Heather’s Bookshelf: Morgan Le Fay Series- Review of Book I: Small Things and Great
Author: Jo-Anne Blanco
Released: 5/4/17; 11/19/17; 12/6/20
Genre: YA Fantasy Trilogy
“The point is to understand that there are many different ways of looking at things. The way you look at something, the way you understand something, and understanding how others may look at the same thing and understand it differently is very important.”
This is a review of book 1 of the Fata Morgana Series. As it is book 1 of a series of 3, I have included the review of book 1 with synopses from the author on book 2 and 3. Do not read past book 1 if you don’t want spoilers!!! “Small Things and Great” introduces us to Morgan, a young girl living a privileged life in a castle with her parents, when a ship crashes on shore.
Four children survive the shipwreck: Fleur, a princess, Safir, a stowaway with experience beyond their years, and a set of twins, Ganieda and Merlin. Morgan’s curiosity leads her down a path to discover her connection to the twins as well as more secrets about herself and her family.
Along the way, Morgan encounters several mythical beings including the goddess Diana. It is through the Huntress that Morgan learns of the origins of her gifts and is assigned her mission to encounter the “small things”.
Trigger Warning: death, religious conflict
Author Synopsis:
Brothers Ambrosius and Uther Pendragon have landed in Belerion with an army raised to fight High King Vortigern. Supporters of the High King gather at Tintagel, seat of Morgan's father the Duke of Belerion, as they prepare for battle. Ominous clouds of war hang over the castle, treachery lurks in the shadows, and rumours abound that Ambrosius is being aided by a powerful dark force from the past ...
Since Morgan's encounter with the Piskies and the Muryans, the faerie tribes have united against her, vowing revenge. Meanwhile, her powers are growing faster and stronger, her dreams and visions more potent. On Samhain night, when the veil between the worlds becomes thin, Morgan resolves to summon Diana the Moon Huntress to her once again, with terrifying and tragic consequences ...
Author Synopsis: In the aftermath of Ambrosius' attack on Tintagel Castle, young Morgan is sent away to the fortress of Dimilioc with her family, friends and tutor. But when bandits ambush their party, Morgan gets lost in the forest with nothing but her wits and her magic powers to rely on.
In her battle for survival, Morgan faces a cruel, hostile world that is suspicious, afraid and jealous of her magic. Silver-tongued faeries who are not what they seem. Vengeful Piskies and Muryans holding her friend Ganieda captive. Angry Giants and Spriggans who have awakened in the earth. And the ever-present threat of Ambrosius and his army, waiting to strike again...
To rescue her friends and outwit her enemies, Morgan must draw upon all her gifts, magic and mortal, in a perilous journey that will test her strength, faith and loyalty to the utmost...
Overall, I found the first book in the trilogy to be intriguing but confusing. I enjoyed the mythos with the references to the Roman goddesses, Piskies, and faeries. The Christian religious references were also interesting but seemed to be a little too abundant especially for the amount that they actually related to the overall storyline. I also really enjoyed the beginning of the book, the mystery of what was happening, and the comradery of the kids. But halfway through the book I found it very hard to believe that these were 5 year old’s and found the section involving the Morgan and Merlin’s trek into the small things realm a bit drawn out. The ending was also a little confounding as the story does come to an end while also setting up for the sequel, but it just felt a little too redundant. There is a little mystery at the end about Morgan’s purpose and meaning to Diana that makes me intrigued to read more.
I received a copy of this story in exchange of a fair and honest review.
OVERALL REVIEW:
A story filled with interesting mythos and religious stories. Unfortunately, the actual events within the tale fell flat.
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