April 24, 2023
OLD GENT: A Norway Spruce has won another award from Maincrest Media!
"I just have to rave over a book I just finished reading. It is called Old Gent by Marie J Phillips; a friend of mine who is a published author and illustrator. It is a story about a Spruce pine tree that was over 100 years old, that was in her yard. I never thought I would enjoy a tale about a tree. I didn't think in a million years I would ever cry over a story about a tree, but when Old Gent was felled, I had to stop and cry. What a fantastic storyteller Marie is to grab emotions like that! I think everyone should try one of her books. Jeff says her writing does that with your emotions, and that is a true gift to any reader. I won the book on one of her giveaways on FB and I just can't praise her story enough. Now, I am dying to read the rest of her books. Thank you so much for the emotional grab of my heart, Marie.. I will always treasure your book, and I will always remember Old Gent with bittersweet memories as I know you do. Thank you for sharing your story."
Thanks, Amy!
Nothing makes an author happier than when a reader is moved by the works.
In Memory of David Ayscue, my friend and mentor. (1953-2010)
Thanks for everything. You are missed!
This review of my THE FURLITES OF ARORIEL series is from my
mentor, friend, editor, and Literary Agent, David Ayscue, who passed away Sept of 2010. Thanks for everything, David. You are missed!
Author-Marie J. S. Phillips
David’s Review;
The
author describes these books as “an alien family saga.” These tales are
suitable for science fiction readers who enjoy reading stories from the
alien point of view. This book fits the niche that includes Robert
Sawyer’s FAR-SEER, Lisanne Norman’s SHOLAN ALLIANCE series, and David
Brin’s Trilogy which included INFINITY’S SHORE. Her books are not exactly
like any of the above, but probably most like Robert Sawyer’s FAR-SEER,
and its sequels. In his books, human involvement with the Quintaglios is
zero, whereas the characters in ON MATISSIA WINGS have some contact
with humanity. This brief contact forever changes the Furlitian people
in more ways than they ever imagined possible.
Human bias generally
assumes most sentient civilized alien life must be humanoid or
primate-based, which may not be the reality at all. With a twist on an
old theme, the author stresses in subtle ways through Furlitian culture,
how real freedom and personal responsibility can help any society
produce good people, without any strict taboos, religious fanaticism,
and overbearing governments. I have also compared it to E. R. Eddings,
though this author’s books are far more science fiction than fantasy –
once you accept the premise, of course, of a world where primates never
evolved, and where furred dinosaurs became the dominant species … who
now have a space program … which leads them to … our world.
The
illustrations -- a mix of freehand artwork, real photos, and
computer-generated graphics -- include detailed hand drawings of her
characters. In ON MATISSIA WINGS, the six plates, plus the cover are integral to the book. Who
knows better what a Furlite looks like than their creator?
The sequel, EARTH-BRED; MATISSIA-BORN, is, perhaps, an even better story.
There
is a third book in this series, EYES IN THE DARK which is as yet unfinished. The world
is fully realized; the depth of characterization is … epic, wondrous,
and, frankly, I think this author is a great storyteller.
Reminiscent
in some respects of Military SF, in the tradition of Heinlein and
Asimov, told from the point of view of the aliens -- they are PEOPLE,
with their own culture, and … they are better people than we are.
Remarkable books, deserving of publication, I think, or I would not have
done all that I have done to help this author realize her dream of
seeing her own trilogy for sale in bookstores everywhere.