Book Review Spotlight - A Bright Power Rising by Noel Coughlan

A Bright Power Rising by Noel Coughlan is one of the more unique books I've read this year.

The novel begins right in the middle of the action. A mother has lost her son in the woods, then finds him, only to discover that he is under the power of the Gilt Spider.

The Gilt Spider persona is woven throughout the story as a fallen angel who ensnares children. Once lost to the Gilt Spider, the children are gone forever. Or are they?

In this novel, elves (Ors) and humans (Stretchers) struggle to survive in a harsh and brutal world. There are religious and political wars that are similar to those in Roman and Christian mythology as well as magic, fantasy, history and prophesy.

Near the end of the book, most questions are answered and things fall into place. The characters mature throughout the course of the story and by the end, I found myself cheering them on - even Garscap, the not-so-likable character.

The author has done a great job in the telling of this story. The plot was believable and the writing was very well done. The only thing that bothered me a bit was that the ending was a tad bit abrupt. But, this was the perfect place to end the first volume of a continuing saga.

Looking forward to more from this very talented author.