gob

[calimac]

I collect really bad blurbs, and I'm putting this one down here so I don't forget it. The downside of bibliographical research on Tolkien in high-recall library databases is that the net scoops up every lousy fantasy novel with a publisher's blurb that claims it's inspired by Tolkien. Like - judging from its blurb - this one, Enchanted Realms by Valan Peters:

Unlike other tales of fantasy, Enchanted Realms ties historical facts with fiction in an effort to suggest to readers that this tale of magic and mysticism could be true. The story weaves the tale of two men rewarded for their bravery after the Battle of Hastings. They are given land close to the Princedoms of Wales and, on their journey to their new lands, the men encounter a stranger who prophesised the births of each man's child. He tells them that these children will be instructed in the secrets of magic and the ancient mysteries. Over the years all his foretelling comes to pass. He gave his name for the first time. "I am known as Whitnecromancer the Great. Remember this night and all the things I have told you for never again shall we meet." Inspired by authors such as Teilhard de Chardin, J. R. R. Tolkien, and J. K. Rowling, Enchanted Realms is a historical novel woven with visionary fantasy to create a unique read.

Gob.

Comments

[cmcmck]

'Comparable to Tolkien at his best'

And it never is, of course!

[negothick.livejournal.com]

There's something in the air. . .have you heard about the claimant to the British Throne who is descended from the Kingdom of Gondor, which he claims is the old name for Wales. . .http://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/king-england-newspaper-ad-times?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=atlas-page (http://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/king-england-newspaper-ad-times?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=atlas-page)

It came to me thanks to nineweaving

[whswhs.livejournal.com]

I must confess, I somewhat incline to "It's fantasy; it's Celtic-inspired; it's the first book of a trilogy; it's in the tradition of J.R.R. Tolkien—okay, don't need to read that one!" I read The Sword of Shannara back when poor imitations of Tolkien were new; I don't need to keep trying to kick the damned football.

[whswhs.livejournal.com]

I thought "Gondor" was an old name for Ethiopia, but I might have misremembered that one. But an Abyssinian on the British throne would be interesting.

[kalimac.livejournal.com]

There's a city in Ethiopia called Gondar. On the principle that any name the reader is reminded of must be the one that inspired Tolkien, whole theories about the Ethiopianness of Tolkien's Gondor have been erected.