Cloak of Magic (Shaihen Heritage, #1) in Building a SciFi/Fantasy Library

Nov 28, 2008 Bradley rated it liked it

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 b ...more

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Dec 07, 2008 John rated it really liked it

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 ne 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. ...more

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Jan 27, 2008 Grant rated it it was amazing

Shelves: science-fiction

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 camp 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/ ...more

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