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The Heretic Land
Arrested by the Ald, scholar Bon Ugane and merwoman Leki Borle find themselves on a prison ship bound for the island of Skythe - a barren land and the site of long-ago wars. Warped and ruined by the ancient conflict, survival on the island is tough and its original inhabitants are neither friendly nor entirely still human. But something else waits on the island, a living weapon whose very existence is a heresy. Destroyed many years ago, it silently begins to clutch at life once more.
496 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 2012
8 people are currently reading
167 people want to read
About the author
Tim Lebbon
297 books1,540 followersI love writing, reading, triathlon, real ale, chocolate, good movies, occasional bad movies, and cake.
I was born in London in 1969, lived in Devon until I was eight, and the next twenty years were spent in Newport. My wife Tracey and I then did a Good Thing and moved back to the country, and we now live in the little village of Goytre in Monmouthshire with our kids Ellie and Daniel. And our dog, Blu, who is the size of a donkey.
I love the countryside ... I do a lot of running and cycling, and live in the best part of the world for that.
I've had loads of books published in the UK, USA, and around the world, including novels, novellas, and collections. I write horror, fantasy, and now thrillers, and I've been writing as a living for over 8 years. I've won quite a few awards for my original fiction, and I've also written tie-in projects for Star Wars, Alien, Hellboy, The Cabin in the Woods, and 30 Days of Night.
A movie's just been made of my short story Pay the Ghost, starring Nicolas Cage and Sarah Wayne Callies. There are other projects in development, too.
I'd love to hear from you!
I was born in London in 1969, lived in Devon until I was eight, and the next twenty years were spent in Newport. My wife Tracey and I then did a Good Thing and moved back to the country, and we now live in the little village of Goytre in Monmouthshire with our kids Ellie and Daniel. And our dog, Blu, who is the size of a donkey.
I love the countryside ... I do a lot of running and cycling, and live in the best part of the world for that.
I've had loads of books published in the UK, USA, and around the world, including novels, novellas, and collections. I write horror, fantasy, and now thrillers, and I've been writing as a living for over 8 years. I've won quite a few awards for my original fiction, and I've also written tie-in projects for Star Wars, Alien, Hellboy, The Cabin in the Woods, and 30 Days of Night.
A movie's just been made of my short story Pay the Ghost, starring Nicolas Cage and Sarah Wayne Callies. There are other projects in development, too.
I'd love to hear from you!
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
October 7, 2012
5 Stars
The Heretic Land by Tim Lebbon is not his strongest piece of fiction that he has penned, it is however exactly the type of fiction that satiates me through and through. Over the last year Tim Lebbon has won me over and as of now may be my favorite author. His novels are dark and dirty fantasy that blend in a bit of science fiction and a whole lot of religion and horror. The Heretic Land is no exception. The plot centers on the resurrection of a dead god. As a result, religion, belief, and disbelief all are the major themes that come off these pages.
Lebbon writes with a no-holds approach, making his characters seem to be more on the real and flawed side than on the heroic and comic side. Some of his characters would seem safe and at home in New Crozubon or Villamajur as there is a great deal of new weird among them. His horror roots are seen throughout all his fiction and there are some really memorable scenes in this book. The Ocean fairing scenes involving giant sea creatures were really cool and fascinating. The deep sea pirates were freaking sweet too:
“The pirate had human qualities merged with the worst aspects of the sea. Bare, thick torso spotted with shellfish, a large head with shockingly human features, long flowing hair which was said to consist of poisonous fronds, long limbs that ended in claws ten times larger than the most monstrous crab’s, and thick legs that parted into powerful tentacles, each of them suckered and spiked. Its scale made it even more awful – ten times the size of a human, it was a blight on reality.”
Although this book has a few pacing issues and we never really get to know Bon enough to truly care about our main protagonist, Lebbon’s world building and writing style carry this read forward. I feel as though Tim Lebbon is writing for me and that there has to be a bigger audience out there that is missing out on his style. I love that all his novels are steeped in religion and faith and that it is the main theme that drives each of his horror fantasy hybrids. I cannot wait to read more of his, and I will reread many of his titles as they are a pleasure for me to read. I cannot recommend Lebbon with high enough marks, and although this is not his best work, it is however a damn fun read with a really good ending to boot.
The Heretic Land by Tim Lebbon is not his strongest piece of fiction that he has penned, it is however exactly the type of fiction that satiates me through and through. Over the last year Tim Lebbon has won me over and as of now may be my favorite author. His novels are dark and dirty fantasy that blend in a bit of science fiction and a whole lot of religion and horror. The Heretic Land is no exception. The plot centers on the resurrection of a dead god. As a result, religion, belief, and disbelief all are the major themes that come off these pages.
Lebbon writes with a no-holds approach, making his characters seem to be more on the real and flawed side than on the heroic and comic side. Some of his characters would seem safe and at home in New Crozubon or Villamajur as there is a great deal of new weird among them. His horror roots are seen throughout all his fiction and there are some really memorable scenes in this book. The Ocean fairing scenes involving giant sea creatures were really cool and fascinating. The deep sea pirates were freaking sweet too:
“The pirate had human qualities merged with the worst aspects of the sea. Bare, thick torso spotted with shellfish, a large head with shockingly human features, long flowing hair which was said to consist of poisonous fronds, long limbs that ended in claws ten times larger than the most monstrous crab’s, and thick legs that parted into powerful tentacles, each of them suckered and spiked. Its scale made it even more awful – ten times the size of a human, it was a blight on reality.”
Although this book has a few pacing issues and we never really get to know Bon enough to truly care about our main protagonist, Lebbon’s world building and writing style carry this read forward. I feel as though Tim Lebbon is writing for me and that there has to be a bigger audience out there that is missing out on his style. I love that all his novels are steeped in religion and faith and that it is the main theme that drives each of his horror fantasy hybrids. I cannot wait to read more of his, and I will reread many of his titles as they are a pleasure for me to read. I cannot recommend Lebbon with high enough marks, and although this is not his best work, it is however a damn fun read with a really good ending to boot.
July 21, 2020
I think the concept and themes this is trying to explore are really promising, with some brilliant takes on what godhood actually is and how magic can effect the world when it's unleashed as a weapon. However, the writing is so overworked it's almost incomprehensible for me.
Everything is too vague and conceptual. Lebbon is presumably trying to capture a 'the human mind can't comprehend this' tone, and normally I love that, but absolutely everything is described that way. Emotions, character thoughts, environments, you name it. It made it really hard to imagine the setting or like any of the characters – or, quite frankly, understand how the world actually functions. The Ald army being introduced towards the end is a perfect example of this. I could not tell you what any of the animals they use to fight actually are, how a unit functions, or how they're connected to the main plot.
Plus, the actual plot has nothing to do with the blurb. This isn't about the prison colony at all, it's about religious and theological dissidence and killing gods. If I'd known that, I'd probably have still picked it up but at least I'd have a better idea of what I'm reading from the beginning.
Everything is too vague and conceptual. Lebbon is presumably trying to capture a 'the human mind can't comprehend this' tone, and normally I love that, but absolutely everything is described that way. Emotions, character thoughts, environments, you name it. It made it really hard to imagine the setting or like any of the characters – or, quite frankly, understand how the world actually functions. The Ald army being introduced towards the end is a perfect example of this. I could not tell you what any of the animals they use to fight actually are, how a unit functions, or how they're connected to the main plot.
Plus, the actual plot has nothing to do with the blurb. This isn't about the prison colony at all, it's about religious and theological dissidence and killing gods. If I'd known that, I'd probably have still picked it up but at least I'd have a better idea of what I'm reading from the beginning.
June 26, 2020
I picked this book up at a warehouse book sale and I was playing this gothic nautical horror game so when I read the premise I was interested in reading it.
The premise was good, world building could use a bit more. I couldn't understand much of the creatures since they were just named and not described. I struggle a bit at picking up the book since it spends so much time describing stuff a lot without saying much? I like the characters but I can't connect much with them? Leki is probably my favorite character though since she's very interesting when it comes to her motives.
Spoiler beyond this point!!!
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I was surprised that the story ended that it was a cycle doomed to repeat again. I guess it took the 'history repeats itself' trope which i think was an interesting twist.
The premise was good, world building could use a bit more. I couldn't understand much of the creatures since they were just named and not described. I struggle a bit at picking up the book since it spends so much time describing stuff a lot without saying much? I like the characters but I can't connect much with them? Leki is probably my favorite character though since she's very interesting when it comes to her motives.
Spoiler beyond this point!!!
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I was surprised that the story ended that it was a cycle doomed to repeat again. I guess it took the 'history repeats itself' trope which i think was an interesting twist.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 5, 2017
Was given this book as a present so felt obliged to finish it but it was a real slog. There were some good ideas here but there was so much that wasn't right...the interactions between characters didn't feel believable, none of the characters were particularly likeable or distinguishable, there were elements introduced and never heard of again and plot holes and inconsistencies in how the societies worked. Overall it had a feel of an early draft...where an editor should have been going back to the author and getting them to rework it.
July 29, 2020
This is a story with a slow start set in a very interesting world with a lot of mysterys sorrounding both gods,magic and ancient stories. The story picks up halfway through leading into a great battle of the fate of the world, character building is mostly hidden behind mystery and vague stories of the past, the story itself leaves me wanting to know more about the world. All in all it was worth the read, there are many interesting aspects to the story, but it falls short to many other books of the same genre.
October 16, 2013
c2012: prison, colony, island, Skythe, heresy. Having read Echo City, I was expecting something out of the ordinary. I wasn't disappointed - there are some events and personages that are really **out there**. As Interzone described it - 'full of creepy invention'. I sped through the first half. To use the good old standby - a page turner indeed. Bu, once again, as with quite a few books that I have read this year - it started to get all murky and complicated and then I found out that the time lines were not as I thought them to be. Whether this revelation and my contemplations over this was what brought everything to a screeching halt - I'm not quite sure. I didn't think that the cover did much justice to the book. I didn't enjoy it enough to be able to recommend this to the majority of the normal crew. 'He sighed, hand stealing to the knife in his belt. Venden - a genius, a silent boy, a searcher - was a stranger in a strange land, and there was never any telling how this meeting might end.'
April 3, 2013
I can't decide if this is worth 1 or 2 stars, but I went for 1 in the end because it was simply a struggle to finish. I could have very easily put it down at the halfway point, but I persevered in the hopes it got better. It didn't.
I enjoyed Echo City by Tim Lebbon, so I had high hopes for this. Unfortunately it felt like there was too much telling that couldn't camouflage itself in an interesting setting. The worst thing about it was that it felt like Lebbon was trying his very best to write a Mieville novel. There were smells of The Scar and Iron Council all over The Heretic Land, but never executed to the same high standard that Mieville manages. The worldbuilding never really felt sturdy, and I found it very hard to like any of the characters. The viewpoint characters never seemed to get much development, and sometimes did very implausible things (or had very strange thoughts, given what was happening around them).
All in all, really disappointing.
I enjoyed Echo City by Tim Lebbon, so I had high hopes for this. Unfortunately it felt like there was too much telling that couldn't camouflage itself in an interesting setting. The worst thing about it was that it felt like Lebbon was trying his very best to write a Mieville novel. There were smells of The Scar and Iron Council all over The Heretic Land, but never executed to the same high standard that Mieville manages. The worldbuilding never really felt sturdy, and I found it very hard to like any of the characters. The viewpoint characters never seemed to get much development, and sometimes did very implausible things (or had very strange thoughts, given what was happening around them).
All in all, really disappointing.
November 2, 2012
This book was nothing like I thought it would be. When I read the blurb it sounded like it was going to be a story which combined the shows Lost and Prison Break. However, when I started reading it, it turned out to be a much more religious story line which dealt with belief and faith and how two religions with different beliefs turn to war to prove that their faith is the only correct one. I liked the fantasy world Lebbon created with a definite steam-punk style to it.
I wish Lebbon had re-thought the blurb as it was a bit misleading and I think many people will make my mistake and think it's a mystery about escaping a strange prison island. While I liked the story it wasn't amazing and it ended quite abruptly with an open ended ending so you come to your own conclusion. it wasn't bad, but not my favorite book I've read this year.
I wish Lebbon had re-thought the blurb as it was a bit misleading and I think many people will make my mistake and think it's a mystery about escaping a strange prison island. While I liked the story it wasn't amazing and it ended quite abruptly with an open ended ending so you come to your own conclusion. it wasn't bad, but not my favorite book I've read this year.
November 6, 2012
Ambitious, epic and well written. Tim Lebbon was a complete unknown to me, and had I not been at a loss for something to do for a few hours, it's likely I would never have browsed my way to this book. I'm glad I did. Although the authors message is slightly too obvious in places, The Heretic Land is still a great story, and very nearly 4 star quality. The plot is well paced and executed, although I felt there were some loose ends left dangling. The themes of religious extremism, cultural decay, the nature of fate and destiny are all explored in a fantastical construct that's a fresh take on an old trope: the fantasy island.
I'd recommend it, and I'll keep my eyes open for more of Lebbon's work.
I'd recommend it, and I'll keep my eyes open for more of Lebbon's work.
June 8, 2013
Great world-building and genuinely interesting characters, let down by a story which although reaching a logical conclusion ends up feeling as if it just sort of peters out. I really wanted to give it four stars but one is left feeling as if more should, somehow, have been said at the end - not in the loose-end-tying sense, but just in the sense of honouring the characters (otherwise very evident) roundedness. Feels like some corners were cut, although I can't quite put my finger on why it's so unsatisfying. It should work, and for some people it probably does; I wish I were one of them. However, that aside: original, literate, fun, imaginative, leaves you wanting more.
March 7, 2016
It was an ok book but had nothing to do with the island full of prisoners the blurb talked about. I was expecting a helter skelter fight for survival hunted by blood crazed cannibalistic Lord of the Flies grownups. Instead I got a meandering story with poorly developed conflicting races which ended in opposition to the start. Some good ideas there which could have been better fleshed out over a trilogy rather than randomly introducing monsters of convenience throughout the story. To be fair to the author, he's been published multiple times and I haven't even written a book but I doubt I'll read any more of his work.
September 11, 2013
I would say I enjoyed this book. I liked the way the book unravelled a mystery and conspiracy slowly as the pages went bye. I also think that the way the book switched between two characters really unravelled the mystery. This is one of those books that just have a big moment when everything falls into place. I would not reccomend this book for people who are put off by violence for this book is extremely violent.
December 7, 2015
Some books are good, some just have good ideas. This book is both. The ideas here are big, and they are explored in a big way that is only possible in a stand-alone novel. You couldn't top the climax of this novel easily, and hell, it's just refreshing to read something where I don't have to wait for book three (or book seven) to come out months after I've forgotten the plot of the preceding volumes. Some great stuff here and a satisfying solution ending.
September 24, 2012
Can't say I really liked this book. It's not that it is not well written or that the story is not very complexe and thought trough...It's just somehow to hard to imagine in a lot of moments. also I think that the comment/preview on the back of the book is badly done because you anticipate a total different kind of story than you get. Did not klick for me, sorry.
February 1, 2013
I'm not really sure what I was expecting when I picked this book up but overall i was largely disappointed. Was far from a bad book and I'm sure readers more used to reading fantasy will appreciate it more than I did. Biggest gripe with it is part 1, it felt like a pointless prequel to the comparatively excellent second part.
February 21, 2015
Arrested and sentenced to exile on the prison island of Skythe, Bon Ugane joins forces with Leki Borle in order to survive.
Bits of this book are very good but many parts are just not good at all - short pieces of action and engagement with characters interspersed with long, meandering descriptions that draw focus away from the book. Wouldn't be picking this up again.
Bits of this book are very good but many parts are just not good at all - short pieces of action and engagement with characters interspersed with long, meandering descriptions that draw focus away from the book. Wouldn't be picking this up again.
Read
September 3, 2014Wonderful & Weird. Really enjoyed it.
August 12, 2013
Got bored with it, sorry. I wanted to like it, but lost it about halfway thrugh, I guess with unsympathetic characters and a very bleak landscape, despite the curiousity of what was going on.
October 8, 2014
OK, but for some reason it doesn't quite fly.
September 29, 2016
shitting on religion. that's fun
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews