The Wolves of Midwinter

Wednesday, September 23, 2009


The Vanishing Sculptor:
Tipper is a young emerlindian who’s responsible for the upkeep of her family’s estate during her sculptor father’s absence. Tipper soon discovers that her actions have unbalanced the whole foundation of her world, and she must act quickly to undo the calamitous threat. But how can she save her father and her world on her own?

The task is too huge for one person, so she gathers the help of some unlikely companions--including the nearly five-foot tall parrot Beccaroon--and eventually witnesses the loving care and miraculous resources of Wulder. Through Tipper’s breathtaking story, readers will discover the beauty of knowing and serving God.



UPDATE:
For anyone whose interested within the mundane detailing of my life; college has been mediocre thus far. There's a slight possibility that I haven't completely adapted to the new campus. But so far nothing has stimulated me in the slightest. I'm still waiting for something to empower me in an academic manner.

Other than that, life's been pretty much within the norm. Nothing has occurred that's out of norm except Maria V. Snyder's signing this past Saturday evening. And that was truly a great opportunity since she was both humble and very fun to converse with. The signing atmosphere was extremely casual in a good way and all ten attendees joined with me around her signing table. We had one long talk session about her novels and other notable Young Adult releases. Thanks Maria V. Snyder for being such a wonderful person and a very skilled writer. I'm reading "Fire Study," and so far am not disappointed


I apologize in advance for this truncated review. The last I've read of this book was during the last week and August. Ever since finishing a number of other releases, it's hard to recall all the details that pertain to the latest Donita K. Paul novel. Also, because of the sudden onslaught of college work, it's been very difficult to keep with my book review schedule.





Donita K. Paul


Donita K. Paul retired early from teaching school, but soon got bored! The result: a determination to start a new career. Now she is an award-winning novelist writing Christian Romance and Fantasy. She says, “I feel blessed to be doing what I like best.”

She mentors all ages, teaching teenagers and weekly adult writing workshops.

“God must have imprinted 'teacher' on me clear down to the bone. I taught in public school, then home schooled my children, and worked in private schools. Now my writing week isn’t very productive unless I include some time with kids.”

Her two grown children make her proud, and her two grandsons make her laugh.


Review:
Again, as opposed with former reviews. This one's going to be slightly concise and lacking any exact details of either the characters or plot. Overall, I thought this book was a captivating story. Even if some of the start of the story lacked the usual magic of Donita K. Paul's past releases. Her strengths shone throughout the novel with her sumptuous details of the universe she's intricately created. Everything felt three dimensional and the enviorment surrounding the characters seemed lush and appealing to the senses. At some moments within the novel, I felt myself entirely immersed within these details alone. Her details effectively conjure a picteresque landscape within the minds of readers. And permits them to experience the world in a manner that very few books allow them. Nothing about her descriptions seemed stilted or excessive, as with other authors. Instead it lends to the actions of the characters within the book and necessitates them to be as interactive as the readers are with the setting of the stories.

With the drudgery of my college courses, the last thing I wanted to read was a book which did not immediatley hook you. Luckily this book was a well deserved reprieve for me after finishing college work as the story itself on the surface was a simplistic fantasy tale. Though within the story it contained numerous spiritual truths and great characters. When reading this I did not expect it to be an insightful fantasy tale filled with an innumerable number of layers. I greatly expected to be just like the others; a linear fantasy story that effectively pulls you away from your world and inserts you into anohter. Here's living proof that no story needs to contain profane material to entertain all ages as nothing within this novel exlusively caters to a young age set. Instead it invites people of all ages to partake within the tale and temporarily leave their taxing lives behind.

There are a few instances where I felt slightly detatched from the story as this story was not thouroughly riveting. At these points, it seems the character development stalls and we're forced to read through various instances of fluff. None of it aids in furthering the plot or revealing any additional details of the characters. It seems they're there to increase the page count. Other than these few flaws, the book was a greatly entertaining book and I hope Donita K. Paul continues to weave more tales from this world that she's ingenuicly designed.

Other Participants upon the CSFF Blog Tour:

Brandon Barr
Jim Black
Justin Boyer
Rachel Briard
Karri Compton
Amy Cruson
CSFF Blog Tour
Stacey Dale
D. G. D. Davidson
Jeff Draper
April Erwin
Karina Fabian
Linda Gilmore
Todd Michael Greene
Katie Hart
Ryan Heart
Becky Jesse
Cris Jesse
Jason Joyner
Julie
Carol Keen
Krystine Kercher
Dawn King
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Mirtika
Eve Nielsen (posting later in the week)
Nissa
John W. Otte
Lyn Perry
Crista Richey
Cheryl Russell
Chawna Schroeder
James Somers
Speculative Faith
Rachel Starr Thomson
Robert Treskillard
Steve Trower
Fred Warren
Dona Watson
Phyllis Wheeler
Elizabeth Williams
KM Wilsher

2 comments:

Donita K. Paul said...

Thanks for participating in the blog tour. I always grin a little when I read critiques. I like the ones that point out things I should pay special attention to in the next novel. You did a good job of that. The grin is because one reviewer will point out an aspect he considers a plus and the next reviewer might pinpoint the exact same thing as a negative. Thanks for your honesty.

Dona Watson said...

Nice post! And good luck in school. :)