Excerpt and Review of "Immortal Voyage" by C.G. Powell (blog tour)

Immortal Voyage by C.G. Powell

My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Source: Received to review with this blog tour
Genre: Adult Science Fiction and Fantasy (Mythology)

 Book Description: Before the time of the great pyramids, there was a place like none other, a city of glass and metal rising from the depths of the ocean. Shrouded in mist, the island of Hy-Brasil and its capital Atlantis lay hidden from the rest of the world by its people, a race of long lived, interstellar nomads.

What secrets would you keep to save your kingdom? On the Queen’s deathbed, the sonless King Aldric is force into a promise to allow his five daughters to marry for love. A promise he wished he had never made, and one he will have to break, to save the kingdom from his squabbling, incompetent son-in-laws.

The youngest of five daughters, Jael, spent most of her time at her father’s side learning to run a kingdom. Believed to be the King’s favorite, Jael is shocked when he betroths her to a longtime friend of his, Prince Sarik of Hy-Brasil. Soon she will learn that world is full of secrets and one of them is her very own birth. Will the secret that bonds her to Sarik be the ultimate downfall of a kingdom?


My thoughts: At Jael's birth, her mother's dying wish was that her daughters would be able to marry for love and not for political wrangling. Jael is the fifth daughter, her parents didn't have sons. Her father did not have a clear cut case of who would inherit at his death.

Seventeen years later, the lairdship is in danger. The first two daughters chose their husband's poorly. As a drastic measure, Jael's father arranges her marriage, breaking his death bead promise.

There are many secrets that have been kept, the threat of having them come in the open would be dangerous and devastating. Jael must make the decision to follow her father's decision, or risk war with the other lands around her home.

This book is craftily written. It took me a while to figure out the time period and where the story may have taken place on Earth. There are so many mythical characters and a sci-fi element as well. I don't want to say much on the subject, because if you plan on reading this, I want to you to figure it out for yourself. :)

There is the 'f' bomb dropped a few times and sexual situations. I recommend this book only to adults.

Read an Excerpt! 

The summer was over and Halis and Edric were finally settled into their cottage just as the fall winds made their arrival.  Rowe sat in his private chamber with Jaren and Kale debating the latest clan meeting.  It had been almost a year since he talked to Sarik and still no word on his decision. In the meantime, things were beginning to spiral out of control.  During his visit to Hy-Brasil, Dugun lorded over the clan as if Rowe would never return.  Even Kale was ready to put an arrow through him, but Jaren talked him out of it as it might start a war between Canulis and Eir—something Rowe strove to avoid.

“My Laird, the clan can wait no longer.  You must select an heir, or they will choose one for you,” Kale bellowed, slapping his hand on the table. “And if you leave that oaf in charge again, I will kill him myself,” Kale said, gritting his teeth as he fisted his hands.

“And I’m not going to stop him this time,” added Jaren sternly pointing to Kale.

“I understand your frustration, but I need more time.  If you just give me more time, I promise all will be well and an heir will be chosen,” Rowe pleaded.

Letting out a deep calming breath, Kale responded, “You know I believe you, Rowe, but your clan is losing faith in your ability to rule, so I worry.”

Rowe sat silently with his hand on his chin as he mentally hashed out a plan.  “Kale, is there any way you can convince Tam to court Lenni?  I need him to buy me more time.”

“You know his heart belongs to Wren.  I doubt he would appreciate you playing games with his emotions, Rowe,” Kale said with a shrug.

“Lenni refuses to be courted because she keeps having dreams of a man she has never seen and thinks it is her husband to be.  My plan is not for them to marry—I know both of their hearts lay elsewhere.  I just need to give the clan hope until I get my answer from Sarik,” explained Rowe.

“I will talk to him, but I don’t like getting the clan’s hope up falsely,” Kale grumbled.

“I don’t like it either, but they leave me little choice.  I need more time.  I will talk to Lenni.  I’m sure she won’t mind spending time with Tam as long as she doesn’t have to marry him,” Rowe reassured Kale.  He stood up from his chair, a sign their business was done for the day.  “And, Kale, I expect to see Tam over here this evening for supper,” he added.

With a slight bow from the doorway Kale replied, “As you wish, my Laird,” before departing.

Within the hour Tam arrived at the great hall ready to do his duty to the Laird and the clan.  He was greeted by Lenni, who despite her own yearning really did enjoy Tam’s company.  The two sat by the fire discussing the arrival of Edric’s horses earlier that day.

“Tam, you should see the fine horse father has bought for me.  She’s the most beautiful beast you’ve ever seen!” exclaimed Lenni as her face lit up against the firelight.

“After Edric teaches you to ride, maybe your father would let me take you on a trip to the cliffs.  They’re beautiful in the summer, and you could use the fresh air,” he offered.

“Oh Tam, that’d be wonderful.  I’ve always wanted to see the cliffs, thank you,” she said, leaning over and kissing his cheek.

“Can you believe they’re forcing us to spend time with one another like it’s a punishment or something?”  She laughed, nudging him with her elbow.

“I can’t say I’m completely saddened by this mockery as I do enjoy your company.  Maybe it’ll keep us occupied enough from our own love sorrows that happiness may show upon our brows once again.”  He smiled and noticed the cook.  “Would you like some mead?” he asked before getting up.

“Yes, thank you.”

Tam walked across the hall and retrieved two cups of mead.  On his way back he noticed his Laird standing in the doorway watching Lenni.  Tam looked him in the eyes and smiled before giving him a slight nod of approval.  He sat back down beside Lenni and handed her the cup.  Tam raised his cup to Lenni and said, “A toast to us.  May our courtship be brief but memorable.”

“And if not for Dugun, completely nonexistent,” she added, before they laughed.

“I should not be laughing at the cause of my broken heart.  If not for the fact that my father sent me to Monmalor to deliver salt, I think I would’ve killed him,” Tam confessed as he finished his cup of mead. “Would you like another?” he asked, raising his empty cup.

“I really shouldn’t,” she replied, before laughing at Tam standing before her with an exaggerated frown. “Very well then, I shall have another.”  Tam grabbed her cup to refill it.

He returned to the hearth with a pitcher and their two cups in his hand.  The two of them sat laughing and drinking mead the rest of the evening. As the fire died down, Tam clasped Lenni’s hand in his, bent over, and brought it to his lips.  Her face was flushed with drink.  She smiled at his gesture and moved closer.  A moment later she threw her arms around his neck and kissed his lips.  Her kiss stirred something inside of him.  Instead of pushing away from her, he pulled her closer, losing himself in her desire and returning her craving with his own until he gently he melted away from her embrace.  He leaned his forehead against hers and closed his eyes as he softly caressed her face. “I must go, Lenni,” he whispered as he pulled away and walked out the room.

Lenni stood staring after him, her heart beating wildly as her mind swam with confusion.  What in the hell just happened? she thought, sitting back down in front of the coals that still burned in the hearth.  She sat motionless and alone until Jael came looking for her.

To purchase an Amazon kindle copy for $2.99

It's also $2.99 at Smashwords. https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/165948