Beth Tabler's Blog, page 178
June 22, 2022
REVIEW: The Last Gifts Of The Universe by Rory August
Rory August’s The Last Gifts of the Universe is somehow both a hauntingly beautiful meditation on grief and loss, as well as a delightful space-faring romp, and I’m honestly in awe of how it manages to encompass both of those things in a lean, and efficient narrative.
Last Gifts follows Scout and their brother Kieran – two space archaeologists – who, along with their cat Pumpkin, are racing against the profit-obsessed Verity Corporation to find caches of data from dead interstellar civilizations. These caches may hold the key to discovering the origins of and defeating the mysterious Remnants who have been destroying planets across the galaxy.
August’s world-building in Last Gifts applies such a light touch while still being satisfying that it’s beyond admirable. We learn precious little about the galaxy at large. All we see are dead planets (side-note: can it be called world-building if all the worlds are dead?) and the only hints of the larger galactic civilization are the fact that space archaeologists and corporate greed exist (alongside pizza, beer, trashy b-movies, and videogames, thank god).
But the slight world-building serves the story well, as we spend most of our time exploring Scout’s emotions regarding life, death, and the inevitability of all things – when confronted by the last words of the representative of a long-dead species. We feel Scout’s anger, fear, and desperation to hold on to all they hold dear (including the cat) so thoroughly and effectively, that the greater world beyond their inner turmoil feels like something of an afterthought – which anyone who has gone through true grief can tell you is pretty much the case.
When the events of the plot and world do propel the narrative forward, it’s with such swiftness that putting the book down seems all but impossible – again, exactly like a race against time, certain death, and evil corporatists should. And what’s extra surprising is that the book doesn’t overstay its welcome. In fact, the ending might take you by surprise – which can be a good and bad thing based on how you look at it:
*SPOILER ALERT*
Some may not feel satisfied by the book’s lack of closure in terms of overall plot and questions, but honestly that just made me love it even more. It ties so closely to the themes of death and inevitability – and embracing life in the face of them – that if August HAD opted for a complete resolution (which is always tempting) it might have been a lesser book for it. But the fact that August took the high ground shows how much care and thought and love went into crafting this narrative.
*END SPOILERS*
The Last Gifts of the Universe is a dark, grief-filled, weird, fast, fun read that ends much faster than you expect it to. Such is life.
Read The Last Gifts Of The Universe by Rory August
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June 21, 2022
Review – Drifting by J Calamy
Drifting (Diving In #1) by J Calamy is the body-positive grump/sunshine M/M romance beach read of the summer
Having read J Calamy’s crime/action romances The Boss and The Chief, I was expecting the new book to be more of the same: scalding-hot queer romance with great writing and all the feels, plus the very real threat of violence in the international criminal underworld. I got the heat and the feels and the writing, but the whole thing was much sweeter, more affirming, and less angsty. While the criminal underworld does play a role, it’s a much more understated one, leaving more room for the exploration of this unique and very sweet grump/sunshine relationship.
Cole—the Sunshine—has some issues, including anxiety and poor body image, but he’s mostly happy as he sets out on his first real diving vacation. Of course, he lusts after his new divemaster’s physique, but why would someone that hot be into him? And why is Hank so pissed off all the time?
Hank—the Grump—has other problems, not the least of which is a debt to a local criminal he can’t ever seem to repay. Though he’s the best divemaster around, his poor social manners make it hard for him to keep his bosses and clients happy and make enough money to get out of debt.
Their first encounter doesn’t go well, because Hank’s kind of a dick, but something keeps Cole intrigued—maybe it’s Hanks’s chiseled, sun-kissed physique? Or could it be the beautiful world beneath the waves Cole glimpses under Hank’s tutelage?
The ice quickly thaws, and Cole discovers that not only is Hank not an asshole, he’s also into Cole. Like, really into him, into his big, soft body, the one he’s been ashamed of all his life. You can see where this is going, right? Well, it goes there, and in a very hot and satisfying way, the details of which I leave to your reading pleasure.
But there are some things you might not expect, and which bear mentioning. Both characters are dealing with some mental health challenges, and the author is not afraid to show them in an open and healthy way. Because people have problems, and no one benefits when they get swept under the rug, or off the page. J Calamy is never one to shy away from dealing with characters’ trauma and internal struggles. So while this is ultimately a sweet and tender romance, that sweetness does not come at the expense of realistic psychological portrayals.
Another thing you may not be expecting if you haven’t read the author’s other books is the quality of the writing. Calamy nails each character’s voice, both internal and in dialogue. These are not just cartoon Grump and Sunshine characters—they feel real, and that brings so much more tenderness to the sweet moments and depth to the spicy ones. I laughed out loud on a number of occasions, and I went “Daaaammmnn” on some others. You have to read to see what I mean, but J Calamy can fucking WRITE.
The last thing I want to mention is the setting, which, I guess the title kind of hints at, involves diving. I have never gone scuba diving, but the underwater world they explore is fascinating and beautifully told. The descriptions of the reefs and the undersea creatures they encounter are the equal of any you’ll find in a more “literary” novel, but these come with a sidecar of hot on-the-boat sex. Well, they have sex off the boat too, but you get my point. But even out of the water, the depictions of the Red Sea and the people who live along it are so real you feel like you’re dipping your toes in the salty water.
Calamy uses the discovery they make while diving to highlight some interesting cultural and political issues as well, and the angst that comes in during their temporary setback is well-earned and relevant to the plot and to the real-world challenges of the region. And yes, they get a HEA–this is a romance, after all.
If you’re ever in the mood for a sweet and spicy M/M romance novel with a grump/sunshine love story, reef diving, ancient treasure, heart-warming romance, body positivity, mental health rep—oh, and did I mention the author’s hallmark ghost pepper spicy sex scenes? Well, if all of that sounds good, run—don’t walk—to the seaside for the summer read you’ve been waiting for.
Read Drifting by J Calamy
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Check Out Some of Our Other Reviews
Review – Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse
Review – DEATH RIDER by Zamil Akhtar
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Review – GARDENS OF THE MOON by Steven Erikson
A history and backstory encompassing thousands of years, an absolutely immense cast of characters, and a twisting, complex, multi-layered plot.
That is how I describe the book that at times made me feel inadequate as a reader, and challenged me perhaps more than any other fantasy book I have ever read.
So, please, endure with me as I attempt to review “Gardens of the Moon”, Book One in “The Malazan Book of the Fallen”.
For those who have not heard of the Malazan series, it’s a ten-book epic saga written by author Steven Erikson. Frequently, when the best fantasy series EVER are mentioned, the name “Malazan” invariably comes up, alongside “A Song of Ice and Fire”, “The Lord of the Rings”, “The Wheel of Time”, and the like. Praised for its worldbuilding scope, mastery of characterization, and social commentary / themes, the Malazan fan base is extremely devoted, passionate, and widespread amongst fantasy readers.
After years of hearing friends rave about Malazan, I finally stepped up to the plate, preparing myself to be dazzled, but confused. Everyone warned me, that even for someone who considers themselves a reader and even writer of immersive fantasy, that I might feel at times that I was in over my head.
Boy, that was an understatement.
But was it worth all the befuddlement? Let’s find out as we dive into the review. Again, I crave your indulgence, if my limited understanding of the book affects the quality of what I write here, and does not adequately explain the important elements of the book, or even if if get plot facts incorrect.
Malazan is a book, primarily, about war and conflict.
A ruthless empire, led by the Emperor Kellanved, aspires to world domination. Kellanved invades most of the continent of Genabackis. At the beginning of the novel we get to see some key characters early in the book, as the reader is taken to a siege of Malaz City, one of the key cities in Genabackis. There we are introduced to a youth, and nobleman, named Paran.
Paran observes one of the most significant historical events at the heart of the book, which is, as the Emperor’s troops sack the city, the rise of the Emperor’s underling, Lassen. Laseen is the commander of the Emperor’s assassins, known as the Claw. Paran, who dreams of being a soldier, is chastised by a commander for his aspirations.
We meet a young soldier named Whiskeyjack here. The two soldiers in the scene with Paran are Bridgeburners, part of an elite troop of the Emperor’s army.
Nearly a decade later, the Emperor has been assassinated and replaced by Lassen, and Lassen is laying siege to Pale, one of the last holdout free cities in Genabakis. Pale would have long been conquered, save for an alliance with the mysterious and puissant Lord Anomander Rake, who rules a floating fortress called Moon’s Spawn.
Paran has achieved his dream, and is a lieutenant in the Emperor’s army, and finding military life is complicated, as he is caught up in investigating a mysterious troop massacre that seemed to have nothing to do with battle. The new Empress Lassen also dispatches her second-in-command, the Adjunct Lorn, to look into the incident.
Paran ends up working for Lorn, and getting a lot more than just a promotion out of the assignment – a lot more than he bargained for.
Meanwhile, a young woman near the incident is taken by powerful forces, while those around her are killed. Possessed by a god, she has turned into an unstoppable killing force, and has now become part of the Empire forces, and part of the Bridgeburners. This peculiar woman is appropriately given the new name – ironically- of Sorry, and the Bridgeburners may indeed live to rue the day she came into their company.
Whiskeyjack is now a sergeant and nominally in command of all the Bridgeburners, and participating in the siege of Pale. Despite the best efforts of High Fist Dujek, who is in charge of the siege, and Whiskeyjack, along with the talented Mage Tattersail, the empire sustains heavy casualties in the siege.
And they are also beset by internal enemies, including perhaps Dujek’s counterpart on the magical side, the High Mage Tayschrenn. It seems the famous and revered Bridgeburners may be targeted by the Empress herself, because the Empress believes the Bridgeburners were too loyal to the former Emperor.
Moreover, the crazed Mage Hairlock, seems to have his own mad designs, and to be also plotting against both the Bridgeburners, Dujek, and Tattersail. Supported by their comrades, subordinates, and allies, like the mage Ben, the sapper Fiddler, and the assassin Kalam, eventually, the Bridgeburners are assigned to try and undermine the last free city of Darujhistan.
There, the empire operatives play both sides: trying to accomplish their mission and stay alive, while also trying to stay one step ahead of the Empress and those determined to kill them. But they are drawn into a web of intrigue, involving the city’s assassins, a thief, double-dealing elites and local government leaders, informants, spies, con-artists, and other shady figures, in addition to numerous competing, and meddling gods and sinister magical beings.
All the while, a malevolent ancient power is awoken, that threatens the existence of the entire continent.
The prose is fabulous, and Erikson’s writing truly matches the epic range and breadth of the novel. Elaborate when called for to convey the sense of grandeur, especially for some of the backstory and philosophical moments. Spare and workmanlike when necessary, in the tension of some jaw-dropping action scenes. It was a great blend, and it really worked for me.
“Gardens of the Moon” has a sprawling cast of characters, often too many to truly keep track of. In addition, historical characters who span the previous epochs mentioned in the book, are noted too, at various intervals throughout the novel. That said, I found it helpful to cling to my favs, and their story arcs, like liferafts, as I drowned amidst the numerous players.
My overarching comment is that all of the characters are amazingly well-drawn. Paran, Tattersail, Ben, Rallick, Murillio, Kruppe (loved Kruppe), were my favourites. Crone was also awesome, and who could not be drawn to the enigmatic and menacing Rake as a character. To be clear, I was hard pressed to find any characters who were anything other than very nuanced shades of grey, and I was just fine with that. The characters were all very intriguing, and there were many times I had to ask myself if anyone was truly doing anything “good” or “bad”.
In some cases, some were just “doing their job” or “their duty”, or more often simply trying to exist. But was that duty righteous, or evil? Some of these duties, included assassination, murder, deception, manipulation, and more. After all, even the “good” characters (the ones that seem to have a very overt sense of some morality) like Whiskeyjack are part of an oppressive, colonial, expansionist empire, bent on nothing else save conquering (while at the same time, in an usual dichotomy, being uniquely “fair”, harmonious, and even potentially magnanimous). It’s only after they become aware they’re being double-crossed that the Bridegburners truly stand up to the Empire. Prior to that, and along the way, they loyally help kill a LOT of innocent people.
The Empire has been at war for untold years, trying to vanquish an entire continent. But as the commander says in the first few pages of the book, “Such is war”, and our characters go through the book having to often choose between the best of horrible options. But these obstacles allow the reader to truly see the characters in their darkest moments, and provide the opportunity for many of them to shine, despite the tarnish.
I did like the way that characters like Paran (to me the main protagonist of the book, if there was such a thing) evolved, matured, and seemingly became better for what he endured, and what he was willing to face.
Let’s address some of the themes, and the tone of the book. As I have noted in many reviews, interfering gods are always a concept I love, and there is plenty of this in “Gardens of the Moon”. All the deities and sub-deities seem to have competing agendas. Some gods just appear to be in it for the pranks, and the fun. Others are puppet-masters, influencing events for their own purposes. None of the gods seem particularly sympathetic or have many redeeming qualities. There are a lot of volatile gods to contend with, and it makes for some fascinating developments.
This is a dark book, with lots of battlefield gore, violence, torture, trauma, death (though dead is not always really dead, and it can also be undead), lost love, and despair. Still, there are some definite glimmers of hope in the book, and Erikson seems to imply that beings are essentially good, despite their many flaws.
There are a lot of touching moments of self-sacrifice, camaraderie, and courage that pull at the heartstrings in this book. I want to pull on that last thread, being personal courage, as something I found central to the novel. Courage not only to stand for ideals, but also to face overwhelming odds with bravery, certain of defeat, but standing up anyway.
I loved the heroism in the book where mortals dare face the gods, or superior magical forces. Things tend not to go well for the mortals, but they do their best, and their moxy seems to at times be able to – surprisingly – change the anticipated outcome.
But perhaps the most crucial theme I found in the book was the valuing of diverse cultures, races, and genders. The Malazan military machine is the greatest armed forces the world has ever seen, peerless in terms of their capabilities. Those capabilities appeared to have been forged due to the diversity of their ranks. As they conquer and acquire more humans and non-humans, they seem to be effectively integrated into the military, and all their talents put to good use.
Moreover, the various races that form the armed forces seem to get along seamlessly, and there does not appear to be racial or gender impediments to rising in rank. I am unsure yet if this will be a constant throughout the series, but so far, it seems the empire is more inclined to preserve cultural identity as opposed to wiping it out – not for altruistic purposes, of course, but rather for pragmatic ones.
I will be watching this theme closely as I progress through the series, to see if this aspect holds true in future books.
Which brings me to the worldbuilding of the book. I must admit, it is stupendous. It appears Erikson has fashioned an enormous and immersive universe, replete with military orders, sociology, anthropology, magic systems, mythology, history, languages, races, everything to make it seem completely real. It is an incredible achievement that is rivalled in few fantasy books. Hell hounds, demons, giant crows, shapeshifters, floating fortresses, and so much more (including DRAGONS)! Wow!
I am a huge fan of absorbing worldbuilding, but for perhaps the first time reading a fantasy book, I was overwhelmed with it. But ultimately, I can only lay the blame on my own deficiencies, rather than at the feet of Erikson, for the fact that at times I was deluged by the book’s worldbuilding, in addition to its labyrinthine plot.
This leads me to a piece of advice I have for those new to reading Erikson’s work: just read, and don’t think too much. I am not easily frustrated, but I found myself irked at times, trying to comprehend all that I was reading. Then I just relaxed, tried to enjoy the story and the writing, without UNDERSTANDING everything all at once, because frankly for a person of average intellect like me, that was impossible.
I found things worked far better in terms of my reading experience after that: I really started to get into the story. It took a change in my reading habits – I did not go back and re-read anything I did not get. I merely kept forging ahead, grasping the parts I did get, and savouring them.
This is a book that will DEFINITELY require a re-read for me at some point, to digest many of the finer points, and even some of the more major ones.
My final part of the review is about the completely astounding battle sequences. They are varied, and all of them are fantastic. From assassins dueling on rooftops, to larger scale magical clashes, to a climactic show-down between one of my favourite characters who wields a huge sword, and takes on a demon, Erikson knows how to compose a pulse-pounding scene.
So, what is the sum of the parts of this book?
“Gardens of the Moon” is incredibly ambitious, a jaw-dropping feat of imagination, depth, and is definitely genre-changing. I can see why so many consider it to be such a ground-breaking fantasy book.
That said, it is an intimidating read, where one will lose track of all the varying plot lines, names, places, and motivations of the characters. It’s a spider web of complexity that almost feels absurd in its intricacy.
Nonetheless, I can look back after reading the book, and say that complexity made it all seem that much more real, and beautiful. And I know I am merely beginning to scratch the surface of a ten-book series that promises to be like nothing else I’ve ever read.
I can’t promise I will stick the whole series out, because it does make my head spin, but I’m game for the attempt. Because I think anything this great, this intelligently and inventively written, MUST be worth my time and effort. Kudos to Erikson: this book is truly a game-changer in the overall genre of fantasy.
I did not always enjoy reading because of my moments of lack of comprehension, but overall it was assuredly a GREAT book.
Read Gardens of the MoonReview – Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse
Review – DEATH RIDER by Zamil Akhtar
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#SPFBO8 Review and Cut: A Bond of Thread by Allegra Pescatore and J.P. Burnison
Bond of Thread is a steamy fae romance with fast-paced action and fun world-building
I snapped this book up when our group got its allotment: fantasy romance featuring fae and soul-bonding? Sign me up!
The story is fast-paced, and the enemies-to-lovers plotline is telegraphed right from the beginning, but with an interesting twist: they are soul-bonded to each other instantly, but they hate everything the other represents. Ilyas and Skye both reject the roles the world cast them into, but Fate has other plans.
This book offers an enjoyable take on some classic tropes, with excellent pacing and fun world-building. I enjoyed the diversity of fae, especially the lesser fae like the skitterlings and mosskins, who are small and quite adorable. I did wish for a bit more nuance in the world-building; it’s a high-fantasy story that doesn’t spend much time with the minutiae. Some readers will love that about it, especially those who want to tear through the fantasy plot to get at the kissy scenes, which are quite well done, but the fantasy plot didn’t grip me. The action revolves around an attack by hordes of ferals (twisted, fallen fae), who attack a village and then the cave where the lovers and remaining villagers retreat. I wasn’t invested in the struggle against the ferals, which takes up a considerable portion of the plot.
The strength of this book is the romance, which is well-developed and fun, and the writer knows how to write a steamy scene. Is it a good sign when you find yourself skimming the fantasy plot to get to the smooches? For some, the answer will inevitably be YES. Forced proximity? Only One Bed? Never Been Kissed? This book has it all, and the, erm, coming together of the hero and heroine is a delight.
Read this book if you want a steamy fae romance with a lot of action and fun world-building. This book is going to be right up some fantasy romance readers’ alley, and I urge you to give it a whirl if anything here piques your interest!
Add it on Goodreads Buy from Amazon
Check Out Some Other #spfbo8 Posts
#SPFBO8 Review and Cut – The Killer and the Dead by Roderick T. MacDonald
#SPFBO8 Review and Cut – There’s Magic between Us by Jillian Maria
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SIX ELEMENTALS AUTHOR INTERVIEW – SHANE SCOTT
Six Elementals Author Interviews will introduce prospective readers to some of the best writers in their genre you may, or may not, have heard of, via a series of six questions. I encourage you to check out the work of these phenomenal creatives! Links to their websites and purchase links will always appear, accompanying the interview. Check them out!
This is a real treat for me, to be able to interview the phenomenal fantasy author, Shane Scott! Shane’s currently published works are: God of Nothing: The All; and Faith: Stories from the All.
P.L.: Such a privilege to be able to interview you, Shane! Welcome to Six Elementals Interviews! God of Nothing: The All was an incredible book, and one of the best books I read last year! What a psychedelic, absolutely wild ride through an awe-inspiring universe, both celestial and mortal. Can you tell us about what inspired you to write such an ambitious book, involving God, the Devil, demons, Bool, other gods, Titans, humans, and more?Shane: I started thinking about this story in the early 90s after a near death experience, a profound event in my life. I came away with the belief God is female, and that makes sense to me. I don’t know any man who ever gave birth to anything. As I thought about the story, I kept coming back to the concept, “What if everything we know is wrong?” That led me to create a story where everything is different from what we believe.
As well, in physics there is a quest to find a “theory of everything” math that joins Einstein’s general and special theory of relativity with quantum mechanics. Like that, I wanted a “story of everything” that combined myths, legends, conspiracy theories, God, the devil, aliens, and more. A single story that explains “everything” in a believable way. It was a lot harder than I expected.
P.L.: If there’s one part of your book that absolutely hooked me and I can’t stop thinking about, it’s “The Upstairs”! It is simply one of the coolest things I have read in recent fantasy literature!! Without giving away spoilers, can you tell the readers a little about “The Upstairs”, and how you came up with that concept?Shane: The Upstairs. Lol. I believe in balance and so after I created the Downstairs, a close comparison to biblical hell, I felt something had to exist that offset that. And since any good story has a decent bar the characters frequent, I made the Upstairs. It is still technically a part of Hell and overseen by Beelzebub and Wen, God of Chaos, however it is not punishment, it is pleasure. It is where various alien cultures (Mortals) and Immortals meet and gather and interact.
Still, being part of Hell means you have to watch your step…best time ever, if you don’t end up dead.
P.L.: Love is a big theme in your book. You represent love being able to transcend race, gender, species, and all else. You also speak to the opposite of love: hate. Can you please tell us about your thoughts on how you portray the idea of love and hate in your book?Shane: You can’t have love without hate. Again, it is a balance, an equilibrium. That does not mean it has to be a 50-50 split of the two emotions. Even if hate only accounted for one percent, it still exists and so love can exist.
Hate is powerful but it is like a nuclear bomb, it flares, causes damage, then fades and dissipates.
Love is eternal. It lasts forever. It’s not a nuclear bomb, it is springtime, soft gentle warmth from the sun, constant, like water carving the Grand Canyon.
In the short term, hate might be seen as the stronger of the two emotions but that is wrong. Love is more powerful and eventually it conquers all.
In my series, there are only two people in the All without any hate, God and one other person. I define them as “perfect.”
Shane: Faith is a story also set in my universe, the All. It takes place 1000 years after God of Nothing and can be read as a stand alone story. The reader does not have to have any previous knowledge of the All.
The story came about because my wife asked me for 25 years if I was planning to apocalypse the earth, and so yeah, I did.
Some of the characters from God of Nothing make cameo appearances in Faith, tying it to my All.
P.L.: What are some of the authors that have inspired you? Who are some of your favourite authors?Shane: My favorite book over the years is Armor, by John Steakley. He wrote a book where his main character, Felix has no redeeming qualities whatsoever, yet at the end, you felt like you lost a friend. I tried to make Satan, God of Hate, a little like that in my story.
I’ve also been influenced by Scalzi, Asimov, Sanderson, Robin Hobbs, Frank Herbet, and of course Tolkien. In general, I like big stories with flawed characters with mostly happy endings.
I am not a fan of the current books where at the end you feel worse than when you started reading or watching. When I finish a book I want to feel better than when I started.
P.L.: What’s next for Shane Scott? Can you please tell us a bit about the projects you are working on?Shane: I am currently working on God of Everything and hope to have it out before year end. It has most of the rest of Aja’s story and a little more Eva and Cassy.
I am also working on another novella, Belief, however I ran into some trouble. It is set in my All universe (everything I write is) and about a hybrid human-succubus and keeps trying to turn into erotica. I generally have sexual situations in my book but I fade to black before any graphic sex. I don’t think that is needed most times. When writing about a hybrid human-succubus, yeah, I think maybe some graphic sex is needed. So I am not sure where I am going with that novella.P.L.: Shane, it has been an honour to speak to you for Six Elementals Interviews! Thank you so much!
Shane: Paul, it is always a pleasure talking to you.
The interview originally appeared here.
Buy Faith: Stories from the All here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09RQZ2534
Buy God of Nothing: The All here – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08W3KCRRP
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21598177.Shane_Scott
https://twitter.com/TheALLwriter
https://www.facebook.com/TheALLwriter
https://www.bookbub.com/profile/shane-scott
SIX ELEMENTALS INTERVIEW WITH NATANIA BARRON
Interview with Jed Herne, Author of Siege of Treboulain
The post SIX ELEMENTALS AUTHOR INTERVIEW – SHANE SCOTT appeared first on BEFOREWEGOBLOG.
June 20, 2022
Review – Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse
What is it About?The first book in the Between Earth and Sky trilogy, inspired by the civilizations of the Pre-Columbian Americas and woven into a tale of celestial prophecies, political intrigue, and forbidden magic.
A god will return
When the earth and sky converge
Under the black sun
In the holy city of Tova, the winter solstice is usually a time for celebration and renewal, but this year it coincides with a solar eclipse, a rare celestial event proscribed by the Sun Priest as an unbalancing of the world.
Meanwhile, a ship launches from a distant city bound for Tova and set to arrive on the solstice. The captain of the ship, Xiala, is a disgraced Teek whose song can calm the waters around her as easily as it can warp a man’s mind. Her ship carries one passenger. Described as harmless, the passenger, Serapio, is a young man, blind, scarred, and cloaked in destiny. As Xiala well knows, when a man is described as harmless, he usually ends up being a villain.
My ThoughtsThere’s so much to love about Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse. In the confines of this book, you’ll find nuanced characters, a unique setting, beautiful prose, well-written romance, strong LGBT representation, and a captivating story. Roanhorse is a prolific and highly touted author with Hugo, Locus, and Nebula awards to her name, but to my knowledge, this is her first foray into writing a high fantasy novel. Her inaugural voyage into this subgenre is a hugely successful effort—one that I’m overjoyed that I have had the opportunity to read.
Perhaps the most attention-grabbing hook to this novel is that Roanhorse eschews the conventional high fantasy setting of pseudo-medieval Europe in favor of a world inspired by pre-Columbian America. This alone makes Black Sun a breath of fresh air for longtime fantasy readers who are ready to take a step outside of the familiar. The societal structures and aesthetic that are presented in this novel make for a distinctive reading experience that transports me into an entirely different world—one that lends itself extremely well to fantasy storytelling. This strong worldbuilding is only enhanced by the implementation of epigraphs which provide in-world idioms, excerpts from documents, and other inclusions that lend a verisimilitude to the setting.
Black Sun’s worldbuilding is far from the only aspect that makes it stick out. The characters transcend familiar archetypes and each provide their own voice and perspective on the world around them colored by their own place in society and past experiences. There are four point of view (POV) characters, but the two that I found most compelling were Xiala and Serapio. Xiala is a sea-captain that belongs to a people known as the “Teek” who is living among outsiders. The Teek are an isolated society with magical powers that enable them to control the waters. For this ability, they are feared and discriminated against by those who are not a part of their society (and occasionally beloved when Teek powers serve to benefit them). Xiala’s cynical but justified perspective on the world provides her with a realistic-feeling and intriguing voice. Serapio is an individual who has been preordained to host the rebirth of a long-dead god known as the Crow God. From childhood, he must discern his role in a world where his own personal desires are so subsidiary to his inexorable destiny that his very humanity is in question. His journey through this process is fascinating. Serapio is blinded as a child within the first ten pages, so Roanhorse walks delicate ground regarding his depiction. From what I’ve gathered, she put in a tremendous amount of effort toward properly representing his experience, and though I can’t personally speak to how well she accomplished the portrayal of a blind character, I give her a lot of credit for doing her due diligence.
The two characters described above and their relationship with each other form the cornerstone of Black Sun’s reading experience for me. The remaining two POV characters are well-written, too, and in another book, I might have gravitated more toward them than I did in this one—they were just overshadowed by my two favorites. Naranpa, a figurehead known as the Sun Priest in the city of Tova, provides the reader with a perspective inside the court intrigue and complex politics taking place in her city. She comes from humble beginnings, and she must grapple with her identity, given the contrast between her upbringing and current powerful position. Meanwhile, those around her are unwilling to let her forget where she came from, and the tension throughout her chapters kept my attention and interest. Okoa, the son of a leader of the Carrion Crow Clan, is probably the character with the least depth to this point, but this seems largely attributable to the fact that he has by far the least “screen time” of any of the POV characters.
The plot is consistently engaging; although, it does seem to take a backseat to the characters in this one. One of my favorite elements about the story is that it all revolves around the ticking time bomb that is the countdown to a timepoint known as the “convergence. Each chapter begins by denoting how far away it is from the convergence. Roanhorse weaves back and forth between timepoints, which is always a potentially jarring storytelling device. I think she accomplishes this well, but there were instances where I found it disrupted the flow and had me wishing we could continue the present story. It is perhaps the pacing of the novel that I feel most critical about regarding Black Sun. The climax and conclusion arrive abruptly and seem to happen in a blink of an eye compared to the more methodical, patient pace of the beginning and middle of the book. It leaves us with a cliffhanger, and I do have a personal preference for first books in a series that tell a complete story. When a Book One in a series would also work as a standalone, it is a huge plus for me. Black Sun felt as though it might not be completely satisfying to read without intentions of continuing the story. I did feel this critique was worth noting, but it wasn’t a terrible problem for me, as I do plan on reading the recently released sequel, Fevered Star.
Overall, Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse is one of my favorite books that I’ve read this year.
It has so much to offer as a reading experience that transports you to another world entirely, and I’d gladly recommend to speculative fiction readers. In particular, I believe fans of NK Jemisin’s highly acclaimed Broken Earth trilogy would find this novel to be exactly their cup of tea. And I mean that to be the high praise that comes with comparing this book to a series that won a triple crown worth of Hugos. I’m excited to see more from Roanhorse, both regarding this series in particular and her continued work in speculative fiction at large.
Review – Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse
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Review – DEATH RIDER – by Zamil Akhtar
Lastly, Akhtar’s prose still leaves me humming, wanting more. His “re-read passage for the beauty of it quotient” is very high.
Lat, save me from Zamil Akhtar, I can’t stop reading his books!
Here is my honest review of the novella, “Death Rider”, by Zamil Akhtar.
This book is set in the same universe as “Gunmetal Gods” and “Conqueror’s Blood”.
In “Death Rider”, we meet Darya, a disgraced Khatun (female tribal warleader), among the Sirmian tribes who is sworn to a great king, Shah Jalal, know as “The Shadow of God”. Darya’s downfall is attributed to her failure to play her role effectively in the siege of the great Crucian capital city. Due to being unable to successfully lead her troops to break through the city’s defences, the Shah sentences Darya and her compatriots to death by firing squad.
But while her other comrades are killed, the executioner assigned to Darya has his gun misfire. When he prepares to reload, the Shah intervenes, believing that it is a sign from God that Darya be spared – at least temporarily.
Instead, the Shah is determined that Darya’s death be less ignoble, and condems her to ride with the “Death Riders”, at the vanguard of the next assault on the city. The “Death Riders” are essentially cannon fodder, given inadequate weapons and armour, expendable, sure to perish in the brutality of a frontal assault on the city.
But besides the Shah, there are far greater and more capricous powers at play, perhaps, who are really the ones that have kept Darya alive, for their own ambigous, and potentially nefarious purposes.
Akhtar’s characters, at their very best, feel like they walk beside you, or at the very least that they have walked the earth in some distant alternate past, and you can read about them in some dusty history book, somewhere.
I have read few writers that have such an uncanny ability to depict the thoughts, feelings, and motivations of BOTH sides of a military conflict, with such poignancy as Akhtar. Akhtar truly makes the reader question who and what is right, and who and what is wrong. Which gods truly hold sway, and are any of them good, or truly worth of human devotion?
Darya is a fabulous protagonist. She’s formidable, a great warrior, a loving wife and mother, full of passion, duty, and a desire to protect her children and preserve her family legacy, while at the same time playing a meaningful role as a war-leader.
Her waffling between wanting to die a heroic death, and redeem her honour, versus the natural self-preservation drive, was very realistic. The secondary characters like Jalal, Niovi, and Argus are also very well drawn, and fleshed out, all the more difficult with the brevity of the narrative.
Once more, Akhtar takes us to his incredibly lush, beautiful Middle-Eastern inspired world, where life is cheap, the gods are mercurial and very fickle, and humans idle their time away in fruitless wars of conquest, while the gods laugh, and pull their puppet strings.
Akhtar’s worldbuilding, as in both of his previous novels, is some of the best you will find in Indie fantasy: layered, intricate, organically woven into the plot, so well that everything feels utterly believable. This is an especially amazing accomplishment when one can achieve such immersive worldbuilding in a novella that is less than 100 pages. I can see, when I close my eyes, the heraldric and military flags adorning the yurts, I can smell the rot of those infected by the worms, and I can hear the gunfire of the janissaries’ matchlocks.
“He smelled like the mountains of Tagkalay. LIke the caves where bright-budded pileas grew. And he was cold like the breaths that descended from the peaks. His blood was not meant to water this soil, a thousand miles from home.”
The battle scenes are intense, shocking, and amazing. Akhtar takes you into the thick of battle, and shows you it is not pretty or glamourous -it’s bloddy, messy, gross, and desperate. But there are feats of incredible heroism and sacrifice for a cause during battle that can be incredibly moving, and Akhtar truly uses the brush of a master artist to paint those scenes so vividly and so impactfully.
Fair warning, candidly I was left dazed and confused during a chapter or two in the novel, as the true nature of the cosmic horror that was controlling Darya’s fate took shape, and everything became a blurry kaleidoscope of mobius loops, zombies controlled by leeching worms, and shocking revelations. You as the reader may lose your balance for a moment as well.
Moreover, as with all of Akhtar’s works to-date, this book is very violent, dark, and disturbing. Some of the images may haunt you, for a very long time.
Still, the momentary disorientation is worth the payoff, and you will finish the novel feeling a bit stunned, and not quite sure of everything that happened, yet completely amazed by the author’s talent.
Lastly, Akhtar’s prose still leaves me humming, wanting more. His “re-read passage for the beauty of it quotient” is very high.
“He handed us mushrooms for the pain we hadn’t sstarted feeling. Or rather for the death fear a reider ought not to feel when charging the enemy. As I bit down on the supple flesh of he mushroom, I realized what it was: an invitation for the mind and sould to go first, before the body followed.”
“Death Rider” is bewildering, glorious, spectacular, exceptionally well-written, and a wonderful book.
Zamil Akhtar is one of my favourite authors, and my only advice to the reader is just keep reading everything he writes: you won’t be disappointed. Five stars for “Death Rider”!Read Death RiderSIX ELEMENTALS AUTHOR INTERVIEW – ZAMIL AKHTARReview – Gunmetal Gods by Zamil AkhtarThe post Review – DEATH RIDER – by Zamil Akhtar appeared first on BEFOREWEGOBLOG.
#SPFBO8 Review and Cut – A Deadly Bloom by Kody Boye
Bryce’s people live on the backs of these giant tortoises…
What It’s AboutMy name is Bryce Song, and for my entire life, I have lived in the shadow of a deadly Bloom that not only kills, but raises the dead. Since the plague’s beginning, my people have journeyed toward our God’s Promised Lands atop the backs of the Guardians. I have always wondered if we would reach our destination and felt helpless against the seemingly insurmountable odds.
A great valley, filled with its Fallen peoples and their undead protector, separates us from our salvation. The only chance of killing our monstrous enemy is to find a weapon, once wielded by our God. During the long journey, our heroes have been slain, and few are willing to embark on a quest to retrieve the holy relic.
There’s no question what I must do. I must journey to the last resting place of our God, and reclaim the weapon that will save my people from certain destruction.
My Thoughts
Before #SPFBO8 started I’d decided to go into the first round without reading the book blurbs. I really wanted to treat this round as the slush pile read that Mark Lawrence describes on his blog. So given that, I started A Deadly Bloom by Kody Boye guessing at it’s content based on the title and cover alone. I figured, “must be something about plague spores with very large monsters.” I wasn’t far off on that initial assessment though it took until about the 25% mark to determine where the story was going and flesh out what the blurb above indicates.
A Deadly Bloom is a zombie book. This isn’t a major reveal, I mean it tells you in the blurb (if you read it) and you figure it out very quickly within the opening pages. I mention this now because some people hate zombie tales while others love them. Personally I kind of like them, there’s something to that relentless drive zombies have, the mystery of their origin, and the struggle against overwhelming odds for the protagonists. So, within the first few pages I was thinking to myself, “this could be cool, let’s see where it goes.”
The mood of the book in its early stages is somber and dark. This is very fitting given events that happen from page one. That mood shifts ever so slightly after the first 10% or so but it’s still there in the background. What I liked about the way Boye set this up is that it really allowed you to get into the head of Bryce, the story’s protagonist and narrator. Bryce is a teenager who now has to grow up quick and on her own, and she’s feeling some things.
As I noted above, Bryce is the narrator and she’s telling her story in the first person present. This is a bold choice as most book length stories are not told in the present, and they tend to stand out to a reader. At first this really bugged me. Something about it was just not working for me, like it utilized mostly telling and felt wooden. After a while I found I didn’t notice it as much, but it still stood out. I’m not sure if I was just getting used to it, or if something changed subtly with the style that I didn’t pick up on.
It’s not until the 25% mark that we get a sense of where the book is really going. In story time this is only about two or three days into the plot. So on one hand, within the narrative timeline things are moving quickly, but within the pages things seemed to progress slowly. I was hoping to get a sense of the overall plot direction a little quicker. But this will hit other readers differently.
What really caused me to pause however were story elements that kept pulling me out of the read. Some of this was minor, like one description of the people’s burial ground as having fertile soil, but then following that up by stating nothing at all ever grows there. Very trivial I know, but I couldn’t stop saying to myself the soil doesn’t seem very fertile then. But some of this seemed more integral to the plot and world building. A little background…Bryce’s people live on the backs of these giant tortoises (I mean super big turtles with legs hundreds of feet long and shells three thousand feet wide) who are walking every so slowly across this narrow strip of land with water on both sides. They have been walking for twenty years since the plague started, trying to reach the promised land at the edge of the world. Nobody knows if or when they’ll reach this promised land but they are patient. There are also elves who live inside giant flying whales who every so often interact with the humans on the tortoises. One day the elves come to visit and they say they’ve seen the promised land and it isn’t far off. This is good news, but when asked how they’ve seen it they respond with what sounds like common sense…since they fly high up in the sky they can see way over the horizon, further than what the turtle dwellers can see. But immediately I asked myself if they can fly around faster than the turtles, and see for much greater distances, why did it take 20 years to finally see the promised land when they are traveling in a straight narrow path? Maybe the world is super huge, but it just really was a bit much for my suspension of disbelief.
It was around this point I decided to dnf and cut this book. It does have elements I like and that I think others will too (zombies, apocalyptic plague vibes, dark tone), but there were too many things pulling me out of the narrative, and I felt it was progressing a little slowly for my taste. I stopped at the 28% mark on my kindle.
Read A Deadly Bloom#SPFBO8 Review and Cut -; Empire Under a Dying Sun by Joseph O. Doran
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June 19, 2022
Review – LIGHT GIVER by Mike Slade
The theme of my May 2022 reading was #DebutFantasy, and among the excellent debut books I read was “Light Giver”, a new epic fantasy by Mike Slade.
The story is focused around teenagers Kaine and Na’Serra. Kaine, through circumstances beyond his control, is forced to separate from his father, abandon his home, and seek the wardship of his uncle. Kaine also discovers he is imbued with magical healing powers. Events continue forward, and Kaine is compelled to travel to Na’Serra’s realm, where the two young people meet. Na’Serra also has magical gifts, that she must learn to harness.
Both teens must ally, and embark on a quest to fully realize their magical powers, and save humankind, though all the while Na’Serra is hunted by a sinister anti-magic group. The teens will be hard pressed to overcome any differences between them, trust each other, and survive.
For me, every novel’s enjoyment lies for the most part in character development. While I did crave even more appraisal of the main characters, overall I was quite satisfied with what we learned from Slade about those characters in terms of their viewpoints, motivations, and ideals.
Slade’s two protagonists in “Light Giver” hail from diametrically opposed classes and standards of living. This makes for some interesting reading, as the two characters learn about each other and bond over the course of the book.
Na’Serra is a princess, while Kaine’s origins appear more downtrodden. This difference in class sometimes brings the two main players into opposition with one another, as they strive to see each other’s unique perspectives.
What unites the two is their age – replete with all the teenage angst, growing pains, and discomfiture – and their burgeoning powers that they struggle to understand and control. These two were excellent characters, very well-drawn by Slade, who the reader will no doubt root for. Both protagonists mature and evolve as the book progresses, as they face numerous dangers and challenges.
Slade also gives the reader a religious fanatic as the primary antagonist, and any one who has read my reviews knows that this is precisely the kind of baddie that I find wholly fascinating. To balance this, we meet the guardian of Na’Serra, named Deondoria, who becomes the moral conscience of the story, and helps guides the young novices through many trials and tribulations, as they begin to fulfill their destiny.
Books without depth in terms of issues being addressed tend not to engage me as much as those who tackle sensitive topics. I was happy to find that Slade took on some difficult subject matter in the book, and handled that subject matter with aplomb.
Slade probes some compelling themes in “Light Giver”, such as mental health, identity, adherence to one’s religion while avoiding religious intolerance, monotheism, cultural sensitivity, open-mindedness and enlightenment. Much of these themes are explored through Kaine’s arc, and throughout the book Kaine is confronted in terms of his ability to examine his beliefs and adapt his thinking.
The worldbuilding and magic system were also strong points to this book. Particularly the power to heal and rune casting I found very interesting, although Slade teases the reader, keeping the full extent of such powers, it would seem, for later installments in the series. Slade is deliberate in his creation of various cultures, faiths, and customs within his world, and how the differences between people impact the story.
This is a gripping novel, and for all Slade’s excellent character work, the book is well-paced.
Give me a well-written, character-driven book with compelling themes, and you will have my attention. There is a lot more to “Light Giver” than those two elements aforementioned, and because of the sum of it’s parts, “Light Giver” is a 4.50 out of 5, and Mike Slade has put me on notice that he is an author to watch. I’m looking forward the next book in the “Chaos Apostles” series.
Read Light GiverReview – THE SHIPS OF MERIOR by Janny Wurts
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June 18, 2022
Review – THE SHIPS OF MERIOR by Janny Wurts
I will read every single book that Wurts has ever written or will write in the future
“On the morning the Fellowship sorcerer who had crowned the King at Ostermere fared northward on the old disused road, the five years of peace precariously re-established since the carnage that followed the Mistwraith’s defeat as yet showed no sign of breaking.”
And so continues one of the most highly lauded epic high fantasy series, and for me the second book in the greatest fantasy series, EVER. That book, entitled “The Ships of Merior”, takes the readers of seminal author Janny Wurts back to the incredible world she has created, first seen in “The Curse of the Mistwraith”, volume one in “The Wars of Light and Shadow.”
I read this book for my #March of the Sequels TBR a few months ago, but I am still thinking about it, and it has taken me so long to get my thoughts down on paper, so impactful was this book on me. Nevertheless, here we go.
THE SHIPS OF MERIOR PLOT SYNOPSISApproximately five years have passed since the events of “Curse of the Mistwraith”. Following the catastrophic events at the conclusion of that book, and the massive battle that left ruinous consequences, especially for Arithon’s side, said Arithon, known as the Master of Shadow, has gone to ground.
Arithon is plagued by guilt, and determined to protect his scattered and wounded allies and sworn vassals from further harm. But he needs all the friends he can get, with the magical powers normally at his disposal seemingly curtailed. Thus, despite not wishing more lives to be lost, being embroiled in Arithon’s wars, it seems inevitable that Arithon’s allies will continue to pay a heavy price for their allegiance, with their master appearing more vulnerable than ever before.
The erstwhile Prince Arithon is living under an assumed name, travelling with the kind and aging Master Bard, Halliron. Since Arithon is a peerless musician himself, and a worthy heir to Halliron’s legacy, there is a level of contentment in Arithon’s vocation, but he is still traumatized by his war with his half-brother, Prince Lysaer, and determined to avoid conflict with Lysaer at all costs. His solution: avoid Lysaer, period.
But Lysaer is obsessed with tracking down and killing Arithon. Using all his charm and charisma, and drawing all his allies to his cause, the determined Prince amasses large forces, bent on locating his foe, and destroying him. With his faithful second-in-command, Lord Diegan, at his side, Lysaer is still driven by the Mistwraith’s curse (as is Arithon) to eternal enmity towards Arithon, and will exact horrible punishment on any who stand in his way of his mission to eliminate his half-brother – in Lysaer’s mind, to make the realms free of the ultimate threat of the evil Master of Shadow.
Meanwhile, both the Fellowship Sorcerers and the Koriani Enchantresses have their own plans for both Princes, and are working overtly or surreptitiously to influence the outcome of the conflict, since the Princes hold the fate of the world in their hands.
CHARACTERSWurts’ characterization continues to be masterclass.
Arithon and Lysaer still take centre stage in this second book of the series, but there is some definite scene-stealing from several characters, including Dakar the Mad Prophet, Jieret, Mayor Captain Pesquil, Dhirken, and Jinesse who all really shine through as characters of note. Dakar in particular is maddeningly wicked, selfish, obtuse, even downright evil, but also extremely funny, with much of the humour in the book coming at the Mad Prophet’s expense.
As in the previous book, every character, especially the main ones in Arithon and Lysear, do terrible things. They also do noble things. Their CHOICES make it difficult, at many junctures, to label them either good or evil, based on those choices.
Every character is so complex, so filled with conflicting motivations and desires, and Wurts does a phenomenal job of making you feel sorry for these morally grey characters one minute, detesting them the next, cheering for them, then cheering against them, then devastated if they don’t make it through the book. Additionally, and brilliantly, Wurts juxtaposes sets of characters against each other, to the point where the reader will start to question what truly constitutes good versus evil.
PACINGWhat I am finding now, in reading my third Janny Wurts novel, is that, of all her startling writing skills, she truly knows how to stick a landing. The climaxes of her novels are fantastic. The build-up always makes the pinnacle worth it, and the pinnacle itself is always explosive and leaves the reader reeling.
Yes, the novel is a slow burn, punctuated with some incredibly poignant and gripping scenes throughout. But you will not want to skip anything, because when the truly thrilling parts of the novel arrive, all the beautiful, more quiet, reflective scenes, the political maneuvering, the romance, the touching parts that will leave you sad, all leading up to the big battles will be far more appreciated, for how they tie into the ending.
WORLD-BUILDINGI stated in my review of “Curse of the Mistwraith ”, that Wurts’ worldbuilding rivals all the great fantasy writers who are renowned for their worldbuilding. Since “The Ships of Merior” takes us to even more unique lands, and introduces us to ever more unique people and customs than the previous novel, nothing I have read in the second book does anything to change my initial assessment.
There is a lush ancient history, backstory, lore, a variety of current and defunct kingdoms, ethnicities, races (including centaurs!) and cultures, and complex mythologies clans, magical guilds, complex royal genealogy, prophecy that transcends millennia, unique languages, complex magic systems and mysticism.
Wurts’ imagination, skill, and depth of research taken to create such an intricate and complex place, featuring a splinter world, main core world, and more, is staggering.
Of note, is that Wurts should receive far more attention for her fight scenes. They are amazing, poetic, intense, brutal, glorious. Wurts also does a fabulous and very realistic job of depicting huge military campaigns, what it takes to supply the armies, how the armies move, obstacles to massive troop movement, terrain and supply-line issues, scouting challenges, and everything involved with larger scale warfare, including naval warfare. Whether at land, at sea, or both, Wurts can really write a thrilling battle sequence.
Finally, the musical performance by Halliron (and Medlir) in Jaelot, is one of the most consequential scenes I have ever read in fantasy. I read that scene at least three times, before I could move forward with the rest of the book. Read this scene, and be completely amazed not merely for the beauty of the writing and the emotional effect the scene will have on you as a reader. Be also amazed for a hint of the larger implications that Arithon’s power could have on the world, and who or what is lurking beyond the fringes of reality, ready to return to a world where their presence has not been seen for countless years.
THEMESIt would be extremely oversimplifying “Ships of Merior”, and indeed the entire “Wars of Light and Shadow Series”, to say that it is about a war between good versus evil, as evidenced by the two brothers, each representing a side. It would be oversimplifying to say that the novel is about pathos, because of Wurts’ incredible ability to make the reader feel sorry for both brothers (and those caught up in their war), completely manipulated by the Mistwraith’s curse, in hatred of one another. What I find the main theme of the novel to be, oddly enough, though in so many ways because due to the curse, the brothers are robbed of their choices, is about that very thing: choice.
So many of our characters have to make decisions in the novel, under duress, under a curse, under influence of their leaders, or in a moment of crisis. But ultimately, they are still the characters’ choices, largely of free will, to be good or bad, to administer justice blindly, or give miscalled mercy, to sacrifice themselves, or sacrifice others, to keep their oaths, or to forsake them, no matter the personal cost, even their very lives. I found it fascinating to witness what the characters did with their choices, and amazed – often horrified – even when those choices were made for altruistic, or entirely pragmatic reasons, at how devastating the consequences could be for others.
Yet overall, the primary secondary theme I have found running through the book, more prominent than in the previous installment in the series, was the concept that evil can be subtly cloaked (to a degree where it actually seems like “goodness”) in a veneer of kindness, civility, and outward beauty, while goodness can appear crude, uncultured, “ugly”.
I do need to take a moment to speak of romance, as well, in the book. There is more of that in this book than in “The Curse of the Mistwraith”, as we see Lysaer and his right hand man Lord Diegan’s sister Lady Talith’s courtship escalate, while the forbidden passion between Arithon and Elaira comes to a head.
I am a lover of romance, and have read a lot of pure romance books. Still, some of the most heartbreaking passages I have ever read in that regard, ones that truly hit me in all the feels, came in of all things, a fantasy novel: this novel, as opposed to a romance novel. Those passages were centered around Arithon and Elaira.
“What Elaira felt for this man was real, untarnished. Yet she could not wrench hope back into her hands, nor cross the gulf, nor complete the desire between them. Not without sullying forever the shining truth of her love, that Morriel’s manipulation had no part of.”
All I can say is the four or five pages preceding that passage and the paragraphs following it were completely heart-wrenching to read, in all the right ways.
PROSEPerhaps since Shakespeare, never have I read prose that beguiles me in the way the Wurts’ prose does.
Yes, THAT is how luxuriously Wurts writes. But to be clear, I am someone who loves relishing and basking in the beauty of language, and quite happy to take my time in doing so. If that’s not for you – in other words if you prefer scarcity of words, just to get through the book, under no circumstances do you wish to stop and savour every single word, candidly: look elsewhere.I give you a sample of the type of marvellous, melodious prose one can expect from Wurts:
“The change came with such masterful subtlety, Meldir alone could name the moment when senseless strings of syllables strung together for their resonance and rhythm. Against the superlative weave of the lyrante, the counterplay of consonant and vowel sparked like gems of a tapestry. The heart leaped in step for pure wonder.”
Yet, even if you are that type of reader that desires less flowery prose, I still encourage you to give this book, and all Wurts’ books, a chance. There is an obvious elegance and utter sophistication to Wurts’ writing, but the dichotomy is there is also an efficiency and simplicity that, the more you read of the author, the more straightforward and simple, in a weird way, the writing seems. It is resplendent writing that is also very functional. It is layered, it is meant to be read carefully and not rushed over, but it is also very effective, and very very beautiful. And, if you continue reading, you may find that it suits you just fine.
CONCLUSIONThis has been a long review, as I attempted to do justice to the sheer brilliance of the author, who has blessed fantasy readers with yet another chapter in what in my mind is one of the best fantasy series EVER. Still, I feel wholly inadequate in trying to review “The Ships of Merior”, and my praise of this book seems paltry, compared to how I actually feel about it.
I can tell, now that I have read the first two books in the series, Wurts is just teasing the reader, with the ramifications of some of the decisions and events that took place in “The Ships of Merior”, in terms of what consequence they will have on the overall series.
Only two books in, as a reader, I am aware (intuitively, from what long-time readers, and from what the author herself notes about it) that I truly don’t know so much of what is REALLY going on yet in this series. There is a lot more to “The War of Light and Shadow” than immediately meets the eye, or that one can discern this early on in the series.
But as my eyes are slowly opened, the scope of what Wurts has accomplished becomes more and more startling and magnificent. Yet, as the veil is being pulled back, novel by novel, in an eleven-book saga, I am more determined than ever to focus on enjoying the ride, and being content to have all things revealed to me, in good time, rather than trying to solve all the mysteries at once. I suggest if you read this book, to consider doing the same, to enhance the pleasure of your reading experience.The combination of the lusciousness of Wurts’ writing, the enormity of the depth and breadth of the worldbuilding, the immaculately drawn characters, and the poignancy of the themes make the Wars of Light and Shadow series like nothing else I have ever read, and the books that I will no doubt return to time and time again to re-read them, for pure reading joy.
I will read every single book that Wurts has ever written or will write in the future. Simply put, she is my favourite author of all-time. That is on a list of my favourite authors that includes such luminaries as Jemisin, Gwynne, Tolkien, Abercrombie, Lawrence, Cameron, Cornwell, and T.H. White.
I am enriched as a reader for experiencing “The Ships of Merior”, and will be counting the days until I can read the next installment, “Warhost of Vastmark”.
Read The Ships of Merior and the Next Books in the SeriesSix Elementals Interview – Janny WurtsThe post Review – THE SHIPS OF MERIOR by Janny Wurts appeared first on BEFOREWEGOBLOG.
