Project and content management for Contemporary Authors volumes
WORK TITLE: Unhonored
WORK NOTES: with husband, Tracy Hickman
PSEUDONYM(S):
BIRTHDATE: 12/7/1956
WEBSITE:
CITY: South Jordan
STATE: UT
COUNTRY:
NATIONALITY:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laura_Hickman * http://www.tor.com/2016/09/09/excerpts-unhonored-tracy-and-laura-hickman/
RESEARCHER NOTES:
PERSONAL
Born December 7, 1956, in Long Beach, CA; married Tracy Hickman (a writer), 1977; children: four.
ADDRESS
CAREER
Writer and game designer.
RELIGION: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day SaintsWRITINGS
SIDELIGHTS
Laura Hickman is a novelist and game designer. She is the wife of longtime best-selling novelist Tracy Hickman. Laura and Tracy met and fell in love when they were in middle school, and eventually married in 1977. They are the coauthors of numerous books, including the “Bronze Canticles” series and the “Nightbirds Trilogy.”
Mystic Warrior
The “Bronze Canticles” series begins with Mystic Warrior, which draws together the human, goblin, and faery worlds. Galen Arvad is a human with magical powers, which he must keep hidden, as they are seen as the powers of the insane. Those like Galen are put to death in a ritual of being offered up to the Dragon Priests when their talents are discovered. But he cannot keep his talents hidden forever, and Galen is eventually caught and taken away with the other “crazies.” Now Galen’s wife, Berkita, and his friend Cephas the dwarf journey to rescue Galen, who faces a fate worse than death.
Reviewers were positive in their assessments of Mystic Warrior. A Readers Read Web site contributor wrote: “Husband and wife writing team Tracy and Laura Hickman break new ground in this provocative, highly imaginative fantasy. … The Hickmans have quite a bit of depth to their writing, weaving political, religious and an exploration of interesting societal themes throughout the text.” Library Journal reviewer Jackie Cassada called Mystic Warrior a “fast-paced, well-developed tale of bravery and virtue.”
Mystic Quest and Mystic Empire
The story continues in Mystic Quest and Mystic Empire. In Mystic Quest, representatives from each of the worlds are trying to find ways for the worlds to live in peace. In the human world, Galen’s son and half-brother priest are journeying to a city that will provide them with a sanctuary against the dragons. In the goblin world, King Mimic and wizard Thus are also making a journey, hoping to find at the ogre city the answer to the relationship between the titans and the books that make them work. In the faery world, meanwhile, a traitor could destroy all possibilities of an alliance between the universes. A Midwest Book Review contributor wrote: “Tracey and Laura Hickman have written an enthralling fantasy novel with plenty of action and fully developed characters. Mystic Quest is fantasy at its very best.”
Mystic Empire is the conclusion to the trilogy, with the human, fey, and goblin universes still trying to find a way to coexist peacefully. A Publishers Weekly reviewer liked the “humor and irony,” but felt that readers might “find the ambiguous ending a cop-out.”
Unwept and Unhonored
Unwept begins the “Nightbirds Trilogy.” Ellis Harkington is an amnesiac who wanders the town of Gamin, Maine. She is desperate to resolve questions about the town–the answers to which will change the town forever. There are magical elements that appear throughout the book, leading to a conclusion featuring revelations about Gamin.
A Publishers Weekly reviewer felt that, although this is not the Hickmans’ best effort, that “won’t stop their fans from investing in this series.” A reviewer on the I Heart Reading Web site had mixed feelings about Unwept, contending that many of the secondary characters are flat, and further saying: “The writing was great, but the book felt like it was just laying foundations for what was to come next. The ending was a bit of a let-down, because it didn’t give any real resolution to the problems or mystery.” A Qwillery Web site contributor wrote: “Unwept gave me thrills, chills, and also moments of melancholy. I would recommend it for anyone that likes paranormal mysteries with elements of horror.” A YA Midnight Reads Web site reviewer was not impressed at all, writing: “This book was boring. … If you want a good mystery with intrigue, this would not suffice. While these authors have great potential, the pace and slow writing and characters let this down.” A Kirkus Reviews contributor also had mixed feelings, calling the story “puzzling and mostly satisfying, if promising to be a thin stretch over three volumes.”
Unhonored is the second book in the trilogy. Ellis is beginning to get glimpses as to why she is stuck in Gamen. She tries to avoid those who want to keep her a prisoner and must face painful truths about herself in the process. A Publishers Weekly reviewer wrote that despite some unwieldy distractions, the trilogy “is developing into a compelling horror-fantasy.”
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
Kirkus Reviews, June 15, 2014, review of Unwept.
Library Journal, April 15, 2004, Jackie Cassada, review of Mystic Warrior, p. 128.
MBR Bookwatch, April, 2005, review of Mystic Quest.
Midwest Book Review, April, 2005, review of Mystic Quest.
Publishers Weekly, March 15, 2004, review of Mystic Warrior, p. 59; March 21, 2005, review of Mystic Quest, p. 40; March 6, 2006, review of Mystic Empire, p. 50; May 5, 2014, review of Unwept, p. 46; August 22, 2016, review of Unhonored, p. 93.
ONLINE
I Heart Reading, http://www.iheartreading.net/ (July 3, 2014), review of Unwept.
Qwillery, http://qwillery.blogspot.my/ (January 3, 2015), review of Unwept.
Readers Read, http://www.writerswrite.com/ (May 10, 2017), review of Mystic Warrior.
YA Midnight Reads, http://yamidnightreads.com/ (June 30, 2014), review of Unnwept.
Series
Bronze Canticles (with Tracy Hickman)
1. Mystic Warrior (2004)
2. Mystic Quest (2004)
3. Mystic Empire (2006)
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Annals of Drakis (with Tracy Hickman)
1. Song of the Dragon (2010)
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Dragon's Bard (with Tracy Hickman)
1. Eventide (2010)
St. Nicholas and the Dragon (2012)
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Nightbirds (with Tracy Hickman)
1. Unwept (2014)
2. Unhonored (2016)
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Novels
Swept Up by the Sea (2013) (with Tracy Hickman)
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Game Books
Serenity Out in the Black (2010) (with Tracy Hickman)
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Series contributed to
Endless Quest : Crimson Crystal Adventure
1. The Riddle of the Griffon (1985)
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Laura Hickman
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"Laura Curtis" redirects here. For the eponymous person who was part of the Welsh musician duo, see Laura Curtis (musician).
Laura Curtis Hickman
Lauraupsm.jpg
Laura Hickman
Born Laura Curtis
December 7, 1956 (age 60)
Long Beach, California
Occupation Novelist, game designer
Nationality American
Period 1984–present
Genre Fantasy fiction
Spouse Tracy Hickman (1977–present)
Children 4
Website
www.bakingoutsidethebox.com
Laura Curtis Hickman (born December 7, 1956 in Long Beach, California) is an American internationally published fantasy author, best known for her works in game design and fantasy novels with husband, Tracy Hickman. Tracy and Laura, who were childhood sweethearts, married in 1977 and have four children.
Contents
1 Early life
2 Writing
2.1 Fiction
2.2 Non-fiction
2.3 Games
3 References
4 External links
Early life
Laura Curtis was born in Long Beach, California to Clarence and Jenny Curtis. She grew up in Southern California until her parents moved to Provo, Utah just prior to her entering Junior High School. There while she was in 7th grade, she met Tracy Hickman in the lunch room of Farrer Junior High School. They dated off-and-on through their years at Provo High School until Tracy left to serve a church mission in Indonesia in 1975. Like her husband Tracy, Laura is a Latter-day Saint.[1]
Tracy served two years of service as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.[2] Hickman and Curtis were married in 1977.[2] They were married three months after his return on June 17, 1977.
Writing
Tracy and Laura wrote the original versions of the modules Rahasia and Pharaoh together, and privately published them.[3] The Hickmans published Pharaoh through DayStar West Media in 1980.[4]:15 Tracy went into business, but his associate left the Hickmans with $30,000 in bad checks to cover.[3] Driven into bankruptcy, Tracy sent Rahasia and Pharaoh to TSR, "literally so that I could buy shoes for my children".[3] TSR wanted the modules, but hired Tracy as well: “They said it would be easier to publish my adventures if I was part of the company. So, we made the move from Utah to Wisconsin.”[3] The Hickmans also designed I6: Ravenloft (1983) for TSR.[4]:15
Laura was the co-creator of Dragonlance (with her husband, Tracy Hickman) and was the inspiration for Laurana Kanan.[3]
Tracy and Laura Hickman wrote the adventure Out in the Black (2006) for the Serenity Role Playing Game for Margaret Weis Productions.[4]:353
Fiction
Bronze Canticles
Tales of the Dragon's Bard Book 1: Eventide[5]
Knights of the Red Band
Riddle of the Griffon—as Susan Lawson
Love and War, contributor
Unwept: Book One of The Nightbirds (2014)
Non-fiction
Baking Outside the Box
Games
Dragonlance
Ravenloft
Sojourner Tales
`Dragonlance' originators Tracy and Laura Hickman have been publishing game designs and stories together for over thirtytwo years - nearly as long as their marriage - and thus started them both on a life of adventure and imagination.
Tracy is a NYT Best-Selling co-author (with Margaret Weis) of many Dragonlance novels including the original `Dragonlance Chronicles', `Dragonlance Legends', `Rose of the Prophet" and "Darksword" trilogies as well as the seven-book "Deathgate Cycle".
Tracy and Laura are remembered together for their role-playing game designs in `Dragonlance' and the `Oasis of the White Palm' series but are perhaps best known for their classic adventure, the original `Ravenloft.' Life now has provided them the opportunity to fulfill a dream: to write novels together.
Tracy and Laura work from adjoining offices in their home and answer questions on their work through their website at www.trhickman.com
==========
Visit www.dragonhearthproductions.com for information on their monthly podcasts.
Unwept: The Nightbirds Trilogy, Book 1
261.18 (May 5, 2014): p46.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2014 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Unwept: The Nightbirds Trilogy, Book 1
Tracy Hickman and Laura Hickman. Tor, $22.99 (272p) ISBN 978-0-7653-3203-5
This slow-paced start to a historical fantasy trilogy introduces Ellis Harkington, an amnesiac desperate to access knowledge that will change everything about the town of Gamin, Maine. The Hickmans (Bronze Canticles) take a long time to introduce the speculative elements, leaving Ellis to wander a well-detailed account of an upscale, early-20th-century New England society. While hints are dropped that something fantastical is going on--a Victrola appearing on command, the lack of concern over a shipwreck, and the blending of Ellis's dreams with reality--the overall impression is of a period romance, not a fantasy. When the magical elements finally appear, they show up at breakneck speed, slamming the reader against some abrupt revelations about Gamin, Ellis, and her friends in the eclectic Nightbirds society. The novel is not one of the authors' strongest efforts, but that won't stop their fans from investing in this series. (July)
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"Unwept: The Nightbirds Trilogy, Book 1." Publishers Weekly, 5 May 2014, p. 46. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA367798710&it=r&asid=0ab4ecd5033f83bc9e67cd4d1c91f56f. Accessed 10 May 2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A367798710
Mystic Empire: Book Three of the Bronze Canticles
253.10 (Mar. 6, 2006): p50.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2006 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Mystic Empire: Book Three of the Bronze Canticles TRACY AND LAURA HICKMAN. Warner Aspect, $25.95 (416p) ISBN 0-44653107-3
Three worlds collide in the mystical, and sometimes mystifying, conclusion of the Hickmans' Bronze Canticle trilogy, which began with Mystic Warrior (2004) and continued with Mystic Quest (2005). The ancient Bronze Canticles have foretold the violent "binding" of three parallel universes, whose inhabitants--human, fey and goblin--must find a way to coexist peacefully when the gates separating each finally open. Some lyrical writing only partially offsets an inconsistency of tone. The humor and irony in the sections devoted to the goblin empire, the book's most original concept, tends to jar with the more prosaically presented human world, which resembles Tolkien's Middleearth, and the lovely, sad fey world. Many fantasy fans will find the ambiguous ending a cop-out, though it leaves the door open for further mystical adventures. (Apr.)
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"Mystic Empire: Book Three of the Bronze Canticles." Publishers Weekly, 6 Mar. 2006, p. 50. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA143249190&it=r&asid=d90d0e4657824571461438dbaa6056e4. Accessed 10 May 2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A143249190
Mystic Quest
(Apr. 2005):
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2005 Midwest Book Review
http://www.midwestbookreview.com
Mystic Quest
Tracy & Laura Hickman
Aspect
ISBN 0446531065 $24.95, 453 pp.
Three different dimensions, three different worlds all linked so that the fate of one is the fate of all. It is twenty-three years since the events of Mystic Warrior took place and the sons and daughters get out on their own adventures, hoping to find salvation and a place to call home. The dragons on the human world are not just killing the mystics but are after the priests who worship them and the peasants who have no say in what the leaders do. Galen's son and his priest half brother are moving south to the lost city of Calgandria if they can find it. The mystics will have a homeland free of persecution but the two brothers have opposing goals on the quest and once it is completed a choice that will mean life or death for humanity will be made. On the goblin world, King Mimic and the wizard Thux share a dream in which the wizard goes south to the ogre city to find out the relationships between the titans (robots) and the books that make them work. His wife is held hostage to control him, but when he finds a library full of books, he wants Mimic's plan to fail while the ogre king believe that his side will prevail. In the world of faery, the Kree are going to see if there is a chance they can return to their homeland after the catastrophe destroyed their city. A representative of each of the domains in fairy accompanies the Kree on their expedition. However, a traitor is among them with plans that do not include the Kree or faery; it is up to a deposed princess to stop the villain from carrying out his diabolical plan. Three different worlds, three heroes who all have dreams to go south and a magical artifact is the deciding factor on the success or failure of the missions that demonstrates that these worlds are definitely linked. Tracey and Laura Hickman have written an enthralling fantasy novel with plenty of action and fully developed characters. MYSTIC QUEST is fantasy at its very best.
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"Mystic Quest." MBR Bookwatch, Apr. 2005. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA131598817&it=r&asid=36704abe4f372d7839476c5851851a73. Accessed 10 May 2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A131598817
Mystic Quest: Book Two of the Bronze Canticles
252.12 (Mar. 21, 2005): p40.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2005 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
MYSTIC QUEST: Book Two of the Bronze Canticles TRACY AND LAURA HICKMAN. Warner Aspect, $24.95 (416p) ISBN 0-446-53106-5
New readers may find it difficult to get into the Hickmans' second installment in their Bronze Canticles series (after 2004's Mystic Warrior), with its three complex tales set in the parallel worlds of faerie, goblin and human. In the land of the Five Domains, Dragonkings and Dragonqueens destroyed the Rhamasian Empire more than 400 years before; now they're in conflict with rebel humans who possess the Deep Magic rediscovered by blacksmith Galen Arvad 23 years earlier. Mystics can connect to the other worlds in a dream state, but this ability doesn't really add much to the rambling quest Arvad's sons, half-brothers Caelith and Jorgan, embark on to find Calsandria, fabled Lost City of Gods. In the eerie yet lovely fairie world, Princess Aislynn becomes one of the Oraclyn-loi ("Vision Pilgrims in training") to serve Dwynwyn, queen of the dead, and joins a dangerous expedition to discover another lost city. And in the amusing goblin world, Thux, grand wizard to the goblin emperor, finds himself on another life-changing quest. Hopefully, future volumes will tie these disparate elements into a satisfying whole. Agent, Matt Bialer at Sanford Greenburger. (Apr. 18)
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"Mystic Quest: Book Two of the Bronze Canticles." Publishers Weekly, 21 Mar. 2005, p. 40. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA130975241&it=r&asid=01ac53044c129bb8759eab0a96f1f9e0. Accessed 10 May 2017.
QUOTED: fast-paced, well-developed tale of bravery and virtue
Gale Document Number: GALE|A130975241
Hickman, Tracy & Laura Hickman. Mystic Warrior
Jackie Cassada
129.7 (Apr. 15, 2004): p128.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2004 Library Journals, LLC. A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
http://www.libraryjournal.com/
Hickman, Tracy & Laura Hickman. Mystic Warrior.
Aspect: Warner. (Bronze Canticles, Bk. 1). Apr. 2004. c.437p. ISBN 0-446-53105-7. $24.95. FANTASY
Three worlds--one in which faeries war with hordes of magical beasts, another in which goblins dwell amid ruins of a machine-building race of Titans, and a third inhabited by humans but ruled by dragons--exist in a state of turmoil. When Galen Arvad, a young blacksmith whose powerful dreams draw the attention of the Grand Inquisitor, becomes a prisoner in a house filled with lunatics, he discovers that he has the power to open the ways among all three worlds--a talent that could mean either freedom or disaster. The husband-and-wife authors of the "Dragonlance" series have written a fast-paced, well-developed tale of bravery and virtue in the face of godlike opponents. For most fantasy collections.
Jackie Cassada
Asheville-Buncombe Lib. Syst., NC
Cassada, Jackie
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
Cassada, Jackie. "Hickman, Tracy & Laura Hickman. Mystic Warrior." Library Journal, 15 Apr. 2004, p. 128. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA115901819&it=r&asid=354861eec1005aa5a575d44290ee409f. Accessed 10 May 2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A115901819
Mystic Warrior: Book One of the Bronze Canticles
251.11 (Mar. 15, 2004): p59.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2004 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
MYSTIC WARRIOR: Book One of the Bronze Canticles TRACY AND LAURA HICKMAN. Warner Aspect, $24.95 (400p) ISBN 0-446-53105-7
* Three universes converge--faerie, goblin and human--in this impressive and provocative fantasy, the first of a new series from bestseller Tracy Hickman and her Dragonlance cocreator, Laura Hickman. Galen Arvad, a newly married blacksmith struggles to discover the nature of a dream state connecting him with inhabitants of the faerie and goblin realms. Galen tries to hide this uncanny connection, but fails when he runs afoul of the Dragon Priests in Benyn Township, whose people equate magic with insanity. Galen's wife, Berkita, and his dwarf friend, Cephas, vow to rescue him. Meanwhile, Galen strives to understand how his fate intermingles with the destiny of a faerie Seeker who wishes to aid her war-torn people and a goblin toiling amid the vast mechanical machines left by Titans. This emotionally intense novel's meticulously crafted magical system and likable characters evoke an atmosphere both timely and timeless. While lively action sequences and rich descriptive passages provide plenty of excitement, mature examinations of politics and individual responsibility lend philosophical weight and emotional poignancy. Sure to hit many bestseller lists, this is a fine example of socially conscious and unpredictable imaginative fiction. (Apr. 20)
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"Mystic Warrior: Book One of the Bronze Canticles." Publishers Weekly, 15 Mar. 2004, p. 59. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA114817524&it=r&asid=9423b87cd40334cc62f3395166a7614e. Accessed 10 May 2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A114817524
Unhonored
263.34 (Aug. 22, 2016): p93.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2016 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Unhonored
Tracy and Laura Hickman. Tor, $24.99 (272p) ISBN 978-0-7653-3204-2
In the Hickmans' second Nightbirds novel (after Unwept), amnesiac protagonist Ellis Harkington is beginning to understand why she's trapped in a peculiar place that resembles an early 20th century warped by a fun house mirror. To get answers, she must face painful truths and avoid the people who want to keep her prisoner. With the basic worldbuilding already complete, no time is wasted in showing the horror of Ellis's situation as her former lover Merrick torments her by shaping the setting around her. Details of Ellis's lives in different dimensions come into focus via perfectly executed gothic sequences depicting war-torn lovers in WWI, a progressive woman trapped by Victorian mores, and class resentments. There's a great feeling of claustrophobia as Ellis travels a mazelike path through this strange, morphing space. Some biblical allusions distract, but otherwise, this woman's struggle for her right to self-determination is developing into a compelling horror-fantasy. Agent: Matt Bialer, Sanford J. Greenburger Associates. (Oct.)
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"Unhonored." Publishers Weekly, 22 Aug. 2016, p. 93. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA461609308&it=r&asid=2d4eb27b514ce67f4ef9aa2dd097530d. Accessed 10 May 2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A461609308
QUOTED: Husband and wife writing team Tracy and Laura Hickman break new ground in this provocative, highly imaginative fantasy. ... The Hickmans have quite a bit of depth to their writing, weaving political, religious and an exploration of interesting societal themes throughout the text.
Mystic Warrior
by Tracy and Laura Hickman
Warner Books, April, 2004.
Hardcover, 448 pages.
ISBN: 0446531057
Ordering information: Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk
Mystic Warrior by Tracy and Laura Hickman Newlywed blacksmith Galen Arvad appears to have a very nice life: he married the girl he loves, he owns a profitable smithing operation and he enjoys working with his friend, the talented dwarf Cephas. But Galen's life is thrown into chaos when the authorities discover the secret he has kept all his life: he dreams of other people and places which appear to be real, and during the daytime inanimate objects talk to him constantly. During his dreams, Galen often meets two people from his own world, his comrade Maddoc and Inquisitor Tragget (who must hide his secret from his colleagues) and creatures from the other two worlds, the faery Dwynwyn and the goblin Mimic. Galen's innate magical abilities are eventually found out by the representatives of the Dragonkings. His affliction is deemed to be madness and he is imprisoned with other citizens who are similarly affected. Now Galen is about to find out that his world, which is governed as a theocracy by seven dragons, is nothing like what he thought it was. There are actually three worlds which inhabit the same space, but in different dimensions. Galen's abilities allow him to see into these other worlds: the faerie world, where faeries are under attack by centaurs and satyrs, and the goblin world, where abandoned machinery made by the vanished Titans is the ultimate status symbol. Galen must learn to use his abilities before those in power decide that Galen is too much of a threat to be allowed to live.
Husband and wife writing team Tracy and Laura Hickman break new ground in this provocative, highly imaginative fantasy. Young Galen Arvad is a likeable, although na�ve, protagonist who eventually discovers that he has powers he never dreamed of. The interaction between the three worlds adds suspense to the story, and the magical system is especially well-imagined. Galen's exchanges with (sometimes grumpy) inanimate objects is both funny, entertaining and creepy, all at the same time. The Hickmans have quite a bit of depth to their writing, weaving political, religious and an exploration of interesting societal themes throughout the text. But the story also works quite well as a straightforward adventure fantasy with plenty of action, magic and intrigue.
Book Review: Unwept (The Nightbirds #1) by Tracy Hickman and Laura Hickman
July 3, 2014 Leave a Comment
18490661Title: Unwept (The Nightbirds #1)
Author: Tracy Hickman & Laura Hickman
Genre: Mystery, Paranormal, Fantasy, Young Adult
Age Group: Young Adult
Rating: 4 stars
Purchase: Amazon
Review copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Gamin, Maine, is a remote seaside town where everyone seems to know Ellis Harkington better than she knows herself—but she doesn’t remember any of them.
Unknown events have robbed Ellis of her memory. Concerned individuals, who purport to be her friends and loved ones, insist that she simply needs to recuperate, that her memories may return in time, but refuse to divulge what has brought her to this state. For her own sake, so they say.
Ellis finds herself adrift in a town of ominous mysteries, cryptic hints, and disturbingly familiar strangers. The Nightbirds, a clique of fashionable young men and women, claim her as one of their own, but who among them can she truly trust? And what of the phantom suitor who visits her in her dreams? Is he a memory, a figment of her imagination, or a living nightmare beyond rational explanation?
Only her lost past hold the answers she seeks—if she can uncover its secrets before she fall prey to an unearthly killer.
Unwept is entirely different form the books I usually read. Ellis wakes up without a memory on the train boarding to a creepy, disturbing town where she meets strangers who she’s supposed to know. The town is filled with mysteries. Time keeps zapping, things disappear and reappear on their own. People who claim to know her don’t always have her best interests at heart. Ellis has no idea if she’s the one going crazy, or if the town is harboring something more sinister than she ever imagined.
I liked the mystery. The build up is slow, and at first I wasn’t sure if it was Ellis imagination, or if everything was real. Page by page, the truth got revealed, but even then I had a feeling we didn’t know the entire story, or parts had been left out.
Ellis was an interesting character. She seemed bland at first, but the more she recalled about her old life, the more she became a real person. The secondary characters fell flat though. They had little to no personality, more like cardboard figures that only server to bring the plot forward.
The writing was great, but the book felt like it was just laying foundations for what was to come next. The ending was a bit of a let-down, because it didn’t give any real resolution to the problems or mystery.
Saturday, January 03, 2015
Review: Unwept by Tracy Hickman and Laura Hickman
Unwept
Authors: Tracy Hickman and Laura Hickman
Series: Nightbirds Trilogy 1
Publisher: Tor Books, July 1, 2014
Format: Hardcover and eBook, 272 pages
List Price: $22.99 (print)
ISBN: 9780765332035 (print)
Review Copy: Provided by the Publisher
Unwept -- the beginning of a spellbinding new trilogy by Tracy Hickman and Laura Hickman bestselling co-creators of Dragonlance and Ravenloft
Gamin, Maine, is a remote seaside town where everyone seems to know Ellis Harkington better than she knows herself—but she doesn’t remember any of them.Unknown events have robbed Ellis of her memory. Concerned individuals, who claim to be friends and loved ones, insist that she simply needs to recuperate, and that her memories may return in time. But, for her own sake—so they claim—they refuse to divulge what has brought her to this state.Ellis finds herself adrift in a town of ominous mysteries, cryptic hints, and disturbingly familiar strangers. The Nightbirds, a clique of fashionable young men and women, claim her as one of their own, but who can she truly trust? And what of the phantom suitor who visits her in her dreams? Is he a memory, a figment of her imagination, or a living nightmare beyond rational explanation?Only her lost past holds the answers she seeks—if she can uncover its secrets before she falls prey to an unearthly killer.
Amazon : Barnes and Noble : Book Depository : Books-A-Million : IndieBound
Trinitytwo's Point of View
Unwept is intriguing from the start. Set during the First World War, the story revolves around Ellis Harkington, a young woman who has no memory to speak of. She awakes from a macabre nightmare and finds herself aboard a train with a nurse that she doesn’t recognize. In fact, she has no recollection of boarding the train, no knowledge of her destination and needs to be reminded of her family name. She arrives in the small coastal town of Gamin, Maine where she learns she will be recuperating at Summersend, the home of her cousin, Jenny. Ellis is disturbed by the news that a serial killer is at large and is murdering young women in the area. Worse, nothing in this isolated seaside village is what it seems and Ellis quickly gets the feeling that things are amiss. Will she have the strength to unlock the secrets that are being kept in this outwardly quaint and friendly town?
Unwept is the first book in The Nightbirds trilogy by authors Tracy and Laura Hickman The story unfolds mainly from Ellis’ POV and her quest to regain her memories feels authentic and urgent. I enjoyed Ellis as the main character and was immediately ensnared in the mystery of her past and ultimately the town itself. I devoured each page, eager to unveil the multitude of secrets and discover the truth. I enjoyed the strange otherworldly events that were hinted at and all the questions that kept cropping up. I will confess to two minor peeves. The first is having an idea of how a plot will resolve too early into the story. I guessed a number of things correctly, and although it didn’t detract from the overall story, it was slightly disappointing nonetheless. Also, at times, I found the inhabitants’ reluctance to divulge information maddening and wanted to shout “Tell her already “numerous times. There were some great inner dialogs at the very end that had me cheering and left me very excited to read the trilogy’s next installment. Unwept gave me thrills, chills, and also moments of melancholy. I would recommend it for anyone that likes paranormal mysteries with elements of horror.
DNF Review: Unwept by Tracy Hickman and Laura Hickman
DNF Review: Unwept by Tracy Hickman and Laura HickmanUnwept by Laura Hickman, Tracy Hickman
Series: The Nightbirds, #1
Publisher: Tor Books
Release Date: July 1st, 2014
Genres: Fantasy, Romance, YA
Pages: 272
Source: Received in exchange for review
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Gamin, Maine, is a remote seaside town where everyone seems to know Ellis Harkington better than she knows herself—but she doesn’t remember any of them.
Unknown events have robbed Ellis of her memory. Concerned individuals, who purport to be her friends and loved ones, insist that she simply needs to recuperate, that her memories may return in time, but refuse to divulge what has brought her to this state. For her own sake, so they say.
Ellis finds herself adrift in a town of ominous mysteries, cryptic hints, and disturbingly familiar strangers. The Nightbirds, a clique of fashionable young men and women, claim her as one of their own, but who among them can she truly trust? And what of the phantom suitor who visits her in her dreams? Is he a memory, a figment of her imagination, or a living nightmare beyond rational explanation?
Only her lost past hold the answers she seeks—if she can uncover its secrets before she fall prey to an unearthly killer.
Unfortunately, another beautiful cover gone to waste. Be prepared for the over-usage of the word ‘boring’, because that’s the only word that I can use to describe everything.
Ellis, the main character, was boring. I definitely had an incentive to like this Ellis, to prove Ellis @ The Random Transliterator that her other life was so much better. Alas, I can come up with nothing to prove that her other life was better no matter how hard I try to whip up something. Why? Because for most of this book, Unwept Ellis doesn’t have any emotions. Sure, it’s mentioned that she’s flustered or confused but I never really felt those emotions dig into my skin. I honestly could not care less about Ellis because of this lack of connection between us, and same goes for all the other characters. Not one character, could catch my interest.
He whispered her name simply and yet there was a rushing wind in his breath that spoke of green summer, bitter winter, resigned autumn and a thousand glorious springs.
The writing, was beautiful, but boring. I mentioned the same problem in an earlier review this month–that while the writing was highly exceptional, but it dragged slowly and made me unquestionably bored. The long sentences and overly long descriptions just did not work.
The plot and pace was slowly developed, and eventually, boring. The idea of a girl waking up to discover that all she could remember was her name was certainly haunting and mysterious, but that’s the intrigue ended. Ellis, I feel, doesn’t even act like a girl whose memories have been lost. She just didn’t feel all that shocked, in my opinion. I expected Ellis to be so much more confused and withdrawn in general. Going on, the pace didn’t work at all. I DNFed this book at 50% and at around 40%, nothing in regards to the plot moved. It was only around after this point, when Ellis began having eerie and strange dreams (and where the plot actually starts to pick up.) If you cannot deal with boring and slow writing for a good 50%, then I wouldn’t be recommending this. While it is only a 272 paged book, it reads to feel so much longer.
This book was boring, if you haven’t gotten the message yet. If you want a good mystery with intrigue, this would not suffice. While these authors have great potential, the pace and slow writing and characters let this down.
~Thank you Tor Books for sending me this copy!~
UNWEPT
From the "Nightbirds" series, volume 1
by Tracy Hickman, Laura Hickman
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KIRKUS REVIEW
The beginning of a new fantasy mystery trilogy, from the authors of Swept Up by the Sea (2013, etc.).
Ellis Harkington wakes in a coffin in skeletal form, acquires flesh and rises—although she remembers nothing of this and little of anything else when she finds herself on a train traveling to the remote seaside town of Gamin, Maine. This is mysterious. In fact, just pepper every sentence of this review with the word “mysterious” and you’ll get the idea. Waiting to greet Ellis is Uncle Lucian, a doctor whom Ellis doesn’t remember, although he gives her to understand that she’s been away in the city being treated for an illness. Nor does she recall the handsome Merrick Bacchus, “benefactor of the entire town.” Merrick urges her to move into his huge house, where Lucian also lived until leaving for unknown reasons. Ellis does remember her cousin Jenny March and, vaguely, a secret garden and an ominous gate through which she herself disappeared, although Jenny did not follow. Everybody insists that her memories will return, but nobody offers to explain. Jenny mentions the “rules.” There are rumors about a series of ghastly murders. A fire burns down half the town. The Nightbirds, purportedly a book society yet with no books in evidence, acclaims her reappearance. Ellis recalls none of the members. One night, an alluring soldier visits Ellis; he nearly seduces her, but then she notices a strange blue mark on his face, whereupon he turns into a giant black moth. In the woods by the shore lurks the apparently shipwrecked Capt. Isaiah Walker, who himself watches a vessel called Mary Celeste ground itself on the rocks. It’s certainly all puzzling and mostly satisfying, if promising to be a thin stretch over three volumes.
Hickman & Hickman fans will jump right in.
Pub Date: July 1st, 2014
ISBN: 978-0-7653-3203-5
Page count: 272pp
Publisher: Tor
Review Posted Online: June 5th, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15th, 2014