Calya Journey-Wise

The Keeper of the Realms (Volume 1)

Fiction - Fantasy - General
337 Pages
Reviewed on 05/21/2012
Buy on Amazon

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Author Biography

Catherine Avizinis lives the Magickal Life about which she teaches and writes.

A life-long Mystick, she is the author of the Calya Journey-Wise series of books, the developer of the Calya Journey-Wise Metaphysical System and Color Aroma Aura Line, and the Old-Earth web site.

She has lectured at Holistic Health events, Women's Circles, Women Wise Conferences, and has maintained her own Intuitive Counseling and wellness practice for years.

Journey Guide and teacher to many, she designs and crafts gemstone art, wands, and jewelry but most of all loves to write Magickal epic-fantasy fiction.

Catherine has been married to her husband, Jim, for over 36 years, has 3 wonderful sons and, at this time, two beautiful daughters-in-law. They have all lived a simple, natural life in a woodland cottage at the edge of Old-Earth. Music, Comfort and Joy have always filled this family.

Learning the Old Ways from parents, grandparents and other local characters, her life is deeply rooted in the Magick of Nature and she writes of beauty, kindness, comfort and joy.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Robin Clark for Readers' Favorite

The Calaithian people are kind, proud, hardworking people. Many walk blindly through the Kingdom of Moeth without remembering or knowing of the Kingdom they walk on, a kingdom not of this world: Hammeril. It is said that a thousand years has passed since the magickal gate between the two worlds was closed because of the jealousy and hatred that had grown between those with the gift of magick and those without. A war waged for two hundred years after that day — waged by the citizens of Calaith and the few aMaun people from Hammeril who had vowed to stay in the Kingdom of Moeth to help those they had come to love and to keep alive the memories so that one day the gate could again be opened. All Calaithians are given a life’s work — a vocation, something each is deemed to do according to their signs of election: a scribe, musician, cook, warrior. It seems all around Princess Calya-Tril have their vocations except her. Thirty-four years old and unmarried, she is considered an old maid. What will her life be but a waste? The day comes about, however, when she is found to be The Seeker—The One Who Is Found - the very one who is forged to open the gate between the two worlds and restore magick to the Kingdom of Moeth. Will she be strong enough to do this for the Kingdom she loves?

I enjoyed this book from the beginning to the end. I am left in a state of restless anticipation for the next installment, for surely there will be more. The author uses such descriptive words that you can feel yourself in each magickal realm, smell the scents of the home fires burning and want to be upon the beautiful unicorns with crystal horns. You want to be shimmering from realm to realm in search of your magickal consort, your one true heart. Two thumbs way up to Catherine L. Avizinis for her eloquently written story of life’s journeys and choices, and to her ability to transport the reader to the magickal world of Hammeril.

Anne B.

"Calya Journey-Wise: The Keeper of the Realms" by Catherine L. Avizinis transports the reader to lands we can only visit in our fantasies. Our tale begins with two kingdoms; neither knew the other existed until the King of Hammeril opened the gate. The Calaithians were much like the readers of this book. They worked and lived their life with pleasures and distresses. The other realm was aMaun. The aMaun had magick, which allowed them to be masters of their own lives. It was important to them to practice compassion and fairness.

I love a good fantasy novel and this one certainly did not disappoint me. The author has successfully woven a tapestry with threads of magic, romance, and adventure all into one powerful tale. The story centers on Princess Calya. She and four friends, Dithero, Dourstan, Nonn, Trelania, live in the land of Calaith, where Calya was declared the One who would restore the magic that was lost in their land long ago. The journey-quest brings self-awareness to the princess; she discovers she has the courage she needs to accomplish the task. There is a map at the beginning of the book showing the realms of Hammeril. The descriptive writing projected the images into my mind. The characters are well developed and appealing. The plot is engaging and quickly captured my attention. I eagerly await the next book in this series. Please MS Avizinis don’t make me wait too long!

Sylvia H.

Princess Calya-tril of the Kingdom of Moeth and her four friends are chosen to go on a journey quest, for they are the chosen ones, the Five Who Seek to restore the magic that was lost a long time ago. And by doing this, The Chosen Five will be able to fulfill a prophecy that states if the journey is successful, they will be the ones that will restore the magic that was lost to both worlds of Calaith and Hammeril. By fulfilling the prophecy, Calya and her friends will be able to reopen the Gate between the two worlds and restore peace in the entire Kingdom and in the realms of Hammeril. Her loyal friends Dithero, the Kingdom Scribe, Dourstan (Doorstop) the talented music maker, Nonn, the great warrior and the protector of Calya and the dear spiritual advisor and friend Trelania, all accompany Calya on the journey quest to help restore the magic lost. With the aid of her friends, and with the knowledge and the guidance of the magical Calya Journey-Wise Book, Calya discovers what true friendship is, and she discovers that she has the power and the courage to follow her own path and make her own way.

Calya Journey-Wise: The Keeper of the Realms by author Catherine L. Avizinis is a delightful magical fairytale story. I really liked how all of the main characters in her fairy tale were older adults who were knowledgeable and versed in the magical thinking process. They all possessed a willingness to learn all about the magic, and they all were willing to do so in order to restore peace and fulfill the known prophecy. Each of the characters thrived in their given vocation, while each had a certain role to fill. The characters were as strong and lively as the story itself, and each character had a certain flair about them that made this unique fairy tale story interesting, as well as engaging. I enjoyed each chapter in the fairy tale story of Calya, and The Chosen Ones, and was eager to find out how The Five would resolve the current circumstances of the Kingdoms, and restore the magic to each of the different realms. In addition, I thought that the storyline was well written and the use of verse while explaining the magic process conveyed more than what mere words could have done, and made the fairy tale story of Calya’s journey even more enjoyable. I hope author Catherine Avizinis continues the fairy tale saga of Calya Journey-Wise: The Keeper of the Realms for I am anxious to find out what’s in store for Calya and her friends.