What would you do if you suddenly became both infinitely psychic and unable to tell even the smallest lie? And if you were also exiled from your homeland, destitute, and unhappily in love with a darkly seductive Elf who'd forced you to undertake an impossible quest? Such is the Fate of Tomas the Rhymer, the reluctant poet-hero of this historical fantasy, wherein the Celtic and Norse realms of Elves, gods and spirits converge with Viking Age Europe's real events and shifting world-views--and evoke some haunting parallels with our own era's rapid changes.
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From the Inside Flap
Tomas would sometimes consider, in later years, whether there were any chance that his Fate might have been different. Yet only on occasions of the greatest rarity would he so wonder, when gripped by a black and somber mood, perhaps, or perhaps when drifting through the gates that link wakefulness to sleep--or Elfland to other realms. For Tomas had grown to understand, far better than most mortals, that to questions about Fate there are no true answers. There are only, sometimes, reasons.
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Jodie Forrest
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Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
By Josiah James
Format:Paperback
Jodie Forrest's historical fantasy 'The Rhymer and the Ravens' is a story every bit as rich and unpredictable as the real world. Tomas the Rhymer is half-Welsh, half-Norse-a man with no true home or people. When Tomas accepts the gift of prophecy from a mysterious woman, he discovers that his new ability is twined with the curse of honesty. Tomas cannot lie. He soon finds himself trapped in a world of competing gods, none of whom he can adequately serve. To reclaim his fate from those who would manipulate him, Tomas is forced to join the god of deception. As twisted machinations unfold about Tomas, the worlds of gods and humans are irrevocably changed.
By Jerry Wynne
Format:Paperback
Forrest does a wonderful job of retelling a tried and true story without just repeating what's been done before or (sometimes worse) adding story elements of her own that spoil the spirit of the original tale. In this version, Tomas is a Norse bard (or skald) travelling to Britain as a reluctant part of a viking raiding party. This begins the delightful blending of mythologies that makes the story so unique. Not only does he travel to Elfland to meet the Faery Queen (and receive her "gift" of only being able to tell the truth), he also travels to the fabled Asgard, world of the gods of the Norse pantheon--most notably Loki, who is portrayed with a malice and madness that are faithful to the archetype of the trickster.
Tomas is a real and believable hero, as well as a real and believable person, and the denizens of Faery are eerie and otherwordly. Altogether, an excellent first novel. I look forward to reading the sequel.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4.7 out of 5 stars
11 reviews
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A timeless story of great surprises: Life, love & adventure!
April 2 1999
By A Customer
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
I would not have even listed "historical fantasy" as a genre I enjoyed before reading this book. But once I began reading "The Rhymer and the Ravens", it went everywhere with me. Any chance I got, I hoped to get a page or two in, even if it was while waiting for the light to change! This rich story of a hero, Tomas the Rhymer, on a difficult quest while searching for the meaning of life, love, and service to others is full of finely drawn charcters. I found myself truly caring for and "knowing" characters such as the wise old woman Aud, the beautiful Elf queen Moira, the magical Pooka Aubrey, and the story's hero. This book has been loved by each person to whom I have given it as a gift, several of whom had seen the TV special "Merlin" and found themselves wanting more such adventure. Each has had the same reaction: "I can't put it down!" The only reason I could stand to finish it at all was because I knew there was a sequel!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Not just great entertainment, but lessons for the soul!
Mar 31 1999
By A Customer
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
Colorful, engaging, imaginative, enlightening, spiritual and earthy. Revel in a fantasy world of elves and gods, demons and fairies. Learn about the myths and mysteries of ancient cultures. This book offers the reader a host of multi-dimensional delights. It's great!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderfully entertaining
Mar 31 1999
By A Customer
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
The characters are so well defined you'd think you knew them. The blend of pure fantasy with historical accuracy kept my nose buried in the book for hours on end. I can't wait to complete the trilogy.
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4.7 out of 5 stars
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- Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Fantasy > Historical
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