Asena Blessed, Book Two in the Chronicles of Altaica
Tracy M. Joyce, Asena Blessed, Book Two in the Chronicles of Altaica, Odyssey Books, 2016, pages 660, ISBN 978-1-922200-49-5 (ebook) ISBN:978-1-922200-48-8 (PBK)
Book I of the Chronicles of Altaica, introduced a story-topic that is all too familiar in today’s world - the harrowing experiences of refugees fleeing invading armies. There, we were introduced to a diverse group of vulnerable individuals desperate to survive and find a safe haven. In Book Two, Asena Blessed, the refugees have been rescued, brought to the island kingdom of Altaica, and are now tasked with the challenges of adapting to their new home and with winning the right to remain and be accepted by their new communities.
But refugees, as we in Europe and Australia know, no matter how worthy, are also people with their own skills, fears and agendas. In Asena Blessed, jealousy and suspicion of Isaura, the gifted, brown-skinned girl who had led them to Altaica, intensifies as her special talents develop and she moves into leadership circles. The small refugee group must deal with their fear of magic and resentment of Isaura if they are to survive, for Altaica is at war. The violence prone regicidal dictator, Ratilal, is determined to destroy the Horse and Bear Clans to claim total hegemony over the entire country. Not all the incomers will be able to meet this challenge successfully. How this plays out is an important element of Book Two.
Also in Asena Blessed, some of my favourite elements, from Book One, the giant magic wolves, the Asena, become major characters in the unfolding story. Their leader, the Matriarch has appointed herself Isaura’s guardian and thus a supporter of the beleaguered clans. Romances are budding as so often happens during times of war, but above all, this book concentrates on preparing the Bear and Horse clan members for the coming battle.
It’s all delightful! The writing is vivid; characters, even the foolish or bitchy ones, are believable. And despite being a fantasy set in a mythical country, the issues raised and the solutions and failures presented are so relevant to our current world situation that the book made me think and question even as I read; like scarfing a whole box of wonderful chocolates only to discover the centres were full of things that are good for you!!
Second books can often be an iffy thing, but in Asena Blessed, Ms Joyce’s’ writing skills have matured and developed. The characterizations in particular have become more rounded and vivid. The events are believable. I can’t wait to get my hands on the concluding Book Three. (Hint! Hint!)
I’m happy to give Asena Blessed 5***** I received this book from the publishers in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. It is not their fault that I enjoyed it so much.