It can be a dangerous thing for a man not to know who he is -
Amazon 5 star review Author Wendy Gillissen's spiritual adventure 'Curse of the Tahiera'
succeeds on so many levels; her characters have personality, depth and
personal history, the fantasy environment is vibrant, detailed and
filled with mythic wonder and the storyline is absorbing and well paced
from beginning to end. Plan and simple it's one of the most enjoyable
fantasy books I've read in a long, long time. However my highest praise
for Ms. Gillissen's book is reserved for the deep, profound
spirituality oozing from her written words; her understanding of the
nature of dreams, her innate knowledge of the unseen but sometimes felt
lifeforce emanating from the world (or worlds?) around us and the way
in which she reveals the spiritual underpinnings and karmic destiny
that ultimately determine who and what we are. Many writers have
attempted to wed their own personal spiritual paradigm with literary
fiction and generally the results are less than satisfying. Either the
'message' overpowers the story to such a degree that the fiction is
delivered flat and contrived, or the author is forced to compromise the
'message' for the sake of the tale and the readers entertainment. In
both cases both the author and the reading audience are left
unsatisfied and wanting.
In the case of 'Curse of the Tahiera' both of these pitfalls have
been successfully and masterfully avoided! If you're looking for
nothing more than pure fantasy entertainment this is the book for you.
On the other hand if you're looking for a generous dose of spiritual
insight that will help guide you in answering some of those inner
nagging questions and doubts we all carry with us this is also the book
for you. Now if you're looking for both, this must be your lucky day!
by Brian e Erland, top 500 reviewer
Captivating from beginning to end
Though much of it takes place in a physical world of forests and stones,
the real story of Gillissen’s protagonists, Rom, Yldich, and Eald who
journey through enchanted lands northward, is one of kinship and
illusion as they struggle to save their people from the destructive
power of an entity known as the Tahiéra. Gillissen uses dreams the way
that an artist might use watercolors to paint a vivid portrait. Her
expressions are at once clear and beautiful as they are abstract and
distant, eventually culminating in an ending revelation that is
unforeseeable (unless, of course, you’ve “dreamwalked” through the
story already).
Rom is haunted by “énthemae”
dreams, or dreams of his past which reveal a power in him to confront
the Tahiéra. As he learns these things throughout his journey, he
becomes acquainted with “ayúrdimae” dreaming, or “dreamwalking”.
“Curse of the Tahiéra” is full of mystical enchantments and
riveting adventures, but it’s these particular facets which make it
different from most other fantasy novels. Gillissen creates a dream
world within a dream world; worlds inside of other worlds which are
constantly in motion. It might seem complicated, but Gillissen handles
them all like a well trained juggler, and the show is spectacular.
“Curse of the Tahiéra” achieves on
nearly every level of excitement and entertainment that the genre of
fantasy prescribes. It’s enlightening in its connection with real
world values of love, honor, and camaraderie and on top of that, its
great entertainment. Gillissen’s take on pixies, beasts, and other
common fantasy figures is unique and revitalizing. Fantasy novels are
all about the journey, and Gillissen is able to weave several into a
single amazing voyage that is captivating from beginning to end.
Eric Jones, Bookreview.com
Brims with imagination
Bound
for the North through the forest of Gardeth, home of unnatural evil
spirits, young Rom, a half Tzanatzi and half human boy, befriends both
Yldich, an Einache Shaman, and Eald, an Einache boy. But this is no
chance meeting. Little does Rom know that Yldich has had several Yaever
dreams about him; dreams that will entwine their fates forever. Yildich
believes that Rom can free the Einache people from a rising darkness of
evil that has been brewing for five-hundred years, and yet Rom is a mere
boy, without a clue to who he really is. He has so much to learn if he,
and the Einache people are going to survive.
Together Rom, Yldich and Eald embark
on a life changing odyssey as they are thrown into a new way of life,
where the veil between his world and the underworld grows thinner each
day, and people depend on him. Soon Rom is to learn that this spiritual
journey will gain him the courage to learn things he never thought
himself capable of, but sometimes uncovering
buried secrets comes at a price. Will he be able to face his fears for
the final battle and overcome the
weight of the world that has been put upon his shoulders?
What a marvellous book. This is a coming of age, young adult tale,
filled with a deep spiritual understanding, which I am positive
has much to do with Wendy Gillissen's experience as a past life
therapist, and her specialisation in dream-work. The depth of Curse of the Tahiéra was so richly
detailed with a structured plot, and a believable mystical setting, I
found it hard to put down. It's been a long time since I've read a
fantasy adventure like this and Wendy Gillissen has a style of
storytelling that brims with imagination. It
is layered with stories, within this story. She peppers words and
expressions from the Tzanatzi /Einache languages throughout, but not in
a way that distracts, as some books can. For your convenience these are
explained at the back of the book, along with an artistic picture.
Gillissen drew of the lovable character, Rom. Personally I think this
portrait is so good it needs to be moved to the front and not hidden
away at the back. All in all the Curse of the Tahiéra is a clever debut
novel, and the message is that with the understanding of our dreams
anything is possible to achieve."
Sassy Brit, Alternative-Reads.com
A Dreamwalk Through Past Lives
Despised due to his Tzanatzi heritage, Rom made his living as best he
could by trading and selling goods in the northern and southern Einache
villages alternating between them as the seasons changed. However, while
preparing to travel North directly through the bordering forest, Rom
learns that this journey has become increasingly treacherous as an evil
presence felt once long ago appears to be rising once again. An old
Einache farmer named Yldich befriends Rom offering to accompany him on
his journey. Soon Rom learns, however, that Yldich is more mage than
farmer having the ability to commune with nature, call upon the animals,
and sense the very fabric of all that surround them. When Rom starts to
experience his own dreamwalking, he begins to wonder if perhaps his
meeting Yldich is something more than a simple chance encounter with a
good Samaritan. In fact, Rom learns he may hold the answer to a five
hundred year old curse that threatens to destroy the lives of the
Einache and Tzanatzi alike.
Wendy Gillissen's Curse of the Tahiera is a unique and fresh offering to
the fantasy genre. In this debut novel, Gillissen pulls from her
experience as a psychologist specializing in dreamwork and past life
therapy. Through Rom the reader slowly discovers the possibilities of
past lives and the impact on their contemporary vessels - how decisions
made long ago have far reaching implications. While fantasy elements are
present, this novel is really a character exploration of a young
ostracized man dealing with his negative self view so long forged
through the eyes of others and their prejudices. Through Yldich and his
own inner journey, he begins to view himself and his past self
differently giving context to a life previously without meaning.
Gillissen's pace and plot unfold in an effortless manner keeping the
pages turning at a rapid rate. Her detailed and carefully considered
narrative and use of Tzanatzi and Einache languages help to envelope the
reader into this unique world. The passages where she shares Rom's
emotional and physical journey through his first intimate experience and
later love interest are exceptionally well written. Rom's journey to the
underworld is especially well crafted besting that offered by Phillip
Pullman in The Amber Spyglass.
Curse of the Tahiéra is a complete volume although Gillissen provides a
few teaser pages for the sequel The Search for Tzanáta to be published
soon. I for one, look forward to its release.
Rating: 4.5 of 5
Todd A. Fonseca
