Reviews

[Jayel]

Editorial Reviews

From the Midwest Book Review
"The fourth and final installment of the "Ancient Mirrors" fantasy series has arrived with "Quondam". The "Ancient Mirrors" series is a line of stories where women do not submit helplessly before men; "Quondam" is no different, following Cwen as she finds herself in another world whose problems will engulf her own world unless she does something to stop it. She must overthrow a Queen to save both worlds in this riveting fantasy."

From the Library Journal
"In the Seven Kingdoms, only one Damselfly remains; the rest of her kind have been butchered by evil men who fear the potent magic of these winged women. Aided by Ilerion, a nobleman unlike the Damselfly hunters, Arcinaë must wage war to save her kind from extinction. Continuing the story begun in The Wrekening and Dragon Queen, Gibson sets her saga of survival amid persecution in a richly detailed universe populated by many races as well as fantastical creatures and bathed in the light of magic. A solid addition to most fantasy collections."

From ForeWord Magazine

"The winner of the Indie Excellence Award for Fantasy and Science Fiction steers a sure course away from the wreckage-strewn shoals common to the genre, delivering a well-conceptualized story which seems to reflect real history yet maintains definite originality. Quondam is a kingdom under the stranglehold of a fallen wood nymph, Queen Karid, who has ruled ruthlessly for an eon since she was forced by the gods into human form as a punishment. She’s thrilled to have blood in her veins, and equally happy to spill anyone else’s to ensure perpetual dominance.

Karid sends fire-throwing assassins through a portal to Ædracmorae and wipes out much of that realm’s ruling family in order to prevent a prophecy from coming true, which says that a house of serpents will ally with a house of dragons. It isn’t enough though, as the queen is seriously challenged back in Quondam by an overlooked niece of the king, the hot-tempered Cwen of Aaradan, back from earlier books with a chip on her shoulder.

Although she is strong, Cwen has much to learn about when to apply judgment and how to see the perspective of others. She finds a chance to redeem herself from her past acts, saying, “‘I have been selfish, even ruthless, but this one act will give my life meaning and sweep the blackness from my soul.’” Action is the prime driver, but it is a pleasure to see Cwen and other characters develop and evolve on the way to fulfilling their objectives. The thoroughly power-mad Queen Karid is the exception—she’s a fountain of evil deeds from the beginning. Gibson carries over her examination of crossed species in Queen Karid’s fear of a dragon/human hybrid with royal blood known as the Islander. He eventually faces a no-win decision, staking his own priorities against the kingdom’s.

The book’s romantic scenes are about desire, resistance, domination, and lingering bonds—not so unusual among people, but unsettling when applied to a pair of dragons. Just as the female dragons in the kingdom of Quondam are a bit stronger than the males, so too are a number of remarkably resolute women generally more determined and focused than the men. The subtle and healthy message of can-do capability resonates.

Fans of the series should appreciate the way Gibson moves into the meat of the story right away.

Those who come to this book without the preparation provided by earlier titles in the Ancient Mirrors series may experience a learning curve during the first couple chapters, but once they’re with the program, readers will appreciate Gibson’s fresh plotting and her Welsh-toned myth-making appeal. Quondam is quality fantasy which can stand alone but reads best following the other titles: Dragon Queen, The Wrekening, and Damselflies."

From the Bloomsbury Review
"Jayel Gibson weaves magic with words."

From the Writer's Digest
"...set in a wonderful and magical world. Cwen is the perfect heroine...smart and honest."

* * * Reviews from Readers Like You:

Gibson's characters are rich, unique, and vivid. She has created an elaborate world peopled with dark-skinned Noor merchant politicians, mute stryvers who serve the rich, venomous wasp women, evil nomadic bandits called Emyutes, fire assassins, firefly men, and shadowy hellwings. There are also the assorted wizards, gods, and warrior barkeeps. The characters are all believable and worthy of a reader's concern for them. But most importantly, Gibson has crafted an epic tale full of narrow escapes, battles, magic, death and redemption, and the quest for love.

Quondam is Gibson's finest work in this series. I highly recommend it.

Janie Franz, author of Freelance Writing: It’s a Business, Stupid!

* * *
Quondam... has strong female characters.... The feminist tone in the book is strong as it is in the gaming world where the women fight shoulder to shoulder with their male warriors. And like the characters in video games the women in Jayel Gibson's book are beautiful, feminine and yet burn with fierce inner spirit. What makes this book a novelty is that Jayel Gibson is herself a gamer and believes that video gaming is actually good for people. And her books prove her opinion as the characters are complex, their missions difficult and the storyline is action packed. The books are immersing and deal with human frailties as well which not only hooks the readers but also lend the story lines credibility for in the end its not only about good winning over evil but about the indomitable human spirit - a concept that many games are based on where one continues to try and overcome hurdles and conquer missions despite repeated failures.

SwingingPuss.com

* * *
I came up with a system for detecting good epic fantasy. I called it "Tom's Epic Fantasy Detection Test." ...I wanted something as real as my world--a place that I could see so clearly that I wished I could get aboard a plane and go visit it. The world Jayel Gibson has created in The Wrekening certainly passed this test. It is one that is complex, startling, and a true work of the highest imagination.

Thomas Bolme Jr. on Amazon.com

* * *
About the only thing I liked about this book (which I couldn't even finish reading because I became so bored with it) was the world-building theology and its larger, macro-scoped storyline. Unfortunately, the "lens" of the author's storytelling style never zooms in deep enough and close enough to allow the reader to relate to the characters on a personal, individual level... to absorb the reader on the micro level.

Mike Karkabe-Olson "Mike" on Amazon.com

* * *
Jayel Gibson has described the world of Ædracmoræ beautifully, spending lush words in describing its beauty. Even the physical description and skills of the guardians are described in detail, which give a good idea about the guardian being described. The tale itself is very good and holds a lot of promise and creates anticipation within the reader and covers a lot of ground in encompassing three major quests and wrapping it up nicely with the ending suitably closed but open ended enough for a sequel.

Anantj

* * *
I commend Gibson for being able to weave a thrilling story that held my interest the entire way through. I really like the strong female characters presented throughout the Ancient Mirrors series, and Damselflies was no exception. These females are skilled warriors in battle and are also highly intelligent and usually stubborn, yet they are easy to like by the reader.... Damselflies was a truly exciting read.

BookMuncher.com