Helen Lowe is an up-and-coming fantasy writer from New Zealand whose debut adult tretrology, Wall Of Night, we'll be publishing; the first book is on the schedule for January 2010. We know that's pretty far away, but, in the meantime, Helen's debut young adult novel, THORNSPELL, a retelling of Sleeping Beauty (being published by Knopf, not us), hits stores in September.
The first review for THORNSPELL is in, from Kirkus Reviews, and it's excellent:
"A quiet hero anchors this nicely crafted blend of fairy tale and dreamscape. Prince Sigismund lives in the West Castle; the King placed him there for safety before riding off to quell rebellions. Bordering the castle is a thick wood that a 100-year-old interdiction prohibits entering. One day a strange woman approaches the castle gate and offers Sigismund a gleaming ring. His head buzzes, he falls down in a fever and dreams plague him. The ring-bearing Margravine had placed a death spell on a princess in the wood; the Faie who tweaked the spell’s result into a 100-year sleep hides in Sigismund’s lilac garden. An enigmatic, amber-eyed man named Balisan trains Sigismund for years in meditation, swordsmanship and walking consciously in dreams. A scrubby girl bound in thorns repeatedly helps Sigismund escape the Margravine as he finds his path among faie, human and dream realms to the princess he must awaken. A narrative that begins as an exploration of fairy-tale archetypes thus moves into a very human and nevertheless magical drama. Thoughtful and understated."
And fellow New Zealand writer Tim Jones mentions Helen and THORNSPELL on his blog. Stay tuned for more news on Helen, THORNSPELL, and, eventually, WALL OF NIGHT!
That's a great review! I'll probably pick it up when it debuts.
What is Wall of Night about?
Posted by: Chrys | August 16, 2008 at 11:04 AM
If you follow the Helen Lowe or Thornspell links above, there's also an introductory page on Wall of Night.
Posted by: Andrew Robins | August 17, 2008 at 04:41 AM
Well done Helen.
In my small way I am pleased to have been of some help in getting Wall of Night started on its journey.
Helen approached me several years ago through a mutual friend and asked if I would read Wall. With some trepidation I agreed. It is always difficult giving someone you know a bad assessment.
I read the 3 chapters Helen gave me and immediately asked for the whole manuscript. I was absolutely stunned. What a tale and what a writer. I am so glad Wall is shortly going to be out there and that Helen's work is getting the credit it deserves.
Readers deserve good books like Wall of Night and writers like my friend Helen Lowe.
Grant Shanks
writing as Andrew Grant, author of:
Tyler's Gold
Mesquite Smoke-Dance
Death in the Kingdom
and coming soon
Singapore Sling-Shot
Posted by: Grant Shanks | August 17, 2008 at 07:43 PM
Well done Helen, and what a great first review. More power to you and all your future books.
Posted by: Heather Hapeta | August 18, 2008 at 05:25 PM
I am so excited for you Helen, as i know your book, Thornspell, is the start of a wonderful writing career. I am so looking forward to reading it and sunsequent books. Well done!
Posted by: Elizabeth Robertson | August 18, 2008 at 08:09 PM
As one of the lucky people who have been able to read the ARC of Book 1 of the "Wall of Night", I can say that I am not surprised to see such a good review for "Thornspell".
I am so glad that EOS has picked up this series. Wall is a complex and rich story, with some really exciting ideas and rich characters. I am a fan of epic fantasy - and this is looking to be an excellent example of the genre, and an excellent series of books
Posted by: Andrew | August 19, 2008 at 05:39 PM
Congratulations Helen,
Can't say I'm surprised as I remember your early efforts while still at school. I'm so pleased that you have had the courage to follow your dream and now it is coming true.
Margo
Posted by: Margo Bimler | August 20, 2008 at 09:58 AM
Congrats!!! You're on your way....!!!
Posted by: Chris | August 20, 2008 at 08:51 PM