Morevi: The Chronicles of Rafe and Askana

My reading history in fantasy is somewhat limited. I began with Piers Anthony and his Xanth series, continued to Tolkien, Terry Brooks with the Shannara series, David Eddings with Belgariad/Mallorian series, Foster with the Spellsinger series, and other scattered works of authors I cannot recall. I dare to say, none compare to the exquisite balance kept within this story. Morevi is a tale of high adventure and epic romance that does not waver towards the edge of its paper confines...it lives beyond, and to me such a thought is happy indeed. I am caught between holding the story in my hands (which I suspect shall be read again and again), and anticipating the next in the series with a mixture of fear and elation. I feel the obsession taking hold, the want of escape and the fleeting moment of a child's imagination relieving my travel-weary adult mind. To feel the innocence again! It is the greatest effect an author can achieve, in my opinion. There are some elements to which this story rhymes with my life experience, so ever closer to this tale did my heart bind. For a book that rekindles your inner child with fantasy and high adventure...and still nurtures the tale of a love between two souls in such detail... You need look no further.

by Kassandra WashingtonMorevi: The Chronicles of Rafe and Askana is an excellent book that challenges its readers with a fantastical tale by thrusting the reader into the depths of another world that is both mystical yet includes a tinge of the Far East. The writers' details reminiscent of the period and places succeed in immersing the reader into believable alternate worlds where Elf-folk and mortals coexist, and magic endures alongside the conventional weapons of man. The reader begins the journey in 1492, after the "New World" has been discovered and King Henry VIII's privateers roam the seas acquiring what bounty they may, commonly referred to as stealing in lands not of England, hence the name pirate is born. A lone ship "The Deviant", accustomed to battle and desperate circumstance, is being pursued by three Spanish ships whose captains will surely pronounce a death sentence for each and every privateer captured. With the captain and first mate dead and ship heavily damaged, the navigator Rafe and a Moor, Nassir, rally the crew to embark on their only chance for survival; they must navigate the Graveyard of Lost Ships. The very name, Graveyard of Lost Ships, known also as the Rift, spoken in fear by every seaman; no ship was known to have tackled the Rift and survived, yet the young navigator convinced the crew, it was their only chance. As the ship's course deviates toward the Rift, the three Spanish captains opt not to follow. At first a brilliant light enticed the crew to believe that they would survive, just before the darkness of Hell descends upon them. Had they a choice, their resolve would have wavered. Alas, the crew of the Defiant discovers a portal to a new world, where new adventures, alliances, and an unlikely romance await. In the years to come, the Defiant finds itself navigating the Rift often, acquiring loot found only in this new world where Eyrie, Arathelle, and especially Morevi lay. It was a world where magic and potions were widely in practiced, though the most ancient and dark powers of these arts are forbidden, not that everyone obeys. In these lands, the defiant English possess a faster ship and the black powder. Ships and crews fall easily to their cannons, rifles, and guns. Captain Rafe's favorite ships to plunder belong to Morevi and carry the most exotic wares, silks and teas; though the warrior women who guard these ships are formidable foes. The privateer's success earned him a death sentence if ever his feet touched Morevi soil. Askana Moldarin, the First Queen of Morevi proved to be the most cunning and deadliest. Having ascended the throne during a rebellion that overthrew the King, ended the patriarch system, and purged hoards of men from the land, her country and matriarch was threatened by treason at home and threats abroad. Having no one she could trust, she meets with the privateer, Rafe, the most successful pillager of her merchant ships. Why? The young King of Eyrie, finding the new

Look out Errol Flynn, there's a new guy in town and his name is...Rafe Rafton!Morevi is jam packed with intrigue and excitement every time you turn the page. This epic novel is fast paced and filled with characters that emerge from the written words to delight the reader's imagination as you join them on their fantastical journey. Through Tee Morris and Lisa Lee's gifted prose, they take you on a wild voyage through time to an entirely new world that will keep you in awe at every new discovery. If that's not enough for you--there's more: The preciseness of the historical aspects of this novel blended into the fantastical world of Naruihm and the realm of Morevi was so seamless, I couldn't tell where one ended and the other began-a perfect blending of fact and fiction! Still need more of a reason to read this fabulous story? How about political intrigue-back stabbing-forbidden love-and mystical creatures and magical powers...oh my! It's all here folks waiting for you to read it. If you don't want to miss out on one of the best written fantasy novels around, you better get yourself a copy, take a couple days off, and travel to the mystical realm of Morevi and let the adventure sweep you away--as it did to us...

This fantastic fantasy novel, the debut offering for both Lisa Lee and Tee Morris, creeps up on the reader like a dream: there is no escape, nor is there the desire for one. From the very start the characterization and the action are a constant draw on your attention and all you can possibly want is more, not because the story is lacking, but because it is addictive. With a variety of vividly portrayed settings you enter a world that is like no other you have ever seen, meeting there characters that you either love or love to loath. In either case they are masterfully done.I would highly recommend this novel to anyone looking for a rich read and to the authors I would say: Let's see how you intend to top this one... No, really... There better be a sequel : )

This book pulled me into the action from the start. The characters are more true to life, the style of writing paints such a visual depiction of everything, there's very good fight scenes and just enough romance without going over the top. The plot has a refreshing feel to it. There were quite a few places that I could not put the book down because I had to find out what came next! It has strong female characters that don't insult my intelligence. Like Harry Potter books, this will be one that I read more than once. Hoping there will be a Morevi II!