kgbooklog

Lawrence Watt-Evans, Out of This World
Del Rey (1993) ISBN: 0-345-39114-4
Score: 1

Beginning of the Three Worlds trilogy (and there's no hint that it's a part of a larger work until the very end). An ominous being known as Shadow has conquered the world of Faerie, and is starting to attack the universe of the Galactic Empire, who looks for allies and finds the universe of Earth. The book opens with both the Empire and resistance forces from Faerie trying to make an alliance with the USA, only to discover that Imperial tech and magic don't work here. The tone changes rather drastically halfway through: characters who made it through the first half literally without a scratch suddenly start dying off-screen. This is also one of those oddly dated books from the end of the 20th century: too recent to feel "historical" while still pre-dating cell phones and the internet.

Lawrence Watt-Evans, Taking Flight
Del Rey (1993) ISBN: 0-345-37715-X
Score: 2

Another Ethshar book, set between The Unwilling Warlord and The Blood of a Dragon, though not really linked to any others. A traveling charlatan gives a typical fame, fortune, and love prophecy to Kelder of Shulara, who doubts it somewhat, but is determined to make it come true anyway. He soon meets Irith the Flyer, who matches the description of his prophesied wife, and journeys with her along the Great Highway. The ending is rather abrupt and lacking in closure. That is clearly what the author wanted, but I would have preferred seeing what happens the next time Kelder meets some of these people, or at least see another day or two more. Doesn't really add anything the our knowledge of Ethshar (just some wizard spells, a couple Small Kingdoms, and Shan on the Desert).

Lawrence Watt-Evans, The Spell of the Black Dagger
Del Rey (1993) ISBN: 0-345-37712-5
Score: 3

Another Ethshar novel, about two young women (Lady Sarai, daughter of the Minister of Justice of Ethshar of the Sands and Tabaea, a not very successful thief) and how they react to suddenly gaining powers of various types. Includes good examples of theurgy and sorcery, as well as the worst of wizardry (and wizards). Also includes Tobas and other characters from With a Single Spell, so that should be read first.

3-28-05
Steven Brust, Agyar
Tor (1993) ISBN: 0-312-85178-2
Score: -1

This is a classic as defined by Mark Twain: I really didn't like it, but I'm glad to have read it. It is a dark, urban fantasy unrelated to anything else he's written. There is a fine line between an author being clever, and being annoying, and this book really annoyed me. The narrator leaves a lot of stuff unsaid, so there's a lot of reading between the lines needed, and I may have liked it more if I hadn't already known SPOILER (but that wasn't the author's fault in any way). (I want books that make me think, and wonder, and speculate *after* I put the book down; having to think *while* reading isn't fun.) I certainly would have liked it more if Agyar was the least bit sympathetic, but instead I kept hoping Vlad Taltos would show up and put him out of his misery. It would also have liked more information on how the supernatural stuff worked, especially for things important to the plot (like Jill biting him). And Agyar rationalizing his actions by blaming the embalmists didn't help any.