Morning everyone! Hope everyone has their cup off coffee, or a choice of drink because this morning the lovely Sophia Rose is back on the blog with another wonderful review!
Favour of the Gods: A Frewyn Novel by Michelle Franklin Series: standalone
Published by Self-published on October 22nd 2017
Genres: Fantasy
Pages: 276
Format: Kindle Edition
Source: Author
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Rating:
I received this book for free from Author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
A story about Gods and children, love and friendship:
Every child in Frewyn is taught that they were created by the Gods, and that every Frewyn is therefore considered with the same affection and given the same attention as everyone else.
This is somewhat untrue.
Aoidhe Dreen is a Gods' Son, a child thought to have a Frewyn God as a parent. While the birth of such a child is not common in the kingdom, and often goes unproven, the divine parentage of Aoidhe Dreen is accidentally discovered by Cgnita, a young cleric at the Kileen monastery, who suddenly finds himself the victim of the God of Japes and Justice, making him very sorry to have received the Favour of the Gods.
A charming gently-paced, fantasy tale of the Frewyn gods when they secretly defy the father god’s rule and dabble a little in the lives of their people. Each in their own way misses walking among and directly caring for their people and find ways to bestow aid where they will. I was delightfully engaged in this easy and light ramble that mostly follows the antics of the colorful, whimsical, and at times volatile, Aoidhe, as he responds to the needs and prayers of his people in his own brand of care.
The story takes place in the fantasy land of Frewyn made up of humans who are most akin to the earth though the greater world include other lands full of other peoples and magics. In time past, the gods retreated from their world and the people are left with some having faith they exist and care for the people and others in doubt.
The world is well drawn and elaborate so that I felt I could be reading of another culture’s real mythology. The people of Frewyn worship a pantheon of gods whose mythology will have familiar traits though apportioned differently perhaps such as Aoidhe who is a god of passion, fire, trickery, and justice or Fuinnag, a god of sky, weather, birds, and hope.
The plot is gentle, but steady in pacing. It has a high fantasy tone to the writing and employs older language and obscure words that solidify the feel of something of a slightly foreign, spicy flavor.
Part of the story follows the life of two Frewyn church brothers, Cgnita and Brudha- one a healer and the other the leader of the monastery like compound- who separately find themselves with an intimate encounter with the trickster Aoidhe and his brother gods in their turn. Cgnita needs a little help finding love which he cautiously accepts along with Aoidhe’s teases and Brudha is bemused at having a god for a friend.
And beyond this pair, there is a larger tale of Aoidhe and his fellow gods sometimes clashing and sometimes agreeing about how they can get around the edict that was set by the father of gods to stay out of the people’s lives so they can truly care for and help the people where they are called upon. I enjoyed each new encounter and had a good time with the lusty, down to earth Aoidhe as he negotiates matters to his satisfaction. It was fun to see him interacting with his brothers and the other gods. I have a soft spot for the ‘moper’, the god of earth and mountains, Menor.
In the end, I was delighted for the last scene to bring things full circle to an old familiar certain irascible farm woman, Baba Connridh. While, this story is a standalone, I definitely got more out of this final scene by having already read the earlier released, Baba Connridh novella.
I would recommend this book and others in the Frewyn world if you appreciate High Fantasy with a classical flavor and particularly if you enjoy good strong world building and mythology.
About Sophia Rose
Sophia is a quiet though curious gal who dabbles in cooking, book reviewing, and gardening. Encouraged and supported by an incredible man and loving family. A Northern Californian transplant to the Great Lakes Region of the US. Lover of Jane Austen, Baseball, Cats, Scooby Doo, and Chocolate.
I never say no to fantasy! :=D
This, I know. Your reviews have given me some great recommends. 🙂
Lovely review Sophia. I am glad you enjoyed this tale. 🙂
This is completely new to me but I’m so glad that you liked it! Great review for this!
I love her books. If you’re interested, I’d suggest starting with The Commander and the Den Asaan Raatu which is the beginning of it all. 🙂
Actually, for this one, you only need to read Baba Connridh first (if you want to). 😀
This one is completely new to me but it sounds great. I am so glad you enjoyed it, Sophia Rose!
Thanks again for the review! I’m so glad you enjoyed it! The book is currently 50% off at Amazon until January. Happy Ailineighdaeth 😉
Truly a pleasure, Michelle!
Sounds great. Thanks for you awesome review, Sophia. Glad you enjoyed it. Need to check it out. 😁❤️
I’ve enjoyed the books from her fantasy world for a few years now. Thanks for reading, Geybie!
It’s nice to find a good fantasy novel and I’m curious about the worlbuilding now!
It’s like reading mythology. So colorful and detailed. Hope you get the chance, Melliane! 🙂
I like that this is a blend of fantasy and mythology, that makes for a good mix!
It really does. To me, most good fantasies have their own strong mythology basis. Hope you get the chance, Heidi. 🙂
Sounds like a book my younger cousin will enjoy too. Lovely review Sophia Rose 🙂
A fantasy reader, eh? Thanks for passing along about it to your cousin, Vanessa. 🙂
I’m a big fan of mythology and I love how unique this one sounds with incredible world building. I like the relationship between the brothers, contrasting siblings isn’t something explored often in fantasy reads. With a cover revamp this could become quite a popular read. Great review Sophia, so glad you enjoyed it.
Yes, it was both entertaining and interesting. They god siblings were a unique dynamic in the family of gods. Thanks, Kelly!
Even though I love fantasy and urban fantasy I’m thinking high fantasy is not my thing. I’m currently struggling to get through A Plague of Giants by Kevin Hearne (love his Iron Druid series!). Glad to hear you enjoyed the story, that the world was nicely fleshed out and the pacing agreed with you. Wonderful review, Sophia Rose! 🙂
True, its not for everyone. My regular reading diet tends more toward romance, but I do get a hankering for a lush world and complex storybuilding so reach for a gem like this one.
Thanks, Rachel! 🙂
I love fantasy style books. I’ve never heard of this one before and I’m not sure if high fantasy would be for me. :\
It can be an acquired (or not) taste for sure, Kristin. No worries if its not for you. 🙂
Awesome review, Sophia. I haven’t read this pure fantasy before. Glad that you enjoyed it. Awesome review, my friend. 😁❤️
I used to read high fantasy more as a teen and then got away from it. I credit this author for bringing it back for me. 🙂 I still don’t read it nearly as much as I did, but I love the creative worldbuilding of fantasy.
Thanks, Geybie!