga, like the first, uses dialogue-heavy chapters to illuminate the meticulously crafted corners of his world; one of the most thrilling tells of the exorcism of a demon being. The difference in this installment is that the stakes have risen sharply, and fantasy readers should strap in for a dark, twisted ride—even if most of the narrative merely sets up a potentially more intense third volume. Cole’s prose is evocative, as always; he describes Beam’s injuries, for example, as a “torn map of flesh.” There are also great philosophical moments, as when Wenzil says, “Hope’s a deep well....Sometimes there’s water at the bottom, sometimes there just ain’t.” The very best chapters deal with Beam’s inward journey and expose the startling history of Calevia. Overall, this book offers great rewards for Cole’s loyal readers.
A weird, wonderful installment of a fantasy saga that’s inching toward greatness.
520 pages, Paperback
First published October 29, 2014
2 people are currently reading
23 people want to read
About the author
Welcome Cole
9 books24 followersWelcome Cole is a writer of fantasy, contemporary novels, and urban fiction. He spends his time in the lakes and forests of Traverse City, Michigan and in the desert and mountains of Castle Rock, Colorado. He has degrees in Nursing and Business Administration, and writes at every opportunity. His book, The Pleasure of Memory, will be followed up shortly with his contemporary fiction novel, Henry’s Re-entry. The second volume of the Blood Caeyl Memories, The Shadows of Memory, will be released in early 2014.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 20, 2015
If you've already read the first volume of this series, The Pleasure Of Memory, then you're already familiar with some of the characters of this book.
Beam, Chance, Koo and co are all back and in rare form! However, they're joined this time around by even more fully fleshed out characters and, honestly, it's a blast! I try not to give away any plot points when writing reviews, so I'll try to keep to myself the gathering of forces and impending battles that this novel leads towards. I'm not even going to mention the fantastic dialogue (just another walk in the park for this author) or the laughs and chills that are written, or the pulling together of threads that were hinted at in Volume One. I won't even mention the wonderfully descriptive prose that will drop you right into the middle of this wonderful world that Mr Cole has created, or warn you that, once you start reading this, you won't rest until the final page is turned. Finally, and most importantly, I won't mention that the end of this book will leave you with your fingernails bitten down to the knuckle and an urgent sense of "Oi! Cole! Get the final volume written, and be quick about it!!!!".
It's not often that a fully realised 'other world' comes along with such great characters. It's also not often that you're able to be there almost at the start of something great (imagine reading The Hunger Games in 2008, before the rest of the world jumped on board, already knowing when the movie came out, what all the fuss was about!). The first two parts of this story would make a phenomenal movie and I can't wait for the next instalment. In two words.....buy it!
Beam, Chance, Koo and co are all back and in rare form! However, they're joined this time around by even more fully fleshed out characters and, honestly, it's a blast! I try not to give away any plot points when writing reviews, so I'll try to keep to myself the gathering of forces and impending battles that this novel leads towards. I'm not even going to mention the fantastic dialogue (just another walk in the park for this author) or the laughs and chills that are written, or the pulling together of threads that were hinted at in Volume One. I won't even mention the wonderfully descriptive prose that will drop you right into the middle of this wonderful world that Mr Cole has created, or warn you that, once you start reading this, you won't rest until the final page is turned. Finally, and most importantly, I won't mention that the end of this book will leave you with your fingernails bitten down to the knuckle and an urgent sense of "Oi! Cole! Get the final volume written, and be quick about it!!!!".
It's not often that a fully realised 'other world' comes along with such great characters. It's also not often that you're able to be there almost at the start of something great (imagine reading The Hunger Games in 2008, before the rest of the world jumped on board, already knowing when the movie came out, what all the fuss was about!). The first two parts of this story would make a phenomenal movie and I can't wait for the next instalment. In two words.....buy it!
September 13, 2015
I wish you could do half star ratings. This book was 3.5 for me.
I read the first one and loved it (even made my husband read the first book so we can talk about it and he loved it too). The second book, for some reason, I just couldn't get into. I can't quite put my finger on as to why. The style and writing/wording is as good as the first, so that's definitely not it. I ended up taking a break half way through the book. Re-read first one and then picked up sequel again. This booked filled in some of the holes and answered questions from the first book, but that's all it did for me.
I will be reading the next one because I'm invested in the story, characters, and enjoy Cole's writing style.
I read the first one and loved it (even made my husband read the first book so we can talk about it and he loved it too). The second book, for some reason, I just couldn't get into. I can't quite put my finger on as to why. The style and writing/wording is as good as the first, so that's definitely not it. I ended up taking a break half way through the book. Re-read first one and then picked up sequel again. This booked filled in some of the holes and answered questions from the first book, but that's all it did for me.
I will be reading the next one because I'm invested in the story, characters, and enjoy Cole's writing style.
January 6, 2015
http://koeur.wordpress.com/2015/01/06...
Publisher: Caelstone Press
Publishing Date: December 2014
ISBN: 9780989242981
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: DNF
Publisher Description: Volume II of the Blood Caeyl Memories begins where The Pleasure of Memory leaves off. A coalition of witches and warriors, mages and mentalists, soldiers and pirates abandon their mutual suspicions to form a League of Enemies and unite against an otherworldly threat. Driven by forces far older and more powerful than themselves, these natural enemies come together to form an improbable alliance.
Review: Sadly another one that I couldn’t wade through. Story line all over the place coupled with frenetic dialogue. Maybe I do the author a disservice having not read the first installment.
Publisher: Caelstone Press
Publishing Date: December 2014
ISBN: 9780989242981
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: DNF
Publisher Description: Volume II of the Blood Caeyl Memories begins where The Pleasure of Memory leaves off. A coalition of witches and warriors, mages and mentalists, soldiers and pirates abandon their mutual suspicions to form a League of Enemies and unite against an otherworldly threat. Driven by forces far older and more powerful than themselves, these natural enemies come together to form an improbable alliance.
Review: Sadly another one that I couldn’t wade through. Story line all over the place coupled with frenetic dialogue. Maybe I do the author a disservice having not read the first installment.
February 3, 2015
This was a NetGalley offering; I read The Pleasure of Memory (also from NetGalley) a while back, and this is the second in the series.
Beam's role is a little reduced as other characters find larger roles. The narrative is a bit jumpy, moving from one character to another. The overall plot seemed harder to follow, as minor characters from the first novel suddenly became more important without sufficient background to remind the reader of their previous roles.
Nevertheless, I was enjoying Burden as I found my feet with the larger roles of characters from the first book and the introduction of new characters like the pirates. Unfortunately, toward the end, the direction of the plot didn't please me, and the book ends with a cliff hanger.
NetGalley/Caelstone Press
Fantasy. Dec. 1, 2014. Print length: 521 pages.
Beam's role is a little reduced as other characters find larger roles. The narrative is a bit jumpy, moving from one character to another. The overall plot seemed harder to follow, as minor characters from the first novel suddenly became more important without sufficient background to remind the reader of their previous roles.
Nevertheless, I was enjoying Burden as I found my feet with the larger roles of characters from the first book and the introduction of new characters like the pirates. Unfortunately, toward the end, the direction of the plot didn't please me, and the book ends with a cliff hanger.
NetGalley/Caelstone Press
Fantasy. Dec. 1, 2014. Print length: 521 pages.
August 10, 2015
It took me awhile to finish up this second installment because it's been so long I had to go back and reread The Pleasure again. Not so bad, I enjoyed the banter between Chance and Beam. In this installment Beam is not with Chance any longer. He is more with Prave at first, showing him where he came from and why he was made and more what his destiny is. Koon'ta is by his side toward the end of this second book. We also learn of many more players that are here to help Beam with his destiny. I don't recommend reading this book without reading The Pleasure of Memory first. Both are over 400 pages. I just hope I don't have to go back and reread the first two again before the third installment comes out.
February 19, 2015
Many new characters are introduced in this 2nd volume, which is necessary (i think) to enter the epic portion of the story.. But then it significantly reduced the part of the earlier characters (Beam, Koonta, Chance, etc) which dissapointed me a bit bcos i was expecting to read more of their story when i started this 2nd volume.. However, near the end Beam & Koonta get to be the stars again, and the new characters have set their places in the game board, ready to enter the battle... so, cant wait for the next volume to come out! Well done
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews