Synopses & Reviews
According to legend, the last king of the Harshini sired a half-human child, known as the Demon Child, born to destroy a god . . . The Sisterhood of the Blade rules Medalon with an iron fist-within the gauntlet of the Defenders, elite warriors sworn to uphold the sisters and keep Medalon free of heathen influence.
R'shiel, daughter of the First Sister of the Blade, has pulled against the short leash of her mother ever since she was a child. Her half-brother, Tarja, is the dutiful son who serves as a Captain in the Defenders. But when they run afoul of their mother's machinations, they must flee for their lives. They soon find themselves caught up in the rebellion against the Sisterhood, though they revile their fellow conspirators heathen belief in the Harshini--a fabled race of magical beings thought long extinct.
But then Tarja & R'shiel encounter Brak, an Harshini outcast, who forces them to face the most shocking fact of all: R'shiel just may be the Demon Child, brought into this world to destroy an evil god.
Review
"Sparkling high fantasy debut."--
Publishers Weekly "Fallon brings a fair quota of wit and a healthy dose of realism ... engaging."--
Kirkus Reviews "This is a good, solid start to what will no doubt be an epic series. Fallon's writing is strong .... Epic fantasy readers will no doubt want to follow this story."--
RT Book Reviews "Characterizations ... are well realized, and the suspense is palpable throughout."--
Booklist "
Medalon is an intriguing, intelligent and fun read with a refreshing take on female characters so often not seen in the genre."--Elizabeth Haydon
"A gripping tale of warring ambitions, politics, and real people. The characters (and even the gods!) spring to vivid, believable life, making Medalon a great read. More, please!"-Ed Greenwood
"[Fallon] has a sweet way with language that draws you in and compels you to read, but it was the whole political set up that intrigued me the most. She paints a very complex system with ease, so that it all comes across simply and clearly. All in all I was impressed with this first novel from a new author and I eagerly await book two."--Altair
"Interesting and likable main characters, intriguing and suspenseful plots . . . Medalon starts off almost immediately with a murder, intrigues and plenty of unknowns which make for suspenseful reading."--Alice News (Alice Springs, Australia)
Review
"Sparkling high fantasy debut."--
Publishers Weekly "Fallon brings a fair quota of wit and a healthy dose of realism ... engaging."--
Kirkus Reviews "This is a good, solid start to what will no doubt be an epic series. Fallon's writing is strong .... Epic fantasy readers will no doubt want to follow this story."--
RT Book Reviews "Characterizations ... are well realized, and the suspense is palpable throughout."--
Booklist "
Medalon is an intriguing, intelligent and fun read with a refreshing take on female characters so often not seen in the genre."--Elizabeth Haydon
"A gripping tale of warring ambitions, politics, and real people. The characters (and even the gods!) spring to vivid, believable life, making Medalon a great read. More, please!"-Ed Greenwood
"[Fallon] has a sweet way with language that draws you in and compels you to read, but it was the whole political set up that intrigued me the most. She paints a very complex system with ease, so that it all comes across simply and clearly. All in all I was impressed with this first novel from a new author and I eagerly await book two."--Altair
"Interesting and likable main characters, intriguing and suspenseful plots . . . Medalon starts off almost immediately with a murder, intrigues and plenty of unknowns which make for suspenseful reading."--Alice News (Alice Springs, Australia)
Review
"Sparkling high fantasy debut."--
Publishers Weekly "Fallon brings a fair quota of wit and a healthy dose of realism ... engaging."--
Kirkus Reviews "This is a good, solid start to what will no doubt be an epic series. Fallon's writing is strong .... Epic fantasy readers will no doubt want to follow this story."--
RT Book Reviews "Characterizations ... are well realized, and the suspense is palpable throughout."--
Booklist "
Medalon is an intriguing, intelligent and fun read with a refreshing take on female characters so often not seen in the genre."--Elizabeth Haydon
"A gripping tale of warring ambitions, politics, and real people. The characters (and even the gods!) spring to vivid, believable life, making Medalon a great read. More, please!"-Ed Greenwood
"[Fallon] has a sweet way with language that draws you in and compels you to read, but it was the whole political set up that intrigued me the most. She paints a very complex system with ease, so that it all comes across simply and clearly. All in all I was impressed with this first novel from a new author and I eagerly await book two."--Altair
"Interesting and likable main characters, intriguing and suspenseful plots . . . Medalon starts off almost immediately with a murder, intrigues and plenty of unknowns which make for suspenseful reading."--Alice News (Alice Springs, Australia)
Review
"Credit Fallon for exploring themes like dirty politics and religious tolerance...an intriguing soap opera of espionage and family revelations." Nisha Gopalan
Synopsis
This debut is Book One of the bestselling Australian fantasy epic of heroism, love, honor, and terrible loss.
About the Author
The ninth child in a family of 13 girls,
Jennifer Fallon was born in a suburb of Melbourne, Australia. After living in various areas of Australia, including Canberra, Darwin, and a remote mining settlement, Fallon settled in the Northern Territory in 1980. She has two daughters and a son. She has had 32 foster children and friends refer to her home as "the ashram" due to the large number of stray teenagers that still inhabit her house at irregular intervals.
Fallon has worked as a youth worker, a store detective, shop assistant, an advertising sales rep and executive secretary, among other things. She has managed two hire car companies, an ISP, and a video shop, as well as founding the Anzac Hill Gymnastics Club in 1991. She is a member of the Business & Professional Women's Association and is often in demand as a guest speaker.
Fallon started writing when she was about 14. Her mother, who died when Fallon was 13, was an aspiring children's writer who encouraged her daughter to write. She started writing fantasy in 1990 when she decided she would be better off writing something for herself, rather than trying to please everyone else. In 1995, Jennifer vowed to either get published by the year 2000 or give up writing and get a real job. Her first novel, Medalon, was released in Australia in August 2000 and hit the bestseller list the first week it was released, as well as being shortlisted for the 2000 Aurealis Awards as the best Fantasy novel.