Book Review
Nov. 9th, 2005 10:49 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
kenjariThe Year of Our War
by Steph Swainston
This fantasy novel had several good points and one sizable flaw. The book centers around Jant Comet, one of the circle of immortals in the Fourlands, a world that is being gradually overrun by Insects. Jant is one of many winged humanoids in this world, but he is unique in that he can actually fly. As the Emperor's messenger, Jant is heavily involved in both internal policial struggles and the continual war against the Insects.
The flaw is that the plot is notably lacking in a focus or goal. Lots of stuff happens and there is plenty of excitement and action, yet it often didn't seem to be going anywhere and I was left unsure about what any of the characters were trying to accomplish.
On the other hand, Swainston is a good, imaginative writer. She doesn't fall back on any of the outworn conventions or cliches of fantasy. The pacing is good, even when a sense of direction is lacking. The characters are colorful. The world is an interesting one, and there were several aspects of it I wanted to know more about (this is the first of a planned trilogy, so that's not a problem).
by Steph Swainston
This fantasy novel had several good points and one sizable flaw. The book centers around Jant Comet, one of the circle of immortals in the Fourlands, a world that is being gradually overrun by Insects. Jant is one of many winged humanoids in this world, but he is unique in that he can actually fly. As the Emperor's messenger, Jant is heavily involved in both internal policial struggles and the continual war against the Insects.
The flaw is that the plot is notably lacking in a focus or goal. Lots of stuff happens and there is plenty of excitement and action, yet it often didn't seem to be going anywhere and I was left unsure about what any of the characters were trying to accomplish.
On the other hand, Swainston is a good, imaginative writer. She doesn't fall back on any of the outworn conventions or cliches of fantasy. The pacing is good, even when a sense of direction is lacking. The characters are colorful. The world is an interesting one, and there were several aspects of it I wanted to know more about (this is the first of a planned trilogy, so that's not a problem).
