sara_4539's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
caraway_and_rye's review against another edition
4.0
There is magic in this book. And a well woven story that remains with you even after the hero gets the girl and the book ends.
catsy2022's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death, and Grief
peter_xxx's review against another edition
3.0
This was an interesting but hard book to read. It is the story of a curse and how that curse is lifted. It also is a fantasy story but one with a very personal scope. The whole story is about one person and the people he interacts with. There are some hints at great world shattering events in the background but these do not drive this story. Ambition, greed, Cruelty and foremost cowardice are the actual driving factors behind the events in this story. Although I have to add that love and courage also have a place in here.
This book was wordier and slower then I was actually expecting. I've seen it gotten compared to Robin Hobb books and I definitely see what is meant by that. Although I feel that the descriptions and the sentence building here are a touch more baroque. I have not that much experience with Russian literature but I understand that this is a common thread there.
This book, even though it needs a bit of effort to read, is actually highly recommended.
This book was wordier and slower then I was actually expecting. I've seen it gotten compared to Robin Hobb books and I definitely see what is meant by that. Although I feel that the descriptions and the sentence building here are a touch more baroque. I have not that much experience with Russian literature but I understand that this is a common thread there.
This book, even though it needs a bit of effort to read, is actually highly recommended.
mferrante83's review against another edition
5.0
The Scarby Marina and Sergey Dyachenko appears to be the authors’ first translation into English. The Dyanchenko’s are rather prolific in the non-English European market and particularly in those states whose members are part of the Commonwealth of Independent States. Translation isn’t an easy thing but I’m always saddened when it takes works like this (well reviewed, and a recipient of prestigious awards in its home market) more than a decade to get translated and even further depressed by the fact that I never bothered to expand my borders by learning a new language (something never really emphasized in the American Education system, but that is still a poor excuse). Elinor Huntington deserves some serious recognition for doing a superb job with the translation. Not that I can compare against the Russian but I never noticed any major bumps that threw me out of the story.
The publisher’s blurb for The Scar places under the umbrella of the sword and sorcery genre and that works to an extent. There is a certain traditional feel to the prose (here I’m assuming that is intended rather than a consequence of the translation) but one that definitely calls to mind the works of the more lyrical swords and sorcery of yesterday like Howard or Moore (the blurb cites Robin Hobb and Michael Moorcock). However, The Scar is a more direct study of character and consequence than modern fantasies and leans much less heavily on action than traditional sword and sorcery. This novel is its own unique fantasy (not quite heroic not quite epic) and one that is a breath of fresh air amongst the grim and gritty (which I still love) and even the more traditional epic fantasies available today.
The Scar introduces readers to the rather despicable character Egert and arrogant, womanizing, and generally all around disgusting member of the an elite town guard. Egert, a textbook narcissist, is by-and-large our hero. One fateful day Egert provokes a not-so-martial student into a dual and winds up killing him. Egert, seeing this as no big deal is even more surprised when he is himself challenged to a duel by a mysterious Wanderer. The Wanderer leaves Egert a live but with a scar; one both tangible and not-so-tangible. From there the novel follows Egert’s journey towards possible redemption.
The authors do a wonderful job in setting up Egert as a complete and total ass. Indeed I was glad to see him get his comeuppance so early in the novel. However, it wasn’t long before I started to wonder if Egert’s scar had slipped past just into the realm of cruel and unusual. You are left wondering whether or not the scar, should it ever be removed, would have any lasting impact on Egert or whether he would return to his old way. Was the Egert seen during the majority of the novel simply someone produced by the magic of the scar or were the changes precipitated by the scar something deeper than what could initially be seen. Egert’s own uncertainty and the author’s deft and consistent refusal to hint one way or another certainly aids this aspect of the plot. Of course about halfway through the book you get a glimpse, or at least hear the echo, of wheels within wheels.
It is worth noting that The Scar is actually the second book in a three book sequence (note I’m not using the word trilogy). The first is a book called The Gate-Keeper. There is some mention of a Gate Keeper in a story told by Toria’s father and I suspect he does an apt job of summarizing that early untranslated novel. I didn’t know about this when I read The Scar and the novel work’s amazingly well as a stand-alone. The Archmage’s story is tied to the mysterious figure of The Wanderer. If The Wanderer, under another name, played a bigger part in the first novel I’m not sure I would have enjoyed The Scar quite as much as I did. His role as sort of mysterious and inscrutable force in The Scar works perfectly unburdened by any prior knowledge on the part of the reader. I have to wonder how such of foreknowledge of who or what The Wanderer is or was would impact my reaction to his appearance in The Scar. Furthermore, as is the Archmage’s tale of the Gate Keeper draws a rather subtle parallel to Egert’s situation that I feel would not work nearly as well if it were revealed in a more overt fashion; it would certain ruin some of the rather lyrical ending sequence. As is The Scar is an engaging and moving fantasy that hopefully marks the beginning of the Dyachenkos’ translation into English.
The publisher’s blurb for The Scar places under the umbrella of the sword and sorcery genre and that works to an extent. There is a certain traditional feel to the prose (here I’m assuming that is intended rather than a consequence of the translation) but one that definitely calls to mind the works of the more lyrical swords and sorcery of yesterday like Howard or Moore (the blurb cites Robin Hobb and Michael Moorcock). However, The Scar is a more direct study of character and consequence than modern fantasies and leans much less heavily on action than traditional sword and sorcery. This novel is its own unique fantasy (not quite heroic not quite epic) and one that is a breath of fresh air amongst the grim and gritty (which I still love) and even the more traditional epic fantasies available today.
The Scar introduces readers to the rather despicable character Egert and arrogant, womanizing, and generally all around disgusting member of the an elite town guard. Egert, a textbook narcissist, is by-and-large our hero. One fateful day Egert provokes a not-so-martial student into a dual and winds up killing him. Egert, seeing this as no big deal is even more surprised when he is himself challenged to a duel by a mysterious Wanderer. The Wanderer leaves Egert a live but with a scar; one both tangible and not-so-tangible. From there the novel follows Egert’s journey towards possible redemption.
The authors do a wonderful job in setting up Egert as a complete and total ass. Indeed I was glad to see him get his comeuppance so early in the novel. However, it wasn’t long before I started to wonder if Egert’s scar had slipped past just into the realm of cruel and unusual. You are left wondering whether or not the scar, should it ever be removed, would have any lasting impact on Egert or whether he would return to his old way. Was the Egert seen during the majority of the novel simply someone produced by the magic of the scar or were the changes precipitated by the scar something deeper than what could initially be seen. Egert’s own uncertainty and the author’s deft and consistent refusal to hint one way or another certainly aids this aspect of the plot. Of course about halfway through the book you get a glimpse, or at least hear the echo, of wheels within wheels.
It is worth noting that The Scar is actually the second book in a three book sequence (note I’m not using the word trilogy). The first is a book called The Gate-Keeper. There is some mention of a Gate Keeper in a story told by Toria’s father and I suspect he does an apt job of summarizing that early untranslated novel. I didn’t know about this when I read The Scar and the novel work’s amazingly well as a stand-alone. The Archmage’s story is tied to the mysterious figure of The Wanderer. If The Wanderer, under another name, played a bigger part in the first novel I’m not sure I would have enjoyed The Scar quite as much as I did. His role as sort of mysterious and inscrutable force in The Scar works perfectly unburdened by any prior knowledge on the part of the reader. I have to wonder how such of foreknowledge of who or what The Wanderer is or was would impact my reaction to his appearance in The Scar. Furthermore, as is the Archmage’s tale of the Gate Keeper draws a rather subtle parallel to Egert’s situation that I feel would not work nearly as well if it were revealed in a more overt fashion; it would certain ruin some of the rather lyrical ending sequence. As is The Scar is an engaging and moving fantasy that hopefully marks the beginning of the Dyachenkos’ translation into English.
lisa_mc's review against another edition
3.0
Sergey and Marina Dyachenko, husband-and-wife authors, have written numerous science fiction and fantasy novels in Russian but they’ve only now made a foray into U.S. bookshelves with “The Scar.”
“The Scar” tells the story of Egert Soll, a handsome and skilled warrior from a noble family, a leader of men, arrogant and self-centered. Always the center of attention, he enjoys the admiration of his men and the affections of a stream of women.
He runs into trouble, though, when he spies an unfamiliar woman, a visitor in town. He is captivated by her loveliness, but Toria rebuffs his attentions; she and her fiance are students, traveling for study and devoted to the pursuit of knowledge. Egert ends up killing the fiance, largely unintentionally, in a duel, and a short while later is himself bested in a duel by a mysterious stranger. The stranger spares his life, but marks his cheek with a scar — and his life with a curse.
From that point on, once-brave Egert jumps at shadows, cowers in corners and barely leaves his family home. He finally leaves, fleeing his past as much as he is seeking answers and the possibility of deliverance from the curse. He finds himself in the city where the university is, and is offered a position as an auditor — by no less than Toria’s father.
But sinister forces are at work in the city. As Egert muddles through a process of self-discovery and a cautious detente with Toria, machinations far larger than himself are taking shape, leading to events that will force Egert into action to determine his future.
“The Scar” starts quickly, but falls into a languid pace after Egert’s duel — a reflection of Egert’s own lack of energy, perhaps. The pace picks up quite a bit at the end, ultimately moving so quickly that the final scenes feel hurried.
The writing itself is uneven, sometimes spare and direct; other times florid and meandering. It can be tough to judge language in translation, but a sentence like “The city loomed over Egert like a fetid chunk of porous cheese, mottled with the pits of windows and alleys” probably sounds equally clunky in the original.
The novel is not much on world-building: little history and mythology, no geography, not even a map at the beginning — this is not necessarily a bad thing, because it means the story doesn’t get bogged down in too much detail. But for fantasy readers who like to be immersed in a setting, the lack of that kind of detail may prove disappointing. A possible explanation for this is that “The Scar” is the second novel in a series, the first of which (“The Gate-Keeper”) may contain more of the set-up.
There are swords in “The Scar” and there is sorcery. But the novel is far more focused on larger questions of psychology and humanity: The nature of courage and cowardice, the power of forgiveness. And that focus gives it a depth and complexity that mere swordfights and spells alone cannot deliver.
“The Scar” tells the story of Egert Soll, a handsome and skilled warrior from a noble family, a leader of men, arrogant and self-centered. Always the center of attention, he enjoys the admiration of his men and the affections of a stream of women.
He runs into trouble, though, when he spies an unfamiliar woman, a visitor in town. He is captivated by her loveliness, but Toria rebuffs his attentions; she and her fiance are students, traveling for study and devoted to the pursuit of knowledge. Egert ends up killing the fiance, largely unintentionally, in a duel, and a short while later is himself bested in a duel by a mysterious stranger. The stranger spares his life, but marks his cheek with a scar — and his life with a curse.
From that point on, once-brave Egert jumps at shadows, cowers in corners and barely leaves his family home. He finally leaves, fleeing his past as much as he is seeking answers and the possibility of deliverance from the curse. He finds himself in the city where the university is, and is offered a position as an auditor — by no less than Toria’s father.
But sinister forces are at work in the city. As Egert muddles through a process of self-discovery and a cautious detente with Toria, machinations far larger than himself are taking shape, leading to events that will force Egert into action to determine his future.
“The Scar” starts quickly, but falls into a languid pace after Egert’s duel — a reflection of Egert’s own lack of energy, perhaps. The pace picks up quite a bit at the end, ultimately moving so quickly that the final scenes feel hurried.
The writing itself is uneven, sometimes spare and direct; other times florid and meandering. It can be tough to judge language in translation, but a sentence like “The city loomed over Egert like a fetid chunk of porous cheese, mottled with the pits of windows and alleys” probably sounds equally clunky in the original.
The novel is not much on world-building: little history and mythology, no geography, not even a map at the beginning — this is not necessarily a bad thing, because it means the story doesn’t get bogged down in too much detail. But for fantasy readers who like to be immersed in a setting, the lack of that kind of detail may prove disappointing. A possible explanation for this is that “The Scar” is the second novel in a series, the first of which (“The Gate-Keeper”) may contain more of the set-up.
There are swords in “The Scar” and there is sorcery. But the novel is far more focused on larger questions of psychology and humanity: The nature of courage and cowardice, the power of forgiveness. And that focus gives it a depth and complexity that mere swordfights and spells alone cannot deliver.
spinnerroweok's review against another edition
4.0
Good book. I recommend.
Update, 13 Oct 1019, Second Reading: I didn't remember anything about this book when I read it a second time. However, I do remember details from the SFBRP podcast. So can I still call it a good book if it is not especially memorable. I think I can. I enjoyed it this time around, too. So my original review stands: Good book. I recommend.
Update, 13 Oct 1019, Second Reading: I didn't remember anything about this book when I read it a second time. However, I do remember details from the SFBRP podcast. So can I still call it a good book if it is not especially memorable. I think I can. I enjoyed it this time around, too. So my original review stands: Good book. I recommend.
joanbereading's review against another edition
5.0
This took me longer than necessary but WOW. An epic, powerful, humorous story of redemption. Egert Soll is a unconventional protagonist as he becomes someone you actively hate to rooting for him by the end. The writing was amazing, it really captured his fear and cowardice and his self loathing as a result. This author duo definitely needs more of their books translated ASAP
ahammel87's review
4.0
An entertaining and well-crafted read from two unjustly little-known authors (at least in those parts of the English-speaking world which do not listen to the Science Fiction Book Review Podcast).
It was a bit weird that, though the whole point of the book was to subvert the fantasy-hero-who-kills-everything trope, that Egert turns into a walking Cuisinart in the finale with no negative consequences. I was expecting him to deal with the acolytes by peaceful means, having learned a valuable lesson about violence. Oh well, stabbing everything works too.
Spoiler
It was interesting that the apparently magical end-of-the world scenario, in a world where magic demonstrably exists, turned out to be natural causes. It's a bit ambiguous, I suppose, but I think we're meant to assume that the return of the Plague was caused by the corpses that the acolytes dug up without further magical influence.It was a bit weird that, though the whole point of the book was to subvert the fantasy-hero-who-kills-everything trope, that Egert turns into a walking Cuisinart in the finale with no negative consequences. I was expecting him to deal with the acolytes by peaceful means, having learned a valuable lesson about violence. Oh well, stabbing everything works too.
morepagesplease's review against another edition
4.0
Very interesting read. More thought provoking than many fantasy novels. I don't think I've ever read anything quite like it.