cover image Dream Crystals of Gandara

Dream Crystals of Gandara

Charlotte McGary and Sharon Faiola-Petersen. CreateSpace, $13.95 trade paper (556p) ISBN 978-1-4993-6154-4

Debut novelists McGary and Faiola-Peterson craft a promising secondary-world fantasy novel to open the Gandaran Trilogy. Gandara’s legendary peace comes from fragile crystals that give comfort to those who use them. When Zanoah, son of Gandara’s ruler, learns that the crystals may have a more sinister purpose, the balance of power is shattered, and Zanoah’s foppish cousin Fort steps in to take control. The feudal society and barren world are well constructed, and the authors make excellent use of tight plotting and side characters. Unfortunately, women are often sidelined and caricatured as fretful mothers, ardent romantic interests (such as Anlee, who falls in love with both Zanoah and Fort), or damsels in distress. Things end a bit too neatly, but this page-turner is solidly enjoyable, if not quite a sparkling gem. (BookLife)