James Donaldson (3)

In his dark, fantastical series, Dragon Skies, James Donaldson tells the strange, sensual and tragic story of Lailoken and his destined journey to become Myrddin, one of the great bards of British legend. Set in sixth century Scotland, Donaldson's novels catch up the loose and elusive threads of historical research, Celtic mythology, half-remembered ancient poetry and pure imagination, weaving them into a provocative, intricate tale of war, betrayal, devotion and madness. Readers looking for an unapologetically heroic protagonist and a plot full of political intrigue and torrid romance won't be disappointed, while those who prefer more subtle contemplative work may find this series tantalizing, even delicious, but ultimately lacking the satisfaction of lasting import.
Donaldson's skill as a writer is apparent from the very beginning of the Dragon Skies series. With an eye for intense detail and a penchant for the strange and inexplicable, he sinks us immediately into the pregnant, exotic world of dark-age kings, poets, maidens and monks. At times his narrative becomes almost too densely populated, with references to mythic and historic figures and events that can be overpowering, especially for readers unfamiliar with the Mabinogion, the Christianized grail legends and a basic knowledge of Celtic and Romano-Celtic history. Important characters are sometimes introduced distractedly or with little explanation, and the political structure of the novels' setting remains confused and overly-complicated, often obscuring the very nature of the conflict in which characters are entrenched.
Despite these difficulties, however, Lailoken emerges as the clear protagonist of the story, firmly established as a believable native inhabitant of this tumultuous narrative. As such, he provides a lifeline to the overwhelmed reader as the books progress and the murky plot clarifies bit by bit. Donaldson utilizes this natural affinity for a recognizable, relatable character to great effect, engaging the reader's empathy and interest while playing up tensions between the familiar and the strange, the prosaic and the mysterious.

Continued... To read more, check out Bond of Druids: Issue 1 (www.mygrove.us/bond_of_druids/index.htm)… (mais)

In his dark, fantastical series, Dragon Skies, James Donaldson tells the strange, sensual and tragic story of Lailoken and his destined journey to become Myrddin, one of the great bards of British legend. Set in sixth century Scotland, Donaldson's novels catch up the loose and elusive threads of historical research, Celtic mythology, half-remembered ancient poetry and pure imagination, weaving them into a provocative, intricate tale of war, betrayal, devotion and madness. Readers looking for an unapologetically heroic protagonist and a plot full of political intrigue and torrid romance won't be disappointed, while those who prefer more subtle contemplative work may find this series tantalizing, even delicious, but ultimately lacking the satisfaction of lasting import.
Donaldson's skill as a writer is apparent from the very beginning of the Dragon Skies series. With an eye for intense detail and a penchant for the strange and inexplicable, he sinks us immediately into the pregnant, exotic world of dark-age kings, poets, maidens and monks. At times his narrative becomes almost too densely populated, with references to mythic and historic figures and events that can be overpowering, especially for readers unfamiliar with the Mabinogion, the Christianized grail legends and a basic knowledge of Celtic and Romano-Celtic history. Important characters are sometimes introduced distractedly or with little explanation, and the political structure of the novels' setting remains confused and overly-complicated, often obscuring the very nature of the conflict in which characters are entrenched.
Despite these difficulties, however, Lailoken emerges as the clear protagonist of the story, firmly established as a believable native inhabitant of this tumultuous narrative. As such, he provides a lifeline to the overwhelmed reader as the books progress and the murky plot clarifies bit by bit. Donaldson utilizes this natural affinity for a recognizable, relatable character to great effect, engaging the reader's empathy and interest while playing up tensions between the familiar and the strange, the prosaic and the mysterious.

Continued... To read more, check out Bond of Druids: Issue 1 (www.mygrove.us/bond_of_druids/index.htm)… (mais)