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Publisher:
Victor Gollancz (Orion) |
Release
Date: June 2004 |
ISBN:
0575074434 |
Awards:
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Format
Reviewed: Hardback |
Buy
it at Amazon |
Read
an Excerpt |
Genre:
Fantasy |
Reviewed:
2004 |
Reviewer:
Rachel A Hyde |
Reviewer
Notes: |
Copyright
MyShelf.com |
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The Skein of Lament
Book II
of the Braided Path
By Chris Wooding
The Weavers of Saramyr
(also reviewed on this site) introduced us to the vividly drawn
oriental land of Saramyr and its destructive magic. The second in
her trilogy picks up the tale of Kaiku, Mishani and Lucia as they
try to stop the evil Weavers in their quest to rule the land. They
have already uncovered part of their plot, but more is still to
come and all of it worse. A new emperor rules, but other nobles
lust for power, and strange monstrous creatures stalk the earth.
Lucia has gathered many followers but in this cause everybody seems
to have their own agenda.
This is a fast-paced and exciting
fantasy, replete with interesting and motivated characters and set
in a well-realized world. We even get to see a bit more of it this
time, going beyond Saramyr to learn of other equally exotic races
and their ways. The aspect of this series that I enjoy the most
though is Wooding's subtle tweaking of this fantastic Willow Pattern
world, which makes it seem at times more akin to a news bulletin
than a fantasy novel. These folk carry guns and plant bombs. Napalm
falls and terrorists fight with corrupt governments. Even the magic
at times seems more akin to illegal genetics and bio-weaponry, and
this makes the whole thing seem very immediate and realistic. Fans
of Dune will love the clash of the noble houses and all the intrigue,
but using fantasy to mirror current affairs is a masterstroke. More,
please; this makes the Tolkeinesque style seem old fashioned.
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