The Sword in the Stars(Book1) in The Dark Sea Annals Series (Paperback)
by Wayne Thomas Batson
ISBN: 0899578772

Price: USD 10.19
46 used & new available from USD 3.85

Alastair Coldhollow, a man with a dreadful past of evil deeds, has become a follower of First One. He believes he is the Caller, a prophesied person who will call forth the also-prophesied Halfainin. But when everything lines up and nothing happens, Alastair is faced with doubt and struggles to maintain his faith while getting used to disappointment in the midst of an oncoming war.

That’s an oversimplified synopsis. This book has so much going on, it’s hard to boil it down. It explores some very compelling themes without quite coming to a conclusion, leaving the door open for answers in later books. Wayne Thomas Batson started writing fantasy worlds in his The Door Within series, and this huge world tops that handily. There’s much more depth and detail to drink in here, though I do wish he’d describe things a little bit more, and I also found myself begging for a map more than once. My one real gripe is that I found the description of some of the fighting to be a bit much, but overall I had a great time with this one and I can’t wait for more.

Curse of the Spider King: The Berinfell Prophecies Series – Book One (Hardcover)
by Wayne Thomas Batson, Christopher Hopper
ISBN: 1400315050

Price: USD 11.18
77 used & new available from USD 5.20

Seven teens discover that they are the lost Elven lords from Allyra. They all have a special gift or ability. Now, with dangerous minions of the Spider King pursuing them at every turn, and mysterious Elf Sentinels trying to protect them, the teens must decide if they will stay on Earth or go home to Allyra.

Okay, right out of the gate, let me say that this is a good fantasy novel. Lots of exciting action, creepy bad guys, mysterious good guys and a parallel universe to boot. Unfortunately, Curse of the Spider King has no fewer than seven storylines running at a time, which makes for a very confusing time trying to keep track of everybody. Also, six of the storylines retread most of the same basic material six times. Now, I’m not saying you shouldn’t read this one. It’s really quite worthwhile. However, based on the ending of this one, I’m looking forward to book two, where the seven storylines will hopefully merge into a more manageable number.

Isle of Fire (Pirate Adventures) (Hardcover)
by Wayne Thomas Batson
ISBN: 1400312167

Price: $1.90
49 used & new available from USD 1.90

Declan Ross and his daughter Anne have left piracy behind and now work for the Royal Navy as pirate hunters. Their former, amnesic crew mate, Cat, has stayed behind in a monastery of treasure-guarding monks. All seems somewhat peaceful, now that Bartholomew Thorne is dead—or is he? A devious scheme to attack England takes shape, drawing Cat, Anne, and Ross into a battle that could change the course of history.

There’s no doubt about it. Wayne Thomas Batson was born to write pirate books. Most of the characters are quite deep, especially Cat, who was very well done. In the style of Brian Jacques, Batson writes a powerful story that zips along faster than a merchant clipper. My only real problem is with the possible historical inaccuracy of an attack on England, but this is fiction, after all. Although I preferred Isle of Swords, this is definitely a worthy successor.

(First in a series of interviews with the Motiv8 Fantasy Fiction Tour authors.)

Wayne Thomas Batson (enterthedoorwithin.blogspot.com) is a middle school teacher and author. He has written five novels, three in the fantasy genre and two about pirates. Recently, Mr. Batson took time out of his busy schedule to do an e-mail interview with Incredibooks.

Incredibooks: Have you always liked writing, or was it an acquired taste?

Wayne Thomas Batson: I probably took to writing in high school. I was a student assistant one year, helping the Chemistry teacher grade papers and set up labs, but it gave me a lot of time on my hands. I started writing poetry and song lyrics. It was kind of therapeutic writing for me because I was always one of those kids who thought about a lot of deep things. I also co-wrote a humorous editorial column in the school newspaper. It was called Pat & Bat, and we took on everything from Cabbage Patch Dolls to slothful police forces.   

IB: What were some of your favorite books growing up?

WTB:

• Elementary School: The Mouse and the Motorcycle
• Junior High: The Hobbit
• High School: The Lord of the Rings

IB: When you were younger, did you ever imagine that you would become an author?

WTB: I had no idea. I would have laughed and said, yeah right. 

IB: What inspired you to become a writer?

WTB: I owe it to God first because there’s nothing of worth that I am or have that He did not give me. But my students were the driving human force in my writing. I wrote a short story for them because they challenged me to do the assignment I had given them. They loved that 17 page story and over the years were relentless in encouraging me (okay, threatening me) to write more. If it weren’t for my students, I don’t think I’d be an author today. 

IB: Why did you choose fantasy to work with instead of some other genre?

WTB: Easy. I’m at home there. I think somewhere in my genetic make-up I am part Hobbit. I so long for a peaceful life full of good friends and good cheer and all things green and growing. And I’ve always loved the heroic element of fantasy where even a regular guy can do something spectacular. 

IB: How do you make your characters seem like real people instead of just figures who move the plot along?

WTB: Give them flaws. Give them quirks. Let them do what they want to do not just what you (the author) wants them to do.

IB: Where do you get your characters’ names?

WTB: That’s an essay question for me. I am very, very determined to have just the right names for my characters. I often spend hours on one character’s name. I’ll look in other languages: Olde English, Saxon, Norse, Greek, Celtic, etc. and search for word parts that bring a certain image to mind. Then, I’ll mix and match parts until I’m convinced a certain character could have no other name but the one I’ve given them. I know, I’m OCD that way. 

IB: Who is your favorite character from all of your books so far, and why?

WTB: Difficult question. But if you dangled me over hot coals until I divulged a name, I’d have to say Captain Valithor from The Door Within Trilogy. He is such a wonderful mixture of English field marshall and teddy bear. Plus, he can really wield a sword. 

IB: Have you ever incorporated yourself or anyone you know into one of your books?

WTB: Any writer worth his/her salt does this, consciously or unconsciously to an extent. I didn’t understand this as I wrote, but Aidan, Robby, and Antoinette in The Door Within became a kind of representation of me in three phases of my Christian life: despair, cautiously optimistic, and well-versed & confident. Cat in Isle of Swords deals with identity issues that I’ve struggled with over the years. 

IB: How do you work allegory or Christian themes into your books without it being blatantly obvious or sounding preachy or clichéd?

WTB: Well, I try to tell a good story. I think a well-plotted story eliminates the preachy nature that some allegory might otherwise reveal. Often a story concept comes about because of something I’ve learned or discovered or maybe even from a worship song at church. So themes and allegories are important to me, but I must have a strong plot and real characters to carry it. A novel cannot be a Bible tract dressed up as a story. Readers don’t want that and will be offended. 

IB: Do you ever write something that you love, only to look at it later and discover it’s not as good as you thought?

WTB: Daily. When I’m in the middle of a scene, I’m seeing the mental movie and thrilled to death that I’ve written something spectacular. Then, I’ll read it the next day and wonder who screwed up my manuscript while I was sleeping.

IB: What is a typical writing day like for you? For example, where do you write? Do you always write at the same time of day? Do you listen to music when writing? If so, what?

WTB: I don’t have one. I’m a full time middle school Reading Teacher and a father of four active kids. I don’t have a set writing time. I wish I could, but this isn’t the season in life for that for me. I write when I can, mostly at night. 

IB: (We originally thought that this question applied only to Donita K. Paul and L. B. Graham.) You just finished a series. Are you enjoying starting afresh, or has it been difficult getting started on something completely new?

WTB: Actually, I just finished a series as well, uh, if you can consider two books a series. And I am really enjoying a new project. I’m getting back to fantasy and having a blast with a new concept.

IB: What are you currently working on?

WTB: Top secret. But it’s WAY cool. 

IB: In round numbers, how many books do you think you’ll sign during the Motiv8 Fantasy Fiction Tour?

WTB: Hard to guess. I suspect that we’ll have a much bigger turn out as all of our fan bases have grown exponentially since the last tour. And this time we’ll have the added draw of four new authors. I’m going to guess about 25 books per event, perhaps 300-400 total, maybe.

IB: Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to answer curious fans! We are looking forward to the tour!

WTB: My pleasure. Thanks, Incredibooks for doing this great feature.

Next time, we’ll be interviewing Bryan Davis, so check back soon!

Wayne Thomas Batson’s new book Isle of Fire has been released! Here’s the official announcement.

Isle of Fire (Pirate Adventures) (Hardcover)
by Wayne Thomas Batson
ISBN: 1400312167

Price: $1.90
49 used & new available from USD 1.90

The Final Storm: The Door Within Trilogy – Book Three (Paperback)
by Wayne Thomas Batson
ISBN: 140031013X

Price: USD 9.99
79 used & new available from USD 2.73

 The Realm is in grave danger as Paragor marches ever nearer with an immense army. Only the legendary three witnesses can save our friends from the previous books. Meanwhile, Aidan is still trying to get through to his friend Robby about the Realm and King Eliam. And Antoinette is still in the Realm, captured by Robby’s evil Glimpse. As Paragor’s army reaches Alleble, the three witnesses must be discovered, and everybody must choose whose side they are on.

This is an epic fantasy tale that moves quickly from page one all the way to the end. So quickly, in fact, that I almost feel like Wayne Thomas Batson could have split The Final Storm into two books and slowed down a little bit. However, that is my only major complaint with this one. The characters really come to life, there’s great humor, excitement, and a very satisfying ending.

Isle of Swords (Paperback)
by Wayne Thomas Batson
ISBN: 1400313635

Price: USD 9.99
77 used & new available from USD 0.27

It all starts when Declan Ross, captain of the William Wallace, and his headstrong daughter Anne take on a badly injured boy who has no memory of his previous life. As time goes on, the truth about a great treasure, long believed lost, is revealed. Hidden by a mysterious order of monks, this treasure must be reclaimed—and Declan Ross is the one to do it. Perilous dangers await in the journey, and Bartholomew Thorne, the most dreaded pirate on the high seas, is determined to find the treasure first. So begins a deadly race to the Isle of Swords with more at stake than first meets the eye.

Despite a few flaws, I was quite impressed with this book. A great page-turner, memorable characters, and many intricate subplots. I debated whether to mark this for ages 13+, like the other Wayne Thomas Batson books we’ve reviewed, or to bump it up to 15+. I will leave it at 13+ with a warning: Bartholomew Thorne is not a nice fellow, and he does not treat his prisoners kindly. Nothing was overly vivid, but it had me grimacing on several occasions. So do take that into consideration.
Also, I was under the impression that Isle of Swords was a stand-alone book. Be forewarned! I raced through the climax right to the end where the story is left at a cliffhanger. While the main plot is resolved, many mysterious puzzles are left unsolved. All that to say, I’ll be watching for Isle of Fire, the sequel.

The Rise of the Wyrm Lord: The Door Within Trilogy – Book Two (Paperback)
by Wayne Thomas Batson
ISBN: 1400310121

Price: USD 9.99
75 used & new available from USD 2.41

At his first day in the new school, Aidan meets a girl by the name of Antoinette, who, he discovers, believes in King Eliam, but has never been to the Realm. She confides to Aidan that she’s been having nightmares lately, which Aidan believes is a sign of King Eliam calling her to the Realm. Mindful of his friend Robby, Aidan asks her to find Robby’s Glimpse and try to make him see the truth. Antoinette’s parents, who also believe, agree that she may go, and Antoinette journeys through the Door Within to face a danger greater than any of them imagined.
Paragor has not lessened his dark designs and is at work unleashing an evil, held captive since long ago. Antoinette is chosen to be the Twelfth Knight on a mission to convince Yewland’s queen that breaking an alliance with King Eliam would be fatal. They travel to Yewland only to discover the enemy has not wasted his time. The leader of the Knights decides they must warn another kingdom, but Antoinette has found Robby’s Glimpse. Lord Kearn, one of Paragor’s chief servants. She decides to disobey the knights and try to talk to Kearn. A choice that leads to a disaster only King Eliam can right.

I enjoyed this book immensely. I whipped through it in two days flat. Actually, a day and a half, then I read the third one in a second half of the second day. (How was that for confusing?) There’s a lot of action, and it felt very real as I read it. The characters weren’t cheesy or overplayed. In fact, I would find myself cheering them on or getting frustrated at Antoinette for her disobedience. Some of the fight sequences were a little more on the—how do I say this?—messy side of things. Let me see, what else might you want to know… The new badguys are very creepy, Yewland is pretty cool. Oh, and if anyone panics when Antoinette goes after Kearn, don’t worry. Nothing drastic happens, although I wouldn’t want to be in her shoes.

The Door Within: The Door Within Trilogy – Book One (Hardcover)
by Wayne Thomas Batson
ISBN: 1400306590

Price: $0.16
55 used & new available from USD 0.16

Aidan Thomas has just moved to Colorado and is friendless once again. While exploring his grandfather’s basement one day, he discovers three mysterious scrolls that beckon him to enter another realm. He takes the plunge and finds himself in the land of Alleble, where he has been chosen to be the Twelfth Knight of the King’s Elder Guard. Aidan’s training is swift and the twelve knights set out on their mission to warn the kingdom of Mithegard against allying with the evil Paragor, the betrayer from long ago.

Adventure, excitment, and the battle between good and evil! A decidedly enjoyable story, and while I found many parts predictable, it didn’t take away from the plot at all. It is easy to relate to (and sometimes chuckle at) poor Aidan and his mishaps, and a strong allegorical thread runs through the entire book. (And it might be noted that this is one of the few fantasies I have read that actually includes unicorns in addition to dragons!)