The Eye of Night: The Eye of Night: A Novel

I love romances where the characters are emotionally crippled or physically disfigured (Ya, call me a romantic), and this story had both.

I checked this book out at the library, intrigued by the cover and the first page was readable. I was so glad I took it home because it was a very good story. The story is told from the point of view of Jereth, a former priest. He runs into Hwyn, a mishapen woman and Trenara, a beautiful woman. They all end up on a quest together to take the Eye of Night where it wants to go, and come across many adventures on the way. There is a little mystery to the story that kept it even more intriguing. Their homeland is interesting and I was amused with the map at the beginning of the book that showed all the directions, North, South, East, and West in the wrong places. They were travelling what would be considered South to us, but they called it North. I can't handle many fantasy books, but this one is very readable. I highly recommend it!

Alama has created an original, fascinating world into which she thrusts three highly unusual characters. This isn't sword-and-sorcery or another Tolkein ripoff. Eye of Night is high fantasy at it's best. The hero and heroine are anything but typical, their relationship develops believably through the course of the book, and the plot has some very unexpected twists and turns. If you like fantasy, you won't be disappointed.

This book has a wonderfull use of imagery giving you detailed descriptions that make you feel you are in the book. It uses mythology in ways that I have never seen before. It's compelling story of the three travelers seeking a place for the mysterious "Sky-Raven's Egg" while finding secrets all their own gives the reader a way to escape their everyday life. I recommend anyone who enjoys fantasy novels to read this age old tale of harship and loyalty.

Magic is alive in the world but it has insignificant affect on the troubles in the North. Kingdoms are at war with one another; plagues sweep the land; and earthquakes destroy whole cities. The weather plays havoc on the crops; drought is common; and the cattle dies from extreme thirst. The people in the North are traveling but that will do them no good because the troubles accompany them southward.Three people on a quest are moving against the trend by heading northward. The mystic Hwyn, the beautiful simpleton Trenara, and the former priest Jereth follow the instructions of the Sky-Raven's Egg. Hwyn knows that the Eye of the North is readying itself to give birth and that it could mean the death of civilization or something quite wondrous.THE EYE OF NIGHT is a beautiful epic fantasy starring three protagonists chosen by the gods to play a pivotal role in the rebirth of a world. Readers will be surprised to realize what these roles will be but it is all tied together in a way that makes sense. This is Pauline J. Alama's first novel but with the talent she displays with this strong tale, the audience will realize there will be more forthcoming. Just having patience to wait will prove nerve wracking.Harriet Klausner