As an author, you are sometimes privileged enough to read a book that shows you just how far you still have to go in your journey to achieve greatness. The Goddess Within is just such a book. Kenaz has written an absolute masterpiece of fantasy and mysticism that had me enraptured from the very first words. This is a beautifully written, no, crafted book that uses the language to its fullest extent, which is more remarkable given that I assume English was not the author's first language.
The story itself is interesting and fascinating enough in its own right, but the way in which Kenaz weaves words and structures her narrative is absolutely mesmerizing. I can honestly say that this early in 2016, The Goddess Within, will almost certainly still be right up there contending for "Book of the Year" when I hand out my annual "Grunter Awards" in December. This is a wonderful story and I enjoyed its telling to the full. I was disappointed when it ended, but can take some solace that Kenaz has other books I can read and I most certainly will.
The story itself focuses on Berka, a young woman, who discovers her place in the world as a daughter and as a woman. Set in a mystical, earthy world, Berka explores the realms between worlds and is forced to face up to herself and her deepest fears and disappointments - her shadow self. One thing I particularly enjoyed in this tale is how the author weaves conservation and the need to preserve our environment, into her story. Although it is set in the sixteenth century, many of the concerns facing her world are the same concerns we face today. The author also confronts the issue of differences and relationships across those differences. It is a truly inspirational and moving tale.
I cannot wait to read her next book on my TBR list - The Witch Within, which incidentally was written before The Goddess Within. I hope the insights and understanding I gained from The Goddess Within will make the next book, even more, exciting and enjoyable. Thank you to Iva Kenaz for such a wonderful and enthralling distraction from my daily world. If I could possibly give you more than five stars for this story, I surely would.
You can access all of Iva Kanaz' work here: http://amzn.to/1N0600l
The story itself is interesting and fascinating enough in its own right, but the way in which Kenaz weaves words and structures her narrative is absolutely mesmerizing. I can honestly say that this early in 2016, The Goddess Within, will almost certainly still be right up there contending for "Book of the Year" when I hand out my annual "Grunter Awards" in December. This is a wonderful story and I enjoyed its telling to the full. I was disappointed when it ended, but can take some solace that Kenaz has other books I can read and I most certainly will.
The story itself focuses on Berka, a young woman, who discovers her place in the world as a daughter and as a woman. Set in a mystical, earthy world, Berka explores the realms between worlds and is forced to face up to herself and her deepest fears and disappointments - her shadow self. One thing I particularly enjoyed in this tale is how the author weaves conservation and the need to preserve our environment, into her story. Although it is set in the sixteenth century, many of the concerns facing her world are the same concerns we face today. The author also confronts the issue of differences and relationships across those differences. It is a truly inspirational and moving tale.
I cannot wait to read her next book on my TBR list - The Witch Within, which incidentally was written before The Goddess Within. I hope the insights and understanding I gained from The Goddess Within will make the next book, even more, exciting and enjoyable. Thank you to Iva Kenaz for such a wonderful and enthralling distraction from my daily world. If I could possibly give you more than five stars for this story, I surely would.
You can access all of Iva Kanaz' work here: http://amzn.to/1N0600l
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