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A LITERARY
BLOG ABOUT BOOKS
How they affect us.
How they shape our lives.
Note: Postings
made when muses strike.
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Top
12 Reading Recommendations Please click a book image to purchase it on Amazon.
                       
Novels, books, and musicals
June has written and published:
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www.amazon.com      
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Thursday, August 16, 2012
Southern Fantasy
The universal theme of good versus evil is the primary premise of Shadow of the Conjurer,
by Steve Geirhart, his first, just released self-published venture into the world of gothic historical novels.
The subtitle describes this imaginative tale set in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in northern Alabama as a “…gothic
supernatural fantasy of love and redemption” in which the antebellum south “intersects the present”. The
junction of the past and present is the homestead of Jacob and Melissa McNally, whose house and barn are built upon what was
once part of a large cotton plantation.
The McNally’s are struggling to save their childless marriage, although
both are unwilling to talk to the other about their problems. He is volatile, aloof, and stubborn, burying his hurt and anger
in building and flying remote-controlled model airplanes. She lashes out at her “selfish and unfeeling” husband
by retreating to their barn to curry her favored horses and by having a secret affair with Jared’s bitter enemy to satisfy
her emptiness. During an attempt at reconciliation, they walk around their property, stopping to explore the old slave cemetery
where Conner, their middle-aged Golden Retriever, digs up and is stabbed by a strange looking thorn. Almost immediately, strange
and scary things begin to happen.
When the couple discovers the 1830s journal of Jacob Thompson that describes
his abhorrence of slavery and his deep love for Nika—a young Mandingo girl captured by slave traders in Africa and sold
to his father—the story explodes into a fantasy-laden, supernatural saga that includes weird and seemingly inexplicable
events, uncontrollable desires, demonic possession, and excursions into ancient African spirit worlds. Geirhart’s vivid
imagination, based upon his research of Mandingo legends, is evident in uniquely pronounced and adjective-heavy descriptions
of fierce “good versus evil” battles fought not only between humans in both the 19th and 21st
centuries but amongst ephemeral, immortal beings on other-worldly planes and dimensions.
This is an intriguing
story, switching between the 1830s and the present, and travelling into other realms. Geirhart’s protagonists are plausible,
especially Jared and Melissa. However, some 1830s’ events and interactions seem a bit far-fetched, with a few jarring
anomalies. The writing style is generally lucid and fast-paced, especially in the present-day passages. In some parts, however,
it was stiff and formal, with contrived phrases and awkward verb usage. The unnecessary character lists and “spoiler”
comments between sections also detracted from enjoying an uninterrupted fictional flow of this inventive novel.
Despite
its flaws, however, Shadow of The Conjurer: The Antebellum South Intersects the Present in a Gothic Supernatural Fantasy
of Love and Redemption is a decent, enjoyable, and inspired read; especially for someone who is into gothic fantasy and
historical romances.
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June
J. McInerney, the host of this Literary Blog, is
an author, poet, and librettist. Her currently published works include a novel, a book of spiritual inspirations,
two
volumes of poetry, stories
for children (of all ages) and
a variety of children's musicals. Her titles include: Miss Elmira's Secret Treasure:
A Novel of Phoenixville during the Early 1900s Colonial Theatre: A Novel of Phoenixville
during the Roarin' 20s Phoenix Hose, Hook & Ladder: A Novel of Phoenixville during
World War I Columbia Hotel: A Novel of Phoenixville during the Early 1900s the Schuylkill Monster: A Novel of Phoenixville in 1978
The Prisoner's
Portrait: A Novel of Phoenxville during World War II
Forty-Thirty Rainbow in the Sky Meditations for New Members
Adventures
of Oreigh Ogglefont The Basset Chronicles. Cats of Nine Tales
Spinach
Water: A Collection of Poems Exodus Ending: A
Collection of More Spiritual Poems
We Three Kings Beauty and the Beast Bethlehem Noah's
Rainbow Peter, Wolf, and Red Riding
Hood
Originally from the New York metropolitan area, June currently lives near Valley Forge Park in Pennsylvania with her constant and loving companions, FrankieBernard and Sebastian Cat. She
is currently working on her sixth novel.
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