A review by chrisbiss
The Copper Promise by Jen Williams
2.0
I had great hopes for this book during the first few chapters. The world seemed interesting - non-Westen fantasy, drawing on tropes from outside the usual stock, not trying to be 'epic' and instead getting straight in to a down and dirty dungeon crawl. A few characters with interesting stories thrust in to a hostile environment. What's not to love?
Unfortunately, this great opening section lasts for maybe 50 pages. Then we're thrust back out in to the world, which is more of a collection of points on a map rather than anything with any depth, and we're left to sit and watch as the characters chase a dragon around the countryside.
There are a few interesting points; I liked the magic system, and the idea of giant spells embedded in the earth, but Williams doesn't capitalise on these ideas at all. There's too much going on in the book, the pace moves too quickly, and everything simply becomes a blur of names and places.
My main problem, though, is that Wydrin has no actual agency or character of her own. Frith has a goal; regain his health, take the magic of the old mages, and seek vengeance on those who harmed him. Sebastian is plagued by guilt and betrayal, desperate to gain acceptance in the holy order he was ejected from. They have interesting stories steeped with built-in conflict and opportunities for character development. Wydrin just follows the men around. She is defined by the men around her. She doesn't want anything beside adventure and riches - until she wants Frith. When the others go off to seek their own answers - Frith to the cold islands where he learns the old words, Sebastian to seek out the brood army and his holy order - Wydrin goes to find her brother, for no apparent reason.
I could go on, but I won't. There were enjoyable moments here, some great set pieces, but ultimately it just didn't work for me. The opening of the book made promises that the following 300 or so pages just couldn't keep.
The main disappointment, though? The world-building - from Ynnsmouth, to stories about the 'old gods' being dragged out of the sea, to the vaguely Egyptian trappings of the Citadel - practically screams "THIS IS A LOVECRAFTIAN STORY". The reveal, when we learn that the 'old god' trapped inside the Citadel is a dragon, something we've seen thousands of times before, is one of the biggest let-downs of any book I've read this year.
Unfortunately, this great opening section lasts for maybe 50 pages. Then we're thrust back out in to the world, which is more of a collection of points on a map rather than anything with any depth, and we're left to sit and watch as the characters chase a dragon around the countryside.
There are a few interesting points; I liked the magic system, and the idea of giant spells embedded in the earth, but Williams doesn't capitalise on these ideas at all. There's too much going on in the book, the pace moves too quickly, and everything simply becomes a blur of names and places.
My main problem, though, is that Wydrin has no actual agency or character of her own. Frith has a goal; regain his health, take the magic of the old mages, and seek vengeance on those who harmed him. Sebastian is plagued by guilt and betrayal, desperate to gain acceptance in the holy order he was ejected from. They have interesting stories steeped with built-in conflict and opportunities for character development. Wydrin just follows the men around. She is defined by the men around her. She doesn't want anything beside adventure and riches - until she wants Frith. When the others go off to seek their own answers - Frith to the cold islands where he learns the old words, Sebastian to seek out the brood army and his holy order - Wydrin goes to find her brother, for no apparent reason.
I could go on, but I won't. There were enjoyable moments here, some great set pieces, but ultimately it just didn't work for me. The opening of the book made promises that the following 300 or so pages just couldn't keep.
The main disappointment, though? The world-building - from Ynnsmouth, to stories about the 'old gods' being dragged out of the sea, to the vaguely Egyptian trappings of the Citadel - practically screams "THIS IS A LOVECRAFTIAN STORY". The reveal, when we learn that the 'old god' trapped inside the Citadel is a dragon, something we've seen thousands of times before, is one of the biggest let-downs of any book I've read this year.