Graham Joyce - Memoirs of a Master Forger

I first heard about Memoirs of a Master Forger when the title appeared a few times while I was rounding up our ultimate best of 2008 list. The reviews were all extremely positive, so I decided to give it a go. Judging by its cover, I figured that MoaMF will be set, say, in 18th century, with elements of either steampunk or fantasy. Well … I was wrong. When they say ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’, they say it for a reason.

Memoirs of a Master Forger is a story of a man named William Heaney, whose name is also being used by the author of the book. He is a random person from 21st century and his life isn’t going exactly as he’d imagined. His wife left him for a TV chef, his son is growing up into a snobbish brat, his job is boring and the forgery his friend Stinx is working on is hardly going well – the latter because Stinx’s woman has just left him and despite it being the third time in a row, Stinx still seeks refuge in drink.

Will is not really the master forger mentioned in the title, although the memoirs are undoubtedly his. He is just the guy who sells forgeries when Stinx completes them. Ok, he does write poems for another friend, Jaz, but since they are, in his own words, really bad poetry, I don’t think it counts. Will’s main characteristics are donating money to a local homeless shelter and the ability to see demons, the latter obviously being enough to put this book under ‘fantasy’ section. The demons are only mentioned in an offhand manner, though, and are most probably just a metaphor for human suffering.

I guess this is the reason why I was pretty disappointed with Memoirs of a Master Forger. It’s got little to do with forgeries – the only forgery beside the really bad poetry is a Jane Austen first edition that seems like a minor, unimportant side plot and mostly just another thing that does not go as planned. It’s not about demons, either, even though there was some promise to that, but the narrative is simply not unreliable enough to be of intrigue.

The book follows a typical formula where the setting is a contemporary society and the main character is a random person with whom the reader can easily identify. He is not entirely average, though, because average is uninteresting and nobody wants to read about that. He has his flaws, but still clearly a nice guy. His life is not completely dull for the same reasons the protagonist is not entirely average. Whatever happens, be it good or bad, is just uncommon enough to be interesting but could easily happen to the reader as well. Following the formula, the ending can be either a happy one (reader: ‘oh, the world is a nice place after all’) or a somber one (reader: ‘huh, I shall reflect upon this’). I notice books follow this formula fairly often; it seems to be very popular in contemporary fiction, probably because the reader can easily picture himself in main character’s shoes. Aside from the obvious benefits, this also carries the ‘something extraordinary could happen to you as well’ message, which, I think, is something readers generally like. While this formula does not necessarily predicate a lack of writing skills (on the contrary – a skilled writer can, with a few variations, convert this formula into a very good novel) it can often lead to an otherwise mediocre novel becoming a success.

And, of course, Memoirs of a Master Forger has a happy ending where every wrong is righted and everything is just swell. There is no bitter aftertaste or feeling that it could all be undone any second now. The problems are all solved and the general feeling is that everyone will be happier from that point on. No fears, no doubts, just fields of shiny happiness. Blergh.

Don’t get me wrong, Memoirs of a Master Forger is a nice enough story written in a flowing style, but I really don’t see what’s so great about it. The forgery/demons bit is original enough, but I just couldn’t shake the feeling that the narrator could be a bit more unpredictable, the characters less generic and the plot more than just a path to happy ending. All in all – average.

Trin

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I guess I'll never manage to do something on time, but late is still better than never. This review is a bit old, but I hope you'll enjoy it nevertheless :)

Matthew Sturges - Midwinter (Book Review)

"Midwinter" (Amazon: UK, US)
by MATHEW STURGES
Format: Paperback, 345 pages
Publisher: Prometheus Books / Pyr (March 2006)

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You probably know how it is when a book's cover looks so great and its summary sounds so intriguing that you want to adore it straight away, without even reading it. In fact, you could almost say you're afraid to read such a book because you don't want to get disillusioned. I felt like that when I got "Midwinter" in the mail – but to my relief, when I finally dared to open it, I found out that its beginning was great.

The opening scene shows us directly into a prison brawl, where we meet two of the main characters; a warrior called Mauritane and the mysterious Raieve. There is no introduction to the world in which the story takes place or to the events that lead to either one’s imprisonment, which is one of the reasons why the beginning is so gripping and intriguing. When the plot became quest-oriented soon after the opening chapters, I was not disheartened – even though there is a danger of getting trapped into the usual cliché of quest-oriented fantasy (the great hero goes on a quest, saves the world and gets the girl), there are still really great books with quest-based plots. I was also charmed by the amount of humour present (you can find an example at the beginning of SQT’s review) and I often laughed out loud while reading. Plus, there were curious little tidbits of mystery: different worlds, the strange Gifts and re energy of the elves, Mauritane and Purane-Es’ past … The first third of "Midwinter" showed great potential – honestly, I was certain that it could get better than, say, one of the Abercrombie’s books.

The problem is that all the initial potential went more or less to waste. In fact, the book deteriorates so much after the first third that the reader wonders whether STURGES simply got lucky with the beginning. First signs that the story has started to go wrong appear soon enough: on about one third of the novel, more and more of the details don’t get explained, and the adventurers are revealed to bear the most typical roles of adventuring party members:

• a near-omnipotent, loyal and honourable leader
• a mysterious elven woman who is, depending on situation, either a cold-blooded fighter or a damsel in distress
• a wizard whose sole point in life seems to be chasing young women
• a human physicist who serves as the clumsy, confused provider of comic relief and
• a few elves, who seem to be there only because STURGES felt that not all of the party members should survive but couldn’t spare any of the important ones.

Other characters are, sadly, none the better. Hy Pezho is your typical frustrated villain who abhors the fact that he is of no interest to women and wants to achieve greatness in order to finally win the hearts of the court ladies. The two Queens of the opposing sides appear to be little less than statues when it comes to their character – we don’t even get to know why exactly our party of ‘good guys’ follows one and not the other, since the only vague reason we get is somewhere along the lines of ‘ well, we’re used to being loyal’. Lady Anne is one of the rare brighter spots here and the only character who isn’t strictly black or white; she is shunned by society because of her noble husband’s imprisonment and must choose between loyalty and social life. Purane Es is half mindless, vengeful jerk and half romantic poet who is forced to obey his father’s wishes. My almost-extinguished hopes rose when Purane-Es decided to win Lady Anne for himself and delivered the ‘you’re so special, I’ve never felt like this before’ speech – I was delighted with how evil, cunning and convincing he was. Imagine my disappointment when I found out that he was, in fact, being honest.

At that moment, I put "Midwinter" down for a week. I can’t describe how disappointed I felt – I kept hoping that all those little mysteries will be solved, that the questions will get answered and things like Gifts will get explained, but as I neared the ending, I saw that this was not the case. When I finally decided to pick "Midwinter" up again, I saw that it would be better if I left it unread – the conclusion is the lowest point of the book, not because it were badly written but because it is the end of all hopes that Midwinter’s potential will be put to good use. The party almost trips over the quest’s objective, but we still don’t get to know what good the quest actually was. The aforementioned Gifts and re energy are only mentioned once or twice after the beginning, the humour is completely gone after the first third and it is painfully obvious that things like Silverdun‘s transformation and the human settlement subplot were meant to have a purpose which was then lost in the process.

This might sound a little harsh, but I was reminded of the time when I was 14 and trying to write a ‘book’. I had lots and lots of ideas (not terribly innovative ones, but still), but I just piled them all up and then filled the holes with random stuff. When I look at that text now, I see a few good ideas, some unused potential and a lot of useless junk. "Midwinter" is pretty similar in that aspect – piled up ideas, lots of fillers and a potential to be something much, much better. For now, though, "Midwinter" is more of a raw draft than anything else, and will leave a bad taste, regardless of how good the sequels are, but they can push the trilogy onto an average level and maybe even past that if they return to the style of Midwinter’s first third. If it weren’t for the latter, "Midwinter" would be a total waste of time.
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~ Trin ~

Ian Cameron Esslemont - Return of the Crimson Guard (Book Review)

"Return of the Crimson Guard" (Amazon: UK, US)

by Ian Cameron Esslemont
Format: Hardcover, 304 pages
Publisher: PS publishing, Bantam Books

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---Avowed are coming for their vengeance. It's been a better part of a century since the Crimson Guard took their vow. They scattered across the world, looking for allies, conscripts and power, knowing that they can't stand against the entire might of the empire. But the empire is overstretched and purely defended. Whirlwind took Coltain's host and after Tavore's Bounhunters (with a little help) destroyed Sha'ik they became outlawed. Of Onearms/Parans host little remain after the plague and the homeland suffers in wake of the constant warfare.

---Now the four winds are bringing the Avowed back, for that dish best served cold. But there is still some might in the troubled land, so a quick and precise strike is called for. Straight in the heart of the empire, it's capital - Unta. But the centre is unwell also. Empress Lassen is by all impressions losing her grip on the rains. New players are raising their heads and by all accounts they're playing for keeps. Some with cloaks and daggers, other openly with armies. The weakening of centre has brought about an insurrection on the other side of the continent. Among the rebels there are some dream of past might, some of gods better left caged and some of vengeance against the empress. More and more it seems that this will be another bloody conflict between Surly and followers of her predecessor. With an army the empress sails for Cawn, following the insurgents inland, toward Li Heng.
---Crimson guard must perforce follow, for raising Unta to the ground, but not killing empress would serve no purpose. But their heart is also unwell. Their leader K'azz D'avore has gone missing decades ago and returning or not, nobody knows what is his true will. Nonetheless, the decision has been made and under poorly maintained walls of Li Heng a mighty conflict is starting.

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I'll tell you two things directly, to avoid misunderstanding:
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1. As you well know, the impression that one forms during reading is always influenced by his mood. This brings us to point number 2
   
2. I dislike reading from my computer (and yes, I've had to read this one from my faithful monitior)

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This out of the way, let's get to the essence of things: "Return of the Crimson Guard" is basically – tepid.

Ian Cameron Esslemont has decided to write an epic book. Taking us over several continents (or at least island chains) he brings us to the continent of Quon Tali. We visit numerous locations, previously only hinted at – Unta, the dreaded Stormwall, more of otataral mines, Wickan planes and of course Li Heng and lands of Seti. And all of these will leave you unsatisfied.
Unta and Li Heng have no soul, Stomwall it's function and his assailants still remain a mystery, otataral mines seem more like an prison camp for elderly and senile, and lands of Seti and Wickans nothing but a green blots in the distance. True, the main worldbuilding has been done by Esslemont and Erikson years ago, but still one expects something more tangible when it comes to local geography. So don't expect Seven Cities or Darujhistan from MBoF, or even Malaz city from "Night of Knives". Here the places are no more than badly painted scenography in front of which the story unravels.

And the story itself again is epic. It's the clash of mighty: Lassen and her army, the insurgents that outnumber them greatly, besieged city forced to desperate solutions and of course almost ascended-level Crimson Guard… and all this for nought.
The descriptions of the clashes are usually too disorganised, sometimes, especially in the last part of the book that describes the conflict around Li Heng Esslemont jumps so much from one part of the battlefield to another that you completely loose the main thread for every single piece of mosaic, and for turning of wheels and consequences it brings. The unveiling of the Kurald Galain for instance, that is suppose to present a monumental milestone in the conflict is watered down completely when the story simply runs its course unabated making it look as an afterthought. And less we say about Tayschrenns dues ex machine appearance toward the end the better.
I realise that one of the main objections readers had over the "Gardens of the Moon" was that everybody was too much of a bada*s, but here even those that are supposed to be leave at the best a shallow impression. In general characters for all their might and fame bring little or nothing of it in the story. Laseen (IMHO intentionally) remains a mystery. Kellanved's warleaders: Urko and Toc the Elder, that had subtly became almost legends themselves, play insignificant roles – not in appearance but on epic level. Toc is shown almost as a sidefigure, on occasion (especially in the end) almost pathetic (:sniff: you promised, come back :sniff:). Urko, that had supposedly avoided assassins some two dozen times and leads a big part of the insurgents seems brooding at best and inclined to rely – like the author – on the myth that his name became, leaving most of the leading and work to others, punching away on the frontlines like some kind of blue skinned Chuck Norris. What had happened to the personality, talent and charisma that enabled them to become prominent generals Esslemont only knows.

As usual for the E&E books the entire 'cast' of characters takes on an almost epic quantity, but their interaction I can again only describe as tepid. Interaction between new conscripts and supposedly estranged avowed leaves no such impression, Erekos group is meant to be closely knit but it seems almost vaporous and Malazan solders have lost their usual spunk and cynicism (with one exception – I love the entire 'incest' dialogue).

I have thought for two weeks what to write for the conclusion after all this critique. "Return of the Crimson Guard" is not a bad read, but it's not a good one either. It is a meeting of old friends, comfortable and cozy. You fall in the routine of decoding the world without much effort, but also with a feeling of a listening to an old joke. Again.
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So from me it gets:

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Related posts:

• Review of The Midnight Tides
• Review of The Bonehunters
• In The Limelight - Toll the Hounds
• Review of Blood Follows

PS: You can also read an interview that Fantasybookspots Jay Tomio had with Ian Cameron Esslemont here
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~ Blindman ~

McNamara, Turner & Dutkiewicz - The Last Realm: Book One, Dragonscarpe (Book Review)

"The Last Realm: Book One, Dragonscarpe" (Amazon: US, UK)
by Pat McNamara, Gary Turner & Michal Dutkiewicz
Format: Coffee-table-sized Hardback, 230 pages
Publisher: Angel Phoenix Publishing

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“Dragonscarpe” hit me from out of nowhere. I’ve received a considerate mail from Pat McNamara if I’d be interested in reviewing the first novel in a new illustrated epic fantasy trilogy called “The Last Realm”; the mail included a link to their homepage and because what I saw looked really promising I was more than happy to agree to review the book. The reply I got was prompt and in a couple of days time a colossal 320 page coffee-table-sized hardback encased in a quality wrapping arrived at my doorstep – so it was not only dispatched in no time at all, the condition of the book was also impeccable (if you are not a stranger to internet shopping then crumpled covers hardy even raise your brow). The presentation and the attitude bespoke of professionalism so I was eager to sink my teeth into this epic doorstopper. Unfortunately the course was not as palatable as I had hoped for; it was rather bland and tough to chew at times. But on overall I deem it an impressive and well thought out debut that I would recommend to young adults getting started in the genre. Let me elaborate this further, but first a quick recap.
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More than a thousand Realms -- each constrained by a magical barrier and interconnected by a series of Portals -- governed by a legendary Angelwitch that presides in the Crown Realm of Dragonscarpe, are being ravaged by recurring Rifts and their bloodthirsty spawns, the Rifters. The peace and all the alliances between the Realms are on verge of breakdown. Thrust into the heart of the turmoil are two boyhood friends – Zayd Mon Awes and Wyun Urkana, both Paladins of Dragonscarpe and Protégés to the Angelwitch, but where the former sets on an idealistic task to train four beautiful Elementalists who could hold the key to winning the war (if they don’t kill each other first), the latter fights a more indirect fight always in the first line of battle; although both have their own problems and doubts. A few bad decisions and an incomplete understanding of the situation on the Angelwitch’s part, the scheming of the power-hungry outcast Velcca and the dark truth behind the Rifts make for a majestic finale…
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“Dragonscarpe” was created by a collaboration of three men: illustrations were provided by an Award-winning artist Michal Dutkiewicz (Batman etc.), it was written by Pat McNamara and the story concept was sketched out by Gary Turner. They claim to have been inspired by classic fantasy titans such as McCaffrey’s “Pern” and Burrough’s “Martian series”, but I actually found some similarities to the late Robert Jordan’s “Wheel of Time” series (writing-style, setting and lore). The PR blurb boldly claims “The Last Realm” to be a “Lord of the Rings” for the new generation, but this sales pitch really goes a bit too far.

First off, the book is rich with vivid illustrations; after reading text-heavy fantasy tomes without as much as a sketch here or there to break the monotony this really spices things up and comes as a welcome refreshment (some of the illustrations are available here, but I’ve also asked my brother to take some pictures of the book and the results are pretty awesome: pic1, pic2, pic3, pic4, pic5, pic6, pic7). If I had a niggle concerning the art it would have to be that some of the material is really trite and/or juvenile – namely, a lot of half-naked women with huge…attributes that defy the laws of gravity, by all means.

The writing by itself is competent enough, but McNamara’s style somehow failed to capture my imagination and my mind often wandered outside “The Last Realm”. It also feels that the seams between the writing, done by McNamara, and the concepts (lore, worldbuilding, character design etc.), done by Turner, are welded together too loosely and the cracks make for a somewhat clunky reading experience. Strong language is avoided for well-known commercial reasons (YA friendliness), but only in form; I mean, there are no explicit sexual scenes and the violence is portrayed with tactful care, but there is some concealed usage of swearwords (gonsdamned, go rew yourself etc.) and it felt kind of funny and out of place for me. I was also a bit disappointed by the dialogue and while it is never really bad it just doesn’t amuse, it is not memorable and it doesn’t stir your feelings or intellect in any way. Also, the pre-juvenile bantering between the Elementalists makes them one-sided and annoying characters.
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“-Ersoola angrily folded her arms across her chest, and said, “You cannot expect…”

Her protest never finished because Alleyne shouldered her aside and gestured in distress at the room.

“But I am Alleyne El Emin, Grand Aeromancer, Fourth in Line of Ascension and Niece to the Grand Azure of the Sky City of Aran, finest Windrider in the Realm of Air, Champion of the Airsword, and revered Cloud Dancer. I demand separate quarters. And I cannot live without servants! Who will do my chores? And Where is my balcony so I can at least escape from time to time this crushing sensation of being buried alive? And the bathing area is completely unacceptable. I need it open to the sky so I can summon cleansing rains. And what of masseurs to aid my body in recovery after training, and banquets in the eve for when I am hungry, and silks to sleep amongst so I at least have a reminder of the comforts of Aran? And scented braziers, to rid these walls of their dreadful earthen rank? And incense to aid me in my meditations, and…” ” (pg.92)

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The characters are not that interesting and even though some of them have their bright moments they aren’t really well fleshed-out in general. Contemplation, inner-struggles and other basic personality traits are present, but once again - it often felt like I was reading a list of character traits, instead of reading about living and breathing individuals (Zayd is compassionate, idealistic, trusting, good and rather optimistic; Velcca is dark, beautiful, dangerous, evil etc.).

The best part for me (besides the illustrations) was the worldbuilding which is thought-out and detailed. Some of the aspects of the world are a bit simplistic, but on overall “Dragonscarpe” offers a real sense of history – if other aspects of the storytelling improve in the sequel Volumes one could really immerse into the world of the Realms. On the other hand, it must be said that the scene-setting suffuses a great part of the book and seems to serve little purpose, but its own – exposition is not predicated on character development and it doesn’t stem from the needs of the plot, it overwhelms them instead. It is plausible nevertheless and the illustrations enhance the texture and atmosphere of the world immensely. And like I’ve already mentioned, the world has a certain Jordan-esque vibe to it.

Some of the themes I’ve discovered in the story are: demand for personal sacrifice (love vs. duty, individual vs. community,…), need for cooperation, difficulties of leadership, questioning the authority, love/hate, good/evil, friendship and so on.

While “Dragonscarpe” certainly doesn’t offer us an A-grade story, I still believe it may hold a lot of appeal for older children and young adults that are eager to step into the world of fantasy, but are afraid of ‘big books with too many pages’. The pace of the plot picks up vastly in the last quarter of the novel as the setting fully establishes itself and we can only hope that the sequel looks up to the ending of this book and brings something more coherent and accomplished to the table.
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- ThRiNiDiR -

Robert V.S. Redick - The Red Wolf Conspiracy (Book Review)

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"The Red Wolf Conspiracy" (Amazon: UK, USA)
by Robert V.S. Redick
Format: Paperback, 480 pages
Publisher: Gollancz
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---Pazel Pathkendle is a tarboy, an apprentice sailor of a kind, but of course he was not born a sailor. When Ormali, his native city-state was Invaded (or Rescued, as the winners call it) by the empire of Arqual, he barely escaped slavery with indirect help of doctor Chadfallow. If there is a motive, other than perhaps love for his mother, why the mysterious doctor helps Pazel, guiding him from ship to ship, captain to captain...the boy cannot figure it out. Endowed with a gift/curse that his mother, a witch, cast upon him, he instantly learns any language he hears, but the gift takes a toll resulting in episodes during which he can not speak any comprehensible language at all.
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---Finally, Pazel's way leads him on board I.M.S. Chathrand – the last of the great ships of old built by shipbuilders and magicians that used masteries now lost forever. Chathrand is officially on a mission of peace, bringing to the Arqual's greatest enemy, the Mzithrin Pentarchy, an ambassador with his consort and his daughter, tomboyish Thasha. She is meant to be a "treaty bride", a token of peace. But that mission is not the only one that the Emperor has entrusted upon the ship and its passengers. Darker conspiracies, some official and some private, mark the voyage upon the magnificent ship. But even the mighty Emperor and his minions are not aware of all the plots and plans going on the ship...

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The Red Wolf Conspiracy is the first book of the planed trilogy titled The Chathrand Voyage. The first impression I got when I started to read the book was that Robert V.S. Redick sure does it by the numbers. We have our "farm boy" with a destiny and ability of some kind, as well as a beautiful and active maid between which love is destined to blossom. We also have several (I've counted at least three) wise mentors and, again no surprise here, one of them turns out to be less benevolent as we were led to believe at the beginning. Then we have our "magical artefact of great power" (i.e. Nilstone) and of course the threat that "the end of the world as we know it is near, if we don't…". So far so good I suppose. It's a recipe that was used for numerous times before. Let us just look at the work of David (and Liegh) Eddings. It's formulaic, true, and lately one does get the feeling that they believe their readers daft, but The Belgariad and The Redemption of Althalus are a decent enough read.
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So what makes The Red Wolf Conspiracy a book in its own right? For one thing, I find the world that Redick created simply beautiful. This is a world of ships, big and small, and creatures alike – from miniature ixchel to huge augrongs, the mysterious glowing childsnatching Flikkerman and the Muths, the cruel merefolks that just want to survive. The world's politics and history are intriguing too and some of the characters are flawed to perfection (for instance, captain Rose with his letter writing…)
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The world-building is undoubtedly Redick's forte, but unfortunately the plot is not so original. Teenagers saving the world spiel is seen all too often, but O.K., I mean, it's his first book, right?
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But then, this the book ends! Oh lord! "And then there were seven!" was everything I could think of. The ending was such a cliché that it was almost painful to read through. Seven "chosen ones" to stop the seemingly overpowering evil. Each bearing the mark and the burden. Yawn! Redick is intent on writing at least a trilogy set in this world, so please, somebody, make him stop writing such ... arghhhh!
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Truth be told, it was my intention to give this book three solid Fruitcakes, since it's for the better part a solid book true to its genre, but after reading the last chapter I even considered to give the book none. Well, it's been a couple of days since then and I've had some time to cool my tempers - so let us pronounce the judgment (pompous enough for you all?):

• great worldbulding
• decent storyline
• a bit too formulaic
• the ending is utter crap

...all of that takes the book right into the middle:

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Of course, if you imagine seven people wearing a scar that bears a perfect image of "a red wolf with one of his paws raised" and doing his thing in the petunias the ending becomes quite hilarious.
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~ BlindMan ~

Brian Ruckley - Winterbirth (Book Review)

In many ways, Winterbirth, author’s debut and the first part of The Godless World trilogy, is just another standard epic fantasy, bursting with clichés. It includes:

- Good Guys of moderate nobility, who do nothing wrong at all and would like to enjoy their lives in blissful inactivity they are privileged with. Instead, they have to send half of their armed forces south, because the Internal Foes (who happen to be the country's sovereign, his right hand and some of the other high-positioned nobility) are being selfish bastards. And as if that wasn't enough, the External Foes come and ruin their lives further. But there is no question about the Good Guys being as righteous and proud as it gets – they will fight until the very (bitter) end.

- Internal Foes, who are not enemies in the traditional sense of the word, but represent the unwanted governance over the Good Guys. Their greed and ambition makes them forget their ancient enemies and instead, they take on the idea of conquering the rich and fertile south. Their motivation is based on their spoiled and misled nature.

- External Foes, who are actually outcasts from the past. They reside in the frozen North and they start the war by brutally slaying the innocent populace of Glas Valley – but, it is the only way to get back the land that was taken from them. There’s no thing like home, even though it’s littered with corpses and ruin.

- The 'hero' of the story, who is, in fact, a mere youth without any unusual powers and/or knowledge (but of notable bravery). He is in fact just a run-away from the war, being protected by a motley crew assembled with various outcasts, but who are surprisingly, not trying to put up revenge. At least not until the war is done with.

I could continue, but it would be of no use, because even though Winterbirth is filled with clichés like these (mentioned above), it can be and is (in overall) quite an enjoying read, once you get past the first hundred pages or so – the interesting part starts with the celebration at the beginning of the winter, called Winterbirth (where the book got its name from).

Why, you ask?
Winterbirth is Brian Ruckley's debut, and even though his writing style is good (far from outstanding, but I noticed no bigger flaws that would put me off), his lack of experience becomes painfully obvious when it comes to names.

There are 12 different Bloods (allegory for noble families), an excruciating number of different places and even more significant count of people –Ruckley mentions all of them casually during the beginning chapters, scribing them into every description and naming every minor character until the reader gets completely lost and is tempted to start skipping names altogether. Which is a shame, since there could be many pleasant 'Ah, I remember that one!' moments when the story evolves further on. But since, at least at the very beginning, every single person, from maidservants to simple by-passers, is named in full (usually one has two first and two last names), and every road has its origin and end-destination mentioned, usually crossing some river or another and passing through various (un)important cities (which are often even named alike – Kolglas, Koldihrve, Kolkyre, for an instance), a reader can't really be blamed if (s)he gets lost in all the name throwing-about. But we can get past that, since Winterbirth is Ruckley’s debut and at least another two Godless World books are on horizon – he probably just made a mistake by being too eager to explain everything at once.

Luckily, the feeling more or less passes after the story grabs hold and starts to pull. There are less names saturating the pages (which is somewhat logical, since there are less insignificant characters contending for our attention), and the story picks up with intensity. Winterbirth is not the 'I can't put it down' type of book, but it is definitely an interesting enough easy-read, just waiting to be munched over on vacations, when bored or when in need of a light-fantasy fare. There are no convulted conspiracies or secrets (yet?) to spice up the story, so there is no need to memorize all the things that look as they might be of some importance. Winterbirth is a pretty straightforward tale and the plot can be pretty predictable for an experienced reader. And while Winterbirth does not deliver any great surprises or twists, I nevertheless found it to be a worthy free-time consumer.

For those interested, there is a bit of history of the world itself included, and Ruckley includes some serious world-building; sometimes a bit tedious, at least at the beginning (endless descriptions with endless names included), but this tendency calms down in time, though without it, the book would perhaps be more memorable than it is. And while certainly it is not the kind of book you put on your bookshelf and forget about it, it is neither a guaranteed re-reading material, nor it is meant to be included on your favourites list. It is a pretty straight-forward classic fantasy epic, and that is all you are going to get... an interesting plot and easy enough read, but definitely not an essential one. There’s one thing though … I believe that the sequel might be better. Ruckley, after all, still has time to develop his promising skill and correct the deficiencies that are currently separating Winterbirth from being a really memorable read.
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---2,5/5
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~ Trin ~