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The Calling
"Angels and elves, dragons and dreams - if you love a big, bold tapestry of a tale, this one's for you" ~ quote from Julie Meyers, award winning author of face to face.
One thousand years have passed since elves freed mankind from slavery - and one hundred since that kindness was betrayed...
Behind their elders' weave of protection, Samara and her Angelican twin, Elias, have lived a peaceful life, despite a mysterious illness curiously linked to her horrible dreams. But on the night of their anointing, the village is raided - their people killed or enslaved - leaving the twins lost and alone... Hundreds of miles away, an elven swordsman named Thorn finds that the great city of Kodeah suffered the same fate - and that the ancient evil long captive within the city's underground tombs has been set free... John Stratman, is a human farmer plagued by the darkest of visitations. Driven by terror and lack of sleep, he rides in desperation to speak with his father, seeking an end to the curse.
As the Angelican twins search for their family; the Elven swordsman endeavors to warn his king; and the farmer struggles to dispel the horrifying darkness that taunts him. Now old betrayals must be forgiven, and new alliances forged, for a destiny far beyond them has been placed in their hands, all tied to the fate of one precious child who can save -- or damn -- them all...
What readers are saying about this book:
-“A real page turner, I couldn’t put it down.”
-“I fell in love with all the characters.”
-“It rolled like a movie in my mind, just amazing!”
-“Well written, Funny, exciting, fast-paced, I want more!”
-“I loved this book.”
One thousand years have passed since elves freed mankind from slavery - and one hundred since that kindness was betrayed...
Behind their elders' weave of protection, Samara and her Angelican twin, Elias, have lived a peaceful life, despite a mysterious illness curiously linked to her horrible dreams. But on the night of their anointing, the village is raided - their people killed or enslaved - leaving the twins lost and alone... Hundreds of miles away, an elven swordsman named Thorn finds that the great city of Kodeah suffered the same fate - and that the ancient evil long captive within the city's underground tombs has been set free... John Stratman, is a human farmer plagued by the darkest of visitations. Driven by terror and lack of sleep, he rides in desperation to speak with his father, seeking an end to the curse.
As the Angelican twins search for their family; the Elven swordsman endeavors to warn his king; and the farmer struggles to dispel the horrifying darkness that taunts him. Now old betrayals must be forgiven, and new alliances forged, for a destiny far beyond them has been placed in their hands, all tied to the fate of one precious child who can save -- or damn -- them all...
What readers are saying about this book:
-“A real page turner, I couldn’t put it down.”
-“I fell in love with all the characters.”
-“It rolled like a movie in my mind, just amazing!”
-“Well written, Funny, exciting, fast-paced, I want more!”
-“I loved this book.”
505 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 4, 2008
1 person is currently reading
13 people want to read
About the author
S.J. Pow
1 book11 followersS. J . Pow began writing poetry when she was sixteen and her first novel when she was eleven. When Pow is not working on her health books or fantasy tales she is busy sprouting, mircogreening and juicing between bursts of body and mind boosting movements.
Visit: www.sjpow.com to learn more about The Calling, Book One in The Black Pearl Of Sacrifice Series and read a mix of blog post topics. Subscribe for free fantasy short stories, and eBooks that offer healthy habits and easy natural remedies to lower inflammation, pain anxiety and depression. As well as other titles for chronic pain and illness which include uniquely sprouted recipes for decadent sweets, gourmet ‘take away’ favorite foods that are wholesome and nutrient packed without scrimping on flavour, along with useful “How To Info“ for mindfulness, simplifying, sprouting, microgreening and juicing your way to healthful weight-loss and wellbeing without deprivation.
Visit: www.sjpow.com to learn more about The Calling, Book One in The Black Pearl Of Sacrifice Series and read a mix of blog post topics. Subscribe for free fantasy short stories, and eBooks that offer healthy habits and easy natural remedies to lower inflammation, pain anxiety and depression. As well as other titles for chronic pain and illness which include uniquely sprouted recipes for decadent sweets, gourmet ‘take away’ favorite foods that are wholesome and nutrient packed without scrimping on flavour, along with useful “How To Info“ for mindfulness, simplifying, sprouting, microgreening and juicing your way to healthful weight-loss and wellbeing without deprivation.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
October 10, 2015
3 & 1/2 STARS
A very interesting plot with well descriptive language of the settings, characters and fantasy creatures. This was the first time I have read a dark fantasy novel and I had enjoyed it very much. The main thing that I loved the most about Pow's writing is her inventive names for objects and animals, which she had me convinced at first that they were real and I tried googling them!! Example include thaco, sheeba, mieyu, etc. I look forward to seeing graphics if I ever get the chance too :)
I liked how the author entwined the different character's journey into the one story as they all played an important part, however I had myself wondering if there were too many main characters in the story. I like the names of the chapters but I was also wondering if maybe they could have been set out in the names of the very main characters to make it easier to switch back and forth between each one's journey, e.g. SAMARA, THORN, QUEEN CARLARBI & JOHN STRATMEN.
Thorn was my favourite character as I love his loyalty to his king but as I kept on reading I began to feel a little annoyed with how he was speaking to the elven boy Elwyn. It sounded like how a mother would speak to her very own child, not from an elven swordsman. Which felt like the character was changing back and forth from masculinity to feminine. My 2 favourite characters now are John Stratmen and Queen Carbarli for their strength, courage, determination and loyalty to their people and family.
Lastly, I would like to say how I was surprised by the ending it was not how I expected...I don't know if I like it or not but I cannot wait until Book 2 comes out!
A very interesting plot with well descriptive language of the settings, characters and fantasy creatures. This was the first time I have read a dark fantasy novel and I had enjoyed it very much. The main thing that I loved the most about Pow's writing is her inventive names for objects and animals, which she had me convinced at first that they were real and I tried googling them!! Example include thaco, sheeba, mieyu, etc. I look forward to seeing graphics if I ever get the chance too :)
I liked how the author entwined the different character's journey into the one story as they all played an important part, however I had myself wondering if there were too many main characters in the story. I like the names of the chapters but I was also wondering if maybe they could have been set out in the names of the very main characters to make it easier to switch back and forth between each one's journey, e.g. SAMARA, THORN, QUEEN CARLARBI & JOHN STRATMEN.
Thorn was my favourite character as I love his loyalty to his king but as I kept on reading I began to feel a little annoyed with how he was speaking to the elven boy Elwyn. It sounded like how a mother would speak to her very own child, not from an elven swordsman. Which felt like the character was changing back and forth from masculinity to feminine. My 2 favourite characters now are John Stratmen and Queen Carbarli for their strength, courage, determination and loyalty to their people and family.
Lastly, I would like to say how I was surprised by the ending it was not how I expected...I don't know if I like it or not but I cannot wait until Book 2 comes out!
August 20, 2011
a very promising debut from emerging australian fantasy author SJ Pow. it demonstrates a very character focused approach to fantasy writing which i appreciated a lot and found that it made the story very accessible. Pow shows an obvious love of animals in her writing with most of the main characters having an association with a wondrous creature companion :) I often found that just when i was getting used to the pattern of chapters that cycled between the main characters, a chapter was thrown in which focused on a secondary character and these were some of my favourites. Single, almost standalone, chapters about Thorn's younger brother Torin, and Millie's history, served as wonderful interjections into the main story and i hope theu're developed further in the sequels to come. The book doesn't follow a standard pacing formula, but serves as a wonderful opening to the series as a whole -- and it points towards more intriguing and climactic events to follow. I eagerly anticipate book 2 of The Black Pearl of Sacrifice: The Awakening.
October 20, 2015
The Calling (The Black Pearl of Sacrifice) is by far one of my favourite books of all time and I can successfully say that S.J.Pow is one of the most understated writers in writing history. Her story although in a fictional, fantasy land, her novel is one I would describe as modern day literature. Where modern authors often forget that they are writing for the people, S.J.Pow seems to keep that in mind, never dragging on and mulling over details. This is the kind of book I would recommend with a 10/10. People say,'A book is a gateway into the mind', well for me this book is a gateway into another universe. Can't wait to read more of S.J.Pow's work. A truly moving and fault free book.
October 26, 2015
I love this book. : )
November 16, 2015
I read this version of the book some years ago, rather shortly after the author finished it. Absolutely loved it and would like to read the sequel(s).
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews