Hoopla is one of the largest library sites in North America. It has taken a while, but now four out of five of Peter Kazmaier’s books can be downloaded from Hoopla, and it is likely the fifth book, The Battle for Halcyon, will be available soon. Hoopla is a bit different than other library apps such as Overdrive’s Libby. In contrast to Libby where the library has to purchase e-books, before they can be lent, Hoopla makes the whole huge Hoopla library available to the library patron and a library is only charged if the e-book is borrowed.
Strangely enough, I read the third book before reading this, the second in the series. That was an interesting experience, but not a bad one. Suddenly, all the foreshadowing became references that I had inside knowledge of that the characters didn’t yet. Also, it was quite charming to see a couple that I knew as already married and established in their relationship first meet and fall in love. Theirs was a very interesting dynamic that I wasn’t expecting, knowing their future selves!
My favorite aspect of this particular book was probably that particular romance, because it was so sweet and charming. It reminded me somewhat of Aragon and Arwen from the Lord of the Rings if they met later in life instead of growing up together.
Another aspect of this book that I really like that also reminds me of The Lord of the Rings is the strong bond of friendship between the protagonists. While I haven’t yet read the first book to find out all of the friendship origins, I have seen how they have been tested and held true.
Also, it was great to visit this world (these worlds?) again, because it really is quite unique. There is something about it that combines fantasy, science fiction, and Biblical/apocalyptical [sic] together like the three strands of a braid.
Anyway, for anyone who likes speculative fiction, romances between immortals and mortals, and books in general, this is the series for you.
I received a copy of this book from the author, but was not required to give a favorable review.
Peter Kazmaier’s, The Battle for Halcyon, won the 2016 Word Novel Award: Speculative Fiction category. For Wolfsburg Imprints listings of this book look here.
“Every Writer a Voice” at the Word Awards (Photo by: Stephen Gurie Woo)
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THE BATTLE FOR HALCYON Winner in the Speculative Fiction category (Photo by: Stephen Gurie Woo)
A milestone moment for Peter Kazmaier and Wolfsburg Imprints (Photo by: Stephen Gurie Woo)
Kevin has posted a new review of THE HALCYON DISLOCATION on amazon.com and amazon.co.uk. Why not check them out. The text is shown below for your convenience.
I came across Peter Kazmaier in an online group discussion on some fairly contentious issues relating to faith and morality. I was struck by his reasoned approach and intrigued to discover that he was also the author of this book. Having read many sci-fi and fantasy books in the past, but nothing of that ilk recently; I decided to put it on my Christmas list. After all, it should be better than a pair of socks. And I’m glad to say, it was.
Initially, the book reads like a fairly standard science fiction novel. A force-field experiment at a University on the little island of Halcyon goes catastrophically wrong, ripping the entire island into what appears to be an alternate reality with no human inhabitants. But as they begin to explore this part-familiar, part-alien world a different picture slowly emerges. Was their coming here an accident, and what is the real agenda of the men who have set themselves up as Halcyon’s leaders? More worryingly still, it gradually becomes apparent that this world was not always uninhabited. So why does it seem that way now – and is it really?
As the plot thickens the book becomes more of a science fantasy battle between both moral and spiritual forces of good and evil than a simple science fiction. But this is one of the most interesting aspects of the book. On one hand, are hard-nosed scientists and philosophers, determined to create a new human utopia without any taint of religion or old-fashioned morality. In the middle are a lot of hurting and confused young people of various persuasions who desperately want to go home; and at the other extreme a group of religious fundamentalists who simply want an escape from the perceived evils of this brave new world.
But who are the real moralists and the real oppressors? As we follow the stories of some of those caught in the middle of all this, there are many fascinating discussions as they try to work through the issues of who, and what, they should believe, and how they should respond in this strange new reality.
Wolfsburg Imprints 
