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Paracelsus
War is never pretty. It’s a gruesome, deadly instrument used by those seeking something. Whether they seek power, reassurance or a misguided view of peace depends on those orchestrating the show. In Paracelsus by James Powton we see the horrors of an ongoing war of subterfuge and nuclear consequences as it spans nearly fifty-years and the entire world. When does one war end and another begin? These are questions that cannot be answered concretely. Powton uses this as he spins his tale of destruction with the backdrop of the world’s worst atrocities post World War Two. This story begins like several different threads spread out until you delve deeper and see that they are all entwined together into the perfect knot.
It is important to note that the story tells a slightly alternate history to the one that we have been taught in schools. It begins in 1969 and continues on until a time in our very near future. While it seems logical to assume that none of the characters in this tale truly existed, a reader can’t deny that reality is often stranger than fiction. If these characters did or do exist, let us all hope it is not in the same capacity as Powton has had us read.
Think of a world where nuclear weapons have been compartmentalized on a smaller scale to fit inside a briefcase. This unlocks a multitude of possibilities: none of them good. Powton uses this concept to his advantage as he paints a picture of a bloody war that the average person would know nothing about. This is not a war for the television or the media until things go too far. It’s definitely a thrilling ride as you read on, wondering how the characters will be connected in pages to come. Powton wraps all his threads up quite nicely.
There are a few stylistic errors and spelling mistakes that crop up in Powton’s work. The issues are not so substantial that they detract from the story itself. Because the story can be quite complicated it is impressive to see such organization and careful storytelling, which is where the real challenge is.
It is always interesting to read a piece of fiction that uses a real event as a back drop. By looking at past events with new eyes and a different idea of what potentially happened brings such an interesting twist to the history we have all been taught. Paracelsus does just that and takes the events further by covering a time frame in the not-so-distant future. With the world being slightly unstable at the time of writing, it is almost terrifying to think that James Powton’s idea may become a reality. If you are in the mood for intrigue and the blurring of historical lines, this is definitely a tale for you.
Pages: 316 | ASIN: B01MU6S0P5
Interview: Kyri Freeman
Tribulation’s War is about Tribulation’s life through the American Civil War. The story is told with great historical precision. How were you able to capture that time in American history?
In short… hours and hours and hours of research. I read diaries, memoirs, letters, and scholarly studies. I have a MA in History from UCLA, and I found that writing Tribulation’s War involved much more difficult and in-depth, but also much more rewarding, research than anything I did while earning my degree. James McPherson’s books on soldier mentalities, James Robertson’s book on the Stonewall Brigade, Lonnie R. Speer’s book on Civil War prisons, and a whole host of battlefield studies were among the most useful secondary sources.
Tribulation Jones is a character that I thought started simple, but then slowly becomes a fairly complex individual. What was your inspiration for his character?
Tribulation started out as a character in a few “weird Western” short stories that I wrote – which will probably see daylight in a collection eventually. He was sort of the bastard son of Jonah Hex (the graphic novel version) and Barbara Hambly’s character Abishag Shaw. As I wrote the stories, I wanted Tribulation to have a complex and disturbing background. Suddenly I decided to write the story of his past, and he took on a life of his own from there.
The magic and conjuration in Tribulations War all adhere to some strict rules and structure. Where did the origin of these ideas come from and how did it develop for you over time?
Old Woodman’s magical system is a Scandinavian runic system – I figure he brought it over from the ‘old country’ – and then I’ve mixed in Appalachian and Celtic folk beliefs. I wanted the system to remain logical and consistent so that even though some very extreme events take place, nobody has “superpowers” and every action has a cost.
What is your writing background and where do you see your writing career going?
I’ve been writing for most of my life. I have two other self-published novels, Stealing the Sun and The Dark of the Sun, and several more in the works. At this point, I have no plans to quit my day job!
What is the next project or book that you are working on?
I’m currently doing final revisions on A Red Morn Rises, which is the third book of the dark fantasy Sun Saga. That will be available later this summer. In fall, I’ll probably bring out Rider: A Novel, which is an alternate history based around the American Civil War. There’s also a partly written book about Ace, Trib’s friend from the prisoner of war camp, which should see the light eventually.
See Kyri Freemans Amazon author page here.
Disinherited from the throne he believes should belong to his clan, rejected by the woman he loves, estranged from his father and uncertain of his place in a war-torn world, Altir Ilanarion searches for his path. Meanwhile, his kinsmen scheme and plot to overthrow their rival and regain the throne — but all the while, the Liar’s servants lie in wait.
In the second book of the Sun Saga, the People struggle to survive as deadly winter falls upon the world. The High-King Selirien fights to keep his realm alive, even as he faces open enmity, false allies, and his own weaknesses. Altir Ilanarion must make a terrible choice between loyalties. The few who survive the Winter will not do so unchanged.
LITERARY TITAN 