Sunborn Rising
Beneath The Fall
by Aaron Safronoff
My Review
First off, I have to confess that the cover was the original reason I wanted to read this book. Tell me that twinkling tail isn’t luring you in.
The plot doesn’t seem that complex in the beginning. Three young friends set off to save their world from a creeping vine. Then, you enter the world of Cerulean with it’s flotilla forests, venture from the safety of the loft, into the midden, and down below the Fall, where creatures beyond imagining dwell, not all of them cuddly like our three young friends.
The story takes some dark turns down below, where the creeper vine slowly chokes the light and water from the arboreal world, threatening all that dwell there. I was a bit surprised how serious the danger was. It seemed like this would be a light, fun adventure, but there were some times when I actually dreaded what might be about to happen.
But it’s not all dark down below. The three adventurers come upon some wonderful creatures that help them on their quest. And you’ll get to see them!
The lush, colorful illustrations leap off the pages. You’ll feel like you are falling into the story and can actually see what’s occurring. Seeing Barra, Plicks, and Tory in living color is the next best thing to seeing them in a movie. Now, that would be something too.
You’ll be charmed by Barra, a fearless Listlespur bup. She reminds me somewhat of a tiger, even though they don’t live in trees and swing from vines, or come in a splendid shade of purple.
Plicks, a Kolalabat, reminds me of a cross between a bat and koala bear. Except he doesn’t seem to have their natural agility. He seems to be quite clumsy and gets all tangled up in himself. Kind of like the scarecrow in The Wizard Of Oz.
And Tory is a Rugosic. Well, he reminds of a cross between a small boy and an ant or a beetle. He’s segmented, with a hard outer shell. He appeared to be the more serious, cautious one, most of the time. A good thing to be where they’re going.
Sunborn Rising is enchanting and seductive. I couldn’t get enough of this story and the magical creatures I became so fond of. If I’d read this when I was a young girl, I’m sure me and my friends would’ve been imaging our own adventures beyond the fall.
This is one of those books you’ll revisit many times. You’re copy getting dog-eared and worn with all of the readings. I loved it from the front cover to the rear flap. I’d recommend this book for all ages. All you need to bring is your sense of adventure.
5 Stars
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Synopsis
“Sunborn Rising: Beneath the Fall is the best vivid fantasy YA book of the year.” –Entrada Publishing
On a distant world of forests floating on an ocean around a star,
a blight threatens to plunge all life into darkness.
But three friends seek the light.
Together, they will Fall and be lost.
And at the very Root of darkness, they will find themselves.
But will it be enough to help them find their way home?
The world of Cerulean.
Light and water flow from the ocean into the roots of the Great Trees, up through the boughs, and out over the lush canopy. But the once vibrant treescape has grown dim over generations of arboreal life, and the creatures of the forest have forgotten the light.
Barra, a young, willful Listlespur, finds her late father’s hidden journal, and reads about the old world and the mysterious plague her father believed destroyed it. He wrote that he warned the Elders. He urged them to take action. Those were his last words.
Together with her two best friends, Barra will explore every bark, wood, and leaf of the Great Forest to relight her world and complete her father’s story, even if she has to travel beneath the Fall.
Buy the book: Amazon ~ Author Website
Sunborn Rising Wins Art Award!
Go HERE to check it out!
I’m thrilled to be able to share a couple of the amazing illustrations from this exciting adventure. Enjoy!
Author Aaron Safronoff
Aaron Safronoff is author of the Discovery Award winning science fiction novel, Spire. Since his debut, he’s published a sequel, Fallen Spire, and a novella of literary fiction, Evening Breezes.
Safronoff’s diverse background includes the formal study of computer science, bio-chemistry, and culinary arts. However, most of his career has been in the videogame industry in quality, production, and design.
Today, Safronoff is the co-founder and Chief Storyteller of Neoglyphic Entertainment, and is busy writing his fifth novel, the second installment of the Sunborn Rising series.
Connect with the author: Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook
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Prizes:
1. Five winners will each receive a signed hardback copy of Sunborn Rising AND a free signed CD of the original musical soundtrack (open to USA only)
2. One winner will also win a 16’x20’ high quality (giclée) printed piece of the original art on canvas, signed by author Aaron Safronoff as well as Christopher Chamberlain the Art Director (valued at $100) – open to USA only
3. Ten winners will each get a gifted Kindle copy of Sunborn Rising with a $10 Amazon gift card AND a free digital download of the original musical soundtrack (open international)
Giveaway ends Aug 6, 2016.
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