The Ordinary

Rating:
Summary: mindful of Piers Anthony?s Adept tales
Review: The ocean contains the Twil Gate that connects the two diverse planets. Whereas the Hormling of Senal depends heavily on technology, engineering and science, the agrarian Erejhen of Irion believes in magic. Even how the two races understand the Twil Gate varies. The Hormling know that the gate had to have been developed by an unknown technologically advanced culture; the Erejhn believe the gate is a magical portal created by some wizard in a distant past.

The two planets have thrived on a brisk trade between them, as the Hormling sell manufactured goods in exchange for Erejhen farm products. However, the Hormling believe that the Erejhen are a backward race and decide that they can increase profitability and solve their over-population problem by colonizing Irion. A diplomatic team is sent to Erejhen, but instead of working on a pact, they are the advanced mission of a Hormling invasion. War is now the product moving through the gate.

Two things about this tale are that it is not ORDINARY and that fans of science fiction and fantasy will appreciate this smooth combo mindful of Piers Anthony?s Adept tales. The story line is action-packed with key cast members form both planets seeming genuine in their concerns for the future. However, the reason Jim Grimsley?s book is superb is that the two diverse cultures appear genuine so that readers will believe in the technological wizardry of Hormling and the magical wizardry of Erejhen.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: mindful of Piers Anthony¿s Adept tales
Review: The ocean contains the Twil Gate that connects the two diverse planets. Whereas the Hormling of Senal depends heavily on technology, engineering and science, the agrarian Erejhen of Irion believes in magic. Even how the two races understand the Twil Gate varies. The Hormling know that the gate had to have been developed by an unknown technologically advanced culture; the Erejhn believe the gate is a magical portal created by some wizard in a distant past.

The two planets have thrived on a brisk trade between them, as the Hormling sell manufactured goods in exchange for Erejhen farm products. However, the Hormling believe that the Erejhen are a backward race and decide that they can increase profitability and solve their over-population problem by colonizing Irion. A diplomatic team is sent to Erejhen, but instead of working on a pact, they are the advanced mission of a Hormling invasion. War is now the product moving through the gate.

Two things about this tale are that it is not ORDINARY and that fans of science fiction and fantasy will appreciate this smooth combo mindful of Piers Anthony's Adept tales. The story line is action-packed with key cast members form both planets seeming genuine in their concerns for the future. However, the reason Jim Grimsley's book is superb is that the two diverse cultures appear genuine so that readers will believe in the technological wizardry of Hormling and the magical wizardry of Erejhen.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: Not like Kirith Kirin
Review: This novel could be considered a sequel to Kirith Kirin, but as the author states in his notes, it's not meant to be one. Although the story does have magic, it's more of a science fiction. The people from the world that is dominated by technology attempt to define magic with science, and for me, that meant the world of Kirith Kirin lost some of its "magic."

The story focuses on Jedda from Hormling (technological world), and her developing understanding of the magical world, and her evolving relationship to Malin, a female wizard. Kirith Kirin and Jessex are mentioned at the beginning of the story, but you soon learn that this book occurs years in future from the time of Kirith Kirin. I would recommend reading Kirith Kirin before picking this one up, because even I got confused at times when talking about the history of the magical world.

If you're expecting more of what occurred in Kirith Kirin you might be disappointed. At the time of the book King Kirith has long since passed to the mountains (died) and Jessex seems very alone. Jessex seems also very abstract from the human world, and is described in a way that makes him seem not much like the Jessex of Kirith Kirin. The book also focussed on the relationship between two women, so if you're looking for m/m this might not be the book for you. It did seem a bit short (300+ pages) and the story seemed to cut off at a crucial changing point. However if sequels are planned then this becomes more understandable.

Rating:
Summary: Not like Kirith Kirin
Review: This novel could be considered a sequel to Kirith Kirin, but as the author states in his notes, it's not meant to be one. Although the story does have magic, it's more of a science fiction. The people from the world that is dominated by technology attempt to define magic with science, and for me, that meant the world of Kirith Kirin lost some of its "magic."

The story focuses on Jedda from Hormling (technological world), and her developing understanding of the magical world, and her evolving relationship to Malin, a female wizard. Kirith Kirin and Jessex are mentioned at the beginning of the story, but you soon learn that this book occurs years in future from the time of Kirith Kirin. I would recommend reading Kirith Kirin before picking this one up, because even I got confused at times when talking about the history of the magical world.

If you're expecting more of what occurred in Kirith Kirin you might be disappointed. At the time of the book King Kirith has long since passed to the mountains (died) and Jessex seems very alone. Jessex seems also very abstract from the human world, and is described in a way that makes him seem not much like the Jessex of Kirith Kirin. The book also focussed on the relationship between two women, so if you're looking for m/m this might not be the book for you. It did seem a bit short (300+ pages) and the story seemed to cut off at a crucial changing point. However if sequels are planned then this becomes more understandable.