Η προστάτις του φωτός και της σκόνης

by Natasha Mostert, Γιώργος Μπαρουξής (translator)

Η Μία Λόκχαρτ έχει ένα μυστικό.
Δεν είναι μόνο μια καλλιτέχνις τατουάζ που κάνει πολεμικές τέχνες από παιδί. Όπως η μητέρα της, όπως και η γιαγιά της, είναι Προστάτις: πολεμίστρια, θεραπεύτρια και φύλακας των εκλεκτών μαχητών.

Όταν, όμως, ένας μυστηριώδης άντρας μπαίνει στη ζωή της, αρχίζει η μεγάλη δοκιμασία της. Ο Έιντριαν Άστον είναι ένας λαμπρός επιστήμονας –και δολοφόνος. Με τη βοήθεια ενός αρχαίου κινεζικού κειμένου, έχει μάθει να κλέβει το τσι, τη ζωτική ενέργεια των αντιπάλων του. Εκείνος παραμένει πάντα νέος, ενώ αυτοί μαραζώνουν και πεθαίνουν.

Η Μία έλκεται από τη σκοτεινή γοητεία του. Όταν όμως ο Έιντριαν βάζει στόχο τον αγαπημένο της, η Μία πρέπει να διαλέξει ανάμεσά τους. Κι έτσι ξεκινά μια μάχη μέχρι θανάτου, όπου η αγάπη είναι η μεγαλύτερη αδυναμία –και το σπουδαιότερο έπαθλο...

Bell #969

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy, Thriller, Paranormal Fiction, British Literature

352 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published April 1, 2009

About the author

(from website)When my publisher asked me to submit a 200 word biography for their authors' website, I thought about dropping the usual bio platitudes and submitting the following: "Natasha Mostert is a spectacularly brilliant, raven-haired psychic who saw her first ghost at the age of four. She likes to take midnight rides on horseback and practises levitation twice a day. However, upon reflection I didn't think my editor would be too amused by this flight of fancy. So here it is, the official (and much less exciting) Natasha Mostert biography:

Natasha Mostert is South African. She grew up in Pretoria and Johannesburg but currently lives in London with her husband, Frederick. She still keeps an apartment in the university town of Stellenbosch in the Cape province.

She is the author of five novels. Her fourth novel, SEASON OF THE WITCH, is a modern gothic thriller about techgnosis and the Art of Memory and won the Book to Talk About: World Book Day 2009 Award. Film rights were sold to Allotria Productions with Emmy-award winning screenwriter, Andrew Davies, commissioned to write the script. Her fifth novel, THE KEEPER, is a thriller about martial arts, chi and quantum physics. Mostert returned to the subject of memory in her latest novel, DARK PRAYER, which is described by Kirkus Reviews a "brainy, fast-moving thriller" in which "Mostert brings together fascinating strands of biology, psychology and mysticism."

Mostert is a keen kickboxer. Visit her website at www.natashamostert.com to find out more about her involvement with the CPAU Fighting for Peace project, which teaches Afghan women how to box and feel empowered in their lives.

Educated in South Africa and at Columbia University, New York, Mostert majored in modern languages and also holds graduate degrees in Lexicography and Applied Linguistics. She has worked as a teacher in the Department of Afrikaans and Dutch at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg and as project coordinator in the publishing department of public television station WNET/Thirteen in New York City. Her political opinion pieces have appeared on the op-ed page of The New York Times, in Newsweek, The Independent and The Times (London).

Future goals include writing poetry, executing a perfect spinning backkick and coming face to face with the ghost of Edgar Allen Poe.

Reviews

[Richard Derus · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pearl Ruled

Rating: 2* of five (p141)

The Book Description: A highly original supernatural thriller blending magic, science, martial arts, and the greatest desire of all: to live forever

Mia Lockheart has a secret. Her mother was a Keeper, as was her grandmother--women who were warriors, healers, and protectors. As Mia practices her craft among the boxers and martial artists of South London, and begins a romance with her childhood friend, the fighter Nick Duffy, she has no idea that a man who calls himself Dragonfly is watching from the shadows.

Adrian Ashton is a brilliant scientist, an expert in the breaking field of biophoton emissions from cells within the human body. He is also a skilled martial artist--and a modern-day vampire. With the aid of the enigmatic Book of Life and Death, written in the thirteenth century by the legendary Chinese physician Zhang Sanfeng, he preys on other martial artists and drains them of their chi--the vital energy that flows through the body.

Mia finds herself drawn to his dark genius, but when he targets Nick as his next victim, she is forced to choose between the two men. It becomes a fight to the death in which love is both the greatest weakness and the biggest prize.

My Review: Oh for goodness' sake. Really now! I made it to p141, the end of chapter 27, by dint of the good things I'd heard about the book...interesting conflicts, good writing, and so on. The following is said of a hungry vampire:

“His heart trembled. He couldn't remember desiring anything so much.” (p141)

And that's where my give-a-damn gave out. The writing's okay, not by any stretch of the imagination awful or even tedious, but with a tendency to the over-the-top that wore on me. It doesn't help that Mia, the main character, is so annoying to me that I want to cause her pain.

So, on balance, I think not. And I'd steer you away from it, too, if unbearable aches and eternal yearnings and the like make you twitch the way they do me.

[Ieva · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reizēm atklājas iemesls, kāpēc dažas grāmatas tavā "gribu lasīt" sarakstā palikušas gadiem ilgi (un labāk, ka no tā nebūtu pārcēlušās uz "izlasīts").
Papildus bonusa trešā zvaigzne par tulkojumu.
Lai arī citas Morstetes grāmatas manī radīja zināmu sajūsmu, ar šo radās nepārvarama nesaderība (absolūti subjektīva un traucējoša novērtēt droši vien ne slikti uzrakstītu grāmatu) . Man ne tikai izteikti nepatika galvenais ļaundaris, kura tēls laikam bija domāts kā noslēpumaini pievilcīgs tumsas vīrs, bet arī galvenais varonis likās neticami aprobežots un galvenā varone - dzīva klišeja. Droši vien tas neliecina man par labu, bet tālo austrumu kultūra un filozofija nekad nav bijusi mana interešu lokā centrā - un vēl jo mazāk mani interesē tieši austrumu cīņas māksla.
Nepareizā grāmata nepareizajā laikā.

[Nikoleta · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5/5 αστεράκια

[Matt]

Fascinating supernatural thriller. Set in and around modern day London, the story is set around Mia, a tattoo artists, her long time friend/boy friend Nick, and a mysterious stranger, Ash. Martial Arts, Zen, inner light,all move the story forward, but it's the mystery that keeps the pages turning. Super.

[Mandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

REVIEWED BY KARRA

Being a Keeper, a woman who meditates and invokes the power of her own chi to protect the warriors that are under her care, Mia Lockhart leads a life that’s anything but boring. Her life encompasses all things martial arts, training as a “vogue” (a martial artist who practices choreographed forms), and the men she protects are fellow martial artists who compete in the extreme world of fighting. Before a charge’s big fight, Mia meditates for a week, revving up her chi, or energy force, before “stepping out” the night before, having an out of body experience into another realm where she discharges her chi to the man she’s protecting. This extra boost of life force typically helps keep the fighter safe and sound during his various fights, which is the goal of a Keeper’s life.

When several fighters simply drop dead, one of them her own charges, Mia’s worried that something unnatural is happening in her seemingly safe world. Despite this weird phenomenon, her best friend Nick decides to enter into a fight, and even though he’s not one of Mia’s charges, she tries to find a way to protect him. Since the men who’ve died so sporadically all did so within days of their own fights, she has no real reason to fear for Nick’s safety, as she can’t find a connection between any of the deaths. Well, not until Adrian Ashton enters their lives and changes all the rules.

Ashton is a gorgeous man who somehow draws Mia’s attentions to not only his perfect fighting skills, but also his incredible mind. He seems to know a lot about the martial arts and when he’s interested in getting a specific tattoo from Mia’s tattoo shop—from Mia herself—her attraction to him grows. He seems like the perfect man, easily enfolding himself into the dojo’s tight knit crew and into their lives. He even becomes Nick’s training partner for the fight, and though he’s a hardcore trainer, Ashton turns Nick into the professional fighter he needs to be in order to win.

So what’s not to like about Adrian Ashton? Well, little does everyone know that he’s a vampire of sorts who steals the chi right out of his opponents through the use of various combat moves.

As this could pose a problem, especially when Ashton makes Nick his next target, it’s up to Mia to figure out the truth behind Ashton’s motives, as well as a way to stop him from draining the life out of the most important man in her life.

Wow. I read this book in one day, even though it’s over 300 pages, just because I couldn’t put it down. Keeper of Light and Dust is such a refreshing, interesting concept in storytelling and chock full of so many martial arts facts that I feel like I should take up wearing a judogi, head down to the local dojo and kick some butt (or fall on said butt) under the guidance of a sensei.

Before I do any of that, though, let me explain why this book is, well, a keeper. We all know that vampires are hot right now in the literary world, and though that theme can get a little stale at times, it’s nice to find an author who can utilize the appeal of vamps but twist their nature around a bit so that instead of gorging on blood, Natasha Mostert’s vamp just gorges himself on the direct life energy of his victims. He literally drains the energy right out of them, all without necessarily spilling any blood. So if you like the thought of vampires but are a bit squeamish, you’ll like Adrian Ashton.

Besides a mysterious martial artist vampire who is hotness on legs, the book is filled with muscle bound fighters and gives a glimpse into the world of fighting and what these men (and perhaps women) go through before competing. The idea that Mia is not only a practicing martial artist herself, a tattoo artist and shop owner, but also a mysterious Keeper who protects the fighters of her choosing, seriously gives the girl some depth. She’s an interesting character and her love triangle between Ashton and Nick reveals her struggles between choosing a man she’s merely attracted to versus a man who’s loved her since childhood. Nick is a sweet guy who’s always known Mia was destined to be his, so not only does he want to cement his place in her life, but also in her heart. Fighting for her, in every sense of the word, is something he knows he must do in order to keep her.

The writing can be confusing at times as facts are simultaneously thrown out, but this doesn’t hinder the story in any way. Also, the reader knows most of Ashton’s secrets before the other characters do, so it makes it a fun experience being the fly on the wall and watching at Mia attempts to unravel the truth that cloaks Adrian Ashton’s very existence.

The ending is realistic, albeit a little sad (or I’m just a sensitive freak), but it ties everything up nicely and makes you wish you had more to read. I thoroughly enjoyed the twists and turns in Keeper of Light and Dust and if Ms. Mostert’s other books are anything like this one, then I can’t wait to read them.

[Theresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mia is a Keeper, a guardian and healer who watches over a small group of martial artists. She is descended from a line of women who have guarded warriors as they go into battle, though the tradition has been mostly lost over time and Mia is one of very few Keepers who still practice their mysterious art. Keepers are masters of the use of chi and can funnel their own energy into those in their care. But someone else has developed their own, deadly version of the Keeper's art. One that steals the chi, or life force, from the chosen victim and the latest target is one of Mia's fighters.

After the death of one the fighters Mia used to protect, Nick Duffy, a childhood friend of Mia's, begins to suspect foul play and starts to investigate a series of deaths involving fighters. Little does Nick know that the killer, a man who refers to himself at the Thief, has targeted Nick as his next victim-- just as Nick finally gotten the courage to act on his longstanding love of Mia.

"Keeper of Light and Dust" was a very interesting book for me to read, yet also very hard to review. There's no denying that Mostert is an excellent writer. She can command the reader's interest whether the story has a lot of action or not. Mostert heavily incorporates martial arts into her story, and as anyone who has read this blog should know, I have been a martial arts practitioner since 1992, so this aspect of the story had personal interest to me. The main character, Mia, is an expert at the style of martial arts that focuses heavily on the flow and movement of katas; in slang terms this kind of fighter is referred to as a "vogue." The down-and-dirty type of fighter is called a "grunt" (which is where I would categorize myself-- in case you wanted to know).

But "Keeper of Light and Dust" goes way beyond martial arts as a subject matter. Mia is a tattoo artist as well as a Keeper so we spend as much time in the tattoo parlor as the dojo. But where Mostert gets really ambitious is when she tackles the topic of chi, or the life force that animates each of us, as well as the subjects of biochronology and astral travel.

Whether or not someone would like "Keeper of Light and Dust" may very well depend on what they look for in a story. If you like introspective writing that delves into more esoteric territory then you will probably love this book; likewise if you're drawn to romance. If, on the other hand, you're drawn to action and suspense, you may find the story disappointing as the excerpt at the top of this review is one of very few scenes of its kind.

As I read this book I found myself doing something I rarely do-- wanting to rewrite the story to fit my vision of what it should be. Quite a conceit on my part. I believe the reason for my need to rearrange things to my own liking comes from my background in martial arts. I won't, for a second, claim to have more knowledge than Mostert. I don't. What I do have is lots of first-hand fighting experience and because of that I know that sport fighting is not generally life threatening. Sure mixed-martial arts can be fierce and can lead to some pretty serious injuries, but it is still a controlled environment and that, in my opinion, takes a lot of tension out of what could have been a very suspenseful novel.

Mostert never makes it clear why Mia guards martial artists who fight for sport versus men who put their life on the line in really dangerous occupations. I kept thinking the story would have made so much more sense if Mia's charges were soldiers heading onto a real battlefield, or even men with a dangerous profession such as police officers or firefighters. Because the men are not naturally in any real danger I felt that the plot-line involving the Thief was somewhat contrived to give the story a feeling of suspense that didn't naturally exist.

I also wanted more detail about how Mia guarded her men. We learn that Mia uses a form of astral travel and during that time she goes to a place called the Retreat. But we're never taken through the process in which Mia either guards or heals the fighters and the reader is left without a clear idea of what Mia's process is. We're essentially told what Mia does without ever being shown how it's done.

"Keeper of Light and Dust" is at its best when it explores the more mystical topics related to the chi-- and the romantic aspects are also well done. But the premise of the book led me to expect a much higher level of tension, so for me, the story was a slight disappointment when it didn't live up to that expectation. But I hesitate to discourage readers who find the premise interesting from picking up this book because it is well written and could be very interesting to someone who is looking for something more thoughtful and less action oriented.

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the book will go toward funding the Cooperation For Peace and Unity's "CPAU Fighting for Peace." "Fighting for Peace" is an initiative aimed at empowering Afghan women through boxing. Visit Natasha's website to learn more about her involvement in this program.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 3.5/5

Keeper of Light and Dust is mixture of martial arts, science and mystical intrigue, told from the three main characters' point of view. It also offers a very different look at the makeup of a vampire. Instead of the traditional immortal vampire living off of a person's life blood, the vampire here lives off a person's life energy to obtain immortality. Natasha Mostert has a very easy writing style that's easy to follow and she's subtly reveals secrets about each character as you read, keeping you glued to the book. There's also a great deal of historical facts and information about the different martial arts disciplines, which will make this great reading for those who enjoy these elements.

My favorite part of reading Keeper of Light and Dust was the interest tidbits dropped in about martial arts and beliefs from different Asian cultures. I've never practiced any martial arts myself but I've always been fascinated by it and the discipline it takes to perfect these arts. And I was intrigued by the fact that Mia wasn't only a practitioner of martial arts but also a tattoo artist, these talents gave her such an interesting air about her that I wish she was someone I could actually sit down and have a long chat with. I also found myself more drawn to the bad guy, Adrian more than the good guy Nick. That’s just my preference for the tragic bad boy persona.

While I did enjoy reading it and how it ended, I found myself wanting more to happen than what did by the end of the book. Plus, Natasha Mostert had created such fantastic world surrounding Mia’s heritage but I felt just the surface was skimmed in the story in regards to it.

Keeper of Light and Dust was a suspenseful psychological thriller steeped in mysticism and modern day science that made for fast enjoyable reading. And it isn’t as steeped in the paranormal and fantasy as the typical Urban Fantasy novel; it had more a mystical air to it. I liked Natasha Mostert’s writing well enough that I plan reading her other stand alone novel Season of the Witch.

[George K. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Τον Αύγουστο του 2014 διάβασα το ενδιαφέρον μεταφυσικό θρίλερ "Η εποχή των μαγισσών", ένα βιβλίο που σε πολύ μεγάλο βαθμό μου άρεσε, χωρίς πάντως να με ξετρελάνει. Αυτό που μόλις τελείωσα, επίσης μεταφυσικό θρίλερ, μου φάνηκε αρκετά κατώτερο σε σχέση με το προηγούμενο και όχι τόσο ταιριαστό με τα γούστα μου, δεν μπορώ να πω όμως ότι πέρασα άσχημα. Απλά στο τέλος έμεινα κάπως απαθής με αυτά που έγιναν.

Όσον αφορά την ιστορία, από την μια μεριά έχουμε την νεαρή Μία Λόκχαρτ, η οποία κάνει τα καλύτερα τατουάζ στο Λονδίνο και παράλληλα αγαπάει πολύ τις πολεμικές τέχνες. Όμως έχει ένα μυστικό: Όπως η μάνα της και η γιαγιά της, έτσι και αυτή είναι Προστάτις, δηλαδή θεραπεύτρια και φύλακας εκλεκτών μαχητών. Έχει μια δύναμη υπερφυσικής χροιάς, για καλό σκοπό. Από την άλλη μεριά έχουμε τον αινιγματικό και όμορφο Έιντριαν Άστον, που μπαίνει ξαφνικά στην ζωή της Μία. Πρόκειται για έναν επιστήμονα και παράλληλα δολοφόνο, που έχει βρει τον τρόπο να κλέβει το τσι, δηλαδή την ζωτική ενέργεια αυτών που έχει επιλέξει, έτσι ώστε να μένει για πάντα νέος και υγιής. Τι γίνεται όμως όταν βάλει στόχο κοντινά πρόσωπα της Μία, ειδικότερα τον αγαπημένο της;

Αυτά εν ολίγοις. Σε γενικές γραμμές μου φάνηκε ένα σχετικά συμπαθητικό μεταφυσικό θρίλερ, αρκετά καλογραμμένο και ευκολοδιάβαστο, όμως από ένα σημείο και μετά έχασα το ενδιαφέρον μου και μάλλον γρήγορα θα το ξεχάσω. Η αλήθεια είναι ότι δεν δέθηκα με κανέναν από τους χαρακτήρες, οι οποίοι ήταν κάπως άνευροι και αδιάφοροι, ούτε και με την πλοκή, που μου φάνηκε ολίγον τι χλιαρή. Πάντως, αν σας ενδιαφέρουν οι πολεμικές τέχνες και οι θεωρίες περί τσι κλπ, ρίξτε του μια ματιά, μπορεί να σας αρέσει.

[C.W. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Natasha Mostert is a rare stylist in her writing; she combines metaphysical elements with suspense, exploring the darker side of desire. In KEEPER OF LIGHT AND DUST, she brings to life an equally unusual milieu: the arena of amateur boxers and tattoo artists.

Mia is a respected tattoo artist who also happens to be a Keeper, or guardian of men who box. She is descended from a line of Keepers, who mark their charges with symbols in ink and "step out" of their bodies to ensure these men are safe during their fights. But when a stranger intent on draining the life source, or 'chi' from Mia and her charges, invades her life, she must confront her own innermost desires and fears in order to defeat him and save the man she loves.

On the surface, this book is somewhat hard to define; the storyline is deceptively simple, a modern take on the vampire legend. What makes it so fascinating is Ms Mostert's vivid insider look at the mysterious world of martial arts, which she entwines with ancient Eastern medicine and spiritual beliefs, as well as her signature eroticism. This novel has one of the best love scenes I have read in modern fiction; and her cast of characters is both engaging yet flawed, which makes them human and accessible. Coupled with a story that builds at a relentless pace, this is a Gothic-scientific thriller that defies the usual clichés of the genre.

[Aimee · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting novel with a touch of the paranormal. I like to read books where people add an extra element like that and yet they are still very realistic in nature. This is written like a suspense novel although it's pretty obvious from the beginning who the bad guy is. The interesting part is the journey and the story behind the characters.

[Vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Debated between a 3 & 4. It was an interesting story and the characters were good yet I wasn't fully engaged. I would recommend the read based on the concept as long as expectations are n't too high.

[Roxanne Nichols · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still letting this one settle in. Inspiring references to eastern culture of chi and martial arts.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book. The ending surprised me, I wasn't expecting that at all. I know nothing of martial arts but I still managed to follow along.

[T · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story didn't grab me like Mostert's other stories did. Maybe it was just me?

[houseoflavender · Rating 3 out of 5]

I finished reading this like a week ago, so my recollection of the plot might be off here or there.

Anyway, this was a story about Mia Lockheart, a tattoo artist and part time keeper-slash-healer for warriors. She was the descendant of long line of healers, whose main job was to ensure the safety of warriors when they go to battle.

Since this story was based in the modern times, there were hardly any war and Mia's charges were mostly boxers/martial artists.

The plot was a little bland, which was a waste of the author's talent because I could tell that she was very adept in writing. That was why I kept on reading even though the plot did not entice me as I thought it would.

The main villain was a modern-day vampire but his skills and background were hardly described. We only knew a little more about him near the end of the story.

Rather than a vampire or a fantasy novel, this was more of a martial arts novel with tattoos wedged up here and there, which I have to admit, did not interest me so much.

There were also fleeting mentions of Rosalia Lombardo, though she merely served as a muse for the villain.

[Anita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fascinating read from this talented author.
As someone familiar with martial arts and the concept of “chi” ( I studied Judo, Tai Chi & Reiki) I found the plot absolutely enthralling. The mixture of science, art and mysticism made for a unique story.
Mia, as a Keeper and tattoo artist roles inherited from her mother before her, protects the fighters in her martial arts circle from harm using her powerful energy or “chi”. When these fighters begin to die several days after their ring fights, while apparently at peak fitness, some sinister forces appear to be at work.
The two men in Mia’s life are locked in a battle to the death, one unknowingly and the other with intent.
Will Mia’s strength and protection be enough to save the man she loves? You will have to read the book to find out.
Atmospheric, chilling and well-researched.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

(4.5 stars)

This was a deeply moving book. It's a great fantasy with a bit of science...
I loved the characters, even "Dragonfly" the villain, was likeable...
Mia is a brave character. I felt like part of her personality was the author's, who also practices martial arts like the character. Which is really awesome!
The concepts of chi, o.b.e., and "death strike" were realistically compelling, and freaky...
The ending was unexpected... I like it a lot, so sad though...

[Melanie Gomez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me hooked from the start. I spent the day enjoying the flowing, engaging prose. I'm happy to see so much character development without sacrifice to the narrative. Looking forward to reading more by this author.

[MRS ALISON · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

Brilliant book couldn’t put it down. I’m not a fan of martial arts but this has me rethinking it. Thank you

[Jen Reardon · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting blend of fantasy and fiction. It's much different than the books I've been reading and I really enjoyed the change.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I just happened to pick it up at a book fair and I am so happy I did. It was so thrilling and I was crying by the end.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a martial arts fan but overall this is a great story as are all of her books

[Eliza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy read! It was easy to understand who the bad guy! :D

[Paul Westwood · Rating 2 out of 5]

And so the great book decluttering continues with another book of unknown provenance. This one looked like a good holiday read so it came with me to America and was left in a little free library in Indianapolis. I felt a bit bad about that because I didn’t think much of the book but that doesn’t mean someone else won’t enjoy it.
The story is about Mia who is a tattoo artist and a ‘keeper’. This means she uses arcane rites and rituals to keep a select few fighters safe when they’re in the ring. What this all means in practice is a bit vague but it involves astral projection to an ancient spiritual place that may or may not be on another plane of existence. As Mia’s charges die in unexplained circumstances she begins to suspect that something is amiss.
It’s written in the third person but primarily follows Mia with access to her inner thoughts. There’s also a chapter or two that follow Ash, the antagonist of the story, and maybe some following other characters too.
While all of the above could make for an interesting and exciting story I found the writing to be frustratingly unoriginal. It’s so full of clichés that it was annoying. Both the adjectives and the analogies used were so common-place that it completely detracted from the story. Having read another cliché ridden novel more recently I’ve realised that there is a place for clichés but only where the action is fast moving and intense. When a story’s progressing quickly, clichés can contribute to that sense of flow because the reader doesn’t have to make an effort trying to interpret original ideas. Unfortunately for this novel, this lack of originality was present in every scene and it’s in the mundane where they’re most noticeable and distracting.
Another characteristic that frustrated me was in the technical descriptions on a whole set of random topics. Some of these came through the narrator and others in the dialogue but they all tended to be too explanatory. They revealed that the author has researched the novel very well but they needed to be presented with more subtlety. The character Ash is prone to showing of his knowledge on all manner of subjects and, to me, he comes across as a know-it-all rather than intelligent and well read. I think the latter is supposed to be the impression he gives as the other characters all think he’s great.
Even before I’d read the many post-scripts, it was clear to me that the author has a real passion for the martial arts. This is a real positive of the story because an author’s passions often inspire their best writing. The fight scenes, of which there weren’t as many as you might expect, were a step up from the rest of the novel. The tension of the final chapter was quite well managed but by that point it was too late to win me over.
I’m not sure how I feel about the end. On the one hand it’s disappointing that she lets Ash get away with murdering her fighters, but on the other I think it does fit with her character. Whether the way the story ends for Ash is in keeping with his character is another matter. The extremes to which he has gone until that point make his change of attitude seem a-typical. It makes for a neat ending where retribution is found without violence, which is probably a positive way of looking at it.
I initially gave this story three stars for two reasons: the amount of research put into it and the author’s obvious passion for what she was writing about. But on reflection I changed it to two because, despite those two positives, my overall feeling about it was of frustration and disappointment with much of the writing.

[Serena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Natasha Mostert's Keeper of Light and Dust is an elegant fusion of martial arts, tattooing, Eastern philosophy and medicine, and biophoton and chronobiological science. Mostert deftly meshes information with characterization and plot, and there is never a dull moment in this spiritual thriller.

Some readers may find the science or Eastern philosophy and medicinal information daunting at first look, but readers will quickly become absorbed in the plot of this novel, cheering on the main characters and yelling at them when they fail to realize the dangers they face.

Mia Lockhart is a Keeper, who protects her marked fighters from danger and from failure in the ring; Nick Duffy is a skilled fighter with a lot of heart, Mia's childhood friend, and a successful businessman with his own social networking business (KIME) for fighters and enthusiasts; Adrian Ashton (Ash) is a scientist, fighter, trainer, and vampire, though not in the traditional sense--he feeds on the chi of others.

In the following conversation between Ash and Mia, readers can garner a sense of each character's personality and their perspective. Dialogue in this novel will have readers chuckling and thinking in the same breath.

"He shrugged again. 'Who's to say this light is chi? I believe it is; many scientists do not. Some are still struggling with the whole idea of light-inside-the-body to begin with. But it's not just humans, of course: all living things emit a permanent current of photons, from only a few to a few hundred. Plants, animals. . . people.'

'Shiny happy people. I like that. It's very R.E.M.'" (Page 148)

The dynamic between the three characters is fluid and will have readers guessing. Readers will love watching these characters evolve and grow together. Mostert is a phenomenal writer with a gift for description. Check out the passage below for a taste of how well Mostert weaves the narrative and creates a world that is very tangible.

"Mia opened the first box. Inside was a nest of stainless-steel acupuncture filament needles--a;ready sterilized by autoclave--and a small plastic filled with sticks of moxa: herb mixture.

She carefully touched the flame from needle to needle and ignited the moxa, causing it to smoulder. Breathing out slowly, slowly, she inserted the first needle into her skin approximately two finger widths away from the crease in her left wrist. Almost immediately she could feel the dequi sensation at the point of insertion. The second and third needles went into the be and gu points in the web between the thumb and the palm and the fourth at the base of her throat. She could feel her skin turning warmer from the conducted heat." (Page 89)

Unlike some other novels, this novel sprinkles in some unique side characters, but those characters like Flash and Chilli stay on the periphery in their subordinate roles to help the main characters uncover the mysteries behind the deaths of several fighters and the mysterious The Book of Light and Dust.

Keeper of Light and Dust is great for readers who enjoy Eastern medicine, philosophy, and marital arts, as well as those that enjoy suspense/thrillers and fantasy/science fiction novels. However, the main characters in this novel are dealing with more than just spiritual and martial arts dilemmas, they are dealing with emotions, life-changing events, and the dynamics of friendship. This novel defies normal convention in the science fiction/fantasy category and transcends those confines to deliver a well constructed drama.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Keeper of Light and Dust is one of those books that has been sitting on my TBR shelf for so long that I've forgotten where I got it. I know that I won it from a blog a couple years ago but I neglected to leave myself a note in the book about which blog it came from. After being pushed to the back of the shelf many times as review books, books by my favorite authors, and newer books were read first, I finally decided that I needed to pick this one up and read it.

Keeper of Light and Dust is a really interesting book but it definitely isn't for everyone. Mostert brings together elements of the mystical, martial arts, tattooing, and technology to create a unique blending between tradition and the modern world. Mia is a tattoo artist and a Keeper, watching over three martial artists. She uses her spiritual practice to protect her charges before and during each match. The death of one of her fighters brings on emotional doubts and questions about the mysterious circumstances. Nick, Mia's childhood friend and a martial artist himself, begins to investigate the death and finds several more deaths among martial artists that follow the same pattern. The two meet Ash, a handsome and charismatic martial artist searching for a new training partner. While he seems to be the perfect trainer to get Nick in shape for his next fight, Ash carries mysterious secrets and dangerous intentions.

Mostert does a fantastic job of drawing the reader into Mia, Nick, and Ash's world of martial arts and tattoos. The training sessions and fights are painted realistically but not graphically. A reader who knows little of this world would still be able to follow along. She also moves between characters easily so the reader can learn about each character's motivations without the secrets being spilled to other characters too soon. The pacing of the book is excellent and the characters are strong.

I think Mostert did the book a disservice by adding too many contemporary references though. It was almost as though the characters inserted very specific mentions of people and internet sites in order to position themselves as experts in their fields. Unfortunately, this also gives the book a very specific time frame and moves it away from a book that could remain relevant through the otherwise universal themes it presents. While I don't think Keeper of Light and Dust would ever become a considered a classic novel of any type, I think it could have had a longer shelf life while keeping the contemporary feel if the references had been a bit more generalized to the time period.

Keeper of Light and Dust is a unique story and I greatly enjoyed it. However, I can see how the subjects of this book might limit its appeal for many readers and this narrows the appropriate audience considerably.

[Marc · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found I could not “love” this story. The plot concept is good and the story will be particularly enjoyable to people interested in both science, internal martial arts, and curious about martial sports such as boxing. The failure is that the author gave the reader too much information about the antagonist, his motivations, etc. For example, she hints strongly at the ending on page 135, not even close to the mid-way point. Giveaways like that removed some of the mystery. I understand the author was trying to weave two story threads to a climax and so the reader will know a bit of both sides. A cloak can both keep someone warm and can conceal. There is a time for each and this story tilts towards warmth.

That aside, I did enjoy the story. There were parts where I was thinking “this does not seem necessary to the plot line” and much later we find out how it fit in. This story clearly was not a slap-dash effort made to meet an editor or publisher deadline. Everything fits together, much like the yin-yang circle.

While publisher blurbs such as “melds mystery with the supernatural in this Zen-tinged thriller” hint that this will be a will have a strong fantasy or supernatural element, lovers of that genre will be disappointed. The story dives (literally) once, for twelve pages, in the middle of the book for a fantasy element that was told in such a realistic fashion that we could have eliminated the “flight” without interrupting the story flow. There’s a second “flight” later in the book that runs for three pages. All is not lost for speculative fiction lovers as the underlying thread for the antagonist is that he seems to have figured out how to turn the biological clock back and to live forever. Even there, the story does a neat balancing of immortality and its cost.

[Cherie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A supernatural thriller with a twist, The Keeper of Light and Dust blends martial arts with science and magic to create a story that is unique and different, intriguing and compelling.

Mia Lockhart is a Keeper who uses special protection tattoos of her own making combined with out-of-body experiences to protect the fighters in her keep. Nick Duffy is a long time friend of Mia's and fellow martial artist who has returned to London to start fighting again, and has high hopes of finally starting up a romantic relationship with Mia. But not if Adrian Ashton has anything to do with it!

Adrian is an oddly brilliant scientist recently arrived in London as well who's very interested in the martial arts and other Chinese medicine and practices. With the help of several ancient texts combined with his own studies, he's discovered a way to cheat death by draining the chi life energy from his victims without their even knowing it. He's particularly drawn to boxers and other martial artists because of the strength of the life force they carry within them, especially during a fight. But with Adrian in town, things may not turn out too good for Nick and Mia.

Most of the concepts used in this book are indeed based on actual practices in use today, particularly in Eastern civilizations, but the author is able to seamlessly bring it all to the next level to give the story it's otherworldly and supernatural slant. Though it was immediately apparent from the beginning who "the bad guy" was, along with his motives, it's the how and why behind those motives that drive the story forward. Overall, a very good read and I look forward to reading more from this author.

[D shingy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novel was like a promise of an orgasm that just wouldn't reach its potential.
Imagine lots of good mental simulation and overall everything is going smooth, but your heart just isn't in it.
That's exactly how reading this felt like.

I'm not sure if its cause I got the impression that this book is amazing by how "original" the reviews say it is, and so of course I expected amazing .
I don't know it just didn't do it for me.

Mia was too perfect, so was Nick. Ash was the only interesting character. There should have been more background on the relationship between Mia & Valentine, especially after that tension filled conversation between Nick & Valentine's wife.

I liked the relatable style of detail, and how the author brought us into the world of martial arts.
It was enlightening and not too complicated that someone that doesn't know anything about it would feel lost.

I do Not like the ending, he deserved a worse ending, but I do understand how that would be the ultimate will crusher for someone like that. Still.

Honestly, the first half of the book I was too busy thinking I have read this before (which turns out I have partly), that maybe I did not give parts of it justice by my lousy concentration.
So the review is apparently just as lousy.

Oh well.
More books to read.


23 September update note:
This novel is one of those stories that would best be portrayed as a movie, I remember thinking that this would make a kick ass movie in the beginning of the book.
I don't believe it was done justice in the medium chosen.
Also, Frank Ocean's "Dream Killa" would make a good soundtrack for when she starts getting attacked in her "dreams".

[Chantelle Roberts · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mia is a chi-gifted Keeper of her generation, set in her duty to look after the fighters that she has marked. When two of her fighters die suddenly days after their fights, Mia is put to the test to figure out why their deaths are sudden. Nick, her loved friend, joins Mia to track down the killer. But when a newcomer to their fighting gym becomes a close part of their lives, unsuspecting danger lurks as Mia discovers that her spiritual responsibilties will be threatened.

An interesting book, as there were some very unique ideas. Though I would have found it better if some of them had been better looked into for the reader. I wanted to find out more background information about Mia's status as a "Keeper", the fact that she was a tatoo artist was a nice touch to the character. The descripions of "chi" and Ash's discoveries seemed to take up alot of the book, which made me wonder why Mia didnt have alot of her heritage explained when she was the main character.

The epilogue was a satisfying finish I have to admit, I wondered how old Ash actually was in the end. That he was Rosalia's father did occur to me as a prospect? But that Rosalia's body state was what had influenced Ash could have been the likely case. Well it was a sad ending either way I guess.

I enjoyed this book, the fighting themes as a plot line was different from the books I usually read and I liked the mental pictures of fighting communities, relationships, and the seriousness of training that were thoroughly detailed. A nice read!