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MEDIA ROOM
Welcome to Donna Sundblad's Media Room
Book Reviews
Beyond the Fifth Gate
Category - Fantasy
Beyond the Fifth Gate
Author Donna Sundblad
Publisher: epress-online Inc.
ISBN-10 1934258245
ISBN-13: 978-1934258248
Beyond the Fifth Gate is a beautiful story of trust, love, hate, faith, respect, fear, courage, and acceptance. Once again, author Donna Sundblad does it all!
Right from the start, Sundblad has readers on the edge of their seats watching hideous, creatures invade twelve-year-old Elita's home, murder her father and drag her and other children away for their slaves.
For twelve years in captivity, in a world where humans are prohibited to speak, write, or read, Elita clings to hope with memories of the prophecies her father taught her about the 'chosen one', coming to save the world. Under impossible conditions, Elita, grows into a courageous young woman, and is shocked when she realizes she is the "chosen one". She reluctantly, yet heroically, rises to the challenge of saving humanity.
Beyond the Fifth Gate, is exciting all the way through! The mystical gates and the ways characters make their entrances into each world are unique, as are the battles fought and friendships forged. I loved it. Each new world beyond the gates is fascinating and filled with extraordinary, yet believable characters. The last gate--the fifth gate--and where it leads is remarkable.
Sundblad's imagination is wild and wonderful and somewhat frightening. As in her other Novel, Windwalker, Sundblad does an incredible job of creating a distinctive world and vividly describing it, making you believe you are there. I am looking forward to her next novel.
Author L. Russomanno
Review at Teens Read Too
BEYOND THE FIFTH GATE by Donna Sundblad
Category: Science Fiction
Age Recommendation: Grades 9+
Release Date: 9/18/08
Publisher: ePress-Online
Reviewed by: Allison Fraclose
Rating: 4 Stars
When Elita was twelve, she and other local children were ripped away from their families by an invading insectoid race known as the mantids. Twelve years later, she works as a slave for her captors, along with thousands of fellow human beings, in a hive where men are separated from women and humans are neither allowed to speak nor write.
As the daughter of a prophet, Elita has kept her father’s teachings alive, and her believers hold out hope that the Chosen One will one day be called to the gates by Kamali, so that he or she may travel through five different worlds to gather the items needed to destroy their enslavers.
Their group, The Retribution Squad, has chosen Elita to be the one to make the journey when Kamali’s light appears. Elita’s beloved, Koen, risks his life to provide her with a weapon just in time, and then, Elita spots a brilliant light flashing from a nearby hillside.
Elita’s journey through the five gates puts her faith, memories, and prejudices to the test. Through new allies, new knowledge, and a new understanding of their enemies, Elita gains hope for her quest. However, the alignment of the planets is almost over, signaling the impending close of the gates, and she must race against the clock to gather the crucial items she will need to save humanity.
An interesting take on humans versus aliens, I appreciated how the author gave us an entirely three dimensional “chosen one” who does not immediately have all the skills that she needs. This gives the reader a chance to learn and grow with the heroine as she advances on her journey.
Pumping Your Muse
Category - Self-help for writers
Pumping Your Muse is a 136-page non-fiction, self-help writer’s manual that is conveniently available in both electronic and print format. The hardcopy is coil-bound – perfect for an inviting workbook.
Published just recently in June 2005, this book belongs on every writer’s reference bookshelf. Donna Sundblad’s goal for her manual has certainly been met, as Pumping Your Muse is able to stretch the readers’ creativity beyond their normal limits by developing skills and focusing creative energies in new directions.
The author focuses on the ability to build worlds through a variety of exercises including reflections, perspectives, balance, using multiple sensory tools and expanding thinking patterns. Readers will learn about tracking implements such as cards, journals and maps that help develop a detailed world for the reader and make the book a whole experience.
Following every exercise like a home-school class will take several weeks and will definitely improve creative writing skills. Pumping Your Muse could also be used as a refresher course, a tool during the proofreading processes of a manuscript, or to get past writer’s block.
Donna Sundblad keeps the continuity flowing at an interesting pace and has allowed space for notes at the end of every chapter. Her useful manual also includes a number of excellent writer’s resource websites.
I recommend that readers review the entire manual and then return to chapter one before they actually begin the program. In this way, the reader will be more familiar with the reasons and goals for each exercise. I’ve been anticipating my return to chapter one since I began the reviewing process of this book and have no doubt that my skills will be improved because of the exercises in this manual.
ISBN#: 0970863578
Author: Donna Sundblad
Publisher: ePress-online.com ~ Writopia, Inc.
~ Lillian Brummet - Book Reviewer - Co-author of the book Trash Talk, a guide for anyone concerned about his or her impact on the environment – Author of Towards Understanding, a collection of poetry. (http://www.sunshinecable.com/~drumit)
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lillian_Brummet
Windwalker
Category: Fantasy
One of the first things you will notice about the novel Windwalker is the vividly described and well-crafted world that Donna Sundblad created. The reader will be pulled into the story with its scenery of sandy shores, dark thunderous waves and strikingly beautiful landscapes.
The tale opens with the arrival of several natives of the Jonnick clan to the Stygian shores. Their appearance was foreseen by the Stygian leader Cedrick in a dream. His vision warned him that the Jonnick would bring with them sickness and a lingering menace. Despite the ominous omen, the Jonnick are welcomed, showing a side of humanity that is rarely seen.
Sundblad provides a rich adaptation of ethical issues against a backdrop of fascinating races from the ill-fated Jonnick’s to the brave and noble Stygian’s.
Windwalker is sure to be a hit. Its elements of romance and jeopardy will charm enthusiasts of fantasy, romance and adventure. It’s an enjoyable, enticing read that will want you to pick up the next Sundblad novel
~ D. K. Gaston - Author of the supernatural thriller XIII
Reviewed at A Frank Review
A Novel of Biblical Fantasy
Let's begin with what Windwalker is not. It's not a heavy handed bludgeoning of the gospel. Like Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia, Donna's symbolism of faith and monotheism whispers in its subtlety. In her own words: "You never know what you may see in this story. It is the story of the One that unites."
Windwalker begins with a people waiting for a savior who's arrival will be clouded by dark times. Times that have dropped anchor in the harbor. Then things get epic. Prophecy's fulfilled by certain births. Hidden away from a wicked queen, this new generation comes of age. Manelin, the prophecized Arich, is the One who will unite the natives of the land with their newly arrived oppressors. Together with his Augur, thy must erase the legacy of hatred that's cursed the land.
The beauty of this story is its very human humility. Manelin, a peasant goatherd, has been raised by a man he thinks is his grandfather. The old man is the only one left who knows the boy to be the Arich. Dark times thrust greatness upon both a reluctant goatherd messiah, and his crippled Augur. Can the faith of commoners save the land, and their people?
You'll enjoy this read, and the prophetic "Tellings" of the Windwalkers.
Reviewer: Frank Creed grew up in northern Illinois and became an avid reader and writer at an early age. He worked a number of jobs until he began as an associate at Subaru of Indiana in the late 90s. He have a son, Sean Richard who attends college in Hawaii and a young daughter, Mariah. Two years ago he married his editor and sweetheart and they live happily ever more in Indiana.