Dear Lanaia,
I must admit, I had not read anything about Atlantis before I read your book and do not know how the ending is supposed to be as you wrote in your last email, that it has been done a million times. So my review of your book, “Of Atlantis” is completely based on what I learned from it.
I must say that I truly admire your profound talent. “Of Atlantis” is exceptionally captivating to the point that I was, for the first time, able to take a leave, put my own book I am writing—that is nearing completion—down and just enjoy the ride.
“Of Atlantis draws the reader into the experience as if the reader is living in the time of the story and witnessing the events. For me, as a writer and a person with creative energies, it felt as though I was watching a screen play or a movie as I continued to read. Every character is so well defined, the reader can see it. The passages are also very descriptive the reader can basically picture the scenery and the prevailing demeanor of the characters at every point.
Uric is the perfect antagonist every reader would love to hate (unless of cause he/she is as demented and as treacherous as he is and finds his deeds to be pleasing) and would like to see vanquished in the worst possible way. Albeit, that did not happen. Instead, we see the civil Archimedes sympathizing with Uric failing to bring a calamitous death to him. He even goes to the extent of giving the fellow a proper, decent burial doing the best he could to have him buried with rocks. I was wondering why he so swiftly killed his father for killing Dianu but was reluctant to fry Uric who had massacred his life burning his twin sons and cutting the throat of his wife. I assume that’s how they died. It wasn’t specifically stated in the book. I only inferred from the state of affairs when Archimedes first entered where Uric held his family in the palace. Uric had a razor in Delyse’s throat and Uric’s men had the boys tied up ready to torch them waiting for the command from Uric.
The story builds very well as tension heightens until Uric captures the twin Aoleon and Arion together with their mother Delyse. My guess at that point was that one of two things would happen:
1.
That Uric would use Archimedes’ loved ones as bait to get what he wanted: get him to deliver his powers so Uric could have and add it to his own dwindling powers. All along in the book, that was his motive operandi. Or
That Uric would use Archimedes’ loved ones as bait to get what he wanted: get him to deliver his powers so Uric could have and add it to his own dwindling powers. All along in the book, that was his motive operandi. Or2.That Archimedes would use his exceptional powers to finally conquer Uric and save his wife and children. It was obvious and remained clear throughout the book that Archimedes’ power was unmatched by Uric’s and that the only reason it wasn’t being used appropriately was because Archimedes wasn’t old enough to understand his power and apply it accordingly. As he grew, married and had children, as well as became the king, I was expecting final transition of his power into the ultimate unmatched ability to even wake up the dead. He could heal Janus’ wounds as a child.
That Archimedes would use his exceptional powers to finally conquer Uric and save his wife and children. It was obvious and remained clear throughout the book that Archimedes’ power was unmatched by Uric’s and that the only reason it wasn’t being used appropriately was because Archimedes wasn’t old enough to understand his power and apply it accordingly. As he grew, married and had children, as well as became the king, I was expecting final transition of his power into the ultimate unmatched ability to even wake up the dead. He could heal Janus’ wounds as a child.I had thought the grand finale would be inside the palace as Archimedes entered in an attempt to save his beloved Delyse and his twin sons.
What bothered me in the book:
1.The manner in which King Lionus was portrayed as a rapist and a cold blooded killer.
The manner in which King Lionus was portrayed as a rapist and a cold blooded killer.2.Archimedes’s sexual escapades in Egypt seemed to belittle the love he had for Delyse. It seems like in his later lives, he became much of a player than seeking Uric for revenge. We found, rather Uric, continually taunting Archimedes.
Archimedes’s sexual escapades in Egypt seemed to belittle the love he had for Delyse. It seems like in his later lives, he became much of a player than seeking Uric for revenge. We found, rather Uric, continually taunting Archimedes.3.Then, Percius, after all he had to go through—self-exile, assassination attempts, was poorly received by Cheris the object of his desire and the root cause of his sufferings. She actually initiated the affair. Percius had feelings for her but never acted on it and may have never had she not led him on and instigated contact between the two.
Then, Percius, after all he had to go through—self-exile, assassination attempts, was poorly received by Cheris the object of his desire and the root cause of his sufferings. She actually initiated the affair. Percius had feelings for her but never acted on it and may have never had she not led him on and instigated contact between the two.4.I understand that King Lionus was afraid of his son Archimedes but I didn’t get the impression he actually hated him to the point he wanted him to see pain. I wasn’t sure what his motive was for that to the point of attempting to rape and killing Dianu.
I understand that King Lionus was afraid of his son Archimedes but I didn’t get the impression he actually hated him to the point he wanted him to see pain. I wasn’t sure what his motive was for that to the point of attempting to rape and killing Dianu.5.Archimedes killing his father, the king for killing Dianu but failing to kill Uric for all the mischief he causes Archimedes was one of imbalance beyond my comprehension. Why would he kill his own father so swiftly for one offense but allow Uric of all people to live and even sympathize for him after all the pain and misery he brought not only him but many accountable, wretched souls? I understand the king was physically abusive to his mother Cheris. But, she was old and sane enough to handle that herself. May be leave him.
Archimedes killing his father, the king for killing Dianu but failing to kill Uric for all the mischief he causes Archimedes was one of imbalance beyond my comprehension. Why would he kill his own father so swiftly for one offense but allow Uric of all people to live and even sympathize for him after all the pain and misery he brought not only him but many accountable, wretched souls? I understand the king was physically abusive to his mother Cheris. But, she was old and sane enough to handle that herself. May be leave him.In summary, I will give the book two thumbs up and say it is a must read by anyone that loves to read an engaging drama and thriller interspersed with romance and deceit. I can see Jakeem Phoenix, Brad Pit and Russell Crowe bringing life into this book and getting some awards. If I were a director filming a movie with “Of the Atlantis,” I would suggest ending the movie at the point where Archimedes returned to the palace to save his family. And, I would make my audience happy leaving the movie theatre knowing the devil got what was dew him, by stripping him of what he desired the most. POWER—the root cause of his treachery, violent behavior and greed. It would be nice to see him so week on the desert hanging on to life while vultures scout around him waiting for a moment to pick at his flesh.
Pius Adomako, MPH
CEO, LaVista Records Inc.
Of Atlantis - Lanaia Lee
Review by Amanda Kilgore
Roval Publishing and Digital Services
July
ISBN 0615207685
Epic historical fantasy
****
Archimedes loves his royal father, even though the older man carries as much or more fear of his son than any he might have when going into one of the many battles the King of Atlantis faces. Rather than the halcyon, highly advanced civilization many authors have portrayed the lost kingdom to be, this Atlantis is much like Greece or Rome, albeit a touch more magical.Treachery, violence, forbidden love, religion, and politics make up the complex web that forms its society until the day the waves sweep it into being nothing more than a legend. Yet, it is not the end, for its last royal, Archimedes will live on through the ages. This is his story.
In great detail, the author brings life in this imaginary society to such life that you can believe it truly existed. Archimedes moves from boyhood into being a fascinating man with a rich history that readers will look forward to discovering in the books yet to come. One particularly wonderful aspect of this novel is the beautiful poetry that highlights it. That feature alone will make bibliophiles want to buy a second copy, the audio form, to be able to hear the music of the words as well as reading them.
