The Okal Rel Universe in evolution and in the world.

 

Part 5: Far Arena of the Okal Rel Saga is listed in the Winter 09 Edition of Prarie Books Now a publication of the Manitoba Book publishers association.

Labels: Part 5: Far Arena

posted by Lynda at 12:34   0 comments permalink comment? e-mail lynda@okalrel.org 0 comments links to this post

 
Feedback on reception of Part 5: Far Arena as the associated discussion questions I provided for it, by my cousin Kathleen's book club in the lower mainland.

---

My book club was amazed to have an author in the family with book club questions. We had a great time with the book! Two feedback comments from them to you

1. They really feel the story would be well served as a TV program
2. In the book, by starting mid-way thru the series, they would recommend: a genealogy of the main families; a map and a glossary.

Thank you again for making this book so much fun for us. We really enjoyed it!

Love Kathleen

Labels: book club, Part 5: Far Arena

posted by Lynda at 11:29   0 comments permalink comment? e-mail lynda@okalrel.org 0 comments links to this post

 
Many thanks to library director Kathy Plett for her September 24, 2009 post about Part 5: Far Arena on the College of New Caledonia's Library Blog.

Labels: Kathy Plett, Part 5: Far Arena

posted by Lynda at 07:04   0 comments permalink comment? e-mail lynda@okalrel.org 0 comments links to this post

 

Ronald Hore's review of Far Arena, Part 5 of the Okal Rel Saga, is up on CM Magazine.

Ronald recommends the book, adding: "If you are a fan of the series, Far Arena advances the complex plot another step."

My favorite bit of his review is: "Far Arena is not your standard Space Opera, with large explosions on every page and ray guns blazing in all directions. The well-written story is character-driven and investigates the social problems that can arise. There are larger than life characters, but they are humanized by having to deal with their own personal problems as well as the larger affairs of their empires. "

Labels: CM Magazine, Part 5: Far Arena, Review

posted by Lynda at 19:47   0 comments permalink comment? e-mail lynda@okalrel.org 0 comments links to this post

 


Just notified of the review on Amazon book sites, reproduced below, by SF author and physicist Mark Shegelski.

---

Source: Review on Amazon.ca


Far Arena is my first read in the Okal Rel Saga, the fifth book by Lynda Williams in her series. My decision: I want to start the series and read all the books! Although new to Okal Rel, it was easy for me to see why the books are so popular and highly praised. Williams has the rare ability to develop her characters, show us the story, maintain tension, and do all three at the same time. The characters are deep and intricate. The story moves quickly; the pages keep turning. The universe is unique and developed in impressive detail. I found the conclusion of the book to be very satisfying, leaving me wanting to read the previous books. The final chapter of the book is compelling. It told me more about the intriguing character Di Mon, and I could not help wondering how things all began. If you've read one or more of the previous books in this series, you'll love Far Arena. And if, like me, this is your first dip in, you've got five guaranteed good reads waiting for you. You can't go wrong with Far Arena.

---

Mark is one of the people in the PhD category of readers who have turned on to the Okal Rel saga. I especially love the diversity of those who like my work, because it confounds the typical market-speak that used to demoralize me. What do a PhD physicist, middle-aged women, IT industry gurus, a computer scientist, a pastor with a PhD who lectures on comparitive religions, a library director, eighteen-year-old male university students, Terrace high school students of both genders, a handful of working poor of the starving artist variety, masters students, SF geeks, 'mainstream' readers, a book-crazy 12 year old, and young women in Prince George high schools who like the ORU have in common? They are intelligent, creative people who respond to characters with ambition, flaws, serious problems and real ethical dilemnas about how to deal with it all without becoming monsters or losers. No matter what you put in a book, it is the quality of the reader that determines whether it will "work" in the theatre of the mind. Readers who share Mark's taste will doubtless enjoy his book Remembering the Future. I've read half of it and put it down somewhere. Grr. Need to find it soon to be in a position to review it properply. It is published by the one and only Dr. Dee Horne of ScrollPress.

Labels: Mark Shegelski, Part 5: Far Arena, Review

posted by Lynda at 11:45   0 comments permalink comment? e-mail lynda@okalrel.org 0 comments links to this post

 


Catherine has up a facebook album of action shots from the Pan-Demish Tournament staged at the launch for Part 5: Far Arena, Jul 2, 2009, at the Prince George Public Library.

Labels: Book Launch, Catherine T. Vogt, Part 5: Far Arena

posted by Lynda at 23:19   0 comments permalink comment? e-mail lynda@okalrel.org 0 comments links to this post

 

Now and then I just have to share Catherine's comments on facebook, especially when she's reading a book. I've also enjoyed text messages from Krysia as she reads through Part 5: Far Arena, but those are harder to snip and show. :-)

Labels: Catherine T. Vogt, Part 5: Far Arena

posted by Lynda at 23:02   0 comments permalink comment? e-mail lynda@okalrel.org 0 comments links to this post

 
Fun launch last night! Thank you one and all who attended. We'll get some pics up soon. Here's a couple missives from those who didn't make it and wanted to:

"I am flying to Miami tomorrow, and I return end of July. I will miss
another launch. And I LOVED Far Arena! Ann's pregnant!! I love Perry
D'Aur's observation about Ann's understanding of Gelack culture. Horth
negotiating trade agreements, Dorn Earth ambassador, and Amel finally
ending the past for Erien and Ranar. I loved it, loved it."
- Elizabeth Woods

"While I am quite sure that we are not able to make it today I am more than happy to help you out with any future events if at all possible ... I hope that your thing goes well today!"
- Ash Larsen (Society for Creative Anachronism)

Also heard recently from ORU reader Rémi Després-Smyth who I will be sending a review copy of Part 5: Far Arena. And will be looking at Opus 4 work this weekend. Spoke with Opus 4 editor Sheila Flesher at the launch last night and introduced her to the two PG authors attending the launch. Oh, and ran into a contact of Elizabeth's in Quiznos yesterday who saw me reading Far Arena out loud to Tegan and said "I've read that book, it was good!". Turns out he's going to be teaching math and science in PG and is a sci fi fan. New contact met last night is Tyler, a reporter who is starting up a new journal for downtown distribution...if memory serves. Also renewed my acquaintance with John Bell of CFIS's story tellers program and was delighted to have Ann Tiffany and Jacklyn Baldwin among the attendees at the launch. Not to mention Catherine's Finnish contact and the young neighbour she's been telling me about. Nicole K. won the Pan-Demish Tournament. Nathalie Mallet won the "over 20" class which I figured is sort of a like the nobleborns. The McGees (Weston and Nicole) turned out and were game about wearing capes and taking part in the tournament. Much, much thanks to the usual suspects for setup and take down! Krysia, Angela, David, Tegan, Catherine! And to Margaret Johnson of Friends of the Library.

Labels: Elizabeth Woods, Part 5: Far Arena

posted by Lynda at 07:46   2 comments permalink comment? e-mail lynda@okalrel.org 2 comments links to this post

 
Many thanks to CKPG, Tegan Lott and Krysia Anderson for interview which ran on TV last night and is available on the internet (click the image or title of this entry). Launch for Part 5: Far Arena will be held tomorrow night, July 2, at the Prince George Public Library. Drop in at 6 pm for some sword training and to browse the art show. Short program to be held at 7 pm followed by the Pan-Demish Tournament where participants will compete for book prizes.

Labels: Book Launch, Part 5: Far Arena, Prince George Public Library

posted by Lynda at 15:04   1 comments permalink comment? e-mail lynda@okalrel.org 1 comments links to this post