Sparsh

The five books in C. J. Cherryh’s Fortress series are: 1. Fortress in the Eye of Time (1995) 2. Fortress of Eagles (1998) 3. Fortress of Owls (1998) 4. Fortress of Dragons (2000) 5. Fortress of Ice (2006) The series follows Tristen, Cefwyn, and the political and supernatural conflicts surrounding them. C. J. Cherryh’s Fortress Series was my introduction to her work, and I found it remarkably intriguing. Cherryh is a true master of language, and she pulls no punches here. The vocabulary is sophisticated enough that I occasionally had to look up certain words, but this only added to the richness of the reading experience. Despite a rather slow beginning, Fortress in the Eye of Time gradually becomes deeply engrossing. Its protagonist, Tristen, is a young man mysteriously created by an ageing wizard for an unknown purpose. His relationship with his creator sometimes evokes the dynamic between Jor-El and Superman: a powerful father-like figure brings an extraordinary being into the world, ...

Sparsh: 50 Pointers - Medieval-Like Fantasy Worlds - First Part While the material foundations examined in Part 1 provide the scaffolding for mediaeval fantasy worlds, this second exploration with remaining 25 pointers delves into the intangible systems that actually hold societies together and tear them apart: 26. Weak Espionage and Intelligence : Inadequate spy networks left kingdoms exposed to manipulation, surprise attacks from rivals, and internal conspiracies, undermining state security. The Delhi Sultanate frequently fell victim to surprise invasions ( particularly Timur's 1398 raid ) due to inadequate intelligence gathering leading to entire populations killed or enslaved. 27.  Prostitution and Urban Underworld:  Prostitution is a common and tolerated feature of city life. The lives of sex workers intersected with the criminal underworld providing vital networks of information and serving as intermediaries for espionage, blackmail, and political intrigue.  28. ...

What is the key reason behind the recent surge in popularity of science fiction and fantasy genres? The authors can  reveal truths about society and politics when direct expression is  suppressed  by an unfavorable political and religious environment. S cience fiction genre is a mirror image of fantasy (sword & sorcery) established from current time reference.  The book is science fiction is when you're depressed about the future, fantasy is when you're depressed about the past, and literature is when you're depressed about the present.   Similarly, fantasy is when the technology the characters use is magic and sci-fi is when the magic the characters use is technology. Common fantasy themes that readers easily recognize include resistance to tyranny, prophecies guiding destinies, hero-centered stories, journey to distant land and rags-to-riches journeys. I will not help the readers on these familiar themes of struggle, hope, and love that form the backb...