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Emissary, by Fiona McIntosh (ARC)
Aug. 28th, 2007 02:53 pmEmissary: Book Two of the Percheron Saga
by Fiona McIntosh
525 pages (galley proof)
Genre: Fiction/Fantasy
No spoilers for once, since this volume won't be released until October. It lives up to the quality promised by Odalisque, but in terms of plot still very much a transitional novel. The ending, in fact, is almost a cliffhanger. And, of course, I can't resist comparing McIntosh--negatively--to Guy Gavriel Kay. Her work, as historical high fantasy, resembles his only less polished. I read through this very fast--started last night and finished this morning--but I only felt like crying once. And the plot twists, while surprising, are also bait-and-switch in a way. I also dislike Ellyana, because she seems too much like the mysterious Wise Old Mentor keeping back secrets.
The semi-omniscient voice so characteristic of foreign fantasy bothered me still when I began reading, but I quickly got used to it. The dramatic irony evoked makes me want to scream at the characters because they're making decisions that I as the reader know are wrong. At the same time, it makes sense for the characters and the motivation is realistic. McIntosh skillfully juggles her many characters, and the antagonists of Odalisque are developed here into rounded, gray characters (even Maliz). Also, there is a scene where Pez relieves himself! It's nice to see basic human needs not politely ignored.
I would have read this earlier, but I needed to gain some emotional distance from the characters after Odalisque--McIntosh does like making her characters suffer. I remain sad that Fiona McIntosh isn't more well-known (in the US at least), and I'll definitely be buying the final volume of this trilogy.
by Fiona McIntosh
525 pages (galley proof)
Genre: Fiction/Fantasy
No spoilers for once, since this volume won't be released until October. It lives up to the quality promised by Odalisque, but in terms of plot still very much a transitional novel. The ending, in fact, is almost a cliffhanger. And, of course, I can't resist comparing McIntosh--negatively--to Guy Gavriel Kay. Her work, as historical high fantasy, resembles his only less polished. I read through this very fast--started last night and finished this morning--but I only felt like crying once. And the plot twists, while surprising, are also bait-and-switch in a way. I also dislike Ellyana, because she seems too much like the mysterious Wise Old Mentor keeping back secrets.
The semi-omniscient voice so characteristic of foreign fantasy bothered me still when I began reading, but I quickly got used to it. The dramatic irony evoked makes me want to scream at the characters because they're making decisions that I as the reader know are wrong. At the same time, it makes sense for the characters and the motivation is realistic. McIntosh skillfully juggles her many characters, and the antagonists of Odalisque are developed here into rounded, gray characters (even Maliz). Also, there is a scene where Pez relieves himself! It's nice to see basic human needs not politely ignored.
I would have read this earlier, but I needed to gain some emotional distance from the characters after Odalisque--McIntosh does like making her characters suffer. I remain sad that Fiona McIntosh isn't more well-known (in the US at least), and I'll definitely be buying the final volume of this trilogy.
