This time around, I am going to talk about Lois McMaster Bujold's THE CURSE OF CHALION, Jeffrey Carver's DRAGONS IN THE STARS, and Martha Wells' DEATH OF THE NECROMANCER.
The Curse of Chalion, by Lois McMaster Bujold
I am a bit of a day late and a dollar short when it comes to Bujold's fantasy novel. It was nominated for a Hugo last year (and lost), and other reviews in the vaguely Amber blogosphere have shown up, including both Jennifer Jackson and Michael Curry.
Scott, almost as much of a Bujold fan as he is of Terry Pratchett, has read Chalion a half dozen times.
So finally, I've gotten around to it. And I enjoyed it, highly. I'm no stranger to Bujold, having read many of the Miles Vorkosigan novels (I am a bit behind on those as of late however).
Cazaril does have parallels with Miles. While not a teratogenetic dwarf, Cazaril is something of a cripple, and like Miles does his work in this book mainly through thinking past his opponents. The milieu is vaguely medieval Italian, it reminded me of Fires of the Faithful, as well as Guy Gavriel Kay's Tigana.
Throw in a pentaumverate of deities, death magic, curse-magic, politics and intrigue and a fair amount of world-building, shake well. An unexpected miracle drives the plot and the core story of the book. Plenty of humor to leaven the darker stuff. Engaging characters. High Quality Fantasy.
Strongly Recommended.
I picked up Carver's DRAGONS IN THE STARS on the strength of his ETERNITY'S END. I liked the Flux, and the alien races and human worlds of the novel and I was looking for more here, since this one seemed to have creatures that lived directly in the Flux.
I was disappointed.
The book follows the story of Jael LeBrae, star-rigger (or would be). The only people who can pilot ships in the hyperspace of the Flux. Living on a backwater world, she finds it difficult to get legitimate, licensed work because of the sins of her father.
Oh, did I dislike this book. The pacing was poor, the characters were not really believable, their actions inexplicable at times. The titular Dragons get short shrift and we only see them briefly. This is an older book of Carver's...it is clear that he has learned much between this, and Eternity's End.
Strongly not recommended.
Death of the Necromancer, by Martha Wells
Martha Wells has been quietly turning out excellent books for a while now. Element of Fire, sadly out of print, was set in a 18th century France-like royal court with magic, fae, and all the political intrigue and swashbuckling that you could want.
Death of the Necromancer is also set in Ile-Rien, although a century later. Technology and Magical Technology have progressed, and the feel is more 19th century, Dumas-style fantasy. Also, too, we look at characters on the seamier side of the city, rather than Royals (for the most part).
But still plenty of the same rich goodness. A mystery, layered with necromantic magic, sorcerous battles, a vividly described city, and complex characters with multiple motives and goals.
Strongly Recommended
Posted by Jvstin at October 9, 2003 3:26 PM