Review: A Challenge for any author: a beginning for Trey Copeland
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 11 11, 2013
This is a first novel by Trey Copeland, a man whose mind has been ignited with the world of fantasy since his youthful involvement with Star Wars and Dungeons and Dragons et al who continues to read the works of authors who mix fantasy with science fiction and spiritually invested philosophical investigations, and while the resources he mentions as being influences on his progression to beginning his PROVIDER TRILOGY as his entry into the realm of like literature, one reading of his Volume One suggests a strong resemblance to Joseph Campbell's epic study of myth - The 17 Stages of the Hero's Journey. That is a compliment, as study of that work requires a commitment. For those unfamiliar with Campbell's work, it can be condensed into three sections: Departure (sometimes called Separation), Initiation, and Return. `Departure' deals with the hero's adventure prior to the quest; `Initiation' deals with the hero's many adventures along the way; and `Return' deals with the hero's return home with knowledge and powers acquired on the journey. If this is the pattern Copeland ultimately plans for his trilogy, then he deserves attention.To paraphrase Campbell's outline, the hero begins in the ordinary world, and receives a call to enter an unknown world of strange powers and events. The hero who accepts the call to enter this strange world must face tasks and trials, either alone or with assistance. In the most intense versions of the narrative, the hero must survive a severe challenge, often with help. If the hero survives, he may achieve a great gift or `boon.' The hero must then decide whether to return to the ordinary world with this boon. If the hero does decide to return, he often faces challenges on the return journey. If the hero returns successfully, the boon or gift may be used to improve the world. Copeland's mission seems to both the creation of a concept of a bifurcated realm of worlds as well as heralding the stimulus for his readers to grow in spiritual faith while entering the strange and fascinating worlds he has paired, parried and opposed.Very briefly stated, KNOWN AFTERLIFE is two stories in alternating chapters about two worlds - Antium and The Provider: Antium is technologically advanced but corrupt and crumbling planet under the grips to the Church of Salvation (Stalling Alterian is the businessman hero of this sector) while The Provider is spiritually attuned to nature, its `church' is one of love and loyalty (Steffor the Guardian is the hero or essence of this utopian realm). Steffor struggles against an ancient evil; Stalling is fighting to save his world from organized religion. Decorate this basic outline with all matter of fantastical elements and we have Volume One. Trey Copeland pulls it off rather well, though not with the technical polish that will hopefully come with future volumes. It is a heady start and a book with more of a profound level of meaning than we read in other novels in this genre. Grady Harp, November 13