No matter how much I read, and I read a lot, while I am enjoying a story, I
come up with questions about the backstory. I want to know things like, what is
it in the background of a character that makes them behave the way they do? Or,
what happened in the past of a place to create a particular situation?
I'm sure I am not alone in my curiosity about such matters.
Dreaming of Hope is a new novella in the Star Marked universe
by Justin Doyle. It is a prequel story of the three-book series focusing on a
character appearing in the first of the three books in the series. Dreaming
also shows the plight of the oppressed people of the world through the eyes of
the principal character.
In Embargo of Hope, the first novel, we follow the exploits of Darynn
Mark, a heroic tough warrior who lives by the sword. Dreaming follows
the events before Embargo, following Darynn's best friend, Pavlar
Solia.
I enjoyed this look into the history before Embargo and especially appreciated
the look through Pavlar's eyes. I've read all three installments of the Star
Marked series, and Dreaming fits in very well to fill in some of the
blanks that one might encounter when entering this universe created by the
author.
The world of the Star Marked series works under a class structure
that has various levels. Dreaming of Hope focuses on the plight of the
Olan-Har, the lowest class on the world of Vastire. As such, the people are
forced to find food wherever they can, and those who cannot fend for themselves
go without basic needs, and eventually perish. One young man, Pavlar Solia, has
made it his personal mission to help those who cannot help themselves, often
putting himself in great danger. Fortunately, his best friend, Darynn Mark, is
there to assist, and to watch his back as Pavlar works in his humanitarian
efforts.
It is a constant effort to try to make the lives of the Olan-Har a little
better. It is often a thankless effort, but the rewards for success are great
if one doesn't lose his own life in the work.
Pavlar is a sort of futuristic Robin Hood. He has taken on the unenviable
task of making sure that people in the slums can have it better than he does.
This young man has a selfless spirit that seems to have no bounds. The story
opens with him and his companion, Darynn, securing food from a place that has
so much, and is needed by so many. While they encounter obstacles along the
way, they experience successes and defeats, but always seem to at least escape
with their skins intact.
Pavlar and Darynn are very different people, but they work together very
well and make Dreaming of Hope a fast and fun read. A hero's work is never
done, so there are several adventures for these two, and as the stakes get
higher, so do the risks.
My favorite point of plot in this prequel is how the world is exposed
through the eyes of the principal character, Pavlar. I enjoyed the adventure
while the world building unfolds through Pavlar's eyes. Many owe their
existence to the efforts of this exceptional young man.
My takeaway from Dreaming of Hope is to remember that worthwhile
efforts require an ability to see a problem, have a desire to do something
about it, and finally to take action. Pavlar is an example of persistence and
deep compassion for his fellow citizens of the slums the Olan-Har are forced to
endure.
Justin Doyle is relatively new on the scene, but he has already proven
himself to be an amazing spinner of great Sci-Fi/Fantasy tales. Dreaming of
Hope is the prequel to his trilogy of hero's journey tales in the Star
Marked series. The First full-length novel, Embargo on Hope, and the
story continues in the next two novels, Assassination of Hope, and Betrayal of Hope. This series is full of adventure, suspense, danger, and action.
Lots and lots of action, and well worth a look.
Dreaming sets the stage in a way that will have the reader cheering
for Pavlar and Darynn and rooting for them and their success.
I recommend Dreaming of Hope as an excellent prequel to an amazing
series.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The book that really turned me on to sci-fi/fiction was The Dark is
Rising, by Susan Cooper. After that, the Lost Years of Merlin
series, by T.A. Barron, cemented my love for the genre.
I worked on Embargo on Hope for fifteen-plus years, very much off and
on. It changed a lot in that time, starting with an author who was just barely
18 and struggling in college to a happily married adult with two kids. I
recommitted to the “craft” when the COVID-19 Quarantine hit, devouring
everything I could to learn more about writing.
Now I live in the Houston area with my wife, two daughters, and two giant
dogs.
Well, there it is...
Qapla!
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