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Petrellan Saga #1
Ocean of Grass
Beached on an unforgiving shore, her beloved Sea Eagle destroyed by the Priest-Admiral’s fleet, Sarasha must overcome her crippling injury to lead her people to a new, free life on the Great Prairie.
But strong leadership creates dependence, and dependence leads to tyranny, and the whole vicious cycle will start over again.
The beginning of the Petrellan Saga, the story of a people and the forces that caused them to migrate over 400 years from a freezing ocean to a prairie to a rich land beyond the mountains. This book chronicles the original rebellion against tyranny that began the trek.
But strong leadership creates dependence, and dependence leads to tyranny, and the whole vicious cycle will start over again.
The beginning of the Petrellan Saga, the story of a people and the forces that caused them to migrate over 400 years from a freezing ocean to a prairie to a rich land beyond the mountains. This book chronicles the original rebellion against tyranny that began the trek.
300 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 1, 2018
2 people are currently reading
338 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
December 5, 2018
A fascinating tale of a sea-faring society forced to adapt to living on land
For generations the Sea People have lived in an ocean-dwelling theocracy, a hierarchical, ship-bound society ruled by Priest-Captains. Some live on Masterships of luxury and prestige; others on smaller Familyships of fishing, cargo and trade. However, with the rise of the cruel, tyrannical Priest-Admiral, a number of the Familyships have rebelled against the old order and been branded as heretics. After a sea battle in which they are overwhelmed by numbers, the rebels are forced ashore to become refugees. To survive, they salvage all they can of their old life, burn their Familyships, and seek the only remaining freedom available to them: that of the wide-open prairie.
Rendered lame by a wound received in the sea battle, Sarasha, a brave young warrior, scribe, and daughter of the rebels’ leader, proves invaluable as her people struggle to come to terms with the profound change in their way of life and attempt to build a land-dwelling society. Representing both the voice of a new generation and a bridge between the young and the old, Sarasha must use all her knowledge, intelligence and skills to help her people navigate this new, dangerous, uncharted territory. Old enemies, victims of the Sea People’s past raids, regard them with hostility. And when the Priest-Admiral and his fleet return in pursuit of the rebels, tragedy strikes …
Ocean of Grass is a well-written, mostly absorbing tale of a profound societal and evolutionary shift. The culture of the Sea People is given depth and resonance by way of holy texts and traditions, and their dealings with former enemies are suspenseful and compelling. What makes the story especially interesting is how the Sea People gradually change as they adapt to living on land, evolving from a society ruled by an elite to a community in which decisions are taken on a collective basis. Each character has his or her own part to play and an important contribution to make. Although the pacing is a little slow at times, the plot eventually gathers way and steers towards an exciting denouement in which the stakes could not be higher.
The novel’s shining light is its heroine, Sarasha: a fiercely courageous, extremely clever, and immensely sympathetic protagonist. Refreshingly, she is no disgruntled rebel, but has a wonderful relationship with her parents, is a key advisor to her father and the other captains, and her destiny appears to be not one of romance but of leadership. However, she is also believably flawed, plagued with self-doubt, anger and frustration. Forced to cope with her sudden and seemingly permanent disability, Sarasha’s struggle to overcome adversity and adapt to her new circumstances mirrors that of her people. In this story, it is Sarasha who makes the political personal; Sarasha who is the future, wounded but unbowed. A good start to the series and a recommended read.
Arwen Evenstar
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review
For generations the Sea People have lived in an ocean-dwelling theocracy, a hierarchical, ship-bound society ruled by Priest-Captains. Some live on Masterships of luxury and prestige; others on smaller Familyships of fishing, cargo and trade. However, with the rise of the cruel, tyrannical Priest-Admiral, a number of the Familyships have rebelled against the old order and been branded as heretics. After a sea battle in which they are overwhelmed by numbers, the rebels are forced ashore to become refugees. To survive, they salvage all they can of their old life, burn their Familyships, and seek the only remaining freedom available to them: that of the wide-open prairie.
Rendered lame by a wound received in the sea battle, Sarasha, a brave young warrior, scribe, and daughter of the rebels’ leader, proves invaluable as her people struggle to come to terms with the profound change in their way of life and attempt to build a land-dwelling society. Representing both the voice of a new generation and a bridge between the young and the old, Sarasha must use all her knowledge, intelligence and skills to help her people navigate this new, dangerous, uncharted territory. Old enemies, victims of the Sea People’s past raids, regard them with hostility. And when the Priest-Admiral and his fleet return in pursuit of the rebels, tragedy strikes …
Ocean of Grass is a well-written, mostly absorbing tale of a profound societal and evolutionary shift. The culture of the Sea People is given depth and resonance by way of holy texts and traditions, and their dealings with former enemies are suspenseful and compelling. What makes the story especially interesting is how the Sea People gradually change as they adapt to living on land, evolving from a society ruled by an elite to a community in which decisions are taken on a collective basis. Each character has his or her own part to play and an important contribution to make. Although the pacing is a little slow at times, the plot eventually gathers way and steers towards an exciting denouement in which the stakes could not be higher.
The novel’s shining light is its heroine, Sarasha: a fiercely courageous, extremely clever, and immensely sympathetic protagonist. Refreshingly, she is no disgruntled rebel, but has a wonderful relationship with her parents, is a key advisor to her father and the other captains, and her destiny appears to be not one of romance but of leadership. However, she is also believably flawed, plagued with self-doubt, anger and frustration. Forced to cope with her sudden and seemingly permanent disability, Sarasha’s struggle to overcome adversity and adapt to her new circumstances mirrors that of her people. In this story, it is Sarasha who makes the political personal; Sarasha who is the future, wounded but unbowed. A good start to the series and a recommended read.
Arwen Evenstar
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review
June 25, 2019
Ocean of Grass: Petrellan Saga Book 1 by Gordon A Long
First of all, I have to say, I love this book cover! It’s striking and gorgeous.
Sarasha Tourn is the daughter of Arlijn Tourn, the Captain of the Sea Eagle. Having rejected the Priest Admirable politics and strict rules, a small fleet battles for their freedom. Having escaped they are all aware they will be branded as heretics, and the Priest Admiral’s will likely return to destroy them all.
Having beached their ships and burned them to hide where they landed, they now seek a place suitable to settle. They need to learn ways to make a living on land. The people in the settlement established there fear the sea people, with good reason. They have been raided by sea people before.
As the land lovers seek to exert dominance, the sea people are trying to defend themselves using non-violent methods unless attacked first. The sea people are also struggling to establish a society that isn’t led by a single person. They want everyone to have equal input on how they are governed. Currently they are all looking to Captain Tourn to lead them, with Sarasha by his side. Sarasha is a knowledgeable young woman, she reads books, lots of books. She is also strong-willed, and speaks her mind. Ever since her devastating foot injury, which happened during the battle for freedom from the Priest Admiral’s Fleet, she feels the need to prove her worth to her shipmates.
I found “Ocean of Grass” fascinating and enthralling. From the beginning it is easy to get swept away by the story and become invested in not only Sarasha’s success, but the success of all the sea people. The reader will find some well-placed humor throughout as well. The plot twists and turns with successes from skirmishes to all-out war, and heartbreaking failures. Yeah, Mr. Long made me cry, real tears, and I’m not talking about a few tears!
However, I am looking forward to following this saga.
FYI Uses Canadian spelling conventions. **Originally written for "BigAl’s Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy.** June 5, 2019
Format/Typo Issues: No significant issues with proofing or formatting.
First of all, I have to say, I love this book cover! It’s striking and gorgeous.
Sarasha Tourn is the daughter of Arlijn Tourn, the Captain of the Sea Eagle. Having rejected the Priest Admirable politics and strict rules, a small fleet battles for their freedom. Having escaped they are all aware they will be branded as heretics, and the Priest Admiral’s will likely return to destroy them all.
Having beached their ships and burned them to hide where they landed, they now seek a place suitable to settle. They need to learn ways to make a living on land. The people in the settlement established there fear the sea people, with good reason. They have been raided by sea people before.
As the land lovers seek to exert dominance, the sea people are trying to defend themselves using non-violent methods unless attacked first. The sea people are also struggling to establish a society that isn’t led by a single person. They want everyone to have equal input on how they are governed. Currently they are all looking to Captain Tourn to lead them, with Sarasha by his side. Sarasha is a knowledgeable young woman, she reads books, lots of books. She is also strong-willed, and speaks her mind. Ever since her devastating foot injury, which happened during the battle for freedom from the Priest Admiral’s Fleet, she feels the need to prove her worth to her shipmates.
I found “Ocean of Grass” fascinating and enthralling. From the beginning it is easy to get swept away by the story and become invested in not only Sarasha’s success, but the success of all the sea people. The reader will find some well-placed humor throughout as well. The plot twists and turns with successes from skirmishes to all-out war, and heartbreaking failures. Yeah, Mr. Long made me cry, real tears, and I’m not talking about a few tears!
However, I am looking forward to following this saga.
FYI Uses Canadian spelling conventions. **Originally written for "BigAl’s Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy.** June 5, 2019
Format/Typo Issues: No significant issues with proofing or formatting.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews