"True, Feroze." Rafiq smoothed his luxurious black moustache with his left hand, then gestured casually at the rising moon to the east. "But I am fated to die beneath a full moon, which was ten days ago."
The story:
Malachy Kidd was strong hero potential until he was blinded in a
fight. Now he spends his time as a teacher at Sandwycke's Royal
Military Seminary, making the life hard for the young students.
When he tears into the theoretical battle created by two young students, Robin and Uriah, young Uriah gets fed up, and starts talking back. Malachy Kidd must admit that the boy is right, and when his old aide graduates, Uriah is chosen as his new aide.
Robin graduates, and the two friends part. But a war between powerful nations threatens, and suddenly the theoretical battle may be more than just theory. For in Helansajar, and old legend rise out of the desert, one that might threaten the safety of several nations.
Thoughts about the book:
This story is set in a world pretty close to our own. Magick is not
unusual, but it is mixed with technology. The cultures are clearly
inspired by the cultures we know; the language spoken in Strana is
either Russian or closely related to Russian.
For those who like this kind of stories, the book is absolutely worth reading. If you expect fantasy to take you into a completely different world, with no recognizable traits in culture, names or religion, you should stay away from it.
A nice, though predictable, story.
About the author Michael A. Stackpole.
starcat@starcat.rlyeh.net