Prelude to a Change of Mind

by Robert Stikmanz

Presents a world in which elves and dwarves burst from legend into life. This work blends fantasy, speculative science fiction, and social critique into a call for an imaginative leap of faith in the... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 097407036X
• ISBN13: 9780974070360
• Release Date: February 2007
• Publisher: Dalton Publishing
• Length: 149 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 6.0" x 8.8"

Customer Reviews

Fantastic Sci-Fi with a purpose.

"Prelude to a Change of Mind" is an interesting introduction to a new paradigm. The reworking of elves, dwarves, and yeti does well to flesh them out in a way which makes them more palatable to those who shun the fantastic. An awesomely handled sci-fi with strong fantasy element this book will be enjoyed by many different types of readers. I'm assigning it three to four stars because, though the concept is good and the writing is solid there are places where it seems to drag. Not surprising considering the protagonist is bedridden for the majority of the story. Still, it opens doors and paves a way for something more interesting. It does feel kind of as if this should have been published as a prequel to help fans of a story gain an understanding of everything that led up to the story. Overall, the concept and world are strong. The Story of Meg's recovery is well handled and I found it quite easy to identify with the character drawing me into the book. And, as any good start in a series I am left with far more questions than answer and eagerly await the next to learn what happens next in this world that so well parallels our own.

Prelude to a Change of Mind: The First Book in the Lands of Nod

Meg Christmas is a firewatcher in the isolated forest of the western Sierra. She and her father share the duties and seem to rather enjoy getting away from the rest of civilization. Still, it would seem that such isolation can be dangerous. Or maybe not, perhaps it is the civilization that is the danger. Completely confused and disorientated Meg finds herself waking up to a strange sight. A group of small strange looking beings seem to be caring for her. Evidentially, she is extremely sick, an illness that has taken her father's life. Days pass but as the young girl's health improves her confusion simply increases. She is told by another being, Jack Plenty, who claims to be part Dvarsh, part human, and part Thrm that these tiny beings are Thrm'm (what we humans would call elves). They have all come to her to ask a favor. It is a task that could ultimately save the world from self destruction. Prelude to a Change of Mind was as entertaining as it was thought provoking. I completely enjoyed the fresh creative take on Elves, Dwarves, and Human relations. I also found the tie in to important contemporary social, economic, and environmental issues both fitting and powerful. Completely different than traditional fantasy but all the better for it in my eyes.

Fiction, fantasy and folklore

Reviewed by Regan Windsor for Reader Views (5/07) Meg Christmas awoke on her familiar cot, in the seasonal cabin she shared with her father, but the warbling sounds and the strange beings around her were not familiar. Nor was the horrid ache of the fever that enveloped her. Meg begins to heal, through the powers of the tittering thrm'm (elves) that surround her body, providing nourishment and healing hands. As she floats between consciousness and unconsciousness she tries to sort out the reality she finds herself in. Although she feels safe with these curious little creatures, she is uncertain of the things Jack, a dvarsh (part human, part thrm), is saying to her and is uncomfortable with his high sexual energy, evidenced my the constant stroking of himself as her talks to her. He begins to explain the lineage of the creatures around her including himself, and that evolution-wise there is compatibility. As he then states "when you are more recovered we'll ready to do some serious mixing," she asks if he is planning on raping her. He explains that she misunderstood him, that it is the elves he is referring to and begins to explain how he always messes things up, reassuring her that when his cousin Ekaterina arrives she will be able to explain everything. As Ekaterina begins to explain things to Meg, she begins to feels the burden of their expectations. Drawn to her vibrations, they came foremost to rescue her, secondly to mate (something they can only do in this dimension), and ultimately to fulfill their desire to save the world as Meg knows it. To do so, however, they need to "mix" and Meg presents abilities that make her a prime candidate. Her world was destroying itself, but was she ready to have a baby with an elf (thrm) to help save it? "Prelude to a Change of Mind" is a fascinating tale of dimension-leaping beings on a mission to spread the intellectual, spiritual, and emotional ideals of the thrm'm in order to save the physical world. A combination of science fiction, fantasy, and folklore, it has an intellectual edge that will satisfy a broad range of readers.

felix random reviews stikmanz

Prelude to a Change of Mind r. stikmanz Prelude is a simple tale fusing fable and physics to a Jungian panorama. Meg Christmas discovers the rubber band theory of reality and gets a zen certificate in great massage. Not the least bit lacking in enthusiasm and acrobatic language, mr. stikmanz presents an absorb able and unique world view. Pull up a piece of Duke Ellington; kick back............ felix random