Kelpie said:
A book I read two or three years ago and really enjoyed, written by an author I'd never heard of before, and haven't heard anything since (though I would like to):
The Eye of Night by Pauline J. Alama
Kelpie and to anyone else interested, here’s some more info on Pauline and my recollections of the book in broad outline in addition to "other works"
A Summary Of The Eye of Night by Pauline J. Alama
The 2002 novel, The Eye of Night, by Pauline J. Alama, is the author's first book and a stand-alone work.
The story is set in a world that is dying. The source of the world’s woes originates from something called The Troubles that takes the form of ghosts and strange events in nature like wild weather and earthquakes.
The plot revolves primarily around 3 major characters; a crippled prophet Hywn, a beautiful fool, and an ex-priest Jereth, who join forces in order to deliver The Eye of Night, a sacred object a.k.a Skyraven’s Egg to the heart of the so called “Trouble” that appears to be originating in the far north.
The catch is that the egg is ready to hatch but whether it brings about the end of the world and the possible birth of a new one or untold suffering according to the prophecies is THE $64 question.
This story deals quite a bit with religious aspects like Saints and festivals in a world that has two gods and two goddesses. Not altogether surprising as Pauline is a practicing Catholic and fairly religious herself.
The characters, of which there are many i.e. those people our heroes meet in their “quest”, are well drawn and believable and a particular theme focuses on how past actions can have repercussions into the future and beyond. The medieval-type world setting, whilst nothing particularly new is quite well realized.
This is not a traditional sword and sorcery tale but a subtler look at various spiritual themes whilst exploring the human condition especially in the second half where it becomes more introspective w.r.t to the main characters.
The story is basically set in first person narrative through the eyes of Jereth and not bad for a first effort.
What next after The Eye Of Night?
Pauline does not plan to write a sequel to this novel as far as Jereth and Hwyn are concerned, however she does not rule out a later story some time down the track involving other characters like Warfast the Outlaw or Ethwin the Hunter.
HOWEVER, her
next novel The Ghost Bearers she describes as a “tale of two haunted people from different lands who must join forces to save what remains of all they have loved” It’s also set in the same world as the The Eye Of Night, but earlier in history. It’s still being written.
Other pulbished works
She’s also written what she calls a revisionist fairy tale, "Raven Wings on the Snow," published in Marion Zimmer Bradley's SWORD & SORCERESS XVIII.
She’s also published a short story "Home for the Holidays," a satirical look at Santa Claus, her first humorous piece of writing, appearing in “Rotten Relations” by DAW Books, Dec 2004.
I haven’t read either of these pieces yet BUT give me time…
Contact Details
Pauline's email address is as follows for anyone who may wish to make further enquiries:
PJAlama@excite.com
Hope this provides some insights.. 
