Sword Story
new fantasy adventure novel The Bone Sword
Kristin Frosch, photos by Andrea Paulseth |
Local fantasy author Walter Rhein has just released his latest epic adventure tale, The Bone Sword, distributed by Rhemalda Publishing, this month.
Known for his engrossing style, Rhein has written several novels, two published by publishing houses and six published independently under a pseudonym. A novel about the American Birkebeiner is also scheduled for release next year. There may even be a sequel for The Bone Sword in the works.
In The Bone Sword, after rising from the swamps of Plaiden, Malik flees to the mountains with two orphan children that possess healing powers. A revolution ensues as Malik is confronted with the evil Father Ivory and The Nightshades. The fate of the free people of Miscony lies in Malik’s hands as the novel builds toward the final battle.
The heroic protagonist, Malik, is inherently “good,” yet as a result of numerous negative circumstances, loses track of his sense of morality. In effort to regain what is irrevocably lost, he seeks support from those he believes to be morally inclined, and follows their lead. Conflicts arise when the actions of these individuals lead Malik to unleash the very facets of his nature he has been striving to repress.
Although the classic fantastical elements are present within the tale, it is the novel’s undercurrents that give substantive meaning to the text.
“My intent with writing The Bone Sword was to create a simple fantasy adventure, but as I progressed with the novel it became quite a bit more complicated,” said Rhein. “The plot is essentially driven by a chase that is pretty much sustained throughout the book; but as I was writing, I found myself becoming more and more interested in the psychology of my characters.”
That being said, themes of morality present in The Bone Sword transcend genre constraints and become more than the typical fantasy novel targeting a stereotypical class of readers.
“It doesn’t matter in the least what genre you put your characters in as long as you have characters who are recognizable and who are dealing with issues that everyone has to wrestle with,” said Rhein. “The genre is more or less the frame the picture hangs in.”
Whether or not readers are true fantasy devourers, Rhein maintains an active fan base, encountering emails and messages on his blog and other social media from eager loyalists. One particularly memorable letter was from a recently divorced mother who found one of Rhein’s novels helpful in reclaiming a lost connection with her teenage son. Rhein acknowledges these comments as the sincerest form of achievement.
“It’s true what they say, that if the things you write help even one person, then they’re worthwhile,” said Rhein.
Although it is generally a compliment to be compared to other highly esteemed authors, Rhein thinks the true compliments suggest a branching away from the styles of traditional literary giants. In reference to one of Rhein’s previous works, a loyal reader mentioned that it reminded her of a Calvin and Hobbs piece.
“Now that’s interesting because a very large component of Calvin and Hobbes is visual, so having something sound like Calvin and Hobbes isn’t a rip-off style,” said Rhein. “Honestly, that was probably one of the best compliments I’ve ever received on my writing.”
Readers looking for riveting fantastical adventure and scholars hoping for philosophical undertones alike will find elements of intrigue in The Bone Sword.
“I hope that they pick it up and find that they have a hard time putting it down,” said Rhein. “Then, when they’ve read the whole thing, I hope that some little phrase or theme from the book kind of nags at them, and 10 years down the road they are compelled to read the book once again. … Most of all, I hope they enjoy it!”
As evident from Rhein’s avid reader loyalty, it is a fair assessment to assume that The Bone Sword will face immeasurable success, and rightly so. Just judging by the epic cover art, it’s sure to lead readers on a fast paced and illustrious quest!
