Cursed Children of Naor

Cursed Children of Naor is the third in the series, but I have only read two of them. I found this one highly entertaining, and lost more than a little sleep while turning pages(electronically) later than I should have. As state in the description, there are three separate stories, each standing on it's own merit, while taking place in the same universe.

The first takes place in a cold, forbidding north land, the second in a high mountainous region, and the last in a hot, arid and harsh desert land. Justyna's knowledge and description of these places are extensive and bring a realism not often found in fantasy. The setting are very important to the story lines, and are very much a character in their own right. The characters in each story are rich and deep, full of human foibles and failings and well as fortitude and heroism.

There is plenty of action, violence, love and great story telling for anyone interested in the fantasy genre. These stories are definitely fantasy, but can be violent and tend to the horrific sometimes, and as I am a horror fan as well, I enjoy the juxtaposition. All in all, Cursed Children of Naor was a fun read and I highly recommend it.

In Naor, the Gods do not fight each other directly, but instead leave their children to battle: Both the Cursed Children as well as those who fight for the light.

Cursed Children of Naor is actually the third book that Justyna Plichta-Jendzio has written in this universe, but you do not have to read the earlier books to enjoy this one. In fact, this one is broken up into three stories to show you three different stories, linked together by the themes of betrayal by those close to you and the treachery of the Cursed.

However, this book also drives home the important lesson that you can't judge someone by their family or their outside visage: A man who comes from a family with a curse may work to end the curse by any means necessary instead of giving in to the power at the same time that a noble family may be hiding a secret that is destroying those and those around them. Finally, you learn that love comes in many shapes.

While I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, I will be purchasing the other books by this author. I am very impressed with how she handles subjects such as good, evil, betrayal and love, and will be reading the first two novels set in Naor as well to see if they're as good as this one.

There are three stories to 'Cursed Children of Naor' and each is wonderfully realized. Each story is connected with theme, mythology, and moderately setting. I have not read the first installments in Justyna's series but this book stands well on its own merit. A Son of the Wolf Pack gives an interesting take on fantasy with some horror elements sprinkled in. The story was very griping from start to finish and it left me second guessing myself as I tried to discern who the werewolf was. Shroud of the Past offsets the first story with a very different take on story in a medieval setting and focuses on different elements. Dragon’s Race also changes the tone to more of a heroic fantasy. Lovers of each type of fantasy will find something to love about this book and its three stories. It really is worth the read!

The third in her series of dark fantasy collection, Cursed Children of Naor is another strong, entertaining read from Justyna Plichta-Jendzio. As was the case with the first two collections, the book is comprised of three stories connected by theme, mythology, and setting.

A Son of the Wolf Pack opens the collection on a bit of a weak note. The werewolf take is an interesting mix of horror and fantasy, but it just seems too familiar. Fortunately, the typical red herrings as to who is the werewolf are deliberately obvious, almost as if we're being challenged not to believe. What ultimately redeems it, however, is the final revelation as to who really is the werewolf, along with the deeper mythology surrounding the curse.

Shroud of the Past is a more original tale, transporting us from the frozen lands of the opening story to a more medieval pastoral setting. Here, we get an interesting look at race and gender in the world of Naor, with a very different sort of evil working behind the scenes. I quite liked what Justyna did with this one - it just felt like a magical story, and one with some interesting women at its heart.

With Dragon’s Race we change setting and story once again, moving into the dangerous deserts, and into a more heroic sort of fantasy. I hesitate to call this one a coming of age story, but it is very much centered around a young man forced to confront his destiny. This feels like the biggest and richest tale in the collection, as well as the most traditional. It takes a while to get going, but once it does it hits all the right buttons.

Justyna writes very well, with an imagination that's equal to her narrative talent. Her grasp of dialogue and mythology is what really drives her writing, with the the episodic nature of the stories keeping things fresh. I would like to see a longer novel from her at some point, simply to have time to follow a group of characters once we get to know them, but that's not a complaint, just an idle wish. If you've yet to visit Naor, then Cursed Children of Naor is a great place to start.