Forrest’s Reviews > Empire of the East > Status Update

Lord Draffutt, Beastus ex Machina!

Intriguing that man's own technology gave rise to magic in this world. You know the old saying about technology and magic . . .

Also, I want to know more about Ardneh's realization of self-consciousness.

I'm cringing thinking of the possible cost of the diversion that is allowing Rolf to get to his destination. Great, now I'm emotionally-vested. Sword and sorcery isn't supposed to do that! :)

Chup, Rolf, and Lonford all making plans for how they are going to escape once their "strike team" goals are achieved. Now I know things will go horribly wrong!

In my mind, I pictured Draffut as Jake from Adventure Time. And, you know what? It totally worked. Totally!

You knew Rolf would have to find his sister, just a question of where and when. The circumstances are . . . inconvenient.

That old saying that you have to lose your life in order to save it? Literally true in Chup's case. And I'm guessing that Charmian took some small pleasure in cutting off his head, despite her reluctance.

I like the "punchiness" of the plot here. In a sword and sorcery novel, I want my action fast and frequent. I enjoy intrigue, but in this genre, you have to get to the magic and mayhem. Saberhagen goes almost too quickly, at times, but paces it well.

Exactly how powerful is Charmian? She is not all she seems, either.

Chup is quickly becoming the defacto hero of this story. His shenanigans with the centipede prove it.