Good Books You Probably Never Heard Of – Part 4
A couple, three years ago I ran into Jack Tyler on a now defunct steampunk forum. We’ve kept in touch over the years. He’s a very interesting fellow and you can read his thoughts about books and life on his blog.
I read and reviewed Beyond the Rails a couple years ago. It’s a good book. I have the other two in the series and look forward to reading them.
However, I think the book that is truly the winner in Jack’s oeuvre is The Stone Seekers.
Over the years, I’ve drifted away from fantasy because, for the most part, the corporate publishers gave us nothing but Tolkien pastiches that weren’t anywhere near as good as the original. Or magic that just didn’t make sense because it was inconsistent.
If I see the words elf, or dwarf, that’s it. The book goes back on the virtual shelf. Or if I see pointy ears, the same — back on the shelf it goes. With very rare exception. The same goes for magic.
As a result, I was very surprised — pleasantly surprised — not to find even a smidgen of Tolkien in The Stone Seekers. There is magic, but it is well done.
Tyler has given us a new world of quests and high adventure. He’s given us new beings that are unique and mythic. Along with his straightforward and good storytelling.
In fact, I think The Stone Seekers could be turned into at least a trilogy, if not a series. And I think we readers would like that. But first, we need to get Mr Tyler some sales and reviews. The book is currently only 99¢. You can spend a buck on far worse than Jack Tyler’s book and not get the lasting satisfaction and enjoyment provided by The Stone Seekers. The book would also make for a fabulous movie.
The story line is a standard quest plot. Nothing new there. Where The Stone Seekers shines is in the well-drawn characters and the world that Tyler has created. The characters are complex, but not overly so. The world is richly drawn, but description doesn’t bog down the story.
As I stated above, Tyler is a good storyteller. He gives us enough so we keep on reading, right to the end. Where I, at least, was filled with sadness that there was no more.
The Stone Seekers is very much worth your time and money. The book is good old-fashioned fun and very satisfying entertainment.
Comments are always welcome, and, until next time — happy reading!
Share This!
I am almost too humbled to show up here, but a testimonial like this deserves a response. I remember clearly that the end of this book hit me in a flash of inspiration, and I wrote the rest of the book as a showcase to present it. C.W. has linked my website above. I love meeting new people, and invite all comers to stop by for a visit. I have a lot of free material there which offers plenty of opportunity to see for yourselves whether Mr. Hawes is on the mark with his assessment.
My most humble thanks to you, C.W., for including me in your series. It’s a lonely road for indies, and it’s good to see a fellow author supporting his companions on the journey. Have a great autumn and beyond!
You are very welcome. Glad to do what I can to help.
It certainly can be a lonely road for indies; but it doesn’t have to be. There are plenty of venues for networking.
On two different sites I’ve read that all an author needs is a mailing list of a thousand fans. We’re talking real fans here, not merely subscribers. A thousand fans will be able to drive Amazon’s algorithms for the author, so the Zon promotes the author.
When I read a book and like it, I see myself as one of that author’s Gang of a Thousand. Especially if that author’s ranking shows he or she isn’t selling many or any books. It may even be that I’m the only fan that author has.
I see it as my duty to my fellow indie authors to promote their books, try to get them more fans, and pass on tips and good advice. I’m a partner, as it were, in their business. Why? Because I want them to write more books that I can read! Plus, many have helped me. I’m simply paying it forward.
So, partner, thanks for the well wishes. May success be yours! Because I truly do want to say “I knew him when…”. 🙂