Flights of Fantasy

The Classic books that burn our souls Are nothing more than words. Yet when we read our hearts will cry To share the flight of birds.

Name:
Location: New England, United States

I love reading. I love watching funny movies. Its sad, but that sums up a lot. But I quite enjoy it. :P

Monday, October 23, 2006

Arthur, by Stephen Lawhead

In this, the third book of the Pendragon Cycle, we finally see some of the reign of Arthur. The book begins with Arthur pulling the sword out of the stone—a familiar story. But he is not immediately proclaimed High King: the other kings have lived too long with their own ambition to allow a young upstart on the throne of Britain. But Merlin manages to wring from them one concession: that they name Arthur Dux Britanniarum, the Duke of Britain, and make him leader of a warband. From this small beginning Arthur must win his kingdom and keep it safe—not only from the invading barbarians, but from the petty kings who would rather make war on each other than live in peace.

Sadly, Arthur was not all I hoped it would be. In a way, the book skips around a lot. Lawhead introduces three different POV’s in the telling of the story, which is not always satisfactory. The first point of view is from Pelleas, the devoted servant of Merlin. I was so used to seeing things from Merlin’s eyes, that I often would forget that Pelleas was telling the tale, not Merlin. The second POV is Bedwyr. I liked his view, because he would say the funniest things that kept the story interesting. The third was an entirely new character named Aneirin. His story starts with him as a young boy becoming Merlin’s assistant. His view is my least favorite, because I did not care for him at all. He was not one of the characters that I had grown to love—he seemed like such a random last minute addition and I couldn’t get into him.

The main issue with the different POV’s is that there are gaps of time between each character’s story. For large chunks of Arthur’s reign, I know of nothing that happened. The first fifteen years of his life are a blank to me, and myriad times in between when the narrators were not around him. I wanted to know more about Arthur, and yet I only got to see sundry glimpses of him as a child and during his reign. It seems to end all too soon, for like all Arthurian tales it ends in sorrow and hope. For there is a prophecy that Arthur will one day return, but he cannot return unless he has gone away. By the end of the book, we know the end of the tale, but it is the middle we are lacking, and that is what I wish to read.

Arthur is not without its good parts. There are many battle scenes, and Lawhead makes each and every one of them exciting and unique. Bedwyr is an enjoyable narrator, and he is often close to Arthur and the main pulse of what is going on. His description of the barbarian feast is absolutely priceless. Interesting events happen, and Lawhead is certainly being as good a writer as ever. Certain parts of the story could not have been told the way they were without the different narrators, but I wish it wasn’t necessary. So far, I think this is the weakest book in the Pendragon cycle.

If I could ask Lawhead one question about Arthur, it would be: What really happened to Arthur and the island of Avallon, and where did they go?

Saturday, October 21, 2006

Merlin, by Stephen Lawhead

In this second book of the Pendragon Cycle, we watch the life of young Merlin as he discovers who he really is, and what he is meant to do. Merlin grows up in Yns Avallach, one of the last remnants of Atlantean culture. When he is old enough, he spends his summers with his Grandfather Elphin, learning to be a warrior and a just king. Merlin grows, knowing that he is different and must one day save Britain from ruin. He experiences great joy, and even more terrible sorrow. For even though Merlin is more than a man, he is no less of one either. There are many things on earth that are too powerful for a single man to overcome, or to endure. His faith in God is tested to the utmost, but it also saves him to continue the work that only he can do. Soon, the child that is to be High King over all Britain will be born, and the Kingdom of Summer will reign. But only if Merlin can find him.

As with many of the Arthurian legends, most people have heard stories about the life of Merlin. Some say that his mother was a mortal, and his father was no man. Some say that he turned Uther Pendragon into a likeness of Gorlas, so he could sleep with Ygerna. Merlin has forever been a mystery, and a wonder. Stephen Lawhead does not veil that sense of mystery or wonder, but we are allowed to glimpse beyond it into the mind of a remarkable man. For he is a man, and men make mistakes and must suffer for them: the world is not perfect. I came to care greatly for Merlin, and it hurt all the more when life went badly for him. Lawhead does not give all his characters happy endings: he knows that they joy in life is more powerful when we also experience the sorrow.

As with Taliesin, Merlin is full of Christianity: it is an integral part of Merlin’s life and how he sees the world. But his is not a perfect faith: God will allow events to happen that are nearly unbearable, and Merlin cannot take it. It is a much more realistic take on faith than is seen in most books.

One problem with reading Merlin, is that sometimes it jumps around. The time is slightly fluid at points, and it makes for a confusing reading. The ending of a story might be told first, and then it is revealed what went before it. This can be an effective tool of writing, but it did not always work in Merlin. There are jumps in the plot that aggravated me, because I wanted to know what went on in between. But if you keep reading, the blank spaces are filled, and comprehension will come.

As much as I love the character of Merlin, somehow I felt more attached to Taliesin. Not to say that Merlin is not likable, but there was something about the character of Taliesin that is nearly indescribable. A power and a beauty, a steadfastness and a love that is hard to match. Merlin is more of an ordinary man, for all of his talents.

I really did like this book. It could exasperate me and annoy me, but the charm of the tale would not let me go. The story starts to come on more familiar ground: we see Vortigern and his tower that will not be built; Uther and his insane love for Ygerna; and we get a glimpse of Arthur who will one day be High King of all Britain, and ruler of the Kingdom of Summer. Lawhead builds up such expectation for the rule of Arthur: it has been two books already and only at the end of the second do we even see Arthur. It will mean more to us that Arthur will gain the throne, because we have waited so long to see it happen. In this, we might feel some of the impatience of Merlin himself, who had to wait many many years and manipulate many events so that it might take place. Lawhead is a clever author, and a good one, in my estimation.

If I could ask Stephen Lawhead one question about Merlin, it would be: We learn a lot about the Atlanteans and their extended lifetime: how long is their normal lifespan compared to a normal human’s? Or Merlin’s?

Tuesday, October 17, 2006

Taliesin, by Stephen Lawhead

A good percentage people in the world have at least heard of—if not read—the Arthurian myths. From childhood we hear stories about the round table, the grail, and the fabled knights of Camelot. Most famous for their telling of the Arthurian legends are Sir Thomas Mallory and his La Morte De Arthur, and T.H. White and his Once and Future King. Sadly I have not yet read Mallory’s work, but I have read T.H. White and his enchanting story. Most of the tales are full of chivalry and shining knights on white horses holding their fair lady’s token. Most of us will be familiar with this picture: we come to expect it when reading about Arthur and his knights.

There have been many newer revisions of the old legend, including Mary Stewarts’ Hollow Hills, Marion Zimmer Bradley’s Mists of Avalon, and a very funny/cute but clever series by a children’s author Gerald Morris. All of them have a decidedly different take, but all are decidedly interesting. Stephen Lawhead has joined the ranks of authors that have looked into the Arthur myths, and revealed to us their grand vision. And (dare I say it) he has done so with considerable talent and writing skill.

Taliesin is the first book in Stephen Lawhead’s Pendragon Cycle. This is where Lawhead takes his first step away from the normally traveled path of Arthurian stories: instead of beginning with Merlin discovering the young Arthur who is destined to be king, Lawhead begins the story in Atlantis. The wonderful city of Atlantis, yes, but also the doomed city as we all know. We see the royal family doing what royal families do, and we meet the young princess Charis. The time is the end of the Roman empire, and the barbarians are starting to raid Britain. All that is there to keep them back are a few Roman legions, and the native Celts. From this point on we are taken on a longer journey than suspected: we start with Merlin’s grandparents. And while this seems very unnecessary, the cleverness of Lawhead is making itself known. When you understand someone’s grandparents, you will better understand their parents. And when you understand their parents, you will understand where they get their ideas and motivations much better than if you just started with them. Back to the story—Prince Elphin is a very unlucky young man. Anything he does seems to be cursed and it is always somehow his fault. His father King Gwyddno sends him to the fishery to take the salmon, and hopefully improve his luck. When Elphin arrives, there is no salmon and he appears to be just as cursed as ever. But in the weir there is one thing: a small sealskin bag with a child inside. Elphin takes this child and names him ‘Taliesin of the radiant brow.’ The story follows the lives of Taliesin and Charis, and how they intertwine.

Because of the nature of Lawhead’s epically scaled series, we hear no more than vague hints during the first book of Arthur himself. Arthur does not show up until much later in the series: for all that this is ‘his’ story. I say this to warn you not to be disappointed: there is, however, enough in the story to satisfy even without Arthur. Another point of interest is Lawhead’s use of Christianity. Most Arthurian legends are entwined with Christianity and grail lore: it would not be the same without them. But while Lawhead includes Christianity in the story, it does not take over the story, nor does it overwhelm the druidic realities of the time. Lawhead is a Christian author, but he does not call fire and damnation down on ‘pagan’ religions. He has a subtle touch when introducing themes of Christianity, and has written (I believe) the best way to live out a Christian faith without being judgmental or wishy-washy. As I stated before, I say this to make readers aware of what is in the book before they read it.

Taliesin is full of beauty, joy, excitement, and sadness. Lawhead can write beauty to take your breath away, or sorrow to make you weep. His description of the bull-dances are some of the most exciting passages I have read. (For some reason, the energy in them reminded me of the battle room sequences in Ender’s Game). I grew very attached to the characters, and was very loath to see the book end.

I did find it hard to start the book: the first time I read the opening chapter, it did not interest me greatly. This is the weakness of Taliesin, for if you keep reading, you will soon be hooked. But it is just that first bit…persevere, I say. It is worth it. There are some small ambiguities strewn here and there which can puzzle and detract from reading, but on the whole they are small and not too noticeable.

I heartily enjoy this book and gladly recommend it.

If I could ask Stephen Lawhead one question, it would be: how did you conceive melding the Atlantean and Arthurian myths?

Tuesday, October 10, 2006

Empyrion: The Siege of Dome, by Stephen Lawhead

In this second book of the Empyrion duology, Orion Treet has returned to Dome to do what he can to stop the annihilation of the Fieri. He must find allies and avoid being captured: but he is alone, for his friends chose to remain with the idyllic Fieri. Finding enemies at every turn, and some friends where he did not suspect, Treet must survive in hopes of saving the Fieri; for there is nothing less at stake than the fate of an entire race.

In this book we learn more about the gentle Fieri, and we see the growth of the main characters Treet, Pizzle, and Yarden. We finally see the rumored Dhogs, who turn out to be very crafty characters. We don’t see much of Crocker, who has fled to the northern Blue Forest because of the turmoil in his mind. What happens to Crocker is so terrible to me, because I liked him, and to see him as what he becomes is awful. But that is a major point of Lawhead: bad things happen to good people, and not everything happens perfectly.

That idea is really fascinating to me: you don’t see it very often. Everyone loves happy endings where the guy gets the girl and all the world is well. But there is something to be said for the bittersweet ending where not all ends well. We come to know the depths of joy and sorrow, and to appreciate each all the more.

The themes of rebirth and redemption are very present through The Siege of Dome, as they were through The Search for Fierra. At this point in his writing, though, Lawhead does not yet have the subtlety in his writing that marks his later books. This delicate touch gently introduces ideas and themes without the reader noticing they are there. But every author has to start somewhere, and the Empyrion duology is a good starting point.

As with the first book, the writing is a little choppy, the characters not quite fleshed out well, and some questions left unanswered. I had hoped while reading the first one that some of my questions would be answered in the second novel, but they were not. While this detracts slightly from my opinion of the book, I still greatly enjoyed reading it. Whatever issues it has, it is still a fascinating book full of fascinating people and ideas.

My question for Lawhead about this series would be: Is the Red Death somehow related to the mist the travelers pass through in the desert?

Thursday, October 05, 2006

Empyrion: The Search for Fierra, by Stephen Lawhead

Sometimes I wonder why I enjoy reading fantasy/science fiction so much. Most of it is terribly predictable: the same plots are rehashed again and again using even more unpronounceable names and varied strange cultures. Most of us will recognize such stereotypical plots such as: young farmboy discovers he has to save the world, picks up a sage wizard, a man with bulging muscles, and a hot chick. And then saves the world. Or another: a varied cast is in a city with evil baddies ruling over some good people. They escape to a faraway settlement of good people, where they discover they have to return to said bad place and save the world. We all recognize these ideas: we’ve read them before. But what is it that makes us keep coming back? Or at least myself—I can’t speak for all of you. I really don’t know for the most part—but those unpronounceable names are kind of funny after a while.

I have officially decided (there is a need for me to be official with just myself) that I keep coming back for the way in which the old plot is reused. What variations on it is the author going to use this time? What kind of unpronounceable names are they going to come up with? What clever repartee is the main character going to spout when he’s in a tough spot? Mostly for these reasons I keep coming back to fantasy/science fiction. It is certainly very exciting when an author comes up with a new version of the old plot, a new twist in the innumerable twists.

A rough sketch of The Search for Fierra's plot would be thus: A colony is started on the world of Empyrion, but contact is soon lost. Orion Treet is sent with a few others to discover what has happened to the colony, and record its history. When they arrive via wormhole, they discover a situation entirely different than the one they were prepared for. Nearly 3000 years has passed for the colony, when only 5-10 should have. Treet and his fellows are caught in a deadly political struggle as they seek to discover what has happened to them, and to the colony.

All in all this is not a stellar book. The action is a bit choppy, the characters not really fleshed out enough, and the ever-present stereotypical plot is there to lead the way. But. Lawhead creates a convincingly complex society that could have evolved over 3000 years, and keeps the plot interesting in small ways throughout the book. There is an absolutely hilarious reference to Frank Herbert’s Dune that had me rolling on the floor for a good minute or two, and Lawhead has a writing style that delights in being cleverly odd.

This book is not as well written as some of his later works, namely his Albion trilogy, and his Arthurian saga. The characters don’t act consistently the way they should, which always throws a book a bit out of whack for me. The flow of the book is a bit choppy, but Lawhead keeps it interesting and worthwhile to keep reading. Definitely a good book to read, but not one to expect too much from.

Sunday, October 01, 2006

Exile's Valor, by Mercedes Lackey

Exile’s Valor is the sequel to Exile’s Honor, and continues the story of Alberich Herald of Valdemar. The book opens not long after Exile’s Honor concluded. Selenay is torn apart from the loss of her father, and beset by nobles who are forcing her to marry. But after Selenay manages to evade her nobles’ attempts to marry her off, she finds herself falling in love with the handsome Prince Kerathenalen of Rethwellan. Meanwhile, Alberich is finding hints in the lower city that someone does not want Selenay on the throne, and is trying (unsuccessfully) to forment discontent. When an accident in the salle leads him into further mysteries, Alberich believes that all of these events are related, but his evidence is slim and Selenay is in love for the first time in her life. He is forced to play a waiting game, and hopes he can discover all he needs to know before time runs out.

Okay, okay. A very dramatic description I know. ‘Before time runs out’ is an overused phrase when describing books, but in this case it is accurate. But unlike as it is described above, Alberich is not entirely alone in his assumptions: he is supported by the Queen’s Own Herald Talamir, and Herald Chronicler Myste. While we were introduced to Alberich’s nightly spying job in Exile’s Honor, Exile’s Valor fleshes it out and makes it quite interesting. This book is full of complications, intricate plots, fascinating developments, and really good writing.

Exile’s Valor is a better written story than its predecessor. Maybe it’s just because we know the characters and want to find out what is going on, but I found myself sucked into the story a lot faster than in Exile’s Honor. It held my attention a lot better, and I like it a lot better. I loved to read about the Ice Festival, and the start of the mad sport Hurlee. Lackey comes up with new ideas to delight your mind, and this sequel novel is a definite success in my eyes.

Again, this book is around the same level as the previous: not for young children, but more in the range of young adult to adult. Sex is a bigger thing in this book than the last, and certain parts are more explicit. Just be aware.

If I could ask Mercedes Lackey one question about this book, it would be: When did you first know that Alberich and Myste should get together?


Editor’s Eye:

There is one thing wrong in my edition at least: in the beginning of the book Adain(a bardic trainee) and Mical(a Heraldic trainee) broke a mirror in the salle. When they first go down to the city, Adain is described as riding a Companion, and Mical a sorrel gelding. Clearly it’s some sort of error, because later on Mical is definitely riding a Companion. I’ve skimmed past this before, but it caught my eye this time, and confused me, because I knew that Mical was a Heraldic trainee. I don’t know if the error came in the printing, or before. Anyone else notice this?


Reader’s View:

Who can not love Alberich and Myste together? I think they are sooo much fun. Definitely a good move to write that in. I love Myste as a character, because sometime I feel that if I ever had a chance to be a Herald, I’d be more like Myste than Alberich. Hurlee is definitely a mix between hockey and polo. A very amusing mix.