Review of The Verona Trilogy, by Lory S. Kaufman

The Verona Trilogy(new covers)

Product Details

• Title: The Lens and the Looker
• Author: Lory S. Kaufman
• Series:The Verona Trilogy
• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Fiction Std (March 16, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1936558025
• ISBN-13: 978-1936558025
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 9 inches 
• I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

 

Book 1:The Lens and The Looker Book Description

It’s the 24th century and humans, with the help of artificial intelligences (A.I.s) have finally created the perfect post-dystopian society. To make equally perfect citizens for this world, the elders have created History Camps, full sized recreations of cities from Earth’s distant pasts. Here teens live the way their ancestors did, doing the same dirty jobs and experiencing the same degradations. History Camps teach youths not to repeat the mistakes that almost caused the planet to die. But not everything goes to plan.

In this first of a trilogy, we meet three spoiled teens in the year 2347. Hansum almost 17, is good looking and athletic. Shamira, 15, is sassy, independent and an artistic genius. Lincoln, 14, is the smart-aleck. But you don’t have to scratch too far beneath the surface to find his insecurities.

These three “hard cases” refuse the valuable lessons History Camps teach. But when they are kidnapped and taken back in time to 1347 Verona, Italy, they only have two choices; adapt to the harsh medieval ways or die. The dangers are many, their enemies are powerful, and safety is a long way away. It’s hardly the ideal environment to fall in love – but that’s exactly what happens. In an attempt to survive, the trio risks introducing technology from the future. It could save them – or it could change history.

 Product Description

Title: The Bronze and the Brimstone

Author: Lory S. Kaufman

Series: The Verona Trilogy

Published: June 7th, 2011

Publisher: The Fiction Studio

Pages: 336 (paperback)

I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Book 2: The Bronze and the Brimstone Book Description

What could go wrong in the 14th-century

for three time-traveling teens?
How about – EVERYTHING!

Hansum, Shamira and Lincoln, three teens from the 24th-century, are trapped in 14th-century Verona, Italy. They’ve survived many deadly experiences by keeping their wits about them and by introducing futuristic technology into the past. Principal among these inventions is the telescope, which brought them to the attention to the rich and powerful.

But standing out can get you into unexpected and dangerous situations. The nobles of Verona now believe Hansum is a savant, a genius inventor, especially after he brings them plans for advanced cannons and black powder. Being the center of attention is great, but the potential for trouble is now exponentially greater because people are watching Hansum’s every move.

Meanwhile, artistic genius Shamira has fallen for a Florentine artist with bloody and disasterous consequences. Lincoln, considered an incompetent back home in the 24th-century, has blossomed – at least until he’s shot in the head with an arrow. And Hansum, after secretly marrying his new master’s beautiful daughter, Guilietta, is offered the hand in marriage of lady Beatrice, daughter of the ruler of Verona. To refuse could mean calamity for all the teens.

Amazingly, none of this is their biggest challenge. Because a rash illness is spreading across Verona – and it is threatening to consume everyone.

Do they have a future in this past?

Product Description 

Title: The Loved and the Lost

Author: Lory S. Kaufman

Paperback: 332 pages
Publisher: Fiction Std 

Series: The Verona Trilogy
Language: English
ISBN-10: 193655853X
ISBN-13: 978-1936558537

I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

 Book 3: The Loved and the Lost Book Description

A QUEST FOR LOST LOVE.

AN ADVENTURE OF MANY LIFETIMES.

They are three 24th-century time travelers desperate to return to 14th-century Verona and reclaim their medieval family’s shattered lives. It is a mission fraught with danger and the risk of unexpected consequences for themselves and their worlds. For all three, it is a matter of the heart. For one, though, it is truly the only thing that matters, as the fate of his eternal love and the life of their unborn child is the prize to be won – or lost forever.

In this, the final book of The Verona Trilogy, Hansum, Shamira and Lincoln go on the boldest adventure of their lives. They will face hardship, tragedy, and threats from sources they couldn’t have imagined – all in an effort to wrestle a future from the steely grip of an unforgiving past.

My Review of The Verona Trilogy:

Could anything be better than a combination of three of my favorite genres...fantasy,sci-fi, and historical? Well, this is what you are going to find when you read The Verona Trilogy. The part of the series I love the most is the time travel aspect. Anyone that reads my reviews know that I love time travel books. I love the unique way time travel is presented. 

At the center of these books are the History Camps that the elders have created in this perfect post-dystopian society. At the History Camps, youths are sent there to live as their ancestors did and learn the lessons from the past that almost destroyed the planet. Talk about a history lesson coming to life. This concept totally fascinated me! The problem is, in the first book, The Lens and the Looker, something goes terribly wrong with the History Camp that three teens, Hansum,Shamira and Lincoln, are sent to. The first book was good as the characters are introduced and we get to know them. But, to be perfectly honest, this book was only "good" for me, and the second book was "better" and the third book was the "best"! What a great complement to the author, in that his series, and writing, kept getting better and better. I can't tell you how many series I read that knock it out of the park in the first book, and everything kind of goes downhill with the rest of the series; NOT the case here with The Verona Trilogy. The characters grew, their voices became stronger, the action became more intense, and yes, even the romance was kicked up. I also noticed that the introduction of new characters throughout the series also made the storyline richer.

If I had to pick a favorite character...hmmm...this is hard, but I can't help but absolutely love Hansum. All of the original characters grow and mature throughout the series, but I feel that Hansum makes the most changes for the better. There is also a twist at the end that actually made me cry a little. You will love the ending!! It was one of the more satisfying endings I have read in a long time. I highly recommend this series to teens and adults (Lory Kaufman says he writes for readers 13 to 113, (and precocious 12-year-olds) This is borne out by the fact that about half the readership of the series is adult.) that want to read a fascinating series, that will not only entertain, but also educate.

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I chose one of my favorite excerpts from book 1 to share with you. Enjoy!!

Excerpt
Hansum clamored up the forested steep hill, his heavy horse crashing through the underbrush.

“Slow down, Master Hansum,” Pan whispered. “You don‟t want to get too far ahead of Lieutenant da Silva. He has a weapon, in case we catch up to Feltrino.”

“I have every intention of catching up with Feltrino,” Hansum replied. “Damn. I should have taken that dead man’s sword.”

“You should have done no such thing,” Pan whispered, speaking angrily for the first time since Hansum had known him. “Sword training at a History Camp in our time is no preparation for here. Prince Feltrino is a trained killer. We’ve seen his handiwork.”

It was hard slogging, going uphill in the virgin forest. Suddenly, Pan shouted in Hansum’s ear.

“Stop! Here’s his trail. See the broken branches? Look, two sets of hoof prints. Get off the horse and let me spectral analyze the decay of those crushed leaves to see how far we’re behind.” A minute later, Pan said, “These plants were trampled 25 to 30 minutes ago. Have da Silva go up the hill another five minutes and move parallel to us. When Feltrino realizes we’re close, he’ll go uphill to hide.”
Hansum related this to da Silva, and then added, “We must be very careful that Guilietta is not harmed.”

“My orders are to retrieve the device that brings images closer, Signor,” the soldier said. “I was told the girl is of no great concern.”

“That damned telescope!” Hansum thought. “That’s all Podesta della Scalla really cares about.” But Hansum realized that he must be pragmatic and not dwell on things he had no control over. He just stared at the man for a moment, then motioned him to move on. Hansum and Pan then continued, slowly, allowing da Silva time to get into position.

“Two sets of tracks indicate Feltrino probably still has Mistress Guilietta,” Pan said, as they started back on the trail. “The 24th-century topographical map I have in my memory is still most probably valid. At the end of this ridge, the ground will still slope downward as we approach the Po River.”

After almost an hour, Pan whispered, “Stop!” The imp then appeared, about quarter size, on the back of the horse’s neck. Peering over its crown, Pan cocked his head and one of his now-longer ears turned into a brass hearing tube. “In the distance, about 500 meters,” he said out loud. “I hear two horses moving away from us. It must be them.” Without hesitation, Hansum slapped the horse’s reins and kicked him to start cantering. “What are you doing?” Pan cried, his image gripping onto the horse’s mane, like he was holding on for dear life, his time-changed red butt bouncing up and down.

“Going after him,” Hansum said through gritted teeth.

“And then what?” Pan challenged, his image continuing to bounce. “What will you do when you catch up?”

Hansum pulled back on the reins. “I’m not saying don’t approach him,” Pan scolded. “Let’s just agree on a plan.” They talked for a minute, Hansum looking anxious.

“Fine,” Hansum finally said. “I’ll try to do what you say. Come on. Let’s not get too far behind.” Pan hid back in his lamp and Hansum continued for about five minutes, making more noise than he needed to. They wanted Feltrino to hear them coming, so he would hide and give the other soldiers time to catch up. But if Feltrino came after Hansum, he was supposed to turn and run.

“Slow down to a walk,” Pan whispered. “I perceive he has stopped, about 300 meters ahead. I can scent the two horses.” A hundred meters more and Pan told Hansum to stop. “I sense slight motion in a thicket 200 meters away, a bit uphill. Now is the time to do what we agreed.”

Hansum gulped. What happened now determined whether Guilietta would remain safe.

Click below for story synopsis and excerpts:
The Lens and the Looker
The Bronze and the Brimstone
The Loved and the Lost
If you would like to read the Back Story behind the series read what the author has to say...

The background behind the futuristic worlds you’ll find in

The Verona Trilogy

Most futuristic novels don’t give you the back story of their civilizations. They just plop the reader into the middle of the characters’ lives and start the story rolling. The writer lets readers infer much of how the civilization works from what happens around the characters. I do pretty much the same thing. After all, it’s the characters and the story that is important, and the quality of its telling. But behind the scenes, writers of future fiction have to work out a general history for their world to rationalize why things are the way they are. But, I thought, why not share the back story? Some readers might find it interesting. That’s what follows here.(Go HERE to read about it)

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Author Bio

“I write Post-Dystopian fiction. After society’s collapse, which is imagined in so many great dystopian stories, humans will either fade into history, with the dinosaurs, or, if it learns the right lessons, society will go on to construct a civilization to last tens of thousands of years. The LENS and the LOOKER, and all my History Camp stories, are the exciting adventures of young people doing the latter.”
-Lory Kaufman

On the artistic side of Lory’s career, he’s written, acted and directed children’s theatre and musical theatre. He enjoys art, especially sculpture. He loves science fiction and historical fiction and he has been deeply involved in the green movement all across North America. All this shows through when you read his work. Lory has three grown children and works and lives in Kingston, Canada.

To learn more about The Verona Trilogy and author Lory S. Kaufman you can go to his website,and face book page.