Cyrion (IMAGINAIRE) in Sword & Sorcery: "An earthier sort of fantasy"

Dec 02, 2015 Derek rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: sword-and-sorcery

The framing device is genius. Roilant, a slobbish young noble in unspecified danger, attempts to hire the renowned Cyrion--warrior, rogue, troubleshooter, possibly wizard--who, Roilant is convinced, is the only person able to resolve the situation. Instead, in some middling-grade alehouse, he only finds rumors and "you just missed him" comments, with each person contributing a tall-tale story of the prowess of this Cyrion. To Roilant's ever-growing frustration, of course.

And, truthfully, if the The framing device is genius. Roilant, a slobbish young noble in unspecified danger, attempts to hire the renowned Cyrion--warrior, rogue, troubleshooter, possibly wizard--who, Roilant is convinced, is the only person able to resolve the situation. Instead, in some middling-grade alehouse, he only finds rumors and "you just missed him" comments, with each person contributing a tall-tale story of the prowess of this Cyrion. To Roilant's ever-growing frustration, of course.

And, truthfully, if the entire volume had been that, I would have been happy. The stories are presented within the frame: possibly truth, possibly fabricated, possibly embellished beyond recognition. If there is a weakness to the bunch, it is that Cyrion is presented as inhumanly capable and perceptive. As with the Sherlock Holmes collection, the reader eventually succumbs to the pattern and always knows that Cyrion is at least one step ahead of the game, is in control of the situation, and probably figured it all out from the very start. But each story is so charming and delightfully written--think Jack Vance with his vocabulary and ornate language under control--that I gave the repetition of style a pass and loved each one. The framing device, poor Roilant and his unstated problem, could resolve itself or not.

But then Cyrion appears on the scene, and the framing device becomes the story, a novella of nearly half the book. The longer form wears out its welcome a bit, as each twist and turn becomes more fractal: the family in question is preposterously dysfunctional, and layers of scheming interact with one another. The question is not who is guilty, it is who, if any, are innocent.

The most surprising aspect of it is the detail of who 'gets the girl' at the end and why. It is not a fairy-tale ending--how could it be, with this scale of crime?--yet shows an innate respect for all the characters and their goals. (view spoiler) ...more

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Jun 12, 2022 Joseph rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

A collection of sword & sorcery short stories about Cyrion, although Cyrion (elegant, graceful, witty, observant, master of disguise) leans towards using his wits rather than his blade, all other things being equal.

Not much blood and thunder or "Blood and souls for my lord Arioch!" here -- the stories tend to be more in the way of intricately-crafted mysteries or puzzle boxes, as when Cyrion comes to a city in thrall to a great monster, or when he angers a wizard who knows how to create waxen fi ...more

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Apr 26, 2022 Riju Ganguly rated it really liked it · review of another edition

This book is a veritable feast of dry wit, sweet prose, sumptuous characterisations and intoxicating plots. The prologue, seven stories and seven interludes were simply brilliant.
Unfortunately, the novella dragged on and on. Even the epilogue turned out to be duller, resulting in the loss of a star.
But otherwise, this was a brilliant read.
Recommended.

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