Some books you know are going to be gold seal worthy from very early on, and this work of contemporary metaphysical fiction was one of them. The standard of the prose was excellent, but more than that, the words had insight; they took you somewhere special - outback Australia. True, the physical setting is special, but not only does The Land Beyond Goodbye take you to the weather beaten back blocks of the Northern Territory, it also takes you into the land's soul, ushered in by the aboriginal magic woman, Rose. One of my favourite lines from Rose is ... White fellah! Always thinkin' stuff. The Land Beyond Goodbye is about an English girl (pommie in Aussie lingo) who, as a young woman, spent some time working in an outback pub. Eighteen years have passed since she left and returned to London, but the death of an old friend has called her back. Darcy has left his place to her and she has no idea why? Or does she? Her return brings back memories, particularly of the men, one in … [Read more...]
YA metaphysical fiction: The Huaca by Marcia Mickelson
The Huaca Marcia Mickelson Sweetwater, Cedar Fort, Inc. Young adult urban fantasy. This young adult novel, though categorised as urban fantasy, is more like contemporary fiction in that the fantasy aspect is minimal and, rather than a story of magic and supernatural powers, it is primarily a study of a girl whose life has changed traumatically, and is still changing. And since the fantasy element is based on an Inca myth about the nature of life after death, the story can most correctly be described as metaphysical fiction. Ellie's mother was murdered six months ago. Her father looks after her well, clearly loves her dearly, but won't talk about her mother. Her best friend has become distant. They've been growing apart for a while now, and the unravelling of their friendship as Ellie chooses to make her own decisions, rather than those that will satisfy her friend, makes up a large part of the first portion of the book. This dying friendship doesn't actually have anything to do … [Read more...]
What do you do when you get a lovely new review?
You tell everyone about it! Demon's Grip now has two reviews and both are five stars. I shared Clive S Johnson's opinion a week or so ago, now Kevin Berry has posted his review on Amazon today. Both are Awesome Indies reviewers, so I take their views very seriously. I was very nervous to hear their opinion and pleased with their response. Demon's Grip was a difficult book to write, and I wasn't sure how it would be received, but apparently it's hitting the mark. Phew! Take a look here. Similar to Mr Johnson, Mr Berry says, "it is the best so far, both in terms of the action-packed storyline and the quality of the writing," and, "It is more than a standard YA fantasy story, though; the characters' internalisations and dialogue, and the progression of the plot itself, lead the reader to be more contemplative, even meditative, about the emotional issues involved. So it is certainly for readers who want greater depth in a novel." … [Read more...]
Mist by Susan Krinard: Norse gods in San Fransisco; awesome urban metaphysical fantasy.
Title: Mist Author: Susan Krinard Publisher: Macmillan-Tor/Forge Genre: Urban/metaphysical/magical realism fantasy Pub Date Jul 16 2013 Mist grabbed me and pulled me right into the story from the beginning. It was as if I was there in San Francisco with Mist, a Vaylkerie and daughter of Freyer a powerful Norse god. Mist has been in Midgard - earth -for thousands of years, left here when the gods disappeared. She thought they'd gone forever but learns from an elf - she thought there were none of them left in Midgard either until he turned up - that they had been banished to a formless world, and now bridges were appearing between the worlds and the frost giants had begun crossing over. The action begins early. We just have enough time to get to know Mist before her world changes and she's battling for her life. She discovers that her lover of 6 months is in fact the trickster god Loki, master of the giants. He steals the staff entrusted into her care by Odin - head god - and … [Read more...]
More than a story, it’s a metaphorical journey into the mind.
Today, I'm back on the blog of the gorgeous Dr Niamh Clune talking about the symbolism in the Diamond Peak Series. This will be of particular interest to those of you who are into metaphysical fiction. So leap on over to On The Plum Tree and read about the metaphorical journey into the mind that is Ariel's quest for the top of Diamond Peak. Don't forget that book one, Lethal Inheritance ,is on sale on Kindle and Kobo until the 5th of July for only 99c . This book will never be offered free, so this is your best offer! … [Read more...]
It’s out! Secrets revealed. Risks taken. Lessons learned.
Book three of the Diamond Peak Series is available for purchase NOW, and wow, it feels great to have it out at last. If you're wondering how the sequels to Lethal Inheritance can come out so fast, it's because I wrote the books between 2007 and 2010, and refined them while my agent searched for a publisher. All I've had to do since book one came out at the end of last year is revise and edit them. Though Demon's Grip was the most difficult book to write due to its tricky concepts about the difference between love and attachment and liking and craving, thanks to my wonderful team of beta readers and editors it's been a relatively smooth process with an outcome that I'm very happy with. I'm particularly grateful to my editor, Krisi Keley for challenging my meaning and wording. She helped me to say what I want to say as clearly as possible--the mark of an excellent editor. Thank you, Krisi. To mark this milestone, Lethal Inheritance, book one in the series, is only 99c on Kobo and Kindle … [Read more...]
Look who’s on the Plum Tree, and who am I anyway?
Niamh Clune of Plum Tree Books invited me onto her blog to tell her readers a bit about me. Niamh wrote the beautiful Orange Petals in a Storm which I reviewed recently. This is the lovely introduction she wrote for me. "Today, I want to introduce you all to a very inspiring, dynamic and magnetic lady: Tahlia Newland. She is one of those people that hardly seems to sleep ~ always creating, always generating interest ~ someone with a vision, with passion and commitment. Tahlia writes books in the same genre as me ~ Magic Realism/ Metaphysical Literature." So, pop over to the Plum Tree to learn more about me & my rather unusual past, and to see her excellent and popular blog. http://wp.me/p1Tq2Q-FE … [Read more...]
A surprising, gripping and somewhat profound contemporary fantasy: ‘Pilgrim of the Sky’ by Natania Barron
Title: Pilgrim of the Sky Author: Natania Barron Publisher: Candlemark & Gleam Gebre: Contemporary /metaphysical fantasy Description Just when Maddie Angler thinks she's over the death of her longtime boyfriend, Alvin, she discovers that he's not only alive, but he may just be part god. And a killer. Now it's up to her to unite Eight Worlds she didn't even know existed in the first place, before chaos reigns. My Review Pilgrim in the Sky is a surprising, gripping and somewhat profound contemporary fantasy. It begins in our world, takes us on a shocking journey to another, and just when we think we have it all sorted it, we find ourselves one level deeper again. I loved it, not only because it’s a very different story but because it stretches your mind with metaphysical themes—alternate worlds, beings that are connected, the same yet different, linked, like the eight points of a compass through time and incarnations. Pilgrim in the Sky takes you on a journey that gets … [Read more...]
Beautifully crafted metaphysical fiction: Orange Petals in a Storm by Dr Niamh Clune
Title: Orange Petals in a Storm Author: Dr Niamh Clune Genre: magical realism/metaphysical fiction I picked this book up when I was searching for a definition of metaphysical fiction, and found an article by the author. I was impressed with her writing so I bought the book, and I’m very glad that I did. Orange Petals in a Storm is the story of an eleven year old girl who has been mistreated by her stepfather since her mother’s death one year ago. On an external level, it’s a simple story about her life turning around, but it’s the inner world that gives this story its magic. To handle the abuse, the girl sits in an old chair—all that she has left of her mother—and withdraws into her mental ‘safe room’. There, she meets the human male version of the cat that saves her when she runs away and nearly freezes to death in a storm. With him—and sometimes an old woman—as her guide she travels the web of light that makes up the connections of the inner world. The confidence and wisdom … [Read more...]
The difference between metaphysical and visionary fiction.
Sometimes books that are metaphysical fiction can also be called visionary fiction, but books that are visionary fiction are not always metaphysical in nature. Visionary and metaphysical are not synonymous terms. So what's the difference? Metaphysical fiction essentially has two components, philosophy and a non-corporeal, ineffable or supernatural element. In metaphysical fiction both components are an integral part of the story, ie the character's supernatural/psychic experiences and their philosophy - or the philosophy of their world - are part of the action, ie through which the character achieves their goals or is thwarted in, or by them. Though it often is, metaphysical fiction is not necessarily 'spiritual' in nature. It may, for example, be based more on psychology or pure philosophy than on any spiritual system of thought. Visionary fiction, however, is always spiritual in nature. The usual subject matter and plot thread in visionary fiction is a character's, or society's … [Read more...]
