Review: Building to Become an Excellent Series
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 05 4, 2014
Trish Mercer has created a world where nothing is as it seems. 500 original families are created on a planet made for them, and the Creator teaches them all they need to know to thrive on the new world. Everything the Creator taught is left in the Writings, which is the sponsored religion.For the first few centuries, the world was a monarchy, with the King's over the years being horrible to the populace. At one point, an explorer is sent out to find usable land outside the small habitable space which is now populated. The explorer is killed, and the guards, along with a lot of the population flee into the forest - as it seems a secret society was living amidst everyone which opposed the monarchy. These people become known as the Guarders. They live in the forest and the mountains, and have existed for over one hundred years by the time the book begins. The Guarders steal money, food and clothing from towns that border the forest. They also kill people.Our story takes place in the town of Edge, which borders the forest, and is a very small, but independent town. After the monarchy is replaced by a Council, a decision is made to build a fort in Edge to battle the newly emerging Guarders threat.Captain Shin, son of General Shin - head of the army, is sent to head up the effort at the fort. He meets a very independent and outspoken school teacher named Ms. Peto, and it is her recollections as the most dangerous woman in the world, that this story is told.There is action, adventure, skullduggery, betrayal, treason and a plot that just keeps twisting and turning. Even at the end there is much that isn't revealed, which is why I give it 4.5 stars instead of 5.The characters are wonderful and their foibles are so human you just have to chuckle. Mrs. Peto is a kick in the pants, writing to the General about wanting to redecorate the fort in manly plaid and new window coverings, along with throw pillows. Joriana Shin is fantastic with her lists for her son about his wife. What a great Mom. General Shin and his weather forecasts are priceless. The Densals are a warm and wonderful couple. The younger Shins are the sweetest, but most real romantic pair I've read about in a while. They are a joy to read about.I would highly recommend this series to people that like a good fantasy with an intelligent story. You must pay attention or you will get lost on who is doing what to whom. When you do pay attention, you are awarded with a rich layered tapestry of betrayal, treason and infamy. I can't wait to see what happens in the next book. 4.5 / 5 stars