Review | The Long Earth - Terry Pratchett and Stephen Baxter

As yet, I've never truly gotten into Baxter's work - but after this particular collaboration, I'm very tempted to.  A read with an oddly utopian bent, The Long Earth definitely won't be for everyone - but it was for me. It takes as its basis that staple of SF, alternate universes. The twist? Those of The Long Earth are empty of humanity, and correspondingly, its history (no alternate history here... mostly). Though a few of its relatives remain...

The Long Earth's history diverges from ours fully on Step Day, when a public blueprint for a 'stepper', a device allowing travel between these parallel universes, is released, and Earth responds... interestingly. New frontiers open up - bands populating the remote worlds with human settlements. Some Earth countries empty entirely. Some religions seek their respective paradises out in the Long Earth. And the Black Corporation and its partner, Lobsang (a Tibetan AI), decide to venture far into the Long Earth with the assistance of a 'natural stepper', Joshua, who does not require a device to step. This is the major plotline, but there's a loose focus here: there are a number of viewpoints, from a policewoman tasked with dealing with the threat of parallel worlds, to a secretary who simply disappears into the Long Earth, many of which are one-time-only.

It's more utopian than you'd expect. Humanity, away from the pressures of Earth, seems to treat each other - and its relatives - well: and honestly, after the dystopian trend of recent days, is kind of relaxing. The journey of Lobsang and Joshua is just that: a journey, not a war, more discovery than adventure. That's not to say it's tedious. Parallel universes containing every Earth that could be? Far from it. And it's frequently broken up with other viewpoints. But The Long Earth is not a fast paced novel. It's fresh, interesting, and a read for when you have a spare afternoon: not five minutes of excitement, which can be equally entertaining.

What of the characters? Well, suffice to say there seems more of Baxter than Pratchett about them - if you're looking for the wry, comic dialogue of Discworld, you'll be disappointed (there's no Vetinari here). But Lobsang and Joshua, and someone who I really won't spoil, play off each other well. Joshua is an interesting character. Born in another world, he's drawn to silence, and has... unusual instincts and desires in exploring the Long Earth - and interacts wonderfully with the more-than-human Lobsang, also with concerns for more than profit, but with an entirely different viewpoint. And thankfully, the cameos are a varied lot: telling a bit more of Earth's story, post Step Day, but this method of storytelling relies on that very variety to keep it interesting. And it succeeds.

There is a drive though. A threat, a mystery (or dozen), and the actions of those stuck on Earth combine to ensure that - however utopian - this novel is certainly not without compulsion. It is, however, without (much) resolution, and left me eagerly anticipating its sequel, so those who want at least some resolution might want to wait for that particular followup! But that aside, The Long Earth is a quirky book I have no hesitation in recommending - as long as you're prepared for more journey than action, and less cynicism than SF's used to. I enjoyed both, but they're not for everyone, and the cameo viewpoint style is - again - polarising.

Review | Herald of the Storm - Richard Ford

Ford's second novel, and in a very different subgenre from his first - the engaging, steampunky Kultus, which I reviewed back here - Herald of the Storm is an epic fantasy with some interesting twists on the genre. Still, the initial setting is a familiar one: a union of states, an east-west divide (while not dwelt on, I did find this slightly disappointing - barely moving beyond stereotype for the titular herald's eastern background), and a threatening horde. Said horde is currently at war with King Cael, the novel's absent monarch, leaving the city we're concerned with - Steelhaven - stripped of troops, sought by refugees, and preyed on by the Guild (an organisation of occasionally organised thieves). And here's where our story starts to move beyond the typical.

With the characters.

Princess Janessa's first thoughts might seem predictable - an arranged marriage which is entirely undesirable, a distrust of her father's councillor, Odaka. But her arc is far more about a growing role and responsibility in the city - something rarely glimpsed in fantasy's monarchs (which, not to put too fine a point on it, seem to spend more than half their typical books attempting to flee their countries!), and certainly a much more interesting role than the 'rebellious princess' stereotype.

And since this is epic fantasy, there are a few characters. Quite a few. From Kaira, a religious warrior on a mission to infiltrate the city's Guild, to Waylian, a student despairing of ever mastering magic, but dragged into an investigation of black magic in the city. This is both one of the novel's main strengths and its biggest weakness. The multiple plotlines are frequently engaging, and offer a great deal of variety: deftly handled by Ford, nothing is ever allowed to grow dull. There's plenty here for everyone - from (not quite Lynch-style) organised crime, to a learning ruler, to a murder investigation. The weakness? For certain characters, there's a bit of a The Way of Kings analogue: similarly to Sanderson's novels, some plotlines are shorter and read more as an extended character introduction for later novels. This isn't something I object to, but readers interested in some resolution all round might want to hold out for a book or two.

But Ford's talent here, far more so than in Kultus, is the emotional depth of some of his scenarios. Triumph is not unadulterated with regret, and that's another refreshing addition: unlike the abstract Tolkienesque attempts of some "the Elf magic is fading away" plotline, one or two of these are character based and far more powerful for it. While not quite Guy Gavriel Kay, Ford definitely has a knack for this, and I hope this keeps up throughout the series.

Since I'm - well - me, you might expect a certain degree of interest in the magic system. Sorry, I'm not subverting reviewing conventions today: and Herald's system, belying a recent trend, leans firmly towards the mysterious side. That's not a bad thing. Since it's infrequently used, and a decent price is apparent, it works well - though I won't spoil which tidbits we do receive, let's say that it's certainly something whose revelation I anticipate tying further into the series. This isn't Sanderson-esque: but if you like a certain thrill of the forbidden with your magic, the atmosphere which comes with it, this may well be your kind of novel.

Make no mistake, this is a series though - and though many plotlines do have a resolution, particularly emotionally, there is a large element of anticipation. Confrontations, mysterious orders... It's clear the next novel will be one to watch out for. While sticking to a few conventions (particularly in the world, though I'm pleased to note the Odaka plotline avoided stereotype - because in a great deal of fantasy, a trusted councillor is essentially a synonym for "guilty as all hell"), Herald of the Storm generally manages to put its own spin on the subgenre, and the sheer variety of its subplots is a noteworthy quality in itself. In a subgenre often bogged down in convention, Herald is a breath of fresh air. And especially since the female characters got a great deal of said subversion of roles, there's a lot to be said for it.

The verdict? Definitely a recommended read!

Review | A Little Pratchett!

Oh dear, that was a lot more than three weeks - but I'm back at last, and apologies for taking so long about it! So let's get started with a new review in one of my favourite series: Discworld.

Lords and Ladies - Terry Pratchett

I've always had a soft spot for Granny Weatherwax as a character, and it's clear that Pratchett writes her ever better over the course of the 'Witches' subseries. And since Lords and Ladies is several books into said series, Weatherwax is pretty fleshed out indeed - hard-headed, prideful, but with a reason for it (she believes she's the best because, well, she is).

Lords and Ladies takes place just as the three witches return to Lancre following the events of Witches Abroad - only to find that there are (guess what?) problems. It looks like the elves might be coming back. And this is typically Pratchett: taking a common fantasy concept, even cliche, and deconstructing it. Or at least giving it a hard yank. Pratchett's elves use glamour, are capricious, and everyone remembers them as 'nice' because... Well. See the 'glamour' part.

There are younger witches - not quite so businesslike or hatchet-faced - moving in, Magrat's preparing to marry the King (and endeavour to discover what exactly a queen does), and Casanunda and the Wizards are planning on a visit too (dwarven and the world's 'second greatest lover', another favourite of mine). A lot of elements collide here, and if you're a fan of one of the other plotlines - the Unseen University crew, for example - it's definitely worth taking a look for the crossover (Ridcully and Weatherwax's discussion of old age is particularly hilarious as an interaction)

Not to mention Magrat. Okay, I mentioned Magrat, so let's discuss her. For a while, her character was rather passive, but in Lords and Ladies she becomes far more of a protagonist. At first trying to discover what exactly a queen does (entertainingly), then fighting the elvish incursion in the armour of a queen who... Well. You'll find out, but it's silly and amazing simultaneously, like a great deal of Pratchett. Magrat is a great deal more likeable in Lords and Ladies, and I'm hoping that continues into my reread of Carpe Jugulum. Fingers crossed!

But as always, it's Ogg and Weatherwax who run the show - their characters perfectly complement each other, perfectly hilariously. Weatherwax's confrontation with the elves is one of my favourite Discworld moments. They're polar opposites: the Queen is small minded and appearance-obsessed, while Weatherwax... can be small minded too, but otherwise is quite the opposite. Pratchett plays these characters, from Ridcully to Casanunda, off perfectly, and it's a pleasure to read.

It's not the funniest Discworld novel, that accolade has to go to Going Postal for me, but it is certainly the best in the witches subseries so far on my reread. But there's two left to go, so perhaps that's empty praise. But this isn't: it's a truly enjoyable book, and definitely worth your time, particularly if you're familiar with the witches and the Lancre characters. However, it's not an ideal starting point to either the subseries or Discworld as a whole. If you're unfamiliar with the witches, Wyrd Sisters may be a better starting point.

I do miss Greebo, though.

Blog | May Absence

Okay, so I was hoping to squeeze in a few more posts before this - but as you've seen, this didn't happen, so apologies for not getting the news out sooner. All currently scheduled reviews are still coming, but I'm going to have to push them back a few weeks - unavoidably, I'm going to have to take about a month off from the blog. Apologies to all my readers and fellow bloggers: but never fear, I'll be back!

...In fact, I've already (Shock! Horror!) got an article or two planned on lazy tropes and storytelling. Here's hoping to see you all in a few weeks!

News | Authors & Anthologies

I promise to stop pestering you about these soon - but I think this anthology really deserves a look in. Ann and Jeff VanderMeer are running a fundraiser on Kickstarter to create a feminist speculative fiction anthology. As someone who's been wondering about the dearth of strong female characters recently, this seems like a great idea to focus on these disparities. While I suspect there'll be a slight slant towards SF rather than fantasy (don't quote me on this!), they probably describe the project best themselves. I quote:

"The anthology will emphasize women's speculative fiction from the mid-1970s onward, looking to explore women's rights as well as gender/race/class/etc. from as many perspectives as possible. The contributors are not yet established so we hesitate to name names, but rights to reprint stories from Ursula K. Le Guin, Octavia E. Butler, Joanna Russ, and James Tiptree Jr. would be sought in addition to a wealth of newer voices in the field."

 Ursula K Le Guin hasn't always been consistent for me, but I loved The Left Hand of Darkness (as well as several other works of hers), and the other inclusions look equally interesting. Why not give it a look? You can find it HERE.

In other news, Robert J Bennett has won a (richly deserved) Edgar! The Troupe, one of the best coming-of-age stories I've read, thoroughly impressed me (can you tell? I think you can) - and I'm glad to see he's getting this kind of recognition.

Catherynne Valente has also signed for two more novels with Tor. While I haven't yet read any of her books (I plan to, but so far haven't glimpsed them in a bookshop - I may have to brave online retail :p ), the Little Red Reviewer's reviews (which, by the way, are pretty brilliant!) have definitely put her on my list.

Finally, I'll be running a guest post as part of the series over at Bookworm Blues. No date yet, but look out for it! It's an important issue that's often overlooked, especially in SFF, where most protagonists are pretty physically ideal, so kudos to Sarah for running this project.

Subgenres | Three Historical Fantasies You Should Be Reading

...If you want to, that is. I just can't seem to make these bold claims without caveats.

But over the past two years, I've read several great historical fantasies. In fact, not merely great - absolute must-reads: and since I'm asked for recommendations relatively often (it's part of that whole book reviewer malarky. Keep them coming, it's fun!), here are said three in post form. Though my standard recommendation of (almost) all things Kay still stands.

Anne Lyle - The Alchemist of Souls

Back in January, I called this "an absolute masterpiece of the genre" - and I stand by that. Set in the Elizabethan era (a period which never fails to engage me), The Alchemist of Souls diverges from history in the existance of Skraylings - a separate civilisation with - to the explorers of the new continent - seemingly magical abilities. And one Mal Catlyn, a down-and-out swordsman, is assigned to be their ambassador's bodyguard. There's intrigue - plenty of it! - acting (Coby, the female protagonist, is tireman for a troupe), and a great deal of depth.

Lyle is a fantastically engaging writer, and brings her (altered, admittedly) Eliabethan England to life - grimy, occasionally brutal, and wonderfully fun. This is, to me, historical fantasy at its best.

Guess what? I recommend it.

Aliette de Bodard - The Obsidian and Blood Series

The concept alone was enough to drag me into reading these - and I'm glad  I was so-dragged! Historical fantasy, but set in the Aztec civilisation (and not the oft cliched 'human sacrifice people', either. These are Aztecs with their own culture, their own beliefs, and their own civilisation), and with a substantial mystery component? This is a wonderful degree of genre blending, and I love it.

Also, remember my wish for more non-Eurocentric fantasy? This definitely counts.

That's not to neglect the plot and characters. Aztec politics and Aztec beliefs both come into play, believably written into the characters - including our protagonist, the high priest of Lord Death. Convention defied? I think so. While it wasn't quite so emotionally engaging as Lyle's writing, Obsidian and Blood definitely gets a 'must read' from me. And if you don't believe me here... Well, read my review. Or, you know, someone else's.

Robert J. Bennett - The Troupe

I debated whether to place this one under historical fantasy. Admittedly, the era in which it's set is far more recent, approaching urban fantasy, than my other picks: but in the end, the period is one of the most fitting and evocative aspects of Bennett's novel - so it stays.

The Troupe is set in the time of vaudeville (which I knew little-to-nothing about) - and the eponymous troupe are simultaneously part of it and something more. This is one of the best coming-of-age stories I've read. Hard-hitting at times, George's growth is just as painful as you'd expect at points. A wonderfully mysterious UF setting, the best take on Fae (or however you like to name them) I've seen in an age - seriously, they're wonderful - and an extremely satisfying ending. You want more praise? Then you'll just have to read my review. ;) It does have a few flaws, but it's a lovely novel in general.

Well - those are my three 'must-reads'. Any thoughts or additional suggestions?

Thoughts | Three Things I'd Like to See (More Of)

This post brought to you from the tired mind of a book blogger. No review for today - though I will be reviewing Earth Girl (a concept I loved; an execution that wasn't quite as brilliant), as well as the previous reads I mentioned over the next few days - but instead a quick list of a couple of things I'm enjoying, and that I'd like to see more of in fantasy.

As always - it's subjective, and thoughts are welcome!

1. Fantasy cultures based outside of medieval Europe. I may have ranted about this before - in fact, I know I have. But the point still stands: walk into the fantasy section of a bookshop, pick a title, and nine out of ten times - it'll be based on medieval Europe (and not, for that matter, much of Europe at all - Eastern European influence often doesn't get a look in). I've massively enjoyed fantasies based on other cultures and influences in the past, and thankfully, this is starting to change - Aliette de Bodard's fantastic (Aztec) historical fantasy series, Obsidian and Blood, comes to mind.

2. Female characters who aren't constrained by their society. Those who are have been written well, and often have considerable agency despite that - but sometimes, being historically accurate is used as an excuse to have them be (essentially) passive, or just to leave them out entirely! But what's this excuse - historical accuracy? To what, exactly? With the exception of historical fantasy, fantasists have little duty to be historically accurate. And indeed, they're often most lauded for not being so. So if your fantasy civilisation is ruled by superintelligent squid, is making your society not conform to patriarchal values (if you don't want your characters fighting their society) really that weird? I don't think so.

3. Universes and shared worlds - like Brandon Sanderson's Cosmere. When a work has an appreciable history and world, it's more enjoyable for me - so when one work references events or consequences (or even contains characters from) another novel, such as the recurring character Hoid in the Cosmere, it's a fair bit of fun. It also helps with consequences - if an event is still having referenced repercussions, then it's evidently significant: and if it's, for example, the cause of the events of another novel, it really shows. It's one way of really showing a fantasy of change. (Juliet E Mckenna does this too - her series often aren't directly connected, but their events affect each other)

Well, those were just some topics on my mind at the moment. I'll be returning to regular reviews and articles next week!