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When Jimmy Pirano gets called to the home office, his sister Angela gets stuck with sorting out the mess he leaves behind.
Otto Krugg must find a way to continue after his losses. Can he find happiness on the other end of the South Coast?
Otto Krugg must find a way to continue after his losses. Can he find happiness on the other end of the South Coast?
362 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 15, 2020
138 people are currently reading
121 people want to read
About the author
Nathan Lowell
47 books1,657 followersNathan Lowell has been a writer for more than forty years, and first entered the literary world by podcasting his novels. His sci-fi series, The Golden Age of the Solar Clipper grew from his long time fascination with space opera and his own experiences shipboard in the United States Coast Guard. Unlike most works which focus on a larger-than-life hero (prophesized savior, charismatic captain, or exiled prince), Nathan centers on the people behind the scenes--ordinary men and women trying to make a living in the depths of space. In his novels, there are no bug-eyed monsters, or galactic space battles, instead he paints a richly vivid and realistic world where the "hero" uses hard work and his own innate talents to improve his station and the lives of those of his community.
Dr. Nathan Lowell holds a Ph.D. in Educational Technology with specializations in Distance Education and Instructional Design. He also holds an M.A. in Educational Technology and a BS in Business Administration. He grew up on the south coast of Maine and is strongly rooted in the maritime heritage of the sea-farer. He served in the USCG from 1970 to 1975, seeing duty aboard a cutter on hurricane patrol in the North Atlantic and at a communications station in Kodiak, Alaska. He currently lives in the plains east of the Rocky Mountains with his wife and two daughters.
Awards & Recognition
2008 Parsec Award Finalist for Best Speculative Fiction for Full Share
2008 Podiobooks Founder's Choice Award for Double Share
2008 Parsec Award Finalist for Best Speculative Fiction for South Coast
2009 Podiobooks Founder's Choice Award for Captain's Share
2009 Parsec Award Finalist for Best Speculative Fiction for Double Share
4 out of 10 Books on Podiobooks.com Top Overall Rated by Votes (2. Double Share, 3. Quarter Share, 5. Full Share, 8. Half Share) -- as of Jan 4, 2009
6 out of 10 Books on Podiobooks.com Top Overall Rating (1. Ravenwood, 2. Quarter Share, 3. Double share, 4. Captain's Share, 5. Full Share, 7. South Coast) -- as of Jan 4, 2009
Dr. Nathan Lowell holds a Ph.D. in Educational Technology with specializations in Distance Education and Instructional Design. He also holds an M.A. in Educational Technology and a BS in Business Administration. He grew up on the south coast of Maine and is strongly rooted in the maritime heritage of the sea-farer. He served in the USCG from 1970 to 1975, seeing duty aboard a cutter on hurricane patrol in the North Atlantic and at a communications station in Kodiak, Alaska. He currently lives in the plains east of the Rocky Mountains with his wife and two daughters.
Awards & Recognition
2008 Parsec Award Finalist for Best Speculative Fiction for Full Share
2008 Podiobooks Founder's Choice Award for Double Share
2008 Parsec Award Finalist for Best Speculative Fiction for South Coast
2009 Podiobooks Founder's Choice Award for Captain's Share
2009 Parsec Award Finalist for Best Speculative Fiction for Double Share
4 out of 10 Books on Podiobooks.com Top Overall Rated by Votes (2. Double Share, 3. Quarter Share, 5. Full Share, 8. Half Share) -- as of Jan 4, 2009
6 out of 10 Books on Podiobooks.com Top Overall Rating (1. Ravenwood, 2. Quarter Share, 3. Double share, 4. Captain's Share, 5. Full Share, 7. South Coast) -- as of Jan 4, 2009
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
October 4, 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed this wrap-up to the Shaman's Tales. It's in the far future, but not really typical sci-fi other than people living on another planet. This book could be read alone, but would be better understood if read at the end of the series.
December 13, 2025
The entire Shaman series is an excellent part of the solar clipper universe. Excellent trilogy
June 17, 2023
I felt like this book didn't really have a structured goal or sufficient plot depth - it meandered on topics like the women shamans and an abusive wife, but a lot of details were handwaved over, and we were just supposed to accept that it happened as planned at the end. I didn't feel the Pirano POV was necessary, and I was much more attached to the younger brother than the older sister Angela that replaced him abruptly in this story.
I probably won't revisit this series again - the main series with Quarter Share is definitely much better.
I probably won't revisit this series again - the main series with Quarter Share is definitely much better.
September 26, 2020
[25 Sep 2020]
Heartwarming. But a little too pat.
Otto Krug moves to a new village, with new challenges, and new people, bringing him out of his depression after Sarah's departure. At the same time, the new Company manager is forced to make some major changes with respect to the shamans.
An enjoyable read but not surprising or challenging.
Heartwarming. But a little too pat.
Otto Krug moves to a new village, with new challenges, and new people, bringing him out of his depression after Sarah's departure. At the same time, the new Company manager is forced to make some major changes with respect to the shamans.
An enjoyable read but not surprising or challenging.
September 20, 2020
There is almost no better way to spend a cold, cloudy day than to curl up with Nathan Lowell. Finwell Bay is the third South Coast Tale and is good as the others which makes it a supremely enjoyable, warm, and interesting story. Lowell has a wonderful touch at creating and presenting intriguing characters, both the good folks and not-so-good folks. And, while set in a future full of space travel, the issues and problems and solutions have little “fiction or fantasy”. Just real people doing the best they can. And Nathan Lowell makes that story one that I overwhelming like to read.
October 1, 2020
Another throughly satisfying read.
Nathan Lowell is a master storyteller that has delighted me on many occasions. This was a particular delight, as it smoothed some rough feeling left over from the last Shaman's Tale. No spoilers here, just solid enjoyment of a tale well crafted enough to maintain a readers interest in the characters and the world they inhabit. Thank you.
Nathan Lowell is a master storyteller that has delighted me on many occasions. This was a particular delight, as it smoothed some rough feeling left over from the last Shaman's Tale. No spoilers here, just solid enjoyment of a tale well crafted enough to maintain a readers interest in the characters and the world they inhabit. Thank you.
September 25, 2020
AHHHH another dose.of Nathan and the sea
Another book in which Nathan through Otto tackles a series of topics seldom mentioned.in SciFi stories. Kudos to bringinf forth the reality and solutions in a great story.
Another book in which Nathan through Otto tackles a series of topics seldom mentioned.in SciFi stories. Kudos to bringinf forth the reality and solutions in a great story.
September 28, 2020
Although this book takes place in the distant future, it is NOT science fiction. There is no technical innovations, aliens, nor non-Earth environments. The world is three hundred plus years from now, however there are only a few advancements (e.g., anti-grav units and FTL), and some major steps backward, like relying on crude wood burning stoves for heat (e.g., two cans welded together), major delays in interplanetary communication, or taking a three day railroad trip. Think of Little House on the Prairie set in a Nova Scotian coastal fishing village. Violence is non-existent in this story, except someone tripped in a bar fight and domestic abuse. Nor is there corruption or any criminals. Everyone helps one another. Yes, I would love to live in Finwell Bay.
The story hinges on the concept of Shaman. The head of the Fishing industry on this planet is forced to come up with 8,000 mental health workers. She quickly realizes that it can come from their Shamans. Shamans are basically unpaid religious/magical/social workers. They are only males ('the son of a Shaman is a Shaman', but not their daughters). Her solution is to make them employees and increase their numbers (guess how). The central figures are this head of Fishing and one Shaman, Otto Krug. Otto is still reeling from the death of his wife and the departure of his daughter, who was forced into exile from the planet - she didn't have a company job = exile. One amazing thing about Nathan Lowell's writing is the strength of his women. There were no weak women. Misguided, suspicious, angry, taken-advantage of, yes; Weak no. Like other books of Nathan's, the family unit and the work cohort are very strong and loving, although with increased longevity, divorce is very prominent (universal??).
His writing makes you want to move to these crude fishing villages. You can smell the brine, whelkies - snails and conch like creatures, sawdust from a cabinet maker. Like many other of Nathan's books, there is coffee and tea. All visitors are offered coffee or tea. Caffeine addiction doesn't exist. The same goes for foods, e.g., crab cakes, stews, or a diner-type breakfast. You can almost smell the pastries. Anyone who has visited any good small town diner would feel at home. The core of the book is about legitimizing (and liberating female) Shaman and Otto's realization that he is actually a useful Shaman, a contributor to his community. Would I recommend it? Let me put it to you this way, after reading this book, I purchased his previous book of this series, South Coast, to reread, and am a quarter through!
The story hinges on the concept of Shaman. The head of the Fishing industry on this planet is forced to come up with 8,000 mental health workers. She quickly realizes that it can come from their Shamans. Shamans are basically unpaid religious/magical/social workers. They are only males ('the son of a Shaman is a Shaman', but not their daughters). Her solution is to make them employees and increase their numbers (guess how). The central figures are this head of Fishing and one Shaman, Otto Krug. Otto is still reeling from the death of his wife and the departure of his daughter, who was forced into exile from the planet - she didn't have a company job = exile. One amazing thing about Nathan Lowell's writing is the strength of his women. There were no weak women. Misguided, suspicious, angry, taken-advantage of, yes; Weak no. Like other books of Nathan's, the family unit and the work cohort are very strong and loving, although with increased longevity, divorce is very prominent (universal??).
His writing makes you want to move to these crude fishing villages. You can smell the brine, whelkies - snails and conch like creatures, sawdust from a cabinet maker. Like many other of Nathan's books, there is coffee and tea. All visitors are offered coffee or tea. Caffeine addiction doesn't exist. The same goes for foods, e.g., crab cakes, stews, or a diner-type breakfast. You can almost smell the pastries. Anyone who has visited any good small town diner would feel at home. The core of the book is about legitimizing (and liberating female) Shaman and Otto's realization that he is actually a useful Shaman, a contributor to his community. Would I recommend it? Let me put it to you this way, after reading this book, I purchased his previous book of this series, South Coast, to reread, and am a quarter through!
September 20, 2020
Full Circle
Nathan Lowell has become very well known for his Solar Clipper series of books but what many didn’t know - but are now finding out - is that his Shaman Tales have a part in his Solar Clipper universe and its characters. You really need to read all of the Solar Clipper books to know why Shaman Tales is so important... and this book does not disappoint and brings a lot of things full circle, not just on St. Cloud but the tie-ins to, for example, the crazy old guy who was selling trinkets, which seem to have some meaning, on the St. Cloud orbital... and how Ishmael Wang got his hands on them and what he did with them and why he didn’t sell them as he thought he would.
Magnificent writing and story telling. This book, as well as this series, does not disappoint. Full of real life woes, troubles and long-held prejudices as well as a way for life which has more dangers than can easily be seen and the people who are damaged because of them... and the shamans whose mission in life is to help when the world tells them they’re needed.
And even when a certain shaman, himself, needs help.
Nathan Lowell has become very well known for his Solar Clipper series of books but what many didn’t know - but are now finding out - is that his Shaman Tales have a part in his Solar Clipper universe and its characters. You really need to read all of the Solar Clipper books to know why Shaman Tales is so important... and this book does not disappoint and brings a lot of things full circle, not just on St. Cloud but the tie-ins to, for example, the crazy old guy who was selling trinkets, which seem to have some meaning, on the St. Cloud orbital... and how Ishmael Wang got his hands on them and what he did with them and why he didn’t sell them as he thought he would.
Magnificent writing and story telling. This book, as well as this series, does not disappoint. Full of real life woes, troubles and long-held prejudices as well as a way for life which has more dangers than can easily be seen and the people who are damaged because of them... and the shamans whose mission in life is to help when the world tells them they’re needed.
And even when a certain shaman, himself, needs help.
October 30, 2020
Like all of Nathan Lowell's books, he molds a compelling, emotional, heart felt story out of the mendacity of normal peoples lives. In all his books, people have their own personal hurts and hopes, and what Nathan does so masterfully is play upon those traits while the characters go about their daily lives, to engage the reader so deeply that the line between our life and the characters life tends to blur. There are are so many common points that overlap, such as simply making coffee (or Tea as it happens in this particular series), eating breakfast, staring at an unfilled chair. I don't know if these books are therapeutic or not, but I welcome them as a huge departure from my Military SciFi books of Adventuring daring-do. These books are like a warm blanket on a cold day, and the linger in your mind long past the ending of the book.
Now enough of this! Get back to writing about Ishmael Wang or Natalya Regyri. Enough already! Time to focus and feed the masses what we hunger for!
Now enough of this! Get back to writing about Ishmael Wang or Natalya Regyri. Enough already! Time to focus and feed the masses what we hunger for!
September 18, 2020
There's just something about the Shamans saga: Tales of the South Coast (I mean besides the fact that Nathan Lowell wrote it!)... It's something else that draws me to the South Coast, over and over again, and I believe it's the subtle magic of the writing, and the magic of the Shamans themselves! South Coast was always my comfort book... it always welcomed me back with open pages and the heartwarming story of fisherfolk, and the subtle magics of their faraway planet!
This year Nathan Lowell made good on his promise of many years ago, to finish up the trilogy, and gave us not merely one, but two wonderful stories to wrap things up. Firstly, Cape Grace (just a few months back), and now Finwell Bay, the conclusion to what he started more than 10 years ago. And OMG, that same old magic drew me in again... I loved this book to pieces! Finwell Bay evoked the smell of the ocean in the air and the sound of sea birds overhead... I walked along the beach, and I listened to the world!
This year Nathan Lowell made good on his promise of many years ago, to finish up the trilogy, and gave us not merely one, but two wonderful stories to wrap things up. Firstly, Cape Grace (just a few months back), and now Finwell Bay, the conclusion to what he started more than 10 years ago. And OMG, that same old magic drew me in again... I loved this book to pieces! Finwell Bay evoked the smell of the ocean in the air and the sound of sea birds overhead... I walked along the beach, and I listened to the world!
September 6, 2021
More positive than "Cape Grace," this story continues in the same understated way as the rest of the Shaman's Tales. While I enjoyed Lowell's writing, I found that the Shaman's Tales meandered too much for me and made reading them more an exercise in seeing how much of a completist I am rather than engaging me and boosting my interest. I'm not sure where else Lowell intends to take his tales of the Golden Age of the Solar Clipper, but I'll be on the ride at least a little longer. Next up, "Dark Knight Station: Origins," and whether I continue to read on after that will depend upon how that one goes.
June 29, 2023
Great character driven Fiction
This is the second series I've read by Lowell. Both have been Driven by Character development. In the shaman's tales, We pick up on the south coast where welkies are crafted by Shamans, and follow the life of Otto, a Shaman who is at heart a man wanting to "listen to the world." He wants to be helpful to those around him, and has to work through his own blind spots, some of which have profound consequences.
Themes of love and loss, discrimination and misogyny, the management of natural resources, and more are deftly woven into a rich and complex tapestry.
This is the second series I've read by Lowell. Both have been Driven by Character development. In the shaman's tales, We pick up on the south coast where welkies are crafted by Shamans, and follow the life of Otto, a Shaman who is at heart a man wanting to "listen to the world." He wants to be helpful to those around him, and has to work through his own blind spots, some of which have profound consequences.
Themes of love and loss, discrimination and misogyny, the management of natural resources, and more are deftly woven into a rich and complex tapestry.
September 18, 2020
I have read all of Mr. Lowell's books, many of them multiple times, and I still couldn't tell you what keeps me ravenous for more. He tells solid stories about people. He peeks under the hood into their motivations and tells stories that I could listen to for hours. My biggest fear is when he decides that he has told the last story about his characters. This series, focussed on the Shamans of St. Cloud, is just getting warmed up, and I love where it is going.
September 20, 2020
Finwell Bay philosophy
Why are only men shamans? What do shamans do?
These questions are a big part of Finwell Bay (the book ). Otto Krugg moves to Finwell Bay because they need a new shaman. After arriving he finds himself looking at issues where he has to find out what the problem is by asking the right question or a different question. This ends up defining the shaman philosophy. An excellent book
Why are only men shamans? What do shamans do?
These questions are a big part of Finwell Bay (the book ). Otto Krugg moves to Finwell Bay because they need a new shaman. After arriving he finds himself looking at issues where he has to find out what the problem is by asking the right question or a different question. This ends up defining the shaman philosophy. An excellent book
September 23, 2020
The thing about living is everyone does it.
Every life is a story. And sometimes just day to day life is enough. We don't have to be heroes fighting a dragon or looking for glory. The boring life is still a life. It seems that so many people forget that and strive for more. These books always do a good job of grounding me, solidly reminding me of the day to day enjoyment of sitting on a bench watching the world.
Every life is a story. And sometimes just day to day life is enough. We don't have to be heroes fighting a dragon or looking for glory. The boring life is still a life. It seems that so many people forget that and strive for more. These books always do a good job of grounding me, solidly reminding me of the day to day enjoyment of sitting on a bench watching the world.
October 1, 2020
Stop and read..
When Nathan publishes a new book, I put a hold on anything I am reading or listening to and read it. This book expands the Shaman theme and is particularly well done. Wonderful story told in right pace and leaves you waiting for next book and tie in with daughter Sarah and the Clipper series I re-read every two years. I am a journalist so writing is my life too and Nathan my favorite author.
When Nathan publishes a new book, I put a hold on anything I am reading or listening to and read it. This book expands the Shaman theme and is particularly well done. Wonderful story told in right pace and leaves you waiting for next book and tie in with daughter Sarah and the Clipper series I re-read every two years. I am a journalist so writing is my life too and Nathan my favorite author.
October 1, 2020
What a GREAT story!
Shaman's tales has needed a nother part for quite some time. A lot of loose ends have been gathered but is it really an ending? I, for one, certainly hope it's a springboard to the rest of the story! I was pleased with the way Otto dealt with Sarah's plight, in hindsight, and the way the company is working to correct a century of wrong. Best of all, Otto gave himself permission to heal!
Shaman's tales has needed a nother part for quite some time. A lot of loose ends have been gathered but is it really an ending? I, for one, certainly hope it's a springboard to the rest of the story! I was pleased with the way Otto dealt with Sarah's plight, in hindsight, and the way the company is working to correct a century of wrong. Best of all, Otto gave himself permission to heal!
October 3, 2020
It is a soup for the soul...
Nathan Powell's writings are always a good read. You can tell he writes from his heart, life and experience. I never loved the Shamans Tales and its counterpart stories from book 1. His writing brings me memories of walking the Pacific beaches in my youth, of the beauty of small towns and gives a hopeful vision of humanity, a hope we all need during these COVID times.
Nathan Powell's writings are always a good read. You can tell he writes from his heart, life and experience. I never loved the Shamans Tales and its counterpart stories from book 1. His writing brings me memories of walking the Pacific beaches in my youth, of the beauty of small towns and gives a hopeful vision of humanity, a hope we all need during these COVID times.
February 18, 2021
Listen to the World
The Shaman's Tales continue with a new boss for Pirano Fisheries, and a new shaman for a struggling fishing community. We do get to see more of how the shaman serves the people, and of the value he gives to the corporation while being apart from it. Resolution to one of the main issues of the prior books begins, and I can't wait for the next volume to see how it plays out. The books are genuinely enjoyable and well written.
The Shaman's Tales continue with a new boss for Pirano Fisheries, and a new shaman for a struggling fishing community. We do get to see more of how the shaman serves the people, and of the value he gives to the corporation while being apart from it. Resolution to one of the main issues of the prior books begins, and I can't wait for the next volume to see how it plays out. The books are genuinely enjoyable and well written.
May 24, 2022
Quiet excellence
I really enjoy the way Mr. Lowell let's the story unfold with spare yet vivid observation and dialogue. He really knows how to give you enough information and familiarity to bring these places and characters to life in your own mind, with the wisdom to not over describe.
While this series may not for everyone all the time, I sincerely hope everyone has that time, sometime soon.
I really enjoy the way Mr. Lowell let's the story unfold with spare yet vivid observation and dialogue. He really knows how to give you enough information and familiarity to bring these places and characters to life in your own mind, with the wisdom to not over describe.
While this series may not for everyone all the time, I sincerely hope everyone has that time, sometime soon.
February 4, 2025
A bit more scattershot and arbitrary than the other stories in the series, but it’s still a pleasant-enough read. You always know that everything is going to work out in the end, and both the conflicts and the inevitable triumphs are presented in a soft-focus view so that nothing really hits as hard as it otherwise might. A fine way to wrap up the series if this does end up being the end of the Shaman’s Tales.
September 18, 2020
Fantastic addition
Nathan Lowell writes some of my favorite sci-fi, mostly because it doesn’t feel like sci-fi. Everyday people with everyday challenges in a future universe. This end to a fantastic trilogy is everything I could have hoped for. Do yourself a favor and pick up these books!
Nathan Lowell writes some of my favorite sci-fi, mostly because it doesn’t feel like sci-fi. Everyday people with everyday challenges in a future universe. This end to a fantastic trilogy is everything I could have hoped for. Do yourself a favor and pick up these books!
September 20, 2020
A great finish
The last line makes this book worth the read. Nathan Lowell is a great author that started out with podiobooks. His solar clipper series is my favorite. This trilogy ties into it, but is a stand alone series and well worth the read. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
The last line makes this book worth the read. Nathan Lowell is a great author that started out with podiobooks. His solar clipper series is my favorite. This trilogy ties into it, but is a stand alone series and well worth the read. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
September 20, 2020
A Masterful End to a Moving Trilogy
Nathan is such a wonderful writer. He takes me into his world and I feel the emotions and taste the flavors. While the plot of this book is the healing of a shaman who moves to a new town, the subtext is about freedom and equality. This third book closes all of the pain and open loops from the second. It is an ending of a beautiful trilogy.
Nathan is such a wonderful writer. He takes me into his world and I feel the emotions and taste the flavors. While the plot of this book is the healing of a shaman who moves to a new town, the subtext is about freedom and equality. This third book closes all of the pain and open loops from the second. It is an ending of a beautiful trilogy.
September 23, 2020
Otto listens to the world
I have read all the Shaman’s Tales stories and Finwell Bay is a great follow on and ending to the series. Otto have come to terms with his lost and has a great potential for a good life going forward. I am hoping for more stories in this South Coast universe.
I have read all the Shaman’s Tales stories and Finwell Bay is a great follow on and ending to the series. Otto have come to terms with his lost and has a great potential for a good life going forward. I am hoping for more stories in this South Coast universe.
September 26, 2020
Another in a long line of winners...
Nathan Lowell has a gift. Is he a shaman? A wizard? Perhaps. It is certain he’s a skilled storyteller with the ability to make his stories feel like home. I thought the last book in the series was the end, and I’m deeply glad it wasn’t. Well worth your attention, as are all his books.
Nathan Lowell has a gift. Is he a shaman? A wizard? Perhaps. It is certain he’s a skilled storyteller with the ability to make his stories feel like home. I thought the last book in the series was the end, and I’m deeply glad it wasn’t. Well worth your attention, as are all his books.
September 27, 2020
Another great book about normal people with normal problems
What a great book! Even though I know this is fiction it still pulled at my heart strings. Seeing Otto putting the pieces of his life back together and finding new hopes was great. Keep writing books and making them available on unlimited.
What a great book! Even though I know this is fiction it still pulled at my heart strings. Seeing Otto putting the pieces of his life back together and finding new hopes was great. Keep writing books and making them available on unlimited.
September 29, 2020
Great end to a great trilogy
Nathan Lowell concludes his South Coast trilogy with his usual writing style and stories. If you are thinking of reading this book, then start with book one, then book two. This book ties everything together nicely. It seemed the book ended without addressing a few issues, but overall a very satisfactory read.
Nathan Lowell concludes his South Coast trilogy with his usual writing style and stories. If you are thinking of reading this book, then start with book one, then book two. This book ties everything together nicely. It seemed the book ended without addressing a few issues, but overall a very satisfactory read.
October 7, 2020
Bear Wagging the Tale.
I love Nathan Lowell's writings. From Solar Clippers to Shaman's Tales, I'm addicted to the lot. Finally Bay is a well rounded story, with issues both topical and societal. The issue of female shamans hits the nail on the head as both problem and solution.. Enjoyed reading.
I love Nathan Lowell's writings. From Solar Clippers to Shaman's Tales, I'm addicted to the lot. Finally Bay is a well rounded story, with issues both topical and societal. The issue of female shamans hits the nail on the head as both problem and solution.. Enjoyed reading.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews