Out of This World SFF is so delighted to be today's stop on the RINGLANDER: THE PATH AND THE WAY virtual book tour! There are many amazing blogs taking part in this tour and this is one you are going to want to follow along with throughout the better part of this month. Michael S. Jackson has crafted a truly original fantasy story with a heaping of action and intrigue, so be sure to stick around for a synopsis of this engaging story as well as my official review. It's a review that I've been sitting on for a couple of weeks since finishing the book, and I'm absolutely psyched to be able to finally post it and let everyone know just how much of an impact it had on me.
Before I get into the description and review of the book, I would just like to mention that Michael S. Jackson has made available some amazing signed & numbered author copies on his website shop that also include some additional goodies.
Pack #1 (signed & numbered hardback, 1 hand-written quote character card, 1 bookmark, 20 cm poster of Rengas)
Pack #2 (signed & numbered hardback, 3 hand-written quote character cards, 2 bookmarks, 20 cm poster of Rengas)
Pack #3 (signed & numbered hardback, 9 hand-written quote character cards, 2 bookmarks, 40 cm poster of Rengas, 40 cm poster of Ringlander cover)
Pack #4 (signed & numbered hardback, signed batch numbered paperback, 9 hand-written quote character cards, 9 high-quality digital versions of character art, 2 bookmarks, 40 cm poster of Rengas, 40 cm poster of Ringlander cover)
Book Blurb
Holes between worlds are tearing through Rengas. Firestorms are raging as multiple realities battle for control of the elements. Even the Way, the turbulent channel that separates Nord, Hatar and Kemen, the lifeblood of the city of Tyr, has turned.
Kyira's search for her missing brother draws her away from the familiar frozen lines of Nord and south into the chaotic streets of Tyr where games are played & battles fought. As reality tears Kyira must choose between her family or her path before the worlds catch up with her.
Review
I have to admit that I did not know quite what to expect with this book. The description sounded interesting enough, but I also had the feeling that this might be one of those fantasies that I've read a hundred or so times before where the story is kind of okay, but doesn't really grab me. Turns out that I couldn't have been more wrong! RINGLANDER: THE PATH AND THE WAY turned out to be one of my favorite reads of the year and a book that had me under its spell whenever I picked it up.
What made this book so great, you ask? A number of reasons actually. The very first thing that jumped out at me was the depth and richness of the world-building and by extension, the wonderful magic system. This isn't a run of the mill fantasy where the story plods along and a few things happen here and there, this is a tour de force fantasy story that excels in the storytelling and character relationships.
The concept of alternate realities and worlds that are slowly breaking through the current world, and the possibility of those being used as potential weapons was such a cool construct and one that really had me mesmerized. Sure it's kind of been done before, but never quite like this in my opinion. And then alongside that fantastical element of the story, there is also the very real and brutal occupation of the continent of Rengas by the merciless Bohr. It added a militaristic aspect to the story that played off the supernatural one unbelievably well.
As the mighty Bohr get more and more drunk with power and conquest over the humans they rule, they believe themselves invincible. However, there exists a small group of rebels called the Tsiorc who hold out hope that they can still save their tiny bastion of humans if they have the will. The Tsiorc gather recruits from the shells of cities that the Bohr have burned to the ground and attempt to capitalize on the anger of those who have lost so much. Maybe this will turn the tide. But can raw anger and cunning strategy win out against a foe that has never experienced defeat before?
This is just the tip of the iceberg of the phenomenal story that Michael S. Jackson has brought us in this book. So many layers upon layers of everything you could want in a captivating fantasy book. And I haven't even touched on the characters! Not only do we get the 30,000 foot view of the story through the incredibly described action and world-building, but Jackson also gives us a deeply personal account of the three main POV characters Kyira, Fia, and Hasaan, who all have their own stakes in the deadly confrontation that may be coming.
RINGLANDER: THE PATH AND THE WAY is one of those special books that you think about wherever you are and can't wait to get back to. Having consumed it in roughly a week or so, I can say that there's not a single part of this book that doesn't fully engage you and keep you entirely interested. This is an exceptional story about perseverance in the face of overwhelming odds, a story that shows you glimpses of a magic that is both mysterious and powerful, and ultimately a story that will totally suck you in and have you showing up at work groggy-eyed from many late night reading sessions.
I think you can tell by now that I thoroughly loved this book. I so want to find out more about the history of Rengas and what is behind many of the mysteries that were introduced in this debut offering. I am sure that book two is going to up the ante even more and I am eager to jump right back into this world. I know that many of you have pretty imposing TBRs, but trust me and push RINGLANDER: THE PATH AND THE WAY right near the top because it is one of the most exciting and absorbing fantasy books that I have read this year. I for one really hope this book gets its due recognition because it's a cracking read.
Overall Rating:
About the Author
Michael became a writer to explore worlds, words and people. Throw in a love of all things science and the Ringlander universe was the inevitable outcome.
When not writing, or thinking about writing, Michael spends time with his family, plays drums, designs, codes and fights off the little voice that beckons him constantly to sit down and do nothing. You can connect with Michael and his books online via his Website, Twitter, Reddit, Facebook, and Instagram.
And that concludes my stop on the RINGLANDER: THE PATH AND THE WAY virtual book tour! I hope that you enjoyed it and be sure, like I said earlier, to check out all of the other amazing stops. There are some really talented bloggers involved in this one and you are going to want to see what they have in store for you.
Happy Reading!
-Nick
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