Oblivion's Forge by Simon Williams
Description
Now, at last, Aona has been found.
The younger races of this world will all be swept up in a struggle for survival, as their ancient, malevolent masters, guardians of all Anoa's secrets, rise to do battle with their foes, remorseless destroyers of world after world, throughout the known Existence.
My Review & Quick Playback
About three weeks ago I was deleting old emails and I realized that Mr. Williams and I never finished our interview. As I dug a bit deeper, I realized that not only had we not begun the interview but I had failed to write a review altogether!
I immediately reached out to Mr. Williams and apologized. Told him I would write that review I had promised a year ago, a word is your bond after all. But before I did, I wanted to re-read the book. I have read many books since then and a large percentage where of the same genre. I wanted to be sure to give an accurate review.
Almost instantly, before the third chapter I remembered the book and the characters and the plots and twists and tangles, almost everything. I could have easily stopped and written the review right there and then. But I kept reading instead!
That tells you two things:
1- Oblivion's Forge is forged* brilliantly, constructed in such a fascinating manner that the tale actually bonds with your imagination. So, that even after a year of reading books of the same genre, it sticks out like a shiny pebble.
2- It is so masterfully written, that reading it twice wasn't a chore but a pleasure.
Williams is everything an author, an artist, should be. Bold, clean, intelligent. The character's emotions aren't just emotions on paper, they are real and sharp and painful.
I am not sure where he will go in the next few books, but I promise, I will find out!
-J.S.Turner
*Hahaha, sorry couldn't help myself. I was going to say brilliantly composed but I really lack restraint. =)
Interview with Author-
Lost in Thought: Hello Mr. Williams thank you so much for taking the time to do this interview with me.
I truly enjoyed Oblivion's Forge. Even after not having read it in a year, it was still fresh in my mind. Was this your first work?
Simon Williams: It was actually my first work that I felt happy about- and it took a long time to write as I basically changed everything at least twice. It was also the work during which I found my "voice" or my most comfortable writing style, so it was worth all the effort. After that, I've been able to complete a full-length novel every year, which I realize isn't at all prolific compared to all those "nanowrimo" writers who can churn out many thousands of words every day. But it's a hell of a lot faster than my previous pace.
LIT: Don't downplay yourself, a book a year is no easy feat! Isn't it a great feeling when you find your vibe?
SW: It was a good feeling. At least now I know my style or "voice" as I always like to call it.
LIT: So, how many books have you written?
SW: I've written the five books in the Aona series, which is now complete. And I've written a sci-fi/fantasy adventure, Summer's Dark Waters, which is a YA, so a bit of a different direction for me to take. It got a lot of good reviews and feedback though, and I'm working on a sequel.
I've been writing both short and long works since I was very young in fact, but the vast majority were scrapped. Some shorter works may make it into my short story collection which I hope to bring out soon, once I have decided what to include and exclude.
LIT: Wow! You're an inspiration! I would love to read Summer's Dark Waters. But back to the book at hand! One theme that you described flawlessly is the cold. I actually had to pull my blankets close in a couple of scenes. Where does your expertise on all things chilly come from?
SW: Keeping my hands off the central heating until November to save money! Seriously though, not sure... although I have spent quite a bit of time in cold, grim locations, like Scotland and Norway. I've climbed a lot of mountains and trekked through a lot of snow in my time, maybe that's how it got into my head.
I think I write more and ideas flow better in the winter, we have such miserable, grey, damp winters with depressingly short days. I detest the winter, the one benefit is that I seem to produce "better" work when I'm down. I think good old-fashioned British pessimism is also a big help though!
LIT: You are a funny man, I always find it interesting how authors can take their surroundings and put them into words! You sir, are a fascinating man. And I hope to interview you again after I read Summer's Dark Waters?
SW: I would be more than happy to be a re-interviewee of yours! You'll find Summer's Dark Waters quite different in tone to the Aona books, mainly because it is geared toward a different age group.
LIT: Awesome! I look forward to doing this again soon!
Don't Forget to Check out
Last thoughts
Mr. Williams was super chill. He didn't fuss or blow me off or get angry when our meeting times didn't pan out. He is not only a great author but a kind man as well. Which I am sure will come through once we finish the interview.
Where can you find Oblivion's Forge
Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/OblivionsForge/?fref=ts
Amazon-https://www.amazon.com/Oblivions-Forge-Aona-Book-1-ebook/dp/B0082XW04G/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1470635682&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=Oblivion%27s+Forge+Simon+Williams
