The story takes place in a post-apocalyptic future, several centuries after a terrible battle between wizards and scientists. This "war" seems to have thrown humanity into chaos. For two millennia, while men have reorganized their world, a monastic order has attempted to find and collect all the Knowledge of the Old World in a Grande Bibliothèque.
The novel opens with the dramatic destruction of their city. This catastrophe will break the political balance of other kingdoms and cause a terrible war. At the same time some will attempt to discover how this disaster could happen and who is responsible.
The universe of Ken Scholes universe borrows both fantasy but also to Science Fiction. Do not expect to see wandering Elves, Dwarves or Goblins in the Named Lands. There's really nothing to do with the world of Tolkien or the Forgotten Realms.
Lamentation is primarily a good novel centered on a story and its characters. The personal and political intrigue are highlighted, while the universe is secondary.
Thus one could accuse the author of being too evasive regarding the legends, magic or technology nevertheless remains that are at the origin and heart of the story. And on the contrary, insist too heavily on relatively few interesting details, such as a communication system signs .. not very credible.
It is also true that the novel is not full of original characters. The foppish hero, the wise old man who will not be the innocent orphan, the villain or not very sly spy who falls in love with the hero ... It's kind of deja vu, but this is not a big handicap because they are fairly treated.
Finally intrigues, be they political or personal order, are well constructed and subtly intertwined and unwound. We are fascinated before a large chessboard where players compete address and boldness. Suddenly, we find ourselves very quickly embedded in this story which was a bit difficult to grasp all the ins and outs.
For if the first hundred pages may be a little long to follow, everything is packed very quickly then. In addition, to maintain the suspense, narration focuses on 4 main characters and constantly alternating perspectives.
So, it is difficult to let go of the book and we did not really matter that makes makes the chapters following each other.
And it must be said that the writing of Ken Scoles also contributes to the pleasure of the reader. Because the author is a good storyteller, but also a good writer. He has a sense of staging and suspense, and his pen is elegant and unpretentious.
In the end, even if it does not necessarily keeps its promises, Lamentation is a rather satisfactory first novel, which for us a great time. I look forward to read more.
