Ha! Post number 10!
Anyone who doesn't check this blog daily and wants to know what's happening may have a lot of reading to do.
There really isn't a happy ending for anyone in this book.
King Olin is well and truly dead. Despite what lies underneath, he is buried in the family crypt after several days of mourning.
Briony will soon be crowned queen. She has refused Prince Eneas's marriage proposal, in part because she does not want Southmarch to trivialized under the larger Syan's king, but mostly because she has realized that she loves Ferras Vansen (I never really mentioned this, but believe me, there was a suitable amount of thought devoted to this).
Ferras Vansen (having loved Briony for the entire series and having been resigned to her marriage to Eneas) is now Briony's lover, but, due to his low birth, this fact must be kept secret. Being unable to marry him, Briony instead makes him the Lord Constable.
Barrick, distanced from his home and family after the events in the shadowlands, will return to Qul-na-Qar (capital city of the Qar) to be their king. He was only briefly present at his fathe's funeral.
Qinnitan is comatose, but has received the Fireflower from Saqri. Able to communicate with Barrick (her lover) at times, both of them are likely to spend the rest of their lives trying to get her back to the land of the living.
Saqri died from wounds received in battle.
Yasammez died in the deluge in the depths, causing the Shadowline, the physical barrier between the Qar lands and the rest of Eion, to disappear. With no way to remain secluded, how long will the Qar last?
Chaven died at the hands of Vo.
Chert is now hated by many (but not all) of the Funderlings, due to his plan destroying their holiest site and will live with his wife, Opal, in the castle to raise Alessandros.
Flint, actually well over fifty, has resolved to wander the world in order to learn more about himself. Earlier in the story, part of the essence of Kupilas fused with him, so that he is no longer entirely himself. This devastated Opal.
Scotarch Prusus, a brilliant mind despite his disabilities, is the temporary autarch. With Vash at his side, he will rule Xis for five years (at which point an autarch from the insane royal family will take the throne), attempting to bring peace to his own land.
Merolanna will die within another year. She is, however, happy that she was able to see her son.
Sister Utta will create a new, larger shrine to Zoria (who may or may not be dead).
Shaso has been cremated and brought to Southmarch by Dawet, his old enemy in life (for having raped his daughter [maybe]).
Dawet has been Briony's ally through the other three books and will remain in Southmarch in order to perform Briony's dirty work. His first act was to kill Queen Anissa, Olin's second wife and mother of Alessandros, but also indirect murderer of Kendrick. Briony's plan had been to have her imprisoned. It seems likely that he had been in love with Shaso's wife.
Elan M'Cory, not returning Tinwright's love, will attempt to nurse Gailon Tolly, her lover, back to health (it is much more likely that he'll die).
Tinwright, having been saved from death by a prayer book in his pocket, will write a play of the events.
Like I said, the best anyone really gets is a bittersweet ending. Ferras and Utta seem to have ended up better than the others, but neither are untempered by sadness. Ferras will have to keep his love for Briony secret, while Utta will watch Merolanna die a slow death.
I'm not really sure how much I like the ending; everything seems so unfinished. None of it really feels like it's over. There almost seems to be enough loose ends to write a book off of (not that Williams will).
Hmm, I was going to write about how unusual it is to have such an unhappy (meanint "not happy but not really sad") ending, but then I remembered Lord of the Rings. And Dune. And Moby Dick. And War and Peace. What's so hard about letting a hero end up happy? With that said, I'm not sure that I really want an absolutely happy ending; a more ambiguous one tends to be more interesting, as nothing really gets too predictable.
If everyone had gotten the girl/boy and lived out a happy life, those last hundred pages would have been horribly boring. An ending like this keeps you on your toes the entire way through.
Regardless of how well these characters' lives went, remember to have a Happy New Year, everybody.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Thursday, December 30, 2010
(Note: what follows does not even approach chonological order)
Now that Briony controls the majority of her castle, she goes after Hendon Tolly with several of Eneas's men. They find him in her family's crypt. The man about to sacrifice Alessandros (in order for his God's blood to be smeared on Chaven's mirror as a sacrifice to Zoria) is quickly shot in the chest with an arrow. While Briony engages in a losing fight with the more well practiced Hendon, a ghastly figure appears at the door.
Going back to the man with Alessandros, Tinwright was being forced to do so by Hendon. The regent of Southmarch had captured his love, Elan M'Cory, and was threatening the both of them.
Evidently, Shaso really was dead all along (it was my own assumption that he was alive). Instead, the crippled man was Gailon Tolly, Hendon's older brother, who was "killed" mid-way through book one (in a grab for power by Hendon). He had laid in his hidden grave (he wasn't immediately "known" to be "dead") for days before realizing that he was actually still alive. Despite the numerous arrow wounds and other ailments, he set out to warn the Eddons of his brother's treachery. Clearly too late, he now wishes to help kill Hendon However, Gailon is simply stabbed in the chest by said brother.
Hendon then runs off into a dark corner of the crypt. Following him, Briony discovers a large crack in the wall leading into a cave. Seeing a large chasm to the side, she stops to think. Hendon drops down from the ceiling, and Briony manages to stab him in the chest and eye. As Hendon tries to take her with him into the chasm, she is saved by Chert, who has finished his business with his own plans. She then starts her way down the cave, knowing that it leads to the Shining Man in the depths, despite Chert's warnings that she would be killed.
Despite having successfully stood against the Xixies with the help of the Qar, Ferras and the Funderlings are dismayed to learn that it was all in vain; the autarch found an alternate way to the Depths. They fight their way down to the Sea in the Depths (the Shining Man being on an island in a sea of his own silver blood), in time to see Sulepis summon the god.
The autarch sacrifices dozens of children, spilling their blood into the sea before beginning the ritual. He then reads a ritual summoning, binding the god with his many names: Kernios, Xergal, the Stonelord. He offers Olin as the god's physical body (which puts Olin through extreme pain, and Qinnitan through only a little less).
To his chagrin, it was not Kernios that he had summoned, rather, it was that god's son; the trickster, the god of fire and poetry; Lok-- er, that's not right --Zosim (that's it!). Chaven appears, having been the god's half-willing slave the entire time. When he joined the Godstone with the Shining Man (completing the whole; the Godstone had broken off centuries earlier), he would manifest as he wished.
Chaven is promptly dispatched with by Vo. Both the god and autarch try to bargain with him, and he eventually joins the Godstone and Shining Man. With this, a firey form arises out of the void that was once the Shining Man. Described as looking light a beautiful young man made of white flame, with a cloak of fire, he promptly eats Vo and tears the autarch's limbs off before using him a a crest for his helmet (Sulepis now being on fire and still very much alive).
Yasammez, daughter of Crooked, who originally sealed away Zosim, and wielder of Whitefire, the sword of Zmeos (called the Great Enemy by the people of Eion and venerated as Nushash, god of fire, on the continent of Xan), challenges him. Growing to large size herself, though clearly pushing past her limits, she fades rapidly.
Back during the ritual, we followed Beetledown the Bowman, a Rooftopper (who we have seen several times during the series). It was he who obtained the Astion and ensured that Chert's plan would come to fruition, [possibly] losing his life in the explosion.
Shortly before the ritual, Barrick and Vansen attempted to prevent the summoning and save Olin and Qinnitan by fighting their way to the autarch. Having failed and been forced to watch the ritual, they climb into one of the reed boats that the autarch used to get to the island (Barrick having received warning to do so from the Fireflower).
Shifting back to the god; it was never Yasammez's plan to kill Zosim. Her intention was actually to stall him.
As Chert's explosives go off, a great roaring is heard. What better way to combat Zosim, the lord of fire, than with the power of Erivor, lord of the waters? (Did I mention that Southmarch castle is on an island? No? Well, there it is.) As the water rushes in, Barrick and Vansen struggle to hold onto the boat while keeping hold of Olin and Qinnitan's limp bodies; everything else is drowned.
Rejoining Briony, she finds Willow (who had been lost behind the Shadowline for a time; an event that tends to drive people mad) and Kayyin (who spent some time with humans, and especially Willow) under attack by elementals. She and Chert try to help, but are unable to prevent the elementals from taking back the Fever Egg (now enhanced to be able to wipe out all life on the planet over several years).
To prevent it from being broken, Kayyin (who had more face time in the three previous books) grabs onto the "feet" of the elemental about to smash it to the ground. Now over the pit leading to the Shining Man, Willow holds onto Kayyin, dragging all three down into the rising waters.
Briony watches as the waters begin to rise up the pit. On the top of the waters are Barrick, Vansen, Olin, and Qinnitan in their boat.
Vash has been conspicuously absent throughout this section.
Now, my opinion:
I'd say that this is a pretty good climax; perhaps not the twist I was expecting (though there is 100 pages and plenty room for something to happen), but good none-the-less.
To Ms. Washburn, this is what I wanted when I complained about Dracula's lack of an epilogue; Shadowheart is going to devote a seventh of the book to the aftermath of the climax and character developement. That sort of thing is what makes a story "come alive" for me.
Also, an interesting fact.
I hear that over 99% of murderers in the U.K. have used the substance Dihydrogen Monoxide.
Now that Briony controls the majority of her castle, she goes after Hendon Tolly with several of Eneas's men. They find him in her family's crypt. The man about to sacrifice Alessandros (in order for his God's blood to be smeared on Chaven's mirror as a sacrifice to Zoria) is quickly shot in the chest with an arrow. While Briony engages in a losing fight with the more well practiced Hendon, a ghastly figure appears at the door.
Going back to the man with Alessandros, Tinwright was being forced to do so by Hendon. The regent of Southmarch had captured his love, Elan M'Cory, and was threatening the both of them.
Evidently, Shaso really was dead all along (it was my own assumption that he was alive). Instead, the crippled man was Gailon Tolly, Hendon's older brother, who was "killed" mid-way through book one (in a grab for power by Hendon). He had laid in his hidden grave (he wasn't immediately "known" to be "dead") for days before realizing that he was actually still alive. Despite the numerous arrow wounds and other ailments, he set out to warn the Eddons of his brother's treachery. Clearly too late, he now wishes to help kill Hendon However, Gailon is simply stabbed in the chest by said brother.
Hendon then runs off into a dark corner of the crypt. Following him, Briony discovers a large crack in the wall leading into a cave. Seeing a large chasm to the side, she stops to think. Hendon drops down from the ceiling, and Briony manages to stab him in the chest and eye. As Hendon tries to take her with him into the chasm, she is saved by Chert, who has finished his business with his own plans. She then starts her way down the cave, knowing that it leads to the Shining Man in the depths, despite Chert's warnings that she would be killed.
Despite having successfully stood against the Xixies with the help of the Qar, Ferras and the Funderlings are dismayed to learn that it was all in vain; the autarch found an alternate way to the Depths. They fight their way down to the Sea in the Depths (the Shining Man being on an island in a sea of his own silver blood), in time to see Sulepis summon the god.
The autarch sacrifices dozens of children, spilling their blood into the sea before beginning the ritual. He then reads a ritual summoning, binding the god with his many names: Kernios, Xergal, the Stonelord. He offers Olin as the god's physical body (which puts Olin through extreme pain, and Qinnitan through only a little less).
To his chagrin, it was not Kernios that he had summoned, rather, it was that god's son; the trickster, the god of fire and poetry; Lok-- er, that's not right --Zosim (that's it!). Chaven appears, having been the god's half-willing slave the entire time. When he joined the Godstone with the Shining Man (completing the whole; the Godstone had broken off centuries earlier), he would manifest as he wished.
Chaven is promptly dispatched with by Vo. Both the god and autarch try to bargain with him, and he eventually joins the Godstone and Shining Man. With this, a firey form arises out of the void that was once the Shining Man. Described as looking light a beautiful young man made of white flame, with a cloak of fire, he promptly eats Vo and tears the autarch's limbs off before using him a a crest for his helmet (Sulepis now being on fire and still very much alive).
Yasammez, daughter of Crooked, who originally sealed away Zosim, and wielder of Whitefire, the sword of Zmeos (called the Great Enemy by the people of Eion and venerated as Nushash, god of fire, on the continent of Xan), challenges him. Growing to large size herself, though clearly pushing past her limits, she fades rapidly.
Back during the ritual, we followed Beetledown the Bowman, a Rooftopper (who we have seen several times during the series). It was he who obtained the Astion and ensured that Chert's plan would come to fruition, [possibly] losing his life in the explosion.
Shortly before the ritual, Barrick and Vansen attempted to prevent the summoning and save Olin and Qinnitan by fighting their way to the autarch. Having failed and been forced to watch the ritual, they climb into one of the reed boats that the autarch used to get to the island (Barrick having received warning to do so from the Fireflower).
Shifting back to the god; it was never Yasammez's plan to kill Zosim. Her intention was actually to stall him.
As Chert's explosives go off, a great roaring is heard. What better way to combat Zosim, the lord of fire, than with the power of Erivor, lord of the waters? (Did I mention that Southmarch castle is on an island? No? Well, there it is.) As the water rushes in, Barrick and Vansen struggle to hold onto the boat while keeping hold of Olin and Qinnitan's limp bodies; everything else is drowned.
Rejoining Briony, she finds Willow (who had been lost behind the Shadowline for a time; an event that tends to drive people mad) and Kayyin (who spent some time with humans, and especially Willow) under attack by elementals. She and Chert try to help, but are unable to prevent the elementals from taking back the Fever Egg (now enhanced to be able to wipe out all life on the planet over several years).
To prevent it from being broken, Kayyin (who had more face time in the three previous books) grabs onto the "feet" of the elemental about to smash it to the ground. Now over the pit leading to the Shining Man, Willow holds onto Kayyin, dragging all three down into the rising waters.
Briony watches as the waters begin to rise up the pit. On the top of the waters are Barrick, Vansen, Olin, and Qinnitan in their boat.
Vash has been conspicuously absent throughout this section.
Now, my opinion:
I'd say that this is a pretty good climax; perhaps not the twist I was expecting (though there is 100 pages and plenty room for something to happen), but good none-the-less.
To Ms. Washburn, this is what I wanted when I complained about Dracula's lack of an epilogue; Shadowheart is going to devote a seventh of the book to the aftermath of the climax and character developement. That sort of thing is what makes a story "come alive" for me.
Also, an interesting fact.
I hear that over 99% of murderers in the U.K. have used the substance Dihydrogen Monoxide.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Saint Antoine
While this has nothing to do with independent reading, it is something that I found interesting, and it relates to class (plus, I still need a few more posts).
The use of the name "Saint Antoine" in A Tale of Two Cities refers to the Bastille. It was originally built during the Hundred Years' war as an add-on to the Saint-Antoine gate. The Bastille Saint-Antoine (Castle of Saint Anthony) was built in 1383 as extra protection for eastern Paris.
"Saint Antoine" seems to be a French localization of "Saint Anthony." Which Saint Anthony, however, (Anthony the Great, a hermit famous for being tempted in the desert [as portrayed in The Torment of Saint Anthony, painted by Michaelangelo] or Anthony of Padua, who was visited by a child Jesus and after whom San Antonio is named), I do not know. On one hand, Anthony the Great is likely the more well known, but on the other, Anthony of Padua was at least geographically and chronologically close.
Why on Earth you would name a gate of a city after a saint, I do not know.
Also, "Crocodilopolis" is a great name for a city.
The use of the name "Saint Antoine" in A Tale of Two Cities refers to the Bastille. It was originally built during the Hundred Years' war as an add-on to the Saint-Antoine gate. The Bastille Saint-Antoine (Castle of Saint Anthony) was built in 1383 as extra protection for eastern Paris.
"Saint Antoine" seems to be a French localization of "Saint Anthony." Which Saint Anthony, however, (Anthony the Great, a hermit famous for being tempted in the desert [as portrayed in The Torment of Saint Anthony, painted by Michaelangelo] or Anthony of Padua, who was visited by a child Jesus and after whom San Antonio is named), I do not know. On one hand, Anthony the Great is likely the more well known, but on the other, Anthony of Padua was at least geographically and chronologically close.
Why on Earth you would name a gate of a city after a saint, I do not know.
Also, "Crocodilopolis" is a great name for a city.
Monday, December 27, 2010
Now that everyone is at Southmarch, the big fighting is starting up (interestingly, the next 220 pages are all going to take place during a period of 12 hours or so).
Briony and Eneas move toward the castle to find the Xixian camp under attack from the caves below. The enemy of an enemy being a friend, they help, and destroy the camp. They meet with Queen Saqri, who takes command. Under her orders, they go to take back the keep from Hendon Tolly. Some soldiers rejoice at the return of the Eddon family (though they remember only Olin's name), while others are loyal to Tolly.
Ferras Vansen and his Funderlings have retreated to the very deepest of the tunnels: the Maze. With hours (perhaps a day; not all of the characters' stories are occurring at the exact same time) before the worst danger is past, they can retreat no farther; they must make a stand here, and do their best to defend the Shining Man (the dead god Kupilas or Crooked encased in stone, though they do not know this).
Chert's plan has been put on halt due to a simple formality. Without an Astion signifying official Guild work, it has been put on hold indefinitely. Attempting to reach the guild, he briefly helps Briony by showing her to the Stormstone roads (created years ago by a Funderling named Stormstone, who realized that having few exits from Funderling Town was a recipe for disaster; this is -was- a closely guarded secret). He also contacts the Rooftoppers.
The Qar are now fighting their way down to help the Funderlings. They are taking a path that goes largely around the Xixian army. Barrick is wearing the armor of Saqri's son.
It was the death of this son, and his sister/wife Sanasu's abduction that caused the Qar's hatred for humanity. He and Sanasu were taken during a pilgrimage to the Shining Man [human] generations ago, having been given up by Stormstone. It is through Sanasu, queen of Southmarch, that the Eddon family has the blood of the god Kupilas.
Within the Qar ranks, the Elementals have peacefully [for now] rebelled, and no longer fight alongside their brothers and sisters. Worse, one of the youngest and most brash of this race holds the Fever Egg, which has the power to destroy all life within a large area. The girl holding it considers it to be worth the sacrifice of the Qar in order to destroy Southmarch; it is only Yasammez's power (as a demigod, daughter of Kupilas/Crooked) that holds her in line.
Chaven has been discovered by Barrick deep in the caves. He does not remember what he was doing, but attempted (and failed) to hide a small statue that had been stolen (by Barrick) from the temple of Kernios years ago.
Duchess Merolanna (an old relation to Briony and Barrick, mother of Flint (with Avin Brone), many years ago; longer than Flint is old, it seems) has had a dream (according to her, one sent by the gods) that she must protect the children; she goes to act on this.
Shaso has gained entrance to Southmarch through the Skimmers' secret entrances with the guidance of Rafe, who was payed with a large gold coin.
Vo is currently lost in the tunnels beneath Southmarch. He is also going crazy.
Qinnitan is being held caged by the priests of Nushash, and being forced to drink mixtures that will bring forth the blood of the god in her (again Kupilas, during a period when he lived among humans [I think]).
Tinwright has continued helping Tolly (who is increasingly unstable), discovering that the Godstone disappeared from the temple of Kernios several years ago, never to be found again (gee, I wonder where it is now). He is also working as a spy for Avin Brone, who is gaining increasing support due to Tolly's disregard of the autarch's attack. Right now, he is stealing the child Alessandros Eddon; youngest of the Eddons, Tolly's token claim to the place of Lord Protector, and planned sacrifice to Zoria (having the same blood as King Olin).
I have quite high hopes (read: "expectations") for the ending of this book. Between the incredible twist of Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn, and the bolt-out-of-the-blue ending of Otherland, I think that this is a reasonable expectation (or maybe the biggest surprise would for there to not be a surprising ending).
Part of what I about Tad Williams, I think, is the detail put into each world. Both Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn and Shadowmarch have their own religions (which differ based on the part of the world). Memory even had a Christ figure: Usires Adon (who was crucified upside-down on a tree, but whose role was otherwise left ambiguous). Otherland had newsfeeds at the start of each chapter that revealed "fun" tidbits (such as otters being extinct). All the characters are also nice, as you'll almost certainly end up with one you like (it may be a bit of a cop-out, but Good King Olin is pretty great; he's a fun, smart guy).
I've run out of ideas for titles.
Briony and Eneas move toward the castle to find the Xixian camp under attack from the caves below. The enemy of an enemy being a friend, they help, and destroy the camp. They meet with Queen Saqri, who takes command. Under her orders, they go to take back the keep from Hendon Tolly. Some soldiers rejoice at the return of the Eddon family (though they remember only Olin's name), while others are loyal to Tolly.
Ferras Vansen and his Funderlings have retreated to the very deepest of the tunnels: the Maze. With hours (perhaps a day; not all of the characters' stories are occurring at the exact same time) before the worst danger is past, they can retreat no farther; they must make a stand here, and do their best to defend the Shining Man (the dead god Kupilas or Crooked encased in stone, though they do not know this).
Chert's plan has been put on halt due to a simple formality. Without an Astion signifying official Guild work, it has been put on hold indefinitely. Attempting to reach the guild, he briefly helps Briony by showing her to the Stormstone roads (created years ago by a Funderling named Stormstone, who realized that having few exits from Funderling Town was a recipe for disaster; this is -was- a closely guarded secret). He also contacts the Rooftoppers.
The Qar are now fighting their way down to help the Funderlings. They are taking a path that goes largely around the Xixian army. Barrick is wearing the armor of Saqri's son.
It was the death of this son, and his sister/wife Sanasu's abduction that caused the Qar's hatred for humanity. He and Sanasu were taken during a pilgrimage to the Shining Man [human] generations ago, having been given up by Stormstone. It is through Sanasu, queen of Southmarch, that the Eddon family has the blood of the god Kupilas.
Within the Qar ranks, the Elementals have peacefully [for now] rebelled, and no longer fight alongside their brothers and sisters. Worse, one of the youngest and most brash of this race holds the Fever Egg, which has the power to destroy all life within a large area. The girl holding it considers it to be worth the sacrifice of the Qar in order to destroy Southmarch; it is only Yasammez's power (as a demigod, daughter of Kupilas/Crooked) that holds her in line.
Chaven has been discovered by Barrick deep in the caves. He does not remember what he was doing, but attempted (and failed) to hide a small statue that had been stolen (by Barrick) from the temple of Kernios years ago.
Duchess Merolanna (an old relation to Briony and Barrick, mother of Flint (with Avin Brone), many years ago; longer than Flint is old, it seems) has had a dream (according to her, one sent by the gods) that she must protect the children; she goes to act on this.
Shaso has gained entrance to Southmarch through the Skimmers' secret entrances with the guidance of Rafe, who was payed with a large gold coin.
Vo is currently lost in the tunnels beneath Southmarch. He is also going crazy.
Qinnitan is being held caged by the priests of Nushash, and being forced to drink mixtures that will bring forth the blood of the god in her (again Kupilas, during a period when he lived among humans [I think]).
Tinwright has continued helping Tolly (who is increasingly unstable), discovering that the Godstone disappeared from the temple of Kernios several years ago, never to be found again (gee, I wonder where it is now). He is also working as a spy for Avin Brone, who is gaining increasing support due to Tolly's disregard of the autarch's attack. Right now, he is stealing the child Alessandros Eddon; youngest of the Eddons, Tolly's token claim to the place of Lord Protector, and planned sacrifice to Zoria (having the same blood as King Olin).
I have quite high hopes (read: "expectations") for the ending of this book. Between the incredible twist of Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn, and the bolt-out-of-the-blue ending of Otherland, I think that this is a reasonable expectation (or maybe the biggest surprise would for there to not be a surprising ending).
Part of what I about Tad Williams, I think, is the detail put into each world. Both Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn and Shadowmarch have their own religions (which differ based on the part of the world). Memory even had a Christ figure: Usires Adon (who was crucified upside-down on a tree, but whose role was otherwise left ambiguous). Otherland had newsfeeds at the start of each chapter that revealed "fun" tidbits (such as otters being extinct). All the characters are also nice, as you'll almost certainly end up with one you like (it may be a bit of a cop-out, but Good King Olin is pretty great; he's a fun, smart guy).
I've run out of ideas for titles.
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Happy Holidays
Have a good holiday everyone!
Err... Now what do I say?
How about I bring the Scandinavian Yule Goat to everyone's attention; he's much more fun than Santa Claus. You can't deny the fact that the idea of a man-goat bringing gifts is better than a man in a red suit bringing them.
Note: this post was made largely to take up space; I want to have 10 posts in December, so expect a few more in the coming days.
Err... Now what do I say?
How about I bring the Scandinavian Yule Goat to everyone's attention; he's much more fun than Santa Claus. You can't deny the fact that the idea of a man-goat bringing gifts is better than a man in a red suit bringing them.
Note: this post was made largely to take up space; I want to have 10 posts in December, so expect a few more in the coming days.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
So, now that I'm three hundred pages into Shadowheart (now that's a better reading pace), I'd say it's time for an update.
Serving as a backround for all other characters, the Autarch has finally attacked Southmarch. He has a force that numbers thousands upon thousands, from the Naked, poorly trained footsoldiers of conquered countries that are now part of Xis, to the White Hounds, whose forefathers were captured in Eion (the northern continent) and who are said to be worth five regiments each, he outnumbers all the armies that can be brought to bear in this fateful time. Even worse, the army at Southmarch is less than half of his full force. The rest of it awaits in Hierosol, the fortified port, mightiest force on Eion, unconquered since time immemorial; until now.
The mad Autarch Sulepis, who was only 24th in line for the throne when his father died (guess what happened to his brothers), plans not to conquer the castle, but rather the Funderling tunnels underneath, where the Shining Man, a stone formation that is the Holy of Holies to the Funderlings, awaits. There, he plans to awake from their sleep the three gods the sleep there; that have slept "there" (though truly in the Void and in a rather fitful sleep entirely unlike the sleep of a human) since the god Crooked (as he is called by the Qar) cast them into the Void after the Theomarchy, the godswar in which the three slew his brothers (who were sided with by the Qar and whose defeat began the Long Defeat of said race) for thousands of years. He intends to enslave them (I think; he may think that only his god, Nushash, god of fire, waits there) and use them to increase his power exponentially. To do this, he must make use of the Godstone at Midsummer (an ill-omened day; the sun begins to fail against the "forces of darkness"). Midsummer is less than a tennight away. Also required is a blood sacrifice, King Olin's role (him having the blood of a god, Crooked, through his royal Qar heritage (Note: the Fireflower is derived from the fact that three siblings, two of whom married and gifted the Fireflower to their children, establishing the ongoing memory, while the other, Yasammez, retained it and is now immortal)).
Meanwhile, Briony has arrived at Southmarch with Prince Eneas and his single regiment and met her imprisoned father in the Xixian camp outside the castle.
Ferras Vansen is still leading the Funderlings against the Autarch in the tunnels; they are using a strategy that I don't understand, but involves retreating and baiting the Autarch's forces. The Funderlings number barely 2,000.
Chert Blue Quartz is working on a desperate plan that involves 200 barrels of gunpowder.
Barrick and Saqri have taken one of Crooked's roads through the Void to reach Southmarch, and are now gathering the exiles there, which include the Rooftoppers and the Skimmers, who live in the castle and have some old feud with the Qar (I'm guessing that they sided with the Three Brothers during the Theomarchy; the rooftoppers with Perin (the Lord of the Peaks), and the Skimmers with Erivor (lord of the waters)). All told, the Qar number less than 1,000.
Lady Yasammez has given up hope, accepting the end of the Long Defeat.
Sister Utta (who I couldn't name in my first Southmarch book) has met Willow (whose role in the other books I have forgotten).
Matthias Tinwright is currently researching the gods, may have discovered the Godstone (which the Autarch needs) and trying not to offend Hendon Tolly (who is only slightly less crazy than the Autarch and is trying to summon Zoria, the virgin goddess over whom the Theomarchy was fought, using mirror-magic).
Shaso dan Heza, a man of Tuan (a country which of conquered by the Autarch but which hasn't given up hope) and former armstrainer of Kendrick, Barrick, and Briony, is also on his way to Southmarch. It was he who guided Briony out of the castle, and was "lost" in a fire set by her enemies. According to him, he actually died and was resurrected by the gods. He is still covered in terrible burns and can barely speak.
Daikonas Vo, the White Hound sent by the Autarch to capture Qinnitan has nearly been killed by her with poison that he bought to keep the bug that he was tricked into swallowing by the Autarch from being able to kill him (Vo) at his (the Autarch's) command. He is now lost in the caves below the castle and is in extreme pain.
Qinnitan (big surprise) has been recaptured and is in the hands of the Autarch.
If you've made it this far while understanding all of the above, I congratulate you. I lost track myself, at times.
Despite the complicated plot (all of the characters detailed above have sections from their perspectives [plus Vash, a high-ranked minister of the Autarch who has been told to contact Avin Brone]) I find this a much easier read than A Tale of Two Cities. I suspect that Tad Williams is just writing at a lower level than Dickens, but I'm sure that my love for fantasy and distrust of realistic fiction also has something to do with it (the worst books I've ever read are all realistic fiction). At least Dickens doesn't write books to be as long as Williams does.
Now I'm off to play some Minecraft after updating my biweekly poem.
Maybe I'll think of a title later.
Serving as a backround for all other characters, the Autarch has finally attacked Southmarch. He has a force that numbers thousands upon thousands, from the Naked, poorly trained footsoldiers of conquered countries that are now part of Xis, to the White Hounds, whose forefathers were captured in Eion (the northern continent) and who are said to be worth five regiments each, he outnumbers all the armies that can be brought to bear in this fateful time. Even worse, the army at Southmarch is less than half of his full force. The rest of it awaits in Hierosol, the fortified port, mightiest force on Eion, unconquered since time immemorial; until now.
The mad Autarch Sulepis, who was only 24th in line for the throne when his father died (guess what happened to his brothers), plans not to conquer the castle, but rather the Funderling tunnels underneath, where the Shining Man, a stone formation that is the Holy of Holies to the Funderlings, awaits. There, he plans to awake from their sleep the three gods the sleep there; that have slept "there" (though truly in the Void and in a rather fitful sleep entirely unlike the sleep of a human) since the god Crooked (as he is called by the Qar) cast them into the Void after the Theomarchy, the godswar in which the three slew his brothers (who were sided with by the Qar and whose defeat began the Long Defeat of said race) for thousands of years. He intends to enslave them (I think; he may think that only his god, Nushash, god of fire, waits there) and use them to increase his power exponentially. To do this, he must make use of the Godstone at Midsummer (an ill-omened day; the sun begins to fail against the "forces of darkness"). Midsummer is less than a tennight away. Also required is a blood sacrifice, King Olin's role (him having the blood of a god, Crooked, through his royal Qar heritage (Note: the Fireflower is derived from the fact that three siblings, two of whom married and gifted the Fireflower to their children, establishing the ongoing memory, while the other, Yasammez, retained it and is now immortal)).
Meanwhile, Briony has arrived at Southmarch with Prince Eneas and his single regiment and met her imprisoned father in the Xixian camp outside the castle.
Ferras Vansen is still leading the Funderlings against the Autarch in the tunnels; they are using a strategy that I don't understand, but involves retreating and baiting the Autarch's forces. The Funderlings number barely 2,000.
Chert Blue Quartz is working on a desperate plan that involves 200 barrels of gunpowder.
Barrick and Saqri have taken one of Crooked's roads through the Void to reach Southmarch, and are now gathering the exiles there, which include the Rooftoppers and the Skimmers, who live in the castle and have some old feud with the Qar (I'm guessing that they sided with the Three Brothers during the Theomarchy; the rooftoppers with Perin (the Lord of the Peaks), and the Skimmers with Erivor (lord of the waters)). All told, the Qar number less than 1,000.
Lady Yasammez has given up hope, accepting the end of the Long Defeat.
Sister Utta (who I couldn't name in my first Southmarch book) has met Willow (whose role in the other books I have forgotten).
Matthias Tinwright is currently researching the gods, may have discovered the Godstone (which the Autarch needs) and trying not to offend Hendon Tolly (who is only slightly less crazy than the Autarch and is trying to summon Zoria, the virgin goddess over whom the Theomarchy was fought, using mirror-magic).
Shaso dan Heza, a man of Tuan (a country which of conquered by the Autarch but which hasn't given up hope) and former armstrainer of Kendrick, Barrick, and Briony, is also on his way to Southmarch. It was he who guided Briony out of the castle, and was "lost" in a fire set by her enemies. According to him, he actually died and was resurrected by the gods. He is still covered in terrible burns and can barely speak.
Daikonas Vo, the White Hound sent by the Autarch to capture Qinnitan has nearly been killed by her with poison that he bought to keep the bug that he was tricked into swallowing by the Autarch from being able to kill him (Vo) at his (the Autarch's) command. He is now lost in the caves below the castle and is in extreme pain.
Qinnitan (big surprise) has been recaptured and is in the hands of the Autarch.
If you've made it this far while understanding all of the above, I congratulate you. I lost track myself, at times.
Despite the complicated plot (all of the characters detailed above have sections from their perspectives [plus Vash, a high-ranked minister of the Autarch who has been told to contact Avin Brone]) I find this a much easier read than A Tale of Two Cities. I suspect that Tad Williams is just writing at a lower level than Dickens, but I'm sure that my love for fantasy and distrust of realistic fiction also has something to do with it (the worst books I've ever read are all realistic fiction). At least Dickens doesn't write books to be as long as Williams does.
Now I'm off to play some Minecraft after updating my biweekly poem.
Maybe I'll think of a title later.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
In the next forty pages of The Lodge of the Lynx (miserably slow, but...), a good bit has happened.
It is discovered that the Lodge has carried out a ritual sacrifice; in the middle of the night and forest, around a stone slab, they gather. They kneel an old man on the slab, drugged and tied. Slitting his throat with a scalpel, they allow the blood to fall onto the torc. All this is seen by the gamekeeper of the land through his rifle's scope. McArdel goes to load his gun, but it jams, making a sound like a cannon in the silence. He runs.
A few hours later, Sinclair gets a call from McLeod, who has been recuited on the case. The three (including Peregrine) are led to the grim scene by McArdel. There, Sinclair and McLeod receive a terrible surprise; the murdered man was Randall, owner of a bookshop, friend, and fellow Initiate. As they wonder why he was chosen (Sinclair had heard from Randall the day before, and realizes that he had been led into a trap), Peregrine sketches the events.
The sketches resulting are indisputable proof that the Lodge is at large again. The group that the three belong to (I don't know of a name) must be notified.
Past that...I don't care; I've Shadowheart to read now. My decision on the plot is to provide short summaries for each character, then provide more information as needed.
Princess Briony- princess-regent of the kingdom of Southmarch, in exile due to the coup by the Tollys, currently in Syan with Prince Eneas (who is "interested" in her), friends with the group of players called Makewell's Men, relations currently strained due to the death of there leader at the hand of one of the guards of said prince due to a misunderstanding (which I'll explain later), twin of Brince Barrick
Prince Barrick- prince-regent of Southmarch, lost during the battle to push back the invading Qar (hold with me, here), currently in the Shadowlands (I think that's the name), has inherited the Fireflower, which is the collective memory of the kings and queens of the Qar, descended from the union between (to be edited) and (to be edited) the princess of the Qar; this results in his red hair and fits of insanity, twin of Princess Briony
Chaven-practitioner of (to be edited; mirror magic*), physician of the royal family, in exile in Funderling (like dwarves, except better) Town, underneath Southmarch Castle, friend of Chert Blue-Quartz
Chert Blue-Quartz- a Funderling working to protect Southmarch from the invading Qar, friend of Chaven and Ferras Vansen, caretaker of Flint (whom he and his wife found as a child)
Ferras Vansen- captain of the Southmarch army, former farmer, friend of Chert, currently in Funderling Town, working to protect Southmarch, formerly accompanied Barrick into the Shadowlands, but was lost in battle against Jikuyin, a demi-god when cast into a door to the underworld; ended up in Funderling Town after a journey through it, romantic interest for Briony
Flint- discovered as a child by Chert near the border with the Shadowlands, former holder of a mirror that was part of the castle (to be edited), later passed to Barrick in a failed attempt to save the Qar queen, Saqri, and halt the invasion (the queen was saved by the death of the king [her brother], the blind Ynnir, and aformentioned passing of the Fireflower to Barrick), strange connection to the gods
Autarch Sulepis am-Xis III- god-king of the empire of Xis, on the south continent, currently on his way to Southmarch to destroy it and sacrifice its king, Olin, in order to reawaken the gods (who are quite vengeful, unbeknownst to him), gob-smacking insane
Olin Eddon- king of Southmarch, inheritor of the curse of his blood (see Barrick); this gets stronger the nearer he is to Southmarch, currently prisoner of Sulepis
Scotarch Prusus- retarded man chosen by Sulepis to be his successor; if Prusus should die, Sulepis would be dethroned; reasoning - unknown
Qinnitan- former acolyte in Xis, chosen to be one of Sulepis's wives, later escaped, then recaptured, then escaped near Southmarch, unknown relation to the royal family of Southmarch (lock of bright-red hair, magical communication with Barrick)
Tinwright- former royal poet (made so out of pity by Briony), loves Elan M'Cory, however, she wishes to be killed, as she is an unwilling lover to Hendon Tolly; cruel ruler of Southmarch, currently trapped in Southmarch Castle, recently discovered by Hendon
Avin Brone- intelligence master of the royal family, now a figure-head
Kendrick Eddon- former prince of Southmarch, older brother to Briony and Barrick, murdered in first book by a woman-turned-demon
Yasammez (aka Lady Porcupine)- war-leader of the Qar at Southmarch
(to be edited)- relation of the royal family, involved with war, friend to the Rooftoppers (like gnomes, except more elven; about the size of your finger), currently a prisoner of Yasammez
(to be edited)- friend and nurse to (to be edited), involved with war through her, prisoner of Yasammez
Queen Upsteeplebat- queen of the Rooftoppers
Now you understand why I can't do a summary; Tad Williams's books are enormously complex, and I'm not sure where alot of this is going, myself.
Note: the Qar, northern kingdoms, and Xis all revere the same gods (in Xis's case, their opposing pantheon), but have hugely different views of them. The Qar, who fear the inevitable (and soon to be occuring) awakening of Perin, the sky god, Erivor, the god of water, and Kernios, the lord of the underworld, (revered as the Trigon in Southmarch) from a sleep placed on them by the god Crooked, one of few survivors of the opposing pantheon after gods' war, seem to be closest to the truth.
I'm sure I'll think of something else later (oh; Southmarch was formerly a Qar castle; they are really angry about a war that occured generations ago to men and began their inevitable descent to extinction; this war is an attempt to take Man with them; I think), but that's all I have for now.
I can't wait to read this book! Of the three series (two quadrologies and one trilogy) that I have read by Tad Williams, this one is likely my least favorite (behind Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn and Otherland [which are both heartily recommended]), but it's still great.
Boy, that's alot of editing to do.
*(to be edited) seems to have some very dark connotations in this world; Chaven began in a partnership with a god; he is now dependent on it. This god may or may not be the Lord of the Peak revered by the Rooftoppers; both are owls.
It is discovered that the Lodge has carried out a ritual sacrifice; in the middle of the night and forest, around a stone slab, they gather. They kneel an old man on the slab, drugged and tied. Slitting his throat with a scalpel, they allow the blood to fall onto the torc. All this is seen by the gamekeeper of the land through his rifle's scope. McArdel goes to load his gun, but it jams, making a sound like a cannon in the silence. He runs.
A few hours later, Sinclair gets a call from McLeod, who has been recuited on the case. The three (including Peregrine) are led to the grim scene by McArdel. There, Sinclair and McLeod receive a terrible surprise; the murdered man was Randall, owner of a bookshop, friend, and fellow Initiate. As they wonder why he was chosen (Sinclair had heard from Randall the day before, and realizes that he had been led into a trap), Peregrine sketches the events.
The sketches resulting are indisputable proof that the Lodge is at large again. The group that the three belong to (I don't know of a name) must be notified.
Past that...I don't care; I've Shadowheart to read now. My decision on the plot is to provide short summaries for each character, then provide more information as needed.
Princess Briony- princess-regent of the kingdom of Southmarch, in exile due to the coup by the Tollys, currently in Syan with Prince Eneas (who is "interested" in her), friends with the group of players called Makewell's Men, relations currently strained due to the death of there leader at the hand of one of the guards of said prince due to a misunderstanding (which I'll explain later), twin of Brince Barrick
Prince Barrick- prince-regent of Southmarch, lost during the battle to push back the invading Qar (hold with me, here), currently in the Shadowlands (I think that's the name), has inherited the Fireflower, which is the collective memory of the kings and queens of the Qar, descended from the union between (to be edited) and (to be edited) the princess of the Qar; this results in his red hair and fits of insanity, twin of Princess Briony
Chaven-practitioner of (to be edited; mirror magic*), physician of the royal family, in exile in Funderling (like dwarves, except better) Town, underneath Southmarch Castle, friend of Chert Blue-Quartz
Chert Blue-Quartz- a Funderling working to protect Southmarch from the invading Qar, friend of Chaven and Ferras Vansen, caretaker of Flint (whom he and his wife found as a child)
Ferras Vansen- captain of the Southmarch army, former farmer, friend of Chert, currently in Funderling Town, working to protect Southmarch, formerly accompanied Barrick into the Shadowlands, but was lost in battle against Jikuyin, a demi-god when cast into a door to the underworld; ended up in Funderling Town after a journey through it, romantic interest for Briony
Flint- discovered as a child by Chert near the border with the Shadowlands, former holder of a mirror that was part of the castle (to be edited), later passed to Barrick in a failed attempt to save the Qar queen, Saqri, and halt the invasion (the queen was saved by the death of the king [her brother], the blind Ynnir, and aformentioned passing of the Fireflower to Barrick), strange connection to the gods
Autarch Sulepis am-Xis III- god-king of the empire of Xis, on the south continent, currently on his way to Southmarch to destroy it and sacrifice its king, Olin, in order to reawaken the gods (who are quite vengeful, unbeknownst to him), gob-smacking insane
Olin Eddon- king of Southmarch, inheritor of the curse of his blood (see Barrick); this gets stronger the nearer he is to Southmarch, currently prisoner of Sulepis
Scotarch Prusus- retarded man chosen by Sulepis to be his successor; if Prusus should die, Sulepis would be dethroned; reasoning - unknown
Qinnitan- former acolyte in Xis, chosen to be one of Sulepis's wives, later escaped, then recaptured, then escaped near Southmarch, unknown relation to the royal family of Southmarch (lock of bright-red hair, magical communication with Barrick)
Tinwright- former royal poet (made so out of pity by Briony), loves Elan M'Cory, however, she wishes to be killed, as she is an unwilling lover to Hendon Tolly; cruel ruler of Southmarch, currently trapped in Southmarch Castle, recently discovered by Hendon
Avin Brone- intelligence master of the royal family, now a figure-head
Kendrick Eddon- former prince of Southmarch, older brother to Briony and Barrick, murdered in first book by a woman-turned-demon
Yasammez (aka Lady Porcupine)- war-leader of the Qar at Southmarch
(to be edited)- relation of the royal family, involved with war, friend to the Rooftoppers (like gnomes, except more elven; about the size of your finger), currently a prisoner of Yasammez
(to be edited)- friend and nurse to (to be edited), involved with war through her, prisoner of Yasammez
Queen Upsteeplebat- queen of the Rooftoppers
Now you understand why I can't do a summary; Tad Williams's books are enormously complex, and I'm not sure where alot of this is going, myself.
Note: the Qar, northern kingdoms, and Xis all revere the same gods (in Xis's case, their opposing pantheon), but have hugely different views of them. The Qar, who fear the inevitable (and soon to be occuring) awakening of Perin, the sky god, Erivor, the god of water, and Kernios, the lord of the underworld, (revered as the Trigon in Southmarch) from a sleep placed on them by the god Crooked, one of few survivors of the opposing pantheon after gods' war, seem to be closest to the truth.
I'm sure I'll think of something else later (oh; Southmarch was formerly a Qar castle; they are really angry about a war that occured generations ago to men and began their inevitable descent to extinction; this war is an attempt to take Man with them; I think), but that's all I have for now.
I can't wait to read this book! Of the three series (two quadrologies and one trilogy) that I have read by Tad Williams, this one is likely my least favorite (behind Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn and Otherland [which are both heartily recommended]), but it's still great.
Boy, that's alot of editing to do.
*(to be edited) seems to have some very dark connotations in this world; Chaven began in a partnership with a god; he is now dependent on it. This god may or may not be the Lord of the Peak revered by the Rooftoppers; both are owls.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Something Occult This Way Comes
Ach, I've really been slacking on these posts (by my standards, anyway). Honestly, I haven't been reading enough of my book (again, by my standards); I'm only on page 50 after a week. Either this book just isn't lightin' me up, or I've been occupied by other things (namely, videogames); I'd say that the latter is the more likely.
As far as what I have read:
We open to 12 acolytes and a Head-Master. The Head-Master wears a Celtic torc of meteoric iron. With it, he summons a storm, which quickly rises, destroys a tower of the castle Balmoral with a crack of lightning, and disperses again. This is widely believed to have been a terrorist attack, despite numerous reports that it was lightning that destroyed the tower.
This attracts the attention of Sinclair, Peregrine, and McLeod, but the first two have to take care of something first. Along with Sinclair's friend, Christopher, who is a priest and a fellow Initiate, the three go to the house of Helena, who has been complaining of bad dreams; Christopher believes it to be magical in nature; not a haunting, but something similar.
When they get there, they discover that the cause is a negative echo of a past event. Sinclair hypnotizes Helena, and Peregrine sketches the event using her descriptions and his power. The resulting image is that of a ritual initiation or one of the Lodge of the Lynx around one year ago (this is occuring no more than a few months after the last book).
They preform a short cleansing ritual, then leave.
We rejoin the Head-Master in his chateau in the Cairngorms. There he speaks to his associate, the rich Mr. Raeburn, also part of the Lodge. He speaks of the disruption of his plans at Urquhart, and the death of Geddes. He destroys Geddes's ring (which Raeburn "recovered" from the police), and seems to imply that this act also kills Geddes himself. Other than this, he is not concerned over the loss at Urquhart; the spell-book was unnecessary, if a bit safer, and of unknown power. The torc used at the beginning of the book will work just as well.
Raeburn suggests keeping track of Sinclair, McLeod, and Peregrine, as they may have been the cause of the failure to take the spell-book, but the Master again shows little concern.
Hmm, I really ought to stop posting at night; I can tell that this post is poorly written, but there isn't really much that I can do about it right now. It feels redundant even as I write it.
On the topic of the book, I'm not really sure what to say. I'm really not even sure if I like it yet; I'm leaning towards yes, but again, I haven't read too much of it.
Post script: 12/13/10
I would like to clarify that the reason they wanted Scot's spell book is because it was safer than the torc. Being much older, and unused for a long period of time, the torc's magic was more unpredictable. This is waved aside by the Master because he had already tested the torc earlier; the lightning strike from the beginning of the book.
As far as what I have read:
We open to 12 acolytes and a Head-Master. The Head-Master wears a Celtic torc of meteoric iron. With it, he summons a storm, which quickly rises, destroys a tower of the castle Balmoral with a crack of lightning, and disperses again. This is widely believed to have been a terrorist attack, despite numerous reports that it was lightning that destroyed the tower.
This attracts the attention of Sinclair, Peregrine, and McLeod, but the first two have to take care of something first. Along with Sinclair's friend, Christopher, who is a priest and a fellow Initiate, the three go to the house of Helena, who has been complaining of bad dreams; Christopher believes it to be magical in nature; not a haunting, but something similar.
When they get there, they discover that the cause is a negative echo of a past event. Sinclair hypnotizes Helena, and Peregrine sketches the event using her descriptions and his power. The resulting image is that of a ritual initiation or one of the Lodge of the Lynx around one year ago (this is occuring no more than a few months after the last book).
They preform a short cleansing ritual, then leave.
We rejoin the Head-Master in his chateau in the Cairngorms. There he speaks to his associate, the rich Mr. Raeburn, also part of the Lodge. He speaks of the disruption of his plans at Urquhart, and the death of Geddes. He destroys Geddes's ring (which Raeburn "recovered" from the police), and seems to imply that this act also kills Geddes himself. Other than this, he is not concerned over the loss at Urquhart; the spell-book was unnecessary, if a bit safer, and of unknown power. The torc used at the beginning of the book will work just as well.
Raeburn suggests keeping track of Sinclair, McLeod, and Peregrine, as they may have been the cause of the failure to take the spell-book, but the Master again shows little concern.
Hmm, I really ought to stop posting at night; I can tell that this post is poorly written, but there isn't really much that I can do about it right now. It feels redundant even as I write it.
On the topic of the book, I'm not really sure what to say. I'm really not even sure if I like it yet; I'm leaning towards yes, but again, I haven't read too much of it.
Post script: 12/13/10
I would like to clarify that the reason they wanted Scot's spell book is because it was safer than the torc. Being much older, and unused for a long period of time, the torc's magic was more unpredictable. This is waved aside by the Master because he had already tested the torc earlier; the lightning strike from the beginning of the book.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Sinclair the Wizard
As the group approaches the cave, McLeod pulls out his gun and Sinclair hands his blue gemmed ring (which apparently has protective magic [well that sounds clunky]) to Peregrine; Sinclair has his own protection.
They see a group of four robed and cowled men walking out of the cave; two men carrying a large chest, one man holding aloft the case holding the MacLeod Fairy Flag, which has a trail of wisps streaming off of it to the Hepburn sword, which is held up by the leader, who brings up the rear, with one hand on the hilt, one near the tip of the blade. Around them swarm fey green points of light; the faerie guardians of Scot's treasure. On the shore of Loch Ness sits a boat, with another man, this one holding a machine gun.
Sinclair confronts the group, stating that it is not to late for them to stop their actions and be subject to only mundane law; not to the laws of the Higher Planes.
Of course, they do not submit. The man in the boat begins firing on Sinclair, but he drops down, out of sight of the gunman. McLeod, with his pistol, engages in a firefight, which ends with the inspector being caught in a rockslide and knocked out. This same rockslide causes the man holding the flag to drop it, shattering the case. With the magic link between sword and flag gone, the faeries swarm. They tear and bite at the men, covering them with bloody gashes. As the man goes to pick up the flag, a puff of smoke goes up; the legend was true, only a MacLeod could touch the flag.
During this time, the leader of the group slashes at Sinclair with the Hepburn sword, and Sinclair pulls out his defense, a small dagger which he holds by the blade. Both weapons glowing with power, the sword is blocked by the hilt of the dagger. However, the cultist does not pull away, instead, he continues pushing, forcing Sinclair to one knee. Realizing that Sinclair is in danger, Peregrine runs into the fray, one hand grabbing the man's arm, the other, the blade of the sword (brilliant, that). He falls away, his hand badly slashed. The cultist moves to kill Peregrine, but Sinclair makes his move.
Using the dagger to draw out a sigil in the air, he draws wrenches the blade away from him, destroying the barrier that protected him from the faeries. Having been waiting for such an occassion, they quickly kill him.
Now turning on Sinclair and Lovat, the faeries again swarm. McLeod awakes to see his friends surrouded by them, and quickly finds the Fairy Flag. Picking it up (unharmed; he is a MacLeod), he drapes it over his shoulders and commands the faeries to stop; these two men are under the protection of the faerie-favored MacLeods.
The other two men quickly get on the boat with their chest. Unable to follow, the faeries and our characters can only watch. The faeries, however, seem quite happy.
Suddenly, the boat's power cuts out. Lightning strikes the water, and it boils. A triangular head on a long, snakelike body rises up. As the men frantically attempt to restart the boat, the monster of Loch Ness rises up and smashes it. One is killed instantly, and the other eaten before the head sinks back down.
The official police report is along the lines that the boat hit a log and sank, and that the rest could be put down to terrorist activities.
With the flag and sword returned to their rightful places, Sinclair takes a look at Peregrine's hand. The ring has a large gash in it; if it had not been there, two of the fingers would be gone. As it is, it's a bad cut that will take time to heal, but nothing too serious (police report was that he cut it on the glass of the Fairy Flag's case).
As everyone begins to leave, Inspector McLeod shows Sinclair a piece of evidence that he might be interested in. It was the leader's finger, on it, a red signet ring. Engraved on the ring is the image of a big cat with tufted ears; the symbol of the Lodge of the Lynx.
The next book in The Adept series is The Adept: Book Two: The Lodge of the Lynx.
What I know of the Lodge of the Lynx so far is that, as Sinclair and McLeod are members of an organization that uses the magic of the Light, so the Lodge uses dark magic. I'm really not entirely sure whether the Light qualifies as a deity, so I couldn't venture to guess if the Lodge has a similar patron.
It was interesting to me how much this book drew on existing traditions. At least some of the locations are real (likely all) and the MacLeod Fairy Flag does exist. The Hepburn sword I can't really speak for, but there have been several Hepburns who were the Earl of Bothwell. This certainly isn't something I'm used to; generally, I read books that are set in their own universe. This one, although it's set a bit into the past by now, presents it as if this sort of thing were really going on around us. That's not to say that that makes it in any way worse; it was a good book.
I do think that I prefer the more standard fantasy (sci-fi is just fantasy with bolts on, after all) stories, though. I can't really say why; they just strike me as more interesting. Then again, it could just be because I have read a whole lot more of those stories, and have been able to pick out favorites.
I would have liked to get more explanation of the magic that is used in the book. I know that this is the first book, but nothing was really explained. You were just expected to take it as it comes.
They see a group of four robed and cowled men walking out of the cave; two men carrying a large chest, one man holding aloft the case holding the MacLeod Fairy Flag, which has a trail of wisps streaming off of it to the Hepburn sword, which is held up by the leader, who brings up the rear, with one hand on the hilt, one near the tip of the blade. Around them swarm fey green points of light; the faerie guardians of Scot's treasure. On the shore of Loch Ness sits a boat, with another man, this one holding a machine gun.
Sinclair confronts the group, stating that it is not to late for them to stop their actions and be subject to only mundane law; not to the laws of the Higher Planes.
Of course, they do not submit. The man in the boat begins firing on Sinclair, but he drops down, out of sight of the gunman. McLeod, with his pistol, engages in a firefight, which ends with the inspector being caught in a rockslide and knocked out. This same rockslide causes the man holding the flag to drop it, shattering the case. With the magic link between sword and flag gone, the faeries swarm. They tear and bite at the men, covering them with bloody gashes. As the man goes to pick up the flag, a puff of smoke goes up; the legend was true, only a MacLeod could touch the flag.
During this time, the leader of the group slashes at Sinclair with the Hepburn sword, and Sinclair pulls out his defense, a small dagger which he holds by the blade. Both weapons glowing with power, the sword is blocked by the hilt of the dagger. However, the cultist does not pull away, instead, he continues pushing, forcing Sinclair to one knee. Realizing that Sinclair is in danger, Peregrine runs into the fray, one hand grabbing the man's arm, the other, the blade of the sword (brilliant, that). He falls away, his hand badly slashed. The cultist moves to kill Peregrine, but Sinclair makes his move.
Using the dagger to draw out a sigil in the air, he draws wrenches the blade away from him, destroying the barrier that protected him from the faeries. Having been waiting for such an occassion, they quickly kill him.
Now turning on Sinclair and Lovat, the faeries again swarm. McLeod awakes to see his friends surrouded by them, and quickly finds the Fairy Flag. Picking it up (unharmed; he is a MacLeod), he drapes it over his shoulders and commands the faeries to stop; these two men are under the protection of the faerie-favored MacLeods.
The other two men quickly get on the boat with their chest. Unable to follow, the faeries and our characters can only watch. The faeries, however, seem quite happy.
Suddenly, the boat's power cuts out. Lightning strikes the water, and it boils. A triangular head on a long, snakelike body rises up. As the men frantically attempt to restart the boat, the monster of Loch Ness rises up and smashes it. One is killed instantly, and the other eaten before the head sinks back down.
The official police report is along the lines that the boat hit a log and sank, and that the rest could be put down to terrorist activities.
With the flag and sword returned to their rightful places, Sinclair takes a look at Peregrine's hand. The ring has a large gash in it; if it had not been there, two of the fingers would be gone. As it is, it's a bad cut that will take time to heal, but nothing too serious (police report was that he cut it on the glass of the Fairy Flag's case).
As everyone begins to leave, Inspector McLeod shows Sinclair a piece of evidence that he might be interested in. It was the leader's finger, on it, a red signet ring. Engraved on the ring is the image of a big cat with tufted ears; the symbol of the Lodge of the Lynx.
The next book in The Adept series is The Adept: Book Two: The Lodge of the Lynx.
What I know of the Lodge of the Lynx so far is that, as Sinclair and McLeod are members of an organization that uses the magic of the Light, so the Lodge uses dark magic. I'm really not entirely sure whether the Light qualifies as a deity, so I couldn't venture to guess if the Lodge has a similar patron.
It was interesting to me how much this book drew on existing traditions. At least some of the locations are real (likely all) and the MacLeod Fairy Flag does exist. The Hepburn sword I can't really speak for, but there have been several Hepburns who were the Earl of Bothwell. This certainly isn't something I'm used to; generally, I read books that are set in their own universe. This one, although it's set a bit into the past by now, presents it as if this sort of thing were really going on around us. That's not to say that that makes it in any way worse; it was a good book.
I do think that I prefer the more standard fantasy (sci-fi is just fantasy with bolts on, after all) stories, though. I can't really say why; they just strike me as more interesting. Then again, it could just be because I have read a whole lot more of those stories, and have been able to pick out favorites.
I would have liked to get more explanation of the magic that is used in the book. I know that this is the first book, but nothing was really explained. You were just expected to take it as it comes.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
The Adept's Apprentice
Three hundred pages into The Adept, only twenty pages shy of the end, I'm thinking that it's time for a post.
Our two main characters are Sir Adam Sinclair, a seasoned Initiate, and Peregrine Lovat, a young artist who has only recently discovered his powers (for lack of better word).
They, and many others, are Initiates, and have, over the course of their many incarnations, been introduced to magic in some way. So far, we have seen that Sinclair was once an egyptian pharaoh (a life he apparently remembers well) and a Knight Templar (who was burned at the stake). Peregrine originally received his powers at Delphi during the time of Pericles. In this incarnation, his powers are usually used to create detailed sketches (his being an artist, after all) of past events.
The book opens as a thief breaks into a museum and, ignoring everything else of value, steals the Hepburn Sword, which once belonged to Sir Francis Hepburn; the Wizard Earl. Exiting the museum, he hands the sword to his employer who, after handing him a large sum of money, shoots him three times.
Sinclair, as Master of the Hunt, is charged by the Divine Light to stop an evil of unknown (to the characters) origin. Peregrine, as his student, will also help.
The next crime the cult commits is the desecration of the grave and body of Michael Scot, an adept of the medieval ages. Using the sword, which has been charged with energy after being around a powerful necromancer for many years, several members draw his soul to him and force it back into the body.
Sinclair and Peregrine arrive the next day, along with another Initiate, Inspector McLeod. Upon examining the body, they discover the the soul has not been allowed to exit, causing it immense pain (due to being in a centuries-old body) and putting its current incarnation, a young girl named Gillian Talbot, at risk of death. Without much time to spare, Michael Scot looks into Peregrine's eyes, setting him sketching (it sounds... less cheesey in the book). After he has sketched out several pictures of a castle and a cave beneath it (a rune is engraved near the cave; it is protected by the faeries), the location of the treasure the cult is after, Sinclair releases the spirit (though the girl has now been in a coma for over 12 hours, and the soul's personalities [various incarntaions] are largely destroyed; it will take many days of work by Sinclair to return him/her/it to a normal state).
The three now know what their enemies are after; the spell-book and faerie gold of Michael Scot.
Peregrine is able to narrow the possible locations down to four: Foulis, Strome, Eilean Donan, and Urquhart.
A third theft occurs; this time by two theives, a man in a black ski mask and a young woman. The faerie flag of the MacLeods, alleged to have the power to summon terrible faeries to turn the tide of a battle if it is unfurled by a Chief of the clan, is stolen from Dunvegan Castle. The girl drives it to shore (the castle being on an island) and hands it off to a man in a boat. Again, she is promptly shot three times.
Sinclair, Peregrine, and McLeod (who has been called in by his clan's chief) go to the castle. There, Sinclair confronts a banshee, the faerie spirit of the flag. Nearly killed in the process due to the faeries' hate of most humans, he is able to convince it to show the location of the spell-book and gold: Urquhart.
Meanwhile, a storm whips up. Horrible winds, strong enough to tear roofs off and unpredicted by the weathermen, begin. Only just able to take a ferry to the mainland, and even then forced to jump the car a yard from boat to dock, they make their way to the castle. Despite the darkness, Sinclair is able to guide them by praying to the Divine Light for better sight; they must get to the castle as swiftly as possible, for the cult will attempt to take the treasure, using the faerie-magic charged flag as a shield (still in its case; another legend is that any one not of the MacLeod clan who touches the flag will be destroyed), at moonrise. Being Hallowe'en night, both sides' magic will be at its strongest.
They get out of the car a mile away from the castle when they are forced to swerve off of the road to avoid what Sinclair describes as a deer (though he only saw antlers, and believes it to be... something else [assumably a faerie]).
I was tempted to skip this post, really. The above summary isn't a very good one; I've omitted entire supporting characters and most of Peregrine's actions. I just can't fit them in there in a resonable amount of space. However, this is only the first in a quadrology, plus, I don't know how far I'll get into the next one before Monday.
The place-names are entirely a mystery to me (even Urquhart castle actually exists; it's where the majority of Nessie sightings occur); it's set in the Scotland. Two changes in the language are most noticable to me (other than the Scottish accents). Flashlights are called "torches" and tractor trailers are called "articulated lorries." I've heard of these changes before, but the articulated lorry bit still seems a bit funny to me (though I'm not really sure why).
It is a good book, and I do plan on reading at least one more of the series; I may not finish it, however. Sometime this month, the Cambria County library will hopefully get Tad Williams's new book, which will take me a good while to read (most of his books being over 800 pages).
That presents a problem in itself; it will finish up a [rather lengthy] quadrology. Plus, Tad Williams doesn't write series in the same way Katherine Kurtz and Deborah Turner Harris (authors of The Adept) do. His form a single story, with no real conclusion at the end of the book. This may not matter if the library doesn't get the book in before the end of the semester, but it is likely best to have some sort of game plan; I've added a poll on the side of the blog (or I will, at least).
This may be a bit premature, but, quite frankly, I'm bored.
Ooh, was a bit scared that this entire post had been deleted when I got a posting error; good thing they save as drafts automatically.
Our two main characters are Sir Adam Sinclair, a seasoned Initiate, and Peregrine Lovat, a young artist who has only recently discovered his powers (for lack of better word).
They, and many others, are Initiates, and have, over the course of their many incarnations, been introduced to magic in some way. So far, we have seen that Sinclair was once an egyptian pharaoh (a life he apparently remembers well) and a Knight Templar (who was burned at the stake). Peregrine originally received his powers at Delphi during the time of Pericles. In this incarnation, his powers are usually used to create detailed sketches (his being an artist, after all) of past events.
The book opens as a thief breaks into a museum and, ignoring everything else of value, steals the Hepburn Sword, which once belonged to Sir Francis Hepburn; the Wizard Earl. Exiting the museum, he hands the sword to his employer who, after handing him a large sum of money, shoots him three times.
Sinclair, as Master of the Hunt, is charged by the Divine Light to stop an evil of unknown (to the characters) origin. Peregrine, as his student, will also help.
The next crime the cult commits is the desecration of the grave and body of Michael Scot, an adept of the medieval ages. Using the sword, which has been charged with energy after being around a powerful necromancer for many years, several members draw his soul to him and force it back into the body.
Sinclair and Peregrine arrive the next day, along with another Initiate, Inspector McLeod. Upon examining the body, they discover the the soul has not been allowed to exit, causing it immense pain (due to being in a centuries-old body) and putting its current incarnation, a young girl named Gillian Talbot, at risk of death. Without much time to spare, Michael Scot looks into Peregrine's eyes, setting him sketching (it sounds... less cheesey in the book). After he has sketched out several pictures of a castle and a cave beneath it (a rune is engraved near the cave; it is protected by the faeries), the location of the treasure the cult is after, Sinclair releases the spirit (though the girl has now been in a coma for over 12 hours, and the soul's personalities [various incarntaions] are largely destroyed; it will take many days of work by Sinclair to return him/her/it to a normal state).
The three now know what their enemies are after; the spell-book and faerie gold of Michael Scot.
Peregrine is able to narrow the possible locations down to four: Foulis, Strome, Eilean Donan, and Urquhart.
A third theft occurs; this time by two theives, a man in a black ski mask and a young woman. The faerie flag of the MacLeods, alleged to have the power to summon terrible faeries to turn the tide of a battle if it is unfurled by a Chief of the clan, is stolen from Dunvegan Castle. The girl drives it to shore (the castle being on an island) and hands it off to a man in a boat. Again, she is promptly shot three times.
Sinclair, Peregrine, and McLeod (who has been called in by his clan's chief) go to the castle. There, Sinclair confronts a banshee, the faerie spirit of the flag. Nearly killed in the process due to the faeries' hate of most humans, he is able to convince it to show the location of the spell-book and gold: Urquhart.
Meanwhile, a storm whips up. Horrible winds, strong enough to tear roofs off and unpredicted by the weathermen, begin. Only just able to take a ferry to the mainland, and even then forced to jump the car a yard from boat to dock, they make their way to the castle. Despite the darkness, Sinclair is able to guide them by praying to the Divine Light for better sight; they must get to the castle as swiftly as possible, for the cult will attempt to take the treasure, using the faerie-magic charged flag as a shield (still in its case; another legend is that any one not of the MacLeod clan who touches the flag will be destroyed), at moonrise. Being Hallowe'en night, both sides' magic will be at its strongest.
They get out of the car a mile away from the castle when they are forced to swerve off of the road to avoid what Sinclair describes as a deer (though he only saw antlers, and believes it to be... something else [assumably a faerie]).
I was tempted to skip this post, really. The above summary isn't a very good one; I've omitted entire supporting characters and most of Peregrine's actions. I just can't fit them in there in a resonable amount of space. However, this is only the first in a quadrology, plus, I don't know how far I'll get into the next one before Monday.
The place-names are entirely a mystery to me (even Urquhart castle actually exists; it's where the majority of Nessie sightings occur); it's set in the Scotland. Two changes in the language are most noticable to me (other than the Scottish accents). Flashlights are called "torches" and tractor trailers are called "articulated lorries." I've heard of these changes before, but the articulated lorry bit still seems a bit funny to me (though I'm not really sure why).
It is a good book, and I do plan on reading at least one more of the series; I may not finish it, however. Sometime this month, the Cambria County library will hopefully get Tad Williams's new book, which will take me a good while to read (most of his books being over 800 pages).
That presents a problem in itself; it will finish up a [rather lengthy] quadrology. Plus, Tad Williams doesn't write series in the same way Katherine Kurtz and Deborah Turner Harris (authors of The Adept) do. His form a single story, with no real conclusion at the end of the book. This may not matter if the library doesn't get the book in before the end of the semester, but it is likely best to have some sort of game plan; I've added a poll on the side of the blog (or I will, at least).
This may be a bit premature, but, quite frankly, I'm bored.
Ooh, was a bit scared that this entire post had been deleted when I got a posting error; good thing they save as drafts automatically.
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