Harbinger of Reviews
Mar. 1st, 2011 09:38 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
bluegargantuaHi,
So I finished up two books recently.
First up, New Arabian Nights by Robert Louis Stevenson. This is a collection of short stories by Mr. Stevenson and...they're kinda meh. The first block of stories, involving the Prince of Bohemia and his sidekick are pretty good, but then they drift off in various directions and never really quite approach what you have in mind when you think "New Arabian Nights". With a bit more mystery and magic, these could have been some very early urban fantasy. As it is, the first bunch of stories are good, but I wouldn't be in any hurry to pick it up.
A much more successful book is Harbinger of the Storm by Aliette de Bodard. This is a sequel to Servant of the Underworld and while the books stand alone, it's mildly helpful to start with Servants before moving to Harbinger -- and frankly, I'm really enjoying the hell out of this series so it's not onerous task having to catch up.
The books all take place in a magic-drenched Aztec empire where Acatl, High Priest of the God of Death investigates mysterious deaths. In this book, the current emperor has died and until he's replaced, the empire is vulnerable to the star demons who hope to wipe out humanity and end the Fifth Age. Despite the very real danger, the council of elders who elect the next emperor are locked in political games. Then a councilman turns up dead, shredded by a star demon who has somehow appeared within the warded palace and that means someone's summoning them directly. Acatl is now in a race to uncover this plot against the empire and reality.
The story is good and clips along well. The characters are generally well-done. The setting and atmosphere are just outstanding. At the back, the author has a lengthy section about the factual elements that build up her world and where she had to go off-script or make up the details. Clearly this is a well-researched effort and it results in a truly original fantasy setting. A wonderful change of pace from what you're used to and well worth picking up.
later
Tom
So I finished up two books recently.
First up, New Arabian Nights by Robert Louis Stevenson. This is a collection of short stories by Mr. Stevenson and...they're kinda meh. The first block of stories, involving the Prince of Bohemia and his sidekick are pretty good, but then they drift off in various directions and never really quite approach what you have in mind when you think "New Arabian Nights". With a bit more mystery and magic, these could have been some very early urban fantasy. As it is, the first bunch of stories are good, but I wouldn't be in any hurry to pick it up.
A much more successful book is Harbinger of the Storm by Aliette de Bodard. This is a sequel to Servant of the Underworld and while the books stand alone, it's mildly helpful to start with Servants before moving to Harbinger -- and frankly, I'm really enjoying the hell out of this series so it's not onerous task having to catch up.
The books all take place in a magic-drenched Aztec empire where Acatl, High Priest of the God of Death investigates mysterious deaths. In this book, the current emperor has died and until he's replaced, the empire is vulnerable to the star demons who hope to wipe out humanity and end the Fifth Age. Despite the very real danger, the council of elders who elect the next emperor are locked in political games. Then a councilman turns up dead, shredded by a star demon who has somehow appeared within the warded palace and that means someone's summoning them directly. Acatl is now in a race to uncover this plot against the empire and reality.
The story is good and clips along well. The characters are generally well-done. The setting and atmosphere are just outstanding. At the back, the author has a lengthy section about the factual elements that build up her world and where she had to go off-script or make up the details. Clearly this is a well-researched effort and it results in a truly original fantasy setting. A wonderful change of pace from what you're used to and well worth picking up.
later
Tom
