A review by kblincoln
Banewreaker by Jacqueline Carey
4.0
Banewreaker is pure, unadulterated, Epic Fantasy. If you like Dungeons and Dragons, Lord of the Rings, Fionavar, The Belgarion, George RR Martin, etc, you will like this series.
I haven't been an Epic Fantasy fan since junior high. Somehow, after reading the aforementioned take on elves and orcs and dragons, the usual "quest for the magical object" and "politics of race" lack luster; it's all been said before.
And yet...Banewreaker manages to slog around in a swamp of cliches and archetypes and still be interesting.
We begin with Lord Satoris, the Banewreaker, who refused his brother-god (called Shapers here) a request to withdraw fertility from humans.
He did it out of love for his sister-god, and because, let's face it, his brother-god's people (the elves) the Ellylon just weren't keeping up in the fertility department and were dwindling, so not really a selfless request on the brother-god's part.
Lord Satoris is served by the Fjel (orcs) who everyone hates because they are ugly and brutish, but as we enter this world we are shown their purity of heart, their artistic leanings, and their overwhelming honor/loyalty. We are show this by Lord Satoris' human servant, Tanaros, who was betrayed by his King and Wife, both of whom he loved, and whom he slew in a rage. Lord Satoris forgave this crime, gave him sanctuary and immortal life, and has been nothing but kind to him...or has he? Are the madlings Lord Satoris takes in used by him in their madness? Or does his assertion that they are beautiful as they are ring true?
Here is the crux of why Banewreaker isn't stale: it is the in depth, sympathetic, and unswervingly brutal portrayal of the "villains" of the story, making them into heroes, that causes this book to rise from the muck.
And the language, flowery, grandiose prose all the way, baby. All the characters have dire, meaningful conversations. Every phrase is dripping with historical and emotional repercussions.
If you like that kind of thing (as I do in measured doses) than the prose itself is baroquely pleasing. On the other hand, it wore at me a little to have "sundered" used about ten times a page as well as the flowery names and phrases such as "Tanaros Blacksword/Kingslayer", etc.
Even for jaded tastes like mine, Banewreaker is worth the read. However, jump into this swamp knowing full well that you're going to get covered head to toe in flowery, epic prose. If that's what you like, you'll love this book.
This Book's Snack Rating: Cheetos, because every page gets cheesy epic prose all over your fingers, but really the crunchy characters are a familiar in their deliciousness.
I haven't been an Epic Fantasy fan since junior high. Somehow, after reading the aforementioned take on elves and orcs and dragons, the usual "quest for the magical object" and "politics of race" lack luster; it's all been said before.
And yet...Banewreaker manages to slog around in a swamp of cliches and archetypes and still be interesting.
We begin with Lord Satoris, the Banewreaker, who refused his brother-god (called Shapers here) a request to withdraw fertility from humans.
He did it out of love for his sister-god, and because, let's face it, his brother-god's people (the elves) the Ellylon just weren't keeping up in the fertility department and were dwindling, so not really a selfless request on the brother-god's part.
Lord Satoris is served by the Fjel (orcs) who everyone hates because they are ugly and brutish, but as we enter this world we are shown their purity of heart, their artistic leanings, and their overwhelming honor/loyalty. We are show this by Lord Satoris' human servant, Tanaros, who was betrayed by his King and Wife, both of whom he loved, and whom he slew in a rage. Lord Satoris forgave this crime, gave him sanctuary and immortal life, and has been nothing but kind to him...or has he? Are the madlings Lord Satoris takes in used by him in their madness? Or does his assertion that they are beautiful as they are ring true?
Here is the crux of why Banewreaker isn't stale: it is the in depth, sympathetic, and unswervingly brutal portrayal of the "villains" of the story, making them into heroes, that causes this book to rise from the muck.
And the language, flowery, grandiose prose all the way, baby. All the characters have dire, meaningful conversations. Every phrase is dripping with historical and emotional repercussions.
If you like that kind of thing (as I do in measured doses) than the prose itself is baroquely pleasing. On the other hand, it wore at me a little to have "sundered" used about ten times a page as well as the flowery names and phrases such as "Tanaros Blacksword/Kingslayer", etc.
Even for jaded tastes like mine, Banewreaker is worth the read. However, jump into this swamp knowing full well that you're going to get covered head to toe in flowery, epic prose. If that's what you like, you'll love this book.
This Book's Snack Rating: Cheetos, because every page gets cheesy epic prose all over your fingers, but really the crunchy characters are a familiar in their deliciousness.