About the book

Written in the epic style of such classics as the Silmarillion and the Iliad, the Tale of Manaeth tells the story of a young princess reluctantly thrust into a position of leadership among her people and faced with a hostile and powerful foreign aggressor. Through much hardship and many savage battles she leads her people to triumph and becomes the foundress of a nation.

As the youngest girl in a family of six, Manaeth is an unlikely candidate for the throne of the Kingdom of Asylia. But when her entire family is murdered by agents of a cruel foreign king, she becomes the heir to the throne and the unexpected source of unity for her scattered and persecuted people. Though desiring peace she is forced to become a sovereign of war, and through fortitude and the shedding of much blood (and the supernatural assistance of a mysterious stag) she labors to free her people from foreign oppression.

Please read the reviews to see what people are saying about this book! Written by a Catholic and a historian, readers will find in this book an uplifting tale of triumph over oppression set in the savage but beautiful civilization of Asylia.

Please be warned, the battle scenes are intense; the book is not for children under age 13.

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Tale of Manaeth can be purchased for $13.95 USD, plus shipping, by clicking on the PayPal button below. Please allow 10-14 days for shipping.

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Reviews

                            

Literary Reviews

"There is mystery, however, epic battles, an echo of ancient times long forgotten, all adding up to a fascinating tale well worth the reading...I really must say that this book is a classic. Well written, with excellent pacing, Phillip has accomplished something remarkable here."

Robert Treskillard

Author of the "Merlin's Blade" series

Click here for the whole review.

"[O]n the whole, I rate this book very highly and recommend it. It is especially good for teenage boys who will appreciate the action and combat. It's a fairly violent book, but the violence is of the epic variety and not gratuitous. The style of the writing is quite different from the typical page-turner prose we often see in modern fiction, so it may take some getting used to, especially for younger readers. But if you enjoy heroic tales of war told with the rhythm and and style of the ancient epics, you will most certainly appreciate Tale of Manaeth."

Tony Schiavo

Arx Publishing

Click here for the whole review.

"When I speak or write on the topic of literature, the one comment I always get is, "I need book ideas for boys!" I've written on this topic countless times and still people ask me, "What are good books for boys?" So, when my friend Phillip Campbell gave his new book to me, Tale of Manaeth, I just knew I'd have to tell you all about it. If you have boys, buy this book. Gosh, if you have girls, buy this book. The boys will love the blood, guts, and gory war scenes. The girls will love the fact that the hero is a girl."

Maureen Wittmann
Speaker, Author, Co-Founder of Homeschool Connections

Click here for the whole review (and here for a similar review).

"Tale of Manaeth is an old school fantasy epic written in the narrative style like the Illiad or Tolkien’s Silmarillion. The scope is not as ambitious as Tolkien’s work in this style, but does cover a period of history around two centuries in a pre-Christian world full of both Pagan virtues and vices...The mythic elements are quite interesting though this is not the standard fantasy world staffed with various races. The best parts are the battle scenes with intricate strategies and memorable warrior characters. The title character is almost a kind of Xena, but without the silliness and a much more serious warrior working against the odds. The style of the book in some ways reminded me of Tolkien Children of Hurin, there is a sadness that envelops the characters — though not as overwhelming tragic as the Children of Hurin..."

Jeff Miller, The Curt Jester

Click here for the whole review.

Reader Reviews

"This is a beautifully written tale of oppression, war and redemption. I was hooked by the fantastic detailed descriptions of landscapes and people within the first several pages. Throughout the book the characters, emotions, battles and every detail of each scene down to the weather come to life through the descriptive narrative. There is growth and change throughout the book, as well as some mystical qualities that made this book riveting as well as fun to read. I was never once bored and had a hard time putting the book down. The book takes you through the whole spectrum of human emotions as a people fights to overthrow their oppressors. This is a book that will be going on my shelf of favorites!!"

Jamie, age 30

"Although the writing is stylistic, it is not particularly dry or difficult to read, and often rather lovely...Tale of Manaeth is very successful at being what it attempts to be - a new contribution to the genre of historical-style epic - and I hope it may find its audience and give them as much pleasure in the reading as the author obviously found in the writing."

Kate, age 27

"I just finished this book. It was a beautiful tale, definitely written in the style of the Greek epics. It will be passed on to my soon-to-be 14 year old to read. This is a definitely keeper in my dwindling library (dwindling by choice.) I appreciate the fine balance that Phillip gives to the heroine's strength of character, and her femininity. She is at once a heroic leader, and a woman of the type we are called to be."

Yvonne, Homeschool Mom

"Mr. Campbell weaves a dense yarn with the Tale of Manaeth. In its brief span, the Tale portrays a rapid succession of utterly serious matters in a distinctly fresh and violent world. Tracing the triumphs and travails of whole peoples, personified by their mythical leaders, Mr. Campbell pays sincere and evident homage to worthy influences including the Old Testament, Tolkien, Homer, and Sir Thomas Malory's Le Morte d'Arthur. The characters' frequent exclamations buoy the gravity of the plot in the manner of Robert E. Howard’s Conan. The author efficiently describes settings, circumstances, and conflicts, inviting multiple readings and the thorough exercise of one's imagination. In short, the Tale of Manaeth is a promising introduction to a burgeoning world. 'By the Beard of Manx!'...the story will continue to unfold."

Damon, age 30

"The Tale of Manaeth is a wonderful story of epic adventure. It is full of engaging characters with varied characteristics –who when taken together form that diverse complimentary band of heroes we as readers of fantasy, mythology, and adventure fiction have come to most eagerly enjoy. The story is driven by monarchial oppression, diplomacy, warfare, international feuds and the determination and unwavering convictions of a heroine of mythic proportions. Clearly Mr. Campbell is well educated in studies of history, politics, tactical warfare and mythology. He has eloquently crafted a very enjoyable read."

Brian, age 29

"The most striking element in Tale of Manaeth is the manner in which it is written. The tenor is epic and feels very organic. From start to finish, Mr. Campbell's tale of courage and triumph over persecution and betrayal (not to mention tremendous odds), is indeed inspiring. The players and the setting are truly unforgetable. This work will definitely satisfy those who have an appetite for adventure."

Bill, age 30

"Readers of the Lord of the Rings or the Silmarillion will find Tale of Manaeth a favorite. With fierce enemies and epic battles, you will be entranced by this author’s illustrious style of writing."

Daniel, age 13

"So many popular fantasy novels that have been published in recent years are not worth reading. Mr. Phillip Campbell has brought forth a work that brings to mind the ancient Greek myths and is seasoned with his own originality. The Tale of Manaeth has been an inspiration to me in some of my own writing, and I find myself eagerly awaiting more chronicles that he has yet to publish."

Christopher, age 15

"Tale of Manaeth is a classic that will be shelved in a place of honor with works of art such as The Silmarilion, The Song of Roland, and the Iliad. The characters are larger-than-life, heroes and villains that you can't help but admire, and the battles are such that you find yourself gripping he pages in rushing excitement, begging the author to make it all end alright, and that not to many heroes will fall in battle.

"The fights are as intense as any movie, and the pictures awakened in your head are as vivid as Narnia or The Lord of the Rings. The plot twists and turns delightfully in unexpected directions, and always, you wait for the turning of the next page. To cap it all, the heroine is the good, pure woman that is so often unshown in today's literature, a warrior queen that fights for freedom from a land bent of conquest. The work is a masterpiece of the archaic format, and beautiful even to the last epic battle. Glorious in the warrior tradition, rich in description and style, Tale of Manaeth is classic that will make your heart beat faster even to the final page."

Daniel, age 16

"The Tale of Manaeth: an epic romance of the kind that one just does not see any more. I look forward to the sequel!"

Ethan, age 16

FAQs

Please feel free to email your questions to: phicampiii@taleofmanaeth.com.

Is this a Christian book?

If you mean, "Is this a Christian book" in the sense that the Chronicles of Narnia are Christian books, then the answer must be no. There is no "Christ" figure in the Tale of Manaeth, nor is there any overt allegory. The Asylians are an obviously pagan people - they have their own myths, religious practices and divinities, as do the antagonists, the Marudans. The natural religion of the Asylians is quite a bit more virtuous and positive than the corrupt and bloody cults of the Marudans, but both peoples are clearly living against the backdrop of a pagan understanding of the world.

Yet, insofar as I myself am a Christian and a devoted Catholic, I'm sure that this Christian worldview has seeped into the plot. There is virtue and vice, with the good obviously good and the bad obviously bad with a few characters in between who go through what can be best termed a "conversion" of heart. This emphasis on virtue, coupled with the few glimpses of the supernatural that are dotted throughout the book, make Tale of Manaeth a work that Christians will feel at home in. It might not be overtly Christian, but there is no way to escape the evident Christian-inspired worldview that stands behind the storyline. There is no moral ambiguity, and the good and the evil are clearly but poignantly presented for what they are.

Is there any sensuality in this book?

No. There are no depictions of sex in this book, nor is there any sensuality or anything approaching sex. It is my belief that modern stories are too often ruined by an innappropriate inclusion of sex and sensualism, or by romantic subplots that bear little connection to the main storyline. The Tale of Manaeth has none of this, though some of the villains in the book do covet the Asylian women because of their beauty. But there is absolutely nothing even remotely close to sexuality in the book.

Why the warning for violence?


Tale of Manaeth is primarily a war epic written in the tradition of the Greek classics; its war scenes in particular are influenced by the Iliad. In writing the war sequences of this book I have endeavored to show the truly brutal nature of warfare, especially war as it would have been experienced in a bronze age culture governed by a dominant class of warrior-nobles. There is violence throughout many portions of the book, but it is not gratuitous nor there just for its own sake - nor does it focus grotsequely on 'blood and guts' like most modern horror films. The violent episodes are meant to bring out the bitterness of the struggle and the cruel and desperate nature of warfare.

Is there a sequel?

A sequel to the Tale of Manaeth has been in the works for some time now. Entitled Paladologies, the next book will tell the stories of Manissa's children and the fate of her house. The text is completely written , edited and formatted as of now (8/17/10) and should be in print as soon as get the last details of the artwork completed. Look for it in September of 2010. The sequel is quite a beast in size compared to the first one: 402 pages (as opposed to 156 for Tale of Manaeth).

Paladologies

Not for the faint of heart...

Paladologies, the long-awaited sequel to Tale of Manaeth, picks up two years after the departure of the great Queen of Asylia and traces the fortunes of Manissa's family through the drama of the centuries. Despite inheriting a unified and powerful kingdom, the sons of Manissa find themselves increasingly the objects of scorn by an entrenched nobility that wants nothing to do with their house, or the mysterious powers that flow in their veins. Punctuated with episodes of glory, tragedy, romance and even comedy, Paladologies carries the reader through the dizzying and often violent series events that bring the house of Manissa from disinheritance and despair to a final restoration and redemption.

The scope of the book is truly epic: Paladologies is composed of over twenty short stories, spanning ten kingdoms and covering a period of nine centuries. This winding tale of glory and battle, tragedy and betrayal features scores upon scores of memorable characters, such as the noble but brooding Baldor, son of Manissa, the innocent Elifanora and the cruel tyrant Sammas. Those with an unquenchable thirst for epic adventure and tales of glorious deeds will find Paladologies a delight, with four maps, illustrations by the author throughout, and an exhaustive index and commentary to help the reader navigate his way through this complex and compelling tale.

Those who loved Tale of Manaeth with find Paladologies both a satisfying sequel and an excellent book in its own right. This book is not for the fans, and not for the faint at heart; do you have what it takes?

Paladologies is 404 pages and contains three maps, five full page illustrations, three appendices and an author introduction. Recommended reading level is age 13 and older for intense war sequences and dramatic elements. $19.95 USD, plus shipping.

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