Review
Diane Donovan, Midwest Book Review
The Refuge is Book 1 of a trilogy by the same name, and is a political fantasy that will especially appeal to readers looking for something different and more detailed via its examinations of war, peace, and authority. The prologue introduces Jude, who is aboard an old ship sailing the Physis Sea. It's been a long voyage on the Refuge: "It felt as if he'd lived lifetimes in the two years they'd been away. Proof of it etched permanently into the creases around his eyes. It was nothing like he'd thought it would be. Thoughts badgered him about what it would have been like if they'd never left, mocking his reach for a life that might somehow matter..."
The next chapter comes from the unusual perspective of two mothers - friends who have long awaited the return of their children from seafaring adventures. As it moves back and forth in time and experience, the contrast between war, civilian life, and managing the boatloads of orphans who are a casualty of conflict represents an intriguing glimpse into Jude's origins and the foundations of a war that changes everything it touches.
Ford does not let the issues rest with either leaders or fighters alone. The contrast between perspectives of both brings the roots of conflict and the choices involved to life. What happens when conflict becomes an intrinsic part of daily life, but its roots have been forgotten over a vast expanse of battles and time? One forgets the 'why' of the battle, and so it becomes habit without justification.
The Refuge raises many questions about conflict, heritage, life goals, and the meaning of life. It contrasts fantasies, realities, and the process of rebuilding and tearing apart nations and hearts. Ford's astute hand to detail injects a disparate group of characters with realistic historical and emotion-driven purposes as women strive to be queens and men become "tired of the way it tempted [him] to feel." Where is home? "He felt paralyzed. No king. No isles. No home. The devastation he sat in was the very picture of his life."
The social and political dilemma each character faces requires them to change from over a century of status quo, creating a vivid read that returns personal impact into political decision-making processes. Yes, The Refuge is a vivid survey set in a fantasy realm that will, of course, attract fantasy readers. But the heart of many of its social and political inspections should not escape notice by discussion groups surveying long-term conflict and its habits, rituals, and psychological impact, either.
Libraries strong in fantasy and political inspection will find The Refuge an inviting standout from the usual fantasy kingdom story.
Jaylynn Korrell, Independent Book Review
An exciting expedition and the hope for a better world.
The Refuge is the first of a trilogy created by N. Ford. It brings a variety of people living in different territories to light, whose realities differ as drastically as their causes. If this first book is any indication of the stories to come, this world is not going to disappoint.
Here, you can witness the transformation of a royal-born young man, the expedition of two lifelong friends and a common love interest, and a war hero intent on keeping his land safe from enemies. And that's just the tip of the iceberg. Get ready to be immersed in an escapist story you won't want to leave.
Physis is a complicated world, in the best sense of the word. Each territory is filled with their own unique groups of people who feel immense loyalty to their land and each other. While some places, like the Diamond Isles, are filled with an elitist group of fair-skinned people, other places, like Zoar, are accommodating and open to people of different races, opting to take in the wounded found of the seas during the war. The people of Physis all feel they have a noble cause to fight for, though it differs from place to place...
The Refuge's structure reminds me of the Game of Thrones series. While there is one big world, many stories are being told simultaneously in different places. And because it's so well written, it's not hard to keep track of everyone.
The world of Physis is intricately detailed, well thought-out, and intense. Each character shines in their point of view chapters, and the story doesn't miss a beat. That, mixed with Ford's effortless writing style, create a story that I couldn't come up with a single critique.
Ford invents lovable characters who experience a wide spectrum of events and emotions. They keep you guessing and drop major plot-bombs on you when you'd least expect it.
If you pick up this book, just know you're going to need the next installment.
K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
The Refuge is a work of fiction in the fantasy, action, and drama subgenres, and it serves as the first installment in The Refuge Trilogy. Written for the general reading audience, the work was penned by author N Ford. This conceptually-rich tale holds up a mirror to our society's divisive social issues by taking us away to a fantasy world - Physis - where centuries-old borders have been drawn between different territories and the races who live within them. The plot follows a group of new thinkers who would like to shake off the old ways in favor of something more harmonious, and we see how they are met with difficulty along their path of discovery.
Sometimes, we need to step into a space of fantasy and make-believe in order to process and learn something about our own reality, and that's the beauty of this clever and concise novel by author N Ford. The glorious descriptive quality of the different lands and cultures of Physis shows us a great juxtaposition between the attitudes of the people and the potential they possess to become one beautiful, unified land. I really enjoyed how this was woven naturally into the dialogue and the scenes that further the plot rather than being a big prosaic discussion. The character development was well achieved to make everything so relevant and emotive. Overall, I would highly recommend The Refuge to any fantasy reader seeking an adventure that is also serious, poignant, and meaningful. It's a book I'll remember for a long time after closing the cover.
