Cailleadhama

ENTERTAINING FANTASY

Human’s, greed and a devastating Tsunami had destroyed San Francisco. With great flooding the City has become divided by the Wall. On one side of the Wall life is good on the other there’s poverty and danger.

Colton Davis lives on the dangerous side of the Wall. He’s a trans-man and still has doubts because his transition is not complete. He makes a living with his gondola, taking tourists to the ruins of Canary Bay, and other means. He’s streetwise but also hides his fear.

Colton has run out of his T-shot and needs to make the journey to the Pharmacist. Although Colton can pay for one T-shot the Pharmacist hands over three. But she doesn’t want his money, she has her own way to be paid back, with a unique sword.

Colton finds himself on the Island of Alcatraz with the sword and if that is not weird enough, he watches a fight break out.

Tris has crossed the veil from Gleanna Sidhu. He has come to find his brother Laris and bring him home. He’s immediately attacked by a strange creature and is now on the Island of Alcatraz.

Colton is shocked as he watches a battle that has occurred right before his eyes. He can’t believe what this little elf can do with a sword. One thing he has to do is heed the words of the Pharmacist.

Drew Bacca’s narration of “Cailleadhama” was well done. I felt that he started out a little fast and got a little breathy in spots. But once he got into chapter two his narration got better. I thought it was quite a challenge for a short story, as there’s about eight characters that needed their own voice. He was able to give distinguishing tones to each of these characters and he brought out each ones feelings along with the excitement and danger that comes with this wonderful fantasy. I wish Tris’ soft accent was a little stronger but it still worked throughout the story. Such a creative voice and tone for the evil tuatha.

I don’t want to give too much of this short fantasy away, but it was totally entertaining. There’s much more to this story than what I addressed. An elf with a gift, a magic sword, strange creatures, action, danger and gadgets of technology. It’s suspenseful, sad, sweetly romantic and also sends a message of accepting ones-self. Tris and Colton are just two wonderful characters and I give lot’s of credit to Vanyssa. She was a dynamic character. As Scott Coatsworth never disappoints he creates another magnificent and magical story that’s filled with colorful characters and descriptions that are easy to visualize.
There always seems to be lessons to learn that come with the authors stories. If you’ve read Cailleadhama in 2019 or if you read it today it’s still amazing. J. Scott Coatsworth’s short novellas are always intriguing and timeless.