Read Portions of the Ouroh Trilogy Online
filed in Book Cover Illustrations and Artwork on Aug.06, 2012
Before I created the cover illustration for Thomas D. Bryson’s Ouroh trilogy, the author asked me to read his book manuscript (and, yes, paid me a handsome sum for the task).
It was a thick manuscript — actually three whole books — and a daunting read due to the marvelous word play that demands some extra thought in order to be fully appreciated. Think gourmet banquet rather than a fast food snack. But the reading was well worth the extra effort, and after I got into the flow of the story, I found it truly amazing — a bit like Lewis Carol crossed with Monty Python — only with some very serious and moving elements as well.
There is a progression with the first story being mostly light and surprising, and the story then developing in a surprising way with the two books that follow becoming more serious and the action riveting with battles that ultimately end with both tragedy and joy. It’s an amazing accomplishment for any author, and Bryson hits all the right emotional chords to produce everything from out-right laughter to tears when some of the most unhuman (yet so likeable) creatures meet tragic ends
A large section of the Ouroh trilogy can be read online at Google Books.
My advice: Try it, you’ll like it.
Amazon.com offers the print version of Ouroh as well as the Kindle version of Ouroh.
Barnes & Noble also offers print and Nook versions of Ouroh.
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August 6th, 2012 on 1:20 pm
Another absolute cracker of a cover Duncan. :)
August 6th, 2012 on 3:08 pm
Thanks, Jack. Always appreciate your kind words.
August 12th, 2012 on 10:26 am
Yes, you did extremely well in capturing the author’s intent. The innocent Queen of Ouroh in the foreground being shadowed by the Princess of the Sinewah, portrays the conflict between the two powerful women. The Sinewah’s hand flowing to form a sword hints at the assassin nature of the shape shifters.
I can see that paying a cover-artist is necessary to understand the work in order to utilize the full ability of their creativity. Even though it is an added expense, paying an artist to read the work is as fundamental as granting the artist the freedom to do what they do best. The novelist’ input should be considered but should never interfere. Novelist are novelist and artist are artist! If a novelist is an artist they would present their covers i.e. not need professional services.
August 12th, 2012 on 1:08 pm
Oldman: Thanks for the input and kind words. Wishing you a great week, and much success.