Continuing his journey into the unplumbed depths of his horrific past, The Wanderer has set his eye upon the sinister town of Sirrenvaag, in which resides not only the truth of his identity, but also the answers pertaining to the enigmas of the afterlife, God, Silenoz, Litithius and the secrets housed within the human soul.
'Towards Darker Climes' is the second book in the 'Words to the Wise' saga and charts The Wanderer's journey into a new century, a new wasteland of mystery, intrigue, the supernatural and the darkness of a portentous future.
'Towards Darker Climes' is the second book in the 'Words to the Wise' saga and charts The Wanderer's journey into a new century, a new wasteland of mystery, intrigue, the supernatural and the darkness of a portentous future.
Reviews from Amazon
This dark and mystifying tale goes from strength to strength .
Book Two of the series is no disappointment, the wonderfully descriptive and imaginative writing puts the reader right there with the books characters.
The unfolding story leaves the reader breathless with anticipation as to what will occur next, and what new facts the Wanderer will learn about his past and his mission.
It is a very dark world, and with few exceptions, the towns the Wanderer and Rickard visit wallow in their barely disguised sadness.
I am sure myself and others will await part three with the eagerness it will surely deserve.
Book Two of the series is no disappointment, the wonderfully descriptive and imaginative writing puts the reader right there with the books characters.
The unfolding story leaves the reader breathless with anticipation as to what will occur next, and what new facts the Wanderer will learn about his past and his mission.
It is a very dark world, and with few exceptions, the towns the Wanderer and Rickard visit wallow in their barely disguised sadness.
I am sure myself and others will await part three with the eagerness it will surely deserve.
This chapter of the series is very slightly less dark than the first instalment, mainly because the wanderer is accompanied by a character by the name of Rickard for this part of the journey. Rickard is a boisterous and verbose young man and a perfect foil for the introspective and often laconic Wanderer himself.
Once again it is the beautifully elegant writing that sets this book apart from many other self published novels. Cornelius Harker uses many traditional literary techniques, but I think it is his use of alliteration that stands out to me and in places makes the story almost poetic to read. I took almost a week to read this book and deliberately read it at a slower pace than my normal reading speed as I wanted to savour the wonderful use of language. It is not so much that the author uses unusual words, although there certainly are a few that I had to look up, but it is more the way he uses the more mundane and ordinary words that makes the writing special.
Once again it is the beautifully elegant writing that sets this book apart from many other self published novels. Cornelius Harker uses many traditional literary techniques, but I think it is his use of alliteration that stands out to me and in places makes the story almost poetic to read. I took almost a week to read this book and deliberately read it at a slower pace than my normal reading speed as I wanted to savour the wonderful use of language. It is not so much that the author uses unusual words, although there certainly are a few that I had to look up, but it is more the way he uses the more mundane and ordinary words that makes the writing special.
The author allows us a deeper insight into The Wanderer's complex character. He is often anguished, morose and irascible but also has a piercing love of natural beauty and shows a deep wisdom and concern for others. I am growing rather fond of him but fear that no happy ending awaits him. He is horrified by what he perceives to be his own guilt in that past which he struggles to remember except through snatches of dreams. He is driven to seek information in the town of Sirrenvaag and he hopes to find out more about the dark apocalyptic future to which mankind is heading.
Mr Harker's second book in this Saga is even better than the first and grabs the reader's attention from page one. It is lit by beautifully written passages or phrases that stopped me in my tracks. I have not read such compelling work before and I can't get enough of it.
Cornelius Harker is a consummate story teller with the careful writing skills and considered word choices of a poet and he leaves us at the end of this book on a sharply indrawn breath. I see I am not the only reader desperate for more and I look forward eagerly to Book Three - Sirrenvaag.
Reveiws from GoodReads
Towards Darker Climes is the second book in Cornelius Harker's fabulous Saga 'Words to the Wise'. It starts moving on page one and the story is continued as the Wanderer makes his way to the mysterious town of Sirrenvaag where he hopes to find answers to his unknown past. This time he has a travelling companion, a young man called Rickard. The interaction between the two is beautifully done - they are not bosom pals!
The Wanderer really comes alive in this book. The author allows us to deepen our knowledge of his character and we find that he has horrors in his past about which he feels guilt, though he only knows them from dreams. He is also privvy to knowledge about a dark apocalyptic future for mankind. Burdened by this knowledge, he shares some of it with Rickard and hears of the boys own past. Some of these passages are very moving.
The book ends in sight of Sirrenvaag and on a sharp intake of breath. I hope not to be holding it too long!
The writing, as always with Cornelius Harker, is a beautifully crafted tapestry. He is a master storyteller and a writer of the most poetic prose I've ever come across. It is never artful or pretentious, just striking, brilliant and infinitely memorable.
I can't praise this Saga enough. If you love the English language you cannot fail to fall in love with Words to the Wise.
The Wanderer really comes alive in this book. The author allows us to deepen our knowledge of his character and we find that he has horrors in his past about which he feels guilt, though he only knows them from dreams. He is also privvy to knowledge about a dark apocalyptic future for mankind. Burdened by this knowledge, he shares some of it with Rickard and hears of the boys own past. Some of these passages are very moving.
The book ends in sight of Sirrenvaag and on a sharp intake of breath. I hope not to be holding it too long!
The writing, as always with Cornelius Harker, is a beautifully crafted tapestry. He is a master storyteller and a writer of the most poetic prose I've ever come across. It is never artful or pretentious, just striking, brilliant and infinitely memorable.
I can't praise this Saga enough. If you love the English language you cannot fail to fall in love with Words to the Wise.
