LoveVortex and the Drakor’s Curse is a historical fantasy novel, first in a series, that addresses philosophical questions.

In the 1750’s, British Captain Julius Hawthorne sails with his crew and teenage son Peter to the Andaman Islands to establish trade. There, they meet a tribe where everyone’s forehead is tattooed with the date of their death. Welcomed by the tribe’s shaman, Julius and Peter learn the tribe’s customs. Along the way, Julius falls in love and encounters the Drakor, the powerful magical being that gave the tribe knowledge of their lifespans.

The novel provides fascinating details about the tribe, all organized around this awareness. Those with far-off death days are taught leadership, healing, and craft skills, while those fated to die sooner develop whatever talents interest them. Children attend different schools depending on their date. As their time draws near, members learn techniques for calming their minds, while the tribe surrounds them with love. Some view the tattoos as a curse, while others see them as an opportunity to enjoy the time allotted and focus on life’s important aspects. The novel’s ending takes a mystical turn, with discussions of dragons and transcending beyond physical bodies.

Julius and Peter feel perfectly suited for this journey of discovery, open-minded and eager to learn from the tribe. They have deep conversations with the tribespeople and each other, sharing their history and fears and comforting each other. They form strong bonds with some and deeply mourn their loss. They resolve conflicts through talking rather than violence, which feels refreshing.

Julius, Peter, and the crew, however, sometimes act more like tolerant 21st century Europeans, than 18th century sailors hoping to expand the British empire. While a nice change, it feels strikingly different from historical reality. And the mystical discussion at the end delivers more exposition than showing.

Still, readers looking for a fantasy novel raising issues about free will and destiny, one where conversations solve problems, will enjoy this offering.

Also available in hardcover and ebook.