The Left Hand of Light Paperback – November 19, 2013

I read a lot and I read a lot of books by new authors as well as seasoned authors. The good one’s usually write a pretty good story with a strong background or ‘story world’ as writers call it. Occasionally a very good author will combine good storytelling, an interesting plot, well developed story world, and give you well developed characters as well. These are your A level books written by A level authors. Tannenbaum and Baldacci come to mind. Most authors never get there, others work their way there.Rarely, an author has all of those elements and also brings that elusive element of excellence in their prose that is the essence of true literature.Christopher Vera is one such author.It is a delight to start a book where the writing is so smooth that you don’t notice it. I was caught up with the characters straight away. While it is tempting to talk about all the characters, I’ll just use one example: Jaylina. But I will tell you these things of the others: Though the shaman was quickly gone, I admired her and her granddaughter. I thoroughly enjoyed Michael, Bellamy and later Afaunakwa as they traveled a very, very, dangerous trail. Whether you like, or dislike the individual, you will have an excellent feel for the complexity and depth of every character in the book.With Jaylina I felt the sadness in the gifts and losses experienced by Jaylina. Her pain was exotic yet so very commonplace and absolutely recognizable that I immediately wanted to be on her side. In just a few short pages early in the story I felt I knew her better than the main character of a 350 page book I had just completed. That feeling of being solidly if not even forcefully on her side continued throughout the book.As a testament to the excellent writing, the situations and responses have the feeling of reality even though many take place in the spiritual realm and the astral plane.

There's a lot to admire about The Left Hand of Light. I always appreciate a story that ties together myths of multiple cultures. I also like good expository writing. And Chris gave me plenty of that.My complaints are few. I think a little more dialogue would have helped cement the characters, helped make them unique. I also found some of the prose a little wordy. But Chris' wordiness is more readable than most, likely thanks to his background in poetry.Clocking in at about 200 pages, I found The Left Hand of Light to be an easy and satisfying read that most fans of speculative interstitial fiction will enjoy. Most of it takes place on an astral plane so the writing is pure creativity. I'd love to see the other realms in the forms of drawings. In fact, the lead character would make for a nice comic series.And the sex these people have is otherwordly. No, seriously, they orgasm into other planes of existence.

What an incredible journey! The Left Hand of Light is poetic, mysterious, ethereal, and just plain wonderful! Unlike anything I've ever read before, this book forces you to release your hold on the material world and enter a world of magic, mysticism, and all-encompassing passion. Vera makes you feel like you're in a dream you don't want to wake from; I can't wait to read his future triumphs!

As a professor of English in the 70's, I started one of the first courses on Fantasy Literature at the college level. 'The Left Hand of Light' is a welcome addition to the genre. In tone and texture, it captures the spirit of a timeless world of shadows and light and depicts the Hero's quest in alluring images and cosmic views of the ancient universe. Vera draws his characters and their surroundings with deft strokes, almost like a series of lithographs in pen and ink. Splashes of light and color accompany the inevitable duel between adversaries of Light and Darkness, and the novel is bathed in the glow of love and romance. Strong female characters complete the novel's mythic landscape. Bracketed by the lore of a catatonic youth whose automatic writing became the source of a 19th century mystery, the novel draws sustenance from the poetic renderings of this mystic writer. Entertaining and compelling, Vera's novel is a worthwhile read.

I hope the author is working on the next story. I fell in love with the characters! I really want to hear more about Jaylina as it is so easy to lose oneself in her adventures. Her trusting, hopeful nature is very comforting even in the story's most darkest hours. What a great tale about energy, mysticism, love and life. Please don't ever stop writing. Jody L. Los Angeles

This story is a beautiful escape for the reader. Each page filled with the imagination and intellect of the author. More than a fantasy or adventure, it is a love story that takes you through the characters fears and expectations while guiding through an incredible journey. I can't wait for Mr. Veras next work.

An amazing book that is both thought provoking and mysterious. Vera takes you on an incredible journey that must be read to fully understand. Add this to your "must read" list for 2014!