To quickly locate the type of story I would say it is a novel scenario, ie an already known story of the author who has, willingly or unwillingly, to incarnate in his characters. Knowing that my preference goes to the characters in stories (led by them, sometimes against the will of the author) and to universe building stories, you will understand that this novel I was not completely convinced.
Let's start with the best: the Universe is sketched very original, especially compared to the usual poverty of the current Fantasy on this point. The action is in effect after a huge cataclysmic magical nature (revenge between magicians) who threw the human population on the roads of the exodus.
These seemingly dead lands are called "Churning Wastes" and are being explored for two thousand years by a monastic order, the Androfrancine, following the teachings of P'Andro Whym and dedicated to the restoration of lost knowledge, technical knowledge, literary, philosophical but scientific!
Because you'll meet soon Isaak. Isaak the robot, yes, the robot! And what a robot because you also learn that it is technically mechserviteur responsible for genocide Windwir, the capital of the order Androfrancine, light of the world because of the huge library containing the full knowledge and known mostly unknown ( Androfrancine the practice strict censorship on their discoveries, for fear the disaster happening again).
Yet it is precisely this cataclysm that is happened again. Windwir wiped off the map, all burned dead people, except some thirteen metal mechserviteurs including Isaak. Isaak iron man animated by an internal furnace and the steam it produces. Isaak, who pronounced the formula of the Seven Dead cacophonous Xhum Y'Zir, originally from the end of the old world and now the Androfrancine order almost complete (100,000 deaths).
I find it interesting that this notion of catastrophe is thus used in the Fantasy which hardly knows levels of conflict between the kingdoms and the END OF THE WORLD. So a mixture of science and magic that made me strongly think Sean McMullen in Verral Chronicles, Book 1: The journey of the Shadowmoon Death and Silver artifact.
Moreover Isaak is the most interesting character in the book, newer model appears very affected by the disaster, struggling under the yoke of guilt while its programming should tolerate nor disobedience nor emotional. These humanizing traits are very touching and contrast with the realism shown by the leaders of neighboring nations.
That said, outside Great words to Shift (Third Alarm Great Migration, First Captain, Desolation Old World) and cool concepts (the moon is green, perhaps inhabited and exhibited a huge tower) actually this universe so original is dramatically underdeveloped Magic is only described by some spells, useful, but where are the others? Not least by principles?
As for the Science and Knowledge which was the purpose of this order, we do not yet see the trace after nearly two thousand years of activity. The interesting association Science / Fantasy is clearly deficient in Science and some wonders such as steel boats of the House Tam Li (whose secrets are provided by the order) or gun is described as monopolies, contradicting the unpleasant habit has the technical know from spreading, whatever the measures taken against it. In addition we must admit that the natural scientific progress remains nonexistent despite the daily demonstration of their effectiveness!
But do not make too choosy, you could spend on these small universes defects if the characters were up to. Alas, triple alas, it is far from the case. Heroin courtesan-warrior-assassin triclassée and magnificently beautiful that awaits the hero that will unlock his stony heart totally devoted to his father Vlad Li Tam and his clan is of course a caricature which is struggling to grow in thickness. Former Pope Androfrancine, Resolute, long made me hope, a pope at his peak power that abruptly abandons for compelling reasons ... I am still waiting (the drug of power, you know? ).
The villain is of course very naughty, but fortunately it has motivations (or in his case pretexts) solids that could save his bet (I will keep quiet about them) but he needs to be so stupid? Move all his army to attend the cremation of Windwir and rejoice openly then attempt to criminalize Rudolfo Gypsy King is hardly clever. Keep secret the evidence of the plot which could have justified this destruction is total stupidity.
Finally we have the House Tam Li; you will discover how this family, through its many girls and son seeped into all the world powers known places and sacrifices painful and physically to influence all events. It is perhaps sad to say, but perfection is not interesting stories, because we do not believe, because you can not believe it.
In the end the most human character is ... Isaak robot, amazing right?
But I try reading the second volume in the hope that all will improve, I really want to know more about this universe and the Anglo-Saxon critics are rather positive.
Read American.
Note: The question asked by the site that houses all these comments is whether you found this review helpful This is not to say whether you agree with the opinion of the commentator. It happens that I have perhaps not as much appreciated that novel yourself. That does not mean that the flaws I have identified do not exist, just that they have not affected you, we all have a soft spot for this or that type of novel that allows us to go over some imperfections. It seems to me important that these defects are recorded so that each reader can wonder whether these are bearable to him or not. Last, can you really trust a commentator who emits only positive opinions?
