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- Jun 13, 2006
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This second book by Thaddeus White is a follow up to the earlier Bane of Souls, although not exactly a traditional sequel, taking minor characters from the previous book and bringing them to the fore in this one. All the while following plot threads that were set up there.
In this Thaddeus Falchester leads a small band across the world first introduced inthe previous novel, expanding it considerably as they chase those that stole vital charms from both he and his sister. Their destination: The abandoned, legendary city of Altmortis, where they hope to extract not only revenge, but some of the abandoned treasue that is rumoured to be there.
Only there is something else as well...
The story is well told, although I felt the start of the book started a little disjointedly, you could see the writer really starting to relax into his role of a storyteller as it continued delivering an excellent finale as the band of characters struggle for survival in the aforementioned ruins.
The mix of characters are interesting, as are some of the subplots that add a bit of depth to the tale. Once again White is able to detach himself from the characters enough to be able to kill them, which adds a serious threat as reading continues, you actually feel that anyone could fall.
There are some good twists, and as already mentioned a solid and gripping climax.
As in the previous book White uses different language bases for his different characters depending on their country of origin - French, English, Germanic which adds both flavour and the feel of a greater world to the story. There are some excellent creations in the book, from the Cloud Dragon, to the very disturbing Hykir and the city of Altmortis works really well, strangely familiar and alien at the same time. Hints of the beings that once lived their, the strangeness in which they seem to have lived - everything made from stone.
In fact there are some intriguing hints to the time from when the ruins were thriving, which may be developed in any future novels.
In all an entertaining read that shows the writer growing and improving not only from his previous work, but as this one progresses. There are a few minor flaws that one might expect from a self-published work, but these really are insignificant, only picked up because it is the king of mistake I make myself.
In this Thaddeus Falchester leads a small band across the world first introduced inthe previous novel, expanding it considerably as they chase those that stole vital charms from both he and his sister. Their destination: The abandoned, legendary city of Altmortis, where they hope to extract not only revenge, but some of the abandoned treasue that is rumoured to be there.
Only there is something else as well...
The story is well told, although I felt the start of the book started a little disjointedly, you could see the writer really starting to relax into his role of a storyteller as it continued delivering an excellent finale as the band of characters struggle for survival in the aforementioned ruins.
The mix of characters are interesting, as are some of the subplots that add a bit of depth to the tale. Once again White is able to detach himself from the characters enough to be able to kill them, which adds a serious threat as reading continues, you actually feel that anyone could fall.
There are some good twists, and as already mentioned a solid and gripping climax.
As in the previous book White uses different language bases for his different characters depending on their country of origin - French, English, Germanic which adds both flavour and the feel of a greater world to the story. There are some excellent creations in the book, from the Cloud Dragon, to the very disturbing Hykir and the city of Altmortis works really well, strangely familiar and alien at the same time. Hints of the beings that once lived their, the strangeness in which they seem to have lived - everything made from stone.
In fact there are some intriguing hints to the time from when the ruins were thriving, which may be developed in any future novels.
In all an entertaining read that shows the writer growing and improving not only from his previous work, but as this one progresses. There are a few minor flaws that one might expect from a self-published work, but these really are insignificant, only picked up because it is the king of mistake I make myself.
