A fine fantasy
I remember reading Carolyn Ives Gilman's Halfway Human back in 1998, thinking it very good, and then being somewhat disappointed when no further novels appeared from her. I later discovered she'd had a number of short stories published - chiefly in F&SF - and even a novella, 'Arkfall' (now available from Phoenix Pick here). There are also a pair of chapbooks from Aqueduct Press.
Last year, I learnt Gilman would have a new fantasy novel published by ChiZine Publications. I am not, it has to be said, a huge fan of fantasy. Too many strike me as too similar. Ripping off a different culture for the background, or implementing a new magic system, is not enough. But the description of Isles of the Forsaken seemed to me it might appeal. So I pre-ordered a copy.
I have now read it. And I was not disappointed.
The Inning Empire has just won a years-long war, and has decided to turn its attention to its colonial possessions, the Forsaken Isles. The empire is a lexarchy, which means it is ruled entirely by its Courts and legal system. Despite this, it's not especially enlightened - in fact, the Innings as a race are arrogant and racist, and their colonial policies reflect this.
(Rest of post on It Doesn't Have To Be Right...)
Last year, I learnt Gilman would have a new fantasy novel published by ChiZine Publications. I am not, it has to be said, a huge fan of fantasy. Too many strike me as too similar. Ripping off a different culture for the background, or implementing a new magic system, is not enough. But the description of Isles of the Forsaken seemed to me it might appeal. So I pre-ordered a copy.
I have now read it. And I was not disappointed.
The Inning Empire has just won a years-long war, and has decided to turn its attention to its colonial possessions, the Forsaken Isles. The empire is a lexarchy, which means it is ruled entirely by its Courts and legal system. Despite this, it's not especially enlightened - in fact, the Innings as a race are arrogant and racist, and their colonial policies reflect this.
(Rest of post on It Doesn't Have To Be Right...)