Through Kestrel’s Eyes: Book Two of Earth’s Pendulum
by Yvonne Hertzberger
Genre: Old World, Epic Fantasy
Approximately 110,000 words
Through Kestrel’s Eyes, the sequel to Back From Chaos in the Earth’s Pendulum trilogy begins seventeen years later. The peace that followed the end of the Red Plague is shattered when the lords of Gharn and Leith are toppled by traitors, throwing the land into chaos.
Liannis, the goddess Earth’s seer, her apprenticeship interrupted by the death of her beloved mentor, must help restore the Balance. Until it is, Earth’s power is weakened, preventing Earth from sustaining the rains needed for good harvests. Drought and famine result.
Liannis battles self-doubt, the lure of forbidden romance and deep, personal loss as she faces tests that take her to the brink of her endurance.
But Earth sends a kestrel to befriend her that allows Liannis to ‘see’ with her eyes when her own do not tell her what she needs to know, and a vain, white horse to carry her, both with the ability to mind-speak.
The people with starve if Earth cannot heal from Chaos and the Balance cannot be restored. Time is short.
This book is available from Amazon, Smashwords, and Barnes & Noble.
Yvonne, how did you come up with the title for your book? Does it have any special meaning?
The series title “Earth’s Pendulum” denotes the idea that history tends to swing from chaos to balance and back again, partly depending on the actions of people. “Through Kestrel’s Eyes” is named for the falcon that befriends Liannis and allows her to ‘see’ with her eyes when Liannis’s own sight is limited.
Who was your favorite character and why?
While only minor, I love the character of Cloud, the horse with an attitude and the abolity to ‘mind-speak’ with Liannis. She inserts some humour into the book when things get too serious. She’s a bit of a diva.
Does your book have any underlying theme, message, or moral?
The whole trilogy deals with the idea that how we act towards each other, especially in the grand scale (wars, justice and the environment) affect our ability to sustain health and prosperity. In my books the goddess Earth is not all powerful. She depends on the cooperation of people to maintain her strength and thus their health and prosperity.
What would/could a reader or reviewer say about this book that shows they “get” you as an author?
I aim to create strong, real, believable characters that readers can identify with. If they say they care about my characters and want to know what happens to them, then I think I have succeeded.
Give us an excerpted quote from your favorite review of this book:
The author should be proud of her psychologically complex characters that are a joy to read and a world with a depth of her own, that is just as much human as those on two legs walking her surface. I wait on pins and needles for the third book.
Where can people learn more about your writing?
http://yvonnehertzberger.com
Yvonne,
I have enjoyed both of your books mentioned here as your fantasy is realistic. You had me hooked from the start! Best of luck to you in your future endeavors.
Thank you, Bud. I appreciate that a lot.
Sounds great Yvonne, I’ll add to my wish list. 🙂
Thanks. I hope you enjoy it.