Two Reviews of the Dead
Hi,
So in short order I've read two books that take a basic premise and spin out two different (but highly entertaining) stories.
The basic premise is that in a world with functional magic, murder mysteries are best handled by people who can work death magic.
The first book is The Bone Palace by Amanda Downum. This is the second in her Necromancer Chronicles. I read and reviewed the first book late last year. Once again, we follow the adventures of Isyllt Iskaldur, a necromancer and spy for the Selafai Kingdom. In this book, she gets called in to investigate the murder of a prostitute -- a prostitute who has the signet ring of the recently deceased queen on her person. So begins a search through the streets of Erisin, through the vampire-haunted sewers beneath the city and up into the royal palaces. Isyllt quickly piles up a list of suspects humans and otherwise.
Probably the best part of the book though is that there's a side plot involving the Prince, his wife and his official mistress who's transgendered. I found the characters compelling and pretty well handled and the complexities of their relationship is well-rounded. They also do a lot drive the plot forward so they're more than window dressing. Certainly an interesting set of characters who would be fun to see in their own book.
That said, Isyllt's explorations are a good blend of action, magic and mystery-solving and there's a lot of fun stuff to dig into.
The second book is Servant of the Underworld by Aliette de Bodard. Rather than a necromancer in a fantasy world, the book uses an magic-infused Aztec setting and follows Acatl, High Priest of the Dead as he uncovers a trail of murder and magic in Tenochtitlan, capital of the Empire. Actal's brother stands accused of abducting and murdering a high priestess. Though Actal's relationship with his brother is troubled, he feels compelled to help his family but as he investigates, a larger, more sinister plot comes to light.
Aside from the obvious research that was done to evoke daily Aztec life, the real high point of this book is how magic and the gods are treated. Everything sits on ritual and blood sacrifice. Actal is constantly performing magic but thanks to all the blood and the chants, it has a solid feel to it that's sometimes lacking from a lot of high-magic settings. The intrigues and politics of the gods and the precarious existence of the mortal world is really front and center.
Both books do a good job of keeping their magic consistent. Neither of them seem to use magic to write themselves out of corners or conveniently solve the mystery.
I think Bone Palace has the edge on characters while Servant of the Underworld has the edge on setting. Both of them have strong plots, both of them are quite self-contained and both are recommended.
later
Tom
So in short order I've read two books that take a basic premise and spin out two different (but highly entertaining) stories.
The basic premise is that in a world with functional magic, murder mysteries are best handled by people who can work death magic.
The first book is The Bone Palace by Amanda Downum. This is the second in her Necromancer Chronicles. I read and reviewed the first book late last year. Once again, we follow the adventures of Isyllt Iskaldur, a necromancer and spy for the Selafai Kingdom. In this book, she gets called in to investigate the murder of a prostitute -- a prostitute who has the signet ring of the recently deceased queen on her person. So begins a search through the streets of Erisin, through the vampire-haunted sewers beneath the city and up into the royal palaces. Isyllt quickly piles up a list of suspects humans and otherwise.
Probably the best part of the book though is that there's a side plot involving the Prince, his wife and his official mistress who's transgendered. I found the characters compelling and pretty well handled and the complexities of their relationship is well-rounded. They also do a lot drive the plot forward so they're more than window dressing. Certainly an interesting set of characters who would be fun to see in their own book.
That said, Isyllt's explorations are a good blend of action, magic and mystery-solving and there's a lot of fun stuff to dig into.
The second book is Servant of the Underworld by Aliette de Bodard. Rather than a necromancer in a fantasy world, the book uses an magic-infused Aztec setting and follows Acatl, High Priest of the Dead as he uncovers a trail of murder and magic in Tenochtitlan, capital of the Empire. Actal's brother stands accused of abducting and murdering a high priestess. Though Actal's relationship with his brother is troubled, he feels compelled to help his family but as he investigates, a larger, more sinister plot comes to light.
Aside from the obvious research that was done to evoke daily Aztec life, the real high point of this book is how magic and the gods are treated. Everything sits on ritual and blood sacrifice. Actal is constantly performing magic but thanks to all the blood and the chants, it has a solid feel to it that's sometimes lacking from a lot of high-magic settings. The intrigues and politics of the gods and the precarious existence of the mortal world is really front and center.
Both books do a good job of keeping their magic consistent. Neither of them seem to use magic to write themselves out of corners or conveniently solve the mystery.
I think Bone Palace has the edge on characters while Servant of the Underworld has the edge on setting. Both of them have strong plots, both of them are quite self-contained and both are recommended.
later
Tom