Reviews for Darragh Metzger and TFA Press
Below are a few of the reviews of books by Darragh Metzger, published by TFA Press:
"Top Books of 2018 for Aerospace and Aviation Enthusiasts...Alaska Over Israel: Operation Magic Carpet, the Men and Women Who Made It Fly, and the Little Airline That Could: Fantasy novelist Darragh Metzger, an Alaskan who now lives in Seattle, tells the real life thrilling story..."
Andrew McIntosh
Puget Sound Business Journal, Dec 7, 2018
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Andrew McIntosh
Puget Sound Business Journal, Dec 7, 2018
* * * * * * *
"With all the new authors and new books in the field, it's difficult to do more than sample what is new in fantasy. But every now and then, I read something that makes me want to jump up and point and say, 'Hey, I found a good one!' The Triads of Tir na n'Og, by Darragh Metzger, is such a book. I recommend it without reservation."
Robin Hobb
Author of The Liveship Traders, The Farseer trilogy, The Tawny Man trilogy,
and the Soldier's Son trilogy
* * * * * * *
Robin Hobb
Author of The Liveship Traders, The Farseer trilogy, The Tawny Man trilogy,
and the Soldier's Son trilogy
* * * * * * *
"Darragh has a gift for storytelling, a very readable voice, and I like the intriguing combination of characters..."
Elizabeth Moon
Author of The Speed of Dark and The Deed of Paksenarrion
* * * * * * *
Elizabeth Moon
Author of The Speed of Dark and The Deed of Paksenarrion
* * * * * * *
"'Tales from Opa' is a wonderfully detailed book. Darragh does a fantastic job of painting the world of Tir na n'Og in full sensuous detail...she handles this complex and moving story with mastery. Her talents at description and characterization shine through every chapter."
Brenda Cooper
Author of The Silver Ship and the Sea and The Creative Fire trilogies
Co-author, with Larry Niven, of Building Harlequin's Moon
* * * * * * *
Brenda Cooper
Author of The Silver Ship and the Sea and The Creative Fire trilogies
Co-author, with Larry Niven, of Building Harlequin's Moon
* * * * * * *
"Metzger's fantasy worlds are beautifully crafted. She draws you in with crystal clear prose and holds onto you until book’s end. At the end, you come away refreshed. Satisfied. Metzger is a promising new talent readers are going to hear a lot more about in the years ahead."
Patrick Swenson
Author of The Ultra Thin Man
Publisher, Fairwood Press
* * * * * * *
"Darragh Metzger delivers high adventure and sensitive characterization in an imaginative world beyond the mists. I wish I had written this!"
Mike Grell
Author of Sable
Creator of The Warlord, Shaman's Tears, and Starslayer
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Patrick Swenson
Author of The Ultra Thin Man
Publisher, Fairwood Press
* * * * * * *
"Darragh Metzger delivers high adventure and sensitive characterization in an imaginative world beyond the mists. I wish I had written this!"
Mike Grell
Author of Sable
Creator of The Warlord, Shaman's Tears, and Starslayer
* * * * * * *
"Red Triad is a book woven from steel and guts, tempered with passion and the fevered pitch of glory. I love the way the characters bleed across the pages of this book. I reveled in their joy and anguished in their pain. Darragh Metzger is a helluva story teller. You won't be disappointed."
J. A. Pitts
Author of Black Blade Blues and Honeyed Words
* * * * * * *
"I started reading Ironwolfe last night.... Your prose is so smooth and clean, and I love the way you handle the fight sequences There's nothing pretentious or unduly shocking or prissy. It's just a perfect balance....
I'm lovin' it!"
Jane Fancher
Author of Netwalkers and Dance of the Rings
J. A. Pitts
Author of Black Blade Blues and Honeyed Words
* * * * * * *
"I started reading Ironwolfe last night.... Your prose is so smooth and clean, and I love the way you handle the fight sequences There's nothing pretentious or unduly shocking or prissy. It's just a perfect balance....
I'm lovin' it!"
Jane Fancher
Author of Netwalkers and Dance of the Rings
From readers on Amazon:
Alaska Over Israel: Operation Magic Carpet, the Men and Women Who Made It Fly, and the Little Airline That Could
5.0 out of 5 stars
I couldn't put it down!
As an Alaskan, I enjoyed this history of Alaska Airline's early days. I had heard of some of the people in the book. I liked the pictures that were included as they made it even more alive. Well written. I started reading and couldn't put it down. Finished it in 3 days then reread parts of it to match the pictures with the text. My son saw it on the table and asked to borrow it to read.
5.0 out of 5 stars
An excellent read! Full of bits of little known history...
...written in a way that makes reading it as comfortable as sitting in an easy chair! I'm surprised that movie credits didn't start scrolling through my mind at the end! A truly wonderful book.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fascinating Story!
My family came to Israel from Yemen in 1950, in the last phase of Operation Magic Carpet. Despite that, I knew very little about the story behind this airlift and what led to it. That's why I'm so glad I came across this book. For me, just like for the author, this story is not just a piece of history - it's personal. Metzger did an impressive job with her research, explaining the complexity of the situation and the time in the most captivating way.
I couldn't put it down!
As an Alaskan, I enjoyed this history of Alaska Airline's early days. I had heard of some of the people in the book. I liked the pictures that were included as they made it even more alive. Well written. I started reading and couldn't put it down. Finished it in 3 days then reread parts of it to match the pictures with the text. My son saw it on the table and asked to borrow it to read.
5.0 out of 5 stars
An excellent read! Full of bits of little known history...
...written in a way that makes reading it as comfortable as sitting in an easy chair! I'm surprised that movie credits didn't start scrolling through my mind at the end! A truly wonderful book.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fascinating Story!
My family came to Israel from Yemen in 1950, in the last phase of Operation Magic Carpet. Despite that, I knew very little about the story behind this airlift and what led to it. That's why I'm so glad I came across this book. For me, just like for the author, this story is not just a piece of history - it's personal. Metzger did an impressive job with her research, explaining the complexity of the situation and the time in the most captivating way.
Ironwolfe:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great read!
It has been a very long time since a writer has made me feel like I am part of the story as an observer. Like the thief in the story, I can see and hear the forest, the horses, the action, etc. Like the thief, you really want the story to continue on.
There are truly few really good storytellers who can take their audience and place them into the story enough that one can see it as the canvas you imagined. The uneasiness of the Mist, the fatigue and desperation of the riders, the freedom of the open plains, etc. Please... Good Lady more stories!
A great read!
It has been a very long time since a writer has made me feel like I am part of the story as an observer. Like the thief in the story, I can see and hear the forest, the horses, the action, etc. Like the thief, you really want the story to continue on.
There are truly few really good storytellers who can take their audience and place them into the story enough that one can see it as the canvas you imagined. The uneasiness of the Mist, the fatigue and desperation of the riders, the freedom of the open plains, etc. Please... Good Lady more stories!
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wow, what a read!
If you enjoy well written sword & sorcery you should read this. I found myself unable to set this book aside until I had finished it. It was nice to find a story that is intended to be self-contained, rather than a poorly disguised attempt to be the first part of a trilogy. Darragh Metzger caught me up with her prose in the opening of the novel and I continued to be engaged all the way through the last page.
Buy it; read it; recommend it to your friends.
Wow, what a read!
If you enjoy well written sword & sorcery you should read this. I found myself unable to set this book aside until I had finished it. It was nice to find a story that is intended to be self-contained, rather than a poorly disguised attempt to be the first part of a trilogy. Darragh Metzger caught me up with her prose in the opening of the novel and I continued to be engaged all the way through the last page.
Buy it; read it; recommend it to your friends.
The Triads of Tir na n'Og series:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Awesome Books!
Excellent Read! Loaned the book out to my nephew and he loves it. I love the book as Darragh takes me to the world of Tir na n'Og. Its a heartbreak when the end comes and you left wanting more of the stories. Definitely on my re-read list.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Pick this up after Ironwolfe
The Triads continues the story begun with the Ironwolfe. This entire series is a great fantasy tale...Darragh is a brilliant and careful writer with impeccable world-building and compelling characters. She has the chops for this, too. She knows horses and jousting and fighting from her work with The Seattle Knights. I'm very happy to see these books becoming available to more readers. If you like high fantasy with quests and magic and honor, you'll love this.
5.0 out of 5 stars
I love the imagery that is invoked with the storytelling
I love the imagery that is invoked with the storytelling. These are my go to books when I want to curl up and enjoy a well written book. More please!
5.0 out of 5 stars
I loved this!
Well written, fast paced, very hard to put down!
Awesome Books!
Excellent Read! Loaned the book out to my nephew and he loves it. I love the book as Darragh takes me to the world of Tir na n'Og. Its a heartbreak when the end comes and you left wanting more of the stories. Definitely on my re-read list.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Pick this up after Ironwolfe
The Triads continues the story begun with the Ironwolfe. This entire series is a great fantasy tale...Darragh is a brilliant and careful writer with impeccable world-building and compelling characters. She has the chops for this, too. She knows horses and jousting and fighting from her work with The Seattle Knights. I'm very happy to see these books becoming available to more readers. If you like high fantasy with quests and magic and honor, you'll love this.
5.0 out of 5 stars
I love the imagery that is invoked with the storytelling
I love the imagery that is invoked with the storytelling. These are my go to books when I want to curl up and enjoy a well written book. More please!
5.0 out of 5 stars
I loved this!
Well written, fast paced, very hard to put down!
Tales from Opa:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Stories to spark imagination
Once again, Ms. Metzger's storytelling skill is on fine display... only this time, she has a storyteller character to make it plain the kind of magic a listener can drift into while listening to stories. In this introduction to her mystical land of Tir n'A Nog, a trio of stories stand on their own, woven together into this book by the storyteller Opa. Each story envelopes you in the action, the characters, and the world, whether it's somber or lighthearted, scary or thrilling. A great read-aloud book or a fine sunny-afternoon page turner.
Stories to spark imagination
Once again, Ms. Metzger's storytelling skill is on fine display... only this time, she has a storyteller character to make it plain the kind of magic a listener can drift into while listening to stories. In this introduction to her mystical land of Tir n'A Nog, a trio of stories stand on their own, woven together into this book by the storyteller Opa. Each story envelopes you in the action, the characters, and the world, whether it's somber or lighthearted, scary or thrilling. A great read-aloud book or a fine sunny-afternoon page turner.
Tales from Opa, Volume 2:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Yet another great Tir story
If you have enjoyed any of the author's previous Tir na n'Og stories then this one will not disappoint. If this is your first adventure in this fantasy world, the story is adequately self explanatory so as to not leave you too disoriented. Metzger's characters are well drawn, colorful, quirky and still relatable. Likewise the world, antique, simultaneously brutal and beautiful, is vibrantly described and rich in detail and intrigue. Written as three discrete tales, the story comes full circle to make a satisfying whole. This reader found himself wanting more but, alas, I have read them all and will have to wait for the author's next effort.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Immersive and engrossing
Ms. Metzger is a storyteller extraordinaire. Like the previous book of Tales From Opa, this set of three tales is bound together by an outer tale of the storytelling itself. The language of each story is vivid and immersive, with enough detail to make you feel like you are inside the story, but also with a pace that moves the story along and builds the plot without getting bogged down in minutia. All the stories give the reader a chance to think about life's lessons and purpose alongside their air of thrilling adventures, and they all left me with the same impatient question that Opa's young listeners ask: "Wait, what happens next??" I hope there are more of Opa's tales to come, and some more hints to the mysterious nature of Opa himself.
Yet another great Tir story
If you have enjoyed any of the author's previous Tir na n'Og stories then this one will not disappoint. If this is your first adventure in this fantasy world, the story is adequately self explanatory so as to not leave you too disoriented. Metzger's characters are well drawn, colorful, quirky and still relatable. Likewise the world, antique, simultaneously brutal and beautiful, is vibrantly described and rich in detail and intrigue. Written as three discrete tales, the story comes full circle to make a satisfying whole. This reader found himself wanting more but, alas, I have read them all and will have to wait for the author's next effort.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Immersive and engrossing
Ms. Metzger is a storyteller extraordinaire. Like the previous book of Tales From Opa, this set of three tales is bound together by an outer tale of the storytelling itself. The language of each story is vivid and immersive, with enough detail to make you feel like you are inside the story, but also with a pace that moves the story along and builds the plot without getting bogged down in minutia. All the stories give the reader a chance to think about life's lessons and purpose alongside their air of thrilling adventures, and they all left me with the same impatient question that Opa's young listeners ask: "Wait, what happens next??" I hope there are more of Opa's tales to come, and some more hints to the mysterious nature of Opa himself.
The Strawberry Roan:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This book surprised me in a good way.
The Strawberry Roan book is great. It's about a unicorn and real life too. Just an overall good mix and story. I wish the author would write a sequel to it.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sucks you right in.
Any horse lover will appreciate this story--but those who aren't equine addicts need not fear being turned off, either. It's a good bit of old west tall tale with some fantasy mixed in. As soon as I finished I said to myself, shit, why didn't I think of something that awesome?
5.0 out of 5 stars
A fireside yarn for the horse lover
Ms. Metzger's storytelling skills are on fine display in this book. Right from the start, I feel like I'm a part of the story, down "inside" the action rather than viewing it from afar. And the action doesn't stop, it keeps rolling along with each turn of the page. The characters are warm and "human", even the horse characters who are very much a full part of the story. The whole feel is of a whopping good fireside story told by a great storyteller, the kind where you don't want it to end even though it's way past your bedtime.
This book surprised me in a good way.
The Strawberry Roan book is great. It's about a unicorn and real life too. Just an overall good mix and story. I wish the author would write a sequel to it.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sucks you right in.
Any horse lover will appreciate this story--but those who aren't equine addicts need not fear being turned off, either. It's a good bit of old west tall tale with some fantasy mixed in. As soon as I finished I said to myself, shit, why didn't I think of something that awesome?
5.0 out of 5 stars
A fireside yarn for the horse lover
Ms. Metzger's storytelling skills are on fine display in this book. Right from the start, I feel like I'm a part of the story, down "inside" the action rather than viewing it from afar. And the action doesn't stop, it keeps rolling along with each turn of the page. The characters are warm and "human", even the horse characters who are very much a full part of the story. The whole feel is of a whopping good fireside story told by a great storyteller, the kind where you don't want it to end even though it's way past your bedtime.
5 of 5 stars (GoodReads)
I truly enjoyed this delightful tale of high country adventure, nonstop resourcefulness and good, gosh durned humor. Darragh Metzger's voice through Black Bess is a fun read, and Bess' exploits and soul searching journey were especially moving to me as as I embark on my own life altering journey. Gritty survival with wistful elements of magic are well integrated and who doesn't enjoy the antics of a make-over? What ever the reader's path, this book is entertaining, enlightening and thought provoking. A good read for most all ages, and that is a feat in itself. And, oh the sorrow, that I have finished it.
I truly enjoyed this delightful tale of high country adventure, nonstop resourcefulness and good, gosh durned humor. Darragh Metzger's voice through Black Bess is a fun read, and Bess' exploits and soul searching journey were especially moving to me as as I embark on my own life altering journey. Gritty survival with wistful elements of magic are well integrated and who doesn't enjoy the antics of a make-over? What ever the reader's path, this book is entertaining, enlightening and thought provoking. A good read for most all ages, and that is a feat in itself. And, oh the sorrow, that I have finished it.
