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The Consortium Chain #1
Of War and Consequence
Over the swamps of Banthyk and the shores of Ornateam, the grip of war is ever-present. The people's hero, Crown Bearer Sha, knows that the fate of his tiny home world, Xarh, hangs in the balance. Challenging traditional theory and navigating murky diplomacy, the denizens of this turbulent world pull at each other from all directions. The mighty city-states must endure or the Pantheona Lords will control the future.
Take a journey to an engaging world where science seems as magic.
A world you’ll not soon forget.
Take a journey to an engaging world where science seems as magic.
A world you’ll not soon forget.
246 pages, Paperback
First published April 6, 2012
35 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
January 16, 2014
In this first of the Consortium Chain series, Harrington Martin creates a fascinating alternative universe full of well-drawn characters immersed in political and religious conflict. Lots of action along with twists and turns. Think medieval military sci-fi.
May 21, 2013
In Of War and Consequence, Harrington Martin creates a unique world of opposing forces in all regards: opposition in sunlight, opposition in theologies, opposition in government structures.
Martin's world rotates slower than Earth, leaving parts of the world drenched in virtually constant sunlight, while leaving other continents shrouded in never-ending darkness. From out of these two opposing continents, kingdoms arise. In the sun drenched plains, tanned and shaven-headed men and women wear bright colors and enjoy near immortality. In the darkness of the Southern continent, the residents of the kingdom glow long blonde hair, framing pale skin and dark dispositions. Intuitively, you want to cheer for the plainsfolk, but it's the pale southerners that are the protagonists. Faced with a violent enemy and a propaganda engine that is driving the plainsfolk into a frenzy, the Union of the south must find a means to defeat a horde of nearly immortal soldiers.
Despite Martin's description that there isn't really organized religion throughout the novel, both sides have a reverence toward ore that's mined from their continents. In the north, it's an ore that grants regeneration and long-lasting youth. In the south, it's the ore of opposition: one that negates the positive effects of the plainsfolks' weapons, armor, and airships. They treat their ores with a sense of spirituality, which drives them to a war of opposing theologies.
Throughout it all, the Consortium Chain operates in secrecy. Representing the five continents, the Chain makes decisions for the betterment of the world through subtly influencing the actions of all the kingdoms.
I highly recommend this book. It was a quick read only because it kept my attention throughout. Martin's introduction of kingdoms, equipment, and terrain, albeit alien at first, is easily understood and absorbed by the reader.
I look forward to the next book in the series.
Martin's world rotates slower than Earth, leaving parts of the world drenched in virtually constant sunlight, while leaving other continents shrouded in never-ending darkness. From out of these two opposing continents, kingdoms arise. In the sun drenched plains, tanned and shaven-headed men and women wear bright colors and enjoy near immortality. In the darkness of the Southern continent, the residents of the kingdom glow long blonde hair, framing pale skin and dark dispositions. Intuitively, you want to cheer for the plainsfolk, but it's the pale southerners that are the protagonists. Faced with a violent enemy and a propaganda engine that is driving the plainsfolk into a frenzy, the Union of the south must find a means to defeat a horde of nearly immortal soldiers.
Despite Martin's description that there isn't really organized religion throughout the novel, both sides have a reverence toward ore that's mined from their continents. In the north, it's an ore that grants regeneration and long-lasting youth. In the south, it's the ore of opposition: one that negates the positive effects of the plainsfolks' weapons, armor, and airships. They treat their ores with a sense of spirituality, which drives them to a war of opposing theologies.
Throughout it all, the Consortium Chain operates in secrecy. Representing the five continents, the Chain makes decisions for the betterment of the world through subtly influencing the actions of all the kingdoms.
I highly recommend this book. It was a quick read only because it kept my attention throughout. Martin's introduction of kingdoms, equipment, and terrain, albeit alien at first, is easily understood and absorbed by the reader.
I look forward to the next book in the series.
May 8, 2013
In Of War and Consequence, Harrington Martin has created a fascinating world, where two sides oppose each other, in an age old struggle, to the death. Opposite in almost every way both possess a mineral with seemingly magical properties, one side mine an ore which prolongs their life and enables them to regenerate limbs and heal what should be mortal blows, they can also manipulate it and use it as a weapon. This side appear to be the dominant force, with all the aces in their hand. The climate is better, they have better machinery and weapons and are physically, almost, indestructible. The other side possess a mineral which can destroy the other, but it is much rarer. They live in swamps shrouded in darkness, they travel in subterranean passageways to avoid attack from their enemies. But they are warriors and resilient. It all adds up to an intriguing story. The descriptions of the world are rich and colourful. The battle scenes intense, and the political intrigue leads to a host of surprises along the way. The story is never predictable, and a great read all round.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews