Author: D.H. Dunn
Website: https://dhdunn.com/
Genre: Alternate World / Portal Fantasy

NOTE: Books 1-3 have lovely new covers, but I’m a wee bit partial to the dynamic lighting of the old ones, so I’ve left them as originally posted on this page. Enjoy!

Review: Cracks and Crevasses, prequel short story

Fantastic story.

This superbly written short story launches the entire Fractured Everest series. It follows Nima, a young Sherpa woman, onto the frigid slopes of Chomolungma (Everest) where she discovers a stranded American dangling in a crevasse just before nightfall. Her daring rescue of Drew and the deep rapport which springs up between them is beautifully described and we are given a vivid glimpse into the magical happenings of the mountain. The author’s perfect rhythm of language makes the reading a distinct pleasure. Dive into this story and you’ll be hooked!

Review: Under Everest (Fractured Everest, Book 1)

Completely original!

Exciting drama unfolds on the slopes of Chomolungma (Everest). Each of the characters has a reason to be putting their lives on the line in such a dangerous environment. Nima and her brother need their guide fees to rescue their father from debt. Drew wants to help Nima and find a mysterious woman he’s fallen in love with. Wanda from Warsaw searches for her lost father. Jang dreams of restoring his family’s dynasty to power over Nepal. When flashing glimpses of legendary yetis lead them all through a portal into the mountain, they find themselves caught up in a struggle between other-worldly beings who are trapped in “the Under.”

Throughout this fast-moving story, the author strikes a superb balance between fantastic, unusual action and fascinating character development. The tale is told from multiple points of view and includes unique concepts, a very bizarre dragon, and rather peculiar antagonists with some of their thinking explored. We get to know each of the characters quite well and watch them learn from each other through dire challenges. The story explores friendship, loyalty, personal priorities, and sacrifice for love.

I was glued to this book for many nights and found my thoughts drawn to the vivid imagery of portals, yetis, and crystalline magic. If you are intrigued by the daunting adventure of mountain climbing, let yourself be swept into this rich tale of extraordinary happenings on and in Everest. I’ve had my own strange experiences on the slopes of Shasta and can say with certainty that this story is much more than just well-spun fantasy. If the next book in the series is as satisfying as the first, I’m in for an exciting ride.

Review: Venom and Vines, prequel short story

Brand new world.

This colorful short story takes place in a world centered around a vastly different version of Everest, one with jungles and an ocean near its base. We are introduced to Valaen, a young Caenolan, as he moves through the dangerous forest in search of his father who has just been banished from their community for defying accepted beliefs. Val is at risk of becoming an outcast himself and stumbles upon a six-legged darkeel that is about to attack two of his friends near the edge of the wood. The people and creatures of this world are imaginative and different, and the challenges of the protagonist set up part of the action in Book 2 of the series, Seas of Everest.

Review: Seas of Everest (Fractured Everest, Book 2)

Alternate Everests.

In the second book of the Fractured Everest series, we become well acquainted with not one, but two alternate versions of the great mountain. Nima and Drew have both escaped the Under, the portal-ridden crossroads beneath the mountain, but have landed in two separate worlds. As in the first book, we meet a cast of exceptionally original characters: Val and the crystal-embedded Caenolans, darkeels, gruns, and mammoths, the tree-like Thartark, outworlder Tanira on a secret quest for “the Line,” the magic-wielding Manad Vhan, human Rakkhum, and the mysterious Yeti.

Throughout the story, each of the protagonists must come to terms with difficult issues. Nima is challenged with betrayal and loss. Drew and Upala are both troubled by regret over past mistakes, but help each other heal while they build a new relationship.

There is so much to enjoy in this series, but I’m particularly pleased with the emotional depth the author brings to the characters and the smooth flow of language. There is a maturity and vibrancy to the writing that I find refreshing and rich. Do yourself a favor and get these books!

Review: Dragons of Everest (Fractured Everest, Book 3)

Dragons!

This third installment in the series is every bit as exciting and fascinating as the first two. Reunited, Nima and Drew band together with an unlikely group of allies to stop a woman who is determined to release a group of deadly dragons sealed away for millennia.

The action moves at a brisk pace. The mysterious Machine is thought provoking and the dragons themselves are colorful, unique personalities. The themes of healing bitter wounds and making amends for past mistakes continue throughout this book and we see growth in many of the characters as they learn to question and change old beliefs. Some of the dragon / Manad Vhan history is revealed, but it is clear that there are more layers to come as the series progresses.

I’m really enjoying the growing, beautifully nuanced relationship between Drew and Upala. I’m looking forward to learning more about the Yeti, the creator entity Sessgrenimath as well as the fabled City of Sands of the Manad Vhan. I’ll keep my fingers crossed that these imaginative threads are developed further in books four and five. Fantastic reads, Mr. Dunn!

Review: The Unseen Key (Fractured Everest, Book 4)

Great new chapter in the Everest saga!

In Book 4 of this exciting series, we find Nima and Lhamu living among the Manad Vhan in the City of Sands, searching for a path back to Lhamu’s homeworld of Siripothi. After the city is overrun by bizarre alien beings who come through a massive portal, Nima and Lhamu are caught up in a quest to find the legendary Tears of Orami, reputed to be powerful weapons.

The qualities I enjoyed most in the first three books run through this story as well: warm characters, imaginative aliens, good dialogue, and engaging action. Nima and Lhamu face some steep challenges in their growth and relationship, most notably the changes in Lhamu’s abilities. Their old Yeti friend, the Speaker, shows up to aide them and they are joined by a new cast of friends and adversaries that we come to know quite well.

If you enjoy multi-layered worlds and new twists on dragons, humans, and intelligent species, you’ll love this series. Be sure to purchase Book 5 along with this one as the two books form a story arc within the ongoing saga.

Review: The Brittle Bones of Gods (Fractured Everest, Book 5)

Action-packed continuation of Book 4.

The drama that culminated at the end of The Unseen Key rolls right on in this volume of the Everest series. Separated, Nima and Lhamu struggle to find each other and discover solutions to the Apex invaders who hold the City of Sands. Relationships, values, and loyalties are tested, and we learn some nifty surprises about a couple of the characters along the way.

Like books in any good series, The Brittle Bones of Gods provides a satisfying conclusion to this chapter of the saga, but not all questions are answered, leaving room for more exciting story to come. I love the way the author has woven elements and characters from earlier in the series into the fabric of the plot. It gives the overall story a lot of depth and shows the broad scope of the tale the author is masterfully sculpting.

This book was a damned good romp. The sweeping action kept me up til the wee hours and then I found myself putting off other tasks, just so I could finish. Fun? Oh, yeah! The two epilogues at the end set up more mysteries and lay tantalizing hooks into the next pair of books that I am eagerly awaiting. Looking forward to the return of Drew and Upala. Thumbs up!

Review: Talons and Threads (Stories from Fractured Everest)

Great collection.

For anyone who has been captivated by the wonderful Fractured Everest series, this volume is a must have. The jewel of the collection is the lead story that centers on the Thread, one of fourteen great dragons of the Everest worlds. The tale fills in an important piece of the events that shaped the difficulties between dragons and their creations, the magic-wielding Manad Vhan. Fits well between Books 5 and 6 of the series (won’t make much sense if you aren’t familiar with the characters and events through book 5).

The other highlight included in the volume is the alternate opening of Under Everest. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the “more complete” picture of Nima, Drew, Wanda, and Carter in their exciting trek up the icy slopes of Everest, particularly the insight into Nima’s tragic past. Well done.

Several short stories and an excerpt from the novel The Fifth Interdictor round out the collection and make good, solid reading. Not to be missed is “Cracks and Crevasses,” the first Everest tale where Nima finds Drew trapped in a deep crevasse fighting for his life. This book is very much worth purchasing and serves to add depth to D.H. Dunn’s ongoing series.

Review: Within the Hollow (Fractured Everest, Book 6)

Yes! More, please!

The Everest saga continues and swings to focus on Drew and Upala’s challenges in coming to the City of Sands. Characters and races introduced in Books 4 and 5 are deftly woven into the pair’s quest to free a key player from an ancient prison. Drew’s powers remain intact while the Manad Vhan race struggles under the effects of the Dampener. The heroes face new bad guys and obstacles, and discover more pieces of the unfolding history behind the Everest worlds.

The adventure moves along at a brisk clip and brings in plenty of fun twists and turns. The writing is robust, like the rest of the series, and keeps the reader engaged throughout. The book ends with a dramatic cliffhanger, just as Book 4 did, so be sure to get the second of the pair, Book 7, so you don’t have to miss a beat in the rolling excitement.

Review: The Brittle Bones of Gods (Fractured Everest, Book 7)

Terrific tale, more to come.

The second half of Drew and Upala’s story arc is just as exciting as the first. Escape from the dangers of the Hollow becomes paramount to their surviving team. Ancient creatures, the mystery of a looming emerald crystal, and the ruins of the Manad Vhan birthplace all play parts in the trek through the jungle toward the crater’s exit.

This leg of the Everest journey is as finely crafted as the rest – good pacing, fluid dialog, dramatic scenarios. One of the best aspects of this series, and where I feel the author truly shines, is the development of characters as colorful people. Not only are the races unique and different, like the air-centric Itrali and the sponge-like Lashaal colonies, but the individual characters come alive, full of interesting quirks, flaws, talents, and humor (I especially love little Ulu!).

Another aspect of this series I deeply appreciate is the author’s marvelous handling of couples. He lets them grow and develop into strong, bonded mates capable of fine things together. Drew and Upala have each come a long way as individuals, overcoming inner scars from past mistakes, inspiring each other to become stronger. They genuinely love and cherish the facets of the other and reach for a future together, no matter what shape it may take. Sil-Nae and Odan’s relationship has been rocky and full of tests to loyalty and trust, but it’s been heart-warming to watch them cling to the hard road of maturing their love.

I’d say the best part of this series is the underlying message: Good People Help. Again and again, the characters make moral decisions, take difficult paths, often at great personal risk or cost, simply because someone is in need and it’s the right thing to do. Not nearly enough of that in this world. Gold star, Mr. Dunn. Your heart shines through your work.