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: Donna E. Lane
Title of book and/or series:
Whisperers Series – Sky Light Falls: Whisperers Book One; Sky Light Rises: Whisperers Book Two; Sky Light Ends: Whisperers Book Three (coming in July 2020)
Brief summary of the story:
The series takes place in another universe. The planet you visit was created as a single planet, where a variety of sentient species lived in harmony. One type of species is called Whisperers. They are made of light and energy and move freely through space and time. The other species are all matter-based humanoid creatures. Before the reader joins the story in Book 1, a revolt took place on the planet where a faction of the Whisperers joined with the 12 humanoid species to try to overthrow the Divinethos. In response, the Divinethos divided the one planet into two. The First World remained as it was created, but the Divinethos bound the Second World in time, making it have a beginning and an end. The revolutionaries were exiled to the Second World. As a result, those Whisperers lost their light and were left only as energy. They are now called Dark Ones. Over the course of thousands and thousands of years, the 12 species’ descendants forgot about the First World. When you join the story, the end of the Second World is approaching, so the First World’s Whisperers have now come to try and help those on the Second World who would listen. In Book One, the end begins as a cataclysmic natural disaster, a meteor strike, leaves devastation in its wake. Most of the planet is uninhabitable, and the few survivors must learn to work together if they are going to live. But the Dark Ones have other plans and use some of the survivors to bring further destruction. It is up to a child born with mystical powers, those who follow her, and the Whisperers to stop the Dark Ones from taking over the world. In Book Two, the survivors mourn. Their leaders are dead, their resources are gone, and their world has plunged into darkness. Hope seems a distant memory. The group of survivors splinters, relationships are broken, and they face unspeakable loss. While evil plots the culmination of its plan to seal the eternal fate of the world, the Whisperers lead one group of survivors to their only hope, a hidden orb that can pierce the darkness enveloping their world and rejoin the two planets. To find the orb, the ragtag group faces a series of trials they can only complete with the help of the Whisperers. Book Three follows the group as, aided by the Whisperers, they are tasked with transporting the magical orb to the high mountain to open a portal to the First World before their sky light goes supernova. On the way to the mountain, the Dark Ones confront them, and a massive battle ensues. Will they face their own despair and fear, overcome their desire for power, reach the high mountain, defeat the dark forces, and place the orb in time?
Brief description of the world or location you created for this story:
The First World is a place of great beauty, with crystalline waterfalls, emerald plains, and mountain spires reaching into a brilliant sky, but its most critical feature is it is unbound by time, meaning the world and its inhabitants can move freely through time and space. The Second World is bound in time and is a pale echo of the First World. When the reader joins the story, the Second World has been devastated by a series of natural disasters, so much of the world is uninhabitable.
If we were to visit the Second World as tourists, what would you recommend that we see or do there?
The best place to visit is the high mountain, where the Jacinthi prophets live; however, be warned: the Dark Ones have taken over the mountain during Book Two, so avoid the region during that time frame.
What dangers should we avoid on the Second World?
The Dark Ones are everywhere, so their presence poses a constant threat. In addition, most of the waters in the western world are tainted, so don’t drink them! Watch out for earthquakes, which can happen at any time, as well as ice storms where ice falls the size of boulders, and fire from the sky, because as the sky light expands, the atmosphere is burning.
Is there a distinct or unusual type of food or meal that we might be served in the Second World?
If you are hanging out with the group transporting the orb, you’re in luck. They have a delicious fruit, given to them by the Whisperers in the cave where they faced their trials, that restores their health. But beware anything served by the Dark Ones: their food appears as delicacies, but in reality it is…well, I don’t want to spoil your appetite.
What types of weaponry or fighting styles are common on the Second World?
The Whisperers fight with swords and light and fire. Most of the humanoids use basic implements as weapons as they are more primitive, but one of the 12 humanoid species have mechanical devices like bombs – and have even built a machine that creates black holes.
What types of vehicles, animals, technology, etc. are used to travel in or to the Second World?
The Whisperers transport freely through space and time, so they don’t need vehicles. In Book Three, the magical child rides a panther-like creature with wings. Other than that, the creatures walk.
What types of plants, animals, or sentient races might we encounter n the Second World that we don’t see on Earth?
The Jasperi are tree dwellers with dark green skin and fluffy tails like squirrels but the size of humans. The Emraldi, grassland dwellers, look like child-sized fairies with pearlescent skin. The Topazi are desert dwellers who look like tan-colored kimodo dragons but are larger than humans. The Jacinthi live on the high mountain and look somewhat like huge snowy owls. The Saphiri (think mermaids) are ocean dwellers. The Onyxi, cave dwellers, look somewhat like large black bears but are quite timid. The Carneli, cliff dwellers, look somewhat like red wolves. The Chalcedi look like hawks and live in an aerie on the mountain on the opposite side of the world from the high mountain They equal or exceed the Jacinthi in size. The Beryli look somewhat like seals and like in the gulf waters. The Turqosi live in the wetlands. They are a warrior race who look like the spitting dinosaurs with the frill around their heads from Jurassic Park. The Chrysoli, plains dwellers, are newly introduced in Book 3. They appear lionesque. And finally, the Amthysti – the only species that looks like humans – live in a tower they built in the center of the world.
What role, if any, does magic or the supernatural play in the lives of people in the Whisperers series? If there is magic, please give some examples of what it involves or how it’s used.
The Whisperers appear very magical to the inhabitants of the Second World since they travel through space and time freely. The child who helps the Whisperers in Book One can manipulate fire. The Dark Ones can manipulate thoughts and can shoot electricity from their fingertips. The magic of the Whisperers and the child is used to fight against the Dark Ones. The magic orb is used to open a portal to the First World.
Is there any advanced or unusual technology in the Second World? If you haven’t described it already, please give some examples.
The Amthysti are the only species with any level of technology. Their crowning achievement is their black hole creating device; however, they haven’t learned how to control it, so if it was ever used, the black hole would grow without limits and would consume the worlds.
Tell us about any sports, games, or activities that are available for entertainment in the Second World.
They are too focused on survival for games, for the most part. The Onyxi play a game called Stones, where they flip pebbles at the wall to see who can land closest. The Emraldi like to roll and tumble down hills for fun.
Are the days of the week and months of the year the same in the Second World as on Earth? What holidays or special events are celebrated regularly there?
The inhabitants of the Second World speak in terms of cycles, related to the rise and fall of their sky light. The cycles are shorter than Earth cycles, as are their seasons. They don’t celebrate any holidays or special events, because they really don’t have much to celebrate.
Is there a particular religion practiced in the Whisperers series? Please describe what it involves.
The Whisperers worship the Divinethos. They desire to bring the inhabitants of the Second World back to the same worship, but the inhabitants have no recollection of the Divinethos or the First World. During the course of the series, the group transporting the orb come to know the Divinethos and return to worship. The Dark Ones worship Skia Skotos, their Dark Lord. Skia Skotos seeks to bring the Second World’s inhabitants under his rule.
What is the political or government structure on the Second World? Who is in charge there at the moment, and what kind of leader is he/she?
A thousand years ago, a huge war broke out between the 12 species that almost destroyed the Second World. A treaty divided the 12 species, giving each a portion of land and prohibiting contact between them, so the 12 species have had no contact for a thousand years, until the meteor strike destroyed so much of the planet and forced them to work together. Before that time, each species had their own form of government. Now, there is no government.
Are there any other unique cultural practices that we should be aware of if we visit the Second World?
The Jacinthi have a unique burial ritual, which becomes significant in Book Three. The Chrysoli own slaves and force them to do all their labor. The Chalcedi use substances to heighten their senses and create a type of hysteria for battle. The Beryli issue challenges and fight each other for the ruling position in their culture. The Topazi mate for life and always remain in pairs.
Has anything in your actual life inspired the locations, cultures, etc. in your book?
The Book of Revelation was my inspiration.
What, if any, “hot-button” or controversial topics do you touch on in your book?
Good vs. evil, the consequences of slavery, the consequences of drug use, the question whether scientific discovery without limits is always a good thing, the exploration of the true nature of evil, demonic inhabitation, eugenics, euthanasia.
Author Autobiography:
Dr. Donna E. Lane is an award-winning author, Professor of Counseling at Mercer University and a Christian counselor in private practice since 1993. She writes Christian fiction, Bible studies, devotionals, Christian apologetics, children’s books, and professional books such as her book on trauma treatment. She is a regular presenter at local, regional, national, and international conferences and workshops on such topics as trauma, grief and loss, Christian marriage counseling, Christian parenting, early childhood education, therapeutic writing, and soul care. Donna is married to David Lane. They have two grandchildren, Coen and Petra, and three children: Hayden, Lindsey, and Cody, who passed away in 2007 after a battle with a degenerative neurological disorder. Cody’s journey informs much of her writing.
Where, and in what formats, can we purchase your book(s)? Please include links.
Where can readers connect with you online?
Twitter: @Doctordelane
Instagram: @doctordelane
I hope you all enjoyed the trip to the Second World. Questions about the world or the book? Ask them in the comments and the author will get back to you!
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-Annie Douglass Lima
