false13119107true5668247read1true4517395currently-reading11true4517394to-read4false7953684dec-091false855874020100false7953666nov-09
<![CDATA[Mike added 'The River Kings' Road: A Novel of Ithelas']]>
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/80554674
The River Kings' Road: A Novel of Ithelas (Hardcover)
byLiane Merciel bookshelves: to-read
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<![CDATA[Mike
is on page 203 of The Quiet War
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http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/73644541
Mike
is on page 203 of 320 of
The Quiet War
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<![CDATA[Mike added 'The Seeds of Earth']]>
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/74408899
to: The Seeds of Earth (Humanity's Fire)byMichael Cobley bookshelves: dec-09
Seeds of the Earth is the first in a new space opera series by Michael Cobley. The cover features a nice one line quote from space opera master Iain M. Banks describing the novel as “Proper galaxy-spanning space opera.” A statement that couldn’t be more true. Seeds of the Earth is very old school with a large cast of characters and a diverse and wonderfully vibrant phalanx of ideas that makes for an great read and excellent starting point in jumping from my epic fantasy reading of November into the stars and beyond.
Seeds of the Earth opens with humanity’s first contact with the alien Swarm. Or at least the tail end of that conflict as we more or less witness the departure of three human colony ships (note: I read the prologue while I had a fever of 103 and, for shame, didn’t go back and re-read it after). The novel picks up a century and a half later on the human colony world of Darien where, after struggling with the rogue AI of their colony ship, the humans have settled in a peaceful coexistence of the nature loving Uvovo. The discovery of an ancient Uvovo ruin dating back thousands of years to a conflict with a powerful and mysterious enemy sets off a chain of reactions that thrusts Darien and its human and Uvovo inhabitants straight into danger.
More to follow with potential spoilers…
Seeds of the Earth is full of ideas that ooze cool. When it comes to the colony world of Darien these ideas help to evoke a vibrant picture of the planet’s geography, culture and society. We learn, for example, that the people of Darien are composed of Scottish, Scandinavian and Russian stock as an experiment in blending what the old Earth government believed would be national and ethnic background most likely to live and work well together. Thus throughout the novel you get a sampling, and frequently a mix, of dialect and names that lends a familiar feel to the people. At the same time that mix of culture and dialect lends something of an alien and unique feel to the world as well. Tossed into this cultural mix are the Uvovo short humanoids from the planet’s forest moon who worship a great sentient forest. The uvovo have helped the colonists on Darien to adopt their nature friendly policies. Of course we also get glimpses of the Uvovo culture as well and their sylvan and mystical feel lend a stark and welcomed contrast to the more technology heavy people and societies glimpsed elsewhere in the novel.
Early in the novel the Darien colonists receive a message, and later an ambassador(s), from Earth and her “allies” the Sendruka Hegemony. The incorporation of the previously isolated Darien into the greater sphere of Human and Sendrukan influence has a distinctly familiar feel. The sudden influx of news and information that is available to Darien is perhaps similar to what may have occurred in the years following the introduction of the telegraph, or the introduction of the transcontinental railroad in 1869. I suppose what I’m trying to say is that the sudden introduction of Darien into the greater world of intergalactic politics seems to bear a certain historical precedence. The brief though evocative experience readers get when first reading about Darien combined with the knowledge readers are given regarding Human and Sendrukan goals is precisely enough to create an atmosphere of tension and foreboding.
Each of the various factions in the novel is typically given a description casts them as either a good guy or a bad guy. There are hints of nuance, a human purity faction on Darien or the non-AI assisted humans, but they are mostly just that; hints. The villains are clearly villains and the heroes are clearly heroes. I don’t have a particular problem with this and, as I said, there are glimpse of other individuals and powers who are shaded a bit close to the gray but by and large the lines between hero and villain are pretty clearly drawn. It is entirely possible that as the series progresses we will see these elements explained in more detail.
Cobley employs a variety of perspectives for his novel with each chapter titled by the character it follows. All the characters are interest and well drawn. Perhaps the most enjoyable and dynamic is Kao Chih who is the only character that gets to explore outside of Darien and its environ. Robert Horst, the human ambassador from Earth, is perhaps the character I’d like to have explored a little more. He is a troubled figure, still grieving over the death of his daughter with loyalties divided between his fellow humans on Darien and the orders given by his superiors and Sendruka allies. His increasing reliance on the companions of an AI avatar of his daughter is fascinating but there is so little time spent with him that I was never certain if that reliance was the result of his own grief or some outside party.
My favorite idea, and I won’t explain it too much since I don’t want to spoil anything, is Cobley’s vision of subspace. Something about it just fired my imagination right up and I’d love to see more of that.
As the first book in the Humanity’s Fire series Seeds of the Earth doesn’t end with any kind of definitive conclusion. It instead ends with perhaps more questions then it started with. Oddly, I didn’t find this to be much of a problem for me. Seeds of the Earth feels the part of a greater story, as it should, and I am content in the knowledge that there will be questions answered in the next volume The Orphaned Worlds, due out in April 2010, and I’m excited to where the story goes and what new ideas Cobley will explore (which will hopefully be more subspace, in fact a whole novel set in subspace would rock). If you’re look for a solid new(ish) entry into the space opera genre then look no further than the Seeds of the Earth. It is, as many great sci-fi and fantasy tends to be, only out in the UK at the moment but Book Depository is listing a new edition due out in January 2010 for $5.99 with free shipping which, as far as I’m concerned, is a steal.
I should also note that Michael Cobley has some fine taste in metal. He lists Opeth (perhaps my favorite band ever) and Paradise Lost amongst the band he listed while writing the book. Kudos to you sir and might I recommend you check out the ’states own Agalloch for some excellent black/doom metal. You can read more about Cobley’s writing and impeccable music taste over at his blog Interstellar Tactics.
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<![CDATA[Mike added 'The Curse of Chalion']]>
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/78116048
to: The Curse of Chalion (Chalion, #1)byLois McMaster Bujold
Nominated for a World Fantasy award in 2002 The Curse of Chalion marked a shift for Bujold from the sci-fi adventure of Miles Vorkosigan to a more sedately paced fantasy novel. As commander of a border garrison Castillar Lupe de Cazaril held the fort against the enemy for longer then anyone expected. Peaceful negotiations prevailed and the fort was sold to the enemy. Unfortunately for Caz he was “mistakenly” left off the list of ransomed men and quickly sold into slavery on Rocknari galley. Returning home from several years of exile he is looking not for revenge but for a quiet job as servant or kitchen help. Instead he finds himself quickly placed as the secretary and tutor to the Royina Iselle, whose brother will inherit the throne. Caz is forcibly thrust back into court politics where he must do his best to safeguard the well-being of Iselle while at the same time confronting the very men who forced him into exile.
While playing Dragon Age for some reason a particular theological discussion called to time The Curse of Chalion and I impulsively decided it was time I reread the novel. So here we are. The Curse of Chalion isn’t really a tale of high adventure and big action, though it has it moments, but rather I quieter look at how the actions of one man can change things for the better. The novel spends a considerable amount of time, somewhat stealthily, discussing the religion and religious practices of Chalion. There aren’t any long expository moments in which religion is discussed or explained and, where such infrequent do crop, are usually handled so they are neatly disguised with both character and plot development.
The Curse of Chalion is filled with excellent characters from the vibrant and good-hearted Pali, a solider friend of Caz, who could easily have been a throwaway character but becomes important to the plot later in the novel to even the villainous March dy Jironal. There are, of course, a number of standouts whose attention and characterization far outshine the others. Amongst these is Umegat, the menagerie master who is not quite what he seems and who has a deeper role and personality that only come across over time. There is, of course, the Royina Isabelle who, despite her early display of spunk and moxie when dealing with a corrupt judge, easily could have been your typically spoiled princess. Instead, under the tutelage of Caz, she blossoms into a political whirlwind with an iron spine. Though perhaps, most important, there is Caz himself. While certainly haunted by his trials on the slave galley Caz has passed through despair and anger to a place of almost peace wherein the world, despite its flaws, is once again a thing of wonder and joy. Though, while he may view the world fresh eyes and with something of an old man’s body, his mind remains sharp and it is his mind, passion, and loyalty to his friends that really make him such a fascinating character. As another character relates later in the story Caz is incorruptible and, while that refers to a very specific set of circumstances late in the game, Caz exudes a sense of openness and purity from page one.
The Curse of Chalion sets forth very specific theological and magical rules that Bujold follows to the letter. Or at least when deviations from the commonly accepted rule crop up they end up being more of a modification to our perspective then outright challenge to the structure Bujold initially sets. It is a magnificent thing and never once detracts from the story instead both the story and the theological structure of her world are so intricately tied that both influence one another almost seamlessly. In fact this idea and method is explored even further in the World Fantasy Award winning semi-sequel Paladin of Souls. While my reactions may seem a bit subdued (there is a week full of fever, coughing, and mucus since I finished reading the novel) I really think The Curse of Chalion is one of the best fantasy novels of the decade and I couldn’t recommend it higher.
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<![CDATA[Mike added 'A Young Man Without Magic']]>
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/76797423
to: A Young Man Without Magic (Hardcover)byLawrence Watt-Evans
Believe it or not this is my first experience with veteran fantasy author Lawrence Watt-Evans. While certainly not a bad read by any means it is one rife with problems and one that feels more or less incomplete. In A Young Man Without Magic our titular young man is the recently-educated and well-to-do Anrel. His parents were killed in a arcane experiment when he was a child and he was taken in by his uncle, also a Mage. Anrel, unfortunately, is indeed without magic which in a society ruled by mages means that, despite his birth, Anrel is nothing more then a mere commoner. A commoner yes but one educated with the finest instruction money can buy. Returning home from school Anrel finds his boyhood friend Valin, a mage raised from common blood, now something a radical; preaching the importance and power of common man in the governance of society. When Valin runs afoul of a local lord and winds up dead Anrel’s brash attempt to honor his friend’s memory provokes an avalanche of consequence that sends him on the run.
A Young Man Without Magic is a novel in which a lot and almost nothing happens. A bit of a contradiction I know. Events and action certainly occur and while consequences ensue they are never really examined in detail and the end result ends up feeling a bit shallow. While the jacket flap and cover art would have you believe this is a novel of swashbuckling action and daring-do those moments are, in truth, few and far between. Instead A Young Man Without Magic is more prone to political meditation and lengthy speeches then action set-pieces.
That isn’t necessarily a bad thing and there is an attractive flair to the lengthy political conversations that occur periodically throughout the novel but I a long cry from man-with-sword and wits adventure the jacket copy would have you belie. In truth I wouldn’t have a problem with all that but, and perhaps this is a spoiler, all these conversations occur with a hero who doesn’t really stand behind his beliefs. Oh sure Anrel argues his points with cogent and educated grace but his speeches, while they have the outward appearance of passion, are in truth coldly calculated intellectual constructs that bear no relation, or at least little relation, to our hero’s actual opinion. This is, of course, all information we are privy to as readers, the perspective remains firmly affixed in Anrel’s head, but it doesn’t cast Anrel in any kind of heroic light.
In fact despite the social ramifications of Anrel’s actions his motives remain selfish: avenge his friends death, save his beloved’s sister from death since if he doesn’t she won’t marry him. Even at the novel’s end I never really felt Anrel progressed as a character and while the novel’s final page sums up the damage that the corrupt system of government has done to Anrel’s personal life leaves uncertain whether or not Anrel’s personal beliefs now mirror his speeches. Indeed the social change that Anrel’s actions seem to precipitate never comes to any kind of conclusion leaving A Young Man Without Magic to feel like something an introduction rather than a complete story.
Problems with plot and character to aside I really did enjoy reading A Young Man Without Magic. The action, when it does occur, is exciting and the dialogue is always fresh and engaging. The world that Watt-Evan’s has crafted is interesting and there are fascinating hints at greater depths to it beyond the limited selection we see over the course of the novel. The quality of the prose is almost enough overlook the novel’s larger problems but the abrupt conclusion left me feeling cheated. I found the prose and world engaging enough that I’d be willing to give another story a second-chance but as a stand-alone novel I found A Young Man Without Magic something of a disappointment.
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<![CDATA[Mike added 'The Left Hand of God']]>
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/78079385
The Left Hand of God (Hardcover)
byPaul Hoffman bookshelves: 2010,
to-read
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<![CDATA[Mike added 'Servant of a Dark God']]>
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/78078726
to: Servant of a Dark God (Hardcover)byJohn Brown
John Brown’s debut, and the first in a new series, is a blend of both classic fantasy tropes and more modern themes. With its unassuming boy hero it might be easy to write this off as a return to the farm hands and kitchen help of fantasy’s yesteryear but Brown, through delicate crafting of his world manages to avoid this potential pitfall creating something that, while it hearkens back the roots of classic fantasy, manages to become something slightly different.
The world of Servant of a Dark one is ruled by the mysterious and powerful Divines who ask for and wield the “fire” or life energy of their subjects in order to power their magic. We learn over the course of the novel that the Divines weren’t the only ones in charge and a multitude of conquered people are not necessarily satisfied with their rule. One such people, the Koramites, are a subjugated minority, servants to the powerful Mokkaddians who, in turn, serve the Divines. Tossed into this mix is a magical abomination and the machinations of unknown powers throwing one small corner of this world into near chaos.
Read on for more, though some minor spoilers may occur….
If the background of Brown’s world sounds a bit confusion then you’ll likely hit upon one of the novel’s slight weaknesses. The relationships between the various clans and peoples: Koramite, Mokkadian, Shoka, and Fir Noy is never quite clear (excepting the lesser place of Koramites of course) and even the glossary is not always helpful in this regard. Regardless a tenuous grasp of the various interrelationships between clans and people is certainly possible and even that much is enough to spot the tensions between these groups particularly the hatred and distrust the Fir Noy sow with regards to the Koramites.
The novel’s other main problem comes with pacing. Part of the trouble here lies with the number of characters who, while all interesting, make for a narrative that is spread rather thin by a desperate juggle of world-building and plot. Save for a few minor stumbles here and there Brown manages to pull this off quite nicely and, while the plot certain stalls in some sections, such as Argoth’s encounter with the Divine skir master which, while interesting, did little to serve the novel’s main conflict (at least initially), there is always something interesting and exciting going on.
Then again despite a large number of character viewpoints to follow along with each manages to create a sympathetic and well-drawn character. The sections from the monster Hunger’s point of view I found particularly enjoyable and it was great to get inside a villain’s, even if he was something of a henchman, head. Brown’s attention to character is the, in my opinion, the novel’s strongest quality. I mean the novel begins with a character, Talen, sitting sans pants calmly eating breakfast and waiting to enact revenge on the siblings who he believes stole his pants which is followed by a bit of madcap scene that reveals, with excitement, humor, and action precisely the kind of relationship this family has. That, as far as I’m concerned, is some excellent storytelling. While the split perspectives mean we never have a clear protagonist Talen, I think comes closest to the role of traditional fantasy hero. We learn early on that the way in which Talen perceives the world is not precisely correct and is even somewhat ignorant. While the reader comes around rather quickly to another way of thinking Talen’s glacial move towards that same point of view, while frustrating, is wholly believable.
Servant of a Dark God is, at times, a serious novel. It is a story full of heartbreak and sadness but it isn’t all doom and gloom. Brown manages to inject seeds of hope to much of his narrative, even in Hunger’s point of view, and frequently leaven’s the darkness with dashes of genuine humor that never feels forced. While it does take a while getting there Servant of a Dark God comes to a stellar conclusion with a climatic battle that, in the best possible way, leaves the reader and the characters with as many questions as answers. Servant of a Dark God’s flaws are slight and easily overlooked for what amounts to an exciting and well-realized debut novel that fans of fantasy are sure to enjoy. I will definitely be looking forward to future work by Mr. Brown.
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<![CDATA[Mike added 'The City of Dreaming Books']]>
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/76818117
The City of Dreaming Books (Hardcover)
byWalter Moers bookshelves: to-read
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<![CDATA[Mike added 'Diving into the Wreck']]>
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/74407408
Diving into the Wreck (Paperback)
byKristine Kathryn Rusch bookshelves: dec-09,
to-read
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<![CDATA[Mike added 'Nova War']]>
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/73644574
Nova War (Hardcover)
byGary Gibson bookshelves: dec-09,
to-read
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