Double Book Review: The New Day Dawns/As Shadows Fall

When I started reading this series that my friend Lillie sent me, I wasn’t sure if I would like them because this isn’t a genre that I normally read.  Not because I don’t like it, but more because I have never found a story line that interested me.

Well, that changed this past week when I read Grace Anne Schaefer’s, The New Day Dawns (book one), and, As Shadows Fall (book two).

This series is hands down the best fiction I have read since I started reviewing books last year!  I think it is one of the best fictional series I have read in years!

The writing is exquisite!  The characters are so real that they started living in my mind when I was awake and when I went to sleep.  The imagery is amazing.  These books read like I was watching a movie unfolding in my mind’s eye.  I could smell, feel, touch, sense the descriptions that Schaefer molded around the characters and I never grew tired of the lavish world that unfolded under the direction of her pen!

Even more noteworthy, were the many life lessons interspersed through out the story.  Life lessons about living, dying, working, participating, sharing, growing up, maturing, mothering, fathering, family, preparing, grieving, gender, respect, appreciation, honor, problem solving, relationships, and on and on.

This story is beautifully and breathtakingly told.  There were times where my breath was taken away at the beauty that rose up from the page, allowing me to enter the world of the life and culture of the people of the Frozen Earth. Often I felt as if I was sitting among them watching and listening to them as they went about their daily lives.

The challenges of life that the People of the Frozen Earth was so real that I often found myself pondering them even when I put the book down.  What would I have done?  How would I have responded?  Could I have done that?

This story is captivating, intoxicating, while subtly dispelling truths within the journey of the people of the Frozen Earth.

This series is one I could easily see being transferred to film and unfolding much like, Dances with Wolves.

Here is an example of her writing that really spoke to me about life and death and really exemplifies the belief system of the People of the Frozen Earth.

In this passage, the people of the Frozen Earth are saying goodby to one of their own (celebrating death) while in the midst of their yearly event called the, Gathering (celebrating life).

The rest of the people followed in reverent silence.  When they arrived, the men placed Meirian’s body on the rock while the women surrounded her with her treasures.  Together they sang the songs of life and death, spoke of the departed, and prayed for Father Death to welcome her into his kingdom.  After a final song of farewell, the musicians began a new melody, an up tempo march that would lead the people away from the Frozen Wilds and back to the Gathering. Horda took one last look behind her at where her mother lay then joined the rest of the People as they left the gorge.  The People of the Frozen Earth believed life belonged to the living, and Gathering was perhaps the greatest celebration of that belief. [book one, page 144]

Here is a passage I loved in the second book, As Shadows Fall.

The crisp scents of burning cedar and sage mixed with the odors of roasting meat and vegetables to perfume the almost-warm morning air.  People wandered from cook fire to cook fire and ate and visited until the sun was high in the sky.  When the feasting was finished, the men and boys threw bones, played games, and ran races.  The woman sat in the sun watching the children and gossiping. [book two, page 159]

Although my faith is different then that of the People of the Frozen Earth, I found that many of my core beliefs and worldviews being mirrored back to me in their own traditions, beliefs, and perspectives.

I also found their belief that women were to be cherished and honored and not beat and subjugated was beautiful and freeing.

It is often said that any writer that want’s to become a better writer should read excellent writers.

Today, I have found an excellent writer to read to help me on my journey to becoming a more excellent writer!  I whole-heartedly and emphatically recommend this series!  Out of a 1-5 rating, I give it a 6!

I cannot wait to read book three!

*I received this book free from Lillie Ammann as a gift. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255