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Shaihen Heritage #1
Cloak of Magic
Somewhere along the line where human nature meets human imagination, myths are created. Somewhere in that space lives the spirit that created and sustains Shehaios, the Fair Land.
One man embodies the spirit. A man all too susceptible to the human flaws which lie beneath the cloak of magic.
"...a book of satisfying depth featuring characters worthy of empathy and a story that weaves and turns."
One man embodies the spirit. A man all too susceptible to the human flaws which lie beneath the cloak of magic.
"...a book of satisfying depth featuring characters worthy of empathy and a story that weaves and turns."
Nook
First published February 9, 2006
4 people are currently reading
106 people want to read
About the author
S.A. Rule
4 books14 followersSue Rule is a British author, now living in the Highlands of Scotland.
She has been writing since the age of 7. She claims she kept trying to give it up, but it wouldn’t let her, so she embarked on creating the fantasy series “Shaihen Heritage”. The series grows out of Sue’s love of history and folklore, and tracks the fictional history of an imagined world which is not unlike our own. The process of imagining that world has led her to think about how we might seek to create “The Fair Land” in the real world.
A bereavement in 2011 interrupted the writing of the imagined history of the imagined land, but Sue has now picked up the laptop again and the next novels in the Shaihen Heritage series are well underway. Watch this space.
http://www.shehaios.co.uk
Shaihen Heritage Book 1: Cloak of Magic was published in February 2006 by Authors on line.
Shaihen Heritage Book 2: Staff of Power will be published in January 2009 by Pegasus Elliott
Shaihen Heritage Book 3: Spirit of Shehaios is work in progress.
She has been writing since the age of 7. She claims she kept trying to give it up, but it wouldn’t let her, so she embarked on creating the fantasy series “Shaihen Heritage”. The series grows out of Sue’s love of history and folklore, and tracks the fictional history of an imagined world which is not unlike our own. The process of imagining that world has led her to think about how we might seek to create “The Fair Land” in the real world.
A bereavement in 2011 interrupted the writing of the imagined history of the imagined land, but Sue has now picked up the laptop again and the next novels in the Shaihen Heritage series are well underway. Watch this space.
http://www.shehaios.co.uk
Shaihen Heritage Book 1: Cloak of Magic was published in February 2006 by Authors on line.
Shaihen Heritage Book 2: Staff of Power will be published in January 2009 by Pegasus Elliott
Shaihen Heritage Book 3: Spirit of Shehaios is work in progress.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
October 23, 2014
I'm so tickled that I joined GR, met Sue & got to read this book. It is excellent. The first of a trilogy, it starts off with a simple, pastoral world & people that develop as they're pushed into an empire's problems & politics. The characterization is very well done. Traits & flaws are logically developed into twists that sucked me in to a very long lunch hour.
I HAD TO FINISH THE BOOK!!! Do not plan on doing anything else when you get about 3/4 of the way through. You may be able to break away, but it is painful. Not that the first part wasn't good, but the last part just grabbed me & ran.
The second book is due out next month & I can't wait! I've been reading fantasy since I was first reading & it's hard to find a new world & book that is engaging. This is one of the few.
I HAD TO FINISH THE BOOK!!! Do not plan on doing anything else when you get about 3/4 of the way through. You may be able to break away, but it is painful. Not that the first part wasn't good, but the last part just grabbed me & ran.
The second book is due out next month & I can't wait! I've been reading fantasy since I was first reading & it's hard to find a new world & book that is engaging. This is one of the few.
April 14, 2009
If you like stories of political intrigue and corruption, then you will enjoy this novel. However, if you were expecting high fantasy, you will be disappointed. The system of magic is mostly psi powers and there are two or three magical creatures cameoed (dragons, a unicorn and a phoenix). I struggled so much reading this novel, that I finally shifted mental gears and treated it as a historical fiction about the Roman Empire with the names changed to protect the innocent (or not so innocent). Even that failed me at times because at least with our own history, I can rally to the struggles of the Celts or the Picts because of a shared heritage. I didn't like nor connect with any of the characters. The one character I had any sympathy for became the ultimate tragic disappointment.
April 25, 2022
The Cloak of Magic is an entertaining story set in a world of where ‘paradise’ is swept up into the power struggles of a decadent empire against a surprisingly intractable rebellion. Not a bad setting as far as such goes; however, the author’s attempt to paint this primitive agrarian society into the epitome of spirituality quickly begins to grate under the repetition. To be fair, I generally don’t find utopias all that interesting, so the perpetual reminders of how perfect this society was simply made it more difficult for me to identify with the people in the story … they just weren’t ‘real.’ Kierce was the only character I felt had much depth at all. It was through him that the author presents the best part of the story. The most intriguing concept was that of the Lord High Magician, who appears to be the focal point of the sustaining spirit of this otherwise ‘godless’ land. Unfortunately his uniqueness is overshadowed by the author’s attempt to portray the religious fanaticism driving the imperial forces (and with whom they find themselves allied with) as diametrically evil against purity of the ‘Holy Land.’ Here is where the story began to break down for me; I continually had the feeling that I was being preached at while the author tried to emphasize the moral superiority of the one society over the other. It seemed to me that the religion of the empire was a proxy for religion (external to the story) in general and that author was engaging in a little minor axe grinding.
Lest I give the wrong impression completely, I want to restate my opinion that this was a good story. The interplay between the main characters was well done and frequently humorous; in fact, I would have liked more of it (the story pacing was a tad quick). I was especially interested in the imperial commander … who seems posed to make an even greater contribution to the storyline in the future. Even the political intrigue was complex enough to be fairly enjoyable, as well as reasonably plausible. Of course, what sets this story apart from most is the magic; while not well explained, magic appears to be mostly illusion and slight of hand, with the possible exception of the Lord High Magician’s sympathetic connection to spirit of life within his realm. Perhaps this will change as Kierce grows into his power … but I hope not.
Lest I give the wrong impression completely, I want to restate my opinion that this was a good story. The interplay between the main characters was well done and frequently humorous; in fact, I would have liked more of it (the story pacing was a tad quick). I was especially interested in the imperial commander … who seems posed to make an even greater contribution to the storyline in the future. Even the political intrigue was complex enough to be fairly enjoyable, as well as reasonably plausible. Of course, what sets this story apart from most is the magic; while not well explained, magic appears to be mostly illusion and slight of hand, with the possible exception of the Lord High Magician’s sympathetic connection to spirit of life within his realm. Perhaps this will change as Kierce grows into his power … but I hope not.
December 4, 2008
One of the better books I've read this year! For once, I am at a loss to find the words to describe just how good this book is.
The back cover synopsis doesn't do this book justice. It is so much more than it appears to be at first glance.
S A Rule's writing style cannot be beat. The flow of her writing was magnetic. I am all in on this series. The Staff of Power is the next in the series and will be available in January and you can be sure I'll be reading it.
Highly interesting characters, especially Kierce. A wonderfully complicated and down-to-earth character.
The dynamic between the characters is compelling, to say the least.
The land of Shehaios is alluring on so many levels, it is impossible for me to convey. I gradually came to understand the mystique of the Spirit of Shehaios and just what that fully means through the eyes of it's inhabitants.
The shocking ending had me floored; I didn't see it coming as I usually do with most novels. That in itelf is worth a two-thumbs up!
A compelling and believable novel.
The Cloak of Magic is not to be missed.
The back cover synopsis doesn't do this book justice. It is so much more than it appears to be at first glance.
S A Rule's writing style cannot be beat. The flow of her writing was magnetic. I am all in on this series. The Staff of Power is the next in the series and will be available in January and you can be sure I'll be reading it.
Highly interesting characters, especially Kierce. A wonderfully complicated and down-to-earth character.
The dynamic between the characters is compelling, to say the least.
The land of Shehaios is alluring on so many levels, it is impossible for me to convey. I gradually came to understand the mystique of the Spirit of Shehaios and just what that fully means through the eyes of it's inhabitants.
The shocking ending had me floored; I didn't see it coming as I usually do with most novels. That in itelf is worth a two-thumbs up!
A compelling and believable novel.
The Cloak of Magic is not to be missed.
November 29, 2008
A sordid fantasy tale that plumbs the depths of the human spirit. This dark tale is unrelenting as a small kingdom faces danger and invasion from all sides. Kierce is no innocent Gandalf nice and benign. He is cruel and filled with selfish ambitions. Caras has a good heart but faces situations beyond comprehension. These two pivotal characters strive to bring hope to the kingdom of Shehaios and succeed only at great cost.
I recommend this story to those who enjoy a tale laced with tragedy and broken dreams. This is not a fantasy for the faint of heart. =)
I recommend this story to those who enjoy a tale laced with tragedy and broken dreams. This is not a fantasy for the faint of heart. =)
February 9, 2018
Somehow I finished this book. I was sorely disappointed. There was not one endearing character in this book. Kierce, was the most misogynistic, pompous, arrogant, egotistical main characters I have ever read. Overall, there were some nice qualities to the book. The psychic, magical system was somewhat unique and the obvious fact that the Empire was a thinly disguised representation of the Roman Empire was the only thing that kept me from giving this book a 1-star. There was the child molestation of a slave/servant that occurred. I felt very uncomfortable with this. So overall, this was just not my type of fantasy.
December 8, 2008
Through my activity on the Goodreads website, I came across an offer by Rule to give away for review free copies of her debut novel, Cloak of Magic, here on the eve the publication of her next book--as she works through a small publisher, she's working hard to promote her own work. I'm happy to get a free book, though it's a shame that a writer as talented as Rule needs to spend her time on self-promotion instead of writing. Cloak of Magic is well worth reading, and I'm anxiously awaiting the next volume.
Rule does a number of good things here. The heart of much good fiction is its characters, and her characterization is pretty solid. The novel rests on the relationship between Kierce, the reluctant heir to the Lord High Magician of Shehaios, and Caras, heir to the chief of Oreath, a province within Shehaios. Each is strongly drawn with a realism that invites both sympathy for and criticism of each of these characters. Their relationship, from boyhood friends to major players in the politics of the country who seem at times to be working at cross-purposes, is portrayed well. Several other characters are strong, either in and of themselves or as studies of a type, though at times I did find myself wishing for even deeper characterization of some. Nonetheless, the characterization is a strength.
Rule also builds an interesting, complex, and believable world. Shehaios, the Fair Land, is characterized on the back of the book as a "self-sufficient agrarian culture," which is threatened by the Empire of the Sacred Union. The latter is extremely reminiscent of the Roman Empire, but Shehaios itself is more than simply agrarian or self-sufficient, it is--or at least aspires to be--radically egalitarian and largely peaceful. At the novel's start, Shehaios finds itself under attack from renegades on the fringe of the empire, as the "king" of Shehaios brokers a marriage between himself and the Empire that works to bring Imperial troops in to defend Shehaios while maintaining his land's independence and its essential character. These are the essential conflicts that dominate the action of the novel, and without moralizing Rule is able to address interesting issues about the structures, values, and biases of these very different cultures, one of which is hierarchical and war-like while the other is egalitarian and peaceful. How, though, does the latter maintain these qualities in the face of violence? How, too, are ways of thinking and perceiving the world shaped by our social structures?
Beyond these things, Rule tells a good story. She paces the story well, exquisitely balances exposition with action, and makes some unexpected moves. It is, at times, a dark novel, full of difficult-if-not-impossible choices, mistakes, and tragedies, but also of joy, love, and life.
I have some small nits to pick here and there, some of which could have been fixed by better editing and some of which may turn out not to be nits at all when the trilogy is all said and done. On the whole, though, I quite enjoyed my first foray into Shehaios and look forward to reading the rest of this series as it comes out.
Rule does a number of good things here. The heart of much good fiction is its characters, and her characterization is pretty solid. The novel rests on the relationship between Kierce, the reluctant heir to the Lord High Magician of Shehaios, and Caras, heir to the chief of Oreath, a province within Shehaios. Each is strongly drawn with a realism that invites both sympathy for and criticism of each of these characters. Their relationship, from boyhood friends to major players in the politics of the country who seem at times to be working at cross-purposes, is portrayed well. Several other characters are strong, either in and of themselves or as studies of a type, though at times I did find myself wishing for even deeper characterization of some. Nonetheless, the characterization is a strength.
Rule also builds an interesting, complex, and believable world. Shehaios, the Fair Land, is characterized on the back of the book as a "self-sufficient agrarian culture," which is threatened by the Empire of the Sacred Union. The latter is extremely reminiscent of the Roman Empire, but Shehaios itself is more than simply agrarian or self-sufficient, it is--or at least aspires to be--radically egalitarian and largely peaceful. At the novel's start, Shehaios finds itself under attack from renegades on the fringe of the empire, as the "king" of Shehaios brokers a marriage between himself and the Empire that works to bring Imperial troops in to defend Shehaios while maintaining his land's independence and its essential character. These are the essential conflicts that dominate the action of the novel, and without moralizing Rule is able to address interesting issues about the structures, values, and biases of these very different cultures, one of which is hierarchical and war-like while the other is egalitarian and peaceful. How, though, does the latter maintain these qualities in the face of violence? How, too, are ways of thinking and perceiving the world shaped by our social structures?
Beyond these things, Rule tells a good story. She paces the story well, exquisitely balances exposition with action, and makes some unexpected moves. It is, at times, a dark novel, full of difficult-if-not-impossible choices, mistakes, and tragedies, but also of joy, love, and life.
I have some small nits to pick here and there, some of which could have been fixed by better editing and some of which may turn out not to be nits at all when the trilogy is all said and done. On the whole, though, I quite enjoyed my first foray into Shehaios and look forward to reading the rest of this series as it comes out.
March 26, 2009
Excellent story; good storytelling; frustrating mechanics.
The basic tale is as old and familiar as the Iliad and Tristan and Isolde with a little of Prometheus on the side, but Rule creates a new world which, while too close to Imperial Rome to be really original, is satisfyingly real. Her development of magic as a non-religion complies with current taste, though restricting magic use to one character seems autocratic. (Remember your disappointment to learn that Force use was genetically predetermined? Or that Muggles can never learn magic?)
Rule develops her principle characters well enough that the reader usually foresees what choices they'll make . . . and watches in fascination as the train wreck unfolds. Flawed heroes are so much more fun than perfect ones.
Flawed mechanics, however, are not fun. Sue follows the current--separate all action and dialogue into its own paragraph--rule, but despite loading her dialogue with identifiers, the reader still has trouble following who is saying what. As a result, the reader is often thrown out of the story. Once or twice per book is forgivable; once or twice a chapter is not. The time-honored practice of grouping each character's words and actions into paragraphs facilitates communication, which after all is the purpose of punctuation and grammar. New is only better if it works.
The conclusion is abrupt: more like a chapter ending than that of a book. That subsequent books are planned is also consistent with modern practice, but the the reader deserves more closure.
The basic tale is as old and familiar as the Iliad and Tristan and Isolde with a little of Prometheus on the side, but Rule creates a new world which, while too close to Imperial Rome to be really original, is satisfyingly real. Her development of magic as a non-religion complies with current taste, though restricting magic use to one character seems autocratic. (Remember your disappointment to learn that Force use was genetically predetermined? Or that Muggles can never learn magic?)
Rule develops her principle characters well enough that the reader usually foresees what choices they'll make . . . and watches in fascination as the train wreck unfolds. Flawed heroes are so much more fun than perfect ones.
Flawed mechanics, however, are not fun. Sue follows the current--separate all action and dialogue into its own paragraph--rule, but despite loading her dialogue with identifiers, the reader still has trouble following who is saying what. As a result, the reader is often thrown out of the story. Once or twice per book is forgivable; once or twice a chapter is not. The time-honored practice of grouping each character's words and actions into paragraphs facilitates communication, which after all is the purpose of punctuation and grammar. New is only better if it works.
The conclusion is abrupt: more like a chapter ending than that of a book. That subsequent books are planned is also consistent with modern practice, but the the reader deserves more closure.
April 2, 2009
I discovered the book the Cloak of Magic by an offer from Rule to read the book and share my thoughts on it with others. It has been enjoyable to read. I feel very blessed to first read and then share my thoughts on this book. I have enjoyed reading and reviewing this novel and I will gladly encourage other to do the same. The book is intense full of a lot of details which did slow down my reading of it. It is almost like reading a history book, but I have still enjoyed the experience.
I have enjoyed reading the claok of magic. It is a complex book full of twist and turns, which limited the amount of time I had to read it. It is a book to sit down and really concentrate on reading. This is good fiction, the book's characters, and her characterization is solid. The novel rests on the relationship between Kierce, and Caras. Their evolving relationship, from childhood friends and palyamtes to major players in the politics of the country who seem at times to be working at cross-purposes, is portrayed well.
Kierce and Caras live in a complex world. Shehaios, the Fair Land, is threatened by the Empire of the Sacred Union. At the novel's start, Shehaios finds itself under attack from renegades as the "king" of Shehaios arranges a marriage between himself and another Empire. These are conflicts are the hear of the action of the novel,
It is a good story, well paced, balances relationships, action and suspense. I enjoyed it immensely
I have enjoyed reading the claok of magic. It is a complex book full of twist and turns, which limited the amount of time I had to read it. It is a book to sit down and really concentrate on reading. This is good fiction, the book's characters, and her characterization is solid. The novel rests on the relationship between Kierce, and Caras. Their evolving relationship, from childhood friends and palyamtes to major players in the politics of the country who seem at times to be working at cross-purposes, is portrayed well.
Kierce and Caras live in a complex world. Shehaios, the Fair Land, is threatened by the Empire of the Sacred Union. At the novel's start, Shehaios finds itself under attack from renegades as the "king" of Shehaios arranges a marriage between himself and another Empire. These are conflicts are the hear of the action of the novel,
It is a good story, well paced, balances relationships, action and suspense. I enjoyed it immensely
January 5, 2009
I really loved this book. It's just what I'm looking for as a college student. It was really interesting and entertaining. I felt for the characters and didn't always know how things were going to turn out. What made it so great for a college student is that I could put it down and pick it back up whenever. I really wanted to read it, but I could usually find a place to stop. I especially liked the ending because it was an ending! There is definately room for it to go some where, but if for some reason the series wasn't finished I'd be fine. I wouldn't have that need to go learn necromancy or go postal. I can't wait to read the next book and see where it picks up. Kierce is officially in my list of top guy characters now.
September 30, 2011
Some fantasy books sort of parachute you into the middle of the action, and hurl bits of information around in a whirlwind, and it can be several hundred pages before you begin to get your head above water (if you'll excuse the clashing metaphors) and work out at least some of what's going on. I hate that type of book, and fortunately this is quite the opposite. It starts slowly, with characters immersed in their world, and the background is released at a nice steady rate, so that it's not hard to keep up with what's going on. It's very pleasant to feel that you're at least a step or two ahead of some of the characters, anyway.
The world-building is rather good. Shahaios is a very believable and distinctive place, not so much because of any wildly original flora or fauna or climate (it feels vaguely European or perhaps Canadian to me, with forests, lakes, bears and deer, although there are unicorns, dragons and phoenixes too, to liven things up a little), but because of the carefully thought out social structure, which differentiates it from the standard sort of low-technology pseudo-medieval world. It feels a little utopian, but that's fine, this is fantasy. The evil Empire from beyond the mountains, on the other hand, is entirely conventional (it had a Romanesque feel to me). The magic is of the best type, too - simple but powerful, and with plenty of scope for development as the series continues.
Of the characters, Kierce is the most interesting by far. I liked the idea of the young man with unusual powers who uses them to win games and to get laid. Well, of course he does. So obvious. And when he reluctantly becomes the Lord High Magician, he discovers that politics is just another type of game. He also has a terrific sense of humour - I'm a sucker for a book that makes me laugh out loud. Caras is much less interesting - a worthy but dull (and very stupid) bloke. It's difficult to make such a character sympathetic, and I have to admit it took the entire book, but I did eventually get to that point. Orlii, the apparently mindless captive, is a wonderfully complex character, whose growth over the course of the book is entirely believable and deeply disturbing. Of the rest, although they are only lightly sketched out, and some need just a little more depth to make them truly shine, generally they succeed as rounded characters.
The plot, such as it is, relates the uneasy alliance between the militaristic Empire and the naive Shaihen, with their simple farming and hunting lifestyle, and built-in sense of equality and respect. They address everyone the same: first name for familiarity, or more respectfully as 'lord' or 'lady', from the barely adult farming girl, to the King himself, who is more of a 'first among equals' than a ruler. The political machinations associated with the arrival of the Empire's soldiers (after the King marries a daughter of the Emperor) are the usual sort of thing. It is the culture clash between the two very different lifestyles which provides most of the interest, and the author brilliantly conveys the near impossibility of either side trying to understand how the other's mind works. It's hard to elicit answers when you don't even know what questions to ask.
The widest gulf is in their belief systems. The Empire has a mish-mash of gods, with individuals believing in and worshipping their own selection from the available pantheon. Some are fanatical about their particular god, some are more pragmatic, and the gods themselves seem to require different responses from their adherents. And there are devils and demons and a hell, and a great deal of fear. The Shaihen, on the other hand, have no gods or demons, just a single magician, able to read and manipulate minds and tap into the spirit of the land and its people. Neither side really understands the other, and, most intriguingly, the Imperials, quite happy to believe in a myriad of invisible gods, are quite unable to believe in Kierce's magic. They assume it's just illusion, and if they see incontrovertable evidence, they shy away in fear from his 'sorcery'. It's a fascinating juxtaposition.
The story builds well, becoming a real page turner. Partly this is due (aspiring authors take note) to Rule's neat little chapter titles. It's very trendy these days to name each chapter for a specific character (so you turn the page and think - oh no, not him again!), or else there are no titles at all beyond the rather dull 'Chapter 17', which makes it easy to put the book aside. But when you finish a chapter and the next one is called something intriguing ('Encounter with a dragon', for instance, or 'Kierce makes an entry') it's all too easy to think - hmm, well, just one more chapter then. The book is well written, with only a few small typos and some odd chunks of repetition in the middle.
The climax of the story is both inevitable and very moving. This is not a story of great wars or wizardly duels, although there are a few battles and magical outbreaks along the way. This is about people, and how they understand and misunderstand each other, how they try to do what others want of them or try to avoid it, how they deceive themselves and others. Mostly, it's about illusions, and what happens when they are stripped away. It's a terrific book, actually, well thought out and absorbing. It reads perfectly well as a stand-alone, although it's actually the first part of a trilogy. An enjoyable read.
The world-building is rather good. Shahaios is a very believable and distinctive place, not so much because of any wildly original flora or fauna or climate (it feels vaguely European or perhaps Canadian to me, with forests, lakes, bears and deer, although there are unicorns, dragons and phoenixes too, to liven things up a little), but because of the carefully thought out social structure, which differentiates it from the standard sort of low-technology pseudo-medieval world. It feels a little utopian, but that's fine, this is fantasy. The evil Empire from beyond the mountains, on the other hand, is entirely conventional (it had a Romanesque feel to me). The magic is of the best type, too - simple but powerful, and with plenty of scope for development as the series continues.
Of the characters, Kierce is the most interesting by far. I liked the idea of the young man with unusual powers who uses them to win games and to get laid. Well, of course he does. So obvious. And when he reluctantly becomes the Lord High Magician, he discovers that politics is just another type of game. He also has a terrific sense of humour - I'm a sucker for a book that makes me laugh out loud. Caras is much less interesting - a worthy but dull (and very stupid) bloke. It's difficult to make such a character sympathetic, and I have to admit it took the entire book, but I did eventually get to that point. Orlii, the apparently mindless captive, is a wonderfully complex character, whose growth over the course of the book is entirely believable and deeply disturbing. Of the rest, although they are only lightly sketched out, and some need just a little more depth to make them truly shine, generally they succeed as rounded characters.
The plot, such as it is, relates the uneasy alliance between the militaristic Empire and the naive Shaihen, with their simple farming and hunting lifestyle, and built-in sense of equality and respect. They address everyone the same: first name for familiarity, or more respectfully as 'lord' or 'lady', from the barely adult farming girl, to the King himself, who is more of a 'first among equals' than a ruler. The political machinations associated with the arrival of the Empire's soldiers (after the King marries a daughter of the Emperor) are the usual sort of thing. It is the culture clash between the two very different lifestyles which provides most of the interest, and the author brilliantly conveys the near impossibility of either side trying to understand how the other's mind works. It's hard to elicit answers when you don't even know what questions to ask.
The widest gulf is in their belief systems. The Empire has a mish-mash of gods, with individuals believing in and worshipping their own selection from the available pantheon. Some are fanatical about their particular god, some are more pragmatic, and the gods themselves seem to require different responses from their adherents. And there are devils and demons and a hell, and a great deal of fear. The Shaihen, on the other hand, have no gods or demons, just a single magician, able to read and manipulate minds and tap into the spirit of the land and its people. Neither side really understands the other, and, most intriguingly, the Imperials, quite happy to believe in a myriad of invisible gods, are quite unable to believe in Kierce's magic. They assume it's just illusion, and if they see incontrovertable evidence, they shy away in fear from his 'sorcery'. It's a fascinating juxtaposition.
The story builds well, becoming a real page turner. Partly this is due (aspiring authors take note) to Rule's neat little chapter titles. It's very trendy these days to name each chapter for a specific character (so you turn the page and think - oh no, not him again!), or else there are no titles at all beyond the rather dull 'Chapter 17', which makes it easy to put the book aside. But when you finish a chapter and the next one is called something intriguing ('Encounter with a dragon', for instance, or 'Kierce makes an entry') it's all too easy to think - hmm, well, just one more chapter then. The book is well written, with only a few small typos and some odd chunks of repetition in the middle.
The climax of the story is both inevitable and very moving. This is not a story of great wars or wizardly duels, although there are a few battles and magical outbreaks along the way. This is about people, and how they understand and misunderstand each other, how they try to do what others want of them or try to avoid it, how they deceive themselves and others. Mostly, it's about illusions, and what happens when they are stripped away. It's a terrific book, actually, well thought out and absorbing. It reads perfectly well as a stand-alone, although it's actually the first part of a trilogy. An enjoyable read.
August 23, 2016
I'm reviewing the whole trilogy rather than each book separately because I think I'd end up repeating myself otherwise. I don't usually take the time to write reviews (far too busy reading) but I think this series of books, perhaps because the author self published, has slipped under the radar and people need to know how good it is! I'll stay clear of spoilers though.
The first of this trilogy; Cloak of Magic, was published way back in 2006 and the last, Spirit of Shehaios, in 2011 but I think these books are well placed to come into their own in 2016: The storyline captures some of the innocence and magic of Harry Potter, the power plays and licentiousness of Game of Thrones, and the subtle critique of contemporary society found in The Hunger Games, all packaged up in an alternative pre-history with a similar feel to The Hobbit and Lord Of The Rings – what's not to like!
Throwing such successful titles around may seem like hyperbole, but I challenge you to read The Shaihen Heritage Trilogy and not agree.
In Cloak of Magic we're introduced to a Shire-like world of good natured people who live in harmony with the land. It's a balanced society where male and female are equal, inhabiting roles from Chief to Minstrel alike, where both sexes display depths of emotion and strength of will – and where everyone likes a good party. In this world there are dragons and unicorns, there are spirits and magicians, and the people see themselves as expressions of the spirit of the land.
Through the course of the Shaihen Heritage trilogy this world is increasingly threatened by an encroaching empire within which, things are done very differently. A patriarchal power structure, where women are adornments or deceivers, men are stubborn and ambitious, cities are decadent places of plenty – surrounded by slums and fuelled by servitude – and everyone knows their place. In this world there is war and slavery, there are prostitutes and priests, and the people see the land as something to own and fight over (sound familiar anyone?).
The tension created by this clash of cultures invites a delightfully subtle criticism of our own modern world in much the same way that the exaggerated spectacle of The Capitol does in The Hunger Games. Unlike The Hunger Games though, this trilogy doesn't follow just one main protagonist. The first two books are led largely by the mercurial character of Kierce, the Shaihen magician, but he is by no means the only lead. There are Chiefs and Healers, Warriors and Scholars, parents, children, Kings and Emperors as well as gamblers and tavern owners. What impresses me most about this series, in fact, is the sheer depth and richness of all the characters we encounter. With the possible exception of the priest, Aruath, in the third book, none of the players we meet can be accused of being shallow or two-dimensional; they all possess a subtle, textured personality and a rich, individually nuanced inner world, which makes them feel so much more real than mere words on a page.
This realness is what draws you in and what makes the books so easy to read: where Lord Of The Rings can get bogged down in lengthy descriptions of the landscape, in Shehaios you find yourself identifying with characters on all sides of the dice, be they noblemen, slaves, farmers or soldiers; none are defined simply by their role – even Kierce is far more human than Tolkien's Gandalf or Rowling's Dumbledore.
The three books span a large time frame, with the third story, Spirit of Shehaios, occurring at a further remove from the first two, and this makes the final instalment a little harder to get into. The reader is caught on the back foot, so to speak, and feeling like there's a lot to catch up on and a lot of new characters in whom we're not particularly invested. In fact, you could stop reading at the end of the second book, Staff Of Power, and still be blown away. But with a little patience, the realness of the characters – some of whom are familiar – and their capacity to surprise us, once again pulls you back in.
I read most of this trilogy while travelling on trains and there were times when I could not help but laugh out loud as well as times where I found my self welling up in tears or struggling to contain the tension – all rather embarrassing, for a grown man in a public place, and not usually something I have to contend with. In almost all cases, it's the interplay between the characters (all of whom you really come to care for), which leads to this powerful emotional journey. There is, however, plenty of action and a fair share of plot twists to contend with. In particular, I was impressed by the candid descriptions of sex acts. The books are not saturated with them but, when they happen, the author manages to find the right balance between descriptive and erotic, never straying into graphic gratuitousness nor sentimentality.
Coming from an unknown, unsung author, this power house of creative imagination, action, adventure and subtle social critique is simply astounding. And knowing that I'm one of the first to discover this series made the whole experience feel a little more special. So my advice to you would be, 'don't delay!' read this trilogy now so you can say you loved Rule when she was still underground (and not in the way that Tolkien is under ground – by then you'll be late too the show!).
The first of this trilogy; Cloak of Magic, was published way back in 2006 and the last, Spirit of Shehaios, in 2011 but I think these books are well placed to come into their own in 2016: The storyline captures some of the innocence and magic of Harry Potter, the power plays and licentiousness of Game of Thrones, and the subtle critique of contemporary society found in The Hunger Games, all packaged up in an alternative pre-history with a similar feel to The Hobbit and Lord Of The Rings – what's not to like!
Throwing such successful titles around may seem like hyperbole, but I challenge you to read The Shaihen Heritage Trilogy and not agree.
In Cloak of Magic we're introduced to a Shire-like world of good natured people who live in harmony with the land. It's a balanced society where male and female are equal, inhabiting roles from Chief to Minstrel alike, where both sexes display depths of emotion and strength of will – and where everyone likes a good party. In this world there are dragons and unicorns, there are spirits and magicians, and the people see themselves as expressions of the spirit of the land.
Through the course of the Shaihen Heritage trilogy this world is increasingly threatened by an encroaching empire within which, things are done very differently. A patriarchal power structure, where women are adornments or deceivers, men are stubborn and ambitious, cities are decadent places of plenty – surrounded by slums and fuelled by servitude – and everyone knows their place. In this world there is war and slavery, there are prostitutes and priests, and the people see the land as something to own and fight over (sound familiar anyone?).
The tension created by this clash of cultures invites a delightfully subtle criticism of our own modern world in much the same way that the exaggerated spectacle of The Capitol does in The Hunger Games. Unlike The Hunger Games though, this trilogy doesn't follow just one main protagonist. The first two books are led largely by the mercurial character of Kierce, the Shaihen magician, but he is by no means the only lead. There are Chiefs and Healers, Warriors and Scholars, parents, children, Kings and Emperors as well as gamblers and tavern owners. What impresses me most about this series, in fact, is the sheer depth and richness of all the characters we encounter. With the possible exception of the priest, Aruath, in the third book, none of the players we meet can be accused of being shallow or two-dimensional; they all possess a subtle, textured personality and a rich, individually nuanced inner world, which makes them feel so much more real than mere words on a page.
This realness is what draws you in and what makes the books so easy to read: where Lord Of The Rings can get bogged down in lengthy descriptions of the landscape, in Shehaios you find yourself identifying with characters on all sides of the dice, be they noblemen, slaves, farmers or soldiers; none are defined simply by their role – even Kierce is far more human than Tolkien's Gandalf or Rowling's Dumbledore.
The three books span a large time frame, with the third story, Spirit of Shehaios, occurring at a further remove from the first two, and this makes the final instalment a little harder to get into. The reader is caught on the back foot, so to speak, and feeling like there's a lot to catch up on and a lot of new characters in whom we're not particularly invested. In fact, you could stop reading at the end of the second book, Staff Of Power, and still be blown away. But with a little patience, the realness of the characters – some of whom are familiar – and their capacity to surprise us, once again pulls you back in.
I read most of this trilogy while travelling on trains and there were times when I could not help but laugh out loud as well as times where I found my self welling up in tears or struggling to contain the tension – all rather embarrassing, for a grown man in a public place, and not usually something I have to contend with. In almost all cases, it's the interplay between the characters (all of whom you really come to care for), which leads to this powerful emotional journey. There is, however, plenty of action and a fair share of plot twists to contend with. In particular, I was impressed by the candid descriptions of sex acts. The books are not saturated with them but, when they happen, the author manages to find the right balance between descriptive and erotic, never straying into graphic gratuitousness nor sentimentality.
Coming from an unknown, unsung author, this power house of creative imagination, action, adventure and subtle social critique is simply astounding. And knowing that I'm one of the first to discover this series made the whole experience feel a little more special. So my advice to you would be, 'don't delay!' read this trilogy now so you can say you loved Rule when she was still underground (and not in the way that Tolkien is under ground – by then you'll be late too the show!).
December 31, 2008
“Cloak of Magic” is a solid, enjoyable read. While this book is certainly not destined for the bestsellers list, there is lots of potential here for the rest of the series that Rule is currently writing. The world in which the story takes place is different enough from our own, and from generic fantasy worlds, to draw the reader in. Like other examples of high quality low fantasy, “Cloak of Magic” would most appeal to someone who is leery of reading stereotypical “good-versus-evil” high/epic fantasy or lowbrow sword-and-sorcery fiction.
While the occasional snippets of action are exciting, this book is really about interpersonal and inter-territorial politics. The plot gets a bit thick, even tedious, at times when the reader is required to keep track of the various territories, individuals, and armies involved in the power struggle that is the central theme of the book. Some of the politics is just a little bit too subtle. There is a lot going on here, and while I hate to criticize a writer for demanding too much of her readers, I would have appreciated a bit more clarity as the characters navigate the complex relationships and strategic maneuvering. Having said this, the moral ambiguity, difficult decisions, and often mundane needs of the characters gives “Cloak of Magic” a realism that I found appealing.
One of the things I liked best about “Cloak of Magic” is that the world did not contain too many fantasy cliches. There are no elves, orcs, or dwarves. Dragons and unicorns are not supernatural creatures, just rare animals. While one of the main characters is a powerful magician, the use of magic powers is subtle. Rather than reading arcane incantations or shooting fireballs from a staff, the magician's power are mostly limited to healing, illusion, and telepathy. This reminded me of one of my favourite aspects of the Lord of the Rings books; the ability to influence and control people was infinitely more powerful than shooting lightening bolts. On the other hand, there is no doubt that “Cloak of Magic” is set in a fantasy world. It succeeds as escapist fiction (unless you're trying to escape stories of political intrigue) particularly when the action speeds up.
There were some problems with the flow of this book. I did a double take a few times when, in the middle of a single paragraph, the time-line of the story skipped ahead a year or two. This made the passage of time feel disjointed and disorienting. My other complain about the book was the ending. The story did not feel particularly well wrapped up, and it was a disappointment to get to the end with so many major loose ends remaining. Instead of leaving me satisfied but wanting more, the ending left me feeling like “Cloak of Magic” does not stand alone as a single novel. There is a sequel coming, and I suspect that the potential of this series is yet to be realized. I would be willing to read the next book in the series, but unless the second book feels more complete I will stop there.
Overall, I enjoyed “Cloak of Magic”. While I won't be grabbing random people to give them this book, I would recommend it to someone wanting to read a serious and challenging piece of fantasy.
While the occasional snippets of action are exciting, this book is really about interpersonal and inter-territorial politics. The plot gets a bit thick, even tedious, at times when the reader is required to keep track of the various territories, individuals, and armies involved in the power struggle that is the central theme of the book. Some of the politics is just a little bit too subtle. There is a lot going on here, and while I hate to criticize a writer for demanding too much of her readers, I would have appreciated a bit more clarity as the characters navigate the complex relationships and strategic maneuvering. Having said this, the moral ambiguity, difficult decisions, and often mundane needs of the characters gives “Cloak of Magic” a realism that I found appealing.
One of the things I liked best about “Cloak of Magic” is that the world did not contain too many fantasy cliches. There are no elves, orcs, or dwarves. Dragons and unicorns are not supernatural creatures, just rare animals. While one of the main characters is a powerful magician, the use of magic powers is subtle. Rather than reading arcane incantations or shooting fireballs from a staff, the magician's power are mostly limited to healing, illusion, and telepathy. This reminded me of one of my favourite aspects of the Lord of the Rings books; the ability to influence and control people was infinitely more powerful than shooting lightening bolts. On the other hand, there is no doubt that “Cloak of Magic” is set in a fantasy world. It succeeds as escapist fiction (unless you're trying to escape stories of political intrigue) particularly when the action speeds up.
There were some problems with the flow of this book. I did a double take a few times when, in the middle of a single paragraph, the time-line of the story skipped ahead a year or two. This made the passage of time feel disjointed and disorienting. My other complain about the book was the ending. The story did not feel particularly well wrapped up, and it was a disappointment to get to the end with so many major loose ends remaining. Instead of leaving me satisfied but wanting more, the ending left me feeling like “Cloak of Magic” does not stand alone as a single novel. There is a sequel coming, and I suspect that the potential of this series is yet to be realized. I would be willing to read the next book in the series, but unless the second book feels more complete I will stop there.
Overall, I enjoyed “Cloak of Magic”. While I won't be grabbing random people to give them this book, I would recommend it to someone wanting to read a serious and challenging piece of fantasy.
January 27, 2008
A great story you must read. I can't wait for the next in the series, which is expected to be published later in 2008 (probably Q4) in time to make a great present at Winterval… or whatever you call your mid-winter celebrations.
Tales of fantasy and science fiction exist, at least in part, to remind us of some of the eternal verities of the human condition. In that regard, they are not dissimilar to the old fairy stories and myth-cycles that our ancestors used to entertain one another around campfires and hearths. Nor are they much different from the stories our parents told us as children, as encouragement to 'be good' and to provide warnings of what might occur if we did not listen-up, pay attention, work hard, and show a bit of respect to our elders.
Irrespective of the setting of the story, and no matter the technological trappings, fantasy serves to illustrate that: heroes are always flawed; power corrupts; nemesis awaits the over-prideful; love conquers all and burns eternally; justice will be done; and the poor shall inherit the earth. This book contains enough sex and violence, mystery and magic for modern tastes, but still retains the flavour of the old stories (which were not exactly 'pastel coloured' in any case).
There is an argument to be made that, with all the advances made during the information age (since c.1970), 'modern youth' at least in the West, has life too easy. Folk only have to ask, and the riches of technology are available. No need to struggle, husband resources, save-up and wait, or ration ourselves. Fantasy reminds us that gains that are so easily won are perhaps not worth the winning. Value and worth comes from facing a challenge, buckling-up, knuckling-down and toeing the line, whatever the cost. Self-respect comes from preparedness to serve the community, rather than the self, to strive against 'fate' if you will, even though earthly rewards may have to be sacrificed in the struggle.
Such tales have for millenia provided the moral compass of generations, and provided Kipling's 'nine and sixty ways of constructing tribal lays' long before religion attempted to abrogate that role solely for itself.
S.A.Rule, the author of the Shaihen Heritage series of stories, has done a great job of constructing a self-consistent world, peopled with believable, all-too human characters. It's not an easy world, although hard-work reaps dividends, and folk generally have fun in a quite satisfactory, though perhaps bucolic way. But cultures do clash, not everyone has sufficient, let alone plenty, and the exercise of those who desire ultimate power WILL impact the lives of even the most retiring of country folk. Sometimes it is necessary to fight for what we hold dear.
http://www.shehaios.co.uk/
Tales of fantasy and science fiction exist, at least in part, to remind us of some of the eternal verities of the human condition. In that regard, they are not dissimilar to the old fairy stories and myth-cycles that our ancestors used to entertain one another around campfires and hearths. Nor are they much different from the stories our parents told us as children, as encouragement to 'be good' and to provide warnings of what might occur if we did not listen-up, pay attention, work hard, and show a bit of respect to our elders.
Irrespective of the setting of the story, and no matter the technological trappings, fantasy serves to illustrate that: heroes are always flawed; power corrupts; nemesis awaits the over-prideful; love conquers all and burns eternally; justice will be done; and the poor shall inherit the earth. This book contains enough sex and violence, mystery and magic for modern tastes, but still retains the flavour of the old stories (which were not exactly 'pastel coloured' in any case).
There is an argument to be made that, with all the advances made during the information age (since c.1970), 'modern youth' at least in the West, has life too easy. Folk only have to ask, and the riches of technology are available. No need to struggle, husband resources, save-up and wait, or ration ourselves. Fantasy reminds us that gains that are so easily won are perhaps not worth the winning. Value and worth comes from facing a challenge, buckling-up, knuckling-down and toeing the line, whatever the cost. Self-respect comes from preparedness to serve the community, rather than the self, to strive against 'fate' if you will, even though earthly rewards may have to be sacrificed in the struggle.
Such tales have for millenia provided the moral compass of generations, and provided Kipling's 'nine and sixty ways of constructing tribal lays' long before religion attempted to abrogate that role solely for itself.
S.A.Rule, the author of the Shaihen Heritage series of stories, has done a great job of constructing a self-consistent world, peopled with believable, all-too human characters. It's not an easy world, although hard-work reaps dividends, and folk generally have fun in a quite satisfactory, though perhaps bucolic way. But cultures do clash, not everyone has sufficient, let alone plenty, and the exercise of those who desire ultimate power WILL impact the lives of even the most retiring of country folk. Sometimes it is necessary to fight for what we hold dear.
http://www.shehaios.co.uk/
July 6, 2011
Received as part of First Reads, review will be added shortly.
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I'm really torn by this book, some bits had me desperate to read on but others just left me cold. The ideas are great but it just didn't seem to hang together in a way that pulled me through the story. I liked the characters and would love to have found out more about them but there was never quite enough meat on their bones.
I'm not even sure I would class this as Fantasy but hey I don't know where the trilogy is going. I don't even know if I'm going to read the rest, which is a shame as I feel there's real potential there. Almost as though the author has a whole world (literally) of detail, plots and characters in their head but has not quite worked out how to get it on paper yet, at least not in a way that translates easily to my head.
I can quite easily read a 700 page book in one sitting (if family allow) and have even been known to re-read a previous book of a sequel at almost the same time just to refresh myself prior to the "actual book". This book while I did enjoy it, took a similar amount of effort and it's only 330 pages (ish) long - which should really only be a few hours reading.
I'm very undecided on this one.
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I'm really torn by this book, some bits had me desperate to read on but others just left me cold. The ideas are great but it just didn't seem to hang together in a way that pulled me through the story. I liked the characters and would love to have found out more about them but there was never quite enough meat on their bones.
I'm not even sure I would class this as Fantasy but hey I don't know where the trilogy is going. I don't even know if I'm going to read the rest, which is a shame as I feel there's real potential there. Almost as though the author has a whole world (literally) of detail, plots and characters in their head but has not quite worked out how to get it on paper yet, at least not in a way that translates easily to my head.
I can quite easily read a 700 page book in one sitting (if family allow) and have even been known to re-read a previous book of a sequel at almost the same time just to refresh myself prior to the "actual book". This book while I did enjoy it, took a similar amount of effort and it's only 330 pages (ish) long - which should really only be a few hours reading.
I'm very undecided on this one.
October 24, 2011
I was one of the lucky people who recieved this as part of a Goodreads giveway!
As a new reader of the fantasy genre, this took me a bit longer to read than most books, quite simply because I found there was so much detail included, which can only show the author's talent. It took a while for the story to grip me, but I think that's because I don't read a lot of fantasy books, so it takes me a while to get into it. I really liked the character of Kierce, as he is not one-sided, he has his good points and bad points, so its easy to forget that he is a magician and relate to him as a person, even if I do find some of his actions a bit questionable. I would have liked to see more about the relationship between Kierce and Orlii, but thats just because I felt sorry for Orlii, even though he did betray Kierce at the end, I still felt really sorry for him and would have liked to read more about him.
This book has everything you could want in it, a gripping storyline, interesting characters, drama, war, magic, betrayal. When I got to the ending I felt it had ended too soon, and then I found out there was a follow up! Definately want to read the next one!
As a new reader of the fantasy genre, this took me a bit longer to read than most books, quite simply because I found there was so much detail included, which can only show the author's talent. It took a while for the story to grip me, but I think that's because I don't read a lot of fantasy books, so it takes me a while to get into it. I really liked the character of Kierce, as he is not one-sided, he has his good points and bad points, so its easy to forget that he is a magician and relate to him as a person, even if I do find some of his actions a bit questionable. I would have liked to see more about the relationship between Kierce and Orlii, but thats just because I felt sorry for Orlii, even though he did betray Kierce at the end, I still felt really sorry for him and would have liked to read more about him.
This book has everything you could want in it, a gripping storyline, interesting characters, drama, war, magic, betrayal. When I got to the ending I felt it had ended too soon, and then I found out there was a follow up! Definately want to read the next one!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 7, 2009
Cloak of Magic falls into the fantasy genre and brings a new world order to our notice, one where magic is still powerful, and dragons are powerful allies for those who know their ways. If this were our world we would say it was set somewhere in the Dark Ages between the departure of the Romans and the unification of southern Britain under Alfred.
The characterisation is strong, and the stage settings clear and uncompromising. Magic in the Shaihen environment is not something that conjures, fairies or even witches; it is a force to be reckoned with, and for its principal proponent, Keirce, it is an unwelcome intrusion into what had – until the power was thrust upon him by circumstances totally outside his control – been a life of relatively carefree adventure as horsemaster to a regional overlord. It brought him unwanted responsibility and powers that he struggled to master.
This is a book that addresses world problems from a totally different angle and gives the reader pause for thought.
The characterisation is strong, and the stage settings clear and uncompromising. Magic in the Shaihen environment is not something that conjures, fairies or even witches; it is a force to be reckoned with, and for its principal proponent, Keirce, it is an unwelcome intrusion into what had – until the power was thrust upon him by circumstances totally outside his control – been a life of relatively carefree adventure as horsemaster to a regional overlord. It brought him unwanted responsibility and powers that he struggled to master.
This is a book that addresses world problems from a totally different angle and gives the reader pause for thought.
September 11, 2012
The story follows the fortunes of two men in the mystical land of Shaihen where warlords and magicians rule. It is the first part of a fantasy series featuring the same characters. The author has a good feeling for plot development and political intrigue.
Characters are well drawn and are all too human. Their strengths and frailties are readily apparent. Kierce, is certainly not an all powerful magician. He is flawed, vulnerable to temptation and the energy sapping power of his own magic. His friend, Caras, has a strong sense of duty and provides a strong contrast to the other's scheming.
The mythical world is nicely painted. The narrative is believable, able to surprise and keeps the reader enthralled and enchanted right to the end.
Keith Jahans
Editor, Peatmore Press (http://peatmore.com)
Characters are well drawn and are all too human. Their strengths and frailties are readily apparent. Kierce, is certainly not an all powerful magician. He is flawed, vulnerable to temptation and the energy sapping power of his own magic. His friend, Caras, has a strong sense of duty and provides a strong contrast to the other's scheming.
The mythical world is nicely painted. The narrative is believable, able to surprise and keeps the reader enthralled and enchanted right to the end.
Keith Jahans
Editor, Peatmore Press (http://peatmore.com)
August 6, 2011
A pretty interesting book, I quit enjoyed it. Not the biggest fan of Science Fiction but this book really captured my attention. I really liked the fact that it is so different and because of this I will re-read it again; perhaps I will pick up something I missed the first go around.
decided-not-to-read-it
February 27, 2015Edit: 3/29/11-This review has private notes.
January 30, 2009
Excellent read. Everything you would want: violence, intrigue, sex, romance and an overall good story.
June 18, 2011
quite simply- wonderful- inventive- read one- you MUST read all three!!!!
September 4, 2013
This book is the journey of a Lord High Magician and other characters. I wasn't keen on this fantasy book i didn't get the purpose of some of the characters.
September 10, 2016
I liked Kierce as a character. His very real flaws, but ultimate determination to do the best for his county, making mistakes along the way, made for an interesting story.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews