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A major new epic fantasy from the worldwide bestselling author Julian May. High Blenholme is a lush but treacherous island comprised of four feudal domains, three of them owing fealty to the fourth, Cathra. The domains are in perpetual political turmoil and border skirmishes are commonplace. The island is not only under constant attack from marauding sea-monsters, inhabitants of nearby islands, but also from the demonic woodland outlaws called Green Men, and overhead looms a giant moon, possible source of otherworldly beings who have been known to grant magical gifts. When Bram, the Sovereign King's younger son (also an apprentice alchemist), attempts to help his elder brother escape an arranged marriage by invoking these alien creatures, he unwittingly sets in motion a chain of events that will lead to cataclysmic civil war.… (more)
a disappointment. the author's intricate sci-fi gave me high hopes for her fantasy (bujold jumps between the genres with astonishing skill) but this series clunks.
This is the first book in a new fantasy trilogy. The setting is actually a bit interesting, a large island in the north of the world that is divided into 4 kingdoms. Along comes a king who wishes to reunite the island and return it to its former glory. Intertwined with his efforts are the users and abusers of sigil magic. Sigils are either minor or powerful items that are granted power by the Beaconfolk, who extract a price of pain each time they are used. While the efforts of the prince are the obvious plot, the main theme is the effect of the sigils and the effort of some to get rid of them. The hero is meant to be one Snudge, the prince's Intelligencer. Snudge is a great character, but his master the prince is an amoral idiot, which for me detracted from the story quite a bit. ( )
I enjoyed this book a lot. The story takes place on an island that is broken up into four kingdoms: a fertile area, a mountainous one, a swampy one... well, you get the picture. It is the kind of generic world that I would expect from a video game (think Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion), but May elevates the story above those generic beginnings. The magic system in the world also has a video game feel to it, but again May brings more depth. She does this by presenting a large cast of three-dimensional characters and letting us look at the world and events through their eyes. I will definitely be moving on to the second book right away. ( )
[close] I wasn't impressed with this book. The characters seemed very flat to me and I couldn't connect with any of them. I won't be continuing on in the series ( )
Snow Moon, Storm Moon, winter fast. Wind Moon, Green Moon, spring at last. Milk and Blossom follow after. Then comes Thunder, God's own laughter. Corn and Harvest bring their boon. But Hunters curse the Boreal Moon. Last of all the Ice Moon drear Doth bring the end of Blenholme's year.
Each of my successor's may pose to me one Question before singing the Deathsong, and I will answer true.
—Bazekoy, Emperor of the World
Dedication
First words
In obedience to a command from the throne commuting my death sentence, the Lord Chancellor of Blencathra banished me to the continent two years ago, with an adequate stipend that will continue so long as I keep my mouth shut.
Quotations
Last words
Bright shimmering curtains, thrusting lances, and slow explosions of red and green and golden radiance stretched from horizon to horizon, whispering about what they might do next.
A major new epic fantasy from the worldwide bestselling author Julian May. High Blenholme is a lush but treacherous island comprised of four feudal domains, three of them owing fealty to the fourth, Cathra. The domains are in perpetual political turmoil and border skirmishes are commonplace. The island is not only under constant attack from marauding sea-monsters, inhabitants of nearby islands, but also from the demonic woodland outlaws called Green Men, and overhead looms a giant moon, possible source of otherworldly beings who have been known to grant magical gifts. When Bram, the Sovereign King's younger son (also an apprentice alchemist), attempts to help his elder brother escape an arranged marriage by invoking these alien creatures, he unwittingly sets in motion a chain of events that will lead to cataclysmic civil war.
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(3.13)
Wikipedia in English
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