Welcome to Realm Explorers! In this weekly series, we visit a variety of unique worlds created by talented science fiction and fantasy authors. Enjoy your travels! And don't forget to read to the bottom of the post to find out more about each author and see how to purchase the featured book.
Author’s name: Julie
Elizabeth Powell
Title of book and/or
series:
The Star Realm #1 The
Avalon Trilogy (#2 Invasion #3 Secrets Of The Ice). The Avalon Trilogy is the whole story but
each is an adventure in itself.
Brief summary of the
story:
Five children – Davie Jenkins, Ben Jenkins, Chrissie Abbott,
Anne Miller and Billy Kennedy – are chosen by the Time Keeper of Avalon (Ezrin)
to redress the balance of both his world and theirs (called Elsewhere by the
inhabitants of Avalon). They must find
seven elements and save someone in time, before everything is lost and DarkStar
consumes them all.
The further two books of the story see them battle a myriad
of creatures and puzzles – the ending should be a complete surprise; everything
is answered in the final few pages of Secrets Of The Ice.
Brief description of
the world or location you created for this story:
The Star Realm is just one world that makes up the Orb of
Caprice, an orb that houses billions if not trillions of heptagonal worlds;
each one created through imagination via Elsewhere (from either a story, a
song, a poem, a dream or a spark of an idea, forever increasing in size). The
Star Realm has locations such as the Elysian Forest, the Rainbow Pool and
waterfall (where fairies and other magical creatures meet and play), on the
right of the Meadow and Star Hamlet, which is a longer walk to the north. There is also Melodise, where the Drawfrons
reside, which is filled with music, in addition to the secret fairy site – and
much more. But it also has Puzzle Woods
– a dangerous and mysterious place.
The children visit another world within the Orb in #2
Invasion (The Dark Reaches) and the Dominion Of Ice, in the final book of the
trilogy, #3 Secrets Of The Ice. Each has
their own dangers and wonders.
Avalon is the heart, while the Orb of Caprice is classed as encasing
numerous outer worlds.
If we were to visit the
Star Realm as tourists, what would you recommend that we see or do there?
Melodise, for sure, where concerts take place daily and are
a wondrous spectacle. You mustn’t miss out on the Elysian Forest where you
might spot a fairy, if you’re lucky. If
you visit Star Hamlet, there is a bookshop, and small bakery, where the most
delicious fare can be tasted. There is
also a blacksmith and John Smith is a marvel at making almost anything. If you visit the apothecary, however, it is
worth noting that guests must be careful not to touch anything – a heavy lesson
learned by Billy. Sometimes the
bandstand is filled with musicians and magicians, but that depends on the time
of year. For those of a sturdy physique,
then a climb through the mountains would be worthwhile, however, I cannot
promise that they will find the magical entrance so to visit the scribe.
I would not recommend Puzzle Woods for any with a weak
heart, but those with adventure in their veins may enjoy a brief visit – and
you may even meet Brogan, one of the goblins that live in a secret underground
realm. He often tramps the Woods, so you
may be fortunate.
Warning: please beware the Watchers. Actually, it may be a good idea to stay clear
of Puzzle Woods altogether; it’s easy to spot the dense collection of trees on
the left of the meadow, where sits Chamber, the Gatekeeper; so visitors are
unlikely to wander in by mistake, although anything is possible within these
worlds.
What dangers should
we avoid in the Star Realm?
Puzzle Woods and watch out for Melpomene’s Trap – Ben will
tell you in detail all about that dreadful place. And if someone is trying to bar
your way, then there may be further ‘traps’ and holes that lead to the Below
Worlds, and I wouldn’t suggest any of those for the unseasoned traveller.
Is there a distinct
or unusual type of food or meal that we might be served in the Star Realm?
The wonderful thing about the Star Realm is that you can
wish for any type of food or drink – that in itself is unusual enough. However, this is not the case for the other
worlds they visit, so, unless you really understand your magical prowess, and
spirit heart, please refrain from visiting.
What types of
weaponry or fighting styles are common in The Star Realm?
Swords. Magic. Potions.
Spells. Intelligence. Bravery.
Friendship. Belief.
What types of
vehicles, animals, technology, etc. are used to travel in or to the Star Realm?
It depends on where you go.
The royal family has a carriage and unicorns, but mostly magic is used
to travel. Time is a strange thing in
the Orb, for one minute you can be walking away from, say, a tree, and the
next, that tree looks a speck in the distance.
There are portals too, but it’s best to search the map for the correct
landing locations – you don’t want to end up in the dragon’s jaw.
What types of plants,
animals, or sentient races might we encounter in The Star Realm that we don’t
see on Earth?
Odd plants of various colours, shapes, sizes and
textures. The most unusual ‘creature’ I
would say is Kimeranet (K –ime – ee –ran – eh).
His story is complex and sad. He
is a mixture of more than one animal, including: bear, lion and human. Although his nature is kind and he has
compassion for every living thing.
The Star Realm is home to goblins (some good, some evil),
gnomes, fairies, angels, drawfrons (lesser and greater), witches, talking flowers
and a complex range of seemingly human-type inhabitants – to mention a few.
What role, if any,
does magic or the supernatural play in the lives of people in The Star Realm? If there is magic, please give some examples
of what it involves or how it’s used.
Magic is hugely important, as is Time. Nourishment can be ‘wished’ by visitors. Star Hamlet, however, grows food in the
fields and uses horses to plough etc. – it is much like a medieval lifestyle,
as of Elsewhere. That’s not to say a sprinkle
of magic is not used.
Ezrin is the Time Keeper and uses magic in many ways – he
does not have a wand, but can use Time to manipulate where he must. Apollone, too (the owner of the apothecary)
uses the magic that is set deeply within the Realm, for all manner of
things. Every inhabitant of the Star
Realm can call upon magic, but each differently from another. Magic is not always used for good. I cannot say too much here so as not to spoil
the plot of the story. But if magic is
manipulated in the wrong way, for example, to steal another’s youth or beauty,
then you can imagine the consequences.
Is there any advanced
or unusual technology in the Star Realm?
If you haven’t described it already, please give some examples.
Ezrin has what he calls a gyro-monitor, for when he examines
the Orb of Caprice from Avalon (the Orb sits in the atmosphere outside of the
heart of Avalon) and it is from here that visitors would have to launch into
their adventure. In addition to this,
the gyro-monitor allows him to move easily up and down to keep an eye on the
Utopian Passage and Thoughts, which are in the shape of clouds. It houses a lectern where he can scrutinise
Time on many levels and possibilities.
The underground realm also has what has been named a Tramvolator
– this allows easy passage to and from Puzzle Woods for those who have the
golden dust. The Tramvolator was created from the White, which makes up much of
the secret underground tunnels of these friendly goblins – secret because they
must hide from Stubbling, a terrible goblin with a lust for power. Seer Bowls are also a means of ‘watching’ and
‘finding’.
Tell us about any
sports, games, or activities that are available for entertainment in The Star
Realm.
Brogan’s underground world has a few, and I’ve mentioned
Star Hamlet’s and Melodise’s fun with music.
Are the days of the
week and months of the year the same in The Star Realm as on Earth? What
holidays or special events are celebrated regularly there?
No. Time has its own
beat in the Star Realm.
Is there a particular
religion practiced in the Star Realm?
Please describe what it involves.
No.
What is the political
or government structure in the Star Realm?
Who is in charge there at the moment, and what kind of leader is he/she?
There is the Star Council – twelve members including Ezrin,
Kimeranet, Somat, Ea’s, Monanic, Privithis, Psyche, Talocan, Asshuran, Mithraw,
Lokian and Sivan (head). This council
decides many things to help with the running of Avalon and its outer worlds. This is where it is decided what to do about
the unnerving counter-balance and how it’s destroying not only their worlds but
that of Elsewhere. Each member has an
important role for the running of Avalon and its outer worlds.
Sivan has charge of a special staff that can push back the
ravages of time upon the holder – he is extremely old and wise; hence why he is
‘leader’.
There is also a king, queen and princess in the Star Realm
who have lost control somewhat because… no spoilers.
Are there any other
unique cultural practices that we should be aware of if we visit The Star
Realm?
Respect the lands and those within it. Although this sentiment is not held by all.
Has anything in your
actual life inspired the locations, cultures, etc. in your book?
The Star Realm was inspired by a book I’d written, called
Gone. This was written in answer to the
question: Where had my daughter gone? after
she’d been severely brain damaged at the age of two. She was left an empty shell for seventeen
years and that question haunted me until she died a second and final time. For if she was no longer ‘here’ then where
was she? I created a world and went in
search of her – the Star Realm was born.
The world was too good to waste (Avalon and the Star Realm
from the Orb) so I used it to create an epic fantasy adventure. The story became so big that I had to break
it into three – The Avalon Trilogy. #2
Invasion takes place in another, darker world of the Orb, as does #3 Secrets Of
The Ice, so to complete the story – I hope those who read it will love or at
least appreciate the ending.
What, if any, “hot-button”
or controversial topics do you touch on in your book?
Environment (its ruination) corruption, the loss of the
imagination and power-hungry individuals.
Please share a brief
author autobiography.
I cannot ignore my dreams, so
many of them, with names and places and ideas that spark my imagination and
compel me to write; to create stories, whether fantasy or horror, or mystery or
psychological thriller or murder or even humour and adventure. So, my garden is sown, flourishing, with all
manner of growth, and still the dreams come.
Julie Elizabeth Powell, my soul
lingering within my imagination; maybe you’ll join me?
Where, and in what formats,
can we purchase your books?
Each of the books is available separately or together as a
trilogy; omnibus edition. I live in
England but I’ve included USA links too.
The Star Realm is available in the
UK in Kindle format as well as in the USA. If you prefer paperback, then Lulu has a copy. For #2, Invasion it’s also a Kindle edition
in the UK
and USA. The same goes for #3, Secrets Of The Ice, as
a Kindle edition in the UK
and USA. Lulu
has each of these in paperback.
If you’d like the Omnibus Edition, in the UK
or USA,
it’s only offered in Kindle format because it is too big for paperback.
Where can readers
connect with you online?
Email – julizpow@yahoo.co.uk
Website 1 - http://www.freewebs.com/julizpow
Blogs:
GOODREADS - https://goo.gl/DcTSOO
Amazon UK page - http://goo.gl/XK8TOj
Amazon USA page - http://goo.gl/cT0DCK
Twitter - https://twitter.com/starjewelz
LinkedIn - https://goo.gl/ZXbsGv
Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/starjewelz/
Audible - UK - http://goo.gl/Un3ExL
Audible - USA - http://goo.gl/MjNtaJ
I hope that The Star Realm, Invasion and Secrets Of The Ice
will soon be audiobooks, as are my other works.
I also read many, many stories and review them all – not
that they are all good, but most are and they come from the independent pool of
writing rather than the bland and formulaic books you find in shops.
There, that’s little about one of the many worlds I’ve
created. The Star Realm – and the rest
of The Avalon Trilogy - can be read (or read to) from 8-100. It is directed at a younger audience (12+)
but then I think it could suit YA and, of course, those young at heart.
Thank you for reading this, and special thanks to Annie
Douglas Lima for including some of my work in Realm Explorers. I do have 19 titles in a variety of genres
(soon to be 20, with a whole range of other projects on the go), but only The
Avalon Trilogy and Knowing Jack are for a younger audience.
Here is a video book trailer for
The Star Realm, if anyone is interested?
Thanks.
-J
I hope you all enjoyed the trip to The Star Realm. Questions about the world or the book? Ask them in the comments and the author will get back to you!
Click here to read other posts in the Realm Explorers series.
Please join us again next Monday for a trip to the galaxy of Renovodomus, in Realm Explorers Part LXXXIV!
Click here to read other posts in the Realm Explorers series.
Please join us again next Monday for a trip to the galaxy of Renovodomus, in Realm Explorers Part LXXXIV!
-Annie Douglass Lima
1 comment:
Thank you very much, Annie!
Enjoy my worlds, folks :)
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