The Beasts of the Mist

Swords of Raemllyn #5

by Robert E. Vardeman, Geo. W. Proctor

Some page discoloration. Otherwise, in very good condition.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction

183 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published August 1, 1986

About the author

Also writes as:
Daniel Moran
F.J. Hale
Edward S. Hudson
Karl Lassiter
Jackson Lowry

Reviews

[Johnny · Rating 2 out of 5]

‘Tis a pity that movie serials aren’t being made anymore (unless, of course, one counts the Star Wars and Indiana Jones films with the respective releases demonstrating an obvious homage to such) because the fifth installment of Vardeman’s and Proctor’s Swords of Raemllyn features both the strengths and weaknesses of the archaic genre. Indeed, it is entirely possible that all of my reservations concerning this book (though I enjoyed others in the series and was delighted to find this one in a used bookstore) are tied to the pitfalls of collaboration. The book contains redundant situations which may suggest humorous call-backs that didn’t quite work or authors writing sections independently and not paying enough attention to see it as a problem (anyone who has ever read a seafaring novel of historical fiction or pirate tale in any setting will immediately understand my disillusionment with this predictable and shallow repetition—although the reprise did allow the introduction of an important supporting (?) character). Worse, in typical movie serial fashion, there is more than one important revelation (I’m sure the authors would call them plot twists, but they are about as fair to the reader as the alleged “Agatha Christie”-like revelations in the comedy film, Murder By Death.) that is not foreshadowed or is not adequately explained. To me, these seemed like inexplicable character changes.

As the fifth installment, the plot assumes knowledge of betrayals, loyalties, and reversals which happened in previous installments. Whether because I’ve read the previous efforts or because they were adequately illuminated in this novel, there seemed no confusion as to why the disaster-conjuring duo of Davin Anane and Goran One-Eye are questing for the sword they desire (Is it one of the Swords of Raemllyn in a literal sense or are the two protagonists “swords” in the sense of swordsmen on a quest? To me, it seems the latter as opposed to the more literal ideal in Fred Saberhagen’s two series on “swords.”) to recover (again!). And, the running joke about Goran’s prevarications concerning the loss of his eye hasn’t lost its risibility for this reader.

I don’t believe it is a spoiler to indicate that Davin and Goran find themselves aboard ship, threatened by pirates, sea monsters, ghost ships, and menacing supernatural beings. One knows this is going to happen as soon as they decide to journey by sea. These are established tropes, but it is fair to say that they are not handled as I expected. Only one of these antagonists is handled in an expected way and, even there, it is combined with an unexpected element which is only explained toward the end of the story. Fans of swashbuckling fantasy will not be disappointed with this installment of the series. Those of us who want to empathize more with characters will be somewhat disappointed.

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Davin Anane and Goran One-Eye are at it again. This time they get waylaid and press ganged onto a ship bound for the other side of Raemllyn. Along the way they battle many sea beasts real and magical which whittles the crew down one by one. Ultimately they reach an isle far to the north of the main continent that should not be there especially with it's tropical clime. As crew members disappear you begin to wonder who is the evil mage in their midst. The story makes it seem oh so obvious who the mage is, but that is the biggest surprise of the book. Fast paced and full of adventure.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this as an anthology