Klik op een omslag om naar Google Boeken te gaan.
Bezig met laden... The Assassin of Gleamdoor James Norcliffe
Geen Bezig met laden...
Meld je aan bij LibraryThing om erachter te komen of je dit boek goed zult vinden. Op dit moment geen Discussie gesprekken over dit boek. geen besprekingen | voeg een bespreking toe
Prijzen
Anchored in a fearsome past of tyrant rulers and black magic, Gleam is a fiefdom gripped in the clutches of its ruler, the Markgrave, who has crushed freedom and hope. An ancient prophecy promises a bright new beginning for Gleam, but to destroy any chance of its being fulfilled, the Markgrave seeks the help of the Brotherhood, a mysterious order of scholars and practitioners of the dark arts. Into this menacing world comes a young woman, Johanna, and her brother, Tobias. Tobias's craving for power makes him an unwitting pawn in the Brotherhood's evil. Johanna, meanwhile, is chosen to be the victim whose sacrifice will preserve the regime of the tyrant Markgrave. But Johanna has two unlikely allies: a gentle musician and a runaway jester. To thwart the forces gathered against them, these three will descend into a darkness deeper than any they have ever known and discover resources of courage and invention they could not have imagined they possessed. Geen bibliotheekbeschrijvingen gevonden. |
Actuele discussiesGeen
Google Books — Bezig met laden... GenresWaarderingGemiddelde:
Ben jij dit?Word een LibraryThing Auteur. |
So it was with no surprise, really, that I found James Norcliffe's 'Assassin of Gleam' left a lot to be desired. Norcliffe's young adult writings have been well received, and this novel marked his entry into writing darker work suitable for an adult audience. However, I don't believe it was successful, and I believe the author became a little muddled during the transition.
Within the first three pages there was an appalling plot mishap. This signaled the beginning of 200 pages replete with error after error: inconsistencies, poor characterisation, and an empty plot. A bewildering example: The driving motif for the novel rests on the understanding the Markgrave of Gleam, tryrant in the extreme, has that the prophesied Maiden - the object of the commoners' love and hope - is but an idea, an idea that must be thwarted in order for him to continue his controlling rule. He quite clearly goes through a process of realising that she is only an idea and that he can't hope to put down an idea with force of arms, which leads him to the mysterious Brotherhood for aid. Further in the book, however, after a conversation with one of his Captains, the Markgrave credits said Captain with helping him to understand that the Maiden is just an idea, and not an actual person. One wonders how the editor missed such a glaring inconsistency, and others like it.
The plot itself is short, simple and uncomplicated, which in itself is not a flaw. Many brilliant tales are told best through simplicity. Sadly, this is not a brilliant tale, nor is it effective. Its predictability, and empty characterisation (the 'heroes' are insipid and rather thick-headed, and the Markgrave merely a bully), makes for a boring tale instead. There is an art in simplicity, and Norcliffe hasn't mastered it. The man can write, it is true, and perhaps that was the most frustrating element of reading the book. When he is on form in Gleam, his writing is strong and enjoyable.
While I wish to support any efforts from New Zealand fantasy writers, I can't say that I'd ever buy the rest of the proposed series of Gleam writings, which is a shame. I only hope the following efforts improve, and that the editor does a better job. ( )