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The subject of Mavarin
I thought I should make an entry before I disappear into the world of Mavarin. I started reading Karen Funk Blocher's novel just last night, and now I'm hooked. I know that once I get started tonight, I won't want to push away from the computer. Except for the necessities, of course.
You see, the first two chapters of her novel, Heirs of Mavarin, are online at one of her websites. Though not yet "published" in the hard-back book sense of the word, she has submitted it to an editor, and I don't really know how much I am allowed to say about it without giving away personal information, but you can either read her thoughts about it in her blog, Outpost Mavarin, along with her thoughts about life in general, or you can read the first two chapters from the novel for yourself in Messages from Mavarin. (Karen, I hope you will correct me if I am incorrect in any of these facts.)
Mavarin (pronounced Mayvarin, I believe, with a long /a/ sound), is just one country in a world where live humans (royalty and common villagers, magicians and traders, blacksmiths and tanners, among others I haven't even met yet). In the not too long ago past, a creature called a tengrem was created by a mage, and now there are I don't know how many of them in the world. A tengrem is part human, part horse, part wolf, not too terribly ugly, somewhat resembling those mythological creatures that were part man, part horse... the name escapes me now. They are intermittently intelligent, and can speak the human language.
Yes, there is magic in this tale, and swords, and religion. There's even a language, and a history of the languages of this world. All lovingly created and explained in other links to Mavarin. Illustrations of the characters, and their histories, are included if you need to see the author's image of them. I don't need illustrations to help me get through a story, but I find myself referring to them as I come upon each main character in the story, just to find out how Karen envisioned them.
Since I've only read most of the first chapter, I can't tell you too much more in detail about where all this is going, but I can say that the first chapter gets straight into the action and drama of what I am certain is going to be a grand tale of self-discovery and transformation.
Here's what Karen has to say about Mavarin:
"The question of what makes us who we are lies at the heart of my first two novels, Heirs of Mâvarin and Mages of Mâvarin. Mâvarin is an “otherworld” equivalent of the Eastern United States, except that the River Misip is roughly where Appalachia ought to be. It is a place where magic works (for some people and against others), but literal monsters didn’t exist until a generation ago. Most of all, it is the home of Rani Fost and his two best friends: Del Merden and Del's twin sister Crel. Their respective journeys have more to do with self-discovery than with surviving magic and treachery, finding a lost king or getting back to where they need to be--although there's plenty of that, too."
from Welcome to Mavarin
My taste for reading ranges from biography to fantasy and science fiction, from history to historical fiction, and lots of other genres in between. Currently, I am reading John Scalzi's Ghost Brigade, just finished C.S. Lewis' The Magician's Nephew, almost finished with Frank McCourt's Teacher Man, and sitting on the side waiting for my attention are Lewis' The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe, and Rice's Christ the Lord, Out of Egypt. For real adult (albeit tame) fun, I'm halfway through Jennifer Robeson's Sword Singer.
Glean from this information what you may, I just like to read, and I like to have a variety on hand.
Think of it as a smorgasbord of aromatic foods, some spicy, some sweet, some pungent, some salty... all tasty... spread out on the table. You get to choose what you like on any particular day to suit what you are hungry for. You might want to sample sweet food for several days, then realize you want something salty or something spicy. You just never know what you will want from one day to the next, so you keep it all available. You don't have to clean your plate before tasting the tempting treat on another dish. When you have had enough, you leave, and come back again when you are hungry. I like having choices. (This does not mean that I don't occasionally start one book and read it exclusively.)
Actually, I don't even fantasize about food like that. I'm pretty bland and routine in my choices for food, but when it comes to reading, I do like a variety. And I do like to try new material, new genres, new authors.
There, my true confession. A little bit of everything. I'm even getting ready to dive into Vacation Bible School reading materials (Group's Fiesta!) as well.
Karen is my new author.
If you want to get a peek at her novel, just click on the link above. If you want to break the tradition of what you are reading, and if fantasy isn't on your list of favorite genre, still give her site a visit. I think you will be surprised. You might even find yourself hooked, like I did. If you are already a fantasy fan, then wait until you havesome free time, fix yourself a cup of tea or other soothing beverage, get comfortable, and settle in as you prepare to enter a world of magic, mystery, and myth.
Karen Funk Blocher is definitely an author worthy of your reading time!
Well, I have to go for now. Got some reading to do in Mavarin country!
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Okay, I'm close to tears, here. What a wonderful introduction to my world! Thank you, thank you, thank you! You've got it all exactly right, too, in terms of facts, pronunciation, etc. I hope you enjoy the rest of it as you go along. I think you will.
I do want to give credit, though, to the woman who drew my characters for me two years ago, from my descriptions and with constant kibbitzing from me. The portraits of the Mâvarin characters are by Sherry Watson, a.k.a. Sherlock. I could never have drawn them that wel!
Karen
4/12/06 6:35 PM
YeY! Yup I love her characters too! I hope her book ets published soon!
hhugs ,natalie