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BL: The Wizard Lord
Lawrence Watt-Evans, The Wizard Lord
Tor (2006) ISBN: 0-765-31026-0
Score: 2.5
Start of a high fantasy trilogy (Annals of the Chosen), but can be read as a stand alone (the conflict is completely resolved; I suspect the next two books will deconstruct the setting like his Obsidian trilogy). This is clearly a "what if?" book concerning a nation ruled by a very very powerful wizard (the original purpose was to stomp rogue wizards, and now that they're rare he makes sure it never rains during the daytime) and the eight Chosen Heroes[1] (non-wizards with magical abilities) whose job is to kill him if he goes bad. I suspect a lot of readers will be frightened away by the fantasy cliches (the Chosen are explicitly stereotypes: the world's greatest swordsman, greatest archer, greatest thief, most beautiful woman, etc), and while the author does twist things a bit I would have liked a few more surprises.
[1]"... realize we aren't a bunch of heroes out of some ancient legend."
"But, Boss," the Seer said, "we are heroes out of legend."
Next Book: Charlie Huston, Already Dead
Tor (2006) ISBN: 0-765-31026-0
Score: 2.5
Start of a high fantasy trilogy (Annals of the Chosen), but can be read as a stand alone (the conflict is completely resolved; I suspect the next two books will deconstruct the setting like his Obsidian trilogy). This is clearly a "what if?" book concerning a nation ruled by a very very powerful wizard (the original purpose was to stomp rogue wizards, and now that they're rare he makes sure it never rains during the daytime) and the eight Chosen Heroes[1] (non-wizards with magical abilities) whose job is to kill him if he goes bad. I suspect a lot of readers will be frightened away by the fantasy cliches (the Chosen are explicitly stereotypes: the world's greatest swordsman, greatest archer, greatest thief, most beautiful woman, etc), and while the author does twist things a bit I would have liked a few more surprises.
[1]"... realize we aren't a bunch of heroes out of some ancient legend."
"But, Boss," the Seer said, "we are heroes out of legend."
Next Book: Charlie Huston, Already Dead