Sparks of Lava: CSFF Blog Tour: Blaggard's Moon by George Bryan Polivka

This month we're reading the pirate novel Blaggard's Moon by George Bryan Polivka.

"This is the story of the great battle between the pirates of the

world and the band of merciless men who would purge us from the seas

and make the name Hell's Gatemen a source of terror to us all."

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Thus begins the tale told by Ham Drumbone, a pirate storyteller with a gift

for dramatic detail. It is recalled by Smith Delaney as he awaits a gruesome death

at the hands of ancient beasts called mermonkeys, who are eager to devour his

bones. In the process of remembering, this simple pirate ponders in his always

earnest and often whimsical way the mysteries of true hearts wronged, noble love

gone awry, dark deeds done for the sake of gold, and the sacrifces made for love.

For Ham's story is about Damrick Fellows, the great pirate hunter, who works his way ever closer to the great pirate king Conch Imbry, only to find his focus blurred by his love for the pirate's woman, Jenta Stillmithers.

By the time the tale ends, Delaney must come face-to-face with himself, with his choices, with the power of love, and with a God who promises him both a hell richly earned and a grace given where none is deserved.

A swashbuckling fantasy story for all ages from Emmy Award-winning author

George Bryan Polivka.

To venture further into the Kingdom of Nearing Vast visit http://www.nearingvast.com/

George Bryan Polivka was raised in the Chicago area, attended Bible college in Alabama, then traveled across the seas to Europe where he studied under Francis Schaeffer at L'Abri Fellowship in Switzerland. He then returned to Alabama where he enrolled at Birmingham-Southern College as an English major.

While still in school, Bryan married Jeri, whom he met his freshman year in college, and now his wife of over 25 years. He also was offered a highly coveted internship at a local television station which led him to his first career as an award-winning television producer.

In 1986, Bryan won an Emmy for writing his documentary, "A Hard Road to Glory," which detailed the difficult path African Americans traveled to achieve recognition through athletic success during times of racial prejudice and oppression.

Bryan and his family eventually moved to the Baltimore area where he worked with Sylvan Learning Systems, (now Laureate Education). In 2001 Bryan was honored by the U.S. Distance Learning Association for the most significant achievement by an individual in corporate e-Learning. Bryan is currently responsible for developing and delivering new programs for Laureate's online higher education division.

Bryan and Jeri live near Baltimore with their two teenage children, Jake and Aime.

Author's website

Now since I haven't read Mr. Polivka's trilogy yet I first thought this was a sequel, but I figured out over halfway through that it's actually a prequel to the Trophy Chase Trilogy. But even though I haven't read the trilogy I still followed along pretty well.

The story was strange since we kinda have two different narrators, Delaney Smith (the man currently stuck in the pond surrounded by piranna and awaiting his fate of being dismembered alive by mermonkeys) and Ham Drumbone (the story teller on the pirate ship Delaney was on....before he was stuck out on the pond)

I highly enjoyed the story. (I have a softspot for pirate books/movies)

It was a bit disgusting and gory in parts but with pirates and piranna and mermonkeys how could it not be?

I thought Delaney Smith was funny and pretty sweet guy underneath it all. I was really feeling sorry for him throughout the book.

I thought the ending was very cool and definately wasn't expecting it. Totally awesome!

I'd definately recommend this book for anyone who likes pirates. Even if you don't like pirates it's totally funny so it might make you a fan of pirates yet.

btw, I started reading it to my mom and she even enjoyed it (even though it's kinda violent in some points)

oh and my mom was impressed that Mr. Polivka studied under Francis Schaeffer. (my mom likes Francis Schaeffer's books alot)
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