When Cwen of Aaradan falls through a mysterious portal into the world of Quondam, she discovers her fate and an imprisoned dragonspawn's are intertwined in ways that will drag her, heartbroken and vengeful, into the heart of a devastating war.
A murderous queen:
Bound in mortal flesh by an angry god, a once ethereal nymph murders Quondam’s king and seizes the throne. All who do not bow before her die in the agony that is dragons’ breath. But, there is threat of a challenger to this brutal reign, a legend’s promised savior. Fearful, Queen Karid has the suspect captured, condemned and sentenced to an eternity alone.
A condemned dragonspawn:
Born of man and magick, cursed at birth by his terrified mother, a young
Dragonspawn is branded a demon, a threat to Quondam’s queen, and sentenced to a millennium of solitude. His only freedom now found in dreams, he searches among a universe of sleepers for a woman born beneath the sign of the dragon, a woman believed to hold the key to his release.
And the woman thrust between them:
Her family and homeland destroyed by an otherworldly assassin’s fire, Cwen of Aaradan, niece of the Dragon Queen, escapes through a mysterious portal into Quondam. There, Cwen discovers her fate and an imprisoned dragonspawn’s are intertwined in ways that will drag her, heartbroken and vengeful, into the midst of a devastating war.
United:
With the help of an elder wizard, and the sorceresses B’rma and N’dia, the dragonspawn and Cwen of Aaradan embark on an epic journey to undo the folly of a god, stop the mad nymph queen, and return peace and magick to a war torn world.
Categories
Excerpts and Extras
Quondam Preview , file extension: pdf, file size: 133 276 bytes
Jayel Gibson Biography , file extension: pdf, file size: 18 452 bytes
Video Trailer
Cover Images
Reviews
I really should start an award ceremony for books because everybook I read gets a new sort of category.
This book would win the OMG I can't believe how good this book was Award
I found this book by chance. I find most of the books I read by searching around. I discovered The Ancient Mirrors series by clicking on someones blog. From there I clicked a link. And then from this link I found Ms. Gibson's site. The art Ms. Gibson commisions for her work is AMAZING and it really drew me in to finding out more about her work. So I discover that she has an upcoming fantasy book called Quondam coming out-I honestly didn't read much into it-but I emailed around and before you know it I am sent a beautiful advanced copy of Quondam
Like I said-I didn't really look into this book at all. I realized after I get it that A) there where 3 books before it and B) everbody's name is really long and has stange commas in it
I was intimidated by this book. I really didn't know If I could handle it. I was afraid I was going to get completly confused and not get it and *continues rambling about how scared I was of book*
14 minutes later
okay......so after I go through how scared I am of it. I actually start to read it.
This was Thurday. It is now Saturday. The book is 320 pages long with small type.
To tell you all the truth-I was addicted to this book. I just got so caught up in it and I couldn't put it down.
Okay so now you know my story about it. Here's the actual review-bare with me cause this has Hamlet like family connections that get confusing. I'll go with each main character
Cwen-a Queen's niece that get's sucked into Quondam along w/ her aunt and her cousin
D'raekn-...........................where do I begin. He is 1/2 human, 1/2 dragon. He is the rightful heir of Quondam's throne but Kadrid has taken over Quondam.
I'm sure as you all can imagine that there is romance involved as well. I'm not going to go into it because it is such a beautiful part of the book and I don't want to butcher it with my rambling
If you are still alittle iffy on this book here's how I would describe it in the easiest form.
C.S's Lewis's Lion Witch and the Wardrobe -talking lions + Dragons + romance + some steam :) + cool character names - annoying Edmund + beautiful locations + PURE AWESOME= Quondam.
This book isn't really young adult but there is nothing in it that is any worse than anything I've read in YA and Teen novels-just some steam and a few curses here and there. This book is unlike anything I have ever read before and I loved it. I don't think I will be reading the 1st 3 anytime soon. I'm so busy and have a lot of other things to read. But the real reason is this. I love the picture this book painted in my head and I LOVE the way it is, I'm unsure it I want to change it. Besides-the other 3 can't have any Cwen/D'raekn romance in them. I WILL however definetly be checking out Ms. Gibson's next series Ever'neath - She is a great writer and I am glad to have discovered her.
Quondam, I believe, was released May 1.
Review by Jessica J.
Date: 09-25-2008
Avid video gamers tend to gravitate towards story lines that are action packed, are believable or as such bring strong magical realism to the games. Movies based on games such as Lara Croft, Resident Evil etc have been box office hits. The influence of video gaming has not only heavily influenced contemporary literature especially in the Scifi and Magic genres but have also reflected the strong feminist presence in modern times.
Take for example Jayel Gibson's book- Quondam which happens to be the last of the four part series of The Ancient Mirror Series has strong female characters. The main character Cwen finds herself falling through a portal to a world devastated by the cruelty of a nymph of the woods who is cursed to live in the flesh and becomes a cruel queen driven to destroy magic and extends her rule over mankind and only through Cwen can the world be saved. A lot rides on her shoulders and the other female characters in the novel are as strong in Cwen in spirit and in magic.
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.
Jayel Gibson's novels are well written, refreshing and are light read.
Review by Isobel Fontaine
Date: 09-25-2008
All Books Available from this Publisher
Contact the Author and/or Publisher