Voidfarer: A Tale of the Moonworlds Saga

Moonworlds Saga #3

by Sean McMullen

At first Wayfarer Inspector Danolarian thought the huge oval thing that had fallen from the sky was a dragon's egg. When it opened, however, he knew that it was much, much worse. His world was being invaded by pitiless sorcerers from Lupan, who could sweep whole armies aside, and even defeat the invulnerable glass dragons. Surrender or flight were the only options ... but not for Inspector Danolarian, his Wayfarer Constables, and his sweetheart, the sorceress Lavenci.
Although Danolarian is no sorcerer, he's no ordinary Wayfarer either. Faced with civilization crumbling around him, and organized resistance shattered by the invincible magic of the Lupanians, he chances upon an unlikely ally and begins to fight back. It won't be easy, for he has to rally the demoralized sorcerers of Alberin, organize its terrified citizens, stay one step ahead of his own past, and, most importantly, survive a dinner party with Lavenci's mother.

Genres: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Fiction, Aliens

400 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Dr. Sean McMullen, author of the acclaimed cyberpunk/steampunk Greatwinter Trilogy, is one of Australia's top Science Fiction and Fantasy authors.

Winning over a dozen awards (including multiple Analog Readers Awarda and a Hugo Award finalist), his work is a mixture of romance, invention and adventure, populated by strange and dynamic characters. The settings for Sean's work range from the Roman Empire, through Medieval Europe, to cities of the distant future. He is a musician, medievalist, star gazer, karate instructor, felineophile, and IT manager.

Reviews

[Matthew McClain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Essentially a fantasy retelling of war of the worlds. Was worth reading.

[Dani · Rating 3 out of 5]

Don't understand the need to switch to first person narrative but whatever. . .

Three stars because I did enjoy it.

Only three stars because I had no idea what the main plot was. This book didn't seem to know itself. Was it the war? Not really since we only got brief descriptions of the main battle. And for all the death and destruction I never got the feeling that it was a big deal. It also didn't seem to be completely about the romance either since parts of that were also missing. It also wasn't really about Roval, Terikel or anyone else who featured in the story. It was like Danol was just telling a history in a brief and bias way that I just didn't really understand what this story was trying to accomplish.

It's also getting hard to believe that Verral has this many problems in such a short time that are completely unrelated to each other.

[Lisa · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book suffers from an identity crisis. It doesn't know if it wants to be a comedy, a fantasy, science fiction, or an adventure. Too bad, because the premise sounded like it would be fun and interesting. I put it down. I have no desire to slog through books that lose my interest - just because I think I have to finish them.

[Danjo · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really hope McMullen stops trying his hand at the Terry Pratchett-esque humor. It ruined what would have been an interesting homage to The War of the Worlds. I can't emphasize how abysmal and prevalent the humor was in this book.

[Lee · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not sure this book ever really decided what it wanted to be. Part Three Musketeers with heavy fantasy twist, major part War of the Worlds, and part romance with fantasy twist. I was going to award 3 stars, until the jarringly deus-ex-machina ending. What?

[David Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very similar to H.G. Wells "War of the Worlds", but with a lot more fun, sarcasm, and lots + lots + lots of sex. The story sorta starts and stops but overall I thought it was a fun book.

[Dianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

some amusing ideas, a cat who used to be a human for one/

[scarlettraces · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many throwaways that made me laugh. I'm guessing McMullen has worked with a few ict pms in his time?