A reasonable start, on the whole; let’s see where the series goes.
Liu’s stories have won most major critical science-fiction and fantasy awards. His first novel, inspired by the civil chaos stemming from the death of China’s first emperor, is poised to break him out to a more commercial audience.
The island nations of Dara only ceased warring with one another when King Réon of Xana conquered them and united them into an empire. But now the emperor is dead; his young, spoiled heir actively avoids ruling, and his power-hungry advisers are not up to the task, either. Old rivalries stir as various rebellions spring up. Chief among the rebels are two men of the old kingdom of Cocru: the sneaky, clever commoner-turned–able politician Kuni Garu and the deposed noble Mata Zyndu, an 8-foot-tall, double-pupiled warrior who values honor above all else. At first, Kuni and Mata are like brothers, but their ideological differences soon drive them apart. The epic fantasy genre can only be enriched by more novels drawing from non-Western traditions. Liu’s ambitious work expertly blends mythology, history, military tactics, and technological innovation (airships and submarines). There are plenty of excellent action scenes—the scene in which Kuni and his allies employ horned, scaled whales to attack an armada is particularly enjoyable. However, Liu’s characters could use a bit more texture; at times, they seem little more than puppets manipulated by Dara’s gods—or perhaps by the author: the novel is a door-stopper of an argument for the value of brains over brawn and flexible thinking over hidebound tradition. Liu’s plotting can also appear a bit thin and contrived; the outcomes of too many key battles hinge on one side contemptuously underestimating the other. Perhaps history bears Liu out on this point, but it doesn't make for convincing fiction.
A reasonable start, on the whole; let’s see where the series goes.Pub Date: April 7, 2015
ISBN: 978-1-4814-2427-1
Page Count: 640
Publisher: Saga/Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: April 8, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2015
A fantasy tome that keeps readers invested.
Fagan creates a complex and complete world in this fantasy novel about a nation on the brink of war.
The book begins with a glossary of characters, places and terms to help readers comprehend Ammanon, the Sparta-like nation of warriors at the center of the story. The title prophecy is introduced in the prologue, when young crown prince Galan and high priest Azzariah have visions of a woman who will someday help save the kingdom. A generation later, when Galan has become king, a strange young woman named Eydain arrives, and a plot against Ammanon by neighboring scholar nation Partha reveals itself. But the author has designs beyond the main characters and the two nations, which have their own distinct customs, traits, languages and personalities. She illustrates that Ammanon and Partha are two places on a densely populated map rather than simple, convenient metaphors to facilitate the action. There are countless subplots involving Eydain’s parents–former friends of the emperor and his family–and the queen mother Tsophyra and her brother, Gen. Toland, whose son is a promising cadet in the Temple Guard. Amazingly, all the characters add to the main plot–the tension between Galan and his captive bride Eydain, and the threat from Partha–rather than muddying the waters. There are real-world problems between nations, cultural prejudices and language barriers. Fagan is clearly at the beginning of an epic story and has much to draw from in future volumes. However, this presents some minor problems. The manner in which the action kicks off and Eydain discovers the Parthan plot feels a bit coincidental, and Ammanon never seems to be in real danger. Every threat is discovered quickly, every enemy dispatched with little trouble. Still, the virtues of this imagined world outweigh any issues with narrative development.
A fantasy tome that keeps readers invested.Pub Date: April 21, 2008
ISBN: 978-1-934925-04-1
Page Count: -
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 23, 2010
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
But not touched, sad to say, by much originality or narrative momentum: new fantasy from the author of Out of This World (1994), etc. As a newborn, Malledd the blacksmith's son bears the claw- shaped birthmark of the god Ba'el, indicating to the priests that he is the Domdur Empire's chosen champion. But as time passes, the mark fades, and Domdur remains at peace, so young Malledd shrugs off the title and takes up smithing. Meanwhile, Tebas Tudan develops a New Magic that, unlike the priests' traditional magic, uses cunningly crafted crystals to transform the power of the sun; one of his pupils is Rebiri Nazakri, the hereditary warlord of the defeated Olnami nation, who thirsts for revenge for his people's years of repression. Encouraged by a god, Rebiri taps into the dark powers of the nightwalkers, which can reanimate corpses—thus allowing Rebiri to create an all but invincible army. As Rebiri gathers his zombie warriors, he also stirs up treachery among the Domdur leadership. Malledd, learning of the situation, is only gradually persuaded that he is needed, and even then refuses to take command of the Empire's wavering armies; instead, he lops off the heads of the zombies—the only way to kill them permanently- -while seeking a showdown with Rebiri Nazakri. Ho-hum.
Pub Date: Nov. 1, 1997
ISBN: 0-312-86060-9
Page Count: 384
Publisher: Tor
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1997
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