The Straits of Galahesh (Lays of Anuskaya, #2)

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The Straits of Galahesh (Lays of Anuskaya #2)

by Bradley P. Beaulieu (Goodreads Author)

4.0 of 5 stars 4.00 · rating details · 45 ratings · 13 reviews

West of the Grand Duchy of Anuskaya lies the Empire of Yrstanla, the Motherland. The Empire has lived at peace with Anuskaya for generations, but with political turmoil brewing and the wasting disease still rampant, opportunists from the mainland have begun to set their sights on the Grand Duchy, seeking to expand their empire.

Five years have passed since Prince Nikandr, h...more

Paperback, First Edition, 572 pages

Published April 3rd 2012 by Night Shade Books

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Nov 28, 2012 Seregil of Rhiminee rated it 5 of 5 stars

Originally published at Risingshadow.

I know that a lot has already been said about The Straits of Galahesh, but I thought I'd write a short review about this book, because it deserves to be praised.

Bradley P. Beaulieu's The Winds of Khalakovo was one of the best fantasy books of 2011, so I could hardly wait to read its sequel, The Straits of Galahesh. This sequel is bigger and better than its predecessor and manages to hook the reader from the first page.

In my opinion, The Straits of Galahesh is...more

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Jun 02, 2012 Paul Genesse rated it 5 of 5 stars

I just finished reading The Straits of Galahesh by Bradley P. Beaulieu for the second time. Wow, I love this book. It's the second novel in the Lays of Anuskaya trilogy and is epic fantasy at its finest. The Winds of Khalakovo, book one, was awesome, and this one (set five years later) is even better.

This series is a cross between George R.R. Martin's Song of Ice and Fire series (you know HBO's Game of Thrones, right?), and Ursula LeGuin's Earthsea series, but with a Czarist Russian flavor.

I rea...more

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Apr 09, 2012 Stefan rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, ebook, advance-reading-copy, far-beyond-reality-review, www-tor-com-review

My path to Bradley Beaulieu’s writings was probably different from most people’s: I discovered him only recently through Strata, the excellent science fiction novella he co-wrote and self-published with Stephen Gaskell (reviewed here). I enjoyed Strata so much that I immediately went back to check out his ambitious full length debut The Winds of Khalakovo. Now, about a year later, Night Shade Books delivers the second novel in the Lays of Anuskaya series: The Straits of Galahesh.

Short version: i...more

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Apr 10, 2013 Shaun rated it 5 of 5 stars

When I read the first book of the Lays of Anuskaya, The Winds of Khalakovo, I was struck by the authors world-building skills, first and foremost. The influences taken from our world were not the typical medieval European flare, but were more fitting for the Silk Road trade route during the time of the Great Game in the late nineteenth century. I loved the blend of Russian and Islamic cultural influences as well as the use of gunpowder technology. I enjoyed that Mr. Beaulieu could use such a tec...more When I read the first book of the Lays of Anuskaya, The Winds of Khalakovo, I was struck by the authors world-building skills, first and foremost. The influences taken from our world were not the typical medieval European flare, but were more fitting for the Silk Road trade route during the time of the Great Game in the late nineteenth century. I loved the blend of Russian and Islamic cultural influences as well as the use of gunpowder technology. I enjoyed that Mr. Beaulieu could use such a technology and not have the whole story leave the realm of Fantasy and become a steampunk novel. I like the characters he gave to his readers but at the time I didn’t become overly attached to them, except perhaps Rehada. My biggest compliant was a lack of full disclosure. I felt that so much of this lush world was being held back by a story that wasn’t fleshing out as it should be. As if there were blinders on the side of my head keeping out the rest of the world. Due to the gracious nature of Mr. Beaulieu I was able to read his second book, The Straits of Galahesh. My earlier complaints have been dealt with.

I stated that the characters, while likable, had never given me much to become attached to them. That changed with this publication. Nikandr, who was kind of wishy-washy before, has become a hard man of principle. He possesses his own moral compass and becomes a bridge, unwanted at times, between the Maharraht and the Landed (people from Anuskaya) they despise so much. His captain skills are well tested in this novel, giving him the more heroic air of master and commander of his vessel. Atiana, who before was only head strong, actually became strong. Her skills at taking the dark, a sort of out body technique that allows one to manipulate worldly events, becomes as great as Nikandr’s mother, Saphia. Her willingness to put herself in danger gives her a self sacrificing nobility. She thinks fast and charges faster. She becomes a true threat to her enemies and asset to her allies, which explains why devious powers within the story try to use her to their advantage. Nasim, who was a disturbed untalkative boy and therefore was more of a prop in the first installment, has become a young man exploring his power and destiny. Nasim wages a long and complicated intellectual and spiritual battle with the two remaining Al-Aqim, Muqallad and Sariya, who are semi-immortal beings attempting to force upon the world enlightenment, this is actually not a good thing. Nasim also drives himself to find answers to his connection to Khamal, the third Al-Aqim, which in part is found within a group of cursed children turned into demon like creatures. Doing this while trying to stop the other Al-Aqim paints him as an intellectual hero, who pits his life as well as his sanity against the powers of the Al-Aqim.

In this second volume the world of Anuskaya is expanded, it covers a much larger territory and introduces more players for the stage Mr. Beaulieu has created. There is a large empire, Yrstanla, that lies to the west of the Islands of the Grand Duchy. Imagine a Russian culture on multiple small islands similar to Iceland having to face down an Ottoman Turk like empire based on the mainland. Yrstanla mirrors such a Turkic Empire, in that it is organized well and has great technology at it’s disposal. It possesses Janissaries, which like the Ottoman version, are highly organized and of one mind, as opposed to the Grand Duchy whose troops come from the different houses of the islands. It possesses more windships, more guns and more people then Anuskaya does. They pose a great threat to Nikandr and Atiana’s homeland.

There is also more information given concerning the Maharraht, what their motivations are beside a hate for the Landed, as well as identifying different factions with in their ranks. The Aramahn people, whom make up the members of the terrorist group the Maharraht, believe that people are capable of attaining a state of enlightenment they call indaraqiram. Most peace loving Aramahn believe that this is an individual journey, while others, like the members of the Maharraht believe that all of the world could undergo this transformation, even if forced. Members of the Maharraht are forced to choose between supporting the Al-Aqim, who are/were Aramahn, or taking the sides against them. Helping them reach a decision is one of Nikandr’s most trying tasks.

The Al-Aqim are really a new aspect to consider. While they were introduced in The Winds of Khalakovo, their importance to the story was not clear. In The Straits of Galahesh they become the main enemy of all things living. The Al-Aqim, including Khamal, are responsible for the state of the world. The rifts that are identified in the first book which are causing disease and famine are a botched attempt at an experimental religious ritual they initiated centuries ago. This ritual was to bring the whole world into the state of indaraqiram. Muqallad and Sariya, newly escaped from the island prison Khamal left them in, insist on finishing what they started, which will destroy everything.

The main focus of this second installment is to stop the Al-Aqim from finishing their experiment. Muqallad and Sariya manipulate the kingdoms to achieve their goals and it falls to Nikandr, Atiana, and Nasim to stop them from doing so. The way they can do this it to keep the last piece of a powerful stone, called Atalayina, out of the Al-Aqim’s hands, but they have to do this in the middle of a war that has started between Anuskaya and Yrstanla. Amidst air battles with cannons and elemental magic these three separated heros must find a way to end up at the same place and time as Muqallad and Sariya.

In The Winds of Khalakovo there were plenty of blood pumping battles taking place, between airships and musketeers. I found this style of combat refreshing for the fantasy genre, and was very pleased to see that Mr. Beaulieu added even more in The Straits of Galahesh. This time the battles are bigger, more encompassing, and more exciting. One of the main reasons for this is not just the windships and the descriptive nature of Beaulieu’s writing, but the fact that all of his characters are vulnerable. Each of these heros could die, each has fears and weaknesses, they are not the perfect warriors. Atiana tends to be too smart for her own good, over thinking some things. This leads to her falling for traps set by Sariya. Nikandr is always too trusting, putting himself and many of his crew in the hands of potential enemies. Granted, Nikandr does all this in the name of peace, but the risks still seem foolish. Nasim struggles with his confidence. He doubts himself when faced with questions posed by Muqallad. He second guesses his closest allies and places rifts between himself and them at the worst possible times. With each conflict I began to wonder if these scattered heros would survive. Not to mention that the elemental magic featured in the first book is used once again with great effect, giving many of the characters an almost Last Airbender feel and upping the danger factor. The ability Mr. Beaulieu has to convince you that he might kill off his leading roles helps make for good reading.

The Winds of Khalakovo kept the reader on the Islands of the Grand Duchy, never letting you see beyond the sea that surrounds them. The Straits of Galahesh open up that closed door to reveal a more detailed world. Mr. Beaulieu planned this world unveiling well by wetting your appetite with the first book and then providing a much bigger sequel, for the gravity of the conflict becomes greater with a larger world on the line. I am very pleased to have continued reading this imaginative new series and would recommend it to anyone who loves a good rich fantasy world. I think a few steampunk fans might like it as well. Also, like any good fantasy series, you can’t start with the second book. So, If you have not read The Winds of Khalakovo go and get a copy and get caught up. If you have and are wondering if you should continue reading the series let me help you decide that, do it.
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Dec 06, 2012 Chris rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy

I was really looking forward to this one because of how much I enjoyed the first book in the series, The Winds of Khalakovo, which I gave 4-stars to. However, I ended up being pretty disappointed.

This I had to give only 2/5 stars to.

The book itself has three main characters: Nikander, Atiana, and Nasim. There a myriad of short chapters in the mix from the POV of other characters as well, but the main focus is on the three mentioned above. I would try to give a synopsis, but the plot sprawls so f...more I was really looking forward to this one because of how much I enjoyed the first book in the series, The Winds of Khalakovo, which I gave 4-stars to. However, I ended up being pretty disappointed.

This I had to give only 2/5 stars to.

The book itself has three main characters: Nikander, Atiana, and Nasim. There a myriad of short chapters in the mix from the POV of other characters as well, but the main focus is on the three mentioned above. I would try to give a synopsis, but the plot sprawls so far and wide that I almost don't know where to start. Anyway it starts five years after the events of Winds with Nasim being restored to some sense of normalcy. So he spends most of his time wandering around somewhat aimlessly, but loosely in search of various parts of the Atalayina which is the stone used to open the rifts in the world that were the prominent feature in the first book. Nikander spends time using his new found connection with a wind spirit trying to heal people, and Atiana volunteers to get married to a far off prince for political purposes. These three threads all start to revolve around the exiled inhabitants of Gayahvard, the originators of the rifts that trouble Anuskaya and there attempt to escape the island and finish what they started.

The pros primarily revolve around the worldbuilding and characterization. When I read the first book I was a little skeptical of the vaguely Russian flavor of world Beaulieu was building, but strangely he made it work pretty well, and the second book is no exception. In general the world is nice and complex, although in this book I felt there were a couple of inconsistencies which I'll talk more about in the next paragraph.

Ok the cons . . . Unfortunately there are quite a few. First of all, the plot had pacing issues. I can't be more specific than that, but I picked up and put this book down (metaphorically speaking, as I own it on my kindle . . . ) around 4 times before I actually finished. While I'm on plot, I think Beaulieu tried to do too much with this book. In Winds there were also many story threads, but each one was woven appropriately into the story to further the book as a whole, whereas in this book I felt a lot of the storylines just kind of wandered around in the great swampy middle without forwarding the progress of the book very much. Then as the climax approached it was like all of a sudden these meandering threads were pulled straight together in a very short time, in an unrealistically short time. It seemed that Beaulieu was just wandering through the book and then all of a sudden decided he needed to tie everything together. In his defense, he did tie it all together in the end, it just seemed sort of un-natural and direct given the way the rest of the book had progressed. On a side note the book was really, really, long . . .

The biggest issue I had with this book, was the way Beaulieu played fast and loose with the rules of his own world. If there is one thing a genre writer needs to maintain the "fictional dream" for me consistency is it. The different gemstones played a serious role in the first book as to how the various spirits and whatnot were wrangled, but in this book it seemed they weren't really necessary. The last example I will cite is the random transportation abilities developed by certain characters at the end. Distance seemed no object, just kill some poor soul and a tunnel opened to where ever you wanted it to go. And the kids man . . . why was there so much child sacrifice? One instance is ugly, but acceptable as a plot point, by the end it just seemed gratuitous.

So in summary, a followup to Winds that was less than spectacular. I can only hope that number three redeems the series.

See other reviews that I have written at my blog http://lazerbrain.wordpress.com (less)

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Feb 10, 2013 Daniel Shellenbarger rated it 4 of 5 stars

I was divided between giving this three or four stars and ended up choosing to be generous. Don't get me wrong, there's a lot of really good stuff in Straits of Galahesh, Mr. Beaulieu has built an intriguing and detailed fantasy world with a distinctly Russo-Arabian feel to it and concocts a massive story of epic scope encompassing a large cast of dynamic characters. Sadly, that is also the problem. Frankly, the byzantine politics, vague geography (thankfully, unlike its predecessor, there are m...more

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Apr 21, 2012 Ryan rated it 5 of 5 stars

I liked Winds of Khalakovo (book one of this series), but it had its blemishes. I was very pleased that Beaulieu learned from them, and that the Straits of Galahesh shows his growth as an author. I could find only a minor quibble to complain about with book two.

I really liked the Straits of Galahesh (I bought additional copies to give to friends). I think it is one of the most enjoyable epic fantasy I have read in a while, and that is saying something.

The book has wonderfully developed characte...more I liked Winds of Khalakovo (book one of this series), but it had its blemishes. I was very pleased that Beaulieu learned from them, and that the Straits of Galahesh shows his growth as an author. I could find only a minor quibble to complain about with book two.

I really liked the Straits of Galahesh (I bought additional copies to give to friends). I think it is one of the most enjoyable epic fantasy I have read in a while, and that is saying something.

The book has wonderfully developed characters that I became invested in. It has an interesting and detailed world full of interesting lands, people, and a well developed magic system. I found the dialogue to be very well written.

And did I mention there is a LOT of action in the book? Once things get going, Beaulieu really keeps you on the edge of your seat with political intrigue, danger, and a lot of battles and encounters. It kept me up late reading even though I needed to get up the next morning.

He also really keeps you guessing. I was constantly surprised by the twists and turns, and there were a lot of times I never saw things coming. How many times have you read an epic fantasy lately and have been able to say that? This alone really makes this book worth reading.

Another thing this book gets right is giving us sufficient information about the politics and the people involved so you understand who they are, and their motivation. And the motivations are grey, not black and white. You get to see the various points of view and how the different sides believe they are in the right. A think the behaviour of some of the characters may surprise you.

One thing I really like about this book is the freshness and originality. Instead of being set in a western European inspired world, Beaulieu has based his world on an Russian inspired culture. Rather than arrows and sailing ships, he has ships that sail through the air as well as flintlock rifles and cannons. And this is just the starting point. I think you will find the magic system and how the battles play out very original as well.

If you are a fan of George R. R. Martin's a Game of Thrones, you might like this series. You have an epic story, detailed world full of magic and complex people, multiple points of view (3 of them), politics, and lots of action. Also, no character in the novel is safe. Personally, I think this series has the strengths of the Song of Ice and Fire series, but not the weaknesses.

I believe if the large book chains displayed the Straits of Galahesh prominently and promoted it, it could be a huge success. The book deserves it and will be so if people would just give it a try.

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Aug 01, 2012 Paul rated it 4 of 5 stars

My review at the Functional Nerds:
http://functionalnerds.com/2012/03/a-...

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Feb 25, 2013 Abbe rated it 5 of 5 stars

I am really enjoying this series, the world is rich and imaginative, the characters are well thought out and interesting.
To me it feels like Nikandr & Atiana will be like Richard & Khalan in The Sword of Truth Series where they will love each other but never see a moment's peace. Perhaps not entirely the same, but in the way that feels like a train wreck you can't stop watching. Not that I am looking for a romance novel, there is always that hope for found happiness.

Regardless, anything...more

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Oct 19, 2012 Brenda Cooper rated it 5 of 5 stars

I love this series. Brad has done a fabulous job creating a fresh fantasy world on a truly epic scale.

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May 15, 2013 Rosebee rated it 2 of 5 stars

It took forever, but I finally finished this.

I didn't like it nearly as well as the 1st book.

The constant switching of protagonists was frustrating as I was trying to follow the plot and figure out what was happening where (& when).

Once the main characters came together to be in the same place at the same time it became easier to follow.

I think I'm done with this series though. Which is unfortunate, because I truly loved the first book.

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Jul 28, 2012 Sean rated it 5 of 5 stars

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May 10, 2013 Justin rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-release, read-2013, night-shade, fantasy, epic

Classic second book. First and third in the series are WONDERFUL.

http://www.staffersbookreview.com/201...

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About Bradley P. Beaulieu

Bradley P. Beaulieu began writing his first fantasy novel in college, but life eventually intervened. As time went on, though, Brad realized that his love of writing and telling tales wasn't going to just slink quietly into the night. The drive to write came back full force in the early 2000s, at which point Brad dedicated himself to the craft, writing and learning under the guidance of writers li...more

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Books by Bradley P. Beaulieu

The Winds of Khalakovo (Lays of Anuskaya, #1)

The Flames of Shadam Khoreh (Lays of Anuskaya, #3)

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The Straits of Galahesh (Lays of Anuskaya #2)

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