Official Review: Heima: The Ninth Kostir by S.W. Gunn

ananya92 · Post by **ananya92** » 28 Mar 2015, 08:43

[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Heima: The Ninth Kostir" by S.W. Gunn.]

4 out of 4 stars

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Heima: The Ninth Kostir by S.W. Gunn is a book in the fantasy genre. It follows the story of Daell and Astir on their journey of self-discovery, as they face their destiny and rise up to challenges it has in store for them.

Princess Astir Jofurrsdotter was brought up to become the next queen after her mother and now the time has come for her to take her place. But before beginning her reign, she has to get married and give the people of Heima their new king. The King and the Princess’s husband is chosen through a contest known as the Kostir, where three representatives from the three major cities of Heima, compete for the Princess’s hand and position of the next king. Daell Skeidsson, on the other side of the world, is a blacksmith’s son, who wants to leave his birth town, Andyyri, to explore Heima and go on an adventure. Little does he know the consequences that his trip will have on future of Heima.

The storyline uses several characteristics typical of fantasy literature like the society of Heima being divided into groups based on the elements of nature they can control: air, water, fire and earth. The people belonging to these groups also have certain personality and professional traits attached to their powers. The fantasy world of Heima is interesting with its different races, cultures and creatures. The author has been quite imaginative in building this fantasy world for his readers, which is creative and quite like our fairytales.

It has been quite a long time since I read fantasy fiction where the male protagonist is not unbelievably handsome or perfect in all ways imaginable. Our hero Daell is not the strongest in his clan, he is not the most skilled and he is quite inferior in comparison to the rest of the people in his village. It was a pleasant surprise to read about a hero who is unsure of himself or his abilities but sure about one thing in his life, and that was to travel and venture out.

Our female protagonist on the other hand, is quite capable and perfect in every way possible, yet she too is unsure whether she is ready to assume her responsibilities as the queen of Heima. The parts of the book where Astir is trying to figure out how will she acclimatize her life with a stranger, whether she will make the choice which is right for her and her people and most importantly, whether she should listen to the voice of reason or to her heart, are quite well written.

In this book the author has tried to take the readers back to childhood fables of valor, kindness, the belief that no one is high or low, and that people on the lowest rung of the society can influence the course of history.

It is a simple story which we have read before, but written in a fresh and beautiful manner. The storyline might contain some clichés but author’s execution of this fairytale is superb. I rate it 4 out of 4.

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Heima: The Ninth Kostir
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swgunn · Post by **swgunn** » 29 Mar 2015, 14:52

Hello,

Ananya thank you for the kind review. My name is Shawn (SW) Gunn, aka the author. I am ready and willing to answer any questions that the wonderful members of onlinebookclub might have! Just shoot a reply here or message me.

Sincerely,

S.W.

ananya92 · Post by **ananya92** » 29 Mar 2015, 23:51

Thanks Shawn! The book was wonderful to read.

debo9967 · Post by **debo9967** » 31 Mar 2015, 11:11

It sounds like one of those novels on love and valour in a fantasy world. The novel seems to have an interesting storyline. Nice review.

ananya92 · Post by **ananya92** » 31 Mar 2015, 12:35

Thanks

swgunn · Post by **swgunn** » 31 Mar 2015, 18:01

Thank you very much Debo. That was my intention with Heima. Ananya really caught the essence of Heima very well in her review.

debo9967 · Post by **debo9967** » 01 Apr 2015, 07:17

@ Shawn: I was reading over the internet that this book is a part of a series? How many books are there in the series, if so?

swgunn · Post by **swgunn** » 01 Apr 2015, 07:26

Debo 2 things.. my goal would be to absolutely turn it into a series and honestly after I wrote the one reviewed here I loved it so much I wrote a 2nd book because I myself was curious what happens next. I have plans at this point to go to 4 but if it's popular the ideas flow freely and more could come!

I would also adore input on the matter as well.