Review: A Realistic Fantasy
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 04 29, 2012
Yvonne Hertzberger's fantasy novel was a very refreshing story that could have been billed as historical fiction with special terminology.  I had not read a fantasy novel for some time and really didn't know what to expect, but was delightfully surprised with the author's development of her story.  It was obvious to me that she wanted the reader to understand her characters, and therefore was very careful in their development - starting with a summary of the names (which when you first read them may seem strange but I felt the names actually fit each of the characters very well).  I read through the character list thinking, "I won't remember these, why is she bothering."  But, when I got deeper into the story I had a better understanding regarding what her introduction purpose was.  The main characters had very strong parts to play in the story and I felt her portrayal of their individual roles was done with caring thoughts and backgrounds, giving each of them special skills and characteristics.  Well done Yvonne!I felt a bit overwhelmed with all that was going on in the story to start with but soon understood and appreciated the background information supplied to me as the reader.  Her development of individuals with special caring natures helped in the realism of the story.  I also liked how she treated one of the characters ability to be in the background and actually clouding his visibility to gain a better position of understanding what was really happening.  She successfully treated a very traumatic situation where one of the female characters was brutally molested but was treated so gentle by someone you would least expect to do so.  She revealed how brutal men can savagely treat a female without a conscious having no regrets for their actions, where other men can do their very best to supply healing of some kind.  Even the scenes where sex was involved was treated with a gentleness rather harshness.I feel you as a reader will enjoy how the author ties the entire story together with realism even though it was a fantasy.  Her story has accomplished what any author is seeking - my desire to read her next books in the series.  Read and enjoy!