hpstrangelove's review
5.0
(Audio book review) Male narrator, although not as good as the narrator of Berg's newest book, Dust and Light, still did a decent job. I didn't care for his reading of Dante, however. He does it with a deep, gravely voice, making Dante seem far, far older than just twenty six years. I had to try and keep in mind how young Dante really is, but other than that, I enjoyed the performance.
The story itself grabbed me from the start, pulled me in, and never let go. I'm writing this after I finished book 2 because as soon as I finished this book, I immediately had to start the next.
I don't know why I've waited so long to read these other books by this author. I loved the Lighthouse series and Dust and Light, so while I wait for the sequel to Dust and Light, I decided to try one of Berg's other books. Boy, I feel so stupid for missing out on these!
Oh - and the cover art! So beautiful.
The story itself grabbed me from the start, pulled me in, and never let go. I'm writing this after I finished book 2 because as soon as I finished this book, I immediately had to start the next.
I don't know why I've waited so long to read these other books by this author. I loved the Lighthouse series and Dust and Light, so while I wait for the sequel to Dust and Light, I decided to try one of Berg's other books. Boy, I feel so stupid for missing out on these!
Oh - and the cover art! So beautiful.
mferrante83's review
4.0
In the Renaissance like kingdom of Sabria failed magician turned librarian and cousin to King Phillipe, Portier de Savin-Duplais is tasked by his royal brethren to root out the traitors who have attempted to take his life. What follows is a solid mystery tale within a beautifully realized world fraught with tension between science and magic. With The Spirit Lens Berg has created a fantastic new setting and kicked off what looks to be an entertaining and original series.
The real strength of The Spirit Lens is its trifecta of male leads: Portier, the mage Dante, and the knight Ilario. In each Berg has crafted a complex and realistic character that add something unique and vital to the proceedings. In a world where magic is typically carried in the blood of the nobility Portier is something of a failure having been unable, despite his lineage and basic understanding of magic, to cast the simplest of spells. The Camarilla Magica, the school of magic attended by those who wish to learn magic, teaches a form of magic that uses precise formula to create the desired effect and is, in this way, not dissimilar to science. When Portier meets Dante, the virulent and mercurial wild master mage, he is confronted with a man who has delved into magic as a natural force; a man who had learned his art outside the prescribed teaching of the Camarilla. Thus the two have, to start, something of an antagonistic relationship with Dante looking down on Portier for his Camarilla infused habits and Portier afraid of Dante’s near heretical beliefs. Their relationship is perhaps one of, if not the most, interested ones in the novel. The constant shifting between the roles of master and student, comradely, and rivalry plays an integral role in the plot. Lord Ilario is portrayed as something of a fop, a good natured if foolish man wholly dedicated to proving his sister the Queen’s innocence in the attempt of Phillipe’s life. He serves, somewhat as comic relief, and the brusque straight forward nature of Dante’s personality plays wonderfully the cultured mannerisms of Ilario’s courtly life. Ilario also serves a great purpose in one of the novels most exciting passages, but saying more then that verges too far into spoiler territory.
In The Spirit Lens Berg spends very little time exploring the world outside the confines of the plot. At around 480 pages this lends the novel a rather brisk pace while allowing Berg some room to explore the history and culture of Sabria. Again all that exploring is done in service to the plot. I can remember no instance in the novel where something we learn in the novel isn’t tied somehow to the mystery Portier has been tasked to uncover. This leaves the world beyond the boundaries of this story a mere shadow that lingers at the edge of the reader’s vision. This isn’t a bad thing, but extreme focus reminds me more of a straight up mystery or thriller rather then a fantasy novel. The mystery itself is tied closely to the history of Sabria so Berg manages to work some subtle world-building into the course of the novel and the whole thing is gloriously free of any lengthy info dumps.
With the exception towards the middle of the novel The Spirit Lens is light on action. Portier is an academic, more Holmes then Hammer, and his sleuthing is done via stealth and intrigue. This could have been a bit dry if done poorly but the menace and magic behind the threat that Portier uncovers lends a certain thrill to the narrative and given his lack of magical skills heightens the sense of danger. This danger is made all the more palpable as the reader learns about the banned method of bleeding royal (i.e. magical) blood to empower spells; a threat especially potent for people like Portier who, despite royal blood, have no magic of their own.
As the novel progresses magic plays an increasingly important role in the plot and Berg does a masterful job at obscuring the true threat and clouding the motivations of everyone we meet. Indeed the weight of the threats revealed towards the end of the novel, and Berg’s impressive characterization skills, lent an emotional weight to final pages that was wholly unexpected and decidedly welcome. I am left eager for the next volume and impatient to see where the story goes from here. Both fans of mystery and fantasy lovers would do well to check out The Spirit Lens and join in the agonizingly long wait for the next volume (The Soul Mirror, 2011).
The real strength of The Spirit Lens is its trifecta of male leads: Portier, the mage Dante, and the knight Ilario. In each Berg has crafted a complex and realistic character that add something unique and vital to the proceedings. In a world where magic is typically carried in the blood of the nobility Portier is something of a failure having been unable, despite his lineage and basic understanding of magic, to cast the simplest of spells. The Camarilla Magica, the school of magic attended by those who wish to learn magic, teaches a form of magic that uses precise formula to create the desired effect and is, in this way, not dissimilar to science. When Portier meets Dante, the virulent and mercurial wild master mage, he is confronted with a man who has delved into magic as a natural force; a man who had learned his art outside the prescribed teaching of the Camarilla. Thus the two have, to start, something of an antagonistic relationship with Dante looking down on Portier for his Camarilla infused habits and Portier afraid of Dante’s near heretical beliefs. Their relationship is perhaps one of, if not the most, interested ones in the novel. The constant shifting between the roles of master and student, comradely, and rivalry plays an integral role in the plot. Lord Ilario is portrayed as something of a fop, a good natured if foolish man wholly dedicated to proving his sister the Queen’s innocence in the attempt of Phillipe’s life. He serves, somewhat as comic relief, and the brusque straight forward nature of Dante’s personality plays wonderfully the cultured mannerisms of Ilario’s courtly life. Ilario also serves a great purpose in one of the novels most exciting passages, but saying more then that verges too far into spoiler territory.
In The Spirit Lens Berg spends very little time exploring the world outside the confines of the plot. At around 480 pages this lends the novel a rather brisk pace while allowing Berg some room to explore the history and culture of Sabria. Again all that exploring is done in service to the plot. I can remember no instance in the novel where something we learn in the novel isn’t tied somehow to the mystery Portier has been tasked to uncover. This leaves the world beyond the boundaries of this story a mere shadow that lingers at the edge of the reader’s vision. This isn’t a bad thing, but extreme focus reminds me more of a straight up mystery or thriller rather then a fantasy novel. The mystery itself is tied closely to the history of Sabria so Berg manages to work some subtle world-building into the course of the novel and the whole thing is gloriously free of any lengthy info dumps.
With the exception towards the middle of the novel The Spirit Lens is light on action. Portier is an academic, more Holmes then Hammer, and his sleuthing is done via stealth and intrigue. This could have been a bit dry if done poorly but the menace and magic behind the threat that Portier uncovers lends a certain thrill to the narrative and given his lack of magical skills heightens the sense of danger. This danger is made all the more palpable as the reader learns about the banned method of bleeding royal (i.e. magical) blood to empower spells; a threat especially potent for people like Portier who, despite royal blood, have no magic of their own.
As the novel progresses magic plays an increasingly important role in the plot and Berg does a masterful job at obscuring the true threat and clouding the motivations of everyone we meet. Indeed the weight of the threats revealed towards the end of the novel, and Berg’s impressive characterization skills, lent an emotional weight to final pages that was wholly unexpected and decidedly welcome. I am left eager for the next volume and impatient to see where the story goes from here. Both fans of mystery and fantasy lovers would do well to check out The Spirit Lens and join in the agonizingly long wait for the next volume (The Soul Mirror, 2011).
atarbett's review
I just can't take anymore. I have rarely been so bored in a story. It seems like it should work. Murder, assassinations, conspiracies! But the plot drags severely and the only character that I got a strong impression from was Ilario and that was a negative impression, because that character was VERY annoying. I won't be continuing the series, but I will probably give the author another shot.
wynwicket's review
4.0
This one took awhile to get into, as the narrator, a mostly-mild-mannered mage-reject librarian (with surprising talent for navigating political intrigue and hidden bravery) speaks in a formalized, somewhat stilted language. But there's a courtier with hidden depths ( I LOVE Ilario) and a grumpy mage with a not-so-hidden shadowy past, and it's all a great big Renaissance-flavored mystery. Nice!
wishanem's review
3.0
My first impression of this book was that it would be a simple Fantasy adventure romp, but I was pleasantly surprised to find a murder mystery with suspenseful elements all around the edges. Throughout both the action and the more contemplative aspects of the investigation the motives, actions, and character of all the principle players (even the protagonist) are brought into question and their moral shades of gray are closely examined.
drey72's review
3.0
In Carol Berg's latest fantasy, it's magic vs. science, with the latter coming into popularity in the kingdom of Sabria. When this results in magicians' attempt to assassinate Sabria's King Philippe, he enlists the help of his very-distant cousin to uncover the traitors, and to determine if his wife is somehow behind the attempt.
Portier de Savin-Duplais agrees to help the King, and hits the ground running. The stuff he uncovers places his own life at risk, and he finds himself looking for plots within plots as he tries to unravel the tangled web of treachery. But can he do it before the kingdom unravels right in front of his eyes?
Character: Portier is a typical hero in this type of story. He's not very good at what he does, and fumbles his way through the hurdles that are thrown in his path. He's just nice enough, just personable enough, just smart enough, to try to put the pieces of the puzzle together. His companions are a foppish dandy and an irascible magician. Between the three of them, it's almost like watching The Three Stooges.
Pace & Plot: The Spirit Lens moves along quickly, and at times your head spins with the reveals. The plot is twisty, too, which doesn't help with the head-spin. But it does keep you turning the pages!
Portier de Savin-Duplais agrees to help the King, and hits the ground running. The stuff he uncovers places his own life at risk, and he finds himself looking for plots within plots as he tries to unravel the tangled web of treachery. But can he do it before the kingdom unravels right in front of his eyes?
Character: Portier is a typical hero in this type of story. He's not very good at what he does, and fumbles his way through the hurdles that are thrown in his path. He's just nice enough, just personable enough, just smart enough, to try to put the pieces of the puzzle together. His companions are a foppish dandy and an irascible magician. Between the three of them, it's almost like watching The Three Stooges.
Pace & Plot: The Spirit Lens moves along quickly, and at times your head spins with the reveals. The plot is twisty, too, which doesn't help with the head-spin. But it does keep you turning the pages!
egelantier's review
4.0
a court fantasy whodunnit mystery, narrated by portier duplais, a distinctly cazaril-like character (instant win) - a humble, inexorably honorable, decent, sharply intelligent man dealing with his inner demons while investigating a most dreadful political-magical conspiracy in a company of two most unlikely confederates, ilario the flighty courtier with a secret and dante the cranky mage with all the
drama.
i've liked it even more than flesh the lighthouse duet, mostly due to portier being more of "my" character than valen, and it's a pageturner at it's finest - i've more or less devoured it under two days.
my only gripe is that most of the plot relies on my most hated plot device ever : people. not. sharing. information. like, i swear the whole mess they're dealing with could be cleared up in one book instead of three if everybody just sat down at the end of every day and pooled their operational information. instead everybody lies, misunderstands, withholds informations, twists information, aaaaaaaaargh - and everybody does it mostly for other people's 'good', and, oh my god.
but other that, it was aaaaaaaaaawesome. good creepy mystery, tasty h/c bits, clearly mapped emotional journey, a+ worldbuilding, clear sweet writing.
drama.
i've liked it even more than flesh the lighthouse duet, mostly due to portier being more of "my" character than valen, and it's a pageturner at it's finest - i've more or less devoured it under two days.
my only gripe is that most of the plot relies on my most hated plot device ever : people. not. sharing. information. like, i swear the whole mess they're dealing with could be cleared up in one book instead of three if everybody just sat down at the end of every day and pooled their operational information. instead everybody lies, misunderstands, withholds informations, twists information, aaaaaaaaargh - and everybody does it mostly for other people's 'good', and, oh my god.
but other that, it was aaaaaaaaaawesome. good creepy mystery, tasty h/c bits, clearly mapped emotional journey, a+ worldbuilding, clear sweet writing.
bookstuff's review
5.0
I really liked this - the language, the atmosphere, the characters.
Can't wait 'til the next book.
I like the main character, Portier, because despite his feelings of inferiority, he displays admirable qualities: unswerving loyalty to his king, investigative competence, and the ability to stay focused despite being charmed by a pretty face. He has integrity.
Minor spoilers so I remember when I read the sequel:
Portier - will the next book answer questions about his own nature?
Ilario - leading man material deserves a starring role
Dante - is the change for real or for show?
Big Bad - motivation is way too fuzzy.
Can't wait 'til the next book.
I like the main character, Portier, because despite his feelings of inferiority, he displays admirable qualities: unswerving loyalty to his king, investigative competence, and the ability to stay focused despite being charmed by a pretty face. He has integrity.
Minor spoilers so I remember when I read the sequel:
Portier - will the next book answer questions about his own nature?
Ilario - leading man material deserves a starring role
Dante - is the change for real or for show?
Big Bad - motivation is way too fuzzy.
cmbohn's review
2.0
Finally gave up on this one. I made it halfway and nothing was happening. Too slow 🐌 for me.