The Seastead Chronicles is a nice collection of stories all connected by underwater cultures and communities. Steven Southard has created a rich undersea culture with varying beliefs and traditions. Even the language and music are water centric.
The stories range from mysterious islands that rise and sink, to smugglers in ships that mimic whales. There are war mongering dictators and religious fanatics along with goodhearted people and nods to racism and overcoming hate. It just goes to show that no matter where it lives, humanity suffers the same faults and weaknesses along with the unending resilience to do more than simply survive. To grow, learn, and defeat obstacles.
Some of my favorite stories were Eyes of Blue, which was about a whale poacher, and Gazelle’s Last Run, an exciting story concerning a smuggler. I love the way that the first story, Arrow of Life, comes full circle with the last story, The Whole Fish.
Wow, what a wild ride. The Hanging City is an exciting story with a strong theme of prejudice, but at its heart, it is about love and acceptance.
Since she was twelve years old, Lark has been running from her unusual ability to instill fear in others and a cruel father who bullies and uses her power for his own gains. So desperate for a place she can call home in this drought-stricken world, Lark seeks shelter with the trolls, mortal enemies of humans. What she discovers is a society unlike any she’s encountered, but far from the mindless monsters of legend.
I hope Charlie N. Holmberg has a sequel planned, because I would love to see more of this world and the characters.
[I received a copy of this book through a Goodreads giveaway.]
If you haven’t had a chance yet, check out some of my stories.
Young Maya bears the mark of the moon goddess, a sign that would doom her to be sacrificed in her village where the death god is revered. Forced to dye her golden eyes dark, Maya lives in constant fear of discovery. To save her family and the village’s future, she must find the courage to stand up to the high priest before he can bring the death god into this world.
Sometimes it’s hard to be who you are meant to be.
Especially when your powers can get you killed.
Eighteen-year-old Tatiana is running from her past and her star-touched powers eight years after a meteor devastates earth’s population.
Her power to heal may be overshadowed by more destructive abilities. Fleeing the persecution of those like her, Tatiana seeks refuge in a small town she once visited. But this civil haven, in a world where society has broken down, is beginning to crumble.
Only by harnessing the very forces that haunt her can Tatiana save her friends…and herself.
Plagued by memories not her own, a young hummingbird struggles to decipher the visions and powers that set her apart from her fellow birds. But the road to awareness is fraught with danger that could doom her to repeat history.
Gifted with the ability to wolf-talk, Kara has lived with the wolves since she lost her memories eight years ago. Now at sixteen, snippets of her past send her searching for answers.
But the warm welcome she receives in the human village hides more danger than life with the pack.
Maria V. Snyder’s skill in creating fascinating worlds with intricate societies strikes true again in The City of Zirdai. This exciting tale has several twists as Shyla struggles to learn about magic and the power of The Eyes of Tambourah, survive in a barely habitual environment, and stay ahead of the Water Prince and Heliacal Priestess who both want The Eyes for themselves. Even some of her own people, within the Invisible Sword, treat her with hostility and mistrust. As for the people of Zirdai, many in the city consider Shyla to be cursed by the Sun goddess because of her blond, Sun-Kissed hair. That doesn’t stop her from trying to stop the corrupt rulers that that are smothering the city’s residents. Shyla is a true hero willing to sacrifice herself to save others.
Sometimes it’s hard to be who you are meant to be.
Especially when your powers can get you killed.
Eighteen-year-old Tatiana is running from her past and her star-touched powers eight years after a meteor devastates earth’s population.
Her power to heal may be overshadowed by more destructive abilities. Fleeing the persecution of those like her, Tatiana seeks refuge in a small town she once visited. But this civil haven, in a world where society has broken down, is beginning to crumble.
Only by harnessing the very forces that haunt her can Tatiana save her friends…and herself.
Plagued by memories not her own, a young hummingbird struggles to decipher the visions and powers that set her apart from her fellow birds. But the road to awareness is fraught with danger that could doom her to repeat history. One step toward understanding. One stride toward survival. One leap toward flying free from the past.
